Ottobre shirts #2 and #3

Two more Ottobre Shirts. I made the same modifications - lengthened the sleeves and added elastic to them. The twins were allowed to choose any fabric in the room and they chose fabric (or similar fabric) that I made shirts out of a few years ago. Luckily I had just enough left of the pink one. This is a great pattern, perfect to wear by itself or with a shirt underneath.

Wooden Letters

I bought some wooden letters from Bunnings or Spotlight a year ago (probably even longer and had been meaning to cover them and stick them on the wall. I finally got around to it on the weekend and it only took about an hour to do all 3. If you google something like 'mod podge wooden letters' you will find lots of tutorials and ideas. So finally the poor girls don't have big blank walls in their rooms.

The dyepots have been out and I am gradually new yarn adding to the shop.

Single Girl Block

I finally finished cutting out all the pieces for the Single Girl quilt by Denyse Schmidt (there is a great flickr group with lots of examples). I ended up making templates out of template plastic and then using a small rotary cutter to cut them out. I think I would rather stick forks in my eyes than trace and then cut all the pieces. Because the pieces have straight edges or slight curves using a rotary cutter worked fine.
I sewed up one block this morning. It really is a well written and drafted pattern and if you follow the instructions it goes together perfectly. The curves are very easy to sew as the circle is quite large. Only 15 more to go.

Granny Square Scarf

I think I could become addicted to crochet - much faster than knitting. This scarf was done so much faster than it would take me to knit one this length. There are 10 granny squares using this pattern. I joined them like this. Then I edged it with a picot edging. The yarn was Moda Vera 8 ply wool in 8 different colours.

In Progress

I can't find the cutting table again - I need to get sewing this weekend and finish a few things off. Shirts for the twins. All the pieces for the Single Girl quilt are cut out - now I need to start sewing.

A sleeveless cardigan for Eva.

A Clothkits doll for her birthday.

Little Alphabet Quilts

I have finished the little alphabet quilts. Thanks for the mini quilt hanging suggestions. I think I will sew some ribbon to the back and hang them on removable hooks. G is from Grace. E is for Eva.

Some yarn for Kate - not the best picture, but it is green and lovely bluey/green which I know she uses a lot of.

Around The block - More Blocks

A couple of blocks for Becky who wanted blocks with triangle. I used the Tri Recs tool from EZ quilt for the first one - so simple to make these triangles with it.
The second it just made with half square triangles.

New Look 6775 and Ottobre

I was planning on getting started with the winter sewing this weekend, but the temperature has been in the mid 30s so I made a new summer dress instead. I have used New Look 6775 for tunic tops a couple of times, but had not made the dress before. I wish I had made a few more at the start of summer. Such a quick simple pattern and it only took a couple of hours from cutting to finishing. I used some cotton I bought at Spotlight a few months ago. I think I would be great in some fine wool fabric for winter.

I did start some sewing for cooler weather this morning. It is made from cotton I bought at Spotlight so it it not that heavy, but will be good with long sleeved t shirts under it in winter.

The pattern is #23 from Ottobre 4/2010. I kind of used the placket instructions from Ottobre and kind of used the instructions from the Oliver & S Jump Rope Dress. I also extended the arms and added elastic around the wrists.

A is for Amelia

We have been in our house now for over a year and the walls in the girls rooms are still looking a little bare. I thought a few little quilts might add some colour and use up some scraps at the same time. I seem to have lots of left overs from jelly rolls. So I am making little letter quilts with 2 1/2 inch squares and strips of white for the background. A is done and now I am onto G and E.

Does anyone have a great way to hang mini quilts without needing to drill holes in the wall?

Around the Block

Another block for Around the Block. I really love open ended instructions. Louise wanted something that was like a star or would spin. I think this is a combination of both.

Sourdough and Scarf Progress

I think I might have found a sourdough bread book that makes sense and doesn't make sourdough seem like an insanely complicated process. Wild Sourdough by Yoke Mardewi. I have been making sourdough (with varying success) with my starter for 6 months now, but have been making the same white bread and I really want to try different things. I have only tried the semolina sourdough so far, but the instructions and the reasons why you do what you do were great.
I must be the slowest crocheter around. It was a month ago I started this scarf for Evie and so far I only have 7 squares. I think I should start weaving in the ends so I don't have them all left to do at the end.

Clear Elastic

I am back from another great day at Upmarket yesterday. Thanks and hi to everyone who came and chatted with me yesterday!
I made another dress using New Look 6429 last week. This time I made a few changes to the neckline. I have no idea why the pattern calls for facings. They are annoying to make and never seem to sit right so this time I used clear elastic and will use it in the future wherever I can. So easy and the neck sits perfectly.
I sewed it on to the wrong side with the overlocker, stretching the elastic only slight as I went.

Then I turned it under and top stitched on the right side. A perfect neckline in a couple of minutes.

Markets and Birthdays

A couple more quilts ready for Upmarket on Sunday. I have a bag and a few more bunnies to finish and then I think might actually be ready which will be a first as I am usually panicking before a market. Crossing fingers I havn't forgotten something.

Unbelieveably tomorrow the girls turn 6. There has been much excitement and counting down the days for weeks. It is hard to believe how things have changed in six year.

This is Amelia at 2 days.

Grace at 1 day old.

Binding

A pile of little quilts waiting for the binding to be sewn on. I know some people think hand sewing binding is the worst part of quilting, but I really enjoy it. It is perfect to do in front of the tv and you can pick it up when you have some time and put it down without fear of losing your place. Unlike some knitting. I have a sock and a shawl half done but I have no idea where I am up to in either of them and the longer they sick there the less chance of me solving the problem.

Tiny Tea Leaves

A Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan for Grace. I used Bendigo Luxury 10 ply in Leaf. I loved knitting this - the pattern is easy to follow and knits up pretty quickly. More details on ravelry.

This is what happens when you try and take a sensible picture of all three.

Haircut

It has been a long time since the twins last haircut - over a year I think. They both decided it was time for another one and they both requested different styles. Amelia wanted hers long so I could still plait it and Grace wanted hers above her shoulder. They both thought this might help at school so they wouldn't constantly be called the wrong name. One teacher has already thanked me.

It is just over a week until Upmarket and the usual pre-market panic has already hit. There are still stacks of fabric everywhere, but I have a plan and I think I can get most of it done in time.

A couple of corduroy messenger bags were finished today and hopefully a few more will be finished this time next week.

Circles

I recently bought a 2 inch circle punch. I have seen so many ideas for how to use it. The simplist was punching circles and sewing them together. We have a few stuck around the house.

Sewing

I am gradually sewing through the piles on the cutting table, but there are still many more to go.

Cutting

It has been too hot to do a lot of sewing in the sewing room in the past week so I have been sitting under the air conditioner cutting out and this is what my cutting table looks like now. Mmm - a little bit of sewing that needs to be done.
Surprisingly with all this hot weather my Mum managed to find some beautiful roses in the garden while she was visiting this weekend.