Our Blythe swap partner

Ella and I  received our Blythe swap goodies last week.

Oh boy, what a lovely stash of Blythe  treasures.

Some gorgeous dresses made from fabulous material; a cute heather ross cushion; pyjamas; a great pair of brown boots; and some cute little blythe sized sewing accessories.

We felt extremely lucky.

As you can see our swap partner is an amazing sewer.

She obviously has fantastic fine motor skills- look at the intricate detail on the dresses and pyjamas.

Incredible!!

Thank you Amanda, it is truly amazing and so so appreciated!!

A Sabre tooth tiger

We have a dog, we have cockatiels, we have chickens, we did have guinea pigs (yes both taken by a snake).

We now have a 'sabre tooth tiger' in our midst apparently.

OML (oh my lord)

Finished; Finito; Finis; Ferdig; Klaar!!!!!

It is with great joy and happiness that I proclaim the Babette blanket complete!!

I was able to work out that it was started sometime before September 2009, so it has been a looong project.

I do remember the day I visited Tangled yarns and the owner Kelly showing me the pattern on Ravlery.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw it.

I thought to myself, 'well that sure beats a granny square blanket any day of the week'.

So it began, the Babette adventure.

Would I do one again??  Probably in 10 years time......

 

 

Freakin out

I am not sure what is freaking me out this morning the most:

This child begging to wear a dog's coat like it is a balaclava. 

(Mmmmm........bright future??)

or this overwhelming stage of one's life when a parent needs care and doesn't realise it.

Yep it is a tough one.

Oh well, all is to be forgotten for one night as Hubby and I are heading down to the coast for the night.

I will be spending the afternoon sitting on a lovely bed by myself, in the airconditioning, crocheting, and watching a movie whilst he is at the races in the heat with his Punter's club.

A great end to a busy week......

Blythe doll swap

Ella and I have joined a Blythe doll swap.

You are allocated a partner and you try to match her preferences for supplies, favourite colours etc.

We only have to send (3) things which I have had trouble sticking to (not that it should be a problem).

So our swap partner is going to receive a beret; some glasses; a crocheted ripple blanket; some new shoes; and a clock.

It has been lots of fun and we have learnt lots of great information about Blythe dolls from our swap group.

My creative space

It has been a busy week here with school swimming carnivals, netball semi-finals, school sport, sleepovers etc etc.

I haven't managed to fit in to much creative 'leisuretime' (not that I am complaining).

I am very motivated to finish this Babette blanket, so have managed to 'block' the last section. 

Hopefully it will be dry by tonight and I can start crocheting it together.

 

 

For more creative inspiration, head over to Kootoyoo

Flea Market Find

Ella and I popped into one of the most amazing shops yesterday. 

It is a couple of shops in one actually: Panda Pearls, My Aunt's travels and another little place which I didn't catch the name of.

Plenty of beautiful pearl jewellery, vintage jewellery, vintage clothing, vintage fabric and buttons to admire.

We had a great time.

The staff and the store dog (Millie) were lots of fun and great company.

I found this lovely remnant of bark cloth that I couldn't leave behind.

The aqua roses are stunning.

If you are ever on the northside of Brisbane, pop on in to this lovely store.

My creative space

I blogged about this Babette blanket last September.

I am struggling to remember when it was actually started.

To say progress has been slow may be an understatement!

I have probably been slowed down by 'blocking' each square. (excuses excuses)

This week I have pulled it out and finished another section.

There is only one more to go.

The finish line is in my sights!!!!

Pattern purchased from Ravelry

This brings a smile to my dial.....

 

As embarassing as it is to say I love this......I'm going to say it....

"I love this"

It makes me laugh.

The BeeGees and John Travolta.

The combination does not get better than that!

Ticking my boxes today.

More Blythe

How sweet is this customised Blythe??

The work was done by a Blythe doll customiser called Tinkerina.

