hARTylittlepeaces

Pencil Rolls ... all 22 started & finished!

2012-03-02T23:34:00.006+11:00

thankyou

so much to an awesome bunch of girls

for helping make these pencil rolls!

so yep all finished up on a friday!!!
so joining in for finish it up friday with crazy mom quilts
if you'd like to make your own sweet little pencil roll
then have a look here
... i wrote you all a tutorial & an explanation
as to why we've made this a group effort & so many??!
also joining in MAKE:GROW:THRIFT
with the Haby Goddess again this week ...
has been one of my MAKE projects this week ...

thanks again to:
Cas

Lizzie

Rhonda

Aretha

Judy

we made
22 pencil rolls

2 hours

7 girls

5 machines

2 irons

2 bottles of rose

1 water soluble marker pen

(my only mistake was not having another pen!)

its was a really great time

& we were so productive

what's next?

hmmm

messenger bags?

i spy patchworky mini quilts?

any ideas

working on it!

but thankyou

and we missed you

Sam, Karen, Cath & Kate

will take some better pics

of all our work tomorrow

when the sun comes up

& they are dry from all the water spray!

... out takes .... great fun!

you make me smile like the sun

... hey i adore comments!
love to hear your thoughts ....

Ambon Mission Trip: Pencil Rolls

2012-03-02T18:10:00.004+11:00

my little family

my husband

my boy

my mum

& my dad

are all joining in a mission/awareness

tour to Ambon, Indonesia

we're very excited about this

& think its going to be a wonderful

life experience for all of us

we're supporting the foundation

Lawamena

Lawamena is an Ambonese word that means

keep on moving forward! i like that!

they sponsor children in order to continue their eduction

we also are really great friends with the directors

& so this foundation has a special place in our hearts

there's noting like personal ties!

our ABC Playful Market

fundraising contributed to Lawamena

pronounced "LA-WA-MEAN-A"

(psst ... yes we are going to do another PM or 2!!

the 28th July & the 8th Dec ..... interested??)

we're going to visit two of the schools

that Lawamena supports

the idea is to help the teachers

with a fresh look at a literacy programme
set up reading corners

donate books & teaching aides
help demonstrate with the students the 'how'
of using some of these new resources

& we'd like to give a little gift to the children that Lawamena sponsor

along with taking them some stationary items
i had the idea to make a whole lot of pencil rolls

so i've got a little group of girls

helping me out tonight
to make

22 pencil rolls

(if you're at all moved by this you'd be welcome to donate or contribute in some way!?)

hint hint ... we actually need the pencils to fill these ... xxoo

i'm excited!

here's what we're making & how

i'm also thinking of making versions of these for

the various markets i'm heading off to ...

i've had a good read on a few blogs & taken in the

instructions written by a friend ... on how to make a pencil roll

i've come up with my own version that suits this venture

here it is

if you make one please leave me a message & send me a pic

would love to see ...

PENCIL ROLL

cut x1 outer fabric piece 9 inches by 14.5 inches

cut x1 sandwich layer fabric piece 9 inches by 14.5 inches

cut x1 inner/lining fabric piece 9 inches by 14.5 inches

cut x1 pocket fabric piece 4 inches by 14.5 inches

cut & press x1 WOF width of fabric 2 inch binding

some of these fabric choices could be the same but here you will note mine are all different

& i also made the outer piece by piecing two fabrics together purely for interest sake!

note the thrifty batik style fabric used

told you there'd be a whole other post on that!!

guessing you've worked out the Ambon, Indonesian batik link there!

STEP 1:

sew some of the binding onto the top edge

of the pocket fabric piece & press

this of course neatens the raw edge & strengthens the pocket

STEP 2:

assemble sandwich layer fabric

(treat the sandwich layer as if its wadding

but i think wadding makes it too chunky)

then inner/lining fabric

and then pocket section

all lined up square at the bottom edge

pin in position

mark out 1 inch lines with a fabric washable marker pen
(or tailors chalk if you have a darker fabric!)

you should have 12 pencil pockets

as a result but measure carefully ...

to do this mark the first line 1 inch from the side edge
& continue all along ... maybe on the skimpy side of 1 inch to be sure

then sew

quilting stitches through all layers along these lines

from edge to edge

this holds all the layers together neatly

& your back stitching will be hidden in the next seam

STEP 3:

use remaining section of 2 inch binding

by folding over & sewing down the length of the binding

to create a ribbon/ tie

STEP 4:

assemble the pocket, lining layer with

RSF right side facing

the outer fabric piece

pin in position

include the binding tie by folding it in half

then pin in between the RSF layers

i have pinned mine to line up neatly with the

binding on the edge of the pocket

tuck the length of the binding tie neatly insides the layers

STEP 5:

as now you sew all around the rectangle

leaving a 3 inch gap at the top
when you get to the spot where the binding tie is
give it a few back stitches to strengthen

be careful not to catch the binding tie in the stitching

STEP 6:

trim the corners

turn out the right way

poke out the corners neatly

press well including tucking under the gap seams

then top stitch all the way around

trim any loose threads

to finish

fill with 12 different coloured pencils

grey leads of varying softness

pens

crayons

twistables etc

you can always alter the height measurement

for short or taller items!!

