Apparently quilting is for grandmas...!

I've been working on what was a secret project for a little while now.  It was a gift for my beautiful cousin who is having a baby, and I didn't want to post it here until I had given it to her.  My cousin lives out of town, but her parents (my auntie and uncle) live in the same town as John and I.  She (and her husband) came to visit my auntie and uncle on the weekend, so I went to visit.  Now I can finally post some photos.

(By the way, they are John's hairy legs poking out, not mine!) 

For some reason, I got it in my head that I wanted to make a quilt for her as her baby gift - I don't really know why, as I've never quilted before.  I found a heap of different ideas on the internet, but got the basic idea for what I ended up doing from here at Make Baby Stuff. 

I did initially have intentions of having the strips all different sizes like the photo, but it just didn't happen!  The placement of the colours is just random, but looking at it now I wish it was more random - I can see gaps of each of the different colours (for example there's not much yellow on the right down the bottom) but I'm guessing the baby won't mind.

This is the backing, which is a bit piece-meal, but I didn't like the idea of just using one plain piece of backing fabric when so much work and colour went into the front. So I just used the same fabrics that I used on the front and just randomly sewed them together until I had a large enough piece.

As this was my first quilt, I didn't feel confident doing the actual quilting myself - plus, I don't have a walking foot for my machine yet. So I took it to a local lady who does quilting with her long-arm machine and she did a great job.

(The green looks a bit neon in this photo, but it really isn't.)  When I dropped off the quilt to Maria, she said that it was probably going to be a few weeks before she could get to it, which was fine.  It just so turned out that on Saturday morning she rang to say that it was ready to be picked up! I had already bought the fabric for the binding, but hadn't made up the binding.  So I spent Saturday afternoon and evening making the binding and sewing it on so that I would have it finished in time to give to my cousin before she went back home on Sunday.  Otherwise, it was going to have to wait until May when we see her before we leave on our trip.

You can see the overall quilting pattern a little better in this picture:

I even hand-made my binding using this tutorial from Heather Bailey using the same blue fabric in the quilt. 

It was quite laborious (John's word as I was at the iron for a LONG time).  I didn't cut it on the bias (jus selvedge to selvede) but I did do the whole 'fold in half and then fold each edge to the centre' thing so that there were no raw edges showing.

I used the sewing machine to sew it on one side, and then hand-stitched it to finish it off. 

I am very proud of my hand-stitching!  I'm not a big fan of hand-stitching, but I decided that I'd put so much work into it so far, I would be disappointed if I finished it with visible machine stitching just to get it done quicker. I managed to get it so that the stitching was all but invisible.

Yes, the side next to the big orange piece in the above photo is the hand-stitched side.

Overall, I'm thrilled with how well it turned out - for my first quilt, only based on things I've seen on various blogs that I visit.

As I was sewing on the binding, I just kept saying to John that I didn't know how I was going to part with it - my first one! But I really wanted my cousin to have it, so it wasn't too difficult in the end.  I'm thinking that I REALLY don't need any more hobbies (and John agrees whole-heartedly!) but there was just something so lovely about making it - and particularly finishing it off.  John is a very cold person who always has a blanket or doona with him once we hit Autumn, and even through to Spring, so I'm thinking a smallish one for the lounge during the cooler months wouldn't be a bad idea...  we'll see though!

When I took the quilt over to show our neighbour across the road (who is always interested in things I'm making) her husband said that quilting is for grandmas, and I'm too young to be doing that!  (The two of them are grandparents themselves.)  I told him that I get enough of that from the guys at work - they think it's hilarious that I spend my leisure time sewing and scrapbooking! (Apparently it's not so funny when myself and other ladies in the office laugh at them for spending all their free time on the computer playing computer 'shoot 'em up' games against virtual people in cyberspace!)

I've been very creative over the past couple of weeks, so I've got some more photos of things I've made coming up soon.

The great unveiling of... the journal!

Well, I got my travel journal back from the binding shop (if there is such a place) and I am very happy with it.  Unfortunately, as it was so thick, every binding shop I rang told me that the would only be able to do spiral/coil binding rather than the wire binding I wanted.  I'm a little disappointed in that, and that the coil has to be so huge, but overall I'm very happy.  Plus I like it more than I like any journals I've seen for sale on the net or in a shop, so that's got to be a plus.

For those of you interested, here it is:

I really love this fabric, and I've used other fabrics in the same 'series' to make some other bits and pieces that I'll post over the coming week.  You can see what I mean by the binding being so big, but it's not too bad.  The pages are A5 in size, so it's quite portable and compact.

