Bibs & Bobs....

Lately I've been on the hunt for ideas that will purge my ever growing pile of scraps. I seriously don't know where these scraps come from as I seem to be forever making scrappy quilts and rarely cutting into stash. How are they forming? Baffling to say the least...or denial, one or the other! Nonetheless, I think this scrap busting idea is a winner.....bibs that are made not only from scrap fabric but scrap strips of batting as well.

A couple of Thursday's ago I spent a 'Sew & Sew's' evening with the girls zigzagging together strips of batting to make pieces that were roughly 14" x 8". I was staggered to see how quickly I could cobble together some reasonable sized pieces. Then I built the fronts of the bibs using the quilt as you go method!
I always love going through my fabric bin and discovering little bits of fabric that has been lying dormant from quilts past. And then I hit the solids scrap bag! Solids scraps are just as adorable as prints.
The backs are solids and I've used really bright orange and lime.

My next adventure came in the form of snap buttons. These little things are tricky. I wasted a few along the way and had to buy another pack but it was really worth it I think as they finish the bibs off wonderfully.

And my last foray into the scrap bin has come in the form of a little covered note book that we will use on our forthcoming travels. Needless to say, it has been purloined by R who promptly made a cover page and has begun the note taking. Excellent.

 A couple of lovely scrap finishes to link up to Crazy Mom's Finish it Up Friday.

A farewell....

I'm often asked why I don't have a cleaner. My response is always the same.
"I don't have a cleaner....because I have a speech therapist."
At the age of two, our son was diagnosed with a severe language disorder. Now 11 years old, his diagnoses has subsequently been altered to 'mild-moderate autism'. Never-the-less, and whatever the label, his struggle with language is ongoing and impacts day-to-day through his interaction with and understanding of the world. His need for speech therapy and supported learning is currently on-going without too much of a glimmer on the horizon of that changing in the short term. Let's just say, we're a 'speechie's' sure thing.
We've been very lucky that L's school allows a consulting speech therapist to work with him (and the numerous other boys!) during the school day. From my point of view, that saves one more 'run around mum job'. The other plus is the stability that that brings. His first 'in-school' therapist worked with him from reception through to grade 3 until her work load became too great and she had to expand her consultancy (or build a massive extension to her home...one or the other!). She handed the reigns over to her assistant and she has worked with L for the past two years. But she's leaving. She's young and decided to follow her dreams interstate. Wednesday is her last day, and whilst I've told L it's his last speech session for the year ("yay!" was the response), I haven't told him it's a big goodbye.

So at the very least a little gift is in order. I've made a notebook cover out of scraps and used the quilt as you go method to use up some batting bits. I'll get L to draw one of his very special little illustrations in the front.

Wonderland delight.....

After a lively conversation with M, one of R's friends, about our mutual love of pretty much anything Alice in Wonderland, particularly the completely out of our price range, Marc Jacobs ballet flats, I purchased some Alice in Wonderland fabric off eBay. The seller didn't know the source but I think it's Kokka. It doesn't have a brand but instead has the most divine selvedge with little houses depicting the colours used. So when M's 14th birthday rolled around yesterday I made her a little covered note book and a co-ordinating pencil case. The pencil case measures about 43cm across x 33cm high, large enough for a ruler and the plethora of stationery these girls have to carry around to each class. I added a gusset to the bottom to help it stand up on her desk. The note book worked out really well and I love the little ribbons that I found in my 'must keep that for something' tray. Both received seals of approval from R....in the form of 'that's sooo cute, I want one too!'.And on the floor at the moment as part of my mission to finish off UFO's, my Katie Jump Rope quilt. It too has been in the wardrobe (of shame) since January 2010! Looking at it again, I haven't lost any love for it since I decided to cut into this precious fabric....just as well! It's now basted and ready for quilting.....soon!