A pretty spring dress

We decided that Louisa needed a new dress. She quickly chose some fabric from my stash, but then I realised that most of the patterns I own are not going to fit her anymore. She's moving into a size 7, and while I've got lots of patterns up to size 4 and a few to size 6, tha's about it - save for some very daggy old patterns I've inherited (think 80s oversized numbers) and one dress up pattern.

So I managed to modify the dress up pattern, using the top section and changing the skirt section to come up with this peasant dress. There are some changes I would make if I made it again, but I still quite like it, and Louisa loves it.

Lizzie's peasant dress

Here's Lizzie's new peasant dress. I've loved seeing peasant dresses on loads of blogs lately, so thought I'd do my own simple version with an old pattern I already had. It really shows what great value home sewing is. I used some lovely Cherry Tree fabric I got in my local Spotlight's recent move for a bargain $5 a metre!I'm very happy with it, and so is Lizzie. I intially thought this particular fabric was a bit too sickly pink, but Lizzie insisted and I love it made up. She's happy to wear it all day, without the need for costume changes 5 times a day which we've been having lately. It's so comfortable you can even bungy trampoline in it!That photo was taken at Kings Beach Caloundra, a fantastic family holiday spot. In addition to the bungy trampoling, there's an ocean water bathing pool, lovely patrolled beaches, some nice eateries and cool water features to play in. This time it had the added attraction of Victorian based Grandma and Grandpa Max, and Aunty Helen, staying there.
Here are the girls dressed and ready to go on the way up.

The trip back was quite eventful, driving into the severe storm South East Queesnlad endured on Sunday afternoon/evening. Our usual 45 min trip became 2 and a half hours of very slow driving, and Louisa and I were exhausted after it (Peter was working). Lizzie slept the whole way, and then transferred to bed and slept through until morning with no dinner. Thank goodness I'd allowed them both to have an icecream before we left.

Pillow slip dress

The weather had been warming up a little, although back to cold and wet today. Lizzie should get a bit of wear from this pillow slip dress eventually. It's made from a lovely thin cotton which will be perfect for super hot summer days.

I wanted to have a go at a pillow slip dress with some fabric I didn't care for much before trying it out on nicer ones. So I found this fabric with teensy dots deep in the bottom of one of my plastic tubs. Not sure where I scored it from. But now that it's made up, I really like it - and best of all, so does Lizzie!

Please excuse the lack of ironing, and the fact that I haven't trimmed the ribbon ties to size yet. Oh, and our sad excuse for lawn and half dead pot plants. They've since been watered and are back to looking pretty.

Lizzie's Christmas dress

I've finally completed Lizzie's Christmas dress, although 'completed' might not be the exact word. The pattern also included an underskirt, and I had some red fabric sewn up and hemmed ready to go. But I had a last minute change of plans, for a few reasons. Firstly, it looked so lovely as it was when I tried it on Lizzie. Secondly, I'm anticipating a hot muggy day and the less layers of fabric, the better. And lastly, I must admit the thought of gathering another skirt if I didn't really need to wasn't that appealing.

Lizzie loves it and Louisa has been eying it of enviously and asking when she can have a dress like that! Please excuse her messy hair, she'd not long before woken up from a nap!

I'm also including here a sneak peak of our photos we had done for various Chrissie presents. I only picked them up a few minutes ago, so I'll go through the CD and pick out my favourites to share at a later time. We went with Moods Photography based in Woody Point.

Louisa's Christmas Dress

Today's the 25th so officially 2 months until Christmas! My Christmas sewing is getting there, but slower than I'd like. Not enough hours in the day, and certainly not enough when I'm feeling fresh and productive. Still, I managed to get this very red dress finished for Louisa:A very simple looking dress, and just a plain red drill, so it definitely needed some kind of decoration. I contemplated an even more Christmassy green trim, but compromised on this pretty green ribbon.On another note, these guys have decided that our pool is a great place to have their morning dip. Why they've chosen ours, we're not sure - pools aren't exactly a rarity in our part of South East Queensland. We're not happy for them to be using it as a toilet, so we shoo them off as soon as we see them. I felt a bit guilty the other morning when one of them flew into a glass fence we have out the back, but thankfully he recovered and flew off before I had to put my CPR skills into effect.

