Stephanie's Beautiful Creations

Please go back to school!

2012-01-27T18:20:00.000+11:00

Monday, I just have to hang in there until Monday.

with the kids home and the weather not exactly your typical Australian summer, I haven't got to do much sewing.
I have however finally found Pinterest.
Yes I know slightly behind the 8ball but I love it.
Found a link to this tutorial
and felt so inspired I made my own

Please forgive my terrible photography, we were loosing the light so did my best.
It looked so cute on my adorable little model that I just had to give it to her. Then her darling mother (Kate) handed me $5 which believe it or not covered my costs. A dress like that for $5 very happy :)

Now if only Monday would hurry up I might be able to sew so more.

What's in a Name

2012-01-20T23:10:00.000+11:00

My awesome BFF Kate made me this cute clutch purse/small bag for Christmas.

I absolutely love it!

She used some of my favourite fabric "Prince Charming" and I love my name on it.

A really thoughtful gift

(better than mine to her - she got fabric)

Anyway turns out it isn't just pretty its practical too as it fits my coin purse(which I take everywhere) as well as my keys, my sun glasses and my earphones (for the gym)

So seeing as I love it so much thought I should copy it and make one for her :)

I happened to have a charm pack of "Prince Charming" that I still hadn't cut into so it was obviously meant to be.

Here they are together

I was really happy with how her name turned out, seeing as hand stitching is not a talent I've really developed.

I also did the whole cover the ends of my zippers thing.

Never done that before

I was quite happy with how they turned out

(some minor flaws which I will fix next time)

I took my gift round to Kate, she seemed quite happy with it :)

Some people may be asking where is your entry for "Project Run and Play"

(probably not but anyhow)

It was a total disaster this week.

I had an idea of actually working with a vintage 1969pattern I picked up.

Well it seems I learnt a couple of things

1. Children have changed shape since the 60's

2. I don't work well with patterns.

Thankfully I only spent $2 on the material and I can cut it up and make something else lol

I'm not sure if I'll do next week either - its coats and we are in the middle of summer so not feeling very inspired for that one, but we'll see.

Boys Week

2012-01-12T20:58:00.000+11:00

After a lot of contemplating and complaining that I couldn't think of anything for

Boys week

I finally have an entry :)

SPACE INVADERS

My gorgeous model Jack

I actually got my inspiration for this project from "Oh Fransson"

In November she designed a "Space Invaders Quilt"

I loved it and so nicked the idea then set off to find more space invaders through Google images.

I then drew them up

and rearranged them

I decided not to buy anything for this project as I went a bit crazy with the last one and bought heaps of fabric and notion that I haven't used (oops)

Instead I found an old white t-shirt that had stains all over it

(I bleached it, which got most of the stains out)

and I found this old pair of pants belonging to me that had holes in the backside (believe it or not from battery acid)

then it was appliqué city

I think I really know my machine now and it knows me

(I don't think it liked me very much though)

I was going to appliqué the shooters at the bottom but I had this lovely embroidery stitch on the machine that did the job nicely (and quickly)

Jackie loved it!!!!!

He couldn't wait for his photo shoot

The weather was awesome, the perfect day for skateboarding

David felt Jack wasn't going quite fast enough down our very steep driveway so decided to lend a hand

well he seemed ok even though he came off, cause he went straight back up the hill

David also felt the need to model today

(maybe I should have made him a shirt too lol)

BTW Anthony (almost 12) really liked the shirt and wants one in black with plain white space invaders.

I'm one happy mum/designer :)

You can check out the flickr group for all the entries

Project Run and Play

2012-01-09T15:09:00.000+11:00

Ok so I've been on Holidays and I meant to post about this before I left but didn't quite get to it.

I have decided to take part in "Project Run and Play" "Sew Along"

I finished my first entry before we left here it is

It was a pattern remix of The June Bug Dress

I thought it would make a nice Summer Top
(no sleeves 'cause I'm lazy and t-shirts are cheap lol)

It is a bit big for my first little model but it was a bit short for Bianca

This week is boys week and I currently at a loss for what to do. I'm sure I'll think of something lol

Will probably post some pics of the holiday at some stage (hehehehe)

A Little Happy Dance

2011-12-14T21:25:00.000+11:00

Yay I got my camera back!

Oh how I have missed it, it takes the most beautiful pictures :)

Helps to have a gorgeous subject <3

I also won some really cool shorts from Safron Craig's blog

Yep 2 pairs

(pics are from her blog - not my boys)

They will be going under the Christmas tree for Jack and David.

I must say as well as looking funky they are really well made. The company is Mida.

You can check them out here

I have been doing a lot of Christmas present sewing but sent it off with out taking pictures oops

I did make this for the pre-school

What is it? I hear you say

It's a house bag

A house bag for who?

For dolly peg people of course ;)

One of the teachers at the school had started the bag she did all the piecing and hand quilting.

I then sewed it up lined it and add the plaited wool strap.

I made the peg people too.

I think it's really cute.

Lets hope the kids like it just as much :)

I should get back to my sewing.

Merry Christmas

Still no camera :(

2011-11-08T14:46:00.001+11:00

Well I think I'm getting better with the digital but I so want my dslr back

Been sewing lots lately!!!!!!!!!

First up we have another Modkid Addison

I used Patty Young's Grand Bazaar

B totally love it :)

I also made some of these

You can get the pattern and tutorial here

The pants I kinda guessed with and copied different shorts I already owned

You know me I love to modify things so here is the Addison dress without the top ;)

And some Twirly skirts (tutorial here)

Hmmm how about one more thing

You can get the tutorial and pattern here

I totally love this brooch will have to make some big ones for me :)

One last thing

I want my camera back (insert tantrum here)

I want my camera back!

2011-10-14T11:12:00.001+11:00

I hate having to do this post with poor quality pictures but as my camera is still in being fixed I had to use my sons ipod :(

I have been doing so much sewing lately and wanted to let you in on some of it :)

These beauties were made using the Addison pattern by Modkid.

The green one is a size 3

The purple is a size 6

The pattern was so easy to follow, will definitely buy more patterns from them :)

I just bought my fabric from spotlight, but I think its a great little party dress.

