PJ's for winter

As I was so happy with my nightie efforts last month,

I thought it only fitting to craft some more sleep wear.

This time a simple top & bottom in cosy flannel

for these cold wintery nights. Brrr.

 Once again another easy pattern from Butterick.

Although it was an easy pattern to follow,

I wasn't entirely happy with the outcome.

The neckline was a bit gap-py &

when I tried to close the hole with a tighter elastic,

so it was more snug around the neck,

it pulled the arm pits too high

creating a smaller gap for Miss E's arm pits.

I ended up making it slightly looser, but as I said, not happy with the outcome.

Typically the pants are too long. Yes Miss E is a shorty!

The sleeves I cheated as I ran out of patience

& Miss E nagging me to 'finish' them, so I ditched the frill

& simply elasticated the wrists.

I do wish I'd persisted as it would have been a nicer finish.

I was planning to make the nightie as Miss E has been requesting,

but I don't think I'm going to bother with this pattern.

Regardless of detail, the little Miss is happy, cosy &

as she says, they're so so warm!

Linking up with other creative people.

This Little Piggy

This little piggy is nearly 5.

As my last post mentioned, I have been busy creating

for this up-coming b'day.

I haven't quite come to terms with

this little wonder having a milestone b'day.

I mean 5, really!!

Did I miss something along the way,

cos I still feel like she is my little baby.

Yes well, looking at this photo, clearly not!

I can hear you all saying 'Is that lipstick?'

The answer would be yes...

My sweet, cuddly, challenging, beautiful girl

loves everything girlie.

Sooooo not like her mother.

Long story short, we had some 'girl' time over the weekend

which consisted of the 2 of us tucked away in a quiet corner,

with the CD playing non other than Justine Clarke.

We passed the time with painting nails, creating fun hair

& the more important dash of makeup.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when I allowed red lipstick to be applied.

I guess it's a small glimpse of what will come

when those dreaded teenage years arrive...

Until then, I'm quite happy to hang onto my little cherub a little longer

& deny she is turning 5.

So that brings me to my point!

Yes I did have one. In fact a crafty one.

With my denial well intact, I felt that although she was reaching

the heights of being a fully fledged kid,

she still deserved some plush loving that comes in the form of

this little piggy!

 Or 6 that may be.

I found this uber cute pattern from the very clever

& crafty LiEr over at ikat bag.

I have yet to complete the last 5% of the mummy pig,

(she took a lot of stuffing, so a trip back to Spotlight is required)

so will blog once it's all done, cos it's too cute not to share.

Basically, you create one mammoth mummy pig,

complete with 6 little teats, for her super cute little piglets to suckle on.

The best part is, they all squeeze inside her tummy via c-section!

Mummy pig has a zipper in her belly to stow away those

uber cute pink balls of fuzz.

I'll be back soon to show you the finished project.

Don't you think every little girl needs a family of pink piggies?

Linking up with others over at Village Voices.



Finally!!!

This post has been a loooong time coming...

This year has seemed to disappear on me

& before I know it, May has nearly arrived.

There has been multiple reasons for my absence.

Too boring to mention here, but here I am finally.

I have barely done any craft this year,

since the machine got packed away at Xmas time

to make way for guests who required eating at the dining table !!

Some projects got the final finishing touches,

such as Master X's pillow.

Yay, he said. I think the look on his face says it all really.
Maybe more on that soon.

Some pompom making happened & we bombed our beautiful magnolia & birch trees.

The kids had an awesome time making endless balls of fluff.

It was a nice therapeutic way to spend time quietly with the kids.

Some knitting is still on the needles to go around the trunk.

If it's anything to go by this year, it may take some time yet

before it makes it outdoors!

The smallest person loves nothing better

than 'wacking' them each time he walks past.

What I wanted to post about today is my first finished project

that I have completed for 2013.

Miss E's b'day is next month & so it has prompted me to get my butt into gear.

A nightie has been requested recently!

 I'm not sure where the desire to acquire one has come from,

but needless to say, I have heard enough requests to warrant making one.

I left the sleeve & hem with a rolled hem finish.

There was nothing in the shops that I felt was appropriate for her age

& that didn't have damn Disney characters or some other ugly licensed graphics.

So off to Spotlight to purchase a pattern & fabric

(my first visit there all year!! I told you I had fallen off the wagon)

This pattern was super easy & I'd recommend for sure.

I made the one with long sleeves.

I did buy another pattern, which I will hopefully attempt to make

between now & the b'day.

Maybe I'll be posting again soon!

Can I just say, I was happily jumping hoops when I completed this nightie.

I have had bad relationships with patterns.

