Fate or Destiny?

Do you believe that our lives are based on Fate and events happen to us whether planned or not? Or do you believe in Destiny, that we all create our own and it is up to the individual on how their life is lived? I have for a long time believed we create our own destiny, life is what you make it.  There is no such thing as luck or chance, just windows of opportunity that open fleetingly for us to grab.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jafnharr/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Lately I have been wondering . . .
Last Friday I sat at the computer and googled "Textile Design".  I don't know why.  A Diploma course popped up and intrigued, I had a look.  It looked good.
Saturday morning the neighbours dropped in the newspaper for us to read, and I sat down with a coffee to discover "second chance" offers at TAFE and Uni courses.  My mind twigged, and I scanned the pages to find the course I had been looking at had positions available.
My mind became so absorbed while sitting outside with the children playing in the sand, they could have created a three tier wedding cake and I wouldn't have batted an eye.
Today I have been ahming and ahhing about these events.  On a whim I asked my lovely sister to print out the application forms for the course, and she dropped them around tonight on her way home from work.
My dilemma is this.  Do I plunge in and take the chance at what feels like a dream opportunity? My confidence wavers.  Can I do it?  With two small children? Part of me wants to take the risk of feeling failure if I don't get accepted, and feel the potential fear of success if I actually do!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/reway2007/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

I am laying myself bare here, kind of sending it into the atmosphere.
This blog started as another whim that felt right and now has become something of a lifeline of creativity.  I want to inspire others.  I would love to pass on the excitement and enthusiasm I feel for being a mum, doing craft and sewing, all things decorating and colour.
Doing this Diploma feels like an extension of that.  What a life it would be if I could design and produce my own fabric lines, and create craft/quilt patterns to use them with!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/splityarn/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Any advice???

"Leanika" by Dena Designs

So I was trawling the internet instead of doing something productive, and discovered this fabric range that I had to show you.  Designed for Free Spirit Fabrics by Dena Designs, the range is called "Leanika".  It is so whimsical and pretty, and appeals to the bird lover in me - love the bird motif!!

Aren't the colours fresh and pretty?!

I am a big fan of these design motifs

I saved my favourite till last - love love love it!!  Now, if I only I had the money, time and pattern . . .

If you would like to see more of this range, or other Free Spirit Fabrics, click here

Loch Quilt Display

Last Sunday we went for a trip to a tiny country village called Loch, located in South Gippsland, Victoria.
I had never visited this area before and loved the little town; it is small but full of character and very pretty.
Loch has an annual "Quilt Hanging" day, when they display quilts made by the locals down the main street.  Festooned from shop fronts, in windows and even in the Fire Brigade Station, it really is a colourful sight!

The talent of the quiltmakers is very obvious here, there was such an array of different styles, techniques and colour selection.  What an inspiration!

How did those two cutie-pies get in the pics? ;)

The driving force behind this display is a local quilt shop called "Quilter's Barn".  It is something of an institution, having originated in the barn of a local farmer and gradually expanding to the current premises on the main street.  Julie Wallace is the maven behind this enterprise, and from humble beginnings she has become a fabric designer, quilt designer, sought after guest speaker and successful business woman.

It so so great to see such success coming from a small country town, where too often these days they seem to be dominated by opp shops and boarded up windows.  What a fantastic woman Julie Wallace must be!

If you would like to see more of the Quilter's Barn, stop by here

Children's Books

Ok, so I feel a book review coming on.  Today's review is a little different though, because I thought I would show you books by authors/illustrators that I LOVE reading to my children.
Sam Williams is an author/illustrator of many children's books - until recently I thought "he" was a "she"! Naughty me for making assumptions - but his illustrations are so sweet!!

This is a library book we have recently borrowed so it is getting lots of wear and tear at the moment.  We have Sam Williams' "Bunny & Bee's Forest Friends" in our home library, so I snapped this book up at the library knowing it was going to be a lovely book to read.

The photo does not really do this picture justice.  It is so colourful and imaginative.

With illustrations like these children's imaginations can really soar, and I think it appeals to the inner child in all of us.  Don't we all still secretly harbour the hope that tiny worlds such as this really do exist?

And I think Georgia and I would both agree that Patricia MacCarthy's "Dewdrop Babies" series is the best of all.  The colourful pictures are scattered with glitter and the stories are just beautiful.

