YOU KNOW IT'S TIME WHEN

you check your inbox and see the email that says "hi! would you be interested in having me ghost write your blog?"...

yes there is original content that can be added here folks. it may be about mortgages. it may be about hotels or porsches. but yes actual posts on last day of may!

and that is all it took for me to realise hey(!) this is my space. and yes i have come to neglect it. but no i'd rather come and make it my own. and so i shall. i am not the best with words. i hope i'm ok with images and so it is time to share a little of what has been happening in my creative space lately.

hope you have seen tricks and treats! x

My Day 2

...kcwc day three

oh last night was fun. elsa fell asleep as i cooked the pasta dinner. and then wouldn't go to bed. no way.

so i did a bit more sewing with an assistant. the top still isn't finished but i got the binding on and now just need to turn under the little shoulder inserts. and snip all those threads. of course elsa refuses to wear it for a photo :(

i could do with making another one of these tops straight away with the lessons i learned as i made it. that is the trouble when you don't quite have a plan...i am going to write my own little how to on the pattern i traced. like how i should have left a length of bias binding at the centre back so i could stitch it through to make a ribbon tie instead of having to add extra pieces. the top should have a button opening but a tie closure looks cute too. it would probably be better in a slightly stretchy fabric as a top for a toddler...they move so much!! i think it is going to look really sweet over a simple white turtle neck though. now what to bribe her with to model it for me?

i also got a little distracted with a mini project to revamp one of elsa's jumpers from last year. it still fits her but no matter how many times i washed it there were a couple of stains right on the centre front. grrr. i almost threw it away but then had a spark of inspiration and added a little (anna maria horner) voile ruffle down the middle. i am pleased and so is she!

kcwc

ok day two...but i'm reporting on my day one!

this little top is from the sweet japanese pattern book les couleurs francaises...i bought my copy a while back from the wonderful m is for make. i have sat and flicked through and ooo-ed over the pages but now i have a good excuse to actually try something out for elsa.

so last night i traced the pattern and managed then to just cut out the fabric and start a bit of sewing. there is no denying that i am useless at following instructions even when they are in my own language and so i have looked at the diagrams and done my own thing so far.

the fabric is very old and something i have had in my stash forever. i think it may have been from a dressmaking project that my mum worked on about 20 years ago?? anyway it is good that i have the selvedge to use as a hem as a detail. i am not quite sure what i'm going to use to bind the neckline yet. perhaps a neutral like tan in a cotton bias.

sewing continues tonight!

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kcwc fall 2012...day one

sorry for the poor quality photos...october has given us a dull start this monday.

it definitely feels like the right time to be changing in to proper autumnal clothing. yep vests are-go round here.

i don't have a big target to hit with the challenge this week in terms of getting lots of things made for elsa by sunday but i am really excited to begin 7 days of sewing just for her. if i get her a wee hat and top made i'll be happy.

i think she will be happy that i have some superhero shiny fabric and something to tick her i-love-pink-box.

my studio is semi-tidy and i am ready to cut and start tonight...hoping bedtime goes to plan for little one. good luck if you are joining in and if you aren't it's not too late! this week i'll blog about my progress and link to some inspiring makes and patterns.

{this moment} inspired by soulemama

a friday ritual.
a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

as the summer drew to a close i enjoyed working on a couple of quilts for new babies. our little team of two...that is my mum and me...pieced together the small squares with love.

this one for a friend who is very girly. she loves pink and it seemed just right to make something for her own daughter in those lovely sugar icing tones. and tonight we get to deliver it to the new family in the hope of a swap for a cuddle with wee betsy.

elsa has bought her a rabbit doll. i have spent most of the day trying to convince her that she really should not keep it for herself. that it will make her a really nice friend to give a special present. what will she do?