I've been making a few things over the NY holidays, but a few are belated Xmas gifts, so can't show them yet. But I thought I'd document my first 'FAIL' of the year- I'm sure there'll be more!

I decided I was going to make more knit stuff this year, instead of paying for it in the shops. I saw this pattern (when I was looking for another style, of course) and with the 30% sales at the fabric outlets, thought a simple, cheapey dress would be good for work.

Not having much experience with knits, I bought a one way stretch knit, and I'm not sure now if the stretch was going the right way! And it is too small. I don't have a six pack to show off in this fitted number, just a 2-pack (2 x rolls, that is). But I like the top, the sleeves and the neckline, all above the waist, really.

The top part from the back is pretty flattering too.

Love this delightfully straight seam, don't get many of them in this house of wonk! So, back to the drawing more, going to hunt down some op shop stretch stuff to practise, 'cos if it were looser around the tummy, perfetc!

I want to start showing a few pressies off, too, mainly the ones I got for the Little Miss. This Victoria mason necklace is so cute, as the kid is a real bookworm, I thought this pendant was fitting, and she loves it! However, I don't think she appreciates good jewellery yet- she asked me yesterday when it was going to turn gold! Oops!

Edit: I didn't realise the last comment could be taken both ways- it wasn't that she prefers expensive, gold jewellry, it's that her silver jewellry usually tarnishes or the silver plating comes off in about a week!

 

PS There is a stretch class I want to take, but in the meantime, I'm envious I can't go along to this one! Can't quite qualify as a beginner anymore, I'd be taking up a spot on of YOU guys could have! I did a course for better bags not long ago, and it helped soooo much, I would defiantly recommend it!

Anyone know of any other good stretch sewing classes?

Done and dusted.

There was much excitement, with reindeer dust and Santa snack left out....

Lots of present unwrapping and paper-in-bin behaviour....

 and great enjoyment of the gifts- lots of books!

 Thanks, Santa!

We headed off yesterday for some strawberry picking, with hundreds of others....thankfully grey and raining in Melbourne means sunny in Main Ridge!

Very happy with our picking!

And yummy treats afterwards.

Hope you're having a nice relaxing break :)



The Last Post

No, not giving up the blog yet, just the last post before Xmas Day!

There's been a big event this week- the loss of the first top tooth! I was right, so much more grown up now, but with a cute little lisp.

Goes well with all those cute freckles!

It is Murray's birthday today, 3 yrs old! He loves his present, a squeaky burger toy. 

I finished my first tree skirt, using a 10inch wedge ruler, very simple, but so cute! It has wadding and some old chenille on the back. I love the pile of Little Miss pressies, pink and red and co-ordinated! Thanks to Lark for the red and white paper (and the gift wrapping!)

and finally, our tree! Kept it simple this year, just a tree, it's hard enough keeping the house tidy

without 100 more things to put up and take down!

So to all my blogging family and friends, a Merry Xmas and happy Holidays,

and a

prosperous and craft filled 2011!

stuff again (for lack of an imaginative title)

It's been busy at the 'Sauras house, hence the forgetting to blog! But I have a few things to show off, starting with this baby! My Xmas present to me! Remember the rise and fall of this one? I found this for $15 at Salvo's (yep, I spend big for me) AND it has a removable insert, something the other one was lacking (and a pain in the butt to wash!) And this colour is pretty groovy, yay, more corned beef for me and my pal!

The kid has finished Grade 1, and phew, glad that last week is over and done with. Another big plastic tub of school work to hoard away haha. She brought home this great 'star' for the tree- how cool is that? It does look a bit like it's blowing raspberries at you, but so cute and clever. So whoever says they don't 'do' anything in the last week at school- here you go!

And tonight's job? To see if I can whip up 2 Tulip dresses by Monday! Halfway there with the tracing the pattern, cutting and prepping. And I'm doing 2 different sizes, with the same linings! Expect a catastrophe. I am using my directional mermaids again........and yep, have already re-cut the bodice pieces! (I blame ER on DVD for distracting me with John Stamos).

And my fabric from the other day has been put to good use, a little tote or 'manbag', lined with a nice green stripe. Unfortunately Little Miss decided she didn't want to give the music teacher a present after all, I just realised I have BIL's Xmas present, yay!