Wedding Time

For the whole of this month I have been working on a lovely couple that finally I have finished.

My hairdresser who has had a rough ride the last few years (medically) and last weekend she got married. She is one person who really deserves some happiness so I made them a couple of kindness bears as a special gift.

The bears actually were the easy bit, considering that I gave both bride and groom some pants to begin with, although I did change the lace on the brides knickers as I thought it may make the dress flare out too much, so she still has laced edged knickers, but just flat lace.

then the shoes were added, before they were 'fed' and the real bride and groom began to evolve.

Next began the outfits, easier said than done - I had no patterns, all I had was the actual pattern for the bears. So I set about creating patterns for the outfits. I saw a photo of what the groom would be wearing - yep, that's straight forward, umm ..... sort of. For the bride the only description I got was lacy, sleeveless, high neckline and a train. Yes, well ......  the following is what my interpretation of that description was.

I am going down to have my hair done on Tuesday, the new brides first day back at work, so I will take them down to her then. I hope she likes them and they give her a smile.

Hopefully there will be no 'hanky-panky' in the box I will use to deliver them - photo to come.

For now though, time for a well earned rest, and a cuppa in which to think about next months projects.

In the meantime .......

                                                                                                  and thank you for dropping by.

My Latest Aquisition

Yesterday we went and had a casual look around our local Aldi store - just to see what this week's specials were, and I came across something that is exactly just what I want for my needlework - a you beaut fishing tackle bag.

Now hear me out here, when we go on a fishing trip to a dam about 3 hours from home, I take my needlework out with me to do, you see I am not one who particularly likes fishing or eating fish for that matter, however it is a case of looking the part.

It has 3 boxes in it - perfect for my threads, and no sooner were we home than I started packing it in readiness for our up coming fishing trip.

At this stage I am only going to use one of the boxes, as I already have my main supply of threads in other thread boxes - this one is just for current projects. There is plenty of room in the bag for all the small projects I will be taking with us too.

 

Even room for my coffee mug and my mug rug.

For now though, I think I had best get back to my sewing machine and continue on with my project for August.

In the meantime ......

  'Til next time,
                                                                                                           and thanks for dropping by.

Countdown to Christmas - August

It's that time of the month again where we are reminded that in reality Christmas is not that far around the corner, and I decided that I would begin with making a project specifically for our festivities this Christmas.

This month I decided to use up a bunting panel (one of 3 in the cupboard I might add) with an Australian Christmas theme.

First off I decided I would match the backing fabric with the various colours of the flags. What a job. It meant I had to put some iron on interfacing onto the back of the panel, I figured that way the sides would not stretch  after I cut them out. here were 30 flags in all.

I then placed them on the various backing fabric, cut them out before whizzing up and down both sides on the overlocker. Considering the number I had to do I felt it was the best way to get them done. Hubby thought I was mad when I started the task of turning them right side out whilst watching TV at night, however it got the job done. I gave them a good press with the iron and trimmed the top edges ready for assembling.

First though came the job of shuffling them around so that I didn't end up with two of the same colour side by side - all good. Next came the folding with the iron of a reel (5m long) of cotton tape. I then got my sewing chair, sat down in front of my cutting table, figured out the placement measurements and set to to pin all 30 of the flags in their right order.

Machining the tape on was relatively easy and I was quite pleased with the finished lot. Now came the quandary of how was I to show them off to you flapping away in the breezes. Got an idea from my friend Karen from Karen's Korner and went outside and pegged them on the clothesline. Simple!

 

I think they will look really good when put up on our back patio come Christmas time. A nice finish for when friends come around for drinks or a barbeque in the summer.

Well for now, that is all and I shall begin to work out my Countdown to Christmas project for next month. In the meantime ....

'Til next time

                                                                                                  thanks for stopping by.

Bush Fires

Yesterday the smoke began to gather momentum to the north through the National Park and plantation forests on the island. Apparently it is a fire reduction burn that got out of hand, and sadly the winds picked up. The fires continued today and with a wind change due overnight tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. It is thought the fires will continue for several more days.

Thankfully at this stage we cannot smell the smoke and it is not anywhere near the residential areas on the island.

These photos are taken from our front verandah this afternoon.

More later.

Vietnam Veteran's Day

Sunday 18th August is Vietnam Veteran's Day in Australia and the last few years Peter has decided to take part. We have a Vietnam Veteran's Park opposite the local RSL Club that is beautifully kept.

A while ago one of the helicoptors that 'served' in Vietnam was acquired and restored with a stand placed in the park for the helicopter to be mounted. Last Tuesday was to be the day, however it was too windy, so was delayed until Wednesday. I managed to wander down and take some photos, but sadly I missed seeing it come in on the back of a truck, and also did not actually get any photos of them hoisting the chopper as I had to leave for an appointment. Looks great though up amongst the trees.

On Sunday there was a march and memorial service in the park to mark Vietnam Veteran's Day, followed by a dinner with entertainment in the Auditorium at the RSL.

A good afternoon and evening was had by all.

'Til next time .......

                                                                                                              Thanks for stopping by.

Bag of Bags

I have had two weekends (both three days) that have been free for sewing - oh joy, oh bliss! A lot of preparation work has been done for various projects in the pipeline and you have got to know that when I get the folding table and cutting board out and set up, you know I am about to get serious.

To begin with though I have made a bag of bag for a friends birthday yesterday, and on giving it to her (one inside the other) she wondered what on earth I had done as she kept pulling one out then another, and they kept coming. She did love what I had done though, and was most impressed when I told her all were washable.

Jean was quite intrigued about the 'dinky' little bag with the snap fastener, and was impressed when I told her that that was to put her rings in overnight when travelling so as they don't get dropped or misplaced when you take them off to go to bed.  Just to the left of that one is a cover to put a small pack of tissues in.

Must get off here and get back to my sewing table and continue on with some more prep. work, then I will be able to sit down and put my feet up and do some hand sewing.

For now though ......

                                                                                                and thank you for dropping by.

It's Coming Up to Lunch Time

Having completed all the washing for the week - it didn't get done yesterday - I was off into town with a friend - had a lovely day out too.

I them decided it had been quite some time since I had had some savoury muffins for lunch and I felt like a couple, so out comes the bowl, flour etc etc and so I threw the ingredients together and filled my muffin pan and into the oven, and woo hoo, I have enjoyed some delicious muffins for lunch.

It was a surprise though when a certain character decided to help me make said muffins, but left the oven stuff to me, couldn't have any burnt fur flying around the place!!

For now though  ........

                   

                                                                                                       and thank you for stopping by.