Little Christmas Birds

I just had to post today as I couldn't very well leave that messy kitchen up any longer! It looks the same again today by the way. At least if I make something I have it to enjoy the next day. If I spend that same time tidying the kitchen it will look the same tomorrow. What sounds more productive to you? Well I already know the answer to that question because you all agreed with me, I should sew. Thanks for your support you lovely people. Big hug (...........)


Isn't it funny when a little theme starts and you don't realise it until ages later. This time it seems to be birds. We've had our share of baby birds in the garden this year. Unfortunately none of them survived as much as we tried to protect them. Some were just newborns and didn't survive the fall.

These little Tilda birds are from the Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle book. It's such a lovely book and one of my favs. They are very easy to make although I'm a bit over making these birds now. I'm not sure how many I've made but it must be over ten which is quite a lot for me. I'm a one hit wonder kind of girl.

I've enclosed them with several presents, for special people, for a little touch of Christmas ...

And see what I picked up at the Trade Aid shop this week...

Yet another type of bird. Not sure if it's a peacock or not. No.2 thinks it's a cactus bird! Anyway he's going to feature on our Christmas Cards this year. Well, when I figure what to print it with. Stamp pads didn't seem to work. The stamp is made from wood so not the sort you can push from side to side to get a good print. I'll have to try paint I think. Has anyone else used one of these?

I've been a bit busy this week and No.4 has taken to waking me most nights (how rude of her!) which is most unusual these days. It's starting to get a bit hot these nights so it could be that. So anyway I'm feeling rather exhausted to say the least. And tomorrow I'm off to a Christmas fair in the morning, but I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully next week I can make it a bit quieter.

Oooh guess what? My husband and I (sounds posh doesn't it?) are off to the movies tomorrow night!! We can't remember doing this since having children which has been ten+ years!!! I mean we've been to the movies, just not together. Weird! And it's not even my kind of movie but I've been promised lollies if I'll sit still and pretend to watch. I think the movie's called 2012. I'll let you know how it went.

I'm not expecting to blog tomorrow so have yourselves a lovely weekend!!

Sarah xxx

P.S. It's my birthday next weekend, is anyone up for a little giveaway? Mmm I'll have to have a little think about this. Maybe I could pick up a little something from the fair tomorrow? Anyone interested? I think it will be a surprise giveaway, a bit like getting a present from me. I'll get back to you with this idea.

A Proud Moment...or two

Look at my babies!! Aren't they just the cutest little things out? They are my baby peas and every single seed has popped out of the soil this week. I planted about 40 or 50! Just as well we like peas. Of course they are the best fresh from the garden.

And in here I've just planted a few hundred seeds of...

Carrots and Onions. Hoping the cats won't dig this lot up like last time. I might have to keep watch.

Remember these beetroots?

I had a bit of a dig this afternoon and discovered that only one was ready, but isn't it a fine specimen? I only have four, pathetic I know! I pulled a couple out that weren't ready by a long shot so I've replanted them. Stupid idea? Oh well if they don't recover I'll just cook them up in a couple of day. I must buy some more plants this week.

And lookie, lookie! Does this not look very fine indeed? The colour is amazing and the taste - way better than the bought variety. I just boiled it up with water, vinegar, sugar and a tad of salt. I think I'll go out and buy some ready grown ones and bottle them up. It's so much fun. I'm going to place it on the table tonight and see if my dear husband notices it's special.

I finished my little Tilda slippers last night. Two pairs for my two little girls at Christmas. Two down, goodness knows how many more handcrafted gifts to go! But it's a start isn't it?

And speaking of beetroot...

here's me sporting my new Michela dress which is beetroot red. Oh what a bummer, my head got cut off! Don't you hate it when that happens? Hee he! I am smiling though. But why am I holding my daughter's homework?

I wonder how you make dye from beetroot? Don't suppose you could use the vinegar water for it could you? Anybody know?

Little Gingham Slippers

I finally managed to source some suitable, and equally gorgeous fabric, for little No. 4's slippers. I was determined to get wool but could only find rich colours in quite thin fabrics. With the weather suddenly much cooler in the mornings, it was becoming more urgent that I find something soon.



Well as soon as I saw this pink wool fabric I knew it was the perfect choice! After a quick look at the price tag I immediately placed it back with a shock. Guess how much it was? No, higher, higher. $80 a metre!!! Australian wool too, so not even supporting our own country.

Well, if I only bought 25cms it would only be $20 I thought. You know how it goes, justifying your purchases. What slippers could I get for that price that aren't synthetic anyway? None! Well, that decided it for me, and I have plenty left over for something else - like slippers for the other three who love them too!

The pink wool and the paisley fabric from No. 4's duvet cover, look really nice together, but unfortunately I didn't have enough. I nervously decided to use my fabulous red gingham for the lining.

Here is the slipper in more detail. The handstitched edges and the pretty yoyo for decoration.

Now, the pattern needed altering in a major way as our two year old has massive feet, poor thing, just like her mother! It's a pity I didn't check the width of the pattern as well before cutting into my million dollar fabric, as I would have found out they were far too skinny. What a waste!! The worst thing for me was the gingham I had wasted, as I was saving it for something special.

Never mind. I now have the pattern sorted ready to make more slippers. I love being able to make unique clothes for my children. They always get noticed as we have such a small selection in New Zealand.

