Log Cabin Pillow

We are back from our trip to Brisbane! Thanks for all the good luck wishes - Sarah's team were fantastic and it was such a great experience for the kids. Thanks also for all the wonderful comments on my Midwest Modern Quilt - I was blown away by all the sweet feedback. 

We were very excited to find that Mod Podge Rocks featured our Mini Notebooks made from Laminex samples recently. If you aren't familiar with this inspiring blog you should check it out - Mod Podge is such a versatile product and it has so many applications.  I promise you won't know which project to start first. Thanks again Amy!

You may recall I made some scrappy log cabins earlier in the year. I have combined them to make a large cushion cover sized to fit a European Pillow.

These large pillows are great for kids to sit on while playing on the floor with their Lego etc. I added a little pocket on the back - perfect for leaving secret notes for each other. 

Posted by Lisa

Midwest Modern Finish

I put the finishing stitches into my Pink Midwest Modern Quilt last night. I love how the absence of a border and the use of white gives it a more modern look - quite a different look to some of my earlier quilts.  It was a snap to machine quilt using straight lines on the diagonal.

I am in need of a new hand sewing project so am planning on joining in on Kellie's quilt-a-long! The Joseph's Coat/Orange Peel block looks really effective. Now I just need to decide on the colour scheme.
Sarah and I are off to Brisbane tomorrow for the Tournament of Minds Finals so things will be quiet around here over the next week.

Edit: 2012 - You can find the pattern for this quilt here.
Posted by Lisa

"Life is Like A Box of Chocolates......

......you never know what you're going to get."  Forrest Gump in "Forrest Gump" (1994)
This is so very true and the one thing better than a box of chocolates, is chocolates that have been beautifully packaged.  Using small squares of double sided scrap booking paper (5 x 5 inches), you can quickly create these little chocolate boxes - perfect for an individual treat. 
I have made mine out of some Martha Stewart scrap booking paper that I purchased from Spotlight. They are going to be used at our next dinner party - simple and elegant!


I had some Christmas paper in my stash, and the boxes are the perfect size to hold a chocolate coin. 


Here is a template if you would like to make your own. Each square represents one inch. Simply draft the template onto cardstock, and use it as a template to draw the shape onto 5 x 5 inch squares of paper. Fold each flap inwards and overlap them to form a little box.



Thanks to my husband for this idea. He recently returned from a business trip with a sample box that the hotel had left on his pillow (minus the chocolate mint unfortunately!!). 


Edited Update 07/2012 - Check out this post for the downloadable template

Posted by Lisa

Button-tastic + Winner

Anyone who knows me well, know I am slightly crazy when it comes to buttons. I can't help it but I love everything about buttons. Perhaps it is because some of my early childhood memories involve me sitting on the floor sorting my Mum's big tin of buttons whilst she sewed. 

I have made up some button hearts for Christmas. I just need to add a hanging loop. 

I think I may attach names to them and use them as place cards for Christmas dinner. The guests can then take them home to add some buttony goodness to their Christmas decorating.

In other news, Sarah used the Random Number Generator to draw our winner in the Lighting Giveaway. We are pleased to announce that Susan from Stitch Scrap Sew is the winner. Susan Buyster Lighting will be sending you the voucher so you can make your selection.

Posted by Lisa

There's No Flies on Me!

Despite the cooler than average temperatures this spring, I am already dreaming of summer entertaining. We (or perhaps I should say my DH) has been busy in the garden this week getting rid of the winter weeds. We are planning on spreading some mulch and planting some seedlings over the next week or two.  One of the disadvantages of eating outdoors is the pesky flies that seem to be able to search out food within a 5 km radius. I remember my Mother and Grandmother used to have net throws that they would use to cover the food - practical and pretty!

With this in mind, I have made up a Weighted Food Cover (we live in a windy coastal suburb) for our next BBQ.

To make it, I used a 90 cm square of coloured net, and used four strips of cotton fabric  (6 inch wide) to bind each side. I slipped two zinc metal washers into each corner to act as a weight. 

I made it to match some coasters and place mats I made last summer out of linen and Farmers Market fabric. I think that these could make fun Christmas gifts.

Last night, Sarah and I went to see Julie and Julia. It was a great movie about cooking and blogging - two of our favourite things! I am now dreaming of some French inspired meals to serve alfresco. If only the weather would warm up!!

Posted by Lisa

Spotlight on Craft Lighting + Giveaway

Although I'd much rather work in natural daylight, I usually sew/craft in the evenings after work. Good adjustable task lighting is a must if you want to avoid eye strain. Sarah and I have work lamps on our craft tables, and I have another standard lamp next to my chair in the family room for hand sewing in front of the TV.

The benefits of good lighting include

• reducing eye strain and glare
• task lighting can elevate your mood and increase productivity. It will make your craft space more user friendly.
• you can save money by reducing ambient lighting costs and using energy efficient task lighting
• you can save the planet with energy efficient options.

Stephi Desk Lamp

Things to consider:

• Lights should evenly diffuse light over the work area and should not shine into users' eyes.
• Lights on movable arms provide more flexibility in the location and the quantity of light
• Your task lighting should focus light on your work area without producing glare.

Buyster Lighting are generously offering a $100 gift voucher to one of our readers to choose a lighting product to suit their needs. To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. You can get an extra entry if you are a subscriber or follower of this blog, or if you post about the giveaway on your site. Simply leave an extra comment for each additional entry you are eligible for. Sarah and I will draw the winner on Thursday 15th October.

NOTE: To enter this giveaway you need to have an Australian delivery address as Buyster only ship within Australia.

If you are in the market for a lamp, check out the range at Buyster Lighting. 

Madison Desk Lamp

Posted by Lisa and Sarah

Time for Tea?

Tea cures everything! Any problem always looks brighter after a bracing cup of tea. With this in mind I have been experimenting with some tea inspired projects this week. 

After seeing these clever tea cards , I created some of my own to send to friends. I included this sweet verse inside -

“May you always have walls for the winds,
 a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, 
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you 
and all your heart might desire.”  
  Irish Blessing

I also constructed some in a "match book" style - I think these would be fun to have at an afternoon tea.

They match some invitations I have been making  for a Special Birthday Celebration

Check this out - Kelly O has made some fabulous  Tea Towel aprons!

Thanks to Laura from A World in a Pan  for a Blog Award. Laura's blog is a gourmet feast!

The school holidays are whizzing by and we have been finding fun in simple things like family board games, movies, and catching up with friends. I have been staying away from the computer and having a bit of a blogging break - I hope to back to normal in a couple of weeks. 

Anyway I have to go - hopefully my kids will let me win this round!

Posted by Lisa

Sew Busy

I have managed to squeeze in a few sewing projects this week too! 

Getting my quilt top finished and ready for basting

Making some summer sleep shorts for Sarah

Making some cotton and linen pot holders to give to a friend

Making  a jewellery roll to put with a gift of earrings. 

Be back again soon :)

Posted by Lisa