Shibley's Sewing (& other misc. craft)

A big move has happened

2007-07-06T14:02:00.000+10:00

The title says it all! DH started working at the end of May, and after 2 months of looking we finally found a rental property. DH moved in the day we signed the lease, we followed him down last weekend.

It is a lovely home, 3 bedroom plus study, 2 living areas, a DISHWASHER!!!!!!!! A big powered shed out the back, a huge undercover area outside, backs onto a nature reserve... Each day we look out our back windows to see kangaroos! We're about half an hour from Melbourne city too :-)

I feel sad about having moved Tiana away, I am sure she will be fine though.

The point of this post? An explanation why I haven't been sewing lately! I did participate in the EB Dress up swap, haven't got photos of what I made to post organised yet, I posted my parcel last Friday, I should go and check how it was received!

OOH! The best thing about this house? I will be able to have a sewing area PERMANANTLY set up!!! SO excited about that! And for a while, I have my Mum's computerised machine and her embroidery machine, how fun!

A little bit of sewing...

2007-05-22T16:46:00.000+10:00

First off is this little fellow. He initially started life as a very different species, but when it came time to stuff him he looked a lot more like a bird than what he was meant to be! Alexis just adores him, tells everyone he is her birdie, and she gives him cuddles all the time :-)

Next is a little top I made when Tiana was a baby. I love the pattern, it's from one of Mum's TopKids magazines. It is described as a dress, but it always looked better as a little top;

And the last thing for this entry, a pic of a piece of fabric I have. This came from Mum's, and I think originally it came from my Grandmother's stash. I just love it, but have no idea at all what to do with it! It's a satin type fabric, only a small piece, but just devine (I really should have ironed it prior to the photo *blush*)

EB sewing group Mothers Day swap

2007-05-22T16:31:00.001+10:00

Here's the lovely gift I received from Cass (I will work out one day how to put links in *blush*)

I was very spoiled by her, along with the gorgeous snail pin cushion (with magnetic sides, see pic), was a lovely apron, some magnets a few pieces of fabric & some pins - all bundled together in a draw string bag :-)

A very big THANKYOU to Cass :-)

Mothers Day pin cushion swap

2007-05-17T19:50:00.000+10:00

And here is the pincushion & needle holder thingo I made for Belinda.

I couldn't think of what to do pincushion wise, then remembered Belinda makes hats, so decided on making a hat for her.

It didn't turn out aswell as I hoped, I should have made a practice one, but with Nanny being so unwell & the house hunting etc I ran out of time :-(

Catch up post...

2007-05-17T19:01:00.000+10:00

Finally I have a few moments to do a catch up post! (my birthday cake is being decorated & presents wrapped, so I have been sent to the computer until it is all ready :-D ) I am 31 years young today :-)

I have been busy lately, I managed to get my pincushion swap done, but feel like I have let my swapee (Belinda) down a bit. I didn't realise everyone else was adding so much more to the parcel, so Belinda only received a pincushion, a little needle holder thingo & some fabric :-( Hopefully she still likes it...

We are in the process of finding a rental property in Melbourne, making the move to the big smoke for work! My Nanny has been unwell, it has been very touch and go with her for awhile, but yesterday she was moved to rehab, so things are looking better for her :-)

Now for some photos;

Some shorties for Logan, knitted up by my Mum, so shouldn't really be in my craft blog, but I love them so wanted to show them off!

This little top & dolls outfit I made for the recipient of our April '06 babies first birthday swap;

Some eggs Tiana & Alexis painted for Easter :-)

And one of the nappies I made up for Logan using some old terry flats. I have used a pattern out of one of Mums olds "Top Kids" magazines. The pattern was for a nappy cover, I have altered it slightly to use it as a fitted nappy. The rise is a little short for Logan, so I have to tweak it a bit before I make too many more using this pattern. Otherwise it is a great nappy!

Some aprons, a rabbit, some longies and a cardi

2007-04-02T18:37:00.000+10:00

I have been meaning to post some pics of these aprons I made for the girls from Logan for Christmas. You'll have to excuse the messiness of them (they are well used, and currently unwashed). They would have been much better clean & ironed, but you still get the idea with these pics!

