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!)

26th of Blogtoberfest: learning blogger

Did you know that there is a stats button?



Can you see it? top right hand tab.

Its actually quite interesting.  You can see how many times you page has been surfed today.  Compare it to yesterday, last month etc... And what posts were looked at.
(my sew a crotch tutorial seems to be quite popular!)

You can see where your in the world is the most popular place to surf from, and what browser they use.

You can also see what key words were used to do a search when they found your blog.

one thing it doesn't show though is who is searching... so please continue to leave comments, I love to hear them and know im not just talking to myself.

25th of Blogtobrefest: the mystery of the sewjo...

So who has it?  I was wondering, I havnt sewn anything in what feels like ages... I need to get into sewing this months challenge, not to mention a swap that is overdue.  I have some gorgeous patterns that need experimenting with, and a fabric stash that needs a workout (to invite more in)

anyone got any idea where it might have gone?

no photo as I dont want to take a photo of me looking for my sewjo...

23rd of Blogtoberfest: Plait the hair

I see it in the school car park- the mummies frantically doing their daughters hair trying to get the knots out, and I see it often with other mummies of little girls.

Those knots created by the back of the head rubbing on the pillow.

Now we have a solution here, if anyone wants to join in... teach the daddies how to plait!

While us mummies are running around at the gotta clean up dinner so I can go and craft rush, daddies can sit and plait hair

It saves the morning knots!

Either that or buy a satin pillowcase ;)

21st of Blogtoberfest: the strength of the Aussie dollar

Do you suddenly have the same urge as me- to go shopping?

Quilters cottons, shoes, designer clothing, all cheaper than here.

But for how long?

Long enough that I can water the money tree and wait for it to flower?

I hope so...

20th of Blogtoberfest: thinking of Christmas

I missed yesterday, sorry to those who were hanging out waiting for my daily blog post ;)

Anyway, I have been thinking about Christmas.  It is slightly scary to think that its only 2 months away.

I was thinking of gifts for people.  Who do you give gifts to?  What sort of gifts?

I'm talking aside from the general mother, brother, kids, partners.  School teachers, aides, the lady who says hello in the car park?

And what do I give?  I really love the soaps from Fresh Cut Soaps, but how do others feel when they receive a block of soap?  I know how much they cost and how perdy they are, but wrapped up in a little bit of cellophane, do they look more meaningful than a box of Roses chocolates?  Or does it portray, you smell and need a bath?

I always thought that a pair of fancy socks were a lovely present in high school.  That's the sort of gift that was often given at a birthday- a pair of socks and a facial scrub- or something like that.  When I met my husband he was horrified!  I still think this is a nice present, he doesn't!

I'm not sure that I have the time to make everyone something from my sewing machine, otherwise I might churn out 8 note books.

Anyway, what do you think?

18th of Blogtoberfest: working with wood

At the festival that we went to yesterday they had a stall, where for $5 you bought some pieces of wood, and together with some volunteers, the boys got to put them together.

I actually didn't get any photos of their finished products. Mitch made a tool box and Tyler made a box with a lid. I was very impressed! Thank you to those who volunteered to give us the opportunity to make such a thing.

17th of Blogtpberfest: festival

We went to a local festival today, first time we had attented, and we were suprisingly impressed.

The girls loved the rides, The ones of them smiling wouldn't load for some reason.

the boys chose a big slide. What the picture doesn't show (apart from legs sticking up in the air) is that the slide was soaking wet, and the bottom was full of puddles. Making 2 very wet (from head to the tip of their toes) soaking wet! They thought it was the best thing ever!

Then Elise decided that she wanted to have a go on the go-carts, and climbed the barrier to have a go. Thankfully the attendant let her have a go and she peddled her way around like she had done it all before!

We came home exhausted, with 4 very tired kiddies, but knowing that we will be visiting again next year!

16th of Blogtoberfest: Langeness

With my sudden swollen tummy and painful belly button, I have been somewhat sluggish in getting back into sewing.

Well a few nights ago I cut out my Farbenmix Langeness .  Its a 3 panel (I think its 3, its 3 front and 3 at the back) a-line skirt.  Mine is just a denim skirt, but I really like it.  I changed it slightly to suit my painful bellybutton and ... well... I haven't taken it off!  I was going to do the hem panel but it would have looked a little cover-up-ish so I chose not to.  The waist I did a 35cm yoga waistband instead of a zip.  Next port of call I think ort to be to hassle jean brands to make their jeans with yoga waistband!  You might actually see me wearing jeans to school drop off if they made a pair of Lee jeans like this! (and not just maternity ones)

16th of Blogtoberfest- round trip of 150km+

I have just got back from a friends 30th birthday party.  My mother was kind enough to bub sit for us so that DH and I could go together. 

Waiting there for us was the birthday boy, and his wife and kids, his large extended family and also some other friends of ours.  Its always nice to get together with these people. His family are friendly, and its great to catch up with our friends with no kids, even if its just giggling about the antics of our partners (or ourselves)

eating food, eating cake (and sticky date!)

then for the birthday boy to blow out his candles and officially jointhe 30 and over club, a few speeches, kisses and cuddles and then the trip back home.

It was welll worth travelling the 150km to celebrate his birthday.

14th of Blogtoberfest- My Creative Space

Ive never actually joined in on this meme, but cant think of a better time to start ;)

Farbenmix Vida, and some Farmers market.  Its for a little stash busting. 

Farmers market is that fabric that I horde as I really really love it!  But its a few years old now, and really whats the use of some fabric folded up and shoved into a cupboard.  So off to create something out of it!

And of course when stash busting you realise that you don't have exactly what you want, and so put the cal out for xyz Farmers Marker to compliment your own.  Thank you to those who came to my rescue.

13th of Blogtoberfest- whats your genre?

Was having a d&m with my crafty buddy Sara about what sort of fabrics that we usually purchase.  What sort of fabric do we dive for when its on special?  What fabric do we line up in cues to get?  What fabric do we know we will like before we even lay eyes on it?

For Sara this is Euro fabrics.  She knows how to use it, how to make it work, and personally she does a really good job of it too!  She manages to put together fabrics that I would never have thought of.  And then the look is amazing!

Another blogger who sticks out is Kate.  Everything but the thread is exactly that, everything is made out of vintage sheets, table cloths etc..  When I walk into the op shop I don't see things tat go together or are suitable for clothing, yet Kate makes it work so well!  I am going to have to learn for this months challenge!

So on reflection what is my genre?  I tend to sew some Euro fabrics, quilters cotton, poly cotton, cotton knits, denims...  And after trawling through and through my blog attempting to find a theme I concluded that (next to not having a genre) that my genre is

wait for it

denim ;)

I don't even think that that is a genre LOL!

what do you think your genre is?



The pictures are of Lily learning that when you suck bubble mix through a straw the effect is not quite the same as blowing.