great weekend away & the advent calendar

Last weekend at Sewjourn was my first sewing weekend away and it was well worth it. Just a short drive out of Melbourne and you're free to sew for hours & hours without interruption (except to be called in for meals..... not too bad really). Lots of hints & tips were absorbed from here, here & here. I was able to make a great start on my advent calendar pockets, they were quite labor intensive - but I'm hoping the end result will make it all worthwhile. I was able to complete 18 whilst I was away, 6 more to go...




Excuse the pin holding pocket '1' closed, I've ordered some vintage brass laundry pins to close up each pocket once a goodie has been placed inside. Hopefully they arrive before dec 1st and they look good. The finished pockets will be strung on a wooden board which is currently in production.

I also did a little work on this dolls quilt (about 21" sq.), it's for a 1st birthday/christening - hope she likes it, it was completed lastnight. Made from scraps, it feels nice to make something from scraps, nothing is wasted.

forged by hand

Just a quick post to let you know about what my dad has been up to, he does a bit of blacksmithing in his spare time, he's trying to sell a few pieces so he can create some new designs he has ticking over in his mind. All items are really cheap considering the hours of work he has put into most pieces. The candle holder below is one of my favorites.

If you're interested please head on over to forged by hand

There will be an updated on the week-end away soon.....

small linen gift bag

I have cut into my piece of french linen, oh - it's so lovely to work with and touch. This is a small gift bag with a tree embroidered on using french knots and some little random stitches, finished off with a beautiful wooden heart bead. I've left the selvedge on, or I should say I've used the selvedge for the top edge cause I think it looks nice - too good to cut off.

sewing weekend

I can't believe it, I'm going on my first sewing weekend and I can't wait - very very very excited! I'll be going along with friends Emily & Leslie and a couple of Leslie's friends to Sewjourn later this month for 2 nights. A BIG BIG THANKS Leslie for organising the weekend. (Hopefully Kylie can come along next time, she'll be busy watching horses run round & round that weekend)

My mind has been a buzz with what to make, at the moment I'm thinking I'll do a few things that I've been inspired by from the book pictured below, I've still got time to change my mind...

I've gathered a few trimmings & things together

There is a small stash of fabrics (could be bigger don't you think???), including some beautiful french & japanese linen from Patchwork on Central. I wonder if I'll be able to cut it up.

I want to do so much, how much can I bring, how much should I bring? Of course the hexagons will come along, that's a given.

1st attempt at crochet

This was so much fun to make, a crocheted linen grocery tote found over here. I was able to locate the linen yarn over here, it was so nice to work with. My sister gave me a couple of lessons and I'll admit it, she did the first few rounds for me. I was getting a little frustrated with my lack of consistency with the tension so I pulled it apart a couple of times and handed it over. After a little while I was off, crocheted until my hand ached so much I thought I had RSI (not to mention the pain in my neck), this bag was complete in 2 days.
Above, the balloon was just to show how expandable the bag is, I don't usually carry around a balloon.

Below, a much better use for the bag - this is after one wash and one tumble dry, it's supposed to get even better the more I wash it.

I may have to make more...

worry dolls

We've been busy making some worry dolls today, the idea is when you go to bed you tell your worries to the dolls and put them under your pillow. In the morning you feel less troubled as the dolls have taken away your worries as you sleep. We've been reading Silly Billy to our little worry pot.

The hair and base/shoes have been moulded from air drying clay which was fun to use - it takes 24 hours for it to dry, the worries will have to wait a little. (One is yet to be clothed, it does have a hat though...)

a bit of this & a bit of that

Over the last 3 wednesday nights I've been doing a dress making course, I thought it would be nice to be able to make some cloths and for them to look 'not-so-home-made'. I've picked up a few great tips and I've gained a little confidence in my sewing machine skills. First garment was a skirt, we had to pick from a suggested list of basic patterns, I made a denim skirt and I put the zip in myself (just a little excited about knowing how to do that nicely). I may never wear the skirt as it's quite quite high in the waist, I did however learn some useful techniques.

The second garment was of my choosing and it's a top (not yet finished), the pattern is for a dress, so I just cut it off at the required length. I'm using some beautiful Nani Iro double gauze for this one, I really hope it turns out ok.

Saw this liberty and had to add it, it's so pretty. This will be the last I add to the hexagons..... As previously mentioned the going is slow with the hexagons but it is going and I'm enjoying watching it grow bit by bit.
I was asked to make a little something for a friend to give to a friend, so here's the result - the request was for it to be an owl, it's a little owl like wouldn't you say.... maybe, sort of ?
all wrapped and ready for delivery...