Holidays!!

Finally, we are back from our 2 week break away in Queensland. It was great to catch up with family and oh my my children were AMAZING!! They didn't whinge about being in the car, and were so well behaved. 

I am still amazed as to how a 2 year old and a 5 year old didn't drive me completely insane with whinging and whining on a trip that was 2 full 12 hour days each way! It was an interesting drive for us as we saw first hand the flood damage in Central New South Wales as we drove by fields which had been turned into inland lakes and encountered a few closed and damaged roads along the way. I thought I had taken a few photos of this, but for some reason cant find them...

I am so very blessed to have a beautiful partner who loves driving and during the whole trip only had to drive for an hour. I really am not a very good long distance driver as I tend to fall asleep, but lasted my short driving stint with the help of a coffee, a bottle of water and interesting stories on Triple J of people's already broken New Years' Resolutions.

On our way to Queensland, we got to stop at "the dish". I have been there before, but Mick and the kids havent so it was pretty informative, and we played with the whispering dishes as well. 

Myself, Ruth and Oliver with "the dish".

Ruth with the Whispering Dish at Parkes

Christmas was great as it was the first time that Oliver really understood the present giving and Santa thing. His excitement at all of the presents he got to unwrap really only half made up for the fact that Miss Ruth was off with her dad for Christmas Day for the first time. I missed her from the second I woke up until I went to sleep every day she was away. I always do, but thankfully I have her back with me now and I can give her as many cuddles and kisses as I want. 

Oliver sure understood what presents are by the end of this massive stack!

There was also a gorgeous Christmas Lunch in my mum's true style which was DELICIOUS!! The only thing lacking was my sister's fantastic potato bake. She is very heavily pregnant and didnt want to stand in the kitchen peeling potatoes for it (might I add that this excuse was only just passable :p)

Christmas Lunch at mum's place

It was wonderful to sit around with my family as I hadn't seen most of them since Easter!

Me sitting waiting to unwrap Olly's presents with him... he opted to open them with Daddy instead lol!!

When we were in Queensland we saw a lot of rain... Not really the sunshine state that week!! and at one stage didn't think we were going to get home as the highway was closed in some areas due to flooding. Thankfully we were able to get home fine with a slight detour on the first day.

Oliver enjoying some ice cream with his cousins Emilia and Charlotte.

On the way home we also stopped in to spend a couple of nights in Bright with Mick's mum. I always love going to her place as the kids are free to run on her massive block and they just love following her around. Oliver in particular just loved spending time with his Granny and shafted both me and Mick on a few occasions!!

When we are in Bright, I can never resist heading into the fabric shop there. I picked up a couple of patterns and a little bit of fabric to keep me occupied until Saturday when I start with WeePantz again.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Holiday too, I hope to update with one project very soon!! Fabric is pre-washed and ready to iron and sew!

The Dress

Today I finished off Ruth's Christmas dress that she asked me to make her to wear for Christmas. I think it turned out pretty well and she looked super cute at her school christmas carols tonight. 

Excuse the flash photography, there wasnt much light about!

The front... 

I used the corset style back for something different. I originally was going to use a zipper up the back, but despite my measurements I stuffed up the bodice size, but I think it was an alright save.

So now that is over, my little miss only has 2 days left of prep! **tear**

Tuesday...

So today is Tuesday... or if you ask the wiggles, it is Taco Day (yes, I watch far too much wiggles with my son). I have been working on orders and also getting ready for the market all whilst looking after my beautiful kids who seem to know when I get up super early to be without them and sew in peace and get up at the same time to bug me!!

I've been playing with some of this beautiful red minky, it is so so soft and delicious!! I want to play with it all the time!!

On the weekend, I also took the kids in to the shops to visit the man himself... SANTA!!

At this point, he was receiving strict instructions to bring trucks and a DS for Christmas. Very important stuff here. 

And then after the formalities were over, the kids both gave him a cuddle. This is the first time Oliver has actually met Santa without screaming his head off so I was pretty proud. He might actually enjoy all those presents this year, although wrapping paper is such a fantastic toy!!

I have almost finished Ruthie's Christmas dress too! very excited about this as it is just gorgeous, I will hopefully finish it off tomorrow as we have school christmas carols tomorrow night!! So I will post pics then!

Until next time...

Happy 2010!!

