Just in time for giftmas!

Welcome to our new house!The front door.

Out Back.

Hooks n' Hallways

Kitchen Friends

Space! (We have no furniture!)


Sewing might be out for a little bit as we have to buy desks and shelves 'n all that fun stuff.

We planted out herb garden in what was a very lazy weekend...

But I did all festively creative in the kitchen!

the chance to make a few Christmas presents for the lovely ladies at work,
(yep, filled 'em up with brandy...)

The darling doctor helped me with the decorating, couldn't have done it without her!

Merry Festive Season xx j.

Pee!

If you know me outside of blogland you will know I am about to Pee! myself with excitement. It's that time of year, the Meredith Music Festival.

Best.
Music.
Festival.
E.V.E.R

And so about 3 years ago when I started sewing after having attended a bunch of Merediths and always loosing our camp Mr JPB and I decided to make a flag. I have 2007's (2008 we were OS and missed it - eeek) but I've lost 2006's which was an awesome eagle and 2007 was a dog with a stick in it's mouth (maybe I'll dig that one up and take some photos for you).

This year the logo is an owl, and quite difficult to recreate in flag form might I add Auntie Meredith, so we interpreted, let me know what you think! We chose this on of their 4 Logos:

Mr JPB picked out the material (sorry honey next year we are getting canvas, I don't care if you want it to shimmer in the wind, silky stuff doesn't sew nice...)

And he drew up the designs:

And I made him cut them out:
And set them and pin them to the flag:

And readjust and give opinions when I asked:
And then I sewed and that was our Saturday! I reckon it looks pretty good, and it will shimmer very nicely because it's made out of the silky stuff. Plus as a bonus, I think it kinda looks like the logo a bit.

Only 2 sleeps!

xx

P.s. I've made a dress too, from those patterns I showed you last time, I just gotta sew in the zip and do the hem tomorrow night and I'll be ready to show you lovelies xx

Patterns!

Look at the patterns I got - 5 for a buck! I love the small op shops with the little old ladies! Pretty excited about some of the features here, don't know if I'll make the whole 80s pantsuit, but you never know, they might come back in fash.Update on 1P5w project, I started making this top - it's stretchy so it's easy, and the fabric made up the quickest, easiest bias binding: I actually used Ms Veronica Darling's bias binding technique where it is all sewn on the inside so none of the bias binding is visible, I love it, this will be my new fav trick!

The inside view:

This is the top at very early stages, I should have it finished soon, I just ran out of thread!

Kinda regretting the fabric, it's a bit loud, but we'll see how it turns out.

xx j.

A new dress

The fabric I got from the oppy for a buck was screaming at me from the 1P5W project pile to make it into a dress, so I made it into a dress. The Maryy pattern from Burda Style actually. And it's quite nice, the pattern was relatively easy and it was fun to wear, it says it can be made into a strapless, but I don't think my lady lumps could keep it up!

I got to take the photos in the paddock while Mr JPB was doing some work on a Sunday in the wheat crop, this one is still so lush and green, most of the crops around Horsham have already gone to the golden stage. xxx j.

I didn't call it a challenge for nothing...

So one of the reasons that I decided to to the 1 pattern, 5 ways(1P5W) challenge was to explore fabrics and patterns and to start thinking about things more. And nothing gets you thinking like a massive stuff up. But my question to you is: polyester - what is it good for anyways?

Before we go on a welcom abord to Miss Veronica Darling who is taking on a 1P3W challenge. Her's are going to be lovely. Anywho I got this fabric at an Op shop for a buck. Bargain, (even though I swore never to buy polyester again.)

Hungover on Saturday I though I'd give garment 2/5 a try. It really was pretty good and nice and easy, a singlet with a deep back and a sash and massive bow at the back for interest.

Things I learned.

1. Measure, measure, measure.
2. A pattern that looks awesome in stretch knit is going to need to be bigger in polyester and zips/fasteners/press studs etc. will need to be employed.
3. I am hopeless at making sashes, they just end up like tubes.

So here we have the front (held together.... hehe!)

And the back where I was trying to get all fancy and do something a little different.

I think this one is savable and with a little tweaking could be nice, despite the fact that I'm sure I will sweat in all that polyester.

A little dejected on Sunday I tried another version of the Lydia pattern, this time in safe-as-houses knit which feels lovely (and clings to everything) and is great for work on the 30+ degree days. Simple.

I'm really liking this challenge, it's making my mind tick over.

Finally, I am so stoked that I have raised this little guy from seed and he didn't die on me and my black thumbs!

xx j.

Say hello to Sunny!

The little fella bloomin' came out to say hi! He's so little and so cute! Have a lovely weekend xx j.

One Pattern, Five Ways.

My new challenge (because my last one *remember - I was going to sew every day in September?* fizzled)

One Pattern, Five Ways.

These are my chosen fabrics, and I have chosen the Lydia Long Sleeve Pattern from Burda Style as the base pattern. Now this is good for me, I need structure and goals, but not deadlines! Plus with a base pattern like Lydia I can go anywhere and do anything. I'm branching into the world of altering patterns willy-nilly for my liking, and I'm excited.

Say hello to 1/5. It needs to be hemmed and it's a bit boring but it's made out of knit and is perfect for the office and the coming months because it's a vest. (of course to the office I will not wear the black bra underneath - sorry about that folks)

It's all thanks to Miss Veronica Darling's amazing froctober effort! She loves a good challenge, and actually finishes them.

So anyone who wants to join me on the quest to pattern emancipation, I'd love to hear from you.

xx j.