And also these pics of this gorgeous little fellow, I think he is anyway, and my girls and boy are quite partial to him aswell;

And here are some longies I finished knitting up for Logan last night, I need to learn how to sew up a knitted garment neatly though, these look shocking along the seams *blush* They are knitted up in wool from the Bendigo Woollen Mills, "Colonial Tempest"

And last but not least, this gorgeous little jumper that my Mum knitted up for Logan for his birthday (my baby boy is going to be one tomorrow *sob sob* where oh where has the year gone??!!) The yarn & pattern were purchased at the Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show, from "Wondoflex Yarn Craft Centre". They had the most divine yarns, I will be purchasing again from them in the future!!

here's the photos :-)

2007-03-15T17:40:00.000+11:00

Overwhelmed...

2007-03-15T17:12:00.000+11:00

I have accumulated such a stash. And then Mum rings to say she's going through hers, and getting rid of most of it, so if I want it go look...

I came home with a 60L container full of ribbing, and elastic, and other pieces of fabric... Plus a medium size suitcase full of fleecy... Plus a box full of flannelette...

I have started making nappies, which are looking really good, and I have cut out a sleeping bag for Logan to use in the pram on the cold walks to school that will be coming up. I have made a gorgeous little outfit for a friend who is about to have a baby (due today, come on now Baby G, it's time to greet the world!!!). I have made a cute little pair of pants for Logan, out of some of the ribbing - much more ribbing will be ear marked for the same...

So, that all added to my stash (94L, 96L & 100L containers respectively...)

And I have sooooo many patterns I want to make up, and now I just don't know where to start!

AAARRGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Oh, and I got these patterns from Mum too, so more things to make adding on to the patterns I already have!

hmmm.. I will have to post the photos later, computer is chucking a spaz & won't let me do it at the moment.

Oh they are drool worthy I tell you! Some of them have been given to Mum by my Grandmother...

I will be back with the pics :-)

oops, here's those photos!

2007-03-15T15:04:00.000+11:00

Dusting off the machine

2007-02-09T22:51:00.000+11:00

At long last I have dusted off the machine, and been sewing again - **happy dance** :-D

Tiana started school a week and a half ago, and I am finding a bit more time in my day, and as a result finding myself a bit more organised, and a bit more able to sew.

In the last week I have sewn 2 new nappies, AIO's, the pattern needs a little tweaking, but they'll be good for around the house anyway. I do have another pattern which I love, I should dig it out and make one up following that...

Tonight I have also nearly finished an art smock for Tiana, and a hug-a-bub type sling for me.

I have one more nappy I want to sew tonight, so I should be quick... Here's a few photo's I've been meaning to post; the Christmas sacks that I have made for each of my babies. A pair of shorts for Tiana, and the little bag I made for Tiana's camera. Not a great photo of the Christmas sacks, but it's the best we took, and now they are packed in a box & being stored at my ILs, so a better photo will have to wait until the end of the year now!!

hmmm... photos not loading tonight, I'll try again soon.

And in the spirit of Christmas...

2006-12-15T23:18:00.000+11:00

Just a few pics of

Logan...

This morning he decided to pull the tree down on top of himself.

He was quite happy laying underneath it, so DH took the opportunity to take some photos. Logan was unhurt, can not say the same for a few of our new baubles...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2006-12-15T22:58:00.000+11:00

and boy is it sneaking up on me!!! I am starting to feel very unprepared...

I have to:

make a little romper for a friends baby
make some matching PJs for DH & Logan
make an outfit each for the girls
make Logan's stocking
embroider Alexis' name onto hers
make an apron each for the girls
make at least 4 Christmas puddings
finish off a present for another friends little baby
send off 2 EB KKs
send off our Christmas cards (write them out first too...)

that's enough of a list for now, writing it down has me nervous!!!

