New Shorts for the Little Girl

I love cuffed shorts so when I saw the Oliver + S pattern, Puppet Show Tunic and Shorts, I was sold! This is a great pattern, elastic waist, cute gathered pockets, leg hem cuff and some gathering at the side of the legs. I chose Tonal Kaleidoscope in Pink from the Gypsy Banadana Range by Pillow and Maxfield to make these shorts and the colour and the pattern work beautifully!

This was a simple pattern to make, the instructions are easy to follow and the finishes are fabulous! I can see myself making these shorts again in a few different prints, such an excellent summer basic!

My First Sew Along - Done!

I finished my first sew along! The Rachel Wrap :) I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's a little big on Boo but still looks super cute! I love this Sandi Henderson fabric, the combination is divine!

I can see this pattern for a winter shirt with warmer fabric and longer sleeves! It might even be a great pyjama pattern!

More blocks!

I made a couple more blocks tonight, I could really see myself making a quilt out of the disappearing 9 block because it was really easy and looked complicated! The wonky log cabin block came together easily (I especially love all the pressing to one side, so neat!) but I would recommend getting a larger square ruler to make it easier.

I apologise for the photos but my camera has gone AWOL and I'm using my old one, I've asked my 3 year old a few times but no joy... it was on the dining table on Saturday morning and I haven't seen it since :( How long do I wait for it to turn up before I go and get a new one???

Rachel Wrap Top Sew Along - Picked Fabric and Cut Pattern!

The Rachel sew along started today and I've drafted my pattern and chosen my fabric. Choosing the fabric was way harder than drafting the pattern. The instructions were easy to follow and although I think the pattern might be a little on the large size for my little girl it's better than being too small right? I'll be cutting out my fabric as soon as the little ones are in bed, 1 hour 44 minutes and counting!!!

The pattern pieces ready to go... Front, Back and Sleeve!

Meadowsweet by Sandi Henderson - Love, love, love this fabric!!!!

Another Block

Another Quilts for Queensland block! Donna at Blue Mountains Girl made one of these Spinning Stars for Quilts for Queensland and I knew I wanted to do one too. She's got great taste in blocks and fabric :) Here is my version. Ain't she cute! Here's how to make one yourself.

Keeping things tidy!

My sewing things are a little out of control so I spend a few hours today sorting and folding fabric! All my yardage is done using this method and my fat quarters like this. I used the second method to fold my fat quarters, they aren't all the same size but I like that they are all tucked up and won't come undone! Maybe sorted better means they'll actually get used!!!

I don't have a before photo (have lost my camera!) but here's an after for you, still not perfect but I'm keeping it real!

Quilting Fabrics

Quilting Fabrics

Quilting fabrics on top shelf and other fabrics below

Fat Quarters!

I finished my first block for the Quilts for Queensland! I'm pretty happy with it, the colours are more vibrant in real life, the orange with the pink really pops!

Perfect Box Pouch

What a great tutorial from Modern Quilt Love!!! This is the cutest little pouch and really easy to make, definitely the easiest zipper project I've tried so far. I've got fabric cut for another one and that should only take 30 minutes to sew up!

My First Sew Along!

It's the Rachel Wrap!!!! I'm going to join a sew along on Craftiness is not optional. It's the first sew along I've joined, I hope I can do the pattern justice!

Orange Brownie - Yum!

I found a recipe on a blog this week for Orange Brownies and knew instantly that it would be tried, so much so that I actually wrote it into my recipe book where I put all my favourites - that's the first time something's gone in before it's actually been tried! My eldest and I whipped them up after dinner tonight and they are a hit! Super easy, all the ingredients, except the flour, dumped in a bowl and then beat till smooth and then add the flour.

Orange Brownies

Preheat oven to 180°c and grease a 9" x 13" pan.

Blend together:
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
225g butter, softened
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp grated orange zest

Add:
1 1/2 cups plain flour

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and set.


While baking prepare glaze:
1 cup pure icing sugar
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp grated orange zest


Let the brownies cool completely and then spread over the glaze. Let it set and then cut and enjoy!

I baked mine in an 'edge' pan, it's the first time I've used it. It was a gift from my little sister, she brought it all the way from Canada for me. I'll be using it from now on for my brownies, normally the middle brownies are a little gooey and the outside ones a little too done but in the edge pan they all seem to be perfect!

It's got the tick of approval from eldest and myself, a keeper for sure! I liked that it actually wasn't too sweet, the texture was gorgeous and the orange zest delicious! I'm going to slice it up, cling film it (ceran wrap from my friends across the Atlantic) and freeze it. I'm sure it'll all be gone in a matter of hours otherwise! As it is there is a very real danger of it becoming dinner tonight :-)

A Binding Flange...

What an awesome idea to add a little somethin' somethin' extra to a quilt! I love it :)

A simple zipper pouch!

I made this from a tutorial (can't remember which one now - doh!) and I think it turned out pretty well. I'm not very good with zips but it's only practice that will help right. I've got all the components cut for a couple of Modern Quilt Love's Boxy Pouches, as soon as the chidlets are off to bed tonight and the husband is fed I'll be in front of my machine! Can't wait :) This fabric is California Dreamin by Jenean Morrison. I think I need the aqua colourway too :)

My first ever Mug Rug!

I've had a mug rug on my list of things to do for a while so the arrival of my new fabric was as good a time as any to play! It's a pretty simple design, just a little 9 block with a kona yellow around it. It's inspired by this amazing creation in Nicey Jane, mine is a very poor cousin indeed!!! I love this fabric range, it's Party Dress by Bo Medell. I especially love the stripes for binding!

I followed Kerry's binding tutorial from verykerryberry and it's wonderful! Definitely easy to follow and I think I did an OK job, I need to do a little more work on the corners but I'm still happy :)

Check out flickr for inspiration!

My fabric has arrived!

The fabric I ordered from Hawthorne Threads has arrived :) I got 30 yards of fabric, plus 2 fat quarter bundle packs and a scrap pack!!!

Now to find some time away from the chidlets and do some sewing!!!

Blocks for Brisbane!

The lovely Corrie from Retromummy is organising 'Quilts for Queensland' for flood victims. You can make blocks, either 1 or 100 or a quilt and they will be distributed to the  flood victims in Queensland.



Such a worthwhile cause, please get involved if you can!

Fabric Giveaway... Follow the Link!

Red Pepper Quilts is giving away a Fat Quarter Bundle of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms!

Fabric Giveaway... Follow the Link!

Quilt Dad is giving away some gorgeous Pat Bravo fabric, follow the link to check it out!

A gift for a little Girl turning One!

I stitched up a gift for my cousin's little girl who is one today. The cupcake stitching is my own design and is sewn onto the front of her birthday card, I made the Kokeshi Stuffie which is a free download from Melly and Me. I love her patterns, definitely keen to try another one of her stuffies, I think either the elephant or the giraffe!

Fabric Giveaway... Follow the Link!

Head on over to Fussy Cut and see what the fuss is about!