Just Average!

58 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

Gee how times have changed! I would love to see if there is a modern test to see how the modern wife stacks up to her counterparts...? Perhaps someone out there knows of one? I found this test on Kate's blog (sock maker extraordinaire!) Go on take the test - see how you rate!

KathrynXX

Softies for Mirabel ebay auctions, round one...

Wow, I was excited to see my trio of Matryoshka dolls sitting up very nicely and proud to be on auction on Ebay at the moment for the "Softies for Mirabel Appeal" (round one). Take the time to have a look at the wonderful handmade softies on auction at the moment. The auctions will benefit a wonderful cause "The Mirabel Foundation" so go on, make plenty of bids to help those poor kids and their families.

We must also say a big thank you to everyone at "Meet me at Mikes" for organising everything for the softies and the auctions.

I finished the girls on the weekend. A couple are on the website and a few will be added to Etsy. I'm very pleased with how they turned out this time around.

I hope everyone had a great weekend depite the freezing temperature. (It was 7 degrees here brrrrr...)

Now, go and check out those auctions for "Mirabel"!

Kathryn. XX

Kokeshi fever!!

Can you guess what I'll be doing over the weekend???

Yes, more lovely kokeshi dolls....

Hope you all have a great weekend and I hope you can squeeze in some craft too.

Kathryn.

Just "cos...

Mr OSC arrived home from work last night with these. I asked him why he had bought them..?It wasn't my birthday, it wasn't our anniversary.. It was just because he knows I like Irises. And just 'cos...I love you...XXXOOO Ohhh :0)

These are the best sort of surprises.

Kathryn.

Sneek Peeks...!

This is a sneek peek into my bag/bucket (I haven't decided yet..) for Linda's bag and bucket swap.

It is my first swap and it's the first time I have done any needle turn applique and I must say that it isn't really that difficult - maybe I just haven't done it right???

I was a little daunted by the fact that it seems to be a LOT of quilters who have signed up for the swap. I am no quilter although, I am having a great time learning some new tricks. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? (Not that I am referring to myself as a dog!!! thank you very much...)

This is also a little out of my comfort zone regarding the colours but I must say they seem to come together quite nicely.... Stay tuned!

Kathryn. XX

Roses and Buttons, Pendants and Bracelets

This is what kept me very occupied on the weekend.

Between a very grumpy master 7

(it turns out he has been having "friend" trouble at school. I spent lots of last night awake thinking about him poor boy. He bottles things up and then behaves so badly.. then after you push him to open up it all seems better somehow. Isn't that the truth for all of us?)

and a very tired and whiney master 5, I tuned out and went creative with these gorgeous pendants and bracelets. Well, I think they are gorgeous even if no-one else does! You all should know that I LOVE vintage carved Mother of Pearl buttons and I love roses too, so this was the perfect combination. It's a wonder I hadn't thought of doing these before now.

The cuff bracelets turned out really well. I think I am going to keep one for myself. The others will be added to Etsy and OurShabbyCottage.

Some more Cath Kidston fabric reversible totes are finished and will be added somewhere soon...
That's all folks!
Kathryn XXX

I've been tagged

Sophisticatedrose has tagged Our Shabby Cottage!

Now, I have to tell you seven things about me you may not know:

1. I lived in England for nearly 3 years in my 20's.. Woo Hoo had a great time too!!

2. My favourite flowers are Irises.

3. I don't like gardening..yes, it's true!

4. My nickname was "Gappy Kaffy" between the ages of 2 and 7 because I fell over and knocked my baby front tooth out. OUCH!

5. My favourite dish is Moussaka..Mmmm YUM!

6. I do not mow lawns.. I believe that is a man's job! Gosh that sounds very sexist!

7. Now, for a wierd one..I was born without a toenail on one toe (that toe is called baldy!)

Here are seven other blogs which have things I love:

Shabbyrosesandprettythings pop in and see Sarah for all things Shabby.

Thepinkpoodle Say "Hi" to Andrea and her new blog.

Theshadowcat I love her little collectable beasties - all hand stitched too.

Blijalsmij for life in Denmark and lots of handmade goodness.

ShabbyVintageMandii For all things restored and refurbished in the shabby chic style.

Posy for life in England, English vintage style, the love of Cath Kidston and vintage finds.

Vintageprettyandshabby More life in England and shabby handmade goodies. Visit her shop.

If you have been tagged, here is what is requested:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Blog Boring!!!

Sorry folks.

Mrs Shabby Cottage is being very blog boring at the moment.