I am quite lucky because I get to indulge in these amazing worlds under the guise of an enthusiastic mum!

Unfortunately I could not find a website dedicated to Sam Williams great work, but if you would like to see more of the Dewdrop Babies, go be inspired!

A Serene Garden

Today I thought I would share some photos of my mum's beautiful garden.  Whenever I visit my family home, relaxation hits immediately.  The wonderful green-ness (is that a word?!) is a cooling sight, particularly in comparison to the often barren Summer we have at our country home.

Memories of growing up surrounded by gorgeous blossom trees and golden Autumn trees has definitely been the basis of my love of gardening. 

We all need a space that is inviting and peaceful, a place to go when it is hectic with children indoors or crazy outside the boundary of our homes.  And probably most importantly it becomes a reflection of our personality, a glimpse of our creativity and nuturing spirit.

This seat has become my favourite chair, a fantastic place to sit and re-charge.

"The Fairy" Rose

I will leave you with a picture of someone who is obviously enjoying the fresh burst of rain we have recently had.

Scents of Childhood

Have you ever had the flashback associated with a smell or taste that sends you hurtling back to childhood?? Memories of being little are getting dimmer with age, but yesterday I was reunited with my six year old self.
Mum's neighbour invited us to raid her plum tree the other day; which we did with the children (adding an interesting element!).
Yesterday afternoon Mum pulled out the big cast iron pot and set to work making Plum Sauce from an "old faithful" cookbook . . .

This edition (edited by Anne Marshall) was printed 1971 - would that make it retro or vintage?!

Now I know this cover may look decidedly unfashionable today compared to the cool stylings of Donna Hay and Jamie Oliver etc, but sometimes pure gold can be gleaned from these old cookbooks.

The scent of plums, vinegar, nutmeg and other ingredients simmering on the stove produced this heady mix that reminded me of cold winter days at home with pork chops and mum's beautiful plum sauce with its sweet and sour taste.

I was immediately transported back to our childhood home: Mum rushing around the kitchen with her apron on while the heater was blazing in the lounge room and Countdown played on the push button TV.

 

 These days the phrases "organic", "slow food", "sustainable" and "environmental" are bandied about by large companies trying to market their wares.  Yet something good could be learnt from recollecting how our mothers did it in a time when supermarkets were just starting and everybody looked to save a dollar rather than spend one!  Bless our Mums x

Millie's Quilt

When I first discovered Millie was sick with the likelihood of not getting better, I decided to make a quilt in her honour.  Originally I hoped to bury it with her in the hopes that she would give me enough time to make it, but that was not to happen.  I think it will be nice to have a quilt that resembles her comfort to me - a constant reminder of her at home.

This quilt has been quite a different construction.  Rather than working from a pattern and labouring over colour and pattern selection, I walked into the craft store and kind of "felt" my way through the range of materials.

Quite different to my usual choices; I was guided by the idea of creating a rainbow of colours, full of brightness and warmth.

I cut the material into five and half inch squares and experimented with different layouts to find the one I liked the most.  Eventually the quilt materialised . . .

This is a snapshot of the quilt top.  I wanted to create a randomness to the pattern with loads of colour.  I decided to do some larger feature blocks of the material I loved the most.

Even the backing became experimental.  Instead of buying a length of material I decided to use up the material scraps and sew them together in strips.  Very economical! I have bought purple material to sew on each side of the panel, and will be attempting machine quilting for the first time!!

At this stage I am still not sure how the quilt will finish, and as with most things at the moment, I feel numb when I look at it.  But I hope in time it will give me happiness, just like Millie did.

Strawberry Fields Forever

You may remember a post I wrote recently about Sunnyridge Strawberry Farm.  Well while staying with my family over these recent weeks, I thought it would be wonderful to visit again!  Thought I would share these photos . . .

My two gorgeous kiddlywinks, Georgia & Aidan having a feast of a time!  Unbelievably we were all wearing coats and scarves in the height of Summer; it certainly is true about Melbourne having "four seasons in one day".

Now I am no petite-mini standing in at five-foot 9 inches tall, so you can imagine my hands are far from tiny.  But just look at this beauty sitting patiently waiting to be devoured!! And can I just tell you, every mouthful was pure strawberry bliss . . .

Of course we had to indulge in some scrumptious Devonshire Tea (complete with Cappachino - no Traditionalists here).  Can you see the chubby little expectant hands waiting there for a tasty morsel?!

