February 24, 2011
Wondering why there haven’t been any new posts for ages?
We’ve MOVED!
Go check our Jacq’s new blog at
http://sewsimpledesign.blogspot com
and you can find more of me at:
http://mollydagmade.com
Please jump on over and see what we’ve been up to lately.
Thanks for following us here at Craftymammas.
XX
November 22, 2010
As you know Jacq, I’ve started selling bits and pieces online on the Aussie version of ETSY called Madeit. It is a fantastic place for us poor crafters who live in the Southern Hemisphere to buy and sell handmade without the shipping expense or poor exchange rate (although recently we are at parity with the US$, for how long, who knows!). The store is called MollydagMade (button on the left) and Bec is selling there too.
So far, I have sold 2 felted egg shakers!!! They are winging their way to Queensland. Fingers crossed others love the things I’ve made as much as I have. I’ll keep you posted as I keep sewing…..
November 11, 2010
Thank you Shirly for you’re bag of clothes that were destined for the Salvos. This is the first of our ‘upcycled’ clothes, a pair of stretch denim shorts. I have to fiddle a bit with the waistband as it wound up a bit big but the fit & length are great. I love the “be a hero ribbon” trim on his pockets. And best of all, he loves them.
PS. this last pose was uninitiated, I caught him while we were having lunch today at mum’s work-park. Too funny!!
October 3, 2010
Amalee’s birthday is today and this is the dress I made for her. A simple shirred summer dress made following this tutorial by (why oh why don’t I bookmark these things! I can’t find it…..I’ll keep looking). I wasn’t sure if I liked the final result but after bribing Giles to try it on for me, I think it turned out ok. I wish that I had some white elastic thread though. The store only had black and I didn’t have time to shop around for more. Oh well, it isn’t noticeable when it is being worn, it just stick out like dogs ‘you-know-whats’ on the hanger.
Another week, another party. I had better wrap it up now as we are heading off soon. Stay tuned for the next 4 year old’s present!
September 30, 2010
It’s been a frenzy of activity here over the past weekend.
Felted wool egg shakers
More felted egg shakers - Available for sale soon!
I felted 15 sets of egg shakers on the weekend before running out of wool roving. Bummer. Luckily, that meant I could make a trip down to my favourite supplier Bilby Yarns to buy some new colours. Their 100% merino wool is just to die for – it is so soft and dyed in some stunning colours. Apparently the wool breeders have won Grand Champion in two of the categories at the Perth Royal Show. Means nothing to me but they nice guy in the store was pretty excited!
These eggs are going to going to be sold at the Perth Upmarkets and possibly some other upcoming Perth handcraft markets so keep your eyes out for the MillaRuby Designs stall. I think they are a bargain at $12/pair – don’t you?! (If you can’t wait for the markets, a few sets have been listed at the online store MillaRuby Designs)
Anyhoo, that’s enough self-promotion…….
So, while I waited to make the trip to buy more wool, I whipped up 4 pair of summer PJ shorts for Giles and one of his little buddies who is having his birthday weekend after next. I liked the mass-production, it felt a little like a sweat shop, without the sweating!
Aggghh! sorry these are upside down. I've imported this pic twice - not sure why wordpress is doing this to me??
I used Rebecca’s pattern for the shorts. She is selling a bunch of her summer ‘lounge’ pants & tops, also through the online seller MillaRuby Designs.
Rodeo Shorts & Top, on sale at MillaRuby Designs
These Rodeo pair have to be my favourite. If I’m lucky, Bec might just make Giles a pair of shorts for his birthday! Here’s hoping.
I’m off to get my hands wet & soapy and felt some more egg shakers. I have to make something for one of Giles’s girlfriends from daycare too, her birthday is this SUNDAY!! Hmmmm, still not sure what to make. What about some shirred dresses liked these. Think a 4 yr old will like them for the summer??
September 26, 2010
I can’t get enough of this pattern! I’ve just finished my 5th Oliver + S Swing set top. I really must post them to their Flickr pool huh?
