tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859423158615967372012-02-01T17:26:00.076+11:00Sewing in the gaps. You know, the tiny ones found while living the stay-at-home-mum life to three kids, aged three and under.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.comBlogger4331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-9377469977138081152012-01-27T22:23:00.001+11:002012-01-27T22:26:37.829+11:00

We've done so much these past few weeks I can't keep up to tell you all about it, so let the pictures do the talking... Gorgeous interstate visitors came to stay...they played with small children, swam with them, read to them and generally let them crawl all over them... Two of my favourite people making fruit salad for dinner They also pulled some pretty funny faces when playing with the best '

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-48460080211753053802012-01-26T18:29:00.001+11:002012-01-26T18:30:03.342+11:00

The three year old has new slippers. She's currently wearing them and marching around the backyard with her sisters playing a toy piano, celebrating Chinese New Year apparently. Would you have guessed we saw a band, complete with Chinese dragon, at a local shopping centre last week? Did I mention that you are looking at her entire outfit... Life is interesting here sometimes, last week it was

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-2039470921170825062012-01-23T10:00:00.000+11:002012-01-23T10:00:05.306+11:00

What more can I say - the boy knows how to draw the 'women' in! Oh, I could say 'YUM!' because this little man is completely adorable.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-26496809264419521772012-01-21T11:04:00.000+11:002012-01-21T11:04:20.966+11:00

Who would have ever thought I'd say I have too much fabric - but I do this time! Now I am not one to use my blog to 'flog' things off but I consider this to be sharing the fabric love with some friends! I found a knit factory that is closing down and got two full bolts of striped cotton/lycra, you could only buy it by the bolt, so i had no option really but to do it. It's superior quality - has a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-40824533185805115862012-01-20T22:00:00.001+11:002012-01-20T22:02:45.101+11:00

Come on, I made one so you knew there'd be two more to come didn't you?? Admittedly, they've been a while coming - then I made three in two nights, they really are that easy.(One is set aside for an upcoming birthday, how's that for organised!) Very happy to have a nightie like her sister! These are perfect for hot clammy summer nights - so cool and comfortable I am told. Both these fabrics

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-75061001762679929972012-01-20T10:00:00.001+11:002012-01-20T10:00:01.403+11:00

New school haircut! I like it like this... She prefers it tucked behind her ears. I wonder who will win that ongoing battle... You may also have noticed the tooth fairy came to visit over the summer This chick thought she'd have a short 'bob' but changed her mind once there and stuck with the longer one. So they have ended up with the same haircut - again. *sigh* One of the girls enjoyed

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-41787230639171909082012-01-19T17:35:00.001+11:002012-01-19T17:36:48.526+11:00

Starting school is fast approaching - the leisurely days of summer are slowly coming to an end and I have started making school items, best not to leave it to the last minute... Miss A chose bright and colourful for her smock, I was not so sure about the scale (and brightness!) of the print but when I produced it for her the next morning she declared it to be "so beautiful Mummy" - so I no longer

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-90253050967215167062012-01-15T20:40:00.001+11:002012-01-15T20:42:44.553+11:00

Umm - hello again. Well I have failed abysmally at the photo challenge haven't I!! We've been having too much fun. Doing this: Fairy Park at Anakie - a HUGE hit! The Frog Prince and one of our Princesses and this... We made our annual pilgrimage to the Botanic Gardens to see Wind in the Willows. I put my feet up while "The guy who lives here" took the girls in for a close-up Action

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-5500940804777708252012-01-03T08:22:00.001+11:002012-01-03T08:23:59.449+11:00

I love holidays. Sleeping in, no regular routine, nowhere we HAVE to be. Time to play games with and read to the girls. Time for them to play ball, jump on the trampoline, run around the garden semi-clothed throwing water at each other. We had a lovely Christmas and New Year spent with friends and family. Celebrating all that we are grateful for in our lives; our health, living in a safe

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-46583414695846723422011-12-22T10:00:00.001+11:002011-12-22T10:01:56.117+11:00

Things are getting busy so I am not certain I will get back here before the man in the red suit arrives... I'd like to wish you and those you love a very Merry Christmas. I hope it's a time filled with peace and joy for you and the chance to spend time in the company of good friends, family and people you love, doing the things you love to do. Merry Christmas from my family to yours. Thanks

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-84437879077523181362011-12-17T00:35:00.000+11:002011-12-17T00:35:10.432+11:00

This one loves animals. A walk to the park takes much longer because we have to ask every dog owner we meet along the way if we can pat their dog. Recently she got the chance to snuggle up to some rabbits, guinea pigs and ducklings at a petting zoo, she was there for about 30 minutes swapping from one animal to the next. It's especially exciting when the guinea pig starts to munch on the carrot.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-77967711680345276462011-12-13T09:00:00.000+11:002011-12-13T09:00:01.801+11:00

What were we decorating again???