Bianca has put an order in for one but she picked fabric from Patty Young so I thought I would make a few cheaper ones first!

For the last year I have been using a little draw string bag as my purse

This one is just a little more civilized lol

I even made a little pocket for my credit cards and such.

Well that is all I'm revealing for now

As a side note I'll just mention that I had surgery on my wrist on Tuesday and made most of these things yesterday and today, hehe so much for rest and re-cooperate.

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Betcha he reads, betcha she sews

2011-10-01T17:23:00.001+10:00

School holidays here, the kids are getting into the musicals.

Annie, Marry Popins and High School Musical

Got all the songs stuck in my head :)

Very busy had lots of visitors!

Have done some sewing (lots actually)

I made bonnets and aprons for some kids at church to wear to trek.

All up I made 8 bonnets, 7 aprons and 5 skirts

No photos. Camera is in being fixed.

I did manage to take some photos of my latest baby quilt though

I'm really happy with this quilt :)

I didn't buy any fabric to make it!

I have made it for a friend, when I asked her what she would like she said "blue"

I said "anything else"

"Blue would be good" she replied

So I looked around the internet and saw some quilts similar

and then raided my blue scrap draw.

I thought I would have to buy the white but I found 1 metre and that was just enough.

I also happened to have some bamboo batting so no purchases to make this one YAY!

Now I just have to hope she likes it.

I have had some really awesome sewing things happen lately

(well awesome for me lol)

but you will have to wait until I get my camera back to show you :)

Oops

2011-09-14T09:45:00.000+10:00

Had a few quilting mishaps lately

Here is the first

I decided to do this quilt along

I was happy with how each block turned out but when I went to put them together the rows would just not line up. Very disappointing!

How ever I have not let it defeat me, I am going to add sashing between each row and that should fix it :)

Spotlight wanted some 12 1/2 inch squares for some quilt they were making. it was supposed to be spring colours

I tried to adapt Kate Conklins fussy cut squares with floating boarder but I got my measurements terribly wrong. It's ok and they seemed happy with it :)

I am also working on a baby quilt for a friend. It was going along brilliantly but I ended up having some problems with the quilting :(

Haven't taken any pictures but I have managed to fix it and when its finished I'll post some.

I am going to blame these little disasters on DIETING or lack of SUGAR!!!!!

Can't be too upset though I've lost 4kg in 3 weeks

Have a great sewing day!

Little and Quick!

2011-09-01T09:30:00.000+10:00

Anyone for dinner at my place?

Now my table can look this good for 8 people

I think I should start entertaining again :)

I have been off sugar for 9 days now and the only way to keep away from the fridge/cupboard is to sew

I started by making this cute table runner

Not my normal colour/fabric selection but something about these fabrics grabbed me and I was quite happy with how it turned out,

but what's a table runner without place mats?

I made them reversible , so one side is green and one side is blue.

I machine stitched the binding,

which I made using my bias tape maker :)

Had some problems but all in all very happy with the outcome.

So here is the set without all the paraphernalia.

All I need now for that dinner party is

more chairs and more cutlery!

Some guest might be nice too LOL

Holidays

2011-08-26T12:31:00.001+10:00

Martin and I just got back from the most glorious holiday in Cairns (without the kids)
We went for a whole week!
Must send a big thank you to everyone who helped look after our kids xoxoxo
Here are a couple of pics of my fabulous underwater photography

Ok so now I have made you slightly envious should probably show some sewing pics.

Remember the quilt top I made Anthony well I did actually finish it :)

Lovely sunny day here :)

When I went to put the quilt together I decided it needed to be longer so I added strips at the top and bottom

The quilting was just inside the red blocks blocks in black thread

I changed the pattern for the back too, as money was tight at the time so I had to use fabric I already had.

Anthony loves it and it's really well used.

I have also been working on a quilt for me (finally)

I am working slowly with this quilt along (link)

Will post some pics when I take some lol

Long Time Coming

2011-08-08T10:02:00.000+10:00

Last April not long after I started quilting my friend Kate from Kate Conklin Designs posted this tutorial

I loved it! I thought it looked simple enough and went off and bought 24 fat quarters.

It was really fun to make the quilt top. I added sashing around each square - cause I like it

I was happy with how the top turned out but was really scared of going any further as it was quite large.

Another friend of mine (also a Kate) really liked it and I promised it to her.

Well this last week I finally got the courage (and the cash) to finish it.

I worked quite hard on my binding and I am so happy :D with my corners

The quilting is just in the ditch but being such a large quilt it was a lot of work (very heavy)

I went with a plain back as opposed to piecing one as a thought the front had quite enough going on.

I really love the red binding it works well with both sides :)

As for Kate she has put it on her King size bed!!!!

I guess the lesson here is don't ask me for something you need quick it could take me over a year lol

101 ways to make money

2011-07-14T14:44:00.001+10:00

Anthony has this book "101 ways to make money"

It is full of cute ideas for kids to make money and he and his sister thought they would give it a go.

They had heaps of fun shopping for supplies, cooking cupcakes, decorating them, making lemonade, creating signs and

setting up

now after about 15 minutes

they are bored out of their brains lol

When does school go back?

Pretty in Pink

2011-07-06T16:20:00.000+10:00

Kylie was the first winner from my apron giveaway.

She asked for a full apron in pink with cream.

Here is what I came up with

my usual model - doesn't she looked thrilled :)

There is some cream in the appliqué but not much oops

I also made a little matching bag to keep it in

Kylie let me know that its a great fit and she has used it already. Kylie makes some awesome cakes you can check them out on her blog. Her last cake was a pink castle so it would have matched the apron (heheheehe)
Now off to make mum's one

Everyone's a Winner

2011-06-29T12:07:00.000+10:00

OK so an apron giveaway isn't really that popular :(

Lesson learned!

A big thank-you to the people who entered (mostly family)

To say thank-you everyone who entered gets an apron YAY

The purple one will go to my Grandmother who is turning 90 shortly

Happy Birthday Grandma

For Kylie I am making one using this fabric

For my Mum

And Dad

Dad's will be a barista apron.

