it's Cozy

A Morgan-handmade-with-love.
No, I am not joking.
Morgan made this cute little cover for his sister's new ipod which she got for her birthday recently. It was given as an I love you 'just because' present.
Seriously could my man be any sweeter? Even though after finishing it at 11.30 at night he vowed to never to sew with me again! (this was the second cover we ended up making that night and had been unpicked about three times as we somehow kept getting the measurements wrong - totally not my fault, he was supposed to be the maths brains!!)

He even choose the fabrics (with a little help).
M: I really want to make one, but I don't have any fabric *looks disheartened*
K: umm, just who are you dating again!?
M: oh yeah!!

we used the idea for the elastic closure from this tutorial (it works really well and I thought it was simple for Morgan to sew than a button loop) and for the lining we used a soft white cotton flannel. For the sizing Morgan went on to the ipod website and found the measurements and then made a cardboard mock pod, which ended up being exactly the same size - score!

wanna see something sexy?

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mmmmm

He sewed every last stitch except for top stitching the opening closed as it was small and fiddly. And it was all about that little pointer finger guiding it through. So cute !
M, my love I am in need of a new phone cover you know ;)

DB Christmas Ornament Comp

ok so the rest of this post has taken a fair time coming - it's just been so busy here lately... since arriving home from our week away on our boat (post to come) I have...
attended two Christmas parties this weekend
continued sewing up some Christmas presents
and chatted it up with the some amazing ladies at our Domestic Bliss Christmas Party! Seriously so fun... there were plenty of giggles, we helped Leslie with a Christmas present idea for Nick haha and the girls even got to chat with Morgan who is now officially known as CM (Cute Morgan) oh and Fairlight was amazing sitting up till nearly 2 am chatting away..
Oh girls, one day to do a catch up for real!
~

So these are my Christmas ornaments I made for the Domestic Bliss Trim your Tree Competition (make sure to check out the comment sections for links to the other girls home made decorations). I made these while we were on our boat (Yes I lugged all my craft supplies, the sewing machine, the iron and my new mini table-top ironing board onto our boat! and it may just have been one of the smartest and funnest ideas I have had yet!) I didn't really get time to create a little tutorial like Jess's amazing one but these decorations are so simple to make...

Fancy pegs:
- wooden clothes pegs
- scrapbooking paper

simply measure and cut scrapbooking paper to fit side of peg and glue on with a glue stick! I am totally in love with making these little fellas actually I just brought another whole bag of wooden pegs to make some more :)
they are fantastic for hanging Christmas cards onto a bit of twine or ribbon (especially if you live in the southern hemisphere and are used to your fans spinning around so fast that they blow your cards everywhere!) I have also been using them to attach cards to presents - they look so cute!

simple circle garland:
- scrapbooking papers (cardstock type)
- contrasting thread

For my garland I cut three different sizes circles out of remnants of cardstock and sewed a straight stitch down the middle of a small circle then randomlybegin placing the next circle under the sewing foot as I went. Make sure to tie the ends of too. This little garland is strung across some of my pictures at the moment and look so pretty. I also think it would make a lovely garland for a party no matter what the season. simple but effective :)

Paper Angels:
- scrapbooking cardstock
-contrasting thread

Make an angel (or any symmetrical shape) template.
I folded the cardstock then traced the angel template onto the paper and cut out.
laying the angel flat, piece two pieces of cardstock together and sew down the middle with a straight stitch. tie of both ends. I then cut the bottom threads off and tired the top threads into a knot to hang the angels. fold right sides together to make angel 3d.

I then spray painted some twigs gold and placed in a small pot as my own little Christmas 'tree' for my room :)

oh and is anyone else loving that I have my camera back - the shots are so delicious and sharp!!

Flashback Friday...

