Nicabella

Hello there bernina 710

When my little old faithful Brother PS-55 started giving me grief post Christmas (thankfully it was after the mad rush to finish Christmas stockings) I decided it was finally time to update my machine. To invest in something that would last a life time…because God only knows it will take that long to work my way through 600 and something stitch patterns.

Bernina-710

Feast your eyes on this baby. The Bernina 710.

It's  magnificent. And it's huge. So huge and magnificent it's helping me to forget it cost almost both arms and legs. It doesn't know it yet but it's going to work it's gloss off (well not literally I hope) because from now on I plan to cut, stitch and baste like nobody's business.   

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See, even the box is huge.

Did someone just say fabric?

Hmm no, but hey let me mention it just so we can talk about it awhile.

About this same time every year I go a little mad about fabric. From pastel florals to modern geometric, just name it and I’m sure I’ll find a reason as to why I think I have to have it. It also doesn’t take much more than the word pre-cut to get my attention, but pair that with an adorable name like jelly roll, layer cake, charm or honey bun and who wouldn’t want to get their hands on a sweet little bundle of endless possibilities, I  mean seriously.

Despite having learnt to sew at an early age, it was only two years ago that I actually made my first quilt. I designed the blocks/pattern myself, purchased way too much yardage (the perils of an overzealous beginner quilter) and sewed my little heart out to have it finished in time to enter into our annual agricultural show. I won first prize for ‘Quilt by Beginner’ and that was that. I was hooked.

Since then I’ve made this one that I gave to Mum for her birthday, have just about finished this one which I’m ashamed to say has not been touched since er, March of last year…gulp, and have yet another one on standby that currently consists of a few stacked sewn half triangles.

That should keep me busy for a while you say? Well yes, but alas in my midst of fabric fever I suddenly had a brilliant idea that Mum and I should make a Christmas quilt together. Or rather a quilt each – same fabric, different pattern. And then we’re just going to pretend that making a quilt intended for our otherwise incredibly hot holiday season makes complete sense. As does the excuse to buy even more gorgeous fabric! We’ve settled on Chateau Rouge by French General. Perfect for a red, white and grey themed Christmas.

And I have some other rather exciting news to share, but I’m saving it for tomorrows post 🙂

DIY // Doily Pencil Cup

diy-pencilcup

When I started organising my office space, the first thing I struggled to find was desk accessories I liked. Even if it is only a pencil cup, I still wanted one that was unique and reflected my personal style.

Now, before you cringe at the thought of using a vinyl table runner/tablecloth (let’s face it, most of them are rather hideous) this stuff actually kills it in the craft department. I bought half a yard of it just before Christmas and it’s almost all gone. I’ve incorporated it into a couple of projects (of which you’ll get to see too) and am still coming up with ideas.

SUPPLIES
Clear pencil cup
Vinyl doily runner
Adhesive felt
X-acto knife
Spray adhesive

Step 1 – Measure the circumference of your pencil cup and cut the vinyl to size. As it’s important to match the finishing ends as close as possible, you can always trial wrap the vinyl around the cup before cutting it.

Step 2 – Cut a piece of the felt to fit inside the cup. Remove the adhesive backing and press it onto the base. This stops the pens/pencils marking the bottom of the cup and erases any ‘hollow’ sound when you put them in.

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Step 3 – Spray an even coat of adhesive onto the vinyl and wrap it around the cup, making sure it stays centered between the base edge and the rim. Allow to dry before use.

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Enjoy xx

Fourteen.

Catbirthday

Truth be told I'm not sure of the exact day our furry monsters were born, but judging from this old photo we found over the weekend, they would have more than likely been almost three weeks old. Count back from that and there you have it. Of course that's Sooty and Fo right out in front trying to make a run for it 🙂

It's hard to believe they were ever that tiny. So vulnerable and so precious. 

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And here we have Sooty showing a little brotherly love (or not so much, from the look on Fo's face).
Fourteen years on and no less precious, Happy Birthday kitties.

Strawberry pickin’

This was how I kicked off the New Year…strawberry pickin’. After enjoying laid back celebrations the night before (that involved watching fireworks from the top of a mountain minutes from home and almost getting blown away in gale force winds it was nice to continue trend and spend the day soaking up some sunshine. Or should I say just try to pretend it wasn't 30 plus degrees and that sweating profusely was uber cool. 

Ricardoes grow the most amazing tomatoes and strawberries, and have won numerous awards for their jams, chutneys and relishes.

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I must say strawberry picking is addictive. In no time I'd filled by 1kg bucket to the brim!

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Couldn't go past taking one of these gorgeous lettuces home.

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Herb garden

herb garden

Over the Christmas break I planted these little lovelies. Thyme, cilantro, chives, parsley and basil. I have plans to build a much larger herb and vegetable garden later on, but for now it's nice to make good use of this lovely old planter.

Hope you had a lovely weekend xx

Hello 2013

I’d hoped that today I could think of something profound to write to welcome in the New Year, but instead all that comes to mind is saying a humble thank you. Thank you first and foremost to my family and closest friends for the past year of love, laughs and fond memories and thank you to each of you who have found your way to this blog, it’s given me such a buzz.

2012 was a huge year of change for me. HUGE. There’s no denying that when I wrote this post, I was still really struggling emotionally over past events, despite trying to sound positive about where I hoped the year would lead. Then, it’s as if life did a 180 on me. Some really freaking awesome things started happening to me, such as my surprise holiday, this tutorial that’s been a pinning frenzy on pinterest and I got back in the saddle on my lovely Matty after a long break away from competition riding.

Twelve months on I’m proud to say I achieved what I set out to and some. Here’s hoping 2013 is full of more awesomeness!

Happy New Year xx