Then and now...

I thought it would be a good idea to take a walk down memory lane and be reminded of that moment when you first completed that first piece of sewing item you did. It doesn't matter how long ago it was but if you have a picture of it, let's see it! And after that, the latest piece of work you've done to see how far you've come along on this crafty journey.

While I don't have a pix of that apron I first sewed in home ed class back when I was in highschool some 15 years ago, I do have a pix of the first piece of sewing I did when I moved here. :)

This is a baby sling I sewed for Arianna when she was about 1 yr old. I know it took me ages to actually get started sewing although dh had bought me one of those tiny sewing machines for my first Chrismas out here. But when I finally did sew something, it was this. :)

The pattern is a free one and the fabric used is flannel for the inside and on the outside is a batik sarung. From 1 sarung, I got 2 of these slings so if you're attempting to make one of these, you can give one away as a gift. :)

This is my absolute newest completed projects. Dresses from knit fabric for New Year. I'm on a break now trying to figure out what to sew next! :P

Now, come show off your first sewing item. If you have any online photo album, just pick the first piece of sewing that you've done. That's what I've done here anyway. Looking forward to see what you've done and how far you've since come. :) And once you're done, don't forget to link back and leave me a comment so I can come drop by and take a peek!

Merry Christmas

From me to you I wish you and your families a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas and New Year period. Please take care on the roads if you are traveling.

Thankyou for reading this blog and I hope you stay tuned next year as I have some other little things planned :)

xxx Gilly

Getting to Know You..A CM in Profile

Some light reading for you on this wonderful Christmas Eve!

Getting to Know You - Carla.



1.What is your name (first only is fine if you prefer) and what do we call you at Crafty Mamas?

Carla although I’m know as Possum123 which is an abbreviation of my hotmail address. It’s a username I use just about everywhere so if you come across a possum123 elsewhere there is a good chance that it is me.

2. How long have you been around Crafty Mama and how did you find us?

I actually joined in Aug 2008 but didn’t really start contributing until recently. It took a little while to jump in the deep end so to speak.

3. What makes you a Crafty Mama – ie what is your activity(s) of choice?

I mostly sew but I can also embroider, crochet and knit (albeit the latter two very, very slowly). Embroidery was the very first thing that my mum showed me how to do crafty-wise.


4. Some people collect fabrics, others patterns…what’s you addiction in the crafting sense.

Fabric definitely although I’m starting to get a nice little pattern stash happening. I’m slowly cleaning out our “junk room” to make into my room and so far I’ve got 3 packing cartons and two suitcases choc-a-bloc full of fabric.


5. What’s your creative space like?

At the moment non-existent!! As I said I’m currently in the “junk room” but I’m slowly making into a little retreat just for me. The kids have the toy room, DH has the study so I feel its only fair that I have my room too. I do have my machines out all the time thought which makes such a difference.


6. What’s your favourite crafty tool ?..ie your machines and why?

I definitely love my machines especially my overlocker, would never be able to live without an overlocker again. But my current especially favourite tools are my massive Olfa cutting mat and Olfa rotary cutter with guide arm. They have substantially cut down on tracing/cutting time.


7. Tell us about the most dedicated act of crafting you have performed ie sewed all night, drove 2 days for a craft show…something bordering on silly!

Funnily enough the silliest thing crafty-wise in this house wasn’t something I did but something my hubby did. Whilst in Malaysia for work, he stopped in at a souvenirs type shop for some gifts and while there noticed some “material”. So he called me, did I want some and let’s be honest, who would say no to a question like that?

So when he gets home he gives me my “fabric” (price still on it mind you) and it turns out that he has bought me a pure silk, hand dyed sari which cost RM500 (that’s approximately $160). I nearly died but when I think about it there is a lot of fabric there so maybe it was a good buy afterall. And its totally divine to touch!!!

So far its made some rather lovely PJ pants, just finding the right thing to make with the rest of it.


8. Do you have a blog/website/business/etsy you would like to plug?

Just my little blog http://thefabricaddict.blogspot.com/ which is no more than a spot to show off what I’ve been up to.


