My Sewing Creations for 2013

I thought it would be fun to look back over the last 12 months and see what I have made this year.  So here's a little look at my sewing creations for 2013.

Looking forward to making many more creations in 2014!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Santa's Little Helpers & our Gingerbread House

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.  We had a wonderful and relaxing day and a lovely Christmas lunch with my family.  The kids and I made a gingerbread house to have Christmas day which was lots of fun to make and eat too!  This has become a bit of a tradition for us to make a gingerbread house and I was very proud of both my kids as they made most of it themselves this year. 

We have tried a few different recipes over the years and this one I think was the best one yet.  It was from Taste.com.au.
(Here is the link for you http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15035/gingerbread+house)
It made enough dough to make the complete house and was easy to make and roll, and cut out the shapes.  It also tasted great too.  The kids loved making this and it's always lots of fun sticking it together with the icing and adding lots of lollies too.  They also loved being able to smash it down on Christmas day with everyone when it was time to eat it! 
I made 'Santa's little Helper's' for my mum this year, as she has said she would love me to make them for her.  So here they are - Alfie & Evie - Santa's Little Helpers. 

She loved them and they looked very cute sitting on top of her wood heater on Christmas day. 
Enjoy your Boxing Day and I'll be back soon to share a roundup of all my sewing creations for 2013.
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Teacher's Christmas Gifts

Every year I like to make a special homemade gift for the kid's teachers.  So this year I made two of the 'Santa's goodie bags' by Gail Pan Designs. 

 

These were cute little stitchery bags which we then filled with goodies for the teachers.  I also made one of the 'Jumbleberry Santa's' by Simone Gooding.  This was a fun project to do.



 

I love making these Christmas projects each year - it just get's me into the Christmas holiday mood.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, I hope you have a lovely day with family, friends and loved ones.   

Happy Sewing!

Jody

Chill Out Slippers

Sometimes you just need to chill out - and these slippers are just perfect for that!  I've just finished making these 'Chill Out Slippers' by Make it Perfect. 

This is a pattern from Toni Coward's book - 'Make it Perfect - 21 easy patterns for sewing women's and children's clothes'. 
This is a great book that has been out for a while but I have only just bought it recently.  I desperately needed new slippers so when I saw the 'Chill out Slippers' I just knew that I had to make that project first.  They were very easy and quick to make and I've made them from fabric scraps I had in my stash.  The only extra fabric that I did buy for them was the Jiffy Grip fabric (a fabric with grip dots in it to use on the soles).  I used cotton fabrics with light weight pellon and some quilt wadding in the sole for cushioning.  These will be perfect for the warmer weather and in fact I am wearing them now while I write this as they are just so comfy! 

I think I'll have to make another pair when we get back to the cooler weather and I'll try some heavier weight cotton or cotton drill fabric and a thicker pellon and padding in the sole for extra warmth. 
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Bumblebee

I finished this cute little Bumblebee today.  This is another project from Abigail Glassenberg's book 'Stuffed Animals'.

This softie is made up from two sphere's joined together.  Each sphere is made from five wedge shaped pieces that are joined together just like the segments of an orange.  Abby takes you through step by step how to make this softie in her book and also gives great information about making other three dimensional shapes and alternate ways to create more spheres too.  I made this one using polar fleece and decided to make if from the pink and green just for something different.  I think I'd like to make more of these little bees - all in different colours - just  for fun!
Happy sewing!
Jody 

Santa's Little Helpers

I've just listed my Christmas Pattern - 'Santa's Little Helpers' on my Etsy store.  Christmas isn't really that far away so why not get in early and make up these cute little Christmas Elves. 

The pattern is now available as an instant downloadable PDF file - just click HERE to go to my Etsy store.
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Friday Night Sew In

Last night was Friday Night Sew In and so I managed to get a little bit more done on my stitchery while I watched a movie on TV.  This is a Cinderberry Stitches design called 'Room for Friends'.

Thanks to Wendy for hosting this month's Friday night sew in.  Drop over and see what everyone got up to for FNSI.
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Don't Worry Doll - a new Design!

