22 months on....

My little baby is approaching 2. I can't stop time, and I am not even sure that I want to, but I really do love the little baby that she was and the little girl she is turning into.

I was browsing though our photos on the computer the other day and remembering what Layla was like when she was smaller. Of course we have hundreds (maybe a 1000??) photos of Layla, but I just thought I would share some that had been taken by a good friend - Tanya Tindale. We are lucky to have a photographer friend that we can trust to take photos when we want them.....

The Number 6

I have given up on trying to get pictures of some things I have made - on my body. I have gone for the 'hanger shot' instead. They probably look better on the hanger anyway.

First up is a dress that I made earlier this year to go out for dinner for my 10th wedding anniversary. Pattern is McCall's 5622 - looks like it is now out of print. I wasn't sure which version to go with when I bought the fabric from The Fabric Store. When I finally placed the pattern pieces down, I realised that I wouldn't have enough fabric for Version C. I headed back to the store to find the fabric sold out - argh!

So I went for Version B adding a black band at the bottom. I was happy enough with the result, but as with most things I sew, it was too big around the neckline. I managed to hide a couple of little pleats in the gathered neckline. Also, this dress hangs very wide. I probably would have taken it in about 5cm on each side, had I not painstakingly handstitched the bottom border in place.


Now despite the fact that I didn't have enough fabric left for the bottom of the dress, I did have enough to make up a top the other day.


I first saw this pattern on Suzy's blog and although I am not pregnant, I still look like I could be, so figured this top could be good for summer.

I can see this pattern being one that I use again and again. I loved the result. Now for the warmer Syndey weather to return so I can start to wear it....

News Flash...

Don't enter this giveaway... cause I want it so bad. How gorgeous are the tutus from Meika!!!

Day 5 - A Question....

OK, this post is a bit weak. We had friends visit over the weekend, which meant the housework had to be amped up. As a result, the sewing stopped and I haven't got back to it yet.

So this post is dedicated to a Retromummy Giveaway I won about a month ago. I had been having a bad day when I 'won' so it definitely improved my mood. I received these charm square packs in the mail the next day....

Within a day I had sewn up a little pram quilt top.... in preparation for some babies that were being born. We didn't know the sex of any of the babies, so wanted to be 'prepared' when they arrived. Of course 2 out of 2 babies so far have been boys, so the 'girl' finished quilt is still waiting to be made up.

So, 'the question'.... I can't be the only person with hobbies who struggles with housework?? Is the only way to have a showroom home to just not have hobbies? Or kids? Unfortunately in our house, both my husband and I have hobbies (and 2 kids). Hence we have 'stuff' - and stuff makes mess. When the kids are finally in bed, I would just rather be doing something for me, rather than cleaning. Oh, and I am also crappy with my time....

Getting Wear Out of the Top

I made a top for Layla when she was a baby..... born in December, it was a summer top that could be worn in winter with a top underneath.



Well 2 years later, it still fits!! Yay, that will be 3 summers that she will be able to wear it. Love it!

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble....

I don't think I normally complain too much on this blog. But since October is a long month, I thought I should put a complaint in now, get it out of the way and move on.

My son had a dress up birthday party to go to today. It was a fairy party. He was going to be the only boy. That is not a problem, it really doesn't worry him. Of course he would need a 'new' dress up outfit, as we didn't think 'Racing car driver'/Wizard/Superman would cut it at a fairy party. So off we went to Spotlight on 'Sale Day' to look for an Elf costume. There were no Elf costumes... grumble.

We settled on a "Woody" costume..... no price attached.... full price $50, sale price $40..... grumble, grumble.

After wearing the Woody costume for half an hour, there are already snags appearing in the cheap polyester fabric...... grumble, grumble, grumble.

What have I learnt from this?? Make it yourself, lazybones. I have actually got plans to replicate this one in a much sturdier non-snagging fabric. I will take my time, and get it right. Because I am not paying $40 for rubbish in future.

Of course despite all this grumbling by me, James loves looking like Woody. And I think he looks pretty cute too.

Wet and Rainy Long Weekend

It is a long weekend here in Sydney.... and like most long weekends, it is raining. So, of course, I can't get outside to take a picture of the top I finished for myself last night. Perhaps tomorrow.....

Instead I will share with you a picture of the patterns I received recently in a giveaway from Sasha.


Sasha is making some lovely bags, and runs bag making courses too! Thanks Sasha!!

Blogtoberfest 2010

OK, I have decided to participate in Blogtoberfest 2010. I have never participated in something like this before, but since I have been on a bit of a sewing roll lately I really should make the most of the opportunity to blog more often - starting tomorrow, haha.

More Summer Sewing....

This first pattern I found in a stash of patterns that my Mum gave me. To be honest I had no idea if they were hers or if they had been passed to her at some stage, but after showing her the finished product she assured me that she used this pattern to make a dress or two for my sisters and I. I was so excited when I pulled it out that it was actually a size 2.... perfect for Layla this summer! Fabric is from The Fabric Store again...





This top doesn't come up too well in the pictures, but it is based on pattern that I can't lay my hands on at the moment to give any details about.... yes the sewing room is still a mess....
Fabric is from The Fabric Store.

Wordless Weekend