tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27823294127977673792024-02-07T16:44:02.916+10:30Antmeeantmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-79832838213541978452012-09-08T21:27:00.000+09:302012-09-08T21:27:03.555+09:30Pot Pinchers<br />
Due to the wild weather we have been having I have been staying home as much as possible. The main reason is I love my little car and trees are being blown down and ripped apart all over town. Our houseboat marina is a mess and the jetty has been torn apart. My car has been hit by small flying debris on the journeys I haven't been able to avoid, like going to work or buying food, and the risk is too great. My car is 20 years old so I can't just go out and replace it.<br />
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The benefits of staying home means I get to do some sewing. I have been making a doll and is turning out cuter than expected. I just have the clothes to make and then she will be ready to show. <br />
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I have been making a bit of patchwork from a book I purchased called "Playful Patchwork" by Suzuko Koseki. It has turned into a "completely done by hand" project so will be a slow on going project. I may show photos as I go along or else you will never see it! ha ha.<br />
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I have made some Pot Pinchers for me and I love them. They were a necessity after taking a saucepan over to my daughters for a cooking lesson and her stove made the handle hot.<br />
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As you can probably see, the pattern is from a magazine called "Making" (issue 20). </div>
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The part I like the most about these pot pinchers is the fact that you only need your fabric scraps and the scraps of insulbright leftover from making oven mitts and casserole carriers. </div>
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I like the charging station pictured also so will make one of those as soon as I find a suitable plastic container to cut up. There is also an awesome messenger bag pattern in the magazine that has been put on my 'to do' list. That list is getting pretty long!</div>
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NOTE: I am getting rather slack/forgetful and forgot to add the link to the tutorial I used for my kitchen towel in the previous post. It is <a href="http://pin-sew-press.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/tutorial-stay-put-kitchen-towel.html" style="color: blue;">here</a> as well as added to previous post.</div>
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Also I am going to update my blog with a makeover. Change the layout etc. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions on how to improve it or advice on what not to do, I would be extremely grateful. </div>
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Take care! </div>
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xxoo</div>
<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-46016063278839091992012-09-03T21:05:00.000+09:302012-09-08T21:31:05.179+09:30Thank you Internet!The internet really paid its way today! And about time too because its not cheap!! How it saved a huge wad of money today is a DIY job it assisted in. Here's the little story:<br />
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My daughter rang to say that the toilet in her rented home is leaking water. Being a non plumber person but wanting to continue my daughters illusion that I can do anything. I ummed and arred, asked some plumbing sounding questions and told her that first I needed to pop over to assess the problem. <br />
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Once I had seen what was going on I went home and hopped on the internet to find a fixing toilet tutorial. Firstly I needed to find out what the different parts were called and so googled toilet parts and looked at pictures and found out that the part I was looking at fixing was called the Flush Cone which is connected to the Flush Pipe.<br />
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After that it was easy to find a tutorial on replacing a deteriorated flush cone with a new one. They only cost a few dollars too!! A plumber would have charged a few hundred dollars so my internet is paying for itself! Hooray!<br />
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My sewing has been taken up with sewing simple things for friends, ball gowns for my sister and making a dress for my mother in law. The ball gown is a massive headache. I made it according to the size she said she was and at the "fitting" I found out she has put on just a tad more weight than her dress would have liked. So it doesn't fit and never will.<br />
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A friend who likes the kitchen hand towels I made for myself mentioned she would really love one that ties to the stove as her husband and kids always run off with her towels. I can't resist a good sob story so I made her one. Now her older daughter wants one and is currently thinking up her own sob story for me! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwPz9Briy5RBuUlMyff5QEQSl_t2bvhExwyrU5N5aeVrgpC5_vCDkfCNVDdLmBbjEFF5WsLkcgBbs2X6rcsOIN5y-5gTnUFRFkdmeD9ibRj_XLcKmmzsqmpJo7D_X49x2VcEQCqqAEeQ/s1600/mary's+towel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwPz9Briy5RBuUlMyff5QEQSl_t2bvhExwyrU5N5aeVrgpC5_vCDkfCNVDdLmBbjEFF5WsLkcgBbs2X6rcsOIN5y-5gTnUFRFkdmeD9ibRj_XLcKmmzsqmpJo7D_X49x2VcEQCqqAEeQ/s400/mary's+towel.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used a tutorial from <a href="http://pin-sew-press.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/tutorial-stay-put-kitchen-towel.html" style="color: purple;">Pin Sew Press</a> to make this towel. It was very easy to follow and the towel was whipped up in no time.<br />
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This photo is the best I could do due to the weather. For the past three or four months it has been dark and grey EVERYDAY except when I am stuck in an office at work. Then it is beautiful outside!!!<br />
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The sun is on its way so my photo's should improve!<br />
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Bye for now!<br />
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(PSST: hello Wendy)<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-67570027561549518182012-08-25T23:09:00.002+09:302012-08-25T23:09:58.482+09:30I'm okI am still alive and well.<br />
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I am sorry for no blogging but I have found no joy in computers at the moment.<br />
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My laptop overheats really quickly and now only gives me around 15 mins before it shuts down. <br />
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This had been going on for awhile and finally my computer tech hubby decided to give it a look. So currently it has been pulled apart and is in a thousand pieces. Ok about 5 pieces.<br />
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If your questioning why somebody that has a computer techie for a hubby doesn't have the best working computer in the world, go ask someone who has a kitchen cabinet maker hubby why their kitchen is still not finished (10 years later). Or the wife of a mechanic why she carries a hammer in her car to start the faulty old bomb she drives around! lol<br />
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My hard-drive has been put into my hubby's laptop temporarily while he fix's mine. Which by the way has been bagged and put in a cupboard because he is too busy building a bulldozer! Let's see how long before I get my laptop back!<br />
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Sewing! I should mention sewing since this is primarily a sewing blog.<br />
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Well fabric has been getting me in trouble. How? I hear you ask. Well I am ashamed to say by the piles of fabric and projects all over the house (ok just lounge room, dining room and sewing room). I have been accused of having three sewing rooms and I must admit it is selfish of me when I nag at them to put their junk away. ( I mean junk in the old fashion way! not the new hip hop way!) lol. For those who don't know the modern meaning of the word 'junk' then I will enlighten you (sorry). It means your private sexy bits. Mainly a woman's butt or a mans genitalia. <br />
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Also until tonight, I thought this computer had destroyed all the photo's I have been taking the last few weeks. My hubby used 'Parted Magic' to do a recovery and I have my photo's back but I still have to try and upload them again and do some minor editing. So sorry no photo's tonight.<br />
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AND if I have any more PC problems I am shutting down my blog and throwing out ALL technology and electrical crap in my house and am going back to the dark ages!!!!!!<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-22512896191045887462012-07-10T19:54:00.000+09:302012-07-10T19:59:12.830+09:30checking inHi!<br />
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This past week has flown by in a blur! It always does when my boss goes off on holidays and I have more work days than I normally am use to. <br />
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Believe it or not but I managed to sneak in a bit of crafting. Still not 100% finished as first I ran out of thread. Then, I ran out of light (the sun has been hiding behind the darkest clouds). Also it's cold and wet. So I have been in front of the heater (again) with a few hand sewing/ stuffing projects.<br />
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But I have no pictures of them as my days have been regimented into:<br />
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1) get up and go to work early in the morning.<br />
2) come home 5.30pm and tiredly think about whats for dinner.<br />
3) Order takeaway because I am too tired and nobody else wants to cook.<br />
4) Veg out in front of heater as its freezing cold.<br />
5) Flake out at 9.00pm and get shooed off to bed.<br />
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Doing this everyday.<br />
