my creative space - sewing machine

I have been making up for lost time this week, sewing some cushions I've been meaning to sew for a month and finishing some other special pieces to go into the shop next week. I promised an update and a sale ages ago and I am finally getting organised to follow through. It is Flower Press's fifth birthday soon too so I want to celebrate that as well!!

When in the process of cutting fabric fate delivered a pillowcase sized offcut on my cutting board I also whipped up this lego pillowcase for Mr Flowerpress who has mentioned a couple of times that he was the only family member not to have a bespoke pillowcase. He loves it and I was reminded how quick and easy my pillowcase tutorial really is. I'm thinking of making more for Christmas presents. Wouldn't they make the perfect reusable wrapping for presents. Christmas stockings in our family come traditionally in pillowcases, so it seems quite apt.

swallow

Its been a while... as usual the school holidays have swallowed me up and changed my routine for a couple of weeks. And as usual we packed our bags and set off together for a bit of adventure and a change of scene. Last week saw us out west again, staying with Mr F's lovely Mum, eating ourselves silly, taking in the beautiful spring blossom and bulbs, putting a coat of clay mix on his sister's straw bale project and picking up rocks by her country creek.

And whoosh, it's October. I'm hoping I can squeeze a bit of making into this last speedy part of the year. I did spend a little time tidying my creative space last week before we left so I'm hoping it will be quicker to get back to all that when I have time!

visit

I've had my Mum staying this week, its been so nice. She got to come to the boys' performing arts concert and see them dance. On Thursday, a beautiful spring day, we all played hooky and had lunch in the Botanic Gardens among the trees and flowers with the dramatic backdrop of the city behind and glimpses of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House through the leaves. From the top you can see down to Woolloomooloo and the big warships and cranes and wharf, and watch the busy harbour in all its glory.

Highlights in the Gardens were age old giant figs, windy paths through rare plants, checking out the big eels in the duck pond and the Spring Walk which had an avenue of blossom trees underplanted with huge tulips. The only negative was all the sacred ibis hanging round the cafe trying to steal people's lunch!

Sadly Mum had to go back on Friday, it was just a flying visit. I consoled myself after I'd dropped her at the airport by stopping in at Remnants Warehouse and taking advantage of their two for one FQ deal on Fridays. These fabrics were $1 or $2.50 after the discount - a fun and guiltfree way to add to the quilting stash. I also got some (more!) zips for my collection and some lovely denim for cushion backs.