Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween

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Halloween is a relatively new event in Australia and up until three years ago when Bella went to a birthday party with a Halloween theme, we had never seen trick or treaters. While the whole idea of another holiday isn't that appealing to me (hello, Christmas is less than TWO months away), the kids really do love it. The dress ups, spooky decorations, talking to random strangers.... so this afternoon we decorated the front of the house, ready for tonights onslaught of goblins, witches, stack of ghosts and the odd devil baby. No one could mistake we were a "Trick or Treater" friendly house... Enter if you dare...

Halloween
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Past the lantern lit letterbox, follow the glowing spiders up the garden, under the arch with the bats and skeleton...
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... watch out for the trail of black spiders passing the spooky pumpkin...
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... to the witch's doorbell that you can ring if you dare. I warn you if you don't like spiders, watch out... one comes out of her mouth!

This weekend we also have a Halloween party planned with some good friends and tonight, we stayed home, decked the house in creepy spiders and skeletons and gave out copius amounts of sugar to the neighbours. Funnily enough out of the over 50 kids we had come to our door, only one little girl bought with her a little zip lock bag of lollipops which she gave to our two kids as a thank you. What a lovely idea and if we ever venture out to trick or treat ourselves, I will be certain to remember that the kids take some with them.

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Sunday, October 28, 2012

USB Key Fob

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Last week I put my hand up to test drive a new pattern for Nikki, the USB Key Fob, which like all of Nikki's patterns, the design and instructions are brilliant. 
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It can be made with a few options like a split key ring which I used on my two versions that can go with your keys or with a snap hook for in your bag.
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The little flap covers your USB stick and inside is a ingenious designed spot for the USB stick to pop out so you can still use the stick while in the case. A great gift idea for the often left behind man-folk.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Let's Get Maybelle to the Ellen Show

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Sewing has slowed down since KCWC, nothing finished to show yet, but I have been busy working on websites and blogs for customers while wearing my designer hat at Cameron Solutions.

One of the projects I worked on a couple of weeks ago was for Let's Get Maybelle to the Ellen Show. If you haven't heard about this great cause for a very special girl (and her family), have a look. They are holding an auction from the 5th November and I have donated a custom blog design here. So go over and make a bid from the 5th and check out the other fantastic donations up for bidding. Oh and while your there, one of my car wraps is up for auction as well.


So while work has been busy... hello new Nanny who we hired, I think I love you... I spent some time this week giving ye 'ole blog a few tweaks as well. Bit like a guinea pig for code writing around here. So now there are summaries of my posts, a feed from my Instagram, category drop down, social networking icons and a few other little bits and pieces in the background.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Photo a Day October 10-22

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A week and a bit more of Fat Mum Slim's Photo a Day for October. Not long to go!... check them all out on Instagram.
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Monday, October 15, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day seven

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Yesterday was the last day of kcwc and to finish off the week I made two versions of the True Bias' Toddler Swing Tank. The first version was made using an up-cycled maternity top and the second, my first attempt at  a colour blocked top.  
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And with nine finished pieces later (go me), kcwc is done. The motivation to get sewing from kcwc is awesome and all the browsing on flickr and blogs from others participating has made me come up with even more items I want to attempt to finish off the kids summer wardrobes.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day six

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An extra project for Eva that wasn't on my to do list. I started with the Leila & Ben peasant dress pattern but modified it with elastic around the waist and plain sleeves. I may still add the elastic back into the sleeves, they are a touch too flow-y for little Miss Eva.

