My little arty kid

Miss M started school mid last year, and although I promised her a handmade art smock with her name on it in her second week of school, she was forced to wear Master A's blue one... with cars on it... And his name on it too!

At least I managed to fulfil half of my promise, as she did get her library bag straight away, with her name embroidered on it and an owl appliqué I bought specially for her, letting her choose whatever design she wanted from an etsy store.

So when the note came home about art smocks last week, I made sure I had one for her to take to school on Monday. I didn't want her to be without one so sent it along without having taken photos (just as her library bag went last year). But when I found it still in her bag tonight, and the power off since 5:30 this morning, I thought I could spare some time for a little photo shoot (no power makes it difficult to do much housework, other than a quick uniform hand wash before the light disappeared). One big problem I hadn't factored in was all the crazy wind we are having (the cause of many trees on roads and many houses without power for over 24hrs). So please excuse the blurry photos, and creases from being in her bag and no way to iron them out - not exactly what I had in mind!

I took a peasant dress pattern I had, made the neckline a bit higher on both front and back (to avoid paint on her collars), and snipped the back piece down the middle, which makes it easier to get on over clothes. I added a radius (using a small saucepan lid) to the centre back corners, and lengthened the cap sleeves to a 3/4 length to protect her sleeves without having them get in the way. I sewed the sleeves to the front and backs, then grabbed some bias binding I had, and bound the back opening and hem all in one before doing the elastic casing at the neckline. Unfortunately I didn't have enough red or white bias binding so used some navy I had, and hid it under the hem rather than encasing as planned. Lastly I pushed the elastic join into the neckline and secured the back pieces to the elastic at the back opening to stop the backs shifting. I'm very pleased with the fit, not so pleased that I forgot to centre her name in the grid when I did the embroidery and had to add her surname initial to balance it out. At least everyone will know it's definitely hers!

Seeing Orange

Harmony day, which was celebrated here last Thurday, is often recognised by wearing the colour orange, or cultural dress.  Being a very Aussie family, we don't really have anything "cultural" in our wardrobe, so I decided to be prepared, tie dying a t-shirt for Austy to wear to school for the occasion.

 

I am usually not this prepared, (and there has been one harmony day where hubby had to drop Austy at school and rush off to find something!) but knew that with school half an hour away this year there would be no chance in any rectification if I overlooked it.  So I did the shirt anyway, even though there had been no notes home about a casual day that I could recall.

 He didn't end up wearing it, as it seemed this school doesn't really do anything for harmony day.  Luckily his teacher decided to do a few related activities with the class, because Austy was a bit upset about the fact that he has always celebrated it at school before. Alas his t-shirt is still unworn (that's what I get for beiung prepared!).  I think I might applique a charcoal fabric in the sillhouette of a guitar to the front though as I am pretty pleased with how it came out (after my last tie dye attempt was little more than a failure!) and I'd like him to get some wear out of it.

 

On Wednesday night, I came home with Madelyn's harmony day dress for kindy still looking like this:

 

So I decided to let my WIP Wednesday post slide for the third week in a row to turn it into this:

 

I must admit, I did contemplate sending her to kindy in her brother's size 8 t-shirt, and regretted not throwing one for her into the pot with it as I was also trying to bake raspberry jelly cakes as my "cultural dish" for our shared harmony day morning tea at work.  I pushed on and she was very happy with the results.  Unfortunately the only modelled photo I have is an iPhone shot hubby sent me at work, with her grinning as proud as punch!

 

Madelyn took home the kindy's "cultural awareness doll", Sima for a sleep over a couple of weeks ago, and the thing was dreadful - it was sticky, filthy, had horrible messy hair and very stained, and falling apart clothes in it's little pack.  Most of the clothes were cabbage patch doll clothes and didn't fit properly.

 

The first thing I wanted to do was wash the doll, but on reading the kindy's booklet that came with her, the first thing that was mentioned was "Please do not give me a bath".  I contemplated it for a moment, and nearly left her, but I couldn't handle the thought of not knowing where she had been, and feeling that grime upon her plastic skin I decided to give her a bit of a wipe down with a soft cloth and dish detergent anyway.  We spent some time brushing her hair with Maddy's Australian Girl Doll brush, and some leave-in conditioner, and all that was left was to make her some new clothes.

