Dear blog - why can't i upload any photos???

I am having issues with my BLOG - I will try to sort it out - cause I know that all my fans ot there (I'm talking to you sis) are desperately waiting for another insight into the life of me...

being a mum means - sucking the snot out of your baby's nose when they can't breathe!

Things to do...

1. file file file away the last 6 months worth of bills and letters.
2. sort out my new studio.
3. organise the new junk room.
4. paint Zavians bed - need inspiration.
5. reupholster my new old couch!!!!! yay something fun!!
6. LOMO - want to lomo - any advise?

Boring list - sorry

look what I have just seen on etsy - A shortlist of my Favs

Have you ever heard of spats before? Maybe I am just behind in the times but - LOOK how cool these are...

These were on etsy - you can find them in Merrybe's store all the way from Germany - how wonderful, what a great idea. I almost don't want to share them with you but as it is just coming into summer at the moment, I do not want to start spending on winter accessories. I'm sure that I will be able to order some in time for next winter.

These are even MORE amazing!! This clever person calls them gaiters - I think I might need these. For when i am feeling like a rock star and I want to look tough! You must check out the shop there are a whole lot of awesome accessories in there. I am a fan and these are absolutely on my wish list.
Check it out - merrybe she also has a website - there is a link from her etsy store...

Now this darling doll is made by mck254 . It has inspired me to make my own doll with floral skin but it just isn't turning out the way that I want it to. I automatically started making her very dainty and, well its just not right.   I think that this is one of those special creations where you don't want to make your own - I would rather buy it as a work of art...

This bangle is just quirky perfection. When I was younger I remember turning to my little sister and saying 'live long and prosper' and she turned around, gave me the finger and said 'eat shit and die' . It was a classic moment I will never forget... You will find the bangle at Pangaea Designs .

And I am absolutely going to get this precious little floral headband from head full of flowers

That's all for now - although its not really all - the list of amazing things I want to buy is ENDLESS...

xoxox





How to make Bunting - A craft lesson from naughty shorts!



Hi there, welcome to my first blog craft lesson - ON BUNTING - YAY - Yippee, I hope it doesn't look completely dodgy.

Bunting has to be one of the most charming and simple ways to decorate around your home. It doesn't have to be for a special occasion, and you don't need to have kiddly winks to enjoy it. I made my bunting for my little - but I have decided to keep it for myself...

I would love to hear from YOU. Any pointers or constructive comments on improving my lessons will be MUCHLY APPRECIATED But even more I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear any bunting success stories. I hope there are a few. I am just missing a couple of pictures at the start - promise to remedy that in the next day or so... Deep Breath, here goes...

First, get your gear together. you will need Scissors, thread, 25mm bias binding, a ruler and a nice stack of fabric in colours of your liking. 





1.   Prepare your bias binding by folding it in half and pressing in place.  Make sure that if you are using a poly/cotton binding that you don't set your iron too hot or the fabric may melt a little!
2. Cut  your  triangles.  Mine  are  10  inches  long  x  8  inches  wide. To make a bunting with 7 flags you will need  fourteen triangles.
3. Separate into pairs, thinking about your fabric and how you want your bunting to look.  With right sided of the fabric together, sew along the long edges of your flags. Leave the shortest side of the flags open for turning out the right way, and then press flat.

make sure you watch out for your fingers...

4. Arrange the flags in an order that is pleasing to your eye.  Don't forget to flip them over to make sure you are happy with the way they look on the other side as well. 

5. Fold your bias tape in half to roughly find the center point. Starting at the center, place your flags snuggly into the crease of the bias tape.

6. Pin the flags in place as you go. Taking time to arrange the flags nice and neat into the fold will help you when it comes time to sew the flags to the tape.

7. Arrange your flags approximately 3 inches apart from each other. Leave a length of bias tape free at each end for tying your flags up.

8. Carefully start sewing your bias tape, starting from the very end of the tape, all the way using the lines on your sewing machine as a marker for a neat straight line.

Keep feeding the flags through until you reach the very end of the bias tape...

10. Flip the tape over so that the flags are facing in the opposite direction and sew a second line of stitching from one end of the bias tape, across the flags, to the other end of the bias tape.

WALLA! All finished, now you can make bunting to your hearts content xox

P.s If you can't be bothered making your own you could pop over to the shop and see what's available...

sewing studio photos



This gorgeous tatty old book was my grandma's




A little help from my friends, anna maria horner, melissa averinos and others... oh and little droop the owl.

 


I had heaps of fun sewing little ornaments like this heart for my friends and family last christmas.



Yummy jars of thread and buttons...



