Sunday, December 5, 2010

Tutu Bag


I made this the other week for a little girl in a Secret Santa swap. A little birdie told me that something with ballerinas would be a hit so this bag instantly came to mind. The pattern is now available as a free download from Jodie Charlton (Ric Rac's blog).
Fabric, tulle, trim: Spotlight
Pattern: Ballerina bag by Jodie Charlton

Funky Friends Koala


Here's my Cameo Koala getting farewell kisses from Kaiden before going to her new home. She is extremely cute and adds to the tribe of Funky Friends patterns that we have made and given away.
Pattern: Kikki Koala by Funky Friends
Fabric: cameo fleece courtesy of my neighbour and funky friend Gail

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Doll's Quilt / Wall Hanging Swap


(Photo by Tina)

It has been quite a while since I have unveiled a major finished item and this is the reason why. I have been concentrating on this wall hanging for the Doll's Quilt Swap on the Essential Baby forum for the past month (apart from a few little projects here and there).

My partner was Tina who requested a wall hanging for her little girl's room. The colours in the room are aqua and red and she was after something with a 'whimsy' feel, think "Alice in Wonderland".

I have such great sewing friends on EB and this lovely lady came to my rescue again with a bundle of aqua and red, including some fabrics which were exactly the same as quilt in Tina's daughter's room.

So I sketched out a design based on a pattern in a Homespun magazine then found this hand embroidery pattern which I happened to already have saved in my files.

Add some fabrics from Spotlight, a few from local quilt shops and some many nights doing the embroidery and she all came together.

But then I had no idea how to quilt it. Fortunately, another very talented EB quilter, Emma, saved me with a diagram and then I set forth to quilt.

There were so many things which were 'new' for me in the process. I'd never made pinwheels (aren't they a type of sandwich?) or pierced together my own patchwork design. I'd never binded a quilt and never made my own label.

But I still gave it a go, and even pierced together fabric to make the backing fabric.

I'm really pleased with how it all turned out. I think would look fantastic on a little girl's wall. Especially if you like aqua and red.

BACK


LABEL IN POSITION

Monday, September 6, 2010

In the boy zone - EB Kid's sewing swap - sent item #2



I challenged myself to make for two people in the swap. After all, it wasn't fair for one of our boys to receive and not the other? The second person I made for was Claire's little boy who is just a little bit younger than Jordan.

I made a pair of Oliver & S shorts and embroidered them with an applique and words in a car theme. The t-shirt was made using an Ottobre pattern and embellished with an applique. I finished off the outfit with a little vest, still going with the car theme.



Fabric: See I am using fabric from my stash!! Shorts made with denim from a Gardams sale purchased 2009. It had been folded for storage so had some fold marks in it which were only slightly noticeable but I couldn't remove them so I created more marks by distressing the fabric some more! I wanted to do some form of distressing anyway. I stitched some seams, then ran over them with sandpaper dipped in bleach, let them dry then unpicked the stitching.



T-shirt made with stretch fabric from Spotlight purchased 2006.



Vest made with Michael Miller fabric purchased from Sewco 2007, lined with denim same as the shorts.



Notions: buttons from a Ravelry swap.

Embroidery: Car and lettering from Bunnycup designs

Patterns: Oliver & S Sailbox pants size 12 - 18 months. I hadn't used this pattern before despite it being in my cupboard for a year. I found these easy to sew but next time would use a lighter weight denim as it was quite thick in parts. The fit is quite trim so if I was making these for Jordan I would increase them in the rise.

Shirt pattern:
Ottobre 1/2008 I found the neck too tight so cut it lower either that or my tester Jordan has a big head. Made a little car applique which is appliqued onto cotton fabric first then straight-stitched to the shirt. I don't think this is my best effort, I don't like stretch sewing!! I don't think making a baby's t-shirt will be in my future again.

Vest pattern:
Free pattern download from Leila & Ben

EB Kid's sewing swap - received for Kaiden



Kaiden received a 'Woody' inspired outfit from Penny in the eb sewing swap. Penny has some great photos over on her blog showing all the detail in these. The shorts have adjustable elastic in the waitband, are top stitched and have little rivets. The top is western-style with pearl snaps and topstitching. She did an amazing job. Brett commented that it looked so professional! Thank you Penny. We love the outfit and the 'Woody' vest was a great surprise.

