Sharing Sunday - Lunch Bags

I know this is a day late, but it's still Sunday in some parts of the world!  Today I thought I'd share a couple of links with you for Lunch Bags.  I don't actually have a great deal of them in my bookmarks, but will share with you the ones I have.

Click HERE to go view the tutorial

Click HERE to go view the tutorial

Click HERE to go view the tutorial

Click HERE to go view the tutorial

Click HERE to go view the tutorial (scroll down the post a little ways)

So there you have it, a few lunch bags that should suit most tastes (pardon the pun!)  Till next time

Sharing Sunday - New Series of posts

I haven't ever done a series of posts before, and I'm going to even try and include a linky widget so you can add links to whatever theme I've done for this week, which happens to be APRONS, you know, things we use when cooking, painting, cleaning (yes, I do know what that is, I looked it up in the dictionary!) etc to protect our clothes from getting messy, or just because we love wearing them.  I know when I'm cooking, if I don't wear one, I sometimes get splatter marks up the front of me, so I have one that I've worn for years, and this post might just be the inspiration I need to update it.....who knows lol

Ok, I shall start off with a link to my Apron board on Pinterest....have you pinterested yet?  It's soooo much of a time-waster fun lol  Links are below the pics.

http://www.pinterest.com/naomi_vela/aprons/

http://seekatesew.com/ruffled-apron-pattern-sew-a-long-details-pattern-and-graphics/

http://twinfibers.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/little-crayon-apron-tutorial.html

http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/pattern-finder/sewing-projects/sewing-for-women/apron-sewing-pattern-vintage-style-apron

http://mrsclwilson.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/free-apron-pattern-finished-product.html

http://www.to-sew-with-love.com/2011/03/pretty-apron-and-chef-hat-tutorial.html

http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/04/freeapronpatternandtutorial.html

http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/make-your-own-apron-in-5-steps-and-15.html

http://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2014/5/21/free-tutorial-fathers-day-bbq-apron

http://www.bombshellbling.com/toddler-ruffle-apron-tutorial/

http://sunshineintheattic.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/joining-in-handmade-christmas-challenge.html

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/08/05/childs-apron-tutorial/

http://www.allfreesewing.com/Aprons/How-to-Sew-Aprons-Free-Patterns-for-Aprons

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2011/10/utility-apron-tutorial.html
I know there's way, WAY more apron tutorials out there, so please grab the link and add it to my linky below.  Don't forget to come back next week when I'll be posting another Sharing Sunday link up, I haven't decided which subject it will be on, so if you have a suggestion for something you'd like to see, leave me a comment and I'll see which tutorials I can round up for you *smiles*

An InLinkz Link-up

Finally, my USB Wallet pattern is done

So, today I was determined to finally get my act together and do the pattern for the USB Wallet I shared with you back in THIS post.

This is the example one I've made for the pattern, the above pic was taken just before I did the topstitching around the outside edge lol

By chance, with my original wallet, I found that when the flap is folded back between the outer sides, you could make the wallet stand up and become more user friendly when not being transported...cool find huh?  I think so.

Back when I shared the original post, I mentioned needing a couple of people to test it, I've contacted one person who left a comment for me about being willing to be a pattern tester for me, but I still need a few more, so thought I'd ask here first, before asking on Facebook.

I'm thinking about offering this pattern as my first 'for sale' one....but it might still become a freebie on Craftsy yet lol

Hopefully it won't be long and I'll have a few more testers to go over the pattern, and all editing will be done and the pattern will be ready for purchase.....wish me luck!

Another Owlie Aussie Hero Quilt

I remember years ago telling people I wouldn't EVER make a quilt, and yet here I am showing off another quilt I've made....so far, all my quilts have been for Aussie Hero Quilts, but I hope to change that soon, and will have some up for sale!

