My quilts

Two of my sewing buddies, Lisa and Ellie are both making quilts and were eager to see photo's of some of mine so here they are! The first is my all time favorite - My Japanese Quilt. This was made pre-kids and it's huge. Brett actually received an all expenses paid invitation to run in a marathon in Japan which he did and mum and I tagged along. We also got to meet up again with an exchange student who had stayed with us years before. So that was the basis for this quilt. It was simple to make but I think the end result is very effective. I had it professionally quilted and have included a close-up of the beautiful job that they did of it. It hangs over the back of my couch and gives the room a real cosy/homely feel. I love it.

The 2nd one is an "I spy" quilt. This one was also easy but loads of fun. You collect as many novelty type prints eg butterflies, bugs, faries as you like and then once its made up you play "I spy" or a version of it if they are little - eg who can find a butterfly? Its so much fun. Sophie has it on her bed at night as she is a cold frog like me and then it also gets dragged out when watching dvds etc in winter. Much loved! This was made way back when Sophie was a baby (so almost 4 years ago)!

Madeline dress

Here is the Madeline dress and I love it. I used Tula Pink fabric which I just adore. It is actually for my niece Phoebe but I was eager to blog it and not sure when I would be able to get a photo of Phoebe in it so Sophie will have to do for now! I will definately make another of these! I also made a matching little hair tie. Very cute.

Meeting my sewing friends!

Last week I was lucky enough to meet 2 great friends, Lisa and Rachel in Ballarat for lunch. We had a great time chatting away over lunch and then doing a little shopping afterwards. Here is something I made them to thank them for their inspiration and encouragement! Its a thread catcher/pincushion. Its great to have just beside you as you are sewing and all the threads just get thrown straight in. Keeps the whole area tidy. I find it really handy. Hope they do too!

The tutorial is here

Sam gets birthday mail!

Wow, we are so lucky. Last week was Sam's 2nd birthday and we were so suprised when we recieved a parcel from Lisa. Inside was a gorgeous robot, hand sewn onto a cute bonds t-shirt. Perfect fit and he loves it! Thanks Lisa, you are so generous.

Speaking of Lisa, we also received one of her fantastic art bags. Sophie is always asking to go to a cafe so she can use her art bag. Not sure why she can't use it at home?????????????

Another sweet top

Another sweet top. This time for Sophie. I love this pattern. So easy, yet so effective. Love it!

Some shorts for Sam

I love these shorts. The pattern is burda 9793. I love the little pockets in them. Couldn't get Sam to model them for me (I can't blame him - too cold for shorts)! I think I will make another pair tonight - there are a couple of things I need to perfect! Feels good to make something for my little boy for a change!

Sweet little top

Finally, I have something to show! Yesterday I made this cute little top. After seeing my friend Lisa make this gorgeous top, I decided to give it a go. It is actually for my niece Phoebe and reluctantly modelled by Sophie. It was very easy and I love it. I was going to add a ruffle to the bottom but decided to leave it. Added a little tie to the front though. Got half way through a 2nd one and my machine decided to be un-coperative. Will have to get someone to look at it today.

Sophie meets Justine Clarke

Yes, I know this isn't sewing but there is so little of that going on that I thought I would blog something else. Yesterday, Sophie and her cousin Ella had a wonderful time at the Justine Clarke concert. They were perfectly behaved and sang and clapped and danced with hundreds of other kids. Sophie was adament she wanted to meet Justine so we lined up, waited our turn and finally got to meet Justine who was just lovely. It was a great morning!

Plastic covered bag

Very happy with this Tin Whistle bag. What a wonderful free tutorial! Was so much easier than I thought it would be! Its the same size as the green supermarket bags, just much prettier. Can see myself making many more of these as gifts. The photos really don't do it justice. Although the handles look kind of wierd in the photo they are actually perfect!

Flipsy skirt and top

I love this! So easy to sew. Its not sitting properly in this photo but my model wasn't up for a reshoot! Also excuse the hair as she had just got up. Sophie loves it and wants to wear it today - pity it is about 10 degress outside. So we have compromised and she is wearing the t-shirt (under a jumper!).

6 random things!

I have been tagged by Lisa I have to tell you 6 random things about myself that you may or may not already know!

1. Whilst in high school and uni I used to work as a checkout chick at Safeway. I was the Geelong Checkout Operator of the Year for about 3 years in a row and placed 4th in the Victorian State Checkout Operator of the Year one year and 3rd another year. Hey, don't laugh the prizes were $3000 travel voucher and $1500 travel voucher. The winner won a new Holden Barina!

2. I was engaged once (before Brett) and almost eloped. Thank God I came to my senses on that one!

3. Brett and I met at work when he did a 4 month intern placement on the surgical ward I was working on. I think we managed to keep that quiet for about 2 weeks!

4. We bought a house after being together for less than 6 months using a large deposit that was entirely mine (I sold the house I already had). He had NOTHING to his name. And we also put it soley in his name so we would get the extra $7000 first home buyers grant. I shudder now to think what could have happened if it all turned sour!