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-91456796084318547412011-12-12T14:00:00.001+11:002011-12-12T14:00:00.341+11:00

I've mentioned before that Miss L loves all things creative and is constantly wandering off with a glint in her eye to the craft table  to make something. There's another Christmas project we are working on that I will show you in the next few days that inspired her to make some puppets today.  It's Showtime! She draws all the characters and set - including the sun, grass, sky, moon and a tree

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-61831826051685254452011-12-11T23:21:00.001+11:002011-12-12T07:46:44.463+11:00

Ok so I know that a fair chunk of December has gone already - I am a bit behind.But better late than never, right?! Cutting and pasting can be quite therapeutic Even though I started my 'fancy-keepsake-handmade-in-felt-advent-calendar' in May - I never got it done... Easy to make and inexpensive too. So in the last few days I made up a cheap, quick and easy advent using readily available

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-42830964517742652252011-12-11T01:18:00.000+11:002011-12-11T01:18:47.017+11:00

A lovely lady recently had a special birthday and while I wanted to respect her 'no gifts' request - I couldn't resist a little handmade something for her, as I know handmade is something she appreciates. I also felt it was an appropriate way to acknowledge our friendship based on the fact that we met at SIT in Sydney earlier this year, something for which I'd like to thank Sheridan! I'd read

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-51172986268892741522011-12-07T22:56:00.000+11:002011-12-07T22:56:09.021+11:00

Just letting you know I am still here, just been a little snowed under... All smooth and calm on the surface but I am paddling sort of hard beneath it! I am working on a little (slightly belated) Christmas crafting so I will be back soon with some pretty pictures, though this fluffy yellow duckling is kind of cute!

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-45766579694636769112011-11-28T17:24:00.001+11:002011-11-28T17:25:13.158+11:00

A toothy grin to go with the tooth fairy skirt she's wearing. Miss L is actually going to be a butterfly for the show, but here's the tooth fairy costume getting a 'test drive'. To keep their teeth strong tooth fairies munch on carrots!! Super, super simple and slightly dodgy construction. Two layers of plain tulle and one of the spotty flocked tulle gathered onto an elastic waistband. It was

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-28849074086102155232011-11-27T20:39:00.000+11:002011-11-27T20:39:59.522+11:00

I'm using the ruffler foot to turn this... into this pile... which will tonight (I hope!) become six tooth fairy tutu's. And these are the last of 11 dinosaur/dragon tails to be completed. All done in calico as the children are going to paint them an array of bright colours. It's kinder concert Friday night, then it will be back to sewing the list of things, that are not costumes, that I

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-77130802437745448242011-11-26T22:13:00.000+11:002011-11-26T22:13:48.481+11:00

I sometimes wonder if my children feel like the wife of the mechanic who drives a car that badly needs to be serviced, or the family of the chef who prefers not to cook at home. In recent days they have watched me sewing things for kinder and sewing costumes for friends, with nothing on the drawing board for them. Don't get me wrong - it's not that my children are short of dresses or skirts -

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-61791621071245321942011-11-25T16:34:00.001+11:002011-11-25T16:46:11.420+11:00

Apart from being a lovely sewist/quilter, Wendy is a clever arty person who has a second blog, all about art for children, and how to encourage their creative endeavours. Love the little details here - the apples on the tree, with a ladder for picking them and the roll down shade in the window complete with pull-cord. I recently commented on this post about how I am given many works of art

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-51081996154170880242011-11-24T22:38:00.000+11:002011-11-24T22:38:26.050+11:00

We love a bit of 'pavement' art at our place... A recent trip to Zart Art uncovered a huge box of chalk for a little over $10... So we took to the streets... With 24 colours to try there was much 'work' to be done... We drew a city, the smallest child added in the (long and skinny) Eiffel Tower... And no drawing session would be complete without a self-portrait! Our drawing skills

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-3855933370756034152011-11-15T17:49:00.004+11:002011-11-15T20:28:05.811+11:00

You saw this shirt in the post from yesterday but I thought I'd share a few extra details with you. To date I haven't done a lot of sewing for myself. Largely because I have had issues with fit. Or really me not knowing how to get a good fit and so not wearing the things I make, which puts me off making more. I made this shirt straight off the pattern and it fits me perfectly. It's bias cut

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-37338662876403788522011-11-14T12:23:00.001+11:002011-11-14T21:13:00.397+11:00

Annie pieced and cut and shopped for fabric (she NEEDED it alright!)... and made this... and these... Lara made herself lots of lovely shirts by Simplicity and Style Arc - and Kathryn, Rachel and I tried them on then attempted to sneak them into our own bags... She also made nighties, skirts and a kaftan as well as half a jacket!  Tanya made a gorgeous hat from Nikki's book and is close to

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-61618811579892403262011-11-09T23:20:00.004+11:002011-11-09T23:28:24.820+11:00

Turns out my short break became a short blogging break too - let's put it down to post-Blogtoberfest fatigue! I think I have mentioned before that my kids like to swim - in fact I think they are all part fish. So for them, a holiday is anywhere with a pool - luckily where we just went was a short walk to a glorious beach and also had a pool, so they were in heaven. This little Miss is 5 years

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-27786618139890047332011-10-31T20:21:00.002+11:002011-11-01T17:18:14.421+11:00

Well that's it for Blogtoberfest, surprisingly I managed to blog each day. I say that because there were times this month when life was a little manic. Blogtoberfest has made me post lots of things I've thought about but not gotten around to doing, there are still more brewing in my head too. Instead of just things I've been sewing I posted about things in the world that make me sad and