9. If you were stuck on a desert island and had the choice of three things to take what would you take (doesn’t have to be crafty)?

Well I couldn’t go anywhere without my loincloth-clad serving men, I’d probably have to drag along my bookcases and I’d definitely need a laptop


10.OK – some one word answers to wrap up:

Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds, although I don’t often wear jewellery, I do love bling!!!
Coffee or tea? Coffee unless its Earl Grey Tea
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Night owl or early bird? Strangely enough both
Left or right handed? Ambidextrous but right dominant, you have no idea how incredibly difficult that makes playing zills while bellydancing... but that’s another story.

December Giveaway Winner!

is Liz (lizarddesigns)..... YYIIPPPPEEEEEE

Well done Liz and what a brilliant Christmas present thanks to Lisa!

Well done mamas and thank you for your support - many more amazing giveaways next year.

:)

Getting to Know You..A CM in Profile

Here is installment three in our series.

Getting to Know You - Natalie



(Im pretty sure shes the one in pink LOL)


1. What is your name (first only is fine if you prefer) and what do we call you at Crafty Mamas?
My 'real name' is Natalie Hennekam, but at Crafty Mamas I'm generally known as "Henny Penny".

2. How long have you been around Crafty Mama and how did you find us?
I joined in March 2009. I was actually on another parenting forum, and Crafty Mamas kept coming up, so I came over to see what all the fuss was about. I've been here ever since!

3. What makes you a Crafty Mama – ie what is your activity(s) of choice?
My main activity is sewing, but I also do some knitting, and have tried a bit of needle felting. My husband also bought me a spinning wheel this year, but I haven't yet had the chance to sit down and play.

4. Some people collect fabrics, others patterns…what’s your addiction in the crafting sense.
Well, definitely fabric. I only wish I could sew fast enough to keep up with it all!
I also love gadgets... all those cool little tools that you know you could do without, but they just make life so much easier. My favourite would have to be the jean-a-magig. Although I've also recently discovered the Clover Fabric Folding Pen. Magic!


5. What’s your creative space like?
Overflowing! I am lucky enough to have a really big space, but I keep finding more and more to fill it with. And when I go on a sewing binge, I get really messy, and end up with threads, and scraps everywhere.

6. What’s your favourite crafty tool ?..ie your machines and why?

Aside from my gadgets? It's tricky.
My machines are amazing, however they are both new, and so we're still getting to know each other. So I probably wouldn't say they're my favourite just yet.
But my iron... oh yes ... that is right up there. It is probably the one item that makes the most difference in terms of how my work turns out.

7. Tell us about the most dedicated act of crafting you have performed ie sewed all night, drove 2 days for a craft show…something bordering on silly!

I recently sewed 7 new projects in 7 days. I'd been accumulating new patterns for some time, but hadn't kept up with them all. So I decided I'd spend a week sewing as much as I could - with the stipulation that all pieces had to be from patterns that I owned but hadn't used.

Not surprisingly, there were a few disasters (mainly from later in the week when I started to get very very tired!). However I also found some patterns I really love, and have used a lot since then. So well worth doing.

8. Do you have a blog/website/business/etsy you would like to plug?

Our business is MoederKip, which is Dutch for 'Mother Hen'. Why? Because a Mother Hen is nurturing, yet tough - and we felt this suited our aim to produce children's products which are both beautiful and practical.

Currently we're focussing on clothing and accessories, although we're also planning to expand with a range of wooden toys and decorations (which my Crafty Husband will create). Our blog is http:moederkip.blogspot.com, and we are also in the process of setting up www.moederkip.com.au (to be launched early 2010).

9. If you were stuck on a desert island and had the choice of three things to take what would you take (doesn’t have to be crafty)?
My husband.
My son.
My i-phone.


10. OK – some one word answers to wrap up:


Diamonds or Pearls?
Pearls.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Unless I'm feeling a little precious. Then tea.
Sweet or savoury?
Sweet.
Night owl or early bird?
At the moment, trying to run a business and keep up with a two year old, I'd have to say both - a night owl (when I get things done), and an early bird (when my son wakes me up).
Left or right handed?
Right handed.

