Go Granny Jacket

Photo Credit

The most seriously exciting thing about designing a fabric, is seeing the way in which a talented creative person can take that fabric and transform it into something truly amazing.

Photo Credit

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would see something quite as cool as Lara's Go Granny Jacket

 Photo Credit

Thanks for letting me share your gorgeous photos Lara!

Check out all the Go Granny creations in the Flickr Group.

Jigsaws and Monkeys

I've had these super cute vintage jigsaw panels in the stash for the longest time, but I've finally put them to good use.

They're now sweet little zippered pouches.

There are 3 designs to choose from and each one features a recycled chunky zip

Ready and waiting in the shop!

Oh Christmas Tree Yukka

My sister and BIL and the kidlets are heading off for a Queensland holiday this week (soooo, what do you think the chances are of the phone ringing at 4AM while they're away?)

I had to take advantage of the slave labour family christmas spirit before they left, and invited the boys over to decorate my tree.

I can't deal with any of that mess inside the house, so my original idea was to get them to decorate the silver birch tree in the front garden....

.... but using their own artistic abilities, they decided that the christmas baubles were much better suited to hanging from the dragonfly lights and the yukkas.

Once they'd finished, I tried to get just one decent ta-daa moment for the christmas album.

...and again

...and again.

I give up.

Sunday Snippets

Weekend Snippets via Instagram....

Sundays Snippets.... via Tinniegirl

Markit

 

Are you looking for something to do this lovely Sunday?

Why not pop on down to Fed Square for Markit! 

Make sure you say hello to Betty Jo in the BMW Edge Theatre Foyer. She'll have all of her Betty Jo goodies as well as some some choice pieces from Gleaners Inc (including some CurlyPops stuff).

The Red Heart Tree Project & A Hottie Update

If you're looking for a sweet crafty project to make this Christmas, then this might be just what you're looking for.

The lovely ladies at Open Drawer are going to cover one of the courtyard trees in hearts, and a portion of the workshop proceeds will benefit The Margaret Pratt Foundation Heart and Lung Tranplant Trust.

Also, I received a lovely surprise in the mail this week with the latest edition of the Foundation's newsletter.

This is the section on the fantastic Hottie Challenge!

I've scanned the entire newsletter so that it can be downloaded as a pdf here. You can read all about how the donations assist research at the Alfred Hospital into the issues of chronic rejection, chronic infection and long term dysfunction after transplant, along with all of the fundraising activites that have taken place during the year.

Betty's Place

Lastnight I went along to a lovely little housewarming party for Betty's Place

Magdalena has created a beautiful space....

It's filled with gorgeous handmade creations....

...and vintage treasures too.

Say hi to Nicole!

Betty officially opens her doors to the public Saturday (tomorrow) - 605 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick.

Thankyou Betty!

Go Granny II

I arrived home lastnight to a very exciting package.....

It's Go Granny II - my granny square design printed onto a 135gsm natural fibre 100% cotton basecloth.

This is perfect for everything from quilting and applique, to summer skirts and dresses.

Pop on over to the shop and check it out!

The Dress

I'm always lamenting that fact that I don't make enough things just for me, so I'm making a more concerted effort at the moment.

I'm taking my inspiration from Michelle at Buttontree Lane and her participation in Self Stitched September. 

I can't quite imagine having enough me made clothes in my wardrobe to be able to put together an outfit every day for a month but.... that's my aim!

It all began with this vintage pattern from the oppy. Back in the olden days it seems that some patterns were not sold with size variations, and sizing was a bit different to what we consider standard now.

I assumed (quite wrongly) that size large would be perfect.

After sewing the basic seams (and before overlocking), I tried it on and it looked more like a sack.... with arm wings large enough that a gust of wind might have been able to carry me away. So that's when I ditched the pattern and just started freestyle sewing, beginning with the side seams.

I made the arm wings smaller, and then slightly gathered them and finished them with binding.

I added top stitching to the side pockets so that they would sit neatly....

.... and instead of the large wide belt, I made a skinnier tie up belt and added belt loops so that it would sit nicely around my waist.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Next time, I might try something more complicated.... and perhaps without wings?

Pimping my Wares

So just how many sleeps are there 'til Christmas???

Today is all about pimping my freshly made wares.

 I've loaded lots of lovely things into my little shop just for your handmade shopping pleasure.

But get in quick. If there's another 4AM phone call....

the shop will close and I'll be outta here!

Only 1 week late

Better late than never hey!

I finally managed to deliver Bec's completely finished birthday pressie yesterday.... and she loved it. Phew. Although she may have been a teensy bit disappointed that it wasn't a pair of hot pants Anna.

I've been hoarding collecting ribbons and vintage trims for years and years. I have bucketloads of them, in fact.

Another lesson learned from my day at the 6 Steps Workshop.... I must start using what I have, and not living by that old mantra 'She who dies with the most fabric (and trims) wins!' .

I'm completely in love with the way this turned out, so I had a hard time handing it over yesterday.

If you would like to make something similar, it really is easy peasy.

Just cut a piece of calico to the size that you need for your cushion cover front. Without overthinking the placement of ribbons and trim, just start laying down pieces and stitching them into place, criss crossing over as you go. The more random, the better..

(apologies - blurry iPhone snap).

I made sure to change my thread colour to match each piece of trim or ribbon.

(apologies - blurry iPhone snap)

Once everything is stiched into place, neatly trim the edges (you'll notice that this project definitely required coffee).

You can then turn it into a cushion cover, or anything else your imagination can conjure up!

Weekend Snippets.... by iPhone snaps

Storm Chasing

Coffee Drinking

Dressmaking

Pouting

Eating

Relaxing

What did you get up to?

Sunday Snippets via Tinniegirl...

Bunting to the Rescue....

The beautiful coloured bunting has disappeared from Gleaners Inc... but never fear, a brand new batch is heading that way thisafternoon.

I played teatowel lucky dip to decide which country was next on the cushion list....

....and the winner was Suid Afrika (or South Africa to us). Check out that fabbo elephant in the top left hand corner!

If you see anything you like from Gleaners Inc and can't make it into the shop, just get in touch with Liz and she'll organise an online sale for you pronto!

I've added lots of new goodies to the shop too, so pop on over for a little look.

If you're thinking about buying pressies for Christmas, please get in early as there have been lots of reports of delays with Australia Post.

I sent an order to QLD on Nov 2nd which didn't arrive until Nov 15th (13 days later), yet I sent a package to the UK on Nov 11th which arrived on Nov 17th (6 days). It makes no sense!!!

*I have complained to Australia Post and the standard answer was that it can take up to 10 business days for delivery. What the???

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Is it a bat?

No, it's a bird alright...

Thank goodness Mr X came to the rescue by climbing up on a chair to catch little Mr Birdie and take him back outside to fly away.

I quite like visitors in my creative space, but I'd rather that they not be of the feathered pooping variety!