tashalou creations

Here I am!!!

2011-08-29T10:09:00.022+09:30

Ok So here I am, hanging my head in shame and wondering where on earth time has gone??

What has brought me back again. Well I visited a new friend and found out that she blogs along with doing a zillion crafts as well as having 3 kids. I realised after browsing through her blog why I started in the first place and what I have been missing.

So maybe it is time to start up again. I have a million things going on as usual but no-one to share them with really so I think I need to start doing this for my own self-gratification again :)

So lets start with what I am doing right now. What better time than the present. I am getting some yummy banana's that I bought ready to test run in my dehydrator. Yes someone listened for a change and I got something I wanted for my birthday! lol

Here she is

So far I have dried pears (um no pic of those as they are all gone!!)

Mushrooms

and capsicums

Here are my cheapie banana's ready to go

And since we are experimenting here is some pureed strawberries that were on special popped in my whip 'em up quick strawberry drying boats :)

Projects 2

2011-01-15T11:55:00.008+10:30

The first project I made on my knitter loom

Mermaid Dreams Test

Paige Babydoll Test

Ultimate Longies. These are what I can make to sell :)

Cassia Test Knit

Newborn Top that Emma was too big for when born! LOL

Projects 1

2011-01-15T11:46:00.008+10:30

Versa Vest

Owlie sleep sack

Urban shells crocheted scarf

newborn longies for emma :)

New Start?!

2011-01-15T11:18:00.010+10:30

Well who would have thought it would take me a whole YEAR to get back to this??? I looked at the date of my last post and thought it was wrong!! (hangs head in shame!!) I have been busy though I promise!

First and most importantly Miss Emma was born on June 18th and is now a very vocal and headstrong 7 month old!

Kai is now 2.5 years old!!! OMG where did time go??

I have been busy knitting (yes me KNITTING!! shock hooror!!) and crocheting in between kidlet duties. Not much time left for sewing either though a few things have made it through. I am now knitting items to sell so I will pop up some pics and links for those as well :)

Hmm thats about all for now, though I do want to say how saddened I am by all the Queensalnd flooding going on. The loss of life is heartwrenching and I have had to stop reading the stories as it is really getting to me :( Awful.

Maybe I will make my next few posts of some of my finished projects. Keep safe xx

Oh Dear!!

2010-01-05T00:17:00.002+10:30

I didn't think it had been THAT long since I have blogged!!! I must do a catch up soon as I have a few finished projects since september.

I do have a good reason though....really I do......you see I am pregnant again! Yup, yes siree!! Another bundle due at the beginning of June. And morning sickness was making things a bit sketchy as far as doing anything, combining that with my mini-cyclone who is just 17 months now. Where has that time gone???

Anyway I will do a catch up project post soon, I promise :) xxx

Some Crochet

2009-09-21T06:00:00.000+09:30

Some things I have finished lately :) I love the patternations that came out from the Yarn Cafe yarn!!!! yum yum

A vest for Kai made from DK weight BFL (Blue Faced Leicester) hand-dyed from The Yarn Cafe colourway "Depth"

A tashalou beanie made from Corridale Super Bulky weight hand-dyed from The Yarn Cafe colourway "Polaris"

A tashalou beanie made from BFL/Silk Wrap yarn Chunky weight hand-dyed from The Yarn Cafe colourway "Plum Tree"

And one of the original tashlou beanies made from 3 strands of 8ply acrylic. 2 black and 1 green.

A Handbag and a Wetbag

2009-09-20T18:50:00.008+09:30

Yes, well those that know me will immediately understand I did not make this for myself! Though I have converted to the usefulness of a handbag generally basic black is as far as I go. :)

Well I was taking part in the Nappycino swap that I think I mentioned before I thought I would make my lovely partner a handbag as she had often admired different ones on the forum. I used the tutorial here and of course asked Margaret permission first to use it in my swap. I am very pleased with the way it turned out, especially as it is the first handbag I have ever made :)

I love the black and white swirls and was rather pleased to find a white with black swirls sort of similar for the inner. After she received it she asked me to make her a matching wetbag for her nappies so that it would match. Of course I couldn't resist as I hadn't done one of those before either ;)

Giveaway

2009-09-12T19:32:00.002+09:30

Go HERE immediately for a chance to win some gorgeous fabric :)

Also make sure you go and look at her shops for some wonderful wares ;) You can see them HERE and HERE

Mind you, if you win you have to share with me!! :)

A Small Update

2009-08-22T15:08:00.006+09:30

Amongst all the illness in the house lately I have managed to plod along and get a few things done. I've discovered isn't very appreciate of me crocheting while he is playing as I won't share my ball of wool, yet handsewing is tolerated as it looks pretty boring.

So I crocheted up my first pair of longies which ended up being capris as I didn't have quite enough wool. I used Helios in plucky stout from Monsoon Designs that I bought from someone on Rav. I love them!!!! I used thick wool as they are for when I use my new night nappy I bought secondhand ;) I have been using disposables ssshhhh as Kai HATES being changed at night when he wakes for a feed. Hopefully the 2 combined will do the trick.

I also finished off Plurbit that is out of the Softies book. I will find a link for it later. There are also a couple more softies in the works but they will appear next time

There is also a secret swap present for a swap on NC but I am going to keep that a secret till she gets that this week in case she passes by here.....

Mythical Swap for Ravelry

2009-08-06T13:38:00.014+09:30

I may not have been here but I have been busy I promise. I have had a sick household lately with teen, then bubby and now hubby come down with a virus! Blurgh!!! Bubby has just been put on AB as unfortunately it has now gone to his chest, poor little man :(

So throughout all of this to keep myself sane in between nursing duties I have been slowly slowly crafting away to complete my Ravelry Mythical Swap. I ended up loving what I mad and nearly ended up keeping Lili Rose.

Lili Rose I crocheted. I will have to make another but PURPLE this time!

