Last minute Christmas Gift Sack

I've been meaning to make Ellie a stocking or sack to lay out on Christmas Eve for a few years, and I finally had the chance on Monday.  While I wanted to buy some new bright prints for the sack, I really needed to be a good girl and continue to destash my fabrics, so instead I used some more linen, and a mix of vintage, solid, liberty and Anna Maria Horner Prints.

Hopefully it will last her a few years to come. I tried not to make it too young, and something she could grow into as well.

Lined with some thrifted brushed cotton, the sack has a drawstring closing with a vintage Grosgrain ribbon all from the stash.  It's quite thick and heavy with the linen and lining, and hopefully sturdy enough to hold several gifts.  I'm looking forward to seeing it get some use!  Only 2 sleeps to go.

Have a lovely Christmas and New Year everyone.  I'm off for a while - to seek some much needed R&R...and then there's that childbirth and newborn bit coming in only a few more weeks!  Yikes.  

Hope you have a wonderful celebration with family and friends and I'll see you sometime in the New Year when we're home and settled.

G x

Farewell.

Today was an emotional day as I joined with my family and friends in saying farewell and giving thanks for the life of my Grandpa who left us last week and went to be with his maker.

I was so blessed to know and grow up with such a wonderful man, who loved me and showed me how to love others. It's not going to be the same without him. He's left an incredible legacy behind, and he will not be forgotten. xo

Christmas Table

Yep, one Christmas dinner is done and dusted in our house.  We celebrated Christmas a little earlier than normal this year on my husband's side seeing as I won't be able to fly next weekend. This year I went for simplicity on the Christmas table settings.  I used red, silver and white, and also some New South Wales Christmas bush, a pretty Australian Native that grows in my part of the world in the festive season.  It's one of my favourite parts of an Aussie Christmas.

I added some place cards using chalkboard paint onto some shipping labels, which I also used in gift  wrapping.

It's been a big week for our family for many reasons, with another big one to come, so I'm looking forward to resting up after Christmas for a few short weeks before I'm back into the swing of life with a newborn.  At least the Christmas shopping is complete.

Have a lovely pre-christmas week!

x

Advent Calendar

This post is very tardy I'm afraid, sorry about that friends.  Life here has been ongoingly hectic preparing for Christmas, rearranging and re-carpeting our house, and generally trying to cut our belongings down by what feels like 50% before our next arrival in January.  To say I'm exhausted is an understatement, but here's the finished product!  Better late than never!

 

My calendar is made of 25 linen handmade bags, labelled using the beautifully handprinted DIY advent calendar numbers on linen by Leslie of Maze and Vale.  The numbers are lovely and simple with a touch of vintage, and were exactly what I was after.

Bags are lined with some red and white heavyweight cotton I had in the stash which I originally intended on sewing into some nice grocery totes, but never got to it.  After fixing the numbers on by applique, I added some hand stitching as well just to add a handmade touch.  They're secured to twine on my wall using the covered pegs I described in last post.

As usual, I grossly underestimated the time it would take to sew these bags up.  25 identical pieces is a LOT of repetition and it felt like a sweatshop in here for a while there.  But they're done now, and the best bit is, next years calendar is done too!

I am very pleased with the outcome of these, as time consuming as it was to complete.  We're doing lots of Christmas-ey activites now, which is also keeping me on my toes (but I secretly love it).

Happy December everyone!  Hope you're enjoying your own christmas prep.

48 hours

That's what I've got before the 1st of December. I promised myself an advent calendar this year and we're going to have it somehow. I know I can, I know I can...I think I can....Sort of wishing I'd opted for a quicker idea such as this lovely calendar by Ros. Oh well, too late now! I'm sewing my little heart away in the hope that this will last me many years to come.

Today I'm working hard to make headway and get this thing nearly finished. I'm covering some wooden pegs (about $1.50 for 50 at my supermarket) with some pretty Christmas wrap that I picked up at IKEA on the weekend. Oh so easy. All you need is double sided tape and a pair of scissors.

I'll be sure to post the finished product, possibly a day or so late...we'll see.

Love this vintage...

Gorgeous vintage fabric turned into a beautiful 1950's inspired tea dress from soho mode on etsy.  Great design, great colour. 

[+]

Liberty mug rugs

Christmas project No 1 complete!  Yes Sirree, this is a record for me I think.  Yesterday I came home from work early to pick up my sick youngster from preschool, and while she slept I finished these little gifts for friends.

I used this tutorial, with some minor modifications (primarily adding some interfacing to the liberty first), and am very happy with the result.  A great way to use up some tiny pieces of special fabrics - you know those scraps you just can't bear to part with?  Mega quick.  Mega easy.  This one's a winner in my book.