I will post pics when they are finished.

Next time I'll giveaway fabric :)

Apron Giveaway

2011-06-20T16:57:00.000+10:00

I mentioned on my last post that I was doing a basic sewing class. Well I'm finished it was a lot of fun. I learnt some new techniques and made a couple of things I'm quite proud of.

Here are some cushions

a bit of appliqué and covered buttons

it even has a zip on the back :)

I hadn't ever done a zip before so very impressed with myself

We also made an apron and this is where the giveaway comes in.

I worked hard to get the seams nice and flat and even.

It is made of drill with some quite nice quilting fabric for the appliqué

I may have mentioned before that I'm not good at following instructions and this apron was no different

I changed the pattern to make it better in my opinion :)

What did I do.

Firstly I made the ties twice as long and while my daughter is very skinny they even can tie at the front on me.

Secondly I changed the pocket to make it more like a hoody pocket.

Lastly the appliqué was supposed to be at the top in the middle only, but this is prettier :)

So what do you think? Would you like to win it?

To win leave a comment telling me the best thing you ever made.

For a second entry become a follower, or mention that you already are.

I will draw the winner on Tuesday the 28th of June 2011

at 5pm - Australian Eastern Standard Time.

(That's my birthday)

Good Luck

Lots of sewing

2011-05-16T12:33:00.000+10:00

Well plenty of sewing going on but its been awhile since I wrote about it.

I really am enjoying making clothes at the moment.

Got the tutorial for the shirt here

Awesome website!!!!!

Isn't Bianca a cute model :)

I have also had my hair and eyebrows done, YAY

Made my Mother-in-Law an apron for mothers day

Tutorial here

And I finished the quilting weekend set in Brights

I have also started a sewing class. It's a beginners course and I'm not quite a beginner but I am learning cool stuff, lots of fun.

Anthony's Quilt

2011-05-02T09:16:00.000+10:00

It is hard to make quilts for older boys!!!!
I have been putting off doing one for Anthony as it just seemed to hard but he has been begging me.
During the holidays I sat down with him and we came up with this.

Then we picked colours.
He wanted red, black and grey.
I made copies of the design and coloured them in.
When we had it how we liked it I went to work

He loves it!!!!!!!
Now I have to finish the back and quilt it (knowing me that could take awhile)

On a separate note Martin and I went away for the weekend to Sydney with some friends.
We had a great time
I thought I would share a picture from the apartment's lounge room window

Nice hey?
Now back to reality!

My turn

2011-04-27T09:40:00.000+10:00

It seems very few people wanted to blog about sewing over Easter. Everyone was up for speaking their mind.
It seems like fun :)
I thought I would have a turn, heheehe

Lets do confessions
1. I have never bought a quilt pattern (I have bought magazines)

2. I mostly buy my fabric at Spotlight, why? because its cheaper (I even get upset with how much they charge sometimes) I especially like the spend $100 pay $60 vouchers they send me.

3. I taught myself to sew and not very well and now I'm going to teach others probably totally wrong, but at least they will be using their sewing machines rather than letting them catch dust.

4. Ok here is my big one and it is fairly common, I'm over weight I admit it. My son took a picture of me over the weekend and I told him off (not meanly) for the angle at which he took it because it made me look fat.

I made the outfit!!!

My girlfriend pointed out to me that it wasn't Anthony's fault - the angle because of his height or the fat because of the extra 20kg I'm carrying lol.

hmmmm last but definitely not least

5. I like things that aren't perfect. My husband bought me the most beautiful Eternity Ring.

Bianca's thumb as I'm too fat to wear it

The diamond in the middle is quite large, to be able to afford such a large diamond it has some flaws - you can see them without magnification. I love it!!!! Because of those flaws not in spite of them. Life isn't perfect and I love life so why should anything else be.
Ok that's enough!!!!!

What ya been doin

2011-04-22T09:37:00.000+10:00

Busy busy sewing

Adara's Blanket

nice soft backing!

A pillow case to match Dad's Quilt

A cushion for the quilting weekend

Now I need a rest LOL

Happy Easter!!!!

The right model makes all the difference

2011-04-16T13:07:00.000+10:00

My beautiful daughter makes anything she puts on look awesome!

Don't you love her nails only for the school holidays!

Looks totally domesticated hey?

I won't even post a picture of how I looked in it. Lets just say the band did go around my waist comfortably and that will have to be enough :)

Just a short

2011-04-14T10:24:00.000+10:00

Just a short post about the apron I designed for the quilting weekend.
I put this together this morning.
I took pictures of each step so I thought I would do a tutorial to check if it will make sense.
I know there are heaps of tuts out there for utility aprons but I love mine and its really easy!!!
Will post that shortly for now just a pic :)

Utility Apron in Brights

41/2 star

2011-04-13T15:41:00.000+10:00

I know its been awhile. I went to Adelaide to visit mum then school holidays started and that means you have to fight for the computer.

I have been busy though with my sewing.
My friend Kate and I are organising a beginners quilting weekend in July.
I have been busily designing simple patterns and looking at accommodation and food (mostly Kate on the food)
Here is what I have come up with so far.

not the materials we will be using- just a jelly roll I had lying around.

a cot quilt, a cushion and a snuggle

We will all so be making a utility apron.
Here is one of the fabric choices we will actually be using

brights fabric kit

We will all so have a pastel selection.
So where are we having this wonderful weekend?
Here

Oaks Pacific Blue Resort (Salamander Bay)

We are offering our participants 2 nights accommodation (twin share), all sewing supplies, food and some amateur sewing tuition (from me) as well as transport from the Central Coast NSW to the resort (and back again) all for the grand total of $295.
We already have 2 definitely and we can only take 2 more.
It's going to be awesome!!!!!!!

Snuggles

2011-04-01T13:30:00.000+11:00

Ok so these little thing.s are totally addictive to make!