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-39823784491972335462011-10-30T15:08:00.002+11:002011-11-01T17:13:57.763+11:00

I love to fly. The rush of take-off, the pleasures that await at a new destination. The smallest child had never flown before and enjoyed the thrill of it all, though if she were afraid to fly it would have been justifiable, given her perception... Miss G: "Who drives this plane?" Me: "You mean who flies it. The pilot flies it. " Miss G: "THE PIRATE??!!" I guess he's not called Captain

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-54290864712653272852011-10-29T17:52:00.002+11:002011-11-01T17:12:52.945+11:00

All done, though I won't admit to you what time I finished!! I'll do a bigger post on this pattern another time, once my computer is back. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-87149421171356272972011-10-28T14:12:00.004+11:002011-11-01T17:11:02.776+11:00

More Sherbet Pips in the making. It was time to choose buttons today. I think Miss A did pretty well. In bad news my computer has gone to Apple for some work so I am down to my phone for the last days of Blogtober. Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-78516738452858261482011-10-27T14:00:00.000+11:002011-10-27T14:00:00.131+11:00

As you sew things you learn lots along the way, or I have at least! Here are a few things I've learned over the past few years that have made me a better sewist/sewaholic and enabled me to produce garments with a more professional finish. It's worth taking time to correctly transfer all notches from your pattern to your fabric. This will make it much easier to ensure all pieces are correctly

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-77902375277703554322011-10-26T18:14:00.001+11:002011-10-26T20:41:42.676+11:00

If you have been following along with me during Blogtober then you saw the beginnings of this dress here and then the progress here and now, I am pleased to say, it's finished!! As you can see the recipient is pretty happy too. The fabric is from the Sherbet Pips range by Aneela Hoey As with all Oliver + s patterns it was a delight to sew - such wonderfully clear and concise instructions,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-53495709109024024712011-10-25T22:27:00.001+11:002011-10-25T23:16:13.260+11:00

I go through phases with my reading - a few years back I read a lot of books about women in China and the value, or lack thereof, placed on their lives. Particularly that of girl children, given the one child policy instigated to control population growth. As a mother of three girls - the policy, and the impact it has on the population, the value (and often fate) of girls, horrifies me. But not

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-29945411464035110972011-10-24T09:00:00.002+11:002011-10-24T09:18:48.387+11:00

So we set off again - Spring into Shape run number two on a glorious Melbourne spring morning. My little cheer squad met up with Happy Heart... And killed some time posing for the camera... There was waiting... and finishing... And five year old photography! It got warm, so the small folk stripped off and performed tricks! and climbed... pulled faces... and danced... then everyone

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-90021392118205472822011-10-23T10:00:00.002+11:002011-10-23T10:00:00.110+11:00

We went to a fete today at a local church - they were raising money for an orphanage in South India so we were happy to contribute and to take a few goodies home in the process, like this golden find! Do you remember these from when you were a kid?? I do. I would swear that this set came straight from the 70's and had never been touched. It's probably been sitting in someone's cupboard for

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-16572404958426027912011-10-22T19:06:00.000+11:002011-10-22T19:06:21.074+11:00

The progress on this little dress is not as fast as I would have liked - but it's getting there... And I think it's going to be one of my favourites...

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-63477052041234473252011-10-21T16:39:00.001+11:002011-10-21T16:39:48.171+11:00

I haven't posted any of these for a while."I hear, I say" incorporates the amusing things said and heard in a house with two five year olds and one chatty three year old.... I hope you get a giggle. Miss G woke up the other night whimpering and I went in to see her and asked what was wrong..."I have a sore neck Mama". "A sore neck - did you bump your head or were you sleeping with it bent up??

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-86119072534092667002011-10-20T14:21:00.001+11:002011-10-20T14:24:54.022+11:00

Part of incorporating more exercise into my days has involved working out how to manage it with the kids. My older two girls have kinder twice a week for 5.5 hours - and that's the only 'one child' time I have, so I thought it made sense to try and exercise in that time. Earlier in the year when I was only doing an outdoor exercise program, we sold the 'fancy' pram and got a good old Mountain

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-2958064224447388682011-10-19T21:35:00.000+11:002011-10-19T21:35:27.890+11:00

Nothing at all I am afraid, not even a cute pic. Huge nasty headache. Back tomorrow.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-62018457935119730812011-10-18T23:10:00.001+11:002011-10-18T23:11:06.198+11:00

I've spoken before about how there are 'makers' and 'creators', the kid below is definitely a creator. She comes up with an idea then sits down with pencils, paper, card, scissors, string, sticky-tape and usually glitter, to bring it to life. Today it was kite making. One for her... One for her little sister... Then, Miss A sees and likes the idea and conjures up her own - she's like me - a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-75434878246647236362011-10-17T22:46:00.000+11:002011-10-17T22:46:27.499+11:00

Today has just been spent recovering from the weekend - doing some much needed chores around the house, reading books and going to the park. Just enjoying each other's company really. Which is always nice. What did Monday hold for you??

