For no real reason....

 Actually, I lie. 

There's a few reasons for this give-a-way- yep (you read it right, a give-a-way!)

 So I've missed a few milestones lately, my 4 year blogaversary on the 10th of July, and my 700th post (this is 704, so I didn't miss it by too much). In celebration, and in getting back into selling my hand made items (cos lets face it, my house is full!) I have opened a Facebook page!

Heard over to my Facebook page and click 'Like"; alternatively, come back over to my blog and become a 'Follower".  Leave a comment letting me know you've done one or the other, and you're in the draw!

The prize? A lunch bag, made a while ago, but still pretty cool in my opinion! Insulated with thermal stuff (keeps food cold if you use an ice brick), and cool colours for adults or kids. It's lined with clear vinyl too, so any leaks get wiped out.

I look forward to drawing this one! When? Maybe 2 weeks time? I'll give you a few days warning teehee.

BTW, if you already 'like' me and are a follower, still leave a comment, as you'll also go in the draw! Just to say thanks.....
 

The Lunch Bag

I made it back with pics of my favourite item to make- my lunch bags!

Yes, there have been a few posts written about them, I do love them so. Little Miss has used hers now every day for nearly 4 terms (3 weeks to go, eek!) and it still looks good, no tears or rips, and only 1 squishy banana to wipe out of it.

In lieu of other testimonials (which I must ask for one day) here are some pics of the ones currently in stock:

Again apologies for the photos, I took them in the overcast afternoon, couldn't brighten them up anymore!



My Creative Space

I'm joining in this week, as I remembered! Best excuse I can come up with (for missing out other times, that is).

4 lunch bags were cut out, one finished straight away for Little Miss's friend's birthday (embarrassing skater fabric, can't show it haha). These 3 were done like a production line, which is really boring to me.

So I'm having a break, and starting a bit late but going to try to catch up with Amy's sew a long. I borrowed the pattern for this one, and it was pre cut too, a great time saver!

Head over here to see what everyone else is up too

Finished objects!

Been catching up this week, thanks to super speedy machine, and have 2 items I sold to colleagues at work. Sorry about the poorer than usual photos, my camera is broken and these are from the phone!)

A lunch bag in Amy Butler (this photo is a bit dark)

With a yellow apple lining

and another Panel bag, in this blue floral, with grey leather panel.

I love the lining, the recipient recognised the pocket fabric too, Kaffe Fassett.

I love the vintage linen piece myself!

Both were very happy, which is always a relief!

Learning....

How to use the 'line guide'

while making an 'adult' lunch bag

Mermaids Galore

I really fell in love with this fabric when it first came out at Spotty, it was full price then, so I only got 1/2 a metre of 3 colors. Now that everyone wants lunch bags in this fabric, and I've run out, I thought it was over!

lay-byd at Sth Melb store

to be made into these!

Phew, my customers will be happy, and more fun for me to sew with!

A bit of sewing

So the Ice Cream Social has finished (not for me!) this is the dress I sent my friend's little girl's birthday this week (and she loved it, apparently!)

I've done my signature 'upside down Miss Jane' panel along the bottom.

This was a score for $6 at the oppy this week- not the basket, it's there as a size reference, the laminated cotton tablecloth that's folded in half! Huge! Aah, the potential.

what a gorgeous print!

And a few custom orders- a b'day present (pink) and order from Little Miss's school (mermaid)

Custom orders are $40 a bag (insulated batting as well)

The one where I talk on and on about Tupperware....

OK, I'm throwing in my 2c worth (remember those coins? I'm old enough...). Some friends have had trouble recently with containers, and I had a walk through a local chain store today and couldn't believe how much they charge for containers that break! And don't get replaced!

So this is a small portion of what I have in my 'Tupperware cupboard'. (Many of these don't even hold Tupperware, and people really do think Decor is the same...*shudder*)

And this is the lunch bag- still going strong after nearly 2 terms. I have perfected the pattern for this size, and am working on one that will fit the long Tupperware lunchbox. It has insulated batting, vinyl inside to wipe it out when the fruit gets squashed, you know, that kind of stuff mum's are familiar with.

