rousabout is Vera Jean

I sewed !!!

2009-09-28T16:16:00.005+10:00

I dont believe how slow the first week of the holidays have been, and with the constant rain it has been all inside..BUT, I sewed...
I finally enlarged the armholes on this top, that has been hanging around waiting...

Now it has new facing and has already been worn with pride..

I finished hand stitching the owls tummy in place..

I located full sets of 5 and sorted all my bright sewing threads

I cut out a peasant top for Miss Paige.

I went to spotlight and accidentally bought these fat flats home to gather some dust with the rest of the stash..(They are way too yummy)

Then I sewed this little number together and had a very happy customer..

And just because boys love a photo opportunity also.

How are the holidays treating you???

Why I have been missing in action!!!

2009-09-01T11:11:00.008+10:00

I have done very little crafting of late as I am renovating my life, I joined a gym back in Jan/Feb and thought I was going to have a heart attack after 10 mins, but now I am loving it, the increased energy and the feeling of being in control of my life and being a better wife, mother and friend.. So sorry for the incommunicado but my butt has been busy stepping, kicking and squatting into a new way of life.. PS - I had to do the new jeans thing too and for the first time in 17 years I am trimmer than I was in High school....Yippee...Anyone looking for the ultimate awesome gym class, this is what I do...and its great...

An old friend.

2009-07-03T11:22:00.004+10:00

I received a picture yesterday of an old friend, I don't see him anymore. I still think about him, I wish I could hug him, smell him and most of all ride him...(Get your mind out of the gutter)...

My dear friend had to find a new home, My two little ones are allergic to horse hair, so along with the pressures of motherhood and running a small business, my dear friend wasn't getting the attention or exercise he deserved..For anyone who knows how strong the bond is between horse and owner (especially natural horsemanship) It was a heartbreaking decision to sell my dear friend Sirocco.

I really miss the sense of freedom that riding along the river listening to the cockatoos and the wind through the trees and the clip-clop of hooves.

But I met the most amazing woman...It was a chilly morning out in the paddock, this very quite spoken woman walked up to my friend and it was like the start of a love affair.. She saw his almost human like nature and his beauty of course, but that he was a trustworthy and intelligent gentleman..She took him home!...I cried and cried, but every now and then (like yesterday) I am reminded of how much he means to her and that he is being spoilt rotten and living the life of true horse luxury.. (He gets to go to the beach all the time!, lucky thing!!)

Apologies for the lack of craft in this post, But seriously, it is the school holidays and just getting the beds made is a bonus..

ha ha....

Murphy the escaping cat...

2009-06-09T13:39:00.004+10:00

Also, I have been trying to get the camera out and catch this little guy..

Check out our cheeky Murphy. They sure are a smart breed...

Those gotta have but dont need things...

2009-06-09T12:53:00.003+10:00

You know those little gadgets that when you see them demonstrating them, something inside you starts poking your brain "Ooh, Ooh, I want one of those!!!Gotta have it.." Here is one of those little but rather expensive things that I finally got to use...

It is a Janome even-feed foot (A tractor foot/bulldozer - so my 3yo son says), It comes in a swanky little case with a range of attachments for wide hems, rolled hems, bias attachment blah blah blah... Because it feeds both sides of the needle and tilts from side to side also I used it to sew these damn selvedges together.. I decided to incorporate these few into my quilt back so that I would never forget what the fabric was..

After sewing these few bitz, I have the most overwhelming admiration for the dress, chair, umbrella and other stuff that Jodie has made, honestly the patience level for this job is huge...This is enough for me..Just a strip to put in the brick road that I am making for the quilt back.

Anyway..I finally took a focused shot of the purse in the Sandra Banava fabric...made from the pattern purchased from Nicole Mallalieu...

here tis...

The purse and the stalking cat..

2009-06-01T11:56:00.004+10:00

I finally found some quiet ME time to make this cute little coin purse, to put the kids lunch money/parking meter money in, away from greedy little fingers.. I followed the VERY strict detailed instructions (apart from the glue warning) and am very pleased with the reults, although I think the next one will be better...experience is better than hindsight. You can buy the pattern or the kits from Nikki, and the tip about the glue! less is definitely better...

I have been dealing with recurring tonsilitis and the circle of life which I have decided is actually like this ..."I have a snotty nose and sore throat, I will pass it to you, then you can give it to him, then he can pass it right on back!!!" That sounds like the REAL circle of life...

I have been crocheting newsboy caps like mad after a flurry of sales got me a little motivated.

I have also been crocheting a (lifesaver icypole) scarf for Miss Paige, secretly I think it will itch her and I will get it back, so I am making it nice and long..

Whilst resting up to get over the bugs in this house the only person with energy to burn has been Murphy.. Stalking at every opportunity,, he nearly knocked the camera out of my hands..They are so funny honestly, they think if you look at them and they freeze that they wont be noticied...But turn the other way and its gotcha, a high five with claaws..............See him playing peek a boo...I'm gonna get you!

Goodness from yesteryear

2009-05-05T15:11:00.004+10:00

I have had some serious postie love this past week and also some absolute vintage treasures come my way too!!
Firstly I recieved this pattern from the amazing Kellie at Dont Look Now.. I will promise to make something from this one day!

Then this adorable kinnear fabric from Liberty of London arrived from the UK. I have been drooling over and wanting to find and buy this for a very very long time!!!

Finally... nearly a whole metre.....yippee and a little snippet of purple (Im thinking for a kinder doll dress maybe??)

I am so so so excited to have recieved these books that belonged to my grandmother, Vera.

My Aunt passed them to me and I am feeling very very lucky!!!

What a fancy nightie selection???

There are things in these books I have never even heard of before, like jerkins (what the?) and lots of other obviously necessary attire from yesteryear with very odd names.

I have enjoyed flicking through them and the tailoring advice is wonderful. I do not however think that my girls will be asking for any garments out of these books.. Very Lucille Ball.. not at all very 'rock chic'..

What a hoot!!

2009-04-30T10:41:00.003+10:00

I would like to introduce you to my newest family addition...Hooty the Owl..

I have a thing for these little guys, I have one on my keyring even.
My dear friend Natasha MADE this for me for my birthday..
I have to tell you that it is the first handmade gift I have received since I was a child..
I have given out my fair share of handmade things but never realised the intense humbling feeling to know that someone has spent so much time for your benefit...Thanks again Tash!!

He has a cute hand stitched tummy and the cutest little feet! And eyes that go on forever..( Perhaps I should call him Jamie?? as in Durie!! , wouldn't mind finding him hiding in my garden!!)he he.....

Anyway after feeling the handmade love I decided to wiggle my tail and weave in the threads on a stack of crocheted beanies and bakers boys and pop them onto made-it.. So someone else can enjoy some handmade...

Back living again!! - the no sew school holidays..

2009-04-22T10:18:00.012+10:00

Hi there, I just want to make it clear that this IS A SEWING BLOG!!! (and crafty other stuff) but because I didnt get to do any of that stuff over the school hol's, I am going to bore you with the things that I did get up to!!..

Firstly (so I have a nice picture at the top) I did cover these 3 canvases with my very special Aunty Cookie fabric from Kelani...

NOW, onto the other stuff (so you dont think Ive been hibernating for a month!)

We decided to do the backyard finally in the holidays, so in true Extreme style the hubby bought in the digger to prepare the site... Lets call this the BEFORE picture

BEFORE

MID WAY DONE!!!

We spent the first weekend of the school holidays in Melbourne gathering some large palms for our back yard.. Yes my hubby does everything to the Extreme... Let me tell you it was a long, tiring weekend but very worth it.. If anyone had to drive along the western highway with a palm tree poking into their windscreen in the wee ours of the morning, I sincerely apologise..Then with lots of coffees and lots of beeping and dirt through the house we nearly have a pool hole... It is finished now but I have failed to take a shot of that yet..

By the time the pool is ready to swim in, the penguins should be ready to leave the aquarium and they can move straight in..ha ha..not!

SOME SEWING RELATED STUFF!!!

I received the most lovely prize from dear Wynona over at Ivy Designs... Thankyou soo much..

It was the most lovely wrapped parcel , The girls loved the button rings and I was the lucky model for the hair clip, and that bag oh my!! It is reserved for special girly functions (yes to share!!!)...

Oh the joy of those school holidays.. I need to reacquaint myself with the clothesline because the dryer was way too much easier in times of chaos..

I thought this would be quick but after all the accidental deleting of photos and the spreading out that happens everytime I upload another photo (because of my accidental deleting) this has taken a painful hour or more!!! Damn I am home alone, little man at kinder and I had intended on rebooting the Janome's from their long slumber, but now its time to fly again... Oh when will life slow down???

PS - I had a birthday last week, check out those gorgeous flowers from my MIL...Happy sewing all you lucky people who can actually find the time!!

Stitches and Craft review.

2009-03-21T18:57:00.004+11:00

I went, I saw amazing things, I met amazing people.. The day was awesome!!

My friend Jacqui from my sewing group came too and we had a great day out.

I didnt take the camera, but Jacqui took this one of me in front of my favourite quilt pattern, the Aunt Becs 9 patch... ( I look like a damn rabbit!)

I picked up a few fat quarters from the infamous amitie, A long coveted pattern from Jodie for the kinder girls, A purse frame kit from Nicole Mallalieu, Some postcards and tags from Fii, Some wool from Yarn Barn and a few beads and things...

I had some of the sewing girls around last night and I shouldve taken some pics but got sidetracked playing the wii.. I was a little bugged as the linen for the back of my quilt was all sold out and I have now decided to make a patchwork back also..

