Gadgets, Bargains and Fabric

Naturally a girly weekend wouldn't be complete without some form of shopping.  One of us did so much in fact that purchases had to be posted home in order to avoid excess baggage. Guess who?

Before Little Miss Sunshine arrived, I expressed a wish to learn to crochet while she was here. When she arrived she presented me with this gift. I think she was being incredibly optimistic or possibly practicing blind faith.

It says 20 easy projects on the front cover.  Let me say with the benefit of hindsight  -that's bullcrap.

But before I knew that I raced out and bought these because I believed a granny square blanket would be easy. It said so right there on the cover. Aren't those yarns pretty? In fact they look so pretty I'm thinking of leaving them like that forever and putting them in a basket with crochet hooks somewhere highly visible so it gives the illusion that I know what I'm doing.

Unusually for me , I resisted buying a jelly roll in these fabrics and just stuck with  the fat 8ths and coordinates. As you'll see later -that was fate.This is the the Pom Pom De Paris collection . Not my usual fare are they? Man , I'm hoping this doesn't end in disaster like the pastel quilts I've attempted. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it - any suggestions?

A fantastic quilt store has just opened up 5 minutes from my house called A Quilters Odyssey. The weekend wouldn't have been complete without a trip to at least one other quilt store.  They sell some pretty fabrics including these pieces which didn't cost me much and are perfect stash builders. Notice those girly bits on the bottom left ? Again , I ask,  what was I thinking?

Since I'm as classy as all get up, my threads have formerly been stored in ziplock bags like this...

I lashed out and bought one of these....makes it look much more like I actually know what I'm doing.  

It's OK don't panic - my black and white threads still live in this little old lady op shop tin.

 And I bought one of these too....which is just about the best invention ever. You should all rush out and buy one so I can kid myself I'm a trend setter.

We did pop into a couple of op shops Monday and I found this.  How fast can you say "quilt backing"? Probably about as fast as I snaffled this up- elbowing two German tourists and a little old lady out of the way to get to it .  I'll get at least two backs out of this and it'll be perfect for one of Little P's quilts. Crazy bargain. According to Sara's theory of fabric logic (which is a universally recognised theory just like Newton's Law of Gravity) this doesn't count as actual fabric because it's a doona cover.

And I found this  too  and thought it would be great to work into a quilt border or something  at some stage. It's the bottom of a linen dress and there's 40 inches of it and I can use the white linen dress part for a cushion front or something. Not bad for a buck.

And I acquired these two jelly rolls as well...this one was a gift from a friend. That's the bit that was fate because it's Pom Pom De Paris to go with my weekend purchases. Sometimes the planets do align.

And I bought this Lilac Hill fabric just because it was pretty-the more I look at it the more I love it. Again -I'm clueless about what it will end up as...oh the possibilities!

And I was totally kidding about leaving my yarn in balls...Marg actually taught me how to do crochet  while she was here. She uses aversive teaching techniques which helped me learn really fast because she threatened to slap me every time I made a mistake.. So I learned really fast that I can do it !

Mr. P and I will be living on two minute noodles and dry bread for the next two weeks. I really need to get a second job since I cannot stop buying craft related paraphernalia....anyone want to hire me?  

P.S.  Haven't touched the crochet since Little Miss Sunshine left. I'm thinking about unpicking it and knitting a scarf. I can knit proficiently. Or perhaps I should do some more of those poor neglected stitcheries. Or start my paper piecing blocks. Or finish the zig zag quilt....

The Best Laid Plans ...

So I've been working on my secret project for about a week now and it would be completely finished if it wasn't for one minor detail ...

Meet my re-useable menu board. I loved this idea because it cuts down on writing my weekly menu on paper. I saw this somewhere when I was trolling round in Blogland and naturally can't recall where- dear person who had the original idea - I'm sorry I can't give you proper credit.  Anyway, it's cute and adds a pop of colour to my kitchen, and nobody else I know has one. There's just one small problem.

I added 8 magnets to the back thinking that would be enough to hold it to the fridge. Nup- slid straight off ...so I figured 16 magnets would do the trick . Twice as much is always better. Apparently not in this case - I'm pretty sure that those extra magnets added dead weight and yet again the menu board slid down the fridge. Now I'm stuck with a non magnetic menu board that has 16 useless magnets stuck to it with Tarzan's Grip that I have no idea how I'm going to get off...

In desperation I contacted the magnet shop dude ( or it could be a dudette for all I know)  to ask them exactly what kind of magnets I should use because the ones I bought from the craft store kind of stink.  So if you could all just pretend this is on the side of my fridge looking pretty that would be great - thanks. I'm rating this project 10/10- and my execution of the project at about a 5.