Having a few different containers is handy, so depending what you want to send on that day you have one on hand. The round orange one was from Savers, great for bread rolls. The small squares hold rice cakes, sandwiches, cold toasted sandwiches (glad that phase is over); small round hold yogurt, sultana's, nuts (if you want to be kicked out of school).

As it's insulated, the ice pack keeps things cold, and doubles up for playground injuries haha.

Oh, and I am showing you the Prep year's drink bottle top. Do your kid's get like these? Replaceable lid for $7! And threatening that won't have a Madagascar drink bottle again (or lunchn in general) means this years is perfect!

OK, so BPA free? Not sure. The website will tell you more. But not having to buy new containers for years is just as much an issue for me. No Glad Wrap goes to school; the containers all come home (touch wood); and if they break, I ring a local Tupperware lady to replace it for me.

Mmm, haven't tried these before, but if I host a party, I may get them free!

Now for the good bit. Followers of this will be able to buy my insulated lunch bag for a special price of $35. That's a saving of 25%!! You can send me your fabric, dimensions of containers or let me come up with the plan- great for kids and adults too! The only limit is your imagination!

Email me if interested.

My week

Ok, it's been good! Stick through the post, you'll go "WOW'. (I hope, anyway). My only problem is I have pics out of day order, but heh, I've decided I'm a half-perfectionist, like it for some stuff, don't care for others. I guess the most recent got first dibs!

So my Liverpool dress is done, this was actually a toile, thought I'd wear it around the house- heehee, it may be seen this weekend!

I also did this one- it's a bit big! The measurments are from size 2-size 20, and I measured between 12-14. I thought i'd cut it on a 14- then you find the sizes are double, ie 2/4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/18, 18/20! It's nice and roomy for layering, though. And I lurve this sheet.

Tonight I'm throwing together a lunchbag to show 'n tell at S.I.T, can't get tired of sewing great fabrics, can you? This one may be up for a swap or something, not sure yet.

Tuesday (and this is where i'm out of order) I caught up with Tracey and we hit the Nanna craft mett up, I had a ball! Cups of tea were 20c, and this wool was for taking. I scored the granny squares too, which might become pin cushions or pockets or something. There were a few dirty jokes in there too, so you have to have your wits about you at those shindigs.

Lastly, in all the drama of the week with my father, and his being ordered to leave my house, I forgot to show you the gold I scored off my Grandma- cool, huh? I have found the manual, too, it's under Rival in Google, if anyone is looking for it! And 'slow cooker' reveals more than 'crock pot', I found! (Despite the front of the machine's hint)

So that's it for now, back to the machine and more sewing, I'm loving finally getting back into it and ignoring the chores!

And if anyone is ever whinging their swap item is late, I haven't recieved mine for S.I.T yet,

and I need it for tomorrow night!

Another one

This title has a double meaning- another lunch bag, and another post today! Be warned, we could go for a third- I rather daftly had half an energy drink, thinking it would help me cope with the girls 'tude before bedtime; rather, I think I'll be up for a little while, may as well be productive while I can!

This is the third (well, 4th kind of) for the same child- yep, mine, I would probably tell any other kid to shove it!! The last one was too big again- no room in the school bag for anything else. The bonus of having such child is I am perfecting my pattern, practising and this one from start to finish was a day (a few breaks in between).

I originally got these fabrics for the lunch bag, but when I suggested them three bags ago- no way! So today I let her pick her own fabric (I hear this is how you get teenagers to do things, make it seem it's their idea. Pity I've had to use that on a 6 yr old!)

All ready to be tested out tomorrow! Good luck parents, I know already my routine is back- I'll go to bed too late, sleep in and rush out the door to get to assembly late.....etc etc

PS These will be in my shop soon, RRP $40. Pre-order in your own colours if you like....

Boy

There was a strange wind about today, no, not wind of that kind, the weather!! Cold, rainy, snow in Vic, are we in winter and I wasn't told? I'm sure dressed like ti is!

