A Quilt made from 8 business shirts

The big quilt and the cushion cover

The shirts before cutting.

I was in the Op Shop a few months ago and they had all menswear at 1/2 price. In the rack all coordinated and calling to me were 7 business shirts. I had no idea what to do with them, being very plain bold fabrics, but had to have them for my stash. At $2 for 100% good quality cotton how could I resist?

Then I started the remodel of Jakob's room and realised that the colours would fit perfectly. Then the pattern decision. Well I have seen a few cross patterns out on the internet, all made from squares, and thought that would do. Of course I did not do what everyone else has done and that is to have squares so that each cross takes 5 squares to do. I just cut big strips and then cut some into squares and some into longer rectangles that are the equivalent to 3 squares. Why have more seams than you need? I cut heaps out and just used my eye to guess how much I needed. I was worried that I would have enough fabric but I actually have way too much.


Then it was just a matter of laying it all on the floor and sewing it. The laying and sewing only took me about 31/2 hours. I started at 9pm and finished at about 12.15pm. But was so awake that I then started cutting smaller strips for a matching pillow!


So what you see is just the patchwork top cut in 6.5inch strips and the matching cushion cover which was cut in 2 1/2 inch strips. (And I have way too much fabric left over!!!).

Jakob's remodeled room

Once I get around to sandwiching it then I am going to practice quilting by doing each cross in individual patterns. (that is the plan at the moment anyway).

And doesn't it match the colours in Jakob's room!!! I am thrilled with it, especially as it really looks more boy like.

Linking up here.  

Crazy kids and quilts

 

After a busy morning with soccer and present buying we trotted off the see Mieke, the birthday girl. Well the boys had been amazingly good all day. No arguments, no worries, occupied themselves outside with lots of fun while putting all the pruning into a pile for us to put through the mulch-er. But we got to Jess and Stephens and then it all went riot. Mieke had an amazing party in the morning and then only slept about 1 hour so she was getting hypo, which encouraged my boys. They wanted to play in her pink tent. Eli practically tried on every bit of fairy princess gear that Mieke had. First he came out with a headband, then a necklace, then some lacy thing, then wings and on it went until he was quite done up. Mieke thought her cousins were crazy. But good old Alex just slept through it all - model child trying out his new quilt.
I was lucky to have him sleep on me for about 3/4 hour till we had to go. There is NOTHING that can compare to having a new baby sleep and snuggle into you. Bliss.

Jess insisted that I not take her photo - just Alex. Sorry Jess. (nah not really). But I as the boys were today's photographers they obviously didn't listen to that instruction.  The picture of the megasketcher was what Jakob was writing. He followed Mieke around and wrote down everything she said.

A boy's quilt - from recycled Pj's

The front

 Finally I have finished the quilt for Alex. Oops 9 weeks after his birth and it was meant to be his coming home from hospital present!!!! Hmm. Funny timing too as tomorrow is Mieke's birthday party (his big sister is turning 2) so I have finished a gift for him but not for her.

I do seem to have things a bit back to front at the moment. I have had to sneak the finishing of this in while my boys are asleep because I promised them that I would not sew anything else until I had sewn their merinos. Goodness those were meant to be made in Autumn and it is nearly spring.

Anyway this quilt is made from a myriad of second hand pajamas. All purchased from second hand shops. If there is not a matching set I find I can pick up a top or bottom for about 50 cents. The blue is new though as I had to find something consistent to put with the variety of patterns. It is just flannelette sheeting from Fabric Vision for $7 per metre.

The block pattern is called a few things - quarter square triangles, hourglass etc etc. I made the quilt top, backing, sandwiched it together and quilted it, all at my weekend away. The backing was made from a bit of Thomas flannel that I had bought to do something for my boys, but I did not get around to it and they are well over Thomas. I quilted it by just doing stitch in the ditch on every seam, that gives it enough holding power to go through the washing machine and retains the great geometric pattern. I pulled it out yesterday to show Steff and was surprised to find that I had not done the binding. So a late night job and it is done.

