"Red,White and Blue makes a Happy Monday."

Hello,

Happy Monday. There have been quite a few Red White and Blue themed happenings in blog world this month. I dove in and made something too. I couldn't resist this cute cupcake design from Anna Bove Embroidery.

It looks good enough to eat doesn't it.

This is what I made it into.

A little table mat/mug mat, whatever you want to call it. I made a matching card too.  Some ric-rac and ladybird backing and binding completes the project. Using designs I have saved on the computer make me happy. This way a little project gets completed.

Saturday saw us attending the "Christmas in July" markets and the Old Railway Station in town. I was so happy to get a look at some amazingly cute animals. I never thought I would love to own a pig until I saw the most cutest one ever!!! It was half the size of our cat. Not for sale unfortunately. The lady also had all wrapped up a blanket under a heat lamp a Albino  Pygmy Hedgehog. It was the cutest ball of spikes I have ever seen. It has to be kept warm or else it goes into hibernation.

Hope you get to be extra happy today.
Happy Monday.
Bev C

"Owl Table Runner and "Honey, I shrunk the Garden."

Hello,

Well Friday 13th turned out to be a lucky day for sewing. Friday-Night-Sew-In happens during the day here at Kainga.

I used a free  machine embroidery design which I have saved on my computer. Sorry can't remember who it is from, I just checked out the paperwork that comes with it and there is no name. Anyway I had purchased some owl fabric at Spotlight a while back. They put some lovely fabrics where you wait to pay of course!!!! So a owl table runner was planned for the sew-in.

"Owl Table Runner."

I used bright pink homespun for the backing and border. I am not sure if I will keep this or it will be a present for someone. Decisions, decisions.

Seeing it was the 13th I decided to tackle something that has been staring at me every time I enter the sewing room. After all I had started this back in either February or March and it went no further, so working on it was like tackling a mountain. It was now or never type thing.

"Spring Garden squares ready to be sewn."

I had ironed the squares onto the Quilter's Grid pellon and some had come apart from the pellon. So I cleared the table and put a ironing mat under neath it. I found the Rajah Pressing Cloth and counted to ten and got them all back in place.

Ten or twenty more deep breaths and went to the sewing machine. I soon worked out to get out the extension table from another sewing machine to hold it up which made is so much easier to sew.

"Spring Garden top."

Half an hour later my garden has shrunk. Friday evening was spent drawing and cutting the shapes to go onto the top. A project for the coming week.

Happy days and have a wonderful weekend.

Bev C

"Beanie,Birthday,Vietnam etc etc..."

Hello,

A very belated Happy Monday. It is now Tuesday morning and raining and cold. Wintertime, a day inside with the fire going sounds just perfect.

Lots has been happening here at Kainga. First I want to show the Beanie I crocheted for my early morning walks. I started and finished this on Sunday. I found a pattern on the net and adjusted it by adding about ten extra rows and a few stitches here and there. Got to keep those ears warm when it is only a few degrees.

I used 8 ply yarn and a 3.5m crochet hook. Everyone must be crocheting this Winter because the hook display in Spotlight in Midland was vary sparse last week. So I tried our local craft shop on Saturday morning and the only ones available in 3.5 was a Bamboo one. I haven't used these before. I loved working with the Bamboo hook. It was so smooth and it doesn't have the name engraved on the side like the steel ones. So you don't get that dent in your finger.

There has been a few celebrations over the last couple of days. Lucy celebrated her Birthday on Friday so last night we all went to the local Tavern for a lovely warm meal. Happy Birthday Lucy and all the best for the coming year.

David came home yesterday as well. Last night in the middle of the night Ian took him to the Airport to go on his 10 day holiday to Vietnam. He is meeting up with a friend who has been doing charity work in Cambodia. Have lots of fun David.

A couple of weeks ago I bought this painted box from a Garage Sale for only $1.00.

It is quite big and it is now holding some of my crochet threads.

Around the side it has the quote:

"Do not complain that the rosebush has thorns, but rejoice that is has roses."

Friday- Night -Sew -In is on again this week. I have decided to join in, no idea what I will be working on. Maybe some more machine embroidery or cross stitch.

Happy days.
Bev C

"Once upon a time..."

Hello,

This past week I have been making a cloth book. I used designs from Sue Box's "Enchanted Fairy Treasures."

The designs are quite intricate and took sometime to stitch out. It was interesting to see how the colours I chose stitched out.

Now I better not show any more pages. After all it is a present for baby Faye.

Happy days.
Bev C

"Dyeing Crochet Cotton and Fabric, Makes a Happy Monday."

Hello,

Happy Monday, the sun is shining here. Hooray after the cold week last week we have a week of sunshine, though of course it will be cold at night time.

Today I am so happy to share a little project I have been working on. Thanks to the generosity of fellow bloggers Marina and Nat who made it all possible.

Last year Marina sent me a bag of crochet cotton that she had spare. Then with inspiration and guidance from Nat I can show you what I got up to on Friday.

I dyed some of the cotton and some calico and patchwork fabric scraps. I used 3 or 4 "purple carrots" to obtain the colour. I let it all soak a extra day. Then the time came to rinse the fabric and cotton. I unwound the cotton onto one of the dining chairs and let it dry in front of the wood fire. Yesterday I started a crochet doily and here it is.

It turned a lovely shade of light purple. It is a bit variegated especially at the start, I think this is because this was the outside cotton that was wound a different way. There is 2 rows to go on the pattern but I know I haven't enough cotton left so will finish it of as is. The cotton was a size 20 Coats cotton and I used a 1.25 crochet hook. The pattern was called "Candies" and the cotton does remind me of those little sweets that have I Love You, You are my Sweetheart etc written on them

Here is the result of the fabric being dyed with carrot. I put in different pieces/grades of calico and a couple of cream patchwork fabric that had small flowers on them. I am so pleased with this result. I will definitely be doing some more dyeing with plants etc in the future.

Happy Monday
Bev C