Antmee

5 cent scrap of fabric

2012-01-26T17:28:00.002+10:30

During my weekly tour of the local op shops, I was lucky to spot a wee scrap of fabric that has two beautiful horses on it. Horse fabric is so hard to find and to find this scrap and only costing 5 cents was like winning lotto.

I am not horse mad by the way. I had horse mad friends growing up and did try to learn how to ride. Unfortunately one of my friend's had a fat and obese horse named "Star" who deliberately stood on my foot and refused to move. Nearly broke a bone in my foot. I chose motorbikes thereafter.

My school mate is now my sister in law and had passed her mad fetish onto my darling niece Becky. So the fabric had to be "got" and a bag made.
Here it is:

A little close up

Interior with another horse on the pocket

Check out the handle on this bag. I also scored a wooden belt and turned it into the bag handle. Compliments the cowboy/ country look doesn't it?

This wild duck followed me up and down the riverbank while I was looking for a great photo spot for my bag. Looking to be fed? Or is he after his 15 seconds of fame on a blog? He (or she) is rather cute! Sadly for him/her I will not feed wildlife. They need to learn to look after themselves! Tough love!

Bag pattern information:

This bag was made using a free bag pattern shared by Keyka of Keyka Lou - The sewing blog. She also generously allows home crafters to make a few to sell on their stalls etc. I am planning on making one or two to sell using some "African animal" fabric I found with lions, zebras, cheetahs and a giraffe.

Kind regards and HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

Looking forward to this year 2012

2012-01-20T10:07:00.000+10:30

Why am I looking forward to a year that has every "doom Sayer" predicting is going to end?

The huge solar flare that is going to hit Earth approx Dec 20th.

I am looking forward to the possibility that the flare will cause a huge "Aurora australis" that can easily be seen by many on the main land. Aboriginal folklore of the "Great Rainbow Serpent" may be the retelling of the indigenous witnessing this great event hundreds of years ago.

Not looking forward to the possible heat wave though. Make sure you look after the elderly, sick and very young with plenty of water etc. And batteries for the youngsters in case power goes out, internet down, (no facebook for awhile!!) lol.

To sewing:

I have got a few projects finished! Hurray! One of the projects I enjoyed making the most was some "thank you gifts". A lovely couple who live on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia helped my in-laws out when they broke down returning from holidays.

I made them a wristlet and a couple of peg bags. Not knowing the lovely people in person made deciding what to make them difficult. I decided on pouches and peg bags as they can be used to store a lot of different things. A work mate uses a peg bag that I made as a sock holder in her wardrobe.

I got a new camera and I haven't learnt how to use it properly yet! I didn't know it was still on special effects mode when I was rushed to take these pictures until the items were on the road 900km away.

Looks lovely in real mode. Blues, reds and black. If I find the scraps will post pic of fabric!

Pouches were from a Heather Bailey pouch tutorial from the book called "Signature Styles". I purchased mine at www.Can Do Books.com.au.

Looks like the owls are sneaking a peek.

Last year was a terrible year for a lot of people. My FIL got very sick, my SIL had a heart attack and in a coma, my daughters cat got bitten by a snake and the news on TV was tragedy after tragedy. I didn't feel much like blogging as I didn't have many happy things to say! I sewed though and got through 2011.

I hope 2012 is a good one for all of us and I will have plenty of happy things to blog about.

Hugs to everyone.

I still sew...

2011-10-13T22:24:00.001+10:30

Hi, just a quick post to say "hello" and keep my blog active....sort of! I have been very busy with un-craft related things (boo hoo :( . but have manged to make this bag in small (desperate to sew) blocks of time!

It's one of the wonderful bag pattern freebies that use to be offered by "Oh Fransson". I don't understand why its not offered anymore. A lot of free patterns are being taken off the free list and put up later for sale. Is the GFC to blame for this???

Amongst other things I have been on holiday in the beautiful seaside town of Streaky Bay, South Australia. Might do a post on it once the hell of a holiday fades and the family and I can finally laugh about it.

I went on this holiday with my hubby and about 30 members of his family! The logistics of holidaying with so many and planning the days, ensuring no one gets left behind in the caravan park on fishing trips defies belief. Also just following the car in front with no idea where you are heading for is just plain silly! People got cut off from the convoy and then lost!!! Plan your holidays better than we did, folks or just camp close to home. Streaky Bay is about 830km from home. Way too far!

Anyway, enough about that. I am off for some much needed therapy! In my sewing room of course! (just borrowed the "One Metre Wonders" book from the library and it looks awesome!)

Cheers

Kylie

Current doings

2011-09-17T09:10:00.000+09:30

I've had a good week this week! I hope you have too! The lovely spring sunshine is fabulous and always puts me in a cheerful mood.

In the sewing room, I have been running up some monster pencil cases. My daughter spotted one on the net and asked me to make her one. She loved it immensely and took it to school where her friends saw it and one of them asked me (it was more like begged! lol) to make her one. I couldn't refuse her or my niece and so it has been production line central around here!

A small but very important tip for anyone who decides they want to have a go at making monster pencil cases: Do not use stretch denim! Only use a sturdy fabric or else it all stretches out of shape. Save your old (non stretchy) jeans for this and keep your eyes out for any size zips in thrift stores. All of the zips I used were about 50cm in length. I just stitched as normal and cut off the left over bit just before turning case to the right side.

I am going to make a few more to keep in reserve for the next child that asks for one and will photograph my sewing steps for those just learning the joy of sewing.

These girls are my attempt at the 'Black Apple Doll' pattern. Thank you to Emily from the Black Apple blog for providing this free pattern.

My girls are not quite finished yet. Still stuffing their tiny little arms and legs! One little lady (shown below) is falling behind on her sisters and still feeling very flat.

These girls will be 'waiting in reserve' for just the right home to go to. I often read of blogs doing 'soft toy appeals' for charity and like to get involved but something else always comes up that uses my time and I fall behind the deadline for delivery. I have decided to make things in advance and only offer to send some stuff whenever I have some already made.

If this blog post sounds a little all over the place, I sincerely apologize. It feels like an epic post that has been 5 days in the making! Every time I sit down to get this blog post up, I have been dragged away. Dragged off screaming to Zumba classes, dragged off to wander around a new shopping centre under construction, dragged off to drive around the countryside lost etc. When I did get to write a few words I found that I had not uploaded my pictures yet. On trying to upload pictures, the computer ignored the camera plugged in and I had to wait for the master to get home from work to sort it out.

And they say a good blog should post 3 or 4 times a week! I had trouble just getting the one completed!!

Cheerio! (getting dragged off to the city to buy a Campmaster portable toilet and tent whoo hoo excitement plus!!) (not!)

and the winner is.......

2011-09-05T17:26:00.000+09:30

Today is the day! I got to pick a winner for my bag giveaway.

The winning comment is: 16

Congratulations Ariane! I hope you enjoy many days out with your new bag.

I love doing giveaways and am thinking of doing a lot more because I love making stuff and I don't want to overload my family and friends! I'll overload you guys instead!!! Nasty aren't I? lol

Currently making some monster pencil cases for family and one of my daughters friends. This monster pencil case has proven popular. My daughter loves hers and her friends have asked me to make them one too. Will show them later, along with some simple dolls I have been making. I have used the black apple doll pattern and love mixing and matching fabric scraps.

Kind regards.

Kylie

slipper parade

2011-08-28T11:31:00.000+09:30

My messenger type bag GIVEAWAY here. Closes 4th September.

Now onto my slipper parade.

The pattern and instructions for these comfy slippers was found in the magazine SEW HIP issue 20. These slippers have cotton uppers lined with fleece. The sole is three layers consisting of curtain blackout (makes a nice non slip base), wadding and fleece. The instruction's diagram was a bit misleading and the layers came out wrong. The wadding is on top!!! I have corrected the pattern's instructions for future reference.

Same as above 'Sew Hip' pattern. Made from soft fleece, making these very comfy indeed.

These red slippers were made by using the cuffs from a man's shirt! What a great recycling idea! I used this tutorial. It is written in a language I don't know, but the pictures were ample enough for me to work out how to put them together. I am definitely going to attempt these again. On the lookout for nice men's shirts now!

I have given these slippers to a friend, who after her new house was built, did her own flooring using some beautiful polished floor boards. Hopefully her guests will use these slippers and help keep her floor looking fantastic! I know I will.

PS To my friends who have entered my giveaway, if you haven't already done so, you can add another entry for being my follower. I will be using the number generator to pick a winner, so please get your extra entry!!

Cheers!

Bag Giveaway

2011-08-21T14:39:00.001+09:30

I have been making some bags from Nicole Mallalieu's book 'You Sew, Girl' and it has been fantastic! Such great easy patterns and easy to understand instructions with lots of photo's of the steps. I have enjoyed the bag making so much that I couldn't stop at just one!

I can't keep them all and so I am going to give one of them away. I had a really hard time trying to choose which one to keep myself and had to get the eeny, meeny, miny, moe ritual to lend a hand.

Made from sturdy denim and cotton flap. It has a key chain fob attached to lining. Also a phone pocket and a zippered pocket.

back view

A (not very good) view of lining, pockets and key fob.

If you would a chance to win this bag all you have to do is:

1) Leave a lovely comment!

To have more entries in this giveaway, you could also post about this giveaway on your blog. (feel free to use any of my photo's for the job:) This provides you with the added bonus of having an extra blog post for this week. (thumbs up to quick and easy posts!)

You could also become a follower for another entry! I love lovely crafty friends!

Giveaway closes on the 4th of September, which incidentally is Fathers Day. Maybe I should have made this bag out of manly fabrics!

PS: Open to all (on Earth!)

Good luck!

Sewing is my drug of choice!

2011-08-11T08:45:00.000+09:30

Sewing gives me such euphoria when I finally complete a project. The exact opposite occurs when a project becomes a UFO. So I am very happy to be finishing off quite a bit of stuff lately.

A simple tote with ample pockets for .....well, anything! This pattern is going to help me get through my large stash of fabric. I went on a sheet buying frenzy when it was all the rage and sheets have lots of fabric!

Another fold over flap bag! So easy to make! This pattern will also help me get through some of my stash. I interfaced the lining on this bag and not the outer. I only added some canvas type fabric interlining on the outer and it worked out well. Sturdy yet soft.

I purchased a fantastic sewing book and made a gorgeous bag from it that I will show next. I just have some finishing off to do to the bag and I also would like some sunshine for the photography or a light box. I might make one following these instructions.

Messenger Bag

2011-08-03T09:40:00.000+09:30

My latest bag was inspired by many of the flap type bags out there in blogland, especially this one from Kristen of the 'So Happy' blog.

The photo's aren't great. Sorry! I hope it's just the dark, overcast days and not my camera!

Pockets! There are two more on the inside!

The cute little key fob is not only cute but functional. No more rummaging through looking for car keys in the pouring rain in a car park!

I made this bag to sell. I had to do something to stop my nieces always going on about selling my stuff. Drove me crazy. So I made this, and a tote that I will show next week, to put into a shop to sell. Now I have an answer to give the next person who says "I should sell my stuff". I can say I do.

