tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38616692904523469562024-03-13T10:25:46.131+10:00twolittlefishesJoely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-72219339945873919612011-10-10T11:08:00.002+10:002011-10-10T14:00:43.248+10:00The Fishes have returned!<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDLJemRgTLY/TpJGWyheacI/AAAAAAAAA_4/P6j6hz0VBtw/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 311px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661665038891379138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDLJemRgTLY/TpJGWyheacI/AAAAAAAAA_4/P6j6hz0VBtw/s400/019.JPG" /></a>I'm back! After having a bit of a break from blogging and just doing stuff without thinking about keeping a record of what I'm doing I have returned.</div><div>It was good to have a break and just focus on little things and to be honest I had lost my bloggy mojo for a while. Now I've had a break from it, I'm keen to continue on and get back into it.</div><div> </div><div>So does anyone remember the cupboard I was going paint an eternity ago? Well it is done and is in the dining room being used. It now contains all the fishes playdough, paper, pencils, craft stuff, painting gear and other bits and pieces. It had a couple of coats of Antique White U.S.A in a semi gloss and I changed the two door knobs in the middle (they are the same ones the buffet/hutch thingy got when it was painted).</div><div>
</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAVwJBnhfCE/TpJGWoP0U4I/AAAAAAAAA_w/2ggakwk0ttE/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 396px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661665036132963202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAVwJBnhfCE/TpJGWoP0U4I/AAAAAAAAA_w/2ggakwk0ttE/s400/017.JPG" /></a>I finished quilting my three hawaiian quilts finally and they now hang above the cupboard in a row. I enjoyed doing them but was glad to have them finished as they had a lot of stitching in them. I hot glued some balsa wood to the back and hung them with those sticky velcro picture hanging things.
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1w41tGBYSY/TpJGGjqtR3I/AAAAAAAAA_o/IOskpdRSC9M/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 387px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661664760025663346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1w41tGBYSY/TpJGGjqtR3I/AAAAAAAAA_o/IOskpdRSC9M/s400/016.JPG" /></a>The darker turtle one below has been very lightly padded in the turtle bodies. It is very hard to photograph it but it has a slightly raised effect that gives it a little depth. I cut a slit in the back and poked some stuffing in then stitched them up again.
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e63r2ZkddIU/TpJGGRL0LKI/AAAAAAAAA_g/d8kxzm7vI4g/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 393px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661664755064253602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e63r2ZkddIU/TpJGGRL0LKI/AAAAAAAAA_g/d8kxzm7vI4g/s400/014.JPG" /></a>They are all raw edge appliqued and I went around the edge twice to make sure it was nice and secure.
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWj-eENbqiA/TpJGGXKs_JI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/XAvH_I6-bDM/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 325px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661664756670200978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWj-eENbqiA/TpJGGXKs_JI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/XAvH_I6-bDM/s400/010.JPG" /></a>So there you go, one painted cupboard from the tip shop all finished and put to good use. I made the runner from squares of blue and green batiks and its longer than I normally make to cover nearly the whole length.
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2IrXAa9l3E/TpJGGObXQcI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/891OeHjeg20/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 277px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661664754324160962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2IrXAa9l3E/TpJGGObXQcI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/891OeHjeg20/s400/018.JPG" /></a>Hope you like it! I promise to be back very soon!
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-25416879894413296362011-07-07T12:25:00.004+10:002011-07-07T13:41:35.035+10:00Around the Block<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMOp7DpCwbM/ThUZrTBXKgI/AAAAAAAAA_I/2V4TqKdymTE/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 377px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626431541100358146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMOp7DpCwbM/ThUZrTBXKgI/AAAAAAAAA_I/2V4TqKdymTE/s400/003.JPG" /></a> Before I get to carried away here's a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">squizz</span> at a recent make for a special little girls first birthday pressie. The horse is from a pattern in the Scandinavian Stitches Book and I had to use the beautiful border fabric from the hideaway range (Lauren and Jessie Jung I think) because it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> lovely. She's a little small to actually have an opinion on whether she liked it or not but her mother seemed to think it was great so I'll chalk it up as a success!
<div>
</div>
<div>I been watching the latest series of <a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/">The Block </a>on channel nine (well taping, then watching it really) and I have to say that I am liking the extra challenges and segments where they learn some new skills to use.
</div><a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 74px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626431373881602818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfMnI87ea-A/ThUZhkFTcwI/AAAAAAAAA_A/Yy_09Oo9srw/s400/theBlock_header2_xcv.jpg" /></a>
I would much rather see the contestants tackle some real renovation work and not just be involved in the decorating side of things, if they are getting builders in to do nearly everything then the builders might as well be the contestants.
And I'm especially loving the second hand challenge though buying an ex floor stock piece of furniture is not exactly my idea of second hand.
I'm liking Josh and Jenna's style the most (at the moment) as it's the closest to mine, and I was a little amused to see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Polly's</span> heart rate go up upon entering a second hand shop from being stressed. Mine does the same thing but for the opposite reason! Second hand shops are awesome!
The lack of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">enthusiasm</span> the contestants had for the trash to treasure challenge was a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprising</span>. I know that they have $100,000 to spend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">transforming</span> their little terrace houses but they would not have had that in their real life renovating to spend on whatever they fancied, so I thought they would have been a bit more familiar with using things that are not brand new.
If I wanted my home to look like a furniture showroom then I would just go and live in one!
It is very easy to go and buy everything brand new from a shop, but much more creativity and thought is needed to transform <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre-loved</span> pieces into something new to treasure.
And really, who spends $250 dollars on one cushion! Maybe it's the sewer in me but the thought of spending that much money on a bit of material and stuffing, now that makes my heart rate go up!
So producers of The Block please keep giving the contestants challenges that make them think about recycling furniture into new pieces and thinking outside the square (or block!).
It's much more inspiring to viewers (me) and much more realistic in terms of budgets.
And just in case one of them actually reads this and is thinking
"well what did you have in mind?"
(cause that is really likely to happen!)
<p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626431369427237746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HvBG-a7U_4/ThUZhTfTO3I/AAAAAAAAA-4/XSfLw40Lu70/s400/028.JPG" />Here's some examples-</p>
<p>Little fishes bed is a good one. Remember it cost all of ten dollars from an op shop and after a sand and a paint with some glossy white, it looks brand new. It's solid wood and is so much lovelier than a cheap crappy bed made from chipboard or laminate. It can always be painted or sanded if someone draws on it and made to look new again so it's perfect for a kid.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626431372683114226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7cPosXmT4dc/ThUZhfnj9vI/AAAAAAAAA-w/oIhulfNHEos/s400/005.JPG" />
Here's another example- I recently bought a TV cabinet from the tip shop ( it's like a giant op shop) that has been turned into a low line cupboard. I wanted a low cupboard or buffet side board thingy to go in the dining room and wanted something wooden and solid to go with the other hutch thing and our table and chairs that are in there.</p>
<p>It was difficult to find what I was after (remembering that I'm not going to spend a fortune on a cupboard) so some clever thinking was needed. The TV cabinet was perfect, it was basically two sections that were easily separated and the bottom section became the new cupboard. (Apologies for not remembering to take a pic of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TV</span> cabinet, you should all know I'm crap at remembering to take before shots by now) </p>
<p>It's solid wood (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">yay</span>!) and sturdy so if a little fish climbs on it, nothing will break or collapse.</p>
<p>Mr fish kindly removed the top of the cabinet and made it the top of the cupboard for me (with eyes rolling of course) as it was in better condition than the piece on there and fixed a broken door insert with some panelling from the back of the unwanted section. None of this was difficult to do and we only needed some nails and a jigsaw to transform it. We broke down the remaining pieces of the cabinet and put some bits aside for disposal and kept some bigger pieces for use later on. The spare top piece that got replaced will make an excellent mobile work bench when put on a pair of saw horses.
</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjOm5Angd8/ThUZhMBKKbI/AAAAAAAAA-o/eHM6bqT79o4/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626431367421766066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABjOm5Angd8/ThUZhMBKKbI/AAAAAAAAA-o/eHM6bqT79o4/s400/004.JPG" /></a>
So there you have it, a new piece of furniture made out of an unwanted one. It's being painted at the moment and then I'll show you how lovely it looks!
So come on Block people, inspire me!