Well... Ive missed a bunch of updating over the holidays, but that is because I was busy sewing and then went away... Good excuse right??

Firstly... Thankyou to my swap sender who sent me this beautiful apron and pot holder for my secret santa gift. :-)

Also, here is some photos of the gifts I made, although there were lots more gifts and I forgot to photograph them all... WHOOPS!!

Clockwise from top left:

Crayon Roll; Skirt (My own pattern); Messenger Bag (Burda); Rice bags.

So on for the new year!! :-)

Amy xo

Advent Blog-A-Long Day 15

Yeah... so I missed a few days over the weekend!! I have a good cause, and that is because I was sewing! Thats a good excuse right?!?! Anyway.. so I made 13 dresses on sunday its battlestations getting ready for the market on Sunday this week. Im hopeing it will be worth all my effort :D

Yesterday however I spent some time sewing a gift for my mother in law. This will be her christmas gift, and I really hope she loves it!!

I am so very very proud of myself with this one. the front panel is all hand embroidered and its the first time Ive done so much hand embroidery on one piece. Im definately addicted to hand stitching now!!

The pattern was in the November issue of Handmade Magazine and is by strath sewing and quilting.

So yes... I just have to put in the cushion and thats another present down!

I am now officially addicted to hand stitching and my next planned project (after christmas) is a hexagon hand pieced sewing bag that I found in a book I borrowed from the library. I might even take away my stitching on holiday when we go on boxing day!!

Advent Blog-A-Long #11 (updated with Photos!

Fancy that! Its Friday already, and only 2 weeks until that day... yes CHRISTMAS is coming!! Ruth tells me every day that its nearly time for Christmas and Santa will be coming and oh we have the most beautiful Christmas tree in the whole wide world!

Last night I went to my gorgeous little girl's first ever christmas concert at kindergarten. I was a little teary, and my little show pony was the star of the show as per usual with all of the other parents commenting afterwards on how sweet it was that she danced and sang more than the other children. Apparently she is due for an oscar in 25 years' time! so watch out Julia Roberts!! :P

Anyway... so I will update with photos tomorrow as the little star is awaiting her mother to come and read Dumbo to her. I read a few pages of a book every night, last week was Tarzan this week is Dumbo... Who knows what will be next week... I hope Santa brings her something to read cos Im all out of new books!!!!!!

Happy reading and I will catch you all tomorrow!!

wash your face with orange juice...

nawwww so cute!!!!

Amy xo

Advent Blog-A-Long Day 8!

Well! A big couple of days here! Ive spent a fair bit of time in the sewing room, not only sewing, but organising (I will share pics of that on Thursday). And Ive been super busy doing family orientated things, much to the distress of some people, I still have to sew though!! So thus my short posts over the weekend! Mister WeePantz was home so mummy did some work!!!!

So here's a bunch of Photos of what we have been up to!!!

 

We put up the Christmas Tree!!

Ruth was very excited to decorate the entire thing herself, and Oliver was very beautiful, with tinsel draped all over him whilst sitting in the high chair looking on. There's no playpen around it or anything, so I have now decided I just need to record myself screaming OLIVER!! STOP TOUCHING THE CHRISTMAS TREE!! Im sure it will get alot of use!!

1 complete secret santa gift!!

 I finished and posted both of my secret santa gifts today. I must say I am nervous of how much there is, and really hope my SS recipients both like their gifts. Its always hard when you dont know someone well to send them a super thoughtful gift. But alot of time went into choosing these gifts so Im hopeing that they are recieved with a smile!

I took the kids to the zoo with my Mother In Law

I will post more pics of this adventure tomorrow I think as there are so many, and its too difficult to just choose one!! But this is my favourite photo, I thought this sign near the lion enclosure was ace! The kids just loved being able to be so close to animals from places like africa, asia and south america.

Anyway... more on that tomorrow. My newly organised sewing room is SCREAMING to me... Oh no hang on thats the kids tv show that is going, there seems to be alot of screaming on that... Id better go check its not scary!!

Until tomorrow...

Amy xo

Christmas Blog Along #1 December 1st...

Deck the halls and all that Jazz! Thought I'd play along with some fun blogging this holidays and get into the Advent Christmas Spirit for once!!

We havent put up the tree yet, and the only crafting going on around here is Market prep!! I also have been doing a bit of Christmas sewing and have completed 3 of 4 crayon rolls which I will share when I have photographed them.

