Bunting

Hello lovely people.  There are 50 of you now!  Do you know that actually freaks me out?!  Welcome, I am so chuffed that you are interested in the comings and goings of a nanna-craft-loving mumma of 2 little boys.

I write this little blog for two reasons.  Firstly, as an outlet to record stuff that I am happy to share with complete strangers and friends alike.  And to have a profile beyond just a name so that you can know who it is that leaves random comments on your blog- its nice to click to a person and not just a name isn't it?

As you may know, I am quite late to this sewing caper.  I have been sewing since late 2010, actually since blogging.  And when I say sewing, its an every-so-often thing, not a daily jaunt much like my blogging!!  So it is no surprise that I have never made bunting before despite loving it to bits.  Yes, if a mag has bunting on the cover you can pretty much guarantee that I will buy it.  Sucker.

Remember the December Baby Quilt?  He came early!  And now that he is here, I thought the quilt  was not quite macho enough.  Little baby Jakob needed more diggers and less flowers!

The fabric is from Spotlight and the binding was a premade.  I bought the fabric to make some pjs for my step grandson, also named Jacob, which I am halfway through making. And bunting is the perfect solution for large scraps!

I used the same red fabric as I used on the quilt's binding for the letters.  I have to thank Rachel for this idea of personalised bunting as her's was the first time I saw this idea.  

No one warned me that bunting making is addictive!  I then whipped up a lovely girly one for my dear little friend Ella whom you may know from here.  I've known Ella's mum since I was 7.  I can hardly believe that Ella is 5 already.

 I used fat quarters from Spotlight.  A purchase I made back when I started sewing as I was determined to sew something girly.  But because I have sons, no girly excuse came until I figured out bunting that is!!

This time I backed each flag with the same fabric as its front and the letters are actually the back of a printed fabric because I didn't have a pink solid!

Now that I have these two projects done and dusted, I can concentrate on getting the rest of my christmas crafting done.  You see, our family christmas is this Sunday!!  Yikes.  Still have 4 gifts to make.  I don't want to bring it down to the wire just in case they flop and a quick run in to DJ's is required.

What are you making for christmas presents or is time running out for you too?

xxx

Sew lately ...

Still in the land of the living!  Yes . . . but barely some days.  It seems our family just have one bug after the other despite the weather getting warmer.

This is the last week of daycare for the kids for a whole month! Yeek!  I better get my funky crafty mum hat on or there is going to be trouble.  The quarantine is for Liam.  His tonsils and adenoids are to come out and grommets to go in.  He can't be sick the week before or no surgery!  And must stay healthy for two weeks while recovering.

I am nervous for him.  Who wouldn't be?  But I am anxious to get it over with as my little boy needs a decent sleep.  The tonsils are causing sleep apnoea which in turn may be the cause of the seizures.  Not to mention that his hearing is getting a little worse due to all the gunk in there.  We can then all stop shouting!

I have been whacked with gastro.  Yes, whacked!  Its a flipping violent bug and to say anything softer than a whack would be a lie.  Good grief.  Rick found me unconscious on the toilet floor Saturday morning.  Our toilet room is tiny and my slumped body was blocking the door.  I was apparently lying there with my eyes open so my poor hubby thought I had a seizure!  I don't know how he managed it, but he got in there and pulled me up.

Rick also hurt his back last week.  Which makes the lifting of me up off the floor next to a miracle!

Ok, so enough about that.

I thought I would show you what I have been doing behind the machine between icks.

I made another pair of Oliver & S Sleepover Pyjamas.  Liam chose the fabric.  Both from Spotlight.  I followed the pattern myself, with no help.  I worked out how to machine baste and to make the pockets!  I was rather pleased with myself as I didn't do either for the first pair.  These jammies are for the hospital but have had a road test already.

A friend of mine in Melbourne (Hi Beki!), put out a call on facebook for anyone who could sew her a zip bag for her stethoscope.  She's a nursing student and wanted to have something original and different to house her steth so it wouldn't get damaged en route to uni.  Even though I had no idea how to make one, I said that I would give it a go.  After a quick lesson from Jen, we whipped up two and one was sent down only a week after the call out.  I was rather chuffed with myself again because the me of 2 years ago would have never thought to even try.  And look at that!  A zipper!  Yippeeee!  This one keeps my sewing bits and pieces and reminds me to give it a go.

My neighbour is a retired diversional therapist.  She used to teach hand crafts to handicapped people.  Recently, I was invited over by her and her daughter for morning tea where they had prepared a little sewing lesson for me.  You can tell that she has taught some challenging students as her patience is saintly!  That morning, I was formally introduced to the world of hexagons.  I have done a little quilt-as-you-go-hexagons before but not the ones you make with paper templates.

It was my Mum's birthday yesterday.  The promised quilt fell by the wayside due to all the plagues so I put this little purse together and appliquéd the hexagon flower to one side.  I also knitted up a beret and put it in.  Mum is yet to receive her gift- waiting until we are germ-free!!

I had some fun with hand sewing and reacquainted myself with blanket stitch.

