I don’t really have one at the moment. No strike that… I haven’t settled on one yet.
I’m making some cushion covers for a friend that need to be done before I start anything else. I made one last night and have 2 more which I should be able to do tonight.
Then I’m going to do a tidy-up of the work-room before I start on anything else. And then what I do start will be something already underway. I have a number of projects at various stages laid out on the table but buried under a whole pile of other stuff that has accumulated on top.
From memory there is the butterfly quilt which I am determined to finish before the year is out. There’s also the Kimono quilt which needs to be unpicked (I mucked up my first attempt at quilting it) and quilted properly with a walking foot. I need to get some things finished before I start on anything new!!
THEN I’m going to work on the Japanese quilt for S.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
The felted purse in finished and felted.... Successfully!!!!
I Couldn't wait to get home an throw the bag into the washing machine after having put the finishing touches to it on the train ride home. Yes, I did remeber the before pictures - I even thought to put a ruler into the picture as a comparison. I didn't bothe with measuring though... that would have taken too much time!Before....
After
Inside...
I think it looks a bit liek a strawberry - both in colour and shape!
I do love this process though. You put it into the washing machine and hey presto - felted bag!
And as promised here are a few more pics of the bag I finished last week....
Inside - all packed (fits the crochet and a book)
Alternative use for teh phone pocket - perfect size for scizzors and a packet of needles
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Crocheted bag
The crocheted bag is coming along very nicely. I think I've worked out the various stitches. Besides, felting is very forgiving and will hide most mistakes.
At this rate I should be able to put it in the washing machine and felt it by tomorrow. I must remember to take a BEFORE picture as a record. (Hopefully it felts OK as I didn't do an tests before I started...)
At this rate I should be able to put it in the washing machine and felt it by tomorrow. I must remember to take a BEFORE picture as a record. (Hopefully it felts OK as I didn't do an tests before I started...)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Weekend update
Ok - I have to admit - I do like the bag. I put the dowel rod in the top and it gives it enough structure to carry well. It looks good and carries everything I need, including my crochet.
Yes crochet. This is another project that I have been plugging away at lately but not told you of. It's a felted bag (handbag - 'cause I girl can never have tooooo many bags!!). I haven't crocheted for some time and so I have had a few false starts. First I made the back/flap but what I thought was treble crochet, turned out to be 1/2 treble and therefore the whole thing needed to be discarded. Now I'm on the front piece and that too has been ripped out (in frustration I might add) at least 5 times!! and several more partial rips. Finally, after drawing it several times, starting again, ripping it out, redrawing and starting again (again!) I have the gist of it and have been going great-guns! It's actually quite a quick pattern when you get the hang of it (and after I had adjusted a few numbers to make it work).
I should get a fair bit of the front done on the train trip home (I did well on the train ride into work). Then it's onto the struggle of working out the rest of the pattern (the eyelets).
Next time I think I should look at the difficulty level AS WELL as a pattern I like!!!!
Yes crochet. This is another project that I have been plugging away at lately but not told you of. It's a felted bag (handbag - 'cause I girl can never have tooooo many bags!!). I haven't crocheted for some time and so I have had a few false starts. First I made the back/flap but what I thought was treble crochet, turned out to be 1/2 treble and therefore the whole thing needed to be discarded. Now I'm on the front piece and that too has been ripped out (in frustration I might add) at least 5 times!! and several more partial rips. Finally, after drawing it several times, starting again, ripping it out, redrawing and starting again (again!) I have the gist of it and have been going great-guns! It's actually quite a quick pattern when you get the hang of it (and after I had adjusted a few numbers to make it work).
I should get a fair bit of the front done on the train trip home (I did well on the train ride into work). Then it's onto the struggle of working out the rest of the pattern (the eyelets).
Next time I think I should look at the difficulty level AS WELL as a pattern I like!!!!
Friday, August 17, 2007
It's finished... but....
I've finished the bag, but I'm not sure I like it....
Well - not quite finished - it needs a bit of dowel in the top for support but it's been too dark and cold outside to venture out to the shed for the saw to cut it to size (I know - what a wimp!!)
