Hairstyles & Buttons

Well, after much saving, LMS got her hair 'done'. It's been dyed a dark dark brown (almost black) with blonde foils, and had it heavily layered. She looks quite different, and far more 'teenage'.

My blouse is just about finished. Went to the fabric shop on way home, couldn’t find a single piece of fabric to buy, although I did find a pattern I liked. Something to think on. Problem is that it is designed to use soft floaty fabric, and I don’t do see-through (at all). Might have to bite the bullet and try Spotlight again. Main reason for going was to buy buttons, but their range was less than impressive.

Sat on couch and went through my button collection and after about ½ hour of sifting through, found 5 buttons that (nearly) match. They’re close enough to get away with, and I don’t think they’ll be bad enough to trigger off any visits from the Button Police! So, can do buttonholes today and hang blouse in the wardrobe!

Well, off to get the day started.

Smiles, Mrs R

Swaps and toiles!

I participated in the Sew Mama Sew fat quarter swap, and have received 2 thus far ... they're both really pretty, and I'm looking forward to using them.

Went to the fabric shop on Friday and bought fabric for a skirt & a blouse. Haven't sewn for myself (successfully) for a long time ... hoping to break the drought.

This is the skirt - from a 1970's Enid Gilchrist pattern. I altered the panel slightly to give it a bit more 'flare'. It's nice, easy to wear and very work suitable.

The blouse fabric is linen/poly (more linen than poly) and I'm looking forward to making it up, just don't enjoy the cutting out part! Decided not to risk it, and made a toile in an old sheet first. Am very glad that I did, as I had to alter the sleeve to fit my arms. Need to tweak it a little on the shoulder and shorten the length. Other than that, a surprisingly easy make!

Check out that dreadful posture!! Oh, spot the neck scar - impressive isn't it!! It's healing, but still very red.

Mrs R

Card making & Paper Dollies

Some time ago, I bought this fantastic book/kit called Paper Fashions by Klutz. My niece (waves to Bethany) had it and her creations were so wonderful, I was hooked!! Anyways, after much hunting and searching, LMS & I got our own copy.

Been at a bit of a loose end, so got out the book, and started tracing and cutting. Is rather therapeutic (and addictive) ... so, here are the results!

Photos aren't wonderful, and colours didn't come out 'quite' right, but trust me, they're cute!

Mrs R

Pretty Basket!

I've been wandering from one thing to the next today, without much of a plan ... and on one of my wanders, made this little basket for my laundry. The rectangle was 45 x 19cm and the corners were mitred at 8cm. Clear as mud I guess!

Felt that this was a little too tall for my liking ...

So I turned the top over to form a cuff ... much prettier.

And here it is in it's new home! That thing sticking out of the side is a bike pump attachment ... why is it in the laundry? No idea!!!

Smiles, Mrs R

Lovely Laundry Shelves

Happy Husband was wonderful enough to put up these shelves in the laundry. Really, they're his idea as he didn't like everything on the washing machine (one of the downsides of a front loader). So ... ta da ... here it is, neat, tidy and pretty!

I'm going to make a basket to replace the margarine container - it's the home for those 'lost' items - golf tees, bike bits, retic parts etc etc - stuff that comes out of pockets!

Isn't that neat and tidy?

Smiles, Mrs R

New batteries equals new pictures

Yep - took a while to figure out that the camera needed new batteries! Here's Charlie keeping me company while I update my blog! Now he's sitting at my feet hoping for biscuits!!

I've been busy doing ... well ... nothing! Can't think of overmuch that I've achieved at all. This is LMS' ds case that I made last week ... she chose the fabric and I spent a few nights getting pictures in my head to work! This isn't exactly what I imagined, however, it is still great and does the job! The front pocket is for the games carrier.

And, next onto some more bibs! Was lost for things to sew, so figured that bibs are handy, easy and I had the fabric! Plus, got to make some more bias for my stash!! I used to be able to put bias on in one go - no pinning, just fold and stitch - once and done! Now, it's a bit more effort as I'm out of practice. I did the snail bib the 'correct way' ... stitch bias to the front, fold under and topstitch from the top. The second one was done 'upside down' which is how I was taught at TAFE. It all came back to me ... much better! In reality, the bias is on both, no-one will know how it was done, but it was a dusted off skill for me!

Went to Spotlight last night on a whirl wind trip, and grabbed and paid! Phew. Got the fabric for my Sew Mama Sew swap, and some co-ordinating ribbons to 'make it pretty'. Will post them today. Got some pelmet interfacing ($2.99/m) from the curtain section - it's great stuff and cheap. Found the buckram in the sewing section - but at $30/m - I don't think it's the stuff that you stockpile! After leaving there, dashed by Sound Stationery and picked up some butcher's paper (tracing/drafting), white cardstock (always handy) and A4 & A5 cellophane envelopes - these are really nice for packing gifts/crafts in - makes them look professional and keeps the dust off!

Smiles, Mrs R

Dust Cover!

Remember the fabric I made from strips? Well, this is what it ended up as ... a sewing machine cover. Not a highly exciting use for it, but it's fun and useful! Can't ask for much more, plus, there's enough scraps to trim a cover for the overlocker.

Now, to clean up the mess!

Mrs R