Oh and I made one for Miss P too. Hers wont stick to my fridge either...

In other craftiness this week, I finished piecing Little P's Alphabet quilt.  

Ta Da! The Front

And I did the back too. Goal achieved.

I took the bull by the horns and started putting the Snowball quilt top together. This is number 3 of my PhD projects from 2010. I'm half done and I like the way it's turning out. Miraculously some of my seams are matching up . As usual some are not.  I am beyond thinking about perfection and am only focusing on a finish.

It wouldn't be Sunday without  a Dresden update. 3 more done except for the applique which I'm hoping to get done before bedtime tonight.

4 left to do. I will confess I'm starting to get a bit tired of Dresden's.

I must admit since I've been doing No Fabric February my mail has been a little dull this month. This was rectified by the arrival of exciting mail this week. I recently won a giveaway over at Taradiddle and Malarkey. My book arrived this week and it was wrapped in these cute fabrics. Thanks Ms. Taradiddle. I can see these adding some zing to a spiderweb or other scrappy quilt sometime this year. Thanks for thinking of me in my month of fabric-less-ness.  I pretty much rolled around on top of the fabrics for a full 10 minutes after I ripped the package open. Mr.P said it was sad to see a grown woman acting that way .

Oh and I dropped by the op shop this week and this was calling my name.  If my kitchen dresser ever gets finished this will look fantastic as a display piece.  The little things often make me happy.

It's going to be a busy week at Maison Pyjamas. Miss. P finally exits the teen years Wednesday, it's the end of Frugal Grocery February tomorrow,  Autumn starts Tuesday ( I can hear my Northern Hemipshere friends perk up in anticipation of us Southerners returning the sun )   and I am going to try and squeeze 5 working days into three and half days. Should be fun! 

Goals for this week:

Decide which project I'm going to start next while I contemplate my navel fluff
Finish the remaining Dresden blocks -then shove them in a box for a while
Put the rest of the snowball quilt top together
Order new magnets !

It Seems I'm on A Roll

I'm pretty sure I've been inoculated with a sewing needle these last few weeks. Either that or I've been possessed  by Crafting Demons. How else could I possibly explain the level of crafty activity that's been going on in my sewing room?  I'm just going with it - who knows how long it will last ?  By this time next week it's entirely possible that I won't want to look at my sewing machine for a month.

Lounging Around is finished. Two quilt finishes in 7 weeks is unheard of around here.  Happily I LOVE this quilt and so does Mr. P.  

I did my first ever quilt label for this quilt.   I'm a real quilter now.  And in the process of  showing you this -I'm also outing Mr. P. I seem to be doing that to my family a lot lately.

Kate was kind enough to send me some fabric sheets to try out for labels and I just went for it. Kate, you've been immortalised forever on a quilt as a thank you.  If it wasn't for you- this label would never have been made.

Little P's blocks are all sewn together and I've started the back too. Borders next.  This is another quilt I'm really enjoying making. What's going on? Three quilts on the go and I'm not hating any of them....

I made two more Dresden Blocks this week and appliqued them and the 3 from last week.  I've been working on this quilt now for about 7 weeks but since it feels like I've been flashing weekly progress pictures since about oh I dunno ...the dawn of time ...I've spared you this week.

I finally dragged my sorry behind out of the sewing room long enough to pay some attention to the computer desk drawers today.  This reno project has taken almost a year ( 8 months of which the desk sat outside doing nothing but waiting ) and has been fraught with unfortunate events. It looks like the pain has been worth it. I love those drawers. I love those handles. I love my new desk.

When the dresser is finally finished, we're putting the paint away for a while...

Miss P and I went op shopping on Friday and scored some crazy bargains. I bought this for Little P  because he is currently obsessed with vacuum cleaners ...

He doesn't know his colours yet so he doesn't know it's pink ..

And he scored some more toys. Miss P told me most emphatically that the recorder was staying here at my house.

I'm working on indoctrinating Little P into the "you can never have enough shoes" club. The boots are his.   They light up when you stamp your feet. Or when you throw the boots which is what he spent 20 minutes doing Friday afternoon. Bonus points to anyone who can guess who the pink pair belong to...

And I scored this fabulous carry all which will be perfect for toting sewing projects around. I'm trying to think of ways to make it look pretty. Any suggestions?

