My Little Pirates

Just thought I'd share a photo of my 2 oldest boys ready to go to a friend's pirate birthday party on Sunday. I made them cardboard swords and painted them, so that I didn't have to worry about keeping a track of them amongst possible other pirate swords. I found some scrap fabric that I knew I'd kept for a reason and cut out a triangle and attached a piece of elastic and made them a pirate bandana. Then I found some black eye liner and eye shadow in my  make up draw that I never use, and made eye patches for them. There were tears when they had to be washed off in the bath that night! They look so cute and had so much fun :)

Girls Day Out

Well, us girls had a fabulous day in the city today. The morning and early afternoon was spent drooling over the gorgeous things at the craft expo. The work that goes into some of those crafts like quilting is unreal. I would like to try quilting, but I think that will have to wait until my children are older and perhaps all at school through the day! I bought some lovely ribbons and lace for my crafty things and frilly panties. My mother in law bought a handbag kit that we are all looking forward to seeing. I got some great ideas and still wish I had more money to spend! I will have to start saving up for the next one in October and hopefully be able to get some more things - that means you all need to start buying my things :) 
After the craft show we all decided it was too early to return home yet, so we had a wander around the Myer centre and a lovely look through Lincraft that has so many pretty things too. My mother in law is going to take up the challenge this year to teach me to knit. Many have tried before, but I just don't get it, although I would love too, especially after seeing the gorgeous scarves, jumpers and baby items. She says if she can teach her two girls and my 10 year old niece to knit, surely she can teach me who already has the crafty talents. So I will keep you posted on my progress.

Craft Show

Well, today I am looking forward to a day out with my Mother in law and two sister in laws exploring the craft show. I am hoping to pick up some new ideas for my blog & store, and also find some pretty lace and things for my frilly panties I'm making for little girls. I just wish there was no budget to stick to! Oh, to have the freedom to spend what I wanted buying all the pretty things. At least I can collect ideas and business cards and source out items when I can afford them bit by bit.
I have also opened an online store at www.ozhandmade.com where I am selling all my little crafty items so go and check it out! All the items listed are what I have currently in stock and I will be adding to them as I complete new projects. They are also the same items I will have at my craft stall at Stafford Baptist Church craft markets in May (there are no markets next weekend due to Easter) which will be full of gifts for Mother's Day, so if you want to buy a gift for your Mum, Grandma, or special lady in your life, either order online or come to the markets.
Well, I'd better keep going! Nearly time to head into the wonderful hall of crafts!
www.ozhandmade.com

Dancing Skirts & Pyjamas

Well, hemming the wedding dress went okay, although with how nervous I was, I think it will be a one off event! I'll stick to things I am comfortable with. Just like these things I made during the week. I found kids PJ's are quite expensive when you have to buy for 2 children who have outgrown their PJ's from last year! So, I found some flannellette and made pants, which are really quick and easy. The other good thing is that the pattern is way too long for my boys legs, but we all know kids legs grow quicker than their waist, so I will just roll them up and they will last a while! I'm not too good at collared shirts, I'll admit, so I bought a plain long sleeved t-shirt for a few dollars and glued/sewed a patch of matching fabric on.  What do you think? If you would like to order a pair let me know. I can do plain, patterned, licenced fabrics (Dora etc) or a mix of both (like the checked pair - I didn't have enough of each to make a pair, so I did one leg of each) Licenced fabrics will be more, naturally. PJ's will be $12 for plain/patterned fabrics. Price will depend on the cost of Licenced prints and I will give you a quote.

The 'Dancing Skirt' - as named by my middle son Mason (pictured below as my model) and scarf are a popular item in the dress up box in our house, despite having all boys. Sadly, the last 2 skirts were loved so much by my boys & their cousins before them, that they did not survive the last wash. Yesterday, I found a treasure trove of fabrics at a local shop. These sequened fabrics were one of them at a bargain price. If you would like to order some dancing skirts & scarves, please let me know. I can do small sequened fabric for $5 a set or larger sequened fabric for $7 a set. Great gift idea for a little girl too.

