My Creative Space

I've been under the weather this week and so have the kids.  I've had a really full agenda lately and staying up past midnight sewing has taken it's toll.  I needed to give myself a rest this week from projects and SIT (which will need a post or two to get you up to speed).  I did a mini-service on the sewing machine (ie cleaned out under the needle plate) after a slap on the wrist from a couple of friends and repaired a couple of clothing items that would've ended up going to charity.  Even though I didn't make anything I have been planning...

• First up was a 'shopping trip' at Fabricworm.  I'm making a lion softie for Lewis so I chose the following fabrics plus the star fabric for Max's robot:

• I pulled out the It's A Hoot charm pack I bought a couple of months ago to get some inspiration (last week I bought 4 yards of Trees in Marshmallow and Trees in Raspberry for the backing and a cot skirt).  I'm disappointed with 7 of the 44 squares because they have been cut from large prints from just random parts of the print, I would prefer to fussy cut so that you get a whole bird for example instead of just his legs or half a body... get the drift.  I saw this pillow and really like featuring the large owl panel in the centre.  I also thought using some of the other plainer patterned fabrics for sashing instead of a solid.  I found these other quilts for inspiration: 

Same wavelength with the sashing and backing, link via EatPlaySew

 

 

 

Using a large scale print for sashing, link via Federlily

For more inspiration head over to...

My Creative Space

This week I'm working my butt off to finish these sunglasses cases for the SIT group swap.  It's a pattern I came up with myself based loosely on this tutorial. 

Fabrics from Spotty except the florals which are Central Park

I will post a tutorial here so check back if you're intersted in making them (a good stash buster).

Edited:  In my haste I forgot to mention that you should also check out out Kootoyoo's blog for more creative ideas.

The Best Job in the World

Yesterday I was asked to road test a couple of patterns that have just been written up.  How much fun, I couldn't think of anything else I would rather do.  Anyway, I've spent a few hours looking for fabric inspiration for the first one, it's a Robot softie.  Here's what I came up with, I don't need all of them so I need to narrow it down, such a hard decision:

A selection of fabrics found on Etsy

Happy Monday

This morning in Sydney it was wet and grey.  Despite the dreary weather, I looked out my dining room window to see this lovely glimmery sparkle on a spider web. 

My little angel was sitting in her highchair eating her breakfast.  She's such a joy now, really engaging and smiling.  Clapping, waving and saying "hi", a few new words, Dadda, Nanna, Mumma (the last one very rarely), does a high five, singing and dancing.  9 months old is such a sweet age.

 

What's Cooking - Chocolate Cupcakes

There was some baking happening in our house this weekend.  The boys were very eager to help with all the stages, especially the licking up the bowl stage.

Two little boys devoured their cupcakes in seconds....

As you can see from the photo we cheated and used a packet cake mix, Greens being the only ones I'll use. 

The cakes were light and fluffy, the frosting was not very strawberry as the packaging led you to believe. 

In all though, they were really easy to make, the kids got a kick out of helping in the kitchen and they were nice enough to eat.


PS.  I haven't been happy with our photo quality lately so after these shots came out grainy I changed a setting on the camera to see if things improve.  Bear with me while I try to sort this out.