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One miracle or blessing for me was the pile of dirty dishes that had stacked up by the sink were magically washed clean!!!! "Whats going on here?" I thought to myself. Also "What has he done/wrecked that needs this big suck up?". Nothing as it turned out. Must just be that love thing again.<br />
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I promise some photo's as soon as the sun gives me a little bit of light. (Not of the washed dishes or that love thing..sorry. Just the crafts I have been doing)<br />
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I do have a bag that I made a few weeks ago and never got around to blogging about because I am not that happy with it. Its too small to be any use to me. Really, its about the size of a pencil case and should have a zip closure not a flap. <br />
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What I do like about this bag is what the flap is made out of.<br />
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My old sofa! Yes I love recycling and when I couldn't keep my extremely comfortable sofa any more because it was becoming very worn out, I cut off and kept all the good bits of vinyl, calico, and stuffing. Very soft fluffy stuffing for my softies and the calico will become some dolls. The wooden frame is looking like it may become a mobile hen house!<br />
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So don't throw away your lounge suit. There is a crafter's delight hiding inside.<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-1348225429941750722012-07-02T21:12:00.002+09:302012-07-02T21:12:49.081+09:30My little nestThanks everyone for the well wishes. I'm not doing too badly because this cold has given me a couple days off work. I have spent that time in front of the heater doing a little bit of sewing or reading those new craft books I got in the mail the other day.<br />
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This is one spot I have been hanging out. Either watching tv or reading my 5 new craft books. The books are fabulous. One is Wee Wonderful's book. It's full of softies to make. The other is Hop Skip Jumps softies book. So many cute projects just asking/begging me to stop what I am doing and start something new. I am trying to be tough and finish off some stuff that's been hanging around for ages unfinished.<br />
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<br />I have also been nesting in front of this heater doing some crafty stuff. Mostly I have been making a mess with bits and pieces scattered over the floor. Also reading Melly and Me's softie book to finish off Bella Boo.<br />
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Bella Boo. She is so sweet and a wonderful softie to make. I used some soft flannel fabric for her body. I found it in an op shop years ago and the scrap was too small to make any baby clothes with. Perfect for Bella Boo.<br />
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She has gone off with my cousins little girl. Most of my softies fly the coup really early. I guess that's good right? I just would like one or two for myself but can't say no to any little tacker that wants to take one home!<br />
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Gotta go and curl up on my sofa. Hubby's putting Farscape on to watch.<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-91143581402110236202012-06-29T23:10:00.001+09:302012-06-29T23:10:22.677+09:30Hi<br />
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I hope you are all keeping well. I have the flu but I am doing my best to keep as many people well as I can by staying home these last few days. It's been hard especially when the postie delivered some new craft books for me to read. <br />
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Speaking of the postie. He is the first person I have come across in a long time who has such as strong sense of self survival. When I told him to stay clear, as I was not only sick but felt like patient zero, he wouldn't hand me my package but placed it on the ground in front of him and quickly turned tail and ran for his delivery van. I must look like crap.<br />
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Also a telemarketing caller rang with some scheme to sell and after I politely croaked "no" she quickly hung up. No keeping on with the sales pitch and falling into full hostile abuse when I keep politely saying "no thanks". I must sound a fright too.<br />
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I made this bag a while ago but only just finished it recently. <br />
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It's a little orphan purple bag. It has no where to go yet. I don't why I made it really. I think its just because I love cutting up fabric!<br />
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CraftyStacie has kindly made a tutorial for this bag on her blog and you can jump into this <a href="http://craftystaci.com/2010/10/25/ninja-monkey-bag/" style="color: #0b5394;">portal</a> to get there and make your own.<br />
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I have had a visitor the last few mornings. A beautiful red robin. Every time I race back inside to get my camera she flies away. <br />
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I managed to stalk her a bit and by using my telescopic lens got this burred pic. Still, it's better than nothing.<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-45512851998231450262012-06-25T19:50:00.001+09:302012-06-25T19:50:56.025+09:30A project finishActually I am happy to say I have finished a couple of bags. But I am only showing one today as I want this to be a quick post not a novel.<br />
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Love the colours of pink and chocolate! This bag was a joy to make. I used cotton for the outer fabric and the lining. For the interfacing I used some soft cotton flannel. It gave the bag some shape without making it too stiff and rigid. I used the <a href="http://www.rebekalambert.com/artsycrafty_babe/2009/06/the-people-have-spoken.html">Phoebe pattern</a> from Artsy Crafty Babe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh9XHoWW8DH3lw0BcGAZQr5szG8Exghwg4QT8XUKh3qj1ERgrbwLWggfttc0WAQLBUu5mwX5X2mSbuJ_dNX4ElAVbZxB2zStNYvywZf3Sd5v5fNqR9_3a7bd6MNqyxd2J6s5ytDFOJS8/s1600/brown+floral4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWh9XHoWW8DH3lw0BcGAZQr5szG8Exghwg4QT8XUKh3qj1ERgrbwLWggfttc0WAQLBUu5mwX5X2mSbuJ_dNX4ElAVbZxB2zStNYvywZf3Sd5v5fNqR9_3a7bd6MNqyxd2J6s5ytDFOJS8/s400/brown+floral4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The lining has a inserted zipper. (not part of the Phoebe bag tutorial).<br />
I also added the lobster claw thingy to attach my keys to.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW6hZJOoDPmiUKzCkoO1ogn8hwf-a_B0yQFZtMueCR0MJDo7fdyPTFsG_KZRzWXrdoNyGio33GXPPxkfnql1tlRFY2ERxyXDErTp09KWF1_N8O6yzbPVKRpe_t-lL4oROm8-80B3ARBU/s1600/brown+floral3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW6hZJOoDPmiUKzCkoO1ogn8hwf-a_B0yQFZtMueCR0MJDo7fdyPTFsG_KZRzWXrdoNyGio33GXPPxkfnql1tlRFY2ERxyXDErTp09KWF1_N8O6yzbPVKRpe_t-lL4oROm8-80B3ARBU/s400/brown+floral3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
You may have noticed I haven't been blogging much. Well I am going to be honest and say I have lost my blogging mojo. Its got to the stage where I am afraid to do a post! Yes strange I know. <br />
<br />
So to try and combat this I am going to do short posts for awhile and hopefully two or more a week. I haven't decided on which day of the week this will be. It all depends on when I get regular free time and access to my own laptop.<br />
<br />
Back soon with another bag finished.antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-46912191817297016002012-05-25T20:50:00.000+09:302012-05-29T20:50:19.598+09:30Origami Bag tutorialI would like to thank the kind lady who let me know that one of the tutorials I posted a link to online no longer exists. If you want to see the first bag I made like this one it is <a href="http://antmee.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/japanese-dilly-bag.html" style="color: #b45f06;">here</a>.<br />
<br />
After looking for another tutorial to link to and not finding one I decided I had to make my own.<br />
<br />
I now have a new appreciation of the generous people who make tutorials and post them on their blog. Thank you. Tutorials are not as easy to do as I thought they would be.<br />
<br />
Firstly I learnt I should have used a light plain fabric and clear contrasting thread so that everything was easier to see. So bear that in mind when you read my tutorial. Also that I have no time to do it again right now because I promised the kind lady I would make one as soon as possible. It has already taken a week of slaving away at the tutorial at night after work when I was already exhausted from talking to clients all day.<br />
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<b style="color: #b45f06;"><u>What You Need</u></b><br />
<br />
40cm x 40cm (16") of exterior fabric<br />
40cm x 40cm (16") of lining fabric<br />
two buttons<br />
cord (or ribbon like I used)<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #b45f06;"><u>Instructions</u></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfASelw505msRYTXUHZh2at5u1Gt5pKcmnw9RbsFsOeMK8d7b4ianrwxX-Ptp80Jy5OIwVRoUvuSJ-IcIQiU5PodqY6fcTjdhGRGrSLlI9Zg2_NZnoBEuD4K6CkHeHifHuJcXUKA2CBcE/s1600/dilly+bag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfASelw505msRYTXUHZh2at5u1Gt5pKcmnw9RbsFsOeMK8d7b4ianrwxX-Ptp80Jy5OIwVRoUvuSJ-IcIQiU5PodqY6fcTjdhGRGrSLlI9Zg2_NZnoBEuD4K6CkHeHifHuJcXUKA2CBcE/s400/dilly+bag.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Step 1:<br />
<br />
Cut out one 40cm x 40cm square from both exterior and lining fabrics.<br />
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Please be more accurate than I was. If you think you may not be perfectly square when cutting out, then stay away from spotted fabric!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJN9fzG46Fs3M87xlxkHmNCtvHVoW9WvfcVK-L86V8GQ1PVQbH17K4BmGsNo2yKewvr0ZKajoba9BVAZ0ngG_gGWWR-Jpd9hhKuUH_XzgttBtx-PK-tTrCb05xTXcKyo5xx0Fs9e-wA/s1600/dilly+bag2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoJN9fzG46Fs3M87xlxkHmNCtvHVoW9WvfcVK-L86V8GQ1PVQbH17K4BmGsNo2yKewvr0ZKajoba9BVAZ0ngG_gGWWR-Jpd9hhKuUH_XzgttBtx-PK-tTrCb05xTXcKyo5xx0Fs9e-wA/s400/dilly+bag2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 2:<br />