roll it up

tie it proudly

its ready to create a masterpiece ...

enJOY

the humble pencil

2012-02-28T09:23:00.000+11:00

never under estimate

the simple things

this is awesome

thrifty treasures

2012-02-27T13:37:00.000+11:00

the thrill of the hunt

love it

& when i find such wonderful treasures

gives me such a great buzz

little burnt orange red chair

will find a new life as a 'prop' ... with me

it may well feature again someday on this here blog of mine

found at a garage sale $1 ... seriously

i couldn't walk away from it

also went on a little op shop tour

thanks for your company girls

some of this was picked up on our 'tour'

some on my own the week before last

fab retro dinner plate - destined for our cabin

turquoise flower plate ... matches some japanese ceramics i already love

fun snail-y teapot will become 'the' studio teapot

awesome chunky metal bangles that i've worn twice already

earings in one of my favourite colourways

& an oh so lovely little lacquer style green & black trinket box

i had other intentions for this box when i picked it up

but it goes so very nicely with the green tiles around our fireplace

now its a keeper

& the fabric ...

well ... let me tell you i have a whole other post to write about there!

stay tuned for that one!

its all got a real asian kind of look hey

well i do like a bit of asian styling!

happy happy thrifting

joining in over here

MAKE GROW THRIFT

with the Haby Goddess

hooked on a whale

2012-02-26T15:26:00.001+11:00

on Oscar's bag hook at kinder
he has a picture of a

whale

another child has a dolphin on theirs

so we have been having lots of chats

about the differences!
he's been a bit confused

found some great whale pics

but my favourite is this

made by the very clever
mevrouw of
valaan villapaita
whom i have asked permission to use this photo
of her gorgeous work ...
also love her header
i so wish i could read about it all ...i adore this whale softie
oooh ohh ooo
just found this one made by her as well ...
adore

... also while 'talking' whale & dolphin differences
we've been reading:

i love usborne books ...

we love this book
(which i'm not sure you can buy in Australia anymore!)

& there is an awesome fold out page on the

blue whale

did you know that the blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived?
even bigger than the largest dinosaur?
its tongue is as heavy as an elephant?
their calls are the loudest of any animal?
the heaviest blue whales weigh more than a medium sized plane?
and that they are longer than a tennis court?
there you go!
not sure Oscar is about to spout these facts
but you've got to start somewhere hey!
oh & we have only recently viewed 'nemo'
for the first time ... the whale helps nemo of course!
I would so love to make him one ... like mevrouw's

will see what i can manage

& i'm still thinking about that sausage dog too!

a cup of pink

2012-02-23T22:39:00.000+11:00

had a little artist in my life

(not Oscar)

ask me yesterday where the white paint was?

yep

7 whole days ago i gave her the hint that if

you mixed white with red something magical happens!

her world changed forever

what a privilege hey!

& 7 days later she remembered even more the point

whooo hooo!!

my pink cup runneth over

(hope her mummy doesn't mind me posting a close up of the evidence!?)

we all have these 'changed forever' days & moments

when something happens or is said or found

or simply falls in your lap, often when you weren't looking for it!

when it does

i'm usually terrified & am not sure what to do with it

if i want it or rather to do it?

hmmm sound like a riddle?

kind of is i guess ...

i've had a few people say to me lately

your life is so interesting & there's always something happening ...

... guess it is but i get bored otherwise

its busy & full & wonderful

somehow there is not enough time

& yet i still find myself idle a-plenty

i flog myself for wasting it you know!

flogging myself i mutter:

"seriously get out there girl & get going

you can do more & you want to"

bring it on .... yep just NEED a studio ...

so we can have many many more

PINK

discovery moments

i love it!!

made to order

2012-02-21T21:50:00.000+11:00

whole lot of hooting goodness

x2 small quilted blankets

type i make & sell at my little markets

made to order, parceled up & handed over today

what is it that is said?

same same but different?

... thrifty wood

2012-02-20T10:31:00.002+11:00

... can hardly believe our good luck lately

new to us for free

the previous custodians were simply pleased to have

this gorgeous wardrobe taken away

i had been hunting for a 'just right' larger

wardrobe for Oscar on eBay

had in mind to find a dark wood piece

that was just crying out for a little paint

& mod podge transformation in the form of

branches & leaves

hmmm needless to say that i will not be

giving this new beauty the same treatment

& we have more beauties below...

with my kiddy art studio on my mind a-plenty lately

groups of 4 pre-kinder & kinders is the plan

so you can see why this set of very cool

retro chairs were irresistible!

i love them and they are larger than they appear

strong & sturdy as the day they were made

and the stories... oooh i'd love to hear a story or 2 from them!

just in need a wire brush run over them

& maybe a little light sand

& a good oil ... perfect

below is the hall style table that i spotted
early last monday morning

on a nature strip ...

heading back home after dropping
my big boy at the station

was sort of still in my pj's!
& in the wrong vehicle

stopped, checked it out, laid said table on side

hoping no one else might spot it too!?

high tailed back home

swapped vehicles in a massive hurry

bribed the 3year old to 'move-along-quick-sticks'!! ...

whew ... & it was mine

along with a great hoard of Lego!

so joining in the Haby Goddess'

make

grow

thrift

... great thrifty finds hey ...

