Beetle Bug

Wow its been far too long between posts but nice to have a break so that I can concentrate on my health and spend time with my family.

A small bit of crafting has taken place. I whipped up this cute little bug from the Softies book for a little girl who turned 1 last week. It was a quick and easy craft project. Gotta love those ones!

(And yep its a crappy pic but I was in a hurry to wrap it and get it out the door to the party)

I am also just about to complete a 5 week camera course. I have been learning how to use my new baby properly. No more AUTO shooting for me. Here are some pics from Saturday's Field trip to the Botanical Gardens. I am loving my saturation button (perhaps a little too much!)

Made...

Finally back from a small break over Easter and we are now on school holidays. I am so looking forward to not having to pack school lunches every morning and race out the door at 8.30 for two whole weeks. Yay.

I have been doing a little bit of sewing. The weather is turning and winter is on its way. I have been inspired to do some sewing for the little man., thanks to this lovely blog. I used my all time favourite Burda pants pattern and followed Dana's instructions for making flat fronted pockets. To add a little detail I used the wrong side of the fabric for the pockets.
Love them and he does too! The material was a remnant sent from my Grandma who is a seamstress.

I Heart Corsage Tees

Its birthday season in this house and we seem to have a party on every weekend between now and Easter.

(My little model is still half asleep)

I was inspired by this wonderful blog (isn't she gorgeous. I just love her creations)..and decided to whip up some corsage tees. Quick, easy and super fun. I recycled some old stretch tights and t-shirts that were on their way to vinnies (oops sorry Vinnies). My knit stash is very lacking, so if someone can recommend a nice place to buy knits then I would love to hear it.?I checked out Spotlight on the weekend and they have absolutely nothing. Surprise surprise!

The birthday recipients loved them and thought that I had bought them...gotta love that! Well I did the tees..they are just the stretchy ones from Target. They wash really well and the ones I embellished for the girls last winter are still going strong.

Pirate Ned...

Another Lazy Day hat from Make it Perfect. Wow..I love this pattern. It makes up pretty fast and it also makes wonderful birthday pressies.

This one is for a special little boy who turned 3 last week and wants to be a pirate when he grows up...

Thank You for the Inspiration

Don't you just love the Internet for inspiration and those that share wonderful tutorials? I know I do.... THANK YOU


I have been doing a little bit of sewing, mainly just birthday pressies. I have also started back at work..teaching at TAFE and unfortunately I imagined that once the girls started school that I would have so much more time on my hands. Unfortunately this is not the case...


A birthday ruffle shirt. Inspired by the shirts Karen made for her girls.

A drawstring bag filled (I used this tutorial) with goodies from Smiggle and a blank notebook from Typo for the grand price of $5.

A Travelling Art Show Pack..courtesy of this wonderful tutorial, which I amended slightly to fit my stationery

Busy Days...

Wow its been nearly 6 weeks since my last post. I am really out of the habit of blogging. I am still reading but finding that having 3 kids home on school holidays is just not conducive to blogging.

I busted out the sewing machine the other day and over two days, while the kids watched playschool I whipped up this Lazy Day Hat for the littlest man. He starts his first full day in care next week, when I return to work and I wanted something exciting that he could take to school. I used Ikea fabrics but I have to say that my top stitching, leaves a lot to be desired. What a great pattern. Next to make one for the girls.....

Christmas Pressies..just a little late!

I still haven't gotten around to posting some of the pressies I made family members for Christmas. How slack of me??

This was the brooch that I made my Nan for Christmas. Two small doilies gathered together, with two vintage buttons stitched into the centre. Easy Peasy..

This is the Charlie Tote that I made my little cousin for Christmas. Her request was that it be big enough to carry stuff for the beach and it not be pink. Done. Super quick and easy. It is reversible but I did a pretty ordinary job of attaching the binding on the inside. I think perhaps because I made the binding out of a light weight cord. Oops..live and learn! I now need to make some of these for me.

The Not So Festive Duds

The little man was upset when the girls got a new skirt for the festive period (he really wanted one!) ....so I cut into some red and white ticking but I realised that there was far too much white in for my messy boy. So we added some panels of fine baby cord in blue and red, appliqued a t-shirt and we are ready for Santa...Of course my husband thinks they look like American pants..Oops..that wasn't the plan..I just wanted to put some colour into his new duds.

And the winner's are....

Sarah-Jo and Lynda. Thanks ladies. Email me your postal address to kmaldred@bigpond.com and I will pop your button bracelets in the post.

Something For The Teachers...

The girls had their last day of preschool yesterday..oh so sad. We were fortunate enough to have an amazing teacher and assistant. The girls have really come out of their shells and we are now ready for big school. I really wanted to gift the teachers something that will remind them of the girls and that didn't involve chocolates and wine. So using this tutorial, I set to work. It involved a 5am start yesterday morning (there is nothing like leaving things to the last minute) but I am happy to say they were ready to deliver to the teachers by 9am. Its an awesome tut..I think next time I might make my strips longer and knot them around the foam for something a little different. They look lovely (if I do say so myself). The teachers were thrilled and I hope that every Christmas they will pull them out and think of my lovely girls ......

And what about this awesome giveaway. Fingers crossed I win something...

And don't forget my giveaway...

Christmas Giveaway

I am having a giveaway to celebrate Christmas....and to say thanks for following my blog.

I have been busy making a lot of my Chrissy pressies this year including these vintage button bracelets.

And I have made an extra one just for you lovely readers. As you can see from the below photos its a combination of grey, silver, gold and purple buttons.

So all you need to do is leave a comment and tell me your favourite Christmas Tradition, before 7pm on Sunday 20th December and I will randomly draw a winner.

If you want to blog about it..that's okay too. Just let me know in your comment and I will pop you in for another entry.