My Biggest Sewing Challenge

Well, I am about to embark on my biggest sewing challenge to date - adjusting the hem of a friend's wedding dress. I'm really nervous, so am procrastinating by posting on my blog! The thing I'm most nervous about is making a mistake when I'm cutting! I've done all the measuring. It was a bit challenging in that regard because when I pinned it up the same amount, it was way shorter in the back than the front, so I've had to just taper it to the right length, rather than having it even all the way around. I will definately be waiting until my husband comes home so I can lock myself away in my sewing room while he makes sure the boys don't do anything or get into anything they are not supposed to! Wish me luck!

Mother's Day

Don't forget that Mother's Day is not very far away! If you would like me to make a card or something special for your Mum, Wife, Grandma, Mother in Law or just a special lady in your life, let me know. I am getting ready for my craft stall at the Stafford Baptist Church markets on the first Saturday in May (there are no markets in April as it falls on Easter Saturday). I am planning to make little lavender sachets; cards; gift tags; bookmarks and a few other little things. Any ideas are more than welcome also!

Dolly Mama's

I have fallen in love with these cross stitch designs. This is the first one I have done, but I have another one in the drawer waiting to be stitched - after I finish my current project. They have a variety of designs with funny sayings. This one says 'Domestically Challenged'. Others in the series are 'Pull up your big girl panties and get over it'. This one is for sale for $20 mounted on a painted canvas. Any takers?

Pretty Toddler Girls' Dress

Using the same pattern that I made my son's cute overalls out of, I made this little girl's dress. It's so cute with the little ruffle around the bottom. This can be worn with a t-shirt underneath, or in summer - just as it is so they are nice and cool. It's made out of a lovely cotton fabric. This dress is sized to fit a child about 18 months. If you would like this one please let me know, or I can make them to order. This dress is the largest size, but they start from newborn which fits about 5kg. I can also make a matching hat if you'd like. Or you can order the boys style, which I have also pictured. I have one blue & white checked pair for sale in size Medium, about 8kg. The ones pictured are my son's and for demonstration purposes.

Small Canvas Art

I made these up for my stall at the markets yesterday, mainly as a sample of what I can do. Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, the markets were really quiet, so I still have lots of stuff for sale. If you would like any of these plaques, or a custom made one, let me know. They are $5 each.

  

 

Frilly Nappy Covers

I think these are so cute! This was the first attempt and they are gorgeous! I'm planning to make some white ones with lace ruffles and I can also make them without ruffles (for boys) and am planning to make some with matching little singlet patches for next summer. What do you think?

Button Canvas Art

I got creative during my pregnancy with Harry, after I purchased a new quilt cover that has lovely little flowers trailing all over it - much to my husband's disgust! We had just found out 'Beanie' was going to be Harry rather than Lily, and my mother in law told me I deserved a bit of a femine touch in our bedroom since I was going to be surrounded by boys :) So, I remembered what Tara Denis had done one night on Better Homes and Gardens and dug out the magazine I had bought for that reason. This is the end result. I was really happy with the result - better than I thought I'd do! Isn't it nice when we suprise ourselves with our talents?

Funky Nappies

Harry is our lovely chubby third boy. Being on a tight budget, I have used cloth nappies for all of my boys most of the time. Harry proved a challenge, since his legs were so chubby. I couldn't get any covers to fit him without cutting into his legs. Well, none in my price range! So, I decided to try making my own nappies. This is one of them and they are a great fit. They are a pocket nappy which means they have an opening at the back where you 'stuff' a liner in to absorb liquid and you don't need a cover as the bright outer layer is waterproof and the inner layer is soft microfleece. They dry really quickly on the line and don't need folding! I have a few prefold nappies that were given to us, and I still use these and just put an empty pocket nappy over the top as a cover. In summer they are great as they look great with a singlet or t-shirt - no need for shorts. As Harry has eczema, these are so much better for his skin than disposables - and he can't break the tabs when he scratches in his sleep! I am happy to make these for anyone who would like some, so send me a message and I'll get back to you with a quote. (They are available in many colours - Harry's are white, royal blue, teal blue & neon green. Let me know your preferences as I will make them to order)

Jack's Guitar Outfit

I made these a couple of months ago, but my oldest son loves them. I picked up the shorts fabric at Spotlight one day knowing Jack would love the electric guitars all over it. I then made him a pair of shorts and decided to be a bit adventurous. I found a plain t-shirt in his drawer and cut out (painstakingly) two guitars and attatched them onto the shirt pocket and used fabric paint around the edges to stop fraying. I think they are pretty cute and they are a hit with Jack!