Apologies also for the terrible photos, I forgot to take one when the light was better.Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-30177705112286045342011-06-26T19:00:00.002+10:002011-06-26T19:45:12.785+10:00Our Edible Garden<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7oOBfNdNH4/Tgb1h_trWII/AAAAAAAAA-g/zqSBw4NEyfc/s1600/015%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622451149206149250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7oOBfNdNH4/Tgb1h_trWII/AAAAAAAAA-g/zqSBw4NEyfc/s400/015%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a> As well as working on our vegie patch at home we have been busy establishing one at school. We had a working bee a few weeks ago to clear out the few plants in the courtyard garden and get it ready for planting. The folks at the community garden came to give us some pointers and steer us in the right direction as we are aiming for an edible garden with a bit of permaculture thrown in.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OuwPwU3MOw/Tgb1hkVsNGI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/3k4h8AmcqI4/s1600/011%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622451141857784930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OuwPwU3MOw/Tgb1hkVsNGI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/3k4h8AmcqI4/s400/011%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a> So far everything that we've planted has grown and is looking healthy so the kids are very happy. We have some compost bins and a worm farm and have set up a garden club for the interested kids to do a bit in their lunch break. It's early days yet but the aim is to get it up and running and have the kids (and teachers) using it for lessons and making it part of their everyday school life. It's amazing how keen the littlest kids are to have a go and plant some seedlings, they have been so excited. Oldest fishes prep class have been growing things from seed as part of their science lessons and then planting them into the garden .
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1a0ae0gVEw/Tgb1hlbvw0I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/HGeWn7LSeMk/s1600/007%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622451142151619394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1a0ae0gVEw/Tgb1hlbvw0I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/HGeWn7LSeMk/s400/007%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
It's made the fishes very keen to get into the vegie patch at home and plant some seeds, so we have done a bit of maintenance work on it and have things starting to flower now. they have planted seeds, planted seedlings and watched them all grow. It's become part of their day now to go down to the patch in the afternoon and check on the plants and give them a water.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The pictures above are of the awesome mural that the students did on the wall to brighten the garden up. The grade sixes and seven designed the mural with one of our clever, artistic parents at school and then painted it on Friday. All the kids got to come out of class and do a part of it so the whole school was involved. The older kids partnered up with the smallest kids and gave them some help which was lovely to see. The older grades are really wonderful with the littlies and were so good with them.</div>
<div>The kids that were part of the design team stayed for the duration and saw it finished and they were so proud of themselves.</div>
<div>Does your local school have an edible garden or some great artwork?</div>
<div>
</div>
<div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-33166581330849453682011-06-17T20:59:00.002+10:002011-06-17T21:22:07.296+10:00Little fishes new bed.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRDKYUGpAIY/Tfsz-7tIFxI/AAAAAAAAA-I/z0o32iQPp7U/s1600/008%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 392px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619142116346697490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRDKYUGpAIY/Tfsz-7tIFxI/AAAAAAAAA-I/z0o32iQPp7U/s400/008%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
It was decided that littlest fish needed a big girl bed. She was just growing too big for her toddler size bed and as handy as it was given her room is rather small, it was time to go.
So off to the bed shops we went!
And then we came home....
All the beds that we saw were made from "timber veneer" or "laminated stuff" or other rather blaghhh materials.
All we wanted was a wooden bed painted white. But they don't seem to exist in our town.
So then we decided to search the op shops to see if we could find an old bed to fix up and, lo and behold we found one!
At the second place we went to there was an old timber bed that looked to be pretty sturdy and apart from being old and a bit grotty it was just what we were looking for. And it cost all of ten dollars! Not $399 or even $250 just ten. dollars.
Sold!
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPPCKdWIMk8/Tfsz-tGmOoI/AAAAAAAAA-A/x3wGXZea-MQ/s1600/009%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619142112426998402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPPCKdWIMk8/Tfsz-tGmOoI/AAAAAAAAA-A/x3wGXZea-MQ/s400/009%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a> We brought it home and gave it a clean then sanded it and after an undercoat it was looking better already. Both the fishes had to help with the painting and after three coats of white semi gloss paint it was ready for action. Mr fish took the metal springs off the base and replaced them with timber slats for a firmer base and we gave the frame a coat of silver spray paint to brighten it up.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-zIU0LpaGk/Tfsz-fFO4rI/AAAAAAAAA94/R9nx1raObgM/s1600/025%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619142108663177906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-zIU0LpaGk/Tfsz-fFO4rI/AAAAAAAAA94/R9nx1raObgM/s400/025%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
So now little fish has a lovely new bed that can be re-painted or touched up should anything get scratched or 'decorated'.</div>
<div>And after we took out the change table that was hogging the space in one corner there was quite a bit of room, a lot more than we thought. I'm not sure why it didn't get the boot earlier, I'll put it down to slackness.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69xDXnBwXS8/Tfsz-ExTvhI/AAAAAAAAA9w/brHHUaBfUQU/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619142101600288274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69xDXnBwXS8/Tfsz-ExTvhI/AAAAAAAAA9w/brHHUaBfUQU/s400/028.JPG" /></a> She insisted on wearing her singlet on the outside of her pj's, she's just that kind of gal!
<div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-77160044636003242022011-05-17T19:04:00.002+10:002011-05-17T19:34:09.706+10:00Some new prints and some b-b-bunting!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgHwxQ0XzJo/TdI60rK35AI/AAAAAAAAA9k/e9ck8baZqlo/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607609162645627906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgHwxQ0XzJo/TdI60rK35AI/AAAAAAAAA9k/e9ck8baZqlo/s400/005.JPG" /></a> As well as a new bedspread oldest fishes room has had some other new additions.
(That's little fish on the bed, she HAD to be in the photo).
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISouV0pyU-s/TdI60K9zwGI/AAAAAAAAA9c/kyNyf0wVuok/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607609154000896098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISouV0pyU-s/TdI60K9zwGI/AAAAAAAAA9c/kyNyf0wVuok/s400/008.JPG" /></a>
This is her birthday bunting that I made for her out of assorted pink and green prints with some rainbow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ricrac</span> to hang it off. I cut two triangles out of each print and sewed them together (wrong sides facing) and pinking sheared the edges then stitched them onto the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ricrac</span>. Quick and easy and pretty.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQEBachhws0/TdI60MpYrkI/AAAAAAAAA9U/-qEeokf7xJg/s1600/003%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607609154452106818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQEBachhws0/TdI60MpYrkI/AAAAAAAAA9U/-qEeokf7xJg/s400/003%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG" /></a>
The other new addition is a group of various prints in some white frames. I have been accumulating white frames for a while as there was a plan in place to make a display wall out of them but since deciding on a different idea for the wall they have been sitting in a box waiting for inspiration to strike.</div>
<div>I got a bunch of them out and played around with positioning them (using pieces of paper the same size and some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">blu</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">tac</span>) until they looked okay and then filled them up. Having the bits of paper on the wall made it easy to position the nails/hooks/sticky things that would hold the frames up. When she came home from school and found it she was very impressed. I got bonus points for putting some mermaids in the mix.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Have you made any little decorative changes lately?
</div>
<div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-76634571516578655952011-05-10T12:48:00.004+10:002011-05-10T13:35:57.698+10:00Soul Blossom raggy quilt is done.<div>Here's a bit of a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">squizz</span> at oldest fishes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">raggy</span> quilt that was finished recently. I started out with a soul blossom designer roll (like a jelly roll) and pondered what to do with it.</div>
<div>Oldest fish has now decided to be a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> and is getting a bit obsessed with all things pretty and pink.</div>
<div>Her mother is not a big fan of pink and so we reached a compromise. The walls of her room will NOT be painted pink or any shade resembling pink. She can however have some accessories and bits and pieces in her room to increase the pinkness of it.
</div>
<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914405177715586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKAYnZkfkM/Tcin9JUWa4I/AAAAAAAAA88/wxt-bvnQuxg/s400/007.JPG" />
So the idea for a bed cover was born. The roll was chopped up into pieces that would be made into a very simple log cabin block. (I threw some other fabrics in to make up the number of blocks we needed). In between the log cabin blocks we put a square of printed fabric and after laying it all out and moving blocks around for a while we had a plan.
<div>
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914396622470898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HQ2vyoiA1U/Tcin8pcnvvI/AAAAAAAAA80/bjKXs1fkW4A/s400/008.JPG" />
We then had to cut out the backing squares before sewing them all together. Being rather slack the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">raggy</span> style of quilt rather suited this project as it was quick and easy. For anyone who hasn't made a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">raggy</span> quilt before, it's pretty easy. Instead of piecing the top together first then basting your layers of wadding and backing together and quilting the whole lot, you make up your top in sections (blocks) and cut the backing blocks out the same so you can sew them as one layer, wrong sides together. The seams are left exposed on the top of the quilt as you sew one set of top/backing to the next set until you have sewn a row together. The rows are then sewn together and voila! You have a quilt! (you can put a square of wadding in between the layers if you like but since we rarely turn the fans off here it's easier to leave it out as it is not needed for warmth)
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914587438560130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SU1Q1ApXqlY/TcioHwSuM4I/AAAAAAAAA9E/cJxKSI6ugaM/s400/006.JPG" /></div>
<div>After the blocks were all sewn together I went round the edges of the quilt with a 1/2 inch seam to finish them off and stop them fraying too much. Then comes the fun bit.....</div>
<div>You have to get out your sharp scissors and make little snips in the seams all over the quilt and around the edges so that when it is washed (and preferably tumble dried) they look all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">raggy</span> and fluffy. This takes a while and you will get sore hands if you try and do it all at once so pace yourself! </div>
<div>We don't have a drier so I just washed it and shook it a bit before hanging in the sun. You will get bits of thread in your machine filter (make sure you clean it out afterwards) and all over the floor if you flick it in the house so don't do that ;)</div>
<div>I made the sides wider than normal as I wanted it to nearly touch the floor and hide the spare mattress under her bed.