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Pin and sew the two squares together. Right sides facing.<br />
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I used a 1cm seam as you can see (above).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Y40VtS3Dhky46sA-jQIh-RahyphenhyphenuUskHIKPwWMwFZ0-dBibo5J7x3lYMDr3VvygqEKJ65wn-UoXRdAXmbD_LR7Gpp-tEA9iOGennMDMbyir7zgWLDHTBOppbLZ0BffkvrgOOPDs8ouY4/s1600/dilly+bag3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Y40VtS3Dhky46sA-jQIh-RahyphenhyphenuUskHIKPwWMwFZ0-dBibo5J7x3lYMDr3VvygqEKJ65wn-UoXRdAXmbD_LR7Gpp-tEA9iOGennMDMbyir7zgWLDHTBOppbLZ0BffkvrgOOPDs8ouY4/s400/dilly+bag3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Leave a gap of about 5cm to 8cm in one side so that you can turn right side out.<br />
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See my fingers. Am I doing bunny ears or the peace sign?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXUS4cFnBQONGgrBVRjh9R1CSze9UBk95FrP7lqq-o39qYL2yOalllzPMJ4nC4KU8sNkIdsHUMjerhzLlNrhVwaJ-BdAUAsHmYL_zRq6-ptn1mPEzYAntnhBo2_ZidT77KQwNA4LA1rQ/s1600/dilly+bag4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXUS4cFnBQONGgrBVRjh9R1CSze9UBk95FrP7lqq-o39qYL2yOalllzPMJ4nC4KU8sNkIdsHUMjerhzLlNrhVwaJ-BdAUAsHmYL_zRq6-ptn1mPEzYAntnhBo2_ZidT77KQwNA4LA1rQ/s400/dilly+bag4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 3:<br />
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Clip all four corners to reduce bulk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZwYtWNJwiMKR2U3i28SvzS3pnJeq_CGru2pxdKjRkHi8hAisfGwQfs3d5zQBWBZlBlnvwKhJUyEzeMagKmQAUtvOc5k28ORLgB1IeU94wZOR0F-_VBfb7QB4M-3LT6DMfy7GSeToAFI/s1600/dilly+bag5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZwYtWNJwiMKR2U3i28SvzS3pnJeq_CGru2pxdKjRkHi8hAisfGwQfs3d5zQBWBZlBlnvwKhJUyEzeMagKmQAUtvOc5k28ORLgB1IeU94wZOR0F-_VBfb7QB4M-3LT6DMfy7GSeToAFI/s400/dilly+bag5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 4:<br />
<br />
Turn right side out and press.<br />
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Ensure all four corners are pushed all the way out and are square.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARr_1TLBnADrFZKMd4dFHzqZMme_WVFqy19NGC92o0sLIbn2c_jlvD7YTYckV32cMI_TTiRiKeuwr6gqM34NDSYl8-VjOZUVu_GyjGcUEP6nfncEfmhzG4IqYz6ZHRJ6M9UbNPHguxLw/s1600/dilly+bag6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARr_1TLBnADrFZKMd4dFHzqZMme_WVFqy19NGC92o0sLIbn2c_jlvD7YTYckV32cMI_TTiRiKeuwr6gqM34NDSYl8-VjOZUVu_GyjGcUEP6nfncEfmhzG4IqYz6ZHRJ6M9UbNPHguxLw/s400/dilly+bag6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 5:<br />
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Fold in half.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj1xfgR7lDnie1c2r_27lFe0CgPfrlaV8qBl8DCKkSfUZO4cEw86eyCZ7RQtrR1n5s96Tbqe9M0vqYoZOT2JmelTWkOvawPsHsB2sMjyAk4XCEZNAa1BTSDZKYxTSkGuXtU5vrutVL0A/s1600/dilly+bag7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj1xfgR7lDnie1c2r_27lFe0CgPfrlaV8qBl8DCKkSfUZO4cEw86eyCZ7RQtrR1n5s96Tbqe9M0vqYoZOT2JmelTWkOvawPsHsB2sMjyAk4XCEZNAa1BTSDZKYxTSkGuXtU5vrutVL0A/s400/dilly+bag7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 6:<br />
<br />
Fold the sides over until tip of triangle is flush to the other edge.<br />
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(This is where using a light coloured fabric would have been more useful to show what I am talking about!)<br />
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Fold the top corner down. Press entire project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4DcrEI7N89sHRKlfcpQwiiDYCqrDGFDdQsSDQR4ZCppIzz5ZhrrLzqpMdod9VI46ZOP_NvkFviEi_CkrvTRTGSg_1cBsv7ufXr9ySYHCttUoj8b1YdQT3E93dunm4tpcfv4ql4XubdU/s1600/dilly+bag8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4DcrEI7N89sHRKlfcpQwiiDYCqrDGFDdQsSDQR4ZCppIzz5ZhrrLzqpMdod9VI46ZOP_NvkFviEi_CkrvTRTGSg_1cBsv7ufXr9ySYHCttUoj8b1YdQT3E93dunm4tpcfv4ql4XubdU/s400/dilly+bag8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 7:<br />
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Draw lines on the crease lines. The lines on the sides will be your stitching lines.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2246OiSWqWkt5PF81RkA4RSOBBbEhV8daZ3SoKKsqf7DrRAfGCTcyM4GE9RosKPZC4nOmZruyuufWk_rI98qZXFmBdZV7lijSCTOpFAGYVYkpZmkd5Jbe1UolHptXuOu0PH6I9LS5cGU/s1600/dilly+bag88.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2246OiSWqWkt5PF81RkA4RSOBBbEhV8daZ3SoKKsqf7DrRAfGCTcyM4GE9RosKPZC4nOmZruyuufWk_rI98qZXFmBdZV7lijSCTOpFAGYVYkpZmkd5Jbe1UolHptXuOu0PH6I9LS5cGU/s400/dilly+bag88.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 8:<br />
<br />
Fold over the top and bottom flaps to the line marked and pin.<br />
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Sew across about 1/2" to form your casings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvyBrR3dB0C24uOXAVoODe54PLQ9TGy0QJKUWorPA_v1Hux3eYUvlvh-GuURQ6p5zLS67i5FDVaFqMHDBhkPAG1T0TCfgPobKLCFQlStwsnRrdTzupXuBi03aQyO3KvnsHr9Mvc7qoAg/s1600/dilly+bag89.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvyBrR3dB0C24uOXAVoODe54PLQ9TGy0QJKUWorPA_v1Hux3eYUvlvh-GuURQ6p5zLS67i5FDVaFqMHDBhkPAG1T0TCfgPobKLCFQlStwsnRrdTzupXuBi03aQyO3KvnsHr9Mvc7qoAg/s400/dilly+bag89.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My casing. If I didn't use spotted fabric you would probably not notice it looking so uneven.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopu1epu13Pwu_N2GHkpb0a7ar1sFqOvcp3uDRK-cpQRKPd4pd0VZl5tSoBBO92Br-4PoLP4zWzYwvBSoPnM4ppsnE9EyxCxzvkyn3H36w54cUtTvuNgRiHIC0sZb9zljqizEO8p2yhWs/s1600/dilly+bag90.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopu1epu13Pwu_N2GHkpb0a7ar1sFqOvcp3uDRK-cpQRKPd4pd0VZl5tSoBBO92Br-4PoLP4zWzYwvBSoPnM4ppsnE9EyxCxzvkyn3H36w54cUtTvuNgRiHIC0sZb9zljqizEO8p2yhWs/s400/dilly+bag90.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 9:<br />
<br />
Sew the sides. Follow those lines you drew in step 7.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDPgfsjaKts_5TyFgodLtimdPdRP2X20U5cBNwCmdolsg28GzWLg3ZzgO4_vCwKIJnm_mISlaTkOMNxLwwbWvakO9QgW5Z5CQiGUnjjrefFK-eNv0RJ14UXS5J5qkuOwvWJmoXuEYxBc/s1600/dilly+bag91.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDPgfsjaKts_5TyFgodLtimdPdRP2X20U5cBNwCmdolsg28GzWLg3ZzgO4_vCwKIJnm_mISlaTkOMNxLwwbWvakO9QgW5Z5CQiGUnjjrefFK-eNv0RJ14UXS5J5qkuOwvWJmoXuEYxBc/s400/dilly+bag91.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Just wanted to show that not only do I cut wonky uneven squares of fabric but I sew wonky straight lines of stitching.<br />
<br />
No don't do this. Sew yours straight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBbGoivCgv7FRDTy4EnvQKL-b-sCf5KYWykv2vpVHXyB7WI0ncqWU7Ozm5E3NwszIqQtURbjLez56d5tiuquAMfhEEC6f4p4b4rQ9QiiuYR8GpB_5q5MbBbvX_wekXcTB8caPNoijZ3s/s1600/dilly+bag94.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBbGoivCgv7FRDTy4EnvQKL-b-sCf5KYWykv2vpVHXyB7WI0ncqWU7Ozm5E3NwszIqQtURbjLez56d5tiuquAMfhEEC6f4p4b4rQ9QiiuYR8GpB_5q5MbBbvX_wekXcTB8caPNoijZ3s/s400/dilly+bag94.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 10:<br />
<br />
Origami fold the sides in to look like mini squares.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCe-M-fSEEeIeUJQ90bA46TpYjlOXCLJv6PG0x7EgFiioFdST2X9-5WqPYMs4lJ0Qyb5x2jXp6Y0gxZSGh1cDD2IRhgw_K8pYZ71isaZ1PLRHkBJ1yW8qoTH-O4HGZKxYao65sMLp0zI/s1600/dilly+bag96.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCe-M-fSEEeIeUJQ90bA46TpYjlOXCLJv6PG0x7EgFiioFdST2X9-5WqPYMs4lJ0Qyb5x2jXp6Y0gxZSGh1cDD2IRhgw_K8pYZ71isaZ1PLRHkBJ1yW8qoTH-O4HGZKxYao65sMLp0zI/s400/dilly+bag96.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 11:<br />
<br />
Fold the top flap of mini square over as in photo on left.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEqCS-qpRKewruqdzTOtx-vlchL73E8wQ9nW-2Lk8t9yRPlk8CP3CbuoRtJEzW-nS1CsrmGqkuVjaDSR3fXL7NNdC5V6xljn38lmD7UCcW5gxsdZObwMisvgVqCkr5jdH872Z4FIGB2w/s1600/dilly+bag97.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEqCS-qpRKewruqdzTOtx-vlchL73E8wQ9nW-2Lk8t9yRPlk8CP3CbuoRtJEzW-nS1CsrmGqkuVjaDSR3fXL7NNdC5V6xljn38lmD7UCcW5gxsdZObwMisvgVqCkr5jdH872Z4FIGB2w/s400/dilly+bag97.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step 12:<br />
<br />
Stitch a button onto each side. <br />
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Step 13:<br />
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Stitch an embellishment to the front.<br />
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After making a couple of flowers for the front that all seemed too big, I got lazy and went ahead and used one. Personally I think a smaller flower would look better.<br />
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Step 14:<br />
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Pull your cord through the casings and voila! Your done!!!<br />
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Hope you like this tutorial and can follow my instructions well enough. If you can't my email is always a few clicks away.<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-22881693076027445332012-05-06T23:54:00.001+09:302012-05-06T23:54:58.503+09:30Weddings are generally not my favourite event to go to, though I do prefer them to funerals. I find church weddings are stiff and too formal. So imagine my pleasant surprise to witness a beautiful wedding in a cathedral called St Francis Xavier that had fun, love and laughter. A happy priest telling jokes and the bride and groom's close friends having participating roles in the service. I cried a little. The bride's mother tells me I was the only person who cried. I assured her that they were tears of joy.<br />
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This is not the best of wedding photos but about the only one I managed to take without a bubble up somebody's nose.<br />
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Spot the bubble!<br />
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To be fair to family I will embarrassingly expose myself on my blog.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxwJ8AgKCpyozkUQJMjp7hDpPWLwxBJ6xtfV0ZpwiuovTubrdyTYbQFhJl-zc2qJCJoEvwYKZ-zgPo92PfU2mnIAQM5WPD4Uu5vIkZ901rhecVkH_49g6c1GReInKHlNVy8N-DpnVI-4/s1600/536105_10151536839125023_326594255022_23657831_786563378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxwJ8AgKCpyozkUQJMjp7hDpPWLwxBJ6xtfV0ZpwiuovTubrdyTYbQFhJl-zc2qJCJoEvwYKZ-zgPo92PfU2mnIAQM5WPD4Uu5vIkZ901rhecVkH_49g6c1GReInKHlNVy8N-DpnVI-4/s400/536105_10151536839125023_326594255022_23657831_786563378_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before a few drinks at hens night</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after a few drinks!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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My sewing mojo has managed to finish off a small childs tote that has been hanging around unfinished for months. I feel so happy to finally finish off a project that started off exciting and ended up blah.<br />
