Stop looking, I found it.

As some of my blogger friends may be aware, I have developed an addiction for ironing presses after doing Nikki's bag course. I've hunted high and low, watched some go for lots of Ebay, and finally resolved to never finding one in an op shop, with the standard 'we had a few in last week' reply wearing me down.

So when I saw this one outside the Salvos in Williamstown 2 weeks ago, I nearly fainted. I offered to buy it unchecked on the spot (they could have named their price!) but the good volunteer was firm, "No, it has to be electronically checked". Which apparently happens monthly and he'd just been. I wandered around the shop miserably, and she must have felt a bit sorry for me, so she suggested I out my name on it and they could ring me when it was done and ready for sale.

1 week later, I get the call- all checked, A-OK and $50. Let's just say a happy house that night.

I was in the country yesterday, Castlemaine to be exact, and I went into this cute little shop, where the specialise in reproduction prints. I got a few more for a quilt I've been wanting to make for a while. The ones on the right were from about a year ago, and the ones bundled up are from yesterday. I heard them mentioning their stand at the Craft and Quilt Fair, go by and check them, especially if you loved these prints too. I'm sure there will be a show special!!

Finishing things

Here is that jacket- very quick and easy, and looks good, I think. I had trouble with my buttonholes- Sharon had a great tutorial, and of course my Janome has one of these beauties, but mine always stuff up!! So I cheated and sewed press studs on with a button on the front. Don't tell anyone.

And, as requested, the whole quilt, and nothing but the quilt, so help me god. Well, a few throw cushions aside, I think it looks pretty amazing considering I didn't even measure it!! I held it up and went "is this big enough" to my posse at Sewjourn.

Hmm. The child says she doesn't like pink, but look at this post. She's very happy about it, too!

Forever and a day

is how long it has taken me to do this post. The computer is having some senior moments, and I think the nursing home is imminent. But here goes(....under pressure of maybe being the last post for ?how long)

I noticed the other night my cat has an orange dot on the top of her head. I hadn't noticed it before- every time I touch it, she pushes her head up in the catty way- I keep going 'toot-toot' when I touch it too. When do you think this would be annoying her?

A need for hoodies has driven me to quite a few oppies this week. Among the benefits (vintage sheets and bedspreads, haby) are these cool little numbers

this one (not technically a hoodie but a warm coat) needs some embellishing, yo yo's needed I think!

I also got this skirt with a ribbed waistband- just what every girl needs, a sheep skirt! Now it is stash skirt!

Some more fabrics/ bed linen/ doily

These arrived in the mail after my Paypal account paid for them (really a swap with the stuff I sold on Ebay, right?)

And I have wanted something Ken Done for ages- I had an amazing doona cover when I was younger, wish I still had it! Something being made out of this. And the brightest chenille I've seen that I didn't dye.

Finally, I have finished my little girls quilt, started at Sewjourn and finished in a week! Cheating included- over locking all pieces together (chenille is VERY fray-ey, annoyingly so0 and machine stitching binding on. I love the look. Haven't sewn the corners perfect, but I like it like this. Backing and binding picked by little one.

So, my busy week off work comes to a close. I am now trying to (still) unpack and get everything in it's place, a heap of washing to sort and put away has once again overtaken the couch, so I will answer....for 1 night anyway.

My Creative Space

By the seat of my pants, I am making it this week!

I took this away with me on the weekend, which proved a bit ambitious even for me. But after Little Miss picked the fabric, I was right into it, especially as I want her to have a new outfit for visiting on Saturday.

Head over here to see who's playing along, all thanks to Kirsty!

Stamping away

I have been getting lots of help from Holly recently with my foray into the stamping world. She has the best tips for buying products- my tip is as soon as you see a Speedball lino cutter on the shelf, GRAB IT! It is quicker to buy form the US online I think than get RIOT to find one in their stores.

But I can't complain, it was worth the wait and I have a beautiful 'hand made' stamp to show. I recycled the wooden backing off an old folk art stamps I had in my drawer (don't ask me how it got there, folk art is up there with scrap booking and Feathers wool to me).

If you like these, but want someone else to make it, see Jemma for more.

Good for the soul

Well, where to start? Maybe at the end and say I'm so sad it's over! Sewing is not the same at home...still good, but hey, how can it compete with this craziness....

gifts for no reason (more of that next post)

food- there were other meals, but this one stood out

sewing, cups of tea, the occasional alcoholic beverage...


LOTS of hamming for the camera
lots of laughing at old mags, craft and bk
and some finished and half finished projects. The overlocked quilt's top is done

a new zippered pouch habit has formed

Frances' sister was there and modelled a jacket and bags

and someone missed me, and loved her quilt!

What are we doing next weekend guys?

Need help....

Need to get this done...

so I can go and enjoy this place

Can't even think about getting projects organised yet! Arghhhhh!