My Creative Space - I bribed her with marshmallows to get this photograph.

I'm trying out new ideas for applique t-shirts for winter today.

 I've made this little owl one, baby deers and cupcakes for the girls.

I'll show you the boys ones' when I get around to doing those.

For more Creative Spaces, visit Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - Ugh

Have you any idea how much crap my kids have in their Creative Space?

I really wanted to sit down at the kitchen table and make some of these this morning.

Tape Measure Rose brooches

Unfortunately, I can't see the table for bits of cut up paper, glitter, pens and shells and inexplicably, half a dozen Littlest Petshop toys.

I mentioned the words 'Mermaid theme Birthday party' yesterday and all hell broke loose in our kitchen. The birthday in question isn't actually until August. M decided she had to make paper shell bikinis for all the mermaids (hmm, going to be great in the middle of winter) and E decided to make paper starfish to decorate the house. Did you know that making paper starfish and flimsy shell bikinis causes deafness in little girls? It's true. I had to shout very loudly to make them understand that dinner was about to be placed on top of their creations before they could hear me and respond.

Anyway, I digress. I still can't see the kitchen table so I'm ignoring the fact that I have a market to sell at on Sunday and sorting out the kids Creative Space instead. Best get on with it...

For more Creative Spaces visit http://www.kootoyoo.com/

My Creative Space - Nearly finished

As usual, I've got several projects on the go, at varying stages of unfinished. Sometimes, that last little bit takes weeks to do because my finishing mojo has gone somewhere and I've got my 'must start a new and more interesting' mojo going on instead.

These silk/cotton mix fingerless gloves just have a few rows to go to finish the pair and I could have/should have finished them last night. I'm making them as a favour for a lovely neighbour and she could have worn them today if I took half an hour to finish them last night. For some reason, I just couldn't do it.

Then there is M's new dress that I showed you the fabric for last week. All it needs is the shoulder straps hand stitching in at the back (I want to be able to pull the stitches out easily and adjust it as she grows) and a hook and eye closure at the neck. Again, just don't have the motivation to do it. I just want to start new projects, to put new ideas into practice. Do you have those days? I will have to make myself finish these off tonight and then they can both be worn or put away instead of draping themselves prettily over the arm of the couch.

For more Creative Spaces pop over to Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - for the kids

E has a new friend and is going for a play after kindy today which means that I have several hours up my sleeve. I'm a bit giddy with all the time I have to 'play' today and don't know where to start.

Both of my girls have been going through my patterns and picking out what they want me to make them (bliss for someone like me!). M chose this pattern and asked for something in blue. I found the beautiful floral at Spotlight the other day. The green spot doesn't look like much in the photo but trust me, it's going to look fab when it's teamed as a trim on the dress. M wants the dress on the left with the bow but I think it might be a little too much on the floral print. I will make it without but will have to have a 'back-up bow' in case of meltdown. Why am I such a sucker?!

I've also got this on the go. It's a little cardigan for an old school friend's baby which is due next month. You may have seen me knitting it at the last Devonport Craft Market. You may have also thought that it looked like I had nearly finished it at that point. If you did notice that, you might be wondering why this photo shows the back which is the very first step of the pattern. Lets just say that there was an incident with a couple of dropped stitches (aaaargh to slippery metal needles. You are the bane of my life). The dropped stitches happened to occur around midnight on Monday and were on a tricky decreasing row. I spent the next two days futiley employing a crochet hook to try and get them back where they were supposed to be, but in the end, I came to the conclusion that it was better just to pull the whole thing out and start again. Thank goodness it's a newborn cardy! When it's finished, it will look something like this.

I made this cardy for another friend's baby last year. Isn't she a precious dot? She will be one now. Stop growing up all you babies! Stay cute and tiny for a bit longer!! You are so much easier to knit for when you are this little.

I'm off to have a little peak at other people's Creative Spaces over on Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - Smug

Take that you scarey knit fabric. I am no longer fearful of your wiley, slippery ways. I have purchased this book and it has taken away my fear of you.

In fact, I am so unafraid of you that I even made the world's most awesome kiddy undies!

I have actually made 3 pairs of awesome kiddy undies and I am thinking that lots more will be made. Why don't I just go and buy some kiddy undies for my children I hear you ask? Very sensible question and had I been reading this blog a week or two ago, I would have been asking the same thing. The answer is that these undies are particularly awesome because when small girls are hanging upside down on swing sets (as they are prone to do around here) whilst wearing a skirt and NORMAL undies, well, it's just not a good look. With these undies however, all is covered and is just extreme cuteness in the form of funky looking gym knickers/boy leg undies/hot pants.

So if you have ever had the urge to make undies for the small peeps in your life, I highly recommend the pattern by kitschycookids which I got here. It's super easy and if you don't have an overlocker, you can just use the zig zag option on your normal machine. The only extra thing I would recommend that you do with the pattern is to fold over a little bit of ribbon at the back to act as a label so the kiddliwink knows which way they go on.

For more creative spaces, pop on over to Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - monkey business

Meet Bubbles. She's a cheeky lass. Loves a trip to the beach and a flirt at the icecream shop.

