According to Jalisa...

...The postman brings good presents.

My valentine swap arrived and oh what a treat it was. The postman actually came when I was in the middle of cooking dinner and I had to send Jalisa out because I was embarrassed at wearing a tea towel for an apron (read on and you will see why I am revealing my secrets).

What a pleasure it was to open Natalie. Shame on me for just shoving your stuff in the satchel when you took the time to wrap the items up so delightfully - all in theme with valentines. Individual items for the kids were wrapped up in red spotted cellophane and ribbons, complete with little tags. My present was wrapped in red tissue paper.

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  Here’s a run down of the goodies Natalie sent me:
  Heart appliquéd face washer for Scott
• Grosgrain? Ribbon covered hair clips for Jalisa - she loves them!
• Ferreo Roche and Lindt chocs (which I will share with DH)
• Some care bear fabric, vehicles fabric, red buttons, 2 heart buttons and some butterflies (which Jalisa tried to eat to see if they were lollies - what are these Natalie?) and
• A 3 heart appliquéd apron

Natalie - the apron is literally just what I wanted. I have been meaning to make myself some aprons, I even have the fabric set out, but have not been motivated enough to take the time to do that for myself. So I thank you so much for knowing exactly what I needed.

The birthday girl with a side of gifts

I am getting so slack about updating this blog. It seems every time I am on the computer I am holding or feeding Scott, so it is really difficult to type stuff, edit photos etc. I will have to challenge myself to post more.

This is Jalisa on her third birthday. We gave her a helmet (so she can ride her bike safely), some gumboots and some makeup (naughty mum, we hoped it would stop her drawing on herself with highlighters).
It was raining that day - perfect for testing out the gumboots.

Isn't my Dad talented? He made this barbie house. It is similar to the one he made me when I was younger. I loved mine, and Jalisa is enjoying hers. He also made her some little chairs, a table and a lounge. You can see the little curtains I made - I need to make some cushions for the lounge I think.

These are some tool belts I have been making for boy birthdays this year. Each is slightly different, I hope the recipients will like them. I made them all production-line style, so I am sure it cut down on the time.

Diggin' it!

This tee is the sequal to the Push It dozer. The tee was actually washed this morning, hence it is all wrinkled and starting to fray. I have learnt my lesson and will applique it properly next time (requests already, much to Wayne's delight - this is another one of his designs.)
I love reading the Textile Fetish blog. She sells some really neat things. I loved the look of her brag books and had to try them for myself. This one is for Wayne - out of his beloved Coke fabric but I already have plans for many many more. I will be buying the hardcover photo albums though - cost a little more but hopefully won't tear as this one has started to. These covers will also be great for journals, Bibles - maybe even my new sewing journal (D-ring binder).

Here are some of the goodies I have made for Jalisa's party. Peppermint scented playdough - just add peppermint essential oil. The hair pins were a snap to make once I had Wayne drill the holes a little bigger - the hemline brand ones were just too tiny to fit the bobby pin in. I can't believe my girl is turning 3. She seems so old and young at the same time.

Two firsts

This is Ottobre 2/2003 #5 - pants shortened into long shorts.
I am sure that this pattern will be a staple in Scott’s wardrobe - there are many options to change it up. You can choose from plain legs or extra panels, bellow pockets or patch, belt loops or none. I chose to add just one bellows pocket (first time, need to practice them more).

And just something very easy - a patch of fabric appliqued onto a ready made shirt. Not even worth showing but would be great for a beginner.

Push it

Wayne was so excited drawing some applique pictures for me - all machinery so far. He was going for a cartoon rather than realistic type look. I like how it turned out - I hope it washes okay because I only used a short straight stitch around all the bits.
As you can see, I did the applique on a woven before sewing on to the ready made tee - I thought it would be way to tricky trying to sew all the little bits on the shirt. In the future I will go back to making my own shirts I think, at least if I am going to do anything other than a very basic one.

I love ottobre patterns

Jalisa wore one of her new Christmas outfits to a BBQ on the weekend, and I realised that in my attempt to keep it a secret from her, I never took any photos for the blog. Anyway, her she is wearing her "genie" pants and floral peasant top.