I made the green one first

This guy is my favourite so far

I put wheat in them to give them some weight

David was a little unsure at first

But who doesn't want to snuggle a Snuggle

Needs a Name

2011-03-29T08:58:00.001+11:00

You have to be fast to catch a lizard,

I found this one sitting in the strawberry patch catching some rays.

He is just so cute

Little Jack's preschool room's logo is very similar to this little lizard

So I thought I should catch him and give him to them

He just needs a name

Got any ideas?

Adara, a teenager? already?

2011-03-25T10:54:00.000+11:00

Well not quite, her birthday is coming up.

My little girl will be 13 (I must be getting old)

She wanted a quilt so here is the top of it

Adara helped to design it :)

Each square has a strip of pink,blue, yellow and purple fabric.

There are four different blacks around each one

We were originally going to do each block as four different materials of the same colour

But decided we liked this better

Now she doesn't want it to be a quilt though as she is getting a feather doona from her Nanny.

I am going to turn it into more of a blanket.

Will post more when its done :)

Finally a Boy

2011-03-21T10:01:00.000+11:00

Jack finally got invited to a boys party YAY!!!!
He went to Julian's 5th Birthday on Saturday.
They went ten pin bowling (don't envy the parents with 10 little boys to watch)
So I still wanted to sew the gift and found this at Noodlehead.
It seemed some what simple enough :)

Then I loaded it up with gift cards ($5 each)

I have no idea if he liked it as they didn't open the presents at the party :(
Jack liked though, so that will have to be enough for me :)

Skirts, Skirts, Skirts

2011-03-18T15:18:00.000+11:00

Totally hooked

Here is my latest attempt.

It is a little different.

I gave it points like a tinkerbell skirt

My model is my beautiful Bianca she is almost 10

So significantly larger than the last few

I also used t-shirt material so it hangs quite heavy which is just how she likes it

Little Little Girls

2011-03-14T16:54:00.001+11:00

I am totally hooked on making little girls clothes now.

They are quick and easy!!!

Here is another skirt

A new top :)

That makes one cute set

So this set is size 2

I tried it on David, thought it best not take a photo.

He wasn't happy when I took it off him lol.

Now who to give it to?

Little Girls

2011-03-07T14:50:00.000+11:00

My Jack loves the little girls and they love him back!

This weekend Jenna has her Birthday and next weekend is Charlize Birthday.

I thought perfect I'll make something girly

Found this Tutorial on Dana Made It.

Here is my version

Needs a matching top

Got 2 Birthday Parties

Another shirt required

Now I'm thinking they need matching bags better get back to it!

My husbands other wife is having a baby

2011-03-03T15:27:00.000+11:00

It's all right it's not his.

Martin doesn't really have another wife (we are Mormons so we just think that kind of thing is funny lol)

My husband is very smart he has worked out that if you want to do well at anything you need a woman helping you. Now I am pretty awesome but there are some things I can't do and study with him while he was at uni was one of those things, so he had Vanessa.

Did this make me jealous - you bet!!!!

I got over it though when I met her and she was nice, then she got married (not to my husband lol)and now she is having a baby.

I just had to make her a quilt when I heard the exciting news

and here it is

and here is the back

Because this was a fairly simple quilt and only cot sized I did different quilting for each piece.

I am really happy with it :)

A very happy un ..... to you

2011-03-01T08:39:00.000+11:00

Well I don't know what you did with the last couple of days but I did some un-sewing.
I picked apart my latest quilt and the resewed it.

I think I like it better now.
Time to do the floating borders.
I wonder how much more un-sewing I'll have to do :(

I just don't want to

2011-02-23T14:12:00.000+11:00

I've got quite a bit to do right now, but I just don't want to :(

So I'll sew instead :)

Here is the progress I've made on my "Fussy Fairytales" Quilt

Couldn't pick between the 2 shots.

It's supposed to be finished by Saturday

Better get back to it ;)

Then there was 2

2011-02-22T19:12:00.000+11:00

Thats right can't just make one lol

a pretty purple one to make a nice set!

I am very happy with how these turned out, because they are small I was able to concentrate on seam allowances and quilting. I really feel like I'm starting to get there as a quilter!

Pillow/Cushion

2011-02-21T12:24:00.000+11:00

Whatever you want to call it, I love it.

Put it together Friday.

It is for one of Jack's teachers as she is finishing up with her studies and not staying at the school :(

I made it using some of a jelly roll I bought at Spotlight

(they just love sending me those spend $100 only pay $60 vouchers)

(I love spending them lol)

Just a simple back.

I used drill and I must say I'm really happy with the feel of it.

Feels like it could withstand almost anything.

Read the instructions and FOLLOW THEM!!!!!

2011-02-17T11:45:00.000+11:00

Ok so I'm trying out a new pattern that hasn't been released yet.
Very excited!!!!!!!
I was trying really hard to read the instructions and follow them but I'm not really good at that.
I have a tendency to read a bit get the idea and then go do what I think (stupid I know)
Anyway was working really hard at following the instructions but thought a step was missing (cause you know I write patterns all the time, I would know better than the author NOT!!!!!)
Anyway I finished the last step of the block

look nice hey

But I had to add another step because the pattern says
"If you have cut accurately and kept to 1/4 " seems you won't have to trim"
Well I didn't, look how much I had to trim :(

At least I had only cut 2.
Lesson "Read the instructions and FOLLOW THEM"

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T11:55:00.000+11:00

OK I was looking around blog land on Saturday when I found this tutorial from "cloud9 fabrics".

Had to give it a go, sooo easy

How do you think I did?

I did make a mistake when cutting the fabric so my pocket is a little smaller ( I still like it)

I also had to make the heart template bigger, but it still took less than an hour to put together!!!!

Just for fun here it is photoshopped lol

Happy Valentine's day <3

Well I think it's COOL

2011-02-08T16:37:00.001+11:00

Put this outfit together for my beautiful daughter.