Hi there!  Well - I have been very busy lately working on a new design which I can finally show you all today!  But before I do I want to give you a bit of background on where this idea has come from.  My 9 year old daughter was told a couple of months ago that she would need minor dental surgery to remove a tooth bud from her gum (an adult tooth that has never formed) and is blocking the way of another adult tooth.  The surgery required is fairly straightforward but she will need to go under general anaesthetic for it.  It will be a day procedure and will be done at our local hospital.  This news has been very scary and worrying for her.  She has got herself so worked up, upset and worried about the idea of having surgery that this anxiety and stress is actually making her feel physically unwell.  We have been to doctors and specialists and her school has been very supportive trying to help her cope and manage this anxiety.  I never thought she would react this way and we have all been trying to work out ways to help her deal with this and get her mind off things.  She is finally talking about her feelings and worries and starting to learn to cope and deal with this anxiety.  I believe after the surgery (which is in the not too distant future) she should start to feel much better as she won't be worried about it any more.  I needed to try and help her and so I came up with the idea of making her a Don't Worry Doll.

 It's a similar idea to worry dolls (which are brightly coloured tiny dolls) and the idea with them is that you tell them your worries before you go to bed at night and when you wake up in the morning your worries will be gone.  I wanted to make a larger softie doll that she could hold, cuddle and talk to about her worries. 

I have embroidered some positive messages on the doll to help her get through this difficult time. 

 

I am going to give her this gift tonight and so fingers crossed it helps her just a little.  I think it has also been a bit of therapy for me to help me think positive too as I embroidered these messages and spent the time making the doll.  I intend to make a pattern for it shortly and will be releasing it as a downloadable file from my Etsy store.  I hope that other parents, grandparents, family and friends will be able to make these for other children that may be experiencing a difficult time and this may just give them some positive messages, some comfort and something they can tell their worries to.
Thankyou for taking the time to read this post - I know it has been a bit long!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Friday night with Friends

Last night was 'Friday Night with Friends' hosted by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  I did some sewing on a new design that I am currently working on - but Sorry - can't show you pictures of it just yet!  I hadn't intended on spending so much time on it last night as I wanted to work on a stitchery - but when you get an idea sometimes you just have to go with it!  So it wasn't until about 10pm that I decided to have a rest from the design work - and get out my stitchery.  So I really didn't make a lot of progress - but it was nice a relaxing to stitch away while watching some TV. 

This is the kit that we received at our stitching day -  'Friends in Stitches' last weekend.  I am using a hoop for the first time - so it is taking me a little longer than normal as I am trying to get the hang of using this hoop.  But so far I am enjoying it and the hoop does seem to hold the fabric better and make the stitches more even.  This stitchery is called 'Room for Friends' by Cinderberry Stitches.
Pop over and see what everyone else got up to at Friday night with Friends!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Friends in Stitches

We had a lovely day yesterday in Melbourne at the Novotel in Glen Waverley attending 'Friends in stitches' with Gail Pan (Gail Pan Designs), Leanne Beasley (Leanne's House) and Natalie Lymer (Cinderberry Stitches). 

A big thankyou to Lisa, Jenelle and Cindy for coming with me to spend this lovely day stitching together.  We enjoyed a lovely lunch, morning & afternoon tea together too.  Gail, Leanne & Natalie went around to all the tables and said hello to us all and shared some stitching tips and techniques too. 

We also received three lovely new patterns - one from each designer (plus all the fabrics to finish them too) and three postcard designs too.  The three designers had setup displays of their designs on tables and had quilts all around the room - which were just wonderful to see.  There was also Craft Haven of Berwick there so we could stock up on patterns, books, fabrics and threads too.

(Please excuse the quality of the photos - I forgot my camera and so had to use my phone!)



A great day that just seemed to go so fast!  Can't wait for the next one!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Clutch purse finished

I managed to find some time today to finally finish off my clutch purse.  So glad I did as I am really happy with it. 

Happy Sewing!
Jody

Friday Night Sew In Results

Well I didn't get as much done as I would have liked last night - but I definitely made some progress.

I have had the stitchery finished for a while for this clutch purse - and so last night I managed to get the closure flap of the purse completed and get all the other material cut out and the main piece quilted.  This is a Melly & Me design called 'Out with the Girls'.  I'm going to try and finish it off over the weekend - so fingers crossed and I might be able to post a completed picture early next week.  Pop over and see what everyone else got up to for their Friday Night Sew In.
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Friday Night Sew In

I love these Friday Night Sew In's!  It gives me that little bit of motivation I need to get out one of my unfinished projects and work on it.

So tonight I'm joining in again with many others from all around the world for a virtual sew in!  Pop back over the weekend to see how much I ended up getting done.  Feel free to join in too - just click on this link Here and sign up.  'See' you there!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

iPod & iPad Covers - new Pattern!