Aunty Kathy, my dad and Aunty Susie
circa 1959?
once again all kids are sporting
grandma-made

Yay Friday you are here!! And I am excited because along with the end of a very long and tiring week you bring a weeks holiday to me and my family. So girl's this is me signing off till next Friday - we're off for a week on our boat we're we'll hopefully be catching some sunshine and splashing around like these little cuties. And oh my how I need it - feeling so very frazzled at the moment!
Now...if only my swimming cosies were that cute :)

And...I picked my camera up yesterday all fixed so I will have some photos to share and, it didn't cost me at all! I think it might have been because I was honest with the fact that I dropped it and it was God's way of blessing me for my honesty. Thank you lord.. that could of been an expensive exercise!

so, c you Friday
and hope to catch up with many of you girls at the DB Christmas Catchup!

Gifting with style.

A simple idea for your Christmas wrapping...
I have become a little obsessed with making these pillow gift boxes. I had no idea they were so easy and fun to make! Even Morgan was pretty impressed when I glued it together and pushed the sides in and it all popped out an he let out a little "Cool" lol.
I used scrap booking paper for mine, the thicker cardboard type with colour on both sides (America Crafts brand I'm pretty sure) Just be careful not to press too hard with the scallop, I did that with one of mine :(

I got my instructions from here, using this template and check out her amazing dove gift tags too.

Happy beginning of the Christmas Season all!

Flashback Friday

Every time I see a picture of my dad with his brothers and sisters I just can't help but burst out singing the Brady Bunch theme song...here's a story...3 girls... 3 boys.
And all so close in age, I don't think there's even 24 months between each sibling!
This photo was taken mid 1960's? and I'm pretty sure from the stories I have been told that grandma used to sew all the girls uniforms too - phew! They kinda remind me about one of my old school uniforms that us girls weren't particularly fond of having to wear up to year 10!
oh and my dad is the third from the left.

Happy Happy Friday, I am so glad you are here!
Have a good weekend everyone
x

Monkey Business

As promised..

The sock monkey I made for a work colleague.
I was pretty happy with how he turned out all bright and stripy. My colleague didn't want any buttons on the animal as it was for a newborn baby, so I tried to embroider the eyes like these amazing monkeys, but had no luck! I ended up unpicking it (for the second time) and then I had made a hole, which got bigger and bigger. I thought he was ruined but dad came up with the idea of making felt eyes and covering up his scar underneath. And all ended well for Mr Monkey! And for me making a small profit on the side - yeah!

and sorry for the dodgy photos I am STILL waiting on my camera to come back from Nikon uggh! I really miss it!

A God of love.

Dear Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27) In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect father. (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift that you received comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:1) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalms 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians3:20) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4) I am your father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:23) He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31) And to tell you I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:33) and nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39) Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)

I have always been Father, and I always will be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is...will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)
Your Heavenly Father x

This was on the back page of Hillsong's Colour your World brochure and I thought it was worth sharing. I don't feel I have to say much, as the scriptures speak better than I ever could... although I will say... what an amazing compassionate God we serve who created you and loves you with such passion and desires to experience a divine romance with you. Please do make sure you have taken him up on his offer!

Free Patterns (the best type of pattern!)

Yeah that's right I said FREE...BIES!
A trip to Spotlight to get this pattern to make for baby Keara for her birthday which is fast approaching (I think it will end up being one of those late gifts)

and McCalls had a buy one get one free special on. I had no idea what I wanted to get and poured through the pattern books until this caught my eye.

McCalls M5618.

A Hilary Duff pattern too. Morgan thinks Hilary is "so hot" and I think that dress is. I am just loving the neckline! I also never ever make clothes for myself so I am quite excited to try this pattern out. I am hoping to make this dress to wear on Christmas Day.
So that means adding to the growing list of 'to do' projects... at least I have a whole shelf to put them on now ;)

I also wanted to share this amazing pattern for a tote handbag found over at Oh Fransson!:
it is so lovely! and the tutorial .. yeah totally free! woohoo! Thanks Elizabeth :)
oh and if you have time be sure to check out her blog and tutorial section.

I just LOVE free patterns :)

missing.

I was browsing through old photos on my computer and came across pictures from a day spend down in Sydney visiting my Cousin Lar, Brant and Keke. Then I came to the realization of just how much I am missing this little girl and her mumma and dadda and our time together and just how long three years is!