With the onslaught 4 year old birthdays this coming month, I had to get cracking and start some serious sewing. First up was a top & skirt for Giles’s buddy Amelia (I forgot to photograph that! Bec has to take some for me). I made it from a beautiful double muslin with fairy print from Calico & Ivy. It turned out really well, I just hope it fits. As expected, Amelia threw the dress aside without much of a glance but LOVED the hand-me-down My Little Pony & accessories. Typical! Hee Hee! I’m sure Bec will make her wear the top & skirt once or twice before it gets handed down to Tilly.
Next up was another of Giles’s girl friends, whose party was this afternoon. Remember this fabric Jacq? I had enough to make one in size 5 for the birthday girl & just enough left over (with some creative piecing on the back placard – no close-ups I’m afraid) to make a size 2 for Tilly.
I made two chiffon flowers which can be used as hair-clips, or can embellish the front of the dress. I can’t find a link right now but there are tonnes of tutorials out there, I know you’ve tagged it before Jacq. All you do is rough cut a bunch of circles, melt the edges of each circle with a candle or lighter, then stack them up gluing each one with hot glue. I put some sparkles in the center but you could put anything – buttons, sequins, seed-beads etc.
Tilly wore her outfit to the party – too cute – although I am very biased.
I’m going on a sewing frenzy in the next few weeks. With a birthday every weekend for the next 5 weekends I’m going to be busy. Next is a girl party, then 3 boys….Hmmmm what to sew next…….Ideas?
September 6, 2010
Ok, this post isn’t going backwards in time, I made this today. A headband to go with my new, much shorter, hair-do.
I made it from true ‘vintage’ ribbon – it came from mums sewing stash so it has to be vintage!! Ha!
September 5, 2010
Miss T's Shell Stitch Crochet Beanie
Pattern from The Dainty Daisy. Size 12-24 month (fits well). Made from 100% merino wool on a G (6mm) crochet hook.
Anything that I can make within 2 of Miss T’s naps is OK with me.
September 5, 2010
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I’ve bought the Oliver + S Swingset Tunic and Skirt pattern and have been knocking a couple of outfits out. The pattern, as always, is easy to follow and it comes together quite quickly. I traced out the pattern one night, cut all the pieces one afternoon during nap-time and then was able to complete the top in one evening.
This is my 1st made from some Micheal Miller fabric. This dress was using the size 2 Swingset Tunic pattern and lengthened about 2-3 inches to dress-length. I’m really pleased with how it has turned out. I was a bit disappointed that the size 2 was a snug fit on Miss T, that was until I realized I was using the wrong seam allowance (whoops!). I’ve since made another with the correct seam allowance (the black & red one) and this is a much more appropriate fit for a size 2. As you can see, I’m too chicken to attempt a button hole so I used my much-loved snap machine for the closures on the back.
I can envision whole wardrobe of these Tunics come Summer 2011. That is unless I buy some of their new 2011 fall patterns coming out soon……
September 5, 2010
I found this in the drafts folder – not sure if i’ve posted it before but I’m doing some housecleaning here in the WordPress Dashboard and thought I’d rather re-post than delete………
Here are a couple of my 5-minute crafting activities.
Dummy straps:
I truly don’t know how people survive child rearing without these dummy straps. While we aren’t anal about washing the girl’s dummies it is a pain when they are spat out on the floor. Normally at the grocery check-out, or at the bank counter or somewhere equally gross & filthy.
These are so easy to make. A piece of ribbon, snapped at both ends – one to loop around a suspender clip (I found mine at a local craft store for $2.70 for 2), one for around the dummy. You can sew the suspender clip in permanently if you wish. I made a cute one with bee ribbon too but didn’t take a photo. Must do soon. The ribbons are all from Calico & Ivy.
Next up, jazzed up bookmarks. Nice -AnnieP papers adhered to gross freebie drug-company bookmarks using contact cement. The have a magnetic clasp inside so the stick to your page. Nice & free!
And here’s a random shot of Miss T.
Geeze, you can see how old this post is, T is now 20months old, I think she is 12 weeks in this shot. BTW this is a beautiful beanie that Nanna Beth sent T when she was born, together with a poncho. Beautifully soft & warm. Beth you might like to know she still fits it!!
