William threw the girls some grain assisted by Mrs Spot who couldn't wait and decided to help herself.
Sunday 30 September 2012
Collecting Eggs
Letting out the chooks and collecting the eggs is a communal event. William and I walked over followed by Icey, the ewe, and Sheila and Larry the lambs.
William threw the girls some grain assisted by Mrs Spot who couldn't wait and decided to help herself.
William threw the girls some grain assisted by Mrs Spot who couldn't wait and decided to help herself.
Saturday 29 September 2012
Single Bed Quilt
So I've started a new quilt. Given that I have 4 boys I thought it would be sensible to make a girls quilt 😜
Actually I bought the bird fabric for another project and when it arrived if was not suitable and there was PILES of it. So I decided it made more sense to buy more fabric so I could do something else with it.
I chose coordinating fabrics and they arrived yesterday. Unfortunately one of the blue ones was too short and if you compare photos I think it really is needed. So I'm in Perth today for a few days and I'll try to get a replacement fabric that matches.
Actually I bought the bird fabric for another project and when it arrived if was not suitable and there was PILES of it. So I decided it made more sense to buy more fabric so I could do something else with it.
I chose coordinating fabrics and they arrived yesterday. Unfortunately one of the blue ones was too short and if you compare photos I think it really is needed. So I'm in Perth today for a few days and I'll try to get a replacement fabric that matches.
Friday 28 September 2012
Finished the Fence
So I finally made it back down to the cottage today to finish the fence off.
I also decided to add a top railing across the walk through so I could trail the ornamental grape across it to the other side.
Looks pretty good I think. We just need to clean up the rest of the yard now!
I also decided to add a top railing across the walk through so I could trail the ornamental grape across it to the other side.
Looks pretty good I think. We just need to clean up the rest of the yard now!
Monday 24 September 2012
Butterfly Canvas
I had completely forgotten I had made this till I went to a friends house and noticed it on her wall.
Easy and lots of fun, simply paint a canvas a colour of your choice then find yourself a buttfly cutter.
Paint a piece of paper with water colour splotches and when dry use the cutter to stamp out the butterflies.
I used a sticky dot to attach the butterflies and bent their wings up a little for a 3D effect.
Easy and lots of fun, simply paint a canvas a colour of your choice then find yourself a buttfly cutter.
Paint a piece of paper with water colour splotches and when dry use the cutter to stamp out the butterflies.
I used a sticky dot to attach the butterflies and bent their wings up a little for a 3D effect.
Sunday 23 September 2012
Dinosaur Roar!
I saw this silly thing on a blog and had to try one. Works best with a Stegosaur or something with spines down its back.
Simply remove a few spines, drill some drainage holes in the belly of the beast and fill the hollow Dino with potting mix and succulents of your choice.
Too easy :)
Simply remove a few spines, drill some drainage holes in the belly of the beast and fill the hollow Dino with potting mix and succulents of your choice.
Too easy :)
Egg Heaven
So I have a few chooks.
Ok, I actually have a LOT of chooks.
Makes for lots of eggs. Problem is everyone else round here has chooks to, so giving away eggs is hard. Thank god for omelette, pavlova, and 8 egg cakes.
Ok, I actually have a LOT of chooks.
Makes for lots of eggs. Problem is everyone else round here has chooks to, so giving away eggs is hard. Thank god for omelette, pavlova, and 8 egg cakes.
Girls Quilt #2
So I just finished this quilt recently. Like the last one I made it has the ruffles around each square, but I decided to have a go at binding the outside edges of it. It's also much larger than the first one.
I really like it, I just need someone to have a daughter so I can gift it.
I really like it, I just need someone to have a daughter so I can gift it.
Fabric Embroidery Frames
I really liked this when I saw it on Pinterest and though I love the fabrics I've picked, the whole project hasn't worked very well.
The fabric doesn't stay taught in the frame. If it was a fine fabric I tried lining it with some batting, but it still sags.