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Next sewing finish is a neck pillow I made using a pattern from the book called "Sew Darn Cute" by Jenny Ryan. That book is so darn cute and the projects in it are all on my "must do" list. <br />
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Top of pillow was made using cotton scraps stitched onto a piece of flannel. Then I traced the pattern onto this and cut out along with the backing piece which was from a child's dress made of soft chenille fabric. Looks gorgeous and feels so comfy. It is so mine! <br />
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Mothers Day is in a week. Do you think I will have enough time to make a couple more for the lovely ladies in my life? (A little voice of reason is telling me no because stuffing the pillow is such a time sucker).<br />
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Thanks for reading. May you all be blessed with beautiful weather this week.<br />
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<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-40433552679205834022012-05-01T19:35:00.000+09:302012-05-01T19:42:00.296+09:30I have been attempting to write a blog post for ages. I have lost count of the many times I logged in all ready to do a post and then been interrupted and lured away from the keyboard!<br />
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So lets be quick:<br />
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Made a fabric flower for no reason at all. Turned out to be a blessing because I got asked to decorate church pews for a wedding. No not with the above flower. I made some white ones.<br />
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I made eight. Well I stitched the circles together while my friend Min cut out all 12 circles for each flower. Cutting out the circles is the hardest and most boring bit I think you will agree. Tutorial is from Precious Little Poppets. Link <a href="http://preciouslittlepoppets.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/my-creative-space-fabric-flower.html" style="color: #351c75;">here</a>.<br />
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Some netting and the pew decorations are done. We had about 2 weeks notice before the wedding as the bride forgot about the little details.<br />
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The Gnomes have eyes! One (red hat) has a new home too. Link for tutorial is on previous post. (sorry about being lazy. Link to Gingercakes blog <a href="http://www.gingercake.typepad.com/">here</a>.<br />
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The gardening job I mentioned last post about my friend coming over to help.......... well we had good intentions and did do some mowing but soon did more drinking. Mowing and drinking do not mix. I should think. I don't actually know because I don't drink and mow. I'm not an idiot! lol<br />
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Hey! I got a post done! Yippee and wish my long suffering readers all the best wherever you are.<br />
<br />antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-1532879875949447182012-03-29T12:54:00.000+10:302012-03-29T12:54:50.096+10:30I am a sewing crazy and I need help!!!I have been sewing like mad for the last few weeks and guess what? I have barely finished a single item. What exactly do you call this condition? What does it say about me that I lose interest too quickly or am easily distracted by the next great project that comes along?<br />
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I also found I couldn't blog about a project until I finished it which made for a very sad and sorry looking blog indeed!<br />
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I have decided to try and post about all my projects right from the "Cutting Of The Fabric" stage and seeing if this helps. Not only with finishing WIPs but getting a blog post out every couple of days at least!<br />
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As a craft blog reader myself I actually like seeing the whole journey of projects being made and well as the end result. So somebody may actual enjoy my posts or at the very least find it useful.<br />
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They aren't actually finished yet as they have no faces:(<br />
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To be totally honest I am too scared to paint their faces as I am so messy at it and don't want to ruin the cute little things.<br />
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Tutorial was found <a href="http://gingercake.typepad.com/gingercake/2010/10/gnomes-tutorial.html">here</a> and I would like to say thank you to Virginia Lindsay, creator of <a href="http://www.gingercake.bigcartel.com/" target="_self">Gingercake Patterns</a> and the blog <a href="http://www.gingercake.typepad.com/" target="_self">Gingercake</a> for sharing her gnomes with us. I found them quite adorable.<br />
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Well bye for now. I would like to finish a neck pillow as its nearly done! Alas I also have a friend coming over tomorrow to help me landscape my front garden and I have to do some preliminary work first.<br />
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Also try and catch up with another friend whose daughter is getting married and I have volunteered to help her with the tasks she has to do for the wedding, like make the guest gifts and table decorations. She also had to alter her daughters wedding gown and re sew the intricate lace and beading. Now she has to give it a gentle wash. I don't want to help her with THAT too much as all hell will break loose is something happens to the dress! I will give her emotional support and thats about all! lolantmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-32382877337398713812012-02-21T09:51:00.002+10:302012-02-21T10:00:57.895+10:30I want a little bit of empty nest syndrome!I am having quite a bit of difficulties in writing regular blog post's! It's frustrating me no end. Is it a lack of sewing projects to show?..........no. Is it having nothing to write about?..........no. Is it time management?........a little bit. What is making it hard to blog is the fact my son keeps wanting to use my computer which makes it hard for me to get access to it.<br />
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To write a blog post I really require a decent sized block of time, uninterrupted to write, edit etc. I require private time and for it to be at night time. The time management bit is that I need a regular time slot to be available .........regularly. Mornings are also great times to write blogs but some mornings I have to get up, get ready for work and then go. There is no time for personal activities some mornings!<br />
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What can I do about reclaiming my computer back for me? He has a laptop of his own and our house is a hotspot. Yeah, yeah I need to get a spine! Tonight I will. I have already asked my daughter for help! lol<br />
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I realized that I have put myself on hold until the kids move back out of home. I want a little bit of empty nest syndrome! They are both adults and act like ones when they live on their own but since moving back home I find they revert back to kids again and I treat them like kids. Washing their clothes, cooking, cleaning after them etc. I am my own worst enemy! Yeah, I know! I need to get a spine..again!<br />
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The daughter is not so bad at helping with household chores. Often when I come home from work I will find she has done some tiding up and the dishes. My son though is a typical bloke that just doesn't see mess. Just like my husband!!!!!<br />
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I made this kitchen floor mat using an old towel and some cotton fabric scraps. I thought the idea for this mat came from some random blog surfing awhile ago but could be from a craft book I borrowed from the library ages ago. I stumbled upon blog posts of the towel projects the other day that came from the same book. The book is "<a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2009/02/coming-soon-handmade-home.html" style="color: red;">Handmade Home</a>" by Amanda Blake Soule from the "SouleMamma" blog.<br />
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The other mats were done differently to mine but look a lot easier to do (and quicker!). A rectangle of towel and a rectangle of cotton fabric sewed together around the edges and turned right side out. Towel scraps appliqued to the top.<br />
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For mine I layered two towel rectangles together. Appliqued cotton scraps on top and binded the top and bottom raw edges. I slip stitched the side edges together. Looks alright, and being two layers of towel means its soft and plush. The cat loves it and sits on it whenever it can.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic1gWaiZxpws1NIMgI4NAMsIPNEYMfpJurOtUGd62-4tB0HB-r3L3EXUn2ZN4Q6kFedJhbpjJvPeqaffnHV__001guJ9V8ySwbMZZuqiM6oeTWtT88iiDj952ge-jDS7_3GhGOlOp4QM/s1600/DSC_0104.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic1gWaiZxpws1NIMgI4NAMsIPNEYMfpJurOtUGd62-4tB0HB-r3L3EXUn2ZN4Q6kFedJhbpjJvPeqaffnHV__001guJ9V8ySwbMZZuqiM6oeTWtT88iiDj952ge-jDS7_3GhGOlOp4QM/s400/DSC_0104.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish I could sit on a post all day by the river. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-60946640763298449912012-01-26T17:28:00.002+10:302012-01-26T17:32:04.913+10:305 cent scrap of fabricDuring my weekly tour of the local op shops, I was lucky to spot a wee scrap of fabric that has two beautiful horses on it. Horse fabric is so hard to find and to find this scrap and only costing 5 cents was like winning lotto.<br />
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I am not horse mad by the way. I had horse mad friends growing up and did try to learn how to ride. Unfortunately one of my friend's had a fat and obese horse named "Star" who deliberately stood on my foot and refused to move. Nearly broke a bone in my foot. I chose motorbikes thereafter.<br />
