tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post8678919042574824427..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: The Present Cupboard. Getting the ball rolling! Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-59448923649578301772018-01-19T09:23:27.913-08:002018-01-19T09:23:27.913-08:00How about these Lorraine? I make tons of these th...How about these Lorraine? I make tons of these throughout the year<br />https://www.skiptomylou.org/how-to-make-a-simple-reversible-totebag/Sarahhttp://www.facebook.com/budgetcooking101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86930969803114190972018-01-18T13:25:26.623-08:002018-01-18T13:25:26.623-08:00Dear Annabel,
Your pillowcases are so pretty! I a...Dear Annabel,<br /> Your pillowcases are so pretty! I am keeping the pillowcase idea in mind for a little girl who has a birthday in September.<br />This week I finished knitting washcloth number two as part of a birthday gift I put together. Now I can continue on with John's quiet book and trying to meet my scrapbooking goal for this month! Bit by bit, as you said!<br />Love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2517623063271013902018-01-18T06:25:57.961-08:002018-01-18T06:25:57.961-08:00Cute little pillowcases; I'm sure Harper loves...Cute little pillowcases; I'm sure Harper loves them! My present tub is very depleted, that's for sure! I am making steady progress on finishing up half-completed projects, even though it's not all that inspiring! :) Really looking forward to seeing the Show and Tell!<br /><br />xx JEn in NSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27310196296793823612018-01-17T16:23:14.680-08:002018-01-17T16:23:14.680-08:00Hi Annabel, your pillowcases look lovely! I'm ...Hi Annabel, your pillowcases look lovely! I'm sure they will be a hit! Some other ideas of things that can be made for children are zip pouches - my kids love these for storing little toy collections, coins, treasures or even just pencils & textas. So handy! Another thing they have loved that I made is their own personalised apron. They love wearing it when they help me with baking. Thank you for such an inspirational start to the year. Cheers, KellyKellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-83232522897955709262018-01-17T15:34:58.853-08:002018-01-17T15:34:58.853-08:00Dear Cookie,
Harper got the wand and crown from ba...Dear Cookie,<br />Harper got the wand and crown from ballet class. I thought they matched! I am making her the ribbon twirling wands to wave around. I must get on to this! Anything dancing related seems to be a hit!<br />Having a baby to sew for it wonderful! I love everything you have made! I hope you will send me some pics! You are off to a wonderful start.<br />Also I better start thinking of Valentines Day too! <br />I love the work of the quilting group. There is so much need and we have supplies in our cupboards... this is a good reminder for us all! <br />Thank you Cookie! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-69963568818695934982018-01-17T15:30:17.558-08:002018-01-17T15:30:17.558-08:00Dear Nancy, Often I feel the oldest, most worn out...Dear Nancy, Often I feel the oldest, most worn out flannel is the softest. It is almost a velvet feel to it. Heavenly when sick. You can just make them disposable for emergencies. Thanks so much! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-54794054550349893702018-01-17T15:28:45.295-08:002018-01-17T15:28:45.295-08:00I am strong all these up for when my two are a bit...I am strong all these up for when my two are a bit older. Learning with my Nan was so much fun. Treasured times...xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-79001632332259521202018-01-17T15:27:39.509-08:002018-01-17T15:27:39.509-08:00Thank you! xxxThank you! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-28002265534542213832018-01-17T15:27:05.783-08:002018-01-17T15:27:05.783-08:00Dear Phyllis, Yes please I would love to see! Ide...Dear Phyllis, Yes please I would love to see! Ideas are such a help to everyone! I think the hardest part is starting and we can build some momentum when we do start... i.e. my 15 minutes of sewing often turns into more! Many thanks! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77997399468333838012018-01-17T12:58:30.524-08:002018-01-17T12:58:30.524-08:00Beautiful ballerina gifts!
