Japanese Mesh Work

This weekend past - on retreat - Gemma showed us how to do Japanese mesh work. And I fell in love! I think its gorgeous and I am determined to continue doing it and learning about it.

First thing first was to create the board one pins their work onto - the ingredients for which are polystyrene piece, cotton waste or alternative and insul-bright. The last two are so the polystyrene doesn't melt in the ironing step at the end of the work.

So I went across to Northam today and I went to the fruit and veg shop and bought a polystyrene box with a lid...I went to the op shop and I bought an old wool electric blanket (from which I removed the wires) for $2 and a pillow case for $1 and I had some insul-bright at home from when I made an ironing board ages ago.

I covered the polystyrene box lid with 2 layers of the blanket and a layer of the insul-bright and put them into the pillow case. Before I sewed it up I tested it to make sure there was enough layering to prevent the poly melting...and it was! So I hand sewed the pillow case up and there...a japanese mesh work board all ready to go.

Its not as wide as the one I used at Gemmas but thats ok - turned sideways its fits the A3 grid paper and Im happy to do pieces that fit onto that... will get a bigger piece of poly to make a longer and wider board in the future.

Now to make strips!

Finally Some Sewing

I thought that having Mike home for 6 weeks would enable me to sew non stop...guess what...that didnt happen... I am trying to sew some stock and have managed a small amount LOL. But I did manage to add one thing to Lainey's wardrobe.

When we were away in Albany I found an oppy in Denmark. In said oppy there was a Teletubbies single bed doona cover in great nick. So I bought it - for $2.

This is the first item I have made using the fabric -




I think its cute!

They Say Its Your Birthday!!!

Today is my birthday...Happy Birthday to Me!

I was very lucky and had everything I wanted over the weekend whilst we were away but what self respecting Oppy addict wouldnt treat themselves on their birthday.

Heres todays haul...


12 1/2 metres of the blue print - and its thick like a drill...brand new - still had the shop swing tag on it...and about 3 metres of the orange.


The camera did the colours no justice what so ever here - these are 2 pieces about 5 metres each one is like a powder blue/grey and the other is like a beigey gold. They are about 77cm wide and are really heavy - I thought linen at first (I grab and then look at home LOL) but they are heavier than that - maybe even a homewares fabric. I think they would may excellent bag lining.


Hooded jumper pattern for Mike - not that he knows it yet LOL.

I also picked up two queen sheets to do a mock up of Mikes pants and some serving trays - all for the princely sum of $13!

Happy Birthday to me!

They Say Its Your Birthday!!!

Today is my birthday...Happy Birthday to Me!

I was very lucky and had everything I wanted over the weekend whilst we were away but what self respecting Oppy addict wouldnt treat themselves on their birthday.

Heres todays haul...


12 1/2 metres of the blue print - and its thick like a drill...brand new - still had the shop swing tag on it...and about 3 metres of the orange.


The camera did the colours no justice what so ever here - these are 2 pieces about 5 metres each one is like a powder blue/grey and the other is like a beigey gold. They are about 77cm wide and are really heavy - I thought linen at first (I grab and then look at home LOL) but they are heavier than that - maybe even a homewares fabric. I think they would may excellent bag lining.


Hooded jumper pattern for Mike - not that he knows it yet LOL.

I also picked up two queen sheets to do a mock up of Mikes pants and some serving trays - all for the princely sum of $13!

Happy Birthday to me!

Melbourne Goodies

Here are some of the great things I brought home from Melbourne.


Ava Design Fabric from Cleggs


Suiting material from QV Markets and the fabric on the bottom is Alannah Hill from an outlet on Brunswick Street.


Retreat stash


Oppy shoppy stash from Brunswick Street


Beads from a store in Collingwood.

Melbourne Goodies

Here are some of the great things I brought home from Melbourne.


Ava Design Fabric from Cleggs


Suiting material from QV Markets and the fabric on the bottom is Alannah Hill from an outlet on Brunswick Street.