(go figure, I can draft an entire building using Autocad,

but struggle to understand patterns)

This one was very clearly written & easy to follow

& came together beautifully.

I am a complete novice to sewing clothes, so was quietly pleased

with my efforts. Lets hope Miss E likes my efforts too.

Whilst I was here, thought I'd join the others over at

My Creatvie Space seeing as it's been a while.

Lazy days

The Xmas holidays have been fabulous.

We have simply done nothing. I mean literally nothing.

We had planned a jam packed itinerary,

with a wish list from the kids.

Luna Park, Zoo, the movies & bowling just to name a few.

The only item we managed was the zoo!

Terrible, I know.

Lazy days did allow me to indulge in some knitting though.

With the machine packed away to accommodate Xmas

Boo, yes my dining room is my craft room :(

My fingers were itching to do something.

With the early arrival of my niece (see last post)

I thought a little knit might be called for.

It has been completed & delivered

& I am happy to announce the wee little one is home!

She is doing so well, considering her little drama into the world.

Today we went to have a loooong cuddle. Ooh made me clucky.

I am rather proud of my effort.

First time I've used circular needles AND double pointed..

Isn't she just sweet.

Well the knit, seemed to entice my mojo

& I have now started a new knit for Miss E.

I figured if I start now, surely I can manage completion before winter.

That's a 6 month head start!

Lazy holidays no more, I actually have a paid job (gasp)

to complete & with only 3 weeks before school resumes,

it's going to be tricky to find free time without little people under my feet.

Sadly it also means not much craft will happen, so I might be a little absent sorry.

I promise I'll try to check in with progress of my knit
or even some antics my kids have been up to!

Hope to see you soon.

Cheers

Geepers, it's 2013.

Where did the time go?

Xmas as usual absorbed most of my energy & time.

However it was well worth the effort.

The kids were happy with the gifts received,

 extended families behaved & even enjoyed themselves..

Xmas morning opening pressies.

Boxing day fun on the farm with family & rides in Pa's vintage car.

Next thing I knew NYE turned up & a great night was had

with great friends, fantastic champagne & delicious food.

Complete with loads of giggles & dancing.

My dear Dad celebrated his birthday on the 31st

& a special gift arrived the day before,

in the form of a new grandchild.

Dad in the early 70's. Did you notice the budgie on his hand!

This was before they stuck tubes all over the little cherub.

Yes, 6 weeks early, little A was not going to wait until 2013.

Quite the shock when only days before we were enjoying her company

via in-utero, celebrating Xmas lunch.

I can safely say with a few little hiccups,

she is improving each day & with any luck she is

back with mum having loads of cuddles with no tubes attached.

Due to her early arrival, I whipped out some bunting

from the stash & since then have been busily knitting a sweet little top.

I know, it makes no sense to be knitting for summer,

but I figured she is going to need all the cosyness

she can get once she gets home.

It's been ages since I got the needles out

& can I say I am rather enjoying myself.

Happy new Year to you all,

hope 2013 brings all that you wish for.

Cheers

Pre Christmas Rush

It's been rather quiet here in the crafty side of things.

I've been too busy organising Xmas & of course

the end of the year for little people.

End of year concerts, swimming lesson program,

school disco nights etc etc etc...

As you know, handmade gifts were created for teachers

& also some dolls made for some gorgeous grade 6 girls,

who have been so wonderful to my little people.

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos, as they were totally

adorable as you can imagine!

I'm sad to say I haven't done nearly as much handmade gifts

as I had hoped, but I just wasn't organised properly & ran out of time.

Even the 4 quilts I had promised haven't been completed :(

Anyway, thought I'd share this little bird,

destined for a special small person.

Cheers.

Linking up.

Market Day

Last Sunday, my buddy & I did another market.

Thank goodness it wasn't on the scorching hot Saturday.

It was held at the Abbotsford Convent.

If you have not been before, I would recommend it &

if you're after a hearty meal, Lentil as Anything is worth the drive.

The food is Divine & such a fabulous organisation

& so trusting with a pay-as-you-feel approach.

We are on again this Sunday, so be sure to pop in

check out every one else's fabulous handmade goods,

support local & also enjoy fabulous food.

You could make a day of it & head on over

to the Children's Farm across the road.

The kids will get to enjoy the day as much as mum & dad.

A win win really!

So come & do some Xmas shopping.

I have finished this little quilt ready for Sunday,

& I'll have all my other lovely quilts, pillows,

skirts & bunting too.

My dear friend is selling her bags (which are truly gorgeous).

She has some Xmassy things as well as handmade dolls

& cute hair clip holders for that special girl.