A sewing update

Goodness look how easily I fall back into bad blogging habits. 

I'm slowly trying to establish some sort of a routine in my life, as everything has gone to pot over the last 8 - 12 months.  The wonderful Rose started a 28 day challenge on the DTE forum last month and I'm hoping it will help me find my way.

I have managed to do a little sewing during my blogging drought and thought I'd share that with you today.

This friendship bag was made to hold an 18th birthday present for a family friend.  My idea. Of course I leave everything to the last minute and couldn't get it finished on time.

Friendship bag

Fabric panels and coordinating fabrics

Other side

It turned out really well and is very cute, I'm sure I'll find a home for it soon.  There is a bit of an interesting story about the fabrics I used.  The panels were purchased from eBay with the intention of using them for a quilt for my niece. Some months later I won a fabric pack as a door prize at a my local quilt shop.  I later realised that the fabrics were from the same range as the little panels, what a coincidence.

A couple more  pairs of underpants have been made.  After a few adjustment to the pattern I'm really happy with how they fit.  The Hawaiian print cotton Lycra cost only $1.00 for 1m at the RSPCA thrift shop.  The black Lycra was purchased several years ago and never used.  Buying the elastic is the most expensive part.  I must get myself organised as I'm in desperate need of a few more pairs.



Perfect fit undies



Last but not least I finally finished my vintage sheet quilt top.  Hmmm it's only taken how many years.  I was all set to use an old woollen blanket as batting and one of Mum's old flannelette sheets for backing but it's a bit bigger than I anticipated.  Finding or having the space to lay it out so I can sandwich the layers is proving difficult.  Sounds like another excuse really!! 



Being queen size it's difficult to get a good picture



I'm planning on using the sheet on the left as backing

I really need to apply myself to finish this quilt, it will be perfect for summer, nice and bright and breezy.  Stay tuned for updates and a whole post dedicated to vintage sheets. 

Have a lovely weekend

Cheers Lisa

Hello again

A very belated Happy New Year dear readers and a warm welcome to some new faces as well.

There's been lots going on here, I'll do a bit of a catch up post soon. In the mean time here are a few of my most recent flea market / op shop finds. Some thing lite and easy to get me in the blogging mood again.

More vintage sheets. You know a girl can never have too many of these, well that's what I tell myself anyway!

Two never been used vintage pillow cases and a baby wrap to make into not-paper towels

A plastic coated apron for soap making (love Snoopy), nut roll tin, woollen blanket to use for a quilt back, cute Holly Hobbie trinket box and a vintage toy pattern booklet.

Are you an op/thrift shop addict like myself, found any bargains lately?

Bye for now

Lisa

Buy Nothing New Month - final update

This is the first year I've participated, as I rarely buy new things that part was easy. The challenge I set for myself was to buy nothing unnecessary for the month, this is where I came a little unstuck. As I mentioned in my previous post I needed supplies for the garden, all for food production, so extra compost, potting mix and mulch was purchased. Oh and a few seedlings, all grown from saved seeds or cuttings. I felt justified that this was OK, I wasn't buying cheap imported unnecessary stuff, that would either fall apart after wearing a few times, be out of fashion next season or break. Did I bend the rules?

Buying nothing unnecessary was a little more difficult, I tried my best but fell down in the final weeks. Blame it on a funky looking garage sale on the way to the organic markets. Normally I don't bother with garage sales however this one had so much wonderful looking stuff we couldn't resist. Then there was the quick stop at the local Lifeline shop on the way home, again I couldn't help myself. Actually I did restrain myself, there were heaps of things that I liked but didn't purchase.

Anyway this is my little stash for the month, some unnecessary but all secondhand.

I can hear you already, not more sewing patterns and vintage sheets

Two genuine vintage shirts

I didn't take photos of the never used expanding bamboo trellis or the three brand new fowlers preserving jars.

Tony and I are on a savings mission at the moment, he's given up junk food for a month (I know, one of my pet hates) and I'm really trying to not spend at all. I'll definitely be joining in Buy Nothing New Month next year, actually I'll just keep going in the same vein till then.

