Operation clothtopus.

A little bit of sewing for a brand new little boy has been going on this weekend.  I'm attempting Fiona's gorgeous clothtopus from this book (it's just the most delightful book, I promise).  He's just about finished - just a little bit of closure sewing and some embroidery and my eight tentacled friend will be done.  Miss 4 has affectionately named him "Sammy" and  I've been trying to break the news to her all weekend that he's not going to be staying at our place for long.

I'm also seriously considering having a crack at joining in with Kids Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley.  I've always been a bit scared to do it before, but I'm feeling pretty keen for the challenge this time round.  I don't think I'll be able to get much done, but just one item and I'd be happy!  What do you think?  Are you joining?

V's quilt.

A long time coming this one, but a little trip to the coast enabled me to finally get it finished.  This is my version of Kate's great geometric quilt pattern.  I made it slightly larger (just one extra row) to enable it to fit the cot and have slightly longer length.

Fabrics used were a mix of linen, shot cottons, lotta jansdotter echo, liberty, Nani Iro and some delightful Maze and Vale handprints.  Backed with a single piece of Liberty Tana Lawn - super soft!  Bound with fabric leftovers.  It's just what was in my head and I'm really pleased with how the fabrics have worked out.

Despite it taking me so long to get through it (long because I haven't been at it for a while), I thoroughly enjoyed making this, and my confidence grows with each quilt.  I think this is it for 2012 quilting,  maybe next year it will be a new quilt for the big girl.  You can see last years efforts here.

The daily grind.

Amidst life's hectic pace and the constant pressures of the week it's easy to forget about life's little blessings.  Kinds whinging, fighting, crying, not sleeping,  groceries, work commitments, getting to bed late, getting up early (you know the drill) - these things can cloud the precious moments - like cuddles, stories,  a good book, childhood discovery, a home cooked meal.  Lately we've been really busy, but have been doing our best to appreciate the little things in life.  To take our time where we can and cherish some of the moments we won't have again.

It's not easy.  But we're trying our best, and looking back over these images reminds me that even though it sometimes feels like we're sinking we have so much to be thankful for, and have made lots of wonderful memories in these last few months.  Blogging has slowed a bit, crafting is here and there, but I'm completely happy with that for now.  Things are still in the works, that's for sure, but I'm pacing myself and not putting any pressure on to do more than I can.

Do you know what I mean?   I hope so.

See you soon(ish)   ;)

Love this vintage...

Lace blouse from new shop find Fun Retro Threads.  I can totally see a refashion of this piece to a nice open boat neckline....or even perhaps a few more pretty coin purses? ;)

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Have you had any vintage finds lately?

Our weekend.

I am pleased to announce that we are all healthy!  And I'm so thankful for that after a couple of rotten weeks of sickness.  We had a nice weekend of catching up on sleep (thanks to my fabulous husband), a bit of relaxation, cosying up in the wet weather and then getting on top of some housey stuff.  I got my new etsy "about" page finished.  I really like how the new format looks - what do you think?  Etsy are making some nice improvements of late.

How was your weekend?

A tale of two Tovas

Just to fill you in on my mentioned Wiksten Tova dramas from a few weeks ago....

Along with everyone else, I've had my eye on this pattern for ages, and have had the pdf sitting on my computer for a while, as I looked for the right fabric.

I found it, some lovely floral cotton lawn on sale so I headed straight into the making - measuring, cutting, sewing up a storm.   One problem.  When I tried it on it was a tad tight across the bust/back.  Hmmm.  I kept sewing thinking I could get away with it once I had completed it.  Once the arms were in it was impossible to get on.  And I mean impossible.   I really didn't think my size had grown that much since giving birth to V but obviously it has, and even more to the point, I clearly can't measure myself very well.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement, boo hoo for me, I was so pumped to finish and wear this one.

So I attempted the next size up in a heavier thrifted fabric I didn't care about.  I was like a sweat shop getting it done in a day or so, and when complete, it too was a little tight across the chest, back and armholes.  Sigh.  Although this one is wearable, it's not my preferred fabric, and I'm thinking for my third try I'll do a little pattern alteration - I think the reality is that at the moment I'm a small size across the shoulders and a couple of sizes up around the bustline, so here's hoping i can get it right third try!  I found a couple of ideas here and here for altering the bust, so might try that.

I must also say that on wearing, the sleeves annoy me a bit too.  The armholes feel tight and cuffs are quite restrictive on me when I bend my elbow - I think that if I lengthened them a little they may feel better as then they wouldn't sit into my elbow crease quite so much.

Both times I lengthened my shirt by about 1.5 inches as I'm quite long in the torso.  I'm happy with how it sits on me around the hips and waist.

But on the whole even though the Jury's out on the fit for me, I really like the way this pattern looks so I'm determined to make one that fits properly...not sure if I'll succeed just yet.  Watch this space.

[Ps. This post is a little late. If I thought I'd had a rough week with child sickness last week, I wasn't prepared for what was to come over the long weekend  - we ended up in Emergency at the Children's hospital twice with Miss 4 months....yep, Bronchiolitis is the pits.  It really is. ]


More creative spaces here.

10 minutes.

Not much going on here since the weekend.  After a weekend of Tova dramas (more on that later) sick sick sickie kids is all I've been doing through the week - exhausting.  I've managed to steal about 10 minutes a few nights in a row to start using up stashed yarn before I nod off early due to lack of sleep.  Sick kidlets are no fun, that's for sure.  And it's our second round in a month. 

I hope your creative space has been a little more healthy!  

Joining in with the fun here.