2011

I love our little poppet so much.  Spending time with her is so rewarding and such a valuable way to spend my time.  Sometimes, however,  it seems that I haven't achieved much in a day.

With feeding, changing, burping, settling, expressing, laundry, washing up and squeezing in a shower occasionally (oh and did I mention laundry), there seems to be so little time left over for much else.

A wander through my Flickr page today was a wonderful way to remember what I have achieved, some of which I had forgotten even making!

Here is a little selection of the goodies made so far this year.

Immunisations

I even had a tear in my eye when she got her injections last week.  The idea of me being such a softie surprised me!

5 days later, however, I didn't expect our poor little poppet to still be suffering.
She has literally been screaming hour after hour for days .  You know that cry of pain which is just so heartbreaking to hear as a mum (the step up in pitch, volume and intensity from the hungry or tired one).

We are all exhausted.  Mentally and physically.

A trip to the doc yesterday confirmed nothing untoward, probably just the immunisations making her feel miserable.  Apparently it has been known for the symptoms to last longer than a week!  I really feel for her as she is normally she is such a happy, smiling wee thing.

Her prescription is still plenty of cuddles,  fluids and pamol when needed.
Here's for a happier poppet starting tomorrow.

Lamingtons

I couldn't resist posting pics of these wonderful 100% merino, New Zealand made socks which our poppet received as a gift recently.  They are called Lamingtons and I just love them - they are so quirky and sweet.  They have got to be my absolute favourite pair of socks for her.

They are really long, almost up to her nappy so keep her little legs really warm - kind of a nice change from wearing tights and they stay on (and up too) all day long.

I am told young babies enjoy the contrast of black and white and judging by how long she spent staring at her legs today it would make sense.

Thanks S for a lovely present. x

Friday Fabric Finds - Ginkgo

My walks around the neighbourhood over the last few weeks have seen the Ginkgo leaves turn from bright green to yellow, carpeting the ground below.   I have been admiring how their leaves have the most beautiful shape.  Almost like a whale's tail, they are so unique.  

Amongst a box of fabric remnants I was lucky enough to be gifted recently, was this gorgeous piece featuring ginkgo leaves.  Now seems the perfect time to make something from it.  One side is striped with gold and the other a rich brown.  The colour in real life is much prettier than in the pics too :)

What to make?

Zippered Purse Tutorial

I have been wanting to start making some tutorials for you for a while now, so here is my first!  For the PDF download of this tutorial click here.

Here is what you will need:

Zip - 8 inch

Lining – 2 pieces measuring 8” x 5.5”

Exterior fabric – 2 pieces measuring 8” x 5.5”

Iron on interfacing – 2 pieces measuring 8” x 5.5”

(This little bag will end up measuring approx  7.5 inches x 5 inches, but you can make whatever size you like).

The interfacing is optional, however, if you are embroidering something on your outer fabric it makes it look and feel a lot more substantial and durable.

Start with the front of your purse – if you are embroidering a design do so first, and then this is the piece to use. 

 I like to think of this process as a zip sandwich. 

1               Put your outer/embroidered fabric face UP

2               Place your zip on top of this face DOWN

3               Place your lining on top of this face DOWN

4               Pin all together

5               Pull zipper half way open

Feel for the teeth of the zipper and line your zipper foot alongside them and sew along the length of the zip.  When you reach the zipper pull, you may need to lift the foot to get past it.  Just leave your needle in the fabric and gently work it through then put the foot back down and carry on.  

When done, flip the fabric so it is the right way round (wrong sides touching).

Next is to attach the other pieces of fabric.  What I find useful is to pretend the first sandwich isn’t there.  Just lay down the fabrics in exactly the same 5 step process as before (the only difference is the other side of the zip is already attached). 

I like to top stitch along the zip to avoid the zipper teeth getting caught in the fabric.  Press first then go for it.

Now it is time to sew it all together.  Pull your zip open half way.  If you forget this you might be looking for some choice words later.  Have the two exterior fabrics with right sides together, line up nicely and pin. Do the same with the lining pieces.  

The picture shows which way the zip ends should go.  Outer fabric sits flat and the lining has the zip ends.  If you wish to add a tag, now is the time to add it, remember it needs to be pointing inwards.

Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew around the perimeter leaving a 2 “ turning gap in the lining.  

Clip the corners to remove the bulk.  Turn right way out through the gap you left in lining.   Gently push out the corners.  

Press, and smile at your lovely new zippered purse.

Bambi Cape: Part 1

A sweet Bambi themed pixie hood cape for a 3 year old is the brief for my latest creation.  As it will be quite detailed I thought I would share my creative process with you as I finish each little character.

My plan is to have Bambi, Thumper and Flower the skunk frolicking amongst a field of wildflowers.  The exterior of the cape will be a gorgeous soft pinky apricot velvet fabric and the lining in a strawberry print.

Today's effort involved Flower the skunk.  I fashioned him from black and white felt and I hand embroidered his eye, limb, and paw details with embroidery floss.

I am quietly pleased with how well the eye detailing looks. The eyes are always the trickiest to get perfect.

Looking forward to sharing Thumper with you soon.

Just Because

A couple of weeks ago a massive bunch of flowers, so big that I could barely see the delivery guy, arrived at our house.  I was so excited until I realized he had the wrong address and alas they weren't for me....

But look what had my name on them today!
I so love getting flowers for no particular reason other than "just because".
It makes me feel so special.

Autumn

Some autumn woodland themed purses I hand embroidered for my shop update this week.  

Raking up piles and piles of leaves each weekend is drawing to a close as our beautiful old Oak tree is now almost bare - a sure sign of autumn.

More Pirate Craftiness

This has been a week of pirate jackets with three custom orders in an array of sizes and fabrics.  One in a grey wool tweed for a little boy in Australia,

Another in a gorgeous green velvet for a lad in Seattle, Washington...

and yet another in a lovely dark rough-and-tumble denim for a boy right here in New Zealand which is almost finished but not ready for photos yet...

A little girl's pirate jacket  is coming along nicely too, with some slightly more "pink" elements to it!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

5 Minute Bread

When I was a child, my parents business was next door to a wonderful bakery, owned by an amazing Irish man.  Each day I would call into the bakery after school and gradually over the years he taught me how to bake bread, ice cakes, make chelsea buns, doughnuts, custards squares, lamingtons and cream horns among many, many others.

I guess that is where my love of baking started, however, a lovely large baking stone my Mum and Dad bought me for Christmas combined with this wonderful Recipe for 5 minute Ciabatta Bread from the book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day has re-inspired me.

The mixture lasts in the fridge for up to two weeks and you simply tear a piece off when you want to bake a loaf.  Shape it and bake it - no kneading.   I totally recommend it.  This recipe is posted here on their blog, and their book seems to have a whole host of other delicious breads to try too.

Sunday is a great day for baking bread.

x

Hand Knits

Today was a red letter day as I found not one but two parcels hand addressed to me in my post box!  What a delight to find both parcels contained some handmade goodness for our little poppet. 

The first was a wee dusky pink cardi from her aunty who has been hand knitting it for some time.  The gorgeous clear blue striped sweater came from her great aunty.  She has beautiful blue eyes at the moment so will look lovely in this.

What a lucky little girl to have family making these goodies.  I thought hand knits from my family would have finished with my Nanna and Gran, so it is very special to know that the two generations following are still knitting.  Thanks so much J and S.