I've covered the inside of the covers to hide the folded over fabric.  I started off just gluing another piece of fabric, but it looked horrible and the glue showed through.  So I ended up ripping that off, covering a piece of lightweight chipboard with fabric and sewed it on.  It's turned out to be quite neat.  (Covering the chipboard instead of just plain fabric was John's idea.)

Each of the writing pages is slightly smaller than the country divider pages, and the binding shop centred them all for me.  I've adhered an envelope to the back of each divider to put bits and pieces in (like tickets, receipts).

My requirement with the binding was that the journal lies flat when open, and the pages turn quite easily.

The back is done the same way as the front, except of sewn a piece of elastic between the back cover and the inside covered chipboard for closing.  The button at the front is covered in a white drill-like fabric (pre-bought, not made that way).  It keeps it all together nicely.

It's a little bit sad, but this journal is what I've been thinking the most about over the past few weeks - I was so excited! It doesn't really look like it, but it took a bit of planning to get all the pages done and exactly how I like them, and then there were so many ways I could do the cover! I'm happy I've done it this way.

I'll post the other bits and pieces that I've been making shortly.  In the meantime, it's my little sister's birthday (well, she's 22 - not so little) so happy birthday Stace! Your pressie/card will be in the mail soon - I've been so slack, but it's here I promise!

Another photo club success

Our February photo club meeting was on Monday night, and I only really had a couple of photos for one of the sections to enter.  I tried some a little different with one of them, and I thought it turned out a little tacky, but entered it anyway.

I entered this in 'What Tha', which is for any photo that you take that makes you look twice at what it is.  You are allowed to use any photoshop manipulation on it.  I won first place! In case you can't tell, it is a photo (with a very shallow depth of field ie a lot of blurry foreground and background and only a strip in the centre in focus) of the little crab sand balls that you find on the beach.  Sort of like in this photo:

I also entered this photo of a cactus/plant thingy at the beach:

The competition wasn't that great as there was only about four photos in the whole competition! There are normally much more, sometimes up to 30 or so, but Monday's meeting was full of 'newbies' and not many 'oldies' and I don't think many of the newbies brought photos.  Nevermind.

I've just taken my travel journal down to the shop to be bound - I hope it turns out ok!

I'll leave you with this, which I how I plan to cover up a bleach mark on a favourite black top of mine.  My Staz-on black ink didn't really work.  For some reason, the material went bright orange where the bleach touched it?  (Note to self - don't clean the shower with domestos while wearing clothes you actually like!)  (From Make it and Love it.)

I'm so excited!

Warning: unless you are actually me, or you are actually interested in my ramblings on our upcoming trip and my preparations for that trip, this post might be worth skipping!

Oh man, there's still 12 weeks to go before we go away and already our travels are consuming many of my waking hours! I don't know how I'm supposed to last for the next 12 weeks. I've been busy making bits and pieces for our trip, and I'll post some pics of that stuff over the next few days.  I haven't really taken any photos of them yet!

The most exciting thing (to me, that is) is my travel journal. I've been planning it for a long time and working on it a bit here and there at lunch times and after work.  I'm making it myself from scratch, as I had a look around and couldn't find any travel journals that I liked, included everything that I wanted as well as looked like 'me'. So I made one. Apart from obviously pages to write on (which I've customised with numbers and a little summary box), I've included pockets for boarding passes (which will no doubt accumulate throughout the trip) and postcards, a list of our itinerary and flights, a summary of common phrases in the most common languages of the places we are going to, a checklist of things to bring/pack/remember, and of course country headings with pockets on the back of each one for the little tidbits we pick up along the way.

(pages to write on - the backs are plain lines)

(country headings - between these headings are enough numbered pages for the number of days we will be in that country, and an envelope on the back for storing 'stuff')

(my 'other' pages, such as the itinerary)

I've made front and back pages out of thick chipboard covered with the loveliest fabric, which I've sewn on and then covered up the inside so it looks nice and professional.  I've then sewn on a button and elastic loop to keep it all closed up. So far, all the pages and the covers aren't bound together, but I will take it to an office store to get it wire bound like a proper spiral-bound notebook.  The only problem is it has turned out to be about 1.5 inches thick, and most of the binders say that can't go that thick.  I've found one place that say that they can do it, so I'll cross my fingers!  I'll post some picture of the fabric later - it's divine!

I bought a number of different prints of the co-ordinating fabric, and I've also set about making myself one of these:

A travel wallet.  I got the pattern and instructions from http://glass-beach.blogspot.com/, where the above pattern was designed for 'Adorn' Magazine which is now discontinued. (The pattern and instructions are in her sidebar on the right.)  The instructions were so easy to follow.  My only regret with what I made is that I didn't use stiff enough interfacing, and instead of being quite sturdy (especially the front cover, ie the little pocket for the boarding pass you can see on the left) it is sort of floppy! I'm debating on whether to make another one and chalk my first attempt up to experience (and it really did turn out quite well) or whether to just insert some stiff chipboard into the two large pockets to stiffen it up.