Our main computer is in hospital for some much need surgery and it looks like it will be in recovery for a few days . I began to break out in a sweat when I thought I would be without it for days...I my goodness. How would I survive???

No sufing the net, no blog visiting, no looking at all the wonderful creations in cyberspace, pant, pant, breathe slowly into a bag....

But, we have a laptop. At least I have access to the internet. Phew!

So, no photos, no shop updates, no goodies added to Etsy or Ebay just me rambling on about the b****y computer.....

See, I told you it would be boring! Hopefully we will be back on track next week.

Bye for now, Kathyrn. :0)

My first time!!!

Settle down!

It is my very first lamp shade revamp!

It only took me two years to pluck up the courage to recover this old lamp shade but what was I worried about? Sure it was a bit fiddley and I did swear under my breath a few times but I think I did a pretty good job considering it was "my first time".

I will not be doing another one in a hurry though!

I used my very favourite Laura Ashley fabric called "Isabelle" and I very carefully cut out the fabric so that I would have the same pattern on each side - alternating between pink and white stripes.

I admire the "girls" out there who make these all the time. Well done girls...it's not easy!

Pretty huh?

Pretty pink beaded trim around the bottom.

This is one of my favourite op-shop finds. It was just sitting on a dusty shelf stuck to its' backing board all for $2.00. I had to have it. I love the pink and green together (my favourite colours). "She" has used ribbons to make the flowers along with pearls and french knots. When I brought it home I discovered that this frame was just perfect.

This is another op-shop find. It is English Tudor Rose and is called Kentish Garden. It was cheap because it is missing the saucer. I love it because it reminds me of England.

Look forward to some Cath Kidston fabric bags in Our Shabby Cottage soon.

After 10 years of dreaming of a bigger home we have finally purchased some land to build our "dream" home on. The house where we live now is a 3 bedroom 1970's white brick nightmare. The backyard is so small, the house is small (13 squares of small!) , the kitchen is small, the lounge room is small, and we live on a hill. You get the picture?

Not so sure about the process of building being a "dream" though.

It's a beautiful 1/4 acre block with amazing views off to the east. Not that they will be there for long once everyone else has built there too. :(

It's one block from the school, three blocks from the little town and close to the post office - which is very important!

The view from the back of the block to our new street. It is a very exciting prospect for us all. Very daunting for my husband who will take on most of the responsibility. He is a draughtsman and has designed (with alot of help from me) our new home. To save some money we are going to be owner builders. Are we mad or are we sensible?

I'll answer that in 2 years time when we have (hopefully) finished.....

Kathryn XX

Some loveliness for myself..

It's not often I make things for myself.

So with the munchkins away for a few days I couldn't resist treating myself for a change.

Well, remember this beautiful, and oh so vintage style, fabric by Cath Kidston which arrived on my door last week?

Well, I have chopped into it and made some beauties for myself.

Here they are....

I have Posy to thank for the insipration behind this little brooch cushion...

I needed another bag..yeah right!

I already have about 15...BUT... a girl can never have too many bags in her life! I'm sure there are plently of women out there with more than 15 but, to me, that does sound like rather a lot?

I nearly chucked out my "black" bag last week because I couldn't find my keys in the abyss....so, this one has plently of pockets. It also has a magnetic snap closure and just one strap so it sits nicley at waist level.

(If anyones wants one similar just email me for a custom order - that is, if you get in quick enough before I use the rest of this delicious shabby fabric!!!)

This is the start of a tres shabby chic cushion.
The surrounding fabric is from Spotlight.
Whilst browsing the other day it popped out at me and I had to have it - it is such a good match. They had other colours that would go equally well with a lot of Cath Kidston's other fabric designs too.
He Hemmm..Excuse me while I go and seperate my two warring children.. Yes, they are back!!!
Until next time.
Kathryn.

A very quiet house!

Look at these Monkeys!

I had a quick trip to my parents yesterday and left my munchkins in their care for 3 days!

Wow, they have never been gone this long before and it does feel very weird. The peace and quiet is blissful but I am constantly aware of it.

It's worse at night when you go to give them a kiss good night and tuck them in...and they are not there to tell you face to face that they love you. A phone call is just not enough is it?

Oh well, regardless of that I am going to thoroughly enjoy the next few days - no arguments, no fighting over which movie to watch, no yelling and "dobbing" on one another....

Can they stay longer????

As promised in an earlier post I would show you the finished zipper pouches...

The ones above have a gusset.

These do not...
They will be added to Our Shabby Cottage and to my Etsy shop.

