tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2798452337448650162012-02-17T05:34:36.627+02:00What I am working on, photos and a slice of my life from this corner of the world.Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.comBlogger6141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-68880265092841020342011-05-27T13:35:00.000+03:002011-05-27T13:36:03.937+03:00

When I lived in a previous life. I bought this quilt - I bought 2 quilts, the 'better' one never made it to New York - mysteriously eaten by the USPS on it's way from Florida - this one had a lot of promise.Kind of funky and bright in a Gees Bend type of way - slightly pre-dating Gees Bend too.... I waited for this baby to arrive with great anticipation. Like many things in life it looked

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-25028984372630415112011-05-13T19:52:00.005+03:002011-05-13T20:23:32.670+03:00

Once again a big thank-you to Amy for organising the bloggers quilt festival.This piece is in the style of kantha - the Indian technique - whilst using other techniques - this type of heavy stitching is soothing to me - it eats fabric like small children eat chocolate - and has a fabulous tactile quality. It is unfinished - it could be stitched to death - but I am unsure about it's destination so

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-36479677184584242332011-04-09T15:32:00.000+03:002011-04-09T15:39:10.740+03:00

Bu siteye erişim mahkeme kararıyla engellenmiştir.Translation - A court decision blocked access to the site.I have so much to blog about - pictures ready - stuff to say..... Blogging is painful - I have to use a K-tunnel to access blogger - it will not allow me to upload pics..... grr....all because someone decided to stream live Turkish football over blogger.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-24111430973545818992010-10-28T23:30:00.001+03:002010-10-29T09:39:19.177+03:00

It's been 5 months since my last post, and we are back again at the Quilters Blog festival - organised by Amy. This is a fabric postcard (4 by 6 inches/ 10 by 15 cm) something I have worked on over the past few months in small doses. All hand stitched and part of a larger panel of 9 that I sliced up. I love doing hand work - it is forgiving and portable. With a long humid summer and 3 littles to

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-16091995040890229452010-10-28T23:17:00.007+03:002010-10-28T23:45:02.887+03:00

I usually use a base of good quality Egyptian cotton - that has a beautiful soft hand. It's cotton that is sold for sheeting - and has had a good hot wash.I coloured circles of mainly blue onto it directly - no pencil outlines as they tend not to fade. I used blue, turquiose and some purple. Using Caran D'Ache - Neocolors.I then spritzed it with plain water.And waited - and spritzed some more -

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89666338358573214772010-05-21T09:31:00.004+03:002010-05-21T09:47:33.797+03:00

Amy at Park City Girl is having her fabulous quilt festival again - I've decided to show these, they were a challenge I did last year with the FAT group. They are 'Sorrow, joy, love, surprise and fear' top to bottom, each is 5 inches square but still linked with a red thread....I made them as one piece and then gathered the courage to cut them... the original posts are here sorrow , joy, love,

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89519448936499362282010-04-30T10:40:00.001+03:002010-04-30T10:40:54.957+03:00

The pool that we use has this great Hamam, which we usually use, depending on who is in there - usually it's empty. The elderly ladies who we occasionally meet in there can be unpredictable when faced with several littles intent on a waterfight..... We keep the littles at the bottom end and get to sit and chat and do what you do in a hamam at the door end. This is a DIY hamam... no staff except

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-80492106549645276242010-04-28T07:26:00.002+03:002010-04-28T07:26:00.158+03:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-64154919037887848222010-04-27T22:02:00.000+03:002010-04-27T22:33:39.173+03:00

How did that happen - my 2nd blogoversary got forgotten - the ticker no longer works, or is beyond my skills to fix..... so here is cake!This is the most fabulous cake I have eaten for such a long time..... I have the recipe, in Turkish, which I will, translate, convert to metric and then try - it seems way too easy on first reading for such a great cake, it's creme caramel on a chocolate sponge,

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-73782079221905362462010-04-26T10:48:00.003+03:002010-04-26T11:01:48.462+03:00

I keep falling off the blogging waggon. Every time there is a school holiday it seems to take 2 weeks to get things straight. Not everything in our life is straight.... but you do the best you can. After the excitement for the Halloween party in October, Lisajo said she was going to bless us with some Halloween goodies that were on sale... The came at a fantastic time, smack in the middle of

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-73394432656142021942010-04-14T09:18:00.002+03:002010-04-14T09:20:56.929+03:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-26811371859250100272010-04-04T23:18:00.000+03:002010-04-04T23:18:00.029+03:00

We went down to one of the chocolate makers on Saturday and the littles got to choose either an egg or a chicken - all the rabbits had gone. There really wasn't bloom on the chocolate, they just got seriously shaken on the way home. Interestingly, rather being sold by the item they were sold by weight.... half a kilo of chocolate divided by 3 littles..... boy child chose the black chocolate...

