Sprocket Pillows

As soon as I discovered the tutorial for these Sprocket Pillows I just knew I had to make one . . . or maybe two!

I made the 16" version and I modified it a bit - I didn't use the side gusset, but rather just joined front and back for a flatter version.

These were a spur of the moment thing, and using only what I had on hand. I had leftovers from the Fat Jack quilt and linen left over from a table cloth I made for the backing. I re-purposed a couple of dis-used cushions for the filling. And a couple of over-sized vintage buttons from my big button jar to pinch them in at the centre (that's a big jar, not just big buttons!!).

I found it so satisfying to use up supplies that I already had. Don't get me wrong, I love the special-ness of something new, that's for sure. But to take some bits that are just waiting for a purpose . . . and then give them that purpose - that adds a little something extra for me.

What have you re-purposed lately?


Pattern: Sprocket Pillows
Designer: Cluck Cluck Sew
Publication: http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/03/tutorial-sprocket-pillows.html

How do you gift wrap bottles?

My son has given various bottles as gifts now . . . and as the king of innovative gift wrapping he wanted something more than a paper gift bag. I should have taken pictures of the cool woven ribbon wrapping he did at Christmas, but I did get this one of the over-sized "gift" box he created . . .

So I was drafted in as the maker of fabric bottle bags.

The bags are really simple and quick to make. They only take a piece of fabric about 17" x 12" (plus a bit extra to make the tie if you don't want to use ribbon).

A side seam.

A bottom seam (plus bag corners if you want it to fit nicely at the bottom).

And a hem around the top. You can't go too far wrong . . .

Putting my high school needlework lessons to good use, I stitched french seams, so it's nice and neat inside - no lining required. It's been a great opportunity to use fabric that I've had for a while, just waiting for the right project. So everyone wins - a happy son, a happy gift recipient, and a bit of stash-busting for me!


Fabric: Pointillist Palette by Debra Lunn & Michael Mrowka for Robert Kaufman Co., Inc

Grace

10 years ago, one of these gorgeous little golden waggly tails chose us. Second from the left. A little more yellow than the others. Quiet. Gentle. Snuggly.

Grace. Little Gracie. Gracie Lou.

She chose us. To be her family. Her humans.

She quickly became a partner in crime with her chocolate companion - quite the dynamic duo.

Between them, they demolished several garden watering systems and countless plants and pots. In true partnership style, one loved the plants and one loved the pots . . . so they worked together and made a happy team!

She was just born to be a companion. She loved company - canine and human.

She loved to be scratched and petted and brushed. She loved the water. She loved her food. And she loved us.

This week she left us.

Unexpectedly. Suddenly. And forever.

But she left us infinitely better than she found us. Better for having had the privilege of her beautiful, gentle spirit in our lives.

She will be missed. She will be forever treasured. And always loved.

Fat Jack

I've been bitten by the Union Jack bug . . .

So I thought I'd have a go at making my own. I used the tutorial from Lily's Quilts. And then modified it. First of all I thought I would halve the size and maybe make a bag front from it. But then I decided to double the size.

It's now hanging on our lounge room wall, looking somewhat British. Now some cushions to match???


Pattern: Double Fat Jack
Designer: Lily's Quilts
Publication: http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/double-fat-jack-tutorial.html
Finished Size: 62" (157cm) long x 48 1/4" (123cm) wide
Fabrics: "Etchings" by 3 Sisters for Moda and "Remembrence" by Brannack & Patek for Moda