Her dress was crocheted separately and has a little tie so you can have dress changes ;)

A goblin tote. I hand embroidered the goblin then made into into the tote. I also lined the inside with pink cherub fabric.

The complete package I sent including Blossom WOOLganic wool. Also some angel stitchmarkers, a necklace and earrings I made. A rose quartz stone bracelet, suncatcher, statuette, faerie cards (1 is missing from pic) and I also popped in some choccie and cappycino mix :)

And this is the gorgeous parcel that I received, from another participant. Dragonology code book, dragonblood soap, nag champa incense, PURPLE fibre to spin, purple 100% wool, dragon egg statue, wizard/dragon card, an elephant plate, crocheted witch and dragon, chamomile tea box and some CHOCCIES!!!

yum yum to everything :))))

Swap Cloth and Soap

2009-07-11T06:00:00.001+09:30

Another swap!! This one I first mentioned here. Yes I admit I am a bit addicted to swaps at the moment!! This was a wonderfully simple a fairly quick one to get ready though. To save you rereading the old short post on this, I will cover all the details here :)

I crocheted a gorgeous basketweave face cloth out of Patons Serenity DK which is a cotton/bamboo mix which came out soo soft and delicious! I love this patternation and in fact used it to make the blanket I brought home bubby from the hospital in ;) I dc stitched around the edge to tie it all in and highlight the woven pattern.

For the first time ever I blocked something I made and I have to admit it made a really noticeable difference. Blocking is where you wet the item and pin it out in the shape required and left to dry. It changed it from a slightly warped cloth to a beautifully even and nicely square looking pattern. I will definitely be trying it out on more items that I make in the future as they look so much neater and hold their shape really great.

The finished product

The weave pattern

Pinned out for blocking

All wrapped up ready to go to my partner

I hope she likes it :)

More Buttons

2009-07-10T00:45:00.001+09:30

In the recent Wondermommy Button Swap I took part in I received some gorgeous buttons from my partner in the US.

Well the lovely Mellissa that organised them didn't have enough partners for herself to take part so I sent her some anyway. There was NO WAY I could let her organise lots of other ladies to receive goodies and get none herslef.

Anyway I received a surprise the other day when she sent me some back!! They are wonderful and I was SO surprised!! Here they are with the lovely card that also came with them :) YAY!!

Monster Madness

2009-07-09T06:08:00.000+09:30

I love making softies as you would have gathered by now and have been keeping my eye out for new patterns around the place. I recently managed to buy Softies, 22 friends for you to sew, knit and crochet at a bargain price! I simply cannot wait to start making some toys out of it and have already photocopied and enlarged some of the patterns all ready to go ;)

I also picked up the new australian published magazine out called HomeSewn which had a cute little monster pattern in it. SO here are my efforts.

Firey monster

Dotty Spotty Monster

Stitch Markers Update

2009-07-08T06:00:00.006+09:30

I posted here recently about the stitchmarkers that I made recently for a Ravelry swap. Well the lovely Stacey in Maryland, America has now received her swap parcel so I can safely post the pics ;)

These amethyst ones would have to have been my favourites :)

I am very pleased with them and can't wait to make some more!

Also here is what I received from Stacey! Very gorgeous and I feel a little inadequate with what I sent her :(

The gorgeous stitchmarkers came in a special little tin and each has a meaning. 2009 for the year of this swap, the crab represents Maryland in the US where she lives, the cake for each birthday I have, the pram for having my bubba and the fish to represent holidays abroad!!

I also got this gorgeous handmade button which is absolutely fantastic and is waaayyy better than getting 6 other smaller buttons.

I also got a scrumptious sounding recipe for Stromboli to try out as we also decide to swap recipes. It all came in this gorgeous box as well!! :)

I absolutely LOVE THEM!!!!

My First go at Dying

2009-07-07T23:59:00.000+09:30

Well you take some sock yarn, some food colouring, a bubby having his afternoon nap and you have one very excited mummy!!

I have been wanting to dye for ages!!! I especially want to get around to dying with flowers, herbs etc but have been reading a bit about dying with food colouring lately so thought I would give it a go to start off with. I based my experiment on the instructions here.

I am very pleased with the results and it was soooo easy. As you can see by my colours it was all random with nothing planned properly as usual, but it was good just to jump it and try it out to see what would happen. :) I used the microwave technique to set it and after rinsing it the skein dried gently while hanging of a skirt coat hanger under my split system heater!!

Here are some piccies I took along the way for you to look at and admire ;)

The wool laid out on a melamine tray I had and doused in food colour mix

Covered in glad wrap for microwave zapping. This is outside cooling

Drying under the heater

Laid out to admire!

I still have to wind the skein into a ball. I will use a nostepinne to do this I think or get hubby to make the equivalent of one. That way the wool will pull out from the centre of the ball.

I want to try out the immersion technique next and I also have some Procion dyes here to test that I had on lay-by for a while. The possibilities are endless, quite unlike the amount of time I can manage to do all this craftiness I have lined up! lol

Wins

2009-07-07T22:58:00.001+09:30

Here are my wins from the Sewn and Sew Mama Sew giveaways I took part in a little while ago.

I won a gorgeous decal from What Katy Did Designs. I am still trying to decide where I am going to put it to show it off the best :)

Also a stunning foundation piecing pattern from Chris Jurd that she designed herself. I can't wait to make a start on this as it is a variation of the Mariners quilt pattern that I have always wanted to do amazingly enough!

Then I also won some gorgeous fabric squares for Sue and Sooziii. Yummy yum yum!

Make sure you go and have a squizzy at these great sites and blogs ;)

Today is Saturday

2009-06-27T17:45:00.014+09:30

Not Thursday and not Friday even! I have been wondering where my last 2 days have gone. It feels as though I closed my eyes for a second and they just disappeared. hmmm. Ok so maybe it's because I have been crafting and playing with bubby. Oh yeah plus I went and did some retail therapy at spotlight. With the sales on at the moment there have been lots of remnants for $2m which I simply could not leave behind of course!! They will be perfect for a few little projects I have on my wish/planning list.