In some ways I think I like the act of creating, more than the finished products. I get excited about a project, I work on it and get more excited as it grows and takes shape, and then I finish and think well.... ummm.... it's not what I expected.... (you get the picture)
I'm not sure what it is that I don't like. I'm not sure that it's anything specific. Maybe it's just that the buzz has gone now that it's finished!
I figured that maybe a test drive would help me to decide. So this morning I packed it with my book (still Area 7 by Matthew Reilly) and my magazine (the latest Textile Fibre Forum). They both fit perfectly - with room for a bit more. It sits well on my shoulder and ran well (when I do the bolt across the road from the train station to the tram stop). I think that it would do even better with the dowel in the top to give it some more shape.
I also think that the top flaps need a bit of definition. Maybe a line stitched along the fold to help it fold and sit better would help. Maybe a bit of quilting to join the two layers (inside and outside) a bit better. I don't want it to look like a "home-made-quilted-bag) but I think that there are a few adjustments required to make it 'work'.
Anyway... I think it will work and it will grow on me. I must say that I do love the colours and the look of it - it's just the design stuff that I'm not sooo happy with.
I promise I will still give you a tour - on the weekend when I have time!
Well - not quite finished - it needs a bit of dowel in the top for support but it's been too dark and cold outside to venture out to the shed for the saw to cut it to size (I know - what a wimp!!)
In some ways I think I like the act of creating, more than the finished products. I get excited about a project, I work on it and get more excited as it grows and takes shape, and then I finish and think well.... ummm.... it's not what I expected.... (you get the picture)
I'm not sure what it is that I don't like. I'm not sure that it's anything specific. Maybe it's just that the buzz has gone now that it's finished!
I figured that maybe a test drive would help me to decide. So this morning I packed it with my book (still Area 7 by Matthew Reilly) and my magazine (the latest Textile Fibre Forum). They both fit perfectly - with room for a bit more. It sits well on my shoulder and ran well (when I do the bolt across the road from the train station to the tram stop). I think that it would do even better with the dowel in the top to give it some more shape.
I also think that the top flaps need a bit of definition. Maybe a line stitched along the fold to help it fold and sit better would help. Maybe a bit of quilting to join the two layers (inside and outside) a bit better. I don't want it to look like a "home-made-quilted-bag) but I think that there are a few adjustments required to make it 'work'.
Anyway... I think it will work and it will grow on me. I must say that I do love the colours and the look of it - it's just the design stuff that I'm not sooo happy with.
I promise I will still give you a tour - on the weekend when I have time!
Monday, August 13, 2007
A sneak peak at "the bag"...
As promised, here's a quick look at the bag.
It's still not finished but the end is definitely in sight. I haven't unpicked that wretched binding yet, but adjusted the width of the binding for the other pocket and it worked a treat so I've dug out the unpicker and will set to it tomorrow.
I'll give you a tour later - it's full of pockets and nooks...
It's still not finished but the end is definitely in sight. I haven't unpicked that wretched binding yet, but adjusted the width of the binding for the other pocket and it worked a treat so I've dug out the unpicker and will set to it tomorrow.
I'll give you a tour later - it's full of pockets and nooks...
4 things...
I was tagged by Trish of Trishalan Designs with the 4 things meme (geez thanks!!!!!), so here goes - here's an insight intto me...
4 Jobs I've Had:-
I'm supposed to tag 4 more people but as most people I would tag have done this already, I'm leaving it up to you - if you're reading this consider yourself tagged!!
4 Jobs I've Had:-
- Training Coordinator - Administration: This is my current job and I love it;
- Administration at a few places - aged care, security company, training company;
- Trainer/Youth Worker for unemployed kids on a youth employment program - enjoyed this but a ot of hard work and in the end I didn't like the stress that it/I put on me
- Serving fuel at a service station (in the country where you actually got your fuel served and your windows cleaned for you) - my part time job when I was 15 (my younger brother was horrified that a girl would do this job! - Mum swiftly put him into place asking why he (at 13) thought the male anatomy (not the words she used) was necessary to serve fuel? - he never did come up with an answer!!)
- Dead Poets Society -
- Dirty Dancing
- Ghost
- George of the jungle
- The Sunshine Coast - where I was born and lived with My Grandma for a bit while I was at Uni
- Clermont - where I grew up
- Gladstone - the harbour city
- East Melbourne - a great way for a non-city (I'm not a country kid!!) to experience the city - I loved it, but not forever
- Lost - but it kinda lost me in the second season when I wasn't able to watch everyday, and I think it's kinda gone on long enough now...
