Warning- probably a few too many pics of me!

So yes, this post has a few pics of me- modelling my latest clothes making! From the last few weeks when I was sorting out the computer issues, hence why they are all in the same post!

I found some nice black stretchy stuff in my stash- it's quite thin, and really comfy. I made my first short-sleeve-v-neck Renfrew top.

I asked the Little Miss to take the pics- I obviously got her on a quirky day! And she then refused to take any more! Hard to get good help these days....

I also used a remnant of cotton lycra from Rathdowne Fabrics, it has a little sparkle in it. Comfy as well!

Remember this blazer? I really wanted another one, but was time poor :( Then I came across this at The Salvos store for $8! So didn't need to make one, phew!

 

Worn here with another Grainline tee

I needed a few tops for summer, and have used this pattern before too. I did have a lot of this fabric, it made a dress for the girl (cant find the pic) and a pair of pants, now a tank for me!

Now exactly the same size in the tighter weave meants it was a *bit toight*

As long as I didn't try to move I was fine! Thankfully Cam is the same size, but different body shape to me, and it fit her. Her colours as well! I like it my fails turn into happy gifts!

 There was much discussion at this time between Ms Pops and myself about the difference between the Grainline tank and the Wiksten tank.

The difference seems to be the darts in the Grainline; and the Wiksten seems a bit longer. So I bought the Wiksten as well, after my love affair with the Tova I knew I wouldn't regret it. That will get sewn up on my CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS! Yay!

Oh, check out Cam's great tank here! And in a happy coincidence, and without each other knowing, we have blogged about the top on the same day! Funny!

Just a few baby pics....

 Henry Douglas Scott

12/12/12

1812hrs.

Meet my first nephew!

We were lucky enough to see him twice  the day after he was born, me first then I picked the 'big cousin' up from school and took her to meet him. She's a little overconfident, but a natural with the bubbas!

Finally knowing the sex helped too! I bought this pattern the other week, thinking something 'different' for his first quilt would be good. I found the fabrics in the stash, well, I had to go and buy more of it though! I only had fat quarters of the DS Quilts 'Aunt Edna' range from Spotlight; the trees are from forever ago, and the foxes Aneela Hoey.

Started sewing together Saturday night, and was 'blog finished' by Sunday afternoon.

Think this will crinkle up nicely. It's an old vintage sheet (of course! Suprised I didn't use chenille? I was!)

We got another visit this afternoon...Day 4. A tiny bit jaundiced, but he gave us lots of eye contact and a smile or 2...

He seemed happy with it!

I don't think I'd be that fussed if he wasnt at the moment. Mum loves it too which is good!

Oh, Henry, it's ok, the foxes won't get you! Oh, I renamed it 'Down the Fox Hole'! 

I'm besotted.

A few more baby items.....

So lots of pics here, so I can show them all off! I've been swept up in great baby patterns available, wish I'd known about all these 9 and a bit years ago! Luckily they are all being received gratefully; unfortunately I want to give lots of handmade pressies, they want to pick my brain with all the parenting and baby help! Think I'll be able to do both....

All of these were soooooo fun to make, too! Not stuff I'd do everyday, which makes it interesting.

First up in the 'dad bag' as I call it from this book. One of a few things I'll be trying from this book, and I've already made a few things from it, so getting my value for money for sure! 

I did this in heavy denim, so I could skip the interfacing and just used some fusible fleece on the lining.

I coordinated the denim with these fabrics from ages ago from Spotlight; spotty under the flap.

and a stripe for the lining. The zip at the front hides a nice big pocket in the flap, but I added this compartment pocket in as well.

The elastic is to hold bottles and items etc

I attempted the zip at 10.24pm on a Saturday night, and it was in in about 5mins! too easy! Next time my zip wont be as thick, as it was difficult when I needed to top stitch etc.

Then some baskets and change mat.

Change mat pattern is here. Another one I've been wanting to try for ages. This one has more of a vintage feel about it.

Bias binding that I made ages ago was perfect for this.

It has a layer of fabric, fleece and then chenille, quilted together.

