Sew it Together - hmm, not much sewing really....

I was lucky enough to spend Saturday with all the girls at Sew It Together. I missed out last year as we were in Hong Kong for the weekend that it was held, so I really didn't know what to expect.

Saturday morning was spent at the Menzies Hotel 'sewing'..... actually, I didn't get much sewing done. I did do a lot of talking, eating, talking, and admiring of others projects. I was so pleased to catch up with Cass, Ingrid and Christy again. I was just as pleased to finally meet Karen, Helen and Kylie (who I have known online for a long time). And lets not forget all the new friends like Rachel, who I managed to see again on Monday at Spotlight (of course).

I participated in a Hand Pieced Quilting session with Kathy from Material Obsession in the afternoon (by which stage I was exhausted) which was fun.

I came home with a massive haul of swap items, giveaways, freebies, and purchases......


There is only one thing missing from the big picture, and that is an Owl Kit that I chose as a prize, donated my Claire from Craft Schmaft..... which has already been made up and claimed by James (yes he is 5.5 but he still loves softies).

The item I made for the swap was a 'necklace' - not really sure what to call it.....


Since it is now time for school pick up, I will have to leave it there for now. Will be back with a more detailed post of the stash I came home with and DINNER.....

Moving on....

I am trying really hard not to let external factors get me down, but they do. The natural events that have occurred over the last few months seem to stop me in my boots at times. Before I know it, a week has passed without having achieved much at all. Then when I do achieve something crafty, there are just set backs which make me doubt what I have done (is it all worth the effort??).

Anyway, I think everything has been cleared up now.... goods received, money paid, and apart from the small earthquake which apparently just hit Wellington (where my husband is due to head later this year for the Rugby World Cup) I think I am ready to move on again.

I am heading to the Sew It Together meet this month, and joined in with the Name Tag Swap. Name tag has now been received by the recipient, so I will post the picture of the name tag here.


I have also been settling in to my new 'life' as the Mum of a school student. I have actually felt like it has been a pretty big adjustment for me (James has had no trouble settling in). My day is cut so short, with drop off, pick up and a toddler sleep in between. So much for all the sewing time I thought I was going to have, lol.

I think he is up to 7 merit certificates, an SRC award for 'Respect' (of all things) and he was elected SRC rep for his Kindy class. On top of that he has had a great transition - 5.5 years of torturing us has finally paid off.

And for good measure, my gorgeous, but very clingy (said with gritted teeth) Layla.

Queensland Flood Relief Appeal Auction

NOTE - just to bring this Auction in line with all the others, the Auction will now end at 9pm on Monday the 24th of January, 2011. Not long now.....



What a week of devastation in this country. Living so far from the flood damaged region does make it hard to help in a hands on way (seeing all those local Brisbane residents on the news pitching in with the clean up brought a tear to my eye tonight). But the crafting community are doing what we do best - Making Stuff!!!

Toni from Make It Perfect is coordinating a crafty fundraising venture.

My contribution is a dress that I have made which is up for Auction on my blog.
Details are as follows.....
The dress was made by me - using the Modkid Kyoko pattern. Fabric is the Hunky Dory range by Moda Fabrics.
It is a size 4, but really, I would say 3-5 year old could wear it. The dress is loose in style with the obi which ties around the waist to make it 'adjustable'.
Dress is finished inside with French Seams.

Since I don't have a 4 year old to model, I have shown the dress on both the 2 year old and the 5.5 year old, so you can see sizing.

5.5 year old model (hehe)


2 year old model - Note, the dress is actually above her ankles (just a bad angle for the photo)


The Auction will run as follows:
1. Bids will start at $20 (Australian)
2. To bid, leave a comment on this blog post stating your bid amount - higher than the previous bid.
3. Bids shall be placed in whole dollar increments
4. The Auction will close on Monday the 24th of January at 9pm - the highest bidder at this time will 'win' the dress
5. Please ensure that you leave your email address with your bid so that you can be contacted if you 'win'
6. All proceeds from the sale of this dress will go to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. The winner will pay the money directly to this fund, and forward me a copy of the receipt of payment by email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will send the dress.
7. I will cover the cost postage of the dress and the dress will be sent once

And if you aren't interested in this dress, there are plenty more amazing items up for Auction..... just follow the link above to Toni's blog for a full list of participants.

