Homespun – The Kid’s Issue!

I expect there were a few mum’s in Victoria rubbing their eyes this morning as they embarked on the first school run of this new school term! With an hour’s less sleep due to the clock’s moving forward with Daylight Savings, I sure know I found it difficult to function!

I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve opened the microwave in order to get the milk out of the refrigerator!! And I really shouldn’t keep the dry dog food on top of the washing machine – it has been scooped and poured in to the washing powder dispenser of my machine one too many times! I prefer my clothes to smell like ‘spring meadows’ – call me old fashioned – but ‘beef & liver’ just isn’t my thing!

So while DS went back to High School, Little Miss Chatterbox (oops – I mean DD!) and I enjoyed the morning sunshine out in the garden. My little Miss was much more energetic than I, jumping up and down on her trampoline, but I must admit that once I’d picked up a copy of Australian Homespun magazine from my mailbox, I too joined in with her bouncy celebrations!!

For within the pages of this annual Kid’s Issue…

Is my ‘Rosie’s nappy stacker’ project!

The magazines really do style the projects so beautifully. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the stylists go out on location, gathering their nick-nacks and visiting gorgeous homes!

As with my previous Homespun project, this one was designed for my daughter (yep – the chatty one!) for her nursery some five-plus years ago. If you’re interested I posted about her room when I first started blogging – just pop over here for a tour.

If you live overseas but would like to purchase Homespun, please refer here for a list of stockists in your Country. (Una darling – I’ll purchase an extra copy of this current issue to send to you!!)

Homespun never disappoints and this issue is cram-packed-full of stunning projects! But my favourite is this delightful wall-hanging designed by Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches. I plan to make it for a dear friend of mine in England who recently had her first baby.

Oh – and yesterday I purchased some fabric to make Little Miss Chatterbox this top from my recently purchased book (see last post).

I just need to get hold of some more spaghetti bias now and I’m thinking of making my own as it will be cheaper than buying from the US (because I need a vast quantity!!). I can’t find a stockist in Australia – so if anyone knows where to buy the cotton gingham spaghetti bias within Australasia (or economically, overseas), I’d really appreciate the heads-up!

Rightio – I’m off to cook some dinner! Speak to you soon!

Hugs! Vikki :-)

Share

Have you heard?

Gosh, there seems to be so much going on in blogland at the moment!

Have you heard…

That the gorgeous, festive, Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique is offering an abundance of goodies – in so many forms – to get us organised for a handmade Christmas? There’s so much inspiration on the agenda over the next few weeks that I heard Santa’s elves had decided to take a mini-break so they can keep up with the goings-on!

Plus, I’m sure they’ll be entering this wonderful giveaway designed and painted by Kerryanne, herself. Who wouldn’t?!! It’s a Christmas planner, all bound and ready for you to insert your to-do lists, recipes and everything else that Kerryanne will be offering over the coming weeks.

Just click on either image to take you to Kerryanne’s grotto – oops – I mean, Shabby Art Boutique!

I plan on getting really organised for Christmas this year, I want to create personalised settings for our table so that dinner is extra-special! I want to make plum pudding and sew gifts for friends and family! I plan to completely over-indulge in the festive spirit and thoroughly enjoy it! How about you?

If Fall is more your thing, have you heard?

That this beautiful covered-candy-jar project is being offered as a freebie by the lovely Roseann of Rosebud’s Cottage?

Check this out!

Isn’t it delightful?!! Pop on over here if you would like to meet Roseann and download her pattern!

A project for my ever-growing To Do list - which I plan to attack in the very near future!!

Last of all I just have to share that the gorgeous Allie of Allie-oops-sweet-happy-life! has designed the most gorgeous stitchery project – it’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous – and yes you’ve guessed it – another project on my to-do list!!!

Talking of projects on my to-do list, there were several more added today because my eagerly-awaited book arrived in the mail! Kari Mecca’s More Sewing with Whimsy…

I also purchased a few yards of Spaghetti bias to make some of the trims (left in the pic); and Kari’s “Whimsy Sticks” (pictured right) designed to help create many of the gorgeous embellishments used in her designs.

Would you like to see within the pages?

It’s a beautiful book in its own right – how gorgeous is the opening page? Plus – I LOVE each and every project – always a bonus! *giggle*

I purchased my goodies from this eBay shop and the service was friendly and expedient! Now I need to stock-up on a few more ribbons and trims and invade my stash!

My sewing machine is beckoning… no, BEGGING me to spend an afternoon or two sewing! How can I refuse?? That would be just plain mean wouldn’t it?!!

What are YOU getting up to this weekend?