</div>
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914393795924242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zUNq1xkyyCE/Tcin8e6uERI/AAAAAAAAA8s/wCvYFJ0at0U/s400/005%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" />
She likes it and the fact that it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">pinky</span> looking and pretty. I like it cause it was easy to make and means I don't have to look at pink walls.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914823774633970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRWa7Cc3zSM/TcioVgtof_I/AAAAAAAAA9M/MSIr1mo5h6s/s400/003%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25285%2529.JPG" />
She got the bunting made for her birthday and now it hangs in her room to add a bit more pink and some green to the mix.
Will show you a close up in the next post.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YF_niBF1vk/Tcin8V2BYmI/AAAAAAAAA8k/y1iUt1WS2es/s1600/002%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604914391360299618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YF_niBF1vk/Tcin8V2BYmI/AAAAAAAAA8k/y1iUt1WS2es/s400/002%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG" /></a> So we have used up all the soul blossoms roll now and oldest fish has a new quilt for herself. </div>
<div></div>
<div>Oh and she now has a hot pink cast on her arm. And because it's made from fibreglass she can get it wet! How <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awesome</span> is that! Bath time is so much easier now.</div>
<div>She did really well at her hospital visit and had to get 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">xrays</span> to check the cast was positioned correctly, walk to and from the different departments about 5 times (they are a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">looong</span> way from each other) and have her old cast removed (no saw, just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">snippers</span>) and the new one put on. </div>
<div>I am very proud of how good she was with all the things that we had to do and waiting at each department without complaining or whining, and most of all how good she was getting her cast redone. (I think the thought of a pink one helped). </div>
<div>She had to go back for another xray on Friday and if it's all good she will have it on for about 5 weeks. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-47374015437251541822011-05-01T20:52:00.002+10:002011-05-01T21:20:41.528+10:00Whoops!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I985hCySyA4/Tb07rWgwf2I/AAAAAAAAA8c/5XJB6GBKa2c/s1600/003%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601699127482154850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I985hCySyA4/Tb07rWgwf2I/AAAAAAAAA8c/5XJB6GBKa2c/s400/003%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
<div>Oldest Fish has now had a turn at being in hospital. The sore arm that we thought was sprained was actually broken :(</div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div>She fell off the trampoline while it was being moved last weekend and apart from saying it was sore when she put pressure on it there was not a lot of complaining about it. She went back to school after the holidays and was okay except for falling over at lunch time and hurting it. I had to go pick her up from school the next day when they rang to say she had fallen over in PE and landed on it. So a trip to the doctor followed. Then we had a trip to the x-ray place. Then another trip to the doctor to get the results. Then a trip to the hospital to get it fixed. We should have just gone straight to the hospital and saved ourselves 4 or 5 hours of running around, will remember that for the future.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The doctors and nurses were AMAZING and I can't thank them enough. The break was just bad enough for them to discuss straightening the bones, it was borderline but they decided in the end to do it as she is only young and it was going to be pretty easy.</div>
<div>It all happened pretty fast once we talked to the doctor, it was all systems go!</div>
<div>The only traumatic thing was that she wouldn't let the doctor put the drip in to give her a sedative so they had to knock her out very quickly with an injection. That was the worst bit. Once she was knocked out they got to work and that was where I should have exited the room.</div>
<div>The clever nurse knew what would happen so she got me a chair and a drink of water. Then she got me a bed.</div>
<div>I don't think I'm a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">squeamish</span> person but when it's your little fish and its all happening so fast, it's probably best not to look.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Anyways I got back up after about 10 minutes (she was in a bed about 3 meters away so the nurse was keeping me updated) and got to sit next to her while she was waking up. It's really weird watching your little one wake up from being knocked out. She was quite funny a few times and said some strange things that lightened the mood a bit.</div>
<div></div>
<div>We had to stay til she was completely okay and could get up so we were there until dinner time.</div>
<div>I asked the nurse who was admitting us if it was strange that she didn't really complain about being in pain considering the break she had, but apparently kids react in strange ways to pain and don't always associate the pain with the area that is affected. So I guess the lesson learned was to get anything checked out that could be serious even if the reaction is not as big as you might think it should be. Once she had a big sleep that night she was really happy the next morning and didn't remember anything from the hospital. We have to go back next week to get the temporary cast off and a new fibreglass one on. (it's going to be pink) </div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-28580654843863669542011-04-26T20:24:00.002+10:002011-04-26T21:04:39.880+10:00Happy Easter!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 363px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599836608298914114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Aoki0IJ8Ts/Tbadud3ikUI/AAAAAAAAA78/Zrx5Xy08zKs/s400/020.JPG" /> Happy Easter to you! I hope everyone had a nice long Easter break. We had some surprise visitors come to see us for a few days. The little fishes got to spend some time with Nanny and Poppy Fish (Mr Fishes parents) who were on their way home from a month long road trip around the centre of our great big country. They were very excited to see them and we had a lovely few days of catching up. The boys even went out fishing one day and managed to catch enough for dinner! (That only seems to happen when Poppy Fish is here, he needs to come for a visit more often). Mr Fishes mum likes to have something to do so we got to work and finished painting the last wall of the house that has been waiting and waiting to be done. And we even managed to get the carport painted and some plants moved around. Apart from that we ate scones and pikelets and went to our favourite restaurant for a roast one night (our restaurant is my mum and dads place, all the grandparents get along really well and like to catch up when they can).
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599836616318579346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-djLtv46pw/Tbadu7vk8pI/AAAAAAAAA8U/gCFp3zJK14o/s400/026.JPG" />The fishes of course were beside themselves with excitement with the idea of the Easter Bunny leaving them with a surprise and wanted to stay up to catch a glimpse. Littlest fish even left a carrot out for it. The Easter bunny was then in the bad books for leaving the loot in a spot that was not immediately apparent and not leaving a trail of little eggs! The egg trail trouble was sorted as the Bunny had planned to have an egg hunt outside once it was considered to be morning and the chocolate bilbys and bunnies were quickly discovered. I guess the Easter Bunny better lift its game next year!
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599836611765166130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pIVlP8bYkI/Tbaduqx9YDI/AAAAAAAAA8M/4bOTOL8YhCI/s400/023.JPG" />Oldest fish had a bit of an accident on the trampoline and after a few days of being rather sore we are pretty sure she sprained her wrist. It is much better now and she is going back to school tomorrow with strict instructions to try and be careful. This is a girl who rubbed her elbow on a tree because it was itchy and ended up needing a bandaid to cover the nice bit of blood that resulted! I'm ever hopeful. She is not as accident prone as her sister but has her moments.
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599836607858103250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlO_Rexr3D0/TbaducOcU9I/AAAAAAAAA8E/N_WS__LCyvw/s400/021.JPG" />
Not much sewing has been done but I'm keen to get back into it when the routine gets back to normal. Hope everyone has a smooth back to work/school day!
<div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-12736381495428595622011-04-22T08:16:00.004+10:002011-04-22T08:47:17.567+10:00She loved it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598164510322570738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iN5KiD_zpeU/TbCs9jf5tfI/AAAAAAAAA7s/CoHcMW0C9wQ/s400/003.JPG" /> We had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">an</span> early start to the day on Saturday. Someone was very excited and couldn't wait to get up and turn 5.
After lovingly patting and sitting on her new bike for positively ages she managed to get the rest of us up and in present mode.
I was very happy that she liked her princess and the pea <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">play set</span> and book, phew!
We had to read the story and then she went off to play with it for a while. I managed to spread the present giving out a bit and gave her a little parcel every half hour or so in the morning to keep her busy and interested. She got some books and a new moneybox and cute purse and some card/board games to play. Then she had to wait forever til her party.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598164508957417442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgPZVvLiXrw/TbCs9eabH-I/AAAAAAAAA7c/8T78xn2fOGo/s400/017.JPG" />
<div>Thank goodness she has a super cake making nanny! When a castle cake was requested we got out the old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">women's</span> weekly cake book and also the new one to see what ideas we could find. Luckily there were two castle cakes to pick from and super nanny got to work.
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598165737444252674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bppG1BV3H6w/TbCuE-4gnAI/AAAAAAAAA70/wDzWs9WqfU0/s400/019.JPG" />We had a bit of a pink thing going on as it is now her favourite colour so a cheap plastic tablecloth was found and a pretty table runner (in pinks of course) livened things up a bit. We had the amazing cake, tea cup biscuits, pinwheels, lollies and some savoury snacks for the grown ups. And lots of fairies (not to eat, they were on everything).
