Thursday, May 31, 2012

Nearly the end of the month...


The Make It In May Skirt Sew-Along has been lots of fun, and it's given me some much needed motivation (and a kick up the behind) to make some clothes for myself.

I know there are still some peeps who are working on their skirts, so I'll keep posting round ups as they come in.

Here are the ones that have made it before Pumpkin O'clock (ie. the deadline)!

Butterick skirt finished


Skirt 1

Butterick B4461 by Marina from Wink Designs. This is such a cool design - totally up my alley. Adding it to my 'I want this pattern' list in Evernote. PS - make sure you click over to check out Marina's new boots.

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Skirt 2

Nikki's You Sew Girl A-Line skirt by Mousiemouse on Flickr. Love the embellishment that runs along the bottom, and there's another fantastic a-line skirt with doileys too!

skirt


 Skirt 3

This skirt has a very sweet story. Susie from Flowerpress is teaching her daughter to sew and this skirt is their first project together.


Skirt 4

Clothkits Trellick Skirt by Tania from Myrtle & Eunice. I know she loves a last minute challenge and she certainly didn't disappoint!
 

Skirt 5

An almost finished freestyle skirt by Nicole from Dabbling All Day. I'll re-visit this one soon.


Skirt 6

The second of Nikki's You Sew Girl A-Line skirts  this time by Liz from Arty Lady. The retro fabric is completely gorgeous and this version is also fab as is gives you a great comparison in how the shorter length gives a completely different look.


Thankyou so much ladies!

I managed to finish my second skirt before the deadline, but not in time to actually take any decent photos... so I'll have to save that for tomorrow.

If you've finished and I haven't added you to the linky list on the left hand sidebar, please email me to let me know.


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My Creative Space


In my creative space today...

It's a last minute sewing frenzy to finish my second skirt for the Make It In May Sew Along.
I'm making the Lisette Market Skirt in View A. It's really hard to see from the photo as I'm using some random black corduroy that I found in the stash (pretty sure it was op shopped), but there are really cute pleats at the bottom.

I made it this far lastnight before I realised that I had to change the thread colour in the overlocker before going any further...  so I stopped and packed my bag for NCB instead!



Make It Work!

I'm expecting lots of last minute Make It In May Finishes today so I'll be back later with a round up!

More creative spaces

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Reeled In


I've been playing with vintage cotton reels again... I just can't seem to help it.

What I really should be doing is making a second skirt for the Sew-Along.




I musn't forget to pack up my donated goodies for Cathie's Biggest Morning Tea on Sunday. Did you see her in the paper?



In other news, I'm now seeking monthly blog sponsors. Do you have a crafty business or blog that fits the bill? Check out my advertising page and feel free to email me with any questions.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

More From Make It In May

It's full speed ahead on the Make It In May Skirt Sew-Along... lots of finishers before we reach the end of the month, and a great range of totally different skirts today!

Kwik Sew 3914


Skirt 1

This is Kwik Sew 3914 by Coco from Coco's Loft.  Such a lovely flowy style, and I must admit that I love that one of the pattern adjustments she made was to add pockets in the side seam (Oh how I love pockets).

Picture 002


Skirt 2

Cherrie from Willy Wagtail has made one of her wonderful tablecloth skirts. Every time I spot a circular tablecloth now, it makes me think about Cherrie's skirts.


Make it in May Skirt Challenge ~ Ginger Skirt


Skirt 3

Rachel from Four Wise Monkeys sewed this Collette Ginger Skirt while on a weekend away at Sewjourn (totally jealous).  I'm really loving the high waist and that cute front seam.



Skirt 4

Michelle from Buttontree Lane has made a freestyle no pattern skirt using this gorgeous ponti knit from Spotty (I totally want to try this out at home). Swooning over the rose print here...

You Sew Girl A-line skirt with vintage (1975) Simplicity pockets


Skirt 5

Lara from Thornberry has made a denim version of Nikki's You Sew Girl A-Line skirt with gorgeous yellow topstitching, and groovy pockets from a vintage pattern.


Skirt 6

Sarah from If I Only Had Chocolate has also made Nikki's You Sew Girl A-Line skirt.

I can't seem to work out how to retrieve a photo from her slideshow to show you!



Thankyou so much for joining in the fun ladies!

Please follow the links and check out all the details on each post.

