Patchwork Please! - A book I need to buy

I often trial books, before I buy them, by taking them out of the library first.  Sometimes books can be a triumph of styling over actual substance.  I recently did this with Patchwork Please! by Ayumi Takahashi and for me this is a book that I need to purchase.  The projects and the styling are great. There are several projects that I want to do.

So far I am obsessed with the envelopes:

With this envelope I used the instructions from Zoe the Zombie Apocalypse doll, with some Miffy fabric I bought in Japan.  The on below uses some Red Cookie fabric which I have had squirrelled away.

There are a number of other projects in this book that I would like to try.

Are there any books that you can recommend?

Woolly Goodness

There is nothing like new fabric arriving to brighten the day.

These are all 100% wool and are beautifully light and soft, they are now in the shop here.

I am inspired to make one of the otters

from Amy Adams book Countryside Softies

and perhaps a needlebook by Sue Spargo...

Hi Ho Hi Ho it is off to sew I go.

book club is at my place tonight

All of these books except for The Passage were bought from The Book Depository (I always think of "suppository" when I hear this name - childish I know) for book club tonight.  The Passage was a Christmas present which I loved, so have decided to share in book club as well.

In our book club we don't all read the same book at the same time.  At each get together we each put in $10 and the next person hosting it takes the money and buys the books for the next meeting.

I have read all of the new books in the last two weeks except for Water for Elephants and I enjoyed them all.  I didn't realise when I bought it that Sarah's Key has been made into a movie, but I have heard the book is a lot better than the movie.

Also while I was on line I could not help clicking add to basket for Block Party, which is not due for release until 1 June.

Anybody else got any good books to recommend?

some of the joys of having teenagers

Yes there are some! 

Watching the DVDs you love, that were considered too old, with them for the first time.  These holidays we have been watching Love Actually (a personal favourite), the Bourne movies and 50 First Dates.  Any other recommendations?

Reading young adult/teen fiction.  These holidays The Hunger Games have been read by everyone!

This is the first book of the trilogy and comes highly recommended - everyone in our house loved them (beware they are addictive).

And of course there is always something very special at getting a big hug from my 6 foot something 15 year old son; and all the hormonal moods are forgotten when I get a special hug and massage from my 13 year old baby girl.

I love watching them grow and develop into wonderful young adults.

Please note:  they can also drive me insane and rant and rave and even say the occassional swear word at times :)

OMG - what have I got myself into?

We are very fortunate in having a wonderful library and I am a regular, checking out magazines, novels and lots and lots of crafting books (the latest is above, Dare to be Square Quilting).  Well the number of crafting books has not gone unnoticed, because now I find myself down to do a demonstration not only at my local library but also the neighbouring suburb's library - the topic - patchwork, christmas decorations and christmas gifts - a subject range broad enough to give myself plenty of wiggle room (or room to hang myself).

The library is running a series of art and craft demonstrations to show case the books they have available for loan.

Only thing is now I feel like a fraud - I am no sewing expert - I do things because I like doing them and I make plenty of mistakes along the way.  For me sewing and crafting is not about perfection.  But now the questions is what exactly to do?   My thoughts in no particular order are:

• a baby's bib
• cool cards from old book illustrations (but is cutting up old books sacrilege in a library?? What is the etiquette here?).
• the house and heart christmas decorations  - as seen here, maybe some others?
• a bag
• and some patchwork blocks, including the wonders of appliqueing with vliesofix

What do you think?  Any suggestions - what things do you make for quick and easy gifts?  I also thought I could take some completed things with me.  Like this pencil roll

Which came from the pattern in this book:

the coveting is over

I have been coveting this book (Nuigurumi Style) for a long time now and when I saw it on etsy I squealed.

The book is now out of print so finding a copy can be a bit of a mission.  I have been saving some brown velvet which will be perfect for the rabbit.

 I am in love!

A big thank you to everyone who has entered the giveaway (next post down, if you still wish to enter) I will be drawing winners on Wednesday (NZ time).

screw perfection

Today I did a market and like so many markets there are lots of people who said they would like to craft, sew or whatever but don't because they are scared that what they do will not turn out perfectly - to them and everyone with similar thoughts - I say screw perfection.

