New projects

 I have a whole bunch of new stuff I want to make at the moment. I started to make a list, and it was getting a bit big!

this list...and more!

I've got some spankin' great fabric to do it with...

A new blanket has been cast on for Henry.

 

And I've joined in a monthly sampler... those deer sucked me right in!

I'm revisiting the hexies too, a nice quick craft for the couch. the plan is to make some purses for a market stall I'm thinking of doing in March... 

I had to show off this great sheet set I was gifted by Cam, either to use as sheets or cut up for quilts.

 Definitely to make something for this little dude! 5 weeks and he fits into this size 0 vintage onesie (found in Little Miss' old toy clothes :) )

Blogtoberfest Day 11

I started this blanket ages ago, before I started the blog I think, in a different wool, making it 'just because' and I needed some portable craft. I think I halfway through and yep, ribbit ribbit (frogged!)

Now I have a niece or nephew coming, I thought it wouold be a good idea to make it fully- I have having something 'beat' me!

I had a work conference today and got the first bit done (no counting in this bit, easy!). I started the band a few weeks ago, but mistakingly did plain rib. Nope, that wouldn't do, I like it for the moss stitch!

The kid's doing swimming lessons again this term, so I'm hoping to have some more to show you by the end of term! Not that there's any hurry, this summer baby won't need this for a few mths yet. It will be TIED to the pram so it doesn't go missing!

Pattern book is here.

Blogtoberfest day 6

 I didn't plan to miss a day early in the month, but I seriously had nothing yesterday. Zip. Nada. Nil. 5 days of work wiped me out, and I thought a pic of our sausages on bread for dinner was just not acceptable!

So I made sure I took a snap today!

I've had serious sew-jo issues lately, haven't been at the machine all week, the couch is my friend at the moment! So in lieu of my sewing, I present- the cutest little baby gift my sister got given. Her friend is obviously a talented knitter! No idea of the pattern or wool etc, we were a bit worried though is may be a bit small- my niece or nephew will be a summer bub and not a small one at that! Always good to look at though; or save for number 2 (hmmm, that comment wasn't appreciated halfway thought the first pregnancy!)

 Actually, there are only 11 weeks to go, so I finally grilled her and got a plan of what I can sew etc, and some ideas of baby room gifts. 2 plans are this little guy

and this! Not sure what colours yet. Pattern from here, which I can hopefully pick up here.

And she gave my little/big girl a pressie- her old iPod, which will do great until her b'day in a few months! This burning to CD drama was so 1990's, we have added some technology to the house! Sad that I had to go wake the kid up to learn how to turn it off *sigh*

Ups and downs

It's been a roller coaster over here lately. I really don't cope well with lots of indecision- being a 'control freak' by nature, I love a bit of order and consistency in my life!

I started a new job about 18mths ago, and it involves never being in the same place twice, and having no control over most things in my day. Needless to say I haven't coped well; cue a job interview and a weekend of angst, then finding out I got the position! 3 days a week in the same place, ahhh, bliss! I'm UP UP UP!

basting at MMQG

I picked up the sticks again after swearing off them this winter; my first time on the circular needles, and I have this lovely cowl! It's a teal colour, excuse the pic! UP UP UP!

 I'm cruising along relatively ok on the money front, after joining a 'debt free' agency and sticking to a very strict budget. (and coping with the shame of having to do that) It all came undone when I got a massive direct debit out of my account, and had to do a lot of juggling (and swearing and crying) and trying to remain positive that it's only a hiccup. DOWN DOWN DOWN!

And I'll gladly welcome Optus back as my ISP (hope that not famous last words teehee)

At least this little one gives me a reason to hang in there! Makes me feel all the struggle is worth it, when she tells me I'm the best thing in her life.

Teddy, my hero, keeping my little girl safe in the night.

Nothing like a bit of healthy competition!

So I saw over on Facebook a link to this blog, and got a bit excited about a challenge like this! A $200 voucher is COMPLETELY unnecessary for me, but i thought is was a good way to try out different fabrics that aren't usually in my stash. A bit like if someone offered me a gardening challenge. Er. No, I wouldn't be up for that one actually!

So I jumped onto the shop and saw the scrap packs. (Bugger, I just looked again and there are heaps of PINK!) Dammit....)

I am in love with the shrooms though. I cant remember all the sizes, but folded it looked like this;

 and unfolded like this. Almost a fat quarter of the green.

I'd seen this a few days ago, and like the style, and the fact it was a free tutorial! I'm in!

