It's An Obsession

My bias tape obsession is ever growing and now I am using it on bags. I made this on Monday (the last thing on my old machine). I used my favourite op shop fabric (see this blog for the apron I made) for the outside and I can definitely see more of these being made. It sits perfectly on my shoulder and is just the right size.

As I mentioned in a previous post I've become a bit obsessed with this fabric but I am loving this bag. I think the lining is a Michael Miller (maybe from Helen or Adds?) and then I made bias tape for around the top and the handles.

To further enhance my bias tape obsession I think I need to get one that makes wider tape as I would have loved to be able to put some plastic tubing in the handles to make them sturdier (this is still an option as I can unpick the bias tape).

It's time to say goodbye. We've had a wonderful 2 years together, you've worked hard, sewn many, many items, introduced me to a whole new world but I need more. You were basic and simple, 11 stitches just what I needed when I ventured into the world of sewing.


Unfortunately your time has come to find a new home and start a new adventure and it's time for me to start a new relationship with a brand spanking new machine.

We've only tickled at the edges so far but I hope you can live up to my expectations and we can develop a great relationship that stands the test of time.

New Wallet

I recently got some fabric at the op shop, that I forgot to take a picture of but that I was absolutely in love with. There was about 2.5 metres of it so I have used it to make 2 aprons, a bag for Fi and I've saved enough for a bag for myself.

I also sent some to Hollie in the hope that she might be able to make me a wallet from it. The fabric was from a curtain (I think) because it had that vinyl type backing, so Hollie wasn't sure how it would go but today I came home to a wonderful package from her.

Here is the front of the wallet and also one of her wonderful brooches which she so graciously included in my package.
The back of the wallet

The inside

Thank you so much Hollie and I can't say it enough if anyone needs a wallet get yourself over to Hollie's etsy store right now.

The winners are.....

The names have been cut

folded

and drawn by my lovely helpers

and the lucky recipients are (in no particular order):
Jesska - Home Sewing
Beetlehouse Designs - Handbags
Bigcat - Complete Needlecraft
Sue - Soft Toys & Dolls
Cathy - Woman's Day Handicrafts
Lolliegirl - Enid Gilchrist Pinnies/Golden Hands (I wasn't sure if you wanted all in this group so I took the wallet one out and I have another mag to replace it with)
Bec - Making Wallets
Little Munchkins - Burda Baby

Please email with your address so I can post these out.

Thanks everyone for participating.

This is..........

my favourite fabric shop. Another had one this week. I think one of my favourite fabric shops would have to be the Op Shop, although the finds are getting scarce there these days. My next favourite would be The Remnant Warehouse, I love the old fashion, helpful service you get there and they don't mind crazy shoppers getting their photo taken there either.

My favourite on-line places would be: Aunty Cookie, Kristen Doran, lots of Etsy shops, Retromummy, Pink Chalk Studio and many more.

Thanks to Handmaiden for this week's theme and pop over to Three Buttons to see where everyone else shops.

Don't forget to comment on my last post for a chance to win a vintage craft book

Giveaway

OK girls (and guys if there are any out there) my clean out is your gain. I've culled some craft books and I am going to give them away. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post before Sunday night listing your 3 favourites in order and I will draw names out of the hat on Monday.

First out will get their first choice and so on. So you may be the 3rd or 4th out and still get your first choice. Hope that all makes sense. Sorry about the photos, I was late home but wanted to get this going.

Soft toys and dolls with a project I am sure will interest many of you

Woman's Day Handicraft

Complete book of needlecraft (something for everyone in here)

Making handbags


Making wallets, Golden Hands Monthly & Enid Gilchrist Pinnies

Burda baby & Top Kids

This one is not vintage but I haven't used it so someone might like it, if not off to Vinnies

This give away is open to Australian residents only as some of these are quite heavy and I am going to cheat and send them from work

This is..........

my favourite book.

This was a hard one. I just couldn't choose between

A Letter to Amy -
I won this book for creative writing so it has a special place in my heart


and Poems to Read to Young Australians.
I loved the poems in this book

I am enjoying reading both of these to my girls now. Thanks to Threebuttons and Potty Mouth Mama for this week's theme.

Stay tuned for a big give away tomorrow

Stitches and Craft Show.........again

Charlotte and I went back to the Stitches and Craft show again today and we were lucky enough to meet some more fabulous bloggers. First up was Fiona from Dear Fii fame and I must say she was as lovely in real life as she is on her blog. Charlotte was very lucky and received a wonderful softie from her and then while I was over chatting to the wonderful Justine from 62 Cherry and of course Mixtape fame, Fi helped Charlotte make her own button bracelet.

Here are the girls with the lovely softie from Fi

Luckily Fi is bringing out a pattern this year so I can make one for Lucy

Charlotte's bracelet perfectly matched her outfit

While Fi and Charlotte finished the bracelet I popped over to Nicole Mallalieu to get a purse frame kit. It wasn't until later I saw it had a 3 flower rating so I hope I can master it.

