Friday, May 27, 2011

Around the Block

I have been sewing a bit this past week.  It feels good to be making progress.

Two blocks for Louise who asked for whirly/star blocks to make a red, blue and white quilt for her son. 


I really like the block in front, so was upset when it ended up too small.  I have sent it back as it is in the hopes Louise can use it somehow, maybe in the back or in a cushion...  Sigh.  I hope this is ok as Louise had said one block would be fine and the block to the back is ok.

I also finished the second block for Kate.  I don't know why I put this off as it was pretty quick and simple to put together.  I just had some strange idea that I should catch up with the other blocks before sewing the second/optional block together.


I now only have two lots of blocks to sew for Around the Block 2 and then I will be finished.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

My Creative Space ~ Milo


Another one off the needles!  A Milo Vest in size 2 for the small boy, although the girl has worn it too given they are the same size and share a lot of stuff.

The Milo vest turns 2 this month (happy birthday!) so to celebrate Tikki is having a knit a long in her Ravelry group.  I may be a bit late in telling you about this KAL, but the Milo is such a quick knit you really do still have time if you would like to join in.  There are some wonderful versions of this patterns popping up!

I am almost silly excited as Tikki had a space available on her testing team.  I jumped at the chance as I do love her patterns a lot.  I may be busy knitting for awhile as the only spot left was for a 26inch chest, Possum in a 21inch so she will grow in to it one day!  Thankfully a friend has a child the right size to let me test fit (Thanks Ellie!).  And I have been good lately, but this naturally meant I had to order more wool.  I had next to nothing left in 8ply.  I hope Bendigo posts quickly!


More creative spaces here.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Around the Block ~ Rachel


Two scrappy butterfly blocks for Rachel.
Rachel has blogged the tutorial for this block if you want to give it a try.

I must confess to french knot fail on the antennae ends, and one block will require a scant 1/4 inch seam as it is slightly smaller than it should be.  Other than those two (small?) things I really like these two blocks!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Flea Market Finds #7


Another bag because I can't say no to an old bag of any kind.
Another $1 bargain to add to my Flea Market Finds.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Around the Block ~ Kate


I was a bit behind in my Around the Block sewing, so to avoid Sheridan having to get cross with me I whipped up this Mosaic Block for Kate using this tutorial as requested.

I really like this block and have plans to use it for myself one of these days.  Given it used 5" squares cut in half on the diagonal it would be a great scrappy quilt option to use up the small bits of everything you love.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Grateful for Playtime

I had time to sit in the orchard with my camera and watch the children play.  They chased the calf, chased the dog, and chased the ball.  I am grateful that I can quietly watch them play and share in their fun, grateful that I am at home with them and this time is ours.




 

It is dry here.  I would also be grateful for rain.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Cupcake Dress

Because as soon as I confessed to sewing failure I had the urge to sew!


This is the cupcake dress from the Make it Perfect book.

The pattern was simple and very quick.  Even better is knowing that for the first time I used my new overlocker to finish all the seams properly so I know this dress is well made.  I have not had much of a play with the overlocker yet so it was fun (and a bit frightening!) to use it for proper sewing.

A great way to dress up a cheap t-shirt into a comfy and stylish girls dress.  I will make this again!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Confessions of sewing failure...

I had said awhile back that my next post would be sewing related.  I even had fabric out and ready to go...  Then it all went pear shaped and I discovered a complete lack of motivation for sewing.  Perhaps I can blame the cold snap?

So, sewing was a fail, but I have been knitting!


A beanie for a friend who could not find a nice one for her little girl.  I made this pattern up and used scrap wool too.


A bedtime stocking cap for a newborn nephew.  I have been promised a photo on the baby soon, but I used teddy as a stand in when I finished so I could have a look.

This is an Amanda Keeys pattern from her book.  I have knit a lot of the patterns in this book and have liked them all.


Last but not least, a cowl for Possum.  This fits me as a less slouchy cowl so I have claimed it as my own.  perhaps I should knit Possum another as a replacement...

This was a test knit for Amanda Keeys and is not yet released, but keep an eye on her blog for it as it is a great addition to a toddler's (or my own) wardrobe.

And that has me up to date again.  Sewing is still on the agenda, but I am holding no promises at this point ;)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Christening ~ Part 3

The small Church just up the road where the service was held. I love that this Church still opens it's doors once a month. Beautiful!


And a photo taken during the service, as well as a shot of the Sunday School craft action after the main service.

Christening ~ Part 2

A Christening is a great excuse to dress up and take some photos.


Both children looked wonderful dressed in their Christening clothes. I would have liked to have them in the family Christening gown but I left my run a bit late!

They had fun too.

A rare photo of the four of us, I may have to get this one framed.

And in case you were wondering why this is part 2, I decided showed off the cake I baked and decorated in the last post. It was pretty good (if i do say so myself!).

edit: Yes, it is a Polly Pratt dress. I love it a lot!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Christening Cake


I baked a fruit cake (for the first time!) and then we iced it ourselves.
I bought some ribbon and a porcelain figurine from the local Christian Bookshop to act as a cake topper and I had some silver paper upstairs that I used to cover a cutting board to act as a cake board in the short term.

One Christening Cake on a budget, and it looks pretty good too!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

A Dream.

Last night we watched an episode of Grand Designs where a couple sold everything in the UK and bought a chalet in a remote part of France.  They spoke no French when they started and they worked on the house themselves learning as they went.

They had fun, the country was beautiful and I fell in love with the very idea of it. 

One can dream!

I told the Mr. I was going to start learning French, just in case... 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Professional Photos


I gave my children to Amanda Keeys for a photo shoot for an upcoming magazine publication.  How lucky am I to have the chance to have a professional photographer take photos of my babies!

I hope she wants to borrow the children again one day, I had a lot of fun watching Amanda work.

There are more photos here

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Holiday Snaps





The Mr's folks left this morning.  They were here for two weeks which was lovely.  We got a lot done, and it wasn't all work, we got out and about too.  The Mr goes back to work in the morning and things will slowly get back to normal around here.

I have a lot to catch up on :)