Getting to Know You..A CM in Profile

Wow this profile segment was so well received I decided to do it weekly instead of monthly! Thanks for all the support!

Getting to Know You....Yvy



1. What is your name and what do we call you at Crafty Mamas?

Yvylyn Shaan-Lu and before you get your tongues in a twist, that’s pronounced ‘Evelyn’, but you can call me Yvy. I’m known as mistyeiz in the forum and that name is actually partly from my middle name ‘Shaan-Lu’. Being of mixed parentage [Indian and Eurasian] and incidentally, from Malaysia, ‘Shaan-Lu’ means mountain mist in Mandarin hence, misty and ‘eiz’ = eyes. Not that I have misty eyes!

2. How long have you been around Crafty Mama and how did you find us?

From memory, I’d say since March 09 and I was actually referred to the site through a friend who also happened to be the one who inspired me as well. It was my first time in a sewing forum and I wasn’t sure how I’d be since I would be the green horn amongst sewing gurus but am so glad to find such a wonderful lot of mamas!

3. What makes you a Crafty Mama – ie what is your activity(s) of choice?

I think the only thing I can do is sewing! I’m hopeless in the kitchen and cook to survive, plants hate me and die on me all the time, really. *lol* I have actually tried my hand at loads of other crafty things like crochet, knitting, cross stitch and the lot but none of those really lasted this long and I have loads of UFOs around! I dare say that I have finally found something that I truly believe will last the longest!

4. Some people collect fabrics, others patterns…what’s you addiction in the crafting sense.

Gosh, this is a toughie...being new to the passion, my current ‘addiction’ is definitely fabric as I am still getting to know the texture of fabrics out there. So I tend to get a bit of this and that when I can. It’s a crazy fabric world I tells ya! O, and one just can’t have too many Otto mags! My collection is slowly building up. *eekkss...*

5. What’s your creative space like?

Due to space constraint, I actually have both my OL and sewing machine on our dining table! And I store my fabrics in a cabinet DH generously offered me. The funny thing is he let me have like 3 shelves but as most of you know, fabrics ‘breed’ like rabbits and before he knew it, I took over another shelf. You should have seen his face when he finally noticed it. It was priceless! Not to mention that I have a box nearby as well filled with fabric and other tiny tins which contain thread, ribbons and stuff like that. I hope that when/if we do get a bigger place, one day, I’ll have a room to myself. That would be just AWESOME!

6. What’s your favourite crafty tool ?..ie your machines and why?

My overlocker!!! I seriously cannot remember what or how I ever survived pre-serger. *lol* I mean, I love my sewing machine too but man, having an OL really does make sewing so much easy especially with woven stuff. I used to avoid them but now, not so much any more.

7. Tell us about the most dedicated act of crafting you have performed ie sewed all night, drove 2 days for a craft show…something bordering on silly!

I don’t think I’ve done anything that radical just yet. I’m still sewing for the family but I can remember this one time where I was sewing an Otto pattern and it was already quite late and I was then preggers with DD2, close to my due date too! It was maybe after midnight and I told myself, just one more seam. And then when that was done, I thought, might as well do the other side and it just went on and on, and I was left with just the hem and I couldn’t just leave like that, could I?? So I finished the whole thing and went to bed at 3am. I was really knackered but so happy that I completed it! I don’t think I ever pulled that stunt again....at least not while I was still preggers.

8. Do you have a blog/website/business/etsy you would like to plug?

Yes! I blog here I mainly write about what I’ve sewn and make notes for myself so that I can remember what to do and what not to do in the future.

9. If you were stuck on a desert island and had the choice of three things to take what would you take?

I’m so not good with questions like these. So let’s just say the radio, my mum and a pantry that never runs out of food!

