Has it really been that long?

Has it really been that long since I blogged?

I hope everyone had a fab Christmas.  My niece and nephew got spoilt with a little of my sewing.

Ottobre 3/2009

fabric: denim from SL

Farbenmix Hilde with an added hood

farbric stella from CM

And a 4yo boy who would not co-operate!

patchwork skirt for my niece, designed by me

Fabric: various places.

MIP Afterglow in gifted fabric

On my doorstep a few weeks ago was a parcel.  I bolted inside and ripped it open.  Inside was some georgeous fabric from the lovely supermum Karen.  She saw this and thought of me and my girls.  I tell you what, when someone thinks about you like that, it makes you feel like a million bucks! 

Then a few weeks later I received a parcel from a shop which I frequent- Crafty Mamas!  Inside was the new pattern from Make It Perfect- Afterglow.  Thank you Mrs Crafty Mama!

Saw the pattern, saw the fabric, the 2 were perfect for each other.

This pattern was a little more tricky to do than I first thought, but now I have had a go, the next one will be easy.

The placket at the back, sew the facing on BEFORE you cut it...

The pletes, well I think the next one will be easier

I did cheat and use ready made bias, home made bias and me dont tend to get along.

Then we added a little feature hem at the bottom just coz I could (well my sister did it, I cant take credit for that part)

So I very cute, and easy play dress.  Perfect for any woven cotton fabric that you want to show off! 

December challenge: Sharpen your skills!

So its December- it only took me to the 2nd to actually come to accept that it might be the final month of the year.

This months challenge is to sharpen your skills on one of the challenges that was presented this month.

I would really love to have another go at making a softy this month, but the reality is that I have 2 girls to sew for, a son whos birthday is the 26th of December and a neice and nephew to sew for for Christmas. Is it ok to say that the skills that are being sharpened at my house are time management?

Would love to hear what your December plans are.

My daughters are wanting (well I plan to make them) a ruffle patchwork skirt from Ottobre, as well as a Farbenmix Feliz
I should make my son a pair of denim shorts with the feature pocket.
My nephew needs a tee with mathicn shorts
and my neice, well she is fussy, I am thinking maybe she will get something I haven't sewn. Typical 2yo, she knows what she likes, but doesn't tell us.

Sign up below:

Great for those people who you struggle to buy for!

I gained some paints from Crafty Mamas called Tee Juice.  Very happy with them.

Painted on some handkerchiefs

And my father now has some very personal Christmas presents.

My Christmas Crafty Adventures so far

Last year the end of the year snuck up on me and unfortunately I didn't get the chance to spoil the people who had done alot of 'work' for us.

People such as teachers, kinder teachers, and others who had helped us on the journey of 2009.  So this yea I have decided to spoil them!

 Many of the same people have been in our lives this year, so it made it alot easier.

I have made a journal with an embroidered cover and ribbon, as well as a key fob for those who have really helped alot this year.  The ribbons are Farbenmix, Spotlight and others from Crafty Mamas, Love Chirps embroidery from Huups, Flowers from JuJu.

For those who have given my children lifts from school, making it possible for me to work a little, and also given me a break from driving (with 2 kinder runs to different kinder and a school run it can be rather exhausting), the teacher/ assistant who is willing to have time for me at the drop of a hat.  The kinder workers that have spent more time on 'us' than I will ever know.  And of course then there are those who have just lent us support!

And then there is the swimming instructors, the person who smiled at me when I was feeling down, the work colleague who listened.

I might also buy some fresh cut soaps to go with some of these, as I am finding it hard to resist the need to share her art! (I just hope they are not thinking that I think they smell! Coz they don't!)

I must thank Sara (Willow and Moo) for showing me where to find the tools to make the key fobs.  And also for getting the ball rolling with the journal covers.  My sister also helped with her graphic design talent.

Time to show off your Crafty Christmas adventures!

Its the end of November (either I am yelling to try and convince myself that it is actually here, or that I am trying not to cry as the time has flown!)

And its time to show off your Christmas craftying.



I have almost finished mine, just gotta iron them and pop it all together. Please hold me to it that I have to have it done before it reaches December!

why you wear your socks over your trackies

My georgeous little 4yo daughter came outside the yesterday wearing her socks pulled up over her trackies...

Can you think of a reason why?

I know I struggled with the idea, it looks rather daggy, although credit that they are colour co-ordinated!

Its so that you dont get sand in your pants when your playing in the sandpit!

Ahh- then great tips you learn from your kids!

Congratulations to the winner of the Ottobre 301!