I have also been busy crocheting this lovely scarf from ravelry after seeing this one.. It isnt as bold as I had hoped, as dear hubby said, the colors look a little like vomit. (Thanks honey!)

I am feeling very poorly this afternoon, The old saying goes -'if you cant beat them join them'.. Hubby dragged me to the gym about a month ago and now I am enjoying at least 3 trips a week..( I even joined him at bootcamp for a morning- holy crap!!)

I stepped the pace up a little with his challenge of doing BodyAttack this morning.. Oh how unfit am I, I sweated so much I have had a headache all day, despite drinking so much that the toilet has been my best friend all avo..

My very first quilt top!!!

2009-03-13T16:25:00.005+11:00

I am very pleased with myself, I have finished my very first quilt top. A dissapearing nine patch with sashes and borders in linen.. I dont mind it at all..

I am unsure wether to do the hand quilting thing in the raved about perle thread or if I should quilt it by machine? I saw one online that had waves from side to side and I thought it looked very modern and it was something I could do myself without years of practise first (Like the dreaded freehand stippling).

I will think about it, maybe I will see something on SUNDAY!!

I am sooo very looking forward to going to the stitches and craft on Sunday!. From all reports it is bigger than ben-hur. Myself and a couple of fellow crafters from the sticks are heading to the big smoke to check out the talent and I hope to put some faces to the names that I have been lurking on for some time..

I have also been rather taken with my crochet and have joined ravelry, which has only added fuel to the fire.. I have finished a scarf and am trying my damndest at a new unusual looking scarfy thing now, once again, who knows what amazing stuff I will see on SUNDAY..

Phew!

2009-02-09T16:27:00.007+11:00

What a weekend! Our fires here are contained and there were no lost lives, how thankful we have the wonderful CFA.

My husband spent the whole day saturday putting out spot fires on his mothers property and keeping her calm. Things could have been a whole lot worse, and after the tv stations finally came back on air at 10pm, I watched in horror at the devastation that other parts of Victoria were experiencing. The terror and loss is unimaginable, I watched several hours of updates this morning and just cannot fathom what people are going through.

I have been tagged by Emma at Emmaroseart

The tag is 6x6 - the 6th photo in the 6th folder.

This is a quilt that I took a photo of at last years Stitches and Craft!, It was this one that made me fall in love with the Aunt Becs 9 patch from Amitie..

I also got tagged for the same 6x6 by Selina at Wild Things of Noosa, so I bent the rules and chose the 6th picture in my downloaded images.

This is an idea we intend to implement in our back yard.. We used to have an inground trampoline, but with the round ones taking over, we will try and do something classy like this!

Now to pass this on for some others to do the same..

http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/

http://www.dearfii.blogspot.com/

http://noolygirl.wordpress.com/

http://blackeyedsusie.blogspot.com/

http://sillygillykids.blogspot.com/

http://thornberry.wordpress.com/

Oops, helps to press publish..

Heat, Wind and Fire!!

2009-02-07T14:24:00.003+11:00

Oh my what a shocker of a day!
It is blowing an absolute gale and the heat!, Well it feels like I have jumped inside a furnace.
Then whilst surfing the net moments ago, I look out and see this out my office window..

We are in a new estate and there are only 3 rows of houses between us and that smoke... Open paddocks after that and the river is just off to the left, so lots of dry wood and not much water unfortunately. The helicopter is buzzing around and the sirens are very frequent. This is nothing like gippsland people are experiencing but it does get the adrenalin going.

At least with all that terrible wind, the soot wont be landing on us for the next day. I just hope they manage to get it all under control soon, There are a lot of spot fires starting up from blown embers.. Mother Nature!, it must just be PMS..

On a nicer note, my little baby started 3 year old kinder this week and he is so very proud of himself.. He wants to go every day. I didnt even have separation issues.. from him that is at least.

Till next time, Bring on the cool change!!

Controlled Chaos

2009-02-01T17:50:00.006+11:00

Where did those 6 weeks go?? All that organising I did weeks ago and today I still find myself feeling like a mouse running in a wheel.. Will I ever find the cheese??

I am halfway through making slices and muffins for the school lunches, Have the labelling machine out ready to print and iron the new items, Lunchboxes at the ready, New shoes have been worn in and polished up again, Now today has consisted of ,what I call some serious multi-tasking!!

I have been a little preoccupied too, I have scoured the world of all the disappearing nine patch quilts and I bow down to you "oh great one" Annie, Yours is the finest of them all!!

Now I am begging of you, help me please with your expertise ( crikey that rhymes!) I am going to make one of these to practise my piecing and cutting skills before I cut into the Big one.. So tell me, (any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!)I thought I would use this stash from Provincial Patch.. Do these colors look ok?? I thought I would keep the brown in the centre, so It would end up as the small square, then alternate the red and green, keeping the blue on the corners so they stay large.. (or should I cut up a couple??) I have also realised that the brown print is the same as a red one and that could look dicky if they were beside one another..

This quilting business is a little tricky but addictive isnt it!! I havent even started yet and my mind is already thinking of others.. I think that I have crafters ADD.

See the two prints the same! the brown and red with the palm leaves.. I need to keep them way apart dont I? I actually like the plain brown for a centre.. maybe just throwing in the odd brown print.

I made a flower badge for miss P's new school bag today, that way she can see her bag hanging on the hook from a mile away..

Oh and I got this a few weeks back from the fabulous Missie Krissie.. It was delivered within 48 hours of ordering and I love it!!! Some of my sewing girlfriends suggested that I could use a little red sticky dot to hide someones name if they had been naughty!! thus threatening their status with a red sticker.. he he.. too funny

The heatwave!! and a little stitching

2009-01-30T19:17:00.007+11:00

We arrived back from our holiday in Warrnambool yesterday and I wish we could have brought the sea breeze back with us.. We had a great time and the kids loved Lake Pertobe Playground!! especially the flying fox.

It is 46 degrees at the moment and the forecast says lots of 40+ weather yet to come.

Even the Yuccas are char grilled from the wind.

I had a little sew up this afternoon.

My youngest daughter is starting school on Monday and because she suffers anaphylaxis I need to provide the school with 2 epi-pens.

These need to be in an insulated pouch, so that was this afternoons task..

I pondered on cutting up a few stubbie holders but then after googling how hard it was to sew neoprene, I decided a new sewing machine motor wasnt worth it..

Dear hubby popped in to the local surfy/outdoors shop and came home with a piece of wetsuit foam.. A little test sew and it was just like sewing timtex stuff..

I sandwiched the foam between two pieces of fabric. and stitched it down.

Then disaster struck.................

The damn walking foot had vibrated the screw loose that tightens the needle in place, the needle fell out and on the downward stitch the shank hit the needle and broke it... I thought I had killed the poor thing.. I thought I was in big trouble..

I put in a new needle and put it all back together and it wouldnt sew, there was a funny noise that wasnt there before!! Oh dear what to do???

Then looky what I found under the bobbin case!!!!!!!!!- the middle section of the needle... Thankgod, no damage done (I hope), so whilst mid surgery, I thought a de-fluff might be in order.. and yes it was.

I turfed the walking foot back in the draw and used the standard foot, all that clicking and clunking of the walking foot was making me nervous..

A loop on the back to hang it up in the classroom

Then some tape binding on the edges..

(I really like this look, It is telling me "Make a satchel")

Pop in the all important epi-pen

And we are all set, I am pleased with that. But I still have to make some more. I am off to sewing group in a moment, so if I dont chatter too much, maybe I can whip up a couple more..

Sandcastles and Fat Quarters

2009-01-25T23:16:00.007+11:00

We are off to the beach, yippee!!!!!!! So what am I doing this for when I am supposed to be winding down the Campervan?? Well cos I had to unload the camera before I could pack it, thats why... So here is whats been happening here over the past week.Firstly the postie delivered some seriously yummy fabric in the mail from Kelani..

Then some from the US..I am still mixing and matching, changing my mind constantly on the quilt fabrics... Maybe I need to make another quilt completely?? theres an idea.. maybe 3 or more..

Then after lurking in on a fantastic quilting lady, she mentioned a sale on here.. So I snapped up a few more bits...
I also have a new preppy in the house... So there is an art smock and a library bag needed, so into that job.. I wanted very much to do an appliqued owl , but NO she wanted them just like her big sisters... so I embroidered the Jumbo GirlPower design of her choice, all 40,000 damn stitches or something crazy.. It took about 2.5 hours, during stops for coffee, child dispute resolution and toilet stops from too much coffee..

Here is the design she picked, we changed the colors, because every cool chick needs a PINK CAT!!, I sent it over to the embroidery machine and off we went..Many stitches later.... Then whilst this baby is humming away, I was busy beside it making a big personalised pocket for the art smock...
Onto the outline, this is where things really come together, Or not... Some not so great stabilisers can certainly ruin an entire embroidery, when the outlines just do not line up, although these days that is probably quite cool..

Now we have 2 matching Library bags..

And also the neglected folding from the clothesline.. Oh well. One mans mess is another cats treasure..

A one peice box pouch bag doo-dad..

2009-01-19T09:48:00.016+11:00

Pouch Bag Tutorial

(Fully lined-one piece panels)

Firstly, I am not making any claims to have invented this little fellow, but this is certainly MY version of it. Please feel free to make them for yourself or as gifts, but I certainly didnt spend hours working this out for anybody else to profit from it.

I have just made my very first little box pouch/pencil case/makeup bag...It is fully lined and has NO join in the base... I had been tearing my hair out trying to work out how to make them this way and after a few extra coffee's, It hit me.. "Undo the zip you idiot!!"... So I made one and spent hours photographing and jotting notes and then uploading this for everyone to share..

