DQS2 Calling my swap partner!

Hello out there DQS2 swappers!

- I haven't heard from my swap partner - have you received my pressie??
Please drop me a line - even if you can't stand looking at it - that's okay - just a quick message to let me know someone got the parcel sent from the other end of the earth.
Cheers
Bron

A little craftyness...

YUMMO! Butterfly cakes - what a classic! My girls are choosing recipes to make during the week and we had butterfly cakes for afternoon tea and for dessert!

Update on Energy Dome Alert:
Devo crisis averted - hubbie (under stress, where he seems to work the best??) raided supplies shop and came home with plastic plates, bowls and ...da.da...shiny red cloth tape. Bit of cutting, bit of sticking and a prototype is underway! I think it looks really authentic! Pictures to come... must only show the best one! One mention of Devo and the fans come out of the woodwork! I kid you not!


Just a side track:

You know you're getting old when....
all your friends are turning 40! (I still have a few years to go...I seem to get 'that look' when I inadvertantly (haha) mention that fact);

you need stronger glasses to do close up work ie sewing! I call mine 'my granny glasses';

and larger font sizes ;

you let out an involuntary groan getting up from a squat position (It happened to me at work, shelving some books at the issues counter, a customer came up to be served and the groan, PLUS a necessary grip on the counter to stand upright! It can't be happening!

Enough whinging, now Bron, get to craftyness!

Some piccies of a cushion cover I have been working on; a friend was throwing out an old and tatty pillowcase (to trash and treasure stall) and happened to mention that it was her grandma's. It had a lovely appliqued flower motive on it - I grabbed and said that I will show her what I do with it (eventually!). Her 40th was last night and I presented her with a new pillow and cover with memories attached!

(Pippi hearing the words 'walk' or 'chicken neck' in the background)


The pattern I discovered at the last minute: I also could not find a simple cushion cover pattern (for free) which did not have to have a zip (eek), a buttonhole (more eek). I found one (from Whip Up - such a good site! from Still Dottie! All Right! Fabric is a delicious dark blue with swirls like ginko leaves from Northcote Reproduction range - one of first fabrics I had ever bought from a real patchwork shop - ooh it cost, but the quality is superb and I have had many comments on the background fabric. (Is that because my applique is so good that it just can't be commented on? Not!)


I also visited Magnolia Square market, (very 'Malvern' (pronounced Molven) if anyone out there understands that (I sure I was looked up and down from several ladies as I walked up the path (and I certainly wasn't wearing a paper bag!) where I hunted out Aunty Cookies' delights. My fav is the I Dig Birds digital picture, the little badges, the 'Make quilts, not war' cards, actually everything I bought!

I also met Angela from Three Buttons; lovely lady with a lovely smile! Her Miss Buttons pattern from Sew Your Own (ultra cute site with more patterns to come, a little birdy told me) I had to have and we had a nice chat about blogs (of course) and also about MixTape Zine (she had one on her counter; are you selling them I asked?, no, but I should talk to the girls about having some on my stall for next time; ace! said I. Angela also bashfully admitted that she had been asked to provide the cover for the next edition! Honoured girl! I think it will look fabbo! She was selling products from Lark: some fantastic magnetic and little pocket mirrors and actually I almost forgot the knitted baby rattles of ice-cream cones (if only I was little!) and cakes and donuts and veges! Knitted toys make me so happy! Am I strange?

Edited: Family pictures removed

Hellllp! Energy Dome Alert!