Now this one I am most proud of.  It is the first pattern I have traced, cut, followed and completed all on my own- yay!  It is the Oliver & S Tea Party Playsuit.  I used fabric from Spotlight but the snap tape I had to grab of Etsy.  There are some little errors.  There are some lessons learnt.  But I am still awfully proud and have plans to make more.  I think they are a great little gift and have darling friends who wouldn't mind my clumsy sewing.  Babies grow so quickly so it isn't like they are in them for long anyway hahahaha.

On the knitting front it is still dishcloths and hats.  What can I say?

xxx

More PJs, sick kidlets and a holiday

So following on with my success in making pjs for Dean, I made two more pairs of pj pants.  And because I didn't feel overly enthused to tackle the pyjama shirt again, I opted for cheap long-sleeve t's and appliqué.

I used my star shaped biscuit cutter and traced around it.  And here I will cease telling you how I did it because I really don't know how to appliqué!  With all the on line tutorials on the subject, you'd think I would have done my research first, but no.  I thought that a simple iron-on interfacing and a little zig-zag stitching would do the trick.  Well, it didn't.  The stars started to come away after only one wash!  Pah!  So I stitched a straight line and have crossed my fingers.  Oh well.

I used the same pattern as before but for Liam's pair (pictured first), I didn't add the cuff, I simply extended the legs as I had run out of contrasting fabric.  Likewise, Dean's pair (pictured last) didn't get the contrast fabric on the waistband.  But that is neither here nor there.  I am pleased that I can go freestyle this early on in my sewing capers.

My little men were sick last week.  Another lurgy from kindy.  And it was cold.  So rugging up in blankies and watching dvds was in order.  But I worry about Liam.

As you know, Liam suffers from generalised seizures (here and here too).  He is now on medication.  It has slowed him down and the seizures have seemingly come under control (for now!!).  But he is a different little man.  Some of the change I don't mind because I think he is able to concentrate a little harder.  I don't like seeing him so tired and he is putting on weight.  He is still in 50 percentile which isn't bad at all, I just worry about the rapid gain and will it keep going?  And the most worrying part is  . . . . he's just not himself anymore.  I have discovered a quieter more polite and considerate little man (at times), but I miss some of his former energetic craziness! (I don't believe I just wrote that- sheesh, I'm the crazy one!!)

We worry a lot as mothers don't we?  Dean nearly ran out in front of a car yesterday.  So it isn't all unfounded worry.  They do crazy things in a blink of an eye.  Us mothers feel guilty for blinking.

We are off this weekend for a much needed holiday.  Heading back up to Hervey Bay to see family and reconnect with the wonderfully amazing friends we made up there.  Might be MIA for a bit.  See you soon.

xx

I love being in a bind!

Well, only this kind of bind.

The first quilt :: Disappearing 9 Patch

my Circles quilt

Hannah's Quilt

Jacob's (MJ's Quilt

Every time I do the binding, I think, this time I will get it.  And then it just seems like it is up to luck.  I have made 4 quilts now and out of a possible 16 mitred corners, only about 10 are any good.

I will use this tutorial next time which I hope is soon although I am knitting more than sewing right now.

Are you like many crafters and get influenced by the seasons?  I knit all year round but I certainly have a sense of urgency when the weather cools!  But I like to mix it up so I'll be back to sewing real soon (fingers crossed).

Made It Monday :: Meet Pedro

Wonky is what I do best.  And apparently slightly freaky.  Would you give this to a 2 year old?  Well, I did.  He has a love hate relationship with it already.  In fact, Dean seemed to like it better without its head.

Liam named him Pedro and Dean agreed.

He even has a tail.  I made him entirely from old shirts and he is sporting a pink bow to hide my dodgy ladder stitching (looks a little like a decapitated-reattached-corpse).  Here's his little journey into being.

A bunny, right in time for Easter.

Wednesday's WIP Out :: Bunny

Ok so I may have a new bug for sewing but good results come from practise and stretching boundaries.  Don't they?

I've always wanted to make a softie. 

And whilst in Hervey Bay last year, I bought then promptly burnt this top on the stove when I was cooking dinner. I was a bit peeved but then had a thought . . . what if I chop it up and make Dean a little bunny?  Looking back, I'd like to say it was the inner, burgeoning crafter that thought to stash it  . . . . but really, it was the hoarder in me.

Nonetheless, here it is progressing.

I think my biggest challenge will be how to make a head.  Mmmm. . .

Wednesday's WIP Out: Circles Quilt

This is the quilt that started it all  . . . but it will be my third.

For my birthday back in 2010, Jen gave me the circles, all neatly cut out from Amy Butler's gorgeous fabric and said "I was going to make you a quilt for your birthday but I thought you'd might like to make it yourself, I will show you".  How fantastic!  And how scared was I?  I didn't even own a sewing machine then. 

I have since purchased the goods, done a couple of trial runs on other quilts and am finally ready.

Here's the work in progress:

I have been loving every stitch of this quilt and will not look forward to the post-quilt-completion-deflation that I have felt on my other two quilts . . . this must be what drives one to create another.

