This may sound odd, but when it comes to having a few hours of ‘spare time’ (ie the kids are with Rob or are miraculously asleep at the same time) the first thing I want to do is work.  And that means sewing, drawing or making something.  So when I came across these posts about craftweekends over on the Pea Soup blog I started giggling and jumping up and down inside.  I wanted to email them and ask if could please come too?  Except they’re in Australia, and well, the littlees and I have not had a night apart ever, and will probably not have one for a while yet.

But this month I’m having my first Sew a Long!  My biggest problem now is which projects to take?

Here are but some of my options..  I’m thinking the shorter long sleeved version lower left.  Not sure what the fabric is, will have to suss it out, it is very light and floaty, such a beautiful print, it feels cool to touch and seems to crease.

I like the look of the low waisted sash on the lower right, not sure if there’s enough fabric…

Though I like this pattern too, I think maybe the version with the low neckline and sleeveless, left hand version.  The fabric is a crepe, with a slight stretch to it.

Hey see you this Sunday!!

Phew!  Just in time for Kraftbomb this coming weekend…  Lovely new cotton snack bags, I’ve been avoiding plastic for a while, and love using soft fabric ouches and small bags for mine and my kids on the go snacks.

I use mine for bread rolls, nuts, apples, these are fabric so good for dry goods, and thy wash well!  I have chosen and carefully laundered vintage cottons, and whipped them up into these handy (and so pretty!) snack bags.

These are my ones, come and see me this weekend to get your own!

Kraftbomb

Sunday 25th March
11 am – 2 pm
The Grey Lynn Community Centre
510 Richmond Road
Grey Lynn
Auckland

A current project I’m working on is documenting our family handwork, specifically the collection of vintage embroidery.  This includes work by my nana Shirley and her mother, and some other unknowns, maybe older family pieces, or work made by family friends.

This is one of my favourite sets, I love the beige colour, the composition of the the violets and the wide crochet boarder.

So simple, and the reverse of this piece is so perfect, you know the sewer was skilled.

See?  Not a thread loose.

More old curiousities from mum’s place.  I have always remembered this doll, I think it’s the print on the fabric, and s/he’s also like my sleepy dolly that I had (and still have) when I was little.

She is a little worse for wear, sadly.  Though she has been well loved.

I was interested to see how she was finished where she was closed after stuffing, straight down the back.  Not what I had expected.

She’s on the vintage yoyo blanket…

It’s the creek!  Says Luna.

We like simple toys here, and it’s not original, but we had a few logs lying around in the back yard after taking out some undesirable trees (so these babies are not made from lovely friendly willow or anything..) and we had had a few rainy days, so I suggested we make some new toys…

Simple is definitely best for kids to really play.  We just cut the logs in short lengths, maybe between 20 -80 mm, Rob cut a few ‘half’ logs.  These are great for making trucks!

Old Austin was not that keen on it all, I pulled out some stones, and the pine cones.

I also enjoyed setting up some imaginary worlds…

I pulled out the felt pieces, which are often land or water for plastic animals…

Good fun!

Look!  I have company, well, the quiet, just-standing-behind-you-here-while-you-sew kind of company!

I’ve been dreaming of having a dress form to work with now I’m making all these dresses, so I’m very excited, just need some time together and to pad her out a bit, sizing-wise she’s close but a bit skinny, probably on account of not having any children, heh.

I new work in progress, I’m enjoying a bit of freedom to pursue crochet again…

This one increases every stitch so I’m getting fast results, lots of curling and it’s actually getting difficult to work with.

We’ll see where this one leads…

Love how these were colour coordinated with the kitten pictured on the tin…

Stunning.  But what’s inside?

I just get all excited when I find treats like this!

And this one?

It’s only crammed full with bias binding (Yusss!)

This lot above was from another flowery tin, more bias binding, some wider pieces this time…  yipeee!

I’m resisting the urge to put bias binding on all my edges, yes, even frocks.  I know I’ll have fun, but I know I will regret it!

All this thanks to my nana, and my mum of course for keeping EVERYTHING.  Here’s my nana, my grandfather and my dad:

Hey do read Kiwi Mummy Blogs?

I’ve been on there for a while and I have the honor of doing a giveaway!  Wohoo!  I have one of my new Hanging Strawberry Sewing kits to giveaway to some lucky punk, and that could be you.  You could sew up your own string of strawberries or give it as a gift to a keen craftsy type.  This kit is for a small string of three strawberries.

You just need to visit the giveaways page, over here, post a comment and you’re in, you have until Dec 11th, so get on over there!