Releasing my inner girl.....



The EB kid's sewing swap is the one time of the year that I can go "girly" with my sewing. This year I sewed two outfits, one was for Lisa's little girl Ashley. Lisa has included a pic of the dress I made being worn, plus the photo from the Ottobre magazine on her blog Beetlehouse Designs. I also took a photo of the dress before it left but it was hard to photograph well.

The outfit is the Romantic Dress and underskirt from Ottobre Issue 3/2007. It was quite easy to make once I worked out how to sew it up as the instructions in Ottobre are quite basic and there are no pictures / diagrams to guide you as you go along. It has given me more confidence in sewing from the Ottobre magazine and I loved making something different to what I normally might sew.

The dress can be worn with the underskirt although I put an extra button down lower as I thought it could always be undone to let the underskirt show through.

A special thank you to Karen for her advise with button placement and the girls over at Crafty Mama's who gave me lots of help with my Ottobre questions!

And I can't forget Kaiden...about half-way through making the dress I realised the Kaiden and Lisa's little girl were very similar with their measurements. While Kaiden did think the dress was very pretty, there was only so many times I could bribe him with chocolate to try it on for size.

Pattern: Ottobre Romantic Dress and underskirt Issue 3/2007
Fabric: Lincraft purchased July 2010
Notions: Ribbon, lace trim from Lincraft. Lace dyed grey to match the fabric. Buttons from Spotlight

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Visit by the Fire Brigade




Most Mondays we head off to playgroup where Kaiden gets to spend time playing with his best friend Luke, while his Mummy (or Daddy) gets to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat and Jordan gets to crawl around and explore. At our last playgroup we received a visit from the local fire brigade who after giving a brief talk (as best you can to an audience of mostly two and three year-olds) then a quick departure to see to a fire, returned to show the kids their big red truck. The kids (and some of their parents)then had a go at using the hose which was lots of fun but a bit scary as there was alot of water coming out!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

11 months


mmmm chocolate mousse!
And where did the last couple of months go? The last few have just flown by with 10 months seeing Jordan reach a few milestones including:
* second lot of two top teeth coming through
* clapping
* pointing
* waving

Now at 11 months he is looking more and more like a little boy.

* He loves to stand and uses EVERYTHING as a standing post, and especially loves using your leg if you stand still for more than 30 seconds.

* Is now in size one clothes. He can no longer squeeze into 0's. They are too short in the arms and legs.

* Is very determined..the tanties are starting already if he doesn't get his own way

* Still loves his big brother. Kaiden still calls him "his baby" or "baby Jordan". They just adore each other and love making each other laugh.

* Knows what food he likes. If you are eating something he thinks would be better (like chocolate mousse) he throws his food away and looks for some of yours.

* Is very clingy (or should that be cuddly?), more than what Kaiden ever was. He loves to be picked up and held.

* Is a fidget and can't sit still for a second.

* Hates being in his cot and stands up in their yelling and jumping up and down to be taken out.

* Is starting to have one, longer nap in the afternoon.

Monday, June 14, 2010

I must be crazy...

for going camping in winter. But the boys (Brett, Kaiden, Jordan and Harry) had a ball, and to be honest, I had a good time too although I do prefer the warmer weather.

We used a playpen for camping only - handy when setting up/pulling down or when you need to keep a little one in safe place. Except this one tried to break out...



Kaiden and his buddy Luke played together all weekend, and even then we came home he asked if he could go over to his place.



Our camp set up...


And mega baby cuteness..pity the hat didn't stay on for more than five seconds.