Boring bit: Update on my health. I had a test for Ross River Virus a few weeks ago. The results were negative. The only other answer I can think of for my rash and muscle aches was I may have poisoned myself. Pretty embarrassing but I had to mention it to the doctor and she said yes and to stop spraying weed killer on my footpaths.

I took all the safety precautions! Wore a face mask, gloves, and covered up my entire body even though it was stinking hot. I sweated a lot and the sweat may have unsealed my face mask because I did get some vapors in my mouth. It tasted awful and I stopped straight away and had a thorough wash. I sprayed a Sat or Sunday and the rash was over my entire body by Wednesday. What do you think? Could have been.

Also the reason my muscles still ache and don't seem to be recovering could be because the doctor slipped in a Vitamin D test and my results show I am very deficient. The normal range for VitD is 60 - 140 and I am 45 so taking Osterlin now and making sure I get outside for walks more often.

Take care of yourselves and catch ya later!

shabby chic bag

2011-07-29T23:10:00.001+09:30

Hello to anyone still reading my blog! I thank you for your patience! I am finally getting a blog post up about one of the bags I have been making recently!

Due to my getting side tracked reading some fantastic blogs tonight (again!!), I am having to keep my blog post short and to the point.

The point is just this bag. Isn't it lovely? To all the recyclers out there... this bag in its entirety is made from recycled/ vintage goods. (oops, except interfacing). The main fabric is a interior fabric swatch I found one day and the flap is a vintage embroidered doily found while op-shopping.

The lining is some pretty floral fabric scrap picked up from a garage sale awhile ago, while the bag handle was a great vintage find and finishes off the bag quite nicely.

Cheers for now. Will be back soon with pics of another bag. Plus some tea towels I appliqued and room shoes I made for a friend. I've got to take the photos first but the skies are grey, grey and more grey!!!

sorry guys/gals

2011-07-03T15:45:00.001+09:30

I haven't posted for awhile and just want to write a quick note to let you know that I haven't been kidnapped or killed. I have been ill. The doc's opinion is its Ross River Virus. I have only just had the test and am still waiting for results. Alas, testing at the time of getting crook is useless as 'ross river' takes up to six weeks to show up.

Feeling achy and tired. My eyesight is deteriorating and can be depressing for crafty people who like to hand sew! I am finding it rather difficult to focus up close. Doctor diagnosed me with 'Surfer's Eye'. Not internet surfer but wind surfers. I have sun and wind damage. Playing on the internet does make my eye go blood shot really quickly so have tried to give my eye a break from the computer for most stuff except quick email stuff and facebook keeping in touch stuff. My eye became much improved with pain and redness from the break.!

But I have made some bags!! and will take some photos soon as I find my camera!

Take care. I am going to try and have a massive catchup on everyones blog real soon (and most likely cause my eye to play up and become sore again!) I am going to have a beeper near my PC to remind me to have a huge break after 30 mins. maybe sooner. Or program my PC to shut down after 30 mins/hour and not let me back on till I have had a break! Any opinions? Does anyone else have eye problems that using a computer worsens?

WTF!

2011-03-25T21:23:00.000+10:30

I got some shocking and disturbing news last week. My father's, sister's great grandson who is only 7 years old has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. We don't have much info yet as half of Dad's siblings stayed living in England while the rest of the family migrated to Australia in the early 50's.

What is shocking, is that this is the third child in our family to be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. My son, as I have previously posted was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour called Medulloblastoma when he was 6 years old and my sisters youngest was diagnosed (two years before my son) with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia when she was 7 years old. We are all wondering if this is all an awfully shocking coincidence or if some sinster mutation has affected our childrens DNA.

I feel really bad hoping that the child in England has a different brain tumour to Medulloblastoma. If he has the same, how are they going to feel knowing that a child in our family suffered poorly with it and didn't survive. What if the family want me to give support? I don't feel I would be the best person for that because I cant give postives. My son died.

I can only give info on what went wrong in my sons treatment and advise them on what to look out for, but really I would like for them to have a positive feeling that their child is going to live.

My hands are shaking as I write this. I keep getting flashbacks. The unresolved anger at certain professionals keeps coming back. I keep planning on writing a letter to those people to let them know how they made me feel and that what they did was not right and maybe they wont make the same mistakes again. But I never write the letter. The anger subsides again. I make excuses for them eg understaffed, no department head, unprecedented new cases of childhood cancer being diagnosed etc.

I haven't had any paid work this week to take me out and keep me occupied and feel really too flat to visit friends (plus they are mostly at work anyway) and I feel no motivation to do anything at home. The house is a mess and needs my sole attention at the moment but not tonight. Tonight I am visiting Mr Jim Beam.

2011 is a bad year.

Rushed, unplanned birthday gift.

2011-03-18T10:50:00.002+10:30

Front of pot holder

Back of pot holder

A pot holder I made. I wasn't planning on making any potholders and they definitely were not on my 'things to do' list. What was on my list of things to do was finish off those bunny softies from previous post.

I had decided to find something on tv to watch while I hand-stitched the bunnies faces, but just as I sat down with my tools and was ready to start, my daughters friend came to me and said:

"Aunty Kylie! It's my mum's birthday today and I have no money to buy her a gift! Could we make her a heart or something?"

Goodbye hand-stitching, hello surfing internet and browsing my craft books to find something to make. Something quick.

These potholders from Martha Stewart fit the bill. The only down side was that by the time we found a project and selected some fabric from my stash, I didn't have much time left before her mother arrived to pick her up.

I rushed the binding and just managed to take a quick photo before her mother made it out of the car and knocked on the door.

I am working again this weekend so plan on having a sewing day today, hand-stitching in front of the tv. Front door is locked, phone is off the hook and my mobile has been buried inside the linen closet! Maybe I should park my car in the next street over just in case?

Cute bunny softies

2011-03-09T10:23:00.000+10:30

I just love this softie pattern freebie by Jenny from the Allsorts blog. It is so easy to make and the result is so cute! She even has a tutorial and pattern for the little dress.

I am making a few of these because they are so cute and I wanted to help out a fellow blogger's "Huggles for Kids" QLD flood appeal. Alas I am too slow and have missed the boat for that one. I started in late January but the softies I was making then were a bit of a disaster. A pic below will show you the uninspiring mess I was making.

I realized while making these softies that windcheating fabric does not make good softies! Well not this type. Will paint some kind of face on these guys, make them some clothes and add ears or hair and see if they are good enough to send to Leanne for her on going Huggles for Kids campaign.

Hopefully if I pull my finger out, I can get all these guys finished and posted off to Leanne for her next delivery.

pretty pouch and paper flower thingy

2011-03-01T22:16:00.001+10:30

I have been laughing a lot the past three days and thought I would write a really funny post, but alas, zilch. The minute I sat down to write in my blog I got a blank mind! So it's just my sewing news today.

I think nearly running over a drunk that staggered out into the road in front of my car and also the wind ripping my car door out of my hands and knocking into the car next to mine, might have something to do with the laughter fading away today.

Also getting told off for committing a small act of kindness towards some strangers really wiped the smile off my face.

But guess what makes me happy?

Sewing this pouch made me happy! A beautiful free pattern, with a clear tutorial, from Skip to My Lou. I made a few at Christmas for gifts but forgot to take pictures!

The flower is a little project I found in this book. It uses a toilet roll for the petals. Pretty paper is glued to the toilet roll before 'slices' are cut out and semi flattened into the petal shapes. Tissue paper is used to cover the petals and then its decorated as desired. I am going to thread beads onto mine and hang it from the window. I think it will look pretty with a cluster of these all hanging at different lengths.

Cheers!
Kylie

OWOH Winner Announcement!

2011-02-18T10:46:00.001+10:30

Wow! What a ride OWOH was. I am still feeling a bit giddy from reading so many exciting blogs! So many talented people out there who took my breathe away with their talent.

I was so inspired by all the art that I lost my sewing mojo for awhile and developed some arty mojo! I dabbled in some bread dough making and sculpting that I have never tried before! Here is a peek at the ~~mess~~ stuff I made!

Yes its bread dough but it looks like icing or fondant for cake decorating! I used food colouring but could have used acrylic paint to get deeper colours!

Bread dough recipe I used is here if anyone wants it. A big thank you to Jeanie Callaghan from the blog 'All My Artist Trading Cards' for the bread dough recipe.

Okay! Now onto the winner of my OWOH giveaway!

The lucky winner is Heidi, a digital misfit from 'My Hiding Place in Cyberspace'!

Congratulations Heidi! An email is on its way to you.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who entered my giveaway and I hope you all have a fantastic day.

Cheers!

One World One Heart

2011-01-31T19:01:00.001+10:30

G'Day friends! Old ones and new ones! Welcome to my blog 'Antmee' on the One World One heart blog hop!

I go by the name of Kylie and live in Murray Bridge, South Australia. I love to buy fabric, lot's of it and so was born the urgent need to start sewing! I found I quite like sewing too, except when things go belly up and needles break on the sewing machine or fabric jams into the machine! I love making functional things like bags and kitchen accessories (Zakka) and cuddly things like softies and sock creatures. Actually I will make anything, even just pretty flowers or fruit.

My 'door prize' for this blog hop is the cutest bear I have ever made! I am really happy with how this little cutie turned out as it was the first time I have sewn something using furry fabric.

This bear is approximately 50cm/20" tall. So not so small but just right!

I made this bear especially for this blog hop and I hope you would like to take her home. Just leave a comment with a way for me to contact you and I will pick someone using the random number generator on the 17th Feb. Giveaway is open to everyone that has a active blog and you can live anywhere on Earth.

Just for fun, if you can suggest a name for this bear it would be awesome.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have the best time on Lisa's blog hop!

Cheers
Kylie

small time filler projects

2011-01-23T22:53:00.000+10:30

I found this luscious piece of deep red velvet looking plush and immediately decided it would make perfect strawberries. I used this pattern and tutorial from Embroideroo. They turned out a little larger than I wanted and a second look at the tutorial states "pincushion". Should have been a clue to silly me! I'll shrink the pattern next time, but they were very nice slack time sewing. I am currently working a project for the OWOH give-away-athon and have one week left to finish but needed a little "time out" project.
Tutorial can be found here.

Yummy fruit hey! The apples are from a Tilda craft book called Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle.

Hand sewn beads are lovely and wonderful to do while watching TV but knocking the bead container over and spilling thousands of seed beads all over the carpet is not wonderful! I spent ages picking up all those beads instead of just vacuuming them. After all they were only a couple of bucks to buy. I learnt a piece of paper is great for sweeping beads onto and then using as a funnel to pour them back into their container.

I got a little carried away making lots of red apples! This fruit basket was a freebie from some wine selling merchant that knocked on my door. He did talk me into buying some wine and threw in a free bottle of strawberry wine for me to try. It was so delicious I ordered two cases more of the stuff. Chilled it is the most awesome refreshing summer wine and best of all it has a very low alcohol content so visitors can have a glass and still drive home.

