Charity Makes.

 These Isolette covers are getting picked up this afternoon 45 in this batch. The total for the year 80.

These Premmie hats are going at the same time to the same place, total in this batch 65 hats. Total for the year 120.

Wool Fabric Dyeing.

 This lovely Tie dye was done on wool fabric on the stove top using blue egg dye.

This is the original pink wool fabric.

Dyed Fabrics

 This is the fabric I have dyed today, all dry and Ironed.

This is the colour ways I have managed to get, this was all on the same kind of fabric, over dying on yellow cotton. A fun day.

In The Garden

 This is our front garden, the roses are looking good!

This is what I am doing today, over dying fabrics. The yellow on the bottom is the original colour, the large packets are rit colours on the washed and prepared yellow fabric, the small fabics are wool fabric that was originally pink. I have used left over colours for that and they have 1 cup of white vinegar added, The large fabrics will be left for about an hour then washed through thoroughly in the washing machine until the water runs clear, the wool will be left over night then washed through by hand. The first time I have done dyeing was at least 12 years ago so fingers crossed!

Aussie Hero Quilts Stuff.

 I found this lovely brand new doona cover in Savers the other day and thought the colours were perfect to make Aussie Hero quilt blocks with. I have already separated the back from the front, they are both the same and will be keeping one side whole so that it can be used either for backing or laundry bags.

The other side I will be playing with, cutting into strips and squares to be turned into blocks with either stripes on the outsides of the squares or stripes on the inside. I am going to enjoy this.

Sewing Machine Dust Cover.

Super quick sewing machine dust cover. This is a super quick project it took me only 15 minutes to make, no measuring, just pinning and sewing. I draped the fabric inside out from the front to back, then on the sides pinned the fabric following the shape and pinned. trimmed the fabric and sewed it together. a perfect fit. The fabric I used is a rubber backed curtain fabric not suitable for my charity projects.

New Sewing Machine.

Look at this cute little thing, I bought this on ebay for my group of girls to use when we have our Crafternoons, It only has one speed, easy to use and does straight and zig zag. They will be making dolls clothes and things like that on it as soon as I get written permission from their parents. I am very excited.

Charity Knitting

I am loving this 4 ply sock yarn, soft without being fluffy.

Tuesdays Treasures

This is my very first sewing machine, 25 years ago. I still use it and treasure it always.

Sun Happy Kitties.

 I have not posted pictures of my cats Tilli and Meggie for ages, and today with the sun streaming in the family room it was the ideal time.

 Meggie.

Tilli.

Premmie Hats

I almost forgot to post this wonderful bunch of 9 premmie hats made by a friend.

Shopping and Charity.

 This is my latest buy from Savers in Greensborough. 4 ply sock wool at $1 a ball, This is great as the price new in the stores is about $11 a ball. Fantastic to make the premmie hats with as you get lovely patterned stripes.

 I bought this on ebay for $10. a pleating machine, I am looking forward to giving this a go, How cool will it look on dolls clothes.

and lastly but not least, two lovely bags of trauma dolls ready to go.

Fabric Finds Giveaway (almost)

 I have been shopping on ebay and this is my latest purchase. I am looking forward to having a go at fabric dyeing as soon as the weather gets warmer.

Not knowing what it was, but hoping, I am almost positive that it is wool. I am looking forward to dyeing some of it once the weather picks up and is warmer. I am willing to share some of it with the first 5 people who want to post to me a pre paid, self addressed postal bag. I believe the colour is called fuchsia.

44th Street Fabric Giveaway

 Would you like a chance to win some of this ?

 Would you like a chance to win some of this wonderful fabric?

This very cute quilt pattern?
then go here to find out more. http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/dot-and-chevron-giveaway-55-yards-of.html
Stunning stuff! 

Quilt Blocks

 This first block I am really proud of, I had the best time giving it ago, designed and shared by the lovely lady at http://beeshebags.blogspot.com.au/ this is the first time I have done a block as intricate as this, I think I am well on my way to being hooked on this thing called quilting.

Aussie Hero Quilt Blocks. I have to just trim the threads and they are ready to go. 50 blocks made.

Our Kitchen Update.

 This has been a very busy week for us, We have replaced our old hob, This has definitely seen better days, when we realised we were down to one working hob we knew we had to change it.

 This is our new gas cooktop.

 We also replaced the oven too. This has not been working for over 10 years.

This is our new one.
The first thing I did was cook cheese on toast under the grill, I was so entranced by the bubbling of the cheese that I let it go for to long, it ended up burned and looked like rubber, I am however looking forward to roasting some veggies very soon.

Joy Studio Fabric Giveaway

Just how cool is this bundle of Halloween Fun, Would you like a chance to win it? then click here to find out more, Hurry!
 http://joystudio.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/festive-fat-quarters/#comment-918

More Christmas Gifts, Stocking Fillers

 Bedroom/Travel Slippers. This is the last thing for the trio of gift set. No actual pattern involved, just use a pair of thongs to trace around for the sole pattern and for the upper wrap a piece of fabric on your foot and using a pen draw on the fabric a curve for the top and a straight for the part where your toes come through. Then mark the sides. (flip flops, for those family members in England!)  (I refuse to show you my feet!)

 To make the uppers pin the underside and the upper fabric right sides together, place some batting under the two layers and sew around leaving an opening for turning tight sides out. Clip curves and corners, thin the batting past the stitches for less bulk. Turn right sides out and ladder stitch the opening closed.

   Slipper lining, make this the same size as your sole, Pin the bias binding to the underside of the sole and the fabric foot lining at the same time.

 Hand stitch a running stitch to hold the 3 layers together which allows you to then remove the pins and at the same time it squished the yoga mat which helps it go under the sewing machine easier. With the bottom of the sole facing up, sew all around.

 Pull the bias tape to the front, smoothing it around the curves and hand sew on the right sides bias to fabric only.

Remove the pins as you go, Make another flipping the pattern pieces to make sure you have mirrored it. I hope you liked my mini tutorial, Have fun making slippers to fit your own feet.

Christmas Gifts, Stocking Fillers.

This is what I am making today, Not my own patterns but available free here, Having made the baby quilts and books I found myself looking for ideas on using the left over batting.
this is the link to the eye mask.
http://www.the-red-kitchen.com/2012/01/eye-mask-free-pattern-tutorial.html
this is the link to the coffee mug sleeve.
http://sewmod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/sewmod-coffee-cup-cozy.pdf

Stretch Velour

This is the fabric I bought from Mill Park Savers, They have many more of this in the back, Only 2 colours though. pink and purple. Complete bolts of stretch velour for $20. Each roll has about 20 metres. If you like fabric this has to be the bargain of the century.
When you see this in the stores it is about $25 a metre.

Savers Mill Park
Stables Shopping Centre
313-360 Childs Rd
Mill Park, Victoria
3082 Australia
(03) 9404 4048