Since we only had her for the one night, she had to go back with just the outfits she came with, but at least she was cleaner and the children could get a comb through her long black hair once again.  Then today I discovered this Mod Kid dolly pattern that I have had unopened for ages, and decided to make a new slightly longer skirt for Emily (the one I made to match Maddy's was slightly to short), and two new long sleeved tops, one for Emily and one for Sima.  So Madelyn has a belated Harmony Day present for Sima the cultural doll tomorrow - a pretty new top, and Emily's too short skirt (which should still cover Sima's knees as she is a smaller doll).

I think I have had enough of orange for a while now!

I just had to!

Riley Blake fabrics are my all time favourite. I just about fall in love with every one of their designs, the instant they come out. I think they are consistently one of the best designers for boy fabric, which is what brought them to my attention originally, when I began sewing for my little lad.

Well, last August Riley Blake came out with a new range that called to me extra loudly. "Pieces of Hope" is a line that was designed to support autism awareness, understanding and research, with part proceeds going to Autism Speaks. The fabric features puzzle pieces, an image often used to represent autism research, as it depicts the pieces of the puzzle that help us see the bigger picture of what autism is.

 

I especially love the fabric that displays positive words surrounding autism. As a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder, sometimes it is the little things that give us hope. These words remind me of those magical moments when the autism slides away for a special moment and lets the beautiful boy inside shine though. Sometimes the challenges that autism poses can be exhausting, and hope seems a long way off. These fabrics remind me that he has just as much potential as anyone else, it just takes a little more work to reach sometimes.

When I first saw these fabrics, I knew I had to get my hands on some. I was thinking I would make some cushions for Austin's sensory corner at school, as it was rather empty, and he preferred to hide under tables or run away to the playground when things got tough, than use his sensory corner. So I thought some bright, colourful, positive cushions would make a great addition.

Then we were told about, and accepted for a new Autism Intervention Program where he will attend this year. The basic idea is that the sensory problems are removed so that he can learn the skills he needs to cope in a normal classroom, without all of the issues that we experienced last year. The unit will follow the Ziggurat model, which has proven success with dealing with high functioning autism in the US.

We are a little excited, apprehensive, anxious, hopeful and a whole bunch of other things in between, about having this opportunity this year. I saw this fabric on sale at the fat quarter shop and was afraid that if I didn't act soon, I could miss out. So, for a moment I closed my eyes to the stash increase, and bought the FQ pack and some yardage while I could! I figure with my track record, it's never too early in the year to be thinking about end of year gifts, and I think that if this program does anything at all to make learning easier for our beautiful boy, then they will deserve something special. Even if it doesn't, a snuggly, colourful quilt for the junior primary AIP unit will be loved by the children that attend there after Austin has returned to his home school. They can use it in their sensory breakout room, or even for sitting on as a class for outdoor learning since the class size is so small (for sensory overload reasons).  THis term will begin with just 4 students, and a maximum of 8 allowed in the class.

I just know I am going to love working with these gorgeous, happy fabrics, and think there may even be enough to make a second quilt for us to keep here. Austin has become a very prolific reader these school holidays, chewing through (not literally as Austin thought I meant when he first heard me say it!) three Enid Blyton novels, and starting on a fourth. I would love to set up a quiet reading corner, and a quilt or some cushions using "Pieces of Hope" would be perfect for snuggling up to while he reads.

School holidays, and we've been busy!

I don't often get the holidays off with the kids, but this school holidays, our company had a scheduled closedown for the second week.  I took the opportunity to spend some time with the kids.

A trip to Madelyn's mum and baby group after not seeing many of them for at least a year, found a new home for a baby knit, as one of the mum's has recently delivered a beautiful little girl into the world.

Kelly Brooker's "March Sisters"  Beth pinnafore pattern and Rosa Leaf Booties by Julia Noskova 

(Modelled on a reborn doll)

We dyed some wool for me to turn into monsters - Austy wanted grey, green,yellow and blue but the blue kind of moulded into more green.  His favourite colour though, so he is happy.

 Maddy couldn't make up her mind and kept adding colours but wanted lots of pink and purple.

We had a marathon craft session from an idea I found on Pinterest:

(Maddy's)

(Austy's)

I love the texture..

.. and Austy's signature (yes the two's are still reversed but he is definitely improving).

I even managed to dust off the sewing machine and sew this little playsuit for Maddy.  So cute!  Can't wait to see it on. 

Pattern from Petite Kids: Johanna Romper. Next time I would definitely make the tie longer, this is a size 5-6 and the images in the pattern look like a smaller size. I like the way the pattern has the tie ends hanging lower.    Fun fabric is a Riley Blake design,with sweet little birdies singing in the flowers.  Perfect for Spring!

