Little bit of sewing

I have started three new sewing items in the last two weeks and also had a trip to the quilt show at Darling Harbour.
I love a good quilt show and this one defiantly live up to expectations for me.  I had a ball and just wish I didn't have to hear that "we will be closing in five minutes" over the loud speaker LOL.
I got a few supplies and looked at a few things that I have wanted to try so this year I am going to have a go at a few things outside my comfort zone.

Onto another topic now- Xmas, yes I know it is only just July but by xmas time I will have 12 nieces and nephews and that is a lot of presents to give!
I need to make a start so I have been working on a doll pattern and have run off my first one.  I was going to call her my Ebony doll cause she was going to have Orange hair just like my neice, but I couldn't find the right colour felt for this doll so this one ended up with black hair.  Will just call her Ebony anyway!
So I have finished my first attempt and I am happy to say that there isn't much I have to change yipee. I do have to add a face though but I have the eyes etc all planned I just need to get brave and do it LOL
here she is in all her glory, I based her on a doll I saw on someones blog (I can't remember which one sorry) and I love the fact that she does not need to be dressed.  For a little one that is perfect.

Not the best pic but you get the idea.
Now one of my nieces turns one in August and I was planning on giving her a doll for xmas but since I have found out her parents are giving her a pram, shhh don't tell, for her birthday I thought an Ebony doll would be perfect, mind you she can name it anything she wants, doll doll is fine LOL. these are the fabrics I am going to work with

Should look rather cute I hope.

I also have a quilt started for my mother in laws 60th birthday, now her birthday isn't till Jan but it takes awhile to quilt these things so I am being prepared.  I already cut 6 triangles 1/4 inche too small bugger.

I also wanted to make one of these groovy things for hubbys and my keys, from my sisters blog.

Well better get back to sewing or sleeping or something!

Wet Sunday

Well the weather here this weekend has not been nice at all.  No bike riding here.
The boys and I are all still getting over this nasty cold and there is a lot of coughing in this house.

I decided that it was time I got back to the sewing machine, so I set the boys up with some fabric bags that they started drawing on a year ago, before we moved, and then dragged out my fabric and pattern.

This is what the boys came up with

The start of Jacks picture on one side of the bag.

Lukes picture on the other side of the bag

 Another Bag- Lukes drawing and we still need to add a few buttons on this picture. The center of the flowers will have buttons as well as the chick in the nest.

The beginnings of Jacks second drawing, he is going into a lot of detail so not sure how long it will take him to finish.
And as for me I bought a pattern last week and finally started a block today.
I have had this fabric for ages now and finally decided to cut it.
the pattern I used was Sand castles by Rebecca Johnson pattern found here
This was rather easy to follow. The hard part was trying to decide which fabrics to put where.
And I had a little trouble with the turrets being the wrong size opps.
Anyway I did get one block finished and I am not sure how many other blocks I will make but I am sure if I make this into a pillow the boys will use it in the toy room,  mmm maybe a throw for the toy room would be good too.

Sorry about the bad photo I took it with the flash and have not cropped it opps.

Anyway will leave it there as hubby needs the computer to plan the new network at work. Fun stuff!

Happy mothers day!

To all those mums out there Happy mothers day.

Hope you all get spoilt rotten for the whole day.

My mum- She was a nurse before she had 6 children, She lost one at 27 weeks. But now she has 5 children 5 inlaws and 10 grandchildren and she is the best mother, grandmother that we could ever ask for. She is the mum that will always be there and will not judge you or anyone, she will just get in and do the dirty jobs and loves each and everyone of us for who we are and the way we are. She is truly amazing and the patients she must have. She has three daughters and each of us tell her how things are done in our houses and she will not complain she will do them the way we want. She folds the towels how I fold the towels she makes sure my sisters kitchen benches are clean the way she likes it and she does not judge us for our weakness. She truly is a great reason to celebrate mothers day.

My mums mum is the only grandparent we have left and she is turning 91 this year. She is special in her own way. She is an amazing strong woman and has lived through a lot. She was the only girl in a family of 7 children. She had 3 older and 3 younger brothers and her mother was a sick woman and died before she was 20. She then had to take on the roll of the mother and for these reasons she only got along with 2 of her brothers. Respect for women in the 30s and 40s was in very short supply and my nan never got any appreciation for what she did for her family.

My grandma- well where do I start. My grandma was an amazing woman. she is special and always will be and the hardest thing I have ever had to see was my grandmother get old and frail and then leave us. She was my fathers mother and there is a special bond between a boy and his mother (thank goodness cause I only have 2 boys LOL) I saw my father breakdown for the very first time ever at his mothers funeral, and I am so glad to have been there for him.
My grandfather called Grandma his little trouble. She was anything but and was his rock and his love.

I am very lucky to have had some very special mums in my life if they haven't all been my mum. I am lucky to have had these mums behind the people that I love more than anything in the world and this day is for all of them and for you as well.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!

Getting started again

I keep opening my blog with the intention on posting something but always find something to distract me.