The inside is a Spotlight fat quarter;

here's the old knitting bag (one of my first bags I ever made!)

and TA-DA! My new knitting bag!

I added medium weight interfacing, and some iron on pellon (tips learnt from my bag guru, of course. ooh, look, what a coincidence, a workshop just on that haha)

I wanted structure;

  

but also can squash it in another bag to take to work etc. The fabric was perfect for this project.

And it fits all this!

I had so much fun making this!

a few things

Making Brianna a wrap skirt;

I was gifted one of the small clocks...and the kid got made a big one!

and someone's liking learning to knit!

What I got up to.

Well, as Twitteres and Facebooker's would now I had the WHOLE long weekend to myself, in fact, Little Miss is due to be picked up by me in an hour! Wow, for me, that's huge. I knew I'd be sadder about it than her though teehee. She went off camping with her Aunty and Uncle (my sis), real camping with tents and drop toilets, ugh! Not my cup of tea, but kids, they love it!

Anyway, back to me- what did I do with myself? well, I spent the last of my money this weekend to get my hair done- so I can at least smile when I look in the mirror haha

As I had no funds to go anywhere, and was recovering from a lurgy I couldn't take to
Ms Curly's house, I decided to tackle some big projects- firstly

this room. My horrible bedroom. It nearly always looks

 like this, something had to be done....

99.9% of the clothes on the floor were clean, and just had made it to the next step (putting themselves away in the cupboard haha). You get pretty lazy living on your own!

So the ironing was killed....

and a rearranging, it's like a different room! I have to put nik naks back etc, but

for now I like it clean....

There was a bit of couching going on, with 2 knitting projects on the hop. Thess are

going to be little baby pants,

and I made a newborn gown to go with them.

I finally got to make this too- I saw a tutorial ages ago, and forgot to save it. Then in Target one day I saw one for sale. I thought for weeks where I had seen it, and I finally stumbled across this, which led me to here! Yay for finding it!

I only chose grey because I didn't have enough blue, but now I think the grey should stay! With the pink print form the stash. I cheated a bit though- I hand stitched the petals, too freaky to do my machine, though it would have been quicker! I interfaced the back, so the weight of the petals doesn't collapse the cushion (I don't know if that would happen, I'm just interfacing mad), I also had a mix of acrylic and wool felt in grey, and I can tell! So next one with wool only. I thought the back looked pretty cute....

Hope you had a relaxing weekend wherever you are!

I made it!

Yep, I made my deadline, with only minutes to spare! I ran out of snaps this morning, so I had to get some on the way to their house, but here are the girls in their dresses- Mishca on the left, Holly on the right. They are so bright and girly, they loved them.

I cheated on a few things, due to the time constraints, but overall a great pattern (the vent at the back stumped me. It was midnight, though). And I was soooo proud I got all the mermaids the right way up!

( don't look to close to the flamingo's, though)

And this was waiting for us when we got home today- fabulous Sue has finished this off for me (wasn't very good at this one at all). It fits perfectly, with a bit of room to grow. Except with the way the weather is going, it may be a Xmas day dress!

(and back)


Thanks, Sue!

W.I.P part 2

OK, back to show off the finished product! Here is the quilt/bedspread after the makeover-

I added a few extra doilies to the sides

Close up

and the finished binding. So much better!

I also have some snaps from Little Miss's art show- her 2 works.
The first-
VOLCANO the theme was elements)


and the class work- the dragons are all 3D from foam and wool etc. Amazing!

W.I.P

This ole thing? A work in progress? Well, yes, doesn't everything you make or own have the ability to be revamped?

I made this when Little Miss was about 3 (nearly 4 yrs ago). I patiently (and not so patiently) knitted and un-knitted, it all started with the blue and yellow balls, can't remember where from. I sewed them all together, added some chenille down the sides (to make it single bed sized- wasn't knitting ANY MORE squares) and a chenille bedspread backing. Embellishing with doiles and knitted flowers. Now this was in my beginner days of quilting, so I thought I'd add some binding....

EEEKKK! Yep, don't know why I thought THAT looked good. So for the last few years

I've out up with it, until today!

I unpicked and took the whole binding off, and trimmed it right down.

My assistant was it's usual pain in the butt- "yes, Ace, my sewing table is a bed, as it has Little Miss's quilt on it, you are soooo smart!" Every time I lifted her off, back on she jumped.

When I went to re-attach the binding, it was no too short- joining the pieces properly to do mitred corners left it too short. Crap! Better look in the stash for.....

the exact same fabric! Yep, that's why I have a stash, folks!

I'll be back to show you the finished binding later!