What i've been up too....

There's been a bit of quilting stuff happening, and other sewing of course.

I'm a bit of a fan of this girl, and her beautiful work. I spied this quilt in Feb and think I pulled all the scraps out for it straight away! It took till now with all the other projects that came up to get it started- and it only took me a week! I used a pink homespun with it, as I use so much white in quilts I wanted something different.

I haven't decided on the layout yet, there are a few versions in the original post that inspired Nova (who has now inspired me hehe) so I might put the design wall up tonight and get laying!

I also saw this on Nova's blog (OK, now I sound all stalkerish, but I saw it over here too, it was a coincidence, I swear!) Anyway, it was good timing, as I have been pretty slack for the nephew...I mean, only 1 quilt in 8mths....sheesh!)

I got out the blue cotton stuff I scored a while ago when the school was throwing it out;

and a plan formulated when I spotted this thread at Spotlight. I'm going a bit neon mad at the moment, I like 'pops' of it in things at the moment.

So I joined The QAL and got started....might be getting ahead of myself though, better slow down!

  Couldn't resist a mirror ball dot in there hehe

The girl decided she needed to make some new lavender sachets today for her drawer....and lucky Henry got one for his sock drawer too!

 I had the Maze and Vale prints already pieced for a cushion, and this scrap was in the scrap bin just waiting...

Oh, and I finally got a snap of the girl and her braces...only took 3 weeks, and I think she forgot about them for a sec! I really thought it would be a year before she let me take a pic of her again!

Speaking of cute (weren't we?) here's the little man himself- 8mths old and standing/cruising and has started those slobbery baby kisses. In. Love!

Triple Zip Pouch

  I was a bit late to the table with this one, as in I missed the original sew along when it was happening, but found out about a great swap over on Flickr for this cool pouch. I wanted to make one for ages, and this got me motivated!

Of course, I wanted perfection, so I had a wee practice. The first one was for me....and I am pretty happy with it!

It's the perfect purse for my work bag-the zips all open into separate pockets, so I can have tea bags in one, headache tabs in the other, lippy and hand cream in the big one- you get the drift, and in neat little compartments!

 

The 2nd one didn't get as good a review as the first one (which was always mine mwah mwah mwah) but I've kept it for the 'pressie pile'.

 

There's an extra tute to go with the original one for finishing it off, see here

But I still wasn't happy. So I started what I thought would 'the one'

 only to find my zip had been written on! Another present pile add on...

 

And finally I was happy!

This one was stuffed full of goodies and is probably over the ocean right now. I'm excitedly checking my mailbox too. It's so nice knowing someone is making something for me, hopefully as thoughtfully as I did haha. And I know what I'm making for Xmas pressies!

Going to get up to some Hijinks...

Oh, I love having something to look forward to!!

Gillian and Jodie have put their heads together for this....It's going to be ace! I haven't been to a bloggy catch up thing for ages. Meeting some new bloggers and crafters, and catching up with old bloggers that have become real-life friends. Hopefully I wont go all shy and not talk to anyone on the day, then become friends online later on (der, but it has happened).

Sign up now if you haven't and can make it, and we'll see you there!

A finished quilt!

Another bit of a break between posts (I'll try not to say that at the beginning of EVERY post though) but I have a good reason! The battery in my laptop died a few weeks ago (may have been a few months, actually, have lost track). It was around that same time as a few other things broke, so a new battery wasn't high on the list of priorities. So I decided to leave it plugged in and use with the charger...fast forward to the charger dying! A week and a bit to order a new one...lets just say, nice to have it back!

I've been working a bit more the last few weeks too, my colleague going on leave meant I was able to do 4 weeks of full time work! Eeek! Could I do it? Turns out- not very well! maybe for other little black ducks, but not this one! Keeping things running at home was a lot harder, and my time to 'look after myself' (usually by doing chores on my spare days the kiddo is at school, so we can spend the weekend together) was gone! So happily, due to work being quiet, the last 2 Fridays were cut off and I could breeeaatthheee!

I also got asked to do a custom quilt in the middle of all this! Of course, I said yes! It was for the sibling of the girl who got this quilt; and I was allowed to pick the pattern and fabrics! (had some colours to guide me).

I chose this pattern, and am really glad I did!  Easy to follow and accurate, I'm really hoping to try a few more of Allison's patterns, and get a copy of her book. Only problem is deciding which on to make first!

