My attempt at being semi-selfsustaining

The name of my blog is "a little bit of this, a little bit of that" yet when I scroll back through my previous posts they are all about sewing so I thought it to me to expand and share a little more about what's going on around here.

 

I have been watching a UK show on foxtel called The Big Allotment Challenge. It was a reality show where people grew veg and plants on a small allotment and then cooking, preserving and decorating with the fruits of their labour. Inspired I decided to expand on our 4 fruit trees, a basil plant and some chilli plants and make an attempt at growing some vegetables in our back yard.

 

We have a boisterous dog and a 2 year old so I couldn't dig up the lawn and make garden beds so I decided instead to make a container garden. My husband jumped on my band wagon and bought me some necessary items for Christmas, seeds, pots etc.

 

So the other night my daughter and I went outside while dinner was in the oven and set to planting the seeds in hope that they will grow into vegetable bearing plants. I was clearing out the back of the fridge the other day I also found some garlic that had started to sprout, that has also now been planted.

 

   The seeds ready to grow and sustain us for the winter ;)

 

Some cute little things my hubby bought me for Christmas. They come with everything you need.

 

A berry plant of some kind lol

 

The sprouting garlic.

 

So they are now all planted and we are watching and waiting for them to show any sign of life. I will endeavour to keep you all posted.

 

Thanks for reading :o)

Lisa

-x-

Time just gets away

I still have a long list of things to do before Christmas , which is now only 4 days away ARGHHHHHHH, but I'm taking today a bit slow to try and reboot a little.

This time last year I thought it would be great to do a hand made christmas for 2014 and I have to say I'm glad I did but I wish I had started earlier. I am almost done and have all the adult presents finished but, still have a few of Madelines  presents to go.  If you ask anyone around me they will probably say I always put too much on my plate, both figuratively and at meal time, and I have not disappointed this Christmas. I did a quick calculation before and I've made about 19 gifts with one containing 10 little gifts. But anyway that's just me through and through,  once I make a decision throw myself into it 110%.

I will post photos after the presents are opened, so for now you'll just have to take my word for it hehe.

I appologise for not posting for so long, so in case time gets away again, from my family to yours we wish you a very merry holiday season and a bright and cheerful new year :)

Project Run and Play Week 3

 

Yay for week 3. To be honest, I had this week finished before I started week 1, I was just so excited about my idea. It quite often happens though, that I have an idea in my head and the final result just doesn't do it for me, but week 3 is exactly what I wanted.

I wanted to do a jump suit but one that wouldn't be too heavy so my first mission for this week was to find a denim that wasn't too heavy and a trip to the fabric store on my lunch break found it. I was a little concerned about the skulls on an almost 2 year old so I took a photo and bought it home for my husband to look at. He of course loved it so I went back the next day found the fabric where I had hidden it (slap on the wrist) and bought it. Since I was pattern mashing I really didn't know how much I would need so I bought wayyyy to much, but better to have too much than not enough I say!

The patterns I chose to mash were the Pattern Emporium baby harem pants and the Boo! Grace tunic top. I have made both of these patterns a few times and was quite comfortable with them.

 

For the top I used the correct size bodice but made sure that the fabric for the "skirt" of the top I didn't do the WOF as required by the pattern but instead measured the top of the harem pants and made the "skirt" the same width.  Matching up this measurement made sure that it was to poofy at the waist.

 

 

For the harems I added an inch (I think) to the top of the pattern pieces to allow for the two pieces to be attached. A second change I made to the harems was to attach a snaps panel.  Maddie is still in nappies and having to change her nappy without snaps was a nightmare I wanted to avoid. I also added in some seam pockets in pink. The addition of the pink in the pockets, the belt, the back of the bodice and the headband, I think,  made the look a little more girly and 2 year old friendly.

 

 

I really hope you all love it as much as I do. Please leave your comments below, subscribe to keep up to date and head on over to my Facebook page.

 

Take care and enjoy every day.
Lisa xxx

Project Run and Play - Week One

I can't believe it's finally here. I only finished this collection less than 12 hours ago but I finished and got it photographed so it's all good.

 

I really struggled to decide which 80's cartoon character I was going to use but there really was only one true choice... She-ra the Princess of Power!
 

The challenge was to use your chosen character as inspiration for an every day outfit, not a costume. Anyone who follows me would notice that I am more a fan of solid colours so She-ra was perfect with her red, white and gold.
 

As with the last season of PR& P which I used to make my DD's winter wardrobe I am planning on using this season to make her Spring wardrobe.
 

