Search Results for: quilt

A life filled with dolls

I don’t know how it all began, this love affair of mine with dolls.

I would be quite content to sit all day and make them, one after the other. If I had that sort of time I would make them all manner of accessories, quilts, clothes and toys.

It’s an absolute wonder to me how you can take beautiful pieces of fabric and form and stitch them into something that almost seems to have a personality. I just love them!

My latest Lil’ Mim is slightly larger than the last at 12 inches (still petite). She will be in my Etsy shop shortly. I hope she captures someone’s heart as quickly as her sister did!

SOLD – THANK YOU AMY!!!!!

WIP frenzy!

by Kelly 3 Comments

An art journal cover that I’m practicing hand quilting on (and I really need the practice!)

Peg dolls that are painted but as yet unclothed, I’m trying to figure the best way to dress them without interfering with the attached arms. Hopefully I’ll have a tute up for these soon too 🙂

A pair of shorts for one of the girls from recycled clothing.

And, last but not least, a sewing table that is an absoloute disaster zone!!

That’s what you get for working on too many projects at once!

Tagged

by Kelly 4 Comments

The lovely Lady Ophelia tagged me with this. Thank you Ophelia!

The rules are:
-Thank the person who gave you the award.
-Post ten honest facts about yourself.
-Pass the award on to seven others.

So, here we go:

1) I am a “Jack of all trades, master of none”. I find it hard to focus on one thing for too long but want to have a go at everything.

2) I am an introvert. I usually avoid social situations.

3) I love God and my religion.

4) I proposed to my husband when I was 17 and he was 16! (He accepted!!)

5) I loathe television, we are a TV free home and intend to stay that way.

6) I’m a “doer”, I like to always have something on the go.

7) I used to work as a singer at weddings, hotels, parties, but the late nights became too much. I still miss singing though.

8) I am driven to be creative, I don’t feel myself when I can’t get to the sketchbook, the sewing machine or just a needle!

9) I’m a pretty plain and ordinary person living a pretty plain and ordinary life, but I know there is great value in what I do (even if I find it hard to remember that at times).

10) Tomorrow is my tenth wedding anniversary! My husband and I are going out for dinner together (accompanied by baby of course) for the first time since our son was born (9 years ago, gasp!!) I’m so excited!

Now, to tag seven others…..

Mia Henry, Willow and Moo, And so, I sew, Mad Quilter, Romi Jade, Sew 2 B Happy and Cherri – Berri.

Blue Willow Cottage

by Kelly 2 Comments

I took a morning jaunt out to Blue Willow Cottage at Werribee South. The shop is in a beautiful old farmhouse (over 100 years old) surrounded by market gardens and has a lovely, homely feel. The photo above is the entrance (ooh, is that a fairy on the doorstep?)

I love the rustic feel of the place, the inside is just gorgeous, the walls are lined with quilts, it even has the original carpet! There are lots of fabrics, patterns, notions and everything a crafter could want.

If you’re ever out that way its definitely worth popping in for a look.

Birthday girl!

by Kelly 10 Comments

2 years old today! Of course it seems like yesterday she was a wee babe in arms, now to be replaced by another wee one. She loves the little apron I made her and is still wearing it now. I actually made it while she was asleep, so no measurements, but it fits perfectly.

She loves her new wee waldorf too. She is pushing her dollies around in the doll pusher she also received – a very happy little girl.

Today is also husband’s birthday, unfortunately he is at work, but we’ll have a little party when he gets home!

These are the embroidered buttons I mentioned in the last post. I’ve been wanting to start a button collection for ages so these are a start. I used a tiny quilting between and one strand of embroidery floss for these. Its very enjoyable, I must do more!

What you’ve got challenge.

by Kelly 3 Comments

I’ve set myself a challenge to use up old or idle fabric from my stash. I’m almost desperate for some new fabric, but as we are picking up our van tomorrow, money is a little scarce. Its hard to be inspired by fabric that has become familiar. Anyway, I made a start with this little apron made from leftover fabric from a quilt. I drew up the design (well, more like made it up as I went along) and it turned out pretty well. I’d like to make more when I do get some new fabric!