The other problem is getting the bloody things to stay on the wall! I don't want to use something too adhesive as it will just make a mess if I get sick of it and want to pull it down, but I am constantly sticking them back up there. I'm using double sided super sticky dots and I think the problem is actually that there is not enough surface on the frame for them to stick to. Its very narrow anyway, but with a slither of fabric sandwiched between the frames it just makes the surface very tricky to adhere to.
The fabric doesn't stay taught in the frame. If it was a fine fabric I tried lining it with some batting, but it still sags.
The other problem is getting the bloody things to stay on the wall! I don't want to use something too adhesive as it will just make a mess if I get sick of it and want to pull it down, but I am constantly sticking them back up there. I'm using double sided super sticky dots and I think the problem is actually that there is not enough surface on the frame for them to stick to. Its very narrow anyway, but with a slither of fabric sandwiched between the frames it just makes the surface very tricky to adhere to.
Wall Canvas
I love this flower canvas. So pretty and easy to make. You can find it on Pinterest with instructions but it's very simple.
I bought a canvas the size I liked and painted it stormy grey.
I then a ball in Spotlight buying beautiful papers that I thought coordinated nicely.
Next you cut the papers into strips then freehand cut the leaves out of them.
Glue them on then coat with Mod Podge.
Voila!
I bought a canvas the size I liked and painted it stormy grey.
I then a ball in Spotlight buying beautiful papers that I thought coordinated nicely.
Next you cut the papers into strips then freehand cut the leaves out of them.
Glue them on then coat with Mod Podge.
Voila!
Pollyanna's Quilt
This was my first recent quilt making experience. I have made a couple before but nothing for a couple of years. I bought a charm pack in Albany and sewed it up as a ruffle quilt. I gifted it to a friend who had just had a little girl with the totally cool name of Pollyanna. 
Saturday 22 September 2012
We had a wee fire
This has nothing whatsoever to do with what's normally in this blog, but I wanted to include these photos as it was a pretty big event for us.
Back in April we were burning canola stubble and the fire jumped into the paddock next door which was barley stubble. This gave a whoosh and took off like crazy - for our house. Within about 20 minutes of sending out a request for help we had volunteer firies from all over the district at our aid and our house was spared.
You know when you run that scenario through your head "what would I take in the event of a fire?" well that is what I did. Put the baby in the car, grabbed the cat, the dog and the hard drive from the computer. That was my list. I let out the horses and the chooks and wizzed William up to Mums.
For us it never happened and we were lucky. Some very quick back burning near the house saved it from being consumed.
Back in April we were burning canola stubble and the fire jumped into the paddock next door which was barley stubble. This gave a whoosh and took off like crazy - for our house. Within about 20 minutes of sending out a request for help we had volunteer firies from all over the district at our aid and our house was spared.
You know when you run that scenario through your head "what would I take in the event of a fire?" well that is what I did. Put the baby in the car, grabbed the cat, the dog and the hard drive from the computer. That was my list. I let out the horses and the chooks and wizzed William up to Mums.
For us it never happened and we were lucky. Some very quick back burning near the house saved it from being consumed.
Reindeer!
So I found these old photos of a Christmas craft I made last year. I think I saw these cuties on Better Homes and Gardens. We had a big extended family Christmas on the farm and I made one of these for each of the kids place settings. 
Fence building
So we have a small cottage on the farm that Richard and I lived in when we were first married.
It has been empty for a while now and we are cleaning it up a bit in anticipation of a new family arriving from Zimbabwe sometime soon. The family will live in the cottage and have employment with us.
At the moment we are replacing the fence at the back to provide a bit more privacy. The pine poles were in already so a few days ago I added the crossbeams and selected the timber for the pailings. I raided a stack of timber we had cut for sheep yard repairs but have never used.
Today Richard and I put half the vertical pailings up. Necessity demands that we go for a rough look as much of the timber is very low grade. I quite like the 'rustic' look however. I should be able to get it finished tomorrow if I can find where I've stashed the rest of the bloody tek screws.