Well - a lot has been happening around here the last few weeks!  Over the school holidays I held two sewing classes at my lovely local patchwork shop - Riviera Patchwork.  It was a school holiday activity for kids and they made an iPod/phone cover in the first class and an iPad Cover in the second class the following week.

We had a great class of 6 girls - ranging in age from 8 to 12 years old.  Only a couple of them had used a sewing machine before - but they all took to it really well and successfully completed their projects on the day.  They all seemed to really enjoy the class and enjoyed being able to make something useful for themselves (or for family/friends).  I'm hoping to run this class again next school holidays plus I will probably come up with a different project so that these girls can come back and do another class too.  I really enjoyed teaching this class and loved seeing them all ironing, cutting, pinning and sewing confidently on the sewing machines and finish their projects. It was great! 

Both the projects I have designed myself and I have written instructions aimed at the beginner - so they have plenty of photos to help along the way.  You can pick up a copy of both the patterns (and some we have kitted too) at Riviera Patchwork.  We have kept the cost down as they are a simple beginner patterns too.   
I have also just opened my own Etsy store!  This is something I have wanted to do for a long time.  I have listed the iPod/Phone Cover on my Etsy store as an instant downloadable pattern.  Here's a picture from the pattern cover.  The cover uses Velcro to close the pouch and keep your iPod or phone secure and there is a pocket at the back for your headphones.  There is a link to my Etsy store on the right hand side of my blog.

At this stage I have not put the iPad cover on Etsy - as the pattern template is drawn on A3 size paper.  But it is something I may change so that it can be printed onto A4 later on down the track. 
I also plan to add some more patterns to my Etsy store soon - so keep an eye out!
Happy Sewing everyone!
Jody     

A Curious Cat

This is the cat I made from the 'Stuffed Animals' book by Abigail Glassenberg.  I think she turned out quite sweet.  I made her completely from faux fur fabric - which is something I haven't used much before - certainly not for a complete softie.  Abby gives us lots of tips about using faux fur in this book so this definitely helped me.  This pattern also used an underbody gusset piece and a head gusset to give it it's shape and Abby has lessons about this in the book too.  

 

My cat was quite curious about this cat I had made and so came over to check her out while I was taking photos.  I don't think she knew quite what to make of it - was it real or not?  

 

Abby has also included lessons in the book about designing a muzzle and making a sitting animal - like this cat.  She also talks about using safety eyes (which I used on the cat) and also using eyes with looped backs too.  All very helpful. 

As you can probably tell I am really getting a lot out of this book and love trying out the techniques that Abby teaches us in each lesson.  The cat really didn't take that long to make at all and although I was unfamiliar with using the faux fur I got the hang of it and now feel confident using it.  Thanks Abby for making this wonderful book and teaching us all these tips and techniques. 

Happy Sewing!

Jody



Stuffed Animals book - Monster project

I've just finished this monster from Abigail Glassenberg's book - Stuffed Animals.  It's quite a cool looking monster I think - and my son helped choose the fabrics for him.  This is the third project I have made from this book and I loved using the faux fur and fleece fabrics on him.  This project also shows you how to use reverse applique and raw edge applique techniques too. 

Learning lots and having heaps of fun making these projects.  Now to start the next one - can't wait!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Cute as a bunny

I've been having lots of fun with my new book - 'Stuffed Animals' by Abigail Glassenberg.  I decided to make the bunny from the book as my next project. 

This time I used cotton flannel for the body (just to try out a different material) and then used fleece to make the carrot.  The flannel makes the toy nice and soft to touch - but it did stretch a little as I made it.  Again - I used Abby's techniques of using freezer paper for the pattern pieces and ironing it onto the fabric and then cutting it out.  I'm loving this technique.  I also used the Hemostats again and this is definately a tool I will be using all the time now - it does make the job of turning and stuffing the softie alot easier. 

The eyes on this bunny are just gorgeous as Abby has used a layer technique with felt to create the eyes and I think it looks really good.  I also love the cute little heart shaped nose.   This pattern also has a head gusset in it to make the head shape, and footpads for the feet - and I liked they way she instructs you to sew in the footpad.  I have made several dolls with footpads before (and other softies) and I do find sewing in the footpad can be a little tricky at times.  But simply sewing in one half of the footpad at a time makes the process a little easier (instead of just sewing it all the way around at once).  So thanks Abby - another technique and tip that will make future sewing of softies alot easier.
Now - which project will I make next?....Hmmm...so many lovely projects in the book to choose from...there's the bumblebee, elephant, cat, lion, monster, puppy.....You'll have to come back and see which one I decide to make next.  See you next time!
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Something fishy...