These sew-alongs are fantastic for gaining really useful sewing tips and tricks. Seeing how people can make simple modifications for a better fit for their particular body shape, or how adding a little embellishment like coloured top stitching can such a difference, is a real eye-opener and can make you much more brave when it comes to the challenge of sewing your own clothes.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Mocking Up


I've been playing around in photoshop again over the weekend. It's actually quite fun (especially when I turn my study into a little hotbox on a freezing cold day). 'Tis quite cosy in there...

Anyhow... I've been thinking about what I would like my website to look like (when I actually HAVE a website that is).

It's just going to be a simple front page. I don't want any detail here, as the buttons will lead you on to the detail.


For me, as a user, the best websites are very clear, concise, easy to read, and easy to navigate. But, I also really want it to be something that I've designed myself. There's a sense of satisfaction that comes with it being your own work.

Anyway, this is just my first mock-up. I'd love to know what you think, and what your opinions are on the best types of websites.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sunday Snippets

This week I decided to play along with the Fox In Flats Style Dare Challenge.

The challenge was Could you pin something fab onto your outfit for 7 days in a row?


Day 1 - Necklace by Betty Jo - Flower Brooch by me.



Day 2 - Un-Reel Pendant Necklace by me - Flying Ducks Brooch by Finki.



Day 3 - Necklace by me - Lino Brooch by Betty Jo.



Day 4 - Necklace by Lauren Williams - brooch by Shonah 



Day 5 - Un-Reel Pendant Necklace and Beaded Heart Brooch by me.



Day 6 - Necklace by Elk - Flower Brooch by me.

 

Day 7 - I'm still in my pj's after getting home very late from a party lastnight, so here's a gratuitous photo of Mr Limpy Houdini Dog.


Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl

Saturday, May 26, 2012

More Make It In May Skirts

We have six days to go.... I wonder how many more Make It In May skirts will get finished?

IMG_6771


Nikki whipped up two versions of her You Sew Girl A-Line skirt this week.

A lovely long version...


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... and a gorgeous short version.

Which reminds me, that I must try out a panelled skirt for myself.


Carmel also made the You Sew Girl A-Line Skirt. It looks fab in denim.



Checkout the schmick invisible zip!

Thankyou Ladies


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Friday, May 25, 2012

It's Totes Good


I'm dropping off some brand new stock to Gleaners Inc today (well.... after I finish my weekly torture session in the gym first).

There'll be simple shopping totes, and a range of bibs made from teatowel cushion offcuts, and vintage fabrics from my stash.


PS - I'll need a very strong cappucino when I get there Liz!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

My Creative Space


It's all about the photoshoot and the editing today....

This is one of the parts of having an online business that is really time consuming and that I'm not particularly good at.

I tend to always have the shakes, so I've found that a good tripod is a must have.

If only I could turn on the sunshine for some nice natural light!


More creative spaces

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Psychedelic


When I designed my current range of fabrics and ordered sample swatches, it included this fabric design which I originally created a little while ago as a background banner for my sister.

I just happened to show the sample swatch to Cathy at around the same time as I was racking my brain trying to come up with a handmade birthday pressie.

Check out Little Cat in the background

I completely forgot to take any photos after I'd finished, so I had to wait until she unwrapped it, and then I snapped a couple of quick iPhone photos... the outside


... and the Kindle Touch snuggled up inside (check out the matchy matchy lining - Linear in Tangerine)


But do you know what I was more impressed by?



Cathy's amazing homemade cream buns - heaven!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Batch o' Bibs



It seems like forever since I've had to drag out the snap press. Surprisingly, there haven't been many new bubbas arriving around these parts lately.


One of my girlfriends is a consultant/stockist of the Cushie Tushies range of re-usable cloth nappies, and now she's also going to stock my handmade bibs.


I couldn't resist making a couple using my Clark Loves Edna fabric (every Chic Geek Bubba needs one)!



My tapestry seems to make a lovely colourful backdrop!


Monday, May 21, 2012

A Mini and a Maxi Satchel


The Dragster is one of my favourite illustrations. I really like that it suits a entire range of ages.



I had one lonely Dragster Panel left in the stash, so I whipped up a new satchel for a friends son. He's growing up so quickly that he has now grown out of the mini satchel that I made a few years ago.


His little sister also needed a new satchel. The request was for pink, pink.... and more pink.



I think I can manage pink?

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Sunday Snippets











No words today... just my favourite instagram shots from the week.

Playing Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl