a warmth in my heart

This little space is making me very happy at the moment.My sewing desk has, of late, been in our dingy junky back room - with the roof-scratching brush/bush turkey next door making dreadful noise, and the sight of the laundry piling up at the other end of the room. Not very motivating to get any fun sewing projects done, let along work stuff.

So, because we still haven't moved house (not good house-selling economy at the moment), I keep rearranging our furniture, so that I feel like we have changed something. My desk is now in our front room, light-filled, part of the whole house (I can see the tv from my desk, work and watch Project Runway), the kids can play in the lounge-room or on the front porch, and I can still be there with them.Picked these flowers at the park yesterday. I think wisteria, but not a vine, a proper tree. Hmmmm tree wisteria? (Can't find anything by doing searches. Internet, how can you not find what I need!).And this beautiful laser-cut card arrived in the post yesterday from my dear dear friend. Thank you Stef, I love it so much. She always chooses beautiful cards. I'll have to get them out and show you, another day. Fabric cards, with texture. And of course, the words inside are always always the parts I cherish. Words written from my best friend, who knows me so well. And, who is a natural and talented and honest writer.
Something else that made me totally spark up this afternoon was :: being in the city and seeing one of my bags on the shoulder of a stranger! I remember that I sold it at a market stall I had in June. I almost put my hand out and talked to her, actually, I'm not quite sure why I didn't. But, the pleasure and joy of seeing something from me being enjoyed by someone was so so lovely.
So, hopefully I'll have some time over the next week for some of the sewing that is itching in my head. A stitch here and there is all the kids will allow me, but that's better than nothing.
I hope you are all enjoying your moments of peace and family time and preparation. Seven sleeps! I'm starting to get excited. Today I got out the CD that Tonya sent us last year for our Traditions Swap - lots of fun and dancing.

stationery for presents

A monumental birthday (50th) of a family member happened a week or so ago. Luckily we didn't see her until this weekend just gone - as Sam and I were still finishing her present on the morning of driving down to see them! Same old, hey...

Anyway, it was something that I've had in my mind for a while. Working out the logistics of it before I started cutting into the fabric and sewing. Of course there are always more things you find, as you sew and then look at the finished product, that need a bit of tweaking and fine tuning. But I know that especially for family people they a) don't mind these little "special mistakes" and b) they might actually like them as it's the real proof that I made it with my own hands especially for them.I used my beautiful hemp / organic cotton in the natural colour, and combined it with some Amy Butler greens and blues. Those soft hues being quite perfect for the recipient, I think. A simple fold-around, or wrap, that does up with buttons. With one long pocket inside, that was divided up into three smaller pockets. I finished the edges with a fabric twill tape that I sewed together to form a sort of not-bias binding.Sized just right for our own custom stationery. Some of my fabric stitched cards, as well as some A5 sized printed pale-colour designs that Sam made for the writing paper aspect of the stationery set. Little bird on a brach, and teeny tiny gumnut seeds in blues and greens.
There are a lot more of these planned in the coming weeks, for an upcoming market stall we are having. Some with embroidery, maybe some with screenprinting, and definitely some with contrasting quilting fabric panels. I think, though, that I will make them all with the hemp / organic cotton as the main body of the wrap, as I love the texture of this fabric and the depth tones in the naturalness of it.I also made this recently, a custom order of pink pink pink stationery with wrap. I fabric stitched the writing paper, which was really fun.

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Keep a look out this week, as I am going to have a de-lurking day. I want to get to know you all a little better. A special prize will be for one of you is going to be made (well, started) tonight at my fortnightly craft night!

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trials & prototypes

Hmmm. Been busy. And tired. And... usual stuff.

This week just past I had a lovely day at home, on my own, for sewing. Finishing up some long long long overdue projects, that have been sitting on my sewing table for ages and in my head for longer.

I also sewed up a prototype of a bag that we are going to be selling at our upcoming market stall (more about that a bit later). I had a bag that I liked the look of, and tried to make something similar, but also my own style. I'm quite happy with the result. As a prototype it does have a few errors, but I know what I need to fix for the proper batch of bags.

Sort of like a market tote bag, with topstitching to make a piping on the edge. It's all one piece front to back, with a gusset on each side. I want to make it out of hemp or organic cotton; and still trying to find a local (well, Australia local) supplier. And we are going to screen print Sam's designs onto them.

I have another bag idea / shape in my head, just need to find a few spare hours to turn it into a proper form. Something similar - a simple market tote, but with a different shape. You'll see it next week.