So what crafting have I been doing? Well I made a start on my face cloth for a cloth and soap swap I have joined. Its slow going as I restrict myself to 2 - 3 rows at a time to make sure I don't get to sore. I am using some Patons DK Serenity which is Bamboo and Cotton. I love the texture of it though I have to admit that the stringiness is a little testing on the hook manipulation!! Here is a sneak peek.

Next I have been testing out some jewelry wire crochet. IO have to admit when I first saw this I laughed and said`"How ridiculous is that!!". But then found a few wonderful blogs which sell jewelry made like this and I liked it! Yup so of course I had to give it a go. I am a silver girl but had this cheap gold coloured jewelry wire in my stash so have used it for my testing. A bit messy but with some beads or stones in there it has potential I think.

Then today while bubby was having his afternoon snooze (yes I get a whole 2 hours each afternoon now) I finally got to have a play at dying with food colouring. I received my Procion dyes on friday which I have had on lay-by for a while, so thought I should actually try out some with food colour first before I hit the hard stuff! lol I'm rather pleased with the results. I have it hanging to dry now in front of the heater, so no pics of it properly yet, but maybe this will keep you quiet for a while till I post a proper one. ;)

And last but most certainly not least are the bunch of gorgeous natives hubby bought for me today just because he wanted to. My favourites!!!! What a man!!! xx

Sewing Machine Meme

2009-06-24T13:01:00.014+09:30

At Sew Mama Sew at the moment it is sewing machine month! SO I am going to take part in the Sewing Machine Meme ;)

What brand and model do you have? Janome MyExcel 18W

How long have you had it? My hubby bought it for me 6 months after we met so that would make it 10 and a bit years ago now :)

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? I'm straining my brain to remember but it was $399 or $499

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? Oh anything and everything :) Lots of mending, clothes, quilting blocks, costumes, birdie cage covers, bag for hubby, quilt covers and my new obsession of softies ;) I'm sure there is more I haven't mentioned but you get the idea ;)

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?For a while there I had a fair break and she was only used for mending and the odd craft project or home need, but I have been using her A LOT since I gave up work because of morning sickness and the ensuing bubby!

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I love my machine!!! She does everything I have ever asked her to do and only had to have a service a little while ago for the first time for missing stitches! Well deserved after 10 years of solid service I think!!

Her name is "The Hotrod". Yes hubby named her! lol He says it's because I was always zipping along on her like a racing car!!! And yes my overlocker is known as "The Four Wheel Drive" ;)

What features does your machine have that work well for you? The mandatory straight and zigzag stitch and also the automatic buttonhole feature is really cool!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? That she is really heavy and a work out alone moving her from the floor to the table. She has all metal cogs and cams and a full metal body so it is not because she is fat, she is well built ;)

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! When I got it my son who was about 5 at the time HAD to have a go too mummy!! And guess what he wanted to sew? A PINK pillowcase! haha His dad my ex was not too happy either! lololol

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Yes because she is fantastic!! With 18 stitches, auto buttonhole, auto threader and 6 different feet. Being all metal she is built to last and soooo gorgeous to boot!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Easy of use, lastability and all at a respectable price. Also buying a brand that is well known and has a good reputation with good servicing.

Do you have a dream machine? Hmm I have 2. Not to be unfaithful to "The Hotrod" or anything I would LOVE to have a computerised machine to play with! I am such a tech head with everything else I would love a sewer to do it too ;) I would also love to have an embroidery machine. I am a cross-stitcher from way back but can't do it very often now do to the pain and strain it puts on my hands. An embroidery machine would sate the lust to do more!

Actually maybe I should get a really good electronic embroidering machine to combine the 2 dreams :) Wow I'd better tell hubby what I want for Christmas / Birthday this year hey.....

Stitch Markers

2009-06-22T13:00:00.002+09:30

I have another organised swap from Ravelry due to be sent off soon in which I am swapping some stitchmarkers and buttons with another lovely lady in America. This delightfully incorporates both Buttons which you would already now I LOVE and my new collectable urge stitchmarkers!

I decided to make my own stitchmarkers as I have been collecting beading bits and pieces for a while now with the intent to give some jewellry a go someday. What a perfect opportunity. AN assortment of colours and styles all using tigertail. I think I would have preferred to use silver tigertail but wanted to use something in my beading stash rather than buying more.

I think they turned out quite nice for a first try. I just need to tidy up the ends near the crimps and they are ready to go off to their new owner! I may need to make a couple for myself too I think......

ETA I have decided to delete the pics for now as I have just added my blog to ravelry for another swap and I don't want to risk any peeking ;)

Magoo

2009-06-21T23:54:00.010+09:30

Well I told you before about my gorgeous little Hooty I made for myself from a Melly and Me pattern. Well now here is Magoo!!

He was so easy to make, even though I was a little scared about doing the darts and separate piece for his face. I only made one change with the pattern though and that was to make it so the arms and legs were sewn into the body piece so that bubby could play with him and not rip them off. He is rather obsessed with ripping stuff at the moment!

The prints I picked for his body turned out looking great and I am so in love with his glary lary pants. Hubby is even the one who picked it out from my stash, surprise surprise. I am also thinking of making him a bow tie and overalls to keep up his pants when he is swinging around from bubby's hands.

Bubby loves to play with him and loves to pull off his pants! lol His pulls all the pieces of everything apart lately (another obsession) little monkey ;) What a great companion he will be.

I have a few more patterns inline waiting to be made, but the difficulty is deciding which one to bring to life next.....