The back

linking to the Thu party - http://www.myrepurposedlife.net 

Fabulous second hand shop finds

Today on my way home from meeting Aaron at work for a coffee, I stopped by one of the Op Shops I frequent. They had boxes of brand new toweling dressing gowns and pj's. I immediately thought of the girls and called Dawn to see if they needed them. Bought four. Got a gorgeous orange bag for me - Nearly considered buying it for my cousin Christine, who is orange mad - but it is so amazing I can't give it away. The last purchase was a waffle weave pink dressing gown for me.

So Dawn and the girls came for afternoon tea. I pinned the sleeves of the gowns to fit and will fix all that in the next two days. Eli was gutted that I did not get one for him!!!

Bags from bits and bobs

I wanted some bags to hold various craft items - my selvages, buttons, zips, bias binding, tags, ribbon...... I finally got around to making a start. I made two bags on my recent retreat. One for buttons which I have decorated with various antique and found buttons and the other bag for my selvage edges. They both started with the same base, the sleeve from the 100% linen shirt that I made the cushion from. So that shirt is now used up completely.

These bags are not big but are perfect for the use I wanted. Fully lined using left over bits of quilting material. Not to sure about the handles though.

Fabulous weekend

Walk out to the point at dusk

View from the Motel room

This weekend Aaron and I went away for a weekend to celebrate our 13th Wedding anniversary. This was our second attempt at going away. The first try was on the actual weekend but after getting the boys into bed at their aunties, we realised that Jakob was running a temperature. Turning around and taking the kids home was a good decision as by the time we got home they were both sick.

So second time around was a lot more successful. We stayed at a motel in an area of Kaikoura I had not explored before. You turn into the town, drive through the town, past the miles of motels, the swimming pool, the cliffs and turn right instead of going to the slipway. Just along there was the motel.


Just beside the Motel we found Kaikoura's best kept secret. The Green Dolphin - a restaurant and bar. Amazing food, far better than anything we have previously found in Kaikoura. We went for dessert when we arrived and had the most delicious hot olives (and incredibly plentiful), some drink, some lovely desserts and some more drink. Then walked next door to the motel.

We were so impressed with the restaurant that we dined there again on Saturday night. Amazing flavours, incredible calamari, gorgeous Thai style green mussels, amazing fish and divine steak.

A sheet and roll of wall paper from the recycle centre

Anyway enough about the food. We had a lovely time. 2 good walks, both just over 4km. Saw lots of seals, gorgeous views. Aaron went for a huge run on Saturday morning and I took in the best shop in town - the recycle centre (dump shop). Did not know that Kaikoura had one so was thrilled to find it and get a couple of bargains.

Then on to the "A Patch of Country" where I found that they are now stocking japanese fabric. Bought one hunk of material and some lovely quilting thread. When Aaron turned up he convinced me to buy two more pieces of Japanese fabric which he picked out. What fabulous taste he has!!!!!

Material from the quilt shop

The boys happy on the farm - didn't miss Mum and Dad at all!!

Breakfast in kaikoura in the sun

What a wonderful weekend we are having. Amazing food, awesome walks and a sunny breakfast. About to head home. But could not resist a quick note. I was trying the cell phone camera and connecting to wifi. Hmm photo not so great - why did Aaron take one of me eating??

A practical day

Isn't it gorgeous. Love the big candle

Well today was a day of getting on with house jobs. I did a little bit of work for Longsilver Construction but mainly tried to get on top of all the little things that pile up. I don't know about you but jobs that are 5 or 10 minutes I think that it doesn't matter as I can just do it anytime. Problem is I don't do it!! So today was looking at the glasshouse, checking the chickens, Pruning the roses etc.

The roses are weird. We have a Graham Thomas rose which is meant to go to a max of 3 metres - well it is currently climbing along the verandah (for which I am really happy). The rose to the left of it is loving memory and is just fantastic with an amazing scent and long single stem tight red roses. Then further left is a rose that Aaron bought specifically to climb along the verandah. But can we get it to do what it is meant to? No. We did not want to be boring with iceburg so that rose is yellow with orange edges and it is vivid and amazing, but hideous thorns.

before

After

I have also been looking into age appropriate jobs. Thanks to Audrey for starting me in that direction. We have been stuck in the perpetual cycle of feed the dog and chooks, clear the eggs, empty the dishwasher, sometimes a vacumm and clean the bathroom. Today I started Jakob on folding washing. He is doing the towels, shorts, trousers, undies, socks, teatowels to start with. We will progress to shirts later. I want both the boys to be able to run their own home and be able and sufficient by the time they leave, I feel that as a mother it is important for me to teach them those things.

