Finders Keepers and Simply Phoebe

Despite having lots of projects to finish before I leave on holidays, I took myself off to the Finders' Keeper 
market
held in the old museum building at Bowen Hills.  I remember fondly taking Liam and Shannon to the old museum on the day it closed..so different to the new museum in South Brisbane.  But it is great to see this beautiful building put to good use as the home of the Queensland Youth Orchestra, amongst other things.

But Saturday and Sunday saw it turned into an extraordinary craft market.  Shannon's friend Phoebe from Simply Phoebe was there with her fabric necklaces.  

Needless to say, I couldn't resist buying a piece for someone special who I knows just loves Phoebe's work.

More Rainy Days

 

A friend asked me if I would make a birthday present for a little girl.  Naturally Phil and Jack was happy to oblige.  I had in my ever expanding stash, the complete range of Rainy Days and Mondays in the cream/lemon/pink tones with the contrasting red dots. So I set about putting together this little skirt. 

This I decided to make the little brooch which can be worn on a Tshirt which to coordinate the complete outfit.  The stash is not reducing, though, as it is just too easy to continue to buy fabric..there is just so much out there to choose from.  Can't wait to get started on my next project..will certainly post photos as I am buying a new camera tomorrow.   Up until now I have been relying on a work colleague to help out with the photos. After much deliberation and research, I have decided to buy a Canon G12 as I really want a camera with a viewfinder and that limits the choices. Let's hope it lives up to expectations.

Shannon on a London Bike

 

I love this photo of Shannon just about to take a London bike for a spin.  She tells me her husband Nick uses a bike everyday to get from the tube to his work.  I must admit it all seems a bit scarey to me to cycle around London streets competing with those big buses..and with no helmets.  I guess bikes are more acceptable as a legitimate mode of transport in Europe and I am sure Shannon will want to take advantage of a similar bike scheme on a forthcoming trip to Paris.  I am pretty sure I won't be joining her.  Thanks for the photo, Shan. 

Rainy Days and Mondays (and Saturdays, Sundays)

I just love this little skirt I made from the Riley Blake Rainy Days and Mondays collection.  I am having a wonderful time seeking out fabrics and creating stylish and practical clothes for little people.  Lots of swirl  for twirling around in this little skirt!  I love this Little Bird pattern..but being a quilter often get myself in a muddle with inches versus cms.  After I finished this little number, I realsed I had the raindrop panels upside down! But do love the umbrellas and the umbrella tops in the waist ands hem bands.  What clever fabric designers we have out there.  With the weather Brisbane has been experiencing over the last few days, this seemed an appropriate time to highlight my 'rainy days' skirt.

Yet Another Cook Book

I just couldn't resist buying this beautiful cookbook from the Hummingbird Bakery in London. (I wasn't actually in London - but bought it at bargain price from one of the booksellers that comes to work). Gweneth Paltrow had this to say about the bakery: "The Hummingbird Bakery is a sweet tooth's delight.  The cupcakes are legendary and our special occasions are always chock full of Hummingbird goodies."

 We had a special morning tea at work on Friday to farewell a couple of folk who were heading back to Toowoomba, so I decided to try out the new cookbook.  I made the chocolate cup cakes (patty cakes in my day).  The process was a little different to what I have been used to,  instead of creaming the butter and sugar, etc. you mixed the flour, sugar and butter together first.   I was a bit dubious about how they would turn out.  No need to be concerned, they were lovely.  This is now going to become my 'go to' cook book when I need to prepare something sweet.  All cakes quickly disappeared before I had a chance to snap this very last one.
 

Sweet Little Dress

This little dress is a favourite of mine.  The fabric is gorgeous Windham Fabric from their 1930s Storybook range.  So simple but so effective.  Bit hard to see, but it is Little Bo Peep looking for her sheep. 

Same but Different

My very first post related to the quilting course I did with two special friends at Patches.  Eventhough the sample quilt involved the same techniques, the course produced very different results..just with the choice of fabrics.  I wanted something to tone in with my Laura Ashley blue themed living room and Anne wanted something to suit her newly upholstered lounge which will shortly be moving to the Anne and Gary's new home on their property outside of Laidley. 

This is my quilt top.  I am very happy with it, despite the fact that on lesson 4, I left all my fabrics at home and had to make a hasty decision to purchase some extra fabrics.

And this is Anne's:

Gorgeous, hey?

I am still awaiting photos from my friend, Liz, who produced a really contemporary looking quilt..