A pledge to make one item a month

Today I joined the pledge list of Annie over at  http://thefeltfairyuk.blogspot.com to make one handmade item a month for 2012. I also joined the flickr group showcasing all the wonderful handmade items. So that was two firsts for me as a newbie blogger...hooray for me! ;-)

I now have my own flickr stream...well it's only a puddle so far...I shall add more photos in the next few days... http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninavcreations/  These are my NinaV cushions that have become my January handmade...
1. I made these 40cm square, zippered cushions for my eldest daughter from new cotton print that reminds me of abstract Aussie flora.
2. These are the same size & made from material sourced from our local Lifeline op-shop, they are now at their new home with my son & his new wife.
3. The same size again, but recycled from a skirt my Mum made in about 1970. I'm keeping this & going to make some more, including some patchwork ones to use all this lovely material (there was also a matching jacket).
Neens xxx

One Year On...The Floods

It's hard to believe that a year has passed since the devastating floods that swamped Toowoomba, Grantham, Ipswich, Brisbane & all the towns in between. We personally were lucky that even though in Ipswich we were cut off from everywhere else & from supplies such as bread & milk, our home was out of the flood zone. It saddens me that people lost loved ones & that some are still fighting the red tape of insurance claims & are still homeless...shame on those insurance companies that are being such unfeeling tightarses!

Here are some photos I took of our Ipswich on 12/1/11...
My heart goes out to all those still grieving today & trying to get on with their lives.
Neens xxx

Creating...Christmas

I thought I'd add the photo that went astray of the 'shelf santa' I made for Mousie for Christmas and the Gekoe I made for Grandy Joey for Christmas. Joey was thrilled when he opened up his parcel, who doesn't like a nice lizard! Even my sister-in-law who is of the same vintage as me said she'd love one...lol

Neens xxx

Happy New Year

"New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat
for promiscuous drunks, friendly calls and humbug resolutions" ---Mark Twain---

Orange...

Christmas may to most people be about red, green, gold & silver, but to me it's about vibrancy & vavavaboom (wow factor). Orange & aqua are like a slide around the colour wheel from red & green, but I LOVE them...add some yellow & actually whatever goes & kupowee...you have your version of Christmas colour.

Some of my latest op-shop finds have been very vibrant & exciting to me...look & see (& yes I did mean to rhyme...lol)
This tea-towel features a roast chook, veg, condiments & some bottles of wine!...love it!!
The oil & vinegar set are beautiful, so bright!
Add a mustard coloured bowl & a nastursiam cup stand...all very noice!! There were also some perfume bottles which I also collect but the pics need editing. Anyway, this lot was about $3 AUS...a bargain in anyones language!
Cheers big-ears,
Neens xxx

Christmas in Australia Countdown

OR as our chickens might say BERGERK (panic stations)...
Have been madly juggling Christmassy tasks with my 'thrifty' kitchen makeover...
Today I was editing photos for a calendar for my Dad (what to give someone who doesn't need anything other than socks'n'undies) & of course things did not run smoothly & the task ran many hours overtime. BUT...on a positive note I managed to multi task a few things in between edits eg. mango cheek extractions while waiting for my tea to brew...um...hanging out washing...washing!? ...better go do that...Also making patterns for Christmas decorations for the young nieces...plus doing the final coat of paint on the kitchen window. Can't wait to put up a display unit for some of my kitchen collection tomorrow plus a budget splash back & some cork boards.
Tomorrow will be Christmas tree & decorate the house day with 6yr old mousie.
Meanwhile here is a photo of my 2011 decoration for my Grandy (Grandson) Joey & a shelf Santa for my mousie.
(Did a spell check & 'Christmas' was like ????)

Cheers my dears, Neens x
PS. Seems my other pic has gone astray...never mind!

Pyrex Eureka Moment!

I've been procrastinating & fiddle-farting about...wondering how I'm going to start my first blog post! Then...while doing a last op-shopping hurrah with one of my besties Lisa before the Qld school hols start...EUREKA...my most wonderful pyrex find (after my beautiful favourite bestest yellow princess pouring bowl that was accidently broken because of my other half aka Daddy Rat) EVER...a set of 3 "Woodland" mixing bowls in beautiful condition for $10 AUS. I'm not sure whether they are the 300 or 400 series!? But I love them as they go with my 'kitchen make over on the cheap' that I am doing at the moment! I also found in the same St. Vinnies shop a glorious orange starburst colour tall casserole dish with handled lid in near perfect condition. Funnily enough , the old dear who wrapped the stuff made more scratches with her fast & thorough service than was previously there...*wince*...I'm getting more tolerant in my older age...or so I keep telling myself!!

Cheers My Dears...Neens x