Lexi-lou turned 2 last Friday!!!! I can not believe she is 2 already, time sure has flown (having Logan between then and now has helped that out a bit I suppose!) She is such a delight, such a terror, I just love her to bits :-D

Tiana finishes kinder Wednesday - my baby girl is nearly a school girl! She is so incredibly excited :-D

I haven't done much sewing, been too busy with everything else, and haven't had a spare moment really. Tonight I have though, but I haven't sewn much! I have made a little soft cover for the camera Tiana is getting for Christmas from us, photo to come later... I have cut out the aprons, but don't have enough cotton to sew them up yet... I have tidied up my sewing supplies somewhat & now have more of a clear plan of attack on the above list.

Hopefully this weekend I will get more done, might have to send DH out of the house with the kidlets so I get some time!

Before I go, a BIG THANKYOU to Marie from the EB sewing group (if I had time to work out links I'd put one in right now...) She was my KrisKringle, yesterday I received a parcel with a lovely lime green linen blend & a gorgeous Michael Miller print, & some shirring elastic. See pic. Now to decide what to make with it... Tiana is laying claim to some of the MM print, she's very impressed with it :-)

What flavour icecream?

2006-11-27T23:14:00.000+11:00

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.You often find yourself on the outside looking in.Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works.
You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatflavoricecreamareyouquiz/">What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Must say it is pretty accurate I think! :-)

I have been sewing, just not blogging

2006-11-22T15:31:00.000+11:00

I haven't been doing as much as I want though :-( I'll get more done one day!

What have I done? I have:

made a pair of shorts for Tiana, that I botched up totally, so much so that they went from a size 5 to a size 1 (ish)!! Alexis now owns them!
made a softie to send to a friend, photo to come at some stage...
um, I can't think of what else I have done!

I have nearly finished a pair of shorts for Logan, my first attempt at an Ottobre pattern, they are looking great! I have sorted through my sewing stash, boy do I have some fabircs! Now, knowing a bit better what I have I now have ideas of what to make. Somewhere at the top of the list is a shirred top for Tiana out of a gorgeous piece of fabric I have sitting here (it has even stayed out of the box so I can get onto it!)

Somehow I have managed to get the house under control a little, so I am feeling like I am getting closer to having time to sit & sew. Now to just stay away from the computer so I can...

ANYWAY, here's a photo of the shorts mentioned above, I really wanted to get the spots to all line up, but wasn't having any success in doing so, then somehow, once all sewn up they do match pretty well, so I am quite chuffed!

Tshirt for Logan by Tiana

2006-10-31T16:41:00.000+11:00

Tiana did some t-shirt painting last week, here's Logan's t-shirt as worn by him :-D

Sewing wise, not a lot happening... I want to, I really want to - my Ottobre mag is here too & I want to make HEAPS out of that, but I have so much I want to sew that I can't decide what to sew first!!

I did take up a pair of tracky pants forTiana yesterday, does that count as sewing?!

EB secret Santa quiz

2006-10-26T15:22:00.000+10:00

1. What's your favorite colour? - I'm loving the lime green colour that's big this season. And the browns. And, just about anything really

2. What's your favorite item to sew? - whatever tickles my fancy at the time really!

3. What items other people have made would you have loved to have done yourself? - love the little shirred tops (oh poo, I've forgotten who made them The one's with the sleeves shirred too...

4. What takes your fancy in the notions world? Rik Rack? Ribbons? Trim?? - Another who hasn't used anything like this really. I find myself drooling over everything though (gee, I'm being helpful hey?!)

5. What is your fabric weakness? - hmmmm... Anything that catches my eye really!! Reprodepot have some gorgeous fabrics (actually, I love just about EVERYTHING from reprodepot!)

6. What's one thing you haven't tried but would like to? - ummm... don't know! I tend to try something as soon as I think I want to try it! OH - I know, I do want to try some pincushions, after seeing the link that was posted, yep that's one thing I haven't tried yet

7. Is there any patterns that you like in particular? - not really

8. How long have you been sewing for? - on and off for years. Mum is a sewer, I have always seen her sewing, and started joining in fairly young.

9. What size are your kids? - Tiana is in 5 tops, 4 pants. Alexis is in 1 pants (but starting to need the length of 2s, and also has been wearing her brothers 00 shorts the last week or so And in size 2 tops. Logan is at that awkward in-between stage, somewhere between 00 & 0, depending on the make.