At first it was just the case of conquering the unknown then I had 2 little girls wanting homemade pencil cases instead of the Roxy ones I had offered them.. Wow. i was stunned.

First I picked up some yummy fabric by Sandra Banava from the Potpourri Range, this is the Mystic Woods Colorway., co-ordinating zipper and a lining fabric with some substance like a real sturdy denim.. Firstly I cut two rectangles 28cm X 33cm ( size isnt that important, you can make all shapes and sizes)

I used a medium weight interfacing on the outer fabric and the lining was sturdy enough.
The main issue is getting a zip longer than you need.

My zip was a 30 cm zip and it is just easier to have a few cm to play with..

Mark the zip at each end with a wash out fabric pen, this will help keep everything square throughout the process.

Pin one side of the outer fabric to the zip, with the right side of the fabric at the zipper edge with the zip facing down. (See Pic above) . Using your zipper foot, stitch along the edge, keeping an eye on the needleplate guide to keep nice and straight.Make sure you go back and forth at each edge to keep it nice and secure. This will avoid stitches pulling out later on.

Using the mark on the zip, line up the other side, pin and sew. Dont forget the back and forth..

You will end up with a zippered tube like this..

Open it up and you are ready for the lining fabric.
With the zip teeth facing down, pin the lining fabric on to the opposite side of the zip with the right sides of the fabric together. Line it up with the blue mark on the zip edge. Place your pins on the interfaced side..
Sew over the same stitch line as before * remember to go back and forth at the edges.

Now you have a zip sandwiched between both fabrics.. Repeat for the other side and you will have a fully lined tube.

Turn it in the right way (zipping it up helps to square up the fabric)

Swap to opposite side of zipper foot , finger press the zip edges and topstitch, using a longer stitch than normal.
Topstitch carefully using longer stitch length..
And lovely...

Turn inside out and flatten out, use your hand to press a crease down the bottom centre line.

Using a marker mark the centre of the bottom..
this new White marking pen from Clover came highly recommended and didn't disappoint. You can even buy one here.. Although I should have waited for the line to appear before taking the photo...ooops
Line up the centre bottom with the centre of the zip.

Then I made some flat contrasting loops to sew into each end of the bag I cut a strip 9.5cm wide and ran a piece of interfacing down the centre to give it strength. I stitched it and turned it right side out and ironed it so the seam was centred.
I folded them and marked them 4cm and 5cm from the edge. (Yep using that great Clover pen again)

I centred the loop at the bottom edge and stitched them to the bag, going back and forth to ensure they were strong. Then I trimmed them

Fold the bag back in half and re-align the centre bottom with the zip.

You can see the loop end sewn in, Pin across the end and sew.

Be careful when crossing the zip, sometimes it is cruisy other times disastrous.. I like to use my hand wheel and just manually sew a few stitches. I also like to go back and forth each side of the zipper for extra strength.. The extra stitching isnt needed at each end as they will be trimmed off soon anyway.
A really good pointer is to ALWAYS OPEN THE ZIP!!! before sewing across it... (I was a wee bit distracted jotting notes and just plain forgot..
But there aint nothin this baby can't undo!!

Now to mitre of the corners so we can give our bag its shape.. , following the crease down the bottom centre line. Put your thumb inside the bag and poke it into the corner then fold the seam down onto the centre crease forming a triangle. (There are probably better ways of explaining this, but most people who have made bags, will know what is going on here anyway)

The centre bottom crease should line up with the stitching line at the front forming a nice triangle. Each side should be the same size..

Mark the line with that magic Clover pen..

Now because I am a bit of a clean freak, I decided to bind the inner seams and this is totally optional, It just looks really nice and tidy.. I just used some navy bias binding. You could use cotton tape, or ribbon even. whatever is laying about..

Once the binding is on, lay those corners flat and stitch across the lines marked. making sure to lay the bound seam down, facing away from the zip end.

Now it looks like this!!

Trim off the corners about 1cm from the seams
Pop another bit of binding over the raw edges.Pin and sew down, going back and forth at the corners of course..

Now it looks like this.

Turn it out and whacky doo!!!!!!!

We added a yo-yo and button, I also made a spaghetti strap to loop through the zipper pull, just to make it easier for little fingers..
I think it looks a bit like a dinosaur but I have one very happy customer!!!!!

The big blog meet!!

2009-01-11T15:00:00.008+11:00

I am all inspired to sew today after meeting so many fabulous lovely crafters yesterday, amongst them some very accomplished and even rather 'craft-famous' people.

There was Jodie of course from Ric Rac, Trash, quiltingB, Silly Gilly, Four Wise Monkeys, Our Shabby Cottage, Annie aka Flower Garden, Emma from Ballarat patchwork , Janeys relaxation, Lara aka Thornberry, Holly aka Two Cheese Please, Dont Look Now!, Little Red Hen, & Nicole Mallalieu of You sew girl.

We met at Ballarat Patchwork and basically took over the shop.. I managed to find some gorgeous pieces for my very first quilt.. I am a bit scared about too much color, but I will leave it laid out to procrastinate over for a while!!
Then we cruised over to Eureka Park for some lunch under the hugest Oak trees ever.. ( I kept waiting for one of Jodies little boys (dolls) to come parachuting out of the trees!)

It was a lovely day and was nice to meet all of the crafters and hear of some amazing accomplishments and I feel very inspired and also honoured to have been in the company of such lovely like-minded ladies!..

Thanks Jodie for the great day, The florentine recipe best be posted soon.. And It was a little bit surreal to actually see the selvedge frock in real life..

I am going to sew, right now!!

PS - I dont have a photo yet, but I have a new necklace made just for me from the soon to be famous Missie Krissie.. It is stunning and I love it!! Check her out, she is amazing.

The New Year Aftermath

2009-01-09T10:20:00.005+11:00

My Crikey it is 2009 already.. Cant really believe it.. Although my brain cannot possibly absorb another thought at this point, kids banging stuff, fighting squealing, rushing in and out, My ears and head are fryed....

I havent done much sewing, but I did make a masterpiece!! a triple one actually. The Huge canvases... They are chock full of impasto and the picture really doesnt show the texure and the pearl paint.. They arent quite that blue either..

Do you like that?? I am happy with them, Now I need to get the fabric to make my 9 patch Aunt Becs Quilt to flip across the sofa and I am set. I need very modern fabrics in pale blue, chocolate and white.. I want that beachy, linen look.. Anyone with a fabric suggestion please feel free. I dont get out much so the options are really internet based for me! Although I might find something at Ballarat Patchwork tomorrow... I am off to meet Trash and Jodie and Gilly and a whole lot of other fellow craft bloggers..I am very excited..

Sewing in the silly season

2008-12-19T13:59:00.006+11:00

I have managed at long last to make the kids some Christmas Stockings.. I even made one for my darling little niece as she will be staying with us at Christmas time too!

I couldn't locate the exact fabric I was after, but I am quite proud of what I did end up with.

I found a lovely Michael Miller print of the Christmas stockings, but due to the pink factor, I had to source a "boy" type print.. I found the cute nutcrackers one after sorting through lots and lots of nasty gold printed festive prints.. Some co-ordinating stripes and trims and off to start my long awaited project.

I bought myself an i-pod last week and sewing has taken on a whole new meaning.. Lucky our neighbours haven't finished their new home just out from my sewing room window yet, as those earplugs sure give a sense of false security when singing along to the "hits of the 80's".. At least there will be no stray cats nearby whilst I am sewing late at night ... he he.

Merry Christmas to all and heres hoping there is more crafting time in 2009..

The Pear, the pins and the pussycat...

2008-12-02T20:58:00.003+11:00

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ANNOY THE BOSS!

First you gotta get the pin head in your teeth,

they all taste the same, any color is fine

although the flower ones are easier..

Then you just pull em out and drop em, easy as that!!

they make an awesome PING sound when they hit.

Check out the mess it makes, this is great fun...

Quickly settle down and look innocent and the heat will be off!

Who me??? Nope, just been here sleeping the whole time..

ask that little boy with the noisy truck that scares the @#$% out of me!!

After the worst 2 days in a very long time, I finally have the energy to laugh about this little escapade by our newest family member..Murphy the menace!

Thanks Jodie for reminding me how to see the funny in what is sometimes a very unfunny life..

Being a mother of 3, Husband to one (missing in action- its harvest) husband as well as the cleaner, chef, ironing lady, moderator, disciplinarian, dietary and welfare manager to all of the 4 aforementioned is a very thankless and not so inspiring task most of the time.

I had a sewing job fall into my lap last week and you will be surprised to know that I am sewing a 'french maid' fancy dress costume.. Imagine the title choices I could have made up with this mixed bag.. the pussycat, the maid, I will let you giggle like I did.. but I was not wanting any uncrafty types popping in off a weird google search.

Some girl time..

2008-11-05T19:04:00.004+11:00

I have had the most enjoyable weekend (not productive) for a long time.. My sewing group hired a hall and we locked ourselves in for most of the weekend.

Friday night was a late one and Saturday we sewed from 8.30am till 10pm at night... Oh what joy.

There was lots of quilts, Santa sacks, peasant tops & dresses, monogrammed pillowcases, skirts, and lots of chatter..

I procrastinated for way too long and drank plenty of coffee and probably just enjoyed having female company, instead of kids talk for a change.. oh and there were are a few sneak trips to spotlight too!!!

