The neglected Blog......

Yes I know its been a bit quiet around this blog for quite a while, and although I have been doing some crafty stuff it's been things for the kids new school. The reason why I have been doing a bit of sewing for the school is because I think I am that parent. You know the one... That says to the teacher,

"If you need anything doing, I can sew a bit."

Its at this stage that the teacher gets a glint in her eye, but ever so casually says, "oooh lovely, we might need you later on..."

Later on comes and so Easter is not far away and then teacher pulls you aside and says,

"you couldn't make a costume for the Easter Liturgy could you?"

So one Jesus costume turns into two guards, a Mary, and a Pontius Pilate, and an angel!

And then the Official School opening is about the happen, and being a Kiwi school, there is a bit of Maori culture involved, and the school don't have any Kapa Haka outfits. It is about then that I start to have a bit of a nervous breakdown. Anyway I did manage 43 headbands, and dresses for the two main girls and a piu piu (sort of like a skirt thing for non Kiwi's) for the main boy.

Chuck some pillows in there somewhere for a couple of the classes, plus the ridiculous amount of after school activities, and organising a big "0" party for my sister, and there is my reason for not blogging.

In other words its been business as usual around here. Crazy mad, and very BUSY!

What follows is a short visual interlude.....

Junior Busy as the Angel Gabrielle

Mary


Junior Busy son as mean guard placing the crown of thorns (twigs wired together from our tree out the front) on Jesus' head.


Jesus


Pontius Pilate

Kapa Haka headbands waiting to be trimmed.

Piu Piu (for non Kiwi's pronounced Pew Pew)

Piu Piu with sash.

Kapa Haka dresses.

Hopefully it won't be so long before my next update, but in reality I have a few mums to round up, so we can get 40 more Kapa Haka costumes made for a cultural festival. I haven't forgotten you. I'm just .... well ... Busy...

Little baby bunting....

I have a little thing about bunting so I made this for our new niece. Now I just need to get it in the post before she turns 21!!!

And to top it off...

I made this yesterday so it would go with my white shorts. After wearing it I am going to put a little pleat in the sleeve, with a wee button on it, because they stick out a bit, and if a decent gust of wind gets up I wouldn't want to end up airborne!

It's a wrap...

I thought I might whip up this wrap around skirt today. So got out the old faithful pattern. I actually wanted to make it in another fabric but didn't quite have enough. That could have been a sign right there!
I have made this before and it's so easy and quite a nice cool skirt. Which is what I need in this weather because I'm starting to get a bit cranky to be honest. To start with I sleep badly anyway and it's hard enough trying to sleep in this heat, but add to that some noisy teenagers half way up the road, cranking out the beats, and shrieking like maniacs, which sets off the neighbours dog into a barking frenzy until 3am, and you may think I'm slightly mental to think of sewing anything in my fragile state.

I never remember which way to sew the bias binding. Skinny side to fabric first or thick side? So I always find myself here at Angry Chicken's great little tute. (I am embarrassed to admit, I should actually know these things. I did School C Sewing and Textiles for goodness sake!)
So you can imagine what emanated from the sewing room, when I still got it wrong, and then sewed the ties wrong way around, so it's a bit awkward to do up, and I sort of have to wear it left handed! By the time I realised my mistake there was no way I was going to unpick nearly 3 metres of bias binding.

I really could have put on another t/shirt for the photo shoot (I use that term very loosely) but honestly by this time I really don't care, and now I feel it looks a bit Nana-ish. I love the fabric, but not sure about it in this skirt. I seem to be really going for that aqua colour right now. But hey it will do for knocking around the house, and if all else fails, perhaps I could fashion it in to a rather fetching muzzle for the dog next door, or those wild party animals up the road!

My sewing is in the toilet right now....

...and I mean literally!
It's not that Im not motivated - sort of - because I get all excited when I see other blogger's fantastic efforts. I have had a small thing in mind and its such a small thing that you think I would just whip it up and stop whinging about it. But I agonise over colour choice and can I be bothered to move my sewing machine over a couple of inches so I can use it. And what I want to make isn't even that important.
Excuses. And enough of them!
So I decided I had to end my sewing drought and get on with it. So I made this...





