My blog list........

IS GONE! It says that I currently am following NO blogs! What has happened??? Where are all my beloved blogs??

Having Sew Much Fun

Over the weekend I had a bit of a crash into the gloomy pit. I think it was a combination of tiredness, sick children, my pnd support group coming up to its last session and Hubby having work for the last three weekends. I felt like my reserve tank had run out and I came to a screaming halt very quickly. Hubby was kind enough to see I was depleted and lacking any motivation what-so-ever. He took Monday off work to spend some time together - something that felt like forever since we had last. He took me out to lunch and then fabric shopping at Spotlight - the way to my blue heart that day!

I have found my delight lately in my sewing machine. Over the last few days I have whipped up a few things that I am quite proud of and also learned some new sewing techniques. I have found a quiet peace in the planning, cutting, pressing and sewing. So much so that I have left the housework to sew - which is so not me! I am thankful to have found a small pleasure in which I can thank my Creator for making me a creative person like Him.

This was my first project of the week. A top for Jaybug. It was very easy with four pieces all cut out the same then sewn together adding a bottom tie for some colour last.

I then moved on to the pair of pants I have been wanting to make that Brigitte put up on her blog from Kojo designs. Only thing was I can't find one of the Hubby's T-shirts to cut up so instead I made them out of a light cotton I picked up for $3 per/metre.

The fabric is so cute and makes an awesome pair of light summer weight pants for Squeak. And I was so impressed how super easy they were to make, using a pair of his pants as a pattern.

Mr summer no shirt!

So cute with your little arm rolls Squeak

Quack then decided he was being left out and wanted to know what I was going to make him. As I don't as yet have a pattern stash I decided to take a pair of his summer P.J.s and make him some from the same fabric I used for Squeak.

I am yet to make the matching button down shirt as this looks a little more complicated but I am slowing working up to it.

And my last item to brag is the one I have loved most. It is a very cute dressed I made from one of my Sew Hip mags. I learned how to cut fabric strips on the bias and make bias binding. I found this handy tip online of a great way to press your bias binding in half.

Pulling the fabric under a needle pushed through your ironing board cover.

And placing the iron next to the needle so as you pull it presses it.

I know some of you will have a bias tape maker but I thought this was a very cleaver D.I.Y option! And the dress is stunning. I am so proud of my learning in the last few weeks. Again it was made from clearance fabric but I think it is just stunning.

I am yet to have Jaybug to model it.

To begin with I was a little unsure of the colour combination. But I am pleased with the finished result.

Now the next big mission is funding this new found love of sewing. I am currently thinking about becoming a Tupperware demonstrator as this would serve me a least four purposes:
1. I could earn some extra money,
2. I get to have an excuse to go out (and somewhere to go),
3. Meeting new people,
4. And buying more Tupperware (probably my favourite reason).

So just wondering what other ways you use to fund your crafts, hobbies, obsessions??

Flowers filling my life

Yesterday I came across a really nice skirt pattern in one of my sew hip mags. I loved that it was a long skirt but not too long for my slightly short legs. I find that I really like the long skirts and dresses in the shops at the moment but they always leave me feeling afraid of tripping over their length. As my sewing adventure has just begun I thought I wouldn't get too optimistic and use the nice fabric I purchased the other day, instead I would use a floral sheet as a practice run. I finished it in about 2 hours and was really surprised by how easy it was. Simply three tubes each one slightly bigger than the last sewn together. As I am not practiced in gathering yet I used an easy trick shown in the mag to zig-zag stitch then thread a thicker thread through this and pull to gather. Then simply make sure the two tubes are the same size and machine stitch together. I also didn't have the elastic for the waist to made a simple draw-string version instead.

My sewn bo-ho skirt

I was so pleased with it that I will now make one for 'actual' bought fabric. But I also love the bo-ho look this one has too. So much so, that I am going to wear it today to Quack's school assembly - his class of five and six year old's are running it.

My amazing Hubby also surprised me yesterday with this beautiful, bright bunch of flowers. I am so proud of him for knowing exactly what I needed yesterday to lift my mood.

Much needed brightening flowers

So today I am filled with happiness due to the wonderful bunch of flowers sitting on the dining table and the ones wrapping my waist.

