the courier pulls up the driveway this morning catching me unawares. It's 7.30am and I'm still in my pyjamas desperately trying to tame Miss 2's wild hair and urging the older 2 children to get ready for school. It's our usual school morning chaos!
The parcel was quickly unwrapped by the 3 children to reveal 2 repro Barbie sets. Who sent them? I have absolutely no idea. So whoever you are, thank you very much!
today's post brought me a friend's lovely gift of two wonderful vintage doll knitting patterns. I'm really excited to finally have the knitted dresses and cape pattern. Sadly, doll knitting will have to go on the wait list until I've finished my current projects.
I'm adding the finishing touches of hemming and buttons to Miss 2's dress. Then it's on to completing the hems on the curtains.Next is making the cushions and then onto Miss 10's tops.
is the beautiful 'Time to say goodbye' sung Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli. So turn up the volume, get your hairbrush, wooden spoon or whatever ready and give those high notes the best you've got...
it seems as if not too many people these days bother with mending. Probably because we value our time so much that we'd rather be doing something else and maybe because it's just easier to replace than repair. I'm determined to make mending a habit, rather than think of it as a boring and uninteresting activity that I've got to try and avoid for as long as possible.
So the mending basket came out today and I got to work. Hemming, fixing tears in pants and replacing lots of buttons seemed to be a consistent thing this time round. The worst part is digging through the button jar trying to find a similar button without success and then ending up by having to replace the lot.
Dear hubby's work clothes are always in need of repair. Meanwhile Mr 10 is equally hard on his clothes. On top of that, the children are growing like bean poles. So every bit of wear that they can get out of their clothes is a bonus. For now, I'm as pleased as punch that I've finished all the mending.
all of a sudden I have lots and lots of sewing to do and 'sew' little time to do it. Here's a quick run down of what needs doing by the weekend:
1) Miss 2 needs her dress finished for church this Sunday.
2) Miss 12 needs a couple of tops to go with the new jeans that we bought last weekend.
3) Miss 12 has a school social coming up and wants me to make a start on her dress.
3) Mr 10 has several shirts and pants that need mending.
4) Dear hubby has clothes that need mending.
4) The lounge curtains need to be shortened and ready to be hung this weekend.
5) The lounge suite needs new cushions.
and I'm not even going to start talking about all the 'other' sewing that I have on the go. Just thinking about this makes me feel tired, makes me want to scream aaahhh
A quick visit to Spotlight this afternoon, had me having a mini splurge on some $4 per metre sale fabric. I just couldn't resist such cute prints. As I was taking a photo of the fabric, I noticed that I have something of a colour theme going on of red/white/blue. More fabric destined for the ever growing (also groaning) stash.
Whenever I'm shopping at Spotlight, I always make sure to check out their free crafting patterns. They're a great source of inspiration. Today I picked up 4 quilting patterns and a vintage inspired pinny pattern.
There's also heaps of free crafts, knitting and sewing project patterns on the Spotlight website.
One of my 2009 goals was to try gocco printing. I've finally found a print gocco kit on ebay that didn't cost me a fortune. Luckily this kit is ex Australia so postage is more affordable. Most of the second hand kits ex Japan charge crippling postage charges of nearly $70-$80 US to ship to New Zealand. The current USD=NZD exchange rate is terrible at around 49c/50c US for $1 NZD. Not very encouraging for us Kiwis. So I used up the last of my US currency in my Paypal account buying up gocco supplies to keep me going for a while.
The kit and supplies are due to arrive within the week. So while I'm waiting, I'm drawing some designs for cards and checking out some tutorials, like celestefrittata and visiting the gocco flickr group plus getting stuck into cutting out my A+O pants.
is 'C S Lewis song' by Brooke Fraser. Her songs have a haunting, soulful quality...
Lyrics
"C.S. Lewis Song"
If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy, I can only conclude that I was not made for here If the flessh that I fight is at best only light and momentary, then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared
[CHORUS] Speak to me in the light of the dawn Mercy comes with the morning I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way? is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive? Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become
[CHORUS]
[BRIDGE] For we, we are not long here Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you Hope is coming for me Hope, He's coming
I've always had an interest in the 1950s hard plastic walking dolls. Especially in the New Zealand made Pedigree walkie talkies. On my wishlist for the longest time was the bent knee walker doll which are becoming harder and harder to find now. Luckily last year, I discovered this poor doll. Of course, she was in need of repair. There's no way that I could afford an original, pristine doll although in hindsight, if I add up how much she's cost me to fix up, I probably could lol! She was missing a lower leg, had sparse hair, no eyelashes and as you can see, was very age and play worn. I met the doll's owner who told me that she'd received this doll as a childhood birthday gift. Sadly she was parting with it as she didn't have the money to fix it and no daughters or nieces to pass it on to.