After a play with some little friends and lots of eating everyone was exhausted. We practised riding and hopping on and off the new bike and then relaxed for a while.
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598164511876192114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44ZBxxx4msE/TbCs9pSUF3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/0M-ja5LKkBw/s400/017%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" />The next day we went down to the park for some bike riding and practice using the brakes. There's a nice <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">flattish</span> walkway that is perfect for riding on when you're a little kid. She got the hang of it pretty fast and remembered how to brake when going down a little slope.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUNQAHnzeVI/TbCs9IGV3wI/AAAAAAAAA7U/RkeufF2Z98g/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598164502967607042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUNQAHnzeVI/TbCs9IGV3wI/AAAAAAAAA7U/RkeufF2Z98g/s400/002.JPG" /></a>
Miss fish had a lovely day and I'm getting pretty good at playing kids board games!</div>
<div>Now I have to figure out how to make a mermaid cake for her little sisters birthday......
<div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-6121879383074913412011-04-15T20:36:00.002+10:002011-04-15T20:56:19.742+10:00The Princess, the Pea and the little Fish.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkDZGCczBqw/TaggUYn2YyI/AAAAAAAAA7M/XbrKJRv1tLw/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595758071586906914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkDZGCczBqw/TaggUYn2YyI/AAAAAAAAA7M/XbrKJRv1tLw/s400/053.JPG" /></a>It's oldest little fishes birthday tomorrow. She's gonna be the big 5! The last five years have really flown by, I can't believe she's at school already let alone turning 5. Anywhoo, as well as getting a bike for her birthday (she's been asking for a big girl bike for ages) I've made her a princess and the pea playset from the book 'more softies'.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSySO6bJF2A/TaggUSwFApI/AAAAAAAAA7E/uHGoqtcU6OI/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595758070010806930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSySO6bJF2A/TaggUSwFApI/AAAAAAAAA7E/uHGoqtcU6OI/s400/050.JPG" /></a> She is into pink now. This is the girl that played with Thomas the tank trains and was a complete tomboy until not that long ago. Now she likes pink and princesses and fairies and unicorns and mermaids and especially likes pink pony unicorn mermaids. They do exist, go have a look at the my little pony section in the toy shop.</div>
<div>So we had to have some pink in the mix and for good measure we threw in some green and purple.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_oUEXpzMqws/Tagf_nYYUtI/AAAAAAAAA68/WY-3z475_cU/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595757714771301074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_oUEXpzMqws/Tagf_nYYUtI/AAAAAAAAA68/WY-3z475_cU/s400/002.JPG" /></a> The pattern is pretty straightfoward and the cutting out took the longest, once you have cut lots of rectangles out you just sew them up and make a cute princess and a pea. Couldn't be easier!
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HqtFPGnFjs/Tagf_Xl_dFI/AAAAAAAAA60/RFYpcNCObzE/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595757710533424210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HqtFPGnFjs/Tagf_Xl_dFI/AAAAAAAAA60/RFYpcNCObzE/s400/004.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oXN23m_eGY/Tagf_ALxm_I/AAAAAAAAA6s/DNtdB5IUyEg/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595757704249449458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oXN23m_eGY/Tagf_ALxm_I/AAAAAAAAA6s/DNtdB5IUyEg/s400/006.JPG" /></a> I found a book with the story in to give as part of the pressie, it was suprisingly hard to find. I couldn't get the story on it's own but managed to find a book of princess stories that included it.</div>
<div>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNEtn9OBcgk/Tagf-y--e3I/AAAAAAAAA6k/p1m1Jnjclxc/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595757700706106226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNEtn9OBcgk/Tagf-y--e3I/AAAAAAAAA6k/p1m1Jnjclxc/s400/008.JPG" /></a> I'll let you know what she thinks of it!
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-73111831187286972412011-04-03T16:45:00.002+10:002011-04-03T17:25:24.592+10:00Projects a go-go (or it's been raining a lot)It's been raining a lot, hence quite a lot of things have been started or cut out or planned. After the boring stuff (housework) is done there's really no choice but to do a bit of sewing or crafting. What a shame! All the nearly finished outside jobs have been abandoned until the muddy bog outside has a chance to dry out. Should be a while since we're still waiting for the rain to actually stop. So meanwhile...... <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83cnUEnVE6w/TZgYD3_pJ5I/AAAAAAAAA6c/demj5ckEIwM/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245392230033298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83cnUEnVE6w/TZgYD3_pJ5I/AAAAAAAAA6c/demj5ckEIwM/s400/029.JPG" /></a> Littlest fish is getting a mermaid/underwater stitchery similar to the one I made for her sister a while ago (hers had a bit of a woodland critter theme). I'm using a beautiful mermaid pattern I found on <a href="http://www.littledeartracks.blogspot.com/">little dear tracks </a>etsy shop for the centre panel. Then I'm using some cute under the sea patterns from her lovely book Doodle Stitching (the motif collection) for the smaller panels around it, except for one which is a mermaid I found in <a href="http://zuill.us/andreablog">Badbird's</a> free stitchery patterns on her blog. The surrounding fabric patches will be made up of some much loved and hard to get hold of mendocino prints by Heather Ross. I'm going to very carefully fussy cut them out to get the best bits. If there's a bit left after this I'll make a cushion cover or something with the leftovers. Will show you some progress shots as it progresses.
<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245241265937858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOHgxXsmeZ8/TZgX7Fm_3cI/AAAAAAAAA6M/085i8JNb_Q8/s400/010.JPG" />I have aquired an interest in hawaiian applique and tivavae (similar but from the south pacific). I'm not sure how I aquired said interest but there you go, it's here so I may as well explore it. </div>
<div>I found a great website that sells patterns for cushion size projects up to giant Queen size beds (Poakalani, just google the name) and ordered a few to try. The first one is a 22" turtle pattern that I'm going to raw edge applique. I want to try another pattern using needleturn to give it a go. The turles have been cut out and pinned on to the backing fabric and so far so good. I'll try to remember to take some pics of the different steps as I go. Hawaiian applique in a nutshell is like those snowflakes you make out of paper when you're little. You fold up the paper and cut bits out then open up the paper to find a pretty pattern. Except with fabric. And a bit more thought out.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOHgxXsmeZ8/TZgX7Fm_3cI/AAAAAAAAA6M/085i8JNb_Q8/s1600/010.JPG"></a></div>
<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245250365481602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIY3uAUQCa4/TZgX7ngf4oI/AAAAAAAAA6U/_HNl9yeCj6s/s400/021.JPG" /></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div>Next project a go-go is a planned quilt using this awsome pattern from <a href="http://www.chasingcottons.blogspot.com/">Chasing Cottons, </a>Who doesn't love sandcastles!? And they're fabric ones!</div>
<div></div>
<div>I'm going to first make a block up as a cushion cover for a little girls birthday pressie as after sifting through the stash I found some fabric that is sand looking with pretty little shells all over it, perfect for a sandcastle. You could do a fairytale theme or make it a bit boyish if you preferred, the fabrics on the picture are Heather Ross' far, far away prints which look beautiful.</div>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SRaAkpib9o/TZgX63QayhI/AAAAAAAAA6E/s2CxnHsSD4U/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245237413136914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SRaAkpib9o/TZgX63QayhI/AAAAAAAAA6E/s2CxnHsSD4U/s400/012.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div></div>
<div>And to finish off here's a pic of something that's just about done. I cut up a design roll (like a jelly roll but not from Moda) of Amy Butler's Soul Blossom range and did a sort of log cabiny thing with squares of other stuff in between. This lot was sewn together rag rug style and super quick. I'll post some more detailed pics and info in a separate post as soon as I find the other pics I took of it.</div>
<div>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrPqx6Gm78Y/TZgX6oavnPI/AAAAAAAAA58/D1shnEjRCNk/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591245233429912818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrPqx6Gm78Y/TZgX6oavnPI/AAAAAAAAA58/D1shnEjRCNk/s400/006.JPG" /></a> So there you go, heaps of things are on the go and with all this wet weather it's keeping me out of trouble. Now to figure out how to keep the rest of the fishes out of trouble.....
<div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-6336060186532457222011-03-24T16:03:00.003+10:002011-03-24T16:28:01.082+10:00Stairway to heaven? Depends if you like fabric...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587523459774020738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmBhXxarqM4/TYre-5H9_II/AAAAAAAAA5s/g-DuXIIWLC4/s400/008%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587523458463509122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-P9JvNK4NM/TYre-0PhKoI/AAAAAAAAA5k/YquSuwsvzNk/s400/007%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" />
<div> I'm still here. We've been a bit bust lately so the poor old blog has been neglected. The house (outside) is painted on three sides. If the rain would go away it would be painted on four sides.
