embroidered skirt that didnt turn out as i expected

This is a simple little skirt that I made for my niece.  But unfortunately it didn't turn out as I expected it would, so it has happily found a new home.

a couple of embroidered flowers that are stitched onto felt then sewn on.

A ruffled hem, with 20 denier nylon under the skirt to give it a girly feel.

The lady 4yo of the house happily picked it up and would not take it off, a good sign that she likes it!

And really if it fits my 4yo I don't think its going to fit my 2yo niece who my husband describes as a pocket rocket!

Happy Birthday Mitchell

My big boy is now 7.  That's 7 years from when he was a baby, and 3 years from being double figures!  He is growing up so fast.

We wrapped his presents the night before, and put them on his bedroom floor, so no photos of him opening them, but he did come running in proclaiming his approval of his shorts that I had made.

Happy Birthday Mitchell

Shorts Pattern Ottobre 3/2009

A new toy!

A couple of weeks ago my lovely husband came home to tell me that he had bought me a suprise.  Me, being me, had to know what he was up to.  A Canon 450D!  I was absolutely stoked! 

So now I am learning a new craft.  And I am really really enjoying it.  Its instant (if you dont need to edit!) and the results are so rewarding.

Hmmm?

mum, we are just going out to repair the roof of the cubby

can someone shed some light on life as an (almost) 7yo?

itch decided today that he wanted to be a dude.  Now my interpretation of this word is one that he doesn't know, so I am assuming that he means "cool", "skater", a little bit "surfy". 

We went out to the local big shopping centre and he became very picky with what he wanted to wear.  The finishing touches were a hat that was worn sideways and a 1 handled bag backpack.  We visited a few shops to try and get a taste of what he considered "dude' clothing was, complete with hand gestures!


Oh gosh- when did he grow up so fast?

Spring rainy day

Its September the 1st, and in true Melbourne style its been raining.

So what do you do when it rains... you jump in puddles!

and then when you realise that jumping in puddles makes your (odd) gumboots full up with water, and your clothes all dirty, you burst into tears.  Then mummy takes everyone inside where its warm and gives everyone a bath.
And once again blogger wants the pic sideways.

And yes for those who were wondering my daughter is in her nightie

and also please forgive me for the blurry photos, I am learning to use a new toy.

Ottobre 301.

Crafty Mamas forum has the occasional sew-a-long, where a few people commit to making a particular pattern.  This time it was the Ottobre 301.  Although I should be doing my embroidery challenge (I did attempt it for the record- but more on that later) I decided to try the 301.

It took about 15min to trace the pattern, and had I not messed up the neck it would have taken about 45min in total to sew together!

The result- very effective and happy. Size 98 for my 2.5yo.  I cant wait to get my 303 (the adult version) so that I can make myself one!

here are the brag pics (in the PJs).

ta daa

ta daa again

and for some reason blogger wants this sideways.

What I have learnt:

• 
  
  not to take a seam allowance on the neck or the binding.  Otherwise it wont fit over your toddlers head and you have to cut it off.
• 
  
  Binding is heaps easier to attach in the flat.
• 
  
  That after you cut off the neck binding, you have to attach the new binding in the round, and that is a pain!
• 
  
  that the top still looks good even if you cut it on the wrong grain. 
• 
  
  That this hilco fabric doesn't have alot of stretch on the wrong grain.
• 
  
  That I love Stella and hilco!

Maybe next time I should not cut it out in front of the warm open fire with my gorgeous kids running about...