It took a year before I got her back (long boring story about doll hospital delays). With a vintage doll like this, I personally prefer the 'improved' look rather than the 'make it look like new' look. After all, she's over 50 years old. I'm sure you'll agree that she looks a lot better now than when she first arrived.
She's due a new outfit. I'd love to knit her a vintage styled set like the pale blue pattern in the photo. She'll also need a name (I'm open to suggestions) and some nicer photos too. I'll get onto those all very soon!
Mr 10 battled a cold today to participate in his school's swim sports. He was happy to finish 1st in the 50 metre breaststroke. Miss 2 and I cheered him on from a warm sunny spot as it was cold and windy today. After the races were over, we headed straight home.
I think I'm coming down with a cold too! (sneeze!)
when I was sewing for myself years ago, I was working in an office. To stand out in a sea of dark suits, I made my own tailored suits. At the time, I had the most beautiful fabric stash, thanks to Barker & Pollock Queen Street where I worked part time when I was studying. I had a lovely size 12 body with a perky bust and no fitting issues. Everything I made for myself fitted me beautifully. 20 years on things have changed alot. Time, 3 pregnancies and extended breastfeeding have contributed to my change in figure. Now I have a fuller and rounder tummy, hips, thighs and a butt...
For the a+o pants I referred to this book in my sewing books collection by Pati Palmer. Years ago, I learnt to pattern draft & adjust using the flat pattern work method. This usually gets me close enough and then I start to pin and fit from there. The measuring and number work can be confusing & bothersome and the results aren't always precise. That's the way I've always done it. The plesch/palmer method is worth learning, the fit is great and as for getting a good fit in the crotch area, it's the best I've seen. So with my pattern adjustments complete, I'm cutting my test pants this weekend. I've also set aside some fabric to practice my back welt pockets.
For general fitting issues, Sandra Betzina's 'Fast Fit' is a good reference book. She deals with a range of body shape fitting issues and solutions using a flat pattern adjustment method. I've found this book to be a handy reference when sewing for others.
The a+o pants are still very much a work in progress. I'll post another update soon.
todays crafting task has been cutting out lots and lots of segments to make fabric balls to go to the South Auckland wool programme. I used the purlbee pattern/tutorial to make the smaller ball. I'm trying to use up at least 1 bag of fabric scraps to make these balls.
I went grocery shopping this morning and saw an old school desk put out for the inorganic rubbish collection. You should see our street. Piles of inorganic rubbish heaped up in front of houses. The rubbish collection usually happens in our district every 2 years. This year we've got the weekend to get the rubbish out and then the pickups start on Monday.
It's an odd phenomena... the rubbish goes out, the hunters and collectors come, find, gather and go... and the left over stuff goes to the landfill.
listening to 'Out of the moon' by Goldenhorse as I sew...
Lyrics
Out of the moon you come You will desert me but at first we're one I ride beside you through the armies of the sun What is it you are, are you a dream
What of the time we have To be together in this air we breathe You say forever but I know you've gotta go What is it you are, are you a dream
I could tell you that I'm always gonna miss you I could tell you that I'll never be the same You won't even hear me
What's the point in crying What's the point in hurting In the shadow of the day When I'm with you I don't remember anyway
I could tell you that I'm always gonna miss you I could tell you that I'll never be the same You won't even hear me
What's the point in crying What's the point in hurting In the shadow of the day When I'm with you I don't remember anyway
Back to the moon you go Is there a reason I can never know You made my tears come and my blood run all the time What is it you are, are you a dream? Are you a dream? Are you a dream?
this pattern just arrived in this morning's post. I couldn't find it in New Zealand so I had to resort to buying it online. I'm trying to convince myself that it wasn't an impulse buy. As I really like the idea of a smock top without the full, maternity look. It could possibly look great teamed up with my 'in progress' Alice and Olivia pants (due for an update post very soon!) If not, then the pattern is destined to spend it's days languishing in my pattern stash lol!
Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten egg, flour and vanilla essence. Mix well and then press out onto well greased slice tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 160 degrees until pale golden colour. Cool.
step 2 - filling
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
juice and grated rind 2 medium size lemons
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons custard powder
2 tablespoons cornflower
Put sugar, water and juice plus rind of lemons in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Seperately mix the milk, custard powder and cornflour to a smooth paste. Stir the 2 mixtures together using a wire whisk and then slowly bring to the boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour over the shortcake.
step 3 - marshmallow
2 tablespoons gelatine
1 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon essence
1 cup icing sugar
Dissolve the gelatine in water in a medium-large saucepan. Add sugar, boil for 8 minutes and then cool. Add the lemon essence and icing sugar and beat until thick and creamy. Then pour at once over the filling and leave to set. Cut when cold.
ps:this is a tangy, very lemony tasting slice. If you want less of a lemon taste then use the juice/rind of 1-1 1/2 lemons in filling and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of lemon essence in the marshmallow. Enjoy!
well I'm working steadily on making baby beanies for the South Auckland wool programme. Just finished one and have started another. I like to use acrylic/wool mix for charity knitting. Obviously, it's cheaper to buy, easier to knit and look after.