Swap and gifts

2009-06-21T22:57:00.034+09:30

Going through my blog the other day, as you do, I realised I haven't posted the things I have been lucky enough to receive through either swaps, gifts or wins!! So I thought I should do a quick catch up post on the prettiness form the last 4 months or so :)

First of all I shall start with the buttons I recently received from my button swap partner in America (the little button on the side of my blog tells you about it) I sent off hers forgetting to take a pic as usual :( (doh) but here is her very generous lot that I received in a very pretty tin. It certainly gave me some tips for my next swap :)

Then I HAVE to tell you about some gorgeous hand-dyed yarn and stitchmarkers I received from Jojo at Optimistique as a PIF. There is 200g worth and it is soooo nice and she dyed it for me in my favourite colours! In fact I want to make something really special so as not to waste it, but so far cannot think of anything good enough! Plus I got a set of 4 stunning little stitchmarkers with stars (another favourite that I didn't tell her about). I only have 1 pictured as the other 3 are currently being used one my first ever attempt at knitting on circular needles :)

Then we have these cute little custom elephant stitchmarkers I won from the Crafty Caterpillar. I won a free lottery for a free custom made set of 4 stitchmarkers and of course I chose elephants as I LOVE them too! lol I think they are sooo cutsie and have given me ideas ;)

Then we have some lovely woollen goodness from some Ravelry and Nappycino swaps that I adore ;) I am hoarding them in my stash until I can think of projects worthy of their goodness.

The purple handpainted JJ Montage is not done justice by my poor pic and has gorgeous dark and light purple tones with the black and charcoal. That and the Bendigo Woollen Mills cotton is from swaps with a good friend Sheree ;)

These are from Ravelry swaps. Yum yum including handspun from Val, dyed moda vera in dark blues and purples from Kelebek and the blue/purpley red is from the Camelot Mohair Company. I also have other BWM in Sea-mist, Paprika and natural for dying but don't want too many pics! LOL

oh plus 3 stitchmarkers in another swap session. They also came with a small measuring tape which is floating around my work desk somewhere ;) I have actually begun to feel quite an urge to collect stitchmarkers lately, can you tell?

Last but certainly not least I won a free lottery (yes another one) at Sunshine 'n' Lollipops for a $25 voucher to spend in her store! I was so happy as I have shopped there before for both bubby and myself and coveted a whole heap of other things! ;) So I got myself this lovely Baltic Amber memory wire bracelet to try out to see if they help with my pains, as I swear the necklace I bought bubby has been working for his teething. I also got a little tub of shea butter for dry cracked lips and some bamboo exfoliator soap which so far is doing a great job :)

Hmmm I have some more that I won from the SEWN giveaway to put up but I will wait for them all to arrive first! There are other bits and pieces I have been lucky enough to receive in swaps too but I thought I would show just a few of the yummiest ;)

Fabric Buckets

2009-06-14T21:32:00.008+09:30

I made a couple of fabric buckets today for bubby's room using this tutorial. Using the measurements provided they turn out like the little crocodile one there, so that being a bit teensy I upsized to make on I can use for toys or something :)

The tutorial is very easy to follow and they don't take much time at all to complete. The only thing I should have done was using heavier grade interfacing in the bigger one, but I will know for next time.

SEWN giveaway Winner

2009-06-14T19:57:00.004+09:30

Well I did do my draw, but big apologies as I forgot to write it here!!!

The Winner was MUNCHKIN_MUMMY!!! Congratulations!!!! :)

I have emailed her and all will be sent off soon. Thankyou so much for visiting to all who participated :)

Tzara's Bag

2009-06-07T11:07:00.011+09:30

Well Tzara (DD#2) came down for a visit last week. We hadn't seen her since we went up for her 18th birthday in April and I wanted to do something more than mooching around the house doing the same ole everyday stuff I normally do. So I thought we could do some sewing to get her used to her new Brother machine we bought for her birthday.

Now she started a Tafe course this year so I thought I'd ask her if she wanted a new bag to take her books and things in. All in one place easier to find at home then ;) Of course Tzara being Tzara and loving bags said OF COURSE!! Now I was going to make it for her originally but then thought WOW that would fit in brilliantly with the sewing practice theme thingy!

Now further fitting into my grand plan my favourite Nappy forum was having a sew-along and they had a number of projects you could do, or do all if you wanted to! SO this Simple Six Pocket Bag was one of the projects, which was nice and easy for Tzara to have a go at I thought!!

So over a couple of days as she was popping in and out amongst other activities during her jam packed visit she cut it out and sewed it up. I helped with some of the last bits of sewing and the cornering that give a nice squared off bottom. But it was all her doing and I think it looks great!!!

In our normal fashion though I was doing the last little bit minutes before she was leaving due to last minute visits and plan changes so the photos were rushed and are HORRIBLE! I will have to get her to take some nice ones for me and send them down ;)

Sewn Update

2009-06-07T11:05:00.002+09:30

Sorry This is now closed and will be drawn soon ;)

For all of you looking for the SEWN giveaway please click

Just thought I would be nice and make it a bit easier for you all to find since I joined aaaaagggees ago ;) But please do stop and have a browse through too ;)

Apologies

2009-06-03T23:47:00.002+09:30

To anyone that may have got my swap post in their reader as my formatting went all weird!!!

I have reedited it and republished it so it looks like it was supposed to have originally, but you will probably still have the dorky one!! SORRY!!! stupid gremlins......

Swap Goodness!

2009-06-03T22:13:00.055+09:30

Well I have been very selfishly hiding away my swap parcel that I received on Monday and refused to share with anyone! Not even a peek for hubby!! Nope this was all for me and I was going to enjoy them all by myself for a little while. I was even lucky enough to get it first thing in the morning so noone was around to notice my gleeful grin and hurried stashing away!!

But now it's time to share with you all of my goodies :) I was sooo lucky to receive lots of PURPLE too!! How did they know I was a purple addict? hmmmm...... They are all gorgeous, amazing, inspiring and yummy!!!! It has my mind whirling with all sorts of ideas :)

Now the first 2 piccies show the hairclip travel case from Kylie and a PURPLE and black diary/pen holder from Sarah. I had to have 2 pics of course to show open and closed ;)

We have a PURPLE make-up purse from Kat, a pinky/PURPLE ipod/camera/phone cozy from Bec and a pinky/PURPLE zippered purse from Danielle

And a Knitted washcloth from Leah which I just had to try out before I took a pic of course! oops

3 Handmade cards with envelopes from Jo, Plus just showing of the handmade envelope and note from Cass who mastered the swap

A PURPLE hanging chain from Monica, a brooch from Sophie and a headband from Suzanne

And just because I love this guy a close of the little man that was on the back of the note from Cass. Hee hee actually it reminds me a bit of hubby with the long beard and when he dresses a bit like that when we go bush camping! lolol (sshhhh better not tell him that!)

Thankyou all you lovely ladies!!!! Can we have another one next week???

A Real Hoot!

2009-06-01T12:34:00.011+09:30

Well the time has come to introduce you to the newest member of the clan, Hooty!! Here he is snuggled amongst one of my fabric piles.

I bought this Melly and Me pattern about 2 months or so ago and it has taken me this long to get him done bit by bit. A little bit here and there depending on when I could get some good hand time in, and then teen free, bubby free-ish time to go along with it ;) It was a very easy pattern to follow, and I must say not as difficult as I had imagined to piece together.

I'm quite pleased with the results. My first time doing hand button stitch and I guess my first really full on softie :) I just need to do his eye, but I am thinking of an alternative to the embroidery knot! lol

What do you think?

Another Giveaway!

2009-05-29T13:26:00.005+09:30

hhhmmm yes this giveaway deal gets a bit addictive..... and time consuming might I add! I'm glad it only goes for another couple of days or nothing will get done around here.

Check out this cool blog glitter, vinyl and thread and her fabulous giveaway! I love the eyeball she received (yep you have to look now!) and who new vinyl could look so cool?!

The Stitchin Chicken has a great giveaway too and has a really great site too so make sure you have a browse ;)

Follow me if you Dare!

2009-05-27T15:01:00.003+09:30

I decided that I would embarrass myself and add the follow me gadget to my blog just in case anyone felt the urge.

Anyone up for following some silly, random and sometimes desperate blogging? ;) Just click my button!!

Giveaways Galore!!!

2009-05-26T23:51:00.011+09:30

Make sure you check out the fantastic giveaways going on about the place today that some amazing crafters have going. As I find them I might be nice enough to add them on to this post, after all one must share the crafting love :)

Just make sure you check out their blogs and seem some truly awesome work that has been going on lately! Some are joining in on the SEWN launch, some part of the SewMamaSew giveaway day, and other might just be random ;)

On edward and lilly they have the cutest brooches and fabric, Raglan Guld are giving away some fishermans pants or some of your own pattern, Konstant Kaos have a gorgeous little purse they are giving away, BrisStyle have a gorgeous hatbox full of vintage goodies featured, ;) Sew-Fantastic is giving away gift vouchers to her Etsy store

Button Swap

2009-05-22T08:45:00.010+09:30

Well another first for me, life seems to be full of them lately :) I will be taking part in my first ever Button Swap!!! Only a true button lover like myself will know the joy and excitement that that brings :D

This little quirk of my personality (sounds better than weirdness) was brought about by my late Nana. xx She had a HUGE jar of buttons that I would just love to sit and play with when I was little while she was sewing. I would pick out individual ones to have a closer look at, group colours and sizes, or even just pick up handfuls and let them slide smoothly between my fingers!

Anyway needless to say I now have my OWN button jar and yes it is also HUGE!! I guess while we're spilling secrets I will also admit that I have been known to sit here gazing at my button jar which is proudly displayed on top of my desk, instead of actually doing something!!

Apicture of said jar you say? Hmmmmm maybe one day..... ;)

Now this Button Swap is being hosted by the lovely Mellissa at Wondermommy. You can also just click on my Button Swap button on my side bar. Another button!! HaHa :D

Giveaway

2009-05-21T12:10:00.001+09:30

Oh My Gosh 3 posts in one day!!

Check out this great giveaway at Jet Designs celebrating her 100th post!! YAY ;)

My new Passion

2009-05-21T11:31:00.010+09:30

My new passion is Spinning! I have been wanting to do this ever since I was a kid, which is quite a while really, but we won't go into that...

I aquired an upright wheel quite a few years ago and had a little bit of a go (like a few spins) , but then life took over and we also moved oto a tiny place so the wheel was left in storage a long way away from where I am at the moment. Recently hubby picked one up for me from the local Lions Auction which received much jumping up and down and squealing by me when I saw it ;)

So I took her (yes she's a girl) down to my local spinning store and had her assessed. It seems she is an Ashford from the early 70's (like me) nice and straight in great condition. We put new hooks on her, a new drive band, a new brake band, a bit of oil and hey presto she was ready to roll or spin really ;)

So I have done a bit of spinning and so far I think I suck! Ok maybe not suck but a lot more practice is needed which I haven't been able to do much of lately. I have stopped overspinning as much now, but I think I am drafting too much fleece at once instead! lol So a great excuse to buy lots of gorgeous fleece :)

So here are a couple of pics of the wheel an, my little basket of merino fleece and 2 bobbins I have spun :D

maybe I need to take some artier pics.....

Paying it Foward

2009-05-21T11:18:00.001+09:30

Creative people are adventurous!

If you would like to participate, please send me a comment and the first five people will receive something from me in the mail.Here are the rules, and happy posting!This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. This is an adventure!
2. What I create will be just for you with love and good wishes. It will be made of actual materials, not of cyberspace.
3. It will be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be!
5. In return, all you need to do is cut and paste this text on your Blog (from "Creative People are..." and create Five things for the first 5 people to respond to your post.
6. Send your mailing address after I contact you.
IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if you do not post on your own blog to pay this forward.