So one day left to go and my sewing to do list I started at the beginning of KCWC is looking good!
  • AYASHE by Figgy's Patterns for Eva
  • Low n' lazy pants by Cirque Du Bebe for Eva (finished but not photographed yet)
  • Romper for Eva
  • Jump Rope dress by Oliver & S for Bella
  • Playdate dress by Oliver & S for Eva
  • Puppet Show shorts by Oliver & S for Eva
  • Shorts for Bella (Capris finished but another couple of pairs would be good)
  • Skirts for both girls
  • Pants! Any pants.. the boy needs PANTS! (probably Sandbox pants by Oliver & S or Made basic pants) (turns out Liam had a secret stash of pants. After cleaning out all three kids wardrobes, he has enough to last him until next Winter. Bella meanwhile seems to have NO pants that fit her other than one pair of jeans)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day five

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Something for both girls finished on Friday... first up for Eva...
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Pattern: AYASHE by Figgy's Patterns in size 18m for Eva
Fabric: CIty Weekend by Oliver & S

Rule #1 when using PDF patterns, before you print make sure the pattern is set to scale to 100%, especially when using the new laptop that you haven't printed patterns on before. Failure to follow rule #1 will result in your 18month size top being more like a 12month size top. Frustrating.

Now that I confessed my "what a waste of some beautiful Heather Ross double gauze fabric" attempt #1, the actual #2 aka the wearable top is still super cute.

The Good: I love patterns with extra details, it makes sewing things for the kids that much nicer and better than buying the plain things in all the shops. This pattern was full of lovely details like sweet gather on the shoulder, the collar, stitching on a front placket and I'm just a sucker for tops with elastic waists. Of course all the "extra little" details didn't make it a basic cut the pieces out and go sew type of project, I had to follow the instructions pretty closely. These are the types of patterns I am more than happy to pay $10 or more for. Being able to buy it in PDF form (it is also in paper form for a little bit more) also meant I could order, print, cut and start sewing all in one day. None of that waiting for the pesky post man to arrive.

The Bad: The pattern itself is good, but it uses 3/8" seams which I'm not used to. I prefer larger 1/2" or 5/8" seams. When cutting out notches, watch out.. if you cut them to what is actually shown on the pattern it can be a tight squeeze keeping to the 3/8" seam and missing the notches.

Modifications: None.

Bella meanwhile found a dress in one of the many many many catalogues that we get every week (seriously the amount of wasted paper is ridiculous).

Using the neckline and armholes of an existing dress that fits her, I drafted a bodice with straight body and then finished with a simple gathered skirt attached. 

Using some navy blue crepe fabric from The Remnant Warehouse, initially this was intended to just be a muslin that I could play with, turns out the sizing I cut was just right.
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So I finished off all the hems and she is one happy little girl with a new blue dress. Oh once we get a new belt.

Friday, October 12, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day four

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An Oliver & S Playdate dress for Eva, perfect for wearing with her new Saltwater Sandals.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day three

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Pattern: Blank Slate Basics (for Girls)
Fabric: Plain navy homespun from Spotlight

The Good: Bella and Eva are in desperate need for some shorts. On searching some blogs, I came across this pattern collection (check out the Facebook page for discounts) which covers just about every option.. shorts, capris or pants with elastic or zipper fly. The size ranges from 18 months to 8 years, so it will be used for quite a while around here. The pants are straight leg, and the capris and shorts a "modest" length unlike anything currently for sale in the shops apparently. While I chose to make these in the most basic elastic waist, they do have a flat front and the elastic just runs around 3/4 of the waist which is a nice change from plain old elastic waist pants.. looks nicer too.

The Bad: The only improvement I cold make on this pattern is they really need the sizes printed on each piece, not just one seperate legend showing which lines to cut. Not great when you cut out two sizes (size 18m-4T is separately printed from 5-8T) and then have to figure out which size each piece is for. My tip, write down the size of the piece you are cutting out on each piece as you go!

Modifications: I needed to adjust the elastic needed for Bella's tiny waist... she is a size 8-10 but only about a 5 in a waist and added top stitching to the side seams as well.

Working with my "to do" list, I had no plans to get any more dress or top patterns for the girls, but now I think I might add a couple of the tanks from this new collection to the list.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

kcwc fall 2012: day two

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Day two of kcwc and a new romper finished for Eva. The sewing is easy, getting a photo of her standing still wearing it.. not so much.

Photo a Day October 1-9

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I'm taking part in Fat Mum Slim's Photo a Day during October... check them all out on Instagram.