I think I almost have too many clothes now....

 Where does the time go? Winter is now upon us down here in Melbourne, and I've been sewing some warmer clothes. I didn't end up participating in the whole of Me Made May, I did a week in the middle though! I was sick of selfies after a week, I tell ya! Watching everyone on Instagram and their blogs is so inspiring though, I've found patterns I'd never thought Id try. Here's a few...

The Rigel Bomber- I first saw it over here, and fell in lust! I don't have a jacket of this style, I tend to go for a coat, but I'm hoping to change that! I made my first one up in a polka dot denim from Spotlight, and pick rib.

Here's the 'fail' welt pocket....not easy. I also went a thinner cotton pocket. Unfortunately it's not lined, and my inside of the jacket showing the pockets looks like a dog's breakfast! So my second one (fabric picked already) will be lined. More for the warmth factor, denim can be a bit cold.

You can probably tell I like pink...

and hamming it up with some 'double denim polkadot' combo.

I loved a bit of fluoro at the moment, so snapped up so duck from Spotlight and made a 2nd large slouch, a real tried and true favourite. Unfortunately it is no longer available, so I'll treasure my copy....

 I definitely wear these 2 out together...

 

I ordered some fabric a while ago from Girl Charlee. I made my first cardigan! I was really happy with their service, and buying without 'touching' the fabrics was a bit scary, but I'm happy with what I got. I've even put in a 2nd order....to make another cardigan!

This is called 'sweater knit', and is so cosy and soft. Really simple to sew as well, I'm so much more confident with knits these days. Though I think I've worn out the overlocker and it needs a service...

 

Styled for work...

 I also 'drank the Kool Aid' and snapped up this pattern. I've made a few of the Portfolio dresses, and the pattern was discontinued...but came back with a V neck, and a new name! I really like this, so comfortable and easy. The fabric is from the Lisette range currently out at Spotlight, a drill.

This (summery) top  has been worn a few times, not sure for the colder months though! I got it as part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel, which is a great initiative. I'm already planning to get the 3rd parcel, just for the bathers alone!

 And last, but not least, the Kimono Tee, a free pattern which you get by signing up to the newsletter. My first one was a bit small, but it found a new home, and my 2nd one is a firm fave- and heaps of comments! The lady in the pet shop loved this fabric! From Spotlight, I've never tried the cotton jerseys, always going for 2way stretch, what was I thinking? They are excellent, when on special they are a cheap, original tee shirt. Washing and wearing well at the moment too.

I see leopards....

There's a bit of sewing and non-sewing going on over here. I want to try and participate in 'Me Made May' this year, where I can wear 'handmade by me' for the month of May, so I'm trying at fill the gaps in my wardrobe! More on that later though, I'll show you what I've been doing for everyone else...

I gave the girl free choice of fabrics at Spotlight to make an outfit for her bestie's birthday party. (We'd actually bought a long sleeve denim dress from Target she'd had her eye on, but was too hot and uncomfortable!) This light top (not sure the fabric, but a pain to sew and heaps of thread pulls, grrrr!) suited the day much better! I used a pattern, but ended up taking it in and adjusting so much, I may as well have cut a rectangle with a whole for the head!

I made the leggings too, from a tried and true pattern. It's a ponte stretch (from Spotlight as well) and she adores them! They have the gathered elastic bit on the outer leg, gives em an extra bit of cute. Hmmm, something about this outfit makes me think in about 20yrs I'll hear 'How could you let me go out in THAT?? It's pretty out there!

We ended up buying a denim jacket, as the fussiness and umming and ahhing over styles, fabrics etc was doing my head in! Gone are the days when I can whip something up and she wears it regardless- I have a pile on non-worn handmade stuff to prove it! I made the leggings again, though, she's pretty mad on leopard print at the moment.

I also made some bags for a happy customer, she chose some great fabrics, definitely not my colour schemes, but a real pleasure to sew with. Another fave pattern by You Sew Girl (but unfortunately discontinued)

 A little extra pillow for her son...is that the cutest pillowcase you've seen? I joked that they would all have names within a day!

We had a lazy long weekend a few weeks ago, and we joined Cam for another basketball game- and another Tigers win! We're officially fans!

  

We had a great long day out, with dinner and a play at the park on the way home. The perfect weather made it easy to chill out!

I finally dug into my wee Liberty stash and ran up this pattern, which I'd printed forever ago and hadn't made up! I'd also been after a cute pincushion, similar to these.

 

I also cut up some scraps and made a bigger one, gosh, it is sooo cute! 

I've been carrying the bigger one around all week, despite not having a minute in the workday to do any knitting at the moment. It makes me smile!

Hope your last few weeks have been stitchy and smiley too!

Back soon to show you some clothes.

Sunshine...moonlight...good times...boogie!

It's been busy, I've gone back a bit as I found some pics I forgot to post!

I have made a new lunch bag pattern, to fit the Nudie food movers, and the Tupperware long lunch box. I have heard the Nudie one's break quickly, but the kid still wanted to be the same as the other kids, so I'll wait and see...

I made a lemon meringue pie last week for a catch up, and this week as well, when I headed over to Tinniegirl's today. Twice I forgot to take a pic before I cut into it! Here's an action shot....

I have semi- caught up on the BOM from Amitie. I have a few blocks to do at S.I.T....

 

I gave away another pressie today, making me all happy and smiley. Can't wait to see it on it's bed! My 2 favorite bloggy friends have a little bit of me to say thanks for being there for me!

I made myself a slouch bag yesterday, I had to try it, and I do declare it fabulous!

I co ordinated it all around the zip, seriously.

And found the perfect pocket fabric. I forgot about another slouch bag I got to fondle today...

The Little Miss and I picked this up at the oppy yesterday, and she sure does wear it well. I'm wanting to make her a couple, anyone know of a pattern for this style? Thanks in advance!

And a reminder to love yourself a bit tomorrow! I used to get very depressed I never got spoilt on Valentine's Day (none good enough to remember, that is) but now I see it as a chance to spoil myself, and not have to buy a gift and exchange it for a potentially crap one! Silver linings, peeps...



Few, that'll do me, I think! Have a happy crafting week everyone!

A busy week or two

Well, I finished the bag off on the Thursday night, and took it straight out Friday with me to a work conference! It is so light, as I didn't use vinyl on this one. I didn't have any hardware for the strap to make it adjustable, and this might help with the weight, too. It's just lovely!

I fell a bit in love with the fabric, and even checked the selvedge for the name!

So Saturday I made these 2 bags, Large Slouch pattern, to be given to friends as nappy bags! I can't wait to make one of these in denim for me....

The annual first-day-of-school shot had to be indoors this year, as it was raining that morning. Still working out the self timer teehee (the kid doesn't like this one, I do!)

And lastly, a little catch up with some crafty friends on Sunday. They were supposed to take some free fabric, hmm, I've still got a big pile left for the oppy! Cam gave Little Miss and I belated Xmas pressies (naughty girl!). I love my phone cover...

The work phone (Nokia) fits perfectly in the back pocket, waiting to be grown

 up teehee.....

 

And the kid scored this fantastic Nintendo DSi cover, fits like a glove and padded to perfection (as we found out when she immediately dropped it! Klutz!)

 

Let's see if it can get any busier next week!!