I received the most wonderful craft book in the mail a few weeks ago - 'Stuffed Animals - from Concept to Construction' by Abigail Glassenberg.  I had this on pre-order at Amazon Books waiting patiently for it's release.  This is a wonderful book that includes 16 fabulous projects and 52 lessons on toy design and construction techniques.  It is a very well thought out book starting with all the tools and materials you need and then goes through designing techniques - like editing and drawing the patterns through to making the stuffed animals - like turning and stuffing and then finishing them off.  It then has 16 wonderful projects to work your way through along with lessons along the way - such as Lesson 1: Creating a Simple Outline Toy.  I love all the photos in the book showing how to do something step by step, so you can see exactly what you need to do. 

 

 

I thought I would start at the beginning and so ordered a few of the materials that I didn't already have.  The main item I didn't have that Abby referred to frequently in the book was freezer paper.  Freezer paper was not something I was familiar with and certainly not something we have in the Supermarkets here in Australia.  So I did a bit of research and found it online at 'Punch with Judy' an online shop based here in Australia.  The other tool that I had already but hadn't used very much was Hemostats.  (Abby sells these from her Etsy shop HERE).  I love learning new techniques and working out better and easier ways of making things and so I then used these new tools and made the first project from the book - the Fish. 

 

I made two fish - the first one I made I used my traditional techniques in softie making - tracing and cutting out the pattern pieces on normal paper and then tracing these onto the wrong side of the fabrics using fabric marking pen.  The second fish I used Abby's freezer paper method to transfer the pattern pieces onto and then iron them onto the fabric.   The freezer paper worked really well and the best part was you didn't have to wash away any lines made by your fabric marking pen when the toy is finished.   I then  used the Hemostats to turn and stuff both the fish and this worked really well.  It's like having a tiny pair of fingers to grab on and hold the fabric and pull it through.  It is also great to hold the stuffing with so you can get it right into those tiny places. 

I intend to make several more of the projects from this wonderful book and work my way through the lessons and tips and techniques.  I think it will definitely be a valuable resource for me and it has already given my some new skills just by making the first project.  I love coming up with my own softie designs and creating something new just from an idea so I believe this will help me improve on my design process and toy making techniques and help make more of my ideas into reality - and then into more patterns too!  
Happy sewing!
Jody

FNWF - some stitching

Last Friday night was Friday Night With Friends hosted by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.
I managed to do some stitching - not much to go now and it will be finished.

Pop over and see what everyone else got up to for FNWF.
Happy sewing!
Jody

Messenger Bag reveal and a Birthday

I can now show you the rest of the messenger bag from my last post.  So here it is!

It was my daughter's birthday on the weekend and this bag I made for her.  She LOVES horses and so I changed the stitchery on the front to be two horses instead of the balancing elephants from the original design.  My daughter just loved it. 
I also made her this Mouse in a Matchbox which is designed by Simone Gooding of 'May Blossom'.
Its' a very cute little design and I just love making little things.



My daughter wanted a horse cake for her birthday - so we looked through a few pictures and ideas on the internet together and decided on a green paddock cake with horse figures and a fence on top.  So here is the finished cake and here she is too - cutting the cake.

 

 

We decided that we didn't want balloons to decorate and so I found this great tutorial HERE to make tissue paper pom pom decorations.  I ended up making six of these pom poms and I think they came up really well.  I will definately be making them again for other birthdays and celebrations.

  

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little girl (who is not so little any more!)  We had a lovely day all together celebrating her birthday. 

  

Until next time - happy sewing!

Jody 

Friday Night with Friends

Last night was 'Friday Night with Friends' - hosted by Cheryll over at 'Gone Stitchin' .  I managed to get the stitching done for a messenger bag I am making for my daughter's birthday.  I was then able to get it out tonight and put it all together - so finally finished it!  Now I just have to keep it hidden until her birthday next week!  This was a great little messenger bag - the pattern was called 'Balancing Elephants' by Clare's Place.  I changed the stitchery to something that I thought would suit my daughter - but as it is a surprise I can't show you what it is just yet.  Come back in a week and you will see it in more detail.  So I can only show you a little part of the bag so I don't give the surprise away too much.