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-55584261912402648672011-10-16T17:18:00.002+11:002011-10-16T17:18:52.684+11:00

has involved... Zumba, kinder committee meeting, playgroup, kinder drop offs and pick ups, early morning exercise classes, swimming lessons x 3, dance class, bedtime storytime at the library, a day of work with one kid in tow, shopping for birthday and wedding presents, body weight and spin classes, running, sewing for the fete, cupcake baking and decorating, brownie baking, fete set up in the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-59430224808981829672011-10-15T07:00:00.002+11:002011-10-15T07:00:00.677+11:00

So if the kid's activities and market stalls of my last post couldn't tempt you to come along, can these?? Pink and sparkly mini cupcakes with butter frosting - they'll be on the cake stall at the festival. PS - Chocolate brownies are about to go into the oven - they will be there too... It's not too late - 10am til 2pm today. Full details in the last post.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-51884618085910275172011-10-14T09:00:00.002+11:002011-10-14T14:36:22.267+11:00

This would be a great way to entertain the kids on Saturday. Come along if you're free and say Hi - I'll be there all morning buzzing around (before I zip off to see a lovely friend get married!). Kid's passports are available and they entitle the child to six activities (cup cake decorating, jumping castle, pot plant, animal farm, face painting and making a sand bottle) as well as a sausage and

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-61781811207271065652011-10-13T09:00:00.028+11:002011-10-13T10:40:59.372+11:00

I thought I'd share another of our favourite books with you, a bright, fun and colourful one. Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement (an Aussie author), is a charming tale of a small bird who is plain and simple and unhappy in her skin, well, feathers really! She visits Zelda - the local birdy beautician who prescribes an array of cosmetic add-ons for Phoebe to make her 'dazzling'. It includes

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-12156046550420560402011-10-12T09:00:00.000+11:002011-10-12T09:00:02.222+11:00

One of the best things about exercising more and eating better has been the rub off onto our children. Here are my two 'running buddies'.  They can't run as far or as fast as me but they are extra cute and they have such lolloping puppy-like running styles that they are fun to have along. Miss L informed me that she dressed to be my 'twin' and then needed a ponytail just like mine. Miss A did

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-50452650825078877872011-10-11T09:00:00.000+11:002011-10-11T09:00:05.862+11:00

"But Mama!! I'm not tired.... I'll just have a lie down with duck and bunny in your bed - but not a sleep..." "OK honey..." Two minutes later.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-52938168207536343512011-10-10T09:00:00.000+11:002011-10-10T09:00:00.660+11:00

The day this Sherbet Pips fabric arrived the smallest kid put in a request for a "Doggy Dress". It's a WIP now - will hopefully have the finished item to show you in a few days time. I had planned on making the Family Reunion dress by Oliver+s but my version of the pattern starts at a size 5 - which will be too big for her. Then I remembered Playdate - and how much I wanted to have a go at it

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-91435376314753259852011-10-09T22:50:00.000+11:002011-10-09T22:50:10.074+11:00

Time to 'fess up! When Misses L and A turned five in March - the only thing Miss A said she wanted was a Belle dress (the Disney Princess from Beauty and The Beast). Given that I couldn't bring myself to buy such a dress-up, I decided to make one... I carefully measured her to the pattern and had it to the stage where she would be able to try it on for fitting on the day of her birthday, with

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-71442857684835392582011-10-08T22:52:00.000+11:002011-10-08T22:52:30.037+11:00

I was sorting some photo's today and found this one I took, of myself, when I had a few hours alone in the city a few months back. Any fulltime parent will tell you that there is a liberating feeling you get when you go anywhere without the full complement of children in tow.There's a certain freedom - not having to prepare snacks and drinks to take, not having to mentally recall where the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-10260639062245153272011-10-07T21:23:00.000+11:002011-10-07T21:23:05.543+11:00

Sorry, the sewing confessions will have to wait - we've been busy at a new kind of party. Forget kitchenware of any variety, clothing, jewellery or aromatherapy; scissor (and knife) sharpening parties are the go now! Image credit Thanks to Nikki for hosting a lovely afternoon and to her wee girl for sharing her crafty space with many other crafty kids. It was a bit of a jump rope dress

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-73060176445094420742011-10-06T16:53:00.001+11:002011-10-06T21:36:06.727+11:00

That's what my little girl was doing because I have FINALLY finished this dress for her! I'm embarrassed to say I cut it out in November last year - and planned for her to have it last summer. Little white flower buttons just from Spotlight Somehow it didn't get done last summer so of course I shoved it aside for winter and recently 'rediscovered' it... She likes to call this her 'school

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-28644238824110368512011-10-05T09:00:00.000+11:002011-10-05T09:00:02.991+11:00

We've been enjoying some of life's simple pleasures the past week of school holidays...Sunshine and the great outdoors (at last!!) Playing hide and seek at the park with squeals of delight (yep, sometimes mine) Learning (and teaching) the art of the daisy chain Spending time (though never enough) with lovely friends Visiting the library and browsing the books with no time limit Painting small

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-15180840716854719852011-10-04T09:00:00.002+11:002011-10-04T09:00:02.991+11:00

