TRAVEL Play MAT

PRETTY BABY ON TOP

.

Okay if you are worried about rope and babies - this is not the play mat for you - however my baby the wriggle glow worm that she is has not tangled at all - further more I left the gaps rather small and there is no slack on the rope when the play mat is out -

Okay lets start - I wanted it to like a cracked egg kinda of sort of..

 I cut out two oblong circles approximately 39 inches in in width

I then Cut two other oblong circles 5-6 inches smaller in width

 I cut double thick batting to measure

 Then created the quilt sandwich

 I then free motion zig zag around the edge and inserted twill loop 4inches apart around the entire circumference of oblong circle

 I then free motion quilted the other two circles on top and quilted a flower on the smallest circle - but of course this open to so many wonderful interpretations.

DRAWN AND READY TO GO -

QUICKEST TOTE IN THE WEST

These are simple quick charming little box totes perfect gifts for mothers and daughters - for our trip back, to visit my family in the Netherlands.

Also a great thank you presents for lovely people whom have helped our family this year.

Tools
fabric 

Twill 

Sewing machine

1.Cut two pieces 12 x 18 inch of fabric and try and make one of duck cloth thickness for thickness.

2. Fold inhalf and sew approx 1/2inch seam

3. Box the ends 4.5inch and DO NOT cut as adds a further stabilising effect to base of tote

4. Do for both peices of fabric 

5. Cut staps 14incch I always use twill simple and fast

6.  Right sides facing each pin straps approx 1.5 - 2  inches from side seam 

4. Sew and leave opening at side seam 

5 . Turn Inside out and iron - be sure iron in-between all steps 

6. top stitch 3 to 4 rows from top 

7. Enjoy 
 I thought perhaps I would do a wee giveaway leave a comment regarding favourite colour and will send one out to a lucky reader in two weeks with some felt bag jewellery.

The teachings of Mrs Glynn

I made this dress following directions from a Nani Iro's pattern book (ISBN978-4-579-11183-1). I also splurged horribly and bought some of their divine fabric.

So upon embarking back into the world of sewing I took lessons from the amazing wonderful Beverley at Print Charming. However, my sewing teacher from my first year of high school is probably still one of the biggest influences upon me and my machine.

Okay I learnt the fundamentals from my mother and Oma - but it was Mrs Glynn that taught me perfection. Let me add I am hopeless at perfection - but damned if that woman did not try her hardest with me. " Ingrid tack everything - no pins it is lazy and reckless" "Ingrid make a draft copy in muslin" "Ingrid have you measured that hem before tacking it?" "Ingrid you really could be quite talented if you were more disciplined"

Well there you have it, I am not disciplined and so really not very talented - but I am okay with that!

The point of the story is, upon cutting into this amazing fabric it appears the ghost of Mrs Glynn entered me - I did indeed make a muslin copy - I measured my hem - but I am afraid Mrs Glynn I did not and will probably never ever tack again - and I am okay with that, cause really I have never aspired to perfection. Further more I am thrilled with the outcome and have all the amazing women who have taught me to sew, trace, interpret patterns etc to thank.

Mrs Glynn it appears you have the last word, as indeed your instruction has stayed with me and served me well - so the biggest thank you, is to you, this afternoon of yet an other completed project!

WE HAVE BEEN........................

The past few weeks we have been


Receiving school awards for safety



playing with tea sets


Making grumpy trips to the art gallery


And making a quilt for Mamma and Dadda's bed


all out of a jelly roll of Japanese Fabric - I bought at a craft fair.


Pride of place on our bed - I think I will need to make matching pillow cases!


Done and Done- off to tackle an other project

A women possessed

I have developed a quilters callous trying to finish this my first quilt. Here is the reason why - about two weeks ago, I went to the Sydney quilt and stitches show, whilst discussing the use of fabric pens with a seasoned quilter - she warned me of the perils of using fabric pens (even clover) on white cotton. Apparently they leave little brown residual marks, even when laundered. So I went home with the soul purpose of FINISHING,this, my first ever quilt.

The photo's do not show it - but indeed this wise woman was right - unfortunately there are some residual brown marks - however it is slight and my eye does not rest on these mistakes. More importantly my four year daughter loves the quilt and I hope it is in her family for years to come.

Cam bam you're next my love!

DONE AND DONE

So my new years resolution (aside from my constant battle with weight) was simple - finish what you start - complete all started projects no matter how big or small. You see I am a project starter, I love the thrill of embarking upon a new journey and consequently found, I had loads of unfinished projects hanging around desperate for an ending.

So here are some of my recently finished projects.

So I completed the smock and whilst the picture is blurry and hopefully disguises my girth. I still feel it is shapeless and makes me look larger then I am - however when my absolutely amazing little boy - who proceeded to tell me how fantastic the dress is - but mum I really can not possibly see how it would fit you as is it not far too large (he got money for the school canteen today for being so dash cute). Well here it is - I will wear it - perhaps not the most flattering but I love that I made it and I love that my kid gets a kick out of the fact I can make stuff. Mum I think you can make anything, he finished up with - I just about emptied the entire contents from my wallet into his eager hands........