But today I am determined to get it up and start posting again.  I am a bit burnt out lately and I have to many things in my head that I just never seem to get started on anything.  Now is the time to clear my head and start again on one project at a time.  Mind you I have two new nieces or nephews on the way, both around the same time, October, and also my 6 month old niece that I have not made a little quilt for.

Last year I started on a quilt for one of my nieces whose mother loves monkeys. I never got in here with finished pics so thought I should show them off now.

 

I added the bananas to the boarder and think they look rather cute.
Really happy with how this quilt came together and now that number two is on the way I want to make another one very similar with a monkey on it. Just not sure what sex the next bub will be so I am going to wait and see.

OK will leave it there tonight have to get the boys lunches sorted for tomorrow and get them ready for bed

xxooxx Susan

I am so slack at this whole blog thing.  I keep wondering if I keep going with it but it is easy for me to come here and look up the things I like to keep track of as well.  So I will try and keep it a little more up to date.

We have moved now and I have a huge house and sewing/office room so now I just need to get a little more unpacking done and I can get back into action.

Will leave it there as I have to much to do, sewing for my three week old neice is now on the list as well.

xxSusanxx

Quiet Saturday arvo

Well it has been a nice quite day here today.

We picked up a new buffet for the kitchen and then the kids wanted to do some paintings.

Luke was a powerhouse having an absolute ball and trying to paint as many pictures as he could. Jack finished two pictures. One was a copy from a book that we loved the illustrations in and the other was the hungry caterpillar.

He did such a great job and of course I had to have a little paint as well.

I have so much to do and I should have taken pics of Jacks new tshirt but I forgot. Will get pics tomorrow.

anyway here a pic of our day and the kitchen table.

Will be back with more monkey quilt pics as well, all I have to do is sew on the binding and it is ready to drop off next weekend.

Cheers 

back in the groove

Well I decided that it was time I had some new pjs and since Anthony has been away or working late I started working on them this week.  I have shocked myself by actually finishing them LOL

And I love them infact the tshirt I made I am going to have to do a few more to wear during the day.  I am also going to use the butterfly applique idea on a skirt as well just have to make a start on that.

what I am working on

I generally have a few things on the go at once in this place.

The house is a mess and I must do some kind of house work today but over the weekend I finished the monkey quilt which I started last week.  My new niece was born just before xmas last year and I had not made her any thing until I found this gorgeous pattern for a quilt on this blog http://patchworkpottery.blogspot.com/2009/04/books-bananas.html (sorry blogger is playing up and I can't add the hyperlink)

So I started last week while Luke was recovering from his op and finished the top yesterday and now have to get some backing and something for the binding.  I am thinking brown with white spots for the binding.

I also got Lukes pjs finished for his trip the the hospital on Tuesday last week.  He has to get his ear drum repaired and get the packing out from last Aprils cholesteatoma removal.  This kid is such a trouper.

He loves these pj's and although he doesn't look that happy in the pic he had surgery the day before so he is still a little washed out.  I actually used a t-shirt pattern and altered it for the top and then added velcro so he didn't have to worry about ties and I didn't have to worry about snaps and reinforcement.  He loves them and that is all that matters.  Now Jack has put his order it LOL.  I can't keep up with these growing boys. Jack put on last years track pants that I made him and he has grown at least 2 inches.  So that means new school tracky pants as well.  better get sorted as Autumn is creeping up quickly.

Also finished the top of my quilt for our bed and I love love love it.

Susan

Can't beleive it has been so long

well I have been a bad bad blogger.

opps what is going on it is already 2010 how has that happened.

we have moved since my last post, Luke has fractures his foot and Xmas has been and gone, and I have posted nothing oooooopps.

I really need to sit down and do a catch up but me being me it is nearly 11pm at night and I am buggered.  I did how ever go to my Friends house tonight and do a few crayon drawings.  She has discovered Spoonflower where you can download you fabric desings and get them printed so I was trying to come up with a few fun boys designs.

Anyway I will leave it at that and try and add some pics tomorrow of what I have been up to and what I made for xmas.

night all

My baby is 5

I can't believe my baby is five.

He has been so excited today walking around saying "I can't believe it is my birthday" LOL too cute.

We had a very laid back day as he is having a party on Sat but here a few pics of him today.

I can't get any other pics cause they are all on the hard drive on the broken computer Bugger Bugger

About Time !!!!!!!

OK so I thought it was about time I posted on my blog.

Life has been a little crazy to say the least.

Our landlord is selling so we have decided that after nearly 3 years we would get out and find a new house to rent.  The time isn't right for us to have a $700,000 Mortgage.  I found a nice house in Westleigh with four bedrooms, so hopefully enough room for us and my hobbies LOL that is the most important part isn't it? to have plenty of room to sew and create.  I am so depressed about the move because it means I have to move away from this fantastic neighbourhood.  I don't think it will sink in until we move that I can't walk next door to borrow some cloves or to get a sewing opinion.  Think this is definately the hardest part.  the easy part is leaving this house and the mould behind.  I am hoping that we will all be a lot healthier in the new place.

