A new Book!

I was very lucky to get a copy of this great new book from a friend. It is filled with great local crafters including these great girls. Book is launched today so keep an eye out for it.

SewJourn Creations

Off to Sewjourn with the van packed with supplies - both fabric and food. It was a lovely relaxing time, but I felt I really had to have something to show for the time away, so I sewed like a woman possessed. We didn't get the machines out until Saturday so we were under the pump.

I was pleased to get these bags done - one for each of the kids. I have been carting these around just cut out for ages. You may know I colour code my kids - for everyones benefit so they each got a denim satchel with their initial on it and each is lined with their colour. I did the applique like this. The bag has an insert in the side and is fully lined. The straps are off some bags the big squirrel got from a job where they were being thrown away, so they have all the clips etc on them. Hopefully the twins will use these for kinder next year. This top is for me! Using left over fabric that has been lying around close to 10 years (I didn't realise it was that long until I thought about it. I still have, and wear, the original dress). It is a variation on a vogue pattern, but basically the idea of the little girls pillow slip dress.

Denim aprons for the kids. Again using their colour coding. I had already done a red one! There are a couple more things to show you, but they just need buttons and a bit of finishing. Very fruitful and a great feeling to get a couple of long term projects finished. (Oh, all the denim is from Darn Cheap Fabrics - they simply have the Best range of it)

Coasting

I was so please to see the big squirrel and boys on my return from a relaxing weekend at SewJourn, however that was yesterday. Today I am being punished for leaving them. A quick chat on the phone was interrupted by a persistent tapping. The boys had found the BIG textas and were drawing all over the door. Luckily it came off easily, but ironically the door they were drawing on is painted as a blackboard on the other side! I was happy to escape to my regular knitting night at a dear friends house - and deliver these Happily Ever After Coasters (made at SewJourn) as a little house warming gift.

Encouragement

He got the award today! And it works - he wasn't so keen on Auskick but now he is looking forward to next week. Well done little man.

Embroidery

I was quite proud of myself getting this present organised. I got some personalised stationery including a stamp for one of Alexander's friend from here. We then had some fun with paper making little pockets for the cards, notepaper and stickynotes and initilizing them. Finally I made a pencil case to house the lot. Ususally I would get the machine out but as i was busy packing for a weekend away (yes! AWAY!!!!) at SewJourn, I couldn't be bothered fussing, so I dug out some embroidery threads and did this by hand. Hand embroidery is not my forte at all, infact this is the first thing I have ever done, so I am a bit chuffed with the result. The red plane is the same as on the cards and it is a simple demin zip purse with lining.

100 days

Inspired by Naomi and chatter from the mums at playgroup, I threw a little impromptu celebration for Alexander. I made a little card with some inspiring words, a hot chocolate and some fairy bread - well it was 100's and 1000's - all to celebrate 100 days at school.
His school didn't recognise the occasion, but he felt very special when he arrived home. We gave him a dollar - a cent for every day. He plans to take the celebration to school for show and tell - complete with fairy bread for his class.

Party?

A sparkly cape and matching dilly bag, along with a flower press were wrapped to take to the twins first party. They have been to parties before, but this was a three year old one especially for them. We were dressed and ready early and on our way to do a couple of jobs before the party- except...
Benji got tired and almost fell asleep and thats where the plan began to unravel. He wouldn't get out of the car. Eventually I forced him inside. Spencer was happy to go in, but Benji was not. He was desparate to get out. He screamed and tried to escape for nearly 10 long minutes. Eventually he calmed down and we edged our way into the party. Once he settled he was fine but we are going to have to work on it because not only is it embarrassing, it is draining.