I've also made some zippered pouches to keep the little things together, like the two thousand (haha) SD cards we'll be taking, and all the chargers for the phones, cameras, laptop, etc.  I've found a great tutorial on an easy way to make a zippered purse here, that I have found a little easier to follow than the original tutorial I was using from Nicole M.

I've also found a great idea (which I don't know why I didn't of this myself anyway) that will fix my problem with my lens cap on my camera.  Each of my lenses has a lens cap (obviously) and I don't have the little string-y bit that connects the lens cap to the camera body itself.  Too many times I put the lens cap down when I take it off (as I'm often not wearing shorts with pockets) and forget where I put it.  I've looked at a couple of local camera stores and they're all out of stock at the moment.  I could wait for them to come back in, but instead I'm going to make a little pocket with a flap to sew on to my camera strap. I know, duh me for not thinking of this until I saw some really beautiful camera straps and accessories on this website. You should check out the other camera strap covers she's got - they're beautiful! I already planned on updating my camera strap cover to match with the fabrics I'm making my travel journal (etc) from, so I'll just sew this little pocket right on!  I wish I could post some photos of the stuff this lady makes (but her copyright doesn't allow this) - I'm going to try putting a centre gathered strip on my new strap cover like this one using this gathering method.

I know this post isn't really any good without pictures, but I promist I'll post some later. What silly little things excite me... some would say I live a sad life! But honestly, I've been so excited the past week especially now that my little projects are coming together and looking lovely!

I asked John if he wants me to make him a travel journal too... funnily enough he said no!

Inspiration Thursday

Some various things I've found around the net that have jumped out at me:

Love this idea - I've started typing all of my recipes onto 6x6 cards, and I even have the 6x6 American Crafts binder ready to go.  (Cathy Zielske)

These colours look wonderful together and I think would make a great colour scheme in a room. (From Kristina Werner)

How simple are these pages, yet they look great. Love this for a mini book that would just be whipped up so quickly.  Maybe thinking of something like this as a very quick highlight album using photos from our trip? I'm guessing that when we get back I'll be dying to do something with the photos quickly! (From Kristina Proffitt on Jessica Sprague)

Wow, I love this photo! I'd love to try something like this for upcoming photo club meetings.  (Submitted for a Pioneer Woman photo challenge on depth of field by 'Technicolor')

These layouts would make great photo collages to print out for scrapbook pages (from Crystal Wilkerson on Jessica Sprague)

I like the idea of using my old foam letter stamps in a 'new' way.  I used this idea on a recent layout I did (turning 12, posted last week). (From Barbara Wong on Ella Publishing)

Some great ways to fit lots of photos on to a page. (From Lisa Kisch on Two Peas in a Bucket)

(From Julie Deguia on Two Peas in a Bucket)

I really like this use of an old Basic Grey, and one of my favourite lines (Sultry) (From Rachel Gainer on Ella Publishing)

And finally, two images from Nicole Southworth that I think are great ideas for capturing photos of your daily life in a fairly low-key but effective way:

I've seen pictures of the new Basic Grey lines, and oh my gosh, they're gorgeous! I will definitely be using them in the upcoming GSG in April! Can't wait until they arrive at the shops here in Australia!  I'll post some photos of layouts by Kelly Goree that I love soon.

I've still got lots of inspiring photos of layouts, cards, photos and other things on my hard-drive, so I'll post some more soon.

A quick post and run...

Some photos of what I think is a quite cute elephant, commissioned by Fiona for her to give as a gift to a friend's baby.  I think the fabric is maybe a little thinner that I had originally thought, it is kind of like a very thin polar fleece.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to find polar fleece around here! Spotlight has two colours - gray and blue!  I have managed to find a bright-ish green remnant that I'm using for a second secret project (no prizes for guessing what) that I'll share a little later.

I love the yellow circle fabric, although it too is probably a bit thin for what I'd like.  I think I'll iron on some interfacing to the ears for the next one I make to stiffen them a bit.

I used some safety eyes this time, and they work fairly well.  I had some little pink ones there that looked really cute, but the hole was too big to use them so I needed some bigger ones.  I'll know better next time.

I think it's adorable, and I want more people I know to have babies so that I can make some more!

Quick post and run, be back soon.