It has been empty for a while now and we are cleaning it up a bit in anticipation of a new family arriving from Zimbabwe sometime soon. The family will live in the cottage and have employment with us.
At the moment we are replacing the fence at the back to provide a bit more privacy. The pine poles were in already so a few days ago I added the crossbeams and selected the timber for the pailings. I raided a stack of timber we had cut for sheep yard repairs but have never used.
Today Richard and I put half the vertical pailings up. Necessity demands that we go for a rough look as much of the timber is very low grade. I quite like the 'rustic' look however. I should be able to get it finished tomorrow if I can find where I've stashed the rest of the bloody tek screws.
Movie Night
Hanging out with the kids, having a quiet Saturday night watching Meteor Man. Woop woop!
WASH
These were one of my earliest sewing efforts. I made these ages ago when the boys were always bickering over who's towels was who's.
I couldn't be bothered doing their whole names do just did their first initial and wadda ya know, by a happy coincidence they spell the word WASH!
I couldn't be bothered doing their whole names do just did their first initial and wadda ya know, by a happy coincidence they spell the word WASH!
Miniature Garden
I'm partway through making a miniature garden. I bought a few plain birdhouses and am glueing pebbles to them. I got the old Gnome from the E Shed markets in Freo. 
Friday 21 September 2012
Recycling diggers, dumpers and what not.
The kids had a few tip worthy sandpit toys that got a new lease if life as a pot planter. Just make sure they have drainage holes.
Ive had to pop these in a fenced bit if yard to stop William driving them away.
Ive had to pop these in a fenced bit if yard to stop William driving them away.
Bowling ball mosaic
So this once enjoyed life wizzing down the alleys of bowl-a-rama knocking pins for 6. The chap who sold it to me from Gumtree had know idea it was about to undergo a transformation ;)
First it was slathered in liquid nails and then covered in pretty mosaic tiles. Finally it was grouted with grey colored grout.
This was a good fun, quick and easy project that gave instant gratification. Doable in an afternoon if you have the supplies to hand.
First it was slathered in liquid nails and then covered in pretty mosaic tiles. Finally it was grouted with grey colored grout.
This was a good fun, quick and easy project that gave instant gratification. Doable in an afternoon if you have the supplies to hand.
Succulent Armchair
I'm fully anticipating that this project will look good in a year or so! It was a little tricky to make but enjoyable nevertheless.
I saw one on Pinterest that was covered in moss and thought succulents might look good.
Luckily for me I had an old armchair in the shed. The tricky bit was wrapping the arms and back with chicken wire lined with newspaper and filled with potting mix.
After that I poked holes in the newspaper and pushed in bits of succulent. Then I soaked the whole thing with water and slathered sticky pig poo mulch over the wire to blend it all a bit. I've sat it in the shade whilst all the succulents root and hopefully in time they will spread out to cover the whole thing.
I saw one on Pinterest that was covered in moss and thought succulents might look good.
Luckily for me I had an old armchair in the shed. The tricky bit was wrapping the arms and back with chicken wire lined with newspaper and filled with potting mix.
After that I poked holes in the newspaper and pushed in bits of succulent. Then I soaked the whole thing with water and slathered sticky pig poo mulch over the wire to blend it all a bit. I've sat it in the shade whilst all the succulents root and hopefully in time they will spread out to cover the whole thing.
Paddock play
Last weekend when we were out scrounging more plough discs the boys found a pile of rocks that had been rock picked. I think they decided to spread them out again all over the paddock to maintain the flow of back packer employment. Whatever they were doing, they sure had fun. 
The Bottle Tree
Once again I turned to Pinterest for inspiration and came away with a bottle tree.
The base is a plough disc, the trunk is one of the legs off the old trampoline and the branches are cut up section of rebar.
I had my first go at welding which is something I've been wanting to try for ages. I'm not competent enough to go solo at this point but I would like to get to the stage where I can head to the shed and get to work on my own.