I did manage to finish these few things and of course a sew-athon wouldn't be complete with several half finished things, you know, the elastic to put in and the fiddly bits to go!! On the pile you go..

pincushion madness

2008-10-24T13:23:00.004+11:00

I have always been and avid lover of the magnetic pin holder due to the picking up ease, but recently I have noticed the elves in this house have been moving them around.

I have 3 sewing machines with screens on them and I don't fancy having a magnet put too close to cause them any damage.. not to mention the laptop and the computers inside the machines.. eek

So today, as promised, I have photos of the Dear Fii pincushion. The pattern is available for download here..

A lovely chocolate linen for the bottom. Then my little elves transferred some pins into the new softie!.. Can you tell we are just a little bit pedantic!

Then this morning I decided that for years now I have been admiring the Heather Bailey pear pincushion. Of Course, I am a full on DIY type and made my own pear pattern.. That's when things looked a bit 'pear shaped' he he he... I should have taken a photo next to something else so you could see how HUGE it turned out!!! I didn't think of leaves until nearly finished so just pulled them on over the stem!.. I also poked a little pocket of rice in his bottom to keep him standing nice and tall.. I reckon there is enough stuffing inside him for a small pillow.!!!

Onto the next thing..a coffee and some serious planning. Next weekend my sewing group are having a lock in/out.. A child free weekend of sewing and chatting!!! yippeee..

Elephants and Monkeys

2008-10-21T14:36:00.005+11:00

Well, I nearly feel human again after a daring weekend in Melbourne.. We needed to attend my niece's birthday in Melbourne at no other places than the Melbourne Zoo.. Just to paint a nice clear picture, We live about 3-4 hours from Melbourne... So the journey is long and painful, especially knowing that by the time you hit the city traffic there are 3 squirming little bodies that have just contained themselves for way too long!!

The birthday girl with my 3 kids..

Because of the weather and the deteriorating yields, dh was busy doing contract windrowing so it was a superwoman job... Yes, 3 kids, no Melbourne driving skills and the anxiety of all the issues that were likely to arise and the knowledge that I would be dealing with them alone was not at all exciting let me tell you!!!

But I toughened up, packed the car, bought the kids a toy each and some new colouring books and off we headed.. a 2 night stay out in the nether regions of Dandenong and we have survived, we saw the animals, we blew out the candles and of course we saw lots of roadworks (which are a highlight to a 2 year old who has been raised driving diggers and bobcats!)

I didnt get to the Sisters market which was on the wish list, but after 3 hours at the zoo, the kids were asleep before I drove out of the carpark.

The highlight was seeing a baboon with a bottom that looked like a rainbow, and also a monkey that scratched his bum and then sniffed his finger.. (continually!)

Now this week, once I catch up on the washing from the 3 days away, I plan to make a pincushion, designed by the one and only Dear Fii....

A new baby in the house...

2008-10-09T18:01:00.005+11:00

I have a new baby in the house, he is very small and precious.. His name is Murphy!.he is a tonkinese.

Miss G and I went for a lovely drive on Saturday afternoon to Echuca to collect our new edition. I still havent recovered from the 8 hours of driving ( at least it wasnt labour) and then there has been the disturbing meowing in the middle of the night, accompanied by the very loud purring in the ear before snuggling up to the feet under the doona...

The kids are in love and are so surprisingly gentle..especially Master (nearly)3.

I have finished another bakersboy in my favourite colour and this time I added some leaves to the flower. I like it.

I have had so many queries about where I got my labels made that I have posted this link to their new website here...

BRING BACK SWAPCARDS!!!

Whilst hunting through a drawer for something I came a little box of swapcards from when I was a young primary school girl, dont even ask how long ago that was..! My girls had a great time sorting through them.

Life used to be so much simpler, these days they all want a DS so they can play with a pretend dog.. we used to have these 40cent cards and valued them like nothing else.. I still remember building up my Sarah Kay collection, they were very very highly regarded cards.. I thought they were so cute I took some pictures, Yep, I probably am a bit loopy today. I am sleep deprived due to that new baby..

I've become a hooker (with wool)

2008-09-26T15:51:00.004+10:00

He He, what a cheeky thought....No I have gone quite crazy with the crochet, I just cannot stop, any spare moment it is hooking away on hats and caps... I bought some great bakersboy(newsboy) crochet patterns from here.

I have had no luck locating a size Q hook but I am still working on it. I have had to modify the patterns a bit to get them large enough (due to the hook size issue) and finally, I have hit jackpot.... I have changed a stitch in the brim that makes it easier to find the doubling spot (blah blah blah, It matters to me only I think).. But here are some pictures of my recent crochet creations.. Oh and the flowers are blooming all over the place..

Now this little model , has no idea that his sisters are hiding behind the couch giggling their heads off, but my early attempts would only fit his head...

This crochet thing is my latest obsession.. I am sure Nanna would be proud..

Sidetracked in a sea of pink

2008-09-23T11:55:00.005+10:00

Lucy Top

I am in school holiday mode, the washing machine is not getting a break, the ironing basket seems to refill itself daily and the food is dissapearing too!!

Time out for me!! - I decided it was high time to sort through the stash and trim some bits for a very special project... While sorting and snipping I found some long forgotten bits and pieces You know when you see it on the roll at the store and think of all these great ideas and just HAVE TO HAVE IT>>>> But I was inspired to make the girls some buntings for their bedroom walls.

I had clipped this pic out of a magazine some years back and thought it would also make a great gift for some little girls who were soon to have birthdays.. So with my little ironing lass, we cut and made triangles all afternoon..

We traced the letters, she ironed them on and along we went in a sea of pink...

I have stopped momentarily to refill the biscuit barrell..

Meanwhile here is a sneak peek at the nearly finished Audrey top..

These two tops are only my test sew items, I hope to make them in a linen blend in several colours.. though it probably wont happen in the holidays I am guessing.. Then I hope someone wants to buy them!

It is very difficult to sew whilst counting for the skipping rope or resolve arguments over who had which texta first!!

The Audrey Top

And this little parcel will be on its way today, fully stacked with goodness and a few hand sketched pictures by the girls...possibly even some bikky crumbs by now!!

Design, create & enjoy...

2008-09-18T17:36:00.008+10:00

My tags have arrived hooray!!!!!!! now I bet get that Janome cruising...

I have finished my very first fully designed item and my 2nd is only needing a hem and some buttons. I tried my hand at making a pattern form a block. I drafted the basic block in a size 6 and then got creative. I had a pile of sketches and decided to give it a go.

My sheets of sketches..

After watching Project Runway Australia, I came to the conclusion that I was making it out to be far more technical than it would be. I was right. I loved the whole experience. I forgot to take any photos of the during process *(I was obviously far too enthralled) but shall post some soon of the products.

I have had my labels delivered and now need to get my designer brain around some serious sewing...I am excited and anxious at the same time. Hey its a hobby at this point, although after reading Craft Inc. this week I think someone wrote that book just for me.

Also I found this totally awesome website, check it out....I had never heard of digital scrapbooking till today!

A few things I have made recently.

Pardon the toes, these are a few things I have finished but hadn't taken shots of. Every time I try to catch a model in something new, I am usually confronted with a dirty scruffy hairdo that just cannot be touched or a grumpy poky out tongue face that does not want to stand still let alone smile.. i refuse to bribe at this point, the reward is for good behaviour not the opposite.
Oh and I had a girls day activity on a day of no school the other day, what fun (and mess) a little fiddly but good fun and some very pleased little girls...

Happy sewing, crafting and remember that super glue is not good for skin!

Nanna knitting bug

2008-08-27T10:25:00.005+10:00

Ha, my dear friend tells me I have the Nanna knitting bug.... he he.

I was inspired recently to have a go at crochet.
My nanna did teach me years and years (ok about 25 years) ago. The old granny round the square kind of blanket crochet....
SO I headed to spotlight, bought a book, 'Learn to crochet".
I already had the beanie pattern and I thought I'll give it a go... Well now I am doing double, treble, halftreble and even had a go at this yummy flower!!!. I managed to finish a whole beanie in about 4 hours.. This was fun and very relaxing.. not to mention space friendly too..

Snowy Sunday

2008-08-10T17:23:00.011+10:00

Who doesn't have to drink coffee while sewing?? I do, litres of the stuff. I had a lovely day completing a project that I have been trying to finish for weeks, a baby blanket for the little man featured here....

I have had a great weekend. Friday and Saturday where great sewing days and I got quite a bit of sorting out done..

First I needed to have a cleanup, dear husband bought me a little gift.. I had been complaining for a while (not like me! - ha ha) about the lack of drawer space, so he got me a little trolley and it is fabulous, I feel like a hairdresser, it has all my vitals and I can have it beside me no matter which machine I am using.... Love it....

So onto the blanket for little Rory. I chose the brown birdsfeather and then which check??? Oh go I procrastinate.... I went for the bottom one in the end..

First I digitised his name into an applique and got that bit on the go..

Then a bit of a squareup. and start on the edging.

Fold over the edges and mitre the corners, then stitch down ..

Today is another story. It is freezing. There is no other description than wintry. I am trying to decide on some designs to make up for summer and I just cant wrap my head around the whole concept. So onto Plan B. The kids are driving me insane. They are sick of being indoors, so a quick phone call to the tourist information centre and ask if it had been snowing up in the Grampians. The answer was a delightful 'YES, It still is!!!".

That was it, dish up the homemade soup, scoff down a banana each, Hubby grabbed a cooler bag full of snacks, I grabbed the coats and the girls got their gloves. Off we went in search of "very rare snow" as Miss 6.5 pointed out.