Here's the latest quilt I've made for an Aussie Hero who is currently deployed overseas....I know this person wouldn't have a clue who I am, let alone be one of my blog readers, so feel safe in sharing pics of it with you.  Like me, this person is an owl lover (I really wish we had an official name, such as owlists or something, but we don't 'insert sad face' )

This quilt is made using the quilt as you go (QAYG) method, where you quilt each block individually then join them, I chose to join them where you add fabric strips front and back, then attach the next block to the back strip then flip the front strip over and sew it down.  Sounds confusing, but it's not really lol

I don't know why, but I seem to gravitate towards double sided or reversible quilts, and this one didn't escape!  The above pic shows either the front or back, depending on which side you prefer to call them!  Below shows what would normally be the back of the quilt, as it has the label on it, but I would happily use it as the front too....I quite like labels on the front, why hide them away I say lol

Yes, some of the blocks are wobbly....on purpose!

I actually 'free handed' the writing on the label....not bad considering I didn't have any lines to follow....even if I do say so myself  hee hee



At times, the recipients (or the person requesting a quilt on their behalf) also request a laundry bag for them....I had a few leftover blocks, so incorporated them into the laundry bag, so it matches the quilt.

The quilt and laundry bag went off in the post to it's forever home on Monday....hopefully it arrives safe and sound and the recipient loves the 'hooty hugs' in the form of a quilt.

If you have some extra quilting fabric you no longer want, or would like to become involved with Aussie Hero Quilts, then please pop an email off to the Matriarch (she'll kill me when she sees I've called her that again bahahaha) better known as Jan-Maree HERE  or if you'd like to see all the other quilts being churned out Australia wide then click HERE  You don't have to be able to sew to get involved....obviously that skill helps, but you can always donate some mailing bags/satchels/boxes or some fabric, or even Spotlight gift cards to assist JM with purchasing fabrics to be used on quilts and laundry bags.  It's a great way to say thank you to our guys and gals that get deployed overseas.

Today the blog turns 6

I can't believe my blog has been going for 6 years today....recapping my first post....click HERE if you'd like to see the post....but as I said back then, Happy New Year Everyone.  My first post is quite laughable really....no pics and only about three lines....as if I ever said so little right?  Well apparently I did back then....so much has changed.

In the last 6 years, I've moved house, almost died due to a Hospital E.D. not listening to me, lost my Mother, a sister and a brother, became the proud 'Nanny' to darling grand daughter #2 and even got to cut the chord (!) and have now opened up an online shop/business.  So not all lows, there have been highs...and seeing how cute and funny my two gorgeous grand daughters are, would definitely be a highlight on the calendar.

Whilst I don't normally make New Years resolutions, I do plan on having some blog resolutions...such as more regular posting, highlighting patterns I like/dislike (reviews might have been a better choice of phrase lol) and more giveaways.  For instance on February 19th this year, it's the Chinese New year, and this year is the Year of the Goat...lets see if I can come up with a unique giveaway for the blog for that day....Hmmmmm thinking cap on now!  Might even sneak in a lovey dovey one just before that for Valentines Day....fingers crossed!

So all I really wanted to say was Happy New Year to anyone still reading, and I hope to make my blog more exciting this year.

Can I get a Whoo Whoo?

Whilst I was trying to be amusing with the post title, I think my sense of humour lost it somewhere between my brain (yes, I do actually have one, it's just not used too often!) and my fingertips....but anywhoo, the reason for this post is because I didn't share something with you.....and I'm sure, my good friend Marc, must be thinking I don't like it all, when that's not the case in the slightest.....well word wise it's true, I don't like it, I LOVE IT....wait till you see the pics, you'll see just what a spoilt brat I am *winks*

(BTW, I didn't have room anywhere to take nice pics, coz I'm such a grot and have way too much stuff - did I really just admit that out loud? OMG slaps self on the back of the wrist.....and being that all my goodies deserved a good spotlight, I've 'thieved' the pics from Marc's blog.  If you'd like to be astounded at all the great work my lovely friend does, then click HERE)

To set the background story, Khristina of Sew Prim Khris used to have a F.R.I.E.N.D.S Swap on her blog, but when I contacted her about it, she said she wasn't going to be doing it this year for various reasons....so I asked her could I steal the idea (you must all think I'm such a thief now huh?  First stealing the swap idea, and then stealing Marc's pics!) and run it at the local Quilting group I was attending....she said yes, so I ran with it!