Here's a video for you to enjoy from that day. We were shopping and I think Morgan was getting a bit bored, and he tends to do some strange things when this happens...check out her face as is spinning around, so cute! and can you hear her mimicking Morgan's "whoaa whoaaa"s?


And is it just me or is Morgan totally mouth-watering when he's wearing a bjorn and a baby? ;)

catching up (again)..

phew! it's been quite a busy time over here. Here's a little update on whats happened over the weekend and past few days in my world:

- In the spirit of getting myself organized (especially as we head into this somewhat crazy and busy season) I had a quick play around with photoshop and created this picture for my desktop . One of my many lists! I just figured that with the amount of time I spend on my computer and the amount of time this machine is on, it seemed only fitting to create a 2 do list that will stare me in the face. Plus I can make it look really pretty and easily add and subtract 'things' as they come along. Ingenious ;)
now...can someone remember to remind me about my car rego ;)

- getting organized and having a DEEP spring clean. It's no joke when I say deep...
Every drawer.
every surface.
windows were washed, everything was dusted including drawers. things were thrown out. reshuffled. re-organised.
9.5 hours total!
But I am feeling so much better for it. More calm and in control AND so far it's stayed that way ;)

- Organizing my craft room. This too was a deep clean. I actually ironed and folded all my fabric and sorted them into piles!! designer. fat quarters. 1/2 yard/1/2 metre, yard/metre, larger pieces, scraps. And now it all actually fits into the cupboard! and it totally made room for some more ;) I also now have a free shelf to put current projects on, which is great cause I found a few that I had forgotten about and now they are within eyesight. I also plan on putting some sort of board inside the cupboard so I can, yeah you guessed it... keep a list of projects to finish and projects I want to try :)

- Had a For Sale sign put in our yard.

- finished up these little bags to sell at our Youth event. I love each of these fabrics and honestly couldn't pick a favourite. The pattern is the 'Artsy Clutch' from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing book.

- Attended said youth event. 'Blend' , this is the second year we have hosted this combined youth event for all the churches on the Peninsula and boy in one year has it grown... We had stalls, op shops, yummy food, live bands, chill out acoustic sections, skate park set up with jumps and some professional skaters in and didn't the girls do a great job with the stage:

the night also included 5 salvations with one of the guys coming to church on Sunday getting planted and eager to learn - awesome. And I know it would of been all worth it even if it was just for him!

- making a sock monkey. Inspired by Amanda's bright and colourful sock monkeys and these amazing ones. This is an order from a lady from work, so great to be enjoying making something AND making a little profit on the side too ;) I will post a pic when he is done.

- browsing through all your blog updates and seeing what everyone is up to :)

- Plodding along with my scrappy swap items. Sorry that it's taking me so long girls and that they will be late. But I promise they will be worth it. almost done!

- Finding this fabric on sale at Spotlight for $1.99 a metre! and buying up! 5 metres isn't too excessive, is it ;) Amy Butler eat your heart out:

- Organising and planning my Handmade Christmas gift swap we are having with dear family friends. We have become their family away from home (they are originally from South Africa and Germany) and we have shared many holidays and Christmases together as a large extended family, not to mention laughs. This year Nikki (she is so crafty and very into blogs and swaps) decided that we should all draw a name from a hat and make that person a gift. I couldn't believe even my dad and brother were so into the idea. We're having fun so far. And mum is planning to make one of the ladies a skirt from the above fabric. It's been too long since I saw her last on a sewing machine :)

- Receiving an email that made me smile again and again. Thank you girl you know who you are and I love our 'talks' too. Know that you are an awesome women and I love you!

- Loving this blog that Jess posted about. Eye candy heaven.

-Twittering away. You guys should join. it's like mini blogging ;)

- enjoying time with my boy. a good movie. a good snuggle!

And thanks for all your comments on my last post. How loved I felt to log on and see that you care and I was missed. Even that I was threatened to never stop blogging (in the nicest possible way of course) I am feeling so much better... not letting work get to me, not letting the daily grind get me down and focusing on the year to come, the blessings I have and the friendships I have in you all.
:)