Not in a bath - a wave pool! My three little 'fish' and their Dad had a lovely time in the wave pool on the weekend. If you haven't had a play in one I'd highly recommend it - it's lots of fun for all. We played here, but there's also one here.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-53561082753050489352011-10-03T10:00:00.043+11:002011-10-03T10:00:01.048+11:00

I've made it known before that I am not a big fan of the whole 'Disneyfying' of all things kid related. Why does every bandaid, tube of toothpaste, biscuit and toy have to be plastered with Princesses and Fairies??Anyway - I digress... The older two girls were given lots of gifts for their birthday that forced me to 'embrace the Disney' in their lives a little.A friend of mine pretty much told me

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-37437534067121530392011-10-02T16:16:00.001+11:002011-10-02T16:17:59.988+11:00

It would come as no surprise to anyone who has made one of Nicole Mallalieu's many bag/purse or hat patterns that her A-line skirt pattern would be very well put together. I did a sewalong a while back using the "Sew What' skirts book but if I had this pattern at that time it is what I would have used for all of them - without a doubt.  The skirt just 'fits', the way a skirt should! No gaping

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-88202106647165408452011-10-01T09:00:00.022+10:002011-10-01T09:00:00.702+10:00

Hello, and if you've arrived via Blogtoberfest, welcome to my little part of the world. Blogtoberfest is a month of daily blogging hosted by the wonderful Cathy over at Tinniegirl. As I have been a bit neglectful of my little blog of late I thought it would get me back into the swing of things. So what can you expect from me, probably some information on outdoor fun activities or craft for

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-23622927670992718802011-09-27T23:01:00.000+10:002011-09-27T23:01:22.057+10:00

As a child of the 70's and 80's, there simply had to be an ABBA analogy given the title of Toni's new blouse - introducing... THE HONEY BLOUSE! I made this using some voile that I picked up at Spotlight and I love the result, it drapes really nicely. It's a cool and comfortable top to wear and I can see it being on constant cycle through the wash in the summer months. The Honey blouse has a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-51563415997200594652011-09-24T09:00:00.001+10:002011-09-24T09:00:01.907+10:00

This is not a sewing related project that I have been 'working' on. It's, well, me! Last weekend I entered a fun run, the first of three that I am doing over the same distance. After a bit of a warm up we were off and running on a cool but clear Melbourne morning. My trusty cheer squad were well fed and watered by their Dad, to tide them over as I ran. Having them cheer me on after the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-67052892686093093092011-09-22T16:36:00.000+10:002011-09-22T16:36:10.748+10:00

Why hello! I've been very quiet haven't I? - Sorry about that - you know how it is, life and all... I'm going a bit 'off topic' from sewing today - to chat about the way the world works, or my world at least. Size, or more correctly, height, is a much discussed issue here in my home. Why you may wonder?? Well, my husband is 195cm tall (6 foot 5 inches for you non-metric folk!) and my two five

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-64997948126257856402011-09-05T09:08:00.000+10:002011-09-05T09:08:56.702+10:00

I've been a little slack in keeping you all informed - but it's crafty chicks night (SAY - Stitch and Yarn) tonight - so come along if you're free. All welcome - we'd love to see you. Details here in case you've forgotten...

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-17482728955872626332011-08-24T09:00:00.001+10:002011-08-24T09:00:00.185+10:00

I found this lovely floral 'display' decorating the table the other day and was reminded that the simplest things can bring pleasure. My girls had picked these from our front lawn. Thos among you who could be classified as having a green thumb will know they are not any type of exotic bloom, but rather a weed. But if you look at them through a child's eyes they are bright and pretty. Hope you

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-85105589596795355932011-08-22T23:33:00.000+10:002011-08-22T23:33:26.472+10:00

I told you I'd be back with the finished Tee's - just took me a little longer than expected! Here we have three daughters and one niece wearing their new Make It Perfect Basic Tees - now 'dressed up' with some Crafty Mama's iron-on velours. These things are seriously great. For a start they cost about $4 each (for the single designs, there are sets available), then Lisa sends them postage free

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-47664212988522037062011-08-13T01:00:00.000+10:002011-08-13T01:00:43.600+10:00

Toni has been at it again and has developed a fabulously simple T-shirt pattern for kids big and small called, appropriately, Basic Tees.  There are long and short sleeved versions as well as a long-over-short sleeved variation.The girls shirts are slim fitted with a gathered cap on the sleeve and the boys are slightly wider with a straight sleeve. The pattern includes some great tips for sewing

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-25354555421884943082011-08-08T23:54:00.000+10:002011-08-08T23:54:08.593+10:00

My crafty pal Wendy has been working hard with some friends to organise a market this coming Saturday. The money raised by the market organisers is going to charities in Indonesia and India as well as to provide support for a number of local community programs. This is only some of the great stuff on offer - there's also going to be fairy floss - YUM!! There's a kite making competition too -

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-66975539200026893052011-08-03T14:00:00.000+10:002011-08-03T14:00:06.277+10:00

We had a small gathering of friends for some afternoon tea to end the celebration of Miss G's birthday. Simple to make and cute to look, at these tea cups always go down a treat. I used a piping bag with nozzle to get 'professional' looking frosting on these mini cupcakes, then got some edible glitter and cachous to make them sparkle! Mini cupcakes mean less waste for the kids that just eat