After all that hard work we had a milo and some birthday cake for afternoon tea. I was really blessed yesterday when Dawn and Mikayla turned up with a birthday cake for me. How amazing is that!!! I never bake my own cake so normally don't have one. Aaron's mum also made one which we had for pudding last night. Wow I am doubly blessed. Heading off for our second try at an anniversary weekend away. Have a great weekend all.

A finished quilt

Yes in the weekend I managed to finally get a quilt sandwiched together, quilted and bound. The pattern is one from Cluck Cluck Sew -I have made a tutorial how I assembled the blocks that made it more straightforward and a lot quicker for me.

I made this quilt out of the leftovers from a quilt I made for our bed - here. This quilt will be for the charity that I support - Hope Homes - an amazing orphanage in Kenya.

I was using this as a trial for quilting as I am a bit daunted over quilting the queen size one for our bed. I was going to be really fancy with flowers etc in each block, but stipple quilting is fast and opening the stipple up and making it really big worked for me on this. I am really pleased with the result. Next job - do our big one.

My morning

This morning I have had a leisurely breakfast and read in bed. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. Aaron gave me a coffee in bed this morning and I got to open my presents. Fantastic. I got the boys off to school and decided to have a relaxed start to the day as my work day is just a pile of phone calls and paperwork.

So I made another coffee (yes I am a bit of a coffee fiend) and freshly poached eggs on toast. Conveniently the chooks laid two fresh eggs this morning, so I used them. YUM. So I went back to bed! Looked at my two fabulous books, kept Morris company and relaxed. Now it is time to get on with things!!

A newly sewn basket for the laundry

Thanks to Roz at Squiltz for the fantastic idea of making a laundry bag for the washing trolley out of laminate fabric. I got my fabric from Sew Pretty, an online shop that is fabulous and I use a lot.
Over my retreat weekend this was one of the non quilt things that I made. I did receive a lot of hassle about it as it takes more time and money to make a new laundry liner than buying a cheap one. Also being laminate it was pointed out that the water will not seep through when it rains. Which means either I need to bring it inside when not in use OR the water can collect in it and weigh it down to stop it blowing away when we have bad weather (it always happens to me - go outside and it is strewn across the section).
I used the old ripped one as a template and was quite worried about the fit. But it fits really well. The bag bit could do with being a tad smaller but at least it will hold a lot of washing.

An awesome apron made from a man's shirt

Finished like this

I saw on facebook a photo of someone who had made a country man's shirt into an apron. I am a big apron fan myself and have always kept that idea at the back of my mind. So while I was away with the material girls at our retreat, this was one of the first things I did.

Started as this

My shirt was a gorgeous 100% cotton cufflink shirt. So I cut the sleeves off, then the back and the cut on an angle from the armpit to partway up the collar. The collar, cuffs and back facing had a lovely contrast colour. I used the contrast from the back facing to make binding for one side and one cuff facing to make the binding for the other side. I used the last bit of cuff facing to make the pocket. One sleeve became the ties. Viola an apron that I really like (I am wearing it while I type this.)

Thanks to Glenis who makes a great official photographer.

Amazing amount achieved in 72 hours

Well I think that I achieved a lot anyway. Way more than I have ever done at my yearly retreat.
I finished

• two entire quilt tops
• 1 pieced quilt back
• I sandwiched two quilts together
• I quilted two quilts
• bound 1 quilt
• made the top of a patchwork cushion
• made a funky laundry basket
• two small bags, one for buttons and one for selvages
• one apron from a business man's shirt.
• Turned up one pair of jeans and put patches on it - to make it "cool" for Eli.

I still had piles of projects that I took that did not even get looked at. But I am happy with this achievement.

Over the next week I will show you each one more indepth.

And the amazing news is that next year the retreat will be FIVE days not three. I will be attending FOUR days of that. Wow can't wait for next year.

How many projects can you complete in 72 hours

I am going to my quilting weekend at Living Springs tomorrow lunch time. I think I have seriously over estimated how much can be achieved by Monday lunchtime.

I have three quilts cut out.
The scrap quilt to get to work on.
Two kids patterns to work out and template up.
Trousers to mend and put patches on.
Five bags to make.
At least 6 other containers of sorts to do.
1 bean bag seat to make.
Plus I have taken my entire stash of material from under the bed (just in case I get inspired to do something else).

I think I have an entire quilt shop in my car!!!!

Cheats Dairy Free Apricot Shortcake

I wanted to bake something for Jess as it is exhausting having little babies. As Jess is also dairy free now to see if that will help Alex with his reflux, I needed to think outside the square. Well I cheated. Instead of spending ages adapting a recipe I took the easy route and dashed to the supermarket and got a margarine that is made with olive oil - hence diary free. Oh my goodness, did you know that some of the promoted "healthy" margarines made with Olive oil cheat and have milk solids in them. I was really surprised and read labels very carefully. So good old Olivio was the only one I could guarantee to be diary free.

Then all I had to do was replace the butter content with the Olivio margarine. Simple, easy and it worked really well.

My diary free shortcake recipe:
4oz Olivio
1/2 cup castor sugar
mix those together well. Then add
1 egg and beat. Then add
3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup self raising flour

This is a very soft dough. I do not roll it out as it causes problems being so soft.
Grease the tin you are putting it in (I used a foil disposable tin so Jess doesn't have to worry about returning things). Press half the dough into the bottom of the tin.

Drain a decent sized bottle of home preserves (I used apricots for Jess and blackboy peaches for our one). Give the juice to the kids to drink and put the drained fruit into your baking tin in a even layer. Flour your hands well and flatten the remaining mixture in between your hands and place on top of the fruit - trying to give even coverage. Bake 180oC about 30 minutes. (I check it every 5 minutes after 25 min of cooking).
Hey presto and yummy

Refashioned Shirt

The newly shaped shirt

Ezibuy - capture 100% cotton shirt. I got it at the Op Shop for $2 as it seemed a bit out of date and I was going to chop it up for quilting.

Cuffs altered.

Then Aaron commented on how good the colour looked on me. So I rethought. I put the cuff buttons onto the other side of the cuff so that it now does up as though they are cuff-links. Then I removed the collar, put stiffening in it and sewed it back on but with a slightly thinner collar so it will fold down or stand up. Then in the front I put a dart / shaping from under the breastline down to the bottom. At the back I put in two large shaping darts and two much smaller ones.

It may not look much in the photo but it now looks really smart, well shaped and extremely wearable.

The shirt to start with.

All packaged and ready

Yes, after my big sewing production line on the weekend I now have 8 sets of sewing accessories all packaged and ready to go. I love the colours of the material and have tried to match the colour of the snips to the material.

So each package has 1. Scissor keeper - which is a material lanyard with clip and a pair of the amazing sharp, super useful snips. 2. Finger pin cushion - this slides onto the finger of your choice and means you have pins available. I find this really useful. I thought they would just get in the way but I have not found that to be the case.

For details on how you can purchase them from me click -  here.

Some lucky people at this weekends retreat with the Material Girls will get them as spot prizes.

Production Line Sewing

I am watching delayed coverage of the Crusaders and hope to have almost 8 sets of my sewing accessories finished by then.

I have everything lined up and am sewing the finger pin cushions and stuffing them while play is on. During the ads I anticipate dashing to the sewing machine to stitch bits together. I have promised a few of these sets as spot prizes for next weekend. I have three days sewing at Living Springs with a bunch of other women. I am also looking at these as Xmas presents for those near and dear who are into crafts.

7 Pirates were in my house

Yes I kid you not, there were definitely 7 pirates on my back lawn this afternoon.
Eli had his birthday party for turning 7 (which happens next weekend) and there were 7 boys invited to a pirate party.

