My Blanket With Arms

It is almost winter in Australia - my favourite season. I looove the cold. I live in Ballarat - which is about 300 metres (1,000 feet) above sea level, inland and in the south of Australia - so we get cold (well for Australia anyway!!).

I decided I needed a new coat to wear. With my new teaching schedule taking me out of the warm, snug house at night and the teaching venue only a few minutes from home, I am not in the car long enough for the heater to heat! So a warm snuggly coat is needed.

A quick flick through the pattern books and this Simplicity pattern (number 2208) jumped out at me. View A is my 'blanket with arms'!  

All the designs in this Simplicity pattern are meant to be made with polar fleece (I think in the US this is simply referred to as fleece???).  I choose artic polar fleece because it is the thickest and warmest. Polar fleece is fabulous to wear - it is soft, light weight, comfortable and warm. And to sew with it is terrific.  It doesn't fray - so no seam finishes to worry about. It is not too stretchy - in fact, I used a straight stitch when sewing it, I just lengthened it a little to avoid too much drag. And it can be combined with normal weight cotton or woven fabrics - like in the edging on my coat. It feels so lovely against your skin.  Pretty good all round really! In fact, I used it as backing (no batting needed) on quilts for three of my boys and in the winter they all put these quilts, fleece side to skin, underneath their doonas because it feels so good and is so warm and toasty!

I had some wonderful Denyse Schmidt fabric put aside for a dress but I had to cut into it because it was just perfect for the self faced edging for the coat. Sigh - what can you do - the teal colour was almost a perfect match. Guess my dress will now be a skirt!

This pattern was very easy and quick to put together - in fact, it was my Mother's Day afternoon sewing!  And since there is no shape to it there are no fitting issues to worry about. Magic! Simply sew and wear. 

I wore it last night when I taught my sewing class and it was so lovely and warm - a little stylish too I think!  When I came out of the shop at 10.30pm it was about 2 deg Celsius (35 Fahrenheit) but I was a warm little gal - I just snuggled into my blanket with arms!!

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

Covert Robin Prize List

I'm excited to be announcing the prize winners the covert robin! i had so much fun looking through all of the great projects that were linked up! And so many this time. Fantastic!



without further ado, the lucky winners are...

winner of a vintage sheet fat quarter pack from Cassie (elegantitus) is: Shannon of Sweet Puddles
winner of a gift certificate from Clara (Clover & Violet) is: Ruth of ruth plus two
winner of a lotta scrap bag from Courtney (mon petit lyons) is: Bobbie of From This to That
winner of a handmade market tote from Jane (buzzmills) is: Wendi of Sew Cat Sew Creations
winner of a fat quarter bundle from Jill (Made with Moxie) is: Samantha of At Home with Mrs. H.
winner of pdf patterns from Karen (Sew Well Maide) is: Melissa of a happy stitch
winner of a gift certificate from Kelley (casa crafty) is: Lilly of Lilly Hillage Urban Textile Art
winner of a creativity pack from Melissa (a happy stitch) is: Nissa of Nissa Made
winner of an embroidery kit from Rachael (imagine gnats) is: Lisa of In The Boon Docks
winner of organic zippers from Stephanie (The Crafty Kitty) is: Kelley of Casa Crafty

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

 

Fairy God-Sister and Old Saint Nick in Cahoots!

Catchy title?!?!?!  I think so.  Yesterday Jolly Saint Nick (who usually goes by the name Nick - husband of Sonya - aka, Fairy God-Sister) came knocking on my door with a big, red sack - well really it was a big, red bag but 'sack' fits the story metaphor soooo much better!  Always one to love a surprise gift I eagerly dug in and found beautiful goodies from my wonderful Fairy God-Sister (you may remember her from this and this previous post).

First out of the bag was a fantastic retro cannister set, circa 1970.

They are fabulous - bright, colourful and flowers (one of lifes' greatest bounties!).  I know that cannisters usually belong on the kitchen bench but since I am a creative soul (!) I have decided they look much better in the sewing room.  They are now home to all my bits and bobs.

 A happy little vignette that makes me smile when I reach for my oft used tools.

Next out of the bag was a lovely wrap.

So my colour - caramel and white.  It is sooo soft and light.  It will become my sewing room 'blankie' to warm me on the cold winter days and nights I am at the sewing machine.

It so reminds me of one on my favourite bad habits - jersey caramels (a lollie/candy) that is also too often supplied to me by my naughty Fairy God-Sister. Maybe if I feel wrapped in a jersey caramel I won't want to eat as many?? Mmmm ..... fantasy can be sooo comforting. Lol!

And the last beauty to be pulled from the bid, red bag .....

