Choose Your Own Bag Adventure

I'm joining in with Curlypops Choose Your Own Bag Adventure which starts tomorrow.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to get the button to work properly but pop over and check it out, you might decide you want to make a bag as well. 

I'm going to be making a few more of the Large Satchel and Tote bags from my previous post for a couple of crafty gals and also getting ahead on the teacher gifts.

Confession time

I've got a confession to make. When I was in Canberra for SIT I nearly bought a bag at the markets. I went back and looked at it a couple of times but then a few of the girls convinced me I should make my own. Then I spied Karen's bag and decided I should make one myself and I am so happy I did.

I used the Large Satchel and Tote bag from Nikki, I got some leatherette from the Remnant Warehouse and teamed it with one of my favorite fabrics the typewriters from Melody Miller. I lined it with a green I had in my stash. I didn't put a pocket in it because I find I don't use them, I've got a little zippered pouch I keep personal things in.

I used webbing for the strap and silver d-rings and adjustable slide that I got from Nikki ages ago. I'm really happy with it and the pattern was great and easy to follow. I would probably use a heavier interfacing next time as the leatherette is a lot floppier than I would have like it. I've also found some other fabrics I'd like to use for the flap so I might make another one, although the man of the house has already asked why I needed another new bag.

 

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Another one bites the dust

I started a quilt for Lucy last year when I went away for the weekend with my lovely craft group (which apparently I didn't blog because I've just gone looking for the link).

This pattern is from the gorgeous Katy, I saw a photo of the one she made over on flickr and pestered her for the instructions which she kindly sent me.

The fabric is from the Aneela Hoy Sherbet Pips range I only used the scooter girl and scarf fabric in mine whereas Katy used the whole range and the reds really make the two quilts look different (and of course her quilting is much more professional than mine). With some suggestions from my go-to quilters I ended up doing a line from each corner of the pinwheel and then some dodgy hand quilting in the dark grey sections.

I loved the pattern and it was a big departure from my usual charm squares, thanks Katy for pushing me out of my comfort zone.

 

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School holiday fun

How awesome does this piñata look? Want to have some fun during the school holidays? Want to make a your own? Well I have 2 tickets to giveaway to a fantastic event at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill. Here are the details:

Papier Mâché Piñata!

Workshop Part 1: 1.30pm–3.30pm, Thursday 5^th July

Workshop Part 2: 10.00am–12.00pm, Friday 6^th July

Powerhouse Discovery Centre

172 Showground Road, CASTLE HILL

‘M’ is for Mexico! Presented by Hughes Studio, this workshop offers fun times for the whole family to enjoy together. Each adult and child will create and decorate their own piñata to take home while learning about the construction process of the piñata, as well as the cultural symbolism and significance of this festive Mexican tradition. There will even be an opportunity to try cracking a pre-made piñata in the traditional method...with a blindfold and a piñata stick of course! Please note that this workshop will be delivered over two consecutive days to allow for the papier mâché to dry and participants will need to attend both days to complete their piñata. All materials are supplied.Suitable for 6+ years–adult and young children must be accompanied by a responsible adult or older sibling.




Leave a comment on this post or on the post on Facebook by 8pm Saturday night and I'll let you know on Sunday if you are the lucky winner. If I can get the day off work on Thursday I'll even see you there.

It's been a long time coming

This quilt had been a long time in the making. I got these Dream On charm squares way back in 2010 I think. The top was finished way back here . I ended up putting a border around it in white and also some of the sheet I backed it with.

I blogged about this vintage sheet way back here. It ended up going so well with Dream On. I had lots of help from Peta and Sheridan do the basting for me, otherwise it would never have been finished and I did the binding at Sew It Together.

 

It finally stopped raining so I could wash it and I put it on Charlotte's bed tonight and I'm happy to say she loves it. Now to finish Lucy's.

Sew It Together

I've just gotten back from a fantastic weekend in Canberra for Sew It Together. A big thanks to Sheridan for all her great organizing, to her right hand person Donna and to Gillian for organizing the name badge swap.

This was my gorgeous badge made by Lisa

Once again I organized the sample swap with 32 lovely ladies participating.

 

I got some amazing goodies

Gathered clutch from Karen

Pillowcase from Leah

Tote from Peta

Earphone holder & sewing kit from Donna

Fabric basket from Maryann

Fabric flower from Sara

Bird cushion from Lisa

Needle case & pouch from Jules

Zippered pouch from Fiona

Cushion cover from Bronwyn

I did a little scratchie and vintage book envelope for everyone with the groups on it.

Thanks to Claire and Sophie for being great roommates. Can't wait for next year!

 

Shopping

I did some shopping at the Yardage Design sale earlier this week and it arrived yesterday morning. I absolutely love it all, 2 tea towels and some fabric, not sure what I will do with it yet though.

I'm off to Sew It Together tomorrow so if you follow me on instagram you might see some photos pop up.