Hope you have a great day

Cheers Lisa

Latest op shop and market finds

I'm happy to admit that I'm a bit of an op/charity shop junkie. My first job after finishing school was volunteering in the local St Vinnies shop. That was in 1983 and everyone was throwing away all their 40's, 50's and 60's possessions........I was in heaven. Thus began my slight obsession.

Anyway I digress, I still love nothing better than a good nosey around the flea markets and op shops, always hoping for a little treasure. Here are some of my recent finds over the last few months.

Beautiful cotton Country Road top

with 3/4 sleeves

This one is made of silk and cotton and had a small tear on the cuff, 15 minutes at the sewing machine and it was just like new. I got both for $30 as they were in the designer section.

Some much needed storage - I'd say 50's era blanket box, the legs are inside. Just needs a coat of paint and a new cushion and cover. Perfect for all our winter manchester and clothes. Not bad for $40.

Can you believe I found a canner from the USA in Brisvegas. On the same trip I found a Pyrex double boiler. I can't tell you how long I've been looking for one and was sooooo excited when I stumbled upon this beauty. These items were a bit on the expensive side, $70 for the pair. The op shop is near the city and prices reflect their close proximity to town.

Oh dear, a few more vintage sheets to add to my collection. Word must be getting out that they are in demand, cause the prices have been steadily going up. I paid about $23.00 for 4 single bed sheets.

If found this cute old jar at the local market, only paid a $1.00 for it.

At the same market I found this lovely trio of Royal Vale china, a steal at $2.50.

$6.50 for this little bundle at Lifeline. Can you believe the cotton was 50 cents a ball! I'm planning on using the fabric to make a strainer for paper making and for some fruit and veg bags.

I'm now working on the system one item in two boxes of my junk out. That should help me rid myself of some of the clutter.

Hope you've had a great weekend.

Cheers Lisa

Here we go again...more rain!

The rain has returned after sunny days on Thursday and Friday. Yesterday afternoon we had a sudden down pour that lasted about 15 minutes, not sure how much rain fell. Then it stopped and we trundled off and took the dogs for a walk.

The view from our front verandah

Overflowing drains

Our front yard

Our neighbours backyard

and front yard

I'm not complaining really, just a bit sick of the rain and the humidity that it brings.

Now for a bit of a catch up of goings on this week.

Wow its been a week since we went to see Joel Salatin. I had intended doing a little post about that earlier but the week turned into a blur of work, headaches and generally feeling sick.

Anyway back to Joel. What a fantastic evening; like minded people, gathered under one massive tent, in amongst a permaculture garden, listening to a very inspirational man, what more could you ask for.

I only wish I'd taken some notes as there was so much to take in. Sonya over at Permaculture Pathways has done a great post about the talk, you can read it here.

If you've not seen the movie Food Inc. I would strongly suggest you watch it. I know its been out for a while and is now available on DVD. It's such a wake up call, I think it should be compulsory viewing for all adults and senior high school students. Joel appears in the movie and you can see first hand how he works his farm.

On a slightly more frivolous note, I found some more vintage sheets for my quilt. I've cut out all the squares and I hope to do some sewing this afternoon.

Hope you have a lovely weekend
Cheers
Lisa

This is on my mind

Squares of lovely vintage sheets that I've swapped and collected, waiting to be sewn into a picnic blanket or quilt top.

Check out Rhonda's blog, to see what others have on their mind.

Cheers Lisa

Vintage loveliness

Over at the DTE forum a vintage sheet swap is underway. Ooh how I love all things retro and vintage, how could I pass up this opportunity to swap some lovely squares of vintage sheets. Of course one has to have sheets to swap. Alas I gave all our old 60's and 70's sheets away when we did our big move. So I've been making the supreme sacrifice and visiting all the local op shops, searching out vintage sheets and pillowcases. Well someones gotta do it, hey!

This is my lovely stash so far, hmm might have to visit the neighbouring suburbs and check out their op shops!

Once the squares are swapped, we will then make them into a picnic blanket.....groovy baby!