Princess Ruby - recycled fabric bag

I had forgotten where I had stored this photo. Having had (accidentally) destroyed  my memory card, I used the camera itself to store the image of my latest creation, how lovely to find it since it has been my only venture to the sewing machine (excepting tedious mending) in the last few weeks:


Modeled on a smaller version of the shabby chic bags - it is just big enough for little hands. Recycled pink rosebud dress exterior (perhaps I am a mangler?)  with salvaged sage corduroy lining - just enough to give it form without a stiff interfacing it was completed with a bright rickrack handle. Perfect for a Ruby who loves pink and green.

Mum's hand-me-down vintage

All these lovelies are from Mum and Dad. Embroidered spotted blue on white gingham tablecloths, on of my favourite tea towels. The cat. My eldest sister was given the Octopus, the next sister a Peacock - I carried home Mum's embroidered, beaded and sequined pussycat. This Cheshire grin overlooks my sewing space. The cocktail tray, how I love it. But not as much as I love watching bubbly bubble up and down the hollow stems of these glorious champagne saucers, perhaps more than I enjoyed drinking soft drink in them as a child. Thanks Dad and Mum!

Fabric giveaway

I have just found another delightful blog with a rainbow coloured fat quartered freebie - called Me? A Mom? I found it through local crafter,  eva mei and me who specialise with children's wear fashioned from handmade fabric- gorgeous. The offer is open until October 5. Have a look at what I (and you) could win!



I am not sure which fabric - I like the most- I would put the dolls in my pile for Kate's quilt. A clutch for me from the yellow. And the dots- I'm not sure but I would have to make something that was staying in this household. The conditions are they are not for resale. What a good excuse to make something for Kate and I!

Hand-me-down vintage

I love this word. Here are some of the enduring beauties I have received:.

Visiting markets recently, we discovered a pillow or two full of vintage brooches. Some huge, or gaudy, others sweet and refined. These two I inherited. Besides the florals, they are both so different. I would love to learn more about them. Meanwhile I just wear and enjoy them.

My grandma (Bessie's) I think? We still wear it, Kate loves aprons. Occasionally I come across an op shop beauty- generally worn and loved, but always in a fabulously vintage fabric.

This basket is very special because my Pop made it. I am unsure of it's age - but I see it and use it every morning and night. Handmade, it is so strong and durable. It keeps reinventing itself to give me a new purpose every few years. Pop's shed had it own smell about it. Retired from the farm, fixed tennis racquets, was very handy with wood, was way ahead with edible landscapes and I guess he weaved as well!

Words of Beauty

Besides sewing, I love to read. This one is not about vintage fabric....instead a book recommendation.

I am so pleased I have had this book on the go. I picked up the first book Odd Thomas in an op shop, just after having seen a glowing review in the Good Reads magazine. Written by Dean Koontz, I normally would have left it alone- I have barely launched into magical and mystical loving Harry, His Dark Materials and Eragon (so I knew my eldest son's choices) and was not after the supernatural. Read I did. To my delight I discovered there were more Odd books, I completed Odd Hours last night. Sometimes, Koontz's words and Odd's learnings are so beautiful it makes me stop:

  "Grief can destroy you - or focus you. You can decide a relationship was all for nothing if it had to end in death, and you alone. Or you can realize that every moment of it had more meaning than you dared to recognize at the time, so much meaning it scared you, so you just lived, just took for granted the love and laughter of each day, and didn't allow yourself to consider the sacredness of it. But when it is over and you're alone, you begin to see it wasn't just a movie and dinner together, not just watching sunsets together, not just scrubbing a floor or washing dishes together or worrying over a high electric bill. It was everything, it was the why of life, every event and every precious moment of it." (Dean Koontz, Odd Hours, in Chapter 32)

I just read today that Koontz has plans for 7 Odd books. I will look forwards to reading the next one- it helps me appreciate the moments of "grace" in my own world.

Brand New Produce Bags for your Fruit and Vegies

Eco friendly Bessie brings the first peek of our produce bags. Are you tired of tossing plastic bags? Most of us remember our green bags for the checkout - this goes one step further. Designed to hold your fruit and vegetables, it is light enough to weigh your produce and carry it home. Machine washable, they can be used over and over.

With a built in drawstring and made from recycled lightweight fabrics or curtains they are a environmentally friendly substitute for the supermarket or produce markets. Versatile- you can also make them a toy bag or for eco-friendly gift wrapping.

Say NO to Plastic Bags! Have fun with your groceries with our custom made bags in your choice of colours. You can purchase three of the same fabric or a variety as pictured. Visit our gallery for more fabric ideas. The bags featured on this page are made from discarded vintage sheets and net curtain- a great way to shop  sustainably.

Thrifted vintage floral extravaganza

Latest thrift finds from local op shops. This happy navy, red and white floral is cotton based yet has distinctive lines in the fabric weave reminiscent of older times.

There was plenty of yardage in this material- so the options are limitless for the use. It has to be a bag, and then we'll see about the leftovers.

I love the colours in this pretty cotton paisley. A lucky score.

Lastly, spots and florals in polyester. I am looking forward to see what becomes of this and what other fabrics it is teamed with. The pile of fabrics keeps growing....time to sew.