Once the tree was made I painted the trunk black and started collecting bottles. A few came from eBay but for most I need to thank 2 people. My gorgeous mail lady collected the hard to find red and orange ones and our gruff old retired farm worker personally trawled all the flea markets in Perth for me then hand delivered 2 boxes of bottles. Thank you Ange and Malcolm xxx
The base is a plough disc, the trunk is one of the legs off the old trampoline and the branches are cut up section of rebar.
I had my first go at welding which is something I've been wanting to try for ages. I'm not competent enough to go solo at this point but I would like to get to the stage where I can head to the shed and get to work on my own.
Once the tree was made I painted the trunk black and started collecting bottles. A few came from eBay but for most I need to thank 2 people. My gorgeous mail lady collected the hard to find red and orange ones and our gruff old retired farm worker personally trawled all the flea markets in Perth for me then hand delivered 2 boxes of bottles. Thank you Ange and Malcolm xxx
Welcome Harry!
My friend had a darling little boy 6 weeks ago. My neighbour and I made her this mobile for Harry's nursery.
There are some hilarious versions of these on Pintrosity and indeed it took a few goes to get some of them right.
Basically you blow up a balloon and wrap it in wool dipped in craft glue. Sounds easy right?
Too much glue and it dries with white flaky bits and looks awful. Too little glue and it doesn't stick. Too much wool and glue and the balloon deflates before it had set and caves the wool in with it. Not enough wool and it looks lame.
We got there eventually and maintain, as always, that these are amateur productions!
There are some hilarious versions of these on Pintrosity and indeed it took a few goes to get some of them right.
Basically you blow up a balloon and wrap it in wool dipped in craft glue. Sounds easy right?
Too much glue and it dries with white flaky bits and looks awful. Too little glue and it doesn't stick. Too much wool and glue and the balloon deflates before it had set and caves the wool in with it. Not enough wool and it looks lame.
We got there eventually and maintain, as always, that these are amateur productions!
Thursday 20 September 2012
B H & G knockoff
I saw this in Australian Better Homes and Gardens earlier this year. It's made from an old pallet.
Directions can be found there. I had intended to make 3 for along the garage wall but as we've already discussed I've got a short attention span for any one thing.
I planted it up with... You guessed it, succulents and they are all growing well unless William (2) can reach them.
Directions can be found there. I had intended to make 3 for along the garage wall but as we've already discussed I've got a short attention span for any one thing.
I planted it up with... You guessed it, succulents and they are all growing well unless William (2) can reach them.
Getting our shit together
I made this up yesterday but had done so many posts for the day I decided not to put it up yet.
I saw a similar idea to this in Pinterest, but adapted it to suit 3 kids. The boys were so excited about it (?!) that on the first morning of its appearance all the magnets were lined up by 6.45am. Normally we struggle to have everything done and be out of the house by 8.10am so I'm hoping the enthusiasm lasts for the next 15 years or so.
I saw a similar idea to this in Pinterest, but adapted it to suit 3 kids. The boys were so excited about it (?!) that on the first morning of its appearance all the magnets were lined up by 6.45am. Normally we struggle to have everything done and be out of the house by 8.10am so I'm hoping the enthusiasm lasts for the next 15 years or so.
Plough disc succulents
This is a back post. I made this months ago and it's still looking really good.
Find ye a farmer and score yourself an old plough disc.
Mound it with succulent potting mix so it comes up in a nice dome.
Try and choose succulents that don't grow to big or spread out to far. The various sorts of Hens and Chicks are idea as you can just snap the babies off and use them else where.
I keep mine in a relatively shady area as there is not a lot if soil depth and it dries out quite quickly.
Find ye a farmer and score yourself an old plough disc.
Mound it with succulent potting mix so it comes up in a nice dome.
Try and choose succulents that don't grow to big or spread out to far. The various sorts of Hens and Chicks are idea as you can just snap the babies off and use them else where.
I keep mine in a relatively shady area as there is not a lot if soil depth and it dries out quite quickly.