Crafting is not about perfection.  Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.  Random and impefect can be cool and quirky.

This book has a lovely intro...

Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson (from the introduction and I have paraphrsed a bit here, I hope you don't mind Alicia) " for me, sewing is about enjoying the process, not necessarily making a perfectly executed heirloom.  Perfection is relative. .... if you are new to sewing, don't get hung up on whether something is easy of difficult - I believe in "love at first sight" when it comes to projects.  Pick one that really speaks to you and just jump in.  Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes - sometimes they can be the most endearing part of the any finished project, and may provide further evidence of your unique personality and skills.
Dreaming about a project and shopping for supplies is a major part of the expereince - sometimes it is even the best part (there I said it)."

Alicia I like your style.

This is a lovely book not just for the ideas and patterns, which are beautiful and accessible, but also for the sentiment.

Happy stitching ... Lyndy

other people come back with a suntan....

.....but I came back from Sydney with a cold and more fabric.  (Because really a girl can never have too much fabric).  These are some of the new Saffron Craig fabrics and some of the oldies but goodies back again.

Also based on Jacqui's suggestion I checked out the Kinokuniya book shop in Sydney.  WOW WOW WOW shelves and shelves of girls' porn .... do you wanna see....

I need those hedgehogs!

The latest Cotton Time magazine full of Christmas ideas and a Girly Style Wardrobe book.

A few more photos...

Now all I need is some time for some sewing please.

Kids Clothes Week Challenge

I know that lots of you will already know about this - but just in case someone doesn't - Elsie Marley is hosting the wonderful Kids' Clothes Week Challenge over on her blog.

This is celebration of handmade clothes for children and a great place for inspiration.  My kids are now 13 and 15 and having clothes made by your Mum is seriously uncool, but I remember when they loved hand made clothes and if I made something for one, I had to then make something for the other.  They still like me making quilts and bags for them, so maybe my clothes making skills for teenagers are just a bit off and the end result is a bit naff.

Well if you are looking for inspiration please head over to Elsie's blog.  I would also like to recommend a great book for sewing children's clothes Making Children's Clothes by Emma Hardy.

This book contains 25 step by step projects for children aged 0-5 and contains a number of simple but very effective designs.

Happy stitching.

Japanese Craft Books

The shipment of Japanese Craft Books has arrived.  Oh what loveliness:

 

  So cute

  

Small Animals a fabulous needle felting book can be found in the shop here.

I have more books to put into the shop and will give a sneak peak inside some of the other books soon.

book love

Childhood Treasures by Caroline Zoob

I never tire of this book.  I borrowed it from the library about 3 times and then taking pity on other borrowers decided to buy it about 3 years ago.  It does contain some patterns and instructions, but perhaps more importantly it is an inspirational book, that showcases Caroline Zoob's style, which I love.

I made this quilt for one of my niece's which is inspired by one of Caroline's quilts in the book. 



The handmade lace I bought at Fabric a Brac made me reach for this book again and dream of what I could use it in.

Simple Sewing for Baby

I have been asked what I think of this book by Lotta Jansdotter, so  thought I would share with everyone.  My first impressions were good, the photos and styling are great and I love some of the ideas, but when someone asks is it worth while buying, I took a step back and reassessed it.

It is called Simple Sewing for Baby 24 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers, and yes that is right, the 24 projects are easy, this book is aimed at the beginner.  The book contains patterns and instructions for:

Clothes: bloomers, a bib kerchief, a simple pinafore dress (with an optional pocket and little stuffie to go inside), hat and scarf, a bib, simple pants, how to stencil on tees and a baby hat

Softies: a giraffe soft rattle,  a big softie buddy, a squishy soft toy book ends

There is also a tag blankie, nursing pillow, very simple play quilt, towel hoodie, a snuggler (think swaddling wrap) etc.

The patterns and some stencil templates are included in a wallet in the front and the good thing about them is each pattern has its own pattern page, so you don't have to try and decipher whether you are following the right line when tracing your pattern amongst a jumble of patterns.

To be honest there is nothing that new or that you couldn't find in an on line tutorial, if you know how. 

