Archive for February, 2009
Saturday, 28 February, 2009 at 9:54 am
· Filed under fabric stash, patchwork, planned projects, quilting
The lovely people at Sew, Mama, Sew! have just interviewed me about my fabric stash – you can read it here. I think that I may have given away too much information about the size of my stash…
Speaking of fabric stashes, I visited the Australasian Quilt Convention with my Mum and Stella on Thursday morning. Wow – so much fabric, and so many beautiful quilts! I didn’t add to my fabric stash, but Mum bought a Japanese fabric quilt top kit and a fabric panel from Serenity Glen Patchworx. I find that I get completely overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of craft fairs and usually don’t buy anything! I prefer a more subdued shopping experience, where I don’t have women glaring at me for having the termerity to take a toddler in a pusher along. I did buy a few hanks of ric-rac, but that was it! However, I admired the fabrics and kits and quilts at a number of stalls. To me, the stand-out retailers were Ballarat Patchwork, Margaret’s Fabrics, Patchwork wtih Gail B and Quilter’s Barn. Emma of Ballarat Patchwork gets a special mention for having a chat to Stella in her pusher! All of these retailers had particularly nice displays and their fabric and quilt ranges really appealed to me. One highlight of the Convention was having the opportunity to examine Kellie’s amazing quilt at the Australian Homespun and Quilter’s Companion stand. The pattern is being published in the next issue of Homespun, and it is incredibly beautiful. So much detailed flower applique, intricate quilting, and the colour combinations are delightful. Another highlight was seeing Jodie’s kinder boys and kinder girls patterns (and the dolls) in real life at the Ballarat Patchwork stand – I wouldn’t be surprised if they sell out before the show in a fortnight Jodie!
Sheridan of Chaletgirl is starting a Block Swap – details are here. It sounds like fun and is quite do-able in terms of time commitment – so head on over and sign up!
Hubby is out at the supermarket with the kids this morning, so I’d better take the opportunity to have a shower in peace before they return and the silence is shattered. Adieu!
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Friday, 27 February, 2009 at 11:00 am
· Filed under crochet, vintage crochet
The outfit on the left is all crocheted; the one on the right is knitted with crochet sleeves and trim. I love the styling and I’d definitely wear the crocheted outfit – once I figure out what to wear underneath all that lace to preserve my modesty. And I’d like the hairdo too.
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Thursday, 26 February, 2009 at 2:16 pm
· Filed under crochet, sewing, tutorials
There has just been a tutorial for a crochet project roll posted over here on the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog - and it’s written by me!
I have used a few different crochet hook roll and knitting needle roll tutorials in the past, and for this one I have taken all the bits that work well for me and combined them together into my own design (I doubt that I have reinvented the wheel). This roll has been in use for a couple of weeks now, and I love it!
The exterior fabric (the golden raindrops) is designed and hand printed by Lara Cameron and is available from Ink and Spindle. The binding fabric and interior lining fabric are from the “Every Iota” range for Robert Kaufman (prints D#6603 and D#6604), which I suspect are a couple of seasons old by now. Aren’t they great!
So go on over and check out my tutorial - or if you’ve come here from there, a big hello and welcome!
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Wednesday, 25 February, 2009 at 7:59 pm
· Filed under vintage crochet, vintage patterns
When one of my friends was on holidays in Tasmania recently, she checked out some op-shops. And thought of me!
More vintage sewing patterns! I particularly love the one in the top left corner – I’ll definitely make that for Stella. But that’s not all:
Vintage crochet patterns! My friends know me so well.
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Sunday, 22 February, 2009 at 10:40 am
· Filed under Sunday Stash, fabric stash, patchwork, planned projects, quilting
My most recent purchase from Sew, Mama, Sew! was this little pile of beautiful quilting fabric. 
I am planning on either making coordinating quilts or doona covers for Clare’s and Stella’s beds. Stella is still in a cot, so I have plenty of time to get hers done (lucky for me). Clare helped me to choose the fabrics. She wanted bright and happy.
They are from a few fabric ranges (now this will test my memory) – Anna Maria Horner’s latest line, Good Folks; Heather Bailey’s Pop Garden and Bijoux lines; Melissa Averinos’ Sugar Snap line, and maybe that is it? The hard part now is to work out what piecing designs to use. I want to do each one in the same fabrics, but pieced differently. This is definitely a long-term project. Thanks again Tamara for hosting Sunday Stash!