Costing

Shirt $8

Shorts $10

Headband $4

Flower Brooch $6

Total Cost $28

Very Happy :)
Of course when I say i put it together i mean Designed and sewed lol

Ruby June

2011-02-07T13:01:00.001+11:00

This is probably going to sound a little wacky but here goes
About 9 months ago I fell pregnant with child number 6.
I cried for a whole weekend thinking how could I possibly cope with another child.
Being the determined person I am though and believing that all things have purpose I started getting excited about a new little Carnovale.
However at the 12 week ultrasound they told me that the baby had not developed.
More crying and a feeling of being really alone but that determined nature of mine got me through again.
Life goes on and so it did until about a week ago when I started thinking about what it might have been like to be holding my child.
Ok so boohoo for me, lots of women suffer through this without all the carry on.
Here is how I have decided to move forward I'm going to create my own little Carnovale and here she is

This is Ruby June

We have been outside to have a little play

she loves strawberries

climbing in the grapevine

and of course the slide.

Before you all start to think "Oh my she's lost her mind"

Relax it's just a doll, but it made me feel better so why not?

For the love of SAND

2011-01-25T21:21:00.000+11:00

Quite awhile back I won a giveaway hosted by Bec from Chasing Cottons

all for me!!!

I really love the pattern Sand Castles. Bec used the "Far Far Away 2" for her sand castles which is very clever and cute

but I wanted sand for my castles.

So today I gave it a go

Just one castle (at the moment)

I didn't have enough sand coloured material until I went through the stash Kate gave me.

I had to modify the pattern slightly as the scraps weren't quite wide enough.

For the door

or the towers

The points on my towers aren't perfect but I love my sand castle.

Thanks Bec

Just before I go as usual David decided if mummy was taking photos there should be one of him

Have a good Australia Day!!!!

The only way to get through it!!!!!!!

2011-01-21T18:27:00.000+11:00

I really do love my children but school holidays are killing me!!!!

Seriously schools are an awesome invention

So to regain some sanity I decided I better do some creating.

I asked the pre-school (at least they are back already) what they could use in the big kids classroom.

They asked for doll blankets.

The big kids room is called the Rain forest Room

So I tried to stick to greens and browns with just a little colour for fun!

Just a fairly simple back

Nice for the dolls to have a matching pillow

Here is my latest doll giving it a test drive

Can't just stop at one can I?

Still sticking to the green brown theme but this time with flannel

(from a huge pile Kate Conklin gave me thanx Kate)

Another matching pillow

Can't say I made this doll but I am sure she is enjoying the rest lol

I took them into the pre-school they loved them!!

It's so nice to give my craft away to people who really appreciate it!

Long Time No See

2011-01-17T22:20:00.000+11:00

Wow is this time of the year busy!!!!!
I know I have been absent for quite awhile now but boy have I been busy.
I have been sewing plenty and I'm sure I have heaps to blog about :)
I thought I would start the year with some sharing :)
My friend Kate got a sewing machine for Christmas and asked me to help her make a quilt.
It's so exciting to pass this bug to someone else!!!!!
We picked a fairly simple design and went shopping for fabric came home and made the top all in one day (WOW)

Here are some pics

Now how does this go again?

Some very careful sewing

Don't recommend photos in high wind areas but Kate seems to be having fun lol

Here it is one cot quilt top

Didn't she do a great job for her first go?

Will post again soon promise, been working on my own doll pattern :)

Remember This

2010-12-17T19:13:00.000+11:00

I did a post sometime ago (family tree) about a cushion for my mother in law.

Well I finally finished it.

Each branch and each leaf represents a member of the family.

Check out our branch

very heavy lol

My Brother in Law was killed in a road accident about 3 years ago so his branch has a little blue bird on it.

I'm giving it to her for Christmas, hope she likes it :D

Note Book Tutorial

2010-12-13T14:28:00.000+11:00

Here goes my first sewing tutorial :D

Things you will need
Wrapping paper 1 sheet 24cm x 19cm
Card stock 1 piece 22cm x 17cm
Copy paper 10 pieces 21cm x 16cm
Thread
Sewing machine
Before we get started please note that all my seem allowances are the side of my machine foot.
Lets get going.

First place the wrapping paper picture side down.

Put the cardboard on top in the centre.

I just do this by sight it doesn't need to be perfect.

Fold up the top and the bottom like you are wrapping a present

Using a medium size straight stitch sew along the top and bottom.

Do this with the print facing up the stitches look nicer that side.

Do check before you start sewing that the cardboard is in the centre and not to one edge.

Now wrap the sides like a present.

I fold the corners then fold the sides.

Sew like the top and bottom, remember print side up :)

Now mark the centre of your card at the top and bottom.

This is your guide for sewing I do use a ruler for this :)

Put your sheets of copy paper on top.

The outside should line up with your stitches :)

Now just sew down the middle.

Fold in Half

Now you could stop there and it would be great but I do have one final step

I then sew down the spine to make it really flat.

I have made a note book with 20 sheets of paper but if you are going to use more than 10 sheets you can't sew along the spine as the machine doesn't like it :(

These are so fun to make and really quick.

I can make one in around 10 minutes how about you?

Something quick

2010-12-08T13:21:00.001+11:00

I have been busy sewing gifts and so forth for Christmas ( will show you at some point) but I felt like a needed a quick project.

So I picked books.

(I tried to look for the page where I first got the idea but can't find it oops)

Anyways

These are so much fun to make.

It is much easier to sew paper than material lol

size b5 pink

size b5 green

size b5 black

smaller ones using scraps.

Seeya going to make some more :)

Answers to a couple of questions

1 Are there pages? Yes between 20 and 40 they are blank.

2. Are the covers material or paper? They are paper

3. Do you make them from scratch or just cover them? I made them from scratch and they are so easy!!!!!

Maybe I will do a tutorial, I'll think about it.

Too Hot

2010-11-27T15:59:00.000+11:00

OK so this is supposed to be a quilting blog and I haven't been quilting, oops

I have been thinking about cooking though.

The main thing I've been thinking is its too hot to cook.

