Feng Shui

My 13 year old son recently brought to my attention that it is no longer cool to have a framed Spiderman picture hanging in his bedroom (Gosh they grow up fast!) so I have been looking around for a replacement.

We have been fortunate enough to have three family holidays to Asia over the past couple of years (Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia) and my son is interested in all things Asian at present (he even has one of those Golden Chinese New Year cats in his room). I found a nice frame at Ikea and set him and my husband to work finding an Image on the web of an Asian symbol that they could print out. They didn’t find what they were after but discovered this site when you can translate any words to Chinese characters.

They printed out the characters on some textured white paper and the result is really effective. They tried to tell me that is says “Eat my Shorts!” but I think the translation has something to do with prosperity and luck! (Sorry for the poor photo – the metal frame was highly reflective).

Flower Power!

I was so happy with the results of the butterflies that I decided to make another picture for my room only this time with flowers.

A few people have asked where to get the punches. My mum bought the Fiskars/Heidi Grace punch from Big W for about $8. For the paper I used a spare Hancock's of Paducah catalogue. This is good because it has all different colours and patterns in it. To make the flowers slightly raised I used sticky foam dots. My Mum and I had trouble finding a deep frame but found one when we went to IKEA. It was a ribba for $10.

Posted by Sarah

Softies Sewing

Sarah and I recently purchased the Softies book and I have been having fun experimenting with some of the patterns. Firstly I have whipped up several of “Arno the Cat” using fabrics from my stash and made some bibs to match. I made the bibs using two co-ordinating quilting cottons, sandwiched a layer of flannel between them, and finished them off with a snap closure.

It has been fun making baby goods again, something I haven’t done for some time (my “babies” are 11 and 13 years old now) . There is a baby due in our extended family later in the year so I have a good excuse to make lots of softies between now and then!

Posted by Lisa

Butterflies

 I cut these butterflies with a butterfly punch out of magazines and scrapbooking paper and then I stuck them on a plain piece of card using foam dots. I put them in a frame I already had but a deeper one would work better as they would have 3D affect.

I got the idea from Two Lime Leaves.

Posted by Sarah

East Meets West

Hope you are yours had a wonderful Easter – ours was a special one, with four generations getting together today at our place to celebrate the holiday (5 years to 89 years)! Sarah and I have been busy with lots of Easter baking – Easter Cupcakes, Choc Caramel Muffins, Chocolate Meringue Tartlets, Lemon Meringue Tartlets, etc (Not to mention all the chocolate that has been consumed!)

I did, however, find time to whip up a notebook cover using some fabrics that I had left from a quilt project that I made in 2001. It was the first quilt I ever made and it was not long after we moved to Houston, Texas. (We have since moved home to Perth, Western Australia). During the time we were living in Houston I made it to the International Quilt Expo twice which was a definite highlight. Hopefully I will return again one day. The Quilt was called “East Meets West” and used some indigo coloured Japanese prints, elements of shasiko embroidery, and was embellished with some Japanese coins.

Here is the notebook cover. Fortunately I had one Japanese coin left that I used on the flap with Velcro on the underside

East Meets West Quilt

Posted By Lisa

Tutorial: Quick Notebook Cover

Someone asked me recently for instructions on how to make a notebook cover. This is a super easy and quick notebook cover. It took approximately one hour. Sarah has now claimed it as her own. Fortunately I purchased two notebooks so will now have to get started on one for myself!  

Requirements:
• cover fabric
• lining fabric
• flannette
• 1 x button
• small piece of elastic
  1 x eyelet
• notebook with a sturdy bound cover (I found a great A6 sized one at Office Works)

Seam allowance: ¼ inch

1. To calculate the size of the fabric, measure notebook length from top to bottom and add 1 inch to this measurement. Measure notebook width from front cover to back cover (including width of spine) and add 5 inches to this measurement.

2. Cut out the fabric to the size you calculated. Cut out one piece in the main cover fabric, one in the lining fabric and one in the flannette.


3. Layer the fabric so that the right sides of the main and lining fabric are facing, with the flannel placed under the lining fabric, and pin to hold layers together.

4. Sew around the edge of the fabric using ¼ inch seam allowance and leaving a 3 inch gap for turning.


5. Clip the corners, and then turn the cover so the right side is on the outside using a chopstick or turning stick to get nice sharp points in the corners. Pin the gap in the cover. Press the cover.

6. Place the cover on the notebook so that it is centred and fold the flaps in under the notebook so that both sides are even (approx 2 1/4 inch). Pin the flaps in place. Sew along the top and bottom of the cover, sewing the flaps in place, and enclosing the gap in the cover as you sew. You will need to use a 1/8 inch seam and go through all layers.

7. Position eyelet inside back flap approximately 1/3 of the way down from the top and near to the crease and attach following directions.

8. Position button near front edge of notebook cover approximately 1/3 of the way down from the top.

9. Thread a loop of thin elastic through eyelet and cut to size. Secure by sewing through both ends of elastic and notebook cover. Press and then Voila!!

 You could adapt the design by using a patchwork cover. Instead of using the button and elastic you could either omit this altogether or use a fabric tab and velcro to hold the notebook closed.

If you make up one of these, let me know, I would love to see the pics. The possibilities are endless!

Posted by Lisa

Ideas File

I have had a busy week at school and haven't had much time to post. I have finally found a spare minute to post.

