jiffy sundress

at last something new to show you straight off the sewing machine! this is a 'jiffy' pullover sundress which is meant to be made in next to no time at all unless you're like me and are a finicky, fussy sewer even on the simplest things. I used Simplicity 5504 issued back in 1984 (another second hand 10 cents pattern from the thrift shop) and 2 fabrics from my stash to make up this dress for Miss almost 3. The iron-on applique is a simple heart placed over a flower shape cut from the fabric scraps.

I really like this pattern. It's pretty and girly and a good style for warmer weather. We're planning a trip to Samoa later on this year and I'll definitely be making at least a couple more of these dresses for her to wear then.

Photo removed for safety reasons due to cyber stalking!

school starts

nervous children, uniforms freshly pressed, shoes shined, freshly packed lunches, bags full of new books, it's the first day of school! the 6 weeks summer holidays zoomed by and now that school has started I can get back to some more sewing and crafting.

three to six

this is the latest Enid Gilchrist pattern book to join my growing collection. Check out the models on the front cover... aren't they cute? they look like miniature versions of their mums and dads at the time. I just love the girls expression as she holds her gloved hand in the air. There's quite a few patterns that I'm looking forward to sewing up for Miss almost 3, especially the shorties pyjamas and some pretty dresses too.

with the new school year about to kick off next week, I've been busy over the last few days getting school uniforms mended and laundered, school shoes & stationary shopping and on and on goes the list. Once they're back at school next week, I can take a breather and get back to sewing... (big sigh!!!!)...

girls nightie

with the warm nights and a growth spurt, Miss almost 3 needed a new nightie. Pink is her favourite colour and luckily I had this poly cotton floral print in my stash and Style 1715, another 10 cent pattern from the hospice shop. A couple of nights sewing and this is the result... a pretty pink nightie!

Photo removed for safety reasons due to cyber stalking!

girls nightie

with the warm nights and a growth spurt, Miss almost 3 needed a new nightie. Pink is her favourite colour and luckily I had this poly cotton floral print in my stash and Style 1715, another 10 cent pattern from the hospice shop. A couple of nights sewing and this is the result... a pretty pink nightie!

plate clocks

late last year I bought this clock for my kitchen from trademe seller natelee. As you know I'm an avid lover and somewhat collector of crown lynn and the idea of this clock appealled to me just as much for being a piece of crown lynn as for it's distinct, visual appeal. Last week I bought these 2 clocks from the same seller. The safari brown clock is a gift for a family member and the ironstone clock for my sewing room.

my husband suggested that I might like to attempt making a plate clock myself. After all he reasoned, it's simply a process of selecting a plate, finding the right drill bit, carefully drilling a hole and then attaching a clock movement. I'm not so easily convinced. My hands would probably shake so much from the thought of drilling a hole in a crown lynn piece that I possibly crack more than I'd successfully drill!

sundress

         

                                              

this is the cheapest dress that I've ever made. A leftover remnant from an 80s project plus a 10c vintage pattern from the hospice shop equals a quick afternoon sew. Miss almost 3 resists regular naps when the older children are on school holidays so quick and easy projects seem to be the way to go at the moment!

Photos removed for safety reasons due to cyber stalking!

sundress

         

                                              

this is the cheapest dress that I've ever made. A leftover remnant from an 80s project plus a 10c vintage pattern from the hospice shop equals a quick afternoon sew. Miss almost 3 resists regular naps when the older children are on school holidays so quick and easy projects seem to be the way to go at the moment!

another heart

using this scented heart tutorial, I set about making one for my wardrobe. It's an easy project that can be completed in less than an hour. I cut freehand heart shapes in my scrap fabric (I like my hearts to be assymetrical), added a vintage button, leftover polyester stuffing, homemade dried lavender and recycled ribbon from christmas gift wrapping. Viola! project complete and ready to hang!

kwik sew 3612 tote

I blogged about this tote bag back in September 2008 when I made a rip roaring start on it. Then I had an issue with one end of the fabric base that refused to give me a tidy corner, no matter what I did. So it went onto the ufo pile. And there it sat for almost 1 1/2 years. Yesterday I got stuck in and finished it.

another ufo celebrates completion!

groovy play dress

I blogged about this dress back in June 2009 and then for months, it just sat in the ufo pile waiting for button holes, handsewing and hemming.  Here it is finally finished and being enjoyed by Miss almost 3. A perfect twirling dress!

Photos removed for safety reasons due to cyber stalking!

groovy play dress

I blogged about this dress back in June 2009 and then for months, it just sat in the ufo pile waiting for button holes, handsewing and hemming.  Here it is finally finished and being enjoyed by Miss almost 3. A perfect twirling dress!

2010 plans

                                

like most people, at the beginning of each new year, I like to look back and review what I have or haven't achieved. It's my personal 'reality check' time. Here's my 2009 plans and my thoughts on how I did...

1. daily blogging   I'm frequent blogging instead. I don't have enough interesting stuff to share to warrant daily blogging.
2. improve knitting skills goes onto 2010 list. I lost my knitting mojo in 2009 and didn't do anything to improve.
3. etsy & felt shops at 100%  I'm ditching the felt shop & keeping the etsy store. This year I'm doing a lot more sewing for ball jointed dolls.
4. try gocco printing this stays on the list. I'd like to produce my own stationary, notecards and even christmas cards this year.
5. try scrapbooking again this gets kicked off the list. I'm not that into scrapbooking so I'll stick with my plan to only scrapbook christmas photos.
6. more personal sewing this one is a real biggie and needs to stay on the 2010 list. 2009 started off well and then my sewing inspiration fizzled leaving me completely unmotivated to sew. On the plus side, I lost a total of 18.5 kgs ( thats about 40 lbs) which added more sewing challenges to the mix. Later in the year, my sewing mojo returned and I sewed clothing for my growing 13 year old daughter.
7. no unfinished projects another to stay on the list. I'm embarassed to admit that I still have some 2008 ufo's in my sewing basket to complete. Getting them done is a priority.
8. reduce wool & fabric stash done! about 3 big boxes of wool was donated to the Middlemore hospital charity knitters and several black bags of fabric to the local hospice shop.
9. continue charity knitting another for the 2010 list. Although I didn't knit a great deal last year, I did contribute 4 christmas shoeboxes and 9 christmas gifts to the K-Mart wishing tree appeal. So this years plan is to continue crafting for charity.

and there you have it, my 2010 plans.

hello 2010

wishing you all the very best for the new year and thanks for visiting my little corner of kiwi blogland. Hope 2010 is a great one for you!