Happy

James made this.

His design, his ideas, his hands.

It's a pencil box.

 I'm so proud of him.

He is totally beaming, he is so proud of himself.

Pete gave James a little help and guidance along the way.

Y-A-L Challenge

 This is the first item finished on my Y-A-L  challenge.

Pattern:  Bebop Cardi from Lion Brand Website

Yarn: Cardellino by Moda Vera, 3 balls.

I bought the yarn at spotlight earlier this week.

A total bargain, I bought 10 balls for $10 total.

 The Crafty Mama's Forum is having a Yarn A  Long Challenge.

You set your own challenge, write your challenge on the forum thread.

If you complete it by the end of February you go in the draw for a prize. 

Just to keep us all encouraged.

Here is my challenge:

1. A Pair of Socks to finish - I've already knit half a sock, was supposed to be Pete's Christmas present.

2. I bought Shannon's Versa pattern a couple of weeks ago. So that is on the list. Yarn: Acrylic from Spotlight sale Cardellino. I got 1kg for $10!!

3. A Hetty Not sure which yarn as yet, but it is for Lilly the grot monster, Miss I'll put this on to go dig up the veggie patch and roll in the mud.

4. A pair of gloves or mitts for FOR ME!! Will come back and add a link when I've found THE pattern.I decided on THESE

5. A Bebop Cardi Because I really liked the link Liz put up to it and it should be a really quick project too.

So I can cross the Bebop Cardi off my list.

I feel like I'm cheating with this one as it was very quick to crochet up.

Fixing Mistakes

I'm currently knitting Hetty by Sarah Wright

I'm happily knitting along and then I notice it.

Instead of seed stitching 3 rows I'd only seed stitched 2 and a half rows.

Do I rip back and fix it?

Do I knit on as the mistake isn't really obvious.

Do I go back now and fix it?

  If I get to the end and then decided I can't live with the mistake, 

the fixing will take a lot more effort.

Decisions, decisions....

What do I do?

Some mistakes are just too big to leave unfixed.

Some mistakes I'll never see.

And some mistakes just add to the character of the fabric, 

design elements, as I like to call them.

That got me thinking about the mistakes I've made in life.

Do I go on and make the most of it or do I  go back and make amends?
Some mistakes in life can never be fixed,
the really bad ones you just have to pick yourself up from and move on.

Decisions, Decision.

Maybe knitting just gives me too much time to think!

.

Process Verses Outcome

 "Mum, but you promised! I want to learn to sew."

I've been promising the girls a sewing lesson for most of the holidays.

This being almost the last day I had to honor that commitment.

 I must be honest and say I didn't do it with good grace.

Despite a degree in Education and 10 years in schools,

I can be rather impatient when teaching my own.

  Rose did choose something way beyond her skill level.

I had Mother Gothel singing in my head, "Mother Knows best, take it from me..."
So in an effort, not to be the manipulative mother, I reluctantly agreed to Rose's project choice.

Rose got very frustrated when things didn't go to plan.

Fur fabric is not the easiest of materials to work with.

After a few tears, we managed to get to the end.

 Did Rose or I enjoy the process? 

I'd say not.

Does Rose enjoy the outcome?

I think so.

Were all the tears and frustrations worth it?

I'm not sure. 

I would of preferred the easy option.

 There are lots of things I do that I enjoy the process of.

And many things I don't. Like gathering.

I do the less enjoyable tasks to get an enjoyable outcome.

I like a clean kitchen, but don't enjoy the cleaning.

I like fresh sheets on the bed, but don't enjoy stripping and washing the sheets.

Maybe I need to learn to enjoy and value the process more.

As a Maths teacher I spent a lot of time telling students 

that the working out is as important as the right answer.

Maybe I should take my own advice.

Fern chose a less challenging project, a pair of shorts.

She is thrilled with the outcome and her process was a lot easier than Rose's.

I'm an outcome junkie.

I love the feeling of finishing.

Parenting is hard for me, I don't get an outcome at the end of the day.

Parenting really is all about the process.

The outcome I'll not see until my own children are raising my grandkids.

I really do need to become more process focused and less outcome driven.

Taking time to be in the moment.

Less of a sprinter and more of a marathon runner.

Rainbow Dress

 

Remember this?

 It's now THIS

 My model is very reluctant today.

It's stinking hot and her mother is making her put on a wool dress.

Yarn: handspun EL, grown and Dyed by Jane of Moseley Park fame.

Pattern: Maxi Top/ Dress by Elena Nodel

Needles: 4.5mm

Variations: Lots. I increased to put some flare in the skirt.

It's been a mad few days here.

The professionals are back and we now have ceilings and plaster dust.

