summer daze

the sun, the beach and the twins - happy days

seaside again

Today I went on a little drive to Rosebud beach - doesn't the name sound lovely. It is a summer holiday place and can look a bit tatty when the holiday makers are not there.

This is the way I like it though - time for quiet walks and many photo opportunities.

The collage shows some of the vegetation found around the area of the Rosebud Pier.

Mostly grasses and at present lots of seed pods ready to be picked up by the wind.

We had a big thunder storm last night and lots of rain but this afternoon was sunny and still. Rather humid at home but lovely and fresh by the bay.

There was a huge container ship passing through the port phillip heads. This is the entrance to the ports of Melbourne. It is a very narrow area of water and has to be carefully navigated. It is always amazing to see such huge vessels setting out on their long journey.

painted satin & dyed lace

I have been wanting to make a little trinket box for some time but I just haven't found enough free hours in the day to make a start. 

 Last evening a business colleague called in for a meeting with my husband so I took advantage of the fact that I would not be missed and spent some time starting off this project.

It is to be a small square (cube) fabric and lace box suitable for the dressing table.  I started by cutting out a strip of card (acid free of course) for the main body of the box.

The fabric is some white satin from the stash and the lace is synthetic and I tried to dye it when I was with Linda years ago.  It is a very pale gold colour.

To create the colour on the fabric I dipped the satin in some lukewarm water and then used a brush to apply some lumiere paints to the damp fabric.  In order to spread it out a bit I rolled the fabric up and then rinsed it 
 

 under the cold tap.  I wasn't too bothered about making it even or consistent because I want it to show through the lace in a random way.

Once I was happy with the colour I placed the fabric on an old towel and ironed it till it was almost dry.

I had to wait till the morning to attach the lace to the satin.
Using mistyfuse I bonded the lace to one half of the fabric as I didn't want the lace on the inside of the box.

To give a bit more shape I have put some batting under the fabric on the inside and now just have to decide how much bling to add before making the base and the top.


So far I am quite happy with this little box.  It is quite pretty and the colours remind me of the sand and sea. 



 

I love winter on the Mornington Peninsula

 The last few days have been bitterly cold with gale force winds and heavy rain.  Of course my first instinct is to stay in bed for the day or at least to stay inside but I have decided to embrace this wonderful weather, after all we are recovering from 9 years of drought and we asked for this rain.

Today I went out for a coffee at the Rocks at Mornington which is one of my favourite places.  On the way back I took a few pics of the bay (Port Philip) which looked so beautiful and of course the clouds were piling up with more rain promised.

 I am not doing much stitching at present as this weather does cause me some 
difficulties with my hands.  I wake in the morning with stiff and painful fingers and it takes most of the day to loosen them up.  

 I can still take lots of photos, look at all my books and mags for inspiration and of course I have my sewing machines.

The grandchildren are on school holidays and so all four will come for a two night sleepover tomorrow.  That is always something to look forward to.