January: In Review

January: In Review

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Books
• Stuart MacBride – ‘Blind Eye’
• Karen Slaughter – ‘Genesis’
• James Paterson – ‘Alex Cross’ Trial’
• James Paterson – ‘I, Alex Cross’
• Jonathan Kellerman – ‘Rage’

Magazines
• -

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

Movies
• ‘Avatar (3D)’ – it really was as good as the hype
• ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ from DVD
• The entire Bourne trilogy (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum) – John and I had a DVD night

Favourite TV shows
• Survivor – Samoa
• Superstars of Dance – ok, but not as good as I was expecting
• The Secret Millionaire

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
• Dinner at our neighbours – the day we got home after Christmas Linda came over and said that as it was unlikely we had anything for dinner, and we should come over for a bbq.
• Lunch at the harbour with John.
• Going for lots of drives ‘just because’…

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
• -

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

• Quite a bit of fabric and other notions for a bit of sewing I’ve been doing lately.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

• I’ve noticed one of my moles drastically changing, so I’ve booked both John and I in for a mole check.
• John and I went to the doctor to check what immunisations we need for our trip – I need to get a course of 6 needles between March and May!!

What were my accomplishments this month?

• Cleaned out the kitchen and linen cupboards.
• Cleaned out my scrapping cupboards and fit in all my old ‘stuff’ from Mum and Dad’s place (including all of my old dancing costumes!).
• We joined a gym!!! (Finally!) I have made a commitment to go three times a week, before work, so that I can go walking some afternoons after work. So far, so good! Those who know me know that getting up early in the morning is not my forte, but I haven’t missed a morning yet in three weeks!
• Used my new appliances in the kitchen a fair bit – lots of healthy smoothies in the blender, various recipes in the food processor, and some poached eggs for breakfast on the weekends!
• I got the business books up to date.
• I made two pairs of shorts for the gym, two stuffed toys (one as a first try and one for Fiona who asked for it to give as a gift) as well as half a dozen scrapbooking pages.
• I won my first ever ‘Pure Talent’ prize at the photo club – and a 1st AND 2nd prize at that! I also won 2nd place in ‘Enhance It’.

What were my disappointments this month?

• I sometimes feel as though I’m banging my head against the wall at work – it’s not because of who I work with!! I sometimes seriously wonder how I will continue working in the field that I am, doing what I’m doing where I’m doing it without going crazy – literally. I’m sure I’ll have a stomach ulcer by the time I’m 25 if things keep going the way they’re going. I’ll leave it at that.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

• Believe it or not, we FINALLY received the final invoice for our house in Melbourne, and it actually takes into account the liquidated damages that they owe us. What was supposed to be a 160 construction period has turned into a nearly 365 day construction period – through no fault of our own. Luckily neither John nor I gave up and we kept pushing them to stay within the Contract – which they wrote, mind you. We’ve finally won, and it hopefully won’t be too long before we can get someone in there.
• Nicole Southworth (a scrapbooker who has really inspired my change in scrapbooking style) is scrapping a photo of mine for me, after having a little competition on her blog. Can’t wait to see what she does with it.
• Began the organisation for the next GSG in April. I’ve got the layouts picked out, the supplies list complete and I’ve sent everyone the list of photo requirements.

Things to aim for next month? (Again, a lot of these are carried over from last month…)

• Continue to organise the next GSG. I hope to have this organised by March, so that April can be dedicated to final organising for our big overseas trip.
• Replenish my ‘stock’ card supply with some effective but simple cards that I can have on hand to send when I need them (or just want them).
• Continue to work on John’s around the world trip album (from where he went on the trip before we event met, but I’m making a very simple album for him with his photos and little tidbits of journaling). The album is very very simple, using only cardstock and photos, and generally stamping or computer printing for the titles. Each country/region has its own colour groups (ie France is blues/grays, Scotland is greens/white, Italy is terracotta type colours, USA is red/white/blue etc). I have all the photos printed (and have had for probably two years now) and the cardstock is bought and sorted, but I’ve only finished about 8 pages (and there’s likely to be probably 40 when finished).
• Post regularly on my blog, in nice, clear posts (take inspiration from Fiona).
• Make a start on trying to get my photo editing up to date.
• Make a start on just generally organising my life. I would ultimately like to have a nice routine where: at the end of each month I sort through the photos from that month and file, edit and print them; I get the business books up to date ready for the new month; everything on my scrapping desk gets tidied up and put away. Just little things that get away from me if I don’t make time to actually do them regularly.
• Make a start on my travel journal – I’d already done a little bit to start one, but I think I’ve changed my mind on what I want.

Feels good to get all of that down.  My next post should be some peeks at other things I've been making, and photos I've been taking.