The ambient temp on the car said 3 degrees as we made the 10km climb to the car park.

We were passing cars coming down covered in snow, then it began snowing on the car as we drove.. Awesome!!!

The kids were so excited they would hardly wait to put on the winter woollies. It was amazing.

Miss P was so thrilled to have the biggest snowball, she waited just for the right moment and planted it on dad when he wasn't looking!!! Cheeky bugger..

We didn't stay long as it was bloody freezing.....

Vera Jean here I come

2008-08-02T16:53:00.005+10:00

I have finally done it, I have chosen a name for my wares.
After having lists of names hanging around for months now.
I have tried to combine, search for opposites, synonyms, foreign languages,You name it.
I have gone completely left of field and chosen something completely unlikely and have decided to register the name "Vera Jean". Plus it wasn't taken like many others I liked...

It is a combination of my two grandmothers. They are/were both extremely talented crafters. I still have my Nanna Jean. She still sews today in her late 80's. My Nanna Vera passed away a week before my wedding, (10 years ago). She and my Pop lived straight over the back fence of our first home (yeah we lived in sin for a while)... Vera was an obsessed historian and had books on everything. I can clearly remember playing scrabble at the card table in front of the heater if we were fortunate enough to stay for a visit. She always kept an enormous dictionary beside her recliner to settle any arguments. She was a very clever lady, somehow she had trained my Poppy and he did all the washing ironing and even dishes and vacuuming.. Way to go lady.
I had sewing group last night and took along a stack of items that just needed buttonholes and buttons. I hate buttonholes...and sewing on buttons.
I have been very absent over the past months , and for very good reason. I am the fundraising coordinator at my daughters kinder and have spent the last many months organising a fundraising dinner auction. It has been a lot of hard and thankless work but it has all paid off. The auction was a huge success and we raised over $9,000.00 . So now I have trodden that path I am more than pleased to have my spare time and life back. SO here I come. watch out,....

Peace and tranquility nearly..

2008-07-15T11:11:00.006+10:00

Its back to school and kinder and i am wandering around like a lost sheep, no arguments to moderate, No constant requests for food and drinks (Mister 2 helps himself to the bananas).. It is that long since I felt any kind of creative urge, I think it might have up and moved out!!

The only crafty thing I have done in the last fortnight is I have made a series of canvas paintings for Miss 4.5. I used to pictures from her doona and made 3 small paintings to hang on her wall.

The inspiration came from her bed linen. We have a princess, a unicorn and a castle.

I sat last night glued to the couch while watching Project Runway Australia. I love this show.. The judges got it so wrong last night. I mean who in their right mind would wear boardshorts and a mesh top to a bar??? Not sure why you would wear a trenchcoat to the beach either??? And the frocker sure did make a shocker.. I cant wait until they get a chance to shine in their chosen style, Ooh I love it...

A little tiny visitor!!!

During the week we had a visitor, I tiny little visitor ( His mum came too, I'm totally dry!)
4 weeks old and only just 7lb... Oh how nice to have cuddles without the sleepless nights that go with ownership... It has lead to many questions since. "Where does the baby come out?? Does it hurt?" My reply. The doctor helps, You dont need to worry about that until you get married sweetie!!!

Back in the land of sewing`

2008-06-28T15:46:00.005+10:00

Oh it feels like forever, I think I had inherited someone elses tumbleweed... This space has been well and truly deserted for some time now... Tsk tsk..

I have been sewing but havent found time to report it.. so here is a really quick catch up.

I have just finished adding the pictures to my last post ( a month old), after waiting for the pictures to upload, now I understand why I never have time to do this....

After a small amount of stitching thismorning, I have the enthusiasm to upload some more pictures.

My friend who came for a hat making sewathon this morning had made a gorgeous skirt for her daughter and my girls loved it. So as I approved of the cutesy fabric (It is brown!!! whats not to love!!!) I headed off and bought the fabric and tackled one for Miss4.5... I used embroidery thread in the loopers of the overlocker to give the edge a nice sheen... I like it.

I also added a layer at the bottom to give it some weight and a bit of a contrast.

She has worn it quite a few times and had lots of compliments too.. That's always a great reward. A happy child in a project that didn't take long..

It does help when there is very little procrastinating over what fabrics to use...

Another reason I think I have been missing in blogland is that I am totally addicted to Project Runway.. I love it, I could watch it every day. It is just the ulitmate for a garment sewer like me.. The Australian version starts next week and I cannot wait.

Found my Mojo

2008-06-08T12:42:00.006+10:00

I have finally polished and cleaned enough to earn a sewing day. My sewing group got together yesterday and we all had a great time, sewing, drafting, cutting and embroidering (and scoffing buns and scones)....I drafted off a pattern from my newest Japanese Pattern book and even took some shots while packing up last night. My husband giving me the big hmph when glancing at the sewing stuff that had migrated from my sewing room onto the kitchen table... Hey, how unsociable to sew in a different room from my friends???

I made a blouse from my newest and absolute favourite Japanese pattern book. I used a nice lilac hailspot type fine cotton (as miss 6 loves purple) Despite the intricate appearance of the front, it went together suprisingly easy. Now I just have to sew the button holes and buttons on (that may take another 6 months to get to!!)

I altered the collar to have a curved edge instead of square. I think it softens it off a bit..

The Watson Dress

2008-05-12T17:03:00.005+10:00

I have finally finished the Chocolate Linen Dress which I have labelled the Watson Dress on the pattern pieces.. Partly because if I wrote Brown dress, I would not know which one.... Watson was my grandmother's maiden name...

It was hard to photograph and It looks a completely different colour in each photo, I will need to get my little model in a good mood so that we can have a smiley face with the dress..But I am happy with the way it turned out, I wonder wether it would be something I could perhaps make to order???Would it look any good in Pale Pink?? or does it not work with the organic look..

Mothers day morning, the sweet little girls both presented me with their special gifts from Kinder and school and they were very cute...After that it went rather downhill. No special breakfast and certainly no fairies appeared to do the ironing..Maybe I will practise teaching them "Mummy loves Cool Water " or perhaps "Mummy really needs a special treat from Ella Bache!" I might practise that for Christmas even, couldnt hurt surely... Best move on to the next project and aim at getting my creative bum into gear, thanks for the words of wisdom EmmaRose, I think I will use that theory when my MIL calls in....

Busy mummy far from yummy..

2008-05-07T18:54:00.005+10:00

Oh I feel so exhausted just from keeping 3 kids entertained, distracted, disciplined and educated. It is very hard work. As I am sure many of you know... and some more than only 3.
Why is it that they always whinge and whine about utter starvation whilst unpacking the groceries ffrom the car? Why is it that they cannot wait till all bags are in the kitchen before telling you what it is they need to eat or they are going to die? And why is it that they insist (chuck a tantrum) on eating something before it even gets to the pantry shelf? especially when they only had the weetbix wiped from their faces 2 minutes before going to the supermarket?? (it is only a minute drive each way!!) I can so remember doing the same (whinging) when I was little..except back then parents(mothers) werent dragged off the police station if they left 3 kids sitting in the carpark for an hour or so while your mum did the monthly(yes thats true!) grocery shop...Think think think, what would I have liked my mum to do when I saw those choccy biccys and tried so hard to convince her to let me eat one before I died????
PLAN _ next time shopping, buy extra packet of something, give to kids to hold on the way home and let them cut loose as soon as I get home, put groceries away in peace, all happy!!

enough mummy talk...........

Here are a few shots of the pattern I have drafted off for the chocolate linen dress I mentioned in the previous post. All I have to do is the hem and it is all done, but here are the design shots.. I bought this handy little bendable tape measure/ruler a while ago and it has definitely been worth the money. I have used it here to add the 1cm seam allowances to the pattern, and I get the exact curve I need.

I feel so slack about not posting lately but it truly reflects the spare time in life.. I'm one of those anal people (is that ok to admit?) that cannot relax and do something for myself unless all household duties are finished and the image of spotlessness is achieved.. Yeah, yeah call me Mrs Windex, my husband does. Perhaps I need some shock treatment, or worse....(Call me a shrink). I constantly (whilst windexing) think of a quote I read somewhere on a crafty blog sidebar about 'a clean house was a sign of a wasted life' or something to that effect in a more crafty orientated way, true yes, but it has become a bit of an obsession for me.. (OOOh that hurt, better read my Dr Phil book and see if that is at all normal??)

So I will attempt to sew, more, very soon. I need to finish the brown dress and this little pinafore for miss 4.5... I only need make the shoulder straps and take up the hem, or rolled hem it on the overlocker?? wait and see. Is it a good or bad thing when you start to send unused fabric to St Vinnies? the yellow garbage bag in the photo is all unwanted fabric and I am thinking, enough stashing, more sewing..

I love crafty pressies

2008-04-19T19:52:00.001+10:00

I had the joy of attending a garage sale today, It was called "100's of rolls of fabrics". It sure was...a fabric shop closed down and I got a real bargain.. I got this little gem for only $7 per metre... I love a bargain.. I think I would like to make some Christmas stockings for the kids. I have seen some yummy ones around. At least I am planning ahead.. Then planning and doing are a far cry from each other.

For my birthday, my dear mother bought me these two dressmakers squares..She was shaking her head at me using a little 20cm square trying to mark out my bag last week and decided it would be more appreciated than perfume or the like..

You know its only since I have had children of my own that I can really relate to my mother and understand where she is coming from. 2006 was a very unifying year for my mother and I. She underwent a 23hour operation to remove cancer and her soft palate and cheekbone. She nearly lost an eye and had no teeth for 12 months. She had a piece of bone taken from her pelvis to create a new cheekbone and upper jaw. And a muscle from her leg to make a new roof of her mouth, it is amazing what doctors can do these days but it was the scariest week of my life.

