Ironing Tables

Today's craft project is again brought to you by pinterest. These little beauties are ironing tables - designed for the sewer or quilter to have beside them as they sew. They are a lower height and smaller design so fit quite nicely into a sewing space. Better yet - they collapse.
We started with some wooden side tables - purchased from Aldi (of course)
Then we set about covering them.
For all of them we used ikea fabric in their heavier weight as the outer fabric, then two layers of wool wadding and one layer of insul bright which is a heat resistant product. Thus the table has protection and padding. We bought an electric stapler to stretch the fabric over and onto the table. This was easier when we removed one of the table legs.
To finish it off we trimmed back the layers of fabric and glued down some tape to hide the edges. We used furniture tacks to secure the tape and complete the look.

Mission accomplished - presents for Mum's bosses at work and one each for her and I.

Quilt

This was one of those things that seemed like a good idea at the time. I was the kinder president and we had a staff member leaving after 16 years. She had also been the only assistant that had taught any of my boys, working in both the 3 & 4s for all three boys. I wanted to get her something special to mark her resignation but also something special to her. My suggestion was a quilt - like I had seen Naomi do. With this in mind the wheels were set in motion and it was all a surprise. The children all did a drawing with fabric markers on white homespun. I picked the fabrics and we were away.

The design was set by the number of drawings and a simple alternate pattern was borne. The squares were finished 6 inches and I learnt the power of being exact - with my cutting and using the 1/4 inch foot. All new concepts to a rather impatient sewer who bends the rules.
No bending here - the top went together quite quickly and then I had to decide on a backing fabric. I was originally thinking about a blender but then I found this floral and it had to be.
Up to this point, I didn't understand the difficulty of quilting. Realistically it was a big basic pattern, but it all went together like a jigsaw. That is until you actually quilt! Even just getting it all together with the wool wadding is an issue. Geez - now I get it. I quilted in the ditch and then a cross pattern through the florals. This gave it enough stability and it felt quilted.
The final touch was on the front.

Best bit - she loved it - no really L O V E D it. That makes it all worthwhile. You know how you get when you are in the depths of a project and you start to question yourself. I didn't think it was good enough etc etc but the look on her face - the way she cried and the way she hugged that quilt - I knew it was the right gift.

Has it made a quilter of me - well not yet. I do have some fabric for a quilt for my bed. Another set of squares - thinking 2 inch with white - but that can go out to the professionals for quilting!

Christmas Kid Craft

Thanks to pinterest I did manage some christmas crafts this year. First off some decorations which were given with a card to each of Benji and Spencer's kinder friends. These were made out of a cornflour and Bicarb soda concoction that was fairly easy to make. I found it cracked if it was too thick and we had to wait a few days for them to dry. Once they were dry I decorated the boys trees with texta and their initial and the girls star with a simple initial. The lettering was from old rub on letrasets that I had in my stash.
We also made the teachers cards. These are expertly photographed on the seat of my car as they are about to be given away but you get the idea. They are felt trees which the kids helped stick the star and base on. Alexander was happily sewing on the bells and then each little boy put together the final look.
Finally, another favourite doing the internet rounds this year was the reindeer noses. I was quite happy with how these all turned out - the only issue is not melting those malteesers.

Shhhhh... Secret Sales

There are three sales I should tell you about- especially in the lead up to Christmas.

1. Crafty

The first is a crafty one - Craft Smart which has been estended this week. I picked up lots of christmas DIY decorations and sparkles here. Really good for educators - my kinder teachers went wild.

Where: 21-23 Joseph Street, North Blackburn

When: Monday 21 Nov to Friday 25 Nov 9am-5pm

Email: craft@craftdirect.com.au or Telephone: 1300 354 240

2. Smelly

Doesn't sound like such a nice one , but quite the contrary. This is SAX International which is open from 21 November to 23 December (M- F 9 - 5. Sat til 3. Cash only) offering up to 75% off original retail prices of cosmetics, perfume, bodycare, accessories etc. They have wicked sista cosmetic bags, watches and heaps of body products which are perfect for stocking stuffers or teacher gifts. I got some things for me (of course) and pressies for the swimming teachers.

Address 16 Stamford Road, Oakleigh East - not far from Chadstone Shopping Centre.

3. Wrapped

No not wrapping paper - but Scarves. The Great Melbourne Scarf warehouse sale is on from 1 -3 December from 8 - 6. They say they have a "massive clearance of luxurious imported lightweight silk and wool scarves and wraps PLUS womens wear, childrens wear, homewears, baby wraps, fashion handbags and jewellery at wholesale price and less."

I have been to previous sales and they are worth a visit. Have lovely scarves and wraps. The clothes I haven't really looked at - mainly girls I would suggest and things have to be a good bargain at a sale to grab my attention - not just wholesale. I have bought necklaces there in the past- chunky plastic decorative ones. Statement pieces and the kinder teachers are getting gifts from there too.

It has moved from Malvern to 15 Harker Street Burwood and they take credit and eftpos as well as cash.

Happy Shopping!!

Fishing

Mum & Dad had the boys for the night and took them up to Buxton fishing today. It was a trout farm where apparently they supply everything and you pay for what you catch - and there is a no throw back policy.

Benji caught his and the first fish of the day

Followed by Xandy

And finally Spencer. Who was cool with the idea of fishing, but not so much with the wriggling fish on the line.

They caught 6 fish, and stopped putting bait on the line or else we would have a fridge full of fish! Everyone had a lovely day.

This is Benji's dance when he caught a fish - he caught three which is great because he has been the one obsessed with fishing, and having done it now, still is. This one came out Pure Bloke.

I cooked up the fish for dinner tonight - baked whole with sliced lemon, parsley and mint from the garden. On a bed of spinach with some chips as a sweetener for the kids. Bones a bit of an issue but it was tasty and they liked the idea of eating their catch.

Fashion Update

Last night we had a year level catch up which was was themed - Stakes Night after the races. So often I make things to wear out and never capture a picture of them, so last night I remembered to get one- albeit after the evening had finished and we were back home!This is the dress that I wore. It is a burnout silk velvet that I picked up as a remnant piece at Rathdowne Remnants. So worth a visit if you need something a little special or different. It has yellow binding around the neckline. It is sheer so I have a petticoat underneath and it all was surprisingly comfortable.
Headgear was a must and this little facinator I picked up in a sale (of course I did!!) when shamrock craft had clearance. When I got this it was fill a box for $20 and it has been hanging around waiting for an occasion, where it finally got an outing.
Finally - this coat. Inspired by Burberry's version of a trench which Kate of Cambridge wore so well - you can see it here - which could do with a press, but I got from Mum for my birthday. She whipped it up as a surprise and it has had a few outings already. I think it will be a great piece when the weather cools down again.

Saggy Baggy Elephants

Today was the annual Joey scouts day at zoo,

but the staff we saw didn't seem to have much clue.

We sat in the car while the heavy rain showered

Because we were early - by one whole hour!

(the closed zoo gates)

Finally inside we braved the weather to to see our favourite animals,

We raced around and woke up the orangutans, elephants and giraffes so tall

The rain set in and we headed home, Xandy had a basketball game at 11.

We left as all the Joey mobs were arriving - though it was hard to tell as they all had the garbage bag rain covers. Xandy will be happy as he will get the badge for his blanket and sometimes that is what it is all about.