Retreat stash


Oppy shoppy stash from Brunswick Street


Beads from a store in Collingwood.

My First Enid!

Finally I have done it...from start to finish including drafting the pattern. My first Enid!

I chose something I though looked easy and this was just one pattern piece. It is the Nightgown for Tiny Tots from Undies, Beach and Sleep Wear.

It is a size 1-2 yo and I drafted the pattern as it says too, but I did fins I had to take it in alot for Lainey who is 20 months. I could have taken it in some more except for the fact that it was starting to distort a bit. As time goes on I will get a true feel for the sizing.

That being said I am extremely proud and cant wait to get all the proper drafting tools I have on order at Crafty Mamas to arrive so I can really get into it!

Oh - the fabric is a flannelet bed sheet from the oppy! This nightgown was almost free!

My First Enid!

Finally I have done it...from start to finish including drafting the pattern. My first Enid!

I chose something I though looked easy and this was just one pattern piece. It is the Nightgown for Tiny Tots from Undies, Beach and Sleep Wear.

It is a size 1-2 yo and I drafted the pattern as it says too, but I did fins I had to take it in alot for Lainey who is 20 months. I could have taken it in some more except for the fact that it was starting to distort a bit. As time goes on I will get a true feel for the sizing.

That being said I am extremely proud and cant wait to get all the proper drafting tools I have on order at Crafty Mamas to arrive so I can really get into it!

Oh - the fabric is a flannelet bed sheet from the oppy! This nightgown was almost free!

Start the Car!

Ok there is an Ikea ad floating around at the moment where the woman runs out of the store screaming "Start the car start the car" because she couldn't possibly believe she had paid the correct amount for her purchases (meaning they are super cheap). Well I had a start the car moment today. Here in town we have an oppy for the RSPCA. I go through there every couple of weeks, just to see what bargains are available. I have in the past bought some ripper stuff from there.

Look what I got today.

19 pieces of ribbing - no piece smaller than 1/2 a metre...



Three pieces of knit - the largest would be about three metres - the salmony coloured one - enough for a top for me...




Grand total = $3.00

Yep - $3....they sell bags of clothes for $3.00 a bag and thats what she charged me for this lot as. She knew what she was doing because we talked about how dear rib was....how super lucky was I!?!

START THE CARRRRRRR..................

Start the Car!

Ok there is an Ikea ad floating around at the moment where the woman runs out of the store screaming "Start the car start the car" because she couldn't possibly believe she had paid the correct amount for her purchases (meaning they are super cheap). Well I had a start the car moment today. Here in town we have an oppy for the RSPCA. I go through there every couple of weeks, just to see what bargains are available. I have in the past bought some ripper stuff from there.

Look what I got today.

19 pieces of ribbing - no piece smaller than 1/2 a metre...



Three pieces of knit - the largest would be about three metres - the salmony coloured one - enough for a top for me...




Grand total = $3.00

Yep - $3....they sell bags of clothes for $3.00 a bag and thats what she charged me for this lot as. She knew what she was doing because we talked about how dear rib was....how super lucky was I!?!

START THE CARRRRRRR..................

The Cowboy and the Policeman

I volunteered to repair and remake some dress ups for Jacks kindy...I already have done the pirate and today I finished the cowboy and the policeman.

The policeman is blue vest and shorts with a black stripe down the side, and a crest and star on the front of the vest. The cowboys vest is recycled jeans and remnant check from SL with a fringe and the chaps are remnant denim from SL with some appliques I got at the oppy and some trim.

Next the fireman and the soldier!

The Cowboy and the Policeman

I volunteered to repair and remake some dress ups for Jacks kindy...I already have done the pirate and today I finished the cowboy and the policeman.

The policeman is blue vest and shorts with a black stripe down the side, and a crest and star on the front of the vest. The cowboys vest is recycled jeans and remnant check from SL with a fringe and the chaps are remnant denim from SL with some appliques I got at the oppy and some trim.

Next the fireman and the soldier!