Growth charts for twins

These charts were made for Sydney and Alexandra who are twins. Their liked a previous chart I made with the seasons. As these charts will be hanging near each other I decided to divide the seasons over the 2 of them. Other things to be included were a racing car, fighter jet and blossom along with birds flowers etc. To stay in theme with my applique style I included a plane and car which are stylised with a sweet dog in them.

Zakka Handmades Blog Tour and Giveaway

We were so excited when the lovely Amy Morinaka from Chick Chick Sewing asked us to be part of her blog tour for her very first book Zakka Handmades. The book is fantastic with a variety of great projects that you can use in your everyday life. We had a lot of trouble narrowing down what we wanted to make as there are such cute ideas. Amy's book is beautifully written and her instructions are very simple to follow. You will want to make lots!

I (Sarah) decided to make the Raindrops tote and couldn't narrow down one idea so decided to make two. 

 I really love the idea of using denim and linen so one bag has a denim base and the other is a red linen with white dots.  I have another plan to make one with natural linen and pastel raindrops. 

 I stuck pretty closely to the pattern except I did a running stitch for the raindrops instead of a back stitch as I wanted to see what it looked like. The bags are a handy size and fit nicely on the shoulder. The are also nice and soft as they are lined with wadding, with a pocket inside.

I think that I will use mine for my sewing when I go to my quilting classes.

I (Rachel) had strict instructions from my daughter that she wanted the Pencil Case, she even chose her fabrics! Lulu's pencil bag is the pink stripe and acqua one! I decided to do the pencil bag as zips are always a challenge for me. Amy's method of inserting zips is a revelation!! So easy! I have no advise for anyone attempting this project as the instrustions are so easy to follow. Of course I couldn't stop at one so I made two and was thinking these bags are great for us sewers to carry our notions around when travelling! 

Anyone who knows me, knows I can never stop at one and of course I had to try my hand at some other gorgeous items in Amy's book. The pencil bags didn't take long so I had time to make a few more things.

I first made the Doily and Linen pouch. Here I did cheat, as I used a handmade, hand dyed doily for the simple reason I can't crochet!!!!! I just had to make one, all the same, as I love love love them, so there is hope for those of us who can't crochet!

Then I couldn't go past the Matryoshka key holder especially considering mine broke so I needed a new one! This is super fun and easy to make. The only fiddly part is the hole at the top where the cord passes through. Make sure you leave it large enough to stitch- mine was a little small but I managed all the same! For this project I used Northern Italian linen and Tirolese trims and love the result. I did add a personal touch with the little felt flower!

As part of the blog tour we have the opportunity to give away a copy of Amy's book to one lucky person (open internationally). To be in the chance to win a copy of Zakka Handmades, simply leave a comment on this post telling us where your favourite inspiration comes from by Friday 19th July and we will randomly draw a winner on Saturday 20th July.

If you would like to purchase your own copy of Zakka Handmades you can find it at the following locations:

• Amazon
• Amazon UK
• Book Depository- Free worldwide shipping
• Fishpond Australia- Free postage for Australians

The blog tour consists of the following schedule so checkout what these other amazingly talented people have made. If you miss out on our giveaway you have one last chance with Anna from Noodlehead.

6/24/13 - Kerry verykerryberry (interview post)

6/26/13  Jeni In Color Order

6/28/13  Sachiko Tea Rose Home

7/1/13 – Amber One Shabby Chick

7/3/13 – Kristen Feeling Stitchy

7/5/13 – Hiromi Harujion Design

7/8/13 – Amy nanaCompany

7/10/13 – Lisa and Sarah A Spoonful of Sugar

7/12/13 – Mette Erleperle

7/15/13 – Sarah and Rachel Roxy Creations
7/17/13 - Anna Noodlehead

In summary Amy's book is fab! We want to thank her for allowing us to participate in the blog tour. It's been great fun and we wish her the best of luck in the future! Buy her book it's great, full of fun projects to make for yourself or as gifts.

Chevron Baby Girl Quilt

I have recently had several friends who have had babies and finally one of my friends has had a girl (the rest were boys). This gave me the opportunity to make a very girly quilt with some of my pretty fabrics. I have wanted to make a chevron quilt for quite some time and was inspired by several quilts that I saw on Pinterest.

Below is a photo of the back of the quilt. I like backs that are a mix of different fabrics. The top purple fabric and bottom spotted fabric are both vintage sheets. There are so many great designs that you can get that are vintage sheets which I buy on Etsy. I have looked for them in Sydney but can't seem to find any in Charity stores. I always hear about people finding absolute bargains in these types of stores but I haven't been so lucky!!

The quilt was quilted on the machine. I basically quilted double lines that followed the pattern of the chevron. It made a really nice effect on the back of the quilt.

 For the binding, I used the same white and grey spot that I used for the chevron. This is a nice effect for a baby's quilt as it is quite soft.

My 7 year old son said that this was the best thing that I have made this year and asked me to make him one exactly the same except he wants me to change the pink for blue. I guess that will have to be my next quilt project.

I have also started making some cute applique cushions to go along with this quilt and will blog them once I am done.