An early start

I can't believe it.  I'm starting Christmas sewing in November - something quite unheard of for me. Perhaps it's got something to do with that mild feeling of panic that not everything will be done before B2 arrives in January, who knows.  What I do know is that I have the urge to make just a few things - easy things well before they are due.  Today I pulled out the largely unused Liberty sample pack I had stashed and started cutting - it was so so satisfying gazing at and dividing up those beautiful yet small jewels of fabric.  

Otherwise this weekend has been much better than the last, with two grown ups to one three year old it's nearly a fair game.  Hope your weekend is just as nice. 

Weekend solo

It hasn't been the smoothest of weekends this time, with my other half away interstate, and a late teething and sick 3 year old sapping what's left of the 30 week energy levels as she fights me at every turn. Despite all this we did have a lovely morning, with a friend visiting and home made pancakes on the menu. It was a little breather in a rather exhausting weekend and yum too.

Now to back it all up with a trip to the airport and the working week starting tomorrow, preschool and life as normal. Only 5 more weeks of work left....not counting at all!

65 years

My Grandma and Grandpa.  Married 19th October, 1946 and still going strong.

Congratulations to you both, we love you!!

Toddler Apron

A thrifted pillow cover, an easy tutorial and a fantastic little apron for my three year old.

It's got a great little elastic neck and velcro attached waistband that allows her to put it on and off independently.  Great idea Meg.

I did have to adjust the length of the neck piece slightly, as it was a little long but that was no problem in the end.  I used this tutorial, but there's also another version of the same thing here with some cute embellishments.

And of course, it had to be pink - yes she chose the fabric.

More stash busting

Another basic little garment done and dusted yesterday - I wasn't up for any kind of pattern tracing or drafting or even tutorial reading, so I pretty much just winged it on this one.  Inspired by this lovely dress, I just had a crack, started cutting and it turned out OK.  Of course a few alterations were needed, but Miss 3 is loving it, and pranced around in it when she should have been getting ready for bed last night, so I guess that means it has a bright future for the summer.

I'm so glad it's not a total screw up, as it's made with some precious vintage floral seersucker from Mum's place and some pink cotton I had in the stash (I think it was my Nanna's).  So this dress is special in more ways than one.

Milkmaid skirt

I'm trying to make a few items for Ellie this summer - I'm the worst culprit for looking at expensive clothing in stores and saying "I could make that" but never doing it.  So this year, I'm trying to save a few dollars, start some seriously needed de-stashing and am sewing up a few skirts and dresses - maybe even a t-shirt or two.

Last week I completed this little number using the milkmaid skirt tutorial at Crafterhours.   My version was a bit bulky for my liking in the back, but fun and very cute nonetheless (loving the flat front and those little pockets!) and most importantly it suits my 3 year old's taste.  Phew.

This skirt is made with a small amount of leftover Daisy Chain - dandelion field by Amy Butler and some off white heavyweight cotton for binding.

Hello Spring

I'm loving springtime at the moment. Blue tongues, a tiny blue wren and his mate visit us daily.  We've been enjoying the outdoors, planting gardens for little people, and collecting bits and pieces for collages.  My budding florist enjoyed her collection today, and with a couple of pieces of contact has a special 'present' ready for Daddy when he gets home.

I'm feeling slowly like getting back into some making, but I'm still taking it easy and if you hadn't worked out already, I'm getting ready for another life change in January.  Time is flying very quickly this time round and with just over 14 weeks to go it's all getting a bit close!

So you might see me a bit more around here or you might not.  We'll see.

Enjoy your weekend, and thanks for sticking around here despite the long gaps between my posts.

x

Today.

Today we picked the last of the lemon crop and boy does it feel deliciously like spring out there.  We'll possibly turn these into lemon juice ice cubes ready for baking or drinks because I couldn't bear to see them go to waste on the tree.

Things have been ongoingly slow for me around here - I have a good excuse, don't worry, and I've decided not to pressure myself into posting or creating and just to enjoy life as the weather slowly warms up.  It's the way I like it at the moment and is quite honestly, just what I need. 

Love is sweet

A couple of weeks back I was delighted to celebrate my little brother's marriage to his beautiful sweetheart.  It was such a great day.

I also had the pleasure of helping out with the creation of my first Candy buffet at the wedding.  It was a group effort, but turned out pretty well, and was a total hit with the guests young and not so young!  

There was a truckload of sugar leftover, these two will be eating it for months!  Yum.

Congratulations again Mark & Cass.  I know you are going to be very happy.

xo

Lavender Lemonade

Yum.  This looks so appealing to me.  I love lemonade in any form, and I think I might just like this one too.  Great idea for a garden party or summer bridal/baby shower (and a sweet image too!).

