The end of winter sure is coming in my garden . . .

The promise of Spring

Spring is on it's way to Ballarat
The blossom's are budding and the bulbs are coming out
I've been wanting this Betz White book for ages and it finally arrived in my post box on Friday night, so all other plans were instantly put on hold while I made some cupcake pincushions.
Then today at school, a lovely friend gave me this wonderful gift

I just adore it . . . thank you Claire!
. . . the sun shone on me today

Book Week

At school this coming week we are celebrating book week and are having a dress up day on Monday. We have to either come as our favourite book character or in our PJ's for the day.
My 2 favourite books were Lucy Goosey and Pearl Barley ...
I am under no illusion that I am an accomplished garment sewer, however I did have a jumper just the colour of Pearl's. My hair is long and wild enough to make these pigtails, so the only thing missing was the red skirt. I thought I'd have a go at it and look what I created!!!
. . . oh, and my little Peter wondered all night what he would dress up in and finally came out after much consultation with his big sister and a date with the "dress up box" as Little Red Riding Hood's Grandmother.

P.S. LITTLE WOMEN, if you read this, please leave an email contact so we can invite you to our sewing group, otherwise email me with your details.

Lots happening . . .

This was one of my fav birthday presents this year from my lovely friend Kate. I have worn it on several occasions and eveyone who sees it, loves it. Says it all, I think . . . My sister sent me some tree dahliah's that I really must plant, and not on my sewing table either. I just found them there when I was having a tidy up the other day, and look, they're shooting!!!
Last Thursday Ric Rac and I gave a demonstration on using Solvy at a local craft group. I was basically moral support, as Ric Rac was in her element and had all the ladies in fits of laughter. She is such a card. We had a great night and all the ladies were very happy with thier results on the night. I even snuck in a few bits myself.


If you've been reading, you'll know I'm on a bit of a "bag frenzy" at the moment. I finished my sewing bag after lots of reading of instructions . . .
. . . and here is the Molly Birds "School Bag with Class", in action.I got a lovely surprise from my friend Daisy Chain the other day in the post with this lovely little birdy (amongst other things), and then Jeanette came into school and brought this fab stitchery roll that she had made for me.
. . . oh, and did I mention that by day, I've had to move classrooms, as this is what happenend to my old one . . .

Just a spot of sewing . . . hmmm washing's on now!

It was very much an inside weekend and I literally hibernated in my sewing room. If you want to see just how cold it was in Ballarat, look here.
A friend from school wanted me to make these cushions for her. She had all the fabric, so it was quite fun cutting up someone else's fabric, and going for it. I enjoyed making them.
Then is was back to the "School Bags with Class" - I had a couple of orders to fill, so made this lovely large one for a wise old teacher friend, and another Molly Bird one in Aqua and Brown. I'm sorry to say, I forgot to take a photo of that one. I'll have to take my camera to school this week and get another look at it in action.
Looking forward to Kristen's new fabrics.

baby it's cold outside

Gee it's been cold here this week in Ballarat! There is forcast for snow here today so I will watch with anticipation from the warmth of my sewing room.
Despite the weather, my beautiful flowers are valiently smiling through. I just love seeing the water droplets on them.

This shot is for Lucy Lockett - who tells me her allotment is 2 miles away. This is a shot from my back door. I couldn't imagine having to travel to my garden. I have just let the chickens in my old vegi patch and planted up the other side of their house where they have been scratching and pooing for the last 2 years. My small contribution to the permaculture garden ideals.
Most mornings this week, the chook water and the bird baths in the garden have looked like this.




. . . now, back to the sewing machine - it's too cold outside today.

Cup Cakes

Look at these magnificent cakes that turned up at school this week for a birthday. There are some very clever, motivated and dedicated mum's out there.
I get all my best ideas from school - hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

More Bags

Another 2 bags done this week for girls at work. "School bags with class" are my latest specialty!
I did mean to take photos during the day with the "natural" light, but I got side tracked gardening - playing in my vegi patch
When I finished the bags late last night, I was just dying to do something just for fun, so I put together these japanese squares I've had lying about waiting to be sewn - not sure what will become of it next, but I am liking what I see.
Nelly is striking the pose that I was, when I realised the sun had gone down and I hadn't taken those photos!!!
Have a good week everyone

Annie

P.S.

I took some more photos after school and the girls were thrilled with them. The fabric BTW is from the talented Kristen Doran - I LOVE her designs.