She has had a long battle recovering from surgery, radiotherapy and having people look at her funny. She is my inspiration. She is the bravest person and despite all the obstacles she has faced in the last 18 months she has still got compassion for me when I have a shitty day. And a lot of people including me admire her for her strength of character, and perhaps her broad mind.

So yes I love my mum, she has given me many gifts - life, the skills to sew, and much much more. Now these little beauties will help me enjoy my special time..

Next job is to get dear husband to make a hook to hang them on so the kids do not try to use them as "Boomerangs!!!"

I also scored this great 3mtr tape measure today at the garage sale..I have never seen one. I spend most of my weekend wearing my tape measure around my neck so I best be sure not to trip.. (I don't understand why kids that have been in bed for half an hour decide they are hungry??) Out here in the sticks it is very smokey...the farmers are all burning off and the smell reminds me of camping I love it...(Better go and put Mister 2 back in bed again!!!, why can they eat more weetbix at bedtime than they can for breakfast??) and why do husband always have a job that needs doing somewhere between 6.00 and 9.00??

First time tagged.........

2008-04-15T20:32:00.000+10:00

Thanks so very much, I've been tagged for the very first time, by the queen of fray and babycakes.
I will do my best, So here goes..

Four jobs I've had:

Office administration - Wholesale food Distributor

I was the only female amongst 14 men! I know lots about mens genitals and football, not by choice.. Once again lots of free food.. 4 years

Office Manager - Real Estate

Wore a lovely suit, got my license, got bored...2 years

Accounts Manager - Wholesale Food distributor(Same place)

Felt like I never left, Learnt more about blokey things, took maternity leave, never went back....I miss the laughs though...4years

Mother - partner in own business

Oh gee all the time I spent envying those mothers pushing their prams around the streets when I had to work... I am on duty 24/7 and wouldnt have it any other way.

Four places I have lived.

I have lived in the same district all my life

Western Victoria..

Four Places I have been on a holiday

I have travelled around Australia twice, lots of places. But the special places that come to mind are:

Brampton Island - Honeymoon

Kakadu - Northern Territory

Broome - Western Australia

Daintree - Queensland

Four of my favourite dishes

Anything chicken, I dont do any other meats at all..

Chocolate, I am addicted to chocolate

Caffeine - however it comes, coffee or coke (addicted here too)

Cheesecake - preferably baked..

Four websites I visit daily

ebay

etsy

made-it

Dashin Fashion

Thanks for that Emma, I will have to find some crafty types to hand this onto...

Life is Great, and ironic...

2008-04-14T09:49:00.001+10:00

Here are the pictures of the finished bag I promised....
I had a stupid thought, Applique it freehand....!!!!!!What a silly idea that was. Whimsical and utterly stupid.. I have a state of the art embroidery machine and my own digitizing software and I now appreciate it to the fullest extent. I promise I will never irk at the thought of hooping up and finding the right stabiliser again.... It is way easier and unless it is for aesthetic purposes, refuse to applique like that... For starters I was daft enough to trace the letters the right way up ...about to iron the fabric on and realise that it was going to look pretty weird in mirror image... Learn from the experience isn't that what they say.. Cute mess though...

This is the front pocket panel on the bag with the new little boys name..

and matching side pockets too!!!

I am having trouble thinking on one track at the moment , I will be another year older tomorrow aaaarrrgh....yep more grey hairs and wrinkles, I'll blink and be an old fuddy duddy before I know it.. I am trying to think up a name for my sewing stuff. One that I can register and isn't taken... Well what a headache.. I have searched high and low for inspiration.. Song names, Paint colour charts, Family tree book, children's bookshelf, and asked friends of course the ... Whilst browsing for something suitable I found these gorgeous prints in an old book I have. I thought they were too cute not to share... Like I said my mind is all over the shop..cant focus at all...Must need more coffee....(or perhaps less?)

I have pictured a gorgeous dress I must sew, I have located a similar pattern and will modify it to suit. It will be made from chocolate linen and I hope it looks as great in real life as it does in my mind.. Stay tuned for that one, I must first learn to focus..! (Yes Yoda)

Oh for those who love freebie patterns I found this gorgeous little doll pattern for download, it is from the most successful seller on etsy..

Snakes and Ladders

2008-04-12T17:40:00.000+10:00

I have just completed the construction of a 7 storey Snakes and Ladders board for the kids.. Obviously this was a gift from someone without children!!!
It has kept the entertainment going for a little while. I should be trying out that differential feed and my gathering foot with test strips that I was supposed to have cut out.. Or maybe sewing up some hats that I was supposed to have already cut out.. Oh damn. Why cant I have little elves just like the shoemaker did..
I have been looking in my Japanese pattern books, but I want a winter dress, that is not gathered. I am not big on the Little House on the Prairie look.. A wrap dress would be nice, but that is a bit high needs in the getting dressed department, perhaps a shift with a placket will do..
Procrastinate, um and aarh, ho hum...surf more, Go through some old Topkids magazines.. I have nearly every issue, including number 1... Some reeeaaal gross stuff in the 8o's ones.. Lycra, headbands, frill skirts with leggings and the batwing windcheaters, uknow, the cyndi lauper era..
But there is a whole set of lovely euro style fashions from years ago..
I finished the bag and will .................

Project Runway

2008-04-10T21:57:00.001+10:00

Oh I have a new favourite show...Project runway, what a wicked show for the fashion inspired sewer.. One older contestant on there was definitely 'out there' ,she should have been out first off for not being able to use a sewing machine...

I will add that I am having severe withdrawals from Prison Break and Lost..What is going on??

And not to mention 'What about Brian?" That was the greatest show ever, and it only lasted five minutes.. I know TV is evil, fills your brain with rot, makes your eyes go square( I tell my kids the same bad lies that my parents told me). But what is worse, TV or internet? You can still pin things together or iron whilst watching tv and unless I grow another arm that's not going to happen soon whilst typing..

Anyway I have started another project today. I have a name bag to make for a little boy who was born into the extended family.. (wow that sounded very well worded.. I need to know how to cross out the oopsy sentence so you can see how funny it looked when I wrote that my cousin had just had his first baby!...not at all correct...Please someone tell me how to do that line through the words thing..

Back to the story, 2 trips to Spotlight, found some great fabric.. A canvas type cotton print with vintage cowboys and wagons... I have more checks and plain linens and stuff in the stash to co-ordinate with it, So now to make the bag. Here is a pic of the fabric.

I have made bags for all my kids with their names appliqued on the front pocket. They are great for sleepovers, kinder or swimming.

I need to get onto sewing that bag and for once I am going to applique the name freehand instead of digitizing it on the computer for the embroidery machine.. I like the look better (thanks Judy!).. Although it might wait till tommorrow now. Does anyone else imagine made up articles in their sleep? I think it is my brains way of saving the angst of unpicking a bad colour combo..

Happy sewing till next time.

So much to sew, So little time .........

2008-04-05T20:23:00.000+11:00

Oh my glory, aren't these school holidays just the bees knees!!! You gotta love all those lovely well mannered patient little people being oh so quiet and tidy.. Oh and not to mention being oh so pleasant toward one another at ALL times... What a JOY...(OOpps, wake up your dreaming).
Today I finished a dress for Miss6 that she saw a photo of in my stash of Studio Bambini's... I picked the fabric and played around with a few similar winter pinnafore pictures I found here and there... This is what we came up with...

She wore it to a Birthday Party this afternoon and thought she was just it and a bit!!!!!! But don't all 6 year old girls??? I had to put an elastic panel at the back as Miss tall and lanky wanted it tighter....But I put it in between the outer in lining. worked well, looks very RTW.

We did managed to get away and have an Easter Holiday, We were going to swing by France or Italy (just kidding). Swan Hill was good enough. Weather was great and the whole extended family came along. Swimming everyday, mini-golf, shopping and lots of Tia-Maria..

We father took us all a trip on a paddlesteamer trip. The kids were very excited for the first 15 minutes - There's a fish, look at that duck, I can see a cow. Here comes a boat... Then boredom set in and the next 45 minutes were very high maintenance. You can imagine explaining to a 2 year old why he should not stand on the seat and lean over the rails!!! Oh well, It will be a good one for show and tell....I did get a nice picture of the girls wearing their bucket hats before the frowns set in...

I have been procrastinating plenty and have finally taken photos of all the summer nighties to put in my Made-It shop... Good one, winters nearly here!!!!!!!!!

Rousabout nighties, my girls love them!!!!!!!

My next project that I am putting off is trying to work out a method of sewing 3 tiered skirts using only the overlocker and not having to hand gather at all... Brave arent I...I figure if I can get the ratio right I can use the gathering foot and do it in one pass. I havent quite worked out how to jump the last inch, but I am sure I will find out soon enough.. I need to go and cut a whole stack of little strips to get the ratio right.. I knew I was keeping those scraps for a reason....

I would like you all to go over and see this very crafty lady who would have to be the best offering of light humour a tired and weary sewer/mother can find 24 hours a day... Check out her dolls, they are so gorgeous and oh so cheeky too... Please check her out.

Also If you have anyone needing a baby gift, check out the great items for sale by the very clever Emmarose...

Phew its tiring tooting all those horns, but if you've checked them out you will agree I am sure..

Well until next time, happy ironing, cleaning, cooking and hopefully sewing/crafting to you all.

Go with the inspiration...