The value would be for someone who is new to parenting and sewing and needs a bit of extra guidance or inspiration.  Having said that most of the instructions are text with only a few illustrations and sometimes there is an assumption that people know how to do certain things!

My recommendation would to be to borrow it from the library, ooh and aah over the lovely photos and make the items you are keen on; or buy it for a friend who is a new parent and who is keen to start sewing, it woud make a lovely gift and a great starting point as it has some very easy and lovely patterns.

Just to let you know I plan on making the hat and scarf set and the giraffe baby rattle.

Also did you know that The Book Depository offers free shipping world wide.  Jacqui from Hazelnuts blogged about it here, which is likely to lead to some reckless book buying in our house!

Brain on the Fritz

I've got a head cold and my brain's not working.

I forgot an appointment I had today and then when I went to pick Miss M up from Clay Sculpting classes I drove to school instead.

I don't think I can be trusted to sew - luckily I have some eye candy from the library to drool over.

A Great Book and the Cats that Own Us

I would like to share with you a great book that I am reading at the moment called Cleo how an uppity cat helped heal a family. Written by Helen Brown, a New Zealand journalist, it is a true story of a cat that came into her family's life shortly after the death of her son.  I like Helen's slightly irreverent style of writing and I cannot recommend this book enough.

I am a cat person - I/we are owned by two cats Alley (aka Elvis, Alley Belly Ballerina) and Harley (aka H-man, Harlemesiter).  We were only ever meant to have one cat (says Alley) but a couple of years ago we fostered kittens for the SPCA.  We were going to be home over the Christmas, New Year holidays and the SPCA was desperate for foster families.  We were interviewed, had our house inspected and deemed worthy fosterers.  So three kittens came into our lives, all black and white and all from different litters.  A few days later the SPCA asked whether we could take one more - he was black and white - so of course we had to say yes.  We named him Harley because he roared around the place like a bikey on a Harley Davidson.

Now when we entered into the world of fostering I was very clear to my family that WE WERE NOT KEEPING ONE.  Well it was me that crumbled - I was sprung by family one day introducing Harley to Alley. 

So Harley joined our family..

The rest is history and we would not go back.  But for now I am banned from fostering for the SPCA.  Alley would not allow it.....  it might spoil her beauty sleep.

I would however highly recommend fostering, it was a great experience, but be aware you may end up with an extra cat or two and a new lived in look for your lounge suite/curtains.  It was all worth it.

Mills and Boon?

One of my weaknesses is books, especially crafting books and vintage books.  One of my more recent  finds is a Mills and Boon book (but not of the romance variety) and it ticks both boxes, vintage and crafting.  It is called Toys for your Delight by Winsome Douglass and was published in 1957.  First of all I love the author's name, it's not often you meet a Winsome these days and the embroidered toys and illustrations in the book are truly beautiful.

I was also fortunate to find An Orange Robin Story Book at the op shop.  I love the illustrations in this book and can see them as an embroidery one day.... 

 I may of course need a million "one days" to do all the things I would like to do.

Happy stitching!

Where does the time go...

Well that was a quick two weeks.  Now I am left trying to remember what I have been doing.

We are getting ready for the school fair in March next year and the craft stall always has to start early because sourcing materials and making stuff always takes so much time.  The other night several of us went to Lyndal's to learn how to wet felt and dry felt.  I am not so keen on the wet felting but loved the needle felting.  I would rather stab myself in the hand occassionally with the needle felter than put my hand in boiling water.  There was a lot of stabbing of fingers rather than felt going on which may have had a bit to do with the wine consumed. 

It was great fun.  Here is my first attempt at needle felting....

I definitely want to try this again and have invested in a new book Needle Felted Figures, which is beautiful.

Over the last few weeks we have been treated to several sushi meals.  Jack has been perfecting the art of making sushi and we have been willing guinea pigs.  This is part of his food technology class at school.



I have also been toying with an idea in my head for some Christmas decorations using the large babushka fabric... this is what it looks like so far..

I will finish embellishing and then create a stuffie with a hanger to pop on the Christmas tree.

It is scary thinking about Christmas - so much to do - so little time!