On my doorstep today... arrived.... A PACKAGE!! I have no idea if I'm allowed to open it or not as I am awaiting some normal packages as well as some swap stuff!! haha!!! So no idea if Im allowed to have a peek inside the packaging to find out... LOL!!!

It is also my lovely sister Carmie's birthday today. Happy 27th (old) lady!!!!! haha she's beautiful and no 27 isnt really old, just feels so far away... :-p and of course I am super cheeky!!!

TOMORROW is giveaway day!!! So I will probably put the post for that up LATE tonight so I dont forget to tomorrow morning... So stay tuned for what you might win!!

That is all for now... until later.. all i have is this small token of bragging...

How beautiful are my son's eyelashes!! Sooooo beautiful!!!! Makes ME jealous!!!

Amy xo

Another One Down..

Here is my second handmade Christmas gift for 2009. A set of skittles just like these ones by london mummy.

I used some paisley fabric by max new that I picked up at my local quilt shop. Instead of using fabric scraps for the ties, I used bias binding and secured it with a running stitch. I also attached felt numbers to each skittle made of felt, attached with a blanket stitch.

This is the first time Ive gotten creative with hand stitching. But I'm so glad I took the timer to sit down and make it right, they look awesome!! Im sure lil Charlie, who is 3 weeks younger than Olly will get some good use out of them!

Next.... Crayon Rolls I think... :-)

One Christmas Present Finished!

Woo Hoo!!!

1 Down, sooooo many to go!!!! I think a certain little girl will be super excited when she opens this one on christmas morning!!!

New Dresses

So Ive been very busily designing my first dress for the markets. Originally I had planned to make it with a shirred back, but on the second testing it just didnt sit right, so I decided to make the dress with a zipper instead. I am yet to add a shash around the join which I will do when I go to get more of the stripey fabric. So here's some photos... with one very excited model (who doesnt know its her Christmas present, I told her its for another person so she cant have it).

\

So its my own pattern which I drafted to Ruth's measurements and I intend to downsize to infant sizing so that I can sell them at the markets with my nappies as matching sets.

The Fabric I used was a stretch denim which I was given by Ling a while ago in return for some newborn huggies that never fitted Oliver. (He was a massive baby) I think she got it from Brunswick Fabrics.

The Feature fabric is called Summer Daze. I think its by Moda, I couldnt find it on google, I bought it at my local quilting shop. I have also made nappies with this fabric for my shop.

The straps are attached at the back by a snap so they can be worn in different ways.

I am yet to add a sash of the Summer Daze fabric and an applique or embroidery to the front for embelishment on the skirt.

Now off to make more Christmas Presents!!!!!

My Creative Space

This week in my creative space I have been pattern drafting. I have been making a new design for my market stalls so that I can offer dress and nappy packs. (also, this is a fantastic excuse to use my lovely girly fabrics to make some perdy dresses)

So as you can see from the photo, I have my trusty pattern making books on the right as well as my notebook so I can write my measurements and notes in. On the machine is the dress (well its to my daughter's size so its more a top) and in the background the book I have been reading for about 12mths... Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Ive also been doing some Christmas sewing. I started making some felt fruit and veg last night and today I hope to get started on some other stuff also. Ahh under the pump again... LOL as always...

Head HERE for more creative space goodness.

Market Debrief...

Well, the market is over... It was a stifling hot 31 degrees in a non ventilated room with a glass ceiling. Oliver was hot and bothered but was so well behaved.

The positives?? Hmm I spoke to a lot of lovely people about cloth nappies. Gave out all of my business cards and the coffee stall was about 6m away. I only sold one nappy, but I think that the fact that I gave out ALL of my cards and added a few people to my mailing list makes it a positive.

I also met some other lovely crafty ladies as well. :)

So now that Im home, I have updated (and completely re designed) the website and now have it working just how I want it. As well as stocked up with market leftovers. Off to sew bibs tonight or tomorrow so that I can get my Christmas specials up and running. :) As well as make a few little dresses.

Okay, so now that's done, I also wrote my Christmas list. I made the decision to make handmade gifts this year for the children in our families. So there are a few of Novy's crayon rolls, a couple of sensory books, and a bunch of other handmade gifts on the to do list. I just hope I get it all done in time. Ahhh Im such a sucker for the constant deadline...

What are you making for Christmas??