New tops

 I thought I'd spare you all more white legs and bad posing...

I added to my 3 stretchy tops- some wovens. 

I've made this pattern before, and like it. But I think they are a tad short now, and a bit unstructured. I might need to play around with some darts or something.

I used a Lisette cotton voile, on the clearance table at Spotlight.

Vintage thrifted binding.

My girl calls this a 'Curlypops' top (she knows of Cam's fondness for orange and pink!)

I made a 2nd one in a Tana lawn, also on the clearance rack. I had to take the sides in a little on this one though.

 Then I made 2 Wiksten tanks- this, my new favourite fabric EVER! 'Summer chill voile' from Spotlight. There is just no fault with this pattern! I have seen a blogger I love has made the Wiksten tank with Grainline Scout sleeves- think I'm going to try that next, as the hemline and length are just perfect!

  and the first one I made (and last one I posted haha) is from a Japanese Seersucker (brown with turquoise spot) form- you guessed it, Spotlight!

Still gotta start making pants, but the satisfaction of more hand made than store

 bought is very high!

A Rather Productive weekend!

I had an emergency dash to Spotlight yesterday for Pellon (fusible interfacing) and lookee what I found on the clearance table!

No, not a child, this gorgeous fabric! I snapped up a metre, and did a simple shirred top. She requested strapless (?) but I convinced her to have a halter neck!

And it's been worn all day, despite the chillier weather.

We dropped the fluffy dog off for his summer trim (a few mths too late), having a coffee in the cafe next door. My fellow heart spotter noticed this. And that was THE strongest coffee I've ever had, stronger than a double shot!

So when we got home with a baldy dog, I whipped up this quick coat,

from this book.

 It goes well with the 'M' bling given to him by the doggy groomer! Because he was so good!

Stylin'!



Mermaids Galore

I really fell in love with this fabric when it first came out at Spotty, it was full price then, so I only got 1/2 a metre of 3 colors. Now that everyone wants lunch bags in this fabric, and I've run out, I thought it was over!

lay-byd at Sth Melb store

to be made into these!

Phew, my customers will be happy, and more fun for me to sew with!

out and about

A bit of out and about crafting this weekend. A visit to Castlemaine, Daylesford and of course, Daylesford Bazaar. Oh, yes, Lark too. A few of my pencil rolls are left, as run and snap them up!

Even Little Miss loves this shop- "there are just so many cute things here, mum!" She said loudly. Then she wondered why someone told her she was cute!

I pick up these beauties....

and the bedspread on the left. The one on the right is from Savers a few weeks ago, $5.99 for a Queen size one. The one of the left is double for $25 (reduced from $50!) So 2 for $30, I think!

We picked up a couple of cards and this book- better late than never! Heading over to

Curlypop's tomorrow to get her to autograph it for me haha

Had to go to Spotlight- another post on the mermaid fabric coming up! But look what i found- chook fabric! $6 a metre. wouldn't they make great soft toys? or a chook stop? Endless possibilities! My friend's mum loves these, and I'd love to make her something, as she was so good to Little Miss. All depends if I'm good enough to be spoken to again, I suppose!

Also got one of these- my first craft was this, and Little Miss thought she'd give it a try-
she will have to get in quick! It's fun!

Happy week of crafting!

Things (like a walk in the park)....

Zips. Ridiculous. I have more zips than I will ever use in a lifetime. All thrifted or free. So I can't say no. Or be accused of spending my money on crap.

Xmas- here are the prep teachers thank you pressies, heaps of fun to make. 5 purses to go....

Another helpful Xmas elf gave me a discount voucher, so this yummy fabric can be made into cool accessories for little Miss, I think. Or me.

Love an op shop sale. BSL at Brunswick had this set of 4 for $10, reduced by 30%- yay! Cleaned up beautifully and under the tree for me!


Boo hoo. My fantastic Clover unpick (they really ARE the best) broke. And painfully hard to find in the shops, back to here for another one.

Now: Off to sew and Listen to this. Mmm, Finn. Happy happy joy joy.

Edit: Normal use of unpick, just the usual bit of seam and SNAP!

sewing for the fussy 101 Day 26

You always wonder when you're handmade creations will stop being taken gratefully, and how you will know.

When I cut this pattern out a while ago, I went through all my fabrics with child and asked what she wanted.

This was the answer.

That face is a 'I don't think so Mum'. After finishing purple pants that were too small, she opted for green ones, which still have a small bottom part-'bum crack pants' I call them. And apparently not comfy! They won't even do as pj pants, she said!

Also, the headscarf has now been rejected. So the top has survived!

In case you're wondering, this is the pattern, one of my bargain ones from Spotlight a while back.

Again, she picked the green Hollie Hobbie fabric, one I didn't have much left of, but she has today rejected it. So there'll be a size 6 View in the shop soon!

It was easier when she couldn't talk!

200 posts!

Wow, I feel REALLY old now. Nearly a year of blogging, is that blogging too much? Oh, well, it's my blog so who cares really.

Anyhoo, here is a few bargains I grabbed today- from left to right- $1, $1, 2m for $4 and 2m for $10 (is it just me or is this a bit Amy Butlerish?)

Oh, with 20% off each item, it was all a bit of a bargain really. Thanks, Spotlight!

There's gold in them there hills....

I'm finally starting to get a feel for what I want in my shop, what my "thing" will be, I guess. I headed out today to stock up on supplies.

First up was these hangers, so cute I knew they would help me out (somewhere!)

I went into Spotlight to get a new rotary cutter, and took them up on there pattern deal- $5 each or 10 for $20. I found 4 patterns I liked...hang on, that means I either buy 4 for $20 or 10 for $20. You can tell which on I did. The fabric pieces were $2 each as well. One must have the best tools!

Then I did the wild wild west of op shops. There were Salvo's- Braybrook, Sunshine and Deer Park (Sunshine one has moved to Withers ST Sunshine). A Bargain Hunter at Deer Park (worst op shop EVER!). And of course, Vinnies at Sunshine.

The pink crochet blanket is for Little Miss (she always misses out on them since I give them to Murray)

And this coat. It reminded me of this girl's amazing transformation of a similar item. I think it will be too little for Little Miss (and she has a brand new black one that needs to be worn to death), so this one may be up for grabs.

Phew, exhausted! Now comes the washing, the sorting and stashing, and hopefully some using- all to have an online store up VERY SOON! Off to sew....

Easy like a Sunday....

I've employed a button sorter, she works for chewing gum and often leaves the job half finished, but we are getting on ok.

I dropped into Spotlight to get some cotton/lycra for leggings, got some spotty stretch remnant, a cotton seersucker remnant (that is screaming out BAG to me), and a few buckles reduced. Oh, and the green magnet pin cushion, to go with the pink one! I LURVE these things, so cheap ($2.99 as opposed to the Clover $13) and great at finding strays on the floor (before the vacuum finds them).

I unpicked a cardigan AGAIN and started this pram cover, nice green and just what I feel like at the moment, over my fabric frenzy and either want to sew or knit, not sort and decide.

Mmm, comfort food, who would have thought cauliflower could taste good, with carrot, pasta and a white sauce.

Hope you had a relaxing, indulgent Sunday too!