Still here!!

Don't worry, I'm still here, although you would get the impression that I'd gone walkabout!! Poor neglected blog, and so close to the bloggy spectacular that is Sew It Together!!

I have been making stuff, some secret stuff, some not so. We had a long weekend last weekend so I got to get up north to see my sister on her property. (That sounds rather grand doesn't it!!) It was very relaxing, got to have lots of cuddles with baby niece and ate scones :-). While wandering around we came across some awesome looking toad stools, you can just see the little pixie living under this one can't you?

I've been keeping busy and out of trouble on the train for the past couple of weeks making a gigantic granny square rug for Little A. I finally finished yesterday. I used Lincraft double knitting yarn with 4.5 hook. I used the granny square pattern from Meet Me at Mike's book and I finished the edges with triple crochet. Final measurement 1m square. If anyone needs something crocheted I'm looking for a new train project, just let me know.

I also finally got around to making Little A's school library bag. Only a term late!! I made it the same as this one but it came out skinnier, still fits books though. I bought the material from amitie last year at the craft show, finally got around to using it.

That's it for me today. Off to finally make Nikki's bag so I can take it to show her next week at the stitches and craft show, can't wait, if it's anything like last year, should be ace.

TTFN

Charging Basket

Charging Basket, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Another project on the wish list done, and it serves as another domestic project too. Unfortunately I've had some time on my hands this week, long story, so I've been able to get  a bit of sewing done. It relaxes me and when I have a finished project, I feel good inside, can't beat that.

This one is another free tutorial from Oh! Fransson, the Charging Basket. It could be very tricky to make but her instructions are fantastic, so clear, and guides you through every step. I had a flat fat from my stash (spotlight splurge) and some matching red and I used calico instead of linen. After cutting the main square for the outside I didn't have the correct size for the centre, so I just adjusted the red outside it to fit. It got to the stippling bit, which I was looking forward to as I've never done it and thought this would be a great project to have a go, only to realise that my machine doesn't have a darning foot, thought it did, oh well. So I just sewed wavy lines instead (see below). Great project to make, highly recommend it.

 

TTFN

Pincushion organiser

Pincushion organiser, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I finally did it, I made Oh! Fransson's Pincushion organiser (also over at Sew Mama Sew). It's been on the to do list for ages. I had some time this week so, it got made. It was easy to make, mainly due to the excellent tutorial Elizabeth put together. I think I over stuffed the pincushion bit, getting the rice bag in was tough. If I make another I think I would put some interfacing in the pouch to make it a bit more sturdy.

I'm still not sure of the colours I've used but they are growing on me. I used 3 flat fats out of a 5 pack of coordinating fabric from spotlight.

TTFN

Grocery Bag Dispenser

Grocery Bag Dispenser, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Another domestic project complete. Now all my plastic bags are off the floor of the laundry and neatly tucked away in my new plastic bag dispenser!! I ended up using the tutorial from Rachel Griffith at p.s i quilt. The tutorial is also on the moda blog. I used 2 fabrics instead of multi. It was hard enough deciding on these. I don't know if you can read the text but it's all about saving the planet with recycling etc. The fabric is all from my stash and originally from spotlight. I quilted it with straight lines offset from the seam joins.

The thing about this tutorial is that it taught me why it's good to iron the seems one way. When piecing it together all of the joins lined up perfectly. Definitely sold me on doing this now, I have usually always ironed them flat. I used the basting spray again for making the quilt sandwich. I think I've emptied the can. This was only the second project I used it on, thought it would last much longer than that, it's not like I over did it either. Oh well.

Back later with my another finished project.

TTFN

2010 - The year of domestic projects

That is what I have decided this year will be. I have so many things around the house that would benefit from a little crafty touch. I don't think I made anything last year for our house. My hubby and son gave me a book for Christmas, the Crafty Minx by Kelly Doust, this is what started it all off. There are so many little handy projects for around the house in there.

When I moved out of home I bought one of those plastic peg baskets you can buy at the super market. Well, 12 years later, the thing has finally decided to fall apart and disintegrate. So the crafty minx came in handy straight away. All I did was use a tea towel that already had binding so I didn't do that bit, and I couldn't decide on an applique so I didn't do that either. Doesn't matter, it's doing it's job!! But I did add a button because the tea towel already had a loop on it, and I think the tea towel may have been a bit shorter than the one in the book so it gapped heaps when the pegs are all in. This was actually my first project for 2010 but I only just got around to photographing it!!

Keeping the little one entertained over the school holidays has been a bit of a challenge. There are only so many play-dates you can go on!! And with the anticipation of a big one tomorrow we made muffins to keep him entertained. Now I'm not that known for my kitchen skills so the old packet mix was the go. Also, that is all the bench space we have in our kitchen so co-cooking isn't usually practiced. Need a kitchen reno, then I'll become the domestic goddess!!

Of course licking the bowl is the best bit.

Now on my to do list, make an apron for little A, he gets so grumpy when he has to use the painting one!!

I'm child free tonight so my next domestic project is a shopping bag dispenser. I've found two great tutorials on the net, I now just have to decide on which one, this or this? Or do you know of another?

TTFN