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My school mate is now my sister in law and had passed her mad fetish onto my darling niece Becky. So the fabric had to be "got" and a bag made.<br />
Here it is:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4J7z03VvpXC4F0PDEzVsjOAUdSMDrOy0Z_tCjjnc7t3opKqygKgGOrdbOOVqPwlxleM31TGQkigB1XHMvP9BZb5pebuv2eGeYKKfSXheh8myGCXXd4axnV7DU0ZPtwVf_wmF39hGedM/s1600/DSC_0901.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4J7z03VvpXC4F0PDEzVsjOAUdSMDrOy0Z_tCjjnc7t3opKqygKgGOrdbOOVqPwlxleM31TGQkigB1XHMvP9BZb5pebuv2eGeYKKfSXheh8myGCXXd4axnV7DU0ZPtwVf_wmF39hGedM/s400/DSC_0901.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH80vQlllLy4zLPQpXERCC5FvVaF5No60WHxJSh5oWvZ8R8wOXKK9q0svOQ8w_cj_AZ92Evzj-QTkQeyIPr2DcltuPgydpyWFGWj3YrMBpWiJW95om58UU8yp0BcXcSiJeFjEklp8yOes/s1600/DSC_0904.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH80vQlllLy4zLPQpXERCC5FvVaF5No60WHxJSh5oWvZ8R8wOXKK9q0svOQ8w_cj_AZ92Evzj-QTkQeyIPr2DcltuPgydpyWFGWj3YrMBpWiJW95om58UU8yp0BcXcSiJeFjEklp8yOes/s400/DSC_0904.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little close up</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw4wg1Qd7n5En4Sc2Q-ZR8LyvVJDb2eVBSn-x1kfm_7WD__b-WB5DF4LzGGKG7HM2OnhvhF1St3qlmUAh_QvrsKF-bfp38E9ig88Fx_9Y6msGeZ2vRdzHaykuFxyl7Ydsf8U2b3NcuRU/s1600/DSC_0907.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw4wg1Qd7n5En4Sc2Q-ZR8LyvVJDb2eVBSn-x1kfm_7WD__b-WB5DF4LzGGKG7HM2OnhvhF1St3qlmUAh_QvrsKF-bfp38E9ig88Fx_9Y6msGeZ2vRdzHaykuFxyl7Ydsf8U2b3NcuRU/s400/DSC_0907.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE5ztvMvznRmMypScxWW2f4gNYp7waMvgaeOZwaMsDyEGeVOwZfrHyJOd-eWXua-_JeZxt7UiRBVl4NGbYegrlhDh0rVpC8jlzTodft9hHAH3V4InEa-kZ0awxqV3pnbN-35_7Fy4daY/s1600/DSC_0819.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE5ztvMvznRmMypScxWW2f4gNYp7waMvgaeOZwaMsDyEGeVOwZfrHyJOd-eWXua-_JeZxt7UiRBVl4NGbYegrlhDh0rVpC8jlzTodft9hHAH3V4InEa-kZ0awxqV3pnbN-35_7Fy4daY/s400/DSC_0819.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior with another horse on the pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11HFdfdwxp6Nydu1q7hjpwGOLxfuHX3KO4fd7QE69NjIXhvVANuPh_nEJ7Z5E-T3PDr_Pvjnmb3s6BmCGsESPjEGLoVhSVJf0PhO57-swWlN8Z3Pq_CF53_Vtr23JNXCfeZZs5HniCI8/s1600/DSC_0913.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11HFdfdwxp6Nydu1q7hjpwGOLxfuHX3KO4fd7QE69NjIXhvVANuPh_nEJ7Z5E-T3PDr_Pvjnmb3s6BmCGsESPjEGLoVhSVJf0PhO57-swWlN8Z3Pq_CF53_Vtr23JNXCfeZZs5HniCI8/s400/DSC_0913.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Check out the handle on this bag. I also scored a wooden belt and turned it into the bag handle. Compliments the cowboy/ country look doesn't it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF1bxaMd55QUtx8ZmyEDwxW-1o_eni5ZMKmNs7sfEox-pGFa1uVIrqwmjHqn_Nr9DqOud03DVH58CpJS0TAzC8mQ7SpvXj-h7Fa1grTM1NNj8VEMtwHpAshMoxuOHQMZ2dYHDBFwTbWk/s1600/DSC_0929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF1bxaMd55QUtx8ZmyEDwxW-1o_eni5ZMKmNs7sfEox-pGFa1uVIrqwmjHqn_Nr9DqOud03DVH58CpJS0TAzC8mQ7SpvXj-h7Fa1grTM1NNj8VEMtwHpAshMoxuOHQMZ2dYHDBFwTbWk/s400/DSC_0929.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This wild duck followed me up and down the riverbank while I was looking for a great photo spot for my bag. Looking to be fed? Or is he after his 15 seconds of fame on a blog? He (or she) is rather cute! Sadly for him/her I will not feed wildlife. They need to learn to look after themselves! Tough love!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bag pattern information</span>:<br />
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This bag was made using a free bag pattern shared by <a href="http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/free-clutch-pattern-pieces.html">Keyka </a>of Keyka Lou - The sewing blog. She also generously allows home crafters to make a few to sell on their stalls etc. I am planning on making one or two to sell using some "African animal" fabric I found with lions, zebras, cheetahs and a giraffe. <br />
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Kind regards and HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-61818554543902223352012-01-20T10:07:00.000+10:302012-01-20T10:07:08.729+10:30Looking forward to this year 2012Why am I looking forward to a year that has every "doom Sayer" predicting is going to end? <br />
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The huge solar flare that is going to hit Earth approx Dec 20th.<br />
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I am looking forward to the possibility that the flare will cause a huge "Aurora australis" that can easily be seen by many on the main land. Aboriginal folklore of the "Great Rainbow Serpent" may be the retelling of the indigenous witnessing this great event hundreds of years ago. <br />
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Not looking forward to the possible heat wave though. Make sure you look after the elderly, sick and very young with plenty of water etc. And batteries for the youngsters in case power goes out, internet down, (no facebook for awhile!!) lol.<br />
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To sewing:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNHOzRDyeamX513G903NQ08arlqdKRVI7OPS_QYLvq0_ShHw8sBpybvG7RPWsCVl1FMu5V7jor5ToR178CV0vEn9QrQ8kIcMEF-LSd5zQ1qU220FtzYg-5YruuRWHJpbfcKw3fI6YRs/s1600/eyre+pouch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNHOzRDyeamX513G903NQ08arlqdKRVI7OPS_QYLvq0_ShHw8sBpybvG7RPWsCVl1FMu5V7jor5ToR178CV0vEn9QrQ8kIcMEF-LSd5zQ1qU220FtzYg-5YruuRWHJpbfcKw3fI6YRs/s400/eyre+pouch.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have got a few projects finished! Hurray! One of the projects I enjoyed making the most was some "thank you gifts". A lovely couple who live on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia helped my in-laws out when they broke down returning from holidays.<br />
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I made them a wristlet and a couple of peg bags. Not knowing the lovely people in person made deciding what to make them difficult. I decided on pouches and peg bags as they can be used to store a lot of different things. A work mate uses a peg bag that I made as a sock holder in her wardrobe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl_-IybhIQBcFTuvDmmwsuwEYPJbCUtPBMwdmFqu_JMhRrWMSNY7zwx2ngpvj6qoDdZDM5plfdxNbS5hTZ59OzjwZipx1lyolW2-drLo6HWEgWUeIyMjZiajkZA6PikY9tYYM1ZO6T5w/s1600/peg+bags4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl_-IybhIQBcFTuvDmmwsuwEYPJbCUtPBMwdmFqu_JMhRrWMSNY7zwx2ngpvj6qoDdZDM5plfdxNbS5hTZ59OzjwZipx1lyolW2-drLo6HWEgWUeIyMjZiajkZA6PikY9tYYM1ZO6T5w/s400/peg+bags4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I got a new camera and I haven't learnt how to use it properly yet! I didn't know it was still on special effects mode when I was rushed to take these pictures until the items were on the road 900km away.<br />
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Looks lovely in real mode. Blues, reds and black. If I find the scraps will post pic of fabric!<br />
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Pouches were from a Heather Bailey pouch tutorial from the book called "Signature Styles". I purchased mine at <a href="http://www.candobooks.com.au/catalog/signature-styles-p-9941.html" style="color: #38761d;">www.Can Do Books.com.au</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXj0AeHmSsoJuMWzcDkBs1pt-0ZYxBysOHA8VVb2EDVgi5YKnPemvYO1YpfPNRkRwLLLJSSYpmwbYq1TPjU6XXNFXJij0DlwO_w8jwBL87oxKgnOxKMavLcpqAxY4I3tc6ZD9Fk0truk/s1600/peg+bags2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXj0AeHmSsoJuMWzcDkBs1pt-0ZYxBysOHA8VVb2EDVgi5YKnPemvYO1YpfPNRkRwLLLJSSYpmwbYq1TPjU6XXNFXJij0DlwO_w8jwBL87oxKgnOxKMavLcpqAxY4I3tc6ZD9Fk0truk/s400/peg+bags2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like the owls are sneaking a peek.</td></tr>
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Last year was a terrible year for a lot of people. My FIL got very sick, my SIL had a heart attack and in a coma, my daughters cat got bitten by a snake and the news on TV was tragedy after tragedy. I didn't feel much like blogging as I didn't have many happy things to say! I sewed though and got through 2011.<br />
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I hope 2012 is a good one for all of us and I will have plenty of happy things to blog about. <br />
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Hugs to everyone.antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-4664609514393068412011-10-13T22:24:00.001+10:302011-10-13T22:33:56.293+10:30I still sew...Hi, just a quick post to say "hello" and keep my blog active....sort of! I have been very busy with un-craft related things (boo hoo :( . but have manged to make this bag in small (desperate to sew) blocks of time! <br />
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It's one of the wonderful bag pattern freebies that use to be offered by "Oh Fransson". I don't understand why its not offered anymore. A lot of free patterns are being taken off the free list and put up later for sale. Is the GFC to blame for this???<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z3WaXMQ4QhZOct-uR8I08XuXzi4nwwO1NJW00qX-_1hpi5smoNMU8GLyZRfMNaFveCHfGvaiKxEbKi5E9eFUwUoC6uCHCUzNu2awtRoEDsMnttUl_9LYBzikzyXsFg981EG8D4KggMI/s1600/purple+floral+margaret+bag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z3WaXMQ4QhZOct-uR8I08XuXzi4nwwO1NJW00qX-_1hpi5smoNMU8GLyZRfMNaFveCHfGvaiKxEbKi5E9eFUwUoC6uCHCUzNu2awtRoEDsMnttUl_9LYBzikzyXsFg981EG8D4KggMI/s400/purple+floral+margaret+bag.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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Amongst other things I have been on holiday in the beautiful seaside town of Streaky Bay, South Australia. Might do a post on it once the hell of a holiday fades and the family and I can finally laugh about it.<br />
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I went on this holiday with my hubby and about 30 members of his family! The logistics of holidaying with so many and planning the days, ensuring no one gets left behind in the caravan park on fishing trips defies belief. Also just following the car in front with no idea where you are heading for is just plain silly! People got cut off from the convoy and then lost!!! Plan your holidays better than we did, folks or just camp close to home. Streaky Bay is about 830km from home. Way too far!<br />