I think they have come up beautifully and luckily she does too. It was a rocky start as they were rejected to begin with. She came round to liking them though and she just loves the yoyos on the fronts.

These slippers come from the Tilda Christmas book, a much loved book of mine.

Now, I need to finish off a birthday cake scrapbook for the nearly 4 year old's birthday tomorrow. Nearly finished it, just need to assemble it and wrap it.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog recently, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this. It means so much to me. Thanks for pushing me to make a rug too, I will need plenty of encouragement that's for sure!

OK, see you tomorrow!

Which Colour Do I Choose?

My goodness, I really was a busy bee this weekend! So much gorgeous colour and some shopping too. It doesn't get much better than that really.


Don't you think my zips are just a ray of colour on that fabulous new fabric? They all go, but only two will be for that particular fabric. The pink one in the middle and the orange one. I needed all of these zips for my weekend of industrial sewing.


A. came home from work Friday evening and announced that a work colleague was interested in purchasing a Tilda make-up bag from me. Well, that set me going for sure! I really couldn't stop and made eight in total! Well a choice is always nice! As I had a small production line going I was able to turn them out faster than if I was making each individually. Of course I had to change colours sometimes.



Ohhh, what colour to choose? They all look so lovely. Blue? No. Green or yellow maybe? No, definitely orange with the orange zip. This joyful floral fabric is my favourite for sure. I think I should go back to the shop for more. Well, why stop at one fabric? I should probably invest in a few more too.

One finished, seven to go!! I love it the very best this one. Think I might have to keep one for myself. I do believe in using one's own product. Good advertising too, of course. Not that I actually fancy making any more for the time being. I think I should think about setting up a stand at market day, when I have a few more items to sell.

Three more done! That's half way now. The hand stitching was the slowest part as it's a bit fiddly at the zip ends. I love lining them up and seeing all that lovely colour!


All finished, finally!!

Well, the girls thought it was about time they joined in too. I had just taken down the Easter decorations and thought the place looked a bit drab and lifeless. So anyway, I suggested we make some everyday decorations out of felt to hang on the twig tree. We searched the drawer for suitable cookie cutters (I have quite a few I must admit!) and made patterns. Nothing too Christmassy of course.



Poor little Daughter no. 3, was feeling a bit left out, so I gave her a few pieces of felt to cut into. She made some interesting patterns of her own!!!



Daughter no. 2 is quite good at hand sewing, she has the patience for it. Nice little stitches lovey. I love your heart! Like the colour combination too.



Daughter no. 1 is a bit more "lets get it finished"! She enjoys sewing but just for a short time, thank you. I think her gingerbread man looks most delicious! Yum, yum!!

The birds are my very favourite though. They both made one and I will probably be in trouble for showing uneven amounts of projects from both girls. Bad mummy! So, I won't say who made this one. You can probably guess though! Don't you just love the feathers? From a $2 type shop from memory.

Well, luckily school went back this morning as I could do with a rest. Unfortunately I needed to go Supermarket shopping, so most of the morning was wiped out. Still, there was time for a cuppa with a friend. Thanks very much M! Have yourselves a great day, and don't overdo yourself!

Tilda Creations

My favourite craft books are those by Tilda. She makes the most beautiful home items you can imagine. The animals are also very cute and very detailed - just amazing. There are actually blogs specifically about her - like this one. People showing items they have created from her books. I have two of her books, Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle and Sew Pretty Homestyle. They are permanently on the coffee table as I love to flick through them.

The table mat I made last week is from the Homestyle book. Really simple patterns and quick instructions.

Last night I cut into the bolt of floral fabric I bought yesterday. There was actually about ten metres on it, so at $2 a metre that was truly a bargain. This is what I made - a makeup bag. Didn't take long either, and now that I know how they go together I was able to sew another one this morning, finishing it by 9.30am. Talk about productive!! Not what I usually do at that hour but I'd done my chores in the kitchen. Very ho hum they were too, the chores that is!

This one is wrapped ready to take to a friend this afternoon. I won't name her as she reads this blog and would find out her pressie before she's even opened it.

This pillow case is another example from Tilda's book. I made it for Daughter no.2's bed. She adores it and insists on sleeping on it instead of having it as a show pillow. I can't blame her really, it must be so soft on her little face at night. I made it out of off white polar fleece as there was a left over piece in the drawer. Tilda has a very clever way of appliqueing, you cut two shapes the same, sew the edges, then cut a line across the back piece and turn through. Iron them flat and hand stitch the edge of the bottom layer to the pillow case etc. This way is very neat looking and very accurate.

I love making covered buttons at the moment. They are so easy and so much fun. I taught the girls how to make them last week and they agreed with me. They look very personalised and match the item perfectly. These ones are at the opening edge of the pillow case. The flowers are embroidered before cutting the circle out.


Don't you just love the layout of the pages? All so attractive and full of beautiful things. The colours are just lovely and the fabrics gorgeous. Apparently you can buy the fabrics she uses - overseas of course! I don't think I have made anything from the Christmas book yet, but I must do so this year.

I must remember to get a supply of zips to make some more bags when I am out this afternoon. Oh and get something for dinner as well!! Must feed the family sometimes, can't survive on fabric alone. Have fun today!