Pillow Cases

This is the second last pillow case, and it is the best of all.  Not because I am tooting my own horn, but because I found an easy Tutorial which I could follow, even for and old duck like me.  Any mistakes were all my own, but we got there in the end and am quite pleased with it.  Hope you like it.  I got the Tutorial from:     http://flowerpress.blogspot.com/2011/09/learn-to-sew-pillowcase-tutorial.html#axzz1YRT55ikC

I have now finished the last pillow case for Christmas presents, but still have a table runner and a cushion cover, but have started them.  Hope you like this one.

Another Tank Top

They seem to be multiplying.  I finished this one, or so I thought, then my son came along and said it needs to be balanced because the top is darker than the skirt.  So I thought and thought, and came up with sewing some grosgrain ribbon 3" up from the hem.  What do you think?

This is before I added the ribbon.

This after I added the ribbon.  I think it worked, do you?

Tomato Chutney

Well girls, I have been very busy today.  I made 10 and half bottles of Tomato Chutney, and I must say that I am very happy about it.  Haven't done anything like that in a long while.  My friend started me off, she gave me a taste of the one she had from her neighbour who had also given her the recipe.  My friend shared the recipe with me, and by coincidence, I had lots and lots of tomatoes from my bush which had fruited prolifically this year.  The tomato bush was already planted when we came here, but in the middle of a garden and was taking over my plants, so when it finished fruiting I reefed it out and will re-plant the babies as they come up.  They are Truss Cherry Tomatoes.
I did play with the recipe as we all do I think, but it turned out very tasty and I love it.  If you want the recipe as I made it you will have to wait until I re-write it, if you want the original I will type it up for you. (Same difference really).

 

More Christmas Presents finished.

A few more Tank Top dresses, getting better as I go along.  Hope you like them.

More Christmas Presents finished.

These are some of the Christmas Presents I have made for Family and Friends.  Still have 5 Tank Top Dresses, and 2 more Pillow Cases.  I am not panicing just doing what I can for the day and thinking about tomorrow.

Next Tank Top Dress

This is my next Tank Top Dress for Chloe.  Every time I make one of these I learn something new and hopefully get better every time.

Slumping

I received an email from Corey's Blog at Little Miss Shabby and she asked the question about being in a Slump.
 http://www.littlemissshabby.com/2011/11/slumping/

I answered here with this rather long comment,

Dear Corey,

I am very familiar with this feeling, in fact I have just emerged out of a slump that lasted nearly 6 months.  I couldn't stand to even go into the craft room sometimes.  I would get something out to do, and stare at it as if it was alien, (which it was at the time).  Absolutely nothing could gain my interest, I was so bad I just read books lots and lots of them.  But a friend of mine said God has a reason for this happening, just wait, trust in Him and accept whatever comes from His hand.  You know, I never did find out why I was in that slump, but I can happily tell you that I am sewing again.  I am making Christmas presents for family and friends.  Have finished 2 aprons, and 2 Tank top dresses and actually have orders for 2 more Tank Top dresses, and an opportunity to serve God by teaching the Sunday School class how to make some earrings or a bracelet to go into a box they have made with mirrored ceramics for their Mums for Christmas.  God is so good.

I have posted one of the Tank Top Dresses I have made, and one of the Aprons, and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent on them.

Apron

Have finished the Aprons.  I made two the same, but only one has a pocket.  Enjoy!  Just don't look at the body modelling it.

Girl's Tank Top Dress

Here is my first Tank Top Dress, hope you like it.

Flowers in my Garden

I took some photos of Flowers in my garden, (and a pot plant).  Hope you enjoy them.

Girl's Tank Top Dress and Apron

I have made some inroads on both of these items.  All that is left of the Apron is the pocket to be added.  The tank top dress is ready to be gathered then sewn onto the tank top.  I can't believe myself, it is great.  I am also adding butterfly sleeves to the tank top to make it even prettier.  As soon as both are finished I will take of photo and upload them.
Bye for now
Elaine

Girl's Tank Top Dress

I am making some of these Tank Top dress for little girl's as Christmas Presents.  If you are interested click on link below and it will take you there.  Tea Rose Home has a very understandable tutorial there.
Thank you Sachiko!

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-little-girls-tunic-with-tank.html

Tute Tuesday

Little Birdie Blog has a Tute Tuesday, click on the button on the side bar and it will take you to her blog.
Linky Guidelines:

1. Please feel free to link up as many projects as you would like!
2. Please link directly to your project post, it makes them much easier for everyone to find.
3. Please no etsy shops, or generic blog links. Specific posts links only.
4. Visit someone else's link and share the bloggy love!
5. Grab yourself a button and post it in your project post or on your blog. Optional of course, but the more we share the party, the more people see your posts! :)
6. Have fun!!

Store wide Discount until Friday 28th October 2011

This is from Designs by Fee.
"To say thank-you for being so patient this week I am offering a 10% Off Storewide Discount - All you have to do is type in the promotional code - LOYALTY and the discount will be applied at checkout. That brings Moda Fat Eigth Bundles down to just $54 and Fat Quarter Bundles down to $112.50."

