Scrappy- Strappy Monster aka SPOT

My youngest son has a very weird comforter.... the straps of the singlet I am wearing that day. this can get VERY annoying in public, and especially at night....

And giving him a spare singlet top isn’t the best look (though shouldn’t complain, I’m sure there is far worse clothing items he could want to cuddle... lol)

So it suddenly hit me yesterday, why not attach some straps to a soft toy... just had to decide which toy to make....thank you to Pinterest, I got inspiration from these little guys.

And here is our own Scrappy-Strappy-Monster

Teacher Appreciation Day

I really appreciate my children’s teacher; they go above and beyond what is required of them.

The whole school has me very impressed really.

So while I got a little ahead of myself, (I thought Teacher appreciation day was coming in July... but it's not until October) I am well organised now!

Each of the teachers the children chose (8 all up) will receive a sleep mask, coffee mug with cup cosy and an assortment of tea bags and coffee sachets.

It will also be teamed up with this poem:

A well-earned cuppa for you,

To say 'thanks for all that you do.
Making a difference teaching my child this year,
experiencing many giggles and even a tear.

I think it's time for a well-deserved rest,
So out of these beverages, please choose the best,
Put up your feet, have some fun,
Relax- It’s another day done!

Happy Teacher’s Appreciation Day!!!

and all wrapped up. They were a big hit!

Perfect Corners Tutorial

I have always snipped my corners diagonally across the tip like this, but still found it a little bulky to turn and top stitch over.

I have just stumbled upon snipping it like this:

It ends up looking like this:

And found it turns perfectly and sits lovely afterwards.

What are your tips for perfectly snipped and turned corners?

Thumbs Up Approval

Last year my youngest wore one of my monkey beanies that I have available in my store.
But this year I thought he might be getting a little too old to get away with being "cute".

After hunting for the right ear flap crochet pattern I found this one from Alli Crafts.

And I think the photos speak for themself and show just how much my son loves his new head wear!

Dress A Girl Around the World- Progress Update

It has been 6 months since I discovered Dress A Girl Around the World, and my desire to help this organisation has not faded.

Infact, in the last 6 months I have posted 6 parcels to Gigi- the organiser based in Sydney.
In total those parcels have contained 45 shorts and 112 dresses!

That is 157 children I have helped dress, and I could not be prouder!

Winter AND summer skirt!

When I saw this piece of fabric in the remnant bin at Spotlight, I knew it would be fantastic for a skirt!
So at $2 a metre I grabbed the piece that was there (and wouldn't have been much more then a metre, however I can't remember exactly now)

I wasn't sure WHAT type of skirt I wanted to make out of it.

But as soon as I found this tutorial on Sweet Verbana, I KNEW it was perfect, and got to work the next day!
(only difference with mine is I wouldn't just fold and sew, I had to cut and make sure both piece has the right side facing out as my fabric had a very clear front and back)

I think it is perfect over tights with boots for winter, and I am sure I will wear it in summer as it is a lovely weight fabric.


I am now on the look out for some more fabric to make this style skirt from.

Pink in a House Full of Blue

Other than my coffee mugs and tea/coffee/sugar canisters, I don’t buy pink for the house, because it is my husband’s house also, and while I decorate it, I try not to make it too girly (although wouldn’t it be cool to have a house like Ellie from Cougar town with shabby chic in every room!!!)

So when hubby approved (and by approved I mean he had to pay for them) the boys’ recent Mother's Day suggestion of a pink towel set... I am taking it as an indication I am allowed to have pink towels in the bathroom.. YAY!!!!!

Wonder what other rooms I can bring some more pink in to.... and how long will it take 4 males to notice??

Wallet/Clutch

I knew this fabric would look great as a wallet or clutch, as I think it is very stylish and also easy to match with any outfit.

So when I was told this wallet from Very Purple Person fits an iPhone in it, I thought it would be a great wallet-clutch, and since making it I know I will be making many more in different fabrics for myself and as adult gifts (watch out friends and family).

ETA: Here is another I have made for myself... just wait until Christmas and you will see just how much I love the pattern/tutorial... many more will be made!

!

Printing on Fabric

Why haven’t I done this sooner....??? My eldest two boys have just started collect these Trash Packs and While my eldest has the collector case, he also wants to take the characters to school to "battle" with his friends (or whatever you actually do with this toy) and the case is a little too big in his bag and too "showy" for my liking to take to school. So I told him I would make a little draw string bag (and of course one for my second eldest) And then I suddenly remembered I wanted to try printing on fabric, and would be perfect to print the logo to have on the bag.

HOW TO:

1)I ironed some visoflex on to my white fabric, and leaving the paper side of the visoflex still on the fabric I masking taped all 4 sides of my fabric to an A4 pieces of paper.

2) Doing a printing test on to another piece of paper to make sure it would line up on my piece of fabric (as my fabric wasn’t a full A4 size)

3) I then sent my fabric paper through the printer.
And you’re DONE!

It's that SIMPLE!

The logo is a little smudgy from the printer ink, but luckily the style of the Trash Packs can have a dirty look to it.

Easter Gift

Our Christmas M&M tubes were a great hit at Christmas time, so thought the kids would enjoy giving some Easter themed gifts.
At first I thought of doing jelly beans- especially if I could find some pastel coloured ones.
But as soon as I got to the lolly isle and saw the mini marshmallows I knew that would be perfect!


So here they are..... All 40 of them!!!!!
What am I going to do when my third son is at school??


And for the teachers, thanks to Kelli One's blog for the idea, they all received a vase full of flowers!

These were well received, I even had other teachers and students looking at them and asking about them.
And the teachers were even talking after them for weeks to come :)