  And this is Rose. Bubbles is her best friend and she does worry about her sometimes. She likes to go to the beach too but she prefers to collect pretty seashells to add to her collection.

This is probably Ringo. I'm not sure until he's finished. You never know with sock monkeys, until you meet them properly, who they are.

Sometimes I don't find out who they are until they go to their new home.

Take Stripey for instance.

He didn't have a name or a personality until he went to his new home with M's friend last weekend. He was given both when he was unwrapped. I hear from M's friend's Mum that Stripey is spending an awful lot of time being cuddled in bed which I think he must be very fond of (all sock monkeys like a good cuddle).

I do love making these guys and I love seeing them go to a new home. Bubbles, Rose and Ringo (if he is indeed a Ringo) will be coming along with me to the Devonport Craft Market this Sunday, 6th March, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport, 10am-3pm. Come along and say hello if you can.

For more Creative Spaces, pop along to Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - all over the place

I was going to show you some of my knitting today but it's a little all over the place.

It's here

 and here

 and here

 one end of the house, to the other.

Did you do this Miss Crazy-Maisy?

 

 No? You were busy doing Kitty Yoga and looking cute?

 Very impressive Kitty Yoga but are you sure you didn't do this? You were the one inside looking suspciously interested in the knitting-that-I-forgot to-put-away when I left the house this morning.

How about you Mr Kipper?

No?

You were testing puzzle boxes for size and strength?

Well... I think there may be some little white lies being told here by certain pussycats.

Well what am I going to show these lovely people now that you two have destroyed my knitting? 

Another photo of the heart cake? Oh alright then.

Ta Da!

For more (hopefully less wrecked than mine) Creative Spaces, pop along to Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - cupcakes and princesses

My oldest, Madeleine, is rapidly growing out of most of her clothes. Being a November baby means she crosses two seasons and I've always had to top up her wardrobe with a bigger size at the end of Summer. She has a school uniform for most of the time but her nighties and pjs are all getting far too snug and short so I made her a new nightie last night to tide her over until the end of this season (and hopefully last a little into next Summer too!).

Miss Madeleine is quite fussy over her clothes. She likes comfort above all. Definately nothing tight across her chest (so empire and princess lines are totally out). She hates to wear layers (unlike her sister who is the layering queen) and stiff fabrics are definately a no no.

Making her clothes has always been a bit of a hit and miss affair. Sometimes I can't get her to change the outfit I made for her and other times, she hides it and refuses to wear it. When I find a pattern that she likes I tend to stick to it and adapt it. I've made dozens of House on Hill Road's twirly skirts for her and Kwik Sew 3169 has been another well used pattern. It's very easily adapted and I've used it to make tops and dresses (and now nighties) for both my girls. It's so quick and easy.

I made this cupcake nightie for Maddy last night. Instead of threading elastic through the sleeves (which I knew would make it uncomfortable for her), I cut them at an angle to make them quite floaty.

I also added a little diamante 'M' that she picked out one day in Spotlight to make it extra special for her.

I haven't shown Maddy the nightie yet because I need to make one for the small person in the house too or there will be a riot. Thank goodness I only have two girls! This is the fabric Eloise has chosen for her nightie.

Both fabrics are knit fabrics which I got in the Spotlight sale a few weeks ago. I'm actually terrified of sewing with knits as I always seem to mess something up. This pattern is so easy though and there is no attaching slippery neckbands so it's definately my kind of pattern for knits. I'm determined to be braver and do more sewing with knits this year. I think it's just a case of practice and know how. If any of you have any good tips, I would love to hear them.

For more Creative Spaces, pop over to Kootoyoo (thanks Kirsty!)

My Creative Space

Eloise went back to kindy on Monday so afternoons are being spent at home, just pottering, playing and having fun.

 Crazy Maisy (our kitten) is providing endless entertainment. It's amazing how many hours you can while away playing with a cardboard box, a sister and a kitten. I remember doing the same when I was a child. I'd spend hours making elaborate cardboard box houses with shutters and tunnels for my cat Snoopy. Maddy asked if that was why I was so good at making stuff. Probably :o) .

 In spare moments at the playground, I've been knitting little brown kitties for a lovely lady in Australia.

And these faceless sock monkeys are due to get their individuality and character during Glee tonight.

How is your Creative Space going? Can I recommend you grab a cuppa and pop over to Kirsty's?

Limited service resumes :o)

Happy New Year to you all! How were your Christmas and New Year celebrations? Are you back into the swing of things or still taking it slowly?

One of the Christmas cakes Mum made and decorated with her Grandchildren. This one was done by Thomas.

It's been a great and much needed break for me and I'm feeling well rested (and much healthier!). I had two wonderful weeks with my family in Brisbane. I'm so glad we went over before all this week's dreadful flooding events. To all of you affected, I wish you a safe and speedy return to normality. My parents and siblings are thankfully unaffected so far (although my brother was in the city yesterday helping to sandbag properties on the river and stopped to help one of his favourite restaurants load up their vans in an effort to keep some things from being damaged).