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-50877250093751848422010-04-03T21:59:00.002+03:002010-04-04T22:17:47.997+03:00

Easter is not celebrated here, but in the bakeries there is a special Easter bread called Paskalya - a kind of Brioche with finely ground walnuts on the top. There are lots of variations - we had a delicious one on Friday. One of our Turkish friends dropped one in from a 'famous' bakery. It was delicious and eaten way before I got the camera out so you'll have to have the link...... This is

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-39170057599472143442010-03-31T07:25:00.001+03:002010-03-31T07:25:00.135+03:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-85978534097834391652010-03-30T23:32:00.000+03:002010-03-30T23:58:20.978+03:00

It turned beautiful this afternoon, very warm and sunny - after icy rain yesterday... No3 couldn't resist taking her shoes off, and splashing. This all in the current favourite fairy dress. The blossom is from the peach tree which is now creating our own natural confetti. Beautiful!

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-34820849522158775642010-03-28T11:59:00.000+03:002010-03-29T01:07:36.984+03:00

It's full swing birthday party season here, fortunately everyone is well now as we had a double party today - a semi-inseparable pair of the twin's friends. The cake was another Pelit one, slightly over sized as you can see from the little hands picking at the icing, but it was very well done, and delicious. All the littles had their faces painted and an interesting Russian/Turkish buffet for the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-5846743181638625662010-03-25T22:54:00.003+02:002010-03-25T23:11:07.480+02:00

Poor No3 couldn't fight the nasty D+V bug that is doing the rounds, we ended up in the paediatric emergency ward for help..... so sad to see that 'huge' cannula on a tiny hand..... she's not back to her self but is much improved, and has generously shared the bug with the rest of the family - generous wee soul she is.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-39890278588811046472010-03-24T06:44:00.003+02:002010-03-24T06:44:00.555+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-1584013736461209682010-03-22T22:39:00.002+02:002010-03-22T22:53:40.758+02:00

Yahhay it's spring - the peach blossom is out, I took these a day back, but the tree is laden with blossom and humming bugs.... t2 made a special survey which involved dangerous boy's activities - trying to convince him he IS NOT spider man in any incarnation is difficult, but he did get it in the end. We got new sand for the sandbox, some garden toys out of the basement... and had a conversation

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-29420462507859252442010-03-21T22:45:00.003+02:002010-03-21T22:47:44.239+02:00

One of my friends was having a clear out - beads, sequins, charms and lots of paints - perfect for the up coming summer holidays (hush!) and some dressing up clothes.... 3 boxes of loot.... now to find a place for all of it! a little bit like Christmas.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-41978390856456804482010-03-20T23:57:00.001+02:002010-03-21T00:26:22.331+02:00

A week ago I painted T2's bedroom, he'd made several 'attempts' at changing the brownish-pink paint, with nail varnish, marker pen, felt tip and crayon..... it was yukky looking. I gave in. We went to the hardware store and this is the colour he chose, no conspiracy with Sadik Bey (I had imagined trying to persuade him out of fluorescent yellow!) He was thrilled with the roller Sadik gave him and

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-6854956554975642632010-03-19T23:44:00.001+02:002010-03-19T23:44:00.282+02:00

The last steps were to stitch the pieces together, add words and embellish the points. It is held together by wrapping yarn around it. Very cute. Thank-you Leilani! Just the right size for No3's head... Aren't her chubby fingers the cutest?

