Worth dyeing for?

These were the result of my first experiment with using procion dyes. I had added more water to one to make it pastel, but I learnt that you have to add a lot of water to make a difference! I love the mottled look too. I will probably make the rompers into tees though, since I could never get this style to fasten over cloth nappies.

Here is a close up look at the mottled (well, closer)...

Shopping totes

After quite a bit of umming and ahhing over what to make as gifts for two little girls, I decided on making them these little tote bags and purses.
The purses are filled with play money - if the girls are anything like Jalisa, they will love playing with the set (I am already making another bag and purse for Jalisa, with fabrics that she selected).

I felt free and reckless while making these. See, I am one to work out the dimensions, add allowances and have it all square and right. With these, I did not care whether the dimensions ended up being an odd number, and I did not even measure for the pocket placement.

In a way it made me feel good to not worry but at the same time it kind of rubbed me up the wrong way so I know I won't do that too much in the future - it just doesn't suit me.

Infants friend is a parents best friend

These last three days/nights we have seen our little cherub become one very cranky crying bubba, totally different to how he had been the other 2.5 weeks of his life. Anyway, it was getting to a point where we had exhusted all possible causes and I was just frustrated at not knowing what was wrong.

Wayne found some infants friend, which was useless with Jalisa but seems to do the trick for little Scott...thank goodness. I can finally feel confident going out and might think about trying to get back near the sewing machine really soon (once I catch up with some washing).

No sewing

Life is pretty good at the moment. I just need to clean off the bench so I can do some more sewing. I am getting a bit excited about the new possabilities for sewing for a little boy plus Wayne is already putting in orders for overalls, pants made in the construction flannelette he bought. Not that I will really need to sew for Scott any time soon - we have a bunch of stuff that should get us through but if I can manage it, I might sew up a few little rompers anyway (depends on how I go time wise...still not sure what life will be like when Wayne goes back to work and I have to look after the two all day by myself.

I will have to get to that bench sometime before Wayne goes back to work. If I can't manage that while he is home...

Small bit of sewing

It seems like an eternity since I have used my sewing machine (though in reality it has really only been just over a week).

I got a bit of a hit this morning, sewing the waist on a black rayon knit skirt as well as the velcro on the bouncer cover. The bouncer cover will be completely finished when I apply the snaps to the right location.

Hello little man

We welcomed Scott Jonathon into our lives on the 20th of September at 11:15am.



He was worth the wait.

Getting restless

Baby, when are we ever going to meet you. At this rate, Jalisa will have more clothes than she needs (who am I kidding, a little girl can never have too many).



I was going to make this top different by rolling the hem and then shirring the bottom, but I don't like to roll hem in the round (and I forgot to do it at the right step) so I just double hemmed it.

Post bub skirt and a belly shot

So here is the skirt that I made yesterday. Super quick to make - rolled hems and shirred waistband. A very comfortable too. I still have it on at the moment and it is nice and airy.


So this is not the most flattering of shots (face has puffed up - noice) but it was my favourite from what Wayne snapped. Inside shot since it is a little windy outside.


A strange bit of info - my hair seems to be going curlier by the week. I always did have a bit of wave in it, but when I turned 19 it went super curly. As Jalisa's hair grew and grew curly, my hair grew straighter. I always said she stole them. Perhaps this bubba will have straight hair and that is why I am going a bit more curly again.

Just some waffle.

No pictures of the things I have just finished (Pjs for Jalisa, skirt for me) but I felt like blogging.

Today is my due date for baby #2 if you go by the scan. Monday is the due date that my GP and I worked out. I am so looking forward to having another baby - Jalisa and I have been looking through all her baby pictures, talking about the baby and I just feel so ready to hold another newborn in my arms. Actually, the funny thing is I feel nervous and not totally at ease holding other babies but I can't wait for my own again.

Finished some WIPs

I started this project some time ago, so it felt very good to finally get it finished. I picked these fabrics out of the stash because they vaguely coordinating (and I wanted them used).


I had wanted to make one of these for a while (to take to hospital and for sleeps during the day) but only just got around to making a pattern this morning. I used a scrap of black cotton jersey so it is super comfy and won't make me sweat.


One of Jalisa's good dresses. This is #12 from Ottobre 2/2003 (I picked this issue as my free gift when subscribing - as its a summer edition, there are lots of great garments suitable for our climate). I would have preferred to make the straps in the same fabric, but it was a remnant (a very yummy cotton stretch woven from my local fabric store) and there was no more.


Both the front and back have tucks sewn first before binding the top edge.


I am finally coming close to the end of Jalisa's summer wardrobe. Cutting out a number of projects and working on them over time has ensured there is always something to sew when I feel like sewing and will be a great system when the new bubba is here.