I can't believe Lucy turned 6 this week. I have no idea where the time has gone. She requested a reptile party and of course we obliged. The kids had a ball with all the animals and even the parents got into it.

We used a reptile man I use for work but if anyone is in Sydney or surrounds and wants a good reptile man let me know.

Lucy had a fantastic birthday, got way too many presents and ate way to much party food.

 

I just haven't been keeping up over here in my little crafty world but I have been doing some sewing. Last weekend I had a lovely crafty weekend with Sarah, Sara, Peta, Sheridan, Cath and Fiona. We had a lovely time and I managed to sew 3 hats and a dress for Lucy. There was lots of fancy food, laughs and sewing of course.

I gave in and let the kids go trick or treating this year and they had a great time but it was pretty last minute so no elaborate costumes but they still managed to score lots of lollies.

 

Lucy has t-ball on Fridays and this week Charlotte took along some sewing to do, she looked so cute.

 

And rounding out the week we trotted off to Sculpture by the Sea today. It was well worth the traffic and people and they kids loved it.

Lucy's wearing the hat I made her last weekend (I had mine on too, they are a Make It Perfect pattern).

 

The school holidays are drawing to a close. The girls went away for a couple of days last week and I have had this week off work and what a week we have had, unexpected meetings

Becoming players

Walks in the bush

Enjoying the sunshine with friends

Celebrating a great win

Now for a relaxing weekend

 

 

I've lost my glue gun refills so in an effort to find them I decided to clean up the top of our chest of drawers which seems to accumulate all my crafty junk.

This girl has always sat there but was covered in a layer of dust.

She is a CJ Cregg (from The West Wing for the uninitiated) sock monkey doll made for me in a swap many years ago from my wonderful friend Karen. Karen put in so many wonderful details including a little goldfish, the music for The Jackal and a little note tucked in her purse. I remember when she arrived even Jeff was impressed which is saying something for an umimpressed non-crafty bloke. I just found the original post and it was way back in 2008

And by the way I didn't find the glue gun stuff.

I've become addicted to baking bread since I pinned this method a while ago. Today I made a cinnamon and sultana loaf and it is so yummy. This time is used the actual recipe from the website whereas my previous ones I used the 5 minute artisan bread recipe. They both work really well.

My first loaf was a plain one.

And I also made a small one was an orange and cranberry made with some leftover dough but forgot to take a photo.

I'm planning a cheese one and also a herb/garlic one for a BBQ on Sunday.

 

Ok so the month is nearly over. I had visions of making a couple of bags this month but this one took it out of me.

I used Nikki's large satchel and tote pattern with some yardage fabric and some much heavier vinyl than my last bag. Even using a leather needle and my walking foot it was super hard to sew through but I made it.

 

I just have to top stitch around. Top of the bag and do the strap but I've run out of black thread so that will have to wait. Thanks Cam you for organizing bag month at least you pushed me to get something finished.

 

How exciting one of my favorite fabrics stores is now online, although this could cause my wallet a few problems.

 

ONLINE STORE

You can now shop online 24/7 at www.theremnantwarehouse.com.au and we offer Express Shipping Australia wide.

To celebrate the launch of our online store, we are offering a gift voucher for your next purchase to the first 20 people to buy online!

What else is new? We've also added updated our Classes section of the website to include an interactive calendar, as well as downloadable Class Schedule as a PDF, so you can know what's happening when!

With so much happening at The Remnant Warehouse and new stock arriving daily, you can now follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/theremnantwarehouse) and Twitter (@TheRemnantWH) to keep informed of upcoming sales, new products, classes and much more! Click on the icons below to join us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

I've made a start, well I've cut out at least! Hopefully now most of the kids sport is over for a while I'll have a couple of nights free to get some sewing done and I might make it before the end of the month.

I'm joining in with Curlypops Choose Your Own Bag Adventure which starts tomorrow.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to get the button to work properly but pop over and check it out, you might decide you want to make a bag as well. 

I'm going to be making a few more of the Large Satchel and Tote bags from my previous post for a couple of crafty gals and also getting ahead on the teacher gifts.

