Tuesday 18 December 2012

Little Gifts Made to Order

Some special people I am closely related to by birth were offered the chance to pick out a fabric - ANY fabric - and chose a small item to be made for them. They recognised this for the unique opportunity it was, as I typically have quite a - how shall I say this? - hands-off approach to my fabric :)


Our budding chef asked for a pot-holder from lemon fabric with asparagus on the back, which I bound with blueberries. If we get hungry enough waiting for the food to be ready, I reckon we can eat the pot-holder...


Someone was totally swayed by this gorgeous fabric and wanted a slim scarf, to which I added a rose pin...


And a pencil case out of the perfect fabric for someone who loves art AND the environment. Plus some ribbon detailing too!


It feels good to start and finish projects the same week - not usual for me at all! Here's to a fruitful week ahead!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday , Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Live a Colorful Life!

Saturday 15 December 2012

Bringing Light

The season of Chanukah lasts a week and a day, and marks the victory of the weak over the strong, the few over the many, the light of faith over the darkness of tyranny.

Today is the last day of Chanukah. I would like to extend my prayers that the light of our candles help bring peace and comfort to all of us who are reeling from the news in Connecticut. We are all sad and overwhelmed.


May our families and communities strengthen their vows to care for each and every member of society: to reach out and care for the the lost and the lonely; to be a source of strength for the weak, to bring light to darkness, and fight bravely against tyranny.

Let us gather with our family and loved ones to light candles, hold hands, and cry; let us, at least, feel sad and overwhelmed together.




(Photo credit: http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk/free_stock_image/xmas-candles-jpg)

Wednesday 12 December 2012

O Lemon Tree, O Lemon Tree!

(to be sung to the tune of O Tannenbaum :)

In the home I grew up in, in Europe, we had many fruit trees. It sounds grand, but mostly involved stepping gingerly, to avoid the soft, fallen fruit. The apple trees produced delicious baking apples, though, and we had enormous unkempt bramble bushes at the end of the garden, where blackberries grew. We'd be sent out to collect fruit in the afternoon, and there'd be apple-berry crumble for dessert that night. Served hot with fresh cream. Mmmm.

I live in Israel now, a country with almost no rainfall, unless you measure it in thimblefuls. There is no lush grass, no ducking your head against the elements as you brave the path from your front door to your car, no out-of-control, over-blown roses from too much rain.

But.
We have lemons.


And with our second harvest, we eked out some blood oranges too.


Also, I did some sewing.
But I did have to share the bounty, first.

I couldn't stay away from the purples so I started piecing a zippy bag. But now I'm looking at the front-and-back of a bag (about 10" x 15") and I'm thinking, improv blocks! Let's make a top!


What do you think? Am I imagining it? Would this be better as a bag?

And then, there's this attempt at brown.
Now, I don't use brown much, as a rule. But it's worthy of some loving, doncha think?
I pieced this little thing, and it is just sitting there as forlorn as could be.
And while in my head I'm thinking "Espresso! Café au lait! Cream!", my heart is saying "bleugh".


I have decided to jazz up this Charlie Brown of a thing and make it... well, make it a singing Charlie Brown. Watch this space. And while you're watching, let me know your surface design ideas on face-lifts for fabric. Mine involve a hera marker and careful measurements, a walking foot and some coloured thread. Surely you can think of something funner. Right?

Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and Live a Colorful Life and Confessions of a Fabric Addict - go check out the fun!