Esther's Xmas gift Dec 2011
This December Esther http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.com gave us a lovely gift called Dec quilt in red but when I saw it I saw green and red on white made as a table centre for Xmas!!!! I have taken only part of the over all design; used white fabric for the background and felts for the red and green. Above photo is just with the felt pieces lying there, they are not basted or tacked at this stage hopefully by the end of the day they will be????????. I’m working on it between the garden, blog and house work!!!!!
Crazy Patchwork evening bag
Finally I have finished my crazy patchwork evening bag, it is lined with black velvet.
Click on photo’s to enlarge for details please.
Last week I flew down to Brisbane with hubby for 5 days, I was hoping to have lots of lovely photo’s to share with you but I was sick the last 3 days so was not able to get out and about, plus I accidentally put the camera on video after the first two photos I took!!!!! We did see this wonderful sculpture of The Drovers on one of the streets.
The Drovers in Brisbane QLD
On Monday I spent several hours restoring a 1980 Husqvarna sewing machine that looked so terrible it was going to be thrown out by the local Opp Shop, it was so dirty I did not think it would ever go again, but after cleaning a very very clogged shuttle area of dust and lots of grim, I cleaned every part of the machine, added some oil then plugged in the controls and bingo the power worked the light came on I pressed the foot control and the machine sounded so smooth I could not believe it. I added a new needle, threaded her up and tried sewing; after about 30 mins I had her sewing like a charm. She is a super wee machine they must of been a dream when they first came out in the 80’s. She will now be one of my backup machines I have left it threaded with white and I used her yesterday!!!!! for a quick job.
Pottery instead of flowers!!!!!
From now till March I live in swimming gear as it is usually in the low 30C all day and I pop in and out of the swimming pool with the dogs, when I go in they want to cool down too. Flowers stop flowering now as it is to hot; so I add pottery around the place to add a little some thing, like the egg pottery in the pottery container or make some thing new for the garden like a umbrella stand??????
A week ago I saw an idea how to make a umbrella stand on a TV show this is my version of it?????
How to make a Umbrella holder for the garden????
First I had potting mix around the edge of the container added stones at the bottom to hold the pipe in place so I could add the concrete; added a couple of shovels of concrete to 3/4 of the way up the container, added a few more stones left it all for 30 mins added a desert rose more potting mix some stones and shells and hey presto 1 1/4 hrs later I had my umbrella stand??????
First stages, potting mix, wee plants, stones, pipe, and concrete.
I then made a pot of tea and sat out there in my new reading and sewing spot; I had a swim first then reread some magazines instead of sewing over a pot of tea!!!!!!!!!!
1 1/4 hrs later completed HEAVY umbrella holder
I have made several pincushions for Xmas presents. Plum-pudding one was made by a dear friend who is 84. 2 Xmas tree decorations one made from crochet pieces, and the other felt; they can be used afterwards as pincushions; finally several thumb pincushion.
Xmas pincushions
Thumb-pincushion. Cut a 6inch square of fabric fold in to a triangle and sew around side leaving a inch gap (I make this gap 1/2 way along one of the sides) to turn inside out; now stuff with wadding ( I use sheeps wool this stops neddles from rusting) it takes a lot as it has to be tight to stop pins from going in to thumb plus it sits better on your thumb. Sew up gap decorate to your own choice I used oldlace and beads, add a nice glass bead this weights the back down and sits well on the thumb. Join the two corners firmly and there you are.
Thumb pincushion
Before and after the final stages of Thumb Pincushion
To see older posts click on Patchworkdreams at the very bottom of page.
Cheers All Glenda
Where to start? You have been super productive as usual! I really like your umbrella stand idea as I have a fine umbrella and nowhere to stand it – this concrete pot thing sounds like a solution I had not considered.
Your pin cushions are wonderful. My goodness was that a plum pudding knitted one?? Love it!! And your crazy bag. Glenda, where do you find the time? Seriously?
I am really looking forward to seeing what you make from the table cloth idea from Red December, it’s already looking so good. I know you are looking forward to dipping in and out of the pool but I would like a coolish Christmas so I can get some traditional baking done. It just doesnt work if its too warm or humid. And we need those special little somethings….don’t we?? Ok so my waistline doesn’t…but is IS Christmas afterall.
Oh wow Glenda,
Some VERY useful and interesting projects to add to the list. I so want a collection of quirky pincushions!
Wow girl you must be feeling better. Sorry to hear you weren’t well while you were away. I see you have been as busy as ever. I did not post WIP today as have been up to my ears in trying to get this house cleaned now that my arm is much better I just have to clean. Months of dust etc that the men do not ever see LOL.
Love all your stitching the bag is beautiful and love those pin cushions.
Hugs Bunny
love everything that i have seen thought i would be luky to see my quilt!