Thrifting

I've really taken to this thrifting thing. I've never really frequented op shops and the like, but I've always had a love of a bargain. Now that's going into overdrive, when I bring home bags full of things and then think about how little it all cost. Not to mention how personal and original the items are. In the last week, I've been very lucky with what I've found - but far too many things to photograph or write about. I've found Enid Gilchrist books, Golden Hands magazines, children's books (include one written by an old friend of my Aunty - see the poor confused character in the pic), patterns (my favourite is the one I've included above - can't wait to start on that for Louisa), fabric, almost new leather shoes for Lizzie, and my favourite, this doll's cradle for $5 (photographed in the car - not keen to take it out until its had a good clean up and paint).

Winter's approaching

With winter not too far away, I thought I should be prepared with a long sleeve top for Louisa. I don't really need anything too snuggly - Brisbane's temperature extremes are pretty mild, and my girls are both 'warm blooded'; they don't feel the cold too badly. So this simple top fits the bill. I used this Burda magazine pattern, but it said to 'coverlock' the neckline. I don't have such expensive fancy equipment, so I put a button in the back. I have to admit this part of the top is a little dodgy. At the moment there's a huge oversized daisy that doesn't actually match the colours of the top, but Louisa chose it from my button jar. It was to be temporary, but actually looks kind of cute, so I may leave it! I really like the fabric - the flowers lift it from being just a plain top. I'd love to find some cord in just aqua to make matching pants, or even a pinafore dress over the top.

Baking and bargains

Another lovely batch of Bec's Banana, Date & Sour Cream Muffins - delicious!
And a great day thrifting. Some great finds - a couple most definitely worthy of the term 'vintage'. Also some cream cord, some black ribbing, a couple of paisley pillow cases and some practical fabrics that I can already think of uses for. And all for $9. Very happy.

Kimono top - version 2!

Well, I'm much happier with this version! Using bought binding made it much easier. I wasn't intending to use this fabric for Lizzie, but I think it looks great on her. I used this fabric simply because I had some red bias binding, and wanted something to go with it! While sewing, I was thinking I would have preferred a hot pink binding, but love the end result with the red.

I think part of my problem with the last version was that the material I used had a very loose weave and didn't make crisp folds. So after that diagnosis, I'm on the look out for some floral print material similar in colours to the white and purple I used, but just in a tighter weave fabric that will hold a crease better.

Very dodgy kimono jacket

This is one of those times when my inexperience shows. Just not a good job here. I had quite a lot of trouble making my bias binding from this floral fabric. It started with my wonky cutting and then it was all downhill.

The worst is probably on Lizzie's right shoulder as you can see in this picture. I just couldn't get it to stay folded under, and then maybe got lazy and careless as I thought it was a lost cause anyway.

So back to the drawing board. I'll put this one in the 'look at later' box with every intention of unpicking the binding and redoing with some new binding at a later stage. There's actually nothing wrong with the rest of the jacket, but the jacket itself is also the wrong size. So I intend on having a go at the same pattern, but using bought binding this time to restore my confidence.

Hello Kitty pjs

When I decided to make Louisa some pajamas, I put a lot of thought into the details: buttons on the back, as she's a tummy sleeper; short sleeves so she's warm but not too warm; elastic around the legs so they don't ride up her legs, etc. But according to Louisa I left out the one most important detail - they don't have fairies on them! So it took a fair bit of convincing, bribery and postive peer group pressure courtesy of the girls next door to get her to wear them, but finally she did and now is happy to wear them to bed. Phew.
She did get her fairy fix this morning when we went to see The Fairies, but no photography allowed so this is all I can show you!A fan-fairy-tastic time was had by all. Louisa was very excited the whole way through and both she and Lizzie loved dancing and singing along with them. A great show!

And here's a picture I have to included just because Lizzie's grin is just too cute:

Kitchen themed Swap

Kylie's received her swap now, so I can post the items I sent. An apron (which my husband thought was 'saucy'), an oven glove and some criss cross coasters.

Some sewing materials: And some knitting patterns I found at my local op shop which I thought were too lovely to leave though even though I don't knit! But there was a link to our kitchen theme. One of the books contained this pattern:How cute is that!