Show and Tell :: 9

I did so well on the book front this christmas.  I don't know about you, but I just love having books on the shelf, and I reference them all the time when I'm sewing, or thinking about gifts for people.

Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter.

It is just that.  Simple Sewing.  Nothing fancy in here, no masterpieces, but such a great book with lots of good ideas if you are thinking about a last minute gift that you need to whip up in a couple of hours, or if you are a beginning sewer.. I would recommend it for these instances.

Here are a couple of images of things you can make from the book:

[Psssst:  You can actually get the pattern for this last one for free!!  Click right here.]

That's it for show and tell. I hope you enjoyed it!

One place.

There's only one place on earth where you don't have to go far to find this

and this

and this

and this.

I love this country.

Happy Australia Day folks.  I hope it's been a good one (and happy normal Tuesday everyone else!!)

xx

Show and Tell :: 8

This is so cute.  a gorgeous linen backpack Ellie received at Christmas, and beautifully handmade by Aunty Yana.

I just love this embroidery.  Red and blue look so beautiful with linen.

Show and Tell :: 7

I can't tell you how much I enjoy spending Christmas Money given to me on books!!  Here is my latest purchase from this fantastic bookshop.  Cheap prices and free shipping you can't go past.

I got all four of these books for around $80.  For my overseas friends, this is unheard of in Australian Bookstores, where just one of these would likely cost between $40-50. So to say I was pleased is an understatement.

I can't wait to make this travel sewing kit.

and these PJ's.

and this skirt:

So much to do, so little time.

On hold.

Sorry folks.  Show and Tell on hold for today.  It's 8.00pm here, stinking hot, my other half isn't home yet (he's at the apple store sorting out an ongoing saga that really should have been quite simple), and I have a kidlet who is trying to sleep, but isn't very happy about her molars coming through.  On top of that, she fell and put two teeth into her tongue today, so that can't be helping the discomfort.  So, I'm off to scoff some food and re-settle with some paracetamol.

See you.

Show and Tell :: 6

This is a sweet little toddler tote made for Ellie by Nonna this Christmas.

I love the little embroidered puppy.

And she loves it too, but that didn’t stop her running away during the photo shoot.

We’ve already used it a number of times to cart around food and toys and books.  Such a great gift.

Show and Tell :: 5

Today's brag is this cute handmade Kanzashi flower ring that I received from my clever and crafty sister.

I'm pretty sure she has this book, which looks like it might be worth the buy if you're into fabric folding and sewing.  Such a great idea for little presents throughout the year.

Nice one Jo - looking forward to seeing what you come up with next! xx

Show and Tell :: 4

More linen love I'm afraid.

A beautiful pincushion from Namolio gifted to me.

Handmade.

Completely perfect.

I wish I was this good.

Show and Tell :: 3

More from this nice book.

Some sweet hanging birdies for my sweet friends for Christmas.

Not as simple or quickly made as they look, a whole lot more fiddly and really hard to get looking decent (or maybe that's just my inability to sew a perfect curve and 3 dimensional figure).  Either way, off they went and hopefully lived to tweet another day happily in Christmas tree.

Show and Tell :: 2

I received this beautiful gift from my lovely sister in law for Christmas.

Wondering what it is?  It's a perfectly sewn and hand-embroidered tissue holder!  

I love it, but who wouldn't?  Practical and pretty.   Check out more of Yana's work at White Mouse Creations.

Show and Tell :: 1

Here is my crazy Christmas Eve Project. While I was supposed to be cleaning for the party, I was cutting and piecing and pinning and quilting!

A crayon roll for my little one. She loved it, used it properly for a week or so but is now testing every limit, watching my reaction with a cheeky grin when she eats them and laughs at me. Hmmmm. They shall be resting for a few weeks me thinks.

This was a great way to use up scraps of materials. I used an amended pattern from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts as I was using a small pack of crayons rather than pencils. I'm pretty happy with the result, given that it was done in an hour and a half, and was in the 2-4 hour projects section!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  It's nice to be back.

We had a great (yet tiring) Christmas and New Year, and I'm back and ready to roll for 2010.  Wow, I can't believe a decade of this century has passed already.


What happened for us over the last month?  Well, lots, really.  We travelled, and ate and played and gifted and enjoyed our families, generally had good fun and as you can see above, made it to Brisbane and back without losing Murray.  But there are a few things I want to jot down that I do not want to forget next time round...

• You're a crazy woman to start sewing a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve.
• Flying on Christmas Day with a toddler isn't relaxing at all.  You can't even have a cup of tea.
• I don't need my air conditioner as much as I think I do.  Try living in Brisbane.
• Giving is so much better than receiving.
• The Aussie Summer of tennis and cricket....um, awesome.
• Certain airlines who's logo is red with a big kangaroo will never run on time.
• I love my friends.
• I love my family.
• Grandparents are the best.
• Redback spiders like my garden.  Especially my outdoor furniture.
• Mum's christmas cake, not to mention fruit mince pies are to die for.
• I am addicted to books.  Especially the crafty sort.
• Having a happy and healthy and antibiotic-free toddler is unbelievable.
• One week's break from normal life is not enough.

Now seeing as it's still January, I'd really like to ease into the year and sort of pretend that it's still holidays.  So I hope you don't mind me taking it a little easy these first few weeks, as I plan to share some of the lovely things that were gifted to us and also things I made for others.

Hope you all had a lovely break!  Welcome to 2010!