Birthday boogie

You know that friend that you can not see for weeks and then your 'free day' aligns and you manage a catch up and a girly chat, while the kids play at your feet, and it is like you were talking to them just yesterday? I have one of those and she is kinda special.

I wish we had more free time to catch up, although we are now a car trip apart rather than a plane flight  and we do get to see each other more than we used to we still don't get to visit often enough for my liking!

I was lucky enough to be one of her bridesmaids and if I didn't have so many sisters she would have been there for me too (I regret that a little. I should have made room for her too...sorry xx)

We share our lives, our ups and downs. We share our children when we visit and treat each others kids like our own. We share similar parenting styles (boys will be boys!) and we love to have a laugh and a gossip!

Today is her birthday and sadly it is not a 'free day' for either of us and so we will have to wait to next time to share a piece of birthday cake. Her real surprise present isn't quite ready yet so instead today I have dedicated my weekend boogie to her.

Happy Birthday my dear friend. Love you!














I'm joining in here although I missed the linky....maybe next time! Sorry Miss Dove!

Weekender Bag - progress - internal pockets and piping

Thanks for your help with the fabric choices for my weekender bag. I've gone with the first option, one of my favourites from Kate Spain!

Of course I can never follow a pattern properly and started arse-about with the lining! After reading many blog posts on the weekender bag and talking to some of my favourite experts in the sewing field, I felt that internal elastic pockets on both side were the way to go. I like the little zippered ones people are adding too but I think the elastic open pockets will be more useful to us.

I used Summer House by Lily Ashbury for the lining. Each of the internal pockets are a simple rectangle about 10" x 24", folded over 1/4 inch twice, to make a casing for 3mm elastic. Gathering stitches added to the bottom to pull it in. Iron a fold down the centre of each piece to match them up and pin all the way around. I sew my basting stitches very close to the raw edge so that it won't be seen in the final seam and I use a regular stitch length.

I round off this corner edge with scissor before sewing so that I maintain the right shape of the bag piece.



No flash - a truer representation of the colour - very much an aqua rather than a light blue

The pockets as you can see are sewn down the middle to seperate into 2 smaller pockets rather than 1 larger one. I've made 1 matching the lining and the other out of the piping fabric, hopefully when the bag is in use it will make it easier to remember which pocket I put things in to save too much searching around for stuff!

I also had my first go ever at making piping. There is 5 metres of it here pouring out the back of the machine. It wasn't too hard to make at all.....but I haven't attempted to add it to anything yet that will be the real test!

The piping fabric is Honey Honey by Kate Spain.

Fairy Tale Dress ups!

I totally had my work cut out for me to get these done in time!
Three 2am finishes in a row saw them all done......just! It was all my fault though I couldn't decide if we actually needed to go dressed up and then at the last possible moment, while in Spotlight, I decided yes we should! The $5 pattern sale certainly helped!

I'm super happy with how the boys outfits turned out but mine was a bit of a flop....well the hat definitely was! The instructions didn't even make sense so I winged it and was disappointed with the results. If I ever have to wear this again (or if anyone wants you borrow it you're welcome) I'll be making a cardboard hat and covering it in fabric to get the same look.

Despite 3 weeks or more of trying to convince Aden is go as a dragon to fit in with the 'Fairy Tale theme' he wouldn't budge. He had to go as a dinosaur!
 

He did make a pretty cute Dinosaur and had a great time playing/fighting with his cousin til it was dark and cold. Then they were both happy to snuggle up on the couch with my while the rest of the family continued drinking.

The best part of the night was having my wonderful son and husband call me 'Beautiful Princess Mummy' all night, despite the fact that I think I look horrible!

Happy 18th Birthday Katie and Emma!

A new challenge and a fabric decision!

My sister turned 31 this weekend and my Mum wanted to go see 'Hot Shoe Shuffle' at the theatre for an early Mother's Day treat. So I packed up the boys and headed into town.

The show was great! It kinda makes you wish you could tap dance!

Aden was all set with his little Thomas suitcase, but on packing our bags for just one night I realised that other than our large suitcase we had nothing to take our clothes in!