Another project to take me away from my OWOH project are these pouches. I have made the same size as the tutorial and they are palm size pouches which make good gift bags for little gifts like brooches, hair accessories, jewelery etc. Tutorial was found on a wonderful blog called Maccabags and is quite a well made tutorial with good pictures.

I better get back to my OWOH project. I am at that stage of changing my mind on some fabrics I have chosen to compliment the main fabric. This is the time consuming part for me. Choosing is so hard! lol

Thanks for reading!

2011 OWOH begins soon

2011-01-12T09:59:00.000+10:30

For those who joined last year, the fifth and final One World, One Heart begins on 30 January. For those who are new to OWOH it is best if you click on the picture below which will take you to the hosts blog to get all the info. She had over 1000 participants last year. I met a lot of talented people and have been reading their blog ever since. Basically it is a massive get to know you blogathon/ giveaway-athon! It's open to anyone from anywhere as long as they have a "working" blog of their own. I loved it last year. You will love it this year. Come back and see me Jan 30th!

Cheers
Kylie xx

Sewing disaster

2011-01-09T23:06:00.000+10:30

Look closely.

After all the sewing and hand stitching of applique for a supposedly quick project I held the iron down on the hem a bit too long. OOps! Scorched the hem. Never burnt a thing before in my life (except dinner and maybe myself!).

Oh well! It's only a hand towel that won't last long around my family! I am pretty sure the guys in the house don't dry their hands with towels but wash themselves with them! The towels get so grubby so quickly it drives me nuts.

Here's pretty while it lasts!

Can you see the scorch mark on the spotty hemline just under the apple?
I have washed and washed the towel but the scorch mark remains.

I wonder if technology has come up with an iron that has sensors in it to tell idiots like me to lift off the iron? Maybe just one that chants "focus" may help my drifting mind! At least it wasn't on the quilt I am cutting out!

Japanese Dilly Bag: with link to make your own

2011-01-01T19:49:00.004+10:30

I have been in love with Japanese crafting for quite awhile now and I found a 'you beaut' tutorial on the net for a Japanese Dilly Bag. It was easy and could be made to any size you need.

Only takes two pieces of fabric 40x40cm. A bit of Japanese origami folding is needed but the tutorial has clear pictures of each step. It is written in Japanese, but the pics are really easy to follow.

A close up of the flower. A Japanese fabric folding flower! These flowers are great at using up scraps of fabric.

A side view. If you want to have a go at this bag, the tutorial can be found here. It's quick and pretty as well.

It's my birthday today and guess what I got?

Jess (my daughter) gave me Wii fit for my birthday and it calculated my weight as overweight (no surprise) and my fitness age at 57!!!! Yes 57!!!! Bloody insulted on my birthday!!!. But it doesn't stop there! lol Oh no the birthday gift keeps on giving! The blasted machine goes on to say I am unbalanced! My daughter and I had a load of laughs!

My dearest hubby gave me a Dyson dc29 for my birthday. I connected the parts together, pressed start and got zapped with a big bolt of electricity!
I thought 'wow' my birthday gifts are really giving me a good time! lol

My other half explained the electricity as a static charge that most likely built up because of the oily film coating new appliances and wont persist. I hope so because I really love these gifts! One will get me fitter and the other will clean my carpets better.

Year 2011 is the year of a fitter me!

Flower Suger fabric giveaway

2010-12-23T17:14:00.000+10:30

Have you seen such delicious fabric? It's been given away by Retromummy! She has not one but two fat packs to giveaway of the wonderful Flower Sugar range of fabric by Lecien! So generous don't you think?

The giveaway is open until new years eve and open to everyone.

Good luck to everyone! (me included!)

Christmas Stocking

2010-12-22T23:11:00.000+10:30

A quick post tonight as Christmas draws near and I am ssssooooooo busy! Decided a few nights ago to MAKE/SEW some last minute christmas gifts! Silly me!! Oh well, they say it is the silly season and I am proving it! lol. I will post them after Christmas because I think the recipients read my blog!

Tonight I am just going to show a Christmas stocking I made for a friend who asked me last year to make one for her new 1st grandson. See it here. This year she has gotten herself her first granddaughter! Lucky lady.

I used the same pattern as the last one which is from this book here. It's a Tone Finnanger design made with soft pink flannel for the stocking and cotton scraps for the applique.

Merry Christmas to all! Keep safe driving!

This is what being busy does to me

2010-12-16T10:21:00.000+10:30

I end up with a lot of unfinished projects!

I was so tired the night before last that I wasted the night just browsing the internet. This activity always leads to being inspired by talented people!

The next day I couldn't get this out of my head and so during a 2 hour lunch break, I drove home and started a messenger bag with this stencil design. You can see the tuturial for a pouch and link for the converse shoe stencil here.

A few days ago I was browsing Japanese sites (again) and craved my own little pouch. I didn't have the Japanese craft book and so had to create my own pattern. I am amazed my measurements worked out the first time!

The above pouch is still waiting for the lining. I have cut out half and it's sitting on it.

The Japanese site browsing also lead to the start of this pouch! I used the pattern I made for the previous pouch to make this one.

I love the cute little tail out the back! I am hopefully hand stitching in the zipper today.

I have to stitch some toes onto his paws, which is going to be fiddly because they are so small.

Yes!! The parade of unfinished projects hasn't stopped yet! This is a handbag I have made using a pattern I created myself! My mum called the fabric I used 'Burlap'. I haven't the foggiest idea. It was a scrap I found in a op shop. Its lined with the fabric the flower is made from. It has a magnetic snap and boy is it a strong one. I would love to know how to take the excess power away from magnetic snaps.

While I was making my bag flower, I couldn't stop and made some more out of scraps.

So many unfinished projects made while I was making the swaps! Well, I had to have breaks! They are all close to being finished. Except for the messenger bag I started yesterday at lunch.

Here's a finished swap I have sent off. She has it now so I can show it off.

She said she loves the colour green and earthly things. She also loves practical things and I remember reading on her blog that she is into the bird theme. Hope she likes it.

Cute! I always make my best stuff when I am making it for other people!

Merry Christmas!

A little bit of sweetness

2010-12-12T19:25:00.000+10:30

A little bit behind in my blogging! Ah well. It means I have some stuff to share. Today I am going to show what I received in the post from some of my 'Swap with a Difference' partners.

I received these goodies from Sue of "I Purr-Furr to Craft". Talk about cute! Love the knitted flower! I can't knit and am so envious of talented people who can because they can whip up these flowers and they can be used for anything. This flower is a brooch which is on my Grey winter coat. It really adds a dash of colour. The fat quarters are like a narcotic to me, (an addicted fabricholic)! Well I guess so because I don't do narcotics so have no idea really! lol
Oh! and my daughter is trying to pinch the frog tape measure! It's so cute!

A gorgeous parcel from another Sue of "Girls Shed". I am not sure what it's called but I am guessing a sewing caddy. Full of sewing nic nac's. I also received some inspiring fabric. It could easily be use for a Christmas craft with the beautiful red flowers but I am going to make something that can be enjoyed all year. I really love the Superb Blue Wren card. It is really pretty.

This is the sewing caddy in a basket that Sue sent me. You can see all the little goodies she sent me. So spoiled! Also a bit of a tease as I have always wanted an embroidery machine myself. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future the right one at the right price will come along!

So! Thank you Sue and Sue!

Matilda

2010-11-20T15:10:00.000+10:30

This is Matilda. My second swap finished for the swap I am participating in.

She has been received by Sue from Girls Shed and Sue named her Matilda. I think that name suits her well.

She has the cutest face! I really enjoyed making her and she is a rather thrifty bear seeing how she is made out of an old chenille bedspread. Makes her look rather 'shabby chic'.

Her jacket is made out of cheap woolen quilt batting. Fabric for cuffs are recycled scraps from an old blouse I have been cutting up and the ric rac and lace are from an op shop. So you could say she is quite the recycled bear!

A close up showing patchwork heart and jacket band.

A little story I will share is that on completion of jacket when I went to try it on the bear, I expected it to fit. It didn't and I thought I had made my bear too fat. I looked at the instructions and pattern pic again and found to my relief that the jacket wasn't meant to fit and just be caught at the chest with a few stitches! Whew!

A close up of yo yo flowers.

See I have been busy sewing this bear so that hopefully explains my absenteeism from my blog over the last couple of weeks.

Pattern was from the magazine "Handmade" Vol 24 No 6. The designer is Anna Jarman.

Well, I think that's it for today!

Cheers

Lavender Sachets etc

2010-11-18T17:28:00.000+10:30

A quick post today.

Sometimes I really feel the need to take a break from a project and make something else. Usually a small, quick to finish project for instant gratification. My 4 swap projects have turned out to be rather time consuming projects that I have never attempted before. Being first time projects means, of course, I am learning a lot of new techniques.

I really would like to show them to you but have to wait for the last two to be finished. Nearly there. I am still waiting for one swap partner to notify me that she has received her package. Hopefully soon!

In the meantime there are these:

Lavender sachets filled with my very own lavender picked fresh off the bush early spring. Drying time took longer than normal because we finally, after years of drought, got some rain! Yay! Our Murray River is starting to fill up again.

A couple more that still need to be finished! Surprisingly I am not finding any suitable fabrics to compliment them in my scrap basket! Something will turn up I am sure.

Free pattern and instructions can be found at Bustle and Sew.

Or you can buy this book. The same pattern is in there.

I also made a little experiment. Hopefully it works the way I want it too. Its a little sachet to throw in the clothes dryer with your washing. It is filled with scented bath crystals. Hopefully they don't dissolve too quickly and ruin my washing. SO I will be putting my hubbies clothes in first to try it out! lol

Ginger Kitty Softie

2010-10-29T11:02:00.000+10:30

Hey! I finally have something to blog about! I have finished a swap (and she has been delivered) so I can show you what has been keeping me away from not only my blog but probably yours as well!

'Hanging with my homies' said kitty.

'What do you mean "I might get sold"?' asks kitty.

'Oops! Your right! I can see a customer eying me off right now!' cries kitty.

Thank goodness my swap partner Sue loves her gift. Now I have to get back to the grindstone and finish another three swaps. One almost done. The other two started. Then I will have more to blog about.

For your information: Pattern is "Chester the Cat" by Cheryl Ross of Tears Bear Patch. Pattern found in Patchwork and Stitching - Vol 6 No12.

I used orange polar fleece for main body. Polyester quilt batting for paws, muzzle and tummy. Felt for nose, collar and cheeky tongue. A small amount of plastic pellets were used in paws and tummy.

Have a great day!

I love sewing!

2010-09-15T19:09:00.000+09:30

I really do love sewing and wish I had more time for it! Every time I feel I need a big sewing spree, outside work interferes with extra work. It's more pay in the pocket so I shouldn't complain and I don't when the pay check comes in! It's only when I browse the web and read my favourite sewing blogs and get really itching to make lots of the projects around that I wish I was unemployed! lol

Especially when I have got swap partners to sew for, and when friends ask me to make something for them and I can't say no! Below is an example. (It's a friends request not a swap project as I can't show them until the swaps are delivered and received).

