Do you blog? Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Pinterest?

What appeals to you in terms of social media? What do you love and what do you hate? I'd love to know...

My pick of the bunch is (obviously) blogging. I love the interaction with other bloggers, crafters and generally liked minded people out there across the world. It's a visual diary, it keeps me creatively on my toes and helps me get and stay inspired.

And I loooove Pinterest. It satisfies my bower bird tendencies but also my Virgo-like wish to be organised. Fantastic.

I like Instagram too. I wish I could remember to use it more, but I think that will come with time. I like the immediacy and the fact that it's a little visual snapshot of a moment in time.

I kinda tried Twitter once but didn't really get it, though I know many people love it. So that's a no at the moment.

And as for Facebook, well... I guess you could say I'm a bit Facebook phobic. It just never really appealed to me and the closest I got to it was when a friend bribed me to join so I could see pics of her kids and new house. So I did join, but so half heartedly that I might as well have not. However, opening my Etsy shop again has got me thinking about the fact that its all one big intertwined platform and that Facebook is such a big part of it that maybe I should take the plunge afterall. Because it's not worth putting things out there if noone can find them, right? Hmm.

Then there's the matter of how much time is spent online. I already get overload at times and have to turn off the gadgets for a bit to clear my head. So do I really need another one?? Because there are plenty of other things to be getting on with in the offline world...

Like this:
 

And this:


And this:  ;-)


But I guess, as in the rest of life, it's a matter of balance. If you're still with me, please let me know what you think and how you juggle it all. I need some tips!

That bloggy black hole

* This post is interspersed with images from the 'Love Lace' exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum.


I came across a final blog post recently on a craft blog and at first I thought how sad it was that they were finishing, but then I thought again...



We hear about that great big online black hole that contains all the discontinued blogs. Of course each blog needs to end up there some day. You can't keep going forever, I guess?!



I've always wondered how long I will go on with my blog, and whether I will feel I've failed when I'm done. As with a lot of craft/mum bloggers I don't have a hard and fast plan for blogging, I just do it because I like connecting with the online community (you ;-), it encourages me to be creative and it adds another aspect to my life at the moment. All of this is bound to change sooner or as my life moves on and changes.



But I don't mean to sound negative... I found it fascinating how the author of that post explained that her blog used to sustain her in many ways but because her life has moved on it now holds her back... it just doesn't serve her needs anymore. When I look at blogs that have endured (Soulmama's an example) they have obviously evolved and changed, and the authors freely admit to ups and downs, ebbs & flows, which is just like life in general.



So I guess that made me relax and think that I'll just do it while I enjoy it, and when the day comes that it doesn't feel right then that's the time to move on.



Do you have a plan or do you just 'go with the flow'?

Gingham shirt

Over the school holidays I kind of lost my enthusiasm for blogging, probably partly because I've been so focussed on the kids that I haven't had a lot of head space for creativity. And oddly we haven't been doing anything really crafty this time around, rather enjoying the sunshine outside and seeing friends, which in itself is great for both the kids and me. I gain enormous support and strength from my mum friends, whether they're old friends or new friends gained through the link of our children.

I have squeezed in a bit of sewing though (where there's a will there's a way!), which I'll try to post about now that life is returning to normal routine with school resuming tomorrow.

OK, gingham. What does it make you think of? Tablecloths, teatowels, school uniforms? I once bought what I thought was a gorgeous summer top in it, and the Mr promptly laughed when he saw it and pronounced that it was pure Elly May Clampett... which wasn't really the look I was going for, but I still loved it.



When I spotted this 100% cotton, soft, pink and white gingham (bought with a voucher from a lovely friend, thank you A) I knew it would make a lovely shirt. I had in mind a particular design with bib front and gathered details, but couldn't find a pattern for anything similar. With a lot of trial and error I think I could draft a pattern for one (using Cal Patch's fabulous book as reference). But it was instant gratification I wanted (some things never change!), so I used my Schoolhouse tunic pattern again. It worked out pretty well. Not perfect, but wearable, and satisfied the urge for a new shirt in the pretty gingham.

What do you think of gingham? Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? Just want to have a picnic in the park when you see it? ;-)



Some pattern notes:

• I did the same as before: one pleat on the front instead of two, smaller size etc.

