It's giveaway time

So far Blogtober has been going really well but unfortunately I need to leave the bier garten (see I know some German) for a few days of rest and relaxation (well as much as you can with 2 kids) so to keep you amused while I am gone I am having a give away.

A few weeks ago Charlotte needed a bag to take somewhere and of course couldn't find any of the bags I have made for her so I grabbed one from my trusty for sale stash (a left over from the Pink Ribbon market that I hadn't had time to list yet) and it turned out to be the perfect across the body kid size tote. So of course and idea popped into my head to make them for this market Ingrid and I are going to have a stall at.

So here are the first two. I will be giving one of these away but first you have to answer a couple of questions for me (no easy ride on this giveaway).

1. How much would you pay for a bag like this, I have a figure in mind but want to see if I am totally off the mark or not. A few details - the bag measures approx 32cm x 37cm, they are fully lined and close with a magnet snap. The have one strap which is 67cm long and is designed to be worn across the body. Depending on the fabric some of the bags are also interfaced.

2. Does anyone have a good name for these bags. Kids tote sounds too boring. You don't have to answer this question but if you do you get an extra entry.

Of course these bags are designed for kids but there is no reason they couldn't be used by an adult they just probably wouldn't go across your body (ok they won't go across mine anyway).

I won't be back online until Sunday so you have until then to enter (I am happy to post it internationally as well) so come out of lurkdom and tell me what you think.

Don't tell anyone but Amy Butler is coming I just got my ticket (and 1 for you too Ingrid)

EB Doll Quilt Swap

Here's a sneak peak at the quilt I made for the EB Doll Swap Quilt. There's lots of talented girls in this group so it's very nerve wracking. I've actually made two quilts and I love them both so it's going to be a big decision which one to send.


Stand by for a give away tomorrow!

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

Ok this week's This is was hard because I have so many kitchen appliances (probably too many if I'm truthful).

This would have to be my favourite though. I love baking and Jeff bought me a Sunbeam Mixer a few years ago for Christmas. I wish mum had kept her old Sunbeam I would have loved that.

Blogtoberfest continues

It's Grand Final day in Sydney today so all the sports fans are glued to the tv. I'm not that into NRL so can take it or leave it.

Friends of ours have just recently bought a new house so the girls and I popped round this afternoon to check it out. I made Michelle (Lucy's godmother) a versatile skirt from some Heather Bailey fabric, just because she is a great person and deserves something nice.


I'm happy to say she really liked it and I am so glad. She's also a crafty person but she doesn't have a blog (you should get one Michelle) just had to add that as I know she reads mine.

I might have to do This Is tomorrow as I am trying to think of my favourite kitchen appliance (I love them all)

A Little Bit of Op Shopping.

I was going to take a trip down to Rozelle Markets today but it is a wet day in old Sydney town so thought a couple of op shops might have to do. Of course Charlotte wanted to come too so off we went.

First stop didn't yield much except for this Debbie book. I got all excited when I saw if on the shelf but when I looking in side some of the pages were drawn on. I still got it though because I am sure I will find something to do with the good pages.


At the next shop we scored some Ladybird books (I seem to be amassing a collection of these now too), but I find Charlotte likes reading them.

I also picked up this illustrated Seven Little Australians. I loved the tv version of this when I was a child and I have the "grown up" book but I thought this one will be good for me to read to the girls.
Lastly we picked up a copy of Little Black Goes to the Circus after Charlotte assured me that our copy at home was ripped. Of course when I checked it there was nothing wrong with it. So
I may do a giveaway sometime of this copy, probably a day when I don't have anything to say!

Kiddio Swap

I recently took part in the Kiddio Kid's Stationary Swap recently and Charlotte's package arrived today. She was so excited to see the BIG Fed Ex package when we arrived home from a play get together this morning. Our swap partner was Gbemi and this is her blog. I forgot to take photos of what I sent and I am hoping it arrived safely as they recently moved.

I didn't get a great photo because Charlotte grabbed everything up and ran to her room.


Thanks again.

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Ha does this count as my post for today? Probably not I have something else to say but I really want to win this jacket.

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.