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-4222431358901125852010-03-18T23:54:00.000+02:002010-03-19T08:03:57.945+02:00

It dried good! - I sandwiched and using FME stitched the top to the base, no wadding, then waited for day 2's instructions... they were,'take your SCISSORS.... and cut out little jagged triangle notches into the top edge of your piece! about 1/2" or so.. THEN..... fold your strip in half and cut down this fold - then fold those two pieces and cut down those folds... so you will end up with FOUR

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-26008440453559574522010-03-17T08:00:00.000+02:002010-03-17T08:10:30.126+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-30359899092922060832010-03-16T22:30:00.004+02:002010-03-19T08:05:04.956+02:00

The FAT group I belong to had just issued a new 3 day challenge, you don't know the end result - for 3 days we get 'instructions'. This one called for 'find a sturdy-type of fabric, thick muslin or lighter canvas-cloth and cut out a 15" x 4" strip. alter it - by either coloring it or stamping all over it...drawing it, fabric-painting it...etc.Fuse it to another length of 15" x 4" strip (

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-51728712850505902812010-03-15T22:49:00.003+02:002010-03-15T22:55:10.743+02:00

A birthday party for N03 today, cake, crisps and sandwiches. Perfect for Monday lunch! The chap is 3 and the oldest in our 'baby group' the youngest will be 2 next week! he's also the only chap! not that he realises yet.... cake was good and similar to this one.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-90189561363697787622010-03-14T19:41:00.003+02:002010-03-14T19:56:45.189+02:00

*photo to come!*When we were driving early on Saturday morning I spotted the second chimney of storks this season, circling and moving on to Europe for the summer - unfortunately I couldn't stop to take a picture... it will come when they next come! The way they fly is stunning, it's great to be on the migration path for these beauties! it also means that the blossom isn't just a tease and spring

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-39148304740548341052010-03-13T19:45:00.000+02:002010-03-14T19:56:13.625+02:00

We went to the Goodbye to Winter, Hello to Spring 'performance' at one of the cultural centers. Being Russian, even the smallest little person was encouraged to get on stage with a microphone and perform.... it was interesting to say the least, those who can't speak Russian can follow - even the slightly over the top 'clown' and the seriously over the top Winter and Summer ladies - who were the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-13338160198761360012010-03-11T23:55:00.004+02:002010-03-12T00:05:50.863+02:00

I don't think I am one of those folks who waxes on about how much better things are 'back in xxxx' - insert a country of your choice. But.... there is always a but.... I haven't figured out why I can't get good sardines in Turkey, perhaps it's time for a 'State of the Sardines survey', - or is that plain silly? This week, by chance, I got my hands on a FREE can of sardines thanks to the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-82830996493610836512010-03-10T07:00:00.000+02:002010-03-10T07:00:03.076+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-71367471177384088432010-03-09T23:22:00.002+02:002010-03-09T23:29:26.725+02:00

I've been working on another skirt, this one white.... like the pink one.... but a little longer - I gathered together some of the pink 'offcuts' and made a hair thingie, only problem is finding a suitable - and small - clip for the back, it's just 3 inches across so I need the little people size.... more hunting....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-47873529102043239912010-03-08T23:35:00.003+02:002010-03-08T23:38:54.990+02:00

Another Oya edged scarf from my 'collection' this oya is said to be 'antique' though I have no way of checking.... it's neatly made, the colours are less harsh than 'new stuff' - the scarf however is odd, I can't figure if it's an odd quality of polyester or old.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-73193649103232419752010-03-07T23:24:00.003+02:002010-03-07T23:39:16.774+02:00

Above is the side view of the building below - this has a arch through which cars drive - it's one of the entries to Boğaziçi Üniversitesi. These again are taken on the same stretch of road as T2's from the open car window....I am not sure who that is contemplating the view of the Bosphourous - but that seagull looks ominous.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-63552475619658899812010-03-06T23:19:00.003+02:002010-03-06T23:28:39.623+02:00

This guy lays strings of balloons on the water, tied together with string, then with a pellet gun you shoot them..... All taken last weekend by T2 from the open car window in the Bebek area - we were moving very slowly in heavy traffic. T1's side of the road tomorrow!