[+]

[via pinterest]

Love this vintage...

Avocado 1950's jacket from My Drawing Number One.  Gorgeous!  I nearly bought this one to wear to my brothers wedding in two weeks, but alas, I could not take the risk on the size.  Fortunately my stylist sister in law came through for me with an alternative.  Thanks Kate!!

[+]

Very quiet on the blog front for me lately.  Despite my best attempts, there's not a whole lot of crafting or making going on and life's just getting priority at the moment.  But the creative itch needs scratching soon, so I'm hoping to make it happen at some stage.  Have a lovely week!  Stay warm (or cool) wherever you are!

Love this vintage...

Golden Cosmos dress from Capricious Traveller.  Very sweet and summery.

[+]

Making me happy...

Flowers that seem to last forever on my dining table, cheering me up in this cold snap.

Love this vintage...

1970's red cardi from My Drawing Number One.  Just discovered this cute shop and I love it!

[+]

Another one.

Another of the same scarf as last time completed this week.  Really happy with how this one turned out, my yarn wasn't as soft, but nice and firm and yet still with some squish factor.  I was going to keep this one for myself, but I've decided to give this one away too, to someone completely deserving.

Details for those interested at Ravelry.

Free stuff I love: Abalone

Roaming around Ravelry of late, I've stumbled across some gorgeous free patterns.  This one looks great, and I'd love to have a go one day.  There really are just way too many desirable projects out there for one lifetime.

[+]

All details and free pattern here.

Making me happy

My potted baby lemon tree has finally produced a nice crop of lemons. I purchased this plant about 4 years ago at a show, and he's finally looking very happy this year, thanks to some citrus food last Spring. We've been watching these babies grow for about 6 months, and as soon as the weather turned cold - voila! Nice plump yellow lemons. I'm yet to sample, so really hoping these lovely forms are nice and juicy. Lemony baking here I come...

Love this vintage...

Pair of 1950's specs at Becky Drolen Vintage.  I don't wear glasses, but these are cute!!

[+]

Have a lovely week everyone.  I'll try hard to be around here more often, it's been a bit crazy this past couple of weeks.

See you soon!

Love this vintage...

[+ via +]

Collection of cake stands by Sweet & Saucy Supply.  Wow, there are some delightful finds in this shop.  Just look at this beauty, so glad I stumbled upon it via design*sponge.

[+]

  Hope you're having a nice week!

Lake Scarf.

It's a cold, dim day in Sydney today. Perfect for a bit of curling up under the blankey, and starting another scarf.

Sorry there's not much sewing going on around here. But i'm hooked on the hook and it will be that way for another few days I think. I am thinking about sewing a crochet hook case though....Mmmm. Ideas are flowing.

Love this vintage...

Milk jug from Florence & Florence.  This is a gorgeous little shop and I was delighted to stumble across it recently.  Every time I go back there are new items I want to buy.

Have a lovely week everyone. 

Olive Scarf.

Olive scarf complete.  I'm mostly happy with this, being my first crochet project.  I did make quite a few errors to start with, and I was halfway through before I noticed, so just hoping that they blend in with overall effect when I give it to the recipient. 

It's so light and squishy and perfectly soft.  I want to keep it badly, so I'm making another.  This one's off to keep another neck warm.

Thanks Kate (where I originally spotted this lovely scarf) for your encouragement and advice,  it was very helpful and my first go at blocking worked out perfectly.  I recommend this scarf for a beginner, it's easy, repetitive and has been a nice way to start out. I also found this book outstanding and easy to follow. 

Scarf details at Ravelry here.

More creative spaces at Kirsty's of course!

Love this vintage...

Set of green coffee cups from Marcia Jane's Creations.   I'm on a green theme at the moment.

I hope you're surviving after a nice long weekend,  I'm already counting the days 'til the next public holiday..

Happily hooking

Happily hooking up a storm this week.  I'm getting faster, closer to the finish and enjoying every bit.  I can't seem to stop,  and now I have five whole days of the Easter long weekend to push ahead and hopefully conquer my first real project with the hook.

Enjoy what I hope is your last day of normal before a nice long weekend ahead!

Free stuff I love: Eggs 3 ways

Easter is nearly upon us again, I can't believe it.  I'm playing it easy this year with Easter Craft, not much happening.  Last year was a bigger effort, so I'm excusing myself.  If you're up for some Easter making, here are 3 egg tutorials I've come across that I think are pretty cute.

If I had the time, I'd be giving them a go...maybe next year!   

1. Easter Surprise Eggs at Not Martha (have a browse around here too for lots of other ideas)

2. Fabric Eggs at Lola Nova 

3. Sparrows Nest and Eggs by the Purl Bee

Have a lovely Wednesday.

xo