Something new...

I was given a bunch of craft and quilting magazines, and have been so inspired!

One quilt in particular caught my eye..... Scrappy and simple, a little country.... Blocks are small and fast to make! Not sure on the final quilt size, but I'm having fun! Bernie is giving me grief again, may be time to upgrade.....

So, blocks are 15cm when finished, 12 applique blocks in total, plus some pieced ones for good measure (not done yet), plus 4 borders! Will probably do 3, with the middle one with vines. Challenging, but simple enough keep me interested.

My pics are pretty rushed, but couldn't wait to publish my progress! Better pics to come.... Raw appliqué on the top row, finished ones on the bottom. They still need their finishing touches, but I'm halfway there, so far.....

And the winner is.....

So, the Canning Show is over for another year, prizes are awarded, presentations done....

Not too thrilled with my entries this year. Only one was planned, one was already half done, two were from last year that didn't receive prizes, and the last one was soooo rushed, I am also ashamed that I put it in at all....

Lets start from the top!!

FIRST PRIZE
I had already made the dress for the Angel doll years ago, including the shoes, it just needed finishing! I made some underwear, added the wings and voila! Prize winning Dressed Doll.

SECOND PRIZE
I made this pink apron for last years show, but there was no category that fitted, so no prize. It is fussy cut shoes ironed on, and quilted.

THIRD PRIZE
Same as the pink one, the green apron was already done for last year. Fussy cut flowers, sil leaves and the vase is a pocket. All my own design! Not big on practicality, but visually, not too bad. It WAS ironed when it went in, not that it looks like it now!

OTHER ENTRIES
The Foster Child was made, but the clothes were very rushed! Not my best work. Almost too embarrassed to put in, but thought what the heck?? I paid my entry fee!! There were some gorgeous entries up against it, so no surprise that there was no prize. (I'm a poet and didn't know it! LOL!!)

The Christmas Star mini quilt was out-gunned by a much bigger quilt, and the Apple Tree wall hanging was also not up to the standard of the others. A comment attached said it needed more quilting, but I followed a pattern! Maybe I will add some for next year? I'm already 2 up!!

Every year, mum and I say the ribbon is ours, but every year we leave it too late! One project per month equal 12 entries - in theory....... My problem is motivation and inspiration. I never seem to have both at the same time! The hardest part is starting.......

Enid Gilchrist, another collection obsession...

Along with my collection of dolls and miniature seeing machines, I LOVE old sewing magazines! Or more specifically, magazines by Enid Gilchrist.

Enid Beatrice Gilchrist was a fashion designer who revolutionised the way Australian women made clothes from the 50's to the 70's. She developed a drafting system that allowed the home seamstress to create styles of the day with ease.

Originally, Enid wrote articles for New Idea, and later created a series of magazines with designs from babies to adults. It is these that I collect, although any old sewing books interest me.

I love the hand drawn illustrations, the designs - even the browning paper they are printed on! That smell is so distinct!!

Although I have quite a few, it is nowhere near a complete collection. Many are duplicates of the same magazine with different pricing, or even a complete cover change! Many have damaged or missing covers and I'm always on the lookout for replacements. But having a damaged one is better than none at all!!

List of titles I have complete :
Clothes for your Baby
Baby Book
Girls Gear
Boy and Girls Clothes
Undies, Beach and Sleepwear
Women and Teenagers
Play Clothes
Little Coats and Dresses
70's Styles
Under 5
Sixes and Sevens
Three to Six
Six to Nine
Nine to Eleven
Sleepwear and Undies
Fancy Dress
Pinnies 'n' Things
Dolls Clothes

Maternity Wear
Betweens (no cover)
Preschool Clothes (no cover)
Toddlers Clothes (no cover)

Looking for :
Teen Dolls
Kindergarten Set
Ten to Teens
Teenagers and Small Women
Casual Clothes

Not sure how many more there are!

These are titles listed on the backs of the magazines that I don't have. I will try and do a better matchup of older and newer covers at a later date, maybe even a chart! Time pending, of course!!

Angel baby...

I started this project MANY years ago after I bought the doll from an Op Shop. I thought he had the most angelic look about him, so of course he had to become one.

I had already completed his shoes and gown out of really soft fabric, and the wings were already purchased. All he needed was some underthings and the wings attached. The problem was that his arms turn outward so any clothes need to have enormous armholes! Not such a problem for the gown, but the underthings were a little more difficult.

I hunted through my books to find a solution, and the Doll Dressmaker was full of ideas. I thought a onesie would work best, but how do I reduce the bulk at the back and shoulders, while allowing for the arms?? Make it like an overall, with a bib and brace style front. Worked a treat!! With some careful planning I managed to hide all the Velcro stitching into the lining and even put a little lace on the hems! Took the best part of this afternoon, but worth it, I think.

Since I made an extra special effort in my neatness, he will go in for judging at this years Canning Show.....

Tree is finished..

My little tree is done! Pretty good effort, if I do say so myself.

Got me thinking about Christmas, and how I can translate this design to a type of Family Tree. Should I use photos, signatures, handprints?? Maybe some other method?? Oh, the choices!!!