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-18053422851648434722011-08-02T17:57:00.001+10:002011-08-02T20:04:07.326+10:00

To say time has flown since this small, happy person entered our lives is an understatement. I guess we were so busy early on, with three kids under 2.5 yrs,  that the time skipped by. A new leotard, made by Mama - "Just like my sisters' " We've certainly not had terrible twos from you Miss G - I am hoping this doesn't mean we are in for a testing three-year-old year. Her own unique way of

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-67355924092170194802011-07-28T13:27:00.002+10:002011-07-29T21:42:27.183+10:00

This little home was one of the things I made for our own littlest Princess's birthday. She's three today - but I'll post later about her celebrations. For now, here's one of her gifts... In case you didn't see the last time I made them, the tutorial for the Tiny Travelling Doll's House comes from the very clever Trixie - you can find it here. These make a fabulous gift for girls who are three,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-43587580909858979292011-07-27T15:14:00.000+10:002011-07-27T15:14:35.087+10:00

I know!! For me!Don't fall off your chair. I've been really slack in blogging this - I have never been able to get The Guy Who Lives here to grab a shot of me wearing this tunic, so today I bit the bullet and took a couple of dodgy ones myself.Bad hair, spotty mirror and all. This is the Portfolio tunic by Sew Lisette - a Simplicity pattern created by Leisl Gibson - the brains behind the Oliver+s

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-2641498842940061252011-07-26T16:35:00.000+10:002011-07-26T16:35:45.096+10:00

These little guys invaded last night... There seemed to be hundreds of them, but in fact there were only 34. They're gone now - into the stomachs of Miss G's little playgroup friends in anticipation of her upcoming birthday. Two sleeps, and yes she's counting them down. A "super-easy to make and transport" treat for birthday celebrations. Ideal if you are not a whizz in the kitchen like

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-31764687647911960132011-07-21T16:13:00.000+10:002011-07-21T16:13:22.092+10:00

Love Chirps actually. That's what the fabric used for this little vest is called.It's by Farbenmix and I got it a while back from Crafty Mama's, I'm not sure that it's still available. We've been waiting for the right project for it and so when I asked Miss L to choose some fabric for a new vest she went straight to it. This is the Kid's Vest from Toni's book, I made it a little larger than the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-40174188310874648982011-07-19T19:16:00.000+10:002011-07-19T19:16:45.795+10:00

You knew it was coming didn't you... I promise - this is the last School Days Coat you will see for some time! So, coat number three.All went pretty much the same as the last two, many pieces but lovely pattern and easy to put together. To get her to smile more naturally I asked her to think of something that makes her happy. The response "Mummy sewing me this coat makes me happy." She'll go a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-45123015112794790012011-07-12T17:01:00.000+10:002011-07-12T17:01:57.150+10:00

I have three kids - so you knew this pattern would be coming at you again didn't you! This coat was the bargain of the year (so far anyway). On the good advice of Nikki and her sewing buddy, I popped into Rathdowne Remnants one day to look for wool.   I picked up this piece in the remnants section - supposedly it was 2 metres long and was $20, that's cheap you say... But the smile on my face was

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-31060513686226644052011-07-07T14:00:00.001+10:002011-07-07T15:08:30.054+10:00

I know that a few posts ago I was showing you a winter coat - made in wool - and now this?? Confused?? I've mentioned before that my kids are part fish so regardless of the season we swim a lot, either indoors or out depending on the season. The result is the bathers I made earlier in the year are completely worn out.Repeated exposure to chlorine or even salt-water pools will do that. So with a

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-90891236494896341542011-07-06T17:30:00.010+10:002011-07-06T23:17:08.326+10:00

If you were expecting a little 'Change in Mood' from the 80's rock band Kids in the Kitchen - sorry to disappoint. What you have instead is my three - and lots of mess in the kitchen! 'The Guy Who Lives Here' is having a birthday - and he loves nothing more than the trusty 80's treat, the Wagon Wheel. So after seeing this post by Tas at Little Boozle - I knew we would have to give them a go

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-81930163808992415822011-07-06T10:00:00.000+10:002011-07-06T10:00:00.563+10:00

No not the child, (although that is right too!), the dress. Keep your eyes peeled over at Toni's blog for the release of Big Sprout - the upsized pattern for the fabulous winter dress, Sprout. My girls love their Sprout dresses - they live in them over winter - and I love that they are always so warm and comfortable in them and that they love them so much, which makes choosing an outfit in the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-70851596273725398282011-07-03T09:23:00.000+10:002011-07-03T09:23:37.386+10:00

Monday is only the first official day of school holidays but if you are already feeling like this... Edvard Munch - The Scream Then maybe you could do with some stitching/knitting time and adult conversation. Come along to Stitch And Yarn (SAY) tomorrow night - Monday July 4th. You can find all the details here. Don't be put off by rain or cold. Going on past gatherings there will be good

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-311922070814019592011-06-30T16:46:00.000+10:002011-06-30T16:46:57.031+10:00