So in honor of this thought here is my favourite quick easy delicious meal

SHAKE and BAKE quiche

Tools needed

1 large bowl with airtight lid

measuring implements

quiche flan

oven

teenager (optional)

Ingredients

1/2 cup of cheese

250 grams of bacon pieces

1 cup of milk

1 tin of corn (425g)

1 tablespoon of melted butter/margarine

4 eggs

1/2 cup of self raising flour

Pre-heat your oven to 180/360 degrees

put the flour and cheese in the bowl

put the corn and the bacon in the bowl

put the butter, milk and eggs in the bowl

(I suggest breaking the eggs and getting rid of the shell lol)

put the lid on the bowl

(very important you make sure the lid is on right trust me)

now get your teenager (or yourself) to shake the bowl like crazy

I find 30 sec to a minute is enough

now pour the mixture into your flan

and place in the oven at 180/360 degrees for 30 minutes

The top should be a beautiful golden colour.

Here is my serving suggestion

Light and Easy

Not a lot of washing up either YAY!

p.s. Jack calls this egg pizza

More Fun with 2

2010-11-20T13:08:00.000+11:00

Caught myself another Mermaid

I think this one's a swimmer

It's no fun on your own...

It's good to have friends

"These are awesome!"

"Check them out"

hehehe :)

Mermaidia

2010-11-19T16:03:00.000+11:00

So my friend Kate (terribly talented friend) has been making Mermaid dolls.

They are so cute (look here)

Anyway seeing as she was kind enough to post a link for the mermaid pattern

I decided to give it a go.

Isn't she cute

I thought she should have a photo shoot.

Down at the warf

Being a mermaid is a dangerous thing

at home under the sea

Thought we would try a little land exploration

Such a great little model!

Want to make one of your own?

Here is the link

Now I'm off to make some more I think :)

Done and Dusted

2010-11-09T20:53:00.000+11:00

Well I'm back from my trip to Adelaide.

After all my worry and anxiety mum liked her quilt.

Looks nice in her room too.

The birthday party was a big success as well.

Now back to real life.

What an old bag (not you mum hahaha)

2010-11-02T14:05:00.000+11:00

I wasn't going to post pictures of this quilt until after Mums birthday on Friday but couldn't help myself.

The deal with this quilt was
Mum picked 14 different prints, 25cm of each
I wasn't to use white ( that material is cream with a pattern)
I put it together then pulled it apart and started again :(
I am now happy with it
I hope she is

Just a little on the back this time

I thought I would add the shadow of my clothesline lol

Here it is on my bed.

Mum wanted a bag as well

Yes that is a pocket

And its reversible.
I also made the straps tie up so she could adjust the length
Now off to Adelaide to deliver it
Wish me luck

Newcastle Stake Ball

2010-10-19T07:34:00.000+11:00

I have been sooooo busy lately. Finished quilting mums quilt just have to bind it.

Made a money apron (my first special custom order, YAY)

I'm working on the kids school 25th Anniversary Gala Day ( fancy name for a fete, this Saturday)

and I helped with the Stake Ball last Friday night. It was a 1920's Gala

(what is with that word it's everywhere)

It was awesome and here are some pics to prove it!!!!!

First up the food was amazing!

they tasted as good as they look, mmmm yum

The decorations where cool too, This was my favourite silhouette.

We had a live band

I know that this isn't a great photo for detail but if you look at the dancers on the floor it's like they aren't really there, like they are ghosts from the 1920's (cool hey?)

So what did I do on the night?

I ran a photobooth

here it is

People got to take away a black and white photo in a lovely little folder as a souvenir

Here is Marty and me.

I made my costume and I got his at the op shop.

It really was awesome!

Sisters

2010-10-12T08:10:00.000+11:00

Well its been a very busy school holidays here.
Some sewing got done but not much :(
Thats really scary because I now have less than 2 weeks before the fete.
So far I have
1 PPP
and
5 N&C boards but no playing pieces
Better get onto that!
Anyhow I did have a great holiday my sister Cheryle came to stay with me, along with her husband Gary and youngest son Matthew.

The kids loved playing with their cousin and I had fun catching up with them as live a long way away in Adelaide.
They are now off to Melbourne.
I hope they managed to find their way through Sydney yesterday.

Fete or Fate

2010-09-28T08:40:00.000+10:00

I am totally loving sewing right now.

Who knew that being crafty could be so rewarding!!!

Our school is having its 25th Anniversary this year so we are organising a birthday party which includes a fete.

I have decided to have a stall (scary)

I will sell my PPP's and Naughts and Crosses sets (N&C)

Just finished my first Green PPP

see my new feature?

a decorative binding (Fancy)

A pirate N&C

and another new feature

a closing strap (for want of a better name)

still has the pocket with the pieces on the back

but now you can see the clever new strap with velcro.

I will also display Jack's Quilt and Mum's Quilt, so people can see what else I do.

just a little sneak peak

(yes they are pins)

Better get back to sewing.

Have a great day!

Sshh it's a secret

2010-09-22T10:46:00.000+10:00

I have been quilting, truely

but I can't show you any photo's as its my mum's 70th birthday present.

I can tell you that I showed it to a friend last night and they said

"Wow, that is awesome, really beautiful"

and Jack tells me

"it's Beautiful Mum"

Lets hope she likes it!

Can't blog without photos so

my photos today aren't of quilts (or PPPs)

I am doing a photo shoot on Saturday with the theme

"Little Red Riding Hood"

I was playing with some of the props and thought I would give this photography thing a try

Table and Chairs (talk about boring)

Love the close-up setting

I think I'm missing something

Yes Jack you do have to leave the T.V. for 5 seconds

I love you too Darling

Hey I can Photoshop!(Badly)

Not as easy as it looks I think I'll leave it to Sosaia for now.

Purple Stash

2010-09-13T16:50:00.000+10:00

I'm still working on the PPP (Princess and the Pea Playsets)

here is a purple one!

Like I have said before can't take pictures without David

at least he likes it lol

Spotlight had a VIP sale, you know spend $100 get $40 off.

I worked out what I was getting before I went.

3m Green Drill

3m Pink Drill

2m Blue Drill

2m Purple Drill

1m Cream Homespun

2m Cream on Cream Quilting Fabric (still working on Mum's quilt)

and some needles.

Guess what?

it didn't come to $100.

So it took me 2 more trips to the counter but I finally did it!

