A Fascination with Rust Dyeing

Rust dyeing is an exciting way to colour fabric. 

I collected a few items including some metal hubby dug out of the ground. I soaked the fabric in some white vinegar and water and then removed the fabric.

 I wrapped the soaked fabric with the metal items and placed them in the yellow bucket.

***Special Note- don't use a bucket you like using elsewhere because the rust stains the bucket as well.**

Pour the remaining liquid over the top and top up with more water.

The longer you soak it, the darker and more distinct the colour.

My fabrics below were soaked over a few days.

Anything left to oxidise produces a distinct dark black colour. This is not a burning of the fabric.

Once desired colour and shapes and markings achieved, wash fabric in cold water. 

Wash your fabric in a cold machine wash with some wool wash detergent to remove any remaining vinegar or rust smell.

first fabric and the yellow bucket as well as the colour it comes out after soaking.

Such amazing colour and distinct patterns.

Close up.

The whole fabric.

Smaller fabric piece i also created. 

I love the reveal as you unroll the "snake" of fabric.

Close up of the corner piece which was wrapped around a piece of metal that had holes in it.

These will be fabulous to stitch. Lots of markings to play with!

I intend to use these fabrics as a base and then add machine embroidery and beads to accentuate the finer details. 

Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe with homegrown bananas

Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe

This recipe is from the Officially Gluten Free blog. They have other awesome recipes on there too.

I have made this for the second time now and it is still great.

 I added a handful of dried craisins in this banana bread.

My banana tree has given us stacks of bananas as you can see. 

There are TWO branches of these wonderful and sweet bananas!

The banana flower is huge and AMAZING!

Smells so good, fresh out of the oven.

What happened? Hubby got hungry and stole a piece. He said it tastes so good!

Follow the link above to get the recipe.

Before toasting. (warm and put butter on it - still yum.

                                After toasting - verdict - SO YUMMY!!!

Revisiting journal covers

I love journal covers. I have made several over the years. Here is my most recent one.

Journal Cover for Sam's Kitchen Tea 

I made this for my friend's daughter who was having her kitchen tea.

I like to use a smaller version of "The Chook Shed"s "Never Trust a Skinny Cook". I make these for loved ones as gifts only. Each one is styled differently depending on the person who is receiving them. 

I dye the fabric - this one is indigo dyed. Then i hand embroider some of the cover.
Wooden Rolling Pin button was purchased from Embellish and Trim .

A Journal Cover for my friend, MT

What do you get the friend who has everything? A hand made gift of course. I dyed, block printed and machine embroidered this cover for her 60th birthday gift. I placed a journal inside since i knew she loved having note books to write in. It is removable so when she needs a new book, she just pulls it out and places a new one inside around the same size.

It's been way too long............

I have been very busy with teaching over the last few years and neglected my little blog. But hopefully now with my newer laptop I will be able to improve my efforts to update my blog.

So here are the posts i have wanted to do, but just didn't get around to doing:

Weekend Bag

I made a fabulous weekend bag designed by Janelle Kent from Pieces to Treasure. This is the smaller of the 2 bags. I am keen to make the larger one as well. It's a great pattern and is easy to follow.

Available here: Weekend Bags Pattern

Yarn Dyeing

I have found i have several cotton Perle yarns just sitting on the shelf gathering dust. So during school holidays, i have been dyeing them using Procion dyes and ziplock bags and the colours i have ended up with are so delicious.

Before dyeing begins.

Perle cottons sitting in the base colour of Procion dye.

In order to dry them properly, i wrapped them around the old clothes drying racks.

Beautiful colours soaking up dye.

In order to store the yarns, i use the empty yarn reels from my sewing threads.

Caroline Sharkey Course

I had the opportunity to do a course at the Berry Quilting retreat in September 2012.  It had the fabulous tutor - Caroline Sharkey. This is my work which I have almost finished. I just need to add some hanging loops and binding. I get the chance to do another course this year at the Berry Quilting Retreat in August. Caroline is a wonderful tutor. She is not only patient with beginners but has a true passion for her work. If you get the chance to do her class, sign up straight away!

Cranberry and Apple Pie

I didn't know how this pie mixture would go as I have never used this product before. So with doubts in my heart, I chose to make the pastry using this kit.

I was somewhat surprised at having to add ingredients such as baking powder and I decided to forego the vinegar it says to add. I also did not wait for the base pastry to chill first. I pressed it into the container and then cooked it in a 220 deg oven. The pie top pastry was chilled tho. 

I made the filling from 8 green apples chopped, one cup caster sugar, one cup water, quarter cup of cherry liqueur and 1 packet of cranberries. I simmered these until the liquid reduced and the filling looked lush. To make sure all the liquid was set I sprinkled 1 tablespoon of gf plain flour over the mixture and stirred it in. Beautiful! 

This is the pie before the pie was placed in the oven. I sprinkled the top with raw sugar.

The finished pie is so yummy. You can eat it cold like a slice or heat it up and have it warm with ice cream.

Announcement!! Great News from Wendy Williams

I am so very excited. I have been waiting for Wendy's book for a long time. I am hoping Wendy will personally sign my copy. It just makes it all that more special.