Cotton Pod

Recently a mystery challenge was offered. I, like most, are intrigued by the word mystery, and combined with challenge, it was a challenge not to be missed.

I posted my self-addressed envelope, and after it was misdirected by the Post Office, the instructions, along with a pretty piece of fabric and matching buttons arrived. I read the instructions; they seemed simple enough to follow. Rather than risk messing up the pretty blue and green fabric I decided to make a trial mystery item. It turned out OK.

Next I worked on the blue and green fabric, which cried out to me for a little embellishment of lace.

The mystery item turned out to be a cotton pod, a simple enough structure that evolved from the designer having difficulty in keeping cotton tidy in her sewing basket. The cotton pod is an ingenious way of storing cotton; the pod can be made using a small piece of fabric and could be made to 'match' your sewing implements.

You are interested in making one? It is not difficult. The pattern, which is free, is available HERE.

Make one or two, or more!

It's a cats life

Earlier in the week I acquired a pattern for a 'cat block', and after a trip to the city have purchased the beginnings of another project. While this will be on the back burner for a few days [or longer] my idea as to its final look are solidfying. At the moment I have no plan for the borders etc, it all depends on what I decide is needed. This of course makes for an interesting project ... it is one that will go which ever way the mood takes me along the journey.

One of the most interesting facets of any craft is the one undertaken with a sudden urge. Last weekend the construction of the pot holder gave a clear picture of how one can begin and complete an article in a short time; giving the creator a feeling of a job well done. A short sweet project gives one a fillip and pushes forward the idea that a few of these are worthwhile ... even though I do have projects awaiting attention.

While sorting through, or tidying up, my fabrics I realised I had enough for another pot holder. Not long after I first bought my sewing machine in an effort to become familiar with it, I made a pot holder, one that I find immensely useful. I remember at the time thinking that if I make it again I would do the binding different. Of course I forgot that stored information, and blithely followed the pattern. It wasn't until I began sewing on the binding I remembered. Too late! I had no desire to unpick half the binding, so plodded on. Now I have written 'my correction' on the pattern, for future reference. This pattern is particularly useful and adaptable ... I will make it again, and soon.

Australasia

Today saw me celebrating, although in a very low key manner, two wins. One ... the All Blacks beat the Wallabies in rugby, which is a feather in the cap of the smaller nation. As I have spent most of my life in New Zealand it is not difficult to guess who I favour! That such a small country, population wise, should have such dominance in this sport is nothing short of incredible.

The other win ... Fremantle Dockers won the AFL Western Derby, hugely, over The West Coast Eagles. Least said about the score the better ... I felt sorry for Eagles' supporters.

I dislike sitting listening to football and not keeping my hands busy. Today I decided to combine Australia and New Zealand in a project. My 'pot holder' that we use to pour hot water from the kettle [boiling on the pot belly stove] into a cup of coffee needs washing. For some time I concluded I needed another holder for that express purpose, and today I sorted through my stash for suitable fabric.

A green background with ferns and kiwis was appropriate to represent New Zealand, and as green and gold are the colours of Australia, a plain gold fabric served to illustrate Australia. Green and gold together is just too Australian; a dividing shade was required. A beige paisley suited that purpose admirably.

While the Dockers demolished the Eagles I sewed. By the end of the game a new pot holder was completed. A small project, but one that profitably filled in the afternoon, and in colours that have some meaning for me will remind me in days and weeks ahead of the 1st day in August.

My mystery challenge is turning out pretty good, and already I can see how I can make it just a little prettier, if prettier is the correct word. One day I just might publish a photo here, but no ... not today!

Two minutes ago I had a phone call ... My Man, after one night in hospital and for exactly what we are not yet certain, is on his way home. His PICC line is out and, fingers crossed, all will be OK.

A Mystery Challenge

A Mystery Challenge was announced. I signed up, posted my envelope away, and waited in anticipation for the mail. The days wound by. No mail! Mail arrives from New Zealand quicker than from 'the other side' of Australia!

My daughter arrived from the southern city. As My Man has had several visits to the regional hospital, finally being admitted [again] today for an undefined period] he collected the mail before making one of his 'wasted' trips to hospital, thus my envelope with details of the mystery challenge didn't arrive until late.