A baby bib and booties! Even I will boast that they are cute! Made for a friend to give to another friend who has had a itty bitty babe.

The bib pattern was found in a issue of "Quilts and More". The spring 2010 issue to be exact. A great and easy pattern. I have cut out a few more bibs from this pattern and for one I am going to recycle a towel for the backing to see how it goes.

The booties were made using the free pattern and tutorial from Stardust Shoes. Thank you Joanne for a great pattern and a great blog!

And here's some knitted bed socks my mum made for me! She knows that with my low blood pressure comes cold feet! These keep my toes warm just nicely! Especially now that I know how to wear them correctly!

Yes that's me in my daggy trakies! I promise not to go anywhere wearing them!

Now back to sewing for my swap partners. Luckily one project has a lot of hand sewing involved. Which means I can sit in front of the telly!

My lavender has nearly dried, so I can finish off my lavender sachets soon too.

A quick note: I found on Google a turtle I made using a pattern from One Red Robin. Jhoanna Monte saw my turtle and must have like it as she linked to it on her blog! Wow I'm am so flattered that one of my most favourite softie designers likes my effort at sewing her patterns!

Casserole Cozy

2010-09-06T14:38:00.000+09:30

I havn't blogged on my sewing blog for a while and here's a picture to show you why. I have actually been sewing! WooHoo!!

I am sorry to be a traitor to that saying that women are talented multi taskers but I can't quite operate a sewing machine with one hand and type on the computer with the other! lol. With the limited spare time I have lately I have chosen to sew.

Red spotty casserole cozy made using the tutorial from Dixie Doodles. A very easy tutorial to follow.

Here is a shot of the casserole cozy flat. Just in case someone wants to see it flat! lol

A little look at the applique. Technique used is "freestyle". It's an excellent applique technique for slackers like me!! :)

I have also been making some lavender sachets. I won't show them until they are 100% finished. They are just waiting for the lavender I nicked from my brothers garden to dry so they can be filled and then closed. They are extremely pretty and I can't wait to show them!

I made a doll!

2010-08-19T18:40:00.000+09:30

Introducing my first ever completed doll.

I am pretty happy with my first effort at doll making. Flaws and all. I will keep those a secret but I will say there are a few. She wouldn't have been made at all if I didn't have a bloggy friend talk me into a doll swap! I mentioned a wish to learn to make a doll and now I have.

I learnt so much making this doll, from staining the body to making hair. I used this pattern and tutorial from Lillie Mae's Crafts found here. I didn't follow her instructions on hair making but used this tutorial instead.

Lastly, her collar is something I whipped up from a pattern I drew. I was trying to make a sailor's collar. If I make a dress with sailors collar again I will be enlarging the pattern I made.

Oops! Just realized I didn't take a photo of the back view and she has gone off to live with her new family!

Platypus Softie

2010-08-17T20:00:00.000+09:30

Love this pattern! So cute! These platypus's were one of a number of unfinished projects. I finished them in late July. Yes, a bit slow to blog about them but that's life for you! "So much to do, so little time" is my life!

Anyway! For those that have the Australian Homespun Magazines, the pattern can be found in Vol 10, Issue 1. For those that don't have the magazine you can purchase the pattern from Kate of Two Little Banshees fame. Her etsy shop is full of the cutest softie patterns ever! I really want to get my hands on her elephant pattern one day.

More little posts to come. I have been pottering around doing bits and pieces and have totally neglected my bags making! Had to pack up for a scrapbooking party and now can't find some ruffles I cut out for a bag.
I don't know about you guys but when I can't find something I can't rest until I have turned the house upside down looking for it. (Then have to spend precious time putting the house back in order.)

Hello!

2010-08-12T14:40:00.000+09:30

I am sewing some things that are for swap partners and other friends so I can't show them yet (Explains my lack of posting on my blog! lol).

I did find a unfinished project my daughter started AGES ago. I took it into the living room, where it was warm and cozy, and finished it in front of the telly.

You can come over and pick it up whenever you want Jess.

This felt mascot is from "The Cute Book". Author is Aranzi Aronzo and is one of my favourite designers of cuteness. I have several of their craft books and one day hope to make some of the cute softies .

I still can't believe it!

2010-07-30T08:31:00.000+09:30

I won Cyndi from Bluebirdswing's July giveaway!

She included some extras!!

Some pretty cards! I love cherries!

Sticky notes! I will be sticky noting myself all over the house!

Last but definitely not least. A strap made by Cyndi. I love it! I already have come up with a ton of uses for it.

Now I am going back to play with the jelly roll I won. It's droolable I tell you! My teenage son also has been stroking the side of the roll! He loves the fluffy feel of it. But he can't understand why its called a "Jelly Roll". He says it "Looks nothing like jelly Mum!"

Little blue handbag.

2010-07-27T22:42:00.039+09:30

This bag looks like it could be a great bag. I really like how it turned out except for the handles. Too short!!!! I think I did an oopsie. The pattern did look small and I did wonder if it needed enlarging but couldn't see that mentioned anywhere. What I did see was a statement saying that the bag measures ....input some figures as I have forgotten.........I measured the pattern and it fit the measurements stated. But I think I misinterpreted WHERE I should have been measuring from!!!

My fault! I am really mad at myself because I also tried to be clever and cut out four of these bags before making up the first to see how things go!!!!

Please help me and advise me on what I can do to salvage this poor bag. The only idea I can think of is to cut off the handle and add a tab and one of those circle O rings to try and lengthen the straps.

I wanted to show the lining as well. Beautiful blue. I think I love the colour blue!! :)

I will leave you with some fantastic news! Well it's fantastic to me because the postie arrived today.

I wasn't even expecting a parcel for another week and was extremely surprised to find my parcel from Cyndi of Bluebirdswing had arrived.!!

The postie also thought he would tell me I have had another package delivered and left in my carport. On closer inspection he was pointing to a bag of potting mix I picked up earlier from Bunnings!! I am still shaking my head and muttering WTF over that one. He also took my "Wow! That was quick!" comment about the parcel arriving so soon as personal praise! As if he was the only kog in the postal delivery service from the good US of A to Australia!! lol

I will post about Cyndi's package and what was in it tomorrow. I spent too long touching and drooling over the goodies she sent and am now too tied to post anymore. I think my night owl of a hubby has beat me to bed. Not good!! He snores and I have to fall asleep first!! lol

G'night.

A little bit of crafting

2010-07-15T16:56:00.000+09:30

I finished my daughter's socks/slippers! She says they are "deliciously warm".
While it's so freezingly cold Down Under I will be making as many as I can. All depends on whether the op shops will have anymore jumpers for sale once it gets out how easy these things are to make!

I had to wash my slippers that I made out of 100% felted lambswool. I was nervous that they would felt even more and that the flowers might be damaged. As you can see below that they turned out fine. So yes you can just throw them in the wash.

I was reading Kristen's blog So Happy and was quite taken with her cute pincushions. I had a little play with some scraps myself and was quite satisfied with the enjoyment of sewing linen and cute scraps. I love the things Kristen makes and often feel a craving to make some. Her fabric baskets are truly inspiring and she has a tutorial for them :)

Naomi from Nome's brag-a-long knows I like doing self covered buttons and sent me an email with the link to a tutorial. This tute shows you how to make the self covered buttons without buying a kit. You make everything yourself with stuff found in your home. Michele from Michele Made Me is the talented lady of this tutorial which you can find here. My first button made from the tute!

Off to make my bags! When I am done there will be lots to show you. I might take mystery shots of my bags as I make them just to tease you. I have been teased myself by many bloggers! lol

So Happy giveaway!

2010-07-08T11:31:00.000+09:30

Click here to be transported!

Kristen from So Happy is having a giveaway! Not only do you get the chance to win the Moda fabric above but also some:

Greet the Day in Aqua and Red of the Early Bird collection from Cosmo Cricket fabric.

AND! A choice of one from her cute pincushions!

Good Luck!

Felt scraps

2010-07-04T19:00:00.001+09:30

Awhile ago now, I was lucky to find a bag of scraps of felt for $1 at a thrift store. Real good quality felt in a huge range of colours. Even though they were scraps, they were decent sized scraps!

I have been using them to make flowers. See my sock slippers here for the flowers. I have made this monkey and started a blue one and a brown one. I got the "recipe" from an address on the internet that doesn't seem to exist anymore. Good thing I printed out the instructions for future reference!

Speaking of printing out stuff and the guilty feelings about wasting trees using paper. Well! When my hubby complained about companies not giving out printed manuals anymore for electronic stuff and giving CD's instead to read via PC, I told him that they are just being "environmentally friendly" and saving trees. My hubby laughed at me and said that using a computer uses a lot of energy eg a lot of coal burning, mining for coal etc. It made me stop and think that yes maybe we are being blind with tunnel vision on environmental issues.

We say we care about the environment and try to conserve paper to protect trees (still a good thing) but we have homes and workplaces full of power hungry appliances that we never unplug even when they are not being used.
I, from now on, will be more conservative with my power use which I currently waste. Right now I am in my dining room writing this post, while in my sewing room I know my sewing machine is on and its light aglow! My touch lamp beside my bed is most likely on. The TV is on in the lounge and no one is in there watching it! "My bad!".

PS the address for monkey is: www.tiangong.zj07.com
Just in case someone has skills and can find this page.

In Memory

2010-07-02T20:00:00.000+09:30

Anthony

15.12.1994 - 2.7.2003

Remembering the fun times with such sweet sorrow.

Miss you Antmee

Simple pattern + great fabric = gorgeous bag!

2010-06-30T18:08:00.000+09:30

I love this fabric! Makes a simple bag pattern turn out quite nice! If you want to make your own, you can find the pattern here. It's called the "1 hour bag" and Jodi from Ric-Rac generously has it as a free pattern and tutorial.

My darling daughter "bagged" this bag when she saw it. I had only half finished sewing it together! Since I gave in and promised to give it to her, I asked her what colour buttons she wanted on the sides. She wanted pink ones and do you think I could find some to match, in just the right size? No! It took me a few weeks of looking in fabric stores and even op shops before I gave up and bought some self cover buttons. I was then lucky enough to find just the right shade of pink fabric in my stash.

Inside the bag is a simple pocket and a magnetic snap to close. You could change this bag and add so much extra features like more pockets, a flap etc but then it would take a lot longer than the one hour it takes to make. It actually takes longer if you add in the time it takes to make a choice on what fabric you are going to use! The outer fabric and lining are cotton and the interfacing is H640 Vilene.

My niece likes this bag too! So I need to make another in similar fabric! As I said before, it might take me some time to find just the right fabric!

If you do make this bag, remember to strengthen the positions of the magnetic snaps with extra iron-on interfacing. I didn't in the beginning and had to undo the bottom of lining to remove snaps and add some extra interfacing.

felted sweater socks

2010-06-25T13:44:00.000+09:30

This post will most likely be more enjoyed by readers in the southern hemisphere, because it's freezing cold here, and I have made the warmest socks ever!

