My junebug dress

I haven't posted on my blog for a while as I have been making a few things for buyers from my shop (fun) and working on my husband's tax (not fun).  So I am excited to post this dress that I made for Isabella.  We are in the middle of a wet and cold winter but when I saw this dress on my favourite blog I couldn't resist joining in with her sew along.  The blog owner, Jess, is an amazing sewer - she makes up her own patterns and then posts tutorials on how to make lots of her creations. If you enjoy sewing for little girls, you need to check out her blog!

I found this cotton print at Darn Cheap Fabrics in Heidelberg.  And yes, it was darn cheap! Their quilting cottons are only $7.50 per metre - cheapest I've seen.  It has been a bit too cold to get Issie in the dress yet and I think it will fit her better later in the year as I upsized the pattern to fit her for summer.

I'm sharing today over at Kootoyoo.

How to make sweet little baby cards

1.  Cut 10 x 10 cm square and iron;   
2.  Begin kite fold (iron as you go); 
3.  Fold both ends in to centre;

4.  Fasten mini safety pin through all layers and you will end up with an incy wincy little nappy that looks like this!

Nappy is approx. 5.5 x 3.5 cm

5.  Using craft glue, adhere nappy to piece of nice card ( I used 10 x 20 cm piece to produce 10 x 10 cm square card) and finish off with writing.



Cute hey?! Each card took about five minutes and costs next to nothing to make.  I made one for our friends who just had a baby boy Charlie.  I also made him this...

A little softie made from a sock and some scraps!  I put a little bell inside too so that it jingles when it's shaken.

I'm sharing today at Kootoyoo.

An interview

I have been asked by Jill at Creating my way to success if I would like to feature on her blog as part of her weekly interviews she does with people who enjoy craft of one kind or another.

What do you create?

I create all sorts of things, but the things I most enjoy making are clothes for my children and as gifts, soft toys and quilts. I also love to rug up on the couch in the winter time with some knitting needles, wool and a cup of tea.

Why do you create?

I love creating things - it is a real soulful pleasure.  When I sew and am enjoying what I am making, I get a real buzz out of watching a piece come together and I love giving things I have made as gifts.  The recipients know there has been love and time spent thinking about that person whilst its being made.  I also love that sewing allows you to be creative and come up with new ideas and (usually) save money!

Do you sell your creations. If so, where and is it profitable?

I have just opened my own madeit store and launched my children's label 'little deers'.  Most of my items are made to order from size 0-5.  I have a winter collection in my store at the moment which includes denim and velvet pinafores, corduroy pinafore tops, long sleeved applique tops, scarves, corduroy skirts and pants and my own original design softies.  To answer the latter part of the question...watch this space!

What mistakes have you made/lessons have you learnt along the way?

Toddlers and sewing machines don't mix!  Since my eldest daughter stopped having her afternoon nap I have had to limit the majority of my sewing to evenings when both girls are in bed.  I have to be mindful to still make time for just chatting and relaxing with my hubby at night too.

What is your idea of success and have you achieved it?

I think success is doing what makes you happy.  Happiness is really what everyone is looking for in some form.  I think if you can be happy and try to make others happy today you are making the most out of life.  So, yes, I have achieved success because I am happy.

 

Where to next?

I would like to stay moderately busy with little deers and keep enjoying home life and looking after my two little girls.  The future hopefully holds another child, perhaps a move to the country, return to primary school teaching and lots more happy times!

Velvet dress

I made this little velvet dress a while back now. I found the mushroom pink velvet cotton at Rathdowne Remnants and thought it would be perfect in one of my little deers pinafores.  Velvet is hard to find and the colour is really sweet and unusual.

This dress is for sale in my madeit shop in sizes 0-5.  It features a sweet appliqued deer, covered buttons and a lined bodice.  It's super soft and nice and warm.  All my clothes are made to order but I obviously have made one of each item which are for the girls and family.  I think Isabella will christen this little pinafore today on our brunch date with friends!

I'm sharing today over at Kootoyoo.

My softies

These softies are my own creation and evolved from this softie I made for Softies for the children of Christchurch.  They are all made from 100 % wool and designer print cottons.  Their faces are made from linen and they feature suede noses and sweet little freckles.  They are for sale in my little deers madeit shop!

I love making these softies - each one is unique and very loveable!

Jet pilot (and a giveaway winner)

This is my favourite baby hat pattern.  I have knitted four now and this last one I upsized to fit Juliette. I combined two 4ply wools to create this mottled pink.

Perfect for our little 'Jet' as the button fastening stops her from pulling it off.  When deciding on Juliette's name before she was born, we wondered whether she would have a nickname as it is not an easy name to shorten.  When Juliette arrived, Isabella promptly began calling her 'Jet' as she couldn't then pronounce her full name.  So 'Jet' has stuck and here she is in her little pilot hat.

The pattern was pilfered from my Mum's enormous collection and originally belonged to my Grandma - love the old patterns!

The winner of the sherbet pips scarf giveaway was JO.  A non-blogger follower who entered via comments at my madeit shop.  Well done Jo!  Hope you enjoy :)