Did that get your attention?? I need help with lots of ideas as to how to make an Energy Dome Hat aka Devo's signature flower pot hat. Yes, that's is correct - they are officially Energy Domes and please do not mistake them for flower pots (many of us do).
School Trivia Night has muscial theme and hubbie (God love him!) suggests our table dress up as iconic 80's onehitwonders DEVO. We all love Whip It do do do do do crack that whip! (of course WE love Whippets and Whippet Good!) so we are dressing all in black with ......Whips!..... and we have been nominated to provide the red hats (for 8-10 people)

Now, hubbie and I have scrounged Bunnings Hardware store for plastic and otherwise flowerpots - none that fit head, are not too heavy, and are red or can be changed to red. I am getting used to putting unusual objects on my head to feel the energy come from within - but - nothing, nada, siltch!!! $2 shops, reject shops, all nothing. 1 1/2 weeks til Devo unveiling - and I need help.

Has anyone ever attempted anything like this and what with? Please ideas ideas ideas!!!!

Japanese Sweeties in Oz

Reading Lottielulu's recent post, I was directed to an online business called Retro Mummy, who sell Japanese fabrics, linens and tapes, here in Australia! Yay Yay Yay I Say. I know many of you are very loyal to Superbuzzy and that is fine, but when we Aussies order a piece of deliciousness from them, our children do not eat for 15 days (I kid you not!), due to the lack of funds in the bank, once postage has been paid for, in order for the japanese fabric addiction to be satiated.

Now, my children can eat, as Retro Mummy has a small but I 'm sure growing list of very very cute fairy tale fabrics, linens of lambsies, hedgehogs (or maybe echidnas?), mushrooms and frogs. Tapes of owls, cats in Paris, strawberries galore!

My little pressie for me (and for you!)

My swap partner Dawn (with the great moniker of Wolfmom!)has given me the sweetest little number, all raspberry pink bubbles and biscuitty squares - thanks so much Dawn, I love it! My kids are asking for to have it themselves, but I say No Way Its Mine! Looking forward to next swap mission! Actually, next swap mission has already begun.

Check out iquilt.com.au, an Aussie online quilt magazine and have a look under 'Browse' and you shall find Nora. She has launched her PIF (Pay It Forward) swap and I signed up! What! Again! Yes! I think I like this making, sending and receiving business.

Pay it Forward (PIF) is where the next 3 people who make a comment on my blog requesting to be part of this PIF exchange will get sent a personal handmade something from me.

However, if you join here you need to make the same offer on your blog.

It won't be anything spectacular, believe me!, BUT, it will be made with love and care. Also it won't be in your letterbox tomorrow, but I do promise to have items made and sent within the month you sign up! You could get a tissue holder, a tote, a pincushion,, a mini quilt, maybe a mini moopy doll? Maybe I will just surprise you!

Wintery Birds

Beautiful birds in my own garden - this winter has been fantastic for bringing out our native birds. The pardalotes come every winter and bop around in my Golden Ash tree - leafless, bare and supposedly barren, the little cuties fly from branch to branch, probably munching on some tiny insect hidden beneath the bark.

The red wattle bird (wattles are the red dangly things beside its ears) is not particularly attractive - striped grey, large, with not so nice looking eyes, it makes me laugh when it does it acrobats in my Chinese Lantern tree, hanging precariously to sup from the pollen/nectar of the reddish pink bells of flowers, the branches bending and flexing as Chinese acrobats do.




The gorgeous and painfully shy Eastern Spinebill has been a wonderful surprise. Hubby (bird watcher extrordinaire) didn't think that they lived in the suburbs, but I keep catching them darting into our fushias and the pineapple sage bushes. They are soooo quick, with a stunningly curved and long beak.

Walking the dog in the local park brought my attention to some strange sounds high above in pine trees - 5, 6, 7 black cockatoos enjoying the rush of the wind blowing them out of the top of the tree, then soaring back in the branches again. I stared at them for ages (or until the dog said that that is enough - lets go!) Hubbie thought that they were on transit from the Dandenong Ranges through to maybe the Botanical Gardens (as the cockie flies so to speak!)None of these images are mine - please click on pictures to find URL and subsequent owner of said photo.

Faithful designer - am I really?