These socks were made from a 100% lambswool jumper (translate: sweater for my American friends). I found it in a sales rack of a thrift store. So it was CHEAP. Also as a jumper it was pretty ugly and unwearable.

I forgot to take a before picture but you can see from the above pic that I just cut off the sleeve and stitched the foot area closed. I tapered the foot to snuggle around my toes, therefore trapping in the heat and warming up my feet beautifully!

I hope my daughter doesn't mind I have decided to keep these for myself since she claims to be allergic to wool and I really am feeling the cold lately. I don't know whether it's old age or if my low blood pressure has something to do with it. Most likely old age! lol. I will keep an eye out for acrylic jumpers to turn into socks for my daughter so she doesn't miss out.

I won a giveaway!

2010-06-21T14:32:00.001+09:30

I won a giveaway a few weeks ago from Jess of JK Creations. She generously gave away a few of her beautiful clutches she makes and I won one! Lucky, lucky me.

I love the fabric she uses for her clutches. I am inspired to experiment with different fabric types and embellishments now for some bags I am making.

I am making a couple of bags at the same time to really get a feel for how the different fabric textures behave with the same pattern and interfacing. So it will be awhile before I get to post about them!

crafty recycling

2010-06-18T14:04:00.001+09:30

I made this bracelet using a piece of plastic from a drink bottle. I think it may have been a bottle of Franklin's spring water.

The ideal bottle would be one that has an hour glass figure and you cut out your cuff from this. I shaped the ends and then used this to cut out some felt.

Decorate your felt first and then blanket stitch it around the plastic cuff. Great for recycling those plastic bottles!

non sew related! turn away!

2010-06-14T22:19:00.000+09:30

In May, I travelled to Whyalla, South Australia, for our annual tourism conference. The show was full on for the entire week and not all of it spent sitting at a table in the conference centre listening to speakers.

We snorkeled with the Cuttle Fish. Awesome! I saw three. The weather was rough and being a non swimmer, I got washed around a bit.

This is the closest I want to get to reveal my face on the net. I am third on the right. These were the brave souls who faced some cold rough snorkeling weather.

We went on a trip to Iron Knob. I am luckily in the shadow. lol

A magnificent dinner with a live show of the "Desperado's". Meal prepared by local high school students. The meal was tasty and well presented.

We went on a scavenger hunt around Whyalla and then a tour by bus to see more sights of the town. The pic above is when we were locked out of the bus and mechanics were called in to break in. Here he is trying to drill out the lock. Failed. In the end he got a big hammer and smashed it out.

We got to wander around on this ship and see the very interesting museum they have at the Whyalla Visitor Information Centre. We also went on a guided tour of "Onesteel" where they make umm......steel.

We drank lots of wine and ate lots of food and my employers paid for it all and paid me to do it. Pity this couldn't happen more often. lol

We also had some time to listen to some very interesting speakers. I overloaded on info and a lot went in one ear and out the other. Thank goodness a conference dvd was made and sent on to us later on.

Fabric Challenge.......finished finally!!

2010-06-13T18:20:00.001+09:30

You may have noticed that I disappeared for awhile from my blog. Or you may not have! lol. But I have not even turned on my PC for awhile. There seems to be a nasty bug doing the rounds around town and I may have caught it. Well, I hope so because if not then all the nausea I have been feeling is going to turn into quite a surprise in 9 months! Nausea and keener sense of smell are the only symptoms I have got and everyone is saying "preggers" at me. I got my tubes done about 15 years ago so I don't think that is it!!

Oh, and I am doing stupid things. For example I bought a new kettle, filled with water and boiled it, then tipped it down the sink to clean it out. I felt the pouring was a bit slow but didn't bother checking and boiled some more water for a coffee. Still pouring a bit slow. Had a look inside the kettle and found the instruction manual still in there. A bit soggy and falling apart.

So a bit sick, a bit stressed because I have to wait till the end of this month to do the pregnancy test. Even though I am 99.9% sure I am not, it's that small uncertainty which has me worried.

Anyway! I haven't been feeling like sewing much as my brain has gone elsewhere. After all this time I have finally finished my fabric challenge.

There are eight grommets hammered into this bag. I had to leave the room while hubby did it for me. Using a tool he made, to do what I wanted. I told him my plans of wanting bronze grommets on one side and silver on the other and wanted to make two male grommets work together. A special tool was needed and hubby came up with the goods. Had to alter one side of the grommets, but finished off being just how I wanted them.

It's reversible! Red with beige linen themed on one side and green and grey linen themed on the other.

In my not well state I have forgotten to take a proper picture of the red and cream side!! Shit this is not my month. I don't want to leave posting this bag as my challenge partners have waited long enough.

I used bits of all the fabric prints sent to me. I hope this is exceptable to have some on the inside of the bag. Fingers crossed that it is exceptable and they forgive me for going over the allotted time.

I also had to go away up north for a work related conference. The conference lasted a week and I will show a pic tomorrow of what I get paid to do. he he

UPDATE: I have found out that I forgot to say where I found the pattern for this bag and it's designer! Thanks SoozeM.

Pattern from April 2009 issue of "Stitch" and designed by Rashida Coleman-Hale. It is a great pattern.

While I am here I may as well post the picture of the red side of the bag which I had forgotten to take yesterday.

Pretty buttons to make yourself

2010-05-21T21:45:00.002+09:30

I really felt stupid after buying some buttons at $6.00 ea. Yes! I paid 6 bucks ea for some really pretty buttons. Then on arriving home and giving them another look, I found that I could have made them easily and a lot cheaper.

I thought I would show you how I made them just in case you see some and think of buying them.

First:

Grab some supplies. Scraps of fabric and scraps of ribbons and trims.
Buy a packet of self cover buttons ($1.60 for three)

Sew two fabric scraps together like above. Then, using the circle template found on the back of button pack, cut out a fabric circle.

Add your trims to the circles. I glued the trims and stitched the ribbons down. Next, do a running stitch around the outside, close to the edge. Pretty much the same as making yo yo's.

Place your button inside the puff and draw in the puff (see button above).
Finally add the washer and press down. I use cotton reel placed over the shank and give a light tap with a small hammer. Voila! Pretty buttons.

The pink button on the left and top button are the purchased buttons that cost $6 ea! The rest cost less than $1.00 to make.

Hint: At the stage where your about to put the washer on, I dampen the button with water. This helps smooth out the fabric for a neater button.

Here's a finished clutch

2010-05-09T23:08:00.000+09:30

Just a quickie tonight to share this clutch I made using Noodleheads beautiful Gathered Clutch Tutorial. As usual I recycled. Remember those 3/4 LOUD patterned pants that were around a few years ago? Well, I still had a few pairs taking up room in my wardrobe so I have started cutting them up. The fabric from them is a soft brushed drill cotton that is good for pouches, wallets etc and the room growing in my wardrobe is good for a shopping spree!

Inside the clutch is some credit card pockets and clutch divider. Strap seen is a sneak in cameo appearance from my camera strap and not a strap for the clutch. I was thinking of adding one for my next clutch and also making the clutch a bit bigger next time.

I also wanted to show my luck at winning these patterns in a giveaway that Melissa of Ardea's Nest gave. Really like those Walking Frame bags! Guess what all my colleagues at work are going to get this Christmas? lol (Shoot! I think they read this blog!)

That's it from me. I am going to be away for a week and may not have access to the internet so enjoy yourselves and I will catch up on your blogs when I get back.

Finally! A Finish!

2010-04-29T19:53:00.000+09:30

These sleeve protectors are the only things I have finished this "flat out" month of April. I decided to do some Japanese embroidery on one and almost completely made the brown ones by hand! I am a slow stitcher so no wonder they took so long.

They look better "in person" than they do in the photo above but not as good as the originals from Mairuru. You can see her lovelies and see the tutorial she wrote here.

Just made it to work in time to deliver these to a colleague before she knocked off. Which was the second time today that I drove into work because after getting up early, ready for work and driving in, I found out that I am on the roster to work tomorrow. Not today! So off I go driving home a bit embarrassed and check my diary to see that its correctly written for Friday but I have incorrectly written that I am working Thursday on my calendar in the laundry.

That grey and brown fabric is actually the same piece of fabric! Grey one side and brown the other. Recycled from a pair of slacks.

Now onto some doll staining!

The Pink Post!

2010-04-27T21:04:00.002+09:30

Hello! I am still kicking around someplace. Just no current sewing finished because of life's busy little schedule! So I thought I would take this opportunity to post about a few things I have previously made for my "gift box" but couldn't give away until I had taken a photo of them. There is a lot of stuff in my "gift box" and I don't want to overwhelm people with too much all at once, so I decided to show the pink ones.

Flower pincushion pattern found here in a free tutorial!

Needle book pattern used can be found in this book here. I cheated with the flower! It is an iron on!

Baby booties made using Heather Baileys "bitty booties" pattern. It's a free download you can get from her blog here.

Wristlet made by me "winging it" again. Actually I don't mind how it turned out, especially when its made using leftover fabric and an old recycled buckle!

With pretty pink lining! Also a scrap of knit fabric from an old jumper that compliments the pink velvet outer fabric with its soft texture!

My attempt at log cabin patchwork. I feel I need to practice with a tutorial that has a few measurement guidelines for me!

Has some pink in it! If you look closely enough! lol. Pattern used is from this book here. These slippers are a size 7/8 adult and ended up in the "gift box" waiting for a winter birthday girl.

Soon I will be able to show the project I have just finished! I am patiently waiting for the recipient to return from her holiday so that I can give it to her! It's a surprise.

My next project may take awhile to complete. Its for a swap and I can't say much more about it really except it's A DOLL and I am a bit of a learner when it comes to their hair. But I have a wonderful friend who has led me to some very clear tutorials that I am looking forward to trying. By the way its a doll swap so no surprise lol.

Some Finished Projects

2010-04-14T20:19:00.001+09:30

Hope I can remember where I found the pattern!

Pattern was from this book by Tone Finnanger. Used recycled old denim for the pouch and felt and beads for flowers.

Easy Peasy pattern. Forgot to take a pic of the lining! It was recycled shorts in hot pink Hawaii fabric.

Another pouch. I stupidly thought I could just "wing it" without a pattern! But the end result was a lop sided pouch lol.

And finally some coasters. I saw some made by a lady at work and loved them. I thought "what a lovely scrap fabric project". So being me I had to make some. When I have made some complimentary things to go with them, they will be given as a gift.

That's it from me tonight because I have a deadline to finish a surprise gift for a work colleague tomorrow. Show pics after delivery!

Fabric store finds

2010-04-13T18:12:00.000+09:30

Today, straight after work, I raced down to my local fabric store to find some beautiful fabric for a fabric swap challenge I am in. After an hour standing in front of the fabric, unable to choose what I will buy for the ladies in the challenge, I took hold of the fabric above. It's very beautiful but on holding it I felt it was not the quality of fabric I wanted to send to my bloggy friends. It was quite thin and reading the info told me it was "suitable for childrens sleepwear". Not suitable for my challenge but so pretty I grabbed a quarter metre anyway.