Come on, what are you waiting for?

SEWN

2009-05-19T20:14:00.008+09:30

Sorry This is now closed and will be drawn soon ;)

OOOPPPSSS!!!

I just realised I have told you about the little button on my blog for Sewn! Naughty me!! It is a new sewing(obviously) site that is opening up for Australia as well as across the world. So exciting hey?! Here's a little quote from their announcement site.

The website will have just about everything you can think of that you would want
online as a sewer. There are forums, online advice from industry experts,
conversion charts, colour wheels, free patterns and class listings. There will
be interviews with all your favourite designers, quilters, patterns makers and
authors. There will be tutorials with me and with other sewers from here and
overseas, podcasts and coverage from shows and articles about all maner of
exciting things.

SEWN are having a giveway bonanza where people with a blog can sign up to participate by having a giveaway of their own too. As my part of this cool little giveaway I will be offering a surprise package!! Ooh what crafty goodness will be in it? How many crafty things will it contain? How big will it be? Well you will just leave a comment at the end of this post to enter my draw and hope you win to find out ;)

Draw will be made on June 8.....

Cord Flares

2009-05-19T20:10:00.002+09:30

Well I finally got the little cord flares of to the ever patient mama today and guess what? I forgot to take pics!!!! duh me :( I was so eager to get them in the mail and on their way I just didn't get to it. Plus a sore teething bub certainly didn't help the brain much either!

Hopefully I can get her to take me some pics when she gets them :) Anyway I was very happy with the way they turned out. Hubby not so keen on putting some on our bubby though the spoilsport! LOL

Some Little Projects

2009-05-15T12:11:00.011+09:30

Since I haven't been blogging much lately I thought I should put up a few pics of what I have been doing lately. I haven't actually been getting much done at all other than bits and bobs that I can fit around an extremely independent bubby! ;)

I have been crocheting some longies for a lovely lady that are taking me a lot longer than I expected due to some health issues. In fact these are my first pair of longies ever!! I have always wanted to make some, so what better way than to dive in head first and do some. I have been using a pattern called Little Fire Crochet pants and just extending the legs to the right length. I think they look pretty cool ;)

I have also finally begun on a making a pair of flares for a wonderful friends little boy. I couldn't find a pattern so I had to make one up as I went(of course). Not wanting to waste nice material I made up a test pair out of calico for her to see what they look like. Luckily for me she loves them!! :D So now just to make them up out of some gorgeous orange cord she sent over just for the job. I might have to add in a little surprise just for her patience ;)

Swap Creations

2009-05-12T18:57:00.013+09:30

Well I signed myself up to a little Aussie craft swap going at Snailblazer a couple of weeks back which is very exciting! I completed my 10 projects and posted them to our crafty co-ordinator at the end of last week along with 33 other people!! Her path will certainly be well worn by her postie ;)

So soon she will be putting 10 little pieces of crafty goodness into our provided postpak bags and sending them home to us. I can't wait till my parcel arrives, it's better than Christmas I think ;) To think there have been all of these other women busily crafting away at the same time as me with the same purpose in mind is pretty cool. It also gave me a chance to have a go at something I have been thinking about making for a market stall that I might have one day......

No piccies yet of what I've done until after the parcels arrive, just incase anyone is doing some peeking onto other blogs! lol

Pay It Forward :)

2009-04-27T19:58:00.003+09:30

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in…What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going.(just cut and paste this one if you like!, which I did)
Who wants something from me then?

CarSeat strap covers

2009-04-24T12:17:00.008+09:30

We have to drive for 5 hours to go up to Tzara's 18th birthday tomorrow, so I decided I have no choice but to finally get off my butt and make some carseat strap covers for Kai. Hmmm how long have I been meaning to do them? Well we won't discuss that! lol

So in my normal sewing way I made up a pattern and just did it. I used some Minky I got of the lovely Maz and used an old flanelette nappy for the padding. They look quite cool I think :D

Wooly Quilt Conversion

2009-04-07T01:51:00.010+09:30

oooh another post! lol

Well it has gotten cold very quickly here lately which has been a bit of a shock to the system for all of us to say the least :( And of course in true male fashion bubby has decided he does NOT like being in his sleeping bag anymore as he can't roll over the way he wants to. So of course this means that my boy has been uncovering himself with his wiggling around and getting cold and waking up mummy all night which equates to a very tired mummy. Of course the teething wouldn't be helping that either :(

Anyway I decided that bubby needed a woollen doona just like mummy and daddy to keep him nice and cosy. I use ours all year round and wouldn't be witout it. I checked out the woollen cot size quilts and underlays and WOW what a nice price were they?! lol So me in my true penny pinching fashion had a plan :D I went a found a good medium weight single bed wool quilt. I measured the width and length of bubbys cot then lopped off the appropriate size off the bottom of the quilt to make his underlay!! Then I hemmed and bound the two cut ends to make it nice and tidy. Next Ioverlocked a flannel and a cotton sheet together to make a quick and easy reversible cover! I di want to simply overlock off the top of a single bed cover but didn't have an appropriate one to sacrifice.

Sure it is a little wide and long for the cot, but that means I have some nice tuckinables to make sure it does float all around the cot. Plus it will be a good size for when he goes into a toddler bed :D Coincidentally it is going down to 12 degrees tonight so is getting it's first test run already! ;)

First Sewing for Aaaaaaggggeeeesss!

2009-04-07T01:34:00.012+09:30

Yes well my darling hubby went up picked up my machine from the sewing machine hospital on Wednesday for me after a very extended sickness! YAY!! xx :D Unfortunately for me due to a VERY clingy teething and sick bubby I couldn't go near her till the weekend and to be honest had discovered my sewing motivation had vanished while she was away! :( So I thought rather than tackle some of the projects I have been hanging to do, and would be very upset with if I stuffed them up, I would do this little project to try and get my Mojo back.