Warning - pic heavy post ahead! While snow and sleet are not exactly part of winter on a daily basis in Australia, it still gets cold enough for small folk to need a decent winter coat. And of course this little person likes things in pink at the moment.So I decided to have a go at making the Oliver + s School Days Coat in wool, very bright pink wool! Like all Oliver+s patterns this came

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-87254894488560028282011-06-29T15:29:00.000+10:002011-06-29T15:29:01.270+10:00

It's been ages since I shared any of the amusing things I hear said, or hear myself saying as a result of behaviour witnessed around the house, so here are a few of late that might give you a giggle. We've been thinking about renovating and it will involve adding an upstairs level where the girls' bedrooms will be located.The two five-year-olds are very excited about this prospect and have drawn

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-82410334037744355812011-06-27T22:45:00.002+10:002011-06-27T22:58:09.233+10:00

I've developed a bit of a girl crush on this fabulous lady. It's singer, Adele, in case you haven't heard of her, and you'd probably have to be living under a rock to not have by now!! (I'm just saying...) Not only does she have THE most amazing voice she has this incredible sense of style and presence that belies her 23 years. Take a few minutes to watch this and you'll see what I mean...

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-36380777448826214952011-06-20T11:29:00.001+10:002011-06-20T11:30:05.711+10:00

Come along for an evening of craft and a chat. And a giggle if you want to watch me struggling with some crochet.... Details here. All Welcome.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-84002730347647770082011-06-15T11:16:00.001+10:002011-06-15T15:07:44.487+10:00

Early on in the sewalong, Megan wondered if she might end up being the winner of the wooden spoon - but here's proof that she is definitely not! A great combination of Prints Charming reds and blues in the front panel. Cute dotted denim for the back. And here she is ready for winter - the scarf looks great with your skirt Megan! Again I love the hint of red with the exposed bias on the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-18595518125996805102011-06-10T13:00:00.031+10:002011-06-10T13:00:00.370+10:00

The very lovely Gillian of Silly Gilly joined in the skirtalong and look what she made! Check out the lovely embroidery on the bird panel - oooh pretty. I am particularly enamoured with the turquoise coloured piece of fabric in the top right, just over the bird's head. The bias binding hem just brings it all together perfectly - isn't she clever. Such a fun and colourful skirt - much like the

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-17339279736699060952011-06-09T16:48:00.001+10:002011-06-09T16:51:11.888+10:00

At last here are the finished pics. They are not great - I'd been wearing the skirt and as you will see (from the fact that I am wearing the same boots and shirt) I just popped each skirt on for a few quick pics. Regardless - here you go: All done - and getting lots of wear - though soon some waist darts might be in order! It's really comfortable to wear - quite long which is how I like them

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-26026974183990310932011-06-05T11:00:00.003+10:002011-06-06T01:01:08.737+10:00

Well as wild as two five year olds and a two year old get anyway! We spent yesterday morning at the Kew Traffic School, with Miss G's playgroup friends. Despite the fact that 'the guy who lives here' grew up less than 2km from it, he had never been - so it was a treat for all. Time to ditch those training wheels I think! This small kid just has a go at anything - today was the first

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-88812539884834171752011-06-04T13:00:00.007+10:002011-06-04T14:30:46.477+10:00

No, I wasn’t trying to get your attention - just wondering how you planned on finishing this skirt?? There are three quick and easy options that I am going to cover here:Double fold hem Bias binding shown on outside of skirt (pictures are for this) Bias binding concealed on inside of skirt One thing I would say before going any further is have a look through your fabric stash (Sheridan you might

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-10599643013743973682011-06-04T00:11:00.002+10:002011-06-04T17:32:41.887+10:00

SAY is on again Monday night - go on, brave the cold (and possibly horizontal rain!!) and come along. I promise not to bring along the terrible biscuits I baked today with my girls... Just some sewing and the chance to chat. In case you've forgotten the details - click here. Looking for the next PC skirt sewalong post?? Scroll down - it's just down the page a little.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-7242419257094944302011-06-03T22:17:00.005+10:002011-06-09T23:30:48.946+10:00

NB - sorry - I wrongly scheduled my scheduled post and left you all hanging!  It would have come up next week.... We’re getting to the business end of things - any day now you will be strutting around in a fabulous new skirt that you made and even better, that fits you perfectly!!Next up - Finishing the waist.As I am doing a facing this is what I will give you step by step instructions for. If

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-3049402569144369862011-06-01T14:00:00.005+10:002011-06-01T14:00:10.202+10:00

Donna and Lara have both been busy girls - and have finished their PC Skirts already! Here's some inspiration for you to get started - if you haven't already. Donna went with a yoke at the top in black denim and also used the black denim for the back, keep an eye on her blog for a post about it in the next day or so. Lara did hers with a very fashionable exposed zip on the side and I think I

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-5021809913496260852011-05-31T09:00:00.005+10:002011-06-09T23:29:01.880+10:00

Once you've finished your little rendition of Devo's 'Whip it' we'll make a start... How’s your panel looking?? If you need to catch up you can check out the first two posts here: Part One - Getting started - deciding what to make and making the pattern Part Two - Preparing the feature panel and cutting the pieces When you finished cutting you should have ended up with something

