Finished! Toy sack that doubles as gift-wrapping for the mokopuna‘s* Christmas gift.
I am trying to reduce the amount of packaging waste I generate, and while I can’t do anything about the plastic and cardboard encasing the little one’s train set, I figured I could at least deliver it in something useful.
‘Cos seriously, what boy doesn’t collect stuff?
*mokopuna (often shortened to moko) is the Maori word for a young grandchild, niece, nephew — or in our case, first cousin twice removed.
Another up-cycled kimono sash cushion cover. Image: Su Leslie 2018
(Still) feeling too lethargic and woolly-headed from my cold to get out and do much, I am amusing myself with simple projects — like up-cycling kimono sashes (obi).
The latest cushion was made entirely from the silk in the sash itself and required very little sewing.
I love these fabrics; the beautiful colours and designs, and the wonderful lustre of the silk fibres.
All the spring-cleaning and re-organising of my stuff that’s been going on has revealed the true extent of my fabric stash, and I am determined to start using it.
Green certainly seems to be my colour. Image: Su Leslie 2018
These shades of blue and green seem to form the palette of my life, and I think look really good on my newly painted work table.
New work table, new enthusiasm. Image: Su Leslie 2018
Sanded, sealed, splashed and sealed again; our old table repurposed. The surface is smooth enough for working with fabric, and waterproof so I can use it for painting too.
It’s amazing how having a fun, colourful workspace improves my enthusiasm for a project.
Of course the painting helps. I bought it about 30 years ago from a friend who in turn bought it in an art school graduate show. I love the colours, and the landscape is Auckland’s west coast, probably either Piha or Te Henga beach.
Morning. The Tor, Waiake Beach, Auckland, NZ. Su Leslie, 2018
July is proving to be a very inward-looking month. From my photos, it would seem that pretty much all I’ve done is sew, eat and walk on beaches and in gardens.
The sewing started in June, with the “Art Matters” tote I made (supposedly just to hold paints and brushes). It got such a positive reaction from people I seriously considered the economics of making some commercially (not viable). But since I had a stash of fabric and image-transfer paper, I made a few more for friends, and then thought I could do more for going plastic-free if I had a bunch of other totes. The library bag followed, and then some simple calico bags that scrunch up small enough to carry around, and after that a holdall for all the stuff (notebook, pens, glasses, iPad, phone, etc) I carry from office to living room so I can work in either. My journal is filling up with more ideas and designs and I think I am officially obsessed.
Image: Su Leslie 2018
Art Matters. Riffing on the theme. Su Leslie 2018
… something to carry my library books back and forth in. Su Leslie, 2018
iPad sleeve. Su Leslie 2018
Portable work-place. Su Leslie 2018
Weekend craft project; my new tote bag. Su Leslie 2018
Basic, unlined calico bag. This one’s going to a friend, filled with home-grown lemons. Su Leslie 2018
Ornamental kale, Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018
Late afternoon, Lucas Creek from Greenhithe Wharf. Su Leslie, 2018
Morning walk, Waiake beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018
Coveting my neighbour’s camelia hedge. Su Leslie 2018
Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018
Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018
Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018
After the storm, Pt Chevalier Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018
After the storm, Pt Chevalier Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018
The Tor, Waiake Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018
Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018
I’ve already shared so many food photos this month, I’ll leave you with this shot and the question: what did I make with these ingredients?
“mystery box challenge” (ok, I’m watching MasterChef Australia on TV). Su Leslie 2018
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
UPDATE
Be sure to check out how these other bloggers have experienced July
In the spirit of trying to eliminate single use plastic bags from my life (and use up my fabric stash), I’m making totes instead. This one is particularly sturdy and wide-based, designed to carry library books.
Getting started. The seat of my $5 project chair — ready to be re-up-holstered. Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Last week the Big T and I deconstructed our $5 charity shop armchair, removing the old upholstery and stripping layers of yellowing varnish off the wood frame.
Yesterday, I began the process of re-staining and varnishing the wood; and collected the upholstery materials together. I plan to startwith practice on the chair seat. It detaches, and because the whole wooden frame will be fabric-covered, it doesn’t need to be varnished.
Wish me luck!
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Image: Su Leslie, 2018
Five Minutes of Random (the #RegularRandom challenge) is hosted by Desley Jane at Musings of a Frequently Flying Scientist. Her latest post captures beauty in decay through a delicate pink peony. The images are stunning, so do pop over and take a look.
If you’d like to join in:
choose a subject or a scene
spend five minutes photographing it – no more!
try to see it from many angles, look through something at it, change the light that’s hitting it
tag your post #regularrandom and ping back to Desley’s post