First up I tackled the cardigan. I think I am in love with this fabric for the cardigan. It's a knit base with the sequins added. For some reason my overlocker didn't like the sequins and I snapped 2 needles but I moved to my machine and thankfully that went ok. I used the Peek-a-boo classic sweatshirt pattern as the base but simply cut the front pattern piece as 2 pieces and added about an inch to give room for the seam down the middle. I also had to change how I did the neck because of my overlocker issue. I pretty much made a piece of 2 fold binding and incased the edge in that. I then finished the bottom and front seams off with my double needle on the machine to allow for the stretch.
 

 

 

Next in the machine was the trousers. I used the same pattern I used last season for the yellow pants, baby Ava jeans by Pattern Emporium. I changed them up a little though. I changed them from looking like a jean and didn't do the double top stitched seams. I also did the front pockets the same as last season and did them without the binding. I also hemmed them at a length that sat just on the ankle, I was going to do them a bit shorter but liked this length which I tried them on. I also left the side seam of each leg open for a couple of inches on the bottom, again, to give a different look. The biggest change though was the back pocket. The pattern comes with a tradition jeans back pocket but as I wanted them to look more like a pant instead of a jean I decided to do two placket pockets. They are proper pockets and I love how they look.  I should also mention I used a plain quilting cotton for this pair, instead of drill like last time, to try and make them a bit cooler for spring.

 

Lastly was the top. I really struggled with what style of top to do and then I was looking over some photos from my favourite blog, Lexi Made, and found some inspiration. I used one of the first patterns I ever bought,  the Ruffle jumper Dress by Heidi and Finn as a base for the bodice of the top. I then uses the same technique as in the Boo! Designs Grace Dress and took a rectangle of fabric, gathered it along the top and attached it to the bodice. when I cut the rectangle I cut it on a angle to give a longer in the back shorter in the front look. The pattern uses hidden snaps in the back but I decided to make a detail of the back and went with lady bug buttons.  I admit that these are specifically She-ra related but I think they're cute!

 

I am really happy with how it all came together,  especially since I have to sew at night and estimate for etc as my DD is asleep.
 

Thank you everyone for coming over for a look.  Please take care xxx

Lisa
 

Ps: all the links are for blogs that I follow and for patterns I have purchased myself.

 

 

 

 

 

16 weeks until Christmas!!!!!!

I've forgotten my book this morning so I thought, to make my train journey to work go a little quicker, I would up date everyone on what's been happening. The more I think about it though the mire I realise that the answer to that question is not much lol. My DD doesn't allow for much sewing during the day at the moment as she's a bit clingy and wants me to play with her all the time, which,  to be honest,  I am happy to do because she won't always want to play with me. So night time sewing it is and I've been so tired lately that even that's been a struggle. BUT it's that time of year again and Project Run and Play is kicking off again and there are some fun weeks ahead. I have already finished my item for week 3 so best attack week 1 tonight, in my defence I have the fabric I just haven't sewn it yet. A little sneaky peak of week 3 :)

I had better get going as we are about to pull into my station but I will be back with my week 1 entry so stay tuned!! 

Busy Busy Busy

Good morning everyone.  Life has been a little hectic around here lately and to be honest, I lost my sew-jo for a little while there.  But ironically having an fall on the way home from work one day and having a forced day off while Maddie was in day care was a blessing in disguise.  It gave me a day to potter around and sew for pleasure rather than having to rush. 

So I thought I would do a photo dump of the things I have made recently but haven’t had the chance to share just yet.  Some of the photos aren’t great, my now almost 2 year old moves too quick for action photos now.  So without further a do here are the projects which have kept me busy lately….

 

 

There are more things but I can’t share them yet as they are Christmas presents.  Yes Christmas, it really isn’t that far away you know and since I am doing a handmade Christmas this year, I have had to start early. 

I can hear a little miss stirring so I have to go.  If you have any questions, please post them below and I will do my best to answer :o)

Please take care and see you again soon xxx

 



Custom Poster

When I put love and time into an item, whether its clothing for littlies or accessories every time I list something for sale or send out a custom order it’s like sending a little bit of myself out there into the world and its scary. 

When showcase items don’t sell or I don’t get feedback on a custom it’s a little disheartening, like there is something about me personally that isn’t liked.  So earlier tonight I decided to put out into the universe another little part of me.  I have always liked doing desktop publishing and digital design.  I always design the invites and all the bits and pieces for Maddie’s events and really enjoy it. 

I might start doing this design stuff a little more and would love to hear from anyone here who reads this if there is anything specific you want to see. 

So, without any further delay here it is, my first digital design up for grabs, I hope you like it…..

The poster is 100% customisable and is something you can keep and enjoy for a lifetime. 

Please let me know what you think.

Stay healthy and enjoy every day xxx