The next project finished - is this bag for my wonderful friend JO - I am over enjoyed how this finished up and my normal critical self melted away. Whilst I had never given up cross stitch since I was first taught by my mother and Oma at the age of 8-9. I have always had a project on the go. My resolve to dust off the sewing machine after 15 odd years of abandonment filled me with insecurity.

The thing I love the most about this bag is that upon the release of the sewing machine one of the first books I bought was simple sewing and remember thinking wow how will I ever tackle the all - day tote. Well I even altered it and whipped it up an afternoon. The Panels were hand embroidered first - with inspiration provided from the new crewel .

I tend to always use cotton twill for my bag straps - isn't that what twill is made for - But I did line the straps with matching fabric. I used a stiff interfacing to provide a bit of extra shape and form - I also added the top ties to close the tote and all in all I think it makes for a wonderful gift. Off to Leiden it shall go........





So off to finish that quilt before I can start a new project... man I am itching for a new project .

Lessons Learnt

So I have been taking sewing lessons at the ever wonderful PRINTS CHARMING - it is amazing to work in their studio space soooooo inspirational. Beverly, their teacher, as previously mentioned is incredible with the needle and thread, has guided me from an average sewer to becoming a more then confident sewer.

So after taking the quilting class, we then took, a what ever you want to make class. As the girls had a three week period where we could attend and receive guidance on a chosen project. I wanted to make a smock from a Japanese craft book. Kirsten & Cath, helped chose the linen from their amazing fabric supply- and Beverly showed me the rest.

Here are the key lessons learnt.

1. It is all about the cutting
2. It really is all about the cutting.
3. Just caused something looks good on paper does not mean it will look good on you.





It makes me look rather large and - whilst I am in constant battle weight loss, and yes I am rather large at the moment, this I felt makes me look rather huge. However, once I appliqué the flowers, Kirsten & Cath printed on to the base - and wash it - I am told it will soften greatly.

The overall PROCESS was fabulous and am looking forward to my next class at PRINTS CHARMING.

Perhaps I will wear my creation yet - after I lose a few more kilos

works in progress in times of sickness

Sickness has gripped our house yet again - I am playing nurse maid to the entire family. Funny how my little girl soldiers on despite having a temperature and clearly feeling miserable. My little man of five, declares himself sick!! Tells me he is taking to his bed and does what you are supposed to do - SLEEP.

A lesson could be learnt from this little man - he really honours his body - tells me he would rather Karen medicine (our homoeopath) then chemicals. My three year old girl wants the panadol and to keep going on. Are we born with these patterns? I wonder about this, when I watch my daughter play the martyr, whilst my son is allowing and demanding to be cared for.

Below are my works in progress - that are constantly put on hold, for the needs of big and small people. I have requested to the god of common colds, for this to be our last for the season - hope our prayers are answered.

So I have started my first ever quilt - I took lessons at the studios of the ever wonderful prints charming - those girls have amazing fabrics. Our teacher is a wonderful seamstress by the name of Beverly, what this woman can not do with a needle and thread it just probably not worth knowing - I am trying soak up everything she teaches us for it is vast and great.

Our little Friday morning group is marching on, as we can not bare to part from Beverly's tutelage. I have thoroughly enjoyed this time - whilst the quilt is far from perfect - I like the combination of hand and machine quilting and it keeps me warm. Quilting it could well reduce our energy bills this year.




Below are the beginnings of panels for a tote that I am making for my most excellent friend JO - in Leiden. I miss her every day and despite the distance our friendship endures and ages like a fine red wine - I will be pulling out all the stops for this project and am even making a matching sunglasses case and coin purse.

Here a baby, there a baby every where a baby

So it seems in my circle of friends there is a small population explosion - and I promised in moments of weakness to stitch make and create for their precious bundles of joy



Above is a cheats quilt. I sewed linen to apple green flannel - turned inside out - top stitched every where then placed some carefully cut out (er hum nothing is careful with me) trees from Ikea fabric fredericka- a pink bird, some grass stitchin' and Voila'





Next I used this tutorial as guide and mentor to come up with these chenille lined burp cloths



An other hand stitched blanket or bunny rug



Next my labour of love - I used the bird pattern from the Betz White book and kinda of reshaped it a tad. Rather them stitching and turn out - I blanket stitched them completely for looks and embellished them with my own embroidery designs - but I must confess inspiration when I saw these. To create a mobile fit for a princess

impending parties

So we are fast approaching the 3 week period that 3 birthdays occur in our family - and birthdays are a big thing in my family - partly cause we are Dutch and partly cause that was our thang. So Anneke wants a princess party and Cam a pirate and mermaid party. These hair clips are for Anneke's party bag. I got the idea from this tutorial - I used quilting clips instead as there is a hole in the top part of the clip that you canthread through so as to secure the flower rather then using glue. I also gathered the bolttom layers with a small slip stitch to create a more ruffled effect. The tutorial also recommended 10 layers of cloth I used 5-7. Any who I think they turned out just fine.


Cam in his pirate outfit thank you HEMA . Cam is still devoted to all his pretty girly outfits and fuses them together, note the fairy wand - fierce pirate will travel with pink wand.



This sculpture was made from his beloved Santa presents MERMAIDS - he arranges and styles constantly - I just loved this one! The kid has an eye for aesthetics