COUSIN CONNECT


Tuesday 25 March 2008

FABRIC POSTCARDS



This was a project that I found on the Net, and thought that I would give it a go.
There are endless possibilities and you can let your imagination run wild.

Made 2 of them, and getting ideas for more.

MACHINE EMBROIDERY


I have completed a Basinette Quilt, and used my Janome Memory Craft 10000 to embroider the panels for the front of the quilt. Found the designs on one of the embroidery sites and this was a free set called Children of the World. As it only had 10 designs, I included 2 squares featuring Teddy Bears.
Very pleased with the end result.

Tuesday 18 March 2008

HAND MADE BIRTHDAY CARDS




Here are two cards that I have recently made for family birthdays. Had fun on my embroidery machine when I made a motif for my brother-in-laws card - the motif was titled Outdoor Dunny, but I changed the colours around.
The other card is for my step-daughter, who is turning 40 this Saturday, and also awaiting the birth of her second child.
For my step-daughters card, I found the images on the Net, and then placed them between a small laminating sheet. The image on the back of the card was done the same way, and I added a piece of lace as well.
As that was successful, I will use this format again.

Sunday 16 March 2008

JANOME EMBROIDERY MACHINE

This is the reason why I have been quiet in posting to my Blog. Am enjoying using the machine, and have sewn designs on face washers, a couple of tea towels that had an Aida Band insert, and also a wineglass coaster.
There are patterns in their hundreds on the internet, some are free, and others you can pay and download almost instantly.
As usual I need more hours in the day!!

WIND AND WATER

I enjoyed this book, written by Ang Chin GEOK. Bought it at a second hand book shop, and the cover caught my eye, as well as the short story line on the front cover - "A family saga reveals the true roots of fengshui".
In short, the story tells of a family, who went to Singapore in the early days of colonization by the British. Then follows the family through the second world war, and up to about the late 1990's, with the author now living in Australia.
Having been to Singapore 3 times, I enjoyed the background of the story.

Have just listed this book on the BOOKMOOCH site.
Once again this site is proving worthwhile, as one of my books on my WishList has come up, in America. One of Anne Perry's novels, so looking forward to receiving the book.

Monday 10 March 2008

SHANTARAM

I have just finished reading this book - a huge volume. This is our book group set read for May this year. The story covers so much of the author's life in India, and I felt that it gave a good insight into the Indian (sub-continent) psyche; from the lives of the people in the slums, to the villages, the Indian Mafia etc.
Such wonderful characters as well.

Whenever our book group visited some of the second hand book stores in our area, we often would be asked if we had read this book. So when I was compiling the reading list for this year, decided to include this story.
Will be interesting to have our discussion and hear what the other ladies felt about this story.

My next read is WIND AND WATER by Ang Chin GEOK. (a family saga reveals the true roots of fengshui).
I am interested in the principles of fengshui, so this caught my eye whilst browsing through the books on a visit to Childers.
Once I have finished this story, will post the book on the BOOKMOOCH site, and see if anyone is interested.

Saturday 1 March 2008

CARD MAKING








More additions to add to the site - the card with the teddy bear is my first attempt at machine embroidery, so thought I would incorporate into a card for my granddaughter.

The other card is for my nephew and made a holiday theme, as he has been to Fiji for a holiday and is going there again this year.

MACHINE EMBROIDERY

I am in seventh heaven at the moment, as I am now the owner of a JANOME MEMORY CRAFT 10000 machine. My original intention was to just look at an embroidery machine, but had the opportunity of purchasing the Memory Craft 10000 which had been traded in on a newer Janome model.
The machine is very user friendly, and have already tackled a few small motifs, plus 4 panels for a table runner. All I need do next is buy the software, and I will be going full steam ahead.
Lots of sites on the net as well where you can purchase designs, plus free downloads as well.