The new door to the toilet is in and the old one bricked up.

You have to whistle when you shower as we still don't have a bathroom door.

The girls and I went to Adelaide yesterday to watch Tangled.

I'm still not sure if I liked the movie, the manipulative mother bit, has me a little uneasy.

I suppose it is part of life, people who pretend to be caring for their own gain.

But is this suitable for a kids movie?

I did enjoy the movie and it made me think about conditional and unconditional love. 

It made me think about parenting and how I do it.

Am I as manipulative, as mother Gothel?

And is that always a bad thing?

Don't we do it to protect our kids, to raise them with the values we feel are important?

And when do we "allow" our kids to form their own value system?

And how do we react when our kids choose different values to our own?

And the Raffle Winner is......

Barra!

James did the honors of drawing the name out of the bowl this time.

Thanks  you to everyone for entering.

And Thank you to Toni for organising the Auctions and Raffles.

Barra please contact me with your details so I can get your scarf sent to you ASAP

And The Winner is .....

Michelle!!

Congratulations Michelle

Thank you to everyone who bid.

Thank you to Toni and Carli for organising the Auctions.

Vintage frock, designed by Enid, sewn by me

 I spent the day sewing.

I made three outfits today. 

Another culottes for Lilly, a jumpsuit for Rose and a dress for Fern.

My back is sore, I forgot to get up and stretch.

 Book: Ten to Teens

Pattern: Jumpsuit

 Fabric: Poly cotton from the Oppie

Made For: Rose

 Book: Dresses for Your Daughter

Simple Pattern with Variations.

 I even added the flower pocket detail as Enid designed.

I added the winged sleeves, flared skirt and collar.

The fabric I found at the op shop.

.This dress came together beautifully.

Fern loves it.

 A real vintage pattern and the fabric is probably as old.

There was an option to add a gathered skirt but I think the flared one looks nicer.

 My little vintage girls

I Love Enid! Culottes for Lilly

 I spent the morning jamming plums, baking homemade sausage rolls and making trifle.

 But I had that bored, restless feeling. 

That can only be soothed with a good crafting project.

I spen a happy hour browsing my Enid collection.

Looking for something I've not made before.

 I drafted up the pattern.

Then searched through the piles and piles and piles of fabrics,

looking for something just right.

Not too heavy, not too light. 

Not too dull, not too bright. 

Not too plain, not too fussy.

 I'm not sure who gave me this fabric or which Op-shop I bought it from.

But it's perfect!

 I made the culottes almost just as Enid said.

Next time I'll leave out the zip in the side,

as Lilly had no problem getting into the culottes with the zip fastened.

 The perfect little outfit for my tomboyish little girls.

No showing your knickers when you jump on the trampoline, 

climb the gate or  over the fence.

The buttons came from the op-shop.

The Auction ends tomorrow at 9pm!

Sorry I had to change the time to keep it in line with the other auctions.

I'm pretty excited to be able to be apart of this fabulous fundraiser.

Toni is estimating we will raise over $45,000

Isn't that amazing, every little amount sure does help.

Auction - We're Going On A Bear Hunt! (close of Auction Changed)

 This is a cot sized quilt.

It is unique. I designed and made this quilt. 

There is no other like it.

 It is made of quality patchwork cotton fabrics and batting.

 It is pieced, appliqued and free motion quilted.

 I have included a label on the back which can be personalised as the winner wishes.

 This is a quilt that will become a treasured heirloom. 

To be handed down from mother to daughter.

This quilt will tell a story, not just of the Bear's, but of the lives it has touched.

The story can start with your generous bid to win it. 

How this auction works:
1.  Bidding will start at $50 (Australian).
2.  You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address.  Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.  
3.  Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4.  This auction is open to everyone,   Postage is FREE.
5.  The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight 9 pm on Monday 24th January 2011.
6.  At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address).  The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email.  Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your quilt to you.
7.  Thank you for participating and happy bidding!

Baby's Sunsuit From Play Clothes by Enid

 I've not made this one before.

After seeing THIS and THIS version by Vicki I had to give it a go.

 To avoid forgetting to add seam allowance when cutting. 

I find it easiest to draft the seam allowances onto the pattern before I cut it out.

A french curve and quilters ruler make drafting a lot eaiser.

 I'm using a pillowcase to make Heather's Sunsuit.

 I bought a pair for $1 at the op shop.

The other I made into a peasant Dress.

I made the dress too long so shortened it with a tuck.

Yep, it's crooked.

 And here's the sunsuit all sewn up.

I followed Enid's instructions

 I think she likes it.

 It's a nice fit too

Pattern: Baby's Sunsuit

Book: Play Clothes

Size: 9 to 18 months

Fabric: Pillowcase