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-16439428837402957832010-03-05T23:52:00.001+02:002010-03-06T00:16:41.511+02:00

Sadly my mom had to put Blue to sleep earlier today. He was nearly 16 years old - good for a cat..... but his time had come.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89430366800127583942010-03-03T13:18:00.003+02:002010-03-04T23:15:42.845+02:00

No 3 and I went to one of the beaches yesterday morning, nice day - just long sleeve t-shirts on, there was a lot of debris, lots of fabric swatches in the seaweed, some yukky medical garbage, and some prayer beads, these are Islamic ones (33 beads) and plastic. I wonder if it's good Kama to bring them home? I left the swatches, the had something yukky and mysterious happen to

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-37311210750136519862010-03-03T00:59:00.000+02:002010-03-03T00:59:00.214+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-31771459147978900632010-03-02T22:14:00.003+02:002010-03-02T22:24:51.640+02:00

For the last week I've been watching various blossoms burst open. Excited I was! Sadly today spring seems to have vanished and winter returned.... blah! The peach tree has fat buds and the Chinese Quince beautiful waxy red flowers, pity the crummy, dreich weather today kept me inside.... tomorrow I hope.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-25501615134415041822010-03-01T21:37:00.001+02:002010-03-01T21:37:00.451+02:00

The 3rd and final card arrived on Saturday - I need to check out the corresponding techniques to the lottery numbers 4, 6. 21. 26, 42 From DAanna

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-64484402357133270382010-02-28T21:48:00.002+02:002010-02-28T21:57:34.389+02:00

We went to Miss E's party today - she's one of T1's class mates for Turkish, and in the same English speakers group as T1 and T2. She loaned her grandmothers large house overlooking the Bosphorus and had a magician. T1 can not stop telling everyone about the magic.... I enjoyed having valet parking at a birthday party.... T2 produced this card for her - Alex the Lion from Madagascar and Buck from

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-23752236459389894862010-02-27T23:59:00.000+02:002010-02-28T21:24:18.138+02:00

This lamp isn't for sale but display only at Boyner in Istinye Park - very neat - clear light bulbs and the bottom of the bottles sawn off.... very clever and hard to discreetly photograph.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-90020963893488009462010-02-26T23:34:00.004+02:002010-02-26T23:48:54.307+02:00

This part of the street sold wooden things, mainly the long flat paddles for putting Pide into the oven... sieves and all sorts of wooden spoons. It progressed to woven rattan, then finally - Scythes... I often see chaps walking with scythes, grim reaper fashion in the area we live in. I guess they are easier to use than petrol strimmers on hillsides. Curiously they all had stickers saying 'Made

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-7963063982461306432010-02-25T23:37:00.004+02:002010-02-25T23:52:48.237+02:00

I went to Eminönü with one of my girlfriends, this is the area behind the Spice Bazaar. She had been talking about a bead and hair accessory 'han' for a while - these are buildings. Here, often streets are dedicated to one particular 'thing' so hundreds of shops selling very similar stuff in a small area. Retailers from all over Turkey will come and do their shopping here - most sell to the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-32137703471653715592010-02-24T08:03:00.000+02:002010-02-24T08:04:47.572+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-81510588736745747052010-02-23T22:41:00.000+02:002010-02-23T22:43:25.949+02:00

This second card came from Lyn, it has 'Start with a base that has shapes on', 'Add a skinny line', 'Add a fat line', 'Piece something' and 'Add curvy lines'

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-39588758044846909722010-02-22T23:19:00.002+02:002010-02-22T23:43:08.182+02:00

With 3 littles we go to a lot of birthday parties, this one a Russian/Turkish one - some great home made Russian and Turkish food, and Turkish 'entertainment' for the big people a very good Napoleon cake (this is a bizarre speciality I am developing - and enjoying the process too! - this one had the right balance of vanilla cream and pastry - not too sweet and not too dry!) For the little people,

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-73131494902731913102010-02-21T19:20:00.004+02:002010-02-21T19:27:18.553+02:00

This card came from Charmion - her techniques were Ethnic Element; Gathered Fabric; Heavy thread; Button; Attachment.The paper 'attachment is a Noshi - something I have seen but never knew the name of.... she kindly included some eyelash yarn an ATC and a piece of hand dyed fabric.... nice....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-783974642042572372010-02-20T23:56:00.004+02:002010-02-22T23:09:00.528+02:00

The FAT group I belong to had a Art Lottery Challenge, you handed in 5 numbers then got back 5 techniques that you were to use on a postcard. You could make 3 cards, either with the same numbers or different numbers. It was an interesting concept that I enjoyed..... Piece the background fabric, Add a new shape, Add a printed word, Add a doodle then colour it in, Add something organic. So, I

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-8828757280009507902010-02-19T22:54:00.000+02:002010-02-19T22:55:51.692+02:00