The doll is owned by a 'Modern Blythe Lovers' swap group member called Jackie.

 

Her name is Aneira.

Truly lovely!!
PS I hope you like her Alice...

Busy day on the tools...

I have had a big day sewing projects for Corrie's (Retromummy) Quilts for Queensland project.

It is rewarding to make something for someone who has endured such heartache and hardship.

Shovelling mud would have been much more helpful I'm sure, but I wouldn't have been good at it.

Excuses, excuses I know.

I take my hat off to anyone who got down and dirty and really helped out.

You are true heroes!

Lap quilt top made from 'Dream On' range from Moda

12.5 inch individual quilt blocks

Flea Market finds

I didn't set out this week to go to any thrift shops.

However, I seemed to have 'stumbled' into a couple this week because I was either:  dropping off donations or in a very close vicinity to an op shop and curiosity got the better of me.

 A $2 Granny square blanket.

I love the uncoordinating colours that have probably been used by a crocheter of the older generation. She has more than likely grabbed whatever is in her stash.

 A lovely nylon teapot cosy.

A great colour combo..

 Now this is the find of all finds.

This beautiful handmade fully lined frock.

We all agreed in the op shop that the fabric was more than likely silk.

If it isn't silk it is a good copy of silk. It feels amaazing!

I have plans of having this shortened to just below the knee.

 Finally, a lovely doily not to be left behind....

Not a bad haul for someone who had a new year's resolution of staying out of thrift shops......?....

Blythe doll customising

Ella and I have entered the Blythe doll world and boy-o-boy there is alot more to it than you might expect!

We have joined in a Blythe doll swap (first swap ever).

There is 48 members and you make/ buy (3) things for your swap partner's doll.

There is a Flickr account where you can post pictures and join in on discussions re: anything Blythe.

I have been really enjoying it.

Ella and I have learnt so much about this collectible called Blythe.

I am in love with customised Blythes.

Blythe owners (brave ones) do alterations to their dolls such as:

• Boggling eyes (eyes move around more and you have a wider eye)
• Gaze correction (their eyes look more upwards instead of down)
• Sanding faces (making them matte not shiny)
• Re rooting scalps (sometimes with human hair and lovely mohair)
• New makeup and eyelashes
• Sleeping eye
• Hair dying
• Freckles (love freckles)

I am still in the honeymoon phase of owning a Blythe doll so am feeling a bit nervous about opening their heads and cutting this bit and that bit.

They are not cheap dolls to buy to start with so I would hate to destroy one by shaving off to much plastic or something.

I need to do more research and watch a few more Youtube videos.


Here are some photos of some customised dolls which are absolutely lovely....
As you can see they are a bit more lifelike and less doll-like. They have much more personality I think.

 Source: Gina M Smithe from Blythe-o-Mania

Keepin cool......

I am liking this 'over-edited' photo of Charlie swimming.

It is making me feel cool in this heatwave.

I should be cooking lasagne for dinner......

........................instead I am taking photos of Blythe dolls and teacups...???

It is the heat....that is my excuse..........

Cyclone Yasi and My Creative space

North Queensland has been 'smashed' by cyclone Yasi. 

Thankfully there has been no loss of life to date (only births).

Lets hope and pray it stays like that.

Stay safe everyone up there.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you to the Government and emergency workers for all your hard work in helping the communities of far North Queensland.

Trying to be distracted by 'My Creative Space' today as listening to the radio is a bit all consuming.

I am just putting the final touches on a quilt for a friend today.

It is a 100+yo family tablecloth that I have made into a quilt for her.

It is a special thing to 'upcycle' items such as this because you are using something that is quite sentimental and turning it into something that the whole family can enjoy and love.

So, Ritchie family it is just about finished and ready to enjoy.

FINALLY!!!

Thanks for your patience with your friend, Megan the Procrastinator.

Freakin Hell, Cyclone Yasi!!!!

Source: Courier Mail