- House - gotta love House's sarcasim hiding a real human being (not that he'd ever admit it)
- Prisonbreak
- All Saints
- Chocolate!!!!!!!! (chocolate anything!!)
- Roasted sweet potato;
- Smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers and a bit of rocket on little biscuits
- Lemon tart
- My blog to check the site stats - I love to see that people are reading and where they come from!
- My email - to check the mail from all the textile-y lists I'm on, and comments on my blog (selfish huh!!)
- Littlefish - the blog of a great Aussie quilter who does some fabulous work
- Fibermania - I love Mel's quilts but I love the way Mel shares so much. I've been loving her search for a new house lately.
4 Places I love to be:-
- tucked up in bed on a cold day with the electric blanket on high and a good book
- with my family (being my Mum, Dad and my brothers) - I love that the minute I get home (or where-ever we are) it feels like I never left. The laughs, the giggles, the lot of us talking and all vying for Mum and Dad's attention;
- At Eungella National Park, sitting on the viewing platform early evenings and early mornings watching for platypus
- In a textile workshop or trade show or even an online textile forum - full of like minded people buzzing with excitement about learning a new skill/technique and just creating!!!!!
4 Favorite Colors:-
- I looooove browns - can't you tell from the bag - chocolate browns (a link to food perhaps?) and rusty earthy browns
- greens - bushy greens reminiscent of Australian landscape (dusty greens, yellow greens) but all others as well (although I don't wear green!)
- Reds - not a colour that I would wear a few years ago, but I now really like deep rich reds.
- Aqua blues - the ones that give a real ocean feel
I'm supposed to tag 4 more people but as most people I would tag have done this already, I'm leaving it up to you - if you're reading this consider yourself tagged!!
I Tried!!!!!!
I really tried to get the bag finished yesterday but alas....
I have it assembled and only need to do the binding on the edges and the strap (and then add some decorations if I feel so inclined at the end of all this).
The problem at the moment is the thickness!! I have two sides to sew together, each with 2 layers of fabric and a thin wadding, plus seam allowances for each so double that, and the binding. That's 12 layers that I'm trying to sew through - plus more in some place!. Now if I'd designed this bag, and if I make it again, I would change that - it's not necessary to have all that!
Anyway, I did manage to stitch it without breaking a needle, but now the binding itself is not wide enough to wrap around all of those layers in some places (at the top and bottom where there are other seam allowances in the mix). So, I have it all pinned in place and am deciding on whether to hand sew it and bodgy up the awkward ends as best I can, or do I unpick it an cut a wider binding that will fit over. I hate unpicking, but the rest of it looks so good that I don't want this to muck it up - I think I'm going to have to unpick and cut new binding.
We'll see how I go tonight.... I'm not promising anything as the New Geelong Spotlight is opening today and I'm going to head over. I know, so will hundreds of others but I have a voucher to spend so why not! Perhaps I'll at least try to post a sneak peak picture...
I have it assembled and only need to do the binding on the edges and the strap (and then add some decorations if I feel so inclined at the end of all this).
The problem at the moment is the thickness!! I have two sides to sew together, each with 2 layers of fabric and a thin wadding, plus seam allowances for each so double that, and the binding. That's 12 layers that I'm trying to sew through - plus more in some place!. Now if I'd designed this bag, and if I make it again, I would change that - it's not necessary to have all that!
Anyway, I did manage to stitch it without breaking a needle, but now the binding itself is not wide enough to wrap around all of those layers in some places (at the top and bottom where there are other seam allowances in the mix). So, I have it all pinned in place and am deciding on whether to hand sew it and bodgy up the awkward ends as best I can, or do I unpick it an cut a wider binding that will fit over. I hate unpicking, but the rest of it looks so good that I don't want this to muck it up - I think I'm going to have to unpick and cut new binding.
We'll see how I go tonight.... I'm not promising anything as the New Geelong Spotlight is opening today and I'm going to head over. I know, so will hundreds of others but I have a voucher to spend so why not! Perhaps I'll at least try to post a sneak peak picture...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
A bit more progress...
