Search Results for: weaving

A few things I’ve been sewing

Another busy week but at least I managed some sewing time! I found a cute monkey printed jersey at Spotlight on the clearance table and made some “non girly” pyjamas for the “non girly” girl. The good news is she loves the shorts and wants to wear them 24/7 – the bad news is she hates the top and refuses to wear it. Sigh.

I had dyed a mandala on some broadcloth that was just the right size to make a little dress for Half Pint. It’s very cute but next time I need to make the straps longer and the dress less “boxy”.

From the back.

I love these moments! I caught the boy teaching the little one some piano. These two may be 10 years apart in age but they are terrific friends.

It’s pouring rain here today after yesterday being warm and windy, so the garden is drinking it in. I must show you some photos of the garden soon, it’s such a wonderful place to be at the moment.

Happy weekend and God bless you all 🙂

My husband’s Spoonflower fabric

by Kelly 3 Comments

My husband used to draw. A lot. Since the children came along and he became a “professional” anything artistic has taken a back seat and been almost non existent. I wanted to encourage him to start drawing again so I ordered some fabric from Spoonflower with some of his old designs as a surprise.

I’m so glad I did. He has become so inspired and it’s so great to see him feeling more like his “old (young!) self” again. The best part is seeing him hunched over his sketch pad again and imagining all the applications for his designs. He says he has found a part of himself that had been “dumbed down” and forgotten.

Naturally, this is all a dream come true to Mrs. Artsy Crafty!

Regarding my last post – I’ve temporarily switched to the old editor in order to post pictures, hoping that it will somehow just fix itself and I can go back to the new editor. Old editor is, well, old!

Buddha's Tears

by Kelly 1 Comment

My husband brought home some Buddha’s Tears tea from T2 yesterday. He was actually buying Strawberries and Cream tisane (a family favourite) and asked for a sample of the very expensive Buddha’s Tears (also known as Jasmine Dragon pearl). The obliging person gave a very generous sample.
It is the best jasmine tea I’ve tasted – no hint of the usual bitterness. This tea is very mild and suggestive and if it wasn’t so expensive I could drink a lot of it!

Embroidery progress

by Kelly 3 Comments

If I’d known how long these projects would take to complete would I have started them in the first place?
Probably. Yes. Absolutely!

My crewel piece has come a long way since here. In fact, I’m not too far off finishing, hooray!

I’ve made a lot of progress with the ribbon work since here too.

Unfortunately most other things get priority over embroidery so my monthly stitching group is wonderful .

Have a marvellous Saturday that hopefully involves some stitching.

Fish, glorious fish!

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Occasionally my husband buys fish from Conways as a treat. I don’t know about your part of the world, but here fresh fish is really expensive. I can’t fault Conway’s for freshness though, better than you can get at the Queen Vic Market.

These are blue grenadier fillets, but use what you like (or what you can afford!) For this one I lay down a generous amount of foil and put the fillet on top. I sliced lemon grass and ginger and sprinkled over the top. Then I warmed about 2 tablespoons of soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice and drizzled over the fish. Salt and pepper, then wrap in the foil or pinch the foil together to make a pleat all the way along. Bake for about 20 minutes at 190 degrees celscius then test for doneness.

This one is really easy! Lay out fillet as above then dab some small pieces of butter along the fillet. Salt and pepper it. Lay on some fresh herbs (I used dill and parsley from the garden) then lay on thin slices of lemon. Bake as above and test for doneness.

Healthy and delicious!!

Pretty little wedding dresses

by Kelly 5 Comments

I finished the girl’s dresses for my sister’s wedding in a few weeks.

Note the pained “I don’t feel like having my photo taken” expression.

I used some pretty quilting fabrics and satin to make the waistbands that tie at the back.

I used my trusty Miss Madeline pattern.

This pale blue fabric has pretty white patterns on it that you can’t really see here.

I’ve almost finished my dress too.

An amusing tale. In my last letter to my Grandmother I mentioned I was making our dresses for the wedding. A couple of days later I received a letter back with a gift voucher for $50. She thought it was such a pity that I “had” to make our dresses she wanted me to go out and buy some for the girls. When she had young children she made all of their clothes out of necessity.

Haven’t times changed? I don’t think she’d be convinced that I sew for pleasure.

Got Goop?

by Kelly 3 Comments

Goop is fun, safe, reusable and although messy, cleans up easily.

1 packet of cornflour (I use a cheap generic brand)
1 – 2 cups water
food colouring, tempura paint powder or acrylic paint (if you like)

Mix water into cornflour a little at a time until you have a gloopy consistency. Drop the colouring in (if using) to the depth of colour you like.
Put into a container or tray and play!

When the children are finished it can be stored in a container with a lid. If it dries out just add more water and stir again.

* A note about food colouring.
The children ended up with coloured hands, if this is undesirable go with the paint options.

This is my first post for kid’s art and craft on the SHE team blog (Schooling at Home Etsians). My post will be there tomorrow. Head over and check it out!

A nice morning out

by Kelly 4 Comments

The Werribee Mansion now has free entry. For a family of 6 this is a real blessing and we go there quite a bit now. The grounds are really expansive and beautiful.

A great place to stretch out.

Or climb a tree.

And a great place for little people to test out those running legs!
I think we’ll be picinicing here quite a bit over summer, and the rose garden is right next door.

Happy swapping

by Kelly 3 Comments

I love a happy swap. You may recall I received some beautiful wool from Nell last week. She has her parcel from me now, so I can show you what I sent. I used a few different techniques for the fat quarters above.

The pink and purple playsilk was painted with stripes and then sprinkled with sea salt (in honour of Nell’s pink and purple princess!)

Nell mentioned water play, so the idea for the blue playsilk was born. The silk was dyed using a shibori technique.

And last but not least – a little play doll for “the baby”, knowing how much my “baby” loves her doll that is similar.

A few pictures from the march

by Kelly 2 Comments

There was a great turn out for the Freedom to be Born March and the sun dazzled down on us as we walked the streets of the city.

Up to the steps of the grand old Parliament House.

There was the usual small (very small) slogan shouting individuals waiting for us on the steps but they were soon drowned out. And I swear I have never placed my rosaries on anyone’s ovaries! That is also to imply that only Catholics stand against abortion which is completely untrue and was evident today.

A big thanks to the Victoria Police for the great job they do, it is really appreciated.