I have long wondered the best way to 'display' my oya 'collection' one museum has window picture frames with a standard length displayed. This was a seller in Ortakoy - very neat idea.... it may get stolen....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-83314580959231633822010-02-18T23:49:00.003+02:002010-02-18T23:53:09.954+02:00

These floating hearts are the 'decoration' in Astoria AVM, made from feather boas, or something very similar, they are very cool..... sadly the 'crisis' has had a toll on this mall, it is a smaller one, with some different shops - and - lots of closures...I am still wrestling with the pink tulle..... it's been unpicked again - too fluffy - still. Lets hope it works this time....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-63018192266863140572010-02-17T06:00:00.000+02:002010-02-17T06:00:00.545+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-13802544670269202502010-02-16T22:36:00.002+02:002010-02-16T22:45:31.612+02:00

OK a slight exaggeration, but it feels like it, the first attempt at the skirt failed miserably, the thing just was so ruffled it would have been unwearable.... I'm having worries about this one now being the same, even though it's 'half' as ruffled.... thank goodness I have the ruffler foot that is now making 'give me a break for 10 minutes' kind of noises - maybe it needs oiling?.... and that

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89682299988043263442010-02-15T23:47:00.005+02:002010-02-15T23:52:33.452+02:00

From T2, I love to cook with my Mommy.T1's Valentine is curious - I like giving Santa my presents... They were found after a long hunt - under a laundry basket! I didn't notice at first, but they both have magnets on the back and so are stuck to my lamp.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-37086148684302985372010-02-14T23:55:00.000+02:002010-02-15T00:26:32.953+02:00

These were in the same cafe as the Nargile.... neat eh?My boy sent me a Valentine - only someone has hidden it.... will have a big hunt tomorrow....it's cute.... but then again he is cute.. 5.5 years old with 2 missing teeth...

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-25301321862712054572010-02-13T22:47:00.006+02:002010-02-13T22:59:45.064+02:00

A couple of night back my girlfriend called and caught me in bed at 10pm.... early for me..... and asked if I was sick, 'no, I'm in bed with Orhan......' She was slightly shocked, then asked 'Orhan who?' I explained Orhan Paumk, well his book....It's taken me a good couple of weeks to plough through the door-stop tomb - 530+ pages..... but it was well worth it. At last Mr P has written a fabulous

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-80193267694107787382010-02-12T23:56:00.000+02:002010-02-13T00:21:53.242+02:00

No 3 loved these grips, a simple soldered cluster of crystals on a old fashioned hair grip.... super cute.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-45369907120219711332010-02-11T22:27:00.002+02:002010-02-15T23:56:03.709+02:00

The weather is turning warmer, so No 3 and I went to the Wednesday market... always interesting, I love the brightness of the scarves on this stall... a great contrast to the grey day.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-75844843973028973402010-02-10T08:06:00.001+02:002010-02-10T08:07:53.650+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-55042563662519999472010-02-09T12:55:00.004+02:002010-02-09T17:13:49.886+02:00

It looks like it will be a nice skirt, though less than half done, it's taken 3 times the amount of time, and 4 times the amount of fabric.... thank goodness I got a ruffler foot for my Nina a long time ago - worth it's weight in gold.... almost! lets hope the skirt looks great - or else lots of frog stitching... and of course, a second one to make!

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-70364736202121283282010-02-08T23:42:00.001+02:002010-02-09T12:55:04.196+02:00

To try and head off dressing up wars, I had a trip to my favourite supplier of all things fluffy and frivolous for net.... these are for garments, the swirls are cream net, delicious and soft, the 'rock' fabric is hand beaded, and layers of 'transfer printed' net, but again, surpisingly not at all stiff. 10 meters of super soft, pink net has been porcured for a new fluffy skirt... or two

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-61454924658887578112010-02-07T12:45:00.000+02:002010-02-07T21:00:02.822+02:00

After swimming T2's very wobbly tooth came out.... later that evening the 2nd (slightly less wobbly) tooth was aided along a little. Knowing the stories of the tooth fairy fishing under pillows for teeth I whipped up this little pouch..... we've set 'rules' for the generous fairy.... Since Turkish kids don't have the said winged creature, we're running this in Great British Pounds.... First tooth

