Playing with Something Different

I thought that it would be fun to do some flour/water resist and painting. So here we go. An empty bench, and I'm going to be away for a couple of days.

I spread out my fabric on some plastic,

mix up some flour and water to a stiff paste and spread it over the fabric with a spatula,

draw a pattern - I used a teaspoon, because I really hate the slimy feel of the flour/water mix, then leave it to dry for a couple of days - well, the weather has been winter wet, so some things just take longer to dry!

So, a few days later, there is a window of opportunity with a bit of afternoon sun. Outside with the fabric and paint (I used textile ink). I encouraged some cracking by using a rolling pin and pulling on the edges of the fabric before painting. Once dry, it needed to be heat set - mmm! best way of doing that? I lay this piece upside down on a bath mat on the bathroom floor and used a hairdryer, then the iron! I then pulled off as much of the dry 'dough' as I could before washing it - this actually took a couple of goes, because the flour seemed to be quite sticky.
Anyway, this is the end result - the design doesn't show as much as I hoped, but I do like the crackle effect, and I can work with this.

More Calorie-Free Cupcakes

I'm having fun here!
This is a felt chocolate cupcake with vanilla cinnamon icing and a cool little chocolate 'star', contained in a lacy case:

 and this one is made in a small tea cup (as they originally were) with hand painted violets. Again, felt around a styrofoam ball so you don't completely loose your pins!

Needle Case Swap

The other day we were notified as to whom we were making our needle case for. Now, in the interests of secrecy I can't tell you where mine is going, BUT, get this! I had already decided on the colours and it is very appropriate for this person's country's colour! See if you can guess.
I'm going to put a little something New Zealand also in the parcel, perhaps some yummy chocolate, or some fabric, perhaps even some paua buttons. I have some time to think about it, but the sooner it's in the post, it's one less thing around (just in case I forget!).

Heavenly Food ...

... in a cup and on a plate! Yes, home made espresso and cinnamon rolls - warm of course!
P.S.
I had one for you too!

Finally - A Pinny for the Blog!

Oh, yes, it's really important, so that people know what it's all about! The Sberrymum Blog now has it's own pinny! I found the free pattern here, it's really easy to print out and follow and should only take about an hour to sew up (unless of course you are suffering from sleep deprivation and join a wrong side to a right side, then bind it!).
So what do you think?

Susan Branch (pattern owner) says "it looks great on everyone ... no matter your shape or size." I chose to use 3 fabrics, but it would look great using any number - now how about a rainbow effect, especially fun for a wet, baking day!
Have fun if you decide to make it to!

Calorie-Free Cupcake - Sample

In August, Rose City Quilters are holding their bi-annual quilt show over 3 days. As well as showing quilts, there is a small challenge, plus we have another fun challenge which the public will vote on. This is the calorie-free cupcake challenge. Members can make a cupcake in any style - so it can be stitched, felted, knitted - whatever takes their fancy! The public will vote with coins and the winner will be the entrant with the most $$$. All the money used in voting will be donated to a charity selected by committee.
Here is something I've been working on - a felted ball, fabric 'case', french knitted icing (wool dyed with saffron) and beads as sprinkles. This is a zesty lemon cupcake:

I'm treating this as a sample, because it doesn't sit very well and I'm not happy with the 'case'. Fun though, and a pincushion as well!

Another Competition Entry - Friendships

I have entered this quilt into the Quilting Blogger's weekly theme - this week it is Friendships.

I made it for my friend Marjorie in time for her starting chemo for liver cancer in 2008. It is quilted with hearts and angels and I choose the greens because it is a calming colour - plus Marjorie, like me is a redhead, and we love green!
Voting starts on Friday (US time), so for us Southern Hemisphere dwellers, check it out from Saturday - until Sunday evening (US time). Click on the logo link above to vote.
Oh, I have to mention that there is something in the power of positivity and eating the correct food (as well as the chemo, etc), because my friend Marjorie is still looking beautiful, won a Husqvarna sewing machine at Tote & Gloat this year and is using that machine to make lovely quilts - yea!