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