</div><div>We have been doing some <strong>major</strong> pruning and cleaning up in the garden. It just needs some new mulch to finish it off (if the rain would go away it would be all done).
</div><div>I've been helping out in Stacey's prep class with some literacy activities and some pottery, I have to act surprised when I get my Mothers Day present.</div><div> </div><div>And in between all this I've made a couple of table runners to fill up my ladder.</div><div>I made this ladder ages ago out of some cheap pine and dowel with an idea in my head that it would look good leaning against a wall with some table runners draped over it in the dining room.</div><div>It's now full but that probably won't stop me from making more when I feel like it.</div><div>I like table runners, they are quick and don't take heaps of fabric and they are easy to quilt!</div><div> </div><div>So we now have some nice runners to hang on their display ladder and add a bit of colour to the dining room! </div><div>
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587523456926277954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqxMOl2lXeU/TYre-uhA4UI/AAAAAAAAA5c/rur_rpNxgTo/s400/004.JPG" />
Here's another new addition to the dining room, she's is hanging above the doorway to the adjoining sewing/computer/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TV</span> room. She's wooden and comes from a shop here called The Inner <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Labyrinth</span>. I wandered in on one of my infrequent visits (not a shop to visit with a two year old) and saw her hanging on the wall and next thing you know, I'm taking her home.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587523469426812898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5vjlj-q68c/TYre_dFX5-I/AAAAAAAAA50/mn0SLbwgxpE/s400/009%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" />
<div> She is lovely and I'm glad she came to live here. Stacey thinks it's cool having a mermaid hanging on the wall, Mr Fish just rolls his eyes.</div><div> </div><div>I've got plans for one more wall in the dining room and then I think I'll be done with the main decorating. I'll show you when I get around to doing it. Promise.</div><div> </div><div>
</div><div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-7420333481023957352011-02-14T13:27:00.002+10:002011-02-14T13:45:58.407+10:00What can you do with a jelly roll?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3x8us8B3lo/TVihqyoyEpI/AAAAAAAAA5U/IDG1FWqCZCs/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 341px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573382295390392978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3x8us8B3lo/TVihqyoyEpI/AAAAAAAAA5U/IDG1FWqCZCs/s400/030.JPG" /></a>Remember this jelly roll I got ages ago? Well it is finally all used up.
All I have left is a couple of little scraps that I just can't throw out but I've managed to make three things out of the roll with hardly any wasted. Here's a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">looksy</span>.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v4dShai3B4/TVihgNEChDI/AAAAAAAAA5M/J5YUTpyhsbw/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573382113505477682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v4dShai3B4/TVihgNEChDI/AAAAAAAAA5M/J5YUTpyhsbw/s400/009.JPG" /></a> This one I've shown you before, it's a table topper for a little cane side table and was made with a wedge ruler.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JyzyI8t1_w/TVihf4rSWfI/AAAAAAAAA5E/i3bzLP-_pSg/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573382108032948722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JyzyI8t1_w/TVihf4rSWfI/AAAAAAAAA5E/i3bzLP-_pSg/s400/056.JPG" /></a>
This one is a table runner I made with the leftover bits from the throw pictured below. I used the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">greeny</span> blues and the dark blues/navy that were left and just stitched bits together after laying the fabrics out in a nice way. The outer border was made with some batik fabric that went with the prints.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p63n3xG790I/TVihfzcQliI/AAAAAAAAA48/mh1x07q0aAw/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573382106627741218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p63n3xG790I/TVihfzcQliI/AAAAAAAAA48/mh1x07q0aAw/s400/012.JPG" /></a> This throw is made with the jelly roll and a charm pack I managed to hunt down. I just cut the strips up to make a square around each charm square and sewed them together.</div><div>So there you go, three items from one jelly roll! How many can you do?
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsiBgsPBjG8/TVihfjRIFaI/AAAAAAAAA40/jOY18GjuCVM/s1600/013%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 383px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573382102286079394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsiBgsPBjG8/TVihfjRIFaI/AAAAAAAAA40/jOY18GjuCVM/s400/013%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-56757779006629751842011-02-08T13:52:00.005+10:002011-02-08T14:19:20.788+10:00Super Sweet SlipcoverSo I found this chair at the tip. (In the recycling shop, not on an actual pile of rubbish!).
It was looking a bit sad and worn out so I scrubbed all the flaky bits of varnish off and cleaned it up, then gave it a spray with a can of white gloss spray paint. It was in good condition structure wise so that was all it needed to look a bit happier.
Since then it has been sitting in the lounge room with a cushion on it waiting to have some kind of transformation happen.
Well, I finally got around to it and here is the result.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571164271454058962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAYzld-dI/AAAAAAAAA4s/y4FvZprA3eI/s400/007.JPG" />
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAQgCSNGI/AAAAAAAAA4k/NRv4tBI8HJ0/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571164128767259746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAQgCSNGI/AAAAAAAAA4k/NRv4tBI8HJ0/s400/007.JPG" /></a>
First I took a few measurements and made a pattern out of some light interfacing to get an idea of what to cut out. I got some foam from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SL</span> and cut the shape out using the interfacing as a pattern. I cut the foam in half across the spot where the seat bit meets the back rest so that once it was in the slipcover it would be easy to bend to fit the shape of the chair.</div><div> Then I wrapped some wadding around each piece a few times (just a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thinnish</span> wadding, nothing too thick) and secured it with some tacking stitches. I snipped bits of wadding here and there to fit it around the shape of the foam.
<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571164026538179698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAKjM-PHI/AAAAAAAAA4U/f6zaV6MtTt8/s400/008.JPG" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAQXAkUQI/AAAAAAAAA4c/44xNw9dmfhs/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571164126344139010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDAQXAkUQI/AAAAAAAAA4c/44xNw9dmfhs/s400/010.JPG" /></a> Once both pieces were wrapped I laid them down in between the fabric I selected (Amy Butler, Temple <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">somethingorother</span>, off <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span>) with right sides together and pinned around the foam shapes as close as I could get. Then I very carefully pulled the foam pieces out of the pinned fabric and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stitched</span> around the shape following the pins, leaving an end open for turning.</div><div>I ended up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">overlocking</span> the edges after I trimmed the seam allowance back a bit to keep it neat.</div><div>Then it was just a matter of turning it right sides out and slipping the foam bits back in before slip stitching the opening closed.</div><div> </div><div>The chair seems a bit happier and brighter now and I love looking at the colours on it!
</div><div><div>
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDACn_4N_I/AAAAAAAAA4M/TitUTqY5Rv0/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571163890386483186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TVDACn_4N_I/AAAAAAAAA4M/TitUTqY5Rv0/s400/012.JPG" /></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-85128912246739711332011-02-01T16:55:00.002+10:002011-02-01T17:00:48.689+10:00Oh Dear!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TUeuiP7VlaI/AAAAAAAAA3w/mzqee727TRE/s1600/IDQ65001.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568611367681103266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TUeuiP7VlaI/AAAAAAAAA3w/mzqee727TRE/s400/IDQ65001.gif" /></a>
<div>This is headed towards the Queensland coast at the moment. </div><div>Like we really need it after the floods and all the devastation that hit the the bottom two thirds of the state.</div><div>Now the top third will be joining in.</div><div>Do you think someone is out to get us?</div><div>Good luck and stay safe everyone.</div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-10313871481459599252011-01-17T20:02:00.004+10:002011-01-17T21:27:14.157+10:00Holiday Adventures.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUW9e_FBI/AAAAAAAAA3o/v7uT8NjccEQ/s1600/200.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093824403608594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUW9e_FBI/AAAAAAAAA3o/v7uT8NjccEQ/s400/200.JPG" /></a> We ventured down to the Sunny Coast for a holiday over the Christmas break to catch up with Mr Fishes side of the family (and only just made it back before the highway was cut at several places). The Fishes nanny is a dedicated wildlife carer (she was awarded a pride of Australia medal in 2010 for her many years of looking after little furry and feathered critters) so they are always excited to go for a visit and help feed whatever is in residence.
Oldest fish is especially taken with feeding the wallabies and can now feed two at a time, a feat she was rather proud of.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUKm0HUkI/AAAAAAAAA3g/sGI_jBE2LiU/s1600/197.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 348px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093612159783490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUKm0HUkI/AAAAAAAAA3g/sGI_jBE2LiU/s400/197.JPG" /></a>
</div><div>Littlest fish seemed to enjoy having staring competitions with the wallabies just before feeding time.
<div>
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093604058387282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUKIol01I/AAAAAAAAA3I/MmZA_Rk8dVs/s400/158.JPG" />
We had promised the little fishes a trip to Australia Zoo on our trip and despite it raining A LOT we managed to get a day of light drizzle (not technically rain) and so off we went!</div><div>Littlest fish was happy to sit on the tail of a giant crocodile sculpture and look happy but despite being quite alright with walking all over it, oldest fish was not keen to have her photo taken. At all. She pulled what can only be described as a rather evil looking, scrunched up face and we put the camera away.