2008-03-18T20:04:00.001+11:00

Thanks Fiona for the tips at the Stitches and Craft.. I made my first necklace today while trying to be quiet so Master2 would find his way to the land of sleep...

It was good fun actually, procrastinating over which button next to the last one & whether or not to balance it up each side of centre... I made a loop at the back to thread a large button through for the closure at the back.

Miss 4.5 won 5th prize in the Easter raffle at Kinder today and was into it straight away..

Amongst all the Easter hype, I have been doing a little bit of sewing, I have had to prise myself away from the computer, all those new blogs to browse, the stitches and craft seems to have been a real popular meeting spot... It has made me realise that is very normal to enjoy sharing the pleasure of craft with others who enjoy the bit of pride it brings to your day.

I drafted a pattern off a old pair of wide legged linen pants the girls have had. I want to make them a few sizes up.. What was meant to be a size 4 ended up a 6, but too short. Bugger. So I made a contrasting hem facing and now they look just fine. I must have been running short of chocolate or coffee when measuring the old pants....

Inspiration Galore

2008-03-15T22:37:00.000+11:00

I have just returned home from a very inspiring day of Craft and delectable eye candy...
I have visited Magnolia Square, and it was just lovely.

The Stitches and Craft Fair was great, especially the Living Creatively Site. I had hoped to meet up with Cathy but alas she was not working today. I did however meet the lovely Fiona who had some very crafty things going on, and shared her secrets to making a button necklace which has been one of those (must do one day) projects.

Phew, all that linking is tiring.......

Finished at last.....

( I took the photo without the sashes, oops)

The flowergirl dresses are finished so now I can concentrate on those yummy bucket hats, I can see a whole girl accessories thing going on, little bags to match the hats are a must now!!!

Still sewing in the heatwave

2008-03-11T20:37:00.000+11:00

It is crazy, poor old Easter Bunny is getting his things together and the morning dews are supposed to be here. Why on earth has someone forgotten to flick the autumn switch...

I shouldn't complain. I do enjoy summer and our house is temperature controlled.

I have spent the last week trying to squeeze in some sewing time amongst the hectic domestic schedule.. I am sure a lot of those people who sew and blog all the time, must have cleaners and nannies...

The flower girls have all had their fittings and now I can finish all 3 dresses. I just have to muster the energy and enthusiasm to go for it.

I continued with my bucket hat experimenting on Monday and I am about to draft off a different brim, I just want the brim to sit out a little more, more sun protection and less eye interference. The girls loved them, Miss4.5 already insisted on wearing it at Kinder today. I will try photographing them next chance I get..

Once my current (paying) task is done, I want to experiment with my gathering attachment on the overlocker and tweak it up so I can make a tiered skirt in one pass. If anyone has done it with success, I'd love to hear from you!!!!!!!!!

I am thinking it might be time for another Japanese Sewing Pattern Book....

This little shirt dress is gorgeous, I could just see it in linen with a nice print collar and placket, Have to keep the (to do pile) bigger than the stash itself.

Motivation, it is a strange thing, some days it only takes a simple thought, other days I might browse through stacks of magazines and clippings I have collected over the years..

I guess Inspiration cannot be made. It just has to come on its own.

Bucket Hats and Bridesmaid dresses

2008-02-26T22:34:00.000+11:00

Busy, busy, busy...........Not enough time, or peace and quiet..

I am busy sewing 3 dresses for a wedding party. 2 junior bridesmaid dresses and 1 flower girl to match.. I have been eagerly waiting for the fabric to arrive so I can get a head start, but then of course the day it arrived I got a damn head cold. Infact I still haven't shaken it a week later.

There was a mountain of folding and ironing, that kept propping itself up higher and glaring at me.. But I must sew, if for no other reason than to get all that fabric off the bench and onto a hanger. (then I will have the bench back for the folding, makes sense huh!)

I am now pleased that all dresses are cut out and all bodices are put together. I only have 10metres of tulle to cut for the skirt overlays now.. wont that be fun. Cant wait to gather that all up together. I must admit the silk dupion is very nice to sew. Linen is still my number one, it will never be beaten.... Spotlight had a sale on over the weekend and my stash welcomed a few new additions. some nice little prints for hats, and a few nice rolls of you guessed it 'linen'...

SO now that order has been restored to the house after a frantic weekend of bridesmaid dress construction, I needed to satisfy my appetite for a challenge.

I have tried a few different bucket hat patterns but never quite found the right fit. SO I pulled one apart that did fit. I drafted my own pattern. (can I call it my own??)

After all that unpicking I think I can.

The hat needed to be bigger so I increased the pattern by 10%. How you ask, well I did the top of the hat on the photocopier at 110%, I measured the circumference and added the required amount to the length of the band and the brim. The funny thing is, that it is way too big... So I will go and make a 5% bigger one.

Miss4.5 chose her own fabrics.. Oh so bright!!!!Check it out......................

My sewing room has become rampant with little budding sewers, I finally found the patience to sit down and explain the buttons, knobs, and safety issues to the very excited little girls. I'm not sure they were actually listening to all the boring stuff. I could almost hear their little inner voices singing "Just let us go!!" They had great delight in sewing lines of decorative stitching onto fabric and paper. Check out the concentration..Now If only Master2 wouldnt try to 'service' or 'fix' the machines, life would nearly be safe in my little haven.

Heres to a week of sewing, I hope. We might throw a few chocolate cakes in too just for good measure. I am trying to stay close to home whilst the toilet training still continues for Master2. He is going well, but we will just stick to visiting places that have a 'free willy' policy.. it is a drought after all and watering the plants is great, no matter how its done....

I should be sewing.....

2008-02-15T16:37:00.000+11:00

I have not posted for over a week, that is not cool.

I have been busy doing Mummy stuff. We are toilet training Mister 2.. Today he has worn his 'jocks' all day. I am also frantically trying to plan my next few weeks so I can squeeze in time to sew, as I have just recieved a delivery of 10 metres of Silk Dupion to make 3 Flower girl dresses... The wedding is in about 5 weeks so I better get my skates on.

Why do I always start with "I have"?

I have been busy chasing around some wholesale fabric suppliers, Oh my God...I am so glad I dont own a fabric shop.. It would be stacked up to the roof..Too many choices.

Whilst surfing the net I stumbled across this little gem..Lecien.. particularly this fabric range..My Folklore. I think I will use this in my childrenswear range.. (If I ever get time out to do so!!!)

More procrastinating is required, about how many items to make, What sizes?? Should I do less not more??

I wish there was some way of having a gaurdian crafting angel...preferably one that has successfully sewn and marketed her own childrens clothing. Any takers?

A favourite little dress I made for Georgia some time ago.

More making

2008-02-04T10:01:00.000+11:00

I have completed the second apron dress.
I drafted the pattern off , cut out the fabric, made tea, then sewed it all up after the kids had gone to bed... I was finished by 10.45pm. Not a bad job

This time for Miss6, and because she is so tall, I had to draft the pattern up a size from the largest in the book.

Very serious, we had to hurry so she could go motorbike riding....

And a hug for little sister....

I think the length is better than the first one, I will add a good bit extra on from now on, I just need to find a few nice fabric prints and keep sewing..... One thing that has me a little baffled, is that the pattern instructions don't show a length for the shoulder straps? Or I just can't find it... Any clues?

Having not much fun with Miss6 starting Grade 1, not settling in at all. Hope this improves. I am not finding it pleasant to cope with, watching her crying and screaming for her mummy when I leave her schoolroom. Hopefully this will settle down soon. fingers crossed....

**************************
Next project... this dress, I just have to find that fabric I have in mind,,

Happy sewing and let hope the week is a good one. It is supposed to rain, so bring it on...

Humour is a good way to start the day

2008-02-01T09:38:00.000+11:00

I sat down to do some business bookwork (boring!) and I thought I'll just see if any of my fav blogs have posted anything new... So browsing through I thought, lets have a look at some of the blogs they like to read too.
I came across this pearler... I nearly fell off my chair laughing..and yes I hear you Molly Chicken I love it....

I have overnight been to my sewing group and actually did some sewing instead of just yacking and drinking coffee....

So here is my first attempt at The Apron dress from the front of my first Japanese Craft book.....Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made .

I was inspired 'at long last' to use my Heather Bailey "mums"... I hope the fabric loses stiffness once washed, so that it will drape a little better.

Miss4.5 is very pleased once again, and Miss6 has made her fabric selection from the cupboard, so I will start one for her this afternoon (after the vacuuming and mopping of course..) :<

Happy sewing...

Yo-Yo's and Gourmet Pies

2008-01-31T13:24:00.000+11:00

I have made my first yo-yo. I decided to make a home for my sewing scissors. So after finding and preparing the tin, I got out the felt, lined the base, then cut, glued and the rest is history....Although after doing this I decided I should start a little collection of vintage flower buttons.. I have a few, but not quite enough...what an excuse.

My absolute favourite buttons are Mother of Pearl which I try to use on everything!!!!. and maybe I need some more?

So now I have a SCISSOR POT.

I saw this little rosette on a website and I presume it is a set of yo-yo's so I might give it a go one day soon.....

After indulging in so much time wasting for myself, I thought I should treat my dear husband to one of his all time favourite foods. Home made Gourmet meat-pies...

I never follow a recipe, unless it is cakes and biscuits. So I just browsed through the spice drawer and popped a bit of this and that into the mix, lots of Gravy mix and home-made Tomato sauce.
The kids love watching the pastry get cut out, I think that is why I find them asking for round sandwiches. They have such creative thinking and when I say " I cannot cut a round sandwich!". They get the pie making cutter and shake it at me like I am utterly daft."Yeah, with this!"