All up, I think 9 of us participated in the swap, and OMG there were soooo many great new ideas for letters, but enough about that, because I can, yet again, hear you mumbling...stop waffling and show us the pics Nomes...sooooooooooooo here ya go....as seen on this post by Marc are:

Above shows you my F gifts, which was a gorgeous owl fabric bucket (once you've seen all the pics, you'll see that she knows me, and my love for owls really well), Freddo Frog and Five fat quarters.  Each gift was wrapped up with all different owl print outs and she'd written great explanations on them, you know, just in case my brain was too overwhelmed with the goodies, to work out what they were lol  F said Fabulous Fabric bucket with Five Fantastic Fat quarters and a Freddo Frog.....how cute huh?

Above shows the R gifts, (I've swapped to just writing the explanation from Marc's gift tags now) Rapacious Radiant Reversible bag with Red Rosie frogs and a Road Trip Refreshment snack bag!

Inspiring Inspirational quote cover with Interesing Items (please note, the item on the far right was one of Marc's props!)

Excellent Enjoyable Everyday Elephant sewing bag, with Extras and Eclairs.

Nice Neat Nifty Notion bag with Notions and a Nougat bar.

Dashing Delightful Dog for a draftee door with Dainty Decorative clips.

Smashing, Splendid, Superb Sewing Bucket with Six Sexy fabric Strips and Sssssweet Ssssssnakes.

And the obligatory group hug I mean group shot for good measure....ain't it all Bee-hoot-iful?  Well, even if no one else thinks so, I do, and as it's ALL MINE (get your eyes off it Terri lol) and I love, love LOVE it to bits.  Thanks again Marc, and I apologise for not only stealing your pics, but for taking so long in doing the blog post about it.

Free Pattern

In the spirit of giving, I've finally gotten around to uploading the pattern pieces and a mini tutorial to make your own softies like the ones below.

So if you'd like to grab a copy of the pattern, please click HERE.  You are welcome to make these for yourself, gifts and even for sale, so long as they're made by you, and not mass produced in a sweatshop/factory.  Feel free to share this post where ever you want, such as Facebook or Pinterest and help spread some Hooty love.

If you'd like to purchase one of these owls, I will have some for sale in my online shop, Made By Nomes,  very soon...to view my shop, click HERE.

Merry Christmas to everyone xx

EDIT:  Now that Christmas is over and done with, I can share the pic with you of the one mentioned in the tutorial....Dougal McOwl (made for my bestie)

New wallet pattern I purchased

This is a very quick and easy pattern to make....and light on supplies required too....it takes just two fat quarters of fabric, some stiff interfacing, a zip and a magnet......all of which I already had for this one...well kind of....as there's a story attached to it......you see the day Karis of Clobird Designs released the FIONA FOLDING WALLET pattern, available for purchase HERE I bought it and took it along to quilting and one of my friends, Wendy, was making herself a paint brush roll out of this fabric...so I said to her, if you give me a fq of it, I'll make you something out of it.....she ended up giving me half a metre as she couldn't be bothered sub-cutting it to a fq lol  I added the plain blue homespun and made her a Fiona folding wallet.....which she loves.   I forgot to sew in one of my labels on this one, but have made others (which I'll share pics with you another time) and remembered to put the label in on them hee hee

Karis has a competition running at the moment....which you can read about here on her Facebook Page if you purchase the pattern and enter the competition....be sure to tell her I sent you, so she knows how you found out about the pattern. 

Here's a list of the prize package up for grabs.....very generous huh?

What you will win:

* 2 yards of fabric from Art Gallery Fabrics
* 8 magnetic snaps
* 8 7" zippers
* A few extra surprises ~ because I'm just that kinda girl

Now I'm going to try something, and if it doesn't work, I guess I'll just look a bit sillier than usual, but meh, I'm used to looking silly....that's why I get called a dag so often lol  For the non Aussie readers, I thought I'd best put an explanation for a dag for you...so you might have an inkling as to why I get called that lol

Sourced from here.

Well, that's all for this time....please consider getting the #FionaFoldingWallet pattern and even entering the competition...ya gotta be in it to win it right?  (Do hashtags even work on blogs?  That was the thing I was going to try.....guess I'll find out when I hit publish lol)