My Golden fleece

Have decided to tackle one more project - I'm so fickle it's not funny - my newest fad is ......CROCHET! I'm such a follower - everyone's doing it so why can't I?
Lurking at Purl Bee, the most gorgeous image popped up - simple subtle Granny Squares. I usually don't like granny squares - maybe it's the colours used and the patterns created - yuk! But I really like these ones, especially the golden mohair one - oh, that it came from a golden goat! Its fluffiness, airiness, shimmery delicacy - "Daddy, I want a golden goose!" Um sorry, goat!
Got to get me some golden goat hair to (miraculously) turn into a snuggly blankie full of grannies! Anyone thinking of using acrylic wool - forget it! I thought I was saving oodles of money buying $1 balls from op-shop - felt nice, looked nice, but when practicing my crochet stitches, yukko! Plasticy feeling between my fingers and well, it just might go back to the op-shop!

The yo-yo's are multiplying!

Not too long ago, for the School Fair Craft stall, I had yo-yo's coming out my ears! I quite enjoyed them though, using bits from my stash of Amy Butler's Charm series (the oranges, pinks and browns) and lots of other pieces which I didn't like, but amazingly looked good as a yo-yo - who would think? To button or not to button, that was my question - I had to restrain myself - too many buttons would look wrong - hubbie was great at saying yes and no to my ideas -aahh, to have a sounding board like him! I'm glad y friend running the stall was really pleased with them. Another surprise was that I was contacted by Sunshine's Creations to put my yo-yo's on a flicker group called Ga-Ga for Yo-Yos
I was a bit chuffed - I haven't been asked for that before!

My daggy stuff too!

My take on 'Criss-Cross Coasters'

Thanks to Allsorts
This was one of my first crafty blogs I bookmarked and so to honour this introduction into my obsession!, I thought that I would try these babies out. I'm pleased with them! My hubbie was impressed (I think), but is not sure if we should use them (worried that I'll freak out if they get grubby! No I won't!) These are quite a few months old now - finding some more 'daggy' stuff on TCAOVAR influenced me to post mine too!

Mini Moopys

A balancing act, no less, for a quickly 'whippet-upped' collection of Mini Moopys - thanks to Moopy & Me - wonderful site full of softies inspired by her daughter. One look at my first minimoopy (bows in hair) and my daughters went crazy! An Easter gift for my niece and nephew (I thought that some soft bunnies would be sort-of better for little teeth, than choccies) and of course, one each for my munchkins. My Strawberry-Blond really enjoyed the whole process, especially choosing from the plethera of my stash! (A little eek escaped from my lips when she picked all the pink/white combo, as these are for a specific quilt in mind, but the minis take up so little fabric, a deep breath was all it took for me to relax. I have to admit, I do get a little possessive of my fabric, something I need to work on to 'share more' - shouldn't I have learnt that by my age?!) My girls loved to design the patterns and the faces - especially the eyes!
So, Spottina and Bluey Ocean were born. Literally. As we were stuffing Spottina; "Mum, she's still asleep and won't feel this because she is not yet born"
Bluey Ocean is an outdoorsy-kind of gal - maybe a little shy?

Beach happiness

Look at this face!
My sister cuddling her favourite!! niece - dare I say it! No No No She loves her two legged nieces to bits, but the four legged one is a very close third.

Threadbangers

How cool is this site?? Threadbangers - funny, funny, funny clips (love the wardrobe malfunction episode)- not your cutsey wutsey type of crafting but a great example of what people might do with too much time on their hands - no, only kidding - I think their efforts to inspire people to make fashion by hand (reducing mass-marketed stuff's hold on consumers) is fantastic - GO Threadbangers!

WIP Finished! 2376 to go!

