I am at a bit of a stand still right now. I will update you on where I am at tomorrow, but for today, I want to direct you to another sewing room I really love this particular blog, and over the last few days she has been showing some great pictures of her gorgeous sewing room. It is my dream to have one just as gorgeous. So head on over to L’Atelier Perdu de Nataliejo’s and have a look at her tranquil sewing haven.
Sewing Rooms…
February 8th, 2010Remembering …
February 7th, 2010and moving on.
Today is a day of national rememberance. We remember with sadness Black Saturday, Feb 7, 2009. For me, it is remembering the concern I felt as I drove through the Dandenong Ranges to Warburton, as I was doing the Outer Eastern Fabric Frolic. It is remembering seeing the CFA 4 wheel drive with lights flashing behind me and praying the road ahead was open, then breathing a sigh of relief when the vehicle went left, maybe towards Calignee. (spelling?) It is the certain knowledge I had that my Brother in Law and his sons would be out fighting the fires around Wandong, and later the knowledge that their house was endangered (they lost their outbuildings, but the house was saved.) It is the terror I felt as I turned into the road towards my home, following the The Basin fire truck around the corner, repeatedly saying “keep going, keep going” and breathing a sigh of relief when it did – coming to the fire only 5mins down the road. (We were lucky, that was an insignificant Black Saturday fire, that could easily have been so much worse!)
It is remembering with sadness those who did not make it, and thinking about those who did, but lost everything.
Today is also a day for looking forward. While there is still so much more to do – 1000’s of homes were lost that day, as were many public buildings – people are moving into their new homes. The land is regenerating, and thank God we have not had the dreadful weather of last summer.
Yes, it is now a time to look forward.
Valentines Day
January 27th, 2010
Rovaris 24
Sewing Room Makeover – Part 4
January 27th, 2010Last weekend I was able to get back into the sewing room to continue with the makeover. My first job was to pack away all of my stash into the wardrobe. Initially looking at the wardrobe and the stash, I was quite concerned, but then I realised that most of it had come from a poorly designed cupboard (great for clothes, but not for storing needlework stash). After about 2 hours, this is what the wardrobe looked like…
Sewing Room Cupboard
As you can see, the floor is still a mess, but I have been able to fit loads into the wardrobe section The bags hanging off the shelving unit wont be able to stay there because they get in the way of the sliding doors. All of my Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines fit very nicely on the shelf above the fabric drawers. Not only is there fabric in those drawers, but also patterns for quilts, charts, and more.
Sewing Table
The sewing table is currently covered in junk that still needs to be put away. Initially I had planned on a new sewing table made of a laminated desk top from Ikea, but when I was looking for something for immediate use, I decided to use the desk that I have had for years, along with the the ‘legs’ that I had originally bought for it. The benefit of this table is that I can adjust the size so that when I am doing loads of cutting, I can raise the table to the right height, then lower it all the way for using the sewing machine.
The sampler that you can see sitting on the table was one that was sold to me as an antique. It is not. We estimate that it was stitched in the 1950’s. It is a Dutch sampler. I was SO proud of it when I bought it, but when I found out it’s true age, I have never been able to look at it the same. So it has lived out here in the bungalow for the last 4 years.
You can see the “headboard” part of the bed that used to live in here. Can you also see why I don’t want the bed in here anymore? There is no way that I can use my sewing maching at the desk.
Sewing Table - now
A little later on, I was able to put the junk that was on the table away, so now you can see the desk as it looked on Sunday night.
In the first picture, you can see a rather large box. There were actually 2 large boxes in this room, containing all sorts of junk that needed to be cleaned out. I was able to completely empty one of the boxes. The contents were left overs from when I was teaching 13 years ago. As much of this is very outdated, I threw it all out, retaining only a few files. Now to finish sorting the office so that I can put these away properly, but I will do that once I finish in the bungalow.
I really do like the way this room is starting to shape up. I still have one more wall to paint. Hopefully that will get done next weekend.
Until next time…
Australia Day
January 26th, 2010The day before I officially return to work. A day to be patriotic. To remember that today is also a day of mourning for indigenous Australians. A day to remember past Australia Day’s spent overseas.
What better day can there be than one of sun, family and nature. While doing chores around the property, we were blessed with the presence of some of the Australian wildlife…
Kookaburra in the Oak Tree
Above this kookaburra were also 2 cockatoos, but they were a tad far for me to photograph. It took us a while to identify the cockies as such because they looked like a large piece of fabric in the upper branches.
Then the young kookaburra came to the ground to hunt for some sustenance. We believe that he located a largish huntsman for his effort.
Kookaburra foraging for his dinner.
Framing…
January 22nd, 2010So often I hear from various people that they have enough needlework for their walls. But is that all you can do with your needlework. Friday Finishing is where I will be looking at different finishing ideas. Sometimes I will be able to include the pictures, especially if I have had a go at the finishing technique, other times I will just give you a link to a fantastic technique.
Summer Basket by Blackbird Designs
When looking for a framer, ask some careful questions. What do they use to mount the needlework on? What quality of materials are used? How do they go about mounting the needlework?
When displaying your framed needlework, why not consider grouping pieces on the wall? Or having a theme, that you regularly change. There is always room for more framed pieces on the wall!
The chart and threads for Summer Basket by Blackbird Designs are available from The Needlework Boutique…
Ida Mae Update
January 21st, 2010
Ida Mae Crow - Almost complete.
Until next time…
New Products
January 20th, 2010
Welcome by Rovaris
Haiti Disaster Relief
January 17th, 2010Don’t forget – 10% of all sales at The Needlework Boutique today go to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Haiti Disaster Relief
January 15th, 2010Almost 12 months ago, the world came to our aid following the worst bushfire tragedy that we have ever experienced. The generosity of so many, especially from countries with so little is something that I, as a Victorian, will always be grateful for. It does not matter if we are a rich country, or a poor country, we are all susceptible to the vagaries of the natural world.
It was with horror that I heard about the earthquake this week in Haiti. Previous earthquakes have not had this effect of me. But this one, being so devastating, has me wanting to do something to help. But what can I do to help?
Last year I started what I hope will become a tradition for The Needlework Boutique. 10% of sales on a particular day went to the Fire Relief Fund. I have already checked the International Red Cross Site, and found the donate button. With your help, I want to be able to donate a significant amount by Monday, Jan 18, 2010. So with this in mind, on Sunday Jan 17, 2010, from 12.01am to 12midnight we will be donating 10% of all sales to the Red Cross Haiti Disaster Relief fund.
Help me help others.
The website is www.needleworkboutique.com.au
