Livin' on the (selv) edge

I have been dutifully collecting the registration prints from the selvedges of fabric over the last year or so. I don't have much.

I don't buy lots of fabric - I tend to leech it of others and purchase miniscule bits that are already on sale (I am the poxy customer hunched over the scrap basket trawling for gold). And they are ever so small - so this was only ever going to be a small scale project.

But I just adore them. Sometimes I pull out my wee stash out and just look at it lovingly. Quite possibly it's the rainbow thing.

I had revolutionary plans for these little bits, and thought I was being oh so VERY original. But then I discovered, as you usually do (there is no such thing as original thought - thank you Aristotle) that someone else has been there and truly done that. Far more up scale and amazing than anything I was planning. Phooey.

Never mind. I'm happy to stand on the shoulders of giants. It's a great view.

More Matryoshka

Can't say I didn't warn you.

Though rather than threesomes I'm trying to instill a bit more of the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid) in my life.

So pairs it is. I really liked doing the larger doll - and will do some more eventually (especially on request) but these guys have a deadline and trying to finish eight smaller softies seems a lot less arduous. Plus I'll have four finished sets rather than only two or three, which when trying to pad out a market stall is a very serious consideration.

"Oh pairs" was a name I trifled with initially, but I guess I've watched too many English TV shows where the aging Dad has run off with the nubile Nanny. So the "au pair" homewreaker connotation is far too strong in the face of a flimsy pun. These girls are far too cute to have to carry around such baggage.

So hopefully, if my arm holds out, these wee lassies will be joining my friend Jeanni who is having a crafty stall at the May Armstrong Childcare Centre's Childrens Market on this Sunday (17th August).

(mind the quick plug)

It is the Centre's main fundraising event of the year (I think entry is $3, kiddlies free) and there will be all sorts of entertainment, crafty bits, cakey bits and some pre-loved bargains - all for a good cause.

It's at Phoenix Park in Malvern East - a park with THE best kid's playground in Melbourne (but then what would I know, I'm just an adult). Well worth checking out anytime of year if you are in the area and have some rug rats of your own. In fact I'd be tempted to "borrow" some just for an excuse to visit. Do a good turn for some frazzled folks you know and steal their kids for the morning!

Starts 9am, with more info here.

Wordless Wednesday (ish)

Trouty helping.

















Was there really NO other flat surface available in the house?

(Note: in addition to my rick rack collection she is sitting on a pair of scissors and my spare wrist splint)

















Mirabel softie WIVSP.
(Work in VERY SLOW Progress).

My arm has had a relapse. Don't send well wishes - send drugs. Copious amounts.






















Mirabel prototypes #364, #365 & #366, subsection "C".

(Not sure if that stands for Calico or Christ this is taking an inordinate amount of time).

Too bad if you're over Matryoshka. I'm not.

And I've got ideas for about another 6 billion of them so learn to bite your tongue. Due to constant pain in my right arm I also have a very low tolerance for crap dished my way.

So I will be indulged. Nerh.

Fishy Fish... still a work in progress

I had a brain wave about these guys that originally were supposed to be a cushion cover...

Such fiddly little bits that are only machine stitched on - no match for cats, dogs, kiddlies or a washing machine for that matter.

















Why not instead a wall hanging - and a good excuse to use some of my kimono fabric scraps which are wasting away in the cupboard?






















And quite frankly I'm sick of having to move it every time I want to use my sewing machine (its home for the past year has been draped over the machine cover as it is the only place I can keep it flat without the cats nesting on it).

I finally finished the top stitching and blocked it together with some like minded panels. It still needs at the very least a larger piece above - something tonally similar to the linen - but with a bit of a pattern perhaps?






















I'm not convinced that this is its final incarnation (and definitely not its final destination). I have only tacked it all together and not even straightened or finished the sides - but at least it's no longer sitting on the machine.























The eagle eyed will also spot my Mirabella softie WIP. I feel Claire's pain.

Regular programming will return shortly

Without posting about apologising for not posting - I would just like to say one little thing.

Something awesome is happening - I just can't tell. Because it's a secret.

No hints, no blow by blow WIP pictures, no palaver or ringing of bells and whistles.

Not long now. We're almost there.

Just be patient, sit tight, and all will be revealed.



(Followed by a return to regular posting - I promise)

Slowly taking shape

Quick... look like you've been busy

Yay ! Only one more sleeps till jms gets home (assuming he's on the plane). Anyways - no cake this time but don't you think every good boy deserves bunting?

WIP update: I still haven't managed to bind my quilt that I picked up nearly 3 weeks ago - but this is slowly turning into this. Nevermind that it is supposed to be a birthday present for Gem (the party was only 2 weeks ago). Quite frankly its been too cold to sew (well my sewing machine doesn't fit under the doona I've taken to wearing around the house). So there. Hey - I made bunting!

Nesting

My yoga teacher emphasised that at this time of year we are meant to hibernate - to take it easy and nourish ourselves.

I was bone tired this weekend, in spite of the short working week, so after my morning yoga class today I spat the dummy and "hibernated".

It was late afternoon before I emerged from my many layers of doonas, blankets and cats. Not wanting to tackle dishes or washing, I indulged my inner child a bit more and finally pulled open my Splendid soft toy book. After all, all work and no play is pretty uninspiring.

Although I had earmarked the giraffe, I instead took a little detour from these guys, and fashioned a nesting doll of sorts. I love matryoshka, and am always looking for an excuse to draw them. I'm pretty sure everyone I know has at least one birthday card from me decorated with them.

I've been wanting to make a softie version that nests as well - but I haven't been able to get my head around the physics of it all. Now that this little lass is complete I think I might just have the answer.

So I guess that technically makes this, a work in progress.

WIP - Patchwork Skirt

Family Tree WIP

This is an idea I had for a cushion cover some time back and am just getting around to. Continuing with my obsession with birds (can you blame me? its such a simple and elegant silhouette) I had an idea where I had a perfect excuse to use their motif but actually put the little buggers to work...

I fashioned my own tree design which was transfered to fused fabric and machine stitched to a linen backing. And now for the birds - one for each member of the family (obviously there's room for more babies!). The cushion is for Bronald, Ferg and Imi, with whom I'll be visiting in Syd soon. My last visit there was a flurry of activity and new house decorating - in which I introduced B to the joys of "acid yellow" (border colour anyone?).

Truly an addictive palette - it is fresh, has the wow factor and excitement of canary yellow - but is ever so slightly in the 'cool' spectrum, thus is charmingly soothing and relaxing. A welcome addition to any home. Part gift, part "I promise this colour will be OK..." And as a thankyou to F for putting up with our decorating maelstrom - I've used the beautiful italian cotton from one of his old shirts for the birds.

WIP - Midnight quilting