A fat quarter I found in their cheap $2.00 basket. When I got home I found they had charged me $4.75 for it :( . I thought this fabric would be good for dolls dresses or pants.

Fabric with writing on it! I love it but am suspicious of the printing. Looks sprayed on and could just as easily wash off. It was one of the highest priced fabrics in the store but I still couldn't trust it enough to post to the ladies in the challenge.

I was astounded to find my local store has some nice patterns from Amy Butler in stock! I bought one of course and also the Flea Market Bag.

I asked the sales lady why they don't stock Amy Butler fabric as well. Cost is the answer I got and that they only stock Moda fabric. There would be a lot more sewists in this town if they stocked some fabric from the designers like Amy Butler and Heather Bailey!

I purchased the required fabric for the challenge as well but will not show it as probably should be a surprise! (Hint it's Moda)

On the sewing front I have been doing a bit but haven't finished any of it so no pics. Cant even show a WIP as its a surprise for a work colleague!

So I took some pics of some projects I made earlier (lots earlier) and will show them in a day or so.

Cheers!

Boys cake

2010-03-26T19:46:00.000+10:30

I haven't finished any sewing to show and while searching for photos of past projects not blogged, I came across this cake I made for my army nut son.

A lot blogs I am reading at the moment are all posting about birthday celebrations so I though I would share this easy cake idea with you.

All that needs doing is purchase a rectangle sponge cake (or two if you want to layer) and also get some kit kats or cheap chocolate fingers.

Colour some dessicated coconut green. To do this I just placed coconut into a transparent plastic bag and added a few drops of food colour. Shake bag and also rub until coconut is an even green.

Ice cake with frosting, then place kit kats around the outside. Spread green coconut on top and place some army toys in their battle positions. Ta da!

My boy loved this!

Bag Pattern Giveaway!

2010-03-19T11:52:00.000+10:30

No conditions to enter!

Cyndi from Bluebirdswing is having a giveaway and it's an awesome one! She is very generous and is giving away 12 bag patterns! I still can't believe it. I cant believe I'm letting the "cat out the bag" either about this giveaway! lol

Giveaway closes on the 26th March so hurry on over to her blog for your chance to win.

While you are there check out the rest of her blog as you wont be disappointed. She makes bags (of course! lol) and they are awesome. Some of the bags are from her own designs and some are from patterns purchased from other bag designers like Artsy-Crafty Babe.

Good Luck!

2010-03-19T10:58:00.000+10:30

I am not sure if I want to do a post about this sewing project (pronounce that reject lol) as it's turned out a bit crap but yet still functional for the purpose I made it for.

I have collected a few clover products and wanted them all to be kept in the same place to find easily. A pouch for them I thought and grabbed some crap fabric to get rid of.

I had a "Crap Fabric Usage Day" once before and was amazed that the boring navy pin-whale cord fabric I used, to make a bird with, actually turned out great! It was due to the contrasting fabric and embellishments that went exceptionally well with navy cord!

Above is the bird and below is the crap pouch. It doesn't have any form and is saggy as well. lol. If I used some interfacing and also some other fabric that broke up the print fabric, eg a plain bottle green band somewhere, it may have turned out to be a project to show with pride!

Also want to take this opportunity to thank two very nice, kind bloggers who have both given me the "Sunshine Award". They also have fantastic blogs and so I feel very touched by their gesture!

Thank you to Gracie from El Rey Gato and Donna from Comin' Home. Your blogs are awesome too!

Now onto the rules!

1. Place the logo within your blog or post.

2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within the post
.
4. Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on
their blogs.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

My nominees are:

1. Sue from I Purr-Furr to Craft
2. Naomi from Nomes' Brag-a-long
3. Mandy from Mandy Made
4. Karen from Sewing Tales
5. Billie from Tweety's Nest
6. Cyndi from bluebirdswing
7. Kristen from So Happy
8. Jane from Projects by Jane
9. Merry from MerryMade Cards and Craft
10. Fine Hand (a new blog to me but she makes great stuff)
11. Pat from Quilting Can Be Fun
12. Peg from Happy in Quilting

The above blogs are NOT in order of preference or favourites! Just wanted to add that in! lol

A Bag Finally Finished!

2010-03-11T17:41:00.000+10:30

Pleased to get this bag finished! It's been nearly done for quite awhile now.

Some hand beading does make a simple bag look a bit moorish. Even though it took some time to do, I am glad I did it.

A simple tote with raw edges. My brother came across this nice floral fabric and handed it over to me! I have lined the bag with linen and added a pocket.

Could make a nice library bag!

I still have some of this fabric left, and thanks to Cyndi from bluebirdswing I have another bag project in mind for this fabric! The "Phoebe Bag" designed by Rebeka Lambert of the blog artsy-crafty babe.

My magic carpet win has arrived!

2010-03-08T21:24:00.001+10:30

All the way from USA to OZ

Contains everything I need to make an apron. Good clear instructions too.

I can even access her blog "Comin' Home" for further apron tutorials if I need to. You can find her blog here.

While your there do check out her "Show and Tell Friday's" post. ( here's a direct link if you cant find it). Sounds like a nice idea. Like "show and tell" at school. If you remember those.

Well bye bye I had to work today and when I got home was nagged about "whats for dinner?". Nobody thought to organize something while I was working and they were home (public holiday) playing all day. Yes hubby too! lol. Males! they would starve if we didn't organize food!!! Now I'm pooped.

Making a zipper more colourful

2010-02-27T17:03:00.004+10:30

I found this tutorial on altering a zipper so that each side is a different colour.

I can see so many possibilities with these! Thank you goes to Clotilde.com.
Link to tutorial can be found here.
Enjoy

Psst! A friend is having a bag giveaway!

2010-02-21T16:12:00.000+10:30

Cristali Designs is having a giveaway that includes not only the bag pattern featured above, but, the gorgeous rose fabric too!!

I really would like to keep this giveaway a secret lol because I love bag patterns and fabric so much, but Cristali is so generous and my blogger friends are so generous that I HAVE to share.

Good Luck!

(link to giveaway here)

"hey mum! Can you make me, take me, bake me........"

2010-02-20T13:06:00.000+10:30

I know it's nice to be needed but can life slow down a little bit and leave some time for me? I run around after the kids so much helping them manage their lives that there is only scraps of time left to go my thing.

But I do love the sewing jobs they ask me to do! An example would be simple pencil cases like this one.......

So simple to make. I will have to show you how simple these are to make one day. They are so simple I am not sure if it would be considered sewing.

I like making them because you can run amok artistically on the embellishing side of things. Even though on this pirate one I wasn't able to as it was a custom order from my son. He went on a spending spree of stationary supplies for school and then realized when he got home that he didn't have a pencil case for all the pens he got. I offered to make one and he asked for the pirate and for it be done by Monday morning (it was Friday night). They take 10 minutes to sew once the fabric and zipper is found.

Another little project is this rice bag I made for my mum. The fabric was found in a thrift shop for a dollar (about 2metres worth) and the rose was cut from a pillow case from same op shop.

I made a few actually. One for mum, MIL, and prev MIL. Easy peasy projects that give almost instant gratification!

OWOH winners announced!

2010-02-16T19:38:00.016+10:30

Thank you to all who entered my giveaway! Two of my offered giveaways were open globally and until two overseas names have been chosen I will keep on picking winners ok?

The first two winners are:

No 1: Marie (Georgia USA) from the Twisted Sisters Art blog receives "E"

No 2: NICO Designs (Texas USA) receives "D"

No 3: Sue (Australia) from I Purr-Furr to Craft ~~has yet to choose her~~ ~~giveaway prize. When she has I can continue pulling winners for their choice~~.
(sue wants a surprise)

Stay tuned...

Up-Date: More winners!

No 4: Wendy from MerryMade Cards and Crafts is receiving "F"

No 5: Sewfunky from New zealand wins ~~a choice between mag "B" or "C"~~.
Has chosen "B"

No 6: Deborah from Comfort Joy Designs has won the cross stitch.

Thanks to all who participated and I hope you had as much fun as I did and made many new friends.

Cheers
Kylie

Giveaway!

2010-02-15T23:14:00.000+10:30

Hi from South Australia!

About me: I am a wife and mother who has loved to sew since about 10 years old. I use to only sew clothes but recently because of all you crafty bloggers I have fallen in love sewing other things like softies, homewares, hats, bags etc. I have only recently started blogging about my crafty adventures but it has blown me away with how friendly the world can be.

If you have read my introduction post at the beginning of my blogging life, you would have read how I blog to thank all the craft and sewing blogs out there who have inspired me "sooooo" much and taught me all manner of new skills.

Well, I would like to giveaway some of my spare copies of craft magazines I have collected over the years. I will pay all postage costs as well so I will have to limit this first giveaway to "2" overseas winners who will have to pay any associated costs accrued their end, eg: customs if any. The rest of the winners will be chosen from Australia, but only because of costs. I'm sure you are all an understanding bunch of nice readers.

Most of my craft mags are Australian so I am hoping some of you guys don't already have them!!

Sorry about the poor quality pictures. I either have a dud camera or am a dud photographer.

Get an early start on xmas! lol

For quilting fans. I have 3 copies to giveaway.

If you know of anyone who likes cross stitch, pass this giveaway on!

Assorted projects.

The puppy dog softie is one of my UFO's. Maybe we can do it together!

All you have to do for this giveaway is leave a comment. Also please state which mag you want eg: A, B, C, D, E, F. (Top photo has letters photo-shopped on the front).

Also, leave a way for me to contact you regarding addressing info.

Names will go into a hat and first winner will have first pick etc.

Giveaway closing 15th February 2010. Good luck.

Yours truly,

Kylie

A post about "Something" while I do "Something" else..

2010-02-12T10:12:00.000+10:30

I am making some bags at the moment but haven't any photos to show. Not even WIP pics. But I took a few pics of this great shopping bag my mum made me.

Do you remember "Quillows"? This bag is like those. You fold them up in a certain way then tuck it all inside a pocket and ta da! Well I folded and folded and then had to ask mum for the folding instructions!

I am no good at refolding maps either! Which is bad because I work in tourism and there are always maps to be opened and shown to clients. I usually throw the opened map behind the counter if the client doesn't want to keep it and then I refold it when they have gone (haha). They usually do want to keep said map and I then have to try and fold in front of them. Not a very professional sight I can tell you. Everyone gets a laugh though, so its ok.

Close up of embroidery. Isn't my mum clever! I think I got my love for embroidery from seeing my mum's beautiful work.

What I did with an old jumper

2010-02-04T10:56:00.002+10:30

Cut it up!!

Turned an ugly old jumper into more useful mittens and beanie! Inspired by the internet of course. Google recycled sweaters and you will find a tutorial. Or get yourself either "Felt it, Stitch it, Fabulous" by Katheryn Tidwell Bieber, or "The Crafty Minx" by Kelly Doust.