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-65601968280738158162010-02-06T23:30:00.005+02:002010-02-06T23:44:25.134+02:00

I love this pool, whilst it isn't the closest one to us, it's just a couple of years old and lovely - I am hoping that not too many more people find it. It was nearly the last day of the holiday..... so.... we went swimming, 2 moms, 1 dad, 4 littles. Then someone else got into the pool - the other mom said..... 'it's busy in here'.... yep it was, there are normally 3 people in there.... at the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-75339483125541998982010-02-03T06:28:00.001+02:002010-02-03T06:28:00.259+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-53516325546479878872010-02-02T12:17:00.002+02:002010-02-02T23:28:05.145+02:00

My mom visted over Christmas, and as is our 'tradition' we went ot Ortakoy, we saw some 'interesting' sights - more to come.... these nargile were inside the cafe....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-22312510998182664142010-01-31T18:36:00.009+02:002010-01-31T18:55:23.627+02:00

At the behest of my Dearest Antipodean friend who lives in my most favouritest city, I have decided to get my self back into the blogging mood, that is if blogger lets me..... I will promise to keep up the Wordless Wednesday.... maybe add some more photos that T1 takes, she's got an interesting eye, lots of pictures of her feet mind you...... what else comes along I don't know..... we'll see.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-57966869124935884802009-11-22T21:50:00.001+02:002009-11-23T17:39:25.308+02:00

First I cut a piece of card, with an opening, wide enough for the presser foot...then I cut a second identically sized piece of card, holding the cards together I wound the cord onto the two, until it reached the desired size.I gingerly slid the uncut piece of card out and laid the card with the window onto the base fabric. I sewed through the window - just a simple straight stitch, up and down a

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-59820816231576244552009-11-21T23:59:00.000+02:002009-11-22T00:45:11.027+02:00

We were at a birthday party this afternoon - the cake was a cute mix of home made (all the cookies) and cake shop (the base) delicious, and fun! Instead of the usual home setting and party games, this was afternoon tea and horse-riding. My kids were quite specific about the horses they wanted to ride, fortunately they were lucky - the place was really busy - T2 accepted his substitute horse, T1

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-5793444424862015822009-11-20T23:37:00.000+02:002009-11-21T00:12:18.560+02:00

These were T1's cards, 3 to her English teachers, and one to her home room teacher, all made a similar way - a petal and then another flower cut to make the skirt - very clever..... lots of writing - She is into letters at the moment big time.....Miss M - another English teacher - 'Happy teachers' day, my special dostum! I like you because you have long, long, long, long hair'Miss Happy - the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-10399958865534477712009-11-19T23:54:00.001+02:002009-11-20T00:37:07.922+02:00

As Ataturk said 'New generation will be created by teachers'. Since next week is bayram, then our school has brought the day forward to tomorrow. Cookies were suggested, being short of cookie making time this evening we opted for chocolates, and home made cards. I asked the littles what they liked best about their teachers, and which teachers they liked best, they had no choice with their

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-68307701167533254792009-11-19T21:53:00.001+02:002009-11-19T21:53:00.411+02:00

I cut a circle out of card, then with a compass drew a line about ¼ if an inch from the edge. I set my machine to a zig-zag, then attached the ribbon, making pleats as I went. I have miles of this Genuine Hungarian ribbon (not sure why though!)I lined up the 2nd row of ribbon with the stripes of the first, but there is no reason you couldn't line another row up with a drawn circle. I attached the

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-46181964395239336782009-11-18T12:12:00.000+02:002009-11-18T12:13:04.397+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-87051658123930515682009-11-17T23:46:00.003+02:002009-11-18T12:17:27.690+02:00

These lovelies are on the edge of a new development. The basıc structure ıs poured concrete and very different from the recent pictures. Thıs substation also hums - not sure what that means. There are a few others painted ın this style. Their location makes it hard to stop - but I will!

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-38890819958825240712009-11-16T23:17:00.000+02:002009-11-16T23:20:18.203+02:00

'take your fabulously embellished piece and trim off the excess backing fabric, for those who haven't done this already. now - fuse or glue a final back fabric - to cover up all those embellished threads... then stitch all the way around your piece, to bind it.you will now "sculpt" your piece into a vessel of some sort - a fiber art vase. ;) think out of the BOX!! be creative! roll, wrap over,

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-15501665699026692752009-11-15T21:16:00.003+02:002009-11-15T21:16:00.329+02:00

So today's mission.....EMBELLISH YOUR PIECE! use hand-stitching, beads, etc... ;)Due to a total lack of time, the piece just got a few beads.... no stitching, sadly. I may come back and add to it once the challenge is over...