<div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 378px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093605079665282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUKMcFSoI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/Kbma__GZhKA/s400/161.JPG" />
She was however quite happy to let me take a picture of her feeding an elephant.
<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093606483625458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUKRq0BfI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/-wcJDjZP5PQ/s400/168.JPG" />We also got to see the show at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crocoseum</span> and after watching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bindi</span> sing many, many, many songs (the young girls loved it but all the men in the audience looked like they would rather feed a crocodile or catch a snake or something) we got to watch Terri feed a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">croc</span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Irwin's</span> were all there and were in the show (and Wes, can't forget him) which is pretty good considering they are not there all that often, so we timed this visit well.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUJxf6vjI/AAAAAAAAA3A/h8dYP_PY8sE/s1600/128.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093597847993906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQUJxf6vjI/AAAAAAAAA3A/h8dYP_PY8sE/s400/128.JPG" /></a> The little fishes got a puppet theatre for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Xmas</span> which they LOVED. We had to watch lots and lots of puppet shows put on by all the kids (some not so small ones as well) and it was a big hit. It was quite funny watching them as the storyline was quite similar in all the shows that were put on one after the other by the little kids. They seemed to take whatever the first show was about and run with it.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT3mAxUTI/AAAAAAAAA24/AUsQtUpD5e0/s1600/086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093285526917426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT3mAxUTI/AAAAAAAAA24/AUsQtUpD5e0/s400/086.JPG" /></a>
Both the fishes were very taken with Lulu the possum who was a very patient little thing and let them pick her up and have cuddles all the time. We had to hear about Lulu tickling little fishes tummy about 1000 times.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT3nsreFI/AAAAAAAAA2w/nSoDm6kRnqU/s1600/083.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093285979519058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT3nsreFI/AAAAAAAAA2w/nSoDm6kRnqU/s400/083.JPG" /></a> They both loved feeding the wallabies and even though it took longer than normal and little fish had to be constantly reminded to hold her bottle up so they could get the milk, the wallabies were all lovely and didn't complain too much.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT26ElEkI/AAAAAAAAA2o/_nyqzfvjmnM/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093273731732034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT26ElEkI/AAAAAAAAA2o/_nyqzfvjmnM/s400/024.JPG" /></a>
Lulu and her biggest fan.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT2lw5IFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/c81kN5-nZKc/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563093268280451154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TTQT2lw5IFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/c81kN5-nZKc/s400/013.JPG" /></a>
Lulu trying to get in on the wallabies dinner.</div><div></div><div>We had a lovely time and got to see all the other fishes and even though it rained nearly every day, all day, we managed to have fun and play in the mud. Our trip home was decided rather suddenly when we saw the flood waters making their way towards Rocky and after checking the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">RACQ</span> website to find out if the highway was open at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">GinGin</span> (which it was not previously) we decided to make a run (drive?) for it.</div><div>It was lucky we decided to as we made it home late that afternoon and the highway has been closed at various locations up til today. So despite driving past some very flooded areas (not over the road, mostly paddocks) we were very glad to get home and not be stuck on the highway somewhere with two little fishes. We had decided to try and make it home and if we struck water anywhere over the road then we were just gonna turn around and head back again. (It is not cool to drive through floodwater, you just end up needing rescuing and heaven knows, the rescue people are busy enough). So we have been at home and watching the horrible floods destroying whole towns out west and submerging our states capital city. The waters in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rockhampton</span> are only just starting to recede now (think two weeks with your house under water) and the clean up there has only just begun. It will take our state many, many months (probably years) to get things back to some sort of normal again but the willingness of complete strangers to lend a hand and shovel mud for hours to clean up someones yard and house that they don't even know will surely get our state through this. The huge number of volunteers that have been out in force helping to make things just that little bit easier for people who have lost everything has to be something that we will remember for a long, long time. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Don't forget to hop on over to Make it perfect to check out the master list of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggy</span> peeps having auctions and raffles to raise money for the flood relief appeal. There are some amazing things on offer and all the proceeds will go to the flood relief appeal to help people get their lives back to some kind of normal.
<center><a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/jaron79/QLDFloodAppeal.jpg" /></a></center>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-30311447192637596472011-01-11T16:55:00.002+10:002011-01-11T17:01:07.896+10:00Qld Flood Relief Appeal AuctionsAs many of you already know our lovely state of Queensland is being devastated by floods at the moment. A lovely crafty lady called <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com/2011/01/queensland-flood-relief-appeal-auctions.html">Toni of Make It Perfect fame </a>is organising crafters to auction off some goodies with all the funds raised going to the flood relief appeal.
She is currently getting things organised so head on over to her website for up to date info on what's happening if you are interested.
<center><a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o145/jaron79/QLDFloodAppeal.jpg" /></a></center>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-30523639789362080752011-01-08T14:44:00.002+10:002011-01-08T15:34:16.962+10:00Some things I made.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftmnnKeII/AAAAAAAAA2Y/bxpr4dpMuUs/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559673512736225410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftmnnKeII/AAAAAAAAA2Y/bxpr4dpMuUs/s400/022.JPG" /></a> I know these are a bit late but I thought I'd put them on here anyway. Out of my stash of driftwood that is currently in the front yard I made a little tree to go on the table for Christmas. It was easy to make with a bit of wire and some wood glue. I just drilled a hole through each piece and threaded them on the wire with the larger pieces at the bottom and the tiny bits at the top.
Some little shells were hung as ornaments (they even had holes in them already, no drilling needed!)
And it's finished off with a starfish on the top.
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559673511432246210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftmiwRU8I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/nxdwrUU67w4/s400/006%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25284%2529.JPG" />
I also made a couple of new baubles for the tree. I found the clear plastic balls at spotlight that you can put stuff in. (One of the only things I managed to find when I went in there, everything else on my list was either sold out, not arrived or mysteriously vanished.)
After collecting a little bit of sand and going through our shell jar to find some teeny tiny ones, it just required a bit of glue to hold together and some glittery string to hang on the tree. Most of the other decorations we had this year were glittery, feathery, sparkly creations that the fishes made at Kindy. (Littlest one got to make some as well, she wasn't going to miss out on using glitter and glue!)
I just had to throw in a couple of beachy things to balance out the sparkles!
<div>
</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559673507533363906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftmUOtGsI/AAAAAAAAA2I/pVm2p7WmYns/s400/025.JPG" />These other bits and pieces are pressies for various people that have now received them so I can show you. Mum likes my sea fan that I framed and so when we found this one I thought I better make her one too.
I managed to get a few shadow box frames from Big W (thanks to Claire for her very good finding skills) and painted the matts in a nice sea blue/grey sort of colour. Then with the help of my trusty toothpick I stuck that sucker down. You could make a nice display of shells or bits of driftwood or anything else that tickles your fancy, as long as it fits in your frame.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftlVVnWtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/YNK-eS_UcXo/s1600/002%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 357px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559673490650913490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftlVVnWtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/YNK-eS_UcXo/s400/002%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a>
This pic is of a throw for the lounge I made for Aunty Sand and Uncle Brian-man as the fishes call them. As you can see it is being expertly modelled by littest fish (not sure why she has gumboots on). It was going to be made in fabrics that matched the table runner and wall hanging they have in their house but do you think I could find the photos I took to check what fabrics were used? They loved it and Sand reckons it will match perfectly so it turned out </div><div>A-Okay.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftlC4lirI/AAAAAAAAA14/VCb5H77-4VE/s1600/002%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559673485697321650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TSftlC4lirI/AAAAAAAAA14/VCb5H77-4VE/s400/002%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
This is a monster shirt I made for a little man who likes transformers and robots and other boy things. I was a bit unsure as to whether he would like it (being handmade and not a transformer) but was assured by his knowledgable aunt that he would like a monster shirt.</div><div>He did in fact like it and even wanted to put it on so that was a bit relief. And being the lovely boy that he is, he even told me he liked it so that made my day.</div><div> </div><div>We went away over Christmas to visit Mr Fish's parents and all the various Fish relatives down on the Sunny Coast. It rained nearly the whole time time we were there but despite the rain we still had a good time. I'll put some pics of the little fishes feeding the wallabies and the things we did in my next post. Hope everyone had a nice break and a bit of a relax :)
</div><div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-86574743740483853012010-12-19T12:39:00.000+10:002010-12-19T12:40:31.298+10:00Happy holidays everyone!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TQ1whmq-WEI/AAAAAAAAA1o/V_E-eKw6Vpw/s1600/xmas%2Bcard.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552217638236477506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TQ1whmq-WEI/AAAAAAAAA1o/V_E-eKw6Vpw/s400/xmas%2Bcard.JPG" /></a>
<div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-58238928208399691082010-12-01T21:03:00.003+10:002010-12-01T21:42:15.999+10:00This little kitchen is done!<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545668555169740802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKzDyOAI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/EhkO4aWpSec/s400/IM_A0008.JPG" /> Remember this? The original kitchen when we moved in.