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Friday, 20 February, 2009 at 7:25 am
· Filed under crochet, vintage crochet
What a great jacket! Texture, subtle detailing, gorgeous crocheted buttons and tailored shaping. And it’s pink. What’s not to love! Maybe the gloves and hat.
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Thursday, 19 February, 2009 at 8:49 pm
· Filed under bags, sewing
Inbetween organising sewing bees and preparing for Stitches and Craft, Nikki has been working on a new pattern, the Laptop Bag. Here’s my test sewn version!
It is quite difficult to photograph bags covered in PVC effectively - too many reflections. Here’s another view:
This bag has a hard structured base with purse feet, and under the front flap there is a pocket. The flap closes with velcro.
Inside the bag is an expandable pocket with flap on one side, and a divided pocket on the other.
I’ve added a key leash (as always!) and the adjustable webbing strap has a shoulder pad. The pattern also has instructions for making a laptop sleeve.
Another great pattern from Nicole Mallalieu Design! I’m not sure what difficulty rating Nikki has given this one, but I reckon that most intermediate sewers could make it with a little patience. This bag is a good size because even if you don’t have a laptop it fits folders nicely (or lots of other stuff, which I always seem to have).
The gorgeous green fabric was a gift from Kirsty and the interior fabrics were a mixture from my stash (I can’t even remember where some of them came from). I bought the PVC at Spotlight – it’s with the tablecloths – and the bias binding was purchased satin binding. Thanks again Nikki for the fun of testing out the pattern!
Edited to add: Nikki has a giveaway on her blog to win a copy of this pattern – go over here to enter and to check out her incredible versions of the bag.
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Monday, 16 February, 2009 at 8:57 pm
· Filed under miscellaneous, planned projects, quilting, work in progress
I’ve been working on a test-sewing project which has taught me a whole lot of new skills! Until I can post about it properly, here’s a sneak peek:
Free-motion machine quilting! I’ve NEVER done anything like it before, but tracked down a foot that would fit my 20-year-old machine and just went for it. Lots and lots of fun! Lots and lots of improvement needed (I have Kellie to inspire me with her astoundingly beautiful quilting) but I’m glad I’ve given it a go.
My computer is having apoplexy at the moment and is crashing constantly, so it is about to head off to Henry the computer guru for a checkup. The blog may be quiet for a short while. While I’m computerless I’ll be whipping up some bags for rainbow comfort packs, finding some recipes, collecting a few supplies to re-stash a crafter, and crocheting beanies in the long-term. There are loads of suggestions for other things you can do here.
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Sunday, 15 February, 2009 at 10:59 pm
· Filed under Sunday Stash, fabric stash
After seeing this gorgeous dress made from Alexander Henry’s Sprites of Tillbrook fabric, I was compelled to add some to my stash.
I bought it here, but I’ve also seen it at GJ’s Discount Fabrics in Lygon Street (for those of you in Melbourne). Clare was overcome with joy from the moment she spotted it, and I’ve been listening to a regular refrain of “when are you making my dress, when are you making my dress” ever since.
It’s such a sweet design, I can hardly bear to cut into it. Thanks again Tamara for spreading fabric love with Sunday Stash.
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Saturday, 14 February, 2009 at 2:41 pm
· Filed under miscellaneous
Yesterday was our tenth wedding anniversary. Hubby arranged a secret celebration. He organised for my parents to come down from the country to look after the kids, then to have the two of us dropped off at a landing beside the Yarra River. A few moments later a friend (best man at our wedding) arrived in a little boat with champagne, dip and snacks, and off we went on a cruise down the river.
We took in the sights of the City from the prime position of the river, and eventually disembarked at Southgate to go and enjoy a beautiful Italian meal, then stayed overnight in the city. We didn’t get home until lunchtime today.
Thanks so much hubby (and the Captain) for arranging such a fabulous surprise! It was a wonderful night. We’ve never had an evening out like it before. The last ten years have flown by. I posted a wedding photo last year, and all the same sentiments apply – I love you and I’m so glad that you are my husband and the wonderful father of our beautiful girls.
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