Pyjama Monster
I made this little guy about 2 weeks ago. I bought the pattern off Pinterest and decided to have ago. It was pretty easy even for a gumby sewer like me.
Only the teeth didn't work well and if I make another one I will use iron on transfer instead of the recommended felt.
The monster has a zipper for a mouth and is supposed to sit on your bed and you stuff your jarmies into him for the day. Have told the kids he is for a friend so I don't get hit up for 3 more.
Only the teeth didn't work well and if I make another one I will use iron on transfer instead of the recommended felt.
The monster has a zipper for a mouth and is supposed to sit on your bed and you stuff your jarmies into him for the day. Have told the kids he is for a friend so I don't get hit up for 3 more.
Worlds Most Boring Blog award goes to.....
I think this might just possibly be the most boring blog the interwebz has ever seen. See I'm not really writing a blog, just dumping photos and descriptions in a spot where I can reference them or show any family/friends that might be interested in the piddly stuff I'm sorta calling 'art'. See I lack a vital element of the true artist....originality. I love to have a go at stuff, but I can never think what to make. Heeellloooo Pinterest!
So, I'm a cheat. I copy stuff and change it a bit if it suits me to. Whilst I'm cataloging my flaws, I also never stick to stuff. I have about 2 or 3 of any one thing in me before I get bored and go trawling for something else. Makes for lots of varied stuff, but pity I didn't learn this about myself before I went mad buying beads, and fabric, and wool, and pretty paper. You see where I'm going with this dont you?!
Anyhow, I want to back catalogue a bit of stuff I've made so far this year So I guess I'd better go take some photos and learn how to do all this shit.
So, I'm a cheat. I copy stuff and change it a bit if it suits me to. Whilst I'm cataloging my flaws, I also never stick to stuff. I have about 2 or 3 of any one thing in me before I get bored and go trawling for something else. Makes for lots of varied stuff, but pity I didn't learn this about myself before I went mad buying beads, and fabric, and wool, and pretty paper. You see where I'm going with this dont you?!
Anyhow, I want to back catalogue a bit of stuff I've made so far this year So I guess I'd better go take some photos and learn how to do all this shit.
Last one of the day...
Hmmmm 4 posts in one day is probably overkill, but knowing me I"ll probably not come back to it for months.
So whilst dinner was cooking I decided I would quickly bury the trampoline legs partway to lower the height of it. I have the old fashioned armbreaker style tramp so I figured it's safer closer to the ground. However the real reason I did it is because the lawn is filled with so much kids shit and I get really sick of it. I thought if it was a bit lower to the ground it might not be as intrusive in the yard..
Either way the kids decided it was so exciting they abandoned their bath and came out for a nuddy jump.
So whilst dinner was cooking I decided I would quickly bury the trampoline legs partway to lower the height of it. I have the old fashioned armbreaker style tramp so I figured it's safer closer to the ground. However the real reason I did it is because the lawn is filled with so much kids shit and I get really sick of it. I thought if it was a bit lower to the ground it might not be as intrusive in the yard..
Either way the kids decided it was so exciting they abandoned their bath and came out for a nuddy jump.
Wednesday 19 September 2012
Succulent Ball
I made this succulent ball a few months ago. I saw them on Pinterest.
It involved getting 2 empty hanging baskets and running wire in an x across the open end. Cover the outside with chicken wire and then wire each succulent in by attaching it to the x wires. You can rest them on plastic pots to protect the succulents.
Line the baskets with sphagnum moss and then soil. To join them up you put a board over one of the baskets and invert it. You then sit it on top of the other one and slide the board out.
Hang it, water it and rotate it every so often.
It involved getting 2 empty hanging baskets and running wire in an x across the open end. Cover the outside with chicken wire and then wire each succulent in by attaching it to the x wires. You can rest them on plastic pots to protect the succulents.
Line the baskets with sphagnum moss and then soil. To join them up you put a board over one of the baskets and invert it. You then sit it on top of the other one and slide the board out.
Hang it, water it and rotate it every so often.
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