Little Declan and a visit to the Gaol

Remember the preemie doll I was working on, to help me get the sizing right for my preemie donations? I found some wool roving at Spotlight and added it to his head, which was the defining moment for me that helped me decide he was indeed a little boy.

I made a little hospital gown using a scaled down version from Milly's (of Tin Whistle) pattern and added an applique boat, and then thought he needed a good seafaring kind of name, and so little Declan was "born".

I tested my own angel nappy pattern on him for size (and am happy to report it is perfect!), and since he looked a little cool in his smock and nappy, I had to knit him a hat. Don't you love how floppy and poseable he is?

After entering him in the doll net contest (and you can vote or check out the other entries over here), I made him a tuiny little sleep suit, which adds so much of a "pick me up and cuddle me" vibe that I wish I had got to it sooner so that he could look all cute and cuddly in his competition photos.  Oh well, I still think he's adorable.

Although not quite as adorable as these to "gaol birds"!  Yep, that's my little munchkins at the Adelaide Gaol, where we visited today for their open day.  Its a little macabre but I wanted to do something special with them as I haven't had much time for them lately, and there was a threat of rain so it seemed like a good little outing where there would be plenty of shelter if we needed it (in the cells!).  We gave the mock execusion a miss, as that wasn't something I wanted to explain to them just yet. The kids loved exploring though, and took home their mug shots and finger prints on a souveneir card and were very happy that their rooms are much nicer than the prison cells.

I love how they were both wearing mostly handmade today.  I finished Austy's Explorer Vest this morning (just needed a few ends darned in) and it is super soft and snuggly, so he has enjoyed plenty of cuddles today.  Of course I can't resist when he's so darned cute! He was also wearing the handmade cords that were made for him in last year's clothing swap, which have had quite a bit of wear now, and still look great.

Maddy didn't miss out - that's her handknitted hat I made her for childcare last year (and her only one that fits her now as her home hat is too small and has disappeared so I think another is on the cards).  She is also wearing her "Little Butterflies" cardigan that is made from yarn I dyed, and perhaps my favourite knit for her so far.  Her cords are yesterday's effort as she is badlyt in need of new clothes since she just keeps getting taller!  There are 3yrs and 3 weeks between these two, and they are both wearing the same size trousers in these photos!  Okay, so Maddy's are a little big - size 110cm from Ottobre 1/2008 but I wanted them to last longer than a few days!  Because of their bagginess I think the front pockets look a bit odd, but with time I am sure they will be fine.  No they are NOT on back to front - there are pockets on the front and the back.  She loves the pockets as they have butterflies and dragonflies in them, like a special secret! So it's great that theyt are on the front so she can access them.  Austy loves my analogy that handmade clothes are like an all day hug, because they were made with love.  He has been thanking me for hugging him all day - precious!

And the girl is happy too

Maddy couldn't wait another day for her Cat in The Hat jarmies, so I went my own way with her shorts. No fake fly, just a ruffled hem on a pair of one piece shorty bottoms I drafted myself, with plenty of growing room.

It's a shame the size 4 purchased tee is a little snug - luckily I have a tiny bit of fabric left so I can applique another for her when she outgrows it.

A just turned 3 year old isn't quite as co-operative as a just turned 6 year old, so the photo session was quick and snappy! And of course she had to pull a face, funny girl.

And here they are snuggled on the couch together in matching PJ's and bed hair. Aaaw....

Welcome to 2012

Well, another year has flown by in a nano-second, and while I haven't blogged for almost a year, I am back... at least for now! Life gets in the way as most of you know, and I am looking to change things up a bit in the near future so that I can stress a little less and have more time for my kidlets. In the mean time, I know I have some busy times ahead, so I will try to update when I can this year, without making this blog become yet another thing that I am behind in.

The first day of the year has been our hottest this summer (I think!) so yesterday I was super appreciative of my DH who got up on the roof and replaced the pads on the air conditioner as soon as summer commenced. The house has never been this cool (except in winter of course!) and I loved being stuck indoors yesterday as I got a start on the kids' Cat in The Hat pyjamas that I promised them about a month ago.

I did have a few interruptions, as our new baby (an English Mastiff called Lewis) doesn't like the heat, and gets a bit silly when inside. We are slowly training him to stay on his mat but he is a stubborn boy, and likes to wander around and steal toys off the kids! He was also so hot yesterday that he decided the mat was too far away from his indoor water bucket, and instead laid right next to it with his tail in it, so you can imagine the shower we all got when he stood up and wagged it.