I should visit some flower making sites for a tutorial because I had a crap time making these flowers by myself. There are no short cuts to a nice fabric flower it seems. It's defiantly an "Art". lol

My Magical Flying Carpet Ride

2010-01-31T10:33:00.000+10:30

My ride is two posts further down.

Some of you smart, clever people have worked out how to keep your giveaway on top. Alas I haven't. Want to share your wisdom?

Pat's Giveaway

2010-01-31T10:30:00.000+10:30

Pat from "Quilting can be Fun" is giving away the above fantastic booty!

Pop over for your chance to win.

January OPAM Done!

2010-01-25T16:29:00.000+10:30

Just finished my January OPAM. She's my first and I am happy!!

She's going into my collection of softies for charity.

U.F.O. Pile up!

2010-01-22T20:10:00.005+10:30

The trouble with UFO's is they tend to pile up in your sewing room and eventually spill over to other parts of your house. Guilt sets in every time you inspect the pile and see how many projects are actually there.

They are in all stages of "incompleteness" from just the fabric cut out to nearly finished. I don't know which project causes more guilt, cut out fabric or projects that are so close to being finished its silly not to have finished them off.

My pile grows because I find another project calling to me before I can finish the last one. I find the calling is too strong and I give in to the new project albeit with guilt.

Well my guilt has finally gotten to me and I have to finish off some UFO's, WIP's whatever people like to call them. As you can see I have a few shelves full. These are the nearly finished items. I have a basket of ufo's in less finished stages and an ottoman in the lounge room full of unfinished projects.

Its a bit shameful and I decided to do something about them this year. So I have been invited to play along with this OPAM which stands for One Project A Month. I didn't quite make the 200 for entry into prizes as I found the site too late :( but can still participate in sewing along (and hopefully finishing off lots of guilt!!)

This sock doll is nearly finished and because Jan 2010 is also nearly finished, it will be my first OPAM. He just needs another arm! I think I can do that before Monday when I have to go back to work. lol

Swap with a difference

2010-01-15T12:41:00.000+10:30

Swap with a difference

This is gonna be heaps of fun! Time is running out to join as the deadline is 31st January 2010.

To get more info or to join visit here.

Mini Moopy's

2010-01-09T18:09:00.000+10:30

Here are my new little friends. They are pretending that they are Avatars on the forest moon of Pandora. I think the one at the back is more of an Ewok from the forest moon of Endor. lol.

I have been making these Mini Moopy's ever since I found them on Moopy and Me. She has a PDF so you can make them yourself. The group above is my latest batch but have been making them for years.

Little softies like these are a great way to use up scraps and the kids love them. My daughter scooped up the pink one, while the other two will be going to the "Childhood Cancer Association" or Brookman Ward when I have a box load of safe softies to deliver.

Cheers!

to do list..

2010-01-07T15:45:00.001+10:30

I am adding a Future Projects list, as many other sewists have done to help me keep track of projects that I itch to sew but don't quite have the time to right now.

If I ever feel like sewing (or have a block of free time!) and haven't got a current project, I can look back at this list and find all the info needed to get going: pattern, instructions etc.

Info on where I found project: Obi belt above found in "Sew Hip" magazine, issue 6.

Done!

I made my mum a softie

2010-01-02T19:23:00.001+10:30

I just wanted to show what I made for my mum. A gorgeous turtle.

I loved the whole crafting experience during the making of this little lady, largely because she is made up from recycled materials. Two woolen jackets that my daughter threw out.

The fabric from the pink jacket had a very loose weave and could fray too much for making softies so I traced pattern of shell and bonnet onto muslin. I then sewed the pattern pieces onto the pink wool fabric. Cut them out and stitched pieces as per instructions. See pic below for close up of fabric.

My favourite talented artist "Jhoanna Monte Aranez" designed this turtle and the pattern can be found in Sew Hip issue 6.

See Jhoanna's little turtle in the bottom corner. So cute! Here comes a close up.

I feel like making another one!

Bye!

Anthony

2009-12-20T13:19:00.005+10:30

Another reason I have stayed away from the internet is a bit depressing for me. The 15th December was my son Anthony's 15th birthday, and he isn't with us anymore to share in the celebration.

At this time of the year the junk mail and shops are full of toys I know he would have loved but I can't buy presents for him anymore. Its been six and a half long years without him.

I was going to do a memorial post on the 15th for him but it was a emotional day for this family. His sister and I fought and his brother has a anguished breakdown like I haven't seen since Anthony died. So no posting was attempted on that day, but today I feel sad for not doing it as if I let him down (sounds embarrassingly silly to me).

So today I will say something about my dearly missed son.

He was a extremely smart little boy. I know a lot of parents are bias but I don't think myself brilliantly smart and though I thought my children did ok at school I didn't think Anthony was very smart. This is mainly because I couldn't teach him to read. My other two picked it up before they started school but not Anthony. The teachers at school couldn't teach him to read either. I would sit him on my lap with word cards and it was frustrating. I though he was maybe dyslexic or had some kind of learning disorder. BUT the school thought otherwise. They assessed him with high IQ but his behaviour was out of control. They diagnosed him as possible Asperger Syndrome and sent us off to Autism Association for confirmation. I cried and was stressed out that my son was possibly autistic and would have challenges ahead of him. BUT the Autism Association tested him and the final conclusion was no he did not have Asperger's.

A month after we were told he did not have Asperger's he came home from access weekend with a headache. A week later he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma. I wish he had Asperger's Syndrome instead. Two years of chemo and radiation. We almost lived in the hospital. We would get a week home every now and then. Five months of daily radiation therapy. Not all at once but 9 weeks then six weeks then 5 weeks.

A couple of days after brain surgery my dh and I return from lunch to Anthonys hospital room to find him sitting up in bed FLUENTLY READING a Kzone magazine. He gave me a guilty look and then shrugged his shoulders as if to say:

"Oh well, mum can know I can read now and was just pretending I couldn't, to get some extra quality time together with just her and me, but now I don't need to because she is stuck in this hospital with me. And I am bored sitting here with nothing to do".

He missed a hell of a lot of school. He might make an hour a day of school after radiation therapy. You would think he would be behind in class but no! His teacher spoke to me one day how he was extremely smart and amazed her that he could slip straight back into class work with so much time off. Also that she wanted to put him into the top maths group but he would then be the only boy in the group and she wanted him to be happy with his friends. I said that some of the other boys might catch up and go with him into the other group but she said Anthony blitzed them in Maths. So he was smart, cunning and wise. (wiser than me I found out later)

The picture above is not a very good scan of an old pic but I like it. It is one of only a few pictures I have of Anthony before he got sick. Anthony is the tall one wearing blue army clothes. His older brother Brandon looks shorter but I think they were the same height. People would confuse them for twins even though Brandon was nearly two years older.

Again the pic above is not very good but I could not delete it. They were taken on automatic timer and afterwards Anthony asked to view them. I gave him the digital camera and he gasped out to me:

"Mum! The next time you tell someone that I am an Angel and they don't believe you, you now have proof! See!"

He then showed me the picture and the halo above his head. This was taken only a week or so before he died and in two years of taking photos of him in hospital we have never got one with a halo over his head before. It made me cry because I knew he was dying and was scared that my troubled belief with religion and God and not having my children christened would prevent Anthony from getting into heaven. This picture was like a message for me to not worry, God loves all. I might not get in but innocent little children will.

My son liked all things Army as you can see from the pics. In most of them he wears army clothes and most of his favourite clothes I made for him. Like the blue outfit in one of the pictures above.

Goodnight baby! Mummy misses you

Join us and have some fun!

2009-12-19T14:17:00.003+10:30

I have not blogged in awhile or even read other people's blogs for a couple of weeks. Do you want to know why? TEENAGERS. My teenager has finished high school for the year and is home on the internet. With the plan we are on it's great when I am the only one logged on but our speed is shaped when we go over our 5gb limit. It's so slow with three people using it at one time that I don't enjoy it. Internode won't let me up-grade to faster speeds and 50gb limit until the Fifth of January either.

But today I gave in and spent au$5.00 for a 2gb data block and started catching up with my favourite blogs.

It's a good thing too because I was reminded about a PIF group (Pay It Forward) I have joined. I am excited about this as it will be my first and it sounds like fun. It's being run by Naomi of Nomes's Brag Along. If you like getting surprises in the mail pop over to her blog for detailed information.

You might get a softie or something else from me if you join.

The above sounds like a bribe lol.

Bye

Dishsoap Aprons

2009-12-04T21:29:00.000+10:30

A staff Xmas party was upon me and I had a few pressie's to get. I made some little aprons (with soap bottles lol). Quick and good gifts for work colleagues. They were a hit with the ladies! A few other staff members who weren't on my list asked me if I would make them some. Back to the sewing machine...........

Egg cosies

2009-12-02T22:38:00.002+10:30

I think egg cosies are cute. They are also fun to make. Very easy and quick to sew. Need a quick fix of sewing in your busy life? Egg cosies don't use much fabric and mine only took 20 minutes to make.

"Oh what fun, it is to sew..."

2009-12-01T17:00:00.000+10:30

I love Tone Finnanger patterns! I have just finished her xmas stocking project from the book Crafting Christmas Gifts. While looking for a link for people who may be interested, I went to Quilt Fabric Delights but she has sold out of this book. But while there I ordered the Easter book by Tone Finnanger. Can't wait for it to get here. She is super fast with deliveries. The only hold up is I do not have a credit card. Yes indeed I do not and never have owned a credit card. People look at me strangely when I tell them that but it must be why I live debt free. I only pay cash so if I don't have any I don't spend any. I will be getting a debit VISA card one day as paying by money order is getting expensive ($4.50 + stamp + envelope costs). Visa Debit cards use your own money I hear but what are the fees?

xmas stocking from a Tone Finnanger pattern

I made this stocking for a work colleague for no other reason than we started talking about xmas and she mentioned wanting to get a stocking for her very first grandchild. Well! I jumped right in and offered to make her one. Also her grandson is gorgeous! Chubby cheeks! I love chubby cheeks!

Most of the fabric came from my stash except the lining. All cotton type fabrics were used and I used thin fleece for the interfacing (turned out a bit bulky). I would leave out the interfacing next time and see how it goes.

All the patterns I have come across from this talented lady are very easy to do. AND the best bit is I haven't come across any errors in the patterns or instructions yet. It makes me really confident of success when starting her patterns and therefore a good sewing session is guaranteed! How many people have come across a project in a book or wherever and half way through it just makes no sense? You are left wondering if something was left out of the instructions and you end up having a disappointing sewing day.

A big thank you to all pattern makers who proof read their books before publishing!

Sew Sunny Homestyle

2009-11-22T17:40:00.001+10:30

Got a couple of craft/sewing books lately. The above book by Tone Finnanger is my fourth by this talented designer. It is the thickest yet. Jam packed full of patterns! Yeah! My favourites in the book are the animal softies. I will take a pic of my "projects to do" from this book as soon as camera battery charges and I have no work commitments.