Here is a sewing tip that is so simple I wonder why it hasn't been thought of ages ago.

http://showtellshare.blogspot.com/2011/08/sewing-tip-ironing-down-hem-made-easy.html
Elaine

Viki Tueck from Pickledish Patch

I have posted a button for Viki from Pickledish Patch.  It will take you straight to her etsy site.

Crosses of Ryan and Tara

This a lovely B.O.M. put out by Little Ladybug's Creations.  They are a series of Stitchery Blocks and each one is beautiful.  Click on her button on my blog and it will take you there to have a look.

Apron and ruffle.

SEWING AGAIN!

I think I told quite a while ago that I had totally gone off doing anything crafty for about 6 months or so.  Well on the weekend, I went into my craft room and cut out 2 Cottage Aprons with some of the money I got for my Birthday, frills, pockets, ties everything.  That took about 4 hours or so.  Then I thought, that is enough for today so I closed the door and left.  On Tuesday I went in again and started sewing.  I sewed the darts, then sewed on the piping.  Then, I practised with my new Ruffler Foot (after watching a video to make sure I knew what I was doing), and it turned out really well.  So then I used it for the ruffling on the bottom of the apron (see photo) one before attaching, one attached, and I am so happy with it.  Haven't got back to it yet as I had Bible Study yesterday had lots of other places to go while in town, and today my friend who has just got back from a holiday on Norfolk Island came for a visit and she stayed for lunch and only just left.
The other photo is the last present I bought with my birthday money.  It is a panel with 4 different birds.  Aussie ladies,have you heard about Van Cooten's at Howard?  It is a shop that still has stuff from years and years ago, as well as dress material and quilting material and all sorts of stuff, all crushed into one tiny little shop, you have to walk sideways to get down the aisles.  I just loved that material when I saw it.  Not sure what I am going to make with it, the lady in the shop cut it into four and made 4 cushion covers, but I am not that into cushions.   Maybe will make a wall hanging, or something, any suggestions?

Progress on Amy's House

As I told you back in January with those terrible floods, my daughter Amy's house was totally gutted with the flood water going over the roof of their house.  This happened to quite a large part of their suburb.  Their insurance would not honour the contract, so they and many, many others had to rely on the kind donations of people all around Australia and even overseas.  The got enough to rebuild the inside of their house, and replace the contents.  At the moment the Gyprock walls on the inside are all up, and the ceilings.  The cliplock flooring had been completed in the bathrooms and the walk in robe.
I am sorry I have been so lax in writing up my blog, but will attempt to try to put something in at least every month.
  

Huggles for Kids Flood Appeal

My online Craft Group are making softies for Kids who have lost their Huggles, click on Percy the Pig and it will take you to Stitch Selection Blog Spot.  You can send you completed softies to her or to find out where to send them in your state.

Elaine

retromummy: how to help

retromummy: how to help
Click on this button to take you to retromummy which list ways in which you can help with the flood disaster.
Our craft group is helping my making Huggles, dolls for littlies who have lost their huggle.
Contact me to find out to help with this.

My Country................

My Country................

FLOOD VICTIM

My own daughter Amy and her family have lost their house and all of their possessions except for a few things.  I thank God that they are all safe, and are staying at her mother-in-law's place at a flood free section of Brisbane.  It is a great blow to her and her husband to have to start again, but her M.I.L. has been wonderful to her and I am grateful.  Amy's husband's brother also lost his house as lived very close to them also.  If you have an opportunity to donate at any of the places offered, I would ask you to do so from the bottom of your heart.  The house was not insure, but the contents were.
Thank you,
Elaine

 

Call to Prayer and to help flood victims

make it perfect: .Zippered Pouch Tutorial.

make it perfect: .Zippered Pouch Tutorial.

Blue Bird Quilts

Retro Nine Patch - Free B.O.M. beginning 15th January.  Click on button to take you to Lyn's site.
Elaine

Pillow Party

If you love making pillows, head on over to Noodlehead's new blog and see what it is all about.  Just click on her button, or alternately you can click on the Pillow Party button.  Both will tell you all about the new challenge.  You can win some yummy material and it happens every month, only you have to enter every month with a different creation.

New Blog address for Noodlehead

Noodlehead has a changed her blog to a Public Domain address, click on her button on the sidebar and it will take you there.

Amanda at lots happening

As Amanda from Lots happening Blog Spot, as promised in her last post that she is having a surprise giveaway to celebrate her 100th post (some have been removed by accident) and this wonderful new year we are starting...  Click on her blog address and see what is happening over there.http://amanda-lotshappening.blogspot.com/

Give away from Pickledish Patch

Vickie from Pickledish Patch, formerly Tozz's Corner, is having a give away.   This is give way No 3.  She has all sorts of lovely prizes, and if you go to her web site you will see them all, and also you will see how to enter the give away.  www.tozzscorner.blogspot.com or click on the button on my sidebar it will take you to her site.
Elaine