10. Do you like quick projects or projects that take a little longer to finish? - a bit of both depending on my mood! Often though, if it takes a bit longer to do it ends up as a UFO in my supply box

11. What do you hope to do with your sewing in the future? Selling/Sell more/keep as hobby etc/Design....? - I dream about doing a clothing design course, and then specialising in kids clothing. I am another planning on going to a few markets soon (if I can manage to get some serious sewing done first!) I also dream about not having to buy kids clothing (maybe still basic tshirts, and underwear, but hopefully not much more than that)

12. What is your favourite time of year? - ummm... I do love Christmas. And rugging up in winter. And getting into warm weather gear once winter has ended. OK, no real favourite then!

13. What is your favorite type of fabric? - oh I am so easily pleased, I don't have a favourite I drool over allllllll fabrics!

Tiana's windsock

2006-10-19T16:36:00.000+10:00

Here it is in action (how kind of the wind to co-operate when I went out to take the photo!)

The next generation

2006-10-19T11:05:00.000+10:00

My Mum bought Tiana a little sewing machine, a very basic, straight stitch only type thing, but gee - does Tiana think she is just it and a bit!!

Her first creation was a windsock, which is now set up at our front gate :-) (and of which I still need to take a photo of...)

Her next was a bib for her little brother :-) In these photos here you'll see her sewing said bib, and then showing off the finished product, she is so incredibly proud of her efforts :-D

I want to get sewing...

2006-10-17T15:44:00.000+10:00

I have a number of UFO's sitting next to my machine.
I have a pile of fabric just begging to be chosen to be made into the next creation.
I have the desire to get it all done.
I just don't have the time...

I need to find the time...

I need to get myself organised a bit better! I need to make the time.

hmmmm, maybe if I got off the computer I could do something *blush*

ok, going now!

EB Softie swap

2006-10-17T15:38:00.000+10:00

Thursday morning a parcel arrived on the door for my girls, and inside we found these adorable rag dolls :-)

Tiana quickly chose the doll dressed in blue (her favourite colour), leaving the stripes to Alexis.

A HUGE thankyou to the lovely Andrea & Ellyse :-D

6 months on :-)

2006-10-03T18:44:00.000+10:00

These 2 photos have been taken exactly 6 months apart. On Logan's birthday, and today, 6 months on :-)

I can't believe my little baby boy is half a year old already! Only 6 months until he is ONE!!!

Happy half birthday Logie Boy, I love you little man, we all do xxoo

Sewing night

2006-09-29T18:48:00.000+10:00

I have my fingers crossed anyway! Tonight I want to finish off the softie for the softie swap. I want to finish off the present I am making for KDs baby girl (I am still so incredibly excited that she is here!). I want to finish off a skirt I am making for Alexis, and then I want to get started on a shirt for Logan. Just to get the girls to bed early... Logan is there already, and should be down until close to his 11:30pm feed. It's all looking promising :-)

Before I go, here's a pic of a little elephant I made years ago (probably around 7 years ago I think) the girls have just discovered him & a little hippo I made at the same time, and they just love them.

Op shopping

2006-09-26T16:51:00.000+10:00

I finally ventured into an op shop today on a search for fabrics & patterns, and discovered a right little treasure trove!!! I walked out with some old pillow cases, a doona cover, and some materials that are destined to become dresses and pants. As I was paying I eyed 3 boxes jammed with patterns...

I had a quick flick through, and came home with the one pictured - can't wait to get started on it!

The ladies in there told me they have 2 more boxes of fabrics out the back, and more patterns as well! I can see myself becoming a frequent visitor there now... Must say, I was very impressed with the cleanliness & order in there too, the last few op shops I have been to were not nice, I can remember walking out of them feeling dirty, but this one today - ahhhh, op shoppers heaven :-D

When is it not a Saturday night in!

2006-09-23T22:31:00.000+10:00

I've humoured myself by saying 'Saturday night in', because really, when do we have a Saturday night out these days?! I can't think of the last time I went out!