I do almost everything...Beautiful ballerina gifts!<br /><br />I do almost everything in bits and pieces. I babysit my two year old granddaughter for about 20 hours a week, so my work progresses at the pace of her attention span.<br /><br />I have to make the minutes count or I wouldn't get a thing done. Thanks once again for all your beautiful inspiration!Cherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11388528649168161483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6778243932104680942018-01-17T12:21:24.359-08:002018-01-17T12:21:24.359-08:00I agree with Annabel...at that ate, they love to c...I agree with Annabel...at that ate, they love to craft! Maybe put together a little kit and take some time to teach them a new skill. My 9 year old is into making beauty products (we've done lip balm, melt-and-pour soap, and bath bombs. Or teach her to crochet a long stretchy "rope" and then teach her to play cat's cradle with it. Another thing my 9 year old loves to make is play-doh. You could put together a kit with instructions, ingredients, cute containers and a few fun play-doh tools, like cookie cutters and mini rolling pins. Another idea is cake decorating equipment and fun sprinkles, cupcake liners, etc. Depending on the season, a garden gift with seeds, garden markers she can paint, a pot, soil, and maybe gloves or tools. Or supplies to make a fairy garden! I bet that your granddaughters' parents would appreciate gifts like these that get "used up", instead of more toys to add to the bin, and time with you learning a new skill is priceless!LeighSabeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00474933260819359301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-47719825113938340342018-01-17T10:40:21.475-08:002018-01-17T10:40:21.475-08:00Such cute ideas. I admire your skills.Such cute ideas. I admire your skills.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-7800120523684298662018-01-17T08:16:05.150-08:002018-01-17T08:16:05.150-08:00Annabelle, this is my new catch phrase: "Get ...Annabelle, this is my new catch phrase: "Get the ball rolling!" I always just said the hardest part of any task is just starting, but your phrase is much better. Although sometimes I think I'm juggling balls at the same time!<br />I have some pictures of some of my past projects. Would you like me to e-mail you some of them even though they're not current?<br />Phyllis<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39718624692682259762018-01-17T06:34:27.316-08:002018-01-17T06:34:27.316-08:00Dear Annabel, Garden Pat did tell me how she made...Dear Annabel, Garden Pat did tell me how she made hers but when I put two thicknesses together I felt they were too thick so I am glad to know I can do them one thick. The flannel I have is new but leftovers so maybe that is why it is so thick. I have a bad cold and need to get some made up today! Why didn't I do it sooner! Thank you and Garden Pat both for your help. I love the Bluebird blogs! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-9845901716774980862018-01-17T05:10:53.497-08:002018-01-17T05:10:53.497-08:00Dear Annabel,
The ballerina fabric is so charming....Dear Annabel,<br />The ballerina fabric is so charming. I can just imagine Harpers squeals of delight when she sees the pillow cases. Did you also make the wand and crown?<br /><br />This is the second year of my "use it up" challenge. So far this year I've used up some flannel and made 4 quilted burp clothes, 2 flannel receiving/swaddling blankets with crocheted edges, and little baby wash clothes with the left over flannel. Also one knitted cap (beanie) and am currently working on a table runner which will have hand embroidery on it, and given as an anniversary gift. Two quilts got finished and quilted and have been added to the closet as well. Some time in the next week we'll be having fun making valentines and hot cocoa on a stick to pass give out. <br /><br />Aside from being able to gift loved ones my gift closet is also used to provide quilts, mittens, caps, etc. for disaster relief or for those in need. Our quilting group makes quilts for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, as well as quilts that the police and fire departments have onboard if needed. Like you said, "busy hands make happy hearts". Blessings, Cookie<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32642187414795824192018-01-17T04:11:39.738-08:002018-01-17T04:11:39.738-08:00Annabel, those little girls in our lives inspire u...Annabel, those little girls in our lives inspire us to do 'girly' sewing, don't they???patsi @ a working pantryhttp://aworkingpantry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35047278100808450842018-01-17T02:08:22.544-08:002018-01-17T02:08:22.544-08:00Dear Lana, I love this idea. Harper has her little...Dear Lana, I love this idea. Harper has her little kitchen... it would be great for that. And yes light for you to post! Aly mentioned a little pillowcase for a doll so I am on to that as well as I have suitable left overs!<br />I am bad at hanging on to gifts and not giving them... I do a bit of each I have to confess! Oh well! We cant help it thats my argument! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-3586996802038591602018-01-17T00:11:22.961-08:002018-01-17T00:11:22.961-08:00Dear Patsi, We were both doing ballerinas at the s...Dear Patsi, We were both doing ballerinas at the same time! Below Aly mentioned using tiny little bits left over to make a doll pillow to match the little girls pillow. Genius! I am off to size up my left overs now! With love Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-1871797572431169862018-01-17T00:09:29.732-08:002018-01-17T00:09:29.732-08:00Dear Aly, The doll pillowcase is brilliant! I cou...Dear Aly, The doll pillowcase is brilliant! I could make little sheets and a pillowcase and I would have just enough! Genius! Thank you! <br />Well done on the cards! They would have been beautiful ones too!<br />It sounds like you are using school holidays well. Going to a new school will be big! I hope this all goes well and not too many nerves.