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Anyway, enough about that. I am off for some much needed therapy! In my sewing room of course! (just borrowed the "One Metre Wonders" book from the library and it looks awesome!)<br />
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Cheers <br />
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Kylieantmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-91392384158940751682011-09-17T09:10:00.000+09:302011-09-17T09:10:42.262+09:30Current doingsI've had a good week this week! I hope you have too! The lovely spring sunshine is fabulous and always puts me in a cheerful mood.<br />
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In the sewing room, I have been running up some monster pencil cases. My daughter spotted one on the net and asked me to make her one. She loved it immensely and took it to school where her friends saw it and one of them asked me (it was more like begged! lol) to make her one. I couldn't refuse her or my niece and so it has been production line central around here!<br />
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A small but very important tip for anyone who decides they want to have a go at making monster pencil cases: Do not use stretch denim! Only use a sturdy fabric or else it all stretches out of shape. Save your old (non stretchy) jeans for this and keep your eyes out for any size zips in thrift stores. All of the zips I used were about 50cm in length. I just stitched as normal and cut off the left over bit just before turning case to the right side.<br />
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I am going to make a few more to keep in reserve for the next child that asks for one and will photograph my sewing steps for those just learning the joy of sewing.<br />
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These girls are my attempt at the 'Black Apple Doll' pattern. Thank you to Emily from the <a href="http://theblackapple.typepad.com/" style="color: #38761d;">Black Apple</a> blog for providing <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/264299/black-apple-doll?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show" style="color: #0b5394;">this free pattern</a>. <br />
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My girls are not quite finished yet. Still stuffing their tiny little arms and legs! One little lady (shown below) is falling behind on her sisters and still feeling very flat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNKm35IiP3A9CyT3vbLmvehFHyA1wITjEOiEEylxqKqU6YLAxpKL47CzXJySw2i6507QkN_HHSNC7VgsRp2VJ35bmzGLL9-fK0gUs8kc6f_n5nJ1lhkjdwDxPspsqH9riebTFvknXmY/s1600/apple+dolls3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNKm35IiP3A9CyT3vbLmvehFHyA1wITjEOiEEylxqKqU6YLAxpKL47CzXJySw2i6507QkN_HHSNC7VgsRp2VJ35bmzGLL9-fK0gUs8kc6f_n5nJ1lhkjdwDxPspsqH9riebTFvknXmY/s400/apple+dolls3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">These girls will be 'waiting in reserve' for just the right home to go to. I often read of blogs doing 'soft toy appeals' for charity and like to get involved but something else always comes up that uses my time and I fall behind the deadline for delivery. I have decided to make things in advance and only offer to send some stuff whenever I have some already made.</span><br />
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If this blog post sounds a little all over the place, I sincerely apologize. It feels like an epic post that has been 5 days in the making! Every time I sit down to get this blog post up, I have been dragged away. Dragged off screaming to Zumba classes, dragged off to wander around a new shopping centre under construction, dragged off to drive around the countryside lost etc. When I did get to write a few words I found that I had not uploaded my pictures yet. On trying to upload pictures, the computer ignored the camera plugged in and I had to wait for the master to get home from work to sort it out.<br />
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And they say a good blog should post 3 or 4 times a week! I had trouble just getting the one completed!!<br />
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Cheerio! (getting dragged off to the city to buy a Campmaster portable toilet and tent whoo hoo excitement plus!!) (not!)antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-53303577415042728802011-09-05T17:26:00.000+09:302011-09-05T17:26:28.731+09:30and the winner is.......Today is the day! I got to pick a winner for my bag giveaway.<br />
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The winning comment is: 16<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlRS5JUbKVm-Nih7g4cUPy-G31Mgb3UVpNOZWaCeWiHqidZwVOfByHPpmL9MToXOxNFZ4IxwXWnfhj1_4UnT0B3CcTg_WqIJf-Qm7tdMaqR47eIFgukPAZBFwy-avfiUJNmdOeS3ISwM/s1600/bag+winner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlRS5JUbKVm-Nih7g4cUPy-G31Mgb3UVpNOZWaCeWiHqidZwVOfByHPpmL9MToXOxNFZ4IxwXWnfhj1_4UnT0B3CcTg_WqIJf-Qm7tdMaqR47eIFgukPAZBFwy-avfiUJNmdOeS3ISwM/s1600/bag+winner.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
Congratulations Ariane! I hope you enjoy many days out with<strike></strike> your new bag.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wv6KKqZRHnBVwCbnApcBdYz_j96zr7Ik8JU6ChcgJem7NyZaz5IbdCIHDx6oM9dGY4QhB0isMSS7H7KYLF7cLMEVapqszvjSxBBXhQgxI84eSlYknayJ9cYg0L8L3nSDPBnG7KIWFYU/s1600/blue+denim+bag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wv6KKqZRHnBVwCbnApcBdYz_j96zr7Ik8JU6ChcgJem7NyZaz5IbdCIHDx6oM9dGY4QhB0isMSS7H7KYLF7cLMEVapqszvjSxBBXhQgxI84eSlYknayJ9cYg0L8L3nSDPBnG7KIWFYU/s400/blue+denim+bag.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I love doing giveaways and am thinking of doing a lot more because I love making stuff and I don't want to overload my family and friends! I'll overload you guys instead!!! Nasty aren't I? lol<br />
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Currently making some monster pencil cases for family and one of my daughters friends. This monster pencil case has proven popular. My daughter loves hers and her friends have asked me to make them one too. Will show them later, along with some simple dolls I have been making. I have used the <a href="http://theblackapple.typepad.com/" style="color: blue;">black apple doll</a> <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/264299/black-apple-doll?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show" style="color: #274e13;">pattern</a> and love mixing and matching fabric scraps. <br />
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Kind regards.<br />
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Kylie <br />
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antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-29020900440168732482011-08-28T11:31:00.000+09:302011-08-28T11:31:20.845+09:30slipper paradeMy messenger type bag GIVEAWAY <a href="http://antmee.blogspot.com/2011/08/bag-giveaway.html" style="color: #38761d;">here.</a> Closes 4th September.<br />
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Now onto my slipper parade.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmIGq5HPc1a2EdFFb1Yhl8FA7UtePKy13F_Zqzd3pVVkec088hJSceT9ErfK30Dce3ZkL2pCJ9iW_VwlHt55wmc246zA1-DnG0z1WKZQOZAM8htfpxE-zyEKLyK6vMR9Eh3Q0kKudv8c/s1600/floral+slippers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmIGq5HPc1a2EdFFb1Yhl8FA7UtePKy13F_Zqzd3pVVkec088hJSceT9ErfK30Dce3ZkL2pCJ9iW_VwlHt55wmc246zA1-DnG0z1WKZQOZAM8htfpxE-zyEKLyK6vMR9Eh3Q0kKudv8c/s400/floral+slippers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The pattern and instructions for these comfy slippers was found in the magazine SEW HIP issue 20. These slippers have cotton uppers lined with fleece. The sole is three layers consisting of curtain blackout (makes a nice non slip base), wadding and fleece. The instruction's diagram was a bit misleading and the layers came out wrong. The wadding is on top!!! I have corrected the pattern's instructions for future reference.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9R5utTeS-4saHhCr3_zTehelcMEwsve17ciQH_WW5mGHh_m05XDk6VkMEGsjrSmEoZaDpVPILLx-IgSJ3XmLJ0r2dH2efCGbz2Imt_Dqdsjnjj_cm-_OC_Drv9XqMd_gNh7ttz7ni80/s1600/animal+print+slippers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9R5utTeS-4saHhCr3_zTehelcMEwsve17ciQH_WW5mGHh_m05XDk6VkMEGsjrSmEoZaDpVPILLx-IgSJ3XmLJ0r2dH2efCGbz2Imt_Dqdsjnjj_cm-_OC_Drv9XqMd_gNh7ttz7ni80/s400/animal+print+slippers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Same as above 'Sew Hip' pattern. Made from soft fleece, making these very comfy indeed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsKvgQ6Rsn43It5tKTNVcSby3r-G9gq6OY6ovLX6j8IJtxsq6G8SoTX4VZnhwwUn26D_3sKyZ_3T6pSZrYOtxgIG3aiwHPMPzt2x4KDlZwCemUhZm41dHulcnMFTArfF-W5AcbdPkOgQ/s1600/red+slippers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsKvgQ6Rsn43It5tKTNVcSby3r-G9gq6OY6ovLX6j8IJtxsq6G8SoTX4VZnhwwUn26D_3sKyZ_3T6pSZrYOtxgIG3aiwHPMPzt2x4KDlZwCemUhZm41dHulcnMFTArfF-W5AcbdPkOgQ/s400/red+slippers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
These red slippers were made by using the cuffs from a man's shirt! What a great recycling idea! I used <a href="http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5e6cd3910100s2o1.html" style="color: #0b5394;">this tutorial</a>. It is written in a language I don't know, but the pictures were ample enough for me to work out how to put them together. I am definitely going to attempt these again. On the lookout for nice men's shirts now! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoaKmA_aeayVNHA7Ry-8eKvBgkgNZoC_Cmj2VvoJQIQhreNUx4Kcc21M1v9T1bg9BKY2bV0rKDDL2XDXodnQvFzYGDxTc0SjdGTUc95pp19DvnrHeqjtuagqSpPG3GR2S5ZL_S1I3mD0/s1600/3+slippers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoaKmA_aeayVNHA7Ry-8eKvBgkgNZoC_Cmj2VvoJQIQhreNUx4Kcc21M1v9T1bg9BKY2bV0rKDDL2XDXodnQvFzYGDxTc0SjdGTUc95pp19DvnrHeqjtuagqSpPG3GR2S5ZL_S1I3mD0/s400/3+slippers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have given these slippers to a friend, who after her new house was built, did her own flooring using some beautiful polished floor boards. Hopefully her guests will use these slippers and help keep her floor looking fantastic! I know I will.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">PS</span> To<span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: black;">my friends who have entered my giveaway, if you haven't already done so, you can add another entry for being my follower. I will be using the number generator to pick a winner, so please get your extra entry!!</span></span><br />
