Freakin' Disaster

Hmmphh. Not happy Jan! I haven't been beaten yet, but this pattern is trying to kill me. Of course, hot weather and PMS don't help, but I WILL NOT LET IT BEAT ME!

So if you remember, I followed the sizing in the pattern and I came up with this....not big enough for my 6 yr olds lunch and snacks.

So I added a bit all round and made a much bigger one.

Lucky didn't waste my laminated cotton or oilcloth on this one, made it up in cotton.

I turned them right sides together, as I ALWAYS do when lining my bags, and something happened....the seam is on the outside. Or, wait I turned it inside out and outside in again in the same movement?

WHO BLOODY KNOWS! I tore the fabric- see my little interfacing iron on trick to mend it? (I can, I will notice it EVERY time I pack her lunch).

Looks good from the outside.

So I'll add some binding, and pretend it was meant to be.

I might pick my days better to try another one- the pattern is allowed to be made up and sold from, can you imagine anyway paying $200 for a lunch bag? That's what I'd want after today's efforts!

Op Shopping with the best- Part 1!

I was so jealous of Curlypops and SupaSel, I roped Cam into an op shopping expedition in Deer Park yesterday. Salvos, BSL and Macca's, ahhh, bliss.

We hit the Brotherhood first, the cheapest and the best, but I'll save that for later. Salvo's provided a few goodies, despite MASSIVE overpricing and a good rant to the manager (Cam kept disappearing on me, was I a bit loud maybe?).

I did gladly take home this Sunbeam Cafe Series blender, for $15 thankyouverymuch. I have a functional Braun one, but I am on a mission to make all my appliances the same brand- weird, but immensely satisfying- especially as most were op shopped or free!

I was also after some new work clothes, I'm a bit bored with what I've got at the moment. These 2 fit the bill- A Sussan shirt dress

and Cotton On shirt dress, needs leggings underneath or I'll be flashing a bit!

We also found this dress- or as the lady at the counter rudely told me 'it's a nightie!" (Well, you had it on the dress rack, der!).

Changing the lace to binding was easy, especially yummy honeycomb binding, couldn't find orange like I wanted, but the stash only has what is has. I put a little triangle under the armpits so the bodice doesn't squish me flat like a pancake. May not get cleavage from it, though, damn size 10 vintage!

Stay tuned for the madness that is...the jeans haul!

Cleaning up

I started the big bedroom clean-up today, not to be confused with the general house cleaning clean up, this is extra! (must remember to turn the lights on on the way to the loo, may trip over something).

This is Little Miss's idea of helping- see the empty bookcase behind her- I didn't specify, but every book was NOT meant to be read before it went on the shelf. We'll be here till Christmas! (note- she wasn't picking her nose, but I like that it looks like it heehee).

The postie arrived to break the monotony- yeah! Yummy oilcloth from here- so cheap, too, plus a pattern, gotta love the sales from the study, yee-ha!

This is one of the patterns, and the other i got off EBay. Half price means not too much stress if she decides not to wear them! I was totally inspired by Kate's review of the pattern.

My next UFO to work on is this pattern I bought, for a lunch bag for school this year. Unfortunately, it will fit my daughter fruit snack! So I'm going to enlarge it, maybe I printed it off wrong, you never know.

And as a little teaser- this bag flap is heading to become a fully grown bag- but no owner in site! Hmm, what to do??

Email me if you want to talk about above mentioned bag. Others are here and here. I really need some advertisers, as I mainly want to do these as custom orders, so even if you want to do a swap, give me a shout.

(God, I couldn't even find a pic of my own bag on my own blog. Thanks, Alison!)

As it has taken me about 20mins to write this post, I have decided I really need a new computer. Mine has decided it can't think and play cd's at the same time. I mean, really, I may as well have a man around (jokes, sorry male readers). Think once the rego is paid, it's laptop shopping, yay!

Still sewing

Hmm, for someone who doesn't have a New Year's resolution, I can think of a few I should have said. Like sewing everyday and using form the stash!! I would have succeeded on both counts.