I also found some polar fleece in my stash, to make some baby cuddle rugs for the wool programme babies as well. My plan is to cut my fleece into single square metres, applique a corner of the rug and then crochet an edging right round. I hope that I can make it as easy as it sounds.
"To make a wish come true, whisper it to a Butterfly. Upon these wings it will be taken to heaven and granted, for they are the messengers of the Great Spirit."
Today is Miss 2's birthday! She's been looking forward to eating cake, yummy! To celebrate, we're off to Butterfly Creek.
There's lots to see, like the pretty butterflies, creepy bugs, cute farm animals, ride the train, have lunch and play in the playground.
This little butterfly was happy to pose for it's photo, and waited paitently while I got the camera ready. Afterwards, Miss 2 was ready to head home for a nap.
Photos removed for safety reasons due to cyber stalking!
Today is Miss 2's birthday! She's been looking forward to eating cake, yummy! To celebrate, we're off to Butterfly Creek.
There's lots to see, like the pretty butterflies, creepy bugs, cute farm animals, ride the train, have lunch and play in the playground.
This little butterfly was happy to pose for it's photo, and waited paitently while I got the camera ready. Afterwards, Miss 2 was ready to head home for a nap.
I've been struggling with inspiration for my doll sewing. It's been at a stand still for a few months now. Last week out of the blue, 3 bjd items sold in my etsy shop and that got me looking for a little inspiration. I found it with this miniature dressmakers mannequin. It stands at 70cm tall and is an exact replica of the full size dress form. I've called it 'Betty' and it sits on my work table, draped in fabric. It's ideal for playing around and working out whether the scale of the fabric is suitable.
Looking around, I think it'll be time to tidy up in the craft room very soon. Dear hubby still hasn't finished the room and I may have to resort to hiring a builder and painter to get it done.
today Miss almost 2 and I spent the day, again chasing the shade (it was 24 degrees)and cheering on Miss 12 who won the Year 8 girls 100 metres and 200 metres sprint finals. I'm very proud of Miss 12. She loves to run and enjoys running in bare feet. While the other girls were talking themselves up, she remained quietly confident.
And so of course, not even the teeniest bit of crafting happened today.
Thanks for letting me share my 'proud mummy' moment.
today Miss almost 2 and I spent the day, again chasing the shade (it was 24 degrees)and cheering on Miss 12 who won the Year 8 girls 100 metres and 200 metres sprint finals. I'm very proud of Miss 12. She loves to run and enjoys running in bare feet. While the other girls were talking themselves up, she remained quietly confident.
And so of course, not even the teeniest bit of crafting happened today.
Thanks for letting me share my 'proud mummy' moment.
18 February 1989, dear hubby and I, said 'I do' and embarked on our adventure together. I remember when this photo was taken, I was feeling both scared and excited and very keen to get on with married life.
20 years on, we take a breath, glance back briefly and do a tally up of the years and then keep going forward, always forward...
18 February 1989, dear hubby and I, said 'I do' and embarked on our adventure together. I remember when this photo was taken, I was feeling both scared and excited and very keen to get on with married life.
20 years on, we take a breath, glance back briefly and do a tally up of the years and then keep going forward, always forward...
my latest craft finds are these 5 amazing crochet birds patterns from Annie's Attic. They're from 1983, so I guess that makes them 'retro'? I've never seen anything like them before. In case you're wondering, I bought them just because I liked the idea of them... however, I can't see myself making them. The owls in particular are gorgeous. I'm always amazed at how creative and talented crafters are, to make up patterns to share with the rest of the crafting community. Hope to do that myself one day.
Not much else on today. It's another hot day at 24 degrees, so I'm in the shade with Miss almost 2 keeping cool! It's my 20th wedding anniversary tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to celebrating it with my dear hubby and children. See you tomorrow!
a printed quilt panel is meant to be ideal for making a 'quick' baby quilt for a new arrival. This quilt (almost finished) is for baby Tyler who arrived on 3 February. Little Tyler is my dear hubby's first grandchild. I used a simple 'stitch in the ditch' method where I just used my general machine foot. Next time I make one of these I'll use a 'walking' foot. Have to buy one first. I've also knitted him 2 beanies.
My main struggle was making sure that all the layers remained even and smooth (with no bumps). I'll admit that I did have several 'wrestling' and 'unpicking' moments with this quilt. In hindsight, it's probably not as 'quick' as I would have liked it to be... so please don't look too closely! (LOL!)
I hide myself within my flower, That wearing on your breast, You, unsuspecting, wear me too -- And angels know the rest.