SO here is Mr Legs, coz as you can see he is all legs!! lol He appeared in the Handmade Magazine and as hubby is obsessed with froggy and reptile pursuits I though I should do him for bubby.

He had a belt with loops in the mag and button eyes sewn on too instead of the felt black pupils, but I didn't want any bits and bobs bubby could rip off and swallow or choke on. And yes when I look at him all I see is where I should have lined his torso material up so the circles were evenly spread out, and the wonky sewing where I was rushing to finish him as bubby woke up but oh well bubby loves him as you can see. He was right in the middle of spitting all his water from his sippy cup onto his jumper (which he finds hilarious!) when he spotted me snipping my last thread on him and snatched him away! lol

What more could a girl want?!

Long time No see!!

2009-03-23T15:17:00.002+10:30

Yes it's been a while since I've been on, but thats because I have been busy checking out some of the wonderful blogs around the place while waiting to get my sewing machine serviced. Good excuse hey? ;)

Go and checkout this cool blog An Exploration of Creativity and enter their latest giveaway while your there! :)

Be back soon after doing something hopefully! lol

Catching Up

2009-02-09T19:06:00.002+10:30

Well I guess the advantage of having a sewing machine out of action is that you're forced to complete other non-sewing projects! lol As a result I finally finished off the MIL's knee blanket I've had sitting there for ages, done some other small mending jobs and begun organising different bits and pieces ready to dye or marble.

Waaaaaaaahhhhhhh

2009-01-26T16:56:00.000+10:30

My sewing machine is skipping stitches!! It's typical isn't it, half way through a project and boom deprived! lol I diagnosed it down to my needle thread tensioner playing up. It keeps tightening hard when sewing so I think it needs a clean out and of course I can't get to it without taking the front cover off, which is turning out to be a bit tricky so far :( I have to pop off a cover plate, but don't want to break the lugs....

I had finally got around to giving applique a go and am loving the results so far. I was just to sew around the edges when I had a test sew to see how the edges look. I'm very glad because I had ended up doing a 2nd tester because my first tester looked so good I didn't want to mess it up ;) So the test sew ended up being a great idea as the stitches look horrible at the moment. Here is my first tester before sewing.

I had cut out a few basic shapes to sew with, which then transformed into a shape mat in my mind, which explains my impatience to do more. The first tester were 2 shapes I had cut out before I remembered the backing was supposed to be ironed on first. So I ironed that on with baking paper to absorb the glue from the excess paper then cut it off. I think it looks really good :) I think Tzara would like it too so I might use it to turn into a little bag for her once I have actuallly sewed it!

Catchup

2009-01-22T00:18:00.000+10:30

Well I have been busy doing lots of this's and thats but not really acheiving an awful lot.

I've done some crochet on the knee blanket and also a tester sunhat for another crocheter.
Been fiddling around with the nappy design I have been playing with which has been fun.
Getting some felt together to make a doughnut.
Eyeing off fabric paint to do some marbling from this great book I found.
Making a few more boosters and flannels.
Generally wondering how many more hours I can squeeze out of my day!! :)

I am making the commitment to get a project together the night before so I can start first thing in the morning when bubby is asleep instead of playing too much at night when my eyes are too tired and my temper is a bit shorter!! My spare time during bubby's naps is been taken up with helping hubby with setting up the garden though that will be finished soon which will help.

I have though managed to add a few more choice fabrics to my stash....just need the time and commitment to do something with them :)

More Curtains!

2009-01-12T23:11:00.000+10:30

Well due to the fact that we are going to have 41 here tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to actually make the blackout curtains for the kitchen. This window gets all the afternoon sun, so even though we now have the exterior shade blind, we definitely need some good curtains for this summer. So I cut and hemmed up some long apricot ones I got from Freecycle. They look great as amazingly they match the colour of the kitchen cupboards!Yay!! The kitchen looks bigger now too as the curtains that were there had dark, busy patterns on them. So all in all cost nothing but time and look great :D

Taggy

2009-01-10T00:24:00.000+10:30

I have been wanting to make a taggy for a while and when I got this skull flannelette I knew that it would be for one side. I wanted Minkee for the other side but couldn't find any, so ended up using this star cotton print I bought the other day. I enjoyed getting some extra ribbons for it, and as you can see ended up going a bit silly and have 19 ribbons on there!! :P Was 20 but changed my mind on #20 so snipped it off. Plus then I guess it follows my penchant for having what I make a little bit different.

Anyway I am pleased with the way it came out in the end, though maybe I will do shorter ribbons next time. As you can see by the creases he has used it quite a bit already. I had to wait for him to be in bed to take some pics! :)

Boosters and flannels

2009-01-08T01:33:00.000+10:30

I have finally gotten around to making some towelling boosters for bubbies nappies out of some terry nappies. Simple I know, but easy to procrastinate over! I also made a couple of the big flannels that deano likes to use for bathing bubby. I used terries for these also and might use a couple of them to test out some dting that I have wanted to do for ages.

I also got some nice quilters cotton today. Some whites stars on black background, and the reverse with black stars on white background. I will use a little as the backing for a taggy I want to make bubby, and the rest maybe for a quilt.

I have been doing things!

2009-01-03T00:09:00.000+10:30

Well I must admit I don't have anything finished, but I do have quite a few projects on the go as usual! I go through my patterns looking for something in particular, then end up finding something else as well! lol Plus there is still my knee blanket to finish......

Anyway to start off with here is some Magic Cupcakes as I call them which I made with the recipe I got from Lesley on her blog. Mmmmmm yummy! All gluten free as I used my flour instead of standard which is even better because I can eat them!!!