The other things that were taking up head/desk space are the things I am making for the 100th Post Giveaway. Yes, I know that most of you have probably given up on me with this one. Seeing as how it was.... months ago. I think the main issue has been that I really wanted to make something totally special and unique for each and every one of you. So many ideas formed in my head, and I wrote and drew. Yet nothing seemed quite right. It has taken me this long to finally come up with what I am happy with.

1.

2.

3. (two of these).

Also, I told myself to stop procrastinating and get it made already! I knew (hope) that you'll like whatever I send you, based on the fact that it's been made with thought and care and attention and love. I'm going to let you choose which one you each like best, colour wise. There will be a few other little goodies as well.

4.

5.

6.

So, if any of you winners are still reading my blog - please comment on which little pouch/bag you like best. And hopefully everyone will be happy. (If you really like one that someone else has picked, let me know, as I can possibly make more. I have little bits extra of most fabrics). Excuse the terrible photos, I just wanted to get them done, and kid-free time is precious.

7.

8.

9.

And finally, thank you for all your patience - not one of you asked or hassled or prompted me. That makes me feel that you do respect me, and acknowledge that I am something doing a little more than I should be. Also, I have learnt :: no giveaways unless I have something to giveaway first!!!

10. (two of these).

immense satisfaction

Firstly:: I want to say thank you to everyone for your thoughtful and kind and heartwarming comments about my Mum. When I had planned to write that post, it was going to be different - about how I felt at five years I was missing my Mum more than previous years. But what I wrote just came out of me. And, I suppose, that letting it spill out was an indication (to me) of my continued immense grief for my Mum. Even if I don't cry about her, and achingly miss her all the time. Thank you, also, for sharing your stories with me. And thanks to the dear friend who rang me up last night, such a lovely little chat.

We have all been sick for more than a week - flu and snuffy noses and not much sleeping. We are all still working through it, but night-time sleeps are getting better (and hopefully the constant train-works noise from across the street has stopped). Mishi has been having difficulty with sleeping, so her day-time naps have been minimal, if at all this week.

Despite this, I am really proud of the crafting I have achieved this week. This cushion cover was a gift for a family member's 60th Birthday a few weeks ago. I only got one finished in time to deliver to him, the other one has now been completed and will be posted this week. I really like the design that I made up for this - I came up with it while breastfeeding Mishi. Those moments can often be so reflective and I seem to think and plan so many things. The cushion doesn't have button holes, just a really big envelope back - I don't really like sewing button holes, so try to plan around that process.

Last week I made a new cushion cover for us too. I'm going to make some more in the next few weeks, as we have spare cushions with falling apart covers! I love laying my head on this cushion, on the couch. It is soft, yet has strength. But, mostly, I made it - and feel pride looking at it and using it. Simple strip piecing, with lots of over-stitching details and then a great red Indian cotton (from Ikea), as the main body.

I also made some new pyjama pants for both the kids. I know they are so easy to make, once I get down to actually sewing them. But in my house it is generally much harder to actually get to the sitting down part! Soft flannelet with little rocking horses on it - at first Ari said that it was too babyish, and he didn't want any, but on seeing Mishi's he changed his mind. Luckily I had already made them.

And while all of this is making me feel basically contented that I'm completing little things (though not enough for the market stall in less than two weeks....), the thing that is giving me the most pleasure is the fact that I am remembering how to embroider. I grew up with a Mum sewing, stitching, knitting, crocheting, potting, making bread, pies, cakes...... So, of course, I learnt all these (and more). And, of course, over the years I have neglected so many of these everyday arts.

Well, just a few nights ago I picked up an embroidery hoop and some calico and embroidery thread and..... I am totally addicted. I am taking it slowly. Relearning stitches from a great book (Creative Needlecraft - published in 1979) that my Dad pulled out of his bookshelves (which are bursting with the world). I am planning on using some small embroidered pieces on little purses that I'll be making for the market. I feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction looking at this humble piece of work, that I have made with my own hands.

Another great thing is that both the boys really like it too. And they don't need too much assistance with it - except that with their big stitches they use thread quickly, and it needs to be replenished often. I am trying to impress upon them that it's a quiet, sitting down, relaxing kind of activity - not standing and wiggling and jumping and.......

my little corner

Finally found a bit of time to get some more tidying and organising, and prettying in my little corner, sewing space. It's half a room - the other half is kids toys, clothes, that sort of thing. (Really, it's our second bedroom, and Ari should be sleeping in here. But he doesn't want to - who'd want to move out of Mum + Dad's bed! - and I'm not ready to give up the sewing space).

The beautiful little acorn picture, and the b/w bust image are from Stefani's Blue Yonder etsy shop. I bought them ages ago, and have been waiting to have them on show.