It took me minutes really, so I really don't know what all the procrastinating was all about?

It comes in very handy actually on several levels. We presently have this stainless steel loo roll holder which nobody really bothers to put the lid on, and is looking a bit dodgy now . Besides I don't actually like things like that on the floor, especially when some of the smaller male inhabitants tend to have "aim issues"! Also we have always had this plastic hook on the back of the door, which when the house was renovated the painters just sort of painted over, so it's now kind of really stuck there. And after someone somehow broke the door stopper off the skirting board I have a certain amount of angst over the door handle going through the wall. So its official title is "Toilet Roll Holder, come Door Stopper, come Something to Hang on That Annoying Hook on the Back of The Door Thing".

Nothing and then crazy sewing

Yep that's me. I think I have some sort of crafting bi-polarness
Here is what I have been up to...

Spike

The girls...
< A Fluffy

Little Pig

And the Rebels.

(Well the chap with the eye patch is a bit cranky, because his Mum wouldn't let him have a Mohawk like his mate, and made him go out as a Pirate. Which is like, really babyish)

Turning....Japanese?

When we had our two wee Japanese boys staying with us, they bought us a whole load of gifts. And I mean a load. Half a suitcase in fact! Extremely generous, and amongst it all they gave us a lot of origami paper, which is just beautiful. I love paper, and kept some aside so I could do something crafty with it.

I thought these glass magnets were a pretty good idea.

I have also had this pattern for a while, and want to make this Kimono dress, which fits nicely with the Japanese theme, although to be honest it doesn't look much like a Kimono to me, but I just can't resist a vintage pattern. I don't seem to be able to muster the energy for much sewing lately. I'm either busy with family stuff, or when I have a moment I am so tired, that going near anything crafty is bad news, because any attempt at creativeness usually turns to custard really quickly only making me more frustrated. However, this only has two pieces so you would think even with chronic sleep deprivation, I could manage it.

Hmmm we shall see...!

Along the wedding theme...

Pretty self explanatory really. Its hard to see the silver ribbon trim and wee crystal beads, but it did look quite pretty...

Time to trash the room...

Got the office nice and tidy, and then felt the urge to mess it up. So ...

Another boxy pouch bag thingy. Its quite cute and has pink and white stripes inside. I put a little ribbon tag thingy sticking out of the side, like the professionals do to make it look - well professional I suppose!

This was for my niece Annabelle, who is really more like a cousin/sister, because I'm only 6 years older than her. Short version of the explanation is: I am the youngest of six, and to put it in perspective, my oldest sibling is 18 years my senior! Hence the closeness in age to my nieces and nephews! I really don't like being called Aunty either!

And for Annabelles daughter Julia, to pad out her 8th Birthday present a bit, I whipped up these little drawer sachets. They smell like Vanilla buttercream cupcakes. I just left the edges raw, because they can look good all frayed, and you know I'm lazy, and I dont have any pinking shears! I must get some, but have you seen the price of them!!

I have been busting to use this fabric, but have a phobia of cutting into a new piece, but looking at all the fabric I have when I was tidying might have altered something!

What a week...!

Its been an exciting week. This arrived from Dear Fi , and was a delight on a raining freezing day...

It is the Pay it Forward from a while back. From memory Fi, in fact Paid it Forward to everyone who commented. What an all round good egg! She is working her fingers to the bone, getting ready for Shows all over the place, and then "whips" up all these adorable little purses for about a hundred and ninety people. Also some lovely little note cards, which just seem too nice to use. Perhaps I shall put them on my wall and let them inspire me when I complain I have too much to do!! So Fi... thank you very much.
And then, I was scrolling through the blogs I stalk... er follow, and was reading jelly belly jelly brain, and lo and behold there was my face (more like ugly mug) on her blog. Not only that but I had won her giveaway!!! Which is a beautiful button necklace.
I am one lucky little blogger.