This evening I carefully read the instructions. I could visualise how the article should look upon completion, but, not wishing to waste the lovely fabric included with the pattern and instructions, I have begun a 'trial article'. It is an interesting exercise making something one has no idea of how it should finally look ... though my visualisation is usually reasonably correct. And no, I am not going to post a photo of this mystery article, nor divulge what it is! Some things are best kept secret!

So ... as I haven't sewn for a few days, but instead have gone galavanting to the northern city; almost doing the 'tourist thing'. My usual visit to the city entails grocery shopping [essential to maintain life], or shopping at my favourite fabric shop [essential to maintain mental health ... boredom is boring, and doing nothing creative is boring], this trip allowed us to make a close encounter with a spectacular memorial that is extremely relevant to Geraldton.

We visited the Memorial to the men on board the HMAS Sydney who, on 19th November 1941, lost their lives when the Sydney was involved in an encounter with the HSK Kormoran. On 16th March 2008 the ship was found 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, WA. A memorial was erected commemorating the sixty years on 19th November 2001.

The memorial is situated high on a Geraldton hill, and consists of a dome that has a seabird for each of the 645 crew lost. A sculpture of a wife looking out to sea searching for any sign of her man is a poignant work of art; one cannot help but feel completely engaged with her obvious signs of anxiety ... a furrowed brow, her eyes are clearly pained, she wears around her neck a chain with an anchor and has a wedding ring on her finger ... her clothing is reminiscent of the 1940's. This memorial brings home the agony, and the utter futility of war.

Stitch in Time?

The year is fast running through the hourglass of time; Christmas and 2011 are around the corner. The old saying, A Stitch in Time Saves Nine, has worn well over the years, though in today's modern, and too fast society, few make the initial stitch, and many profess to not have the time.

For a few days it appeared that my sewing table, which still neglects to show its true colours, so laden down it is, was becoming a mountain of projects through which I could see no end. Deciding to limit my time on the computer, a self imposed restriction that did work, I worked steadily at the QAYG project that I volunteered to undertake.

QAYG? Aha, there may be many out there who are unaware of that acronym, one that I was completely in the dark about in June. In July a glimmer of light shone through the dimness ... that was because the word was explained. Quilt as you go. Easy isn't it when told! The Forum decided to donate a quilt to a charity, and the members invited to tender their effort. Not being an old hand at quilting, but one willing to take a chance and learn I offered to do my block; a block for charity! We were invited to make one or as many as we wished. In the beginning I volunteered to make two, but once the first two were complete, and ideas still swishing around my mind, I increased the count. I have made five; and sincerely hope they are what is needed. Thankfully I am not the one to bind them together into a quilt! [I rather think if that were so I would need to purchase a wig!]

Above is my completed effort ... all that is left is to mail it away, and carry on with other projects that are screaming for attention.

Stippling and other Things

Two weeks without a posting! I do have an excuse; correction ~ a reason, because a reason is more acceptable than an excuse.

Visitors, rain, the need to chase firewood; the reasons are endless.

The most important one is I have been busy. After consigning the Attic windows quilt to the plastic box that holds so much of my crafty items, and after watching a video that made free-motion quilting look like child's play, I bit the bullet. Not without some trepidation I must add!

The stippling is not perfect, but the more I do, the better I should become. Well that is what those who know these things say ... the old adage; practice makes perfect. I aim for perfection, but will be content with pretty good.

I have taken part in an apron swap, and while this particular item is now complete and ready for mailing, I won't post a picture here as these swaps are not supposed to be opened until 1st September, which is a whole season away! However, I will try to hold onto the suspense.

Last week the winter arrived, with a vengeance. Hearing the weather forecast over the weekend I made a decision ... do some washing on Sunday, which is not part of my normal routine. Monday promised rain and wind. While My Man laughed at me on Monday morning as I filled the washing machine almost before the sun had risen, that choice proved a wise one. By late morning the first drops of rain fell from a leaden sky; my washing was dry enough to rescue, and indeed it was only the heavier items that needed a little airing.

Thankfully we had 'chased' enough firewood to see us through, and although heavy showers descended upon us for much of the next day, and the rain gauge level continued to rise, reaching 74ml over three or four days, at least it was warm and dry indoors ... just the weather for a little concentrated sewing.

I must remember to tell the maid that she must make a bigger effort to keep the floor tidy during one of my sewing sessions ... little threads of cotton are not a pretty sight!

Today the bees are busy in the gum flowers, the two tawny frog-mouths are sleeping the day away in the shelter of a bent branch on the gum tree outside the back door, and the sun is shining.