I still have to put up another inspiration line, underneath the other one. Well, Sam put the first one up for me, so he'll probably do the next one. I'd also like to have a corkboard in there, but they seem hard to find lately!

The screen-printed yarrow fabric hanging down is from the very talented Erin of Blossom Creations. I have the yellow tea towel also, which I still have to find a spot for.

When I lived on my own - well, with flatmates or in my own room at my parent's house - I always had heaps and heaps of inspiration images up all over my walls. Just blu-tacked up. I really like doing that. Lots of fashion, and interiors, and colour ideas. Now that I own my home, and have spent hours and dollars painting it - well, I'm not quite so keen to use lots of blu-tack. (Ummm, actually I think it's Sam who spent most hours, and who isn't so keen).*

I'm really liking the way this little corner is shaping up. I have heaps of ideas and plans and projects that need starting and finishing (let's not get into my WIP list!). So, hopefully the kids and I will manage to keep it tidy enough for me to do a little sewing.

*Now I'm sounding like I can't do anything for myself. I can, it's just that - well, I'm a bit lazy and Sam's much better at it than me! Please, I do think of myself as a modern feminist - I just know my limitations.

That Denyse Schmidt Quilt-It Kit is proving to be wonderful inspiration. It was purchased on a lovely afternoon out on my own a few months ago.

weekly update :: mama

This week I conquered my fear of zips. And the result wasn't too bad, not excellent, but not terrible. I can only get better :: I have a few zips, and more than a few ideas waiting to be put into action.

I did strip piecing for this. Something that I have been slowly working on over that past few weeks. And then we did it at the workshop I went to a few weekends ago. We did it onto iron-on interfacing, which is something that I don't use normally, but I really liked it. So, I'm going to do a bit more experimenting with it.

I have been sewing strips onto paper, and loving the sound as the needle pierces through the crisp parchment. And also loving the freedom of using fabric combinations that may not necessarily work for a piece of wearable (ie a bag or similar) 'art'. Some things are so fleeting or looked at in a different way, so can be put together differently. With different views, or eyes, or ideas. One card Sam foam-core mounted for my Dad, for his birthday. Another went to Sarah as part of our Valentine's Swap.

This little purse isn't lined. I like looking inside and seeing the stitch lines through the calico. I really love that 'negative space' aspect of it. Almost like the refuse, the discarded. The messy inside stitching lines are normally hidden out of sight. The cards, also, have the stitch lines quite exposed and obvious in their insides. On show.

I have another purse all ready to be sewn together, and zip sewn on. So, maybe tomorrow - if Mishi has proper naps!

Oh, and with my new rotary blade and cutting mat these sort of projects will be even more fun. Cut lines will be straighter, which means that sewing lines will be straighter (theoretically).

gifted

Well, I managed to get all the presents finished on time! A few had their final touches added on Christmas morning :: but they were all done and wrapped, with enough time to get out the door for family lunch. Ultimately, I'm quite proud of the presents we gave this year. I'm pleased that I managed to stick to my (mostly) handmade for all the family. We did get Lego for Ari - his first 'big boy' Lego, rather than the Duplo we have and love playing with. And boxer shorts for Sam were purchased, rather than made.

Crayon Rolls for the kids :: I really like the fabric combinations for these :: the kids really liked the People Pops they found inside!

Placemats for Sam's parents :: and his brother + girlfriend

and a painting each from Ari, plus some chocolates ::

A last minute gift for my Grandma. I can't belive that I forgot to make anything for her, considering she was spending the day with us - something that doesn't usually happen. I made her a little bag / pouch thing, for her to put her magnifying glass into. She has a degenerative eye cancer, so only has periferal vision, which means she can't read menus or see people so clearly. She carries her magnifying glass with her everywhere, yet seems to always be searching for it in her bag. I used Alexander Henry birdseed in bright yellow with a red trim and pale green inside, hopefully it'll be easy to spot in her handbag.

I didn't get the apron made for Ari that I had planned. My Grandma bought a play kitchen for the kids to share. (She gave the money, so I got to choose what I wanted). I'm hoping to get a little apron made for Ari over the next week or so.

Also, no new Christmas outfits were completed. Seeing as how I never get to go clothes shopping, and have no clothes (that fit me since having babies!), I have been hoping and hoping to make some new things for myself. And I would have loved to make a new Christmas outfit for Mishi (at least), but that too wasn't achieved.

I have to stop making myself feel so bad about the lack of time, energy, motivation, space issue I have with sewing. Possibly, though, I should stop buying fabric until I start using what I have!