I looked out the study window this morning to see this- hmm, Julius Caesar? No, a dog who has been rolling in the garden and is COVERED in seed pods of some kind (?wandering dew). I pulled one out and successfully scared him away for the rest of the day, so he is booked in to have the CUT OUT of his fur- he is likely to come home bald! I'll keep you updated with a pic on that one.

So I was already a bit grumpy about that, but then add a bored kid on top of it. I cheered her up a bit by showing her her finished lunch bag. Fabric from Amitie, pattern from here with my tweaking.

It now holds the lunch containers, with extra room for fruit. I quilted the flap and front and back, and used the insulated batting and clear vinyl inside, so I can pop an icepack in to keep stuff cold. It got the thumbs up, anyway, and the more I make, the easier they get (helps if there's no PMS too.)

We moved the desk into her room today too- a big Grade 1 girl might get homework! (and I have the loungeroom back, yay). I made some little baskets to put the Smiggle stuff etc in.

Now to sort it all out!!

PS Have finally added photos to my Flickr account! No just let me work out how to add a button.....

Op Shopping with the best- Part 2

After last night's disaster, I watched a few eps of True Blood, knitted and slept it off- to emerge and finish this off in my nightie! Thanks for all the positive comments, too. I'm still fiddling, this one is a leeetle bit too big, but better. Having trouble finding laminated cotton (the oilcloth gives a nasty smell) but I got a good tip from Jenny and decided to go with clear vinyl. In the girl's choice of fabric- in the machine as we speak.

Then I remembered to show you a bit more of the goodies I got with Cam the other day. Can I mention this was one of the cheapest op shopping outings, as I had been expecting to pay for the holiday program for the month that morning, to find it had been taken out in December- so all this was free really (think about it :))

Artex- ahh, the 70's craft, my mum had the set and I remember it being thrown out. These may end up laminated as place mats or something, or in frames- so cute!

I almost yelled out- 'the larger size racks have the most fabric' in the middle of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, thank God manners took over, I do occasionally suffer from foot and mouth though. But here is the proof- a 'housecoat' maybe? Beautiful Poppy fabric, handmade, a skirt in there I think.

and the jeans haul. Did I tell you they were $2 each? Found some Bettina Liano's, but size 27...damn, that was me once. Lots of pockets in this pile....

but I really only needed this one pair. Check. It. Out. (tragic)

They are a size 38 waist, so I'm assuming men's. I'm thinking tragic men who wear the waistband around their thighs. Up close, I don't even think the pockets are what I want, but maybe a funny photo for when I need cheering up- I'll see if Little Miss and I fit in a leg each!! But think about the amount of denim I got form just one pair of jeans for $2...hehehehehehe

So it's off to cut out pockets, and plan some more items.....hoping to be at Daylesford market soon. And getting my shop stocked...and selling something from my shop.....

by the way, I am not as angry at the lunchbag pattern now, and will be making some to sell...not for $200. I'll keep you posted.

Freakin' Disaster

Hmmphh. Not happy Jan! I haven't been beaten yet, but this pattern is trying to kill me. Of course, hot weather and PMS don't help, but I WILL NOT LET IT BEAT ME!

So if you remember, I followed the sizing in the pattern and I came up with this....not big enough for my 6 yr olds lunch and snacks.

So I added a bit all round and made a much bigger one.

Lucky didn't waste my laminated cotton or oilcloth on this one, made it up in cotton.

I turned them right sides together, as I ALWAYS do when lining my bags, and something happened....the seam is on the outside. Or, wait I turned it inside out and outside in again in the same movement?

WHO BLOODY KNOWS! I tore the fabric- see my little interfacing iron on trick to mend it? (I can, I will notice it EVERY time I pack her lunch).

Looks good from the outside.

So I'll add some binding, and pretend it was meant to be.

I might pick my days better to try another one- the pattern is allowed to be made up and sold from, can you imagine anyway paying $200 for a lunch bag? That's what I'd want after today's efforts!