Archive for August, 2009
Sunday, 30 August, 2009 at 9:45 am
· Filed under bags, sewing
Beautiful cousin Freya is going overseas on Thursday for a month’s holiday with her family. Lucky Freya! I promised months ago that I’d make her a bag to take that would fit everything she needs for a day out when travelling. Like many mums she ends up carrying her stuff and all her kid’s stuff, so she needed a bag that was a decent size with some good pockets for passports etc but she didn’t want a daypack. Our European backpacking days are well and truly over! I finished this bag on Friday evening.
The pattern is the Laptop Bag from Nicole Mallalieu Design. The outer fabric is vintage upholstery fabric provided by Freya – she has a whole bolt! The lining is a Robert Kaufman toile bought a couple of years ago, and all the interfacings, webbing, buckles and purse feet also come from Nicole. The clear PVC on the front flap is from Spotlight – you can find it with the tablecloth vinyls that are cut to measure.
The front flap has an adjustable velcro closure, which is extremely handy when you’re travelling. Hard for pickpockets to open silently, and you can close the bag no matter how much crap stuff you have crammed into it. There is a front pocket which is a handy place to slip things that you need easy access to, like boarding passes.
The inside of the bag has a key leash, an expanding pocket with velcro flap closure on one side, and a triple compartment pocket all along the other side.
The strap is adjustable so the bag can be worn on one shoulder or across the body and has a padded shoulder “thing” (what ARE those called?) to make it more comfortable. I love that fabric – and it’s shown off so well on the back of the bag! The structured base keeps it strong and sturdy, and the purse feet offer protection.
I’m having morning tea with Freya on Tuesday and will be presenting her with the bag then. I hope that it ticks all the right boxes!
Permalink
Sunday, 30 August, 2009 at 9:31 am
· Filed under Sunday Stash, fabric stash
Thanks to Tamara I am STILL posting Sunday Stash! This week I have some dress-weight cotton sateen bought for $2 per metre from Darn Cheap Fabrics.
I’m not sure yet of what this is destined to become. Something for me, but what? From a distance this looks like birds with pointy beaks. And before I make anything for summer I need to lose some weight – it’s been gradually creeping on over the past year and my always-present pot belly has increased to resemble a 5 month pregnant stomach (I’m not kidding – people are presuming that I’m pregnant again, and I’m definitely not!) Time to knock off the chocolate and wine and possibly even do some exercise! Dammit, I love my choccy and wine….
Permalink
Friday, 28 August, 2009 at 10:21 am
· Filed under vintage crochet
This photo could do with a caption too – many thanks to those who contributed a smile and a giggle to last week’s photo!
As usual, Clare would like one – she prefers the dress on the left. I think that there aren’t enough hours in the day even if I crocheted all day every day to complete everything she’s asked for.
Permalink
Tuesday, 25 August, 2009 at 7:40 pm
· Filed under 2009 CAL afghan, crochet
This month’s Ravelry CAL squares weren’t all that inspiring – or perhaps I’ve just been in a fabric mood instead of a yarn mood – and it’s taken me until almost the end of the month to do them. The Craftster square is the Popin’ Square - essentially lots of dc, some chain spaces, and popcorn stitches. I hadn’t done popcorns before, so at least I learned something new!
So many people had trouble with the Ravelry 12 inch square that I decided to do the 6 inch square instead and make it larger. I’m glad that I did. The pattern is the Jupiter Granny Square.
Both squares are worked in Cleckheaton Vintage Hues, with a 6.0mm bamboo hook, which should have been 6.5mm. I forgot to check what size hook I’d been using for the CAL before I started these squares. Fingers crossed that they’ll still match in okay with the others. It was a pleasant change to crochet in thicker yarn, because I’ve been busy with the 1.25mm hook and red thread for the past couple of weeks.
Permalink
Sunday, 23 August, 2009 at 2:23 pm
· Filed under Sunday Stash, fabric stash
Lecien quilting cottons, bought for $3.95 per metre from Darn Cheap Fabrics.
Both very pretty! I won’t be using them for quilting though – they are quite lightweight and will make lovely summer dresses for Stella. Thanks Tamara for hosting Sunday Stash! I do enjoy seeing all the fabrics that are out there.
Permalink
Saturday, 22 August, 2009 at 10:14 am
· Filed under children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing
Sometimes you just need a craft quickie. Some instant satisfaction. So, take two t-shirts from Best & Less and add an Aunty Cookie to one and some iron-on bling (bought at the Craft Fair) to the other.
That will keep Clare happy. Now, what about Stella? Another two Best & Less t-shirts, an Aunty Cookie applique on one, and an op-shopped doily on the other.
All done! Now back to one of the other slower works in progress.
Permalink
Friday, 21 August, 2009 at 2:12 pm
· Filed under miscellaneous, musings
Just after midday I was busy doing chores in one room, and thought that the house seemed unusually quiet. Much too quiet for a house with Stella in it. So I came out of the room and found this:
Yes, it was naptime. So Stella had found herself a cushion, lay down on the floorboards and tucked herself in under the hall runner. Still in her fairy skirt.
I did put her straight to bed. She’s still asleep now.
Permalink
Friday, 21 August, 2009 at 12:10 pm
· Filed under vintage crochet
I always like a bit of chocolate. Especially in a crocheted dress! The long dress on the right is knitted, but I like it too. Once again, I think that someone could come up with a good caption for this photo – Janet, are you out there?
Permalink
Tuesday, 18 August, 2009 at 2:31 pm
· Filed under children's clothing, craft magazines, crochet, kids clothing, musings, patchwork, planned projects, sewing, vintage patterns, work in progress
What I’m up to so far this month:
Admiring yarn colours from Sarah London’s Hip to Hook club and working on her Hawaiian Flowers motif.
Assembling my first Sue Ross Block of the Month (BOM) from Material Obsession - I nearly fainted when I received it, as it contains curved pieces, templates, needleturn applique and hand-piecing. Gulp! I’ve made a start – but I’m piecing by machine.
Crocheting a second (larger) red doily for my contribution to The Quilt Project.
Combining the pieces for my Mod Sampler Quilt.
Procrastinating about crocheting this month’s Ravelry afghan blocks – neither of the patterns really inspire me, so I suspect this month will just squeak in once the pressure of a new month comes closer.
Browsing some inspirational craft magazines – and look, there’s a beautiful quilt by Kellie on the cover of Homespun magazine!
Planning on making this coat from this beautiful green wool/cashmere for Stella for next winter, thanks to a very generous friend.
Drooling as I read the recipes in the Homemade, the Handmade Help Recipe Book.
Dreaming of having the time and energy to do everything I’d like to do and be all that I’d like to be.
How about you?
Permalink
Sunday, 16 August, 2009 at 11:01 am
· Filed under Sunday Stash
Wool/lycra blend from Darn Cheap Fabrics, $9.95 per metre. I have enough of this for a jacket (or possibly even a coat) for me. It’s such a great combination of colours. Hard to tell in the photo, but there is cream, light blue, teal, dark chocolate, black, and a grey/tan colour. It will go with so much! I’d really like to make some clothes for myself soon but my weight is fluctuating so much that I don’t quite know what size to make. That’s where making quilts is nice – they don’t have to fit anyone!
Thanks Tamara for hosting Sunday Stash!
Permalink
Older Posts »