Its big Wednesday Lotto draw here tonight,and Im thinking I should have bought a ticket, but do you know I have been so lucky this week, that perhaps I should shift over and give someone else a go!
Speaking of lucky. Lucky for me I had just been out and bought some brown and beige felt. I had been scribbling a few softie ideas down, and then jnr Busy comes home and tells me that they have to take a 'donation' to school. Not more bleedin money I muttered, but no, its for their lovely student teacher Miss L (really hard to pronounce name) from the States who is heading back on Friday. It had to be something that was New Zealand. Like Pinapple Lumps

or Milo


which are pretty much Kiwi staples, especially when you live overseas, as my fellow Kiwi expat Joanna from Applique today will testify.

So in true, Crafty Kiwi spirit, I whipped up one of these whilst the beans and peas boiled their guts out on the stove, and the jacket potatoes shrivelled up in the oven...





And as Kiwi's are protected, I branded his little bum, so he could be tracked wherever in the world he goes...

The PB & H and Vogels has kicked in...

Okay so the chocolate is off the menu but I think the Peanut butter and Honey on Vogels may have done the trick. The headbands were a success so as Anna is making her First Holy Communion and Confirmation in May, she needed something for her hair, so I made The Headband in white Dupion Silk and hand sewed on some little pearls and beads. I wanted to embellish it with Swarovski Crystals that I have, but I couldn't get the needle all the way through the bead. I used these other ones instead, and although not as glittery and eye catching, not too bad.





I finished Emma's bag, which she has been waiting for for ages, but I was in the middle of it when the Craft Paralysis struck! I whipped her up a headband in the wider style as well, just for the fun of it! Its not great because I couldn't be bothered changing the white thread for black, which is just lazy of me!





And here are the swimming bags I made Nick and Anna, a couple of weeks ago.





All in all a rather productive weekend considering, we were all up at Stockade Hill at 5am for the Anzac dawn service. Very moving, especially when they play the last post. It was a howling gale, but nothing compared to what those boys went through.

Polka Dot Headbands and Vogels Bread

A few of the blogs I have been reading have all been suffering from some sort of block in the craft department. Jodie from Ric Rac calls it EITTTS. Everything I Touch Turns To S***. Then Sandra over at Pepperberry & Co calls it Craflu. My personal favourite is Craft Paralysis, because I get to my sewing room and then turn around, head for the kitchen, pop the kettle on and have a bit of rummage in the barren pantry for something that's really bad for me. Most crafters who are suffering from any, or even all of these debilitating conditions have been prescribed a good dose of chocolate, taken at regular intervals until symptoms cease. I suffer from an equally torturous condition that means I can't eat chocolate, otherwise my chest bursts into flames and I spend the next 2 weeks propped up trying to sleep on 8 pillows. My intolerance to the Craft Paralysis prescription, leaves me feeling needing, and so in desperation I will turn to Peanut Butter and Honey on Vogels. (You kiwis will know what I'm on about here.) It's not ideal but you have to get that sugar and fat fix where you can.
Well it may have started to kick in because I made a couple of headbands yesterday for Little Busy and her cousin. And then because they went so well I made another one for my friend Jos's girl too. Now I'm not saying I have been cured by PB & H on Vogels, but its a start. I'm not sure what the remedy is, but I also find it really difficult to start cutting into fabric. Which is ridiculous because I am a bit embarrassed by my stash now, and I need to start using it. I'm not alone here because Sandra said she understands and has bought some discontinued fabric. I nearly broke out in hives when she told me. I mean how could you ever go near it with a pair of scissors? Anyway I'm off. The kettle's just boiled!! : )

**** UPDATE****Please note because I was banging on about Craft Paralysis I failed to mention that the headband tutorial came courtesy of foofangle who was generous enough to post a tutorial with a template to download. I cannot take credit for being fantastic all on my own!!

Love is a beautiful thing - Da da dada da - dada...