5. My brother Sam died in a motorcycle accident aged just 25, 4 days after our wedding. We were honeymooning in Palm Cove at the time and couldn't get a flight out until the following morning. He was on his way to his girlfriends house and was hit by a driver who had only had his licence for a week and failed to give way. Awful, awful time. The best and worst days of my life within 4 days of each other.

6. My mum discovered this site probably about a year ago. Amazingly we knew nothing of the message in the bottle until the finder wrote such a beautiful story about it. I will let you read the story yourselves. Message in a bottle

So there you go, 6 random things about myself. I am also supposed to tag 6 others but the only people I know that have blogs are the newbie sewers and I think they have already been tagged so I will have to skip that part.

A bag for me!

This is a new bag I made last night from the book called Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts and I love it! It was so easy and was fun to make. I used some Robert Kaufman fabric from Spotlight and added interfacing. Easy! Next time I would probably do it all the same rather than 2 different fabrics. But I'm still really happy with it! It is lined in the same fabric as the top section.

Fitted cot sheets

Another quick and easy project. Some fitted cot sheets for my soon to arrive nephew!
From this tutorial http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/Fitted_Crib_Sheet_Tutorial.pdf
Think I will have to run up some more. I love them. Now I just need to work out how to do a matching pillowcase. Any links anyone?

Shirred dress

I love this dress. It was fun to make. The tutorial is here http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/sunny_day/ So well explained - probably the best tutorial I have followed yet! The fabric was from Spotlight and I love it. Can see myself making more of these for my nieces!

Rice Heat Therapy Bags

These are the rice heat therapy bags I made using this tutorial http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=280 They were easy. Not sure who they are going to yet!

Nanny Mavis cross stitch

Well,I have finally got round to putting up this beautiful Peter Rabbit cross stitch that my Nan (Sam's Great Grandmother) made for Sams birth. It is just beautiful! We love it. Thanks Nanny Mavis. xxx

Melly and Me Pussycat bag.

I made this Melly and Me Pussycat bag for my niece Phoebe. She turns 3 next week and we are going to fill it with little bits and pieces (plus she is getting a barbie and barbie car). At first I hated it, but it is growing on me now that it is finished! I think it would be much easier 2nd time around. This was also for the Newbie Sewers bag challenge on Essential Baby. So there you go, I have made a bag!

Beautiful round neck top.

I am so in love with this top! Fairly easy to make although an error in the pattern had me scratching my head but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Only just fits though so Sophie will be wearing it constantly over long sleeve tops and then I will need to make a larger size for summer. I'm thinking of making the dress version as a Christmas dress for all those parties/break-ups etc we tend to have in December. And best of all Sophie said "Mummy, I love it!". Woo hoo - its a winner!

A new blouse

I finally finished this new blouse for Sophie. Am reasonably happy with it although wouldn't use this pattern again. It was Burda Easy 9645. Sophie is not that keen on it - she wants to give it to her cousin!

More PJ's!!

These are the last 2 pairs of PJ's I am making for a LONG time! These are for my niece Phoebe. Now its time to move onto some "prettier" things such as dresses etc!

Softie swap - A fish and a frog!

I just participated in my first swap with a group of newbie sewing internet friends. We received the most gorgeous fish you could ever imagine that we absolutely love and Sophie has named "FISHY". Thank-you so much Lisa. We sent little Isabella Clarabel the cross-eyed frog. Lisa said Isabella was singing frog songs with Clarabel in the cafe so I assume she liked her! Both the fish and frog are patterns from Melly and Me. I also made Clarabels friend Clancy. I'm ready for the next swap!

Monkey PJ's

I ran up a couple of pairs of pyjamas with some gorgeous monkey fabic I have had for ages. I just got a cheap top from Target and appliqued the monkey on it. We gave a set each to my nieces Ella and Phoebe. All the girls were very excited by their "cheeky monkey" PJ's.

Reversible cape

I made this reversible superman/batman cape for Sam last night and thought he would absolutely love it. Instead, he won't even let me put it on him and Sophie has claimed it as hers and not had it off since 730 this am. It was this free tuturial http://pukingpastilles.com/?p=57 that Lisa linked in her blog. It looks great (well it did this am when it was nicely ironed and cleaned). It was really easy and I enjoyed making it!

Flanelette PJ's

I finally finished off these flanelette PJ's. Am very happy with them - they are a little big (size 4) but as Sophie seems to be somewhere between a size 3 and 4 I thought this was the safer option. She loves them! The collar was a little fiddly but I think when I do another pair it will be a bit easier. They were supposed to have "invisible" hand stitching on the back but my stitching was anything but invisible so in frustration I just sewed it on the machine (its under the back collar so don't see it anyway). I have another pair cut out ready to go for my niece and hope to do a dressing gown to go with it. Now I just need some time!