It was a beautifully relaxing day and well worth the trip.  I thought I would leave you with a pretty little strawberry flower, often overlooked  in the search for the elusive giant berry.

Millie

The last two weeks in my life have been one of the toughest periods yet.  My special pooch Millie was diagnosed with Cancer about two weeks ago and she died four days later.

I can honestly say Millie was my best friend and where once she filled my heart, it now feels empty and sad.  Looking at photos of her has been impossible, so writing this post must be cathartic.

This photo was taken about 24 hours before I held her in my arms and made the loneliest decision in the world - asking the vet to put her to sleep.  Quite honestly, if it was a decision for self-protection I would have kept her alive as long as possible. 

Yet when a spirit such as Millie gives you so much unconditional love and acceptance, there is only one right decision to make and that is to end her suffering.

 

. . . So the saying goes that the first child in a marriage is the puppy purchased to cover with love and affection before you give birth to your own. . . To my "furry child", rest easy my angel baby, xxxx. Millie 11/10/2001 - 22/01/2010

Jelly Girl

Here is a quilt I made, that is in the process of being hand quilted. I say "process" but the reality is she has been curled up in a bag for quite a while getting crushed!

The pattern I used is called "Jelly Girl" by Fig Tree Quilts, and the Jelly Roll used is Moda "Spring Magic" by April Cornell.  Never thought I was a floral fanatic, but it is starting to become obvious in the quilts I make. The border I chose is by Lakehouse Dry Goods "Doll Dresses Pearl Rose Trellis".

I bought the backing (shown here on far left) at a separate stage, orginally destined for another quilt.  It surprised me to discover later that it is also a Lakehouse Dry Goods fabric, called "Ticking Stripe Petal".  Now all those creases really should shame me into pulling this quilt out of its hiding place to finish it, don't you think?

I decided to hand quilt using a Perle 8 in a variegated pinks/orange/yellow.  It is really nice to work with. Hopefully I can show you the finished product in the near future!! :)

Japanese Linen Fabric

Thought I would show you some lovely materials.
The first I cannot even take ownership for; I bought it on behalf of my Mum the other day, she saw it in a local patchwork shop and couldn't live without it.

I know it is a cotton/linen blend, and I am sure through surfing the internet that it is a Japanese Fabric, but surprisingly it does not have a printed selvedge with the company name and colours on it.  Strange?! If anyone can tell me where it comes from, I would love to know.

But this is the part I love the most - it is double sided! Fantastic! Being a slightly heavier weight, imagine the possibilities for sewing with a reversible fabric. . .

The material below I did purchase myself on Etsy.

I too have an interest in natural and printed linen, and thought even a fat quarter of this could make up something pretty.  I know it is a also a linen/cotton blend and printed in Japan but its origins I am not sure of either.

Japan really has it worked out for beautiful materials, don't they?!

Needle-Felted Blue Wren

The other day Brett's Auntie was hospitalised due to a car accident and will be in there for quite a long time.  I began thinking about a gift I could make to cheer her up.  I remember my time in hospital having two little babies was quite stifling and dull, and I was there during an exciting time!!
Taking inspiration from Laurie Sharp's book "Wool Pets", I decided to craft a blue wren.  I know when I catch a glimpse of those rare little creatures they brighten my day.
Below I have taken pics of the process so you can see how he came together.

My materials, all the tools you need for needle felting

 

The body parts ready to be felted together.

I used a picture of a Blue Wren for reference.  Not exact, but close!

The eyes are ready to be sewn in (two seed beads), to give my wren some character

So there you have him! I threaded some ribbon through his body so Rosie can hang him somewhere and he can brighten the room for her.  He was fun to make; needle felting is a meditative sport, very relaxing.

Antique Prints

Thought I would share with you a find I had at an Antique Fair one or two years ago.

The Antique Fair visits every Easter and one year I travelled along to see what kind of trinkets and baubles they had.  I discovered a man selling prints such as these and walked away but never forgot them.  So, you guessed it, the following year back I went with a fist of notes to see if he was there.

The gentleman told me they were pages from a very old magazine called "The Art Decorator", showcasing paintings, ceiling art and prints.  The one below is titled "Ceiling" . . .

There really is no rhyme or reason to my tiny collection, and they were definitely bought more for aesthetic than monetary value!

Somehow I think they may be nice mounted behind frameless perspex, but that may change!