Well, technicallt this was made last night, but didn't have time to post it. I followed this tutorial, with only 2 adjustments- a swivel clasp and I have to make one pocket close, so the cards don't fall out for her. She loved the fabric- my rare as hen's teeth Heather Bailey Lightening bugs. Lucky girl!

Today I put together this little number, which after seeing this photo may need a lining!It is view D without the band around the bottom. I am going to shorten to below knee length, as I have a long one already, but it isn't a halter neck.

As soon as I saw this sheet, I knew it would become this dress, it just took me a while to do it!

Fem-bot helps with the fitting- perfect!

Cute little straps- not a bad idea for a tattoo, the ole "singer 150" heehee

Oh, and all these projects have been UFO's. Proud of me? I sure am!

My excitiement has been shortlived, however, by the arrival of the Nit family into our lives again. School hasn't even started yet, the buggers!

It's coming along

I have to brag about my extra clever little one, and the 'big girl' thing she did today. She received a ColesMyer gift voucher for her birthday, and it has been burning a hole in her pocket! She saw the electric toothbrush the other night at Coles, and we agreed she could by that (a luxury, not a necessity!). Hmm, but what else?

We went down to Officeworks (where you can also the cards) and she picked out the green frog pen that lights up, an exercise book for Grade 1 homework (too cute!), then it was on to Coles, where she got the toothbrush and a pack of cards to play Go Fish. All that for $20! And change as well. She got 2 receipts as well, and swiped the card and entered the pin number herself. How grown up!

My project a day is coming along so far, easy as I'm on holidays, I suppose. This is the apron I promised Sarah, due to the cute fabric.

I'm definitely not used to working with directional prints, another upside down one.

looks great with the shower cap!

Sad news- I am hoping some 'find me' thoughts will be sent over here, my beautiful ring I bought for my b'day has gone missing! It's lost, maybe in the house, maybe somewhere else, either way it may take a long time to find it. If anyone knows magic, please wiggle their nose and help me find it, it's pretty special and I don't think I could afford another one!

Resolutions or Revelations?

So I'm feeling a bit different. All my favourite blogs and bloggers are posting these great retrospectives of 2009, and plans for 2010, and I'm not. why? It takes too much time!!

I am such a lazy person, photos get uploaded and left in no order; piles get rearranged on the floor; washing up and clothes washing are the only chores down on a regular basis (and I'm not including putting away clean washing in that list!!). I rarely entertain at my house as it would mean I'd have to clean up; sheets get washed when I remember....I think you get the drift.

I do, however, have all these feelings- goals I want to achieve, things I want to do, but I'm working on the theory if it's not written down I don't have to follow through- and no one can hold me to it at the end of the year, myself included!

In 2010, however, I will be

• enjoying my daughters 2nd year at school
• trying to walk my dog more
• be at a handmade market once a month (seller or buying)
• Make something daily!

On that note, by the 2nd of Jan 2010 this is what I've achieved- another new top for Little Miss (mistake noticed by me, can you spot it?)

My new product for my market stall is under production. An emergency trip to my crafty helper found the supervisor hard at work.....

and my prototype was done! (how about that sexy photo? Gotta get me some white cardboard....). It is my 'pocket in a pocket purse', no official name yet. A coin purse with an outside jeans pocket, a wrist strap or clip on it or attach to a bag.

It will hold

• iPhone or similar size phone
• credit/EFTPOS cards and similar
• money
• keys

Perfect for the quick trip to the shops; to fit in your jacket pocket on a night out; to replace all your big bulky purses and bags. I'm pretty excited about it, off to make a few more. Oh, and the call out for jeans pockets will be on soon!

Did someone say chips?

Celebrity

I know someone famous. She lives 2 doors away, and has become my closest friend. And she modeled once.

Check her out- the one having her hair pulled out to the side.

and posing in the pink sweater. The thing I like the most is that is has combined my favourite things- craft, knitting, vintage magazines and my friend!!

This is the edition- a stand alone save copy, but then to have been featured in it....ahh, the envy.

I thought I'd add the page of Handy hints for the time, 1983 that is. Click on image to see closer. I won't spoil it and give any away, but let me know if you end up using any hints haha.

So I though I'd better show you what she looks like now- still modeling, not professionally anymore, but the shower cap I made her for Christmas!

Love you Sarah!!