Miss P and I didn't get to our monthly craft project on Friday but magically these frames got painted anyway.. I think fairies live at my house. Cups of tea magically appear when I am thirsty as well. Stay tuned for the finish to this amazingly simple project later this week.

May the craft be with you.

Goals for this week
3 more Dresden Blocks
Half the snowball quilt top to be completed (since I slacked off for FNSI)
Finish the back of Little P's Alphabet Quilt and add one border to the front

Accolades, Op Shopping and a Crafty Dilemma

I went shopping on Friday to finish the Christmas presents, get a haircut and find an outfit to wear Christmas day.   The shops have started getting awful, people are being insanely rude,  and there  are going to be punch-ups in car parks because of all the stress. Everyone is starting to act like they're the only people who have to get things done. It's a jungle out there.  I like to keep it simple and avoid all that madness. I'll be posting the last of my Christmas haul over at my not so secret blog  (family not allowed) on Tuesday, so come on over and have a look then, but I wanted to show off some of my other finds from Friday.

I have wanted a soup tureen  for 22 years. You don't see them round much anymore and the ones in the op shops are often missing the ladle or the lid  or have nasty chips. My infinite patience was rewarded yesterday when I found this ...I was seriously doing the happy dance, and then I saw the price and it was like angels started singing. Now I just want to make a bucket of soup so I can use it.

I also saw this ceramic pumpkin and bought it for an autumn table decoration. Yes..I am turning into one of those "I must change my house every three months with the seasons" chicks. Nah ..I'm not. This'll probably sit languishing in a cupboard or get put on the table  when I remove this years Christmas decorations and get moved again when next years go up...

My Christmas outfit is taken care of. White capri's, white strappy kitten heels , jolly red top, and a scarf for some style.  All I need is some new jewellery. I'm thinking green so I really look like a walking Christmas tree. Most of this outfit was op shopped aside from one item. As usual my photography skills stink .

And I was gifted with some calico  bread bags this week from Freecycle.  I said I'd take them with only a vague notion that I could do something crafty with them . I don't know what I'm going to do with 40 of them. Ideas please? Anyone want a few? I am insane to be thinking about making a picnic rug or something out of these? Can any of you come up with something better?

Melissa graced me with a cherry on top award this week. How appropriate since I had cherries appear on my tree also. If you haven't met Melissa pop on over and have a look at her blog, clothwork. Melissa is insanely talented and her blog is like eye candy. Thank you Melissa.

Part of the deal with this award is apparently I have to tell you about three things I love and then tag three more people for the award.

I am not a big chocolate eater but I love Rum and Raisin Chocolate. This is my favourite. Love Rum and Raisin.

Obviously I adore both of these guys.  

And today I love this cat ...which doesn't happen very often because normally she is quite feral. Maybe it's a sign the world is about to come to an end, because she's being really cute and loving instead of trying to rip my face off.  

I'm tagging the following blogs because I think they're an uber-cool read. You should go check them out. They're all very different but eminently enjoyable.

Kirsten's Cooking -if it wasn't for Kirsten my family would get the same meals week after  week. Plus she just made 700 cinnamon rolls for charity.

Lisa at Git Down Kitty - one funny lady. She sews, she crafts, she finds weird things under her couch cushions.

Marg at Sunshine?Paradise? who is my soul sister in crafting disaster. It's so nice to have  friend who is as imperfect as I am in that department and doesn't mind sharing her flops (and many successes)

I just wanted to let the world know I love you. Don't feel obligated to tag along if you don't want to.

And now I'm off to sew some things. I may achieve greatness today  or I may not...probably not...meh.

We Are Not Amused....

Forgive me blog readers for I have been slack...it has been 7 days since my last significant blog post (although you all seemed to like the ironing board cover post ) However posts about chocolate and other cooking do not make my blog a wildly exciting read. It kinda sucks I can’t be scintillating every minute of every day...Although I have noticed that there has been generally a lot less blogging going on than usual across the blogs I follow so maybe we all have the same malady. (And actually I thought we had talked about you Northern hemisphere people not enjoying your spring and leaving me practically postless for my Autumn.  Seems to me the second the sun popped it's head out you were all gone.What's up with that hmnnnnnnnnnnn???)

I'm about to have a rant. I’m really sorry if you feel I'm going on endlessly  about my laundry. I’ve tried so hard not to write this post but not writing it is giving me writers block...seriously. I feel like I can’t be normal again until I get this off my chest. So I would suggest you completely ignore this post, and go about your business...Move along folks..nothing to see here. But if I dont write this - I may never write anything but chocolate and ironing board cover posts again. I have been failing to see the humour in anything for about a week, and it's time to get over it.