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Cheers!antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-23172336159724811902011-08-21T14:39:00.001+09:302011-08-21T22:05:24.572+09:30Bag GiveawayI have been making some bags from <a href="http://www.nicolemdesign.com.au/" style="color: purple;">Nicole Mallalieu's</a> book '<a href="http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple;">You Sew, Girl</a>' and it has been fantastic! Such great easy patterns and easy to understand instructions with lots of photo's of the steps. I have enjoyed the bag making so much that I couldn't stop at just one!<br />
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I can't keep them all and so I am going to give one of them away. I had a really hard time trying to choose which one to keep myself and had to get the eeny, meeny, miny, moe ritual to lend a hand.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_sY_wr-JqQsnSEsJadWXSCCVMlw9rWruXLKy0OahIWa5qdsVcRWQDToIrio1V6rMwhWW39Jlp4J_r_A_r314t6K6yXqPuj2HeZRZT4LBcuXNrxwlkElb9jQR-R_OIZeTyk27dOJUS68/s1600/blue+denim+bag6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_sY_wr-JqQsnSEsJadWXSCCVMlw9rWruXLKy0OahIWa5qdsVcRWQDToIrio1V6rMwhWW39Jlp4J_r_A_r314t6K6yXqPuj2HeZRZT4LBcuXNrxwlkElb9jQR-R_OIZeTyk27dOJUS68/s400/blue+denim+bag6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Made from sturdy denim and cotton flap. It has a key chain fob attached to lining. Also a phone pocket and a zippered pocket.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz2ji-evhQPOqGrQoj91Y1kyqJk3-eNr2hR0dAI-bNbG6TU0jjYe-U7qLEO5zS7LYMUrKaQsYFsBFrSsk0zvQD_wS0Fn-0I-jfNYId1iRpRd21OkN0E9_jvSLpu2bKDqZg4PVpsetOGs/s1600/blue+denim+bag4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz2ji-evhQPOqGrQoj91Y1kyqJk3-eNr2hR0dAI-bNbG6TU0jjYe-U7qLEO5zS7LYMUrKaQsYFsBFrSsk0zvQD_wS0Fn-0I-jfNYId1iRpRd21OkN0E9_jvSLpu2bKDqZg4PVpsetOGs/s400/blue+denim+bag4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">back view</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvzNpvga_GGlI0FCVxy7SIJlfPOOdMbOCAxkFTAImD5II2LHIQVoZZyUXZFpkcoJLYVK-w6GRF7ZFph0AGgCi6qdtaK9qGZ4f4MnjNuqVe-6DshMjblAT2H4sRhGObSa1saAgg3zCgdA/s1600/blue+denim+bag7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvzNpvga_GGlI0FCVxy7SIJlfPOOdMbOCAxkFTAImD5II2LHIQVoZZyUXZFpkcoJLYVK-w6GRF7ZFph0AGgCi6qdtaK9qGZ4f4MnjNuqVe-6DshMjblAT2H4sRhGObSa1saAgg3zCgdA/s400/blue+denim+bag7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A (not very good) view of lining, pockets and key fob.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you would a chance to win this bag all you have to do is:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) Leave a lovely comment!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To have more entries in this giveaway, you could also post about this giveaway on your blog. (feel free to use any of my photo's for the job:) This provides you with the added bonus of having an extra blog post for this week. (thumbs up to quick and easy posts!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You could also become a follower for another entry! I love lovely crafty friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Giveaway closes on the 4th of September, which incidentally is Fathers Day. Maybe I should have made this bag out of manly fabrics! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">PS: Open to all (on Earth!)<br />
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Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-20840976192890236072011-08-11T08:45:00.000+09:302011-08-11T08:45:25.152+09:30Sewing is my drug of choice!Sewing gives me such euphoria when I finally complete a project. The exact opposite occurs when a project becomes a UFO. So I am very happy to be finishing off quite a bit of stuff lately.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp7dTR10mAYHAylPENg4Qkbnn-K4yFcSQBSQL1rl6yAQ8h-8fqNSM1ZrJ2RG4nXkfJseJsAtfi2Hm11wt3e7rYCD1ZpGfqLs-k3ZMN0cxUhbycdznOvdvd2D8cSiMmjN4rYa9R32UP24/s1600/floral+tote3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp7dTR10mAYHAylPENg4Qkbnn-K4yFcSQBSQL1rl6yAQ8h-8fqNSM1ZrJ2RG4nXkfJseJsAtfi2Hm11wt3e7rYCD1ZpGfqLs-k3ZMN0cxUhbycdznOvdvd2D8cSiMmjN4rYa9R32UP24/s400/floral+tote3.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
A simple tote with ample pockets for .....well, anything! This pattern is going to help me get through my large stash of fabric. I went on a sheet buying frenzy when it was all the rage and sheets have lots of fabric!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjnOnviAbx07W0y5ZT_DfegwCa7WS8J_3Anur4WzGdKMe9pivjT9-YIteX5DU7OjMBcTqsDPAFHGDU9NFsqLPNI9huncrKEr8RBAs1b0zZcWaW2KuPPm-8V9oz-HfFjia-hzyRSD6iJc/s1600/retro+foldover+bag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjnOnviAbx07W0y5ZT_DfegwCa7WS8J_3Anur4WzGdKMe9pivjT9-YIteX5DU7OjMBcTqsDPAFHGDU9NFsqLPNI9huncrKEr8RBAs1b0zZcWaW2KuPPm-8V9oz-HfFjia-hzyRSD6iJc/s320/retro+foldover+bag.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Another fold over flap bag! So easy to make! This pattern will also help me get through some of my stash. I interfaced the lining on this bag and not the outer. I only added some canvas type fabric interlining on the outer and it worked out well. Sturdy yet soft.<br />
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I purchased a fantastic sewing book and made a gorgeous bag from it that I will show next. I just have some finishing off to do to the bag and I also would like some sunshine for the photography or a light box. I might make one following <a href="http://kittybooboodesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/tutorial-how-to-make-your-own.html">these</a> instructions.<br />
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antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-18270161157252882252011-08-03T09:40:00.000+09:302011-08-03T09:40:47.867+09:30Messenger Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRpecjox_cl3Zayjv1i_ojVWqPravvTgnpKC1E3kZobCietDsKuOIdd3D40gil_Xf6vbg3rOigTnp6-XB78_ZDhTrjYW3IBx1CN5B7555CRYp0mMLza33zvVyc3kxAo5ycNj4p8WTDGs/s1600/grey+flap+bag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRpecjox_cl3Zayjv1i_ojVWqPravvTgnpKC1E3kZobCietDsKuOIdd3D40gil_Xf6vbg3rOigTnp6-XB78_ZDhTrjYW3IBx1CN5B7555CRYp0mMLza33zvVyc3kxAo5ycNj4p8WTDGs/s320/grey+flap+bag.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My latest bag was inspired by many of the flap type bags out there in blogland, especially <a href="http://sohappytosew.blogspot.com/2010/03/simple-linen-gingham-bag.html" style="color: #4c1130;">this</a> one from Kristen of the '<a href="http://sohappytosew.blogspot.com/">So Happy</a>' blog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_ljd5BeoSuk4kUb5piHu9n9PyBybuQtUxb-bqkduP6tgVaYlrOLKdvXVJ4Lu9-Lp6X-64vwghYVjBesv4fdVpbAhtZBdj2o6uczSJwdW57Y9au-HxwjhBC4rHw8Xnb8HXzBuyZJ6qBY/s1600/grey+flap+bag4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_ljd5BeoSuk4kUb5piHu9n9PyBybuQtUxb-bqkduP6tgVaYlrOLKdvXVJ4Lu9-Lp6X-64vwghYVjBesv4fdVpbAhtZBdj2o6uczSJwdW57Y9au-HxwjhBC4rHw8Xnb8HXzBuyZJ6qBY/s320/grey+flap+bag4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The photo's aren't great. Sorry! I hope it's just the dark, overcast days and not my camera!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_SDlIX1tVRFDJInOjP4xn97sgwM-8aA1MiH-LSHh7uxKPejgawey3lfPKhP5nFPZDpBsYI5xc4gSON-nES7rSBdY-YoJ6VTqnCAzQUlRWQ1CXeE22RwgDCvwoYglxVX-s0mBgTH2OY8/s1600/grey+flap+bag3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_SDlIX1tVRFDJInOjP4xn97sgwM-8aA1MiH-LSHh7uxKPejgawey3lfPKhP5nFPZDpBsYI5xc4gSON-nES7rSBdY-YoJ6VTqnCAzQUlRWQ1CXeE22RwgDCvwoYglxVX-s0mBgTH2OY8/s320/grey+flap+bag3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pockets! There are two more on the inside! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAvWl3CKMun9zjhR2ugLwki_j_CQeiMt3InIokXHQkkiXkbdnwd6VygfdyD0odqRX6veTDGQPe_nZCHkJjxtJBOKzjZ-RCfzeH_1zi06hnaM1y8SOfcj3LMav26rv1PerPI3aGnRIYYU/s1600/grey+flap+bag2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAvWl3CKMun9zjhR2ugLwki_j_CQeiMt3InIokXHQkkiXkbdnwd6VygfdyD0odqRX6veTDGQPe_nZCHkJjxtJBOKzjZ-RCfzeH_1zi06hnaM1y8SOfcj3LMav26rv1PerPI3aGnRIYYU/s320/grey+flap+bag2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The cute little key fob is not only cute but functional. No more rummaging through looking for car keys in the pouring rain in a car park!<br />
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I made this bag to sell. I had to do something to stop my nieces always going on about selling my stuff. Drove me crazy. So I made this, and a tote that I will show next week, to put into a shop to sell. Now I have an answer to give the next person who says "I should sell my stuff". I can say I do.<br />
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Boring bit: Update on my health. I had a test for Ross River Virus a few weeks ago. The results were negative. The only other answer I can think of for my rash and muscle aches was I may have poisoned myself. Pretty embarrassing but I had to mention it to the doctor and she said yes and to stop spraying weed killer on my footpaths.<br />
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I took all the safety precautions! Wore a face mask, gloves, and covered up my entire body even though it was stinking hot. I sweated a lot and the sweat may have unsealed my face mask because I did get some vapors in my mouth. It tasted awful and I stopped straight away and had a thorough wash. I sprayed a Sat or Sunday and the rash was over my entire body by Wednesday. What do you think? Could have been.<br />
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Also the reason my muscles still ache and don't seem to be recovering could be because the doctor slipped in a Vitamin D test and my results show I am very deficient. The normal range for VitD is 60 - 140 and I am 45 so taking Osterlin now and making sure I get outside for walks more often.<br />
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Take care of yourselves and catch ya later!antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-33525584946332750472011-07-29T23:10:00.001+09:302011-08-03T09:41:19.347+09:30shabby chic bagHello to anyone still reading my blog! I thank you for your patience! I am finally getting a blog post up about one of the bags I have been making recently!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sU_hQp5Gs4juIXLRMVIreNEHGL79QB0Rn8VK07IzRHrXGTAgLRdSKOVddfSDwGPcJNQHGOSfqinMjeUAGELQntJH3Urdt_5VgLdraH4h2gBf-1jQz_EmVzSVLhsNQ-6TICkJDKlL2H4/s1600/bag+close+up.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sU_hQp5Gs4juIXLRMVIreNEHGL79QB0Rn8VK07IzRHrXGTAgLRdSKOVddfSDwGPcJNQHGOSfqinMjeUAGELQntJH3Urdt_5VgLdraH4h2gBf-1jQz_EmVzSVLhsNQ-6TICkJDKlL2H4/s400/bag+close+up.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Due to my getting side tracked reading some fantastic blogs tonight (again!!), I am having to keep my blog post short and to the point.<br />
