Splash! Apron

That's what I like to call it, anyway. It's been a must-make since I clayed up my picnic dress. The clay fun was worth it, but next time I'll be prepared.. 

The flowers on the fabric are actually stencil printed, the original fabric is some crazy tartan. At first, I didn't like the fabric .... but now I love, love, love it!

No pattern, just a 50's style apron for the bottom and a square bib for the top. Oh, and there's a pocket at the front too!

Clay and paint away!!

Finito

I couldn't of picked a more appropriate fabric for a library bag..

p.s. My Nonna, she loves the purse I made for her.. she shows it to all her friends =) 

Sweetness

Thanks to Bloom, I have made a journal cover for my visual journalling..

Although it has my name embroidered on it, the cover really reminds me of my sister. I think it's fabric Mum used to make Emma things when she was younger.

Have also made a library bag, but still have to embroider "i libri" on it.. I'm obsessed with embroidery at the moment - everything must have a stitch!!

Today's Make

A water bottle cosy thanks to this lovely guide find. Unfortunately... Smasha is a bit fat for the cosy.. 

Sorry, I must just mention that I name items I get attached to.. Smasha is my water bottle (Smasha like a female marshmellow, not a wrestler). 

Since Smasha is a fatty, this water bottle cosy now keeps my paintbrushes warm (well half of them)... warm in the hot, hot, Brisbane heat. 

I'm going to make another one, before Smasha's self esteem drops. 

10 dollars, 2 items.. and counting.

I bought some fabric the other day - turns out Spotlight's quilting fabric selection is not that bad, not a lot you can use for garments though. I made my Nonna a 'prayer pouch' (just a regular pouch, but for her rosary beads and prayer book) with fabrics to the theme of 'Il Giardino della Nonna', or Nonna's Garden. I even sewed a hand embroidered name tag (to me, her name is Nonna) to the inside, I hope she likes it. Forgot to take a picture before I sent it, but today with some of what was left over, I made my Mum (who goes to Italy a lot) a passport cover using this fab tutorial.

And consistent with my disorganisation when it comes to documenting stuff I make, my battery ran out before I could take a picture of the inside. =)

What a Cutie

My Baby Bernina was already cute, and now that she's snug in a blanket she just got a whole lot cuter...

I can't help it that I'm attracted to pastels... 

The purple flower squares need a bit of a steam. Too bad the iron likes to leak.. 

Meanwhile. I've emailed 'Sew, Mama, Sew' shop - trying to see if they deliver fabrics to Australia. I'm sick of spotlight.. I 'settle' for most of the fabrics I buy. For the same price as some boring print poly mixed cotton, 'Sew, Mama, Sew' has stuff like...

If your not that impressed, that's ok - because those are some of the clearance stuff! The full priced stuff is out of this world. For ten dollars a metre, you can get some delicious fabrics. 

First Dress Complete!

But I don't want to upload a picture of it yet. Why? Seems I used 'pre-holidays' measurements, and now a dress I'm very proud of, and SO excited to wear ... doesn't fit. Sure, it zips up - but I'm not entirely comfortable with back pudge being squeezed down so that it fits under the seam line. Hrm. So, for now, lets look at this picture of it until upping the exercise and cutting the calories pays off..

(It's dress D.. and it's so, so beautiful - Curse you rum balls)

I've decided that I'm not going to work on anymore clothes until I fit into that one. Give it a month, I think. But that's OK - because I've got plenty of little things that I've been dying to work on. I need to make a sewing machine cover, kitchen curtains, a present for Nonna, some cute things to go around the house... I'll be fine =)

A day in images

This is what I did today...

Thar she blows, the Cath Kidston baggy. It's a very cute size. 

Then, went to the farmers market. Will's parents bought me flowers again =). I really should buy a vase. This is what I came up with -  I've just realised the choices carry a theme.. 

Brandy glass for the bedroom

Wine bottle for the kitchen table

Beer glass for the craft room

I don't know how this happened, we really don't drink much.. 

What am I making?