It’s been a really busy few days at Maison Pyjamas. In between me acting like a crazy harpy, the laundry is coming along slowly ...oh so freaking slowly. 8 weeks and 2 days people..8 weeks and 2 days since I had a functional laundry. Words fail to describe how sick of being laundry-less I am at this point. I finally cracked when Mr. P had to drag the washing machine in again Friday so I could wash. Like ranting, crazy out of control cracked. After I’d calmed down and stopped frothing at the mouth (no- I don’t have pictures) and using words no lady would use,  Mr. P told me the washing machine can stay in the laundry and remain connected and he’ll just finish the painting around it. The floors should be a breeze... I hear he has hired David Copperfield to levitate the washing machine while he completes the tiling. The idea that I can wash without making an appointment with Mr. P to drag the machine back inside made me one marginally happier camper. I say marginally because I dont think anything but a  finish is going to satisfy me at this stage. I mean , we have 4 people in this house and one of them is a BABY..so I can't wash once a week.  I don't do well with major ongoing changes to my routine. I think I've been pretty damn tolerant.I love to do the washing ( I know I'm a sicko right?) and I hate my house being a mess. What sane person keeps their laundry hamper in their office?  I just want to say, for weeks, I've had no door, I've had no floor, I know I sound like one big bore. I think I'm channeling Dr. Seuss as well.

To be fair , I did change my mind about the floor tiles and we had to go hunting for new “perfect” tiles ..which apparently only exist in my own imagination. Eventually we found something I was happy with , and of course they were the most expensive tiles in the known universe. When the guy told us the price, Mr. P took one look at my face and just whipped out our credit card. So I decided to get off my tushie and start doing my bits of the laundry this past weekend since it looks like we might actually be finished before say,  October.  My big jobs include spray painting the laundry hamper  and painting the back board for the laundry baskets. (You'll understand if  I ever have pictures of a finished laundry to show you )  I want to point out here , I lived on my own for 9 years after Miss P came along and managed to do all my own handywoman work  and paint walls and all sorts of other stuff, but apparently I lost those skills when I sold my soul by moving in with Mr. P  so I've been relegated to wielding a spray can like some frilly girly chick which we all know I am sooooo not. So if I sound peeved its because I am.  And here endeth my rant.

So here I am  spray painting in my pyjamas...Mis je parais beau ?

I know Martha Stewart would have been doing this in Versace with pearls and high heels but I'm not Martha (although in some of the shots Miss Pyjamas took , I have a serious J-Lo butt going on- be thankful I didn't share them-I'm pretty sure she took those ones on purpose-why must our children torture us?) and Martha also wouldnt have ended up with spray paint on her fingernails , up her nose, and in her hair. I wish I was half as perfect.

I taught Miss P how to make awesome scrambled eggs this past weekend so she doesn't starve to death when she moves into her own place. We marked the occasion of her actually cooking by raising the Australian flag and explaining what a frypan was.

I had been on the lookout for  months for an old ornate gilt frame for a project I’ll be doing in the next few months. There was nothing out there ..nada...zip...I gave up and bought a nice large wooden picture frame and planned to use that instead. But today I played hookey from work and went to the salvage yards and on my way back I went to Goodwill and saw this....

I was on it like a seagull on a chip...that baby is mine and is perfect for my project. I am so excited, and at 8 bucks it was an absolute steal.  Plus I got some material for cushions I want to make for the loungeroom. Goodwill rocked big time  today.  

Since the universe was being so friendly to me,  I  went and bought this as well...because I saw it 6 months ago and I know if I don’t buy it now it won’t be there when I do want it in 6 months time... my intuition was spot on because this was the last one.

Both  the frame and the clock are for the kitchen renovation that we have planned for later this year...we have been saying for 8 years we are going to get a new kitchen someday, and something else always ends up taking priority . I told Mr. P earlier this year i didn't care if he had to sell a kidney I was getting a new kitchen,  but since I booked the kitchen designer to come this Friday it looks quite likely that it will happen and Mr. P will retain all his organs.

And if you thought my grizzling about the laundry was bad wait until we start the kitchen/dining room  because we're removing a wall and most of our ceilings and all of our floors  when that happens. I'm hoping that will mean we get to eat out a lot. I bet you're all hoping you won't have to listen to me whine about it.

Exhale ...I feel so much better. If you made it this far- and haven't unfollowed me you're a legend. And if this is the only post of mine you've ever  read, for crying out loud go and read some of my funny stuff before you judge me. We have a 4 post rule here you know.