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!