wireless hill

I had a nice afternoon recently, walking and taking photos at Wireless Hill. I like the patterns and textures in these, and the muted colours.

Catch up 2013: Melbourne (3)

Catch up 2013: pink & black quilt

This is a quilt I finished this year. This one was made from a stash of op-shop finds, and some new fabric from Spotlight. I have made a few over the years (previous ones can be seen here and here) and I think each one has got better. I am a bit of a random quilter, I tend to start out with an idea and just see what happens. And I am not super careful with the measuring and those things, but they seem to come together in the end, somehow.

One thing for amateur quilters like myself to remember is to use fabrics that are similar and try not to be too ambitious. If you use fabrics that are not similar, they bunch and gather and don't line up properly. And if you try to make something that is too big, it becomes unwieldy - you have to rearrange all your furniture just to put the thing together, and it gets so heavy it's a real chore. I also made a baby sized quilt this year (photos shortly). That was really easy because it was so small, very manageable. If you want to start quilting, start small and be careful when you choose the fabric it is a plain cotton, don't accidentally by something sateen-y or stretchy, that's my advice!

black

the tip shop (again!)

The tip shop: it's where stuff comes from.

I've been to the tip shop four times now, since my first visit which was not quite two months ago. I have been looking for some specific things for projects around the house, but to be honest I also quite enjoy the exciting possibility of finding other stuff while I am there.

I've noticed the 'stock' in some sections turns over really quickly, meaning there is always new stuff to rummage through, which increases the feeling you might stumble on a gem. Also, I've decided Sunday is the best day to go. Saturday is too busy, and the time I went on a week day was a bit weird - it seemed to be full of people who hang out there, the prices of everything seemed to go up, and there was only one staff person on which made it difficult to get items priced and pay for them. But Sunday is a good mix.

I've been buying bits and pieces for a furniture project I have been thinking of, and last weekend I got a book case for $5. Unfortunately I don't have room in my house for any new, big furniture, but I am always seeing beautiful things there I would like to take home. If you are in the market for second hand furniture, you have to go there. Or if you need building supplies, garden stuff.... golf clubs... pretty much anything you can think of... you will find it!

la boheme (2)

Mimi and Rodolfo: he lights her candle, and it's all on between them.

hot rods to hell (2)