This is what it looks like on the recipient (one of my daughters). I like simple but pretty things.

I treated myself to the latest edition of my favourite magazine – Homespun and entered a competition to win a beautiful pack of Robyn Pandolph fabric. The entry question was “Why are the women in your life special?”

It made me think about my mother, who passed away 4 years ago as a result of breast cancer. We were very different people and did not get along for a long time. Our relationship started to improve after the birth of my first child, shortly after which she became ill.

I never thought of her as special before that, but as her illness progressed and she had setback after setback a new part of her shone through. Courage. Immense courage. Although it was very hard towards the end, she never gave up. She became (and still is) an inspiration to me.

Lovely weekend

by Kelly Leave a Comment

We spent the weekend at my husband’s parent’s farm. The weather couldn’t have been more glorious, we spent most of our time outdoors working in the garden, plucking ducks and pottering around.

The children had a marvellous time running and riding their bikes in the wide open space.

Gee I miss looking out the window and seeing open fields and being surrounded by the huge skies. Even during a long drought there is so much beauty in the country. My urges to get out of the suburbs grows daily….

These quilts were made by my husband’s great aunt many a moon ago. They were all folded in one of the bedrooms at the farm, I simply had to spread them out on the beds. This style of quilt is not my cup of tea but as a crafter I have a great appreciation of the work that went into them and the fabrics of a bygone era.

“So little to do, so much time..

by Kelly Leave a Comment

wait – reverse that!” The famous words of Willy Wonka. A coin purse kit from Nicole Mallalieu Design .
Their customer service is excellent, by the way.

Lovely wool parcel from Stokesay.
I couldn’t believe how quickly these came in the mail.

I’m also working on 2 dolls and clothes, a quilt for one of the girls, still tweaking that embroidery and knitting some bears. Wish me luck!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I’m participating in this after seeing it on Tracy’s blog recently and thought it was a lovely idea. If you want to participate you can go to The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

FOR TODAY 31st of March 2009.

Outside my window…. Warm Autumn sunshine, the children and I just returned from a walk.

I am thinking…. Its lunchtime, thank goodness I got up early this morning and had bread baked before the children rose.

I am thankful for… God’s constant loving care of me and my family.

From the learning rooms… English, Faith and Life, General Knowledge, colours and numbers (thats the children, not me!)

From the kitchen… Home made bread and tomato relish.

I am wearing.. Plain home clothes, long skirt and top.

I am creating… an embroidery, a table runner and a waldorf doll (not all at the same time, though!)

I am going… to try and produce some embroidery patterns to sell.

I am reading.. The “Little House Series”, I’m on the Caroline Years at the moment.

I am hoping… For too many things to write here, “hope springs eternal”.

I am hearing… The chooks clucking softly and the children chattering to one another as they go about their work.

Around the house… things are looking good, we had the carpets cleaned yesterday and what a difference it makes.

One of my favourite things… is to be with my family when we are all happy and well and all seems right with the world.

A few plans for the rest of the week… Homeschooler’s group pet day where my son’s rat will make an appearance, the usual homeschooling and home maintenance and hopefully time for sewing and designing.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing.. Its at the top, sorry I couldn’t move it. Its a painting my Mother gave me for my 10th birthday. It was painted by a very talented artist friend of hers, a Mrs. Jan Barry.

It feels like Autumn

by Kelly Leave a Comment

The bread is in the oven and a pot of pumpkin soup is bubbling away on the stove. The day is mild and overcast. The garden is recovering from the heat and some bulbs are shooting. Husband has the week off and has taken the boy on a camping/fishing trip to the Otways for a couple of days, they will have a great time.

My pregnancy is progressing well (21 weeks) and baby is moving around a great deal. The 20 week scan showed a very normal and active baby, thanks to God.

While the men are away I endeavour to organise a clean the house and hope to have enough time for dollmaking as well. I’m currently making a knitted pouch doll and a small waldorf doll.
In the interest of beautfiying our home a little I’m also on the lookout for a pattern for a table runner or small table quilt. Our home is very functional but not at all beautiful and I would like to start changing that to reflect our personalities and make our home cosy.

Have a lovely Autumn day!