Now here are the cutout nappy covers awaiting me to do some more work on.I just want to compare them to the fluffies I am turning into pockets with the boosters I have made so I know the size is right.....

And here is the test shirt I am making for bubby, it is the first shirt I have ever made. Thats why I have done it in this yellow flower printed material so I am not wasting my favourite patterns in case I don't like it! lol I also have another shirt pattern to try out too. Cut out and ready to chose the material for that one.

I have also been doing some wrapping practice with my new Didymos, which I just love!! :D I bought it from Beth on BWDU and it's the first wrap I have ever owned. I normally use carriers.

Fabric Stash

2008-12-28T20:05:00.001+10:30

Well yesterday Spotlight had their 20% off everything sale, so I trotted down to have a peek at their fabric on offer so I could spend the $30 voucher hubby got me for Xmas. Being the type to spend as minimally as possible (read miser here) I headed straight for the clearance shelves to see what I could dig out. I ended up very pleased as all the ones I dragged out were 50% off the marked price for the sale day only, plus then I got a further 20% off!! BARGAIN! Here is what I brought home with me.

Some cute little bees on green check and also on some white cotton to make some light shirts. Some checked flannel to make a long sleeve flannelette shirt like dad, some paw print flannel and "trouble" patterned material (can't think of type!)

There was this lovely blue microfleece too which I bought 2 meters of to make bubby a dressing gown for next winter and some nappy liners. Also some gorgeous flannel with skulls and stars on it for pj's and maybe some cot sheets and whatever else I think of. I ended up with 6 metres of this as it ended up being only $ 1-60 per metre!! (Plus mainly because I just love it! lol)

And as an added bonus, just because he is so cute a pic of bubby with his new sunnies on that he got for Xmas.

Merry Boxing Day!!

2008-12-27T00:59:00.000+10:30

Yes well I was going to pop in yesterday to wish everyone a Merry Xmas but oh well I got side tracked as usual :) In all it was a great day as there was NO fighting whatsoever form the kids! OMG!!! First Xmas ever which was just fantastic :)

Ok so what have i been up to otherwise? Ummmmm. Hmmm running around organising Xmas and looking after bubby whose toothy has popped up twice and disappeared again has restricted my craftiness quite a bit really. I did however get a chance to put together 2 Xmas bibs at the last minute. One of the 50's pattern I liked and a copy of the big plastic one I bought from Big W. I was going to use satin bias binding for the edge, but ended up overlocking to save time while hubby distracted bubby for me :)

Mai Tei, overlocker and birthday crafts

2008-12-21T00:12:00.000+10:30

Well I finally finished my DIY Mei Tai a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had a chance to post it till now as I had mum, brother and sister in law over for a week which was great :)

So here it is!! As usual I have not been very adventurous with my fabric choice! :) The check, denim inner and padding was all offcut material in my stash. The drill I bought especially. I used the Scandi Mei Tai tutorial from here.

A better look at the sleep hood. Nicely pattern matched too which was worth the extra bit of effort I think.

It works great. The other night when bubby wouldn't sleep coz of teething etc was out like a light after being in for only a minute or two!! I thought I had suffocated him or something! lol

And of course I have to show off my nice new overlocker Deano got for my birthday :) What a sweetie! He got it all by himself without me even guessing, which is what usually happens. It is a Brother 3034D. It runs beeeeeaaauuuuutifully to say the least.

Also I got some spotlight vouchers for my birthday so here is the first lot of stuff I have bought. I also got a rotary cutter from the MIL.

Recital Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-04T13:31:00.000+10:30

Recital Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Scribble It GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-04T12:40:00.000+10:30

Scribble It GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ashlee's Bag

2008-11-30T01:03:00.001+10:30

Here is a pic of Ashlee's favourite bag that I revamped. She uses this everyday for school so it was kinda worn out. I knew I had to fix it when she dumped it on my lap with a strap that had finally broken off!!! So after 2 soaks in napisan,I took of the strap remains and the old holey front pocket. I cut up a pair of denim jeans that were laying around and used it to put on a nice new pocket. Ithen doubled over a long length and stitched it through the middle to make a nice new strong strap. A couple of small holes were darned over as a finishing touch. She was very happy with it and glad to have it back. She thougth I would throw it in the bin. :)

Ongoing Project

2008-11-30T00:59:00.000+10:30

Well this is a knee blanket that I was supposed to start when I was about 8 months pregnant. Yep that was only 5 months ago now Anyway I finally made a start on it about 2 weeks ago and have been doing little bits here and there when I can fit it in, or I get the urge. It is a request by Deans mum, after she saw the baby one I made for bubba when I was pregnant. Maybe it is taking me a while as I don't like Pink!! lol So I will add a pic of it in it's deplorably tiny state just to make me feel guilty.....

Some things to start

2008-11-30T00:51:00.000+10:30

So I thought I would post about the little things that I have managed to get done while Dean was away making our place in the Riverland bushfire unfriendly. I finally got around to mending two of Deans pairs of pants. He is notorious for creating holes in his clothes. Worse than a kid really :)
I also mended a flannelette shirt with Koala tears in it. Yup you guessed it Dean's again. This particular time he was rescuing a koala on the side of the road that had been hit by a car. We have a nice piccy of it sitting on the car seat which I might add just for effect :)

Last on the list that I finished at 1-30am tonight was hemming the new lace curtain for the loungeroom. The dogs had managed to shred the bottom of the last one while sitting on the back of the chair (where they're not supposed to be) looking out for their darling Deano to get home whenever he has escaped. So I found this one lurking in my linen cupboard a hemmed it to fit. Voila!

First Ever Post!!

2008-11-30T00:48:00.000+10:30

Why do I need a blog do you ask?

Well, I decided that I wanted a visual record on what I have been up to craft wise and decided this was the perfect way :) Plus then it would be a bit of an incentive to get things done instead of just thinking about it! lol So here goes and we'll see what I get up to.....