Merry Christmas

Check back on Sunday night so that the lucky winner can email me their address details and I can put the bracelet in the post first thing Monday morning and hopefully you will have it just in time for Christmas.

Baby Sewing

Wow...what a whirlwind the last 2 weeks have been - concerts galore including Angelina and The Wiggles, Preschool concerts and afternoon teas for the teachers. We have our last day at Preschool on Thursday, which I am a little sad about but we are also very excited about what next year holds as the girls move into Kindy.

I have been pushing myself to get some sewing done for Christmas presents and all the little baby's that have arrived the last few weeks.

Burp Cloths for Baby E. These have been made from flannel bunny rugs and a yellow cloth nappy that we never used for the littlest man. I made burp cloths for Baby E's big brother 2 years ago and his Mum and Dad loved them. So I thought some updated ones for the newest member of the family would make a great pressie. I used this tutorial for the shape.

Festive singlets and baby bloomers made from linen for Baby E and Baby T. Perfect for the hot days we are having at the moment.

And a little set for Baby C (this one is for my sisters best friend). My take on the Otto Aqua shorts and a little top to match, all in festive colours.

And in other exciting news.. I am flying out to here on the 26th December for a week to visit my sister. I am so excited!!!

Festive Sewing...

I realised on Friday that we are on the down hill slide to Christmas and the girls had nothing special to wear for our upcoming concerts - Angelina Ballerina and The Wiggles, preschool graduation and Christmas parties. Their wardrobe is bursting at the seams but its nice to spoil them...

3 hours at the machine, including cutting and making my own bias binding and we have two little duck skirts. Prefect for twirling our way through the festive season. The white material is from an Egyptian Cotton Sheet that my sister left behind when she moved OS this year and the aprons, which are attached to the front and back are from Lizzy House's range..Red Letter Day. They looked super cute at the Angelina concert yesterday and I got stopped by two women and asked where could they buy them from...

Work Shirt Tops....

On one of my op shop visits I happened across two lovely men's shirt - Country Road & Abercrombie & Fitch....they came home with me and are now...

Two little summer tops, perfect for the 39 degree days we have been experiencing.

The girls love them and have nicknamed them.."work shirt tops" as they are just like Dad's work shirts.

The only thing I would change next time is longer sleeves so that they cover the girls shoulders a bit more...

It's nice to be sewing again...

My Last $12....

I ventured into my local salvos with $12 in my wallet. My last few visits have been really disappointing but today the thrifting Gods were smiling.... For $12 I got.....

A retro looking bedside table that I plan to strip back and put into the girls room

and some gorgeous red and white linen that will turn into some nappy covers for all the little boys that have been born in the last two weeks

What bargains have you found at the Op Shop lately?

I Fear....

Cushions Covers and Zippers......but I conquered my fear of cushion covers the weekend with this sweet little cover that we whipped up for our special friend Mia. It was so easy and I have lots of plans for updating my lounge with some throw cushions. I used this tut and a free print from the Otto website for the Babushka Doll. She is not perfect but made with lots of love...and I ran out of time to embroider her face, which is probably a good thing knowing how ordinary my hand sewing abilities are.

Happy 5th Birthday Mooska xox

Vroom Vroom Set

A tiny bit of crafting has been happening in this house. We have just finished school holidays and coupled with a 2 year old that has forgotten how to sleep..there has been no time or energy for much! I have a few things cut out and ready to sew..I am just waiting for the sewing bug to return. I have been buying some fabric online from the US..while our dollar is lovely and strong..its becoming quiet an addiction!

I did manage to finish this little set for my parents to give to my girlfriend that had this little boy back in June. A basic pair of wide legged pants and a little Osh Kosh top picked up for a bargain price..pressies don't get much. better

And in other exciting news....I won this giveaway over at Amanda's blog. I bought the other two prints to go with the series as we are decorating the little man's room in a transport theme. Oh my they are so lovely. My photos don't do them any justice. Thanks Amanda I am thrilled to bits..now to find some white frames and we can hang them on the wall

I am planning to share the giveaway love very soon...with something special!

5...

Two special little girls in our house turned 5 last week!

Wow 5....we are amazed at how far you have come

You started off as two tiny little scraps, entering the world 11 weeks early

And now we have two beautiful, caring, independent (and at times stubborn) little individuals

You are best friends

You are like little sponges, soaking up new information everyday and learning in leaps and bounds

We are so proud of you both

Happy 5th Birthday

We love you bottle tops...to the moon and back XOXO

The Fairy Queen Cake

The Cupcake Spectacular we shared with friends at the park

Cupcake Toppers - made by the very talented Tammy at Sweet Art Diva .

Thank You Gifts

Another Great Giveaway....

from Sarah-Jo . I have admired this material for a long time..its lovely. Fingers crossed that I win. Thanks Sarah-Jo.

and this lovely giveaway at Twinkle Star Art. These prints would look lovely in the little man's room!

Spring Fling Skirt

The kids were invited to a 3rd birthday party on the weekend, by the little girl who lives over the back fence. They have just moved into their house so its nice to get to know some more neighbours.

Having just returned from a week on the beautiful Gold Coast I was feeling pretty unmotivated to sew or do much. But I gathered my strength and dived into my stash. I am loving what I came up with. A double layered twirly skirt, with vintage sheeting on the bottom layer and lovely cupcakes on the top.

We added a treasure pocket (this is what the girls have called them as they are perfect for collecting all sorts of treasures, like shells, sticks and bottle tops!). It came together nicely and I can see myself making some more of these in the near future. I did make the pocket a little on the large size (it was gaping open) but I managed to fix this by adding a button and buttonhole to the pocket. Prefect for Canberra spring weather with a little pair of leggings underneath.