September 4, 2010
Ok Jacq, I’ve decided to post all my craftiness going backwards in time. This way you can have the big anticlimactic reveal of this crochet project. Ha!
Ok. Post number one is a great game we have been playing over the past few days. Easy peasy and fantastic for keeping toddlers busy in the backyard or inside on a rainy day. I can’t remember where I got the idea, somewhere in blog-land.
If you are brave get the kids to paint each section of an egg carton a different colour. Me, well I couldn’t face the multicolor mess so I quickly painted these while they were in the bath. It only took 5 min to paint and 5 min to clean (does that make me a bad craftymamma?)
Anyhoo, once the carton is dry send the wee ones out and get them to find something in the yard to match each colour. Green, brown & yellow was easy but we had to think outside the box to fill the purple & blue one! Giles ended up finding a blue telescope toy & bit of purple rubbish bin bag. Cool huh.
Try it one weekend. It will keep the kids busy for at least twice the time it takes to make, which in my book is a winner!
August 4, 2010
I can’t help it ….. I’m addicted!!
I’m using up the spare wool from Tilly’s granny square blanket to whip this up. Stay tuned to see what it will become.
July 30, 2010
It’s finished and I love it. Here are a couple of photos taken at Kings Park yesterday.
July 28, 2010
It’s making progress.
Edited to add: just as I sat there and pressed ‘post’, it started to rain!! Bugger. Talk about spoiling the mood.
July 24, 2010
I’ve begun my next project for in front of the TV, the Little Princess Cardie (a free pattern offered by Lion Brand) Its a swing style cardigan apparently suited for a beginner – that claim is about to be put to the test!
We don’t get Lion Brand here so I chose some bamboo/cotton from Spotlight. It is so silky and soft. A bit challenging to work with as the fibres are almost like embroidery thread and are easy to split as your hook goes in and out but I seem to be getting the hang of it.
I’ll keep you posted with my progress. Wish me luck!!
July 22, 2010
My little felted egg-shaped noise makers turned out so well I used up all my remaining Easter eggs to make some more.
I’m loving this washing machine felting. Now I’ve run out of Easter eggs to felt, I’ll have to find another project. If you see anything, yell out.
July 13, 2010
I love it – it’s heavy, warm and just the right size for the crib or your lap. It’s supposed to be Tilly’s but mum thinks the colours are more boy-like. What do you think? (BTW, the only photo where the colours are most true is the one of the blanket edges). Either way, the blanket goes with our leather couches.
Geeze tilly is hard to catch on film! You can see the best 2 of all my shots of her with her new blanket. I am no blogging queen.
Now, find me a new easy pattern jacq. I can only do granny squares so it will be a challenge. I’ve seen this pattern (http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/07/how-to-crochet-a-hexigon-baby-surprise-sweater.html) but would it suit tilly??
July 11, 2010
While I had the washing machine cranked up to felt the jumper for the Sally Bag, I thought I would try felting using my wool roving. I was going to make some felt balls but then thought I would use all those left over Easter eggs to try to make a shaker. Both kids have loved the plastic egg-shaped rattle we have. I think it is small enough to hold and light enough to easily shake, and let’s face it – my kids love to make noise!
I used THIS tutorial to prepare the eggs. I filled the eggs with either little seed beads or metal paperclips before joining the two halves with sticky-tape. I would have used glue but I’ve list my hot glue gun (how does that happen??). I then threw my stocking-wrapped eggs in the washing machine with my woolen jumpers. I put the front-loader on for a 60 degree short wash with a rinse and hold (ie. No spin).
All I had to do was remove them from the stocking, and let them air dry. How EASY was that!!
Giles has been using them to play skittles, or ‘scuttles’ as he called it and Tilly has been shaking her groove thing and helping me photograph them.
They are so easy to make and will make great gifts for the many wee ones we know.
Next stop, felt balls….
July 11, 2010
Although I’m guilty of it too, it makes me a wee bit sad to see someones beautiful crochet/knitting/craft being carted around in a reusable shopping bag. They do have their uses people, but a Coles bag should be kept for the supermarket!
