Blowing off the dust bunnies.....

The sewing machine cover is off the machine, and the dust bunnies have been blown away.

Yesterday was Monday, the first day home after being out almost everyday for a fortnight for various reasons. I was able to sew some trims onto these towels, for the Christmas stash.

Soccer is finished, dh's team won the grand final but it was oh so close. One goal each, then in extra time nobody scored so it came down to a kick off with the goalies.

I made these two bags, also for my Christmas stash.

The single fabric bag is made from Ginger Blossom fabric by Sandi Henderson; and the other bag is made using Pastisserie by Fig Tree Quilts.

These bags are quick and easy to make, I will certainly be making more in the future!

Have you checked out Hatched and Patched lately????

You will see something that I recently blogged there....

Dust Everywhere

These are the lovely hills that I see all day every day; except for today!

These pictures were taken about mid morning, and the dust is still about.

Looking out past the oats paddock.....

You only have to step outside and you can feel the fine dust on your skin, and taste it in your mouth.....
One positive - NO WASHING!

Some more fat quarters in the mail today, very cool looking black and whites, with some very yummy smelling soap!

My girls have new headbands, of their own creating.

They cut up some old clothes for rags yesterday (worn out and badly stained) and decided that the elastic waistbands would make great headbands! Very frugal!

Life Takes Over

As you can see from the 'layering' on my sewing bench that it has been a while since I have done any sewing. In fact it has been about two weeks since I did anything worthwhile.

Life has just taken over.

Things have been busy house wise, yard wise, homeschool wise and kid wise. Everything takes time, and sometimes you just have to step back and concentrate on having the basics running smoothly for a time.

I have done a lot of quilt browsing though!

It is warming up here in Australia and the flannel sheets are overdue to be off the beds, shorts/tshirts need to be back in the cupboards; and on the dark side the snakes are starting to come out of their hibernation. It looks like we are heading for a dry spring, the news says no decent rain till Christmas. It is certainly dry.

This evening, in that beautiful cool semi-dark time, I watered some of our trees and shrubs in the house yard. It was very peaceful and relaxing.

The slow combustion stove went out today, I forgot to feed it, and it doesn't look like it will be re-lit. I am going to miss cooking on it, alot. However how that tiny kitchen of ours heats up with it, I am glad to not be in such heat.

Seasons are changing. We start swimming lessons next week, the children are very excited about that. I miss swimming but do not want a pool here yet, not with so many little ones about.

I will be back tomorrow with a special 'early' post as I won't be able to post this weekend.

I have missed catching up with my blogging friends and reading everyones lovely comments, know that every comment and email is special. Thanks!

Alternate Basting Space

My beautiful crab apple tree is in blossom.

When I basted the flannel quilt a few weeks ago I couldn't do it on the lounge room floor as it was too big so I used dh's workbench over in the shed. It was lovely and big and flat; however it was also open to the elements, esp the dust! I had tidied and cleaned up before I used it.

The bench is a metre or more off the ground and aside from coming close to the edge a few times it was nice being up there.

Santa Sack

I finished the santa sack for child number 3 last week, She turned 6 earlier in the year and I started on this before she was born...... so it was a very long way back in the cupboard!

As dd is tiny for her age she kinda fits the sack, and loves it! She has ideas of hiding in there to surprise Santa Christmas eve.....

I didn't have any cording so stitched the casing into a tie and halfway along it I stitched it to the bag so it needs to be tied up. Does the job just as well, still looks great and I didn't have to go looking about for cording!

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted, I took some photos this afternoon and will post them shortly. It has been extremely dry here and over the weekend we have had about 17mm; not near enough but it was SOOOO nice to have it.

I have been putting the binding on 'that' flannel quilt - working on it slowly! Should have it to show you later this week, I hope!

Winifred

Winifred was my last finish for August. She is a 'Country Keepsakes' doll and I made most of her at a doll making day at Cottage on the Hill in Jan. I had my mum and my 7yr old dd with me that day. JessieGirl helped to stuff both my doll and my mums doll. Prior to attending I had decided that Winifred would become JessieGirls birthday present later in the year, a lovely surprise for her. She has had her birthday now and LOVES the doll.

Instead of knitting a scarf as per the pattern I used felt, and this gorgeous dragonfly button to resemble a brooch. I also got to use the new rose maker (Clover products) that I bought recently at Cottage on the Hill to make the rose for the hat. It was easy to use and I will deinfately use it again.

To draw Winifred's face I used a pigma pen and pencils that I purchased years ago from Katkins Designs. Having followed Karlene's guidelines for creating faces previously helped me alot when it came to drawing Winifred's face.

Her shoes are painted on but I didn't make stockings for her as the skirt is more than long enough to reach to the tops of her boots.

The buttons on her jacket are just stunning, but I wasn't able to get a clear close up of these.

Must remember to ask mum if she has finished her doll yet......