We went to Brooloo Park which is a cattle property near Kenilworth.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Sandi Henderson Market Bag


Lining on inside

My first attempt at the gathered version of this bag. It is also my first attempt at creating and using piping and inserting a magnetic snap. I don't know why I was worried about piping and snaps as they are very easy and there are lots of tutorials on the internet to help. This is a roomy bag and fully lined - also meeting Carolyn's challenge of the month - to make something lined. Despite the pattern missing a step in the instructions it is an easy-sew. The fabric is from Sewco. When I first saw this version I didn't really like it but now I have seen it sewn up I quite like this version of the bag.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Jordan, eight months


Eight months, here already. Soon my baby won't be a baby, he'll be a little boy. He already has the personality - he is cheeky, happy and loves exploring. He also:
*Shakes his head
*Pulls himself up, loves trying to stand
*Hates us leaving him, even for a second
*Two teeth, bottom center (one came in at 7 1/2 months, two top teeth about to come through)
*Sometimes frequently-waking at night, probably related to the teeth
*Especially loves playing with his big brother in the bath
*Never sits still or stays still in your arms - he is a bundle of energy
*Still fits into 0s but is fast growing out of some of them, length-wise and some are getting to tight to get over his head (see below!)

Weight: 8.630g (50th percentile)
Length: 74cm (95th percentile)
Head circumference: 46cm (95th percentile)

We recently bought his 'hippy beads' - a necklace of amber beads which are to help with teething.



Kaiden still adores his little brother. He has a great imagination whether he is hunting dragons or finding monsters. He loves to sing and occasionally dance. With his new Tonka computer game he is great at using the mouse and then printing out certificates to colour-in (which he also loves to do). My favourite moment is always when he says "Mummy, I love you very much".

PS It is very difficult to take nice photos of a baby at eight-months.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

My "not quite a Milo"



The Milo is an easy vest pattern but somewhere I got a little lost and instead I turned it into this....still looks nice especially on our gorgeous boy. It will be great to wear as the weather turns cooler and I added a little extra length to last him through the winter months.


This month he will be SEVEN months, and he ....
* Can nearly sit up by himself unsupported (especially loves it in the bath so he can play with his big brother)
* Loves kicking. If I'm breastfeeding him while on the computer he loves banking his legs on the table and cracking himself up with laughter
* Makes people smile, lots of comments on happy, smiley and gorgeous he is. This guy is a heartbreaker!
* Lots of "talking" bubbly noises and cute laughter.
* Loves his tucker. Has to eat the same food as us, no jar food for this little guy.
* Gives my breast a little massage or rub when he is feeding. He still loves his breastfeeds although they are fairly well spaced out now.
* Can propel himself across the floor at good speed although not crawling. The wooden floors are great for sliding.

Weighs 8 kilos
Height 71cm
Head circumference 45cm

Sunday, February 14, 2010

EB New Year Swap 2010 sent






Here's part of what I sent to Becanne - Mitch the Monkey. The idea was to make something from a list of three. Bec's list of three was more like a list of 20, quite long and open and I deliberated for a while on what to make. In the end I decided to make a softie for her little boy, Jack. Jordan loved Mitch too and before he was packed up for his new home he gave him a good wrestle. It was hard to let him go. Mitch was made using a Funky Friends pattern and I see that Pauline now has kits in store which is a great idea as it can be hard to find fleece in Brisbane during summer. I made a little bag for Mitch to travel in on his journey to Jack's place, for Jack to use either as a library bag or whatever. I accidently deleted the other photos I took before they went so I have "stolen" the first two photos from Bec's blog. Check out the action shot of Mitch on the bike on Bec's blog!

Sugar baby vest


Progress is going well on Kaiden's Sugar Baby vest, so far, so good. I was very excited when I found a pair of cord pants purchased last year but not worn because they were a bit big. They have plenty of length in the leg so will be fine for this year and a perfect match for the vest. I have finished the back and the patch pocket on the vest and now started on the front.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Six months already!

Jordan loves...
...his food - we can't eat without him having some too.
...rolling from side to side and onto his tummy then back onto his back
...his tummy time
...playing with his big brother, he seems to be a bit lonely when he isn't around

He..
...recognises his name (Kaiden yells it at him enough times during the day)
...is getting alot more hair
...wakes once or twice during the night depending on whether I stay up to give him a dreamfeed at 10 / 10.30pm
...weighs 7470 grams
...is 70cm long (75th percentile)
...has a head circumference of 44.4cm