Work Shirt Tops....

On one of my op shop visits I happened across two lovely men's shirt - Country Road & Abercrombie & Fitch....they came home with me and are now...

Two little summer tops, perfect for the 39 degree days we have been experiencing.

The girls love them and have nicknamed them.."work shirt tops" as they are just like Dad's work shirts.

The only thing I would change next time is longer sleeves so that they cover the girls shoulders a bit more...

It's nice to be sewing again...

Increasing My Fabric Stash

I just thought I would share some of my fabric bargains that I have managed to score over the last month. Now its time to start planning some summer sewing.......

$2.50 for vintage cotton plisse at a country Op shop. Its a bit sad that when you go home to see your family..you have to have a good trawl through the local Op shops!

Linens, denim and a spotty drill, along with some buttons and embroidery thread picked up at the YMCA Garage Sale on Saturday

3 clowns also from the YMCA Garage Sale..they were too cute to leave behind

My splurge on fabrics from the US. I highly recommend this shop. Their service is fantastic.

Cottons from my parents local Spotlight..all for $2 a metre.

My spotlight never has anything this good. I just wish I had gotten more!





And some fabric from my local fabric store. They had a sale last month with 25% off quilting cottons for members.

Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair

I left the little people behind for the weekend (with their Dad) and headed off to Sydney. Such perfect timing and planning on my behalf...The Sydney Craft and Quilt Show was on...Yay! So Mum and I hit the fair. There was so much to look at and so many people...

I picked up a cute Big Owl Pattern from Hot Possum and a gorgeous Flower Brooch Kit from the girls at Prints Charming. I really liked the scarf kits they had put together but by the time I decided I wanted one they had sold out! So I had to suffice with some covered button instead. I had planned to buy some fabric but nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Although their was lots of beautiful liberty and Japanese fabrics but I think I had better use some of my stash first.

I really loved these gorgeous knitted dolls by Annie at ak traditions. I so wish I could knit....
I also like what Jane at Be Be Bold had done with the oliver + s patterns. She had made up most of the patterns in beautiful Japanese fabrics...Oh my. I had to hold on tight to my credit card. I didn't spend too much time looking at the quilts but what I saw was pretty spectacular.

On Sunday my sister and I headed out to the Bondi Markets. Lots of interesting goodies. I got this handful of lovely large vintage buttons.

On the sewing front I finished a little vintage vest for the little man. It was a kwik sew pattern that I found at the op shop some time ago. The only problem was that the size 2 was way too small in length.so I added an extra 2 inches on and top stitched it for detail. You can barely tell. I struggled with attaching the ribbing to the v neck. The instructions weren't really specific. It took several un pickings before I finally realised what I was doing wrong. (Some times I think my brain is mushy after 3 kids). It looks so cute on. I will definitely be making more. I just need to find some better sources for knit material.Spotlight and Lincraft are pretty hit and miss and the last two knits I have bought from Spotlight have had small holes in them! Has anyone got any ideas where I can buy quality knit from?

Do you ever have Groundhog Days??

I feel like I am having Groundhog Days..over and over, with my washing. Its endless and every day feels the same - washing, folding, putting away and its time to do it all over again...Agghh!! My wish is to have someone come in and do all the washing, folding and putting away. Lets hope we win the lottery soon!!

So no sewing. Everyone has been sick with a nasty cold. We are starting to feel a little better so fingers crossed that I can be a bit more productive this week.

I have had some lucky finds at the op shop over the last two weeks. So I thought I would share

Nearly 2m of lovely polished cotton, a new book that I am really enjoying, lots of buttons for the stash and a little pinafore pattern that is a size one that I am going to have a go at grading up for the girls

This wonderful book. Its is so detailed and so helpful and it was only $2 from the Slavos

And the best find of all - an antique cabinet for the hallway. Sorry about the crappy photo. It needs restoring, locks replaced but in the meantime it is great to have some more sturdy storage