What makes you quilt?

My Brave New Quilt

It's only taken three quarters of a year to complete this, my first ever quilt. (You can see the progress here, here an here).

You must be thinking 'Almost a year?! Why? Was it really big and complicated?'- No. 

It is infact only 42x42", in the very simple disappearing 9 patch style and the quilting was done by my friend Sal (thanks clever chickie)

It has taken this long because I have never really sewn before.  Because I tremble at challenges.  Because this has been by far and away the worst year of my life.  Just because.

But it is finished now.  *sigh*

And I am so very happy.

As a stay-at-home-mum, my day is full of incompletes and undoings  You know, the housework is undone by toddlers constantly.  Tasks have to be performed day after day.  Does the term chasing your tail resonate ladies?  I don't know how or why you have come to appreciate and participate in crafts but for me it's just that.  To perform a task of my own, that can be completed within a timeframe and stay completed.  To stimulate a part of my brain that until a year ago I thought had all but died.  It is natural for humans to create things.

I have said before that I am not creative.  I take that back.  I am not an originator of ideas, but I can create with my hands.  It is satisfying.  It is relieving.  It is a legacy for my children.  It is fun.  It builds communities such as in my part of the blogosphere.  It is a gift from above.

So, for the inquisitive souls, here are the deets:

fabric: Bliss by Bonnie and Camille for Moda in two charm square packs.
back fabric: Medallion in scarlet and Marmalade in aqua from the same collection
binding: Marmalade in aqua as above

I particularly like the the quilting pattern that Sal suggested.  In some parts it looks like swirls and others like hearts. 

I will make another quilt, I will.  In fact, Jen and I are starting new quilts this week.  She is going to teach me circles.  I hope this one gets finished before the year is out, that way I can at least boast two quilts for 2011.

Ok, so I am off now to finish the last two modules from my financial services course.  That too should produce some satisfaction buzz.

x's

I'm Sew Excited :: Oh yeah! Top is done!!

Sashing is complete (thanks for your help again Jen).  I'm not showing you more than this snippet as I think a grand unveiling is in order, don't you think?  Only has taken me months and months.  But I am very proud of myself because before this project I had only clocked up a few minutes behind a machine, not hours.

I've selected the fabric for the back and for the binding.  And after much thought, I have decided to get it professionally quilted as I am not prepared to learn quilting on this little baby.

I am truly sew excited, even my heart rate has increased during the writing of this post!  Yay!!

x's
Fi

Sew Excited! - Part 2

If you know me well, you would probably have thought that I have 'shelved' the debut into sewing. 

Well I haven't!  I did put it off for a little bit as I was not confident in using the rotary cutter and cutting up my patches when I have absolutely no fabric left in case of mistakes.  So, in comes Jen to the rescue!  She showed me, the other day, her cutting technique and I was off and running or cutting in this case!




1. Cut 9 patch
2. Flip diagonal squares
3. Sew back together
My centre seamed took only 2 unpickings to get right!


After I square up the patches the next step is deciding on the fabric for the back and the binding - for the sashing I have decided on white.  Everytime I think I know what I want, I err.  Is it like that for you?  Which colours/fabrics do you think I should use for the back and binding? 

Sew Excited!

I usually hate stores that have rude, snotty, unprofessional staff but despite that, I am falling in love with Spotlight.  Sorry to all the Spotlight staff out there that do no possess any of the above characteristics- I wish you worked at my local- or perhaps it is a general lack of patience for those who are new to the world of sewing ie me, or perhaps this time of year can be challenging . . . whatever it is, I won't let it dampen my enthusiasm.  Instead, I go to another Spotlight store slightly further away where they are LOVELY.

I have made only 4 trips to Spotlight but it has been all in the last 4 weeks!  Here is my bounty of purchases for December.

Rick set the camera to manual and my dodgy eyesight isn't so good at focusing
hence the slightly fuzzy photo!

My very first sewing machine (Brother BC2500)- christmas gift from my wonderful husband and thanks to my friend who lined up in the sales to get it for me!

And again this week:




Another dodgy effort at focusing!

 Don't you think a lovely way to commence a journey into sewing is to begin with a quilt?  I have decided to make my sewing debut with a Disappearing 9 Patch.

I love this Disappearing 9 Patch called Figgy Pudding by A Quilting Jewel, here



and this one by Jen from I Was Told To Get A Hobby.





I'm using 2 x Bliss charm square packs purchased from http://www.retromummy.com/

This is only a rough layout - I have sinced changed it to be more balanced

I can't wait to not only show you the end product but to see it for myself!  So far my seams don't meet up properly and how many times did I have to thread the jolly needle?!?! (mystery, either me, machine or thread- most likely me!!)

Do you remember the first thing you sewed from scratch simply for the passion of sewing and not because you had to for school? 

Ooooo, I am literally bubbling over with excitement- I hope I don't stuff it up cuz I'll be awfully annoyed!

xxx BNF

PS I have to show you a photo we took of Dean today after his hair was washed



I can't bring myself to cut his hair!