After a couple of swimming sessions in the pool though, the kids (and puppy) were out like a light and I set about finishing these pyjamas. I used the Louey Boxers pattern for Austy's pyjama bottoms for a change. I usually draft my own pattern for his bottoms, and the fishy pair that Maddy now wears, still fit him (in the bottoms) but I decided that it was time for some real boxers. I must admit, when I first downloaded this e-pattern, I was dissappointed and not sure if I would make them or draft my own as they don't have a back seam and I thought they would look silly. However, when I thought about it, I decided to give them a try since Austy doesn't like the feel of seams in his clothes and they'd be more comfortable for sleeping in.

They took a bit of effort to prepare the pieces (lots of pressing and folding) but the folding template that helps to fold over the correct seam allowances, is genius! Also I was impressed with the level of detail and how these are so similar to DH's purchased boxers. The buttons you see on the fly are not functional, but they very well could have been. I love that this pattern gives you the option to fake it or do a working fly. I was so tempted to make them with the working fly but I asked the man of the house, who said he never uses the fly on his as it's more fiddly to undo the button than pull them down, and figured it would be easier for Austy too. He also reminded me that Austy has a fascination for pants with a fly and they would end up needing washing more times than they were worn if I did the working fly! So I sighed (as I love the cuteness factor of them being just like Daddy's) and stitched the fly flaps together.

I am not sure that I will use this pattern for Madelyn's matching PJ's (I have the red Cat in The Hat fabric for hers), or whether I will draft a basic shorts pattern with a ruffle hem to girly them up a bit. I am out of underpants elastic and since the elastic is expopsed in the Louey Boxers, I wouldn't want to use anything else. So I guess it really depends if I want to wait until the shops are open again tomorrow to start making them!

Pattern Review

Pattern Name: Louey Boxers

Pattern by: Sis Boom http://www.sisboom.com/patterns/

Pros: So quick to purchase (downloadable PDF), beautifully detailed (just like Daddy's), excellent tutorial-like instructions with full colour photos for every step. Excellent size range - 6m to 12 years!

Cons: No seam at the rear (although I am not sure that is a con now - quicker to sew, more comfy to wear), 1/4" seams (I much prefer wider seam allowances so I can let my overlocker trim as it neatens rather than have the fabric sitting in away from the cutter).

Overall rating: 4.5 sewing reels!

And here's a pic of our own Lewey Bear cooling off inside yesterday.

First project of the year

Granted this is a little late, but better late than never, as the old saying goes. My sister-in-law (to be) loves handmade things, so it is always a pleasure to make gifts for her and our adorable niece Elizabeth as I know they will always be appreciated. So as her late December birthday approached, I wracked my brain for ideas.

I decided a beach bag would be ideal but in my pre-baby preparations (and nursery curtain sewing mishaps) I ran out of time. So on Christmas Eve, I went through my stash (too late to go to hunt for fabric in the shops, especially with Madelyn attached to my chest 90% of the time) and I searched for something simple, modern and that would go with the apple green lining fabric that I had managed to buy earlier in the month. I ummed and aahed about using this gorgeous Joel Dewberry fabric I had bought to make something for me because it's one of my favourite fabrics, but in the end it won out because although more aqua than green (SIL's favourite colour) it set off the photo beautifully without being too busy and gave the bag a nice modern look. Unfortunately there's not much left, but I may be able to do some applique with the scraps for Maddy.

I cut out the lining and printed the photo (with breath held as it was my last piece of printable fabric) on Christmas Eve, but that's as far as I got - couldn't bring myself to cut the feature fabric in case I found something else, and Madelyn was unsettled all night so I couldn't get to the machine anyway. So when we saw SIL on Christmas Day, all we had was a promise of a personalised handmade present. She was understanding though and happy to hear I was making her something, especially so soon after having a baby.

Then the days passed and I still hadn't managed to make any progress, putting it aside to make a couple of nappies instead to spread out my nappy washing days a bit. Then Andrew mentioned it to me one night this week and asked when I was going to do it, my reply being "Who knows?" as he kept occupying himself with odd jobs and shed tidying and sorting, leaving me with both children and not returning the favour. So when Maddy was asleep yesterday, he told me he would keep Austy out the back with him so I could sew. Woo hoo! It was pure bliss, and with a few feeding breaks this is what Maddy did most of the day, laying in her bassinette beside me with the humming of the sewing machine to soothe her:

I went for an after dinner walk to get her to sleep at a reasonable hour and was itching to get back and finish the bag, especially as we were meant to be babysitting Elizabeth today - the perfect chance to give her Mum her birthday gift. So after I fed Maddy, Andrew settled her and I sewed into the night, finishing at 12:30, half an hour before Maddy woke for her next feed. So I am paying for it a little today (and certainly needed my coffee with Madelyn waking up three times last night and taking nearly an hour to feed and settle each time) but the results are worth it I think.