The fabrics were picked from GJ's Fabrics, during one of the Sit n Sew days of the MMQG. I had a few helpers thankfully, as picking fabrics is not my forte!

 

 (Sewing is a lot more fun with sparkly nails I've decided!)

 lots of trimming!

  

and finally came putting it all together. A rockin' Saturday night that was!

I planned it to be finished by this weekend coming- but I got absolutely motivated at the sit n Sew day on last Saturday with the Guild, and got it basted, quilted and nearly bound in one day! I finished the binding that night. Then went to bed and died of back pain haha.

  Yummy binding!

  I'm happy to say it was all worth it! I didn't get much time in the old grey weather for good pics, as it was picked up quick smart- so some indoor shots to show the quilting, and outdoor for the colours.

I'm going to miss working on this beauty!

A catch up

 A few tumbleweeds blowing through here, life has been whizzing by, mainly thanks to work, and catching up on here is often on the back burner. Remember you can follow me Instagram, though (as becsibbi)

Grab a cuppa, first catch up is the sewing!

I tackled my first 'crinkly' fabric book (I found mine here) 

It's recipient was suitably impressed! I've renamed that plastic 'baby crack', he goes nuts for it! Well chewed and bashed around already, which is just what you want! Cute fabric choices mean he even read it later on when he's bigger.

I've been loving some poms...pom pom of course! I used a weird square tool thingy which meant lots of trimming required. I'm experimenting with tools, I've even seen a fork used! They are too fun, and were for a purpose...

I've stuck them up on the wall in my office (sorry for weird colour pic, will try and take a better one next week). but you get the idea!

Sitting in this office with my only heating the one on the wall in the heater I needed a few winter work clothes- so this corduroy from Spotlight...

became, after an accurate fitting late at night,

  

a cord Wiksten Tova dress! I've lost count of how many times I've made this pattern now. I went down a size too, and love it even more! Soooo warm.

My cowl matched perfectly, and the fabric is heavy enough not to cling too much to my tights.

I'm a bit houndstooth mad at the moment, actually!

I've entered the Hottie Challenge again this year. Here's my last entry 2 yrs ago. I thought I was a bit more organised this time, but no, left it till the last minute again! At least when I dropped it to Ms Curlypops to get it in on time it meant I could get good pics this time! I'm looking forward to the opening party, I got to have a peak at about 1/3 of the hotties expected, and there so many I wanted! Cam is doing an amazing job organizing it all, she's a whizz with a spreadsheet thank goodness!

 Oh, and lastly, some nursery accessories I was asked to make, to go with the quilt I made my colleague. Some soft fabric baskets

A matching cushion (a little personal poem from mum to baby embroidered on the front)

 and some bandanna bibs. These pics were taken in the 'photo room' of Ms Curlypops as she has an awesome snap machine- the little hammer in snaps from Spotlight/Birch I've always used just wouldn't work! Frustrating! 

The bibs are backed with minky fabric, soft around the neck, and absorbent. they are too cute and fun to make.

Phew, I think that's enough for now! I have a new custom order quilt I am starting now, I was given free reign with pattern and fabrics, which is more stressful than you'd think (for me, anyway). But my friend is confident it will be great, so I am telling myself that! Will post some sneak peeks when I can.

The Hottie Project

I read about this project a short while ago, and thought that while I was onto one Hottie Challenge, I might as well add another! They are pretty fun to make (and nothing to do with men, and I think some friends believe!)

It's amazing to me that something so simple to make will mean so much to a child. I ended up making 2- I found the hexies in the stash pre-sewn by me, and waiting for the right project. 'Twas meant to be!

 These ones will be posted with a water bottle inside; then it can be filled and used straight away! Despite warm PJ's, blankets and heating, my girl loves cuddling one of these, and she highly praised my efforts, so hopefully they'll be OK. I used recycled wool blankets too, they are so cozy and snuggly.

there's heaps of other ways to help though, and all the info is here. I'm really happy I could do a little something to help, and remind me what a lucky little crafting community I am in.

Oh, and sneak peak at my fishy Tofino pants. I'll get some pics on the weekend to join the pajama party!

Oh, and Murray wanted to drop in a say hi- mid haircut- as it's been a while!