The top is made from a Robert Kaufman seersucker (from www.fashionablefabrics.com). The pants are made using Ottobre 2/2005 # 14. I used elastic at the bottom instead of the drawstrings. You actually can't see all the panels in the pants - each leg has four panels at the front and two at the back, with double topstitching along each seam. The length is a little long for "capri" pants but she should grow into them. Also, they are a little baggy for my skinny minnie -even though I used a size down for the width. Still, a very nice pattern and Jalisa actually said Wow, cool when she opened them up.
And I ahave finally done some sewing for the first time this year. I made 4 pairs of these shorts for Scott, two in the blue and two in a grey marle knit. Pattern is Ottobre 1/2007 #2 (leggings, but I cut them down to size). I have to say they are a perfect fit for over his cloth nappies, as you can see. They will be great for around the house - and I have something to add to my sewing journal - yay.

Time for some photos

Felt like it has been a while since I have posted some photos of the kids.


This is Wayne and Scott at the beach - we ended up going back down after our holiday, just so we could have a swim at the beach, pool and go to the fair.
Jalisa used to hate sand last year, but can't get enough of it at the moment. She had to go and play in it again while we packed up.

Jalisa asked if Scott could watch Playschool with her.

Wayne just has to take photos of the kids sitting in the boat. His smile makes me melt.

Getting to know you

If you want to, fill out this quiz in your own blog, so that I can get to know you a bit more (it might help with future swaps).

Describe your dress style: Fairly casual. I like to wear practical shorts/pants/denim for being Mum and when I am working but I love to wear dress and skirts. Tees/knit tops and cardigans and jackets in Winter. I would like to have a more creative look but I just don't like dealing with ironing etc for everyday wear.

Favourite colours: To wear, black, pink, white, silver, grey, green.

Colours you dislike: Many muted, burnt or fluro colours

Favourite prints:Pinstripes, some florals, paisley, some geometrics - I really like black and white prints

Prints you hate: gingham

What type of fabrics do you like to sew with and or wear (for yourself): Cotton, wool, rayon, linen and silk - can be mixed with spandex. Polyester is only good as polar fleece.

Do you like all different styles in your wardrobe or do you stick with the same basic styles in different colours: At the moment I have a lot of staples but years ago I had a lot of variety...I prefer a mixture though.


Favourite colours for your kids: white, brown, purple, pink, green for Jalisa, blue and white on Scott
Colours you dislike on your children: Same as me - I just don't really like those types of colours.
Favourite prints: Polka dots, retro inspired, flowers, stripes
Prints you hate: teddy bears
What kind of fabrics do you like to sew with: Cotton

Things that kids say

I have discovered that it is just embarrassing taking your nearly 3 year old child around to the showers/toilets. Jalisa managed to say some pretty funny things while there with me a voice loud enough for the whole park to hear.

Not only the usual what are those and what's that sound, but there are your baby feeders. I have baby feeders, but mine are small and yours are big. Probably the worst- its dangerous having a shower with you (so I got some shampoo in her eyes).

Create 08

As our camping holiday turned out the way it had (raining every day, gale force winds) we spent more time at our tent than normal. I usally write lots of list of the things I want to make but this time I mainly had it in my head.

My main goal for 2008 is handmade gifts for everyone plus all clothes for myself and the children. Now, this has pretty much been done in 2007 but there is now an extra family memeber (so less time and more clothes to make) plus I really want to do the things that I say I will do.

The secret will be to be more organized.
☺ Make up list of present ideas for each anticipated child’s birthday.
☺ Draft up patterns and store in folder with instructions.
☺ Keep an eye out for sale fabrics (or priced at the right price) that will be suitable to make into gifts.
☺ Make up gifts (in batches) when feeling like sewing but want to do something different.

I also plan to keep a record of all sewing activity, and store in a folder (as well as in my blog). You know, a sketch of the design, swatches of fabric, any adjustments, care instructions etc. That way, I can look at how much I have done in the year and refer to any tips that I have left myself. This folder will be ongoing thoughout the years.