10. OK – some one word answers to wrap up:

• Diamonds or pearls – pearls because diamonds have a sad story behind them.
• Coffee or tea? Definitely a tea person
• Sweet or savoury? Savoury
• Night owl or early bird? Mostly a night owl
• Left or right handed? Right handed

The Jolly Man in the Red Suit

We took the kids to the Christmas Pageant here in Perth this morning. As is the custom every year the jolly man in the red suit..aka Santa...aka Father Christmas finished the parade - led of course by his reindeer. I can believe its only 19 sleeps till Christmas...

Getting to Know You..A CM in Profile

Im starting a new little series here on the blog so we can all get to know a bit more about each other.



Getting To Know You....Romi-Jade




1.What is your name (first only is fine if you prefer) and what do we call you at Crafty Mamas?

My name is Romi and my alias at Crafty Mamas is Muse – I was given that nickname by a friend who said I inspired him to turn his life around and get back on his feet again, plus being a creative little soul it seemed fitting.

2.How long have you been around Crafty Mama and how did you find us?

I’ve been at Crafty Mamas for about 6 months. I was a regular on another forum and was linked – it took me a few tries to get used to the layout difference, but then I just jumped in. I love that it’s a small community – it means I don’t feel as lost as I did in other forums. Everyone is so friendly and nice, so I’ve stayed :)

3.What makes you a Crafty Mama – ie what is your activity(s) of choice?

I love to sew, that’s my main hobby. I love to try lots of other crafty things like cooking, gardening, painting, scrap booking, digital art (in photoshop) and I’m learning to crochet. I’m a hopeless knitter though. Also, I don’t know if it counts, but I make video games for a living, so that’s pretty creative too :)

4. Some people collect fabrics, others patterns…what’s you addiction in the crafting sense.

I’ve just started getting addicted to buying both fabric and patterns. I used to be quite frugal about my sewing, but now I’m realising how rewarding it is so sew with beautiful fabrics and to use good patterns. My current addiction is to Japanese sewing books and fabrics – I think they’re simply gorgeous.

5. What’s your creative space like?

I’m lucky enough to have my own sewing room. I have my PC and painting supplies on one table and my overlocker and sewing machine on the other. My small, but steadily growing fabric stash is stored in a set of wire baskets while all my wooden letters and scrapbook supplies are either on display or safely stored away in containers in the wardrobe. I also have two big windows which are really nice; one even has a pretty view of the hills. I’ve yet to decorate my room, but it’s been on my to-do list for a while.

6. What’s your favourite crafty tool ?..ie your machines and why?

I love my sewing machine, even though it’s really basic and simple – I just have a fond attachment to it because it’s what I used to learn to sew. I also really love my new overlocker though, it’s nothing fancy, but it’s very fun to sew with. I’d LOVE to get an embroidery machine as I think it would be so fun to adorn simple fabrics with pretty designs… but that’s a little while away

7. Tell us about the most dedicated act of crafting you have performed ie sewed all night, drove 2 days for a craft show…something bordering on silly!

Haha – I don’t think I’m quite as dedicated as some when it comes to doing exhaustive overnight stunts, but one of the craziest things I’ve done was for a kids clothing swap. I had only just bought my sewing machine and barely knew how to use it, but I signed up for the swap thinking I’d end up making something like a simple skirt or dress – easy enough?

Well, I ended up being paired with a toddler boy and I didn’t want to do something boring, so I chose a cool pair of overalls. However, I didn’t know how to read patterns.. and I didn’t realise that it was comprised of 18 or so different pieces… plus a LOT of top-stitching with a twin needle.. which I did with a single needle.

It was a lot of sewing and it took me absolute hours to make, plus I felt like it was a bit ‘empty’ sending it by itself, so I made a scoodie and an iron-on-transfer for a shirt to go with it. It turned out really well for a beginner and I’m proud that I pushed myself, but I’m sure there are tons of faults from inexperience.

Anyway, here’s a link to my old blog and the post with all the photos for anyone that’s curious to see how they turned out – there’s also a link in the post to my swap partners blog, so you can see the clothes being worn by her adorable little boy.

