Lady Emu

Lady Emu going for a walk. Materials used felt, fake fur and fleece.

Decoration

We started our Christmas decorating on the weekend. There is a little bit of Christmas scattered around the house from the tree to the little Lego Santas.

Sewing Spheres

It started as an exercise in sewing a sphere using  five wedge shaped piece. It quickly evolved into this.

Cat girl

just in time for Halloween.

Dinosaur

A year ago my son asked me for a dinosaur. I had never made a dinosaur before and really had no idea where to begin but not to disappoint I had a go. That first dinosaur was a disaster after a couple of hugs its neck began to flop to one side and the legs could not hold itself up. However he loved it and eve n took it to preschool the next day. I on the other hand saw it as a  failure and since have been working on perfecting my dinosaur. Fortunately  along the way I discovered 'Stuffed Animals' this book is wonderful because it takes away all the guess work, thanks to  its 52 lessons.
In my most recent attempt at creating a dinosaur I used two of the lessons from this book. Lesson 11 eyelids and lesson 44 cutting a hole to attach limbs. This method of attaching limbs is strong  and neat and in my opinion perfect for making toys for small children.
I like this dinosaur way more than the first one I made a year ago but best of all my son tells me its his favourite.

Under the Sea Mobile

the inspiration for this project came in the middle of summer when it was hot and thoughts of cool water swimming were floating around in my head. the actual making of course could not begin until the children were in school and hot summer days a sweet memory.

remnants cannot be returned

I love searching through the remnant bins, its a treasure trove of beautiful fabric that no one wants because its not enough. Even the store does not want it anymore, that's why the tag states 'remnants cannot be returned'. Well what do you do with say 30cm of fabric? I make cushions. They cost only a few dollars, and if say after a month or a week  I get tired of the new cushions no big deal, back to the remnant bins I go. There is always some new waiting for me.

Little Miss.

A rainy day perfect for staying indoors and finishing this Little Miss.

In my Garden

Zinnia (giant cactus mixed colours), grown from a seed packet. Type of plant Annual.

In my garden

pink roses

In my Garden

A tricky plant to photograph well. Canna lily.

under the sea

Marina Mermaid and her pet seahorse.

In my Garden

 

A few years back, one early spring day my father in law came over with two sticks and asked me where I would like them planted. 'what are they?' I asked. 'Grapes' he replied, 'oh ok plant them by the fence' I said, and so he did. One of the sticks has grown and I have trained it up and along the fence. The best I hoped from this vine was to pick some leaves each summer for stuffed vine leaves but something ate the leaves before I did so that hope was gone. Yesterday however I think we stuck gold, my son and I sampled  grapes from this vine and they were the sweetest grapes I have ever tasted.

In my Garden

Self sown Cosmos.

Exciting News

My dolls Beatrix and Jane are featured in the latest issue of Stuffed (Autumn 2013). Check it out on page 131.  The girls look amazing. Thank you everyone at Stuffed.

In my garden

yellow gladioli.

In my Garden

this sunflower is just one of the plants that has self  sown in my garden this year. I also have some larkspur, a forest of cosmos and tomatoes. With the tomatoes I never know which type I will get to enjoy in my salads until they are ready. I love self sown plants because I don't have to do anything expect sit back and enjoy. however there is one small problem, they choose the spot and its often in the wrong place  like this tall sunflower growing right at the front of the flower bed, but that's anything I can live with.

Introducing...

Kylie, the fun loving party girl.

In my garden

This week I am admiring the white flowers of 'Paul's Glory'.

In my Garden

A few years ago seduced by a gardening catalog I ordered a 'red perennial garden' collection this  'Jacob Cline Monarda' was one of the plants. Sadly not all the plants survived and the red garden was not much of a success. However the Monarda nestled between two rose bushes makes an appearance each summer . It has funny looking flowers and best of all the deer leave it alone.

In my Garden

The more pink than 'Blue Heaven Hydrangea Macrophylla'.

Under the Sea

is where you can find this magical seahorse.

In my Garden

The star in the garden this week is this 'Peruvian daffodil'. This is the first time I have grown this bulb, actually I planted three bulbs way back in March and only one has flowered so far. Hoping to see more flowers soon.

In my Garden

The red hot poker are delighting me right now in the garden. So very easy to grow no matter how I treat them.

In my Garden

Enjoying the beauty of peonies outside and in.

In the Garden

The rhododendron a stunning display of pink, that flower just as the white azaleas fade away for another year. A delight to witness each year in my garden.

Quilt number two

My second quilt, again I was inspired by a quilt design from 'The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking' by Jane Brocket. Its quilt number 13 called 'Hammock'. my favourite thing about making this quilt was how quickly it came together, from selecting the fabric to stitching it. The main floral fabric is called 'Tresure Trunkst' at least that's what is printed on the selvage. I absolutely live it, it makes the quilt pop.

A flower for you

This weeks sewing effort made entirely from scraps left over from other projects. Her name is Rose.

Highlights from Sydney

 

I went home for two weeks in March. To see family and friends and to bask in the sunshine.
The first photo was taken at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The bust is called 'China China Bust  81'  by Ah Xiam.
I have been back now almost a week its good to be home but I do miss home.

Quiltmaking

I have made a quilt. i am so pleased with myself i just had to show you. The design is based on the 'tulip field' quilt from this book. I made my quilt to fit a single bed.

Cushion

This simple to make cushion was inspired by one that i saw in a Pottery Barn catalog. The fabric is 'Cashmere' by Waverly.
To make one 13'' cushion:
Cut one 14inch square and two rectangles measuring 14x10. All seams are included. Turn under one long side of each rectangle twice and stitch to create hem. Over lap hemmed rectangles to create a 14 inch square and pin or stitch to hold together. The hemmed sides need to be in the centre of the square as this is the opening to insert pillow form. Layer the two square right sides together and stitch around all four sides. Trim corners, turn out to right side and stitch again around all four sides to create the border. insert pillow form. That's it, i told you it was simple.

Snow

we had a little snow this week.

a little colour

a small sewing project to add a little colour on a foggy winters day.

The Trains at Longwood

This is the last weekend to see the G-scale trains at Longwood Gardens . This years display featured model buildings of local landmarks made from natural materials.
We saw the display twice this year, on our second visit the ground was covered in snow.