my creative space....

It is my friend's birthday today and she is about to depart on a 3 week trip to Paris staying with friends whilst there, who's apartment looks out at the Eiffel Tower...What luck !!

She likes to keep a journal when travelling so could not resist making this fabric journal cover for her last night..
I only had a fat 1/4 of fabric and wanted to fit the Eiffel Tower on the front of the cover so it was a bit tricky. and scary....measure twice cut once and all that...no wine for me whilst doing this little number!

I laughed at myself when I made the fabric covered button. Why did no-one tell me it was so easy peasy..I think I shall make lots more of them..what fun !

I added her initials on the suitcase tag...wonder if she will notice?

I used this tutorial and apart from the mishap of cutting the pink elastic too short and having to resort to black elastic, it all went smoothly.

So shall go wrap it and take along for her Birthday get together.

Pop over here to see what other creative peeps are up to..

x PJ x

Mummy The Sewing Goddess Pedestal

I must admit, now that I have started to make little girls clothes, I am quite addicted. Let's face it really, I had best make the most of it now as I am sure in a few years there is no way Emily will want to be seen dead in something that Mum has made ! Right now, however, I am up there on my Mummy The Sewing Goddess Pedestal. ( the fall down will be hard ! ) . Squeals of delight are forthcoming upon the completion of each item and well, thought she would pop a vein over this twirly layered skirt when she tried it on. Little devil was not going to stand still for a photo though, so hence I have pulled out the torso plastic dummy. The beauty of this style is the fact it can be made as a dress for a 2 yr old toddler ( just add shoestring straps ) or fits as a skirt for a 4yr old. I followed the pattern formula on this link at J Caroline Creative. You will just need to adjust your measurements to suit. Make one for yourself while you are at it !

my creative space

Tis the season..yes...Christmas parties! Quilting group Christmas parties to be exact.
So, on my desk this week are part of the Kris Kringle presents to gift at the parties. What may look like a pile of fabric,cardboard circles, felt and thread are the makings of a cute little Ready Threader.
I shall pop a reel of cotton and needle inside when gifted. Perfect size to keep in your purse as an emergency sewing kit.
The plan is to have these six whipped up plus a few other handmade goodies. Still looking for ideas though...any thoughts?

Every little girl loves to twirl...

Not much use doing some "twirling "if you do not have your own twirly skirt!
I found the tutorial for this sweet and easy little twirly skirt over at House on Hill Road. I have little experience sewing clothes but even lil'old me managed this one.
I loved the hem finish ...very neat .and ..um..I am a tad lazy , so the fact that I did not even need to remove the selvedge was even better!
Emily's favourite colour is purple hence her choice of fabric. And did she like the final result ?
Well, after having to pry it off her to get her PJ's on last night, I think it was a winner!
x PJ x

Best friends.

So..what to do when your big brother has gone back to school and you do not have a buddy to play hairdressers with ?



Grab a bag of Schmackos and con your other buddy, Buzz, to sit quietly in the one spot for more than 30 seconds so you can brush his " golden rapunzel hair " .
Everything is related back to fairytale princesses when you are 3, did you know ?

Buzzy lives up to his breed's name....he will retrieve a toy and there it will stay in his mouth for the whole day- until food is offered of course !
Today's toy of choice was his Santa toy from this last Christmas...he had been a very good doggy and made it on the nice list .

Please note that choosing clothes was not this Mumma's role this morning.
Asserting her independence, Emily decided that stripes, more stripes and a splash of floral was a great fashion statement.....luckily no need to leave the house today...phew !

puppy love..........


On a crafty note...I would like to introduce you to Pointy Kitty.
Gotta be careful with the eye placement though or she will end up looking like Evil Kitty !
She is fun to make and can be found at her new home...purring...on Emily's pillow.




Like to make one also ? Here is the link at Wee Wonderfuls .

Next on my to do list ( just for the fun of it ) is the oh so cute Ruby doll
Jhoanna,from One Red Robin has some other cute friends to make too !

Must go op-shopping tomorrow...feeling the need...have not been since Monday - which proved fruitless.


Toodles,

x Peta-Jane x

Quick and easy gift.

I came across this photo of the chalkboard fabric message board I had made as a gift for my Secret Santa last Christmas.
It is sewn in the same manner as a large quilt block. Here is the link to the tutorial I used ,( have a look around this blog while you are there it is gorgeous ! ) the only difference is the pocket along the bottom ( the pink fabric) that stores the chalk.
I made a pocket instead of the little holder that way I could use whatever thickness chalk I had at hand.
I happened to have the wire hanger in my stash. The chalkboard fabric was easy to sew with...only piece of advice with this one DO NOT IRON the chalkboard fabric, it melts !