And another

But this time the summer top is for me. It took no time to make!


It's from this japanese craft book, which has patterns for summer tops and some dresses. I've got a few more ear-marked from it.



Still debating about adding the little bow. Help! Should I add the bow or not? Here 'tis on the headless mannequin (bad photo, gah!) to help you help me. So indecisive!


I really like the fit of the top........and I finally got to use this linen print (from Tessuti) I've been hoarding for this very purpose. Hey! This is the first bit of clothing I made for myself in about 14 years. I must dig out photos of some of the doozies I paraded around in back then.

Apparently we're getting a preview of some summer weather today. Very timely!

Summer frilly top

Frilly, but not too girly is the order of the day. I did say I was going to re-jig the pattern that I used to make this green summer top.


Nothing like using good fabric as incentive to try to make it perfect....which this top isn't (shoulder ties are a tad short). But it comes very close!


But the best and most essential thing, it fits the bub well.


The birdy fabric is a Lecien print that I got sometime back in February this year, with the intention of a summery something for the little miss. The tiny aqua polka dots are from Robert Kaufman.


But my absolute favourite feature is the crochet lace hem! A bit of modern paired with a bit of traditional....and no pink in sight.

Okay, we gotta get ready to go out for lunch.....cheerio!

We like swings

The bub and I trekked to the playground up the road to bathe in some fabulous weather.


And I discovered that she likes swings.


Lots!


Really, mummy, is that all you can do? Higher, mummy!


And that's the twirly skirt from Louise she's wearing.

In linen

I've been making the new crafting space worth its while....and believe you me, it's working hard. He he he!


Anyway, given all the busy bee-ness, I thought to inflict some new baby smocks on you, in linen and fairytale japanese prints. 'Cos that's all I've been crafting!


Four days seems a long time to be making just two garments, I know. If the bub wasn't around I can probably turn these around in half the time.


The other bit of info I haven't shared about these smocks before is the amount of hand-finishing involved. Very tedious!......but so satisfying when its done. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and although I wish I could go faster, I'm not really prepared to trade-off on the workmanship. Blech! I guess you all face this, too. C'mon spill!

More sewing is beckoning. Cheerio!

Revamped

After all that veiled whingeing I did on my last post, the delivery company finally found my missing table top (yes, they...and I....lost it for five days) and winged it over to our place yesterday, toot sweet! Phew!

But before I give you the "reveal"....can I just say that I had one of the best swap packages land on my front door this morning from Louise!

Get a load of the "geezer" pic........


.....a heap of scrap fabrics in my colours and a beautiful dragonfly-embroidered needle book (the inside lining has fun dragonfly print all over it)............


....and *squeal* a lovely twirly skirt for the bub! How cute!


I love every piece of this package. Thank you very much, Louise, from me and the bub! And thank you, Belinda and Kate, for hosting!

And without further ado....here's the right leg....


......the left leg.....


....and the revamped table top.


All is well in the world again!................and it's back to sewing for me.

Mmmmotherload

Sometimes I get a bit appalled at myself for this self-indulgent blogging thing......I really for the life of me can't fathom how you peeps are still visiting this little project (because that's what this is...a big fat UFO). But it keeps me occupied and out of the geezer's way, otherwise I'd be whingeing out of boredom. So thank you all for visiting and commenting, because it really gives me the warm fuzzies when you pop in with things to say, nice or otherwise.

So let me not tell you about about three wasted afternoons waiting around for cretinous delivery men.


And let me not tell you about the ensuing lack of crafting hereabouts......


....and why the sunroom/craft space is still out of whack.


Or the attempt at some late night sewing in the dining room, not.


But all is not wasted, 'cos I was gifted this massive haul of 60s and 70s vintage patterns from my lovely neighbour on the weekend. Isn't that so sweet? I kept offering to sew up some cushions or some such for her living room, but she just kept declining.


There were also fabrics, two of which feel like wool cashmere, but I have to consult with the expert (my mum). The ones above are a few of my favourites.

Here's a better look at the motherload!


Okay.....must get back to reality and some housework. Cheerio!

What to do with scraps

Taking part in the scrap swap has got me thinking of some snazzy way to use them up. Then I saw Lara's Ikea boxes and took it one step further.


I glued the fabric with some tacky craft clue, then when dried brushed on some gloss gel medium (available in art supply shops) which dries up clear. The gloss gel seals the fabric weave and makes it harder for the dust to get in between the threads.

Still waiting.....no new sewing.

Hope you all have a good weekend! Cheerio!

Illustration Friday - Momentum

A good game of playground chase is always fun......


.....build enough MOMENTUM and you can fly!

I've been pathetic with the drawing. But here's my new attempt to be regular (and weekly isn't a big ask) again. Please excuse the smudge, me not being in practice and all.