<br />Sewing is just lovely. I will think of helpful blogs that I know of. One I can think of now is Flamingo Toes. She has a lot of ideas i.e. what to do with small bits of material etc. Pinterest of course too! <br />Thank you for the great idea... consider it done here! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-5057367388672049022018-01-17T00:04:34.659-08:002018-01-17T00:04:34.659-08:00Dear Lorraine, Thank you! Well I have a coupe of ...Dear Lorraine, Thank you! Well I have a coupe of thoughts... the first is if you know what they are mad keen on i.e. mermaids seem to be big and so do unicorns. But knowing this is helpful plus favourite colours. Then get some fabric with the theme on it to incorporate into your projects. Possibly co conspire with Mum as you never know even curtains might be an option for their room or sheets that are trimmed. Possibly nighties or pyjamas. The second way I would go is they are old enough to be crafty and to learn to knit, sew, crochet etc so actually give them the gift of lessons and get them started. I can think of nothing better actually. My Nan helped me get going on so many things I still do today and I think I crocheted pretty good at around six but sewing we did not much later. They may love this! I hope this helps! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-36713400840789194462018-01-16T23:52:18.919-08:002018-01-16T23:52:18.919-08:00Thankyou Annabel for sharing photos of your gorgeo...Thankyou Annabel for sharing photos of your gorgeous pillowcases, so sweet also your other great ideas. <br />leighsabey, I love your ideas too. Just brilliant about the 2 yr old gift. Would you have any ideas for me? I have two beautiful granddaughters who I love to sew for, they are 9 and 7 yrs old. I really want to make them more gifts this year. Would you have any ideas please? They seem to have every present on the market. Thanks in advance, Lorraine 💕Lorraine Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02379640218491078465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-55984788343945660612018-01-16T22:16:43.460-08:002018-01-16T22:16:43.460-08:00Dear Vickie, This really is a big saving. Also do ...Dear Vickie, This really is a big saving. Also do you notice when we dont need it we see a perfect gift. When we do need it we can find nothing! So if I see the perfect thing at a good price I grab it and put it away! Shopping is always like this! Mostly these are small things and I add something I made to them. It works out usually! I did a little bit more sewing today! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43905774332929908392018-01-16T21:31:57.711-08:002018-01-16T21:31:57.711-08:00Dear Nancy, Years ago I found soft well worn and ...Dear Nancy, Years ago I found soft well worn and washed many times flannelette is so so soft and when someone is really ill with a sore nose this is far softer than tissues or hankies. So I started to save all old sheets etc and tear them up for the medical cupboard. I also make my dusters from then up soft cloth. I mentioned it here:<br />http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/the-vicky-challenge-plan-b.html<br />And here http://thebluebirdsarenesting.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/clean-and-fresh.html<br />I always just tore up large squares but then the family liked them so much they wouldnt treat them as disposable as I intended so now I hem them. There are not instructions except to hem them as you like and make them the size you like. I watch for flannel sheets in the op shop. Currently I have some old cot sheets in nursery rhyme prints so I am doing these for the little girls. I will keep on hand and deliver them when needed. I always wash them up so they are clean and fresh. Ive just been hemming some more today since its hot outside. I hope this helps. Garden Pat was making some and she did them double sided I think so sewed them up like you would make a pillow cover and the seams inside. I just do single layer but I make them later than a normal handkerchief. Its not until you are sick that you discover how much better these are than regular kleenex or hankies! So so soft and gentle! I hope this helps! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-43554520839442789752018-01-16T21:25:56.205-08:002018-01-16T21:25:56.205-08:00What gorgeous pillowcases Annabel. When I had sma...What gorgeous pillowcases Annabel. When I had small amounts of left over fabric left I would make a small pillowcase for DD7's dolls. This was special for her as they both had matching pillowcases.<br /><br />This year I have told DP that I am going to learn to sew properly be it going somewhere to learn or from tutorials on line. I am now going to have sometime to myself now that I am no longer working or being so hands on at school.<br /><br />On the weekend I was at Myers and purchased some Christmas cards at 90% off. These cards were marked down from $12.95 so I was amazed at this. I also got a few kitchen bargains for us as we threw a few things away when moving that we intended to replace in the near future but with 30 to 50% off we got them earlier than expected.<br /><br />Last week I was able to get 4 skorts for DD7 which were down from $16 to just $10 each so I was happy that I waited and they came on special at the right time.<br /><br />Things are still busy at the moment as I have enrolled DD7 into an intense swimming course which requires a drive to town each day for this week but then weekly thereafter. I still get a sleep in though which is great.<br /><br />School holidays are coming to an end here this week so we have been having lots of simple fun. Things like rebuilding lego that was broken and crafts. Crafts are always fun to do and Santa was very generous in supplying us with crafts.<br /><br />Hope you have an amazing week <br />Take Care<br />Aly xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-80597845582315991402018-01-16T20:22:59.365-08:002018-01-16T20:22:59.365-08:00Could someone please point me where to find instru...Could someone please point me where to find instructions for making cloth paper towels and flannel hankies? Thanks! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.com