What a busy weekend we had! It began with our usual weekend morning coffee and a dip in the pool, then in the afternoon the girls and I headed to the kindy for their 50th anniversay celebrations - a mad hatters tea party. Loads of fun, the highlihght being the traditional Punch and Judy show. My girls were so gorgeous sitting side by side and looking at each other and laughing at al the good bits. They are sisters, I know, but I love how they really enjoy each other's company.

On Sunday morning, following the coffee ritual, we stumbled upon a vintage car rally, officially The Great Gatsby Picnic, with loads of vintage cars, reproduction wooden boats, camels rides, bagpipes, the works!

In the afternoon, with my dear husband happy to stay home in front of the TV to watch Bathurst, I took the opportunity to leave the girls at home and begin Christmas shopping. I headed to the larger shopping centre we have, and did the whole bit. The best bit was being able to get to the Myer Christmas trim shop in its first day of opening.

My grandma used to have some lovely glass bird ornaments. Each year, Dad would risk life and limb on the local railway tracks to get a tree for both her and us and we would help dress her tree. Clipping those beautiful birds onto the tree was my favourite thing. Over the years the delicate birdds have lost bits of beak or feather, so although Mum still has them, they're not really usable anymore. I've often seen similar birds advertised in catalogues, but everytime they've been sold out before I've got to store, but not this year! I bought several, mostly in more subtle golds and browns, but couldn't resist this colourful one. I knew the girls would love it! As I mentioned in my last post, I finished Lizzie's apple dress (yes, I've decided they really are apples). It's a little big for my 'Thin Lizzie' and she didn't show much appreciation for all my efforts. I'll put it aside until it fits better and hopefully by then she'll be happy to wear something other than souvenir Tshirts.

My first real bags, and a play dress

Here is the bag I've given both Mum and my mother in law for Mothers' Day:

I decided I'd do a trial first to be sure it would work, so Louisa choose this fabric and I think it looks great - very tropical. I now borrow 'her' bag to walk to the shop for the bread and milk instead of lugging my usual handbag. I'm hoping Mum and MIL will get the same kind of use out of theirs. I don't expect to replace Mum's everyday handbag that carries everything but the kitchen sink.

Below is my first creation from my Enid Gilchrist books. It's actually a little small for Elizabeth, even though the book said '1-2 years' and Lizzie's quite tiny for her age. I guess kids are getting bigger over the years. So next time I might add an inch to the front and back part of the pattern, and maybe a bit longer on the shoulder yokes too. Still, now I've slashed the back a bit and extended the button loop, it should be okay for playing around the house in - which I guess is what a 'play dress' is probably intended for anyway. I have to admit to loving this apple green colour, especially teamed with pink. It was everywhere a few years ago, but I guess it's popularity has waned a bit now. I still love it though!

The same dress

Okay, I know I already posted this dress but I love it on Louisa - more than just on the hanger. So frogive my indulgence.

Another dress

Another item that had already been cut out. Louisa hardly needs another pretty dress, but when I saw this fabric at my local fabric store, I knew I wanted to make this dress. So here it is. And here's my little secret: I left the selvedge folded under the hem, not visible at all. A little thing only I know (oh, and now you).

The 'disco' dress - & bought clothes!!

My bargain hunting streak is showing through again. I could say I was after a retro '70 style look for Louisa, but honestly, I'd bought some fabric for $3 and had to then think of what to make with it. So it became this shirred dress. Louisa loves it because it's red and sparkly, and I like it because it's cool for hot days and cost next to nothing. I'm not quite sure if it will get a run in public, or only at home. It's very different from most of the 'little girls' clothes I seem to make!

I went shopping this morning with the girls. We'd had a few days at home, most activities still not started up yet and it's been too hot for the park or bike riding. We were going a little stir crazy, so to the shopping centre we went. It's quite a small centre at the moment, but it won't be for long. There's a flurry of building activity and it looks like it's doubling in size! So I guess that means more shoppers in the future, unfortunately.

Anyway, I know that the fashion police may not approve, but I bought some cheap and cheerful tops for the girls. The Hula top was only $5.51 at Target, the other two were $7 at Best n Less. I love those prices! So although I haven't bought any clothes for the girls since I started sewing, I couldn't resist.

I'm still working on a blouse - a few dramas with buttonholes and collars. It's to be expected for my first time, I guess. I better get back to it.