Experimenting....

......with some of my photo shots.

I usually set them up against a white background, but in the last few days I have done some experimenting with angles and poses etc...

So, usually I use this kind of photo as the main image (and I still have on my website)

...but for Etsy (which seems to be a little more arty) I decided to do something a little different.
This photo took me ages to get right. I was standing in front of a mirror trying to get the image sharp whilst trying to keep my other arm and the camera out of shot......It was not fun! It's a difficult thing to do - trying to keep the camera steady with one hand...And another....
Once again, this took ages.....
Where's my model when I need him?
As a matter of interest which photos do you like the best?
I would love to know, then I wouldn't have to stand in front of a mirror in such an awkward pose wondering if it was worth the effort.....
Kathryn. XX

I'll do anything for money....

....said master 8.
He is saving up for one of these little "chips" you can put into your "D.S Lite" to store hundreds of games with one card. Does anyone else understand this....

Mmm, anyway, I said "OK, I want you to model something for me. I need to take some photos so I can put it on the website......"

So, one of my pink T-shirts later, a bit of tucking here and there, a little girly "stance" training... et voila......Here he is modelling a lovely shabby and sassy frilly apron for me! You've got to laugh! Well, he did say he'd do anything! He is now 50 cents richer!

Lots of new goodies have been added to the website this morning and a few to my Etsy shop. Click on the pics for a better look around at what has been added.

I was in a notebook covering frenzy on the weekend. I first made one for a friend for her birthday then decided it was so pretty I'd better make some more!

The house is coming along too.....

Bye for now, Kathryn. XX

Friendship quilt...

For those of you in the craft group I belong to, you will be pleased to know that I have made a start on our "Friendship Quilt".

For Christmas I was given some of these wonderful red, white and green fabrics from one of the ladies in the group so I thought it would be nice to make the quilt using these fabrics and a few more in the same colourway using white as the base.

We deicided on a strip quilt theme so we all do a strip for one another's quilts using the fabrics chosen and provided by the group members.

Seeing as though the other members have been quilting for a lot longer than me I was a little daunted by the prospect of being involved and rising to the challenge. But, a challenge I like! This is just a start but at least I have started!

Kathryn. XX

Horseshoe..Australiana theme

The couple at my local post office really look after me. They have saved me lots of money over the past year since taking over the business. The post masters daughter is being married in the UK in April and yesterday his wife asked if I could make them a "horseshoe" with an Australiana theme. "Of course!" I said only too glad to help them for a change!

And this is what I came up with.

I found some velvet in the stash.

(which was used in my wedding dress many moons ago, appropriate don't you think?)
Does Tassie look like a love heart to you?

And a visit to "Sew Special" (the best button shop around) this morning.

So, I came home with this little Koala, the bells and the little horseshoe charm and set to work....

I hope she likes it.

Kathryn. XX

P.S Are you wearing green today?

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! To be sure, to be sure....

Scrap that....

After reading "Crazy Mom Quilts" the other day, I realised I do not make the most of my scraps. She even has hers categorised into colours and sizes! See her "Scrap Management" post here.

I just seem to throw mine into a big bag that somehow turns into the black hole.

So, after seeing a few of these "Stacked Coins" quilts about the bloggy scene I decided to raid the scraps and see what I could come up with....

Some of my all time favourite fabrics are in this quilt - Rachel Ashwell, Cath Kidston, Laura Ashley, Mary Rose, Paris Bebe, Barefoot roses, Anna Griffin, Sis Boom.. the list goes on.

This pretty pink spotty roses fabric was a gift from Heleen from Dutch Colours. She sent me this with my giveaway winners' package.

Even though it is autumn here, it looks like a really fresh, Spring time quilt with all these lovely colours.

What are you making with your scraps?

Kathryn. XX

A bit of everything

My Mum and I had a wonderful day together on Wednesday. We spent some time at the Stitches and Craft show which was a wonderful event although I did feel a little let down by a lot of the usual retailers not being there. As you know I had my list ready.....and I was only able to buy one thing on it. I did buy some other stuff too though!!

A lot of retailers, apparently, decided to go to Sydney instead of Melbourne. I guess in economic times they had to choose.....

But it was wonderful to see so many "bloggy" stalls and bloggy friends. Jodie's stall looked amazing and it was fantastic to see so many of her selvedge creations on centre stage!

Mum and I also had lunch with Rachel. All in all it was a really lovely day.

The finished pin cushions available in my Esty shop. The one in the middle has already sold.
And little master 6 with his new Essendon coloured glasses.
They are just for reading and working so he doesn't have to wear them all the time which I am grateful for. A few children in his class have glasses (and his teacher) so he didn't feel too self conscious on his first day with them.
A few awards have been passed my way too...more on that another day.
Hope you all have a great weekend and if you are going to the "show" have a great time!
Kathryn. XX

Busy....

Busy...

making this very "big" bag for a lady in the US.

And some more Lavender Strawberries for Our Shabby Cottage and My Shabby Cottage.

Pin cushions are also in the making as well as a few other goodies.

Etsy seems to be going really well at the moment, anyone else experiencing a busy spell?

I thought it would never pick up after the Christmas/New Year lull.

I'm off to the "Stitches and Craft Show" tomorrow with Mum.

We always enjoy it and one another's company.

It's not often we spend the day together, just the two of us.

If you happen to be going tomorrow and somehow recognise me, please come and say

"Hi Shabby!"

Now, I have my list and my credit card at the ready......only one more sleep.

Kathryn. XX

A Week of Surprises.....

Isn't she a monster?

Well, yes, in fact she is "Stella" the sock monster.

She is looking a little bleary eyed from jet lag - well, she has travelled 17,000kms across the globe from the U.K. to be here!

She is made by talented textile artist Gina Ferrari and my boys were the lucky winners of "Stella" in Trashy's "Bushfire Appeal Raffle"

Thank you Trash for organising it and for all the generous donations made both to the raffle and the appeal.
"Thank you Gina......"

The boys were not the only ones who were lucky enough to win something from the raffle -I just happen to win Lucy Locket and her friend Jane's Phoenix cards. They are just beautiful and such a wonderful selection too! I will not have to buy cards for the rest of the year!

Thank you Lucy and Jane!

Whilst out and about yesterday I popped into one of my local haunts and discovered this little treasure for $10!! "Gasp" I here you say! Yes, ladies $10.

It does have 1 small chip in the back but still, even with the chip it is still wonderful!

I don't collect Carlton Ware so it may end up on ebay....

Let me know if you do collect the "Buttercup" pattern and this is a piece you just have to have......

Now this little beauty has been added to my pink glass collection thanks to my lovely neighbour Sue who popped in last Friday bearing a belated birthday gift. Now, Sue knows I love anything pink - especially pink glass. I love it, Thanks Sue!

Have you had any nice surprises this week?

I hope you have, Kathryn. XX

Windy.....

No, not me! Outside it is very windy.

We have had warnings today that we may experience winds up to 150km per hour and that is not good news for the fire fighters still trying to put fires out in our state.

It is also not good news when you live near lots of gum trees that may fall on your house at any moment.

Let's hope it doesn't destroy too much in it's wake.

"Coco" Purrr. Sometines I wish I were a cat.....

I need a little fairy to do some housework for me! Does any one have one to spare?

Hopefully tomorrow I will have something more interesting to say and some more interesting photos to show you!

Kathryn. XX