Scarlett picking dandelions.

I've been using the GIMP (photo manipulation software) lately and having lots of fun playing around with my photos. This one is from a set of four that I have altered.
It's a photo of my darling niece Scarlett wearing purple ugg boots, picking dandelions in the back yard. Next she can work on all those overgrown weeds and I know her dad will be so pleased.

Japanese Kimono Patchwork Scarf

I've been collecting vintage Japanese Kimono fabrics for a while now.
Although most of them are small pieces they can be teamed together to make something wearable like this patchwork scarf.
It's lightweight and warm at the same time and its neutral tone means it goes with everything.

My travel Journey Cotton-Linen Passport Cover

This is a handy little passport cover that you'll love to carry on your next trip.
It's made out of a natural canvas teamed with a gorgeous Japanese import fabric.
I think it really works well as a passport cover because it depicts a journey that you might take with images of various travel destinations and passport stamps.
A large pocket holds the passport and 2 smaller pockets can accommodate your cards.
When not being used as a passport cover you can use it to carry a small notebook and business cards.
Check out my shop for more images.

Pillow Pincushions

I love making these little pincushions. They get my mind away from routine tasks to a place where I can play a little and dream a little.

This one is made out of a natural linen teamed with a delicate red and ivory cotton.
It has a cute loop of Japanese import tape on the end with buttons and pins printed onto it. It's great for hanging onto places for easy access.
Stuffed nicely with fiberfill.

Almond Shortbread Cookies dusted in Icing Sugar

Hubby and I were invited to his sister's place on Easter Sunday so I made these almond shortbread cookies to have with our afternoon tea.
I usually get about 50 cookies from my recipe using 1/2 cup of butter, 2 cups of flour, 3 tbs sugar, some vanilla essence and 1 cup of roasted almonds.

While they are still warm I lightly dust them with pure icing sugar. I think that gives them a lovely finish. I was a bit heavy handed here but they tasted just as good.

Sometimes I place the cooled cookies in one of those glass pickling jars that you can find at most supermarkets, then wrap the jar up nicely with cellophane and ribbon. They make really lovely gifts.

Deep Indigo Blue Duffle Purse

Etsy have selected my Deep Indigo Blue Duffle purse to be in their Fall Fashion item poll.

"It's warming up in the US, but fall is just around the corner for our pals in the Southern Hemisphere."

The top favorite items get to go in the gift guide and on the Etsy blog.

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=39

New Mini Duffel Purse- Pleated

I just love this purse. It's my very latest design and is the perfect accessory because it combines style with functionality.
I have made this in a beautiful blue, brown and white cotton fabric teamed with a navy blue cotton for the flap and handles. A pale blue chambray cotton has been used to make the hand covered button. Currently in my Etsy shop.

How to make Quilted Coasters with Binding

I've been making some coasters lately and I'm totally addicted to them. They have a top and bottom layer and in between I have sandwiched cotton batting to absorb any spills and interfacing for support. The four layers are sewn together using freehand machine stitching.

Cut pieces

Using a template which was 14cm square I cut out one main piece, one cotton batting, one interfacing and one lining.

Cotton sandwich

I stacked the pieces together,in that order, to form a type of fabric sandwich.

Contrast binding

Strips of binding in a contrast colour. They should be long enough to go around the edges of the coaster and 4 times the width that you would like your finished coaster to have.
They look crooked but I promise they were straight.

Quilting the pieces

The four pieces were quilted together using freehand machine stitching in a swirl design.
You can get real creative here.

Binding the edges

Attaching the binding to the coaster edge.

The right side of the binding is sewn to the right side of the coaster and the corners are carefully mitered the way you would for a blanket or quilt.

Reverse side

The binding is turned out, and pinned to the back of the coaster with the raw edges folded in and the corners mitered again.

Tacked and mitered

Pressed and ready to go