• Also I added a little detail to the sides of the hem. I thought it looked a little harsh with the straight hem so I used some elastic to make little gathers at the bottoms of the side seams to give a rounded effect. I'd considered just cutting it in a curved shape but thought the curve might mean I wouldn't get a nice turn up on the hem. I considered doing a bias binding around it to get around this issue (and the detail of the changing direction of the checks would have been nice) but decided on the elastic to give a bit of continuity between the hem and the sleeves. Yes, I'm a nerd, I love the little details and probably put far too much thought into them, but I get a kick out of it ;-)

- - - - - - - - - -

Has anyone tried Fabenmix patterns? I've got my eye on a couple which are just what I've been looking for (pinned here).

Blogiversary giveaway

It was my 'blogiversary' recently (well, last month, but who's counting!). I wanted to thank you all for your comments, kind words and encouragement over the past year. I love my little space here and you make it so much more fun and rewarding.


1. kids messenger bag 2. felt heart garland 3. kids initial cushion

To celebrate the year and thank you for joining me I thought I'd do a giveaway and tailor it to what you would like. And you'll also be helping me to stash bust!


4. fabric belt 5. zip purse 6. baby slippers

- - - - - You can choose your favourite 3 items from the pictures here. They might be things you'd like for your littlies, a gift for a friend, or just for you... Once I have a winner I will make your items using fabric from my stash. You can either have them made in the same fabric as in the picture (providing I happen to still have some), or tell me some of your favourite colours and I'll choose the fabrics to coordinate, or leave it up to me to choose - - - - -

There will also be a 2nd prize mystery giveaway!


7. pocket tissue holder 8. wrist cuff 9. jersey scarf

To enter: Leave me a comment listing your 3 favourite items from the pictures. Remember to add your email address if I can't access it from your comment.


10. Toddler cap (size up to about 4 years) 11. book bag 12. kids wrist cuff

I'll leave the giveaway open until next Friday (1st July), when I'll get one of my littlies to choose a number from a hat and announce it. Then I'll get making your goodies and post them to you.

Good luck and thanks again :-)

Bloggy stuff

Thank you for your comments on my knitting post. I think you're right - I should just dive into the Effortless Cardigan!

There seems to be so much going on in the crafty blog world at the moment, I could spend all day surfing and getting inspired. There are sew-a-longs and competitions galore! I thought I'd talk about some of the things I'm excited about at the moment.

• Firstly, my friend Deb, fellow crafter, mum, holiday buddy and formidable iphone scrabble opponent, has finally started her own blog called "Debbie does handmade"- yay! She always has great ideas for kids craft, cooks up storm and knits and sews great clothes, so I can't wait to see what she gets up to (no pressure Deb ;-). Visit her here to check out her very cute sock bunnies.

• I'd been thinking about joining in Rae's "Spring top sewalong" recently (though it's not spring here) and then had an email from Deb saying that she's spied one of my Shearwater Kaftans referenced here on the lovely Fashioned by Meg blog (Meg's a judge). Click on "this cute one" - hee hee, my 5 seconds of crafty blog fame ;-) Unfortunately I can't get into my Flickr account at the moment :-(, so I hope I make the deadline to submit - which is next Monday in case you're thinking of entering.


Make it Perfect Sprout dress

• Kids Clothing Week Challenge (KCWC) is starting soon - commit to sewing for your kids for one hour a day - great for finishing off those projects that have been hanging around for ages. I'm hoping to participate in this again this year, I loved it last year. Top of my list this year to make is the Make it Perfect Sprout dress for my little girl who hates wearing trousers, even in cold weather. Maybe this will keep her warm!

• And there's also the 'Free Pattern Month' over at Grosgrain (see button on the right) where one free pattern each day of the month is posted. I love the tie-sided shorts from Elsie Marley below. They would look great on my girls. Maybe something for KCWC?


Elsie Marley/Grosgrain

And also just thought I'd mention that I've had a bit of a tidy-up over there on the right. Things were getting a bit messy and chaotic (hmm, sounds like my house), so I've grouped a few things. If you're looking for some recipe inspiration or someone you know has an egg allergy, check out my recipes. Each one of them is a tried and tested family favourite. And I've taken a liberty in labeling one of the other groups 'kind-of tutorials'. I've never purposefully written a tutorial, but there are posts where I explain how I've made things like my no-sew scarf. I thought someone might get something out of them. I'm interested in doing proper tutorials one day but just don't have the time right now, so this will have to do in the meantime.

With all these fabulous things to do and places to visit my sleep quota may be seriously compromised in the coming weeks ;-) What crafty goodness are you loving at the moment?