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-69898484818452432552009-11-14T21:08:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:25:32.867+02:00

Today's step was'Take a pair of scissors and carefully CUT UP YOUR PIECE! ;) yes, you read it right. cut it up. you must cut into it AT LEAST 5 times! ;) you can cut strips, circles, puzzle shapes... whatever you want to do... but keep in mind that you are going to be sewing it back together into a NEW shape!...'So I started with about 5 cuts, then a few more, but wasn't happy because it wouldn't

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-62499511588873206782009-11-13T15:44:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:25:32.867+02:00

Day Two:.... layer your cloth onto a piece of batting, felt, or similar and machine stitch all over with contrasting or complimentary threads. (optional - layer some organza on top first, then machine stitch all over 3 layers with rayon thread... then using your burning tool, melt away the spaces of organza between the stitches.) I put some net over, since I didn't have a suitably coloured

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-62045890379153557002009-11-12T21:52:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:25:32.868+02:00

I take part in some of the FAT stuff, I like the group there is a real cross over between crafters and artists, it's a good environment for me. Leilani set the 5X challenge a while ago, I enjoyed the way it made me think and the kick up the backside to get making stuff..... this is her latest challenge. I have lifted this from her mail to the group.... it started Monday the 9th in real time.... I

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-66027718156534996862009-11-11T15:29:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:40:08.966+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-64623357236450304172009-11-10T09:05:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.718+02:00

It's 71 years since the death of Atatürk - the normal remembrances were observed. The photos of that time are SO neat...

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-3783312729707854892009-11-09T17:45:00.001+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.218+02:00

This one is in Sariyer, on the watefront. I am now recognising a distinct Sariyer style. There is perspex over the 'windows' of this one - neat?

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-4089629115694528312009-11-08T23:34:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.218+02:00

I had a lovely late lunch with one of my girlfriends today, sitting out by the Bosporus, at Aşşk Kahve - 'Love Cafe'. The cafe and neighbouring buildings have these Dali-esque eggs on top and a quirky style. Tucked away behind a supermarket this is a bit of a surprising place. Super cute and beautiful patrons, quirky waiting staff to say the least! .... I would have loved a snap of the girl's

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-840199166895114912009-11-07T07:44:00.001+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.219+02:00

I saw this berry on a bush. It so reminded me of the pictuers on a poster for the H1N1 Virus. Now I realise that it is just a nice medical type picture and the virus looks quite different....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-55906735236921277532009-11-06T21:30:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.219+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-17968171973408328932009-11-05T21:16:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.220+02:00

We are lucky to have this close by, it's a huge expanse of planted and tended gardens, focusing on trees rather than municipal planting. In the summer it can be quite busy, but is perfect for a session of leaf catching, duck feeding or both. The autumn weather has ranged from 6 to 26 degrees, with ice laden rain to glorious sunshine which would pass for a summer day. I am not complaining, but

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-68269138844214980122009-11-04T07:43:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:40:08.966+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89978142406574024862009-11-03T21:00:00.001+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.720+02:00

In our quest last week for Halloween costumes T2 went through a phase of wanting to be Count Dracula. We had the cape (from his Zorro phase, dress shirt and trousers) Not possessing a suitable sash I made one, I made the fringe then added the large silvery button. I had fun making the rosettes. T2 came to check my handy work and pronounced he would not be going as the afore mentioned Count.....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-63361238991225356972009-11-02T21:59:00.003+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.720+02:00

T1 designed this dress when we had her friend over, it is so simple, 3 layers of heavily gathered net, 1 layer of shimmery thicker fabric, all on the gross grain ribbon. Tied with a bow. The flower was made from trimmings, the shoulder straps are a elasticated velvet. Easy...... I picked up the veil at the market.Getting her to have the vampire bite on the neck was impossible. She wanted to be

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-23824858111048856632009-11-01T21:45:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.721+02:00

