Sweet Fabric [Search results for questions

  • Phone a friend...

  • MP3 music box...

    MP3 music box...

    I'm so pleased with my MP3 music box. I do love the wind up, plinky plunky version but this is something quite special, I think.

    The Story
    Someone contacted me via the website to ask if it would be possible to have a music box which played The Cure. I did a bit of research & found nothing. Then another person asked if they could have an original piece of music added to a music box.

    I got to thinking & originally purchsed one of those "record your own" greeting cards. It wasn't at all satisfactory. The quality was terrible and you could only record about 20 seconds.

    Then I wondered about making a little pocket for an iPod or MP3 player. There is also a speaker below the "false floor" of the music box. The wiring is all hidden in the lining and both the speaker and iPod/MP3 can be used outside the music box. The only element that is fixed is the wiring.

    I did manage to break one speaker trying to force it into my standard size music box. The final version is 800g tinned tomato size.

    So...a couple of casualties, much swearing & back to the drawing board moments, but I'm thrilled with the end result.

    I'm also grateful to people who ask questions & push a bit.

  • HAC circles...

    HAC circles...

    There have been a few questions about my giant circle drawing.

    I just used the biggest circle we had in the house (which happened to be a footstool). This wasn't quite large enough so I extended it by taping a pencil to a glue bottle. Then as I moved the bottle around the footstool...hey presto greylead circle.

  • On The Date...

    On The Date...

    I loved reading Nan's post on The Frenchman & so I've put together one of my own. I confess I've not received questions about The Date. Hailing from suburban Melbourne doesn't really conjour the same romantic ideal does it? I do know that he's won over more than a few of you with his taste in music.

    Where did you meet The Date?
    The Date & I have known each other for 25 years! We met when I was in Year 7 & he was in Year 10. Our family homes were about 2 kilometres from each other. In those days he made himself scarce when I was in the house because he reckoned I was way too loud and annoying. We've been together for 19 years...more than 1/2 my life.

    Does The Date have an accent?
    No accent but he is guilty of mumbling and he and The Boy do speak a language that I don't understand. They speak in tongues about all manner of sporty things.

    Is he a romantic?
    Nup, but he is thoughtful. He makes lunches, pretty drinks, brings me coffees & is very kind about being the "crap courier". To be truthful I don't think I respond that well to romantic gestures anyway.

    Would you recommend The Date (local) as a life partner?
    Yes I absolutely would. We've grown up together, so very different from when we met and so very much the same. The Date is pretty cruisy. He's my very best friend, a really good person and an amazing parent. If you can snag yourself a version of him...hang on tight...they are pretty hard to find.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...

    is still filled with the "ask me no questions" craft from last week. It's inching ever closer to completion.

    I seem to be ridiculously busy & pre-occupied at the moment. This usually lends itself to a total kitchen rebellion but I'm loving being at the stove at the moment. Last night I made these delicious (& really bad for you) potato stacks & today I'm planning on whipping up some banana bread & white chocolate cookies for the school lunches.

    Happy Thursday folks.

    Do pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

  • How to make a reversible placemat cover...

    How to make a reversible placemat cover...
    Reversible Tablesetting Placemat Cosy

    Hello! It's a public holiday in Melbourne.

    Today I ran in the rain, had a terrible coffee, sewed a bit, shopped with the kids, cooked a bit & generally took things pretty easy.

    There have been a few questions about the placemat covers so I've put together a HAC "how to".

    Gather your supplies...
    Fabric
    Fold Over Elastic
    Pins
    Sewing machine
    Circular placemat

    If you're planning on doing any embroidery (either traditional or machine), or maybe some other decorative application like gocco or applique - do that before you cut your circles.

    Pmats001

    Cut two circles approximately 1.5 inches larger than your placemat.

    Pmats002

    Pin with wrong sides together.

    Pmats003

    Set your machine to zig zag & stitch the fold over elastic to the outside of the circle shape. You need to stretch the elastic fully. Go slow & remember to keep your needle in your work as you stretch. If you're stumped now's the time to visit Amy Karol's FOE tute...it's a ripper.

    Pmats004

    Once you're finished the cover should look something like this.

    Pmats005

    Slip the cover onto your circular placemat & enjoy. Look Liesl it's a shower cap!

    Reversible Barkcloth Placemat Cosy

    Time yourself...super speedy gift idea.

  • Perpetual Knitting Calendar...

    Perpetual Knitting Calendar...
    Knitting Calendar

    There were lots of questions about the knitting calendar when I posted an image recently.

    I purchased mine from Sunspun in Canterbury but I've found them online:

    at amazon
    at book depository

    I'm going to purchase the crochet one as well because the knitting one has been such an excellent resource.

    at amazon
    at book depository

    Happy shopping.

    PS: Thanks for appreciating flock clock. You'll be pleased to know that the little guy has had no trouble getting to sleep.

  • A quilt preview...

    A quilt preview...
    Red Mountain
    Bottom Row

    Square by Jess

    Did you know that Flip is coming to Australia? It's going to be available in time for Christmas.

    I'm one of the lucky folk who gets to trial the new Mino HD Flips. The camera arrived yesterday & so I decided to make a little Quilt Project video for you.

    I have a gadget geek brother who owns an earlier model of the Flip which I've used a bit...you can see those efforts here.

    Obviously the quality is far superior using the new flip & the addition of a tripod jack is fabulous as is the mobile phone size. It's smaller than an iPhone & just as easy to use.

    The most appealing thing for me is the fact that our videos can easily be stored (if I can do it anyone can) in the same place as our images rather than hanging around on teeny tiny digital tapes which neither myself or The Date know how to manage on the computer.

    I guess the main questions are...
    Would you buy it? Yes...built in USB (for quick & easy camera to pc transfer), built in battery, super easy to use. Tick, tick, tick.
    How much is it? Look here.

    So you'll probably see a bit more video around this space in the next little while if I can get over the fingernails-on-blackboard-cringe when I have to listen to my own voice.

    The most exciting video news in ages is that Handmade Nation will be released on DVD November 3. This movie made me proud to be a maker of things. If you haven't seen it (or even if you have) signup to receive an email alert to let you know it's available.