They all participated in two treasure hunts with secret messages to be revealed (ie the clues were written in white crayon on white paper, so they had to find the clue, bring it back and "paint" it with water that had food colouring. This reveals the message for the next clue). First hunt was a practise run all around our section. This achieved a pirate monocular. The second hunt was so extensive that some of the boys ran out of puff and walked for the last two clues. It was in the Kaiapoi Domain- which we are lucky to live by the edge of. The result was a cutlass so they became real pirates.

Big sword fights on the lawn and lots of food followed. With a treasure chest cake. All good fun and the only injury was Eli who poked himself in the eye!!!. I am now having a cup of tea - whew.

Upcycling - 100% eco Patchwork quilt

There are so many quilts out there that are "scrap" quilts but you still need to buy a lot of material, batting, backing etc to complete it. So I decided to buck the trend and make a true scrap quilt. All from left over bits, recycled bits, others rubbish.
Today I spent the time making the basics of the quilt sandwich. So I made the top - out of three bits of sheeting, the backing was also made this way. These bits of sheeting were sheets purchased from the Op Shop for $3 or under, I made them into duvet covers for the boys. But the bits were left over. So I sewed them together in strips until they were big enough for a lap quilt. Then I used all the leftover scraps of batting from other projects. This took five pieces sewn together.


The picture is me putting the quilt sandwich together. So there is a scrap top, scrap batting and a scrap backing. You can see all the seams on the photo but I am hoping that at the end this will not show through. I tried using basting spray for the first time (instead of pins), it took a lot more spray than I thought and it was not as successful as I hoped. May have to revert to the pinning effort.

Anyway - I am going to use bits that I pick up from the various quilt gatherings I go to. I hate seeing waste and at a lot of places I have picked up quite large quantities of material from the bins. Generally I use those bits to make quilts for the orphanage in El Dorat So it will be stitched as a raw edge piecing and will be interesting to see how it turns out. I will keep you posted.

A school award

Congratulations to Eli. Today in Assembly he received his "growing with excellence" award. This is based on the schools values and they have to consistently portray all the values to get the award. Only two children in his class achieved this last term. So big mana to him.
He had to show Arohanui, Community, Responsibility, Respect, Opportunity and Quality.

Well done Eli.

Dinner for the New Mum and Dad

My spare time today was spent organising dinner for my lovely sister and brother in laws - Jess and Stephen. They have Alex home from hospital now for 7 or 8 nights. We are all finally disease and bug and flu free so we made dinner. Eli was really excited to finally meet Alex as he had been too sick the last couple of visits.
I remember people making meals for me and how amazing it was to have. So I tried to make enough for tomorrow lunch as well. Little Mieke loves my jam and spiced apple cake. As those are both diary free I made some for her.
So dinner was cucumber salad with Lime and olive oil dressing, meatballs in lots of lovely slow cooked tomato, rice and then apple cake for dessert. Then a loaf of homemade bread and a jar of jam. With a carafe of Feijoachello for when the new mum is feeling she needs a bit of something at night.
Earlier in the afternoon Jess told Mieke that I was coming with dinner tonight. Mieke's only comment was "Karen, Cake". Then when I walked in the door she lifted her hands up to be picked up and asked for cake!!! Is that good or bad that auntie is known for making cake??

Where there is a Schulz there is smoke

You know the saying - "Where there is smoke there is fire". Well today disproved that. Smoke does not equal fire when Aaron is building it in spite of heavy rain. We were on our way back from a night in Hanmer Springs (breaking our journey home from Motueka). It rained in Hanmer but Aaron was sure it would not rain on his fire at lunch time.

When we were with my parents my Dad made me a really awesome tool. It is for cooking things over an open flame. Instead of bread or crumpets etc falling off your fork he made a square thingy that nothing falls out of. I have not taken a photo but it is very
ingenious. Anyway we were keen to try it. So at the Balmoral reserve just out of Culverden Aaron set a fire going.

I retreated as it starting pouring with rain (as I had very rightly pointed out to Aaron that it would). Smoke was everywhere. The boys were playing in a tyre swing in the trees oblivious to the rain, but they too came to my hidyhole. So we waited out the rain quite snugly whilst Aaron got soaked insisting his fire would be fine. Eventually it all cleared up and we had a great fire, wee walk and then hot toasted bread with butter and jam for lunch over the embers.