I'm a bad blogger...

Once again it's been quite a while since I last posted about any of my sewing exploits...

I saw this purse over at The Princess and the Monkey and loved it, just what I need for all my cards, receipts, etc. I briefly thought about trying to make one myself but then asked Lisa if she would make one for me. It arrived quite a while ago and accompaying it was this rather gorgeous bib for my own little monkey. I have had so many compliments on both the bib and the purse - thanks Lisa!

I made myself and Sam a Mei Tai carrier from this tutorial, it was much easier than I thought although my machine didn't like sewing through 6 + layers of fabric and needed a lot of coaxing to get it done. The only variation I did was to make the hood a little larger as I didn't think the one in the tutorial gave enough coverage. I used denim, minki and Heather Bailey. I so love that HB fabric. Up until now I have been using a hugabub and this one is so comfortable to wear and causes no pain on my shoulders whatsever. I've also just started to carry Sam on my back, which makes getting things done round the house and playing with Maddie so much easier. Needless to say I'm a huge fan of this carrier. A local baby shop also asked if I'd be interested in making some for sale in the shop but after a bit of investigation, some sums and the fact that I don't own the copyright to the pattern meant that it wasn't worth my while. Still, it's nice to be asked!





I also tried out my first Ottobre pattern and made M this skirt. It was a pretty easy pattern, although I didn't like how the waistband works with the drawstring and elastic so next time I'd change that. The fabric is SL corduroy and some upcycled linen from a pair of Dom's old trousers. I did a cheat and just appliqued onto a shop bought top. M loves it but wants a more twirly skirt next time!



I also made this Matroyshka doll from an issue of Homespun magazine for a friend's new baby and added a bell inside and intialled the apron.



Lots of other things have been made but I've failed to photograph them...a baby blanket, tote bag, more appliques tops and some pot holders...

I'll try not to leave it too long next time!

A present for Mum

My Mum and Gran were out visiting recently and left the day before Mother's Day. It's always horrible to see loved ones leave and it left me feeling particularly flat on Mother's Day (although hubby, M and S did make me a lovely breakfast and dinner). Anyway, I decided I would spend the day making a present for my Mum. She's a keen knitter and had asked me to make her the Two-Kates knitting bag from this blog and then I made her a knitting needle roll/organiser to match from this tutorial. The roll has space for needles, scisors, circular needles and darning needles. Fabric was picked up in the sales at SL last year. On the whole I'm happy with them, although one of the pockets on the roll is a bit wonky but hopefully Mum will like them.

Catching up

Almost a month without a post, that's not good! I've been busy sorting the house out and trying to make it look presentable for when my Mum and Gran visit from the UK later this week as well as sorting out things for Maddie's 3rd birthday fairy party in a few weeks. Anyway, here are a few things I've made in the last nearly-month...

A girly superhero cape complete with personalised initial:



A personalised reversible drawstring bag using Japanese fabric and denim. Made as a gift to hold home-made playdough, rolling pin and dino cutters:



Two hat and taggie blanket sets for two bubs yet to be born:



I'm also in the process of making an elf hat for Sam to wear to the fairy party, a mermaid hand puppet for the birthday girl, a Miss Madeline dress. I also need to think of Mother's Day gifts too...sew much to do, sew little time!!

A Stationery wrap

I made this stationery wrap as a birthday present for my MIL. It is pretty much based on the Gratitude Wrap tutorial from soulemama.

I filled it with some notecards, a pen and a notebook. As my MIL lives in the UK I even included some UK postage stamps

The outside and pockets are made from a fat quarter of Flutterby fabric by Tula Pink and the interior is just plain canvas and I trimmed it with some binding that once belonged to my Great Nan.

I hope she likes it.

Finishing off...

I started making this dress for Maddie months ago and this baby quilt when I was just pregnant with Sam and had just begun my sewing adventures. I managed to finish both on the weekend. Fortunately I made the dress in a size 3 so it will still fit Maddie next summer (hopefully). She has called it her rainbow dress. The quilt is far from prfect but it will be going to a friend who is due to have a baby girl in June.

Stitches and Craft show...

I went to the Melbourne Stitches and Craft show on Saturday with some girlfriends and Sam (Maddie was at Sound Relief with hubby).

I had a lovely time and met some fab people on the many, many wonderful stalls. Amazingly I managed to stick to my self-imposed budget and came back with the following gorgeous goodies...



So then, what's inside the bag...



The kinder doll pattern, a mushie and gnome kit and selvedge keyring from Jodie at ricrac. I have been admiring her dolls for quite a while and am really excited about making one of my own for Maddie.