New year fun

Hello hello, happy new year! I hope you've had an opportunity to spend some time with your families and relax (although those two don't necessarily go together in my house!) and have some fun.

Around here we have been:


Playing with a new birthday dollhouse happily filled with gorgeous Le Toy Van painted wooden furniture, a Christmas gift...



Cooking and eating plum jam made with these cute little plums collected on a recent foraging trip with friends (thank you Penny :-) ...


making parcels of sweets for neighbours and decorating them using pom poms (great finger tutorial here)...


and finding a little frog under our garbage bins! Very exciting given that we thought we didn't have a 'green' enough environment for them here.


Also I've made a few little changes to my blog. I thought it was about time I changed the pic on my header, then I looked at what a crazy mess my lists on the right had become, and though technically challenged, have tried to simplify it. My aim is to work out how to simplify it further while keeping it easy to navigate. Hmm! And as I've totally ignored my Etsy and Madeit shops lately I've taken them off til I can get some stock back up, which will hopefully happen soon so I can buy more supplies. You know how it goes ;-)

Not drowning, waving

Actually, make that drowning...

Well, I think I've topped my record lately in the "set yourself too many tasks, fail miserably and fall into a heap" stakes. Of course, setting yourself lots of tasks isn't a problem if you've actually got enough time to execute them... which I did have a while ago but haven't had lately. Just to let myself off the hook slightly though, having the Mr away all last week did set me back a bit. After parenting solo one school kid and two cranky toddlers I was just too knackered to stay up crafting, sewing or blogging and most nights fell into bed and dragged myself out again the next morning, having been joined in bed by anywhere between one and three little buddies sometime through the night.

So on my list of things to do by about now was (she takes a deep breath):
- Sewing myself a dress. From scratch. No pattern.
- Sewing my big girl a dress including petticoat & decorative flower (see 'next up on my sewing machine' over on the right)
- Finishing the hand printed Christmas paper & tags
- Buying and making various gifts for family & friends for our early Christmas celebrations (more on this later when it's not a secret :-)
- Making a birthday gift for a friend

Hmm. Some of them are almost done, but others are nowhere near done, and I'm going to have to come up with alternative solutions or just accept that life's not prefect. I've given myself a serious talking to and decided that my new year's resolution will be to do less projects and give each the time they need to be done well rather than raced through.

Anyway... let me show you something I have been able to do a little on...

I finally decided on the style of dress to make for my brother's wedding, then agonised over the fabric - went to my favourite fabric shop hoping to find some Japanese Echino light weight cotton in one of their beautiful prints. But they didn't have any and nothing else jumped out at me. So after wasting my precious child-free couple of hours I headed home feeling defeated and deflated. Out of precious fabric shop browsing time, I trawled the net and finally decided on the Alexander Henry "Imperial Kiku" from Kelani Fabrics.



As the dress is such a simple design I felt that the fabric needed lots of personality. I made a 'muslin' to check on my pattern in a solid purple colour which looked pretty boring. I have drafted the pattern myself after taking pointers from "Design-it-yourself clothes", so we'll see if it's a total disaster or not!

My 100th post! (and a giveaway)

Hey, this is my 100th post! Which seems crazy really, as it feels like I'm just getting started with this blogging caper... wasn't it just last week that I wrote my first post? Yeh, yeh, I know, I'm getting old - everything feels like it was 'just yesterday' these days.



So I thought I'd have my first giveaway. Occasionally people ask me why I blog (dunno, really), and a school mum friend recently said she showed her parents my blog as an example of 'a blog' and they asked why I do it (dunno, really). So why have a giveaway? Dunno, really, just kinda want to... which I reckon is as good a reason as any :-)




I made the pictured wrist cuff recently during my cuff making frenzy when I also made one as a friend's birthday gift. I chose the other one to give to her and this one got put in the sewing basket for 'another day'. It needs a home. It's made with some of my favourite Cloth horsey fabric, linen and wool felt backing, and closes with a wooden button.

If you'd like it, leave me a comment and I'll get the baby to point to the screen and choose a name on the weekend. I'll post it anywhere in the world, so don't be shy.

hello blog land!

Woo hoo, I'm up! After months of dithering, fretting and getting excited about all the things I could post about I've finally started my blog. I hope to download all the creative 'stuff' that clogs up my head (in a good way!) and connect with some like-minded souls out there. I'd love your company...