Sorry about the terrible singing. I was down in Howick village this morning picking up the photo books that I did on Snapfish, (which turned out brilliantly I might add), and as is usual for me and the kids, we had to pop into Joes Emporium, and the Salvation Army store. I found this piece of fabric in the "Make an Offer" box! The lady suggested $1, and I said yes please, and I got 2 and a bit metres. Now what shall I make? I'm thinking a skirt. Nice simple A line? I'm not sure do you think it might be too much of a statement on the body? Anyway I am really in love with it.



I'm embarrassed to say that I have enough fabric to sink a battle ship, but you know what its like, I just can't pass it by. I saw another piece of nice fabric in the St Vincent De Paul op shop on Saturday, that I didn't buy and then kicked myself.
I also bought some Du Kit which the kids and I have had a bit of fun with this avo. I remember my Mum buying me Fimo, when I was about 11 and off school sick, and I made all manner of brooches and things, and I have been wanting to let the kids have a go at it for ages. (I will post photos soon). Well the junior Buzy's had a great time, creating with this polymer clay, and I even made some little red white and blue buttons. Seeing as though the weather has packed up somewhat, it has been a raging success!
I have been a bit barren in the sewing department, but I did whip up this wheat bag for a friend. It was her birthday on Easter Saturday, but she has been away on holiday. I don't think she reads my blog, so I'm not worried about her seeing this.



I know its not really anything to write home about, but its something I suppose. Oh and I did make the kids quite cute swimming bags, but will have to put a pic of them on when I show you the Du Kit creations.

believe it or not ...

I actually have done a wee bit of sewing. Don't get too excited though, because I'm not breaking any records here.

These little fellas who have been waiting for ages to be finished.

And these bottle top pin cushions, with a little embroidered seedling. I havent even finished them, but I might do. One day.

See... I told you not to get too excited.

Now about that top I promised to show you...

Ah yes. You see I would show you that cute little polka dot top that I made. But here's the thing. Mr Busy woke me yesterday morning as he was jamming dried noodles and scroggin into his backpack and said, "Can I take the camera?" I know. I know not the most romantic of things to wake you up with at 5 in the morning, and frankly nothing is remotely romantic at 5 in the morning, but this is a family show so we might have to save that for another blog! Anyway I sent him on his way with the camera, because - a) I just didn't want to argue that I needed the camera for blog pictures and wot not, and, b) it would have been mean of me not to let him take it. Although for the life of me I don't know how he will get on because he needs instructions to turn the darn thing on. (He is an accountant and can do numbers and budgets and spreadsheets and all manner of what have you to do with making me not spend money, but he is not fantastic with technical things like switching the camera on).
So I made this nice wee top out of very thin polka dot fabric, which is lovely and cool, and I took a photo of it and even put it on a nice padded hanger so it looked really pretty and everything, and then I forgot to get it off the camera and onto my puta. So with the situation being what it is, it will be a bit difficult for me to show you the whole thing. But I did manage to get a photo of a cute little fabric brooch made out of the same fabric, and embellished with a vintage glass button that I got from my mother in law. I left the edges raw which I really quite like, and it looks real purdy on the top that you can't see the picture of yet. A wee word about the top. It is from a gypsy blouse pattern. But I just cut out two fronts, and then threaded a bit of thick ribbon through the neck line. No sleeves or anything, but frankly in this weather who wants sleeves?
Here is the brooch...

Vintage Aprons and some new Fabric

I knew I couldn't hold on much longer before I had to have my Op Shop fix. And look what I found...
This beautiful linen apron with applique and embroidered detail. I just love it. It's had a bit of a wash and press, and its so nice I want to put it in a frame or something!!

The detail is so fine.

And then this little miss. A cute little gingham number. I do love ginham.


This cool paisly fabric

And a neat table cloth, I love this fabric. Not sure what I will do with them yet!

Spotlight were having a "Clear the Bolt Sale", so I got these.

It would have been rude not to, don't you think?

Yum I can't wait to get into some sewing...

Just don't tell Mr Busy, how I spend our money!!