I only had room for one folded over edge, then sewed to form pockets. I didn't even try for that great picture placement, it just happened!

And finally, some 'useful' baskets. I saw a link to this tute, and wanted to give it a whirl.The yellow/black/grey fabric was a fat quarter pack from Spotlight. It had a rough, quite yucky texture to it, and wasn't suitable for clothes etc, but great for furnishings!

I quilted each one a bit differently- a feathery stitch;

my FIRST free motion quilting! Very organic, as they say.

 and some 'waves. very fun, and broke up the repetitive 'repeat 3 times' kind of feel!

Little quilted bottoms! teehee

I delivered them just in time for the nursery decorating- the room was fully renovated by my clever brother in law, carpet had just gone in, and my baskets were the first items in! They were filled with some of my sisters softies from when she was a wee one, awwww!

They're in the little nook that will have a few shelves in it, and become a bookshelf. But don't you think a padded cushion would make a great reading nook? Or maybe I just want that for me! The cross stitch is a really old one I did for my sister probably back in my teens! Egads!

A few weeks to go, and there'll be a lil bubba to show everyone! And then once I know the sex, a bit more sewing....????

Finally......

There's been some dramas here in my laptop land! I'd somehow used up my free space for storing my blog photos- a bit of investigation was required (when I have the brain space for it) and thanks to Lisa  (she's here too) it's sorted! For now....

Except for then dropping said laptop! Luckily I took it straight up to a repair place nearby and they looked at it (for free- I told them what I shitty day I was having heehee) and said 'good thing you brought it straight in- it's fine. But you could have moved the motherboard and blah blah blah. All I heard was 'fine'!

So here is a (brief) update. I've been busy....

There was a Spotlight sale (as usual) and As Ms Curlypops and I had been umming and ahhing over a new dressmaker dummy for a while, when this one came up on sale, we grabbed! (Kind of- we waited till that least day of the sale teehee).

 Her name is Mildred.

The tall skinny bitch that doesn't live here anymore! (well, she's put away for now in the garage until the kid grows up)

 

Speaking of the (9yr old-in-a-week) kid, here is her new t-shirt! Lovely cotton lycra from Rathdowne Fabrics. Pattern from here. What I love about sewing is I don't have to make her heaps of things, or make her every t-shirt, just being able to do it is enough! Pattern details- I made a size 9, shirt sleeve, and no bands or neck band. 

And a bit of baby sewing! These pants with a couple of boring white singlets.

This set is actually a fluke- accidentally matching.

Simple appliqué

With some labels on the outside so they don't scratch!

and some more pants.

I thought of a good trick for the hem (for the quick growing bubba's). The folded one hem over, sewed it and then folded again. So when they are too small- a quick unpick of the outside stitching will make a bit longer!

Back soon with more....

I'm baaa-aaack!

 I didn't mean to have such a long break, sorry! I was just bloody exhausted after Blogtoberfest- just wrong timing I think, starting in a new area at work, and an extra day a week, I also found the blogging tiring! I've realised I like to share stuff I'm happy and passionate about, not just blogging for the sake of it- and I'm OK with it. We all change. But I thank all the peeps involved with Blogtoberfest 2012, and will be back with a wrap up post (I hope!)

Rather than try and go back 2 weeks, I thought I'd start with today! This year, my birthday is a bit more cheery, my sister is in town and helping me have a good one for a change!

We headed out this afternoon for Afternoon Tea, sometimes called High Tea. 

Jess may look a bit different from these pics.....

Hooya!  34 weeks at the moment. The niece or nephew I'm soooooo excited about!

 The girl was loving it! I only stopped her once I knew she was heading to the i-think-I'll-be-sick-if-i-keep-going stage. Cos I'd have to deal with it later!

  There were flavoured mini profiteroles (above) and an ice cream bar we likened to Willy Wonka land! These were actually sorbets, mmmmm.

A glass of champers for the grown up, and lemonade, water and tea. And the treat at the end was the kiddo was half price! Which wasn't mentioned on the web site, so an extra bonus! We definitley recommend the place!

And a beautiful afternoon out in the sun too boot!