After Auntie Sally came by last week to help watch the kids while I sewed up the baby bibs & another gift (in drafts to be posted soon!) with her beautiful crochet blanket in said grocery bag I thought I should remedy this.
Voilà! The ‘Sally ‘Bag’. Take one felted 100% pure Australian wool jumper, chop-chop-chop-it, embellish and there you have it. A roomy rather gorgeous bag ready for her next project.
I got all my inspiration for this design from this beautiful bag.
I said to Mark that I have problems letting go of many of my crafting endeavors and this one is particularly difficult as I’ve fallen in love with it as it came together. We’re off to Dad’s for lunch today so I had better drop it off to Sally before I find it filled with my crochet project!
July 5, 2010
What to make a 4 year old girl for her birthday?
Headbands – one for school (she has to wear only red) and one for everyday wear.
The zipper flower was made using one of the zillions of tutorials out there. I modge podged (is that a word?) the headband and covered it with some fabric. It seemed to work and hopefully will hold up. The inside of the headband is trimmed with felt for comfort.
The 2nd band has been in my WIP box for ages (I’m talking at least 1.5 years – whoops). Bec’s mum or grandmother had a book on ribbon folding and showed me how to do it a long time ago. If she hasn’t shown you on her blog how it’s done and if you’re interested, I’ll make a quick tutorial for you Jacq.
Mark said the headbands were a big hit with the birthday girl. She and a friend wore them right out of the wrapping paper. Whew!
July 2, 2010
I love these bibs from Bec’s tutorial. I’ve made some before and they make such a perfect gift (Well I think so, let’s hope Amy agrees! Ha ha)
I made 2 yesterday after calling Auntie Sally to see if she would come down to mind the kids. Of course they went from whiney, clingy kids to perfect angels when Sally arrived. Good thing she bought her crocheting with her. She just sat at the kitchen table crocheting & making coffees while we chatted all afternoon. The kids played really happily by themselves – TYPICAL!
Thanks Sally. That was a fun & productive afternoon.
I made a third this morning because all my gear was still on the kitchen table and both kids were happily bopping around with their digital cameras (gotta love old broken technology – perfect for the dress-up box).
Aren’t they great and don’t you like my model. Now I want to make some for her too. She still uses giles’s bib all the time.
July 2, 2010
Imagine a marshmallow & a freckle with some personality. Yummy!
Giles helped me make them while tilly was awake and the kitchen wasn’t like a bomb hit it! This has to be super easy for that to happen.
Hardly worth a description but here we go.
1. Stick marshmallow on a Lolly stick.
2. Dip top 1/3 in melted milk chocolate.
3. Dip into hundreds & thousands.
4. Give him a smile with some writing gel, melted piped chocolate or edible pens.
5. Stick them in some polystyrene till they dry then eat.
Hmmm the possibilities are endless. I might make sone more for the birthday party we are going to this weekend.
June 17, 2010
June 13, 2010
I’ve made alot of scones using the more traditional flour/butter/milk recipe so it was fun to try something new. This recipe yielded really light scones ANC the brown sugar gave them s really yummy flavour compared to some other recipes I’ve tried. Let me know if you give these a go.
Lemonade Scones
2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup sugar (I used brown sugar as that’s all I have here at the beach house)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup lemonade
1/2 cup pouring cream
1/2- 1 cup sultanas (optional)
Sift and mix dry ingredients together. If you are using sultanas, add them now & mix. Add wet ingredients, mix with a knife until the mixture has just come together. Knead very lightly on a board before pushing the dough out to about 2cm thick. Cut with a 5cm round cutter and place on a greased/floured bake tray. Bake at 200-220•C for 10-15 minutes or until the scones are brown on top and sound hollow when tapped.
Serve warm with butter or use that leftover jam to have a true Devonshire tea!
May 23, 2010
You gotta try this jacq, so easy and sooooo yummy!!!
Creamy Caramels.