Whilst at my parents yesterday I searched for this frog. It was given,to me, as a gift when my family spent the Christmas of '89 in England with our relatives.
It is a "softie" from the very famous London store - "Liberty". The fabric is called "Stockton".
When we brought this little guy home my Mum and I made quite a few to keep him company...
I thought I would make a few more to give a way as gifts and also put in the shop...
I have seen these little guys in a few places after searching the net for them. We took our own pattern from him to use.

Here he is with his "mates" all made from different "Liberty" fabrics. The one on the very left is a limited edition print made with Australian wildflowers. I have not seen this anywhere since my Mum purchased it about 20 years ago. If anyone has it, or has seen it, please let me know if you want to part with it!!!

I thought I'd show you a couple of wonderful things my Dad has made. He is a capenter by trade and was a woodwork teacher for over 30 years. Now, he potters around in his shed and makes wonderful objects for the house and to give away. At the moment he is working on a wooden merry-go-round! (complete with carved horses mind you) as well as Noah's Ark and lots more!!!
The Russian church above was inspired by a trip my parents took to Russia and Scandinavia. (The lighthouse at the back does light up - if you were wondering!!)



And these are some Kokeshi dolls he has made. He paints everything himself and, as you can imagine, has infinite patience!!
My Mum is just as talented and I will show you some of her creations at some point. I was lucky to growup in a household of crafty and imaginative people!!
Kathryn XX

Shop Update!

I have some goodies to show you which will be added to "Our Shabby Cottage" this week. I have made some more rings made from some beautiful roses!

Any Rose lover will LOVE these....More designs are available in the shop.

More bags of mischief! - the girls on the right will be added to my Etsy shop and the ones at the back and left will be added to

"Our Shabby Cottage"

I have had a bee in my bonnet to create some more zipper pouches. I have cut out a few in some wonderful shabby fabrics including Cath Kidston, Rachel Ashwell, etc..

They are Perfect for makeup, personal items, ipod, mobile phone, keys etc.. for both Etsy and "Our Shabby Cottage". I have started - 1 down, 12 to go!I'll show you the finished product soon (I hope).

Kathryn.

"Sis Boom", "Liberty" and "Cath Kidston"

One of my friends turned 40 a few weeks ago and I have been meaning to make a bag for her for ages. She has long admired my bags so I thought this would be a great present for her birthday. Now, that was 3 weeks ago......

I have finally finsihed the bag and it is ready to go to a new home. I hope she likes it.

The fabric is "Nicole" in chocolate by Jennifer Paganelli of "Sis Boom".

It has a magnetic closure and the inside is a wild pink!

I love it when I hear the posties' motorbike on his way up the hill. More often than not I receive a parcel from somewhere! The lady at my local post office must think I am a shopaholic!! Well, a fabricaholic at least! This little stash came from France from an ebay seller (Fuchsia's Fabrics) and includes some beautiful Liberty fabric.

Now, this has got to be one of my favourite Cath Kidston cotton duck fabrics.

(Faded Flowers Plaster Pink)

It arrived yesterday, too, from "Lavender-fields" in the UK.

The colours are beautiful and I am having a wonderful time just looking at it.
I was dreaming of it last night as I was trying to go to sleep. I wonder what I will end up making with it...if I dare to chop it up!
Kathryn.

Holiday fun...

Hi eveyone. I am so glad the holidays are here - althought not too impressed when Spotlight announced the 20% off Sale which happened yesterday. Couldn't they have had it when the kids are at school? Instead I had to drag my poor boys around for nearly an hour while I browsed, ummed and arrhed, picked things up then put things back.. Gee they were good. Sometimes it is a nightmare taking them shopping but I was so proud of them both!

Not that I used any form of bribery :) of course not - no self respecting mother would...

or would they???

Anyway, as a reward for them, today I suggested "they" make their own toy..Well, I suggested some ideas, they came up with some designs (of their very own) then they picked out some fabrics,felt etc.. then I became involved. I'm not sure if the idea was for me to keep them busy or for them to keep me busy!

This is what they came up with...

Master 7's idea was "The Exclamation Mark Alien"....

Concept sketch

Alien cut out and ready to sew..

Voila! He was pretty happy with himself.

Master 5's idea was a snow bunny but with evil tendancies!
Here is his concept sketch..

Cut out ready to sew...

Voila! He does look a bit evil.....mmm?

"Kiska"

This little bag of mischief is off to the lovely Mandii over at Shabby Vintage Dreams

I'm sure they will love their new home and that Mandii will look after them.

Bye Bye girls - be good!

Kathryn XXX