Some Show & Tell and more about Re-purposing!

I'll be sharing Block 4 of my "Promises & Borders" BOM on April 3rd. Here's a tiny sneak peek...

How are you going with the blocks so far? Have you stitched one or two? Perhaps you're up to date and have all three blocks finished?

Here are some blocks from lovely ladies who sent me photos!

PAM used a part of the Block 1 border as a stitchery on it's own...

Sisbabestitches has finished block 1 and block 2 but instead of using them as part of the full quilt, she has made Block 1 as a quilted hanging...

...and she added her own verse to Block 2.

We'd love to see a photo of your blocks, especially if you've chosen a different Scripture verse or quote!

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Vicki Knight used my "Live, Love, Laugh" wallhanging design on a cushion instead...

Ruth Knee has finished my "Circles of Life" quilt and sent me a photo...

Have you made an Elefantz design? How about you send me a photo so I can show everyone your work?

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Remember the Pin Container I did a tutorial for earlier this month?

 Joyce Carter emailed with another suggestion for recycling small containers -

**Hi, Jenny. I loved the idea you had to cover bottles.It makes them look so pretty.You could use these to hold buttons or any small objects.Back several years ago, I went to the photo shop and asked them for the empty containers that were left after people had their film developed. I now use these for sequins and beads. They really work great for that. **

Anne Ellis had another suggestion for re-purposing small jars...

** What about using the little containers for all those open packets of beads.  A couple of beads could be sewn into the design on the cover so you could see who type and colour is in each container without opening the lid of each one to fine what you are looking for.**

Leslie suggested...

**Might I suggest some fine sand, crushed walnut shells or birdseed gravel (which is what I use) to the bottom of the container before inserting the pins? I think it would help keep the sharp points sharp! (instead of hitting the plastic buttom and getting dull).**


Kate reminded me of THIS free Sulky pattern for covering a large tomato can. She made one herself, and it is lovely! You can see it by visiting her blog.
(I must apologise to Kate as I originally took the photo from her blog and showed it here without her permission. I will be sure to ask in future, as that was very discourteous of me.)

Here are some more recycling ideas from fellow bloggers!

LIDA emailed with a photo of some re-purposed jars that fellow Dutch ladies have decorated to store buttons. Aren't they gorgeous?!

 Karen Schurr re-purposes discarded bridal gowns to make lingerie bags! 

 Once Issue 10 of Elefantz HOME is published, and Block 4 of "Promises & Borders" has been shared, I'll share another Re-purpose idea with you.

In the meantime, have a wonderful week and enjoy everything you do!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Three for March, and Christmas patterns...

Yippee!

The rain is passed, the sun shines through, and I *think* the temperature here in the tropics may be starting to lower as autumn progresses.

During my week inside, hiding from the rain, I finished writing the patterns for all three designs featured in Issue 10 of Elefantz HOME magazine, due out on March 29th!

"Churn-in-a-Dash" mini quilt...

My favourite quilting block with four different daisy stitcheries - completed to make a 12" mini quilt.

"An Empty Heart Soon Overflows with Love" mini pillow...

Just 8" x 13", a perfect weekend stitchery project!

"HOME Holds my Heart" mini hanging...

 

Perfect for a quick gift, it can made up in a day!

If you haven't subscribed to Elefantz HOME yet, but would like to, please visit the magazine webpage HERE.

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Are you thinking of getting an early start on Christmas sewing?

I've had a few requests this month to stock my online shop with Christmas patterns, and because I like to make you guys happy, I said yes!

To make you even happier, I have a 25% off sale on all my Christmas patterns for the next few days!

Just add the code CHRISTMAS before you pay at checkout, and 25% will come off the total cost of all Christmas patterns in your order.

You can see all the Christmas patterns HERE in my shop.

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The weekend is just hours away, and here in Queensland we are off to vote for our next State Government. Hard decision to make when you're not really impressed with either of the two main parties. 

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Water, water, everywhere!

It's been a fairly dry wet season.

Until now.

My backyard is a swamp...and the worst of the rain is yet to come.

I take comfort in stitching...there's not much else to do!

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The second of my three designs for the March 29th issue of Elefantz HOME is all finished. As I shared before, this will be the 'Little Things' Issue - all three designs are smaller than average.

The first design is the 12" square Mini Quilt I showed you last week...

The second design is a Mini Pillow, straight from the heart, and scented with dried lavender. It's just 8" x 13"!

Tomorrow I'll finish the third design - "HOME" says it all. I won't give you any more hints because I want you to see it as a surprise.

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It's been a while since I've done a Show & Tell, so let me wow you with some of my designs that you clever ladies have made!

"Promises & Borders" is so popular, and I am incredibly humbled by the many, many emails of thanks and encouragement I receive each week. It blesses me to be able to bless you with these blocks.

From LISA MORTELL...(love these colours and the way the hearts 'pop!)

From LINDA COX...(love that she colours in with pencils!)

From TERESA RALEIGH...( gorgeous background fabric and colours!)

One of my favourite 2010 quilt designs has to be 'Miss Molly Moo' (see my blog post HERE)!

Look how Margaret Strickland made her own version of Miss Molly Moo, using just the blocks and her own quilt design! 

And finally, Denise has stitched my Shabby Roses quilt!

Ladies, I am SO blessed to have you stitching my designs - that is such a compliment to a designer, and a real boost of encouragement. Thank you! Your work is gorgeous! 

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Before I go I wanted to show you this....

At our local supermarket this is what greets the mums and kids when they push their empty trolleys through the turnstile. In a world where kids are usually heading for the lolly (candy) aisle, our supermarket has a pink pig to entice them to choose a healthier treat.