 

 

It's Amazing What You Find

If you clean out the cupboard. Hidden treasures - Holly Hobby oven mitts, paper dolls, Peter Rabbit paper dolls, Dick Bruna ABC

Lately

Working on my go-to birthday present, now doing the rounds of Lucy's kindergarten class.

Two little dresses ready to go to new little babies

A secret project

 

Baking

It was a cold and windy day today so after rising early for soccer and netball I came home and did some baking. First up this chocolate slice, I also made the apple one further down the postbut it was still in the oven when I took the photo. Lucy said the chocolate one is nice but a bit too chocolatey. I just had a piece of the apple one and it is lovely. I didn't have apple purée so I used pie apples that I had in the pantry.

I also made these lemon biscuits, totally yum. These are both from pinterest if you follow me over there.

 

Sew It Together Name Tag Swap

Once again this year there was a name tag swap from Sew It Together. Mine arrived yesterday from the lovely Lisa and I love it. Can't wait to wear it in Canberra. A big thanks to Gillian for organizing the swap

 

Holy Cowl

I've been overrun by cowls

I made these chunky knitted cowls for the Sew It Together sample swap, now in its third year. I'm not really much of a knitter but I really wanted to give these a try so I hope everyone likes them.

I used Australian organic wool and had a hard time choosing the colors but I'm really happy with them. The wool is lovely and soft and will hopefully keep everyone warm in chilly Canberra.

You will notice there is only 4 here when there should be 5. I only got 4 colors so the 5th one will be a double up of one of these colors. I hope the recipients like them. Also I haven't quite finished them as you can see but don't worry those ends will be weaves in before SIT.

Fabric and more

Today I discovered a fantastic fabric and needle craft op shop. Thanks to Amy for putting me on to this place although I can't believe I didn't know about it as is pretty local to me and very close to where I used to work.

They have so much stuff I was a bit overwhelmed and so I didn't buy that much but I will definitely be going back.

 

Mothers Day Classic

Lucy and I did the 4km walk today in the Mothers Day Classic. I was very proud of my beautiful little girl as she walked with 4 older people and kept up with us the whole way and didn't complain once until the finish line was in sight.

 

It helped that we walked with some lovely friends of ours Marianne and her beautiful daughter Emily and my brother Ash. Lucy held Emily's hand the whole way.

 

It was a lovely morning, topped off with a great win at Charlotte's soccer afterwards.

 

Sew It Together name tag swap

Each year at Sew It Together there is a name tag swap. You get given a secret person to make a name tag for and a color scheme to make it in. This year the colors were red,white and blue. Here's my name tag, the name is covered because its a secret!

 

 

Back on the horse

I'm going to try to get back into blogging this month. Obviously I won't be as good as this lovely lady but I will try. It's been a busy weekend, soccer games, netball games, swimming presentations and some good friends 40th birthday celebrations which proved I'm not as young as I used to be and can no longer stay out until 3am.

I did manage some baking (Milo slice and scones) before a big nap this afternoon and hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.

 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone, these two cuties appeared in the garden this morning. The Easter bunny was pretty restrained this year, just a couple of small smartie-filled eggs, a chocolate rabbit on a stick and an Easter biscuit from Sweetness.

Yesterday we did a chocolate workshop at the shangri-la hotel and the girls made these eggs so there is plenty of chocolate in the house.

 

Hope everyone has a very happy Easter.

I forgot to say I used this pattern for the bunnies but obviously used different materials.

 

 

Fashion Less Waste

The lovely people at the Australian Museum sent me an email about this great competition coming up Fashion Less Waste, which is the museum's annual fashion design competition.

Entrants design and make an outfit that is mostly made from materials originally used for a non-clothing purpose. 2012 entrants are invited to be inspired by creatures from the deep ocean. Fashion Less Waste aims to encourage a more sustainable fashion industry and to foster an appreciation of the natural world.

Entrants can win cash prizes, and have their outfit featured at a gala catwalk event at the Museum in July 2012. The awarded outfits will be on temporary public display at venues including the Museum, the Strand Arcade and Reverse Garbage. Judges include Akira Isogawa from Akira, Louise Olsen from Dinosaur Designs and Kelley Sheenan from the ‘green’ fashion Peppermint Magazine. The categories are Secondary School and Open. Entries close 5pm 8 May 2012.

See website for competition details and for photos and video from previous years.

 

Taste of Sydney

I was lucky enough to get some free tickets to Taste of Sydney at Centennial Park. I went on Friday with my brother. We had a great day tasting food and drink, listening to bands and dj's and just enjoying the sunshine. One of the highlights was this

Who can resist a hunky Frenchman

Another Backpack

My lovely boot camp partner loved my backpack so I said I would make her one. Unfortunately I didn't have any more Melody Miller fabric. So I decided to give her my one and make myself another one.

I decided to cut into some Heather Ross fabric because I want to use my stash up. It took a while to get up the courage to make the first cut but I am so glad I did.