The scooter cake Mum made for my nephew Ollie



It's my Mum's birthday today. She and Dad were meant to be going away to celebrate but have understandably (and thankfully cancelled). Some of you will know that she is the main reason and inspiration for my creativity and as it's Thursday (Creative Space day), I thought I would dedicate my first post back to her Creative Space.

Our yummy starter at Christmas. The glass holds chilled cucumber and coconut soup which is divine.

Mum's Creative Space is mostly cooking these days as her eyesight isn't good enough to cope with detailed sewing and cross stitch anymore. All the photos in this post were taken during the 2 weeks we were with them in Brisbane. Pretty impressive isn't it?

Chocolate berry roulade

I particularly loved the extra touch to this dessert. She just dusted cocoa powder over a spoon and fork. It looks so effective. I'll definately be stealing that idea! 

So Happy Birthday Mum. Hope it's a good one despite all the floods and rain. xxx

I'll be back posting on a limited basis until the kids go back to school (and a little of my sanity returns!)

For more Creative Spaces, pop over to Kootoyoo.





My Creative Space

I SHOULD be getting ready for this Sunday's Devonport Craft Market on the Windsor Reserve (part of the Devonport Christmas Festival). I SHOULD be updating my online shops in time for last minute Christmas orders. And I SHOULD be busy making Christmas presents for family and friends but guess what? My sewing machine is throwing a complete fit this morning so I have left it to rest for a while in the hope that it will be in a better mood later on and instead, I'm making Christmas fruit mince.

This is going to be SO good. I can't wait to stick it in Christmas mince pies. Yum! It has to soak for a few weeks though. It's meant to be a month but I'm counting on the amount of alcohol in there to do the job quicker! 

I was loosely following a Women's weekly recipe for Fruit mix but I've basically added the contents of my baking cupboard. There's sultanas, dates, fruit cake mix, 3 grated apples, lime juice, a grated and chopped mandarin, some crushed pineapple that was sitting in the fridge, ground almonds, mixed spice and lots of cointreau in there. I'll add some more goodies like glace cherries and ginger and probably some more fruit cake mix once I've been to the supermarket. It smells so good already. Even my 4 year old told me it smelt like Christmas. How does she know? Amazing what these little ones pick up on and remember from year to year.
Keep your fingers crossed that my sewing machine recovers and pop over to Kootoyoo for some fab Creative Spaces.

My Creative Space - my little flower

I've been dying to get online and show you these photos of Eloise's finished flower costume for her ballet show. Unfortunately, we've had a fault on our telephone line for most of the day so I haven't been able to do it. We're back online again now though (phew!) so here they are.

 The girls are just wearing leaves on one wrist so they can remember which hand to put in the centre as part of the dance which is a very smart move I think! .

The petal headband needs some work I think. I made ten of these in one go and this one suffered a little in the process! I've got another two to make for the older girls who are dancing with the littlies as well so I'll redo Eloise's at that stage.

 I've just got to get a couple of Lady Gaga costumes together and and all 22 dance costumes will be done! So glad to have that out of the way.
For some fab Creative Spaces, pop over to Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space - Ready, Steady....

I love Christmas and the whole bit leading up to it.

 Did you know that there are only 5 and a bit weeks left until the big day?

 (Brief guest appearance from the the cat that likes to get in the way. Very helpful Kipper.

Can you move now please?)

Now where was I? Oh yes, 'The bit leading up to Christmas'. Five and a bit weeks. That's not long in Mummy and Daddy land is it? There's an awful lot to be done during that time. The gift buying, the food stocking, the light checking and the dusting off of the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, in small children land, five and a bit weeks is an eternity. I may well have let the cat out of the bag yesterday... by accident and the Overexcited Children in this house may have got a little preemptive. I will now have to deal with five and a bit weeks of hourly asking about when Santa is coming and when we are going to Aunty Gennys house for lunch.

 I've got two Christmas markets this week to help the people living in Mummy and Daddy Land out with the gift buying bit of the pre-Christmas preparations (five and a bit weeks isn't long you know!).

 One of those markets is tonight, at Gladstone School, 5-9pm (you can see all the details in the sidebar over to the right there.) Anyhoo... in the spirit of Christmas markets, I got the decorations down from the cupboard yesterday so I could make my stall look quite festive (think sock monkeys in a Christmas tree). I was unfortunately a little less than secretive about it and there was a great deal of ripping open of boxes and squeals by certain small people.

 So I have been sprung and will have to deal with the impatient wails of small people; but my stall is going to look very festive, so that's okay. I have another Christmas market on Sunday. Devonport Craft Market is going all festive on Sunday 21st Nov 10-3pm. We even have a festive eftpos machine which will be manned by the very helpful Mr Cotton Kiwi.

So if you have some Christmas shopping to do for small (and big people, I have goodies for them too!), why not come along tonight or on Sunday and get your shopping out of the way?

And if it's a little too far to come there is always Etsy and Felt. There are links to my shops in the sidebar there.

Now, enough of the shameless self promotion, I'm going to send you off to visit all the other Creative Spaces over at Kootoyoo now. Have a great day!