Look at all that extra stuff and all up it only cost me $60 YAY!!!!

Blue

2010-09-01T12:08:00.000+10:00

A lot of finishing going on here as well as beginnings.

First up we have a blue PPP (Princess and the Pea Playset)

Because these sets promote Literacy I thought this photo might be appropriate

Taken in front of one of our bookcases

(we love to read in our house, even David)

Another project finished is Jack's Quilt

You can buy the pattern for the monsters at "Don't Look Now"

Martin isn't quite sure why I put so much effort into the backs of my quilts.

This is why!!!

Jack actually (his fav word) likes the back better than the front!

There are my finished projects.

Now for my beginnings.

I am going to be working with a photographer as his assistant and office manager.

I will be working for Makalo.Photography

The Facebook page will be up shortly.

But here is a sample of his work.

my beautiful daughter

and this is the amazing stuff you can get with Makalo.Photography

Very excited, better get back to it!!!

Pretty in Pink

2010-08-26T13:43:00.000+10:00

Just a quick note.

I finished another Princess and the Pea Set.

This time we have a pink bag as well as the standard blonde doll

(there is nothing wrong with a bit of Barbie peoples)

My New Friends

2010-08-24T13:56:00.000+10:00

Well they aren't that new but they are finally finished!

Yes you heard right I finished my appliqué monsters.

managed to fix this one using a wider zigzag stitch.

sorry about the picture he is flat promise

this one is my favourite

this is everybody else's favourite

All together it looks like this

I really like the green border.

And here is the back

well the start of the back

I'm half finished.

On another note Spotlight had a bit of a sale this morning on their clearance fabric.

Half the marked price had to be a little excited and a little controlled

Makes good mattresses for my Princess and the Pea Sets.

Some of the fabric was only $2 a metre, YAY!!!!

Thats it for me for now.

It's Wednesday Already!

2010-08-18T10:42:00.000+10:00

OK my Dad is worried that poor Jack won't get his blanket so I have been working on it a bit.

I now officially hate appliqué or it hates me one of the two.
Here is the biggest mistake so far!

I will fix it but it isn't going to look as good as I had hoped.

Now that I have orders for my Princess and the Pea sets I do have to do some work on that as well.

mattresses

bag material

Hobby fill

Laminated story sheets

Whats Martin doing to help?

My Hero

Take2

2010-08-13T13:24:00.000+10:00

I really am going to work on Jacks quilt and even get it finished before winter is over but I am just so excited by the Princess and the Pea playset that I had to finish the bag.

Has 2 pockets on the front.

One for the doll

One for her pillow and the pea

dolly really enjoyed her photo shoot yesterday so here she is again with her new bag.

Each set contains

1 Princess Doll

1 Pillow

1 Pea

12 Mattresses

1 Story

and

1 Bag

see it does fit in there snuggly

I have decided to make up a few to sell at a fete sort of thing Brooke Avenue Public School is having in October.

I needed peas though so Martin went through his extensive rang of marbles and found me these.

He could only find 17(one is in the set I already made)

He says the green ones weren't really popular so he didn't have a lot of them lol.

Now I really must get back to Jacks quilt!!!!!!!

Princess

2010-08-12T13:40:00.000+10:00

OK so I was supposed to work on Jacks quilt today, but I started something else instead.

This is my version of the Princess and the Pea playset.

Certainly not an original idea, you can find examples all over the net.

Anyway I love it!

I do need some help though.

I want to know if you think this bag is the right size (its not the fabric I want to use)

David wouldn't let me take photos without him

Must get back to it!!!! YAY!!!!!

Taking my Time

2010-08-09T15:22:00.000+10:00

I have been so busy. The little boys are becoming so much more demanding of my time. That means not too much quilting.
On Thursdays and Friday Jack goes to preschool and David sleeps for a couple of hours so that when I quilt.
So last week I worked on two projects.

First up I made another naughts and crosses set.

This one is the best so far!

It was a present for a Birthday Party on the weekend.

The second project is a blanket for Jack for nap time at preschool.

I am basing it on "Little Monsters" from Don't look now.

I am making a cot sized quilt so some alterations

some laying out

some more laying out

then some relaying out

Once I was happy with the over all look I started laying out some of the details

Now I just have to work on the appliqué.

I am very nervous!!!!!

But thats next weeks project so I'll worry about it then.

Saturday's are AWESOME!!!

2010-07-31T21:16:00.000+10:00

I have had the best day!
Two really good things happened today.
Firstly I had a photo shoot for Adara.
It was so much fun.
I did her hair and make-up
I've worked a little as a make-up artist but not for awhile now so that was fun in its self.
Then I got to help with the photo shoot, just simple stuff like helping Adara know where and how to stand.

The photos were done by Sosaia of Makalo Photography

He took some good photos but what he did to the after is amazing.

Isn't that clever

We had a lot of fun!

The second thing was that I won my very first blogland giveaway! YAY!

Isn't all this stuff awesome!

A big thank you to Bec Johnson from Chasing Cottons.

Alright now I'm on a high gotta try to go to bed, wish me luck!

Gathered In

2010-07-26T21:07:00.000+10:00

I know its been a quite a long time since my last entry. My excuse is going to be school holidays!
I do love that the government give me a 6 hour break each day from at least 3 of my children.
Not alot of quilting got done but that didn't stop me being creative

Yes that amazing track was built by me and that is Jack loving it!!!!

Well the kids are officially back at school so back to quilting!

Thought I should finish Kate Conklin's "Gathered In" pattern.

It looks quite nice sprawled across my bed, but here's a better look at it

Not bad for my 3rd quilt

This is the back - couldn't leave it plain

Now all that's left is to fold it up and send it to my sister Cheryle

If I can bear to take it off my bed, just kidding.

While I am happy with my efforts you should check out the original Gathered In by Kate Conklin

Birthday Time

2010-06-29T13:16:00.000+10:00

So in this last week I had a birthday (not going to say which one ;P)
I received some lovely gifts

From my mother I got this

Trolley of drawers for my fabric

From my BB

My choice of material

From Miss Adara

They are nice and warm!

