Bring on Autumn

  So I finally got Naomi, but only on the way to the car – paparazzi style. the jacket was finished with silver buttons and the skull fabric to line the hood, inside cuffs and under the pocket flap. During the sewing the brilliant idea to make it double breasted with 2 lines of buttons popped into my head and wouldn’t leave. Do you think the left over fabric could be found anywhere so back to Plan A. A second one in denim is in the pipeline instead, not that I am not super happy with how this one turned out.

The Oliver + S pants had been cut out for months and finally made it to wearable. The buttons were taken off and then just sewed up the front panel. These are capri length but will be adding on a few inches and working out how to add a pocket into the contrast fabric and making a few for winter.

Progress

Slowly getting there and enjoying the journey. The lovely Cath helped me with some filling stitches and the french knot wisdom from embroider guru Kirsty  – how much do you love blog land – seriously. The stitches are wonky and inconsistent, but thankfully I have no perfectionist genes  and loving it just the same. There needs to be alternating stitchin and sewing nights for much need winter clothes or the kids will end up in swimmers and long socks all winter – it is that easy to get sucked in.

My Creative Space

With so many fabrics on Poppy’s quilt that they are going to be divided up with some embroidery. Even though they are bigger than the buttons they will be a good replacement – here’s hoping. After enjoyed Caleb’s drawing embroider so much I can’t wait to do some more. The gorgeous patterns were from here and my eye is on this one too.

More creative goodness at Kirsty’s house, just follow the yummy smells.

Caleb’s coat is finished too, but he is having a Naomi so wearing photos will have to come, once fee negotiations are over.

I Remember you

 

Somehow I lost a week?! There was a dream that once finished doing markets and 8 hours less work that I would have time, umm no. After searching my brain I have found the culprit –pesky family - there have actually been conversations with Glen at night and spending more time with Poppy during the day, good places to be. There hasn’t even been time for blog commenting but I am trying not to beat myself up about it.

Better late than never giveaway winner – Miss Ellieboo! Glad it went to such a lovely lady, just let me know which pinnie you want.

The picture has no real relevance, just running in the park on the week-end. Those behind shots are always a favourite.

2 + 2

Take 4.5 meters of bridal tulle + overlocker gathering foot = 1  fairy outfit for new dance class.

(Hard to get a good photo of a constantly twirling fairy)

Let them Eat Cake

Caleb – When I grow up I want to  be a cook like dad

Except I don’t want to cook vegetables.

And I want to get paid in cake.

Mum (aka. voice of reason) – But how are you going to buy things with cake.

Caleb  - Who cares; I will have cake and girls love cake.

Mum realises that I actually know nothing. (These are the delicious cookies made by his hand)

My Creative Space

Poppy’s jacket from last week managed to get finished just in time for the cooler weather. If there is a job for jacket maker I would happily work for free, they are easily my favourite thing. This week’s wip is Caleb’s jacket who started asking for his as soon as he saw Poppy’s. I decided to add lining to the hood for a nicer finish and left off the original pockets. The toggles and wooden buttons were from the stash as was the white ric rac loops. The heart details are wool flannel appliquéd on. When she wore it to playgroup no-one thought that I had made it – is that a compliment? Total cost – approx. $16

Zip on over for more creative goodness at Kirsty’s

Thanks so much for last weeks help with the buttons and don’t forget the giveaway.

Honestly

Once upon a time there was a brave young knight that set out into a new world he didn’t understand, a place where all new adventures were exciting and exhausting and while the his mother wished she could keep him safe in the castle she knew he had to go out and be his own man. She spent many a year trying to build him armour, but there are some weapons that penetrate more than steel. How does one make it strong enough to keep out words and judgement but soft enough to breath in air and feel the sunshine. The knight was strong and pure of soul and she knew at the dusk that he would return triumphant, but that didn’t make waving at the gate any easier. There was comfort in the rising of the sun and the rising of the stars and the knight rode high and proud until he realised that he didn’t ride alone and that his quest was of value.

It would be a lie for me to say “yes my beautiful boy with Asperger’s Autism went to school and it was all rosy” and some part of me feels like I have to honest to any other family going through the same thing. After Sally’s post, it really struck a cord with me. Weighing up what to share is a constant juggle and the more people that read, the more guarded it is. He is working really hard, but it is hard for him to sort out where he really fits in and who is a friend. There is only so much guiding and preparing for situations, but it is just going to take time.

From Me to You

Surely there should be some benefit for sitting through 300 of my ramblings, so if you head over to the shop and let me know what you would like and the size, I will draw a winner next Tuesday 16th March – easy!

Thanks so much to everyone that has made this such a fun place to visit. Hearts in ordinary places, reminded me.

My Creative Space

The wool from last week is all cut out and just in time as the Melbourne weather is doing it’s erratic change of seasons thing. It is another Japanese pattern from the same craft book as the shirt from the other day.

There has also been playing around with the blocks for Poppy’s quilt. It is going to be 3 x4 different squares and there was this ‘great’ idea to do button features on 3 of them, but after talking to the ladies at Perle’s they were thinking the weight may be a little uncomfortable and would have ninja weapon like properties. What do you reckon, Andi suggested perhaps wall art? (Perle 8’s meets every Thursday night at Bentleigh if you are in the area and want to come along, new faces are always welcome).

More creative spaces at Kirsty’s house, the best ho   st around who is even making cushions to make sure we are all comfy when we visit.

PS. The post number is near a round number so I think a giveaway will be in order tomorrow.

First Autumn shirt

The autumn weather is fast approaching so I thought I had better start clothing these sprouting children. I used a pattern from a book I got from Pomadour. It is quite a small fit, as most of the Japanese ones are but I really love it and it only took about 3 hours, a great staple of winter. I got the purple-grey fabric from the Amitie sale last week, 50% off – yippee.

You may not know this about me, but I am a fabric tight-ass. I managed to squeeze this shirt out of half a meter of material as opposed to the 1m recommended. The sleeves couldn’t make it out in one length so I had to add a cuff. I don’t think there was a thread of fabric left!

I also got some seriously cute tights and socks from here too, great services and really quick delivery.

Summer Daze

Technically not summer anymore, I know but I couldn’t resist one more post in Jodi’s summer update. I have been admiring lots of lovely blog-gy vege gardens, but our little rental courtyard doesn’t allow too much growing action. The kids loved getting involved in our new herb pots with Glen, especially Poppy.

First we had to clear out the pots!

Poppy had a great green thumb, determined to plant them green side down. Lots of delicious herbs for the new slow cooker marathon.