Minifashionista

All these alien giraffes and dolls can now be found at Minifashionista. It is so much fun doing an order like this. Although it can be quite nerve wracking. It seems to take more time choosing the fabric combinations than it does doing the actual sewing. Now it is done I am hoping to try some new things and new ideas that keep popping into my head.

Jackets with Bias Binding

I haven't taken the girls to Coles in months, usually I can get everything at the local supermarket, but I needed to stock up on things I can't get there. I thought it would be a disaster. They screamed in the car and took off their socks and shoes. So I filled them full of banana and lamington and we went in and unbelievably there was a double trolley sitting right there and when I got to the checkout there was another double trolley on the other side so I could just transfer the girls straight into it. So the fridge and the pantry are full and we are all still smiling.

I finished the jackets for the girls. They are made from some quilted cotton I had in my stash and lined with cotton which I also used for the bias binding. The buttons are wooden ones my sister bought back from Sydney for me. They are pretty big, but it means they can wear them for ages. The pattern was roughly based on New Look 6333.

Bias Binding

I think I am a bias binding convert. I've always avoided it in the past, but I've really wanted to make the girls some little jackets and to have binding around the edges. I think I've had the fabric sitting here in a pile for 2 months. Their new jackets from the last post need a wash so I have had two children yelling "Jacket, jacket" at me all day and then I saw this magazine.

And these images in the back and discovered these tutorials and I think I'm converted.

I am making progress on the first jacket. Hopefully there will be finished pictures soon.

Jackets

These wonderful jackets and tops arrived for the girls from our friend Jo in England the other day and have been worn ever since. I asked them to stop chasing each other for a photo and hold hands and this is the expression I got. Some more finished toys. Why does it seem the pile of things to finish is not getting any smaller? It actually seems to be growing.

Denim Bags

I had a request for one of my bags in denim. I couldn't choose what to put in the inside so I made three - all with lovely cotton lining.
I borrowed a few cookbooks from my sister and have bookmarked a few to make and today I made Nigella's Winter Plum Cake which I highly recommend. Unfortunately there are no pictures as it went pretty fast, but here are some bag pictures.

Socks

Another pair of Thuja socks. These are for my sister Jane for her birthday last week - so only a little bit late. Knit using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Desert Flower.
I love looking at all the wonderful sock yarns on Etsy and I couldn't resist these from Sunnyside Ellen. Another great find this week was Shop Onion - a place to buy Onion sewing patterns. I first saw these in while visiting Denmark a few years ago and bought a few and really liked them. So it's great to find a place that will sell them worldwide.

Marathon

Chris finished his first marathon today! He completed it in just under his goal of 5 and a half hours. I am completely impressed and even more so as he is still walking (well kind of) and talking.

Shopping

I think one of the first things that went into my favourites when I joined Etsy were these bags. And finally I have one. It is fantastic and can fit all the stuff in I seem to need when I am out. I love the idea that old army bags can find new life and I love the amazing fabric she uses to bring them back to life.

One of my favourite fabric lines at the moment is Chez Moi by Moda. I thought I'd copy Jo and try the washing line shot, but I think I need a bit of practise as I don't think this photo is doing it justice. Some of it is already cut out waiting to be made into dolls.

Little Bags

Happy Birthday for yesterday to my sister Jane! I'm still knitting. I have a third of a sock to go!
We also had a little friend's birthday yesterday. So while I was whipping up 1 little bag I thought I'd make 3.
I used my new yo-yo maker. So easy and they are perfect every time.
Poor Rolf has a sore foot and he won't stop touching it. After ripping off his bandage and a couple of trips to the vet this is how he looks. Really annoyed. He won't talk to any of us at the moment and he's still got at least 5 days of the plastic thing around his neck.

A Much Better Day

Thankyou to everyone who has left a message on here lately. I really wish blogspot let you reply to your messages. To answer a question few questions a Vanilla Slice is kind of like set custard in pastry and my favourite version has passionfruit on top. There is even a competition to find the best one each year.