Lucky I had obviously foreseen the future and had ordered the Amy Butler Weekender Bag the week before at 40% off bringing the pattern to just $13.40! It arrived on Friday and I'm itching to try it out! Oh and a little bag challenge I have going with some online sewing friends is great incentive too!

I have spent the last 3 hours reading and researching all the little tips, tricks and reviews out there in blog land.....and now I'm divided between the beautiful bags I've pinned on Pinterest and all the scary reviews about how difficult the bag is to make!

I will forge on though.....after I make the most difficult decision....what Fabric to use!

Maybe you can help me!?!?!

These are all fabrics I have pulled from my stash

Piping, Exterior, Interior

Interior and Piping, Exterior with contrasting pockets in the FQ - Kate Spain fabrics

Piping and Interior, Exterior - Hubby's pick

Linen outer, DS lining  - need to find a blue or grey for the piping and handles

Lady bug lining, DS outer, would have to find a nice pink/red for the handles and piping  

Dark blue outer, green piping and dots on the lining

 Please share you favourite....I'd like to get started soon!

New Dresses for a special occasion.

How sweet does my niece look!

The dress was a lovely fit and perfect length (it is a size 2T with a size 4 length). Her mum was happy with the finished dress. I found the perfect shoes the day before for a bargain $14 and we found a headband that was also a perfect match the morning of the wedding! She didn't wear the ribbon I made but I'm sure she will another time as she has a little bit of growing room.



My handsome son in his 'handsome clothes'
He was wonderfully well behaved throughout the entire wedding and reception. So proud of my little man!

Picking up the flower petals with Bailey after the ceremony to throw at Milla!

So glad I made the little bloomers for her too. Again a perfect match in colour.

And I managed to finish my dress in time too! I wasn't sold on the fabric while I was making it but it looks ok. This fabric is quite a bit stiffer than the first version of this dress and I'm not 100% happy with the way the pleats sit over my tummy (making it look bigger than it is - I'm actually the lightest I have been in a long time!) But it was just right for this beautiful Autumn wedding.

And congratulations to Kristin and Kev on your wedding day! Thank you for including us in your special day. 

SYST

8 FQ's in and 6 out  - I only bought what I needed for the dress but there is a little bit left over maybe enough for a simple skirt??

Peaches and Cream Abby Dress

After successfully making a practice of the Abby Dress for my niece a few weeks ago. It was time for the real thing!

WORST fabric in the world to work with but it turned out quite cute don't ya think!?!?

 

The lining fabric was super thin and the lace rather stiff. I won't tell you all the parts that aren't quite right I'm sure you can notice them for yourselves.

 

 I decided to close the back with a ribbon this time. ( and I actually have the neck the right way this time!) and it sits lovely and flat and pretty. I had to hand stitch the facings down with super tiny stitches.

 

 

And because of the thin lining and lace I'm super worried that it might be a little see-through so to save my nieces modesty I made a little pair of bloomers to cover her nappy. And what 18-month-old is a perfect little lady and keeps her dress down....certainly not this one!

 

 

There is also a peach hair ribbon/head band as per the original inspiration photo

 

 

 

So there you have it one wedding outfit ready to go....now I just have to start mine!

 

 

SYST

Incoming: 1 metre lace, 1 metre lining, 1/2 metre cotton

Outgoing 6 FQ's 

Amazing Fit Dress ....Easter Challenge

 

 

It took a little longer than I hoped, school-holiday sickness interrupted my sewing time, but it is finished. And it fits!

 

I had a little bit of trouble with the zipper but it sits flat and straight.

 

There are no adjustments in the bodice, a little give room around the hips, thighs and armholes - all my favourite parts of my body... NOT, and no length changes just a small hem.

 



Please excuse the sun squint face!

Hubby says it looks good and that is good enough for me. I'm keen to make a few more now in the other fabrics I have picked.....or maybe something from the stash now I know it fits so well.

I also finished a few pieces for my nieces 2nd birthday in a few weeks.

A half size version of the 241 Tote by Noodlehead - owls and a sprinkle of Fairy Frost (butterflies on the inside)

And a pink elephant skirt

And of course the boy had to get in on the action.... I don't mind he is rather cute!

