Bloglovin.

I have finally got myself sorted - you can now follow my blog on bloglovin

Sam xox

1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers - The Reveal!

This has been such a fun challenge to be a part of again! Here is my take on the Macaron pattern. I decided to make a dress that was a little bit alternative; long, flowing, something a farm girl would wear (think The Princess Bride). I decided against the contrasting top, and decided to fit the bodice to a full length gathered skirt. If I was to make this pattern again I think I would make some adjustments to the neckline, as it gapped a little on me. I decided to omit the sleeves, though I am not 100% sure I like this. Also, the hem line gets damp easily when walking on wet grass.

I am really pleased with how my dress turned out. I can imagine wearing this dress around the yard, to the farmers market or when milking my cow (not that I have one). Maverick was pretty impressed with the dress too, though he was a little photo shy.

And in case you hadn't seen yet,here are the winners of the giveaway thanks to our fabulous sponsors (winners will be contacted via email).

Lil - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Colette Patterns 

Josephine - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Guthrie & Ghanie 

MaciNic - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Stitch 56

Elizabeth - 1 x Pattern of your choice thanks to Sew Squirrel

Kathleen S - 1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to Indie Stitches 

Joanne - 1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to The Haby Goddess

Amy - 1 x $20 gift voucher thanks to Fabric Worm 

Sew Charleston - 1 x $30 gift voucher thanks to A Fashionable Stitch

Sam xox

1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers Inspiration Post

First and foremost I must apologise for the tardiness of this blog post. A week ago Jamie and I moved into our new house (!) and this was soooooo much more work than I had anticipated. I am not exaggerating when I say that we have worked non-stop every day since, from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall back into bed exhausted. We bought a house on almost 10,000 square meters of land, and whilst this is an absolute dream come true, it also demanded all of my attention this past week. Here finally is my 'inspiration post' for this challenge, and tomorrow I will post my big reveal. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

The Macaron pattern has been in my pattern collection for a while now, but I never got around to sewing it up. This was because I wasn't so sure about how to contrast look would suite me. So I left it aside. 

That's the great thing about challenges like these, they push you to put your own spin on a pattern that you might be unsure about.

As we are now entering Spring here in the Hunter Valley, I want a dress that I can wear during this time of year when the days temperatures can be a bit hit and miss. I also love cotton so this is a must. Without giving away too much more, here are some images that have inspired me...

Image from here.

Image from here.

Image from here.

Image from here.

Don't forget to visit the other girls who are part of this challenge:

• Marie from A Stitching Odyssey
• Reana Louise from Reana Louise 
• Kat from Petticoats and Peplums
• Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage
• Amy from Sewing Through the Motions 
• Rachel from My Messings

Sam xox

1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers take two!

Just over two years ago, 6 fantastic sewing bloggers and I collaborated for the One Pattern Seven Bloggers challenge. The idea was that we would each sew the same Burda pattern - but put our own twist on it! It was so much fun and something that we all enjoyed! Rachel was kind enough to give our little group a nudge recently with the idea of doing it all again, and the ball quickly began rolling for round two. 

This time we are taking things to another level. We are sewing up Colette Patterns Macaron dress, and hosting an amazing giveaway!

The lovely sewers I am teaming up with are...

• Marie from A Stitching Odyssey
• Reana Louise from Reana Louise 
• Kat from Petticoats and Peplums
• Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage
• Amy from Sewing Through the Motions 
• Rachel from My Messings

And onto the giveaway!!!
 

  

 The Prizes
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Colette Patterns 
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Guthrie & Ghani 
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Stitch 56 
1 x Pattern of your choice thanks to Sew Squirrel 
1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to Indie Stitches 
1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to The Haby Goddess 
1 x $20 gift voucher thanks to Fabric Worm 
1 x $30 gift voucher thanks to A Fashionable Stitch 

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this post before Saturday 31st August with your email address!
Make sure you head on over to all of the other participants blogs for up to 7 chances to win!

Terms & Conditions 

• Prizes will be randomly allocated to each of the 8 winners across all seven blogs. 
• One entry per blog. You can comment on each of the 7 blogs for 7 chances to win (!). 
• The winners will be drawn and contacted by email on the 2nd September 2013.

So, keep an eye out on the blogs of the other ladies over the next day to see their announcement posts, and remember that you can comment once on each blog for up to 7 chances to win one of the giveaway prizes.

Also remember to come back on the 26th of August for Inspiration posts and then on the 2nd of September for the big reveal!