And yes my day yesterday wasn't too bad yesterday. It finished with good pizza and that's always a good thing. The girls didn't have too many fights and spent the morning with ice cream containers on their heads holding hands. I decided to not worry about the mess yesterday and by last night the whole floor behind them was covered in toys, washing, tupperware etc.

We had the pram back today and went out for milkshakes and cake and the girls sat on real chairs and behaved like ladies as my Nan would say. We then went to the little sewing shop in town and found the Clover yo-yo makers which I was quite excited about so they had to come home with us.
These were the best pictures I could get of the girls new pants. Little flowers appilqued on the front and pockets on the back.

Pockets and Mother's Day

I am writing this morning before Mother Day gets any worse. I knew it wasn't going to be great for a while. Chris is doing an ambulance course all weekend and left at 7.30 this morning and won't be back until late. I've just discovered the pram is still in the back of the car and Chris has the car. So my plan of walking with the girls to a nice cafe and having milkshakes and cakes has gone out of the window and now we are stuck here all day.

Isn't it ironic that all I really want at the moment for Mother's Day is peace and quiet some time out from the girls, maybe time to read or just be by myself to sit and saviour the silence. I haven't had time by myself or been by myself in the house for weeks. Nap time this week has not been good and definitely not relaxing.

So I think I'll make myself a coffee and some eggs for breakfast and just let the girls destroy what they haven't destroyed in the house and let them have a Wiggles marathon.

I'll finish with a hint that made me happy yesterday - perfect pocket corners. I remembered the tutorial from Anna Maria Horner on making perfect circles and realised I can do the same for pockets. Using foil and cardboard cut to the shape you want just iron it down, no burnt fingers and the perfect shape!

Tagged

I have been tagged by Amanda and Sue for the 7 random things about you meme. So here are the rules and my list.

1.List seven random facts/habits about yourself
2.Choose another seven bloggers to tag and list their names in your blog
3.Leave your seven tagged bloggers comments to notify them of their tagging and to direct them to your blog for tag instructions.

1. I was a vegetarian for 5 years - but I really craved a good steak.
2. I haven't been to the movies for over 2 and a half years.
3. This might be because I can't sit still very well, I can only watch tv if I'm sewing, knitting or reading
4. In an argument over Jack vs Sawyer I'll always choose Said.
5. I am on a search for the best ever Vanilla Slice, yes my weakness is the snot block.
6. If you want to torture me just play me commercial radio or make me sit through a commercial tv current affairs show.
7. I hate bridges. I hate walking over them and driving over them.

I'm breaking the last 2 rules as I think I might be the last person to be tagged, if not join in!
A couple of photos. I think it has been 6 months since I made elephants, but I was in an elephant mood. The girls this morning, all clean and tidy before we went out.

Hugs and Curls

The girls are very into hugging at the moment. It often starts like this and ends in tears though when they start throwing each other around on the floor. I managed to catch some happy hugging the other morning.
Their hair has become so curly. This is before we try and brush it in the morning.
Introducing Casper and Camilla - they are Curlies. Inspired by the curly hair above.

Corduroy Bag

A new bag for a friend's birthday. It's ok I'm pretty sure she doesn't read this so I can post about it. It's corduroy and a really pretty lining with a button made out of local wood - just can't find the packaging to tell me which tree it's from.

I got the most gorgeous mail today. The most perfect little shoes. I was very excited when Melissa opened up an Etsy shop and I could not resist these little shoes for my niece.

Favourites

I love seeing mosiacs that other people create - it is a great way of discovering something new. So I made my own mosaic from my flickr favourites and I hope I can share something new with you.