I hide myself within my flower, That, fading from your vase, You, unsuspecting, feel for me Almost a loneliness.
although valentine's day is traditionally a time for romantic love, I thought I'd share with you, my secret love for poetry. Especially Emily Dickinson's poems. I discovered her work when I was 13 years old and quite by chance read her collection of poems in the library. I'd found a way to express my love of rhythm with words and language. I've been a poet ever since.
today Miss almost 2 has a temperature and feels 'yuck'. This morning she's been content to stay in bed (which is so unlike her) and have her favourite stories read aloud over and over. It's only coincidence that her favourites are by Lynley Dodd. The books were finds from the local Sallies shop and came packed together.
There's something really special about a well worn story book. From the well thumbed pages to the bits of sticky tape holding a torn page together, you can sense the magic of the story. Perhaps even a sense of the previous readers and listeners?
I'm hoping that Miss almost 2 will sleep at least an hour this afternoon so that I can get a load of washing hung on the line. After days of sticky heat, today has been an overcast, windy day. Perfect washing day?
this is my first progress post about the Alice & Olivia pants that I've decided (in a moment of madness?) to make.
Today I popped into Nick's Fabrics, in the midst of a $4 per metre sale, and managed to find a nice lightweight pinstripe gaberdine (in dark chocolate brown and charcoal grey) to make 2 pairs of pants. Also found a cheapie light blue fabric for my fitting muslin as I didn't have anything suitable in the fabric stash.
I'm using Vogue 1035, which describes itself as an 'average' pattern. The instructions include 59 steps. The only forseeable construction issue for me will be the back welt pockets. I haven't sewn these in a long while, so it's going to be a deliberately slow process. The pattern is cut out and now needs adjustments. I typically need to adjust for the following: fuller tummy, waist, hips, thighs, less fullness in the leg width and shorten the length. I'm actually looking forward to putting these together. It's been ages since I've sewn myself anything even remotely tailored.
I've completed one sock and am furiously knitting up the other. Miss 12 has tried it on and is now telling me to hurry up and finish the pair off so she can wear them. The heat (it's 30 degrees) makes it hard to concentrate. I'm glad that I'm not working with a complicated pattern as I'm sure I'd have lost the plot by now.
Mr 10 has decided he'd like some bed socks too and has asked for 'teal/peacock blue' wool. I don't think there's anything in my wool stash that's even close, so I'll need to make a trip to Spotlight for him this weekend.
I finally got my Ravelry page up and running. It's my personal motivator to complete all my knitting & crochet projects in a 'timely' fashion. I've been known to have some knitted projects hanging around for 'years' sshhh!!!
at last I've succumbed to the temptation of making myself a pair of alice and olivia pants. I'm a sucker for a challenge. Spotlight's 50% off pattern sale was the starting point. My pants are based on Vogue 1035. I like pants that sit near or around the waist and this pattern is about the closest that I could find. I'll have to do the usual adjustments as well as take out some of the fullness in the wide leg. This is a long term project that will require a fitting muslin. I'll make sure to post about my progress every now and then as I work my way through all the steps.
50 years old. I thought I'd dedicate this post to the doll that's influenced so many of us, shaping our ideas about who and what we can or can't become. I never owned a Barbie doll as a child. But I was still exposed to the wave of Barbie's influence. Perfect hair, flawless skin, big boobs, tiny waist and long legs seemed to be the most desirable way to look. Even though it's an impossible standard for girls to achieve, it didn't stop our overwhelming desire to look and be like Barbie.
Barbie was created to be a 'play' doll. She came on the scene when most girls played with baby dolls, learning through play to become mothers and homemakers. Barbie brought a whole new world of possibility to a girl's horizons. Thanks Barbie for helping us see that we have it in ourselves to be whatever we want to be.
Miss almost 2 has a love for drawing and in an effort to keep her 'travelling' art stuff tidy, today, I made her a simple pencil case out of a remnant.
Pencil case
You need:
* Fabric (20cm x 56cm)use medium weight drill, denim, upholstery fabric * 25 cm zip (matching or contrasting) * thread (matching or contrasting) * scissors, pins, tape measure * sewing machine
Instructions:
1) Cut your fabric into 2 pieces measuring 19cm x 28cm. This will produce a large, deep pencil case. If you want a smaller pencil case, then just reduce the side measurement.
2) Take both pieces of fabric and fold a 1.5cm edge and press. Then pin zip to the top edge of 1 piece of fabric. Stitch in place using the zipper foot on your sewing machine. Then do the same to the 2nd piece of fabric. Make sure that your zip lines up. Press flat.
3) Pin right sides together. Seam allowance of 1.5cm. Open your zip and then stitch right around both sides and the bottom edge. Zig zag edges to prevent fraying.
4) Open your zip and then turn pencil case right side out and press.
5) Decorate the outside of your pencil case if you wish.