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The point is just this bag. Isn't it lovely? To all the recyclers out there... this bag in its entirety is made from recycled/ vintage goods. (oops, except interfacing). The main fabric is a interior fabric swatch I found one day and the flap is a vintage embroidered doily found while op-shopping.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B9bZ3iIH6ie-FcHyoBxKU6oBYrTe3GH5o1gxjFC4IiM0G5b1t3nFt_XzwsWcvGY2SMvfLgVPA7PyeHZNiVFL6Olj2GydDYd5FBytGq9vkOiVnr956b8FV22ww0lNV_EVtbqQHv5ISJM/s1600/bag+embroidery.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B9bZ3iIH6ie-FcHyoBxKU6oBYrTe3GH5o1gxjFC4IiM0G5b1t3nFt_XzwsWcvGY2SMvfLgVPA7PyeHZNiVFL6Olj2GydDYd5FBytGq9vkOiVnr956b8FV22ww0lNV_EVtbqQHv5ISJM/s400/bag+embroidery.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3hn-a_iGnATmDe6fcWlsZVwdeDPbF7C5d_K4fDqrc8mr-S4XA7PsyTx0E7wlvO8O0U-o-YOy1N9uYHC586UmBhZroeZSvUEIOiClyoGhQ3QCebN3_xskTRN2jOIixE6Hv5jdjcE0XPc/s1600/bag+lining.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3hn-a_iGnATmDe6fcWlsZVwdeDPbF7C5d_K4fDqrc8mr-S4XA7PsyTx0E7wlvO8O0U-o-YOy1N9uYHC586UmBhZroeZSvUEIOiClyoGhQ3QCebN3_xskTRN2jOIixE6Hv5jdjcE0XPc/s400/bag+lining.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>The lining is some pretty floral fabric scrap picked up from a garage sale awhile ago, while the bag handle was a great vintage find and finishes off the bag quite nicely.<br />
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Cheers for now. Will be back soon with pics of another bag. Plus some tea towels I appliqued and room shoes I made for a friend. I've got to take the photos first but the skies are grey, grey and more grey!!!antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-85830969193405338162011-07-03T15:45:00.001+09:302011-07-03T15:48:29.430+09:30sorry guys/galsI haven't posted for awhile and just want to write a quick note to let you know that I haven't been kidnapped or killed. I have been ill. The doc's opinion is its Ross River Virus. I have only just had the test and am still waiting for results. Alas, testing at the time of getting crook is useless as 'ross river' takes up to six weeks to show up.<br />
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Feeling achy and tired. My eyesight is deteriorating and can be depressing for crafty people who like to hand sew! I am finding it rather difficult to focus up close. Doctor diagnosed me with 'Surfer's Eye'. Not internet surfer but wind surfers. I have sun and wind damage. Playing on the internet does make my eye go blood shot really quickly so have tried to give my eye a break from the computer for most stuff except quick email stuff and facebook keeping in touch stuff. My eye became much improved with pain and redness from the break.!<br />
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But I have made some bags!! and will take some photos soon as I find my camera!<br />
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Take care. I am going to try and have a massive catchup on everyones blog real soon (and most likely cause my eye to play up and become sore again!) I am going to have a beeper near my PC to remind me to have a huge break after 30 mins. maybe sooner. Or program my PC to shut down after 30 mins/hour and not let me back on till I have had a break! Any opinions? Does anyone else have eye problems that using a computer worsens?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/93/DA33E004B6BDBFE6FBD2D848DA4A6850.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0pt; border-left: 0pt; border-right: 0pt; border-top: 0pt;" /></a>antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-6687170709178737592011-03-25T21:23:00.000+10:302011-03-25T21:23:32.727+10:30WTF!I got some shocking and disturbing news last week. My father's, sister's great grandson who is only 7 years old has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. We don't have much info yet as half of Dad's siblings stayed living in England while the rest of the family migrated to Australia in the early 50's.<br />
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What is shocking, is that this is the third child in our family to be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. My son, as I have previously posted was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour called Medulloblastoma when he was 6 years old and my sisters youngest was diagnosed (two years before my son) with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia when she was 7 years old. We are all wondering if this is all an awfully shocking coincidence or if some sinster mutation has affected our childrens DNA.<br />
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I feel really bad hoping that the child in England has a different brain tumour to Medulloblastoma. If he has the same, how are they going to feel knowing that a child in our family suffered poorly with it and didn't survive. What if the family want me to give support? I don't feel I would be the best person for that because I cant give postives. My son died.<br />
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I can only give info on what went wrong in my sons treatment and advise them on what to look out for, but really I would like for them to have a positive feeling that their child is going to live.<br />
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My hands are shaking as I write this. I keep getting flashbacks. The unresolved anger at certain professionals keeps coming back. I keep planning on writing a letter to those people to let them know how they made me feel and that what they did was not right and maybe they wont make the same mistakes again. But I never write the letter. The anger subsides again. I make excuses for them eg understaffed, no department head, unprecedented new cases of childhood cancer being diagnosed etc.<br />
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I haven't had any paid work this week to take me out and keep me occupied and feel really too flat to visit friends (plus they are mostly at work anyway) and I feel no motivation to do anything at home. The house is a mess and needs my sole attention at the moment but not tonight. Tonight I am visiting Mr Jim Beam.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhbaFoGiuQPhRTQ6Yj8Fn73FWpX_MO2qQip84ylIF1mfA0blkaiSktSXF2Wr8_t4kQ6Fl9nPqLcxc_0q6jM5x9trP5XGNuGlX7gdubn4L0tvmRrykurW3cnolOTRdX7sIg2Mdbae0RRU/s1600/100-0064_IMG11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhbaFoGiuQPhRTQ6Yj8Fn73FWpX_MO2qQip84ylIF1mfA0blkaiSktSXF2Wr8_t4kQ6Fl9nPqLcxc_0q6jM5x9trP5XGNuGlX7gdubn4L0tvmRrykurW3cnolOTRdX7sIg2Mdbae0RRU/s400/100-0064_IMG11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> 2011 is a bad year.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/93/DA33E004B6BDBFE6FBD2D848DA4A6850.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2782329412797767379.post-55135958103260038762011-03-18T10:50:00.002+10:302011-07-03T15:46:46.978+09:30Rushed, unplanned birthday gift.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjq1xfjWnu0AW4_81T5g_BqVgWjsxdEwqGhQDlRc6saip-DqWVMrmL6HEOONOA75lG02txKF8csppWDM3Upl-QhJ2R_5gAOmcQ2p7owKAeK4sue00hgkzQVuQWvi1nUy6I5VnHhKpuKc/s1600/heart+pot+holderfront.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjq1xfjWnu0AW4_81T5g_BqVgWjsxdEwqGhQDlRc6saip-DqWVMrmL6HEOONOA75lG02txKF8csppWDM3Upl-QhJ2R_5gAOmcQ2p7owKAeK4sue00hgkzQVuQWvi1nUy6I5VnHhKpuKc/s400/heart+pot+holderfront.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of pot holder</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu0r0qMMRJZzhPizhHoGoxlTZX_mc46mJtVTSVOUtRO6o2eWgnx58Z945412VVSFzIAAq_YpLMfmyxn5UmrRbUvPztMbEgfkVfsLh-AdDcpQ06du-L414G2UVSexg8Q85ZckAy-ECTlc/s1600/heart+pot+holder+back.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu0r0qMMRJZzhPizhHoGoxlTZX_mc46mJtVTSVOUtRO6o2eWgnx58Z945412VVSFzIAAq_YpLMfmyxn5UmrRbUvPztMbEgfkVfsLh-AdDcpQ06du-L414G2UVSexg8Q85ZckAy-ECTlc/s400/heart+pot+holder+back.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of pot holder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A pot holder I made. I wasn't planning on making any potholders and they definitely were not on my 'things to do' list. What was on my list of things to do was finish off those bunny softies from previous post.<br />
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I had decided to find something on tv to watch while I hand-stitched the bunnies faces, but just as I sat down with my tools and was ready to start, my daughters friend came to me and said:<br />
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"Aunty Kylie! It's my mum's birthday today and I have no money to buy her a gift! Could we make her a heart or something?"<br />
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Goodbye hand-stitching, hello surfing internet and browsing my craft books to find something to make. Something quick.<br />
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These potholders from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/heart-shaped-pot-holders" style="color: #0b5394;">Martha Stewart</a> fit the bill. The only down side was that by the time we found a project and selected some fabric from my stash, I didn't have much time left before her mother arrived to pick her up.<br />
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I rushed the binding and just managed to take a quick photo before her mother made it out of the car and knocked on the door.<br />
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I am working again this weekend so plan on having a sewing day today, hand-stitching in front of the tv. Front door is locked, phone is off the hook and my mobile has been buried inside the linen closet! Maybe I should park my car in the next street over just in case?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/93/DA33E004B6BDBFE6FBD2D848DA4A6850.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0pt; border-left: 0pt; border-right: 0pt; border-top: 0pt;" /></a>antmeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02416009249959542289noreply@blogger.com12