I was surveyed on the way out and gave the Living Creatively area a big plug telling them it was the best thing about the show. I think we might even have to make a trip to Melbourne next year.

Summer Loving

I can feel it in the air today summer is coming, ok well spring at least. After a few bad weather days we ventured outside today to blow some bubbles, splash in water and eat some juicy strawberries. I bought this pattern from Etsy the other day (although I got it in the 6 months - 4 years size). I made it up in some spare fabric I had floating around so I could check the sizes. It was super easy to make and I can see the girls wearing this style throughout summer as it can be made in good fabric for going out and in other fabric for playing around the house or popping on over their swimmers. I left the elastic out of the arms because my girls don't seem to like that. Charlotte's is a little short because I ran out of fabric but I was really just wanting to check the size because I had to enlarge the pattern for her. Both of these are made from vintage sheets I had lying around. I've got some lovely fabrics calling out to be made into these dresses.


Bring on Summer

P.S. I'll be back later for This is... I'm finally getting back into it but picking my favourite childhood book is going to be hard!

Stitches and Craft Show

I had a lovely day yesterday with Ingrid at the Stitches and Craft Show. In amongst the many scrapbooking stalls we managed to find some fabric.

We also spent quite a bit of time in the Living Creatively area meeting some great bloggers and of course making some purchases. I fell in love with Kristen's bird fabric as soon as she talked about it so I knew I had to get some.

I didn't manage to get the one thing I wanted a bias tape maker but after dropping Ingrid home I popped into Lincraft and got an el cheapo version and spent last night making bias tape.

Also in the mail yesterday was my VIP package from Amitie.

Kids Swap

To Apryl, thank you for the parcel. It had a lot of things that I like. Thank you for the parcel. I'm the luckiest girl in the world - Charlotte. (All done by Charlotte, typing included, it took a little while)

As Charlotte has said she received a wonderful parcel today as part of this kid swap. Our swap partner was the lovely Apyrl from Meridian Ariel. We got home from school today and Charlotte nearly burst at the seams when she saw she had mail. This is what was inside the package (excuse thee hastily taken photos, I had to snap them before she scooped everything up and ran into her bedroom)

These 2 gorgeous tank tops with drawings on them

Two vintage books which Charlotte is going to read tonight. I have told her they go on the special book shelf out of Lucy's reach.

A letter writing set

A moleskin with illustrated front and back cover

These great altered vintage book pages that we are going to frame

Some great peg dolls with painted features, 2 bracelets and also some strawberry and white chocolate buttons (which the kids have just had some of for dessert - yum)

Apryl was also kind enough to include something for me. This wonderful bracelet which fits perfectly. Thanks again both to Apryl and Chole for organising this swap.

Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek at some gifts on their way tonight to these two ladies

Don't worry Tanya yours is coming I just need to get one of these gadgets to finish it off.

Tree of Happiness

I have been tagged by Ingrid for the Tree of Happiness Award. So now I get to share six things that make me happy and then tag six more people for the award who will do the same.

So here goes

1. Hugs and kisses from my girls. I've got one who gives them all the time and one who is a bit more selective.
2. All the new friends I have made since I started sewing 2 years ago. The support and friendship from people across the country and even around the world is incredible.
3. Books, books and more books. I love reading and I have to read every night before I go to sleep no matter how tired I am. Even if I've had a big night I still have to read (although this doesn't happen very often any more)
4. Making things for people. I love gift giving.
5. I love desserts and sweet things. I even check out the dessert menu first at a restaurant to see how much room I should leave.
6. My wonderful partner. I never thought 7 years ago we would be in a relationship together let alone have two wonderful daughters.

I tag these great ladies

Adds - a great quilter and a great friend
Jodie a fantastic doll maker and a lovely blogger
Apryl - a new blog for me, found via a Kid Swap (that's something for the kids not swapping our kids)
Novy - one of my sewing friends who makes gorgeous outfits for both her kids
Natalie - I had to include Natalie because she made a wonderful bracelet my family gave me for my birthday
Hollie - because I just had to give her another plug for the great wallets she makes, check them out

No pressure girls reply if you feel like it

I had a very exciting afternoon today as I popped over to visit Corrie and the twins in hospital. They are even more gorgeous in real life and I even got to have a little cuddle with the beautiful Miss Tilly. Corrie is looking fantastic and the twins are being good little bubbas for her.

I also delivered some gifts for the twins which I can now finally show. I made them both play quilts and a rabbit each, the same but different.

George and Posy the rabbits. This time made with my new favourite fabric - wool flannel

A play quilt for Miss Tilly

A play quilt for Mr Finn

I used the same fabrics except in the corners of Finn's I had to use the backing fabric as I was short 4 squares.

I had to retake the quilt photos the other day because the first time I took the photos Lucy decided to get in on the action and of course the next time I took them it was overcast.

I have to apologise too for my lack of comments on blogs recently. I usually do a blog lines check at work but lately my work computer has been ultra slow and hasn't been letting me get into individual blogs. So I am still reading them I just can't get in to comment, sorry.