... love a log cabin

2012-02-19T16:34:00.000+11:00

creeping along ...

added few more layers to this

piece-in-the-moment

kind of abstract free style log cabin patchwork

which i love doing

this crept out of my scrap box

& now i've done some minimal

machine quilting lines

to which tomorrow night

at SAY ... i will add some little hand quilting stitches ...

i've even got back into some

market sewing ...

MPAY: On the Wall?

2012-02-14T08:55:00.001+11:00

joining in

My Place and Yours

thanks Vic

so what is on my walls?

we've been here 12 months & i have managed to actually commit

to a few hooks in the plaster

above above: birds paintings by me

i should paint more often

above: said birdies with pair of seed pods

i know i know they have been said to look like something else

hanging happily in our kitchen

you can see the edge of the fridge, pantry &

a corner of the bench

below: a tree created in printmaking

when i was in first year uni

all these pics that you see framed

i framed them

yep my parents one Christmas a long time ago now

gave myself & SIL the gift of framing classes

seriously one of the BEST EVER gifts!

i framed heaps for other people so if you need?

above: little mini prints or cards from somewhere

i like the retro 50's feel they have

outside Oscar's bedroom

below: to the left of our fridge

tiny piece

about 4"x3"

bought because i love it

at the Camden Market

outside of London

i love having items about home

that speak of our travels

above: more travel treasures

also framed by me ...

tiny chinese embrioderies

one is an interesting design but i can see birds in it

& the other i like to think of

as a phoenix ...

here they are in detail below

soul deep, reap, sow & sewn, blessed

2012-02-07T07:57:00.003+11:00

everyone feels loss

last week we said goodbye to a family member

the celebration was full of colour & great memories

it was an honor to have known her

in my first memories of her, she was a princess

the bride of my eldest cousin

she was someone with whom you could connect

in an honest 'true self' way
she was a woman who reaped what she sowed

no pretense or hiding behind histories & no games

just real thoughtful gracious caring heart-felt godly living

49 is too early when you look from the outside in

but she was ready to meet her maker

so many loved ones before her to greet her & welcome her home

& where she will revel in the celebration of her kingdom come

she has run the race & fought the good fight

she has kept the faith

God speed KGS

i choked & stumbled in my own humanity

in saying a humble goodbye

& watched in awe how her very near & dear

found such strength
A, R, M & E you are amazing
times at BH will always be cherished i am sure

so to this extended family of mine

who've 'had their moments'

let us get on with living

remembering & celebrating

but truly living ...

& to all my old & new friends
you are a gift in my life
treasured gold
lately i've been stuck with
a pounding in my ears ...
in a mix of the good & not so
of exhausted unnecessary energies,
sunshine-y days spent with toes buried in river sand & mud
that add up to the usual
summer creative slump
(PS: i saw another sausage dog ... are they reminding me?)
& of course the loss of the above mentioned
wonderful lady ...
but also grieving the
lost opportunities of family times
that could have been
& i haven't been able to focus creatively
on what 're-charges' me!
have you noticed some silence here?
last night i was able to make a start
i turned my overflowing
fabric scrap box out on the table
& pieced (while at SAY) ... piece by peace!
i see a kind of symbolism here:
in the taking the parts of the old
& making them into something new
it was good
today is a new day

music always swells my emotion & often surfaces

the essence of my thoughts in words

that i can't perhaps voice on my own

here's a current favourite verse

Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown

Edit: a great post over here all about KGS

Thanks for sharing Meridith

could a sausage dog wrench me from my sunshine-y slump?

2012-01-30T18:34:00.001+11:00

i saw a sausage dog today

later i saw an image ...

put the two together &

i have the beginnings of an idea ...

... lets see if i can turn the idea into something

don't hold your breathe just yet

as sometimes (no most of the time!)

i need the fledgling idea to simmer for a while

been in such a creative summer slump

this usually seems to happen

over january as we spend so much of the

summer sunshine-y days

at the 'riBer' ...

its all wonderful

full of the

glorious aussie summer sun

& blue skies

& friends

& ski ropes

& the Emmylou

& grass fires

& fun

& late night tennis viewing

& card games

& lake-side happy hours

& great food

& water play

& GandT's

& shimmering heat

& the murray river mud

& sun-kissed skin

... all new memories

for me, for years australia day

has marked the setting of these endless lazy days

(from now there are

only stolen weekend visits

to see out our summer on the river!)

& now its time ...

time to be clicked or kicked

back into the routine of my wonderful

full, busy, blessed life

... time for my creative vision to take me on another journey

we have some new journeys planned for this year

be sure to always enJOY your journey

as you just never know how long or short it may be