8. Do you have a blog/website/business/etsy you would like to plug?

Sure! My craft blog is here...- I also have an Etsy shop called Omigosh where I was selling handmade kids clothes etc, but I’m currently letting my items expire so I can give the whole shop a nice makeover and so I can focus on sewing for fun and gifts for a while.

9. If you were stuck on a desert island and had the choice of three things to take what would you take (doesn’t have to be crafty)?

This is always a hard question because I always think ‘survival’ and practical as my first instinct, but that wouldn’t make a very interesting answer so for the sake of the question, I’d probably say my baby girl (I couldn’t live without her) and a heap of chocolate (all a girl really needs) and a pile of books to keep me entertained.

10. OK – some one word answers to wrap up:

•Team Edward or Team Jacob? Jacob all the way
•Coffee or tea? Hard choice, but I’d pick tea
•Sweet or savoury? Definitely sweet!
•Night owl or early bird? Night owl mostly
•Left or right handed? Right handed

Decembers CM Blog Giveaway

Well.....we are in for a MASSIVE treat this month with our giveaway...The Craftiest Mama of them all - Lisa - has generously donated $100 worth of goodies from the Crafty Mamas store. Patterns, fabric, ribbon and other goodies will adorn your doorstep this December should you be the luckiest Crafty Mama in the whole world!!

Leave a comment...and this month I am going to draw the winner on Christmas Eve!!!!!

Good luck!!!!!!

November Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Suzanne (Pobie) - you have won the wonderful giveaway that Peta created last month :)

Well done!

Stay tuned for Decembers giveaway....

Self Sufficient Mamas

This year my husband put in a veggie patch at the back of our yard. Its something we have been meaning to do for a long time and after enlisting the help of a clever friend we got to it.

That was about 8 weeks ago and it has gone gang busters since then.

Here is the patch when we first started - this was the day we planted seedlings:



And here it is 8 weeks later!





We are going to harvest some zucchinis tomorrow and we have already been eating lettuce.

There is definitely something very satisfying about self sufficiency at any level.

Do you have a veggie patch or another form of self sufficiency you would like to share with us...chooks, worms, composting, veggies, fruit trees...its always inspiring to see what everyone else does!

November CM Blog Giveaway

Well can you believe we are in November already! And that means another giveaway!

This months giveaway has been made for us by Peta and boy is it gorgeous! Aren't we lucky to have so many talented mamas giving away their things!

Peta has made us a Bloom by Georgie Hallam.

Size: Medium to fit 6 months to 4 years old (chest: 17 inches/43cm to 23inches/58.5cm). Length: 17.25 inches/44cm

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8 ply in Ice (Gentle machine wash recommended by BWM though Peta would probably handwash).





The pic of it being worn is on Jessica and she has a 22 inch chest.

Leave a comment and I will draw this in December.....Good luck!

Congratulations Sally!

Congratulations to Sally from the Virtually Sally blog for being the winner of Octobers giveaway of the wonderful girls nightie made by Cathy.

What a great mama made item and thanks again Cathy.

Stay tuned for the November giveaway!

Last Reminder for October Giveaway

Oh my - can you believe that November is almost upon us!

That means time is running out for you to get in the draw for out October swap. Its the gorgeous girls nightie and its so cute - perfect for next winter!

So go here....and leave a comment - winner drawn Sunday!

Ho Ho Ho No!!!!

As the weather gets warmer and the final term of school begins its only natural for our minds to turn towards the big C....and by that of course I mean Christmas.

You know...that time of year we panic about from January 1st every year...we spend a bucket load of cash, eat a bucket load of food and in the end collapse on the couch swearing never again! Does that sound familiar to you!

This year I have started planning back in July - touching base with "Santa" in relation to the kids presents. (When I say touch base I mean layby and when I say Santa I mean Target and Kmart!)but as the year ticks by I realise I have much more to do.

There is food to plan as this year we are having a Boxing Day brunch at my house. There are misc gifts to organise, teacher gifts to make, parties to RSVP, holidays and kennels to book. There is a Christmas tree to dust off and fairy light bulbs to check.