I managed to get a bit more done on the bag last night! I've been trying to push myself to do a bit of sewing (or something) a few nights a week. I'm hoping that soon enough it will become a habit (a good one) and I'll manage to get a whole lot more done and be a lot more creative!!
BTW Yesterday's mail brought the latest edition of Textile Fibre Forum:
Today I also picked up the latest Quilting Arts magazine.
I find that in this house I sit at the dining table a lot more in the evenings and watch TV. Not very comfy but that's the point. It's a great place to sit and sew and means I don't settle down on the couch for the night.
Yes, I'm a snatch and grab TV watching sewer!!!. I pin and assemble and cut threads during the show, and run to the sewing machine and/or iron in the ad breaks. But hey! it works for me!!
Back to the bag - I now have the lining finished and am up to the assembly. Tomorrow, being Sunday and my day off (I worked saturday), I hope to get it finished so I can put it into action on Monday.
BTW Yesterday's mail brought the latest edition of Textile Fibre Forum:
Today I also picked up the latest Quilting Arts magazine.
Friday, August 10, 2007
What a buzzzzzzzzz
One of my friends that I've made since moving back in May come over to visit last night after work with a question for me.
She's just bought a new lounge sweet and wanted some cushions made to match - no problem.
Then she asked (nervously) if I'd like to make a piece of art (in her words) to liven it up. She's thinking a throw or quilt or the like.
I was wrapped!!
Wrapped that a friend liked my work enough to ask me to make something for them! Wrapped that she looked at a piece of art/artistic work MORE than just a quilt.
Of course I said yes - with the proviso that it would take some time to put together.
We did a bit of playing and we're both excited about what we come up with. It seems a collection of fabrics that I'd been adding to for a while now, with no real ideas for yet, are just perfect!! I promise to document the progress as it happens.
She's just bought a new lounge sweet and wanted some cushions made to match - no problem.
Then she asked (nervously) if I'd like to make a piece of art (in her words) to liven it up. She's thinking a throw or quilt or the like.
I was wrapped!!
Wrapped that a friend liked my work enough to ask me to make something for them! Wrapped that she looked at a piece of art/artistic work MORE than just a quilt.
Of course I said yes - with the proviso that it would take some time to put together.
We did a bit of playing and we're both excited about what we come up with. It seems a collection of fabrics that I'd been adding to for a while now, with no real ideas for yet, are just perfect!! I promise to document the progress as it happens.
Don't ya just hate it when...
You've got money to spend and you don't know what to buy!!
Yes you heard me... I don't know what to buy!
I have a gift voucher at David Jones that I was given about a month ago when I left my last job. I was told to buy "something nice for myself" and then I could buy clothes or whatever else with what is left over.
How do you define "something nice for yourself"? I've looked at jewellery, handbags, glassware and kitchenware, household items like towels and beadspreads, luggage and electrical goods and every other department in the place. I can't decide...
I understand that clothes are a bit like a "consumable" item and that they'd like to see me get something that I can say "I bought that with the gift-card from *****" as time goes on. However everything else is less for me and more for the house and 'us'.
A watch or jewellery would be nice and longer lasting, but not in the price range - at least not the ones that I like.
There is one handbag I like but I'm struggling with the price tag of $230. Do I look at it as a gift and buy it because it's not something I would normally buy or find something else.
I looked at luggage, but I don't really need anything there either. Then I've looked at other items where I could put some extra money towards it - like GPS navigator for the car like I've been wanting, or as B suggested, a digital video camera but again I go back to 'is it for me or for us?'
Finally I go back to the clothes, because I really need some them as I've been losing weight this year and many of the clothes I'm wearing to work are just too big (who'dda thought that would happen!).
B says I shouldn't worry and to buy whatever I want. I think that the 'gifters' made a request about how I should spend it and that I should respect that. What do you think?
Hmmmm what to do?... Guess I'll just have to go shopping again!!!!!!!
Yes you heard me... I don't know what to buy!
I have a gift voucher at David Jones that I was given about a month ago when I left my last job. I was told to buy "something nice for myself" and then I could buy clothes or whatever else with what is left over.
How do you define "something nice for yourself"? I've looked at jewellery, handbags, glassware and kitchenware, household items like towels and beadspreads, luggage and electrical goods and every other department in the place. I can't decide...