I have been busy making this Ideas File using the Klutz kit "Paper Fashions" and a blank note pad.

This is my finished result.

Posted by Sarah

A Good Start to the Week....

I arrived home from work today to find a lovely surprise! Our much awaited order arrived from Retro Mummy, with some lovely cupcake fabric that Sarah is going to use to make a recipe book cover for her collection of favourite recipes (most featuring chocolate!!). The gorgeous Eskimo print I will probably use to make some of those pencil/crayon rolls.

I finished another three Jewellery Rolls on the weekend using some lovely fabrics from Moda's Urban Chicks collection.

Hope your week has got off to a good start a well!

Posted By: Lisa

Organic Washcloths

I have been enjoying a spot of knitting this week making some washcloths. I found this interesting yarn at Spotlight called Corn, which is 100% corn fibre. It knitted up well and is very soft on the skin and quick drying. I thought of making up a batch for gifts. Sarah is going to make up some bath salts in co-ordinating colours and we will do up some spa packs for family and friends. I did a search on patterns for washcloths and my favourite one is here.

What type of yarns do others use for washcloths/dishcloths? I would be interested to find out.

Posted by Lisa

Recipe

Here is the recipe for the Oaty Choc-Chip Cookies (source: Delicious Magazine Feb 07)
125g unsalted butter
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1/2 cup (100g) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/4 cup (110g) rolled oats
1 cup (150g) plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
175g dark chocolate, chopped
150g roasted hazelnuts, peeled, chopped

Preheat oven to 170 deg. Line 3 baking trays with baking paper.

Using electric beaters, beat butter, sugars and vanilla until pale and thick. Beat in egg until just combined. Using a wooden spoon fold in oats. Sift flour, baking powder, soda and i/2 teaspoon salt over mixture, then fold in. When almost incorporated fold in chocolate and hazelnuts. Using ice-cream scoop, scoop balls of dough (1 heaped tablespoon) onto tray 4 cm apart. Flatten slightly, then bake in two batches for about 10 minutes or until golden. Cookies will feel soft but will crisp as they cool.

I made these without the hazelnuts and they worked out really well. They were nice in my lunchbox 
for school.

Posted By Sarah

Cookies Galore!

Recently I have made lots of types of cookies that I thought you might want to see.

Oaty Chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate freckle biscuits

Double chocolate chip cookies

Posted by Sarah

Easter Ideas and Gift Project.

I have been really busy at work this week which has limited my free time to sew. I have been working on a really practical gift idea for all the girls in my extended family, and have nearly tweaked the design. The best thing is that it uses fabrics from my stash and is fat quarter friendly. I will be making up a pattern soon. Here is a sneak peak......

With just over a week to go until Easter, I need to get a bit organised. I usually like to do some easter baking and make some treats (featuring chocolate of course!). Lincraft have some great ideas for packaging Easter gifts. One of my favourites is this clever idea to package cookies.

We've been Tagged!

We  have been tagged by Heids from Sewing for Grace which was a lovely surprise as we are really new to the world of blogging.

These are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you

2. Post "The Rules" on your blog

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog

4. Tag seven people and link to them

5. Comment on their blogs to let them know they have been 'tagged'

So here goes....
1. We love to Travel (Sarah has been to 14 countries and she is only 11 years)
2. We have lived in Paris and Houston
3. We have no pets (Lisa and Sarah are both highly allergic)
4. We both love chocolate - eating it and cooking with it. We live for our daily intake!
5. Sarah is an inventor and has her own business selling childrens oven gloves
6. We are both bookworms and read 2-3 novels a week.
7. We discoverred the world of blogging 4 weeks ago!

We don't really know anyone yet to tag but these blogs may like to join the fun!
1. Selina from Wild Things of Noosa
2. Mel from Skye Rocket Sews
3. Kelly from Don't Look Now

Posted By: Sarah and Lisa

More Bags and an Apron...

I have been wanting to experiment with sewing plastic for some time.
Yesterday I made a sweet little apron where I overlaid a thin layer of
plastic sheeting (sold at Spotlight as thin tablecloth plastic) over the
top of the retro fabric and then stitched it together with bias tape
around the edges. This is a great apron design for the little ones as it
covers them well. With the plastic coating it would be great for all types
of messy activities - cooking, painting etc.

I am still going through my bag making phase and have added a brown tote to
my collection. This one was embellished with a touch of stitching on the front
panel.

Posted By: Lisa

Kitchen

This week I have been busy making lot of interesting things such as:

Tea towel apron - an apron made out of a tea towel and some ribon or twill tape. The apron has three pockets.

 

I have also made a Coaster from the Bend the Rules Sewing by angry chicken. I have made it to match the quilt my mum is making for me and the mat on my chest of draws.

Posted by Sarah

Tutorials I have been Playing with This Week...

I had some fun making this cute pincushion ....
and fabric gift tags....

Posted by: Lisa

Bags.....

I have been experimenting with a few different bag designs this week - tote's and smaller handbags - and a range of fabrics (denim, cottons, canvas). Here are some of my results.....

Posted by: Lisa

Japanese Prints

I have been working on the family room furnishings this week and have added another Japanese inspired, indigo coloured, pillow to the trio in the familiy room. I then whipped up some coasters and a table runner to match.

Posted By: Lisa