Monkey Socks

I think I might be the last person to jump on the Monkey bandwagon. I was just waiting for the right yarn. I wanted something not too bright and not stripey. This skein of Fleece Artist had been in my stash all along. It's perfect, my photography skills are not, so here is my out of focus Monkey sock.

Rainy Sunday

The girls have started to make their own 'cubbies' they are always making them under the table, between chairs or just in the middle of the carpet. The house may look trashed, but at least they are busy and we can sew, read and cook on this rainy Sunday afternoon.
I've just made the perfect rainy day Sunday dinner - Chicken Noodle Soup and the fire is roaring. I've finished some sewing for the shop and tonight I can sit and read (after Kath and Kim of course).

Juta's Stockings

Socks - just in time for the end of winter. From Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush. Using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Old Rose and 2.5mm needles.

Nappy Bag

A nappy bag for my friend Amanda. She wanted one of my favourite colour combinations - brown and aqua. I added lots of pockets on the inside and big pockets on the outside and a mobile phone pocket.

Sun, Grandparents and Sewing

We have had a wonderful weekend of sun and grandparents. The girls are having a huge sleep after playing outside all of yesterday and this morning and my garden has been mowed and pruned. And while this was happening I was sewing - a bit like a dream come true!
I managed a few more things for the shop - some toys and a sewing pouch and I am halfway through a nappy bag for a friend. There has been some trial and error with nappy pockets, mobile phone pockets and sizing but I think it is coming together. Hopefully pictures tomorrow.

Spots, Stitching and Flashback Friday

I received some great mail today. These lovely cards from Tiel and included was this stitched picture of a nesting doll. the girls are in love - it will be going in their room.

We have had a few sunny days here which has meant we can go outside and play. The girls were very busy sorting rocks yesterday.
I found a group shot for Flashback Friday. This was taken at Kindergarten, I think in 1978. I am 4th from the left with the white hair.

Denim

I think I'm going through a denim phase at the moment - it goes so well with everything, just like natural coloured linen. I guess that's why I wear jeans everyday.

Mosaic Monday

The images for today's mosaic are taken from the Sewing with Linen flickr group.

1. Citrus Salad, 2. summer market bags..., 3. back to school notebook, 4. Untitled, 5. Shrooms!, 6. New motive, 7. Fabric Brooch, 8. Sparkle & Shine - Pink, 9. DSCN9862.JPG, 10. the periwinkles, 11. Linen pouch with brooch, 12. New tote, 13. giant giftbag - part of the baby shower gift, 14. Blogstravaganza Clutch Deets, 15. green linen shoes, 16. birdy bag

If you haven't seen Corrie's Retro Mummy Shop definitely check it out. I grabbed this great Lotta Jansdotter book - all about print making.

Flashback Friday

Thanks to everyone who has left comments about the Softies book. I think it will be available in Australia next week, but I don't know about overseas at this stage.
I thought I'd join in with Flashback Friday even though today's theme is fancy dress and we really didn't do much fancy dress growing up. Mum did tend to dress 2 of us the same though. First Gemma and I would get matching outfits and as we grew it would be Gem and Jane. This is me on the left and Gemma on the right in 1977. Yes, very attractive socks. I've just discovered Indiepublic a great site for indie artists and designers of any one who like indie art and design.

MixTape

Just off to read my copy of MixTape that I received in the mail today - it looks amazing and these two giraffes agree.

A little bit excited

I think saying I'm a little bit excited is an unstatement! I just received this amazing book in the mail. I have been racing to the mail box every day after seeing Soozs had received her copy last week. I am so honoured to have my pattern for Hector the giraffe in their alongside such amazing softie designers and makers. It's a fantastic book and I think it is out on Monday.

Some sewing to see

In between building animal lego enclosures and stopping small children from seeing how far they could throw bits of lego I finished a couple more bags. Now we just have to go and find all the lego that was thrown and pack away.

Not much sewing to see here

Not a lot of sewing has been happening around here. I have managed to finish a few custom orders and that is it. Yesterday we all went to Bunbury and my friend Ali came as well so it was kind of a mad rush to get everything done. We did manage to have a nice lunch and it was good to have 3 adults for the 2 children especially when they can spot a postcard size picture of Dorothy the Dinosaur at over 100 metres.
I found some wonderful fabric in Textile Traders, they had lots of Freespirit Fabrics, Robert Kaufmann and Michael Miller.

Spotlight had some 100% cotton spotty fabric - how could I resist red and white spots!

I saw this fantastic idea from JoJo at Stardustshoes for framing these great postcards from applehead. I absolutely had to steal the idea and I framed three for the girls' room.

Spinning and Fibre

I've finished spinning and plying the roving I bought from Ewe give me the Knits which I highly recommend, there is lots of beautiful hand dyed merino and lots of different fibres. I think my spinning is slowly improving and I am doing more of it as the girls don't want to stick their hands in the wheel as it spins around anymore. Although they love to watch and we have to sing 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' quite a lot. Little spinners in the making. I have read so much about Blue Faced Leicester and how easy and nice it is to spin I just had to get some and try for myself. I found some I liked by Sakina Needles on Etsy but them found she had her own site. The colours are amazing - I think the top one is Briar Rose and the bottom one is Smokestack.