Tatted Christmas Motifs

This is a delayed posting... I've been having trouble uploading images using internet explorer... switched to something else.
So I've been forced to 'rest' for the last couple of months (early labour scares - maybe more about that later), but I'm not so good at sitting doing nothing. Surfing the internet I came across tatting and decided to teach myself how to do it - bit of both - shuttle and needle tatting. I prefer needle tatting as it is quicker. But I also like the stiffer structure you seem to be able to get with shuttle tatting. There is so much stuff out there that shows you how to tat - I love the internet!
These became christmas decorations along a blank wall. (I thought they looked pretty good!)

Zoe's Bunting

I mentioned Jack's sister's bunting flags in the last post, well here they are:

Personalised buntings

I made these buntings up during the week:

• ISAAC turns 1 and has a party today I think - congratulations mum & dad, you made it this far!
• JACK this is for a friend for his Christmas present - his sister's is nearly done too
• SIENNA is having her christening this weekend. These are double sided flags - on the back the letters are in yellow

Lilly's weekend: trampoline & dinosaurs

Most of the weekend was spent jumping on the new trampoline. But we also spend a bit of time looking for dinosaurs in the jungle with the binoculars. (Typical 3yo, can't tell her she's got them the wrong way around!)

Boys Waistcoat & Hat from Ottobre 3/2010 magazine

I bought the Ottobre 3/2010 magazine and loved this little waistcoat. I thought it looked a little short in the magazine photos so I added about an inch to the length ... glad I did! Seth is a little shorter than Lilly, and I measured her at 97cm, so I made the 98cm waistcoat. I've never made patterns from Ottobre before and don't know how well their fit is, so I was quite surprised at how snug this was on Seth. The tie at the back had to be undone to fit, and I wouldn't call Seth a 'big boy'. The hat on the other hand: I made the largest size it came in, and it fit perfectly! (We all know he has a big head!)

**Edit: Sorry I made a mistake - it was Ottobre 3/2010 (Summer), not 6/2010! **

New hat for El-Hannah - Girly cowboy style

Happy Birthday to El-Hannah!
When we see her tomorrow she gets this lovely new hat...hope she likes it! (Lilly assured me that here favourite colour was purple!)

  

 

The fabric flower has a snap on the back so it can be clipped to the side of the hat. Both sides of the hat can also be clipped up - cowboy style, or single side only. There is an extra snap on the left side so that the flower can be snapped to the clipped up side. Lots of choices, but only 1 hat!

Free Swim Bag Tutorial - recycled jeans

Have an old pair of jeans you want to recycle? Maybe a belt too? Got a young kid that swims? This is the perfect sewing project for you! All the outside pockets are useable, including the fly!

I have a pdf of the tutorial, please download it through mediafire (I'm new at this file hosting thing, so if there are any problems, please let me know!).

Personalised buntings (name flags)

I made a few buntings last week for birthday presents. Pale yellow flags, with bright pink letters, then hand stamped with pink butterflies, and finished with a satin ribbon. I've noticed that a lot of the bunting flags sold on the internet only have 20" of ribbon for tying (about 50cm). But I left 60" on these. Hardest thing was trying to photograph these! This was the best one of the lot. Really like how the rounded flags turned out - thought these would look a bit more femine than the triangular flags.

Skirts added to Madeit

I have been working on this new skirt pattern, and these are the finished product. These are all made from thrifted fabrics, so they will be quite unique. The back of the skirt is the same as the front panel, and there are pockets in the side panels. Here are some details of the pockets:

There is some elastic creating a gather along the top edge of the pocket.
And here was one of my first trial skirts on Lilly:

She was about a size 2 then and it still fits her as she grows into a size 3. I think we will get next winter out of it, and maybe even another summer (size 4), depending on her waist.

I have some more skirts cut out, and I am going to try and put adjustable (buttonhole) elastic in them. That will definately increase the wearable period!

I am also planning on making up a PDF version of the skirt pattern to sell. Anyone interested in giving it a go as a trial?

Something new - bibs for bubs

I was cleaning out some of my wardrobe the other day and came across a pair of jeans with holes in the bum. So I thought I would give them a new life and make something new for my market stall (if I ever get around to working out which one to go to!).

I really liked the finished product, but I'm not a big fan of hammering in snaps. So after some internet surfing I found a bargain snap machine and spent some more money! I can't wait to get it and try it out on some more bibs, hats, and other new projects I have in mind.

Lilly & Lockyer

Some cousin photos - Lilly & Lockyer. Lilly was so excited to go see Locky. She kept saying she was going to hold the baby. But when we got there I think she was quite shocked because there was no baby, but a little boy that was sitting up all by himself!

New pants for Seth & Lilly

Why make one pair of pants when you can make two! I picked up a brown corduroy quilt cover at a thrift store the other day for much cheaper than you can buy corduroy. But I knew Lilly would never like to wear plain brown pants... what to do? Pink Birds ... girly enough for Lilly, and not too pink for mum ... win-win! And yes she does love them! Seth got a plane ... but I think I made them a bit big for him. Both have a cargo style patch pocket on the side of the right leg for special treasures you find.

Bunting Flag for JASPER

Welcome to the world Jasper! Hope you like these flags to decorate your room.

Kids Overalls - trial of McCalls pattern 4518

I found this lovely pattern the other day at the Salvos. Not only was it complete, but it was even un-cut, and for only $1 an absolute bargain! Lilly helped choose the fabric. I thought this might increase the likeliness of her wearing them...I'm not holding my breath though...

I think this would look so gorgeous in a stripe, or with contrasting fabrics. Not totally won on the overalls idea though....I want to see how practical they are.

Wrap around skirt trial

I've been working on a wrap around skirt (for adults). Very simple design - no darts, no hole to thread the tie through, and the panel is loose.

New style handbag

Here is my new style handbag I made the other day. I trialled it today - so you can see what it fits: spare nappy, drink bottle, keys, wallet, phone, shopping bag, notepad, hat (we went to to caravan and camping show, so I needed a hat!), and still plenty of room for other things!

Mexican day

Another belated post...

Unfortunately Mexican day was a bit wet, so the venue had to be changed from Lake Lyle to Boy's shed - but that did not dampen the fun! Ingredients for a Mexican day are:

HATS:

CHILLING BY THE WATER (pretend here):

Some Wii:

And a PINATA... First the blindfold...

...then the spin 3 times with the head on the stick...

... then the hit!

Of course there were fajitas and a few alcoholic beverages consumed too...

Christmas Time at the Stuarts

The biggest hit of Christmas day must have been Seth's present - a set of drums. I guess you could say that Lilly quite liked her tiara too!

Some activities for the day:

Then there was Mexican day:

The many faces of Seth...