February 2, 2011

Where was I?

For nearly two weeks I was away to help out when DGS was born. I was glad I went. I got to see him on the first day home, and I got to take care of DGD for a little while just us two. DGS was settled well into his routine. Let's just say I had good sleep at nights, but I couldn't say the same for his parents! 

I came home in the weekend, but I must have caught the flu somewhere on my travels. I'm now sick and house bound for the rest of the week per doctor's orders. 


While I was away, I started a couple of projects. You might remember I mentioned that I'm taking Jude's online workshop. The workshop started while I was away and even though I had access to the internet, I didn't have time to follow it. Jude mentioned that I could make a baby cloth and that is what I did and finished it as well. DIL said she would preferred it rather than a proper quilt which takes more storage. I think so too!


Here is the Baby Cloth I did, I used boro and weaving style quilting. All the materials were boro and re-purposed fabric. The quilt is all hand pieced and hand stitched. I can go on stitching this quilt forever. You might think that it doesn't look like a quilt for a baby boy! Baby grows up fast these days. I feel that DGS can take this quilt and hang it on a college dormitory wall  anywhere in the world!


Another project I worked on was this long neglected netting bag I started when I was more into basket weaving years ago. The technique is not weaving but it's a net, like fishing net. The first couple of inches on the top was made using cordyline leaf striped thinly and twined into string.  


When I finally found it again for the life of me I couldn't face doing that again. It was a lot of twining! In one of the Fibre Forum events I found a ready made twine to use for the rest of the bag. You can't tell the difference right? I thought I didn't have time in this life to make everything! Bought items are sometimes useful, don't you agree?


The original design had changed by this time. I couldn't remember what I was making then, just one of those things you like to learn how to do. With the boro fabric in my thoughts I thought I will Boro it. By the way, Boro means rag in Japanese. How cool, I can use the word Boro as a noun too.  I really like this bag. It's an original design by me. It has a long handle to go across my shoulders while I'm traveling. Did I mention that I booked the Silk Study Tour to Japan in May? 


I'm sure some of you play with these styrofoam balls at one time or other. I picked up a bag full of them at an op-shop while I was away.  DIL was trying to get some new ideas for the handmade market she and her friends sell at. So I made a couple to show her and gave one to DGD using owl fabric (forgot to take a photo of that one). 

Thanks to all well wishers when I posted about the arrival of DGS. Sorry I didn't get back to any of you. It's good to be back visiting blogs again. My life must have been very empty before I blogged. 

Please join me to wish everyone in north Queensland a safe 24 hours as they are about to be faced with yet another disaster -  a Category 5 cyclone yasi due to come ashore tonight. They are very well prepared according to what I saw in the news. Let's hope all are safe. 


21 comments:

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Boy Nat you have been one very busy gal...but that's you, right!!! Bag looks good...yes store bought is very handy!!! All the very best to your beautiful family!!! And boy this weather is freaking me out...it sure looks scary...take care while you are gettig better...love Dzintra

Anonymous said...

Natima I just loved all the projects you succeeded in completing whilst babysitting your DGD and DGS, you sure are still one amazing lady and talented too!!! Hope that you will soon be better! Take care..Keeping a breast with news on the cyclone that is headed for the North East coast of Queensland.... just hope by some miracle it changes its course and heads back from whence it came... Love Maxine xx

Betty said...

Congratulations on the DGS. He is one lucky boy to have you as a Nana. Your projects are so beautiful. You take care of yourself and get plenty of rest.

Willow

Sand and Sunshine said...

Nat you're always up to something. Love the little wall hanging and of course the colors are great. That handbag - now that is just beautiful! I really like how the whole piece looks together just the kind of thing you'd grab before running out the door for anywhere. A trip to the park, a hike through the woods, very nice.

Teresa Rawson said...

Lovely baby cloth! I do love your style, Nat! So creative!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

deanna7trees said...

all your projects are outstanding. love that netted bag. the weather is a real problem this year all around the world. hope all will be safe. take care of yourself and glad to see your now into the cwb workshop.

Needled Mom said...

I do hope that you are starting to feel better.

How lucky for you to be able to go get some special time in with DGS!!! They grow up much too quickly.

Your work is just lovely. The baby cloth is wonderful and will grow along with him. Your bag......fabulous!!!! I love it.

Lis Harwood said...

That is a wonderful baby cloth and like you say will be treasured and "appropriate" for the whole of his life. I love it. I also adore the string bag and there's nothing wrong with buying once in a while - you know how to weave and dye but you buy fabric! I hope you are soon feeling 100% again and like you I have QLD in my prayers and am watching Yasi's progress.

Kim said...

Oh Yes that baby cloth is a true one of a kind work of art......I hope he'll treasure it always...he can tell his own kids one day...when I was born Grandma came and this is what she made to celebrate my birth"!
take care of yourself and get well soon..
Welcome home and happy sewing

kaiteM said...

Lovely post Nat, beautiful bag and cloth.
i stayed up half the night listening to local radio for Far Nth Qld, trying to be there for everyone who was being affected by TCYasi and sending them love. Looks like i'll have more quilting to do soon! k.

Nedra said...

My heart goes out to Australia, especially the Queensland area. You have been through so much.
Congratulations on a new grand baby. Your baby cloth turned out wonderful!

Penny said...

Love the baby cloth and the bag is terrific. I am being terribly slow in Jude's class but it is something I can go on doing. Green with envy over your trip maybe one day. I love Japan, 4 trips a few years ago still have friends there would love to go back.

Anonymous said...

baby quilts are fun- a nice size to work with and this one especially special. the ball reminds me of tanabata.

Astrid said...

OMGosh Nat! What a wonderful BLUE post! I LOVE all your finish projects, especially the bag - it's very unique. You are very talented! Good to hear everything is well with your new familie member. :)My heart goes out to those affected by the devastating floods and hurricane - and here we don't get enough rain to fill up the reservoirs right now...

ria vogelzang said...

Wow!! You are such a busy girl!!! What a beautiful babboyquilt!!! And that lovely hand-bag and rag-bal!!! You are really so talented!!!
I will remember the word "Boro". I just love to use it for all rag and secondhand fabrics I have...... :)) Thanks!!
Enjoy your quilting and all of your creative things!
Love and a very big hug, Ria.

Jacky said...

What a special quilt for your new grandson! And how lovely to be able to spend the time with the family and welcome him home.
Love your 'special' touches to your string bag and your boro balls. Always very inventive.
I am enjoying being back home too and able to visit blogs and play catchup in my workshop with Jude.

Jacky xox

Jacky xox

Terry said...

You were away sewing in between being a Yaya.
Little tree quilt and ball are georgeous.
We all have stuff and it's so nice when we find a use for it. Like the bag.

Dot said...

Congratulations on your darling grandson. Your baby quilt is beautiful Nat - I enlarged the photo so I could look at all the details. Sorry to hear you have been ill.
Dot xx

QuiltSue said...

What a cute baby cloth. Hope you're feeling better now?

Sue-Anne said...

I love that little "Baby Cloth" it's gorgeous! Your bag is gorgeous too, you are so clever! Look after yourself and hope you are feeling better soon.

Heather said...

Wow, you have been busy! What wonderful things you have been making. I love the net bag, and those quilt squares are just super. Congrats on the new grandbaby, too!
But the thing I am totally envious of is your upcoming trip to Japan - can't wait to read your postings on that!

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