First major project for 2013

In this post, I talked about what I wanted to make in 2013.  One of my goals was to make something from each of my craft books - for January I choose Oliver and S - Little things to Sew.  I have made things from this book before, but this time I tackled the red riding hood cape.

I made it out of recycled blanket on the outside, and a cotton on the inside.  I wouldn't do it again - very thick to to sew, and very heavy to wear!

It's too big for her now, but the size goes from 5-10, so a few years of wear left!

Till next time, Melissa

Some Summer's Sewing By AMBER

I have been busy like Melissa getting Christmas presents sewn and have been enjoying the no-pressure sewing since Christmas too!

I made two quilts for my in-laws for their Christmas presents. Both were planned well in advance of spring but I didn't start either until about October...one was sewn completely on the day before Christmas Eve. Needless to say, that was given as a quilt top with an IOU. Its all ready for quilting now though..

Here is a peak at recent projects...

 A 2nd Schoolhouse Tunic for myself.. this one a little more adventurous with the print.. getting used to having so much pattern going on. I love wearing these tops. Not only are they super simple to make, when made from lightweight cotton they are very light to wear and look great over jeans. Easy to dress up or down too.

Cabbage Patch Clothes for our latest 'family member' CHARLI. Macie got Charli for Christmas...who had one of these?! Unfortunately they are not as big as the original ones, slightly smaller and not so well made we have discovered. Lucky for us, Grandma is a dab hand at repairs in the form of french knots to secure wrist, knees and bottoms. Despite their shortfalls, Macie and Maddie's cabbage patch are officially the best dressed though with their new digs. I have used the original cabbage patch patterns that my mum had used to make clothes for my very own cabbage patch back in the 80's, just with slight adjustments to size. Of course, a simple elastic waist skirt to match Charli's own top was super simple... its hiding in the photo underneath the pink pinafore.

My other sewing crafts for Christmas included several pencil cases for special little girls, a card holder for a special friend of Cullen's and the cutest wee pincushions that I found on pinterest... Total bummer for me was that I misplaced my camera for most of December so have only a few pics... the others have already been gifted!!

 I found the pin cushion tutorial here. It is easy, fun and takes about 4 minutes tops when you have all the materials ready to go. A girl cannot have too many pin cushions!

 This is a picture of my the finished quilt top for my Mother-in-law Carol. I used charm packs from California Girl by Moda to make this quilt. The pattern was found in a quilting book of my Mum's and is a great random way to quilt. 

I hope that you have had a relaxing and fun filled break too. Happy crafting in 2013! A x

Christmas Crafts

 I like to make my presents at Christmas but this year it kinda got away on me so I don't have many to show.

A really easy skirt from made

A sweet little dress from Leila and Ben

Coin Purses filled with goodies

Amy Butler Origami Bags from her book Style Stictches

A twist necklace

Pirate shorts, paired with tshirt

Xmas ornaments 

Mini Christmas cakes (with Brandy butter cream icing - yum!) as teacher presents

I am already thinking about this year's presents!

'Till next time

Melissa

What I am going to make in 2013

So another year draws to a close - I have finished my Christmas craft (photos after Christmas) and while I haven't made as much as last year, I am still happy.

I have started thinking about next year and projects I have had rattling round in my mind.  I thought I would document here so I HAVE to finish them!

So, here's the list of what I want to make next year...

• Slouch crochet hat
• Crochet infinity scarf/cowl
• Kingsize quilt (using 5" charm packs)
• Cushions for our lounge (different shapes/sizes plus using some scraps & quilting)
• Crochet granny square blanket
• Miz Mozelle dress
• Washi dress
• Knitted legwarmers for Thea's ballet class
• Make a project from each of my craft books
• A Christmas setting ie bunting, utensil stockings, table cloth etc
• New stockings for the kids

Whew!

That's quite a list - better get started :)

Till next time, Melissa

A Pinterest planned birthday party

A few months ago Thea started getting into ballet big time- so for her fourth birthday party I planned a ballet theme.  This is where Pinterest is just great - as I found ideas, I 'pinned' them and could refer to them at any time as the planning went along.  Here's some pics and the original source that I pinned.

As one of the take away gifts, each child got a chocolate  - the girls got ballerinas

Then for the boys moustaches - the molds, chocolate and lollipop sticks from cake stuff

I saw this neat idea for bagging up the other gifts (beaded bracelets with ballet charms for the girls and some water balloons/bouncy balls for the boys)  on this site

Here's the chocolate all bagged up

Glass bottles are really big right now, I got the bottles from my friends business and the doillies and pink/white string from Pop Roc Parties

I also added pink/white straws into the bottles, also from Pop Roc Parties

I saw these tulle flowers on this site:   - I wasn't that happy with them though, quite hard to make!

I saw a gorgeous ballet cake as my inspiration

I used all glass serving ware - clear or pink.  I also invested in a glass drink dispenser which was just perfect also from pop roc parties.  The food as much as possible followed a pink/white theme.  Pink/white marshmelllows, milk bottles and milk shake lollies, heart biscuits iced some white, some pink, fairy bread, watermelon/grape/strawberry kebabs, mini cheese muffins, coconut ice and chippies in paper cones.  

I used my mum's old tutus as the decoration - they were lovely and a great talking point with guests

There were lots of ideas I wanted to do but either a massive fail (these crowns were a disaster) and I really loved these ballerina cake pops but they were too hard for me.

Funny how months of planning is over in a few short hours!

Now, what will we do for her fifth birthday...

'Till next time

Melissa

Found on Pinterest

If you are a crafter then it's pretty likely that you have found Pinterest...I don't know how I managed before! Actually yes I do - I was forever emailing links of cool things to myself, or printing out endless pages of patterns or tutorials only to lose them again at home.

I use it for lots of things but mostly cool craft things that catch my eye - like these homemade pattern weights.

I 'pinned' them awhile ago and decided to give it a go for Amber's birthday.

I used a variegated embroidery thread to make them a bit more interesting.  

It's a nice idea to make a wee pouch to put them in too.

These are an easy and great gift for a crafty person I think - now I need to make some for me!

Til next time, Melissa

Easy crochet doll blanket

1Amber did a 'learn to crochet' class a few weeks ago and made a doll's blanket for her daughter.  Of course my daughter wanted one too!

I used an easy granny squares pattern I found on the internet, and basically just kept doing rounds until I felt it was the right size.  To finish, I did one round of single crochet to give it a nice edge.



In some ways I prefer crochet over knitting - it's more portable and easy to do with the kids around,  I also find it 'flows' better for me and can be quicker!

The worst part?  Weaving in the ends, especially when changing colours so much.

This wee blanket would make a great present for a little girl who's into dolls...of course now my son is demanding one too!