My creative space.

A sea of pins today.

The good news:

• Blocks cut, and pieced - Check
• Quilt top designed and sewn together - Check
• Quilt back completed - Check
• Quilt basted - Check

The bad news:

I've just discovered that I completely forgot to pack my walking foot  *sobs*.  I've been making this thing like a Trojan the last few days only to discover I can't finish it 'til I'm home.  Why why why didn't I pack it?   I'll just have to wait it out but it's burning a hole in me.  I guess I'll just gaze at it for a few days...

More at the best place to be on a Thursday.

241 Tote

I mentioned yesterday that I'd been doing a little pattern testing in the last week or so.  And it has been such a pleasure to test this cute new tote for Anna at Noodlehead because it's so nice! (and so is Anna too!).  

This is such a great pattern.  It includes instructions and full scale printable patterns for two very cute bags - one with open pockets and the other with zips.  Here's my zippy version!  I used some natural coloured cotton canvas and this sweet BJ Lantz print (Fresh-aire for studio e).

It's been a lovely way to spend some sewing time, and this bag has already been put to good use.

If you'd like to make this too, head over to Anna's to read all about it or purchase the pdf pattern here.

A bit of this and a bit of that.

I'm all cut, ready to piece and looking forward to the next step in my holiday quilt.

Other than quilting, I've been doing a bit of pattern testing (more on that later), having a daily dip in the ocean, enjoying this coffee and watching this series (oh my, it's good, please don't make me wait too long for season two).

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

My creative space.

Ironing some Innocent Crush fat quarters by the sea this week while we have a family break away. 

Next step:  cutting fat quarters after a quick swim.

 I could really get used to this.

Far more productive spaces here.

Love this vintage...

Mustard yellow bag from Ready Set Go.  Very cute.

I'm heading off on a little holiday soon, so limited posting from me in the next little while.  See you every so often!

Vera Wang Spring 2011

 I've been around the web searching out lots of wedding finery of late - my little brother is getting married!  So, to my soon to be beautiful sister-in-law here is some amazing inspiration for you!  Gorgeous new Vera Wang bridal wear for Spring 2011 is popping up everywhere.

Here are my two favourites:

The Freya Dress (exceptional colour!)

And this beauty is the Farrah dress...oh so lovely!  I love the sheer shoulder piece over the bodice.

To see more of this beautiful collection head over to Vera Wang.  You won't be disappointed.

Mr J.A.

This little pram blanket was made this week for another new baby in my life.  Lovely Michael Miller Zoology Print one side and cozy bamboo fleece on the other (so soft!!). 

I added his initials as well, just to finish it off and personalise it.  To say I'm excited about this little man's arrival is an understatement.

Have a lovely weekend folks.

x

My creative space.

A little gift for a friend who is just starting to sew.  Some crisp new linen with one side new season liberty and the other a vintage cotton to complete a simple and satisfying project.

If you'd like to make one similar, you can find a tutorial here.

And don't forget, as always, you'll find lots more creative spaces at Kirsty's.

More market finds

A short trip to Rozelle Markets last weekend was well worth it.  It was a gorgeous day and probably the most stalls I've seen there ever.

In addition to the child's abacus, I picked up a few more toys including this lovely wooden alphabet train and also a bunch of vintage fabrics.  I could have been there for hours, but we were time limited, so that was probably a good thing for my wallet!  I did see a gorgeous old box brownie camera and some beautiful vintage furniture that I had to leave behind.  

There's a few more images of me having a rummage around here.

[special thanks to Karen for the market images]

More heartache.

Interrupting my regular posting today to remember the people of Japan.  It's just heartbreaking news that seems to be worsening by the day and I really have no words that really express how I feel about this.    If you'd like to donate, you can via the Australian Red Cross or here.

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Alternatively, you can buy a print like this one by Rob Dobi.  All proceeds are going to the relief effort.

More prints and ways you can help here.

Love this vintage...

Child's Abacus I picked up from the markets yesterday.  Yes.  We finally have our own now after pining for this one a few weeks back.