Sam xox

The new man in my life.

I have been missing from this blog for over two months now, but I have a very good excuse...

I bought a horse!!!

His name is Maverick - and he is just delightful! He is a six year old Australian Quarter Horse with a personality that is the sweetest. I have been spending almost all of my spare time with him - riding him, training him, brushing him, cleaning his feet and washing his coat.

This photo below is from the day he arrived. It was absolutely bucketing rain and it was the first time he had ever been in a horse float. However, within ten minutes of arriving he allowed me to halter him and lead him around. An absolutely perfect horse.

We are fast becoming good mates! I have never been a morning person but, now I have him, I jump out of bed and am in the paddock with him as the sun is rising. So wonderful for the soul :-)

He has such a cheeky personality too. He loves to give kisses...

And pull faces at the other horses...

Can't imagine a better day, then being in the paddock with him.

But I have also been sewing - I've made a few new things that I need to take photos of, and some up coming projects to share with you all!

Sam xox

Liberty stash.

I have been meaning to blog about this Christmas gift for weeks now. My sister in law gifted me her stash of Liberty off cuts from all the sewing projects she has made using Liberty tana lawns. She must have known I dream of making a Liberty Dresden quilt... It is so nice to look through the pile, as I can remember most of the garments she has made from these prints.

Such a thoughtful Christmas gift, I am very appreciative of - thanks Ally!!!

What is your favourite Liberty print?

Sam xox

p.s thanks so much for your sweet comments on my previous post, it means a lot xox

Hiatus.

I'm back from my hiatus. It wasn't planned. To be honest I have had a topsy-turvy couple of months. My world has turned upside down and up again, and it took me some time to regain my footing. Some personal challenges, thrown together with a promotion at work and the commencement of studying a Masters degree at Uni while working a 40 hour week has taken its toll on my crafting among other things.

Sometimes we need to step back and reassess our priorities. For me, surviving the last two months has meant letting my garden fall by the wayside. Not touching any crafts. And being okay with this. Not feeling bad about it. Not worrying what others think. Being honest with myself about what I am able to achieve at the moment, and knowing that this is good enough.

As a mental health worker, who works daily to support those living with mental health issues to overcome stigma, I would feel hypocritical if I didn't acknowledge that I have been struggling with my own mental health issues. I have made an effort over these past few weeks to just focus on my job, my education, my health and most importantly my marriage. And I have turned a corner with the help of supportive relationships, medication, and self care. I can concentrate for longer periods than I have been able to for a long time. My anxiety has settled and I sleep so well now. 

I am feeling happy again,

calm again,

motivated again,

 positive again. 

So on the the fun stuff...

Sam xox

Finished: The "Berrima" Quilt

Let me introduce to you "Berrima", the quilt I made for my mother for Christmas. I have called it "Berrima", after the quaint village township where I purchased the fabrics with her many years ago. This quilt is made from a pattern by an independent designer that I purchased many years ago (forgive me, since moving my sewing room into the other room I have misplaced the pattern. Once I find it I will credit the designer).

"Berrima" was made using woollen batting and an eclectic collection of quilting fabrics. I decided to contrast the floral prints with the red ticking strips, and also a paisley print binding. This beauty is 2.3 meters square, making it large enough to drape over a queen sized bed. I made a couple of mistakes with my machine quilting, mainly I suspect this was due to my basting. I secured the layers with quilting pins, but I don't think I used enough, so there was a little bit of movement in some parts. 

I have to admit, it was a little hard to give away :-)

I hope you enjoy snuggling under this in the coming winter mum!

Love Sam xox

Burda Style tracing paper.

I have one of those compulsive personalities that wants needs everything to be in order. For dressmaking this means I spend the first half an hour of any project tracing out the patterns onto paper so that the original is not damaged or cut into in the cutting out process. Yes this takes me time, but it means that my patterns stay all neat and perfect. Plus, if I want to sew the same pattern later as a gift for someone, I still have all the sizes to choose from.

Swedish tracing paper, freezer paper, and interfacing have all been tried as a copy source, however none of these have ever worked for me properly. Some were bulky, some creased badly, and some the marker completely rubbed off! My strategy wasn't working.

Whilst lamenting this to a sewing friend the other day, she pulled out some Burda Style tracing paper she had bought from Spotlight recently, and suggested it might solve my dilemma. How had I not seen this before?!? How I spent all those years tracing out my patterns on sub standard stationary is now unfathomable. I rushed to Spotlight and bought three packets.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet my new Burda Style tissue paper...

