Late Summer

The rumours were true about us getting summer in March!  I won't complain though as we have been able to get a lot done at home.  

Today was a holiday.  So not only was it a brilliant day as we were home, but the day was just magnificent.  Stuart & I had a big day.  Stuart had got quite a bit done over the rest of the weekend so I could get in there & nail some wire on fence palings.  It was great.  It is really good to be almost just about done.  But we ran out of wire, again!  Also out of U shaped nails that I have been nailing on.  I even went out to buy the next hardware store out.  So I have to find another hardware store this week.  (unfortunately Stuart knows that it is close to Spotlight so he doesn't think it is a good idea at all that I go to get them!  lol)  

Having got most of the wire on though I did open the chicken run so the girls could have a walk.  Snowy was the only one to brave the yard the first time & then later on when it had cooled off a bit I tried again & they all went for a walk about catching bugs.  They are quite quick really!  

While they were roaming, the boys were playing in the sprinkler.  We haven't done a great deal of that sort of thing at all this past summer.  So it was a really terrific day!  Busy & lazy too.  

Beautiful Rain

I was given a stack of souvenir tea-towels last week.  I was a bit excited!  I also picked up another couple in an op shop.  They weren't there last week!  Timed that well.  

Work on Saturday meant I didn't do much of anything but did get started on them on Saturday evening.  

The lovely rain all morning this morning meant that I had a good chance to power through some bags though.  13 bags, 2 of which went back to the giver of some of the towels.  She is excited to be able to use them in a more interesting way, that not drying dishes as we all know souvenir tea-towels are made to look at really as they don't dry a thing.  

Here is a selection of them anyway.  A couple of interesting ones that aren't from a particular place like most are.  But certainly retro!  

I also got my sauce making action happening...  I am not one to make stuff like that usually.  But this lot of little red things needed some use.  It was a very productive day!

What's Hiding In A Cupboard

I really love scraps of fabric, wool or anything.  Do you know why?  I don't see them as scraps!  Yes they are bits & pieces, but they are always waiting & ready to be turned into something!  

From scraps you get stuff.  Hopefully mostly useful things too.  

Yes, I did it.  I made a few more fabric baskets.  They didn't take long.  I had to play with them a bit so I have a couple with multi-coloured sides too.  But I think they look pretty cool.  I really like the world map one in the middle at the bottom.  

Oh yeah, there is one missing as I was asked by DJ to use some fabric for one for him.  So I did of course.  

Fabric Baskets

I'm mad you know.

I said I wouldn't do any more.  

But ummm.....  ooops...

Just using up a bit of the stash fabric that I have in the fair box, plus some quilt wadding scraps.  All good really.  

I found a pattern at work that I decided was easy.  I could also shrink it to fit onto the strips of fabric I had stashed.  So that was cool.  The one on the top is the first one I made.  It is actually missing it's draw cord through the top though.  I need to get some.  But I decided I could make some more quickly leaving the sleeve off for the draw cord & just make them box types of things instead.  They aren't too bad.  They aren't tiny or anything.  We'll see how it goes.  My fabric is lightening up a little so that's a good thing.  

Fell Chicken Farm

There was much excitement today.  We are now the proud owners of 4 little hens.  They would nearly be 6 months old I guess.  They came all the way from...   next door.  

They are settling in we hope.  They were used to being chased & picked up as they had 2 little girls taking care of them.  Now they have 2 boys ready & willing - for the moment at least.  

It was very warm again though so they chose to take cover in the shade under the Hen Hilton.  Can't say I blame them at all.  

We all chose a name & so they are now refered to as Billy, Snowy, Hettie & Doris.  

Also some progressed was made on the rest of the fence so before too long it should be all looking very fancy!  

Crazy Bag Lady

After quite a bit of unsuccessful op shopping looking for souvenir tea-towels, all I could come up with was seven.  

Oh well, that's just going to have to do then isn't it?

Yes, more stuff for the fair.  I have lined them with calico & put canvas webbing on for handles & voila, a cute & unusual tote bag.  Plus there is a picture both sides albeit upside down on the other.  Oh well, that's part of the novelty I think.  

Fair Madness

I was given one of these little notepad holders yesterday.  My dear old friend had made some for her church fair.  She gave me one to copy.  Top centre one is hers opened out.  Two pockets on the left, one in the centre for a little pen or pencil & then a pocket on the right for a little notebook to slide in.  I stocked up on little notepads.  I bought 10!  ONLY 10.  So I sewed 10.  That's it.  Done.  I just have to find short pencils or pens now.  That will probably not be as easy to find.   It was a great stash buster though, using up some smaller pieces of fabric.