I understand that clothes are a bit like a "consumable" item and that they'd like to see me get something that I can say "I bought that with the gift-card from *****" as time goes on. However everything else is less for me and more for the house and 'us'.
A watch or jewellery would be nice and longer lasting, but not in the price range - at least not the ones that I like.
There is one handbag I like but I'm struggling with the price tag of $230. Do I look at it as a gift and buy it because it's not something I would normally buy or find something else.
I looked at luggage, but I don't really need anything there either. Then I've looked at other items where I could put some extra money towards it - like GPS navigator for the car like I've been wanting, or as B suggested, a digital video camera but again I go back to 'is it for me or for us?'
Finally I go back to the clothes, because I really need some them as I've been losing weight this year and many of the clothes I'm wearing to work are just too big (who'dda thought that would happen!).
B says I shouldn't worry and to buy whatever I want. I think that the 'gifters' made a request about how I should spend it and that I should respect that. What do you think?
Hmmmm what to do?... Guess I'll just have to go shopping again!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Bag progress...
You didn't really think I'd get it finished did you?...
I made some progress on the bag last night. I have the outside piece assembled (a long strip with pockets attached) and am ready to do the lining. I know - slow progress and no pictures but I think it will come together quickly when the lining is done.
And look what arrived last night! This bag of goodies came from my Mum and Dad - my bootie that they brought back from their overseas trip.
Dyes from South America
A cute little embroidered bag
Belt loom weaving
Close up of weaving
Thanks!!! I love it all!!!!!!!!
I made some progress on the bag last night. I have the outside piece assembled (a long strip with pockets attached) and am ready to do the lining. I know - slow progress and no pictures but I think it will come together quickly when the lining is done.
And look what arrived last night! This bag of goodies came from my Mum and Dad - my bootie that they brought back from their overseas trip.
Dyes from South America
A cute little embroidered bag
Belt loom weaving
Close up of weaving
Thanks!!! I love it all!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Blog Review
I stumbled upon this blog tonight - Dances with Wool. I like the felted bags Lene has made - check them out.
Weekend Update!...
B and I spent the whole weekend at the snow - at Falls Creek. It was a fantastic weekend! Saturday was a bit miserable (weather-wise) with snow all day, clouds that kept foiling the views and the wind in the afternoon but Sunday was great. Sunday we got fresh snow to ride on and the sun graced us withits presence so that I could actually see where I was going and get my bearings.
Despite the number of people that seemed to be all over the mountain, the lines at the lifts were almost non-existent. We did learn something though - the restuarants seem to be booked at least a week in advance so we know that for next time. We did find somewhere to eat eventually and enjoyed yummy food and a warm cosy restuarant with some very nice mulled wine so it turned out well in the end - our back-up plan was a pizza delivered, which would have worked too!
OK - enough snow talk.
What's the reading for this week?... This week I'm reading
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly . I've had this book for a while, and can't remember if I've read it or not (terrible huh!) I enjoy reading his books - they're fast paced and interesting - so I figure I'll read it again anyway.
I did finish Blood Ties and really enjoyed it - a great read.
I haven't picked up The Quilter's Book of Design again lately, but am hoping to have a chance this week.
Progress on the Bag... The bag is coming along slowly. I've set aside some time tonight to get some more done and hopefully to finish it soon. I will update you when It's done.
Despite the number of people that seemed to be all over the mountain, the lines at the lifts were almost non-existent. We did learn something though - the restuarants seem to be booked at least a week in advance so we know that for next time. We did find somewhere to eat eventually and enjoyed yummy food and a warm cosy restuarant with some very nice mulled wine so it turned out well in the end - our back-up plan was a pizza delivered, which would have worked too!
OK - enough snow talk.
What's the reading for this week?... This week I'm reading
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly . I've had this book for a while, and can't remember if I've read it or not (terrible huh!) I enjoy reading his books - they're fast paced and interesting - so I figure I'll read it again anyway.I did finish Blood Ties and really enjoyed it - a great read.
I haven't picked up The Quilter's Book of Design again lately, but am hoping to have a chance this week.
Progress on the Bag... The bag is coming along slowly. I've set aside some time tonight to get some more done and hopefully to finish it soon. I will update you when It's done.
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