This came from my friend Jana

Beautiful Yellow Ballet Shoes

(reminds me of Danny Kaye in Hans Christen Anderson)

From everyone else I also got some lovely gifts
Thank-you to you all

Just to finish off I made another Naughts and Crosses set

This one is for the Preschool. My son is in the Reef Room.

They loved it!

Any one for a game?

2010-06-21T14:36:00.000+10:00

I was a little bored on the weekend, yes it was Biancas birthday but Martin had a thing in Sydney on Saturday morning so we were all watching movies and cleaning our rooms. Anyway I decided to try something different and make a tic tac toe quilt. I must admit not my own original idea was surfing blogs and saw one (sorry can't remember which blog). It is my own pattern for it though.

What makes mine different?

A pocket on the back to keep the piece and material pieces.

It is great for travelling as it folds up small!

I already want to make another as they don't take long, you use scraps, and I want to make some design changes!

In the mean time anyone for a game?

B B Butterfly

2010-06-18T11:00:00.000+10:00

My Beautiful Bianca Turns 9 tomorrow. Of course she had to have a quilt!!!!

I let her choose the fabrics and have some input on the design.

The colours were a little too sweet for me, but that Bianca for you!

I added white to try to tame it a little.

The butterfly is actually from a cake template.

I decided to bind it with ribbon

(Won't be doing that again!)

And here is the finished quilt!!!

(sorry about the pic the light was a bit funny)

Happy Birthday B

I love you xxx

What a mess

2010-06-16T08:56:00.000+10:00

It has been very hectic around here lately!
Last week I had no phone and no internet, very bad!!!
I also found out that I'm pregnant again (that makes six)
Then to top it off I scratched my view finder and now the auto focus won't work on my camera :(
I guess things can only go up from here!!!!

Whats in Your Bag Today?

2010-06-02T17:07:00.000+10:00

Yesterday i received a parcel in the post full of fabric. Exciting right?

Well actually it was a little scary.

After my last attempt at mum's quilt she decided to buy the fabric herself and send it to me.

In the parcel were 14 different fabrics (25cm of each)

My instructions were "You must use all the fabrics"

So I did and the top is almost done, just needs some sashing around the outside (need to buy more fabric, lol)

I would love to post a pic but seeing as mum is on here all the time now it will have to wait until November.

Love to add pictures though, lets start with this one

these were my favourite prints from mum's fabrics.

Had plenty left over of these ones so I made a bag.

My first attempt no pattern just copied a enviro shopping bag.

It was good fun, but after all that I think the sewing machine needs a rest!!!

So whats in my bag today? Knitting needles and wool (can't stop being creative)

My Dad's Square

2010-05-31T15:29:00.001+10:00

I love this quilt. It was my first request.
My Dad had come to stay with me (to see his grandchildren).

He really liked my sisters quilt and want one too. We took ourselves off to spotlight and he chose the fabrics. It took him ages to pick.

Dad decided that he didn't want love hearts and asked for squares. I played with a few designs and then he came up with the square on square. Using Kate's "Fairy Hearts" pattern for the basics we were on our way.

It didn't take long and Dad was amazed that within a fortnight of him being home I had finished it.

I even wrote my name on this one.

Family Tree

2010-05-25T17:36:00.000+10:00

I have been feeling rather creative lately and thought it might be fun to try something for my mother in law (very scary).
Anyway I love trees and family trees too, so a "family tree cushion" is my new project.

Started by designing the tree.
Each bough represents a person in the family.
The centre bough is the parents each bow coming off is a child and then each one of a particular bough is that child's family ( I hope that made sense).
Then when I was happy with the layout I started working on the fabric,
with stuff I already had (been put on a budget - currently $0)

I'm happy so far and that will do for today.

Not for my Mum

2010-05-24T12:51:00.000+10:00

Well Mum didn't like the squares I had started making for her quilt :(

I have managed to get over it but what to do with the five suares I had already made?

I decided that four of them might make nice dolls quilt.

I even tried my hand at some slightly more adventurous quilting.

What do you think?
I am quite happy with it.

Now who do I give it to........

sick sick sick

2010-05-20T10:07:00.000+10:00

Well its been a rough week. My husband has been away at a course and left me with all 5 children ( how do single mothers do it?)
To top it all off I got sick!!!!!!
But I have had a good time entering all the giveaways from the Sew Mama Sew MayDay Giveaway. There are some really inspiring sites out there.

Mum's Quilt

2010-05-13T18:21:00.000+10:00

When I started quilting my mother told me she wasn't really into quilts. Her friend had made her one that she had on her wall and that was enough for her. However once she started seeing some of the quilts I was making for other people she decided she wanted one too.
Her instructions were "pink and green" and we decided it would make an excellent 70th Birthday present (so that gives me 20 years LOL)
So mum here is your quilt!

I think it will be nice I thought I would go with a pattern inspired by "Drunk Love"
I'll keep you posted on how it's going!

My "Fairy Hearts" Quilt

2010-05-11T14:13:00.000+10:00

My first attempt at a full size quilt was so much fun. It was definitely an adventure. I really loved the pattern Fairy Hearts so I gave it a go with my own choice of materials. Following a pattern certainly saves time, doing all the cutting then all the sewing

more cutting(not my fav thing!).

When I had almost finished the front my stupid sewing machine died :(
But that ended up being great as of course I just had to buy a new one(which I love!)
I was really happy with how it turned out.

I don't know if this happens to anyone else but I reckon quilts talk to you ( I swear I'm not that mad) Anyway they seem to tell me who they are for. I felt very strongly that this one was for my sister Jackie. Yesterday I received this pic of Jackie in the mail. I guess I was right.

2010-05-10T13:26:00.000+10:00

O.K. so here goes.

Hi, I'm Stephanie and I'm a Quilt-a-holic.

I have been quilting for about four months and I am totally hooked!

My husband says a very big thank-you to Kate Conklin for getting me into this (not really). I have only made a couple of quilts but I am already trying to design my own quilts. I decided this might be a way to connect with other like minded people and learn about quilting. I'm sure it'll be great fun!