<div> <div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545676631827896754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYzg69JWbI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/C9py56Y1F9U/s400/023%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" />This was when the hutch still lived in there (yes this is that nice looking white hutch I blogged about recently)
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545676635071964226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYzhHCl5EI/AAAAAAAAA1g/KRONqWIJEbU/s400/016%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></div><div>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsK5S7D1I/AAAAAAAAA1I/winds0zc8FY/s1600/003%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545668556843847506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsK5S7D1I/AAAAAAAAA1I/winds0zc8FY/s400/003%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25283%2529.JPG" /></a> The second half of the makeover is now finished. After changing the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bench top</span> on the sink side and getting rid of a cupboard at the end and replacing it with a set of drawers the first half was completed. (forgot to mention the new sink with 1 1/2 basins, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">loooove</span> the extra 1/2 basin)
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKSc0KyI/AAAAAAAAA1A/8r_KAISSjyk/s1600/004%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545668546416356130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKSc0KyI/AAAAAAAAA1A/8r_KAISSjyk/s400/004%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
And now the cupboards for the other side are in and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bench top</span> is on! It was fairly easy to put together once we'd done the first set of drawers. We didn't get the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">flatpax</span> ones from B<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">unnings</span> for these drawers (the new drawers under the other bench were from B<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">unnings</span> and were very easy to put together). These new ones were chosen mainly for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">under bench</span> microwave configuration as the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">flatpax</span> ones didn't have that. </div>
<div></div>
<div>If that wasn't a factor I would have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">preferred</span> to go with the B<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">unnings</span> ones, they had far better instructions and were very easy compared with the others. But we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">figured</span> it out in the end and it's all done! Now there is heaps of space to fit everything and it's great to have the microwave not taking up bench space yet being so handy (as opposed to being in the laundry)</div>
<div></div>
<div>
</div>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKT_O9BI/AAAAAAAAA04/fW31rYrrM2Q/s1600/009%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545668546829153298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKT_O9BI/AAAAAAAAA04/fW31rYrrM2Q/s400/009%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25284%2529.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div>Here's a nifty idea for all you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">beachy</span> people out there, I've found a way to bring the beach into the kitchen! Get yourselves some glass coffee jars with the lids that have a bit of space in them (I think they might be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">moccona</span> ones, mine were pinched from mum's house)</div>
<div>After cleaning the jar and soaking the label off, remove the plastic seal from the lid. They should pop right off, and fill the lid up with some little shells, putting the plastic seal thing back on of course to hold them in there.</div>
<div>And then fill the jars up with your choice of product! I imagine you could do this with all different size jars and have other things besides tea and coffee products in them. I've seen them at the op shops so non coffee drinkers could get one from there instead.
</div>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKEbmCqI/AAAAAAAAA0w/4BirB8qkfWg/s1600/011%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545668542653139618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TPYsKEbmCqI/AAAAAAAAA0w/4BirB8qkfWg/s400/011%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a>
And this is a little idea for keeping things easily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accessible</span> yet looking okay as well.</div>
<div>I found this woven tray at spotlight (I think) and thought it would be good to keep all the bits and pieces contained in one area.</div>
<div>We have the phone there as the wall plug is just below the bench and other stuff just ended up next to it as well. So the tray now is home to the phone, some notebooks, my sunnies, a bowl of pens and pencils and a key bowl. I have managed to get everyone (mostly) to put the keys in their home so we never have to look for them.</div>
<div>And it's handy to never have to scramble around for a pen when you need one.</div>
<div>So there you go, a nice bit of extra bench space that has heaps of storage underneath and it somehow manages to make the room look bigger!
</div>
<div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-91605932929760094142010-11-13T15:23:00.003+10:002010-11-13T15:53:24.933+10:00The Neptune table topper is done!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6wCKOxI/AAAAAAAAA0o/KUD0_0kTBZY/s1600/circle%2B1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901884922379026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6wCKOxI/AAAAAAAAA0o/KUD0_0kTBZY/s400/circle%2B1.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6jb5REI/AAAAAAAAA0g/mm15tbZBG4w/s1600/circle%2B2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901881540658242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6jb5REI/AAAAAAAAA0g/mm15tbZBG4w/s400/circle%2B2.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6RNIJSI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VAv6TBfxsYI/s1600/circle%2B3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901876646880546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4h6RNIJSI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VAv6TBfxsYI/s400/circle%2B3.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hSQfgvMI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/vjv33DTO0wU/s1600/circle%2B4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901189260786882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hSQfgvMI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/vjv33DTO0wU/s400/circle%2B4.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hSG_sAlI/AAAAAAAAA0I/LfWF3vwmeSQ/s1600/circle%2B5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901186711388754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hSG_sAlI/AAAAAAAAA0I/LfWF3vwmeSQ/s400/circle%2B5.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hRwRQg4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/iATUREUjYUY/s1600/circle%2B6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901180611068802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hRwRQg4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/iATUREUjYUY/s400/circle%2B6.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hR2SV4pI/AAAAAAAAAz4/QjvgvWcbKIs/s1600/007%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538901182226227858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TN4hR2SV4pI/AAAAAAAAAz4/QjvgvWcbKIs/s400/007%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a>
At the end of the kitchen where the dining table used to be (it now has its own room) is a spot I've made into a little relaxing area. I found the cane chairs at target and got some nice bright coral coloured cushions to add a pop of colour to that area. The little round table was mum and dad's and it's been around for a long, long time, except I recently painted it white.</div><div>Anyway I thought a little table topper would be nice for a bit more colour and the Neptune jelly roll that has been sitting in the sewing room being admired for a while had just the right colours in it!</div><div>I used some strips with coral, blue and green to match the cushions and kitchen that it's going with and sewed them together lengthwise.</div><div>Then using my trusty 10' wedge ruler I cut 36 wedges (10 times 36 is 360 degrees) going up and down the fabric so as not to waste any.</div><div>Then the sewing begins and 36 wedges were quickly sewn together to form, you guessed it, a circle!</div><div>I cut out a circle of pellon and backing and pinned them together (right sides together) while slipping in some ric rac so when it was turned right side out (through the circle in the centre)
the ric rac would be around the edge in a wavy pattern.</div><div>Then after a good pressing I started quilting a spiral pattern all the way round and then went up and down all the wedges so it was very quilted and flat. </div><div>After this I cut out a circle using a saucer (it was just a little bit bigger than the hole it had to cover) and turned the edges under and quilter another spiral pattern to secure it.</div><div>So there you have it, a Neptune table topper and now that I have opened the jelly roll I am keen to make something else. It's a bit addictive!
</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-9124020085847198832010-11-07T21:34:00.002+10:002010-11-07T22:23:13.977+10:00Highs and Lows<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBxmVXJI/AAAAAAAAAzw/ECY8j1sIKgI/s1600/006+-+Copy+(3).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536770052555365522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBxmVXJI/AAAAAAAAAzw/ECY8j1sIKgI/s400/006+-+Copy+(3).JPG" /></a> This week has been a rather eventful one. One of the highs has been this lovely torch ginger finally deciding to flower after about 4 years of living here. There are 3 torches on it at the moment and hopefully we'll get a few more. It has moved spots a couple of times before we found the best place for it and more seems to be happy and thriving.
<div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBfjfinI/AAAAAAAAAzo/B2KGIMzunmE/s1600/003+-+Copy+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536770047711611506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBfjfinI/AAAAAAAAAzo/B2KGIMzunmE/s400/003+-+Copy+(2).JPG" /></a> One of the more lowish sort of things to happen was that we got this new teddy. Well the teddy itself isn't bad (thank you Red Cross) it's the reason we needed one in the first place.</div><div>Littlest fish had a bit of an accident on Wednesday and ended up in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hospital</span> emergency dept. for half the day. It seems that diving on your sister who is perched on the side of the lounge and knocking yourself and her over the edge is not a good idea.</div><div>Especially when you both fall over the side and one of you lands on the corner of a step - with your face. After a trip to the local doctor who told us to go to the hospital as they could fix the gaping hole in the side of her temple in a kinder and less painful way than the GP could do, we set out for the emergency dept.</div><div>Some numbing drops and 2 local anesthetic needles later and the stitches were in.</div><div>Littlest fish was very good and managed to keep still mostly and I managed to not faint as I held her head steady and had to watch everything the doctor was doing. She had to have a couple of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stitches</span> to put her back together and some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">steristrips</span> and a big <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">band aid</span> type patch to cover it all up but is now on the mend. In fact the next day she was up and playing and I had to explain to 21 mums at K<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">indy</span> why she had a huge patch on her head when we dropped her sister off.</div><div>The stitches come out on Tuesday and she should only have a tiny scar that should fade to nothing so that is good.</div><div>Her face is a bit bruised down that side which looks a bit yucky but it's getting better each day.</div><div>The steps have now got plastic corner things on them and the furniture has been moved a bit so there is a side table between the step and the lounge. All lounge diving has also been banned, lounges are for sitting on only.</div><div>Her sister was not hurt at all and was very helpful when I was shouting at her to get me a washer and the phone.