I'm sorry, but I really got to organise myself and I'm going to use my blog to do it. I feel like I have so many things I want to make right now, and I have no direction, it's one thing to the next, then I end up not finishing anything. I long for the sense of accomplishment!

Right-0. Currently, I am making a petticoat. Lets start with that:

1. Finish Petticoat

Of course, I'm going to need to wear that petticoat under something. At least three ideas. So out of all my 'want to make' pile, these would best suit the petticoat:

2. My McCall's dress pattern

3. Sweetheart neckline circle dress

(something like this, but not halter) 

4. A full, gathered skirt. 

Ok. So there are four things, I feel a little better now. Once I finish the petticoat, that will just be three things that I want to get done, not too overwhelming. I have to get the petticoat done first, so I can judge how long and wide I want the three items to be!

I love fifties fashion. A quick fact; although Bewitched began filming early sixties, the fashion Sam wore reflected fifties styles (even up to half way through the series, well into the sixtes). This is because in suburban areas, where you'd normally find someone like Samantha Stevens, the fashion trends hit much later. The housewives took a while to catch up. I think that's cute. 

5. When I don't feel like making clothes, I'm going to be making the samples for my Bernina bag. It's just a big tote, with plastic pockets (transparent) that you can put things in. 

Patchworking

It's simple, it's beautiful, it's last minute.

Whipped it up for a table topper because we only have one tablecloth that we use all year 'round. Yes that's right - one. However, now that I have scored a job at the La Boite theatre, I will hopefully be able to buy another one.. unless I just buy more fabrics.

Mind was racing last night, dreaming up beautiful dresses that I want to try make without a pattern (I really admire the girls who can do it). I think it might be very helpful if I draw the design out, and break it up. 

Christmas Skirt

Anything red or green, though preferably red, is a Christmas something to me, and today I made this girly skirt for Christmas day. 

I was going to put a bow on the back, but I think that might be too much - I'll just make a matching coin purse instead =). *Sigh*, To be a little girl again... I could of had the bow AND the purse..

Four days till Christmas!

For students with no jobs, we sure do like our presents..

 (can't wait to unwrap that big one on the right)!

Today I made a present for Will's Oma, a little purse (roughly 6 x 4 x 3 inches) thanks to a tutorial on Burdastyle. The layered flower was inspired by Heather Bailey designs. The flower can be removed and worn as a broach (or if Oma thinks it's hideous), and the purse is closed with a zipper for security.  I'm going to make a smaller one (button closed) for myself tomorrow, after I put a cute little card in this one. 

I love my Christmas roses from Will's parents. 

I spritzed them like crazy.. I think I went overboard :\

Rainy Saturday

It's muggy enough outside for me to finally begin a craft/art/life blog. 

To christen my blog, I've decided to showcase some of the crafts I've been busying myself with this past week, decorating the house for Christmas. I've never really been into Christmas decorations (except the tree), but being away from my family means I'm not reminded of Christmas as much, and thats no fun at all. Chrissy crafts get me in the spirit and keep me entertained!

Cardboard Christmas Wreath

I didn't want to pay for a real (well, plastic) one, and thanks to a short-lived scrapbooking phase and Martha Stewart, I was able to use up card stock and make this cute wreath. Although, I don't know how I'm going to store it :|

Our First Stockings

Well not entirely true, Will's had heaps of stockings but my family never got into them. These are our first as a couple-in-a-unit. 

I am pleased with them because I didn't use any sort of pattern, and they're reversible!

Angel Garland 

This is something I made while trying to master ruffle for skirts and dresses. I basted a strip of fabric on low tension, and the pulled the thread. Very frustrating with cheap thread,  *twitches*. I love the little angels, I put some on kebab sticks and pushed them into the garden pots on the patio (if you can call it that).

Yo Yo Garland

I'm obsessed with these things. These yoyos can do anything, and today, they were sporting some ric-rac for a pretty garland. I'm definitely going to make some more for something else.

Merry Christmas!

And finally, a welcome plaque to replace our cheap unit number. 

Once again, beats a plastic one.