OPAM - Not This Month

I've been busy working on my projects, but there won't be a finish for OPAM (One Project A Month) this month.I'm slowly getting my Nundle embroidery done.

Also working on the quilting of this single bed quilt for my grandniece Miss A. Only the binding to go now.


I love the frogs. I only just made it with the backing. I thought I had bought enough, but only had just inches to spare. I'm hoping to make pillow cases to go with it. I need to give myself a deadline!
Have a good weekend everyone,
Kayly

In My Garden....

Haven't done one of these for awhile.


I don't usually pick flowers from my garden, but I was glad I took this orchid upstairs. There was a hungry looking insect on it when I cut the flower off. That insect would have made short work of this beautiful flower. Later in the day, very heavy rain fell for some time and that would have ruined it also.
So now I can enjoy it a bit longer.

Take care,
Kayly

Sydney Get Away

Talk about slack - not blogging.

The weekend before last I went down to visit a friend in Sydney. J moved down there 10 years ago and our little group has been visiting once a year for most years.


This year we went to 2 new places - Cronulla for brunch and Newtown.


Cronulla was beautiful. We also went to the nearby Botany Bay National Park. Fabulous view, even if the kookaburras were eyeing us off for something to eat. These three were right above us and at least 4 others were in the next tree.


Newtown was very interesting. The area is going through a revival - a bit bohemian and arty. The main street is lined with buildings mainly from the 1870s to 1890s and then some Art Deco ones.


This garage has been very well maintained.


The only crafty thing I did was go to this Newtown shop - All Buttons Great and Small.
It was fascinating. Check out the door knob. I only wish I had had a project to buy for. If you ever want a button and you are anywhere near Sydney, go there. They also do mail order. Must remember that. Under the glass front counter were beautiful rare 'art' buttons.

This last week I have been working on quilting a single bed quilt for my Miss A - my grandneice. Nearly there, but I don't think I'll have a finish for May for OPAM unless I stop typing and start stitching.
So see you later and take care,
Kayly

Caravans and Pumpkins.

Hubbie's sister and her husband have joined a vintage caravan club. Until recently they went away with the group in their modern van, but they had to park it away from the vintage ones!


They now have their own and it is a beauty! It is a rare 'Kennedy' produced in Victoria in 1969. Okay, so unlike their modern van, it does not have air-conditioning or an ensuite, but it is so roomy. It is in wonderful condition. My SIL has made new curtains and has bought a china electric jug with an orange lid, perfectly matching the interior. My BIL is working on his American pick-up, circa 1956. It's curvy, just like the van. Evidently they have to match.

As it was in its shed, this was the best photo I could get.


My SIL grows pumpkins, They are perfect examples of the butternut variety.


In everything but the size!!!!!!

'Til next time,
Kayly

Gardening and Applique.

We had a great week-end. Hubbie and I were able to tick off several things on our to-do list and have some time to relax doing our own thing.

We have been working on renovating our side garden since before Christmas. After years of drought our weather has turned the other way completely. The ground has been so boggy that we have only recently been able to get back to the work. Boggy surprises me as we live on a sloping block of land. Of course, we lived up to our usual standard - it rained while we worked.This is the nearly finished photo. I have to repot the bromeliads and work out their final placement.

WARNING: People who can really do needle turn applique look away now.



I had my very first go at needle turn applique. It was on the Anni Downs project from my day out in Nundle. I survived and have not thrown it in the bin. I actually liked doing it.

This is me - a picture of concentration!


Two more bits to do, then to finish the embroidery. It will end up being a small wall hanging and I have just the spot for it.

I had fun today at our 'Kitchen Table' craft group. I played with new born twins. One of our group became a grandmother last week and the new babies came for a visit. Beautiful! Not to be outdone another member welcomed her 7th step-grandchild. I'm the only non-grandmother there, but I'm NOT in any rush to join them. LOL.

See you later,
Kayly

Road Trip

This last Tuesday saw three of us take a road trip to Tess's new shop. She has moved her shop, Homespun & Beautiful, to new premises at Boronia Heights. We had a lovely visit and coffee with Tess and Sandy.


Tess had a large tub of zippers, left over from a previous incarnation of her shop. Our little group is into making bags of all sorts at the moment. So we had fun raiding the tub. Let's just say our zipper stashes are now well stocked. Sorry bettyslyn, I took the photo just as you moved.


I also picked up some fat quarters, interfacing and Anni Down's little book, Simple Pleasures.

On the Mother's Day stall front, I've had fun whipping up these tissue holders. I used more of Bec's scraps and added some of my own. Great way use up all the left over bits.

I have plans for some more items this week-end. We'll see how that goes as we are also renovating our side garden. But it is a another long week-end so who knows.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

Productive Sunday.

I had lovely relaxed crafty Sunday. I made this small bag - another Mother's Day stall offering. It's a bit silly really when you compare the time it took with the price they'll probably charge the kids. I must remember it's the thought that counts.
See Bec, I used some of your 'scraps'.
For the zipper pull I used 2 small yo yos and a piece of saved ribbon. I wear a lot of Regatta clothes. They tie their labels on this thin brown ribbon. I think it's a sturdy gros grain (may have misspelt that) with a little extra decoration going down the middle. Too good to just throw out. I saved a few now. Knew I'd find a use one day! What's that new word? 'Repurposing', I think.
Zippers and I are still trying to get to know one another, but I am getting better with them.
We had an easy tea last night. I'm not the greatest cook. I'm always surprised when things turn out. I'm getting good a these 'use up what's left over' omelets.

Have a good week everyone.
Take care,
Kayly