 

Thanks Cheryll for hosting this 'Friday Night with Friends'.  Please pop over there and see what everyone else got up to!

Happy Sewing!

Jody



 



Just in time for Easter..

I managed to finish making my kids these Easter Bunnies just in time for Easter. 

Evey year for the last 4 or 5 years I have made them each an easter gift.  I made a reversible chick/egg toy for them last year and some small softies bunnies each the couple of years before that.  This year I decided to GO BIG - just for something different and made them each a BIG softie Easter bunny!  This was a fun project as I had no pattern and so just sketched it out and got creative!  Love doing that..it was heaps of fun and the kids loved the finished toys.  They stand 55cm tall from head to toe and their floppy ears are another 20cm above that!  The girl bunny my daugher named Honey Bunny and she wears a little 2 layer skirt and the boy bunny - my son named Jack Rabbit and he wears a pair of board shorts.  They loved watching me make them and of course loved it when they were finished and they got to keep them on Easter Sunday. 
Happy Sewing!
Jody

Urban Stitches - Melbourne

Last weekend was Urban Stitches - Melbourne and a couple of friends and I went along for a fun filled day of stitching.  We had a lovely time stitching, chatting, seeing all the samples and shopping at Under the Mulberry Tree & Winter Wood.  It was great to meet and talk to the designers Jodie Carleton (Ric Rac), Melanie McNeice (Melly & Me), Rosalie Quinlan (Rosalie Quinlan designs) and Simone Gooding (May Blossom) and be shown some great tips and techniques too. 
We were given a fantastic bag of goodies including some lovely new designs by each of them - fully kitted plus Cosmo threads, needles, and a wonderful stitching book & magazine too. 
Here are some photos of the designers displays - I just love everything and wish I had the time to make it all! 

 

And here are samples of the patterns we were given.

 

 

A great day - thankyou Jenelle & Cindy for a lovely day out!  A big thankyou to the designers and Under the Mulberry Tree for putting on this wonderful day.

 

Happy sewing!

Jody

 



 

Owl bag

Another owl bag I made recently.  This is a Melly &  Me design which I just love.  I have made one or two before. 

I also used some gorgeous fabric from the new 'toy tales' fabric line by Melly & Me too which I bought from my local patchwork shop - Riviera Patchwork.  Love this fabric - it's just gorgeous with the little love birds on it and the stripe has a lovely range of colours in it too.

And this is what my daughter has been up to lately - horse riding! 

She has wanted to ride a pony for quite a while now - and so I finally gave in and took her to Coonawarra where she went for a pony lead 2 weeks ago and then again for longer today.  She just LOVED it!!!  We are going for a trail ride (yes - that means me too!!) next week - and she just can't wait to get back there.  They pony's name is Abby that she rode - and she just loves her.  She is a beautiful little pony. 
Have a lovely day - and happy sewing!
Jody

Babuska Doll

The lovely Anita passed on this link to me for a free pattern and tutorial to make a Babushka doll.  Just click HERE to go to a blog called Sew, Cook, Laugh & Live for the pattern and tutorial.  I made this for my daughter's friend as part of her birthday present a couple of weeks ago.  It's a very simple pattern and is great to use up some fabric/ribbon/trimming scraps from your stash - and I certainly have ALOT of those! 

Also - an update on the 'Chick-sicle' on my last post - it works REALLY WELL!  I have started doing Family Day Care over the last couple of months and the children in my care have used it and also my own kids have used this very 'Cool Chick'.  It gets the thumbs up from them - as it is cool and soft on their bumps & bruises and comforting to hold and cuddle.  So a great idea - thanks to Suzanne for her free pattern and tutorial.
Happy Sewing everyone!
Jody

Friday Night with Friends

Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin' hosted 'Friday Night with Friends' last night so I thought I would join in. 

I made this 'Chick-sicle' which is a rice filled cooling pad for children.  I thought this was a great idea.  You keep these in the freezer and the frozen rice inside the chick-sicle can be used in place of a ice  pack for children.  I'm sure they would much rather use this to help soothe a bump or bruise as it's cute and fun and alot more appealing to a child than a boring old ice pack.  I'll let you know how successful it is if and when I need to get it out of the freezer!  I found this tutorial and pattern over at http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/rice-filled-cooling-pad-for-children.html  You can go to her Etsy store to purchase the pattern - it's only $5.00 and I think well worth it.  (Note : this used to be free tutorial - but it has now changed to be a downloadable pattern)
Happy sewing!
Jody