The little ones get to put 50c in the Pink Piggy Bank and in return they choose any piece of fruit they like to eat while mum continues with the grocery shopping. 

All the money raised goes to the Children's Hospital. 

I may not be a child, but I enjoy popping my 50c in and grabbing an apple or a nectarine while I shop!

We should have this sort of thing in all supermarkets, don't you think?

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Self and priorities....

I imagine most of us are busy mums, wives and homemakers; some juggling work outside the home, perhaps time poor with babies and toddlers to care for, or finding much of your day taken up with other responsibilities. 

I haven't met anyone with surplus free time for quite a while! Have you?

I am blessed to work from home, and I never neglect to thank God and my husband for that privilege - but I also acknowledge that those of us who do run businesses from our homes rarely have opportunity to 'leave it at the office' come 5pm. 

Last year I made the decision that my health needed to take higher priority than it had previously, and over a period of a few months I lost 9 kilos and felt better than ever. Then we moved. Then extra responsibilities like 80 minutes a day in the car to drive Blossom to and from work were added. I found myself time poor and struggling to keep up with designing, stitching, pattern writing, running a home, blogging, maintaining long distance friendships, and producing healthy and nutritious meals seven days a week.

My body began to show the effects of neglect.

Last week I decided this 'struggle' had to end, and a system that benefited the family AND me needed to be put into place - after all, a family needs a HEALTHY mumma and wife!

I bought some workout gear, and a shady hat...

...discovered my favourite exercise instructor had FREE classes online...

...and gave myself one hour per day of ME time to exercise, walk, read 'stuff', potter in the garden, soak my feet, or just do nothing. So far this is working a treat! It's not until you 'give' yourself time that you realise how much you need it, and how much nicer you are because of it. 

If you had an hour to yourself each day, what would YOU do with it?

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This morning Blossom and I left home an hour earlier than usual so we could try the coffee at our local cafe. We've lived close by for two months now, but never crossed it's threshold, so a visit was well overdue.

I had my standard skinny cappuccino, whilst Blossom enjoyed a chai latte and some scones...

The cafe is "Millie J" at North Shore, and has a lovely atmosphere.

Even the little sugar sachets were cute!

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Lovely Wanda was cleaning out her craft room and wanted to send me some of her excess lace. I am going to have fun with these - I love cotton lace! She even made the patchwork card. Thank you Wanda!

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In my sewing room I have finished the first of three projects for the next issue of Elefanz HOME magazine. The theme for Issue 10 is "Little Things".

I loved making this mini quilt, and incorporated my favourite block, the Churn Dash, with some stitcheries...

The blocks are 6" square, and the finished quilt is just 12" square!

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Tomorrow morning Blossom starts an hour earlier at the pharmacy for training in diabetes treatment, so I am going to head to the beach with my ipod for an hour's walk. Luverly!!

What will you do to revitalize yourself?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

A re-purposing tutorial, and about a beak...

So far I've only been showing you ways to re-purpose old clothing or fabrics, but there are so many other ways to re-purpose in your home!

If you've taken this challenge with me during 2012, it's time for me to give you another idea to work with!

Plastic containers are part and parcel of many things we purchase. Mr E and I take a few dietary supplements which are packaged in small plastic bottles - convenient, but at the end of their use we toss them into the rubbish bin and a new bottle is opened.

I've decided it's time to make use of them and save the landfill!

Yesterday I finished a bottle of COQ10, and today I am going to show you how the empty bottle has been given a new occupation.

You will need one plastic vitamin, or similar sized, bottle.

Measure the 'useable' height of the bottle...

Measure the circumference...

Add 1/2" to the height, and 3/4" to the circumference. Take note of the measurements.

Cut a piece of plain fabric to the height + 1/2" you've measured, and make it as long as you like, but not longer than the circumference + 3/4". Trace a small design to stitch in the centre. I used the bird from this month's "Promises & Borders" block, and added a few flowers.

I fused some Whisperweft fabric stabiliser to the back of the traced fabric before stitching the design.

(Many people have emailed recently asking if I use a hoop when I stitch. No, I don't. I don't like them.)

Hmmm, see the word? That's a hint on where I am going with this.

 Once stitched I trimmed the excess fabric from the sides, but left the height as it was.

(You might like to use all the same fabric as the stitchery)

I added some fabric scraps to each end of the stitchery, before trimming them to the circumference + 3/4" that I had originally measured.

I cut another piece of fabric the same size for the backing.

I also cut a piece of thin fusible Pellon, but this was cut to the exact measurements I first made of the bottle.

Fuse the Pellon to the back of the stitched block.

Lay this face down onto the right side of the backing fabric, and sew around the four sides with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 2" opening at one end for turning out.

Trim the points from the corners, and turn right side out. Ladder stitch the opening closed.

Quilt some running stitches just inside the edge of the bottle wrapper.

Ladder stitch the two short ends together...

Make a large yo-yo (suffolk puff) for the lid, glue it down, slip the bottle wrap around your bottle, and fill with pins!

I kept the moisture pack from the vitamin bottle and popped it in with the pins to avoid any rusting. Wonderful for my tropical humidity!

Voila!

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I received an email asking for help in satin-stitching the bird's beak in Block 3 of "Promises and Borders".

You use just one strand of thread for this, because the beak is tiny.

Here is a diagram of each stitch. 

Make one long stitch down the outer edges of the beak, top and bottom.

Next you make gradually shorter stitches parallel with the top line of the beak.

Hope that helps!

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If you have an idea for re-purposing empty plastic bottles or glass jars, leave a comment so we can share in your wisdom!

If you want to show us what you're doing to re-purpose your bottles and jars, why not do a tutorial on your blog and let me know so I can send all of us over to visit. 

Have a wonderfully productive day!!

Hugs

Jenny

xx