It's going to be a slow week.... this is my hair from the Halloween party..... and a peek of the 'lovely' dress. We had planned to go en-mass with snake related costumes, which fell apart slightly in the last couple of days. More of that to come. I was the lone Mesusa, 15 little snakes woven into my hair, slightly over the top make-up and this fabulous full length dress - loaned from a dear

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-45740241773288680092009-10-30T21:41:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.721+02:00

These are the mini-pumpkin pies, they were good, made with rough-puff pastry as a base, they went quickly. The 2 large pies, well they got eaten before I remembered to photograph them. Yum...... The little cakes were made by the hostess for our Friday gathering. They were good too....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-12830875414625573232009-10-30T00:12:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.721+02:00

Turkish pumpkins have green skins, I recently got asked if we have orange or green skin pumpkins in England. Orange - usually. It's all the same inside. Turks candy pumpkin. I make soup, or risotto and for the first time in many, many moons, pumpkin pie. The littles asked for it (they must have heard about it from a book)So, since today was (another) school holiday, we made pumpkin pie. I used

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-32300954486488316992009-10-29T22:32:00.003+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.722+02:00

Today is Cumhuriyet Bayramı - a national holiday, the celebration of the forming of modern Turkey. T1 and T2 went to Atatürk's summer house a couple of weeks ago. We had a long discussion about what today means, and they insisted that Atatürk brings candy to all the children today. I guess they have mixed it up with Şeker Bayramı (the candy giving at the end of Ramadan) and perhaps the impending

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-15134826695283002852009-10-28T08:27:00.002+02:002009-11-14T21:40:08.966+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-89304535009672359562009-10-27T23:42:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:24:20.722+02:00

I got this piece a while ago, I realise it's not really 'oya' but was sold as such.... it's a kind of looped crotchetting/tatting using thick clear monfilament as a base. Very interesting, stiff, and unlike many of the scarves I own it's a long 'shawl' that is decorated at both ends.

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-38954950617141746292009-10-26T00:29:00.000+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.220+02:00

I've been trying to catch my local quilter when he was open and when there was a parking slot, for a while - like 4 years.... I finally managed it. Aydogan is from the black sea area, but has been making quilts for 45 years, he had a shop in the covered bazaar but moved out of there. Turkish quilts are whole cloth, quite thick, backed with cotton, filled with either wool or cotton. The top layer

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-22529373473217782062009-10-25T22:21:00.003+02:002009-11-14T21:37:13.221+02:00

I was in Boyner and they have an array of nice soft furnishings for the new season. I like buyers taste usually..... I was drawn to the circle embroidered cushions.... the lower picture is a little blurred, but it was a felt like material that had the circles 'dripped' in a thick glittery paint. Interesting....

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-82755666021759178592009-10-24T23:16:00.004+03:002009-11-14T21:37:13.221+02:00

This 'scarf' was a construction to be amazed at, it had probably 4lb of sequins and charms, no real structure apart from the sequin threads and at 10YTL I wonder who made any profit.I am the kind of gal who saves my favourite chocolate till the end - when I found this 'garment' I was slightly shocked in a bemused type of way, I wasn't expecting to find it - or the other colourways - lime green,

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-76274248348800955372009-10-23T21:09:00.004+03:002009-11-14T21:37:13.221+02:00

Lots of quilts, I didn't check out the tags, but reasonably quality.... of course I can make one myself so walked on by......

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-21180505017221921872009-10-22T22:40:00.004+03:002009-11-14T21:37:13.222+02:00

Now I know where to go, should I break my teapot's handle.... This stall is on Yeşilköy Market. I have known about this market for a very long time, but in the 4.5 years I've lived here I had never made the trip there, until yesterday. Amazing. It was jam packed full of women, Turkish women shop in packs. Thank goodness for mobile phones and small 'cafes' strategically placed to re-group and eat

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-49880364279120536002009-10-21T00:11:00.001+03:002009-11-14T21:40:08.967+02:00

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-279845233744865016.post-19980295796691722362009-10-20T22:01:00.003+03:002009-11-14T21:24:20.725+02:00

I've coveted amigurumi for so long, have tried to wangle a piece but to no avail. I happened upon this 'mushroom' hair clip by the Dutch kidswear producers Oilily - super cool. I can admire this from a distance, this is something for sure I never want to figure out how to make, like I need something new to do??

Dawn Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699029612579047528noreply@blogger.com0