Close up of my 'Cookies' quilt Finally finished and off to the School Fair Silent Auction! I was so pleased when I snuck a peak at the progress of the auctions and TWO people had bidded for my quilt! Wow - what a buzz! My friend Kirsten won it and she was so happy to give it to her niece for a birthday present. I feel really stoked that someone liked my work enough to give it as a pressie for a loved one - that's what my sewing is all about - giving love to people through my 'artwork'.Oops - this picture is wonky - angle your head on your left shoulder to view!
Fabric from CheekyBeaks - my first canvas material to make into a bag - love the chocolatelyness of the colour and the two prints on the one piece - each print will one side of the bag - now just have to find a bag pattern that is EASY and sort-of tote/bucket/but more long than high.
Tania Lawn hanky to become a display on my wall See Purl's great example and inspiration for beautiful materials in embroidery hoops - I'm scouring op-shops (thrift shops) where ever I go for the hoops big and small. I love this material - so fine and gorgeous print to boot!

Purples in my garden sans water!

Despite water restrictions and drought in Melbourne, my garden looks greatSalvia Indigo Spires with friend

Plectranthus - small version Mona Lisa loves the shade - great for my shady South facing porch
Salvia - Stunning blue on lime - needs a little bit more water than other salvias, but colour combo is worthwhile!
Not a Purple but definitely worth a picture. Salvia "Hot Lips" Fantastic plant - never, ever gets water and flowers 365 days a year!

Plectranthus (above and below) Great flowers in Autumn, with a luminous glow, especially in the morning light. I literally stuck a piece of this in the ground and it just grew and grew!
Pippi - enjoying the sun
Pippi really enjoying the sun! Can you see the black pipe in the background? That's our lawn watering system hooked up to the washing machine - herbal washing powder and 'grey' water for the garden.
Salvia Mexican Sage - fuzzy flowers - so unique and loves not being watered!!!

Need new ironing cover?

Discovered interesting site called Purl Bee
Ironing cover pattern and instructions!!! I could do that, but then maybe I would have to actually use it - but no, wait, it could just look really pretty leaning against the wall, especially like the idea of the retro Elsie's Kitchen fabric - very domestic!

This site looks fab - lots to read, not sure if the eyelids can stay open long enough. Yet, they do.

Love the button posting - "thing about buttons - you're supposed to use them. Using them does not diminish their beauty. In fact, thebeauty is intensified"

The cameo-like button picture is mesmerising - I want, I want.

Happy elephants and cake with tears

SOOO Slack!!!
I have been busy as a bee, finishing my cookies quilt to donate to our school fair silent auction - decided my funky monkey could wait til next year (one less pressure!), lots of aprons big and small, easter baskets, patchwork cushions, yo-yo crazy!!!!
Photos soon!

Check out these gorgeous prints - trains for my nephew who is train obsessed (so why not foster some more obsession, I say ) maybe for a library bag for b/day/christmas/just because, and weally cute elefants!! Orange is not my thing, but I couldn't resist. What I really love is the elephant buttons (with red and blue shoes, yeah!) All of these treats and ribbons etc are from superbuzzy
By the time postage and conversion rate occurs, I've had to take out a second mortgage to pay for these (not really), but I still love them. Love love love the horse/rider/dancer and joy, joy!, dog sniffing flower could be my theme pooch.

Elephant buttons just won't stay out of the shot - I think they know they are ubercute.


Had to add one more shot of the horse and rider and the ballerina - two things I really love.
Daughter No. 1 and I visited local dance shop 'Valentines Dance Wear', Malvern for some new ballet shoes and the stunning tutus hanging up are always lovely to admire - neck ache from looking up at them is common. 'Can I have one for my birthday?' comes the dreaded question - 'Well, yes, let me think about it' - okay, I know I probably can't afford a $200 plus tutu, to dance around the house in, so what about making one? Hmmmmmm! Maybe. Then we could choose our own materials - saw great sparklies at Carmels Fabrics, Mentone, Hmmmmmm! Okay - pattern, searched ebay and found The Classical Collection
Should I or shouldn't I - I do love the idea of making a real tutu, with lots of layers of stiff netting so that it stands out sideways and really beautiful bodice work, beading or applique or something. Still thinking on it. Birthday in November - plenty of time!!! Of course, make one for Daughter No. 2 is a given!!

The smell in my house at the moment is delicious - banana cake cooling in the kitchen, and the aroma goes all the way up the stairs to my study/craft room - yummy, but bitter sweet. This cake is for my neighbours, a young couple who have just had a tragedy in their lives - maybe eating a piece of banana cake with marscapone cream might take their minds off their sadness, just for a minute, maybe not.