I have decided to make a proportion of gifts and buy the rest. There is alot happening in my family at this time, holidays overseas, houses being bought and renos being done so gifts such as cash and gift cards are more practical than bags and crayon rolls.....but they still have their place. For example my sister in law will get matching aprons for her and her partner and a recipe book of all my favourites to accompany their Bunnings gift card.

Teachers will get something made like a bag or the like with a box of chocolates thrown in! I was also considering making mini christmas cakes foe them...better get moving!

So over to you...what are you making this christmas - or arent you..how early do you plan and do you have grand plans that seem to never come to light!

Yummy Recipes at Crafty Mamas

One of my favourite threads over at Crafty Mamas is the cooking section! I know there is always going to be a good suggestion for a recipe in there if I am stuck for inspiration.

Take this morning for example - doing some baking for the week and I wanted something new. I found Kyas recipe for pumpkin scones and so I made them! I knew I had some pumpkin in the freezer so it worked out perfectly. Thank you so very much for sharing Kya!

There are a whole range of wonderful recipes over in the forums and its a great database to use.



1 cup mashed pumpkin
1 egg
1/4 C oil
3/4 brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 C SR flour
1/4 tsp bi carb
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 C butter milk


Mix together pumpkin, sugar, egg, oil, vanilla sift in dry ingredients,add buttermilk and fold in gently . scoop into lined muffin pan.
Cook in mod oven 15 mins.

October Giveaway - Sweet Little Girls Nightie

Its time again to announce our monthly giveaway and this months is a special treat! Another one of our mama made items, Cathy (narrawallee) has kindly given us one of her beautiful girls nighties as this months giveaway.

This is a long nightdress for a three year old child made from flannelet. It has pintucks at the front, has a box pleat at the back and has matching covered buttons and bias binding around the collar.

Isn't it super sweet! We are so spoilt here at Crafty Mamas aren't we! So leave a comment and I will draw a winner at the end of the month.

Thank you so much Cathy - and remember you have to be in it to win it!

October Swap at Crafty Mamas

Octobers Swap at Crafty Mamas has been announced. We are doing a Christmas decoration swap. That way it will be getting to its recipients in time for Christmas!

So if you would like to join in please come by the forum at www.craftymamas.net and join in. guidelines are available there and only 50 posts are needed to participate. Easy!

And of course its such good fun!

Congratulations Punkys Mama

Congratulations Victoria - you have been drawn out of the barrel as this months giveaway winner!!

This wonderful apron will be winging its way to you very very soon.

Thanks to all who entered - stay tuned for Octobers giveaway ...

Last Chance for September Draw

Today is the last day to get your name in the draw for the September giveaway! Mandys apron is waiting for a new home....so go here...and leave a message!

Drawn tomorrow...best of luck!

Pic: amazon.co.uk

My very good friend Tamara recently had myself and the kids around for coffee and she put out a plate for the kids which included this Muesli Slice. Jack really didn't look twice but Lainey ate three pieces! So i thought I would get the recipe from her and this morning I have made some. The recipe comes from the Family Circle Superb Slices Cookbook.


250g of butter
1 cup castor sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup coconut
1 cup half crushed corn flakes
1/2 cup slithered almonds
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 cup dried apricots chopped
1 cup dried fruit.

Combine the butter, sugar and honey in a bowl and melt in the microwave until sugar is dissolved.

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and make a well. Pour in the butter mixture and mix well.

Out into a slice tray or use a muffin pan and put into the oven at 160 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden...if using muffin pans they take less to cook. Cool completely in the time and then pop in the fridge for 2 hours.

This morning I used golden syrup instead of honey and some different ingredients by way of dried fruit etc as I didn't have everything listed. This is one of those recipes you can pretty much use anything I think!!

I will let you know if I have managed to recreate the magic for Lainey!

Milo Choc Chip Scones

Perhaps making the humble scone with Milo as an ingredient is sacrilege, but all I can say is these are divine. I got the recipe from a friend of mine who lives in Canberra - Kylie - and she makes them for her band of boys and they love them.