 A wonderful, vintage quilt top!!  I wish I could do this Lovely justice with a full quilt photo but it is tooo huge - 98" x 102" (245cm x 255cm).  It is stunning!  A lovely grandmother's flower garden design lovingly and very patiently english paper pieced.  Wow - such dedication!

The colours are fabulous - reds, blues, greens, pinks, yellows, apricots and mauves.  I wish I was good at dating such things - I swing between 1930's and 1950's. Maybe too much brown for the '30's??

I am so totally spoiled - it is not my birthday or any other special occasion. It is the best of occasions though - one good Friend lovingly thinking of another. Thank you so very much my Fairy God-Sister - you continue to reside very firmly in my heart.  And let's not forget Jolly Saint Nick who played delivery man - thanks to you too!

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

 

A Retro Apron

When I first saw this fabulous Melody Miller fabric I fell in love!  The colour, the designs, the style - all screamed of my childhood.  The range is called Ruby Star Sparkle and my particular love fest is More Happy Dishes.

When I started thinking about the project for the 6 week, Sewing for Beginners, class I am teaching at my local sewing shop, Sew Special, I wanted something that would be simple enough for beginners but interesting enough for a bunch of enthusiastic grown up gals. An apron seemed just the thing.  Pretty but practical as well.  And I had the perfect fabric for an apron - seemed like serendipity (don't you just love that word!!!).

The pattern we are working on is a Simplicity apron pattern (#2555).

We are making the second version (version B) - a few design details but not too many for beginners - some of whom have never threaded a machine before!  This week we are up to practice sewing some samples - you know things like a straight seam, a curve, topstitching, understitching and sewing on a ribbon detail.

I am really pleased with how well my class sample has turned out.  The fabric is perfect.  One day, when I am no longer teaching this class (or when I make another sample!) I will be able to take it home.  Although, I may be afraid to use it - it might get dirty!!

I am quite chuffed with the way I cut the pockets out and how well the pattern lined up - it is important to get these things right when you are the teacher because, you know, you are supposed to know what you are doing!

It is a little hard to tell from the photo but the design for the strap is very clever.  The armhole facing on each side is actually sewn down to construct a casing through which the strap is threaded.  Therefore, it becomes totally adjustable for any size bosom!

The ribbon detailing gives it a little design lift and takes away the 'plainness' of the design I think.

My students are doing very well and are fun to teach.  If they are happy for me to share I will have an 'apron gallery' post later on when the class is over and we move on to the next learning experience!

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

 

Anzac Day - Recollections of a Personal Journey

Once upon a time there was a Boy and a Girl. Both had a yearning for an adventure, a lust to see and experience the World outside what was familiar to them. Both said goodbye to those they loved and turned their face towards the unknown. The Boy shouldered his military duffel and, together with his Mates, walked the gang plank onto the mighty ship. The Girl hefted her suitcase onto the luggage check-in conveyor belt and, alone, walked the gang plank into the belly of the jumbo jet. Both looked forward with a sense of anticipation. However, from there their stories diverge dramatically. Ironically, they both end up in the same place and neither of them will ever be the same again

.

April 25th 1915 - a day of huge significance for both the Boy and the Girl. Gallipoli, Turkey - place of dramatic events for both the Boy and the Girl.  The Boy suffered carnage and bloodshed, death and destruction. The Girl stared in horror at the trenches that were his home for so many miserable weeks and knew that no matter the ugliness of the scenes that played like a bad film in her mind, that they could never be as ugly as His reality had been.  He is surrounded by his courageous and dying Mates.  She by those who had become her travel buddies, all young 20 somethings, collectively weeping over the graves of those who, in His time, could have been Her mates, Her brothers, Her Family. Young men too young to die.  She is moved beyond what mere words can convey. Although in Her travels She has seen other battlefields, the sense that this Boy and his bretheren belonged to Her nation touched Her with a depth that was profoundly personal.

Their journeys are over and they both return home. Neither can comprehend what they have experienced. The Boy will be haunted by his aches and his memories. The Girl will be strengthened by her deepened respect for the Boy - for his courage, for his honour and for his sacrifices. And every year on Anzac Day She will thank Him and his Mates for the freedom they, and all the Boys (and Girls) who fought in later wars, secured for Her so that She had the choice to journey to that place to honour Him for what He had sacrificed for Her and (now) Hers.

This year I find that I am moved even more by Anzac Day. Maybe it is because I talked with three of my Sons about my Grandfather who had fought in World War II and my Uncle who was conscripted to fight in Vietnam. Maybe I am just appreciating the Familial wealth of my life. Maybe some moments of our personal history leave an overwhelmingly indelible mark. Or maybe in our current social climate I feel the need to reaffirm my knowledge that there are truly those who have, and continue, to give meaning to the 'hero' in superhero.