1. flowers on a hill (detail), 2. 12507 086, 3. Radley the Giraffe, 4. Little Fungi Sachet - Champignon, 5. More ducks, 6. crewel embroidery, 7. Glass covered Bowl, 8. Zen Garden jacket, 9. wrapdress vintage fabrics, size 62-68/ 3-6 months, sold, 10. Crewel: 26, 11. Green Felted Bag, 12. kaleidescope63006, 13. Untitled, 14. blue_flower_skirt2, 15. dragon-fly cock-squint, 16. flying to a kid's room

Green Bag

More finished bags. Not much else happening craft wise. Slowly working on my order, trying to finish some socks for my sister, dreaming of new things to make, playing in the sun with the girls. I think that sums up today. I hope your all having a good Thursday too.

Sock Animal Book

My little sock creature from yesterday was inspired by the pictures and tutorials in this book. I picked it up a while ago on ebay and the ISBN is 9868200466.
My poor little creature from yesterday is now eyeless and belly buttonless. Grace managed to remove his face, but he's still loved. I think I have to give those pigs a go next.

My first sock creature

I made it through another pile and so I was allowed to try something new - a little sock creature. I'm quite happy with him although I' d make a few changes next time. So far the girls seem to love it. Grace had him for a bit and now Milly is having a turn.

Tackling the piles

I am finally making a dent in the number of piles. It is really good to be busy and to have some orders, but I have some great ideas for new things which really should go on hold for the moment. Or I really need to make a pact with myself - if I can get through so many things then I can try something new.

I have totally broken down and bought some socks to make sock creatures. I am determined to make something for my girls that they really love, maybe a sock creature will be it.

So here is what I have finished today - two bags which have been cut out forever and can now be found here.

Fabric flower

What to do when you have 56 more piles of things to make and you haven't finished the bag you promised a friend would be done this week? Try to make some fabric flowers. Here's one I'm happy with. Now I just need to make a bag to put it on.

One Pile Down

One pile down about 57 to go. I thought I'd start on the 'pants for the girls pile. They are so easy and you get results quickly. A couple of pairs of corduroy ones and some pyjama pants, or they can be 'lounging around the house pants on a cold rainy afternoon pants' like they were yesterday. And while I was in production line mode an extra pair for my niece.
It is always nice to make something for the girls. They don't care if the sewing is not straight, or it's a bit big, they don't whinge about the colour. This is one thing about two year olds that I love.

Fabric bargains on ebay are hard to come by these days, but I was so glad to get this huge piece of wool blend fabric. Teal and Aqua - one of my favourite colour combinations. Enough for a coat for myself and lots left for little projects.
Time to tackle the next pile

Dolls and Cooking

I think the house is nearly back in order and we even managed some cooking yesterday - Chris' favourite foods - chocolate pudding and Chili con Carne. I was going to take pictures, but everything seemed to be eaten quite quickly.
These four little dolls are finally finished and are heading off to two sets of twin girls.

Embossed Leaves Socks

Another finished pair of socks. I love finishing things not only because now I get to wear them, but I can start something new. Not that having a large number of unfinished objects has ever stopped me from starting something else, but I don't feel guilty at all.
They are the Embossed Leaves Socks from interweave Knits in Koigu. I couldn't seem to get a decent picture of he colour of them and I have lost the band which tells me the colour number.

Finishing the toe on my second sock was all my weekend craft. Mum and Dad came to visit and we went to the Balingup Field Day which was great for the first hour and then the girls went a little feral. It was our 6th wedding anniversary on Saturday so Chris and I managed dinner out by ourselves and yesterday the girls and I went out for a really nice lunch with friends.
So hopefully today I can get started on the sewing that needs to be done. One thing I'd love in the future is a sewing room, that doesn't have to be packed away when visitors come. Things always seem to be misplaced when piles are moved and put back - hours seem to be lost finding things and you just can't sew when you have the urge. So that's a goal for the future.

Little Crochet Baskets

I was trying to clean up the spare/sewing/everything room this morning (not that you can tell - it stills looks like a bomb hit it) and discovered these. I crocheted them a couple of years ago using scraps of quilting fabric and cotton string. I think the pattern came from Simple Crochet. They are now holding bobbins and buttons so at least I know where something is.