Milo Choc Chip Scones

Sift 4 cups S/R flour and 1/2 cup Milo in large bowl.Mix through 1/2 cup choc bits.

Make a well in centre and pour in 300ml thickened cream and a can of lemonade.

Cut liquid through till combined, pour out and knead gently and roll out until about 2cm thick, cut and bake in mod oven for out 15mins or till browned.

I made the first batch of these this morning and am waiting for them to cool before they are devoured.

Cinderella *zwergen* mode Lilly Piece Skirt

This is another one from the Cinderella *zwergen* mode range that I recently picked up from Crafty Mamas. This pattern came in German and so there were a few moments where I had to stop and think about it - but Claudia has put together such a concise pattern with great pics that I had no real problems.

The fabric is denim (which is hard to photograph I think) from my stash, and the contrast is stash from Crafty Mamas. I cant remember exactly what it is but it feels like drill but with a stretch to it.

I love it - the pattern is fabbo and the combination are endless. I will put it with the Angie skirt I made earlier today.

Cinderella *zwergen* mode Angie Summer Shirt.

Mike has been home from work ill today and I decided being the caring wife I am to use that to my advantage and sew!

This is the new line from Cinderella *zwergen* mode. I jumped in and bought this (along with some of the others!) pattern...the Angie Summer Shirt.

I traced and cut it out last night and sewed it today. I love it. The pattern is well written and the pictures are great for someone like me who is a visual learner! It was clear and easily understood and in no time I had sewn this up!

I used red and yellow Colorado from the Crafty Mamas shop and the monkey boy velour Farbenmix iron on also from the same place. This top is for Lainey and in the beginning I thought the colours and iron might not be girlie enough but I actually thin they look great and perfect for Lainey.

Hotpants are next!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Tracy from Mad Quilter for being our August giveaway winner! Well done and I will be in touch for you postal address.

Dont forget to leave a comment on this months giveaway - a beautiful apron made by Mandy!

September Giveaway Emmeline Apron.

This months giveaway has been made by the wonderfully talented crafty mama Mandy.

It is the Emmeline Apron and here is what she had to say about it:

"Here it is my first Emmeline Apron and I just love this pattern. I used two Timeless Treasures fabrics from the Casbar range, and a brown homespun fabric that matched really well with the prints. Thanks for looking."

Thank you so very much Mandy and you have done such a wonderful job!

You know the drill leave a comment and I will draw the winner at the end of the month.

Clothes for Dolly

Next week is Laineys 2nd birthday and we have bought her a Cabbage Patch Doll. To go with that I am in the process of making some clothes so her dolly can be as stylish as she is !

I made this dress today (modeled by her current but smaller dolly with only one eye that stays open - so the dress looks a little big!) using the Mamu Design Christina for Dolls pattern from Crafty Mamas (this is an e-pattern so instant gratification at time of purchase!) I used some of the Kaufman 21 Wale cord (also from Crafty mamas) out of my scrap box along with some black bias binding.

It took about 30 minutes, and that included tracing the pattern. Quick, simple and lovely. I plan on having more ready for when her new dolly comes to live with us.

Choc Chip Muffins

Today the kids and I did some baking. We made choc chip muffins using my favourite muffin recipe supplied to me by Lisa. I wont use any other recipe now. I added 200g of choc chips and they are delish!

2 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons custard powder
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup veg oil

Mix well. Then add your add ins...


I have also used stewed fruit as well as making them plain. Yummo!

owl

Hi, made a owl just thought I would share I think he is really cute,next I'm going to make a caterpillar.
I like it so much I have put it as my avatar.
I have a old pattern and on it has five toys to make a owl,caterpillar,dog ,clown and a doll.

New Conceptions Baby Essentials

New Conceptions Baby Essentials
Made from fabrics also bought from the Crafty Mama's Store.

The pattern instructions were really easy to follow.
The pattern pieces fitted together well and were very easy to sew.
I only needed my sewing machine to construct these garments.