I've got a confession to make. When I was in Canberra for SIT I nearly bought a bag at the markets. I went back and looked at it a couple of times but then a few of the girls convinced me I should make my own. Then I spied Karen's bag and decided I should make one myself and I am so happy I did.

I used the Large Satchel and Tote bag from Nikki, I got some leatherette from the Remnant Warehouse and teamed it with one of my favorite fabrics the typewriters from Melody Miller. I lined it with a green I had in my stash. I didn't put a pocket in it because I find I don't use them, I've got a little zippered pouch I keep personal things in.

I used webbing for the strap and silver d-rings and adjustable slide that I got from Nikki ages ago. I'm really happy with it and the pattern was great and easy to follow. I would probably use a heavier interfacing next time as the leatherette is a lot floppier than I would have like it. I've also found some other fabrics I'd like to use for the flap so I might make another one, although the man of the house has already asked why I needed another new bag.

 

I started a quilt for Lucy last year when I went away for the weekend with my lovely craft group (which apparently I didn't blog because I've just gone looking for the link).

This pattern is from the gorgeous Katy, I saw a photo of the one she made over on flickr and pestered her for the instructions which she kindly sent me.

The fabric is from the Aneela Hoy Sherbet Pips range I only used the scooter girl and scarf fabric in mine whereas Katy used the whole range and the reds really make the two quilts look different (and of course her quilting is much more professional than mine). With some suggestions from my go-to quilters I ended up doing a line from each corner of the pinwheel and then some dodgy hand quilting in the dark grey sections.

I loved the pattern and it was a big departure from my usual charm squares, thanks Katy for pushing me out of my comfort zone.

 

How awesome does this piñata look? Want to have some fun during the school holidays? Want to make a your own? Well I have 2 tickets to giveaway to a fantastic event at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill. Here are the details:

Papier Mâché Piñata!

Workshop Part 1: 1.30pm–3.30pm, Thursday 5^th July

Workshop Part 2: 10.00am–12.00pm, Friday 6^th July

Powerhouse Discovery Centre

172 Showground Road, CASTLE HILL

‘M’ is for Mexico! Presented by Hughes Studio, this workshop offers fun times for the whole family to enjoy together. Each adult and child will create and decorate their own piñata to take home while learning about the construction process of the piñata, as well as the cultural symbolism and significance of this festive Mexican tradition. There will even be an opportunity to try cracking a pre-made piñata in the traditional method...with a blindfold and a piñata stick of course! Please note that this workshop will be delivered over two consecutive days to allow for the papier mâché to dry and participants will need to attend both days to complete their piñata. All materials are supplied.Suitable for 6+ years–adult and young children must be accompanied by a responsible adult or older sibling.




Leave a comment on this post or on the post on Facebook by 8pm Saturday night and I'll let you know on Sunday if you are the lucky winner. If I can get the day off work on Thursday I'll even see you there.

This quilt had been a long time in the making. I got these Dream On charm squares way back in 2010 I think. The top was finished way back here . I ended up putting a border around it in white and also some of the sheet I backed it with.

I blogged about this vintage sheet way back here. It ended up going so well with Dream On. I had lots of help from Peta and Sheridan do the basting for me, otherwise it would never have been finished and I did the binding at Sew It Together.

 

It finally stopped raining so I could wash it and I put it on Charlotte's bed tonight and I'm happy to say she loves it. Now to finish Lucy's.

I've just gotten back from a fantastic weekend in Canberra for Sew It Together. A big thanks to Sheridan for all her great organizing, to her right hand person Donna and to Gillian for organizing the name badge swap.

This was my gorgeous badge made by Lisa

Once again I organized the sample swap with 32 lovely ladies participating.

 

I got some amazing goodies

Gathered clutch from Karen

Pillowcase from Leah

Tote from Peta

Earphone holder & sewing kit from Donna

Fabric basket from Maryann

Fabric flower from Sara

Bird cushion from Lisa

Needle case & pouch from Jules

Zippered pouch from Fiona

Cushion cover from Bronwyn

I did a little scratchie and vintage book envelope for everyone with the groups on it.

Thanks to Claire and Sophie for being great roommates. Can't wait for next year!