Am I really a 'faithful designer'? So I am told. Checking out Alice's House (from DQS2 list of swappers) I saw DNA personality bar - why not I said! I surprised myself by agreeing with some of their generalisations (usually generalisations make my skin crawl!)

As a DESIGNER, you are receptive to ideas and experiences, and enjoy the beautiful things in life, yet you are also grounded and realistic about yourself and the world. (Yeah, probably true)

You have a quiet appreciation for beauty in all its forms – in nature, in people, and in human creations from architecture to movies. (Agree!)

Instead of only focusing on functionality, you try to incorporate your good sense of style and taste into your choices. (Good sense of style! HA HA!)

At times you feel unsure of yourself, especially when confronted by other people. (Definitely! I get so angry with myself when I don't stick up for myself)

You aren't the kind of person who insists on having things your way all the time – you are willing to go along with other people's opinions, even if you disagree. (yes, yes, I know you are right)

Others may not know this about you, but you are very interested in new ideas, thoughts, expressions, and experiences. You enjoy learning and trying new things. (This is so true it is not funny)

There is more, but my accolations are sure to get boring!

Pippi

This quickie post is for Marisa - Pippi (my banner) is a Whippet, which is like a small greyhound. Check out Whippet Victorian Association site. They have the most delightful personality - very calm, and gentle and the most perfect pet for our house - she loves to be a couch potato, all day if need be, then whips outside or on walk and her eyes and ears perk up for a sprint (especially if she can chase a magpie or two!) Her fur is like velvet and when she looks up at you and sighs contently from your lap, all is right with the world. We love and adore her, what more can we say!

Doll Quilt Up UP and AWAY!

Updated: Due to dummo here typing away VIS (very important secrets) to the world, this is the revised edition!

DQS 2 quilt is flying as I speak (type)! A little bit of tweaking here and there and it was done. Oh the stress of producing a thing for someone else - my one is for ......... So cool to be sending it to someone on the other side of the world! (little slip but that will keep you guessing!) I hope she likes it.

Quilting stitches are very naive and I had no idea how to hide the knots at the back of the quilt - hence a very unpretty quilt back. Someone had suggested if my machine quilting was driving me nuts to try a 2-stranded embroidery floss hand stitch - easy and looks good. I liked it alot, except for the enormous knot it created! What to do? Please forgive all icky sewing and crooked pieces - think of it as more abstract that traditional! Or maybe squint your eyes a little and it will improve! Swap partner likes brights so I hope I have satisfied! (I added a top and bottom border of 'Bohemiam' by Anna Maria Horner as the golden yellows went really well with aqua/orange/strawberry combo.)
Here is my package (with Aboriginal fabrics and a great card designed by daughters School - they made the most amazingly huge mosaic pictures to hang outside on the playground walls) ready to go

Thanks also goes to Lisa and Sarah Day for being fabbo Grand Poohbah Swap Mama and Swap Mama Extraordenaire respectively. I have really enjoyed seeing piccies from lots of others - the variety is really inspiring!


Must show some more craftyness!

Made a footwarmer for Mum for her birthday - followed the instructions from dogged. to the 't' except for the piping, but it turned out far too small. I had to reduce the sides being sewing in dramatically so it has become more of a toe warmer! I don't have big feet; and just as I was giving it to Mum, I noticed a line of quilting I had missed - dammmmmmmmmmmm!

Loving the 'Temple Flowers' combo - never really like the purple/blue fabric, but I can't stop looking at it now! especially with the purple/small print - wow wee. Fuzzy pins at top please ignore - not designed for use with feet!

Doggone it - another great blog!

Check out Ashley's Dilemma! Which wonderful quilt to send away and which to keep? I think her little lovelies have inspired me to take up some logquilting which I have not done before. It's all your fault Ashley! ONE MORE BLEEPING THING TO DO (I rapped, stoked, or if you're still unsure of my nomenclature, very happy!)

P.S.(I do love a doggy banner hehe!)