Blowing Me Away - Africa, Perpetuum Jazzile

Remember that 70s hit by Toto, Africa?  I remember it really well because my sister and her husband played it a lot when I was little.  Anyway, a different dear brother-in-law (my husband's brother) put me onto this Youtube clip of a choir doing this song. 

Check it out and let me know what you think.  I really love the Michael Wislow/Jerry Seinfield guy! (I think I secretly wish I could do mouth percussion).

Strange Vintage Finds

So last night I was doing my daily browse of tables on eBay (I am looking for a small table to replace my desk so that it can be more multi-purpose).... when I came across this.  Can you guess what it is?

Image via eBay

An antique birthing table. Yep, you read that right.  Why on earth does Paul from Largs have an antique birthing table in his shed?  Very strange! 

What's the strangest thing you've seen for sale or have in your shed?

Winter Bonnet

Scarlett had her first birthday a week ago.  I had trouble working out what presents to get her since we have a house full of toys already.  I thought that I would have to give her a couple of Mummy-made presents along with a small assortment of new toys/books (and send some old toys to be recycled to new family members).  The first thing I made was this winter Little Betty bonnet.  Remember this old post showing off Scarlett's summer bonnet which she adored and wore everywhere? 

Little Betty recently released the pattern so I thought I would have a go at making a winter one.  The pattern is very well written and the bonnet was whipped together in a day (even with lots of interruptions by the small people!!).

The interior is some Robert Kaufman flannel I had left over from the infinity scarves I made earlier this year (blogged here & here).  It is the softest flannel I have come across.  The exterior is a fine pin wale cord from Spotlight.

As soon as Scarlett saw this bonnet she wanted to wear it, which is great since I struggled to get her to wear a beanie this winter.  You can get the pattern here.

PS:  Did you spot the second handmade present?  I'll blog about that later.

Disappearing Nine Patch Baby Quilt

It's done.  Finally!  This quilt has been a long time in the making, lots of procastrination, moments of not liking it... now that it's finished I have to say that I'm really pleased with it.  The backing and binding has really transformed it into something I'm really proud of.

It's off to it's new owner today, he's 4mths old already!

I went with the turquoise binding because it tied in with the backing fabric.

Free-motion embroidery on the label again & raw- edge applique this time.
I thought the red top stitching and the raw edge fit in with the cowboy theme.  I really love how this label has come out, I think it's my favourite part of the quilt.

This quilt has also been blogged here and here and here.

DS Quilt Collection at Spotlight

I went on a shopping spree.  Part of it was with some spending money I got given to specifically go shopping at Spotlight for my birthday.  The timing was awesome because DS Quilt Collection arrived at Spotlight last week and it was on sale 20% off!  I bought up BIG (over two separate trips)!  I figured that it won't be around for long... and you know how it goes.  I went back a second time because I didn't realise that I had only bought two red prints plus I skipped over the large diamond check the first time around (but they are good gender neutral prints).

Half Metre Bundles up the Back
One Metre bundles front, last three fabrics Two Metres each

 

 

 

There will probably be a quilt, a bag or two and maybe even some clothing out of it.  And while I was trying to take these photos a little person and his car snuck into the shot...

Cars 2 fever has hit our house!!