Leftovers... Fabric that is!

A few weeks back I decided that, as a family, we should be civilised and have some handy napkins to use at dinner. And as I've been trying to make an effort to finish projects, get rid of fabric and wool and art supplies I won't need, (which is harder than you may think) I decided to make some napkins!

Nothing like fancy flamingos and palm tree prints!!

So, I cut out a heavy card for a template approx 13x13 inches and cut all the napkins to be around the same size. Then pinned down and ironed out all the hems at about 5mm or a quarter of an inch.. That right there is enough to drive you bonkers. (BONKERS!) So tedious, but once that is done, all you need is a simple stitch and ta da! Look ma! Clean faces! and hands!

about a 5mm hem on all sides, pressed over twice and stitch!

Yeah, I know. My stitching is far from perfect, but it's done with love!

I've been slowing collecting old dress shirts of Jacob's, some old pyjamas that I love the print but can't bare throwing them away, and lots of other red and light blue fabrics. The goal... A quilted duvet cover for our king size doona/duvet! According to my calculations... (geeeeeeeeek warning)

I'm going to need a lot more squares!!!! Damn!

Any other ideas for using up scrap fabric? 

I'd love to here your ideas!!

xo

*the long weekend

Is it really almost over??? So sad. But I was able to do heaps of stuff around the house. Cleaned. Rearranged my office. Did a little sewing. Lots of crocheting. I should have been drawing, but wasn't in the mood. Watched a lot of Rugby.. not happy about the Hurricane's game, but I'll survive.

Here are the random bits I did...

Got my toys together.

And painted some old frames.

The 'after' is much nicer now.

Fixed one of Timmy's old toys..

He's a happy boy now!

Worked on the Granny Square Monster Blankie.

And organised like mad...

And went a little nuts with the Blue Tack and some dodgy old samples from work. 
I love being able to use things that would just get thrown away.(*)


And last but not least.

Taking advantage of the fact it's still semi-warm enough to hang out the laundry. 

*So. Yeah. My work and a few other companies, I'm noticing, have so much wastage. I work with a few companies that go through constant retail display changeovers and the materials just go to waste. It's been really doing my head in. I'm not sure if I could ever do anything to change this, but at least I can take advantage of the throw away materials. Whether it be old samples, paper nobody will use, vinyl material that if misprinted, would just get chucked out. I'm trying... but having fun with it. 

xo

*what's hot & not - the heat wave version

Yay! It's Wednesday! Almost the weekend, right??

Hotness :

Besides the heatwave we are having... I'm not sure if it's a plus or a minus yet.

Picking up on old projects : The Cork Board
I've been wanting to finish this for sometime.
My husband rocks at commonsense sometimes.. "Cut the bubbly corks in half with a utility knife..." he says. "Genius!" I say. But I still need at least twice as many to make it the size I want, looks like I have a lot of vino consuming to do!

Slowly expanding my sewing knowledge :
Ok. The zipper thing is STILL doing my head in... And lining??? Gah! I'm going to take a class soon at the Thread Den, ahh the basics. I am happy with the colours though. :)
That's pretty hot..

Feeding my addiction for True Blood : 
Yes. I love my library. I finally started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books that True Blood is based on. I'm really loving it! MUST.... READ....... MORE!!

I'm such a chick sometimes!


Not so hot:

Ok, yes the heat.
34C is a little too warm for me in November - December yes, but not yet! (94F degrees for reference) Apparently it'll cool down to 23C (74F) next week if we're lucky.

Husband's falling off their bicycles.
Last week, Jacob came home with roadburn on his arm, hand, and leg, a bruised hip and a bruised ego. He's all good, but it's also scary to hear that news nonetheless.

Melbourne's graffiti laws.
How is that people get harrased, arrested and detained when working on a comissioned piece on private property is beyond me. Evil.

Also, I know it's Veteran's Day back home and Remembrance Day here.... but it's also a few important people's birthdays!!

Happy 13th Birthday to my gorgeous and beautiful niece, Nikki! I'm missing her heaps right now!
and..
Happy Birthday to the one and only Dunc!!! You boys are finally catching up in age!!
xo

*DIY Inspiration - Tank Top Totes

Love love love this!!

I'm always inspired to reconstruct old things. So of course, I'm totally curious and cannot wait to make this! I just have to finally go through my old clothes and singlets for something to convert.... That's the toughest part.

The full tutorial is here.

Thanks Craftynest for the inspiring bit and pieces :)

xo