So here are my yummy pies.

A few months ago, whilst tossing around ideas of selling my childrenswear, I bought a new pattern drafting book, just for children. It is absolutely loaded with valuable information and will be very useful when I alter or design patterns. I am keen to design and make all my own things.

I have long admired things that friends have bought from City markets only to discover that some of these dresses and tops are actually made in China. How do you know what is really custom or handmade anymore???

Does everyone have one of these bobbin holders? They are worth their weight in gold, especially when little people are about....

As for the Heather Bailey, I still cant decide what to do. Not the standard shift dress that is about, something a bit more funky... More homework is needed before I cut into this one..

More Pattern Books & more sewing

2008-01-29T18:01:00.000+11:00

I got 2 new Japanese sewing books today.

Koharu no fuku and Girly Style War drob e.
Girly Style Wardrobe appears to be every bit as good as I had expected and I am eagerly trying to decide which one to sew first...... I won't pass judgement on the other one yet, but so far I only have the urge to make 1 particular item in it..

* But today I finished the skirt out of this book.

I used a quilting fabric, that had a herringbone texture to it, it was like brushed cotton. really nice, will be very transeasonal.

The skirt took no time to whip up, Miss4.5 was very excited and quickly popped it on and asked if she could pose for another photo... How could I refuse. Here is the finished outfit.

The fabric was just beautiful to sew and I am sure once I steal it and wash it in the cover of darkness it will come up beautifully.

I am really happy with all the sewing from my Japanese pattern books so far. I now have 4 books in total.

I have to cut out a 2 dresses yet and Miss6 is starting to complain about the lack of modelling opportunities. It is funny how I find it hard to get the required inspiration for mundane domestic duties, but just a few quick glamour shots are no problem. It must paint a very weird picture of me cruising around the house like some famous freelance photographer.. Whatever gets you motivated

Rousabout

2008-01-28T23:10:00.001+11:00

What is rousabout?

As an australian, a rousabout is the person who works in the woolshed at shearing time. They pick up and clean up after the shearers ( in basic terms).

They go flat out, sorting, cleaning, picking up, tossing fleeces, getting in more sheep etc.

I think that mothers are just a domestic rousabout. They go like crazy all day, cleaning and picking up just so the place can look the same as it did that morning.

So when I decided to give my sewn items a label, I thought long and hard of a name that was undoubtedly australian yet related to my bustling lifestyle as a mother.
When I first began sewing labelled garments, I made very traditional things, like Rugby tops, collared shirts, peasant tops and tiered skirts. While I still like the appeal of those Aussie Classic styles, I have an addiction for Euro childrens fashion. Namely the french labels Jean Bourget and Cakewalk from the Netherlands. I love simplicity and have now moved towards the Japanese sewing books, and I am currently going crazy collecting them. Move over Ottobre there are some new books on the shelf..

Sometimes I browse through etsy and see some gorgeous cutesy names,(fruit+colour+animal etc.) but I have a squillion little woven labels and couldn't waste them just on a whim for a more contemporary name. So ROUSABOUT it is.

I will let my product do the talking. ( Once I figure out just how to market it and where?)

These are some shots of my new sewing room. We just built a new house and I have my very own dedicated sewing room, with benches all way round and a built-in robe for all my fabric and mags etc. I still need more shelving so that inspiration is only at a glance, but I am getting there. I have a Memorycraft 10000, which I should sew with more often, But my trusty 4000 never lets me down...
I have a flip out ironing board and a big window for plenty of sky views. What more could a woman want??I know, more time to sew.....YES

Japanese Pattern Drafting

2008-01-26T18:08:00.000+11:00

Today I covered new territory, I drafted off my first Japanese pattern, ok about 4 really.
Once I got the pattern sheet out I found the pieces quite easily.
I am starting with this set, top a and skirt b.

I worked out the easiest way to draft the pattern succesfully and I hope it will lead to much less frustration when cutting or piecing.

*Firstly look at the cutting layout picture for the garment and add the seam allowances and hem allowances according to the diagram. The little 3 inside the hemline meant add 3 centimetres, so I having done this , I marked it on the pattern.
I have also worked out the symbols that mean front and back.
I have been reading that a lot of people use paper to draft off patterns, I always buy a roll of cheap interfacing to use for patterns. You dont need to pin it onto the fabric as it stays put once in position. It doesnt tear, you can fold it up or roll it up. I like to store my patterns in a snap lock bag with the details written on the front in texta. If I get my act together I will scan the pattern info from the mag or book and put it into the bag also, saves wear and tear on the book.....
Just this morning I have stumbled across this great step by step post that covers everything I have just done and was about to say.... look here first!!!Thought and thimble

O.k. Here is the pictures of top 'a' from my first Japanese sewing book Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made ....

My little Miss4 was wrapt and asked whilst posing for the pics, "can I play with this on now?". Its always nice to be appreciated!!!

I made the size 110 and it fits really well, It was easy to put together, the worst part was deciding which buttons looked best. Onward to the next item.....I am already thinking which books I need next.. I did really love the "My favourite Style" book for myself..

Beach holiday and Japanese sewing books

2008-01-25T16:32:00.000+11:00

I have just returned home from our family holiday, only to find my parcel in the post from Yesasia..Yippee ( That was super fast delivery I must say!!!)

We had a great time at the beach, I do have sunburnt knees and after much thought as to why, I realise that every time my little boy would put his sandy, wet hands on my knees, I would rub it off. alas red knees.

Longbeach in Robe - South Australia...

We had a great time and I had great intentions of taking photographs of the girls in their Rousabout beach dresses, but it was togs or nothing....so here is a picture of them on the hangers, they look gorgeous on....

Back to the sewing, I have just browsed though my new Japanese sewing books from Yesasia, and yes I should be drafting off patterns, but I got sidetracked ,looking at blogs with great info regarding the seam allowances etc.There is a great spot to get great info at Moving Hands, she has a link to a great download file about understanding the language in the patterns etc, although so far the pictures seem pretty comprehensive. I have been sewing Topkids magazine patterns for years, and the Ottobre books, honestly sometimes I think no written instructions would be easier...

Here is the first book (isbn 4529044378) which I believe is called Cute girls cute clothes? Although my invoice read -

Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made. what a mouthful hey!!

This is my favourite page in the whole book.

Pure eye candy and inspiration........

I spent most of the morning (between washing all the beach towels and bags full of dirty holiday laundry) perusing my new books. I have been eagerly waiting for this one in particular... I have decided that tommorrow is the day, I will unclip that pattern sheet and start drafting... The ones I want to try are very basic looking so I will see how they go together.

I did just finish sewing a little 'japanese inspired blouse' out of the latest Ottobre magazine but Miss 6 decided she didnt like it....( It wasnt purple!@!), I shall try take a pic and post it soon....

Just downing a coffee, I will pop a few shots of my sewing on here...

A set for Miss6 I embellished the bought T-Shirt to match the wrap skirt, You are actually looking at the back with the bum pocket. I used Kings Road 'Belle Fleur Too' fabric and a bit of a Hamphire Gardens (the black floral). It looks great, I should make more only finding good quality T-Shirts is really hard. Any hints?????

A gored skirt I made a few years ago from whale cord, It has recieved so many comments in its time. I used no pattern, just made it up as I went.

Some little shoulder bags I made for the girls, One lined with Purple and one with Pink... that way any arguments could be quickly resolved as to just who has who's bag....The Purple for Georgia and Pink for Paige has proved such a winner system in our house, that everyone knows who owns the purple towel or the pink drink bottle.

Tommorrow I shall aim to find some spare time in amidst getting ready for back to school next week, and I will draft and sew, (hopefully lots!!!! :)
I need to work out how to add links to peoples blogs in amongst this text, I have a stack of great sites saved in my favourites and I have found most of them through other people kindly sharing them. I would love to return the favour...

my blogging debut

2008-01-18T16:47:00.000+11:00

Pleased to meet you..
After much thought and trepidation I have begun the journey and responsibilty of my very own blog. I hope I can produce some fabulous links, photos and information that people will enjoy, just as I have learnt so much from surfing through some of the most fantastic and inspirational blogs ever....
It feels strange typing messages to the unknown, but I will see how it goes.

My name is Jo and I am a stay at home mother of 3 children, we have our own earthmoving business ( my husband and I) so that keeps us all busy. We have just finished building a new home and are busy landscaping (though it is quicker with a bobcat!).
In between all these other duties I have a passion for fine fabric, fashion & quality stitching.
I have sewn ever since my feet could reach the pedal. Busy whipping up anything I could find inspiration from in Mums Fabric stash, which I remember thinking was the most magical bottomless box ever.
Since having children, I have really used my sewing as my sanctuary, My husband bought me a new Memorycraft 10000, I am sure he could see the hours I was going to be spending inside now. I have built up quite a collection of sewing machines including my newest edition the Janome CoverPro. I love my Janome's. I have 4.
I am the proud owner of a fabric stash that even my mother shakes her head at as though I've done something terribly taboo. ( although I have seen pics posted that make my stash look like a scrap bag. I will take a shot and post it soon.
I now design a lot of my own patterns, and send my 2 little girls off in their rousabout dresses almost every day.
I am awaiting my first order of Japanese sewing books from Yesasia and I am itching to start sewing some lovely things. They have great classic styles just delicious.....
Time for a coffee. It looks like the drought has broken I can hardly hear my typing over the rain and thunder....looks like all the drought tolerant plants we put in might drown....go figure.

Heres a shot of my husbands idea of Power gardening...........