Hope your weekend was fab.  More on my market finds this week.

Wow.

Now this is some amazing stitching.  What brilliant work by Yuko Uemura of PataPri, that is a truckload of the most perfect french knots ever.

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{via Charlotte's fancy}

Imitation.

Imitation is the sincerest of flattery. 

 [Charles Caleb Colton, (1780 - 1832)]

There's been a lot of that going on around here and I must say love it.

My creative space.

Loving this print by Liz Scott in the Sugar Pop Range for Moda.  It looks fantastic with linen.  Better in real life than in the photo.

I picked up this fabric for some custom order bibs last week, and it's perfect unisex, so I might just put a few in shop too.

Hope your creative space is going great.  Make sure you show us and join in!

Calico & Ivy, Sydney

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Last week I popped in for a visit to this lovely store.   A fabric lovers heaven, and even better without kidlet in tow!  I spent quite some time gazing and drooling over fabrics, and couldn't help but walk away with some gorgeous liberty sample packs.


Isn't this new seasonal print gorgeous?  This top print is by Lauren Child (of Charlie & Lola fame - one of my all time favourite kid shows) and well deserves a chance to become a liberty classic I think!

Sarah was just lovely and very helpful, it's so refreshing being served by someone who loves what they do.  Congratulations girls, the shop is looking fabulous!  I'll be visiting again soon (as long as I can afford to!).   See a few more pictures here.

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Two teapots

I can't stop gazing at my new little teapot picked up for cheap at a Garage Sale a few weekends ago. It's nothing amazing, but I like it.

 I also scored this cute little white ceramic vase.  Perfect for my roses in the bathroom.

And of course, Miss Ellie also insisted I also take a picture of her teapot and blog that too.

Love this vintage...

Wire basket from bellalulu.  Lovely.

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Baby needs a new dress fast.

"Baby" as she is affectionately known needed a new dress fast.  Her clothes were missing and "needed" in a hurry.

Seeing as I'm not a fan of her original attire, baby got a new dress quick smart, like in 10 minutes flat so that we could continue with our role play activities.  Perhaps it took 15 minutes in between prying pins and grabbing scissors out of 2 year old hands.  Another good use for that fabric.

Have a lovely weekend. 

My creative space.

Enjoying the process of making several custom iPhone pouches and bib orders this week.  

Not much else to say really, but I've been busy and a bit tired.  You know that kind of parental tiredness from packing too much in, back to back toddler head colds, multiple night wakings, ear infections, fighting viruses off yourself and normal life stuff.  

Of course, a little bit of liberty and linen makes everything better and we're doing OK, looking forward to our weekend.

I've enjoyed browsing this week's creative spaces, have you?

A little snoop.

Playing along with Kirsty today for a little snooping...

Here are the contents of the top of my linen press.  Yes, I don't have much cupboard space in the kitchen, and no beautiful display cabinet, so here some of my odd bits of glassware, vases and stuff.  I certainly need them up high with a 2 1/2 year old around these parts.

Of note:

• The cute white teapot I picked up at a garage sale last Saturday for about $1.50

• The Christmas star table candle (right at the back) that got missed and didn't get packed away into the Garage in January.  [quite frankly, I can't be bothered to open the tightly sealed boxes and put it in it's rightful place]

• The chandelier-lampshade tea light holder thing on the left which I fell completely in love with and have two of and went to a lot of effort to find and purchase, only to have candle wax spilled all over them one dinner party [*sob*].  They'll never quite be the same.

• The opped vintage punch bowl complete with glasses and ladel.  A prized find. 

I hope you enjoyed this snoop.   Feel free to join in with the us and show us your place.  Add your link at Kootoyoo.

Free stuff I love: Liberty Mini Quilt

Love this idea!  What a beautiful project and tutorial recently posted over at the Purl Bee.  I'm so tempted, but alas, I have too many projects on the go, and I'm saving myself for something special.  This one's definitely bookmarked.

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Leftovers.

Mmm.  Shortbread leftovers from our strawberry shortcakes.  Always a winner.