Yesterday as the Girl sat in the car, waiting to collect Her precious Sons from school, listening to the radio playing "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (by Eric Bogle), the Girl wept for joy to know they would be walking through the gate to Her even while She wept in sadness for those Boys who gave their lives and the Mothers' who continue to wait for the Sons who will never come home.

Except in our memories - Lest We Forget.

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

 

It' a Wrap!

A crocheted wrap that is!! 

A little while ago it was my Mother-in-law's (Danielle) birthday.  I always try to make something for my loved ones for their special occasions.  I believe there is nothing quite so special and meaningful than a hand made gift made especially for you.  She is getting on in years now and feels the cold quite a lot so a lovely, thick, long wrap seemed just the thing for cuddling into - particularly as it is coming into winter in Australia.

Crochet is my current 'in passion' craft.  I seem to gravitate to it whenever I have a spare moment and so my mind went straight to it as a vehicle for Danielle's gift.  I love a lacy look so the stitch I chose is Rack Stitch (as described by The Harmony Guides - Basic Crochet Stitches).  It is a 3 row repeat pattern that is easy to remember and produces a lovely look.  Just my kind of pattern!!

Even better I was able to use yarn already in my stash.  Made me feel doubly virtuous!!  I am trying to remind myself that I have a stash because I loved those yarns enough to have bought them to use in future projects, so whenever the urge strikes to buy more yarn for a new project I force myself to head to the stash first.  This time it paid off!  Mauve is her colour - I seem to have been using it for her for years!

The mauve yarn is Moda Vera Mousse 70%/30% wool/soya and the two different yellows are Moda Vera Chantilly 70%/30% acrylic/milk.

I did a little modelling so you could see how it looked.  I confess I was a little reluctant to take it off and hand it over - I am a 'purple' gal too you see!  Sigh ...... but hand it over I did and had a little tear in my eye when I saw the smile on her face!

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....

 

Covert Robin - Yay, Gifts!

It is time to share with you the bounty from this round of the Covert Robin swap that I have co-hosted and participated in. I have been holding the excitement in until I was sure my swap partner (and fellow co-host), Clara from Clover and Voilet, who lives a looooong way away, had received her pressie - wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!

To say that I am thrilled with the gift I received from the most gracious Jane, of Buzzmills fame, is an understatement. You know how you sometimes read those gushy "it's soooo wonderful" posts and think perhaps it is a little over the top (or maybe, embarrassingly that's only me!)??? Don't think so now because I am truly, truly in love with my gift!

Can you see why?  Jane made me this lovely padfolio.  It is from the Perfect Padfolio pattern designed by our Covert head honcho, Rachael from imagine gnats.  It is the kind of item that is so useful for me and yet I wouldn't make the time to make it for myself.  Jane pegged me just right!

The inside has places for my business cards, a pen and pockets for holding paperwork - perfect for keeping safe and central all those little pieces of paper you have scribbled down a designed on when inspiration struck and you didn't have your design book with you!  I know I am not the only one guilty of this!!  Jane even included a notebook for me with a quilty chevron cover.  Perfect.

The fabric used has a lovely emotional element for me too - the main exterior linen fabric has been handprinted by Jane and paired with one of my all time favourite fabric lines - Flea Market Fancy by Denise Schmidt.  And who could not love the little covert robin gracing the front cover to forever remind me of my association with this swap.  So very thoughtful.  All this and a beautiful (I am guessing) handmade card with a lovely personal message inside.  Jane, you have my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your thoughtfulness, skill and consideration.

Now what did I make for my partner, Clara?

At first I wasn't sure what to make.  Sneaking and skulking around her blog told me quite clearly that she mostly dealt in fabric.  But somehow and for reasons that defy any kind of logic (!) I felt a resistance to making something from fabric.  Maybe I thought that that was something Clara was likely to do for herself.  So ........ the next move - Pinterest!  The next most fertile ground for a stalker is someone's Pinterest boards where I found the quote from Clara that set me on my path "That's it, I need to crochet!".

So these crocheted coasters were borne!

I stayed with the yarn theme and thought that someone who is clearly stylish and fashionable needed a little something glamorous for all those glam things that us girls need to do.  So .....

I recently purchased some sequined yarn skeins with no idea what I would do with them - they just sparkled and called to me!  Serendipity or foreseeing?!?!?! whatever - just perfect for this project though.

I have lined the bag and crocheted a flower for a little outside decoration and added a blingy button for its centre.  Bling plus!!  I hope you are able to give yourself a night on the town Clara!

Until next time, happy quilting, knitting, sewing, crocheting and crafting ....