Crafty...

Thought I'd show you a couple of projects. The first is my current one. In August I saw the lovely Tara Dennis on BH&G making an easy rag quilt. I filed this away in my memory banks until it popped out unexpectedly when I saw the new 'Authentic' Moda/Sweetwater fabric at Quilt Fabric Delights. Mmmmm.

Now, I know it's not really quilt weather (by the time I finish it might be) but I just had to get some of that lovely fabric-y goodness in my house! I only bought a few fat quarters (and used the free shipping special code on Melissa Goodsell's blog) , so it wasn't an expensive venture. The other squares are from my stash or leftovers from earlier projects like the couch cushions and lamp. Tara makes a full queen-size quilt, but mine will be much more modest. Maybe 2/3 the size of a single bed - just right for the couch on movie night! Hopefully I will get some time to work on it soon. The other thing I wanted to show is the artwork I made from fabric and crocheted flowers mentioned here. It started life as this lovely 1970's print - apologies for the photo. (The household's youngest photographer insisted on taking the 'before' shot - fuzzy and no sign of the ug-ly two-tone frame. Use your imagination!) It cost the princely sum of $3 at the local thrift shop.

The yellow and black fabric I purchased online at Funky Fabrix had a pattern much bigger than I expected, so was no good for the original project I had in mind. But it was striking, and I needed something in a larger scale for a blank wall after an art re-arrange.

I took the ug-ly print out of the frame, gave it a spray with some adhesive and lay it onto the wrong side of the fabric. I pulled the fabric taut, wrapped it round to the back and secured with glue and staples.

While the glue was drying, I mixed up some grey and black acrylic paint to a dark charcoal and painted the frame with a foam brush.

Once it was dry I popped the covered print back into the frame. It fit quite snugly so didn't need pins or tape.

The finishing touch was a case of serendipity. I had not long received some crocheted flowers from Sweet Vintage in the post, and the pack contained two exactly the right shade of yellow. (I love it when that happens!) So I attached them with some craft glue and voila...

An artwork for less than $10. Not to everyone's taste, but I love it. I love the price even more.

Farmstay....

What a great weekend with the kids! Despite the horrible car trips (in both directions - they don't travel well together) we had a trerrific time at Lillydale. We were lucky enough to win our Prep 'farm week' raffle earlier this year - a 2-night farm stay. We left Dad at home to mind the pets, as he is allergic to horses. (Hmmmm. Got a weekend to himself... didn't really think that through, did I?)

We travelled 2.5 hours South-West to the 'Scenic Rim', just in the shadow of Mt Barney to enjoy a very full weekend of stuff like this...

and this...

and this...

But we did get to stay in here...

Now we are home and all exhausted! Early to bed...'night John-Boy.

Flashback...

Can there be anything better to bring a smile to the lips of an Australian my age than the mention of 'The Goodies'?! Cast your mind back... These pioneers of satire are in Australia for a few shows in Sydney this month - no further this time unfortunately. Check out the local media for lots of interviews. For those who don't know what I'm on about (how old are you?!) here's a recap - From 1970 to 1982, The Goodies (Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie) saved London from giant kittens, started a pirate radio station/post office, studied Northern English martial arts, fought genetically modified clowns and rode a three-seater bicycle (the trandem) from situation to surreal situation. Their blend of visual comedy (which the kids loved) and incisive commentary on everything from the National Health Scheme to Apartheid (which the adults loved, in a naughty kind of way) will be fondly remembered by Brits and Aussies alike. ::Sigh:: Goody-goody-yum-yum.

Updates from my life...

Wanted to share some of the things that have been going on in the last few weeks - This baby... became this 6-year-old.

This baby...

became this 8-year-old.

This baby... measured the top of his head at my eyebrow.

This fruit...

became this drink!

Some of this fabric...

became this piece of art on my wall.

We went here...

and here...

and here.

This woman was happy with her life.

P.S. Hope you are all travelling well too.

13 Years ago....

This was the big day 13 years ago - we haven't changed a bit!

Mmmmm...mail goodies.

Some lovely things have arrived in the post in the last week or so. Yay! It's so nice to get something that isn't bills. Have a look at these gorgeous little numbers from Sweet Vintage on Etsy.

After seeing them on Nagaire's blog a while ago, I just had to have my own. I have already used one on a wall art project (another post soon) and have used the cute circle flower that came on the wrapping(!) to tart up one side of an op-shop bag (which I now adore!).

And look what I put on the other side - the giant flower I made ages ago and haven't been game to wear as a brooch. Yay again!!

My other lovely delivery was this beautiful fabric from Funky Fabrix . I have used the black, white and yellow one for the above-mentioned piece of art.

Off camping for the weekend, so hopefully will have some nice shots to post next week (as long as work stops being so busy!). P.S. Anna Garlin Spencer wrote 1912 in "Womens Share in Social Culture",

'No book has yet been written in praise of a woman who let her husband and children starve or suffer while she invented even the most useful things, or wrote books, or expressed herself in art, or evolved philosophic systems. '

Aint that the truth!!

A fantastic resource...

What a great website! If you are into interior design, renovating, DIY or even gardening and haven't stumbled across this site yet - go have a look. It's called Houzz - go to it here. It's a HUUUGE collection of photos from private contributors and interior design companies of the houses they have put together. You can search the THOUSANDS of shots by room, by design style or by city/county (mostly in the US, but also London, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv and others). The best thing about it is that it allows you to build a personal 'ideabook', adding photos and comments as you go. This file is held online and you just log in to access it anytime - great if you wanted to show a builder (or hubby) EXACTLY what you mean! Also great for trying out furniture placement without lifting a finger, or seeing intersting colour schemes with out any painting. These are a few of my current favourites... here, here and here. Enjoy!