Upcycled: Horse

Three weeks ago we picked up this lovely horse from a Gumtree add for a song. The fact that it was handmade and that someone had previously spent hours making it, together with that bright red saddle, sold it. It was from a suburb not at all close to home, and I couldn't really justify the time to go and pick it up that week - until someone mentioned to tie it in with a trip to ikea... 

It had been well loved, the mane and tail were rather matted, there were major oil-based paint runs, parts of it weren't even painted, but underneath it was solid. 

I was on a bit of a tight schedule for this one, and over the next few days I thoroughly enjoyed making the extra mess and dust in the house -a little bit more to add to the tradies. 

Painting woes

 A visit to spotlight for some new vinyl, fur FQ and some upholstery tacks.

 The white, waterbased, semi-gloss paint from the doors and doorframes came in handy.

 As did my quilters ruler and cutter

Go Checkers!

Do you enjoy upcycling? Is that the word you use for bringing something back to what it was in its hey-day? Or should it be renovated? But a renovated horse just doesn't sound right.
Wishing you all a good week.

L.

Crocheted: Zebi

Zebi the griaffe. 

A good stash-buster. I used all 8ply acrylic with a 3.25mm hook, so it is crocheted rather tight. I was then able to stuff all the bottoms ie bottom of legs, arms, body and the nose section with stuffing pellets and then with polyester filling, making the giraffe a nice weight and being able to sit with out being supported. 

It measures 40cm from the tips of his toes to the tip of his horns.

I don't often repeat doing a project, but I would love to see this one worked up in a beautiful cotton.

Link:

Pattern from Emma - a fellow Australian -  from ilovebuttonsbyemma.blogspot.com.au

It was her first attempt at writing a pattern and it has turned out really well. Thank you Emma for the pattern and making it free.

Zebi, hanging on for dear life as he is taken away into the world of imagination, where there are green grassy paddocks with white fences and endless horse jumps. Oh to be 3 again.

And why the name Zebi? Because he is stripey like a Zebra. (children's thinking)

L.

House Update {five}

Progress is slowly happening here. We are still keeping company with dust. (please excuse us if you happen to notice we have a white dust mark running somewhere down our clothes! thankfully it comes out in the wash.) Bricks have been delivered, and the bricking up around the house is nearly completed. 

Definitely an improvement to the plastic-wrap-gap that was happily letting in the cold night air as it flapped in the wind each night. And the boys soccer oval and cricket pitch has been taken over by a builders site.

**Those three windows downstairs will be replaced**

  

 Gyprocking has also started in the stairwell. At the point of writing, the upstairs electrical plate-off is half done and plumber expected tomorrow. Nearly read for us to take over and start painting. And it is a long weekend this coming weekend. :)

L.

Crochet: Classic Girls Charm Cardigan

One crochet WIP finished and oh how I loved this pattern! Pattern Links all at the bottom of the post.

 

 

Made from 10ply, 100% washable wool from Bendigo Mills and using a 6mm hook.

The pattern called for 'reverse sc' stitch. I had to google this as I had never attempted this stitch before. After a few butter finger moments, I got it sorted and very happy with the look of the finishing stitch (runs up and down the opening and around the neck.)

 

 

This little lady has been home sick the last few days from school, so we grabbed the opportunity to dress her up and take some photos outside in the pleasant weather. Now she doesn't want to get changed. At least she will be the first one dressed on Sunday.  

 

 

Pinterest Link: Here

Ravelry Link: Here

Craftsy.com Link: Here

 

L.

Sewing: Book Themed Floor Pillows

Crocheting has seemed to have been taken over by sewing lately. But don't worry. I have a couple of crochet WIP still on the go. Last week in my sewing-producing days, I managed to finish these book themed floor pillows that I had started with the idea for the reading/quiet area.

Dr Seuss.

Measuring 70cm x 70cm  

 I steered away from zippers once more, and completed the envelope opening with some bright snap-studs.

 Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Another favourite book from our bookshelf.

Also measuring 70cm x 70cm. 

I used European Pillow Inserts.

I have one more lot of dotty backing material ready for another floor pillow. Now to find some suitable, brightly coloured and book-themed material. Asterix maybe? Any suggestions?

L.

WIP - Quilt Tops

Last week required us to be out of the house from about 7:30am till 4:30pm for a good chunk of the week. Each day, I loaded up my sewing machine and various WIP's and took up the generous offer of a friends warm  house and some normality for the littlest one and to do some productive work. (Thank you for letting us intrude each day!) And very happy to say that I managed to get the last two quilt tops finished, along with looking after kiddies, drinking coffee and crocheting outside in the beautiful autumn sun.

drawing people. just look at the sun.

 Three quilt tops all completed. 819 x 5inch squares joined together and all seams pressed open. Glad that part is over. Looking forward to my first time at layering and quilting them.

L.

WIP - Rag Rug

approx 5inch x 1 1/4inch strips, cut from scraps of the left over from two of the girls quilt tops.  I pinker-sheered the ends, threaded each end through the rug-stop backing and it makes a floor rug for their room. I am about 3/4 of the way to the desired size.

Link to Original Idea.

L.

House Update {four - day three}

 Out of over 120 photos I have chosen nearly 20. 

 This week we have been blessed with glorious weather as you can tell by the blue sky.

Photo overload. (I have reduced the size of the photos as they seem to be taking a long time to load)

Build-up ready for pod placement.

A 95tonne crane made its way into our front yard.

And take a look at all those wheels. All off the ground!

Arrival of the back pod. Apologies to anyone that got stuck in the line of traffic. :)

 What a day. Tomorrow they will move the front pod back by 400mm to bump up nicely against the back one, and other bits and pieces they need to do. You are probably also wondering what is going to happen to the downstairs. The pod is really stage one. Downstairs brick work will be the same finish as the top, with new windows all across the front and also finally a porch. The tiles that are currently still on the carport and the back section will also be replaced with the some tin sheeting. So no, we are not quite done yet. Then we have the inside to do. Dust and rubble for quite a while yet.

Till tomorrow.
Lee.
(so looking forward to a good nights rest. It has been just a little mind boggling.)