busy times

Many apologies for being around for a while, I have been flat out.

Some things i have been working on.

Red linen pinnie with hand printed bird (robin?).

Corduroy pinnie with hand printed hare.

Still more to come.....


 

hi ho, hi ho....off to the library we go...

Here are just a couple of variations of library bag samples I have been working on this week.

1) Simple drawstring bag.

2) Lined drawstring bag- front pocket- contrasting casing.

3) Backpack style with monogram

Miss B automatically thinks that anything with a 'B' on it is hers. Sadly this one is not for her. So I'll have to make another just to keep the peace!


   

sreenprinting basics

I've been meaning to try my hand at screen printing for positively ages- seriously....years! You know how you bookmark all those tutorials you really wish to try out and very rarely get to any of them. Well this was in that very list.

So, I don't know what possessed me to try printing tonight, but with glass of red wine in one hand and scalpel in the other, I was more than ready (and probably dangerous too)!

There are so many different types of screen printing for beginners. The freezer paper technique, photo emulsion, or this tutorial-making a screen print from contact paper.

It was super easy to do. The tutorial is well set out and easy to follow.
I was quite impressed with my first attempt. (Except I burnt the fabric in the oven whilst trying to heat set it)!

I'd definitely give it another go. And this time wont forget the fabric in the oven!

little red pinnie

This lovely little dress is on its way to a new home tomorrow. A custom for Miss A.

I made it using my favourite colour - red- in a very coarse weave fabric ( it looks like a cotton linen blend). The texture of the dress is really beautiful. It's quite heavy and thick, perfect for upcoming Autumn.
I hope it sees lots of wear.

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.