Brissmith/ Susan said:

Would love this pattern. Have tried making an Otto tee from the book but found the neck needed adjusting. Hope this pattern would be better - it does look like a looser fit. Susan

And she was also no 8!  Congratulations, we cant wait to see what you make from this great pattern!  Can you please contact me. carolynswebmail at gmail dot com

drawing the giveaway tomorrow!

I am drawing my ottobre 301 Giveaway tomorrow about 8pm my time, you have to be in it to win it.  enter below!

Farbenmix Vida

.

One green apples, one orange apples

Fabric: Sandi Henderson Farmers Market.

Pattern: Vida from Farbenmix.  

Great stash buster... only mine did require a little outside help from a couple of other crafty friends.  Also a great pattern to either go overboard on embellishments, or leave as is, both with great results. 

Good idea to follow the instructions with this pattern too.  I would have normally skipped ahead, but I'm glad that I didn't 

Girls verdict, they love their new dress!

idea for Christmas presents

There has been quite a stir up on the CM forum, KeyFobs!

I thought I would share with you in case you thought they might be good presents for your Kindy teacher/ boss etc

There is a tutorial and hardware here

November Challenge: Christmas craft

So the whole idea for November challenge is to start on that Christmas crafting. It might be a Christmas outfit for your darling boy, or it might be the present for his teacher. Whatever it is, November is the time to get started (or sooner). Either way, we would love to see what you are doing.

So sign up below, and come the last week of November you can add your link tot he new widget to show off what you have crafted.

Im not sure what I will do as yet, new dresses for the girls? Presents for the teachers? Maybe a softie for the tree? A knitted ornament? The sky is the limit really.

Finished Blogtober GIVEAWAY: Ottobre 301

Well I successfully blogged nearly every day of October.

So to celebrate I want to giveaway something that I have.

I have 2 of the Ottobre 301 patterns- so who would like one for free?

Please leave a comment, and make sure that you have a way for me to contact you.

Also this pattern is only sizes 92-170, its not an adult pattern.  So you have to have kids that you sew for to make use of this pattern.  You will also have to be interested in sewing with knit.

So enjoy ;)

Sign up closes Saturday 13th November.

31st of Blogtoberfest: a new way to use Ottobre 301

I really like the  drop waist ModKid pattern, so inspired but didn't want to purchase the pattern myself, and felt that I could alter an existing pattern:

So out popped the Ottobre 301, shortened it, made a waistband, then added a rectangle for a skirt.

Very happy with the results.

Next time I will make the sleeves a little more baggy, might even make them puffed sleaves, but apart from that, im very happy with the results.

30th of Blogtoberfest: stripy top Olivia

this pattern is a must have for any sewer for girls.

Farbenmix Olivia,

I altered it a little to have the contrasting bodice.

And then sent her to kinder in it for the added green paint blobs.

29th of Blogtoberfest: who Flys with the FlyLady?

Pic from www.flylady.net

The FlyLady is a web site dedicated to helping keep your life and house in order somewhat.  It uses the acronym CHAOS or cant have anyone over syndrome.

The morning routine suggested is (taken from the daily emails):

* Morning Routine:
-Get Dressed to Shoes including Hair/Face, Brush Teeth
- Make Bed
-Swish & Swipe
-Empty Dishwasher
-Reboot Laundry (a Load a Day Keeps CHAOS Away)
-Check Your Calendar
-Check Your Control Journal

* What's For Dinner?

* Drink Your Water

* Declutter for 15 Minutes

* 15 Minutes of Loving Movement (exercise)

Now I am sure that this works, if it is followed.  But in the morning I am that rushed with "get dressed, eat your breakfast (you asked for cereal!) where is your school shoes, brush your teeth, why did you get undressed" madness that I'm struggling to learn to Fly.

Maybe if I make a label with this name it might inspire me to keep going.

Has anyone out there made the FlyLady work for you?

28th of Blogtoberfest: October 12 in 12 show your creation!

I am really happy with this months challenge, and will be doing it again!

Race ya to the op shop!

27th of Blogtoberfest: my October 12 in 12 recreation!

Pattern: Ottobre 301 with added length

Fabric and old adults top from an Op shop

binding, and old adults spaghetti strap top from Op shop

Unwilling model, my 4yo daughter, who would not co-operate! 

This recreate thing is actually really handy!  The whole top cost me 50c I think.  I have been rummaging through op-shops looking for any top with 2 way stretch, making sure it was big enough to make another top out of. and then chopping.  It helps that it had stripes as I used that as the grain line.

The pattern took me about 30min to sew up!  

Another bonus is that the sleeves didn't need hemming.  I just used the existing sleeves, and used their hem as my hem ;)

I have also made knickers out of op-shop clothing.  

So thats my October challenge completed YAY for me! (and nope photos wont behave!)