Movement afoot

Nothing too big.....just repositioning of some kit around here to make more room for my little crafty projects. Our big dining table has been rescued from the ebay pool, so the other dining table which was in the sun room can now squat in the dining room......with both sewing machines on them. Gah!


You can imagine the trudging involved between the two rooms....to iron seams, to choose fabric, to retrieve cutting tools. Very tedious and very noisy! I'm just going to give up any sewing this week until my new work table arrives.

In the mean time, the bub and I have braved the sunny outdoors for some fresh air....and some new kind of footwork.




And there she goes.........................help! Where's that leash?

Giveaways are fun

And the winners are...........


Can't see it? Try this one. (Dang stupid ancient camera!)


That's right! The geezer picked two names. I'm a sneaky minnie!

Leslie, I'm sewing up the zipper pouch for you as we speak.

There was a surprising lot of peeps who played along, that I couldn't just pick one. So, Mel, I'm packaging up a runner-up prize for you.

Edit: Oops! And here is the pouch......ta da!



Anyway, I've had so much fun playing this giveaway game....surely more will be in the works very soon. Thanks everyone for taking part in this small diversion! I'm already plotting up ideas for the next one.

Can both of you lasses please email me your snail mail addresses. I've got some good mail to send out!

Fudging along

Thanks so much, all you bloggy peeps, for playing along with my little game! I couldn't reply to everyone personally...so I'm telling you now that I really appreciated all the cajoling messages you left in wanting to take away that stitchy project. I'll get the geezer to pick the lucky name out of the bowl tomorrow night.

For this weekend, I've set myself a goal to try make another summer wardrobe thingy for the bub...something quick, may have to fudge it big time, because it needs to be something entirely new.....trying to bore you (and me) to smock-death, not. I did say I have a short attention span. And indecisive. What next?

So just to test out a new pattern with some cheap and cheerful Spotlight fabric, this is the result.

Hmmm, should've really gone with the instincts (not be a slack arse) and cut that front neck band/strap on the bias....and the bottom ruffle could be wider....and that arm hole will probably gape outwards. See! I'm already altering the pattern in my head for the next time. Maybe I won't notice it after a few washes.....and she'll only be wearing it for a few weeks over summer. Reckon the bigger sizes will hang better than this 12 month old version. I just know it!


Although she doesn't seem to mind.

Next up, I'm gathering some colour-coordinated scraps for some swap action with Louise.

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Fun & games

I thought I'll have a bit of fun with you, my reader peeps! I finally finished the little stitchy project from yesterday and I don't quite know what to do with it, although ideas abound aplenty.


So here's what I'm going to do - all you bloggy buds will get to choose between one of the following four:-

• a zipper pouch wristlet
• a pincushion
• a little kiddy tote, or
• as is, for you to make into whatever you want

That's right! This is a giveaway with a twist.....to lure out all the lurkers, too. Everyone can play! If you want to play along, just leave a comment with how you'd like to me to finish (or not!) the little piece above. When I finish it, it's yours to keep.

You've got a few days to leave comments. I'll pick the lucky name this Sunday evening, 9th September and announce the winner next week on this here blog. Fun, fun, fun!

And now I must run, run, run!

Edit: It's done, done, done! Stay tuned.

From my mum's stash

And into mine....yippee! I just had to rescue these piles from my mum's garage.


The bottom three are all garment suiting weight....two Kenzo stripes and a lovely navy wool stripe (don't know what kind), but the weathered old tag says its from Pudsey in Yorkshire. She showed me some mohair wools and tweeds that she couldn't bear to part with yet.....but I'll give her another year with those. I'm kiiiidddding! My mum has at least three times the stash I have! And a lot of it hasn't seen the light of day in the last ten years.


The bub and I spent the weekend with my mum deep in the burbs of Sydney while the geezer went on a work junket to some flash resort in the Hunter Valley. Lucky us! We squired my mum to a christening on Saturday and the bub got cuddles-and-hugs from lots of old aunties.....cronies of my mum's who we only see once a year. Fun partying aside, I feel like I've done my social duty for this year! *smirk*

In return, she and the bub kept each other company while I went out to dinner with my girlfriends.....the first in months! Thank you, mum!


There has been a lot of linen laundering.....very tedious! The large lot that I got last week needs three rounds of washing and line-drying to get it soft and drapey.....according to the helpful shopboys. And who am I to argue? I'm up to the third wash on all the light colours, haven't even started on that traffic light red yet. Bah!


But there has been some sewing....or should I say stitching. Blame it on Jude! Her embroidery projects have inspired me into using up some scrap linen and bright floss. It's turning out cute, but I need to trek out to hunt for some dark thread before I can finish it. (The craft book is available here)

Cheerio all! Hope you're all having a good week!