Zavian in her Batman Jumper - In front of my stenciled fridge!! so proud of that. Check out the stencil 101 website for awesome books by Graffiti stencil artist Ed Roth





Here is my sewing room - as it is today...
Trashed but semi functional

 I am seriously too tired now to think about whats next so this post will remain random... Goodnight xoxox

Yay - I am featured in an ETSY TREASURY - Hoorah!

Hi all, check out this link to see my handiwork displayed in a lovely pink themed collection for the front page of etsy. How very lovely!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c6d888ff1586d9120c1e537/from-under-warm-and-rosy-quilts?index=0.

Thanks a million, etsy,  for choosing my item, it is my personal favourite too.

xoxox

bec makes bunting....

I had a Very successful sewing day today. I finished making a string of bunting out of some gorgeous vintage fabrics AND I tidied up my sewing room so I actually want to work in there again.


I had a lot of fun taking photos of my sewing room to share with you and I also had the chance to get out into the garden and take a photo of an ant, and a daisy...

Zavian had a solid two hour nap this afternoon so It made it nice and easy to get on with it, I even vacuumed the floor - AMAZING!




Here is my delicious stack of flags ready to go.  My flags are quite large, about 8 inches wide by 10 inches long.

 

This is the finished bunting! I am so happy with how it looks. Now I need to figure out where to hang them. We are renting so I can't put nails in the walls. I tried a cheeky thumbtack but it didn't stick. There are only 7 flags in this string and I have a huge stack left over ready to make more. YAY!




I chose a grey bias binding to string the bunting together...




I have chosen a similar colour combination for this baby quilt that I am making for my etsy shop




I will finish the green spring inspired blanket the same as these baby blankets I have already listed for sale...




I back them with a super snuggly 100% cotton blanketing that is so very soft.



And then I sew on my label - that I am very proud of. I have been sewing it on to EVERYTHING that I make. Ha ha I'm sure that I will get over that soon.

 

 


I might have to make some bunting for my etsy shop too, but I am giving this one to my little... I haven't sewn a label on to these... yet.

 

Now I have this delicious pile of sewing to finish... What to do next? My favourite dilemma...

I think that I have gone on long enough BUT Just a few things that I am thinking about...

COMING SOON!! TUTORIALS BY ME!!  I'm thinking - make your own bunting and maybe - pimp your ironing board....  Whatcha reckon?

Anywho, take care, speak soon xox bec

Zavian hearts cupcakes!!

Today was Zavians first birthday!!!! We woke up early and excited after a half decent sleep eager to give Zavian her first birthday present.

She tore through the paper - very happy with the wrapping and not too bothered with the gift itself. 

We did have a few friends over to help us celebrate - thank you so much to you guys for making today heaps of fun...

I'm sure there is a rule out there that states don't drink and blog, but just as I am uploading some photo's to my laptop I thought that I would share a few of my favourites while the day is still fresh in my mind.

 Levi and the birthday girl

Zavian rides high on daddys shoulders :)

This is the dress I made last night especially for today. I used Anna Maria Horner's pretty as a picture dress from the handmade beginnings book - in case you were wondering.

Just being beautiful...

Well that is all from me tonight. I think I am getting my sewing mojo back so hopefully I will be able to sleep and not stay up all night thinking of things to make....

Anywho...


Wherever you are I hope this finds you well and happy...

xoxox Rebecca

my very first post...

I have been addicted to etsy since about July last year - 2 months before the birth of my baby girl, Zavian Rose.

I could spend hours filling my basket and emptying it again, rarely actually buying anything.

To be honest whenever I find something I love, I will most often try to figure out how I can make it for myself. Not because I don't like buying things that other people have made - I LOVE things that other clever humanoids have made. Its just that I don't have very much spending money... Hence my etsy shop - to get the spending money - I hope.

Since I have been exploring the online craft world I have been so inspired. I have stumbled across the most amazing craft blogs full of the most gorgeous photos and I thought, I want to be a part of this...

Today was wet and stormy. So I took advantage of being locked in and took some photos of the newly finished quilts I have for sale in my very own etsy shop.

Zavian was hamming it up for the cameras as well. That is her cute little head just peaking out from behind that green blue quilt there...

I don't think I will use her in the shop pictures. She was looking pretty grubby in last nights pyjamas.




I can't believe that on Sunday she will have her first birthday.This also means that I have been sewing again for just over one year since I left work on maternity leave...

So I am still learning this quilting craft - and I am planning to master it one day. And this blog, I hope, will serve as a tool to help me learn and develop my own style. I am really looking forward to meeting some new friends and learning some new tricks. All comments are welcome!

So I will end this post now, my first blog post, how exciting, I wonder if anyone else will read it?? If you are reading this now I hope this finds you well, wherever you are... xoxox