Bibs & Aprons

A wintery Monday Good Afternoon dear friends & readers,

My daughter-in-law Sarah mentioned that she had seen a baby at Plunket wearing this cute little "Bandana type bib"

I had not come across these before .... however, a quick search on Uncle Google & I managed to find a free pattern to try

These two were my first attempts & they were for little Alec, my grandson

Although he turns 9 weeks old today, they were just a fraction on the large size for him ... but he was most happy to model them for me during my visit yesterday

I also managed to run up four bibs for my Cottage - I was lucky enough to have fabrics on hand suitable for both boys & girls 

I used soft flannelette on the outsides & then a thinner polar fleece on the underside ...

... or you can also use towelling.  Although the pattern suggests using a snap fastener at the neck, I preferred to use the velcro dots I had ... I liked the idea of this being softer to lay on than a button or a fastenener

If you would like to give them a try, you can find the pattern here

When I did my Cottage revamp I left a large blank space on one wall. I had wanted to make some aprons for quite sometime but had nowhere to display them to do them justice. 

 Also I had often been asked by customers before "do you have any aprons?"

This was the first one I made ... I only had half a metre of this pretty floral fabric so had to find a contrast to mix-n-match.  Making these aprons was very much about using what I have in my stash, so I have had to be resourceful & think outside the square quite a bit

This was the second apron I made ... although I had more of this floral fabric, I still had to use a contrast for a large front pocket.  I plan to make four aprons in total so hope to be able to show you the last two in my next post.  

I would also like to embellish some teatowels to compliment the aprons.

After I visited with my grandson yesterday I travelled on into Hamilton city.  I had wanted to go to Palmers Garden World as I had acquired some giftcards & one was due to expire if I didn't use it up.  I love Palmers - not only is their Garden Centre great but they have a lovely cafe & a large gift area also.

These are what I came away with .... compliments of my gift cards

two new plants, new garden gloves & secateurs AND gorgeous tin jug

I had hoped to be outside using my new secateurs & gloves today as I am waayyy behind with my pruning this year.  But it is a bitter wintery day here again & I am tucked up indoors with some "body parts" drying by the fire !!!

. . . and someone else who is also tucked up by the fire . . . favourite toy & blanket all intact  :-)

sometimes you just feel like hanging out the "do not disturb" sign for awhile !!!

Have a wonderful week ahead dear readers,

hope you all manage to stay warm if you are in these wintery climates

thanks for your ever welcome visits today,
with much love,
Julie, Blackie & Pippi
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A Mixed Up Post of Oddments

Wintery Greetings dear friends & readers,

My dear friend Leeanne's favourite season of them all is winter 

I think of her & try to find things to like about this cold bleak season ... but I must admit I am struggling

Especially with the - 4 degrees frost we had here this morning

One thing I know for sure I am thankful for . . . the dear old man in the rickety old truck who delivered me another large load of firewood just yesterday   . . .   at least the fire helps take the chill off the house

During the last fortnight I celebrated yet another birthday   :-)

Happy 55th Birthday tooo Meeeee ! ! !

I received some really lovely handmade & storebought gifts from friends & family

the beautiful handknitted soft merino socks have been getting a good work-out lately with lots of wear 

Also during the last fortnight a particularly nasty flu virus well & truly sneaked up on me & knocked me off my feet

I have been struggling to shake the dreaded thing off .... any suggestions, please don't hesitate to let me know as I firmly believe in home remedies

Some gentle handstitching by the fire has been about all I have had the energy for .... these little felt dollies are a pattern by Wendy Brigg of Country Friends ... they are only 12 inches tall & apart from the trim on the skirt & 1 seam, they are completely handstitched.

First completion was a black felt primitive girl dolly .... they are not meant to have wings, but having these wire wings on hand that were a perfect size, it seemed a shame not to make them into angels ...

This was a pattern we obtained from a Country Friends Retreat I attended way back in 2004 .... I have always loved these little dollies but haven't made any now for quite sometime

The little primitive angel needed some pva/water dabbed on her perle thread hair, to keep it out of her eyes !!!

Their little felt vests are cut out using my scallop edge scissors

I have another 2 bodies cut out that I am attempting to stitch up next

These bone china mugs were in a box of china oddments I purchased from an Op Shop on one of my trips to Mums many years ago a little while back

I pulled them out of the cupboard recently & decided to make some pincushions as I am trying to put together a small "sewing area" in the Cottage with sewing related goodies

  I decided to take a deep breath & cut into my treasured Tilda fabrics to make them ... I thought the soft pastel florals of the Tilda fabrics suited the patterns on the china mugs beautifully.

I wanted to make some small swing tags to tie onto the handles but didnt have any pretty florally scrapbooking card on hand . . . 

In the end, I just ran a piece of the fabric through my printer scanner onto A4 paper & then made my tags up from there

I usually weight the cups with some fine gravel about 1/4 full, as I find this prevents them being too flimsy & stabilises them alot better

I am really pleased with the end result - pretty & dainty just as I imagined, but still useful & functional

I think this front one in pinks/greens is perhaps my favourite.

How about you ... do you have a favourite ??

One of the things you first see when you walk directly into my odd little house is my dining table.  I usually like to have one of my vintage tablecloths on it & - when seasons permit - a vase of flowers. It is just one of those funny little things that makes me happy . . .

OLD photo  .   .   .     VERY OLD !!!!!

The rest of the house can be a complete schamozzle (& frequently IS) ... but if the table is nice & clear, then all is well with the world ...

Oh how times can change ! ! ! !

this is currently my table by night . . . 

Yes - thats my craft stuff balanced on a tiny corner there !!!!!

And this is currently my table by day . . .

Lady Muck Pippi having a stressful afternoon ! ! **! !

Thank You All so much for popping by today to visit
Its the weekend tomorrow here, so Happy Weekend to you all
I hope its a happy & creative (& healthy) one for us all
with much love & friendship,
Julie, Fat Black & Lady Muck Pippi
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