Feeling A Crafty Pull

Recently I have begun to feel drawn to some of your awesome blogs which have shown some super cool works of craft. I love to see a project finished and it gives me the motivation to learn to do new things. I have been moaning to the Hubby lately about not having any interests outside the home and find it hard when he goes out as I feel I am always stuck here. But then I realised why can't I be happy and enjoy my time at home? And what better way to do it then getting crafty?

I was super inspired by this post to begin with from Brigitte's Stay at Home Mamma Blog. It got  me so excited I went out to our local Magazine Shack, which sells, buys and swaps magazines. I came home with a pile of Sew Hip Mags, which is a U.K. sewing magazine.

They contain super patterns and are anything from beginner to advance so anyone can find something in here. I found a pattern for a pillow case dress. All you did was cut the top off, cut out some arm holes, make a casing at the neck and thread it with a tie. Super simple!

I decorated with buttons too, to add colour.

Then in following with Brigitte's post I started to think what else I could use to make Jaybug a dress. I ended up pulling out some single sheets that we never use and made this dress.

Thanks to the beautiful Jaybug for her modeling 

Brigitte then posted these which have to be the super cutest pants I have ever seen and I am planning on raiding the hubby's T-shirt draw to make Squeak some. But on her post was also a link to where she got the pattern from and I have fallen in love with this blog - Kojodesigns.

I have also found some awesome patterns in my Sew Hip for some cute felt monster, some Chenille bunnies and some material dolls. Paisley Jade's post here is so cute with her little bunnies that I am going to make some bits and pieces for Christmas. Her awesome crochet - like this baseball cap are also inspiring me to learn to crochet. I also found these on Virginia blue's blog - aren't they cozy!

Tonight Quack has his first Fancy Dress Ball and the theme is Wild West Hootenanny. So I have been busy making Quack and Jaybug some vests and bandannas for there outfits. They are calling themselves Woody and Jessie!

As the vests are the first "real" pattern and item I have constructed I am so pleased with how well they turned out. I managed to buy 1 metre of the brown material for $3 from Spotlight and the red bandannas are a top of mine that was no longer needed by me. So now I am looking for my next project, as I have taken over the dining table!

And the only other thing more exciting than feeling crafty is that Squeak has learned to say Mum! Apart from babbling 'bubba' for the last couple of weeks, with no meaning, it is his first real word. So now when he wants something he just says Mum and I burst with joy every time.

Squeak with his first ever ice cream in a cone

Winning stuff/receiving parcels

I felt so extra special when I won the giveaway from Widge's Blog - My guide to survivng and enjoying life's mundane .

It was for an super cute clip from Little Molly Designs - little molly designs.
Check them out if you dare to fall in love with every item they have!

Even looking at the blog announcement I couldn't believe I had won - And the winner is......

And then the parcel arrived and it was even better as it also contained a little note, some scrapbooking pocket and 6 Ferrero Rocher! (which I got one of and Jaybug devoured the rest while I was busy, hence the reason why they are not pictured)

Thanks so much Widge! You made my day sparkle :) Oh and obviously Jaybug thinks you are pretty awesome too.

Dark shadow

How do you describe a feeling that leaves you numb and void?
A great hole of nothing,
That overwhelmingly becomes a canyon.
Assaulted by a dark predator,
Hiding in the shadows,
Waiting until I am distracted enough to not notice his subtle following and attachment.
I recognise the signs earlier now,
But it still doesn't help me kick this unwanted stranger back to where he came from.

I wish I could say I am stronger this time,
But the pain of disappointment, that this has happened again, strikes me hard.
What I do know is that I have a friend,
Who with His strength I will conquer this time.
I know I am held in His hand and am comforted by His words.

This time the darkness will not own me.
It will not play Russian roulette with my life.
I will learn to defeat you, dark unpleasant shadow,
Because even though you may take my emotions and my enjoyment for life,
You will never take my spirit.

I know even when I can't feel,
That there is someone who loved me enough to die for me.
And because of this I know I will have the life I dream of.

I know that I am loved.
I know that I am precious.
I know that I am worthy.

This time you will not fool me with your lies, dark shadow.
You may cover me in darkness,
But I know my Son is coming.
I have hope,
Hope for a life that is worth more than gold or diamonds.
I am and will overcome you, dark shadow,
For I carry the Light within.