Sam's quilt

Well, I have had a lovely weekend. Brett took the kids to Melbourne 1130 Sat and they didn't return until 6pm Sunday! As well as having lunch out on Sat and coffee with friends Sunday I managed to make this gorgeous quilt for Sam. I just love the red/navy combination and the beautiful sky and aqua blues mixed in. The centre of each "square" is chenille fabric which makes it a little more "cosy" I think. I will back it with a navy flannelette and then will get it professionally quilted. I love it!

"No sew" Tutu

Sophie loves her new tutu! She picked out the tulle herself. This is a really easy project to do in front of the TV. A great addition to our dress up box. Easy instructions available here http://www.flickr.com/photos/coronita/1072109403/

The Emmeline Apron

Here is my finished Emmeline apron. I found this quite a challenge and it took alot longer than anything else I have ever done but I am happy with the end result. Not sure if you can tell in the photo but the bodice is gathered and there are some darts in the bottom half. Excuse the hair - it is 41 degrees here today so we went for a swim!!
Pattern http://www.montessoribyhand.net/patterns/emmeline.html

My sewing space

Pink Lizzy from the Essential Baby newbie sewing thread asked us all to show our sewing space so here is mine! I love it. I would love some more cupboards as I only have half of the open shelving but I'm sure if I sorted it a little better it would be enough! Must get some more boxes to hide extra patterns and other sewing "bits" which will tidy it up a bit though. Not sure what else I could do with my "stash" though. Just always looks so messy (top right shelf).

Sam's rockstar PJ's!

I'm getting really good at making PJ's now! I am reasonably happy with these. They didn't take too long. They are a little big for Sam (made a size 2) but should be perfect by the time winter rolls around! They are a stretch knit fabric and have groovy electric guitars on them. Just for something different I appliqued a square of the guitar fabric on the top. I really enjoyed making them. The pattern was Kwik Sew 1651 (think it is pretty old - I borrowed it from mum).

Cupcake apron

I LOVE this! Mum found the cutest cupcake fabric at spotlight and then I used a brown with pink spots for straps. It was soooooooo easy!! The neck has elastic in it and the waist strap is secured with valcro so the child can put it all on independently. LOVE it LOVE it LOVE it!. Mmmm what can we cook tommorow??

Dolls nappy

Have not felt up to sewing much after my hernia repair, so was happy to do this simple dolls nappy for "Meggie". Very happy with it although I really need some thicker type material (maybe some sort of fleece). I just used stretch t-shirt type fabric that was left over from one of Sophie's nighties. It has elastic around the legs and back and velcro tabs. Can't wait for Sophie to come home from Day Care to play!!

A present for Tommy (reluctantly modelled by Sophie)

Just finished this set in the nick of time. Tommy became a big brother last night when Mikaela Ann arrived. I am really happy with the singlet which I got from Target and appliqued the train on but not so happy with the shorts. They are a silky/satin material (only because it was the only Thomas fabric I could find) and I had all sorts of problems with fraying etc. Mum has looked at them and given me a few pointers for next time including how I should have finished the edges to make it look much neater. I think I will give these to Tommy now and make another better pair next week some time to replace them. I hope he likes them!

Another nightie

Another nightie for Sophie. I would have liked it to be more a-line but was not confident enough to alter the pattern. It is just a T-shirt but made longer. From my great Kwik Sew pattern 3034.

Child free sewing day!!

Both kids were at daycare today so I had a wonderful time making this pencil/crayon roll. I love it but although I thought Sophie would think it was fantastic, she didn't seem at all fussed by it!

My brother Sam

This is a photo of my beautiful brother Sam who left us 6-11-02 aged just 25. The last few years have been extremely difficult for my family as we all struggle to move on without him. We were all excited and amazed when mum discovered this site last week after googling his name

http://hvattum.net/index.php/2006/06/14/sam-william-dowling/

It tells a beautiful story of how my aunt/uncle and cousins wrote letters to Sam, placed them in a bottle and threw it overboard whilst sailing in Tasmania. They wanted his spirit to travel the world, to see all the places he didn't see whilst alive. The bottle was then found by a Norwegian man who was extremely touched by the bottle. He created the site. I will let you read the rest yourselves.

RIP Sam, we miss you more than words can say xx

Something for Sam

I felt like Sam was missing out so I made him these cute PJ's. He loves them! This was my first attempt at applique and although one edge of the star is a little dodgy close up I am rapt with how they turned out. The pattern was Kwik Sew 3034.

A nightie for Sophie

This was so quick and easy. I am rapt with how it turned out. It is perfect for these hot nights we are currently experiencing. I used Kwik Sew pattern 3034 which I think I will get a lot of use from.

A new dress

I have decided to get back into sewing so have made this quick dress for Sophie. It was my first attempt at bias binding and although it almost got the better of me a quick trip to nan's house got my on the right path. It was far easier than I thought and Sophie loves it. It also looks cute with a little white tshirt underneath. The pattern was McCalls M5419.