Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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

Sunday, January 25, 2015

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*




Monday, January 12, 2015

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!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

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.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

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.