I have given the paper a test run on my Colette Patterns Sencha blouse, and it traced out perfectly. I used an Artline marker pen to trace the pattern, and it didn't even smudge a bit. The tissue paper itself is lightweight and folds up as thinly as regular pattern tissue does.

So if you're a pattern tracer like me, and can't find this Burda Style tracing paper at your local sewing supplies store, I found one here on ebay for you :-)

Sam xox

Ginger skirt in navy linen.

Here is my first project for 2013. A Colette Patterns Ginger skirt in a beautiful navy linen.

One of my new years resolutions (I know I haven't posted about these yet - I will soon I promise!) is to sew at least five different patterns from the Colette Patterns range. I pledged this resolution on Karen's blog post "Put your money where your mouth is". This goal is motivated by the fact I own too many a number of patterns from the Colette Pattern's range, plus the book, and all I have made from the brand to date has been a bunch of Sorbetto tops, and some Nutmeg knickers. That's all! Which is just so silly when these patterns are so cute!

You see, I have a weakness for small scale floral prints, and let's be honest, any Tana Lawn fabric from Liberty of London (Twitter and Instagram peeps you have surely worked this out by now!?). I usually turn these fabrics into dresses or tops. Whilst having lots of floral garments is nice, and quite pretty to look at in my wardrobe, I am in dire need of some wardrobe staples. Classic garments in basic colours to complement my floral addiction. For this Ginger skirt I knew I wanted a plain navy fabric. I went to Spotlight and found the most incredible navy linen.

I cut this Ginger as a Version 1 in a size 8. I didn't take any length off the hem as I like a knee length skirt. I used an invisible zipper and added some top stitching to the waistband.

And I have a confession to make. I just couldn't help myself. I may have added some Liberty to this skirt... see if you can spot where :-)

What I learnt from sewing this pattern:
- Linen feels divine.
- Linen creases easily.
- Waistbands lined with Liberty "Fairford" make me smile :-)

Sam xox

Tweet tweet.

I have finally joined the twitter community! You can find me here.Pop over and say 'hi' so I know your twitter name. I am already enjoying following a number of my favourite peeps from our online sewing community. 

To celebrate me finally getting the hang of tweeting, I bring you a blue bird themed showcase of my favourite Etsy items...

~ Light Blue Birds from MademoiselleChipotte ~

~ Blue Bird Buttons from Firefly Cabin~

~ Blue Bird Necklace from Gold Fish Inspirations ~

~ String of Blue Birds from NellieFellow ~

~ Blue Birds on a Trailing Vine from HomesteadTreasures ~

~ Blue Birds on a Wire from Cat2Owl ~

Sam xox

A hand made Christmas.

My loved ones really do know me! This year I was lucky enough to receive a number of handmade items which are true treasures.

This quilt was gifted to me by my husband who knows I have a soft spot of antique quilts, fabrics from the 1930's (feedsacks), and the Grandmothers Flower Garden pattern. I often 'watch' quilts on ebay, and save the images for inspiration should I ever have the time to make my own. Well, he peaked at my account and ordered this one for me from America. A true Grandmothers Flower Garden, with feedsack fabric and the tiniest hand quilting stitches. The quilt is even edged in green fabric typical of the era. My jaw dropped when I opened the box...

The second gift from Jamie was a preserving kit I had bought from The Redback Trading Company. Whilst this is not strictly a handmade gift, it does allow me to hand make preserves and jams, so I think it counts. So far I have preserved cucumbers from my garden in dill pickle vinegar, and made some strawberry jam.

My very clever sister in law and her husband-to-be gave us a cheese board they had made from Tasmanian timber. I know it is not usual to smell ones cheese board, but I can't help it, this board smells divine.

And as if the cheese board wasn't enough, she also made me this delicate Christmas star from vintage sheet music...

My mum gave me a timber sewing box hand made by members of her local Men's Shed. The Men's Shed is a community-based movement aimed at promoting better mental health for men. You can read more about it here.

My dear friend Mel revealed her crafty side, making this owl needle/pin holder for me from a self drafted pattern! His little wings untie to reveal felt patches where needles and pins can be held...

My real life blogger friend gave me the most delicious pesto ever. Check out her blog to see a picture.

I didn't drop the ball on the hand made gift giving either. Mel will receive her gift in February (because I just didn't get her it finished in time), I gave mum a quilt, Mill the book Knitting 24/7, and my other sister in law some hand spun yarn along with Colette Pattern's Sencha.

Sam xox