for the love of birds

I just adore birds. Bird prints, bird fabric, relaxing to the sound of birds (CD), bird watching, bird art, bird jewellery.... bird everything!

So when recently a fellow blogger, Michelle, wrote a post about some artworks done by Matou En Peluche,  I had to go and have a look for myself. 
And I immediately fell in love with her bird prints. 

 image credits: matou en peluche

They are absolutely beautiful, aren't they?
 
These little beauties are soon to be lining my hallway.

not just for little girls...

.... but for mummies too.

I loved everything about Miss B's little red skirt (it's so soft and it hangs beautifully), that I decided I wanted one too.
And with this crazy heatwave (102F or 39c),  a skirt is a much, much cooler option.

I had to tweak the pattern a little bit as the skirt was a wee bit short for my pasty looking legs. So I added a bit of length - about 2 inches, and took it in at the waist.
And as it turns out, this has to be the comfiest skirt ever! I will be making many, many more of these in the coming weeks.

Upcycled Twirl Skirt

A new skirt for Miss B.

The red panels are up-cycled from an old maternity top that was destined for the bin, and I had some matching red stripe fabric to go with it.

The skirt hangs beautifully and is so soft and comfy to wear. I wish I had one for myself......*hmmm* Stay tuned- I'm getting excited and planning that as I type.

Skirt pattern came from Lil Blue Boo and the matching hair clip was also a tutorial from there too.

Again, another happy project completed! I must be on a roll!

Robin Peasant Dress

The latest dress for Miss B. A simple yet very cute play dress, using Joel Dewberry's Deer Valley fabric collection.
One of my all time favourite fabrics- one because it's red ('ish) and secondly because of all the little birdies throughout the print. I just love birds!
Hopefully Miss B will love it as much too.

Zip It- Zip It Good!

I get so excited when the postman leaves a package at the door. Today's goodies were some zippers I had purchased from here.

I just love the rainbow of wonderfully bright colours!

Nappy Pouch

I have been meaning to make a small nappy carrier of some description since Miss B came on the scene- she is now 3 and a bit. And now we have a wee man, I thought it was time to actually get stuck into making one.

My poor sewing machine was not a fan of trying to get through 6 layers of denim in some parts, hence a few messy corners. But all-in-all, I think it turned out pretty good.

I really didn't need to use a pattern, however I couldn't be bothered this weekend with working out sizes and the like, so I used a pattern from Ainslee Fox.

A very quick and easy weekend project, and a great gift idea too.

 

Mulberry Boat Purse

Now in the shop.

Boat purse in Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Fabric in Mulberry, lined with a pale yellow cotton fabric.

Lillipop Boat Purse

With Bert up and running fine, back to work again.

Here is a 'lollipop' boat purse, lined with bright orange spots and a swivel clip on the side. A nice and bright purse for summer!
The purse will be listed in the shop tomorrow.

 

customer service- where has it gone?

Bert (my sewing machine) is home safe and well. But driving home from the sewing centre i was fuming, and this is what my brain was turning over:

Dear Sewing Centre Machine Fixer-upperer man,

How about you treat your customers with a little bit of respect. 

Just because I came in a bit early, looking a bit disheveled, having the kids in tow and I disturbed you from your morning coffee, is no reason why you cant show someone a little bit of decent, common courtesy. You can also get off you backside and open the door for your customers, especially when you see them struggling at getting the door open while they are carrying a child and a heavy sewing machine, rather than just sitting there and watch them do battle with your door. It might have been ammusing for you, but i was far from impressed.

Secondly, don't treat me like an absolute sewing idiot. I am not a fool when it comes to sewing. I do know how to thread 'my' own  machine and  I do know how to wind a bobbin on 'my' own machine, and do all of those things you say i think i dont know.  Dont tell me that I should learn to thread my machine and use it properly, as I have been sewing for 15 years and never had any threading problems. Please, dont assume I've never sewn before.

And lastly, dont berate me for using a particular thread that you dont sell in your store. I dont need to hear that you think it's '#%*!' and that this thread will stuff my machine up if I'm going to use it. And what's this about using this thread that will void my warranty? You've got to be kidding!

So sewing machine fixer- upperer man, you have made me a little irate this morning. I really dont like to start my day this way. Thank you for ruining a beautiful morning.

*ahhhhh*- that feels so much better out than in! Now to enjoy the rest of the day!

 

Breakdown

Can a girl get a break- seriously!

I was all cut and ready for a 'production line' sewing afternoon yesterday, when 'Bert', my beloved Bernina sewing machine, decided he wasn't up for the challenge and gave up.

This is Bert.

All my ideas of getting my online shop up and running on Friday are looking pretty slim, unless the magic sewing machine fix it man gets his part in sooner. *sigh* 

On the bright side, at least Bert gets a good once over before being put to hard work!