Quick Sunday Quilt

Months ago I bought a bag of crafting goodies.  Inside were numerous items along with a pile of very roughly cut shapes which I assume were part of a grand plan but they looked like they had been cut by someone in a real hurry.  So I spent an hour or so trimming them all with a rotary cutter into 7x7inch squares.  The fabric isn't pretty - in fact I'm not even sure what era it's from.  Then I whipped up a basic quilt, using three layers of cotton as batting and backed it with pink cotton.  In quilt form it looks ok.  I think it would look fab in a vintage-themed nursery but on it's own, well just take a look for yourself.  I will be popping it in my Felt shop once I've given it it's final wash.

I have Mr3 holding it up for me (as high as he could reach) so it's about a cot size or lap quilt.

And while I've been sewing Elijah has been having great fun in a box.  So far it's been a drum, car, train, boat, place to sleep, something to measure, among other things.

FRIENDS Swap Reveal...

My package safely arrived in the States so I can now reveal what I posted.  Unfortunately I didn't take photos of everything so I'm going to borrow some off Kymberly, my swap partner.

F is for fabric - two metres of country rose garden fabric
R is for red - a red zip pouch with red ribbon and a set of red vintage buttons (I can't remember if I put anything else in there)
I is for inspiration - in the form of a vintage sewing for children book (I have one of these too)
E is for envelopes - a set of handmade envelopes made by me
N is for needlecase - possibly my favourite thing in the pacakage
D is for decoration - a petite baby paper bunting
S is for souvenirs - Kiwiana goods including teatowel, playing cards, keyring and pen set for Mum & Dad, pencil and eraser set (one for each of Kymberly's four kids)

I enjoyed putting together this parcel but I must remember that next time I participate in a swap to factor in the cost of postage - why is it so expensive???

Anyway I'll leave you with a close up of my needlecase - it was the only thing I took photos of!

Quick No Fail Fruit Loaf

Not a fan of recipes that require butter and sugar to be creamed?  You'll like this fruit loaf then.  I adapted the recipe to suit me from one I found online.  The first adaptation actually came about when I forgot to add the egg.  The loaf came out perfectly therefore probably didn't need the egg in the first place.  I also added cinnamon and vanilla essence just because I like them.

So just in case you ask:

Place 200gm sugar, 400gm mixed dried fruit (or sultanas, etc), 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 100gm margarine (or butter) and 250ml milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil.  Take off the heat and leave to cool for about 10-15 mins.  Add to this 250gm self-raising flour and a teaspoon or two of cinnamon.  Quickly fold together (if your boiled mixture is still warm it will froth up - it still bakes well so don't be too alarmed) and pour into a lined loaf tin.  Bake at 160C until cooked through - approx 30-40 mins (I'm a terrible time keeper btw)

Tastes delicious warm or cold.

My Creative Space...

This week I'm taking inspiration from Cath Kidston.  I felt a bit naughty buying a blatant copy of Cath Kidston design (a bit like my Marimekko copy find) but it was too pretty to pass up.  It still surprises me how Spotlight manages to stock these fabrics but I guess they must be different enough to not infringe copyright laws.  Eventually this one will be put up for sale in my Felt shop but I must say that I'm really taking my time.  Summer is on it's way - although you wouldn't know it today - and there is Spring cleaning to be done like sorting out that awful hall cupboard.

Find out what other people are up to here

New Felt Shop!

I finally coaxed my sister into starting up her own shop.  She has been crafting for a few years but mainly for gifts.  Now you can buy a beaded bookmark at a very special opening price - $10!  This one is my favourite:

Oh and if you're wondering why her username is ninny - it was her nickname as a kid.

The Trading Circle...

Earlier in the week we ended up in Milford.  We took a walk around the shops and passing one particular store I saw something very familiar - Ñanduti.  It is a form of weaving brought to Paraguay by the Spanish.  It is very well known and loved in Paraguay.  You may also find it called spider lace due to it's intricate nature.  I still have a couple of pieces tucked away in a box which I'm now thinking I should pull out and frame.

image found here

We decided to go inside and have a browse.  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  The Trading Circle is

 "a non-profit company established by the Good Shepherd Sisters in Australia in 1995 to support women in micro-enterprises initiated by the Sisters internationally."

They support a number of countries, helping women to earn a living so they can afford things like education for their children.  I think if you can't find what you want (NZ made) then definitely give The Trading Circle a thought.  They have a good range of products from children's gifts to home furnishings to scarves and bags.  Here are just a few of the things we admired in store:
Calendar Wallhanging, Humpty Dumpty & Snow White Doll
Chicken Potholders
Silk Jewellery Rolls
Coaster Set and Ñanduti doily

Blogger is refusing to upload photos for me at the moment grrr but definitely have a look at the site - it'll be well worth your time.

A break away...

We're having a break away from home this week but just across the bridge at Mum's house.  So no kindy for Elijah - instead we took him on some educational (but free) trips.  I did get a bit worried when he told us that Rangitoto was an angry volcano.  We had told him that the island he was seeing was Rangitoto but didn't tell him it was a volcano.

 We try to go for an evening walk each night.  I love this area of Auckland because it's pretty flat and so an easy place to walk.

We spotted some horses in a field.

Tanty anyone?  I am really thankful that his tanties are silent

Because Granny's house is close to the road and down a cul-de-sac, Elijah spent Wednesday morning watching the rubbish and recycling trucks come down - oh yes very exciting for a three year old.

I love this photo but I'm kicking myself that it's out of focus - I guess that's expected when he's on a swing. I did manage to get a few nice shots though.

oh and I'm failing Blogtoberfest miserably - it just really isn't my month :(

New shelf for my stash

Well that's what I'm aiming for.  On our walk this morning we came across a few garage sales.  We were only meant to be going to the dairy but we took the long way around for some extra kms on our walking challenge.  They weren't very exciting garage sales but it was 11am so I guess most of the good stuff had gone already.  Tucked in a corner was this little shelf - well it's not that small but very sturdy.

This was the good side - the other three are/were covered in Simpsons, Choysa and TV3 Dinosaur stickers from the 90s.  Elijah and I have spent a few hours attempting to remove them but it appears that after being stuck there for 20 years they need something a little stronger than eucalyptus oil and dish liquid.  Any ideas?

My Creative Space...

I've been working on something for my Felt shop which is looking rather girly.  Although simple this quilt involved hours of sewing - I underestimated the time it would take!  I have binding to add then it's ready to go.  I opted for cotton in place of batting so in all it is 5 layers of cotton.  I now think my sewing machine hates me!  The photo at the bottom shows the quilt piece I have made for Cat's Quilts for Christchurch - it's not quite how I wanted it but I'm hoping once quilted it will be loved by a child affected by the earthquake.

Find more creative spaces here

Hamilton Gardens