I also thought it was time I posted a pic of my flamingo pants on my cute little neighbour.  Her mum made the top from the matching fabric on the ruffles and it looks sooooo cute together

OK I am just going to sort out some pics of my 5 year old and be back with his birthday pics

Flamingo fabric

Someone asked about the flamingo fabric and I have just remembered to get back here with the details LOL
It is a Michael Miller fabric and I picked it up from the Craft depot
about a month ago.  I actually managed to get 2 meters on sale so this was marked down to $7.95 a meter, what a bargain.  So I still have 2 meters of it since I bought two lots LOL.  Now to decided what to make mmmmmmm

whats a girl to do

with a spare five minutes.  Make a dog jumper of course.

We have had Sandy for nearly a month and Jack has been telling me that she needs a jumper cause she is freezing outside.  So after my neighbour said she had a pattern I grabbed it this morning and while Luke was watching Tv I whipped up a jumper for Sandy.
And what girl doesn't like Burgundy LOL

And no she wasn't banished to the corner I think this Dog has a fear of cameras PMSL she will have to get over that.

And just a cute one of her gorgeous face.

Be back later with more

the finished pants

I love how these turned out they are just so cute

Had Jacks school concert yesterday so went thru all the pics to see if any worked.  Not easy to take pics when you are near the back.
Have a few sewing projects that I want to complete and since Luke has Molly here for a play I might just might get something done.  We will see though.
I have realised that I haven't posted pics of Luke's tshirt.

I made it from the ottobre mag that I borrow from my lovely neighbour and Luke loves it.  I haven't taken pics of it finished yet but here is the spider in his web.

Well better get back to keeping an eye on these kids

whats on the cutting board

OK so it is that time of the year again that I have a lot of birthdays coming up and I need to get some presents made.
The first birthday is the little girl from next door and she is turning 2.  Then I have 4 birthdays to sew for in June and July and that doesn't count my mother or brothers birthdays.  I don't give presents to family unless it is a big birthday.
I am hoping however to make a little something for mum if I can get it all sorted.

So at the moment I have this cut out on my sewing mat

these are going to make the coolest pants in the street for miss 2.
Also I have been working on a quilt for me.  I got the material obsession book sometime and fell in love with the quilt "fanciful flowers" so here it is in the making

this pic was taken on a double bed and I have made it for our queen bed so you can't see it all but you get the idea.
I am so proud of myself for this rather big project.  I still have to sew all the blocks together and then add the borders.  I am loving making this quilt and it has defiantly challenged me.

OK thats it for now I promise I will get pics of Lukes I spy quilt and blog them at some stage.

Happy mothers day

To all the mummys out there I hope you all had a great day and got totally spoilt.

I had a nice sleep in and breaky in bed and then went to gold class tonight without any males or children in sight LOL it was bliss.

And just cause I can a pic

I promise to get my butt into gear and post some more pics of my sewing and the kids.

EB clothes swap

OK so I had put up a sneak from the clothes that I made as part of the EB sewing threads clothing swap so now I am back with pics of the clothes I received.

My clothes have been sewing for Jack from the very talented Milly The pants Tshirt and Hat are perfect.  And these are defiantly going to be wearing out clothes.

here are a few pics








This computer is playing up so I will leave it there but again Milly thanks so much we love it.

Sneaky Peaky

OK since I joined the EB clothing swap I thought it was time I put up a little sneak peak for my recipient.
So here is a little sneak

oh ok and another LOL


OK will be back later or tomorrow with other things I have been working on

wow how did that happen

I can't believe I haven't posted in nearly a month. oppps
A fair bit has been happening I have been sewing alot and had sick kids and had an anniversary all in this time LOL

Luke had his tonsils and adenoids out and grommets put in both ears on Thursday and after a pretty miserable day yesterday he woke up bright as a button this morning.  Now I just have to wait for the day 5 ear pain, oh the joys.
We maybe heading back to surgery for his ear again soon.  It looks like he may have a Cholesteatoma and that needs to be removed and is major surgery.  mmm not looking forward to that although we really need to sort out this hearing issue before it gets worse.

So that is what is going on with Luke.
Jack has been going great with a great start to the school year and grade 2.  He is still loving school so that is great.

In other news Anthony and I celebrated 10 years of marriage.  Can't believe it really but then again I can't remember life without him LOL
here are a few of my favs from our wedding ten years ago Friday




And of course of from Friday night 10 years on and a few extra kilos LOL

and I have to add this picture of the table Jack and Luke set for Anthony and I for tea of Friday night


they were so sweet and I wasn't allowed to look but since Anthony didn't get home till 7.30pm grrr I had to enter the room and feed Luke and Jack tea.  Was a nice quiet night though but after Luke getting his tonsils out the day before I was buggered to say the least.

Will be back in the next few days with some sewing.

Birthday gift

Well I wasn't sure if I would be organised enough but alas I was.  Ebony's birthday gift has been made and sent, along with a simple card.  All in time for her 3rd birthday on Wednesday.

I borrowed this pattern from my neighbour, as most of the girls patterns come from her LOL, and whipped it up.  Rather easy to make it was Simplicity 5222.
I am so happy with how it turned out.












well the kids are harassing me for a swim so best be off