T Shirt Surgery Challenge Inspiration

I made something today for the August Challenge in the CM Forums - T Shirt Surgery - but I'm not at all happy with it. It's a reversible bag made from two old band shirts, but I am just not feeling the love, so I decided to have a bit of a scout around for further inspiration.

Here is the bag I WISH I had made today... it certainly would have wasted less time!!

More things to do with tees:

• This kimono top tute looks easy enough AND it's super cute.



• Adorable and crazy easy kids pants - I've used this tute myself, and although I tweaked it, I highly recommend it. I also recommend trying it out with a tee you wouldn't necessarily put on your child if it were their size; eg, In the pic below, I used a boys style skate tee - I love how the finished pants turned out. What I did differently; instead of tracing the inside leg, I traced the curve of the crotch only & cut the tee straight down with middle for a funky wide leg. I also used material from the sleeves of the shirt to make a drawstring instead of using elastic.

• Here is a tute on how to make yourself some yoga pants, if, unlike me, you happen to have a shirt big enough handy.... ;)

• T Shirt Undies....!! Need I say more?

• This set on flickr shows a unique idea that brings new meaning to 'designer tee'; wall art from T Shirts.

• A fantastic, if not particularly new, idea is to make a 'memory quilt' from old tees, I love the idea but would have to start now with the collecting of the shirts with meaning. Hmmm... check back with me in 20 years. In the meantime, here are some examples of quilts sewn by people just a little bit more organised.

• One thing about crafting with tees is that sometimes you actually end up creating waste, lots of projects only require the body of the shirt, leaving the sleeves as scrap. This quick tute shows you how to make a little hats for bubs & use up some of those pesky sleeves!

• I have this tute on how to make a toddler dress from an adult T Shirt to thank for showing me how to make cute swirly-almost-ruffled lettuce edges by stretching the knit as you sew it...

Hopefully these have have sparked some creative ideas for you too - I have just now found a little light bulb on above my head, an old fashioned one mind you, not a new energy saver deal'e, they just don't do the trick when it comes to illustrating the formation of bright ideas - and hope to see you in the August Challenge!

Congratulations HennyPenny

Congratulations go to HennyPenny (Moderkip) this morning as random.org drew number 8...the number that was your post. The Sami pattern will shortly be on its way to you...enjoy!

Dont forget to leave a comment if you would like to win our first Mama Made giveaway - that ends at the end of the month!

Baby Top and Pants

Knitted in cotton a size 000 in a dark purple, finished of the neck and armholes with crocheting the pants have a rib waist and rib around the legs had this cotton in my stash, think it took two balls in 4ply and 50gram balls.

August Giveaway

Well aren't we spoilt for choice here this month!

As promised here is Augusts giveaway - our first Mama Made item.

I have made a Double Duty bag by Sew Baby and its one of my absolute favourite bag patterns. Its suitable for all sorts of things from being a baby bag, a library bag, a craft project storage bag...you name it! Its got pockets on the inside and good length handles. I made it using a beautiful soft brown cord and a green polka dot fabric. I bought the pattern through one of the very first Special Buys I was bought from at Crafty Mamas!


Outside of bag


Outside of bag


Inside of bag


Inside of bag


I hope you like it - and if you do please leave a comment and Random.org will draw a winner at the end of the month.

Good luck!

Stop the Press - Quick Weekly Giveaway!

Oh goodness me how lucky are we!!!!

Lisa has given me a brand spanking new pattern to giveaway this week.

Kleine Hexenkuche Patterns are new to Crafty Mamas and to celebrate Lisa is giving away a copy of Sami.



EXCLUSIVELY to us from our Crafty Mama friend in GERMANY, this is a jacket for the whole year, whether thick or as a light summer jacket. Everything is possible with this cut. In comes in sizes.86-176, so there is no excuse to put your name in the barrel for this one.

So leave a comment and be in the draw...I will have Random.org select a winner Saturday 8th August.

Good luck!!!!

Oh and dont forget to check out www.craftymamas.net for the whole Kleine Hexenkuche Patterns range :)