Sunday, August 28, 2011

Shiny little things

It was a hassle trying to get more covered buttons. No credit card facilities, so I thought I would try making my own.  I just grabbed a little packet from Spotlight and followed the instructions.  Cute hey.  They look good, and it was easy peasy...  I want them for the next set of sprocket cushions...  Which are happening below.

I was surfing about the other day, on a couple of other blogs that I lurk on and I found a great tut for a spiders web block here .  Honestly with instructions as clear as this tut how can you go wrong! 

The effect is amazing, shame I don't have too much more of this hydrangea fabric left in this colour way.  Oh well.  I'm visualising another cushion maybe.
The last of the Sprocket cushions, I'm just struggling trying to get the button onto this set.  I will have to try again.  Maybe I have too much wadding in them.  Oops.....  :)  These ones are a bit wonky.  Not to worry. 

Enjoy the last of the weekend

K x

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Me or the Zipper.....

I have had this Japanese dragonfly stitchery completed for AGES...  & AGES.  It has been sitting in the pile for things to get finished off.  Which you all know is massive...

To tell you the truth the thought of installing a zipper has scared the pants off me.  But they look good in cushions and it lets you take out the insert and wash it.  

Well today I sucked it up, how hard can it be.....

It was actually a bit of a cinch. 

Suppose it helps when you get to check out tutorials like this over at sew mama sew :)  So a very big thanks...  for the confidence.



The tutorial suggested installing a little flap over the zipper which means the cushion is now reversible. 

Two for one love it. 
Only problem now is which side do I like best???

Anywho, enough chitter chatter on the successful cushion... 

K x

Ps. Last nights Boeuf Bourguignon was sensational, if you get a chance try it out.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Blissfull Saturdays. . . . . . . .

 I love Saturday mornings, you know, the ones....  where your  plan is to hang out in your PJ's till after lunch. With no one to tell you off.  No one around wanting to drag you off somewhere.  Today has been productive.
So this is the quilt top done.  And on the right where I started this morning.  Pinning all the strips together. It is a single bed size.  I was thinking borders, but I like it the way it is.

Whats in the oven for dinner??  Boeuf Bourguignon, for the Aussie readers, beef stew, LOL french style.  Julia Child's is being tested out at my place for dinner.  Can I say, 1/2 bottle of french red, and the smells wafting from the oven are amazing.  I have had it in the oven since 3pm.  Not long to go.   Dinner should be sensational.  Served of course with mushrooms and onions as per the original instructions from Julia herself, oh and a glass of red. 

Only one thing to say,  Bon Appetit

Happy weekend
K x

Sunday, August 14, 2011

What can you do with a jelly roll?

Seen them everywhere and I have always walked past them. 

Click clack sewing at its best. ... . . . . .  I just happened to nab one on sale, and thought why not try it and out see how it works for me.

I have had this quilt top in mind for quite some time.  Having fabric precut at 2 1/2 inch strips saved heaps of time cutting. 

This is the colour range, really pretty bright colours.  I just happen to have a doona cover and pillow cases in the aqua shade that matched perfectly. 

I have been wanting to get rid of it for some time.  In fact I have been carting it around the country side for about 10 years now.  So I thought I would put it to good use in this project.
Cuts of 6 1/2 inch, 6 rectangles from each strip.
It is coming together beautifully and quickly. 

look out for the next post, I'm hoping to have it all together.









k x

Saturday, August 13, 2011

September is National Sewing Month - Sew along

What can I say.  I seem to be a bit of a sucker for punishment at the moment.  Cause I don't have enough to actually do with my time.

Tula Pink is joining with a couple of big guns to bring National Sewing month for September.  If you flip on over to Tula's blog, you can find all the details and where to sign up.

Don't we all need a little encouragement to get sewing and to try different things.  Find some great tips on getting things right.

So WHY NOT? she cried.  Sign up I did. 




Happy weekend.
K x

Sunday, August 7, 2011

part two of fudge sunday

A couple more for the quilt along.  Im still behind..  Oops...
 

nothing else to add.......
Have a great week
K x

Progressive fudgy Sundays

I have been working on this pinwheel one for some time now.  Oh and I must say I'm over seeing it on the design wall.  Best I just get into it and get it done.  Then onto something new.....

So Ta daaaaaa . . . .   Picture on the left start point, on the right all together.  Just!






















One wise ole Aunt of mine who shall remain nameless, who has more than 20 years patchwork and quilting experience said to me once "you know K... sometimes it's NOT all about ones ability to have everything matching up perfectly. Sometimes you just have to fudge it....." So fudge it I have.

Am I pleased with the results?  Goodness yes, what hasn't been fudged out will be quilted out.  :)

Im thinking a white border, say 4 inch top and bottom but about 8 - 10 on the sides.  With red perle 8 stiching on the sides. 

K x

Friday, August 5, 2011

Name Change...... Name Change...... Name Change......

If you visit regularly you may have noticed a slight change in name.  From now on I will be blogging under . . . . . . . . .

Crafty Barter

Why I hear you all dramatically asking all at once right?

Well why not I say.  You know the old saying sometimes a change is as good as a holiday.

Anywho, things are moving around here....  so if you're interested stay tuned... and if not, that's OK, pop back once in a while and check out what I'm up to.

K x

Favorite things

I love arriving home from work to a parcel on my doorstep...  Oh the joy of ripping open the packet woo hoo.  Something I have been sweating on.

Well I've been online again, what can I say, it was on sale...... how could I possibly resist?

I love this range of fabric by Tula Pink.  Parisville.  Inspirations stemming from a magazine and the 2006 Marie Antoinette movie.  Well I only have one thing to say. 

I LOVE THIS RANGE OF FABRIC.... 

Oh the romance, it oozes off the fabric.  And I must say, the romanticism from the last remake of Marie Antoinette (2006) stayed with me for some time too.  So I'm feeling some strange connection to this fabric.... 










I got something else too, but you know a girl has to keep some mystery. 

After this unseasonal warm weather we have had this week.  It feels like spring is starting early here in Australia this year.  Fingers crossed anyway. 

Have a happy sewy weekend all.  May the cotton treads of life be with you all.
Enjoy the weekend.

K x

P.s. look out for weekend posts as I get some stuff churning out of the sewing room with lightning speed...

Thursday, August 4, 2011

One year on.....

My gorgeous Nan, has been gone
for a year now. 

She was such a treasure.  

Her adventuresome spirit was with her all the way.  Yes that is her on an elephant, well and truly into her 80's.

She is dearly missed, as she undoubtedly will be for some time not just by me but by all those that loved her.   

It is today that I remind myself how special my time was with her.  I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

K x