Hugs! Vikki xx

Share

A book review, new magazine and sneak peek!

As the summer months approach I am feeling more and more excited about the prospect of making some sweet clothes for my young DD. A friend of mine put me on to this wonderful book, and I thought I would share it with you. It’s called Making Children’s Clothes, by Emma Hardy.

There are 25 fantastic projects in this book for both girls and boys aged between 0-5 years old. The great thing? Full size patterns included – gotta love that!!

Gorgeous designs hey? I think I’ll be using some of my fabric stash for a few of these projects including these…

This range is called Mendocino by Heather Ross for Free Spirit.

Although I haven’t actually made any of the patterns from this book as yet, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the projects, the easy-to-understand diagrams and the full-size pattern sheets. Most projects look really simple to make, with just a few steps involved, but the use of gorgeous fabrics and embellishments really make them stand out from the crowd. On this basis – I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to make some bespoke clothing for the children in their lives. I’ll be sure to show you when I begin sewing the projects myself! (I purchased my copy from here.)

On the same topic of children’s clothing, I bought this magazine recently and have been bubbling with excitement ever since!

Sew Beautiful, issue no131, 2010. Don’t you just love the detail on the front cover? It is a close-up of this gorgeous little top designed by Kari Mecca… and all I can say is WOW!

I wish this picture was clearer… it is taken from the magazine. The article pictures Kari’s latest designs as published in her new book “More sewing with Whimsy”. I have ordered my copy!!! Here is another page from the magazine…

My dress-making history has seen me make two pairs of baby pyjamas, and two tops for myself – neither of which I have actually finished! BUT! I am inspired… SEW inspired!!! :-)

Do you have any favourite dressmaking books you’d like to share?

On the sewing front, I have been a stitching machine! Tuesday is my deadline for getting projects to Creating Country Threads for my profile piece in January, where I will also have a project published. Here’s a sneak peek!

Until next time – have a lovely weekend! Hugs! Vikki xx

Share

Happy Fathers Day, Mr Boggler!

I’d like to introduce you to a very special person in my life…

…this is Mr Boggler!

Oh Okay – I cheated just a bit – this isn’t THE Mr Boggler, this is a doll I made in his likeness some years ago! Mr Boggler is my wonderful Father in Law and he is named so because for 15 years he owned and ran a games shop aptly-named, Mind Bogglers.

I made the above doll for his 60th birthday – complete with a carrier-bag of games (I cut out pictures from toy catalogues and stuck them to foam and cardboard) and a stamp album (Dad also collects stamps and postal memorabilia); and I dressed him in his favourite chequered shirt!

Here he is in true form – this photo was taken nine years ago when my DS and I first visited Australia with Mr SUDs! I absolutely adore this photo. Dad is reading a book with Aaron – he’s so great with kids – the most wonderful Grandad you could imagine! Every Christmas he allows his beard to grow long intentionally so that children stare in wide-eyed amazement… excitedly wondering if he is Father Christmas! :-) Indeed, both of his grandchildren have wondered the very same thing!

I really love this next photo too! This was taken during the same trip to Melbourne in 2001, of me and my parents-in-law at the top of Mount Dandenong:

Aren’t they gorgeous? I really love my parents-in-law! My “Mum and Dad”! Can you guess?!! :-)

It’s Fathers Day here in Australia, and I know that Mr Boggler (giggle) reads my blog… so this is for you, Dad!

I know, I know… Fathers Day!

When you’ve finished boggling and your mind is running free

your nose will be alerted to a fresh hot cup of tea…

And when that tea is finished and your tummy starts to rumble

I’ll serve your fave Roast dinner - followed by apple crumble…

~~

I know the one thing that you love more than Roasts and cups of tea…

...and that is spending special time with your loving family!

So come on over Dad – hugs and kisses - they abound!

Our love for you is strong and true, it’s utterly profound!

xxx

(Love ya, my mind-boggling Dad!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxx)

I can’t resist sharing this next photo with you as well – when I look at it, I feel the deep love I have for Dad and think it really shows in this pic!

Having a cuddle on my wedding day this year:

~~~

Among the Gum Trees’ birthday bash!

September is a very special month – not only is it Fathers Day here in Australia – but my friends and I from Among the Gum Trees are celebrating our First Anniversary!! We are having giveaways on the blog every day so if you haven’t done so already – head on over and enter! Today is my turn to give away a ‘birthday’ prize! I am gifting this book:

I haven’t read it myself but have some excellent recommendations! I plan to purchase a copy, too!! So head on over here to enter our giveaways and party along with us!

Until next time – Hugs! Vikki xx :-)

Share