"Fossick and Find" Find.

Vintage Sheets, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

There are three thrift shops that I frequent in a town about 40 minutes drive away from the farm. They have the Salvos, St Vincent de Paul and one called Fossick and Find and that is where I found two cotton double bed sheets in very good condition for $2.00 each. My test to see if any unlabelled fabric is cotton is to iron it with the hottest setting and if it catches at all, I know there is some polyester in it. These sheets are definitely pure cotton and very retro coloured and patterned.

Vintage Sheet Project, Bibs

Vintage Sheet Project, Bibs, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

More bibs, this time made from some of my Vintage Sheet supplies.

Saturday Afternoon Gardening

image, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

This afternoon I cut back the hydrangeas, a climbing iceberg rose and deadheaded the agapanthus along the front of the house. I also planted some cuttings from the hydrangeas so hopefully I will have some pots in bloom for Christmas . More gardening tomorrow I hope.

Vintage Sheet Project, Skirts

Vintage Sheet Project, Skirts, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

I have made four skirts using some of my recent online purchase. The pattern is Kwik Sew 3054 and is very easy to follow. My favourite is the pink and white one at the front.

Blogging Photographs

Bantam and Chicks, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

I have not been happy for a while with how my photos come out on the blog. It is so quick and easy to use the ipad but the pictures always look a bit blurry. When I use the desk top computer the pictures look better but it takes such a long time to upload. I am now using flickr, but you can only load one photo at a time in your post. Pic stitch has come in handy to combine the photos I want to use.

Autumn in the Garden

image, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

I love the butter yellow the leaves of the Gingko tree turn in Autumn. We have blue skies here this morning and I found some tiny toadstools in the grass.

Cute while it lasts.

Bantam Chicks, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

Our three little bantam chicks were about 6cm when they hatched. Baby chicks grow very rapidly and when they start to get their feathers the cuteness goes. I am wasting a lot of time watching their antics, but I know they will lose their appeal soon.

Surprise!

Bantam and chicks, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

This Bantam has been missing for weeks. We thought a hawk or fox had taken her so It was quite a surprise when I opened the henhouse yesterday morning to find her back with three tiny chicks. We don't know where she was hiding or how she got back. Bantams usually make very good mothers and they are in a separate cage now so the others don't harm them.

Pin Oaks

Pin Oaks, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

I am enjoying the Autumn colour in the garden and on the farm. Last week was very mild but now the weather has turned cold and wet.

If you like coffee

Coffee Candles, a photo by The Witch on the Barn on Flickr.

Here is a nice idea if you like coffee. Nestle some tea lights in coffee beans in a suitable container, I used Depression Glass jam dishes. As the candle heats up the aroma of the coffee is released.

To Boston With Love

I was very pleased to see my Flag for Boston had arrived on "During Quiet Time" Amy Friend is one of the organisers and receiving the flags. They have a beautiful and impressive venue for the exhibition.




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Vintage Sheet Project, A Little Dress.

It has been a long time since I have done any clothes sewing for a little girl, my own daughter is a thirtysomething Mum herself now. I have seen so many pretty dresses and skirts on the internet using Vintage Sheets I decided to cobble together a pattern and try one out. I used a bodice tutorial from here which gathers the skirt using fishing line. My dress opens at the back and uses press studs to fasten it. It should fit a two year old and the sheet I used is 100% cotton.

Tell the Face 'cos the Hand WONT Listen!

I know I have enough fabric supplies to last at least two lifetimes. I know I definitely did not need to bid on a moving house sale lot of 3-4 bin bags of "patchwork fabric, vintage sheets and much more!'. But my fingers went tappity tap and I was the highest bidder. Vintage sheets are so popular now and difficult to find so I was sure there would be a sniper about for this auction.  I sat on my hands as the last minute counted down, but the lot was mine.

It was a local pick up and and when I corresponded with the seller she said she may have underestimated the quantity a little.

There were 16 bags in the end and I thought my boot would explode on the way home. My daughter very kindly relieved me of a couple of bags of the fabric that she liked and a couple more have gone to the op shop. I have been sorting and washing and ironing and starting to cut out squares for a doona cover. I have already made a few bibs, I am up to hemming 4 skirts and experimenting with a dress for a little girl.

It is just as well I am planning new storage cupboards for my workroom.

May Finish.

 I made this little Amish study Quilt top last year using homespun scraps and quilted the centre "in the ditch'. The colours and designs of Amish Quilts has always appealed to me ever since the exhibition that was held at the National Gallery of Victoria quite a few years ago.