Busy, Busy, Busy

We are having a family photo shoot next week here so I have been busy making some outfits for the girls and I to wear (I did offer to make Jeff something but he just laughed).

I've made Lucy these two Madeline dresses. One in a vintage Holly Hobbie sheet I got a few weeks ago. The other is a Michael Miller fabric I got from the Remnant Warehouse. I am so in love with it and I actually got some more this week because I love it so much.

I also made two for Charlotte. The first is using a green fabric (which she probably won't wear because they suggested not wearing green) but I can't remember the designer and I think I sent the selvedge to Jodie. The other fabric is a Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt that I got from the lovely ladies here.

I also made myself a versatile wrap skirt, which is from the same pattern as the one Andrea made me. It's also from the Katie Jump Rope range with Heather Bailey trims.

Blogtoberfest

Ok I'm joining in Big Cat's Emporium's Blogtoberfest I just hope I can keep it up and just remember I may be posting about some mundane things because I'm sure I won't be doing anything exciting enough over the next month.

As it's school holidays here at the moment I took the day off today and the girls, my mum and I went out to Fagan Park and it was excellent. We took Charlotte and Lucy's bikes as there is a bike track and they rode, well Lucy sat and I pushed her and we managed to see 4 of the gardens in the Garden's of Many Nations. The kids also had a great time in the huge playground. It's definitely a great day out if you are in the area.

Charlotte and Lucy having morning tea

My mum and Charlotte (she's a bit hesitant going down hills but her confidence grew today)

Hamming it up for the camera

I recently had a little wager with Karen on the Swans/Western Bulldogs game a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I was the loser that day. Our wager was the loser had to send the winner a metre of fabric of the loser's choice.

I've finally gotten my butt into gear and here is a sneak peak of the fabric leaving my place tomorrow!

I took part in a swap over at Domestic Bliss, we had to send a decorated Moleskin notebook and some supplies to 3 partners. I forgot to take photos of mine but I sent them a while ago so I am hoping that Leslie, Aminta and Chelle have received them.

I received one package the other day but Jeff threw the envelope out so I don't know who it was from and I forgot to take a photo. The next one arrived today from Fairlight.

I especially love the clips and of course the chocolate.

Blog Love

I've been tagged by two lovely bloggers Ingrid and Jesska for this award

Thank you so much. Ingrid of course knows how much I love her blog and Jesska's is a recent blog for me after she won one of my books.

And here are the rules
1. Choose seven of your favourite blogs to nominate and link back to them
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Leave a message on the blogs that you've nominated
4. Post the award on your blog (optional)

This is a tough choice and I know a few of these have been going around so no need to pass it on just letting you know how I feel.

Dear Fii
Ric-Rac
SadieandLance
One Red Robin
62Cherry
And so I Sew
Patchy Work of Mini-Grey

Brown Owl lands in Sydney

We had our first Sydney Brown Owls meeting today and while it was only a small group we had a lovely morning, well I did so I hope the others did too. Bec, Amy, Jess, Linda and I all met at Material Obsession and stitched, ate and talked the morning away. We are looking forward to some more get togethers.




Thanks girls

Pink Ribbon Day Market

I had a stall today at a Pink Ribbon Market today. A group of mum's from Charlotte's school organise a huge morning tea each year and they have some stall holders to enhance the atmosphere of the morning. I was on the organising committee as well so it was a big day but I did quite well on my stall and got some orders as well so that was good.




It looks like we probably raised over $10000 for breast cancer so it was a great day.

Oh What a Beautiful Day

Packages galore were waiting for me when I arrived home this afternoon.

First up there were two packages from Jodie. The first contained these two gorgeous girl embroidery panels. The second contained some brown wool (now I can make some brown rabbits), a key ring and this cute little house, I'm hiding this from the kids!

The second package contained some fabric I got from the wonderful Humming Mini, can't wait to make something with it all.

On Friday I'm having a stall at a Pink Ribbon Day Morning Tea. It is organised by some mums from the school every year, this year I was on the committee too. Each stall holder has to donate a prize for raffles on the day. This is what I have made an apron, a bag, a doll quilt and a rabbit. I hope the person who wins it likes it. I will have more pictures later in the week of my stall.

It's all about sharing!

We tell our kids how important it is to share but now I think I need to review these words of wisdom. I've been sharing my laptop with Charlotte for quite a while now and have already decided I will need a new one when Lucy wants to start using it, but now Charlotte has taken a liking to sewing on my new machine.


These were snapped last night while she was busy making 'stuff' and then as soon as I was up this morning she jumped on it. She loves all the different stitches and even knows already how to select them and make sure the length and width is set correctly. To top it off we let her close the door so Lucy wouldn't disturb her, how come I never get to close myself away and sew!

I Love my Postie

Just as I was walking out the door this morning to take Charlotte to school the postie was about to knock. He delivered me an unexpected package from the lovely Andrea. I had a quick peek before rushing out the door but inside was a wrap skirt Andrea made for me. I couldn't wait for work to finish so I could get home and try it on.


These are not the best photos because I had to get Charlotte to take them and she wasn't that interested in taking photos of me. Also excuse the top it doesn't really match.

Thank you so much Andrea. I love being part of the sewing group over at Essential Baby they are a lovely group of girls who go out of the way to support each other. I feel extremely lucky to have this group of friends spread out across the country.

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

Ok so I misread Cam's original post and I thought it was the best ever concert I had been too so I had started narrowing it down and writing this post in my head and then I was checking bloglines and it is supposed to be my favourite band. Both of these are hard! I don't know if I'm a one0band kind of girl. I don't remember obsessing about any one band in particular when I was young although ABBA was pretty high on the list. So I am going to do a bit of a combo this is.

Crowded House - great band, love them and I am contemplating Homebake this year to see them.
INXS - what can you say about this great Aussie band
U2 - I've seen them a few times and every concert has been great
John Mellancamp - I saw him and just remember we had great seats on the side at the Entertainment Centre level with the stage and I got some great shots with him looking right at me.
Silverchair - I remember seeing a great concert when they were just starting out at UTS in Sydney. I got free tickets for my brother and I because I was in the know!
Jenny Morris - I did love her. Saw a great gig of her's at the club in Byron Bay. My friend and I got there early and we were right at the front of the stage

I better stop there but the list could go on and on. Obviously I like to spread myself around and not give myself up to one person/group!

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