(Sweet, Women’s Weekly, ACP Books)
1 cup (220g) castor sugar
90g unsalted butter
2 tbs golden syrup
1/3 cup (115g) glucose syrup
1/2 cup (125ml) sweetended condensed milk
1. grease a 19cm-square cake tin. (I sprayed mine with vegetable oil and lined with glad bake too)
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium heavy-based saucepan; stir over heat, without boiling, until all sugar is dissolved.
3. Bring to a boil; boil, stirring, for about 7 minutes or until mixture is a caramel colour. allow bubbles to subside; pour into pan, stand 10 minutes.
4. Mark squares using greased metal spatula. cool before cutting.
Makes 81.
I’ve taken a pic of the tips for marking caramel for you too.
April 4, 2010
The Easter bunny has come and gone. He left the kids choc eggs and a me a bunch of his bunny buddies – cupcake form! The inspiration came from here and the carrot cake recipe from here. I haven’t tried them yet but will tuck into one as soon as we get to Steve & Shirley’s Easter lunch. I hope the bunny visits you and you all have a fantastic & safe weekend. Love the Bayswater Browns. xoxoxo
March 22, 2010
After the last post, you can imagine how handy this new tool is.
Every sewer HATES to unpick. This makes it a somewhat bearable task.
Good old Lee Valley Tools.
“Pro” Series…lol!!! Maybe double as a surgical scalpel if the needs arrises.
March 22, 2010
Perfect timing….my winter jacket, years in the works, is finished just in time for our full blown early spring…nevermind. 
I thrifted this beautiful, charcoal wool felt 3 years ago for next to nothing. I anxiously awaited the following winter, when the winter fabrics were released at my local fabric store and bought the additonal wool crepe/felt I required to make up for the wool felt I was lacking…just a little short…argh. I found this pattern on that trip and away I went….not. It sat uncut for a year and a half (!!) before this year, I picked it up again and finally started. How disappointing, when almost completed, I slipped the jacket on I discovered it was all wrong! It didn’t fit! It looked terrible! Arghhh!! The shoulders were too wide, the pleated sleeve pleated somewhere halfway down my arm, the sleeves were 3 inches too short…all wrong!
Pulled completely apart, redrafted and sewn together as one once more it’s done!!! I thiiiiink I like it?! I’m trying to like it…I think it-will-do. What do you think? Must say I’m loving the buckle closures…
March 22, 2010
I have staked out my territory…it’s mine…I’m sooooooo happy. Much to my husband’s amusement, I have finally claimed a little piece of this chaotic house to call my own. No buisness stuff, no children’s toys, no computer either borrowed, old or new. A space to call my own. For nothing but the sweet joy and release of creation and inspiration. I have a sewing “room”. No sharing!! Ha!!!
I collected these embroidery hoops so long ago with intention to create an inspiration/project space. Such a simple task that took mere minutes. I would include a “tutorial”, but hey people, I won’t insult your intelligence….it’s toooooo easy. I just took each hoop and laid them atop pieces of co-ordinating fabric. I stretched the fabric tight on each hoop and pinned the excess fabric behind the hoop to remain hidden. You could always trim off the excess fabric….but hey, I’m too cheap and I wanted the option of using these fabrics later if necessary…I can’t throw out anything!! It’s a bit of a problem I know.
What a great way to display my favourite vintage patterns (they change often…just like my mind) and projects and patterns I have on-the-go. What do you think??? I might collect more larger hoops for the children’s room to post their arts and crafts….limitless possibilities…hmmmmmm
Oh…and what is that hanging on my dressform……stay tuned!!
March 17, 2010
How cute is this wee rosette made from a vintage hankie that was too sweet to possibly blow your nose into! I have a massive stack of hankies and scarfs from a friend of auntie sally’s who is cleaning out her mothers house. Hmmmm what to do, what to do??? then I came across these ruffled rosettes. I cant claim this as my clever idea, thanks to Rufflesandstuff.
I think 3 or 4 of these toether would look good too.
Now, if you have any other ideas what to do with this stack, let me know.
P.S. this photo was taken by Giles. it was by far the best of my ‘self-portraits’ and all the ones mum tried to take.