Now for a joke;

One saggy boob says to the other saggy boob; "if we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts" :-D

And again, back to the sewing (skirt shirring finished, side seams sewn, needs overlocking, then hemming, I am now thinking it will end up a dress for Tiana). I've just finished off another dress for Tiana, and am now going to start on some soft toys.

Saturday night in

2006-09-23T21:44:00.000+10:00

Not much sewing to report at the moment. We went to the Royal Melbourne Show yesterday, it was terribly windy, and there were a few small rain showers, but otherwise it was a fun day. The girls had a ball, and came home with a Dora Explorer showbag each, so they are happy little girls :-)

I've been to Spotlight a few times late in the week, came home with a bag full of fabrics on one trip, now just to decide what to do with it all! Some bibs, some soft toys, some shorts... The next trip was one with a purpose! I decided Thursday afternoon that a maya sling would be perfect to use at the show, should Tiana decide she was too tired to keep walking, and should Logan become too grumpy in the pram. So off we went to Spotlight to buy some fabric to make one.

I bought some, oops, I've forgotten what it's called! 100% cotton, crinkly material! It worked a treat, I didn't have time to hem it, so just used it as it was - Logan loved it! And talk about comfortable, so much easier on the back and shoulders than the baby carrier we have. Money well, spent, even though it was only $4/metre! (see above photo with the sling in use)

I am in the middle of sewing right now, thought I'd do an update, so have stopped to do so :-) I am shirring at the moment, a skirt for myself, although Tiana has told me she thinks it would make a nice dress for her, so we'll see once it's done!

Back to it :-)

A few of my teddies

2006-09-19T15:20:00.000+10:00

Making teddies, my past passion, and something I still love to do, but figure my 3 have enough in the way of toys at the moment!

The 2 teddies sitting by themselves here are my own design, and made, probably 5 or so years ago now, the fellow pictured with Tiana is from a bought pattern - can't remember his name though.

Wish I had time to create...

2006-09-18T15:51:00.000+10:00

Here's my fat 1/4s I bought at the Stitches & Craft show last weekend, I have grand plans to make softies out of them, now if only I had the time I need to do so! I think I really need to start organising myself a bit better so I do have time...

At the moment I am making a rabbit out of the stripey one second from the top.

Hope he turns out as well as I have pictured in my head!

Nearly forgot to show this pic!

2006-09-15T22:42:00.000+10:00

And here is a little romper suit I made when I was pregnant with Tiana, it's never been worn though! Wasn't the right size at the right time for her (or Alexis, and I'm thinking it won't be either for Logan!)

The pattern for this was also out of a TopKids mag.

Dresses

2006-09-15T22:34:00.000+10:00

Tiana is modelling my first attempt at shirring, not that you can really see it in this photo! And please excuse the straps on her dress too, I have since moved them so they are in the right spot!

Alexis is modelling a little tunic, pattern from TopKids magazine (can't think at the moment which edition). She wasn't in the mood for photo's at the time...

And here is a close up of the fabric the tunic is made from, I just love it!

A few pics

2006-09-15T22:27:00.000+10:00

Pants for Alexis, I drafted a pattern off a pair of her trackie pants that I just love the fit of. They have turned out ok, a bit low in the waist and could be a smidge bigger around the waist too, but they do look oh so cute!

Testing...

2006-09-15T11:10:00.000+10:00

Just checking if this is going to show the correct time/date now.

I have succumbed to peer pressure!

2006-09-15T11:01:00.000+10:00

After joining an online sewing group, and reading all their blogs, and seeing them display their handiworks, I have decided creating my own blog to do the same is what I have to do!

So here it is :-)

I might list a few things I am wanting to make;

a shirt for Logan (I have some gorgeous fine cord to make it with)
a dress or skirt for myself (I have some gorgeous floral material to make it with)
a few wrap tops for Tiana & Alexis
a dress for a friend's little girl
a range of soft toys that Tiana has designed for me

ah, I could go on!!!

But for now I will leave it at that, I'll return later to start posting some pics, I am going to go now and attempt to get some sewing of some sort done!