</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBAvYCrI/AAAAAAAAAzg/FCFddropGHA/s1600/010+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536770039439952562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPBAvYCrI/AAAAAAAAAzg/FCFddropGHA/s400/010+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>
To leave you on a more pleasant topic, here is a little sneak peek at something in the works at the moment - I finally undid my Neptune jelly roll! (I was a bit nervous as it looked so pretty)
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPA0eB8_I/AAAAAAAAAzY/o7OSLhcuttM/s1600/006+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536770036145976306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TNaPA0eB8_I/AAAAAAAAAzY/o7OSLhcuttM/s400/006+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>
(In case you aren't familiar with them the teddy is called a trauma teddy. The hospital gives them to kids that are in need of something to cuddle while they are being fixed up. The nice volunteers at the Red Cross make them and donate them to the hospital, yet another wonderful service they provide).
<div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-42109368510885369172010-10-20T15:38:00.002+10:002010-10-20T17:26:20.257+10:00TaDa!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6A3zjAcLI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JW2OSA7R0nk/s1600/023+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529999088675745970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6A3zjAcLI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JW2OSA7R0nk/s400/023+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6A3kJsUfI/AAAAAAAAAyo/TYyv0RvAOV0/s1600/001+-+Copy+(4).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529999084543037938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6A3kJsUfI/AAAAAAAAAyo/TYyv0RvAOV0/s400/001+-+Copy+(4).JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6ApKYjidI/AAAAAAAAAyg/L0W-1LxgG5Y/s1600/004+-+Copy+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529998837107886546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6ApKYjidI/AAAAAAAAAyg/L0W-1LxgG5Y/s400/004+-+Copy+(2).JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6ApBOW3iI/AAAAAAAAAyY/U0zu89jW7Y8/s1600/006+-+Copy+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529998834649194018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6ApBOW3iI/AAAAAAAAAyY/U0zu89jW7Y8/s400/006+-+Copy+(2).JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6Ao-_MXwI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/5B8zYpkWnzM/s1600/003+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529998834048720642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6Ao-_MXwI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/5B8zYpkWnzM/s400/003+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6AovaAWCI/AAAAAAAAAyI/OVMMCd9jENI/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529998829866211362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TL6AovaAWCI/AAAAAAAAAyI/OVMMCd9jENI/s400/005.JPG" /></a>
Remember this dark coloured hutch thingy that was going to get a makeover? Well it has!</div><div>After taking the glass doors off to paint and then deciding they could stay off and they could take their vertical supports with them (after checking with Mr Fish who said they were allowed to go too), it looks a lot more open and different.</div><div> </div><div>The vertical pieces were surprisingly easy to remove with a bit of tapping using a rubber mallet (thanks Mr Fish) and the shelves had hardly any damage to them where they were nailed in.</div><div> </div><div>After coating the top half in a generous slather of zinser and filling in a few nail holes we were ready for painting. ( I did the painting in top half and bottom half to break it up a bit)</div><div>A couple of coats of Antique White USA in a semi gloss and the transformation was almost complete. Add in a few new door knobs and a nice bit of duck eggy looking blue to the back of the shelves and we have ourselves a new looking display piece which is now conveniently located under a down light to give it a bit of a fancy look (pure chance that the down light thing happened, it was already there). I only put the pretty things on display as there was too much stuff and it was getting pretty crowded in there before, only the best op shopping finds made the cut!</div><div> </div><div>(Don't tell Mr Fish that all his beery type stuff will not be going back on this lovely new looking hutch, he probably won't notice unless it's pointed out to him)
</div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-82621247352330594282010-10-10T22:52:00.003+10:002010-10-10T23:16:29.676+10:00The helpers and the next room getting prettied up.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3woJmACI/AAAAAAAAAyA/LARJqncy7ZQ/s1600/053+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526400263799570466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3woJmACI/AAAAAAAAAyA/LARJqncy7ZQ/s400/053+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3wPq4trI/AAAAAAAAAx4/CEEqwR--5F4/s1600/050+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526400257228322482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3wPq4trI/AAAAAAAAAx4/CEEqwR--5F4/s400/050+-+Copy.JPG" /></a> Don't you just love helpers? They were very keen and didn't cost much. We paid them in strawberries.</div><div> </div><div>The other half of the kitchen is getting the star treatment at the moment. The buffet/hutch thing is going into our new dining room (new for us, the rooms always been there we just like to move around a lot).</div><div>It is getting painted at the moment and will look a bit different when it is all finished, and yes you can have a look when it is done.
</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526399960099808530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3e8x7ZRI/AAAAAAAAAxg/OSGb2WiqK3k/s400/023+-+Copy.JPG" /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is oldest fish "helping " to drill the screws into the new cabinets that are going in the kitchen.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>
<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526399962230364338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3fEt5GLI/AAAAAAAAAxo/ZWgi_oaQZU8/s400/015+-+Copy+(2).JPG" />
This is what her sister did the whole time I was trying to take a picture, she just stands in front of me and does that. As if to say 'I'm ready for my close up'. So I had to take one of her as well.
</div><div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526400253006757666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3v_8YvyI/AAAAAAAAAxw/g2dLVQou0kY/s400/017+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" />
This is the kitchen minus the buffet/hutch thing (I never know what to call it so apologies if it's got a real name).</div><div> </div><div>It is getting a new benchtop to match the other one and the drawers will be painted the same once the wood putty sets properly. It would more than likely help if someone stopped poking the holes and ruining my putty applying skills. The poker has little fingers so I've narrowed down the suspects.</div><div> </div><div>Very observant people might have realised that the wall has been painted and is now natural white instead of pacifica. This has brightened up the room a huge amount and there is now no need to put a skylight in ;)</div><div> </div><div>And I even painted the cupboard doors as well. I'm thinking I'll leave the alcove where the fridge is the Pacifica colour as it looks okay.
</div><div>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3ezz0vaI/AAAAAAAAAxY/90DSpgXCQq4/s1600/017+-+Copy+(3).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526399957691841954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3ezz0vaI/AAAAAAAAAxY/90DSpgXCQq4/s400/017+-+Copy+(3).JPG" /></a>
So there you go, more work is being done and now oldest fish comes up to me (usually standing on a chair) and says "are you painting again?" in a sighing sort of voice. I promise I'll be finished soon....
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3etLqRbI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/VV_r4s42qLI/s1600/016+-+Copy+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526399955912770994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TLG3etLqRbI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/VV_r4s42qLI/s400/016+-+Copy+(2).JPG" /></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861669290452346956.post-58093221832629318992010-10-05T19:24:00.003+10:002010-10-05T19:57:52.428+10:00Revealed!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAgihIOI/AAAAAAAAAxI/gbio0LE8bMY/s1600/009+-+Copy+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524490684937085154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAgihIOI/AAAAAAAAAxI/gbio0LE8bMY/s400/009+-+Copy+(2).JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAfn515I/AAAAAAAAAxA/cbxq596kUy4/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524490684691240850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAfn515I/AAAAAAAAAxA/cbxq596kUy4/s400/008.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAZauxmI/AAAAAAAAAw4/-x0k77Qj8bY/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524490683025376866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzyrUJbbkXk/TKrvAZauxmI/AAAAAAAAAw4/-x0k77Qj8bY/s400/003.JPG" /></a>
<div></div></div></div>
<p>I was going to do one of those sneak peek type of posts but couldn't be bothered with revealing bits at a time so here it is!</p><p>The new room is finally all complete and moved in.</p><p>Most of the stuff in there is what we already had so as things wear out they will be replaced.</p><p>Pretend the lounge is a nice neutral colour instead of green and you'll get the picture. The bookcase was a bit of a pain to make (thanks Mr Fish!) but it worked in the end and holds heaps more books than our old one.</p><p>The tv stand was one we picked up at the tip shop that was in pretty good condition and just needed a bit of a sand and paint and some new handles. Our other tv stand has been cut in half (shock!) and is going in the new rumpus/sewing/computer room. It had been cut in half neatly so it still looks good, I promise!</p><p>The curtains are made of poplin so they are a bit floatly without being sheer and are nice and light. Concealed tab tops are my favourite as they are so easy to make and look nice.</p><p>There are still a few things to finish off and make like a couple of footstools (think beanbag for feet) and some cushion covers and I've got a wall hanging in mind for above the tv (dancing jellyfish, in a non tacky way) so they will get done gradually but for now we are DONE! </p>Joely Whitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04080272952249894410noreply@blogger.com4