The lining has an internal pocket with decorative stitching and a mobile phone or sunnies pocket, with plenty of room for a towel, sunscreen and bathers.

I've had the plastic for about a year to make bibs for Austy, then when he stopped wearing bibs I thought I'd use it for an art smock then decided to use it for this bag instead. I was afraid of plastic sewing, and while it took a little more care and patience, it wasn't too bad and makes a great splash proof beach bag.

Austy thought so too - here he is modelling it straight after his shower - he wouldn't get dressed till I took a "smile" of him with it!

Oh, and I almost forgot! I have joined the one a month challenge, as I needed to remind myself that I won't always have an unsettled baby and those WIPs, baby dresses and outfits for Austy will get made eventually. This was the perfect motivation, and I've already managed my first completed project for the year. Bonus!

So much to blog about

Sorry it has been a little while since I blogged in here but I promise you I have been busy!

Okay, so all I have managed to sew in the past three weeks has been a pair of scratch mits, and two fitted nappies, and the only knitting I have done is still unfinished.

But here's the reason.

Our beautiful little girl Madelyn Anneliese joined our little family on the 19th December 2008. You can read all about it here, and there are also some more photos to be found on that blog for those who want to see. With Madelyn, Christmas and a couple of birthdays, it has been rather hectic here of late but it's about time I blogged some wonderful crafty gifts we received over the past month.

Firstly there was the EB Sewing group Secret Santa swap, where someone mysterious (they just put SS on the card and envelope!) sent me a very generous package with something each for me, Madelyn and Austin. I got a stunning little pin cushion and a cute little needle book (I am always losing needles in my pin cushions so this is perfect for me) as well as a yummy bag of Darrell Lee Christmas chocolates. Maddy got a cute and soft little bird with a bell in it and a hand embroidered bib. Austy was delighted to open his gifts - some biscuit cutters, stickers and Father Christmas stamps which he set to work with straight away!

Then, while in hospital, Madelyn and I had a visit from the talented Emma, who brought two beautiful quilts for Madelyn. The first one was made by the EB Quilters, where each person sent Emma a block or two with cream & burgandy as the theme (to match the nursery) and Emma pieced them all together and quilted them. The result is eye-catching and it has a beautiful richness about it. Madelyn loves it too - the contrast and colour have her staring at it all the time. In hospital I draped it over the head end of her crib when I wanted to have the light on at night, so she didn't get it shining in her eyes. I had the quilt with the blocks facing her for her to look at, then I noticed the sparkles in the beautiful backing fabric that I hadn't seen before. I had admired the pink flowers against the burgandy when Emma gave it to me but loved it even more when I saw the sparkles!

The second quilt is a work of art - Emma's own design, in a perfectly pieced quilt where all the points are crisp and sharp, and it has wonderful texture with free motion quilting on all of the white background. Emma knows my favourite colour is aqua/turquoise and designed the quilt to suit with a gorgeous range of fabrics. The subtle shade of pink is just perfect as it's not too pink at all, just adding a touch of prettiness to the quilt. This is such a special quilt, and pictures just can't do it justice.

While we're on the topic of quilts, here is the monkey quilt I finished for Madelyn while in hospital. I spent the last week or two of my pregnancy putting the last quarter of it together, adding the borders (the two thin white borders are peek-a-boo borders) and quilting it. Then I got it ready to hand stitch the binding down in hospital, while being monitored for induction and then through that first night while we were waiting for labour to start. It doesn't have a name yet as I was waiting for Andrew to buy the new printer he promised ages ago when our inks ran out, and now we have the printer I'm all out of printable fabric for the label. So as soon as I'm brave enough to tackle a quilt shop trip with a 3yr old and 3w old in tow, I will come up with a name and do the label. And yep... the backing's on upside-down... woops. I was very tired in those last few days! Oh well.

And last but not least, I received this little dress for Madelyn from the wonderful Novy, who has more than spoilt us over the past 12m with not one but two aprons for our little boy, and now this pretty little dress for our little girl. I love using dresses on warmer days as they are so easy for nappy changes (and I get to show off the cloth nappies!) as well as being a bit of a novelty after having a boy first. Andrew loves them too I think, and was as impressed by Novy's sewing as I was.