A fat quarter from Kristen Doran. I have also fallen in love with her robot fabric but she had run out at the show. I'll definitely be purchasing once she restocks her online shop.

Some lovely fabric and a Make it Perfect pattern from Kelani. Some more fabric and purse snaps from Amitie. And some pretty purple beads.

There were some lovely quilts on display too and I was also rather taken by these super cute fabric bird houses. I have no idea who made any of them so unfortunately cannot add a credit here.

Vintage pjs

Here are the pjs that I mentioned in an earlier post. A set for Maddie made from an op-shop vintage Snow White bedsheet and a shop-bought tshirt appliqued with a sleepy dwarf. I also made a matching pair of pj pants for hubby. I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out for something so simple and am on the lookout for more vintage sheets!

Goodies for me!

I've just subscribed to Mixtapezine and received my first issue yesterday. I've only had a quick flick through so far but it's such a gorgeous magazine and I love the cover artwork. I also got a free embroidery pattern included from Sublime Stitching, which is so cute and I can't wait to use it on something.

I'm trying to convince hubby that I need a subscription to Ottobre magazine but that might have to wait until next month seeing as I'm planning a trip to the Stitches and Craft show next week and will need lots of things there too!!!

Other exciting news is that a friend and I have started discussing the possibility of having a stall at the Williamstown craft market one month. It probably won't be until the Spring so watch this space for news about that!

Drum roll please....and the winner(s) are.....

Karen

and then because I have quite a lot of these little scraps I chose 2 more lucky people too:

Lisa
and Brisssmith

Please send me your postal details to domtoniburton@yahoo.co.uk and I'll pop some in the post to you early next week. I'd love to see what you make them into.

I've managed to get a bit of sewing done, inbetween the relentless job of unpacking. I made a pair of pjs for Maddie and a matching pair of pj bottoms for hubby too from a vintage disney bedsheet (I'll blog a pic later when I get them off the camera). I had been hankering after making hubby some pj pants for ages as he really needed some news ones but he kept saying that he could buy them cheaper in Target!! Anyway, seeing as I got the sheet from an op shop for about 50c I think I won that argument!

I'm very excited to be going to the Stitches and Craft show in Melbourne next Saturday. I need to sit down and work out a budget so that I don't go mad and spend the mortgage! Is anyone else planning on going?

My First Giveaway

Now don't get too excited, it isn't something I've actually made!

I got a huge bag of these Nicola Cerini off cuts from her warehouse sale a while ago. I love her designs!



Anyway, I have more than I know what to do with so thought I'd give some away. Comment on my blog saying what you would do with them if you had them and I'll get Maddie to randomly draw a name out of the hat next Thursday, 5th March.

I should add that you are not allowed to make these into anything that you would sell...personal use only!

A couple of hats

Hubby took Maddie to the toy library on Saturday and managed to lose her gorgeous Toshi hat in the process. Not wanting to fork out $40 for another I decided that I would have a go at making one.

I used Gilly's tutorial which is on her blog. The tutorial was great and easy to follow - thanks Gilly! However, I think I must have mismeasured M's head as my first attempt was way too small. The second one fits perfectly and I'm really pleased with it. In the meantime the toy library called to say they had found her hat...ho hum!

The fabric for the orange one is Spotlight and the blue one is a vintage pillowcase from an op shop.

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!

This skirt is absolutely gorgeous. Visit Grosgrain if you'd like the chance to win it!

A secret project

I'm about to start a secret project! I bought this Jessica Jones fabric from Spool. I love this store, delivery is cheap and quick and the service is really friendly. If the Aussie dollar wasn't so weak at the moment I would definitely buy more from them.

I can't say too much more in case the person who it is intended for reads this blog but I willtry and post sneaky pics as I go along...

Other news is that Pink Lizzy one of my sewing friends has just opened up her own Etsy store. She makes lovely things, particularly her Oliver and S clothes and her own design Arty skirts so I think you should pay her a visit.

Picnics in Perth

Not for us but for my sister-in-law who lives in Perth. I made her this picnic blanket with rock pockets and matching napkins as a birthday present. It was also my first sewing project since having Sam. I have no idea what the fabric is as it was in my stash and I just matched it up with some spots and gingham from SL. I got the idea from a tutorial, which I couldn't find when I came round to making it but it was pretty straightforward. If I ever find it then I'll post a link later on.

Introducing...

...Samuel Adam Burton

Born at home on Friday 2 January at 7.15am weighing 8lb 4oz. All doing well and Maddie is loving being a big sister