I am in a softies phase lately but I also go through bag making phases and kitchen accessories phases too. I can feel a hat making phase just around the corner so watch out for my creations of caps and cloches.

This hat phase was triggered during the heat wave and I had to purchase fish and chips for tea as it was too hot to cook. While at the servo waiting for our tea, I saw a stand full of caps. Many were made from linen type fabrics and houndstooth and tweeds. I have had an itch to make one ever since.

Another recent purchase is from Rosalie Quinlan. I got it from Quilt Fabric Delights. I have her other sewing book and thought it quite good so picked this up without doing much research. It has enough projects, that I like, to be worth the au$29.95. This is when you compare the cost of an individual pattern here in Australia, between $15.00 - $25.00 ea. Makes spending $30 on a book with about 15 patterns and full sized templates good value. No more running to work to enlarge patterns. he he

Must go Hubby has started defrosting tea and he never does that! So! Must be he is subtly telling me I am a slacker.

More Softies

2009-11-22T16:45:00.001+10:30

No name softie from the book Softies is meant to be a giraffe. That's what the designer calls her design, but my friends call my creation an alien. My skinny little alien. A fun project to do and one of the first projects started and finished from the book. I have been reading the Two little Banshees blog for years and fell in love with all her great softies.

A pattern for one of her creations in the book "Softies" was THE reason I purchased it. I also have made her platypus design published in a Handmade Magazine. Pics soon.

I know the pics are not great and I should get a ~~kick~~ thumbs down award for them but my camera is not being my friend at the moment.

One of my first softies made ever! I just scribbled a shape on newspaper and cut them out, did the face and some sewing/stuffing and voila! Inspiration came from some blogs read 2006/2007? and the only blog I can remember the most was called Moopy and Me.

I Love Softies

2009-11-21T11:33:00.002+10:30

I have been busy with sewing lately, but just haven't quite finished enough to take photo's.

The witches costume was finished and waiting for my niece to turn up and try it on. I was going to take a pic of it then to show, but she arrived at my home while I was at work and rang me at work to say thanks and took off with it.

I have also nearly finished Xmas stocking for a work colleague. Will not say much more about it as I will do that when I can take a photo. I will say however that it is a Tone Finnager pattern.

I do have some finished projects that I completed awhile ago and just waiting for me to get off my lazy bum and blog them

This is Ducky. I love Ducky and he still lives with me. I learn't a new skill during the making. It was in constructing his beak. At the start it looked difficult and maybe too involved for a lazy girl like me but I wanted the softie badly so I had to make it. And let me tell you! The processes involved in this ducks construction were extremely easy. Yes even the beak. If you would like to have a go at making one yourself, visit "The Long Thread" here.

It's hard to judge the size of this owl from this picture, and since I don't have him anymore, I will guess he was/is about 30 - 40cm in height. I gave him to my grandma on her 81st birthday.

I made him using up some scrap fabrics and recycled fabric from old jeans. I love his golden eyes the most and the fact that I can't find any one thing that I would alter. You all know that we sewers are our own worst critics and find faults with what we make that nobody else would even notice. This owl is one of the few exceptions. I have no itch to undo and redo any part of him. It leaves you feeling completely satisfied and on a sewers high for a day or so.

For those who want to know about the designer and pattern I will go now and dig out the magazine. I do know that the pattern came from a Australian sewing magazine, "Handmade".

I found it! I am not surprised to find the designer is "Jhoanna Aranez" of One Red Robin fame. The issue of Handmade magazine is Vol 25 No3.

That's it for today as I want to show you my current projects and must finish them first.

Have a great weekend!

Heatwave Post

2009-11-12T13:58:00.002+10:30

We are still having the unexpected heatwave here. It has sapped all of my energy and I am coping by turning the stereo up really loud to drown out the heat. It works, believe me it really does. Cold drinks help too!! Don't worry about the neighbours. We live in area of 5 acre allotments so lots of distance between us.

I still haven't been crafty lately but have some pics of projects completed awhile ago. The photo's are poor quality but they were taken with my old camera and I will never declare myself a photographer. Just a girl with a camera. I enjoy sewing more than the picture taking. Oh well, on with pic uploading........

This is Stanley. Gone to a good home now but still fondly remembered. He is from the book "Softies" and designed by one of my favourite designers Fiona Dalton of "Hop Skip Jump". I am a newbie to softie making and I think Stanley turned out ok. He was easy to make or the instructions in the book are really well written.

Emo Girl. She was a great scrap using project. I cannot remember where I found this doll on the internet, so if anyone has an idea, could they let me know and I can give credit where its due.

I saw this doll on someones blog and wanted one of my own. I couldn't get a copy of the pattern so I finished up making my own pattern. She turned out alright and exactly how I wanted her to. She has also left me to go live elsewhere. My little niece is looking after her.

Must go. My boss just rang and wants to add some stress to my life (only joking) The security guys at work want to do something to our electronic keys. Wipe the data clean or something like that. I hope mine works when I go in this weekend!

The temperature here

2009-11-10T16:08:00.001+10:30

is hot, hot, HOT, and we are told to expect another three days of it. DH tells me that it will be a record heat wave for November. Well that helps me cope......not!!

Too hot to do housework. So I have been trying to sew. Yes I said TRYING as its even too hot to sew anything new. I have been pottering around doing little bits to some UFO's. Very little bits that don't make much difference to the pile of UFO's but they are getting closer to being finished.

I have some pics of completed projects from before I started blogging and will post about them until this heat wave is over.

This oven mitt was fun to make. I don't know if anyone else gets the urge to make something with what I call "yucky" fabric. Just to get rid of it. As I can't just throw away fabric even "yucky" stuff. And does anyone else find that the project ends up fun to do and the finished article looks unbelievably good?

This oven mitt was such a project. The lining was not inspiring me or the scraps I used for the applique, but made into a linen mitt the fabrics all work right.

Pattern was from Lotta Jansdotter's "Simple Sewing" book, but I just followed my own plan in making it up. It would have been an exceptionally quick project except I decided to hand quilt both sides of gloves and hand quilt the lining (in front of telly so no hard task).

Fun with fabric

2009-11-01T08:01:00.003+10:30

I made this journal cover for my daughter and it was a fun quick project. My daughter is really, really into japanese art, fashion and manga, (manga mad). She has been a fan since around ten years old. At around twenty she still is obsessed with pokemon. I started liking japanese craft once I started sewing non garment type things like bags and stuffies. I fell in love with all things zakka from reading blogs on the net. I had found stacks of free patterns on japanese craft sites (google.jp) but when my computer started playing up, my dear hubby reformatted and I lost it all. arrr

I have been learning to make these Kanzashi flowers. This is my second one. The petals are made from 2 1/2 " fabric squares. I will need to practice at this size for a while before I attempt the little ones.

I am a Naughty Girl!

2009-10-27T19:50:00.002+10:30

Time is moving on and the tax return deadline is only a few nights away and what am I doing?

A green "Pleated Beauty Handbag" from the Bend the Rules Sewing book. Making this bag has been heaps of fun. Selecting fabric and matching contrast fabric, embroidery, and slowing seeing it come together has been an oasis in a boring life of work and tax. And as you can see I am nowhere near finished.

Its very easy to make but for the pleats ( I'm embarrassed to say). Firstly I couldn't decide which side I should press the seam allowances and I think this would make a world of difference in lining up the pleats.(maybe). I will try it differently next time. (I pressed the seam allowance toward outer plain green fabric).

Op Shopping Therapy

2009-10-23T19:47:00.000+10:30

My car drove me crazy today so I made it also drive me to my favourite op shop, the "Salvo's". And I found some beautiful fabric, two fantastic pillow cases and some brown felt. The green I have already started cutting out the pattern pieces for the "Pleated Beauty Handbag" from Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing". It wont be the first thing I have made from this great book. I have done the No Cash Wallet, which fits my cards perfectly and is always in use, and made the "Charming Handbag". I'll get some pics of them soon.

What a day!

2009-10-23T19:23:00.001+10:30

When your already have a day full of "tasks that need doing" like taking a kid to the doctor, bills to pay, shopping etc, you don't need your car to play up!!!

Everything was fine until some tough looking fellows approached me and asked for help. Their car had a flat battery. I drove my car over to where they were parked and opened the bonnet. They had jumper leads and were men so I let them get on with it. No action from their car. One guy scratches his head and says he's sure its the battery. I get out of my car and look under my bonnet. And politely ask if they would mind me putting the leads on the battery and not on the plastic casing they had it on. Voila! cars start, battery's charge and away everyone goes.

Well!.... my car gives me grief down the road and stalls all the way to drop off daughter and then all the way home. I give up on registering hubby's car (got until Monday anyway).

I told my husband about the problem with the car and he is puzzled until later I tell him about helping some strangers. He said jump starting cars nowadays can upset the computers in them. Power surge kind of thing.

Morale of story is not to jump start a car unless 1) you have the modern leads with a surge protector, or 2) you don't connect the negative to the flat cars battery. You clamp it onto the engine somewhere and the positive onto battery terminal.
Both clamps can be attached to good car. Both cars must be off completely when attaching jumper leads. This post should be "How to be a good Samaritan".

I hope hubby didn't want to rest this weekend. ha ha

Too busy to sew.

2009-10-19T18:54:00.001+10:30

My boss is going on holidays, so I have extra work days to do. Which means busy, busy, busy and no time for sewing! Well sewing my stuff that I like sewing. I still have to fit in my time schedule a witches costume for a niece (who wants it in like two to three weeks), a xmas stocking for a work colleague, and do my tax and assist with my partners complicated tax.

So no fun sewing for me. I am contenting myself with some pics of a recently finished project. This purple bear I made for my daughter who took it home with her as soon as she saw it and before I got a photo of it. Today she came over with it and I took some quick crap shots as you will be able to tell from above pics.

Its from a Australian "Handmade" sewing magazine. The designer is Jhoanna Monte Aranez. Made of polar fleece and cotton scraps for the dress. Flower is made of felt.

Blue Flower

2009-10-18T13:51:00.020+10:30

Here is a Blue Flower I made recently. Its from the book "Kanzashi In Bloom" by Diane Gilleland. I have been trying to work out how to make this flower for years until I got the above mentioned book. It gives very easy to understand instructions and lots of pics.

I am currently trying to master making these in a small size. I want them tiny enough to fit in some studs for little earrings. Small sizes are fiddly and frustrating.

A New Adventure

2009-10-18T11:55:00.000+10:30

I have finally started a blog that I have been meaning to create for about two years now. I started reading others blogs in 2006 and felt I should contribute. Its my thank you to all other bloggers out there for years of inspiration and help. (Even though you never knew you were).

I have a lot to learn about this blogging business. Adding photos and linking and heaps of other things. First will be how to turn bold type off! Instead of having to highlight the text all the time.

This blog will mainly be about my sewing adventures and other crafts.
I will try to add a pic of a little blue flower I made recently. If you see it I have succeeded, if not well...........