Sewing

Not a lot of sewing going on around here, but did manage a couple of toy bags with windows as a gift.  BTW, it's a gorgeous day in Devonport today.  Lord knows why I'm inside on the puter!

Half Hearted

I'm not really interested in my sewing these days.  Winter was my best sewing time in days past, but I struggle for inspiration now.  A bit of knitting is usually all I can manage.  The Dog's Home, on the other hand, seems to be full to the brim with ever more dogs, all looking for that special someone to take them home.  The poor things have to spend a good part of their day shut into a dismal cage, and if they are lucky they'll get paired up with a mate to play with.  According to our volunteer's sign in book, there are days when nobody turns up at all to walk a few dogs, and from experience, ALL dogs like a walk.   

Experimental Sewing

Occasionally I'll find a pattern on the internet that I like to try out.  This one was quick and inexpensive so thought I would try it.  It was fun giving it to my niece and telling her to guess what it was.  She didn't have a clue.  It's supposed to act as a restraint for a baby on a dining chair.  I don't think it will work very well, and if it does, it won't be used for very long.  We'll see:

More Sewing

Some occasional sewing being done:

Sewing Bits and Bobs

Not a lot of sewing being done here lately.  By the time the mending is done, presents sewn, clothes made etc.  not a lot of fun stuff gets done.

Smile Maker Tuesday

Following Lollie Pops Place's lead, I'm going to list a few things I have to be grateful for.  Winter tends to make me gloomy and negative, so it doesn't hurt to count my blessings occasionally.

This week, I'm grateful for:

Still having a wood burner to keep us warm

Having my nice neighbour to go out for coffee with 

Having little Louie to cuddle and play with

Nursing a brand new baby girl grand niece, and sewing presents for her

I could go on but that will do for this week.  Now I'll try and find a nice picture to go with the theme.  

Fun Stuff

Sometimes it's fun to just play around with colour, and lately I'm semi-obsessed with felt, and googling felt projects brings up so many fun things to make.  I'll just keep playing until I get it out of my system:

Sewing

Aren't they cute?  I saw them at Clare's Craftroom and decided to make a few.  And they were really easy to make.  Edit:  I just found another version at Spun Sugar Quilts.

Sewing

A little bit of sewing being done.  A couple of simple sand filled door stops for my lovely neighbours.  And a stash busting Christmas stocking (idea pinched from somewhere on the internets).

Better Late Than Never

I finally finished my grand niece's Christmas stocking.  I tried sewing various types of beads onto the red fabric, but nothing looked right.  So plain it stays.

Some Practical Sewing

I finished a little bit of sewing at the weekend.  A practical carry bag for camping with waterproof lining and inside zip pockets.  It'll keep my camera etc safe and dry.  I went to the Spreyton Apple Festival on Sunday.  It was a nice day for it, but the breeze was a bit chilly.

My grand niece turned 3 on Sunday, so I sewed up a quick apron for her with her initial embroidered on the front.  I also made a tinkerbell dress in green satin and organza, but because Tinkerbell is an adult fairy, and wears a strapless fitted dress which isn't really suitable for a 3 year old, I made mine with shoulders.  I didn't get a decent photo as usual. 

Sewing

Not a LOT of sewing going on here, but I'm making up a Christmas stocking for my little grand niece, using the same style and size as one I made for her brother.  I must have had patience when I made it, cos I've sewn lots of tiny beads to the fabric, and embroidered his name to the fold over top.  And I've got a whole year to get it done.

Sewing

I decided to drag out my old hand sewing project, for those nights when I'm too tired to do anything much.  It's a quilt-as-you-go hexagon quilt, but there's still a lot to do:

Upcycling

I love these quick little jobs.  A new cover for a footstool, made from an old doona cover bought at a garage sale.  There was so much fabric in it, I'm thinking of other projects to use it for.  I have to wait for my awful flu to go away first though.

I Love List Ticking

Another job crossed off my list (I'm a list person) of sewing jobs.  A pile of waterproofed bibs for a friend.  I would be in a permanent state of chaos if I didn't have lists for everything.

Sewing

My rather shabby old tree skirt gets a new applique every Christmas, to hide the fluffy red felt.  This year it's a Liz Toth and Carol McSherry bear embroidery pattern, which converts to applique really well.

Some Finishes

I finished the banners I was making for presents, and the peas are finished for the year.  I had fun eating the last of them before pulling the plants out.  When this rain stops, I can plant out some carrots I think.

Sewing

I'm still sewing, even if I do forget to take photos.   This week it's dog costumes and flag banners for Christmas presents.  We're only buying (or sewing in my case) for the children this year.  In years past I would sew ALL the presents, which was taking me 3 months of my sewing time.  I couldn't keep that up, so this year I only have 5 to make.  The dog costumes look sort of weird, but I'm hoping they look better on.

Arrr!

I always forget to take photos of my sewing projects, but I managed to get this one before I wrapped it for my grand nephew's fifth birthday.  A pirate costume, which was a lot of fun to google and make.  The red bit is a belt sash/head scarf, and there is an eye patch and pirate flag, and it was all made with things from my various stashes:

Ps:  And I forgot to add that by happy coincidence, the birthday cake was a pirate ship!