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-71613266687636245252011-05-29T09:00:00.016+10:002011-06-09T23:27:09.679+10:00

Ok - so how'd you go with the pattern?? All OK I hope?? Ready to move on? Let's get stuck into making up the fabric panel that we will cut the front of the skirt from. Just to clarify - the front is the pretty stuff - the Prints Charming panel for my skirt. The back of mine is just going to be plain denim. To work out how big to make your panel, measure a straight line across your pattern

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-41546818942645805452011-05-28T12:06:00.006+10:002011-06-17T13:24:15.794+10:00

**Edit** The full set of links to all steps is at the bottom of this post. OK - so I am a day or two late again - I could give you excuses about a kid who keeps throwing up at night (in my sewing and blogging time!) and having no camera but let's just get stuck into it. For those who aren't sure of how this sewalong came about here's a little run down. Lovely Sheridan organised Sew It Together

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-89750960225312971492011-05-24T09:00:00.043+10:002011-05-24T09:00:03.073+10:00

Despite wet and cold weather there were crafty ladies out and about at our first Stitch and Yarn gathering last night. Lynda was putting on the finishing touches on a quilt she made a few years back for her daughter, Louise was working on quilt blocks for a block swap, that just happened to belong to the lovely Becky who I finally met in person at SIT in March. The craft world is a small one

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-14143647004130420432011-05-23T12:28:00.002+10:002011-05-23T12:55:37.908+10:00

What a great weekend. I don't have any photos of what I was doing to show you - I didn't have my camera with me and so it was great to just be in the moment and enjoy. We talked, a lot; sewed, a lot; ate, a little; drank, a bit and relaxed in this wonderful place. The company was fabulous. Lots of funny, clever, talented, fun and helpful ladies. (These descriptions apply to them all equally,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-32930460797276313712011-05-19T00:56:00.001+10:002011-05-19T00:58:58.669+10:00

So we're off to a bit of a slow start with the sewalong... I've been a little preoccupied I must confess - I have big plans for the coming weekend... In my defence, my plans do include making a few A-line skirts to test out the pattern and make sure I know what I am doing so we can sewalong as successfully as possible. So please bear with me and let's make an official start a week from now -

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-20261886854566037892011-05-07T22:25:00.003+10:002011-05-07T22:30:02.807+10:00

At Sew It Together a number of us (ahem, well most of us really) grabbed a scrap pack from the wonderful Prints Charming studios. We hoped to create a gorgeous skirt using these scraps and the book "Sew What Skirts". If you'd like to join in, using whatever fabric you like, perhaps including some of your own favorite scraps, then gather your supplies and let's have ourselves a sewalong.

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-6804938257460896872011-05-05T22:45:00.002+10:002011-05-06T14:15:56.583+10:00

Sewing anyone??? Photo Credit Lately I have been taking myself along to the lovely craft get togethers that are the Northern Craft Bonanza and it got me to thinking that an Eastern suburbs gathering might be fun. So I got together with my friend 'blogless Judy' and here's what we came up with: STITCH AND YARN (SAY) Come along for a fun evening of crafting with likeminded others interested in

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-35991626552307987172011-05-03T10:00:00.001+10:002011-05-03T10:00:04.693+10:00

With life getting in the way I had been in a bit of a sewing rut and needed something to get me out of it. Carolyn suggested I break out the Farbenmix Olivia pattern she kindly sent me last year for instant gratification.She was right! This was so quick and easy to make that it was just what I needed to get me back into the sewing swing of things. This is actually called the underdress,

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-69992287585100400972011-05-02T10:00:00.006+10:002011-05-02T10:00:00.408+10:00

You've probably worked out books are big in this house.I thought I'd share another one with you. Miss A was given this one for her birthday and it is completely adorable. Millicent and Meer become friends when Meer drops from the sky and lands in Millicent's sandpit. She wants a cat and just happens to read on the crate he was in that he is a Kat called Meer! Things don't quite work out for

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-20958543843634163202011-05-01T14:00:00.001+10:002011-05-01T14:00:00.321+10:00

They say never to work with kids and animals... looking at the smallest child in these pics I think you can tell why!

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-10332610698621619662011-04-30T22:48:00.000+10:002011-04-30T22:48:29.732+10:00

Well that was an unwelcome pause in proceedings wasn't it! I'm back - and there's lots to share. But let's start with the 'quick break' pics since I alluded to it a while back. Brianna was right, the photo of the girls riding the big artificial wave was taken at Phillip Island, not far from Melbourne but it feels like you are a million miles away - and I mean that in a good way, a very good

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885942315861596737.post-26619440803897955312011-04-19T13:55:00.003+10:002011-04-21T22:33:47.780+10:00

It started innocently enough... a sweet felt chick as per Ms Myrtle and Eunice's instructions. And then another, and another. And each new chick was given a name in the morning when the children found them. We all know you can't give away a 'pet' once it's been named... Introducing, from left to right: Ella, Sam, Poppy, Sunny, Alan, Emily, Rose, Oliver and Lily. So I'm checking

Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13593818335616365129noreply@blogger.com16