A first birthday

Oops, nearly forgot to show you the cake! I made one of these which I'd seen around blog land and had to try (icing was supposed to be purple, but looked a bit grey). It tasted, and I got a heap of compliments for the part guests which was lovely! I do love a challenge...

(2nd pic a bit blurry, but shows more colours)

 We ended up having both kid's birthday parties on the same day- Henry's first birthday from 11am to 2ish, and the my girls from 5pm onwards. 4 friends slept over, what an experience THAT was!

But the little man's day was lovely, great weather, and a very happy chappy with his balloons!

 His party outfit was a bit of handmade by me stuff, which was cute. I love making him stuff, as he actually has to wear it (unlike a tween girl). Here he is munching on some BBQ corn, it was an amazing feats of slow cooked meats and salads, and vegies. YUM!

And he loved all the fuss, of course (who wouldn't?)

I made some bunting for the party, which is now in his room. I found all these fabrics precut into squares in the stash (the stash in the garage, that is). I think I planned to sell it at one stage- good for Henry I didn't!

 Bright and cheery!

His present arrived about a week later (and I still haven't made the hat- oops!) It's a Kinder Boy, whom I named Neville. A great pattern, and not toooo fiddly for my fat old fingers! It was a lot of fun picking the fabrics (OK, that may have taken me one whole evening). I used the Doctors Flannel as recommended in the pattern, which is totally worth the hunt for. Easy to work with, soft and you can tell it's durable (it's 100% wool but the non itchy kind).

 I gave him cowboy undies!

  and some spinal surgery. He's a red head, as it was the only wool felt I had in the stash, and I didn't want it to go all pilly like acrylic felt.

Very cute!

 

He was gifted with this perfect basket I found at the oppy

and a mattress and blankie, too.

  

His favourite bit was the tearing of the paper- hesitant here at his birthday, but 2 weeks later at Xmas there was no hesitation!

An action shot from my sister the next day, I just wanted to check it was in use haha

and our Boxing Day proved just as much fun, the excitement he had about his own 

maraca and bells was contagious!

Just beautiful!

New coat

OK, this has really blown me away with freaky coincides- it's been just over 2 years since I blogged the previous coat! I only just realised when I went back hunting for the badly labelled old one! 

As you will see, the purple love affair still continues in this household! I managed to convince her to go with the polka dot this time though (it's light blue with purple polka dots if you cant tell) and at $4 a metre on the bargain table at Spotlight, I am sure happy she agreed!

 The pattern is this one, I linked to the Kwik Sew site in the last post, and it seems to have disappeared!

As in the previous coat post, a lovely 27 degree day occurred, and someone wasn't happy about a photo shoot (suck it up, Princess! I made you a coat!)

I made a X (12-14), as the previous version was a L(10) and way too small. I took a good 9cm off the sleeve length though, and the hem is turned up 5cm.

This shot is the hand in my FIRST EVER welt pockets- sewn the wrong way around the first time, oops!

 I also did some little tucks at the back, near where the (sewn in and non adjustable) belt is.

It's unlined, which will be fine as there is a lot of think cord in the coat, it's pretty heavy! I made the short version, View B, last time, this time it's View A with the hood from B. I don't mix patterns up very often, so I pushed myself a bit!

Underneath today is her new sequinny top we picked up in the target clearance rack! Just what every tween needs haha.

Oh, I mentioned the hood, didn't I? What a thing of beauty- and a hassle, I didn't get enough fabric the first time around, View A said 2.3m and I'm pretty sure (but not 100%) that I got 3m; I mustn't have though as I didn't have enough for the facings, hence the purple inside. I had to go back for another half a metre, and the Gods were good that day, there was still the same roll on the bargain table. That's twice now I've been saved from disaster!

She picked some Minky for the lining, I didn't need to chop up a furry cushion this time! It sewed great, really easy to use, this coat was a messy job though, with the corduroy and Minky mess everywhere!

 Overall she's pretty happy! Hope I can squeeze her into another one in a few years time! Slow down, girl, stay my baby a bit longer!

Swaps and stuff

The Polka Dot Swap has been huge fun, I'm about to send my parcel off, so can't post a spoiler pic, but look what I received today- gorgeous, isn't she? Little Miss and I squabbling over her at the moment. Thanks GB! (Don"t you think she looks like Katie Holmes? GB, not my doll!).



I got this groovy mag today. Here's my friend Fi's stuff- does she ever stop? Here as well.... (she made Pepper!)


And on a different page, completely different article- my phone cover! Well, an I-Pod/ i phone cover, does mine nicely in chenille. Hmm... this is becoming a habit.

So, technically I have SAVED money by buying the magazine, as I have MADE a phone cover, rather than BUYING one- makes sense to me!

And I have all those things to make with buttons!

catching up

After going to bed at 7pm every night for a week, I have serious catching up to do on here and around the house. The flu hit me Thursday, so I don't know what excuse I had the other days- chronic fatique, I guess! I thought i'd show off some of my polka dot obsession items.

I got about 2-3 metres of this polka dot cord from an op shop, it has made a great jacket, I just need a button and button hole (yeah, yeah, i'll get there). I didn't do the pockets on the front, as I wanted it to sit flat, and I topstitched around the collar and lapel as it was a bit thick. Pattern is
this one
Also, when op shopping last week came across these pants for $7, I didn't even try them on- going to use the fabric! So nice, I know the fit won't work for me (not sure if it would for anyone, really) so I think I scored ok. Not sure what to make, a jacket maybe for little miss next winter? Or a skirt and jacket, not sure.

Maybe a bag, too? Endless possibilities. If I ever get my book stash sorted. I will post some pics of them later, as I have been procrastinating with putting them away. Ugh.