A Dress for a Little Girl

I'm still sewing madly, the machine hasn't had this big a work out in quite a while. All of my projects are still WIP but I should have more to show you on the weekend.



In the meantime, here is a sweet little dress that my girlfriend made. I ordered it for the daughter of my favourite-bag-girlfriend. Remember the one?



The dresses are all individuals and beautifuly made. They are available at Miko, so so sweet.



And of course, some ribbons to match.

I also had a wonderful day at the op shop the other day. I often marvel at the finds that Ingrid manages. It's not often I find such beauties, but the other day I was in luck.






An old basket (perfect for sewing supplies), a couple of notebook magazines, a table cloth, two lovely pieces of crystal and a much needed Wusthof carving fork. All for $10

I have plans to line the basket and the tablecloth will soon be an apron. Stay tuned!

New...

My justification was to take photos for my website.


But really, I had other motives.



Almost enough to make me want to join 30 days of everyday. But that would be over-committing at a time of the year that I just want to enjoy the other things going on. Not promising I won't make a few contributions though.

SHARING THE GOODNESS

It's a bit of a cheat's post, this one. I thought I would share with you a few of the sites I love to visit for inspiration and just to see some gorgeousness.

Children's Wear
meli meli - beautiful children's wear
room seven - more beautiful children's wear
flora and henri even more childrens's wear (found via Jane and the Ducks)

Children's Activities
kids craft weekly
wondertime - found via soule mama, Kate enjoyed some of their printables during Ed's nap time today
little elephants
playground finder - for those of you in Australia, this is a great site

Blogs
Some blogs that aren't on everyone's bloglines (or at least most of the ones I read):
how about orange - wow, this girl is generous with her tutorials, ideas and links.
absolutely beautiful things - I love all that style, her links to other beautiful websites and the time she spends sourcing it all.

And, speaking of sharing, I would love your tips and advise. Our family is visiting my parents in England later this year. We are also spending three weeks driving around France; Bordeaux, Loire Valley and then.... five days in Paris WITHOUT THE KIDS. I would love any suggestions you have to offer on travelling with kids (long haul), travelling around France and lastly Paris. My parents are taking care of planning our activities whilst in England. We are all getting very excited

A FEW SPARE MINUTES

Yes, I know I said there wasn't going to be much blogging for the next couple of weeks. But now that my mum is here I have more time for such creativeness than I seemed to when she wasn't. That is probably becuase she is helps out so much around the house. I haven't done a scrap of washing since she arrived. She cooks, vacuums, baths the kids etc. Yes, she is the best mother in the world and no, you can't have her.

So, with a totally organised and clean house and mum off visiting some of her friends and my siblings (I have had to share her around) I find myself with a moment or two to blog.

I thought I would share some of the fabrics I have bought for the kinder quilts. The kids have done their artwork. Now for the fun part of putting it all together. No, actually buying the fabric is the really fun part.





Have a good weekend all!

RELIEF...

Well the end of April has come. April was the month I agreed to participate in Gyl's Use What You Have month. No buying new materials. I did try my best but I have a confession to make...I slipped up. Someone gave me a tip about a great craft warehouse, and well, I had never been there before. So I didn't realise what I was getting myself into. I just couldn't resist.

Still, I have kept to the spirit of the month which was to try and make a dent on that huge pile of craft materials.

So, this month I have been busy sewing...


...another smock for the girls, this time reversible


...starting Ella's dress, just some trims to add now (the fun part)

...as well I made the apron and the little blanket that I told you about.

So the stash is looking a little smaller.

COUNT ME IN

I love the creations of Gyl at Rhembein. Her blog is on my sidebar and I subscribe to her on Bloglines. She lives in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. Oh, for views like that.
Anyway Gyl has organised a self-imposed restriction - USE WHAT YOU HAVE MONTH. The challenge is to use only what we have this month and to use as much as we can. She actually suggests all of what we have, but hey, I have a few years worth in my cupboards. This restriction doesn't just apply to fabric, it also includes paper, beads, paints, yarn...anything you have been collecting for those creative moments. So pull it all out, be resourceful, be creative, enjoy those long forgotten fabrics and finds.
I think this sounds like a great idea, not only because it would be helpful to my bank account not to purchase anymore fabric but also because I am going to enjoy the challenge of fossicking through my cupboards with a new perspective.
Before I go, I have to show you a bedspread that I picked up at an op-shop the other day. It is washed and folded now, ready to be sewn. The problem is, I'm just not sure what. Any suggestions please. There is metres and metres in the bedspread, so the person with the best idea will get some of it for themselves.

HOW I LOVE TO SHOP......FOR A BARGAIN

Anyone who knows me, knows that since I was a girl with my first pocket money, I have always been a bargain hunter. I guess there is probably a nicer name for such a talent but that's it for me. I have been know to drive right across town just to save a dollar or two. Now that I have three kids and a couple of small business to run I am having to be a little more efficient with my time. Of course visiting the local op-shops as I walk home from kinder or do the groceries isn't being to wastefull.

Lately I have been having great streak of luck and I thought I would share for you a few of my finds.
Trip 1. A handsome jacket for my little boy, a board game for my girls (not shown) and these for me; new and vintage threads, black peasant top and lace doiley for embellishing shirts - all for $7.00


Trip 2. All of this for $5.20. The buttons and felt were being thrown out at the local bargain store and the old grosgrain and velvet ribbons(perfect for the hair accesories that I sell), bias binding(can never have enough) and crochet yarn(for flowers)were from the local op-shop. My favourite thing about this day's finds was how the colours all just seemed to belong together. Like they were just waiting in these two shops for me to come along and bundle them up with each other.


Trip 3. This one wasn't actually a trip as such but rather a squiz through the doors as we were coming home from kinder. I had been looking for this very Fisher Price toy on ebay that weekend. Someone is happy.