Pastel candy coloured gadget sleeves

Yesterday I took sone finished an order and took some time out to create something new, yeah!!! It was a daunting prospect thinking about what to create condsidering I haven't created too many new items since last year!

I have so many scrap pieces of fabric which I can't bare to throw out, so I decided to make some goodies with them. I have my scrap in clear plastic boxes divided into colours, so I took each box and cut heaps of small squares from each colour. The distressing thing is that I seemed to cut for ages but didn't even make a dint in my pink and blue boxes!!!

Then I arranged my squares in colours and sewed them together. At first I was thinking I was going to make some zipper pouches but then decided the size was perfect for iphones, blackberry etc. Totally inspired by my sister Sarah I placed a thin batting behind and machine quilted the patches I had created. As I final step I stitched up into gadget cases!

Foundation Paper Piecing

I came across the technique of 'Foundation Paper Piecing' when I read this blog post by Kerri from Sew Deerly Loved. I watched the You Tube clip which very simply explained the technique. Then I used the pattern provided. It was quite easy once you got the hang of it.

My second attempt (Above) was inspired by this block by Hart Hill. I have had this picture saved as a favourite in Flickr for ages. I read all the comments on her block which lead me to the pattern on Amazon. It was easy to find. I used a few different liberty fabrics in this block which was fun to do.

My third attempt was from Pink Penguin's new book called 'Patchwork Please'. I was so excited when it arrived in the mail as I per-ordered it ages ago. There are so many great projects in this book as you would expect from Ayumi and there is a whole quilt made from this fantastic pattern (above) which I totally love. My next friend to have a baby girl will get a cot quilt made from this design as I really want to make one for someone. I made the blocks above smaller than recommended size and only did two flowers rather the nine as in the original quilt.

New Baby Boy Quilts

A couple of my friends have recently had their first babies. They both had little boys which gave me a great opportunity to make a couple of little quits. I love making baby quilts as they are little and pretty quick to make up. A good task for someone who gets bored easily and is constantly changing projects and not always finishing them!! These quilts gave me the opportunity to use some of my favourite fabrics.... especially some one the cute kiddy ones.

I now have another friend in the same group of friends who is also having her first baby in May so I am ready to make my 3rd quilt. I am hoping it is a girl so I can whip up something very pretty, with lots of pink!

WIP- Baby Boy Quilt

Here is a shot of a quilt that I have been making for a couple of friends of mine who have had their first baby. The colours were inspired by a Dr Seuss print that they have in his nursery. I machine quilted it but don't look too close as I am just a beginner at this. I tried to stitch-in-the-ditch but didn't always get my stitched in the ditch! I must say that it did progressively get a little better but I need a lot more practice. Hopefully my friends won't mind and think that it adds character! I do like the way the colour combination turned out and wouldn't mind making my son a new quilt in the same combination.

Lovely antique hemp pouches

A little while ago I found some amazing beautiful hand woven hemp. Normally it's white, cream, off white or ecru. This time i found linen coloured hemp, very rare in deed. I've been dying to use it but haven't had the time. I did manage to whip up two pretty little pouched though over the weekend. I can't wait to find time to do more with this gorgeous fabric!

Happy New Year!

Happy new year to all. Let's hope it's a great one! I haven't blogged for more than a month now as I was lucky enough to go home for Christmas!

I have some many things to blog which I didn't have time for before Christmas so I guess I'd better start blogging.

One of my favourite items I made for a customer is this growth chart. It's very different to my usual charts as the request was 'textural'. I used all different fabrics and techniques to create the sense of texture. I was able to use my absolute treasured hand dyed felted wool - LOVE! I also used some textured trims and threads as well along with tulle here and there. For more photos go to Flickr.

Christmas stockings

Some new Christmas stockings made for a customer order. They're very sweet I hope she likes them. I made an extra patchwork one for my shop. Although I have many order to work through I couldn't resist!

Vintage fabric Patchwork cushions

Here are a few new vintage fabric cushions. I whipped these up in between growth charts! Now available in my shop.

French style antique linen shoulder bag

I finished this antique hemp/linen shoulder bag a few weeks ago but forgot to blog it! It's made with handwoven  antique Italian hemp/linen and is embellished with hand embroidery, button and applique.

Christmas stockings Tallulah and Imogen

I completed these stockings this week. it great to get into the Christmas spirit so early this year. It's my favourite time of the year!

Growth chart for Duncan and Eli

I finished and sent off this growth chart last week. It's for two brothers Eli and Duncan. Duncan loves building trucks, construction etc and his much wanted something a little modern and not too babyish. The charts goes to 6ft so it will be in the boys room until they are older. The colours were her suggestion and I really love the way they turned out. I got to use some of my beautiful woven Japanese fabrics!

Cushion and growth chart for Seble

Yes another growth chart but this time co-ordinated with a lovely cushion. And to think I haven't even blogged all the growth charts I've made yet!!!

Growth chart made to order for Adelynn

I have been absent from blogging what seems such a long time. So here I am back to start again. This is the first of a series of orders I'm working on. I made this growth chart for a little girl called Adelynn her room is mostly pinks and greens with aqua blue walls.