Goodbye 2010 - Looking Forward to 2011

As much as I have been sewing a lot more this year (a positive) there are been a few things going on in the background here to cause me to 'misplace' my focus at times.

2011 will be about "moving forward". In regards to family, James will start school in February.


He also started dancing this year, and will be continuing in 2011..... Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet.... it has given him a real boost to start something that he enjoys so much.

Layla will also start dancing - yep, I am loving having a little girl!

James also went to Drama classes again this year, which finished off with a fantastic Christmas party.... one of the highlights of our year.....




Layla turned 2 at the beginning of the month..... my little angel.


Then we could start to focus on Christmas....



And to finish, a quick pic of my nephew in his new hat that I made.


I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for 2011.

The Countdown to Christmas

Well, my husband decided to put the Christmas tree up early this year. Apparently the tree lighting in Martin Place means our tree can go up. Using his theory, we could probably start putting up decorations in October. I should explain that he did not grow up in Australia, or really celebrate Christmas growing up. For the first 6 years or so that we were together he would ask the same question every year.... "Which day do we have to give presents?". I think he 'gets' the present thing now, as I am sure he hears me answering the same question from James.

The tree going up definitely put the wind up me though...... so much to do, so little time.
First up, I needed to finish the stocking for Layla.


Then I finished some Christmas bunting.


And a dress for Layla (although this is not the official photograph, just a happy snap that Alex took).


After all that I needed to sew something for myself (I get selfish like that). A dress. Yet to be photographed.

Finally, I thought I would add in a picture of a drawing that my husband completed. It will be going to a family member for a Christmas present. Apparently the pencils he is using aren't the 'right' pencils though, so he is getting new pencils for Christmas.


The next few weeks are going to be a sewing frenzy. I have completed some Christmas presents, but still have a long way to go.

Christmas Present Sewing

Since my niece is off to school next year, I thought I would make her a party dress as a Christmas present (for all those birthday parties I hear Kindy kids go to) rather than buy a toy that she will be much to busy to use.

I used the Kyoko pattern again. It really is very easy to sew up. I am a 'slow/particular' sewer. I am not into rushing a project. But this dress only took me a day to cut and sew - obviously I am not sewing all day, just when the kids are in bed. So it is a pretty quick sew really.

Since my sister won't visit this blog, I will post a picture now (on the hanger) and hopefully a get an action shot after Christmas.

He Who Shouts the Loudest.....

Since Layla doesn't know any better (yet) she tends to miss out on getting new things at times. As much as I do sew for her, if James wants something sewn for him, he wants it now! So Layla tends to get the 2nd version of things I make (sometimes a few months later).

In this case, James saw me preparing the Christmas Stockings and wanted the first version....... so here it is......


Not too happy with how the fabric shows through in this picture. It is not as bad in real life though, so I think I will live with it.

Off to work on Layla's stocking now.... after all, I don't have a few months to complete this version.

Flowerpress

A few weeks back, I entered a giveaway from Flowerpress - never expecting to win! This is what I received in the mail......


A teatowel and a piece of fabric (surely that will end up in a garment for Layla). I am loving all the lovely printed teatowels around these days. It is a much needed splash of colour in our black and white kitchen.

Thank you Susie!

Sydney sees Summer.....

Well, it seems it was a short lived excitement, as the clouds are rolling in now. But this morning we woke up to a very warm day. After James' dance class, I thought it might be time to bring out the Slip and Slide we bought earlier this year. The kids had a ball. Until the fights started over the mini-boogie board. At this stage Layla ran inside into her bedroom and was madly trying to get the cushion that Cass made for her when she was born (it was in her cot)..... she seemed to think it would make a good alternative to the boogie board. Hmm, no.

And the Stash-buster Giveaway Winner is......

Congratulations Karen!! I don't think I have your address, so I will be in contact to get it from you!!