SYST - outgoing 12 FQ's

Bailey's Roadworks Quilt

Aden's not great with the camera just yet....

 

 



Today my hamdsome nephew turns 3! Happy Birthday Bailey!

I finished this last month but waited til today to blog it. Bailey loves things that have wheels, make lots of noise and anything to do with dirt!

So the Roadworks quilt seemed like the prefect 3rd birthday present. He will be here in a few weeks time for me to give it to him. Aden thinks any quilt I finish belongs to him, but he is happy to let Baily have this one, only cause he loves his cousin so much!

Size: 69 x 54  inches

 

 

 

A prefectly matched print from Michael Miller for the backing!

 

SYST - outgoing 21 FQ's

 

 



Dear Jane....the beginning

Every now and then I get the urge to start my Dear Jane quilt....I got as far as thinking about the layout I want for my rainbow DJ. I drew a sketch and did a computer image too.

 

 

 

I'm going to go with the hand-coloured one - more blues and greens - less reds and orange - which is a reflection of my stash! I'm keen to get started for real but I don't know what to do first!

 

 

It's been super busy around here trying to fit in assessments and end of term stuff like parent interviews - especially when you make the hour round trip for 2 interviews (40 mins worth) and neither sets of parents show up! One parent felt so bad that she gifted us some roses, so these little pretties have been looking lovely in my kitchen!

 



Adding to the stash....for good reason!

 

I'm not supposed to be adding to the stash....Hubby will shoot me and 2013 is More Out + Less In!

 

But these were all bought for good reason. Some of them will leave the stash very quickly (I hope) and others will stay around a little longer as I tackle a long term project.

 

And I mean very long term! I'm going to start a 'Dear Jane' or 'Baby Jane' as they like to call them. I'm going to call mine 'Wishful Baby'  for as I sew this one there will be a lot of baby-wishing going on! Aden is 4 in a few very short months and I thought we'd defiantly have another baby here by now....or a least on the way. But I continue to patiently wait my turn, pray, dream and wish.

 

 

I got 1/2 a metre of this green to add to the DJ fabrics. Yes 1/2 metre is over kill as I will only need the tiniest pieces but 30% off is a good bargain!

 

Miss Dove and I are having a sew-a-long these coming Easter Holidays to make this Dress

Simplicity 2217

 



 

So after I bought these 3 fabrics - I hate making decisions, so I didn't I got all 3 - a liberty inspired floral, a bold white/grey/yellow/blue, and a lace inspired multi-toned print I got into the spirit of prepping for the start of sewing and cut out the pattern pieces. Not sure if that is cheating or not! Sorry Miss Dove!

 

 

I also got a couple of metres of reduced cord ($3.50/m) for floor cushions for the classroom.

 

 

SYST

20.7 metres = 83 FQ's incoming.....

Kindy Quilt and first day photos

Aden stated Kindy this year....the day after he turned 3 and 6 months old. And he is loving it so far!
He is coping really well with the swap over from 3 days of Day Care to 1 day of Day Care and 2 days of Kindy.

He is thriving at Kindy. The routines and expectations really suit him. He comes home singing songs, chatting about his new friends, what story they read that day, what art he made and if he got into trouble or not (usually for talking at rest time!!) and of course he loves his teachers.

And you can't start Kindy without a new quilt! Aden picked this 'Lightning McQueen' fabric out a while back and had to have 'finish flag' fabric to go with it. A few matching tone-on-tones from the stash made it an easy quilt to pull together and my first finish for the year.

It is the prefect size for the beds they have a Kindy.

I did in-the-ditch quilting to get it done quickly and 5-point stars on the red fabric. I had planned to do a lightning bolt on the yellow and '95' on the orange but Kindy day rolled around too quickly and I needed to bind it and wash it up ready for his first day. I might go back in the holidays and add the other bits.

The backing was all stash fabric too! This red/black/white print was perfect! 

A drawstring bag and a little pillow left very little leftover fabric!

I have a piece of paper somewhere with how many FQ's I used to make all of this but it has disappeared from my pin board....I'll come back and add it soon....but it was all from the stash making a great dint in my count!!