Skipper's Creative Expressions

Happy Birthday Mum

2012-02-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

I made this cute cushion for my Mum's birthday.

Happy Birthday EJ

2012-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

My baby boy turned 6 years old yesterday! The poor love had to spend his birthday in school, but to make the day a bit more special, I sent in some special cupcakes to share with his class.

Finally a finish!!

2012-02-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

Life has been unbelievably insane over here. Since my son was registered for funding for ASD, it's been on for young and old, running him around to different therapists, and trying to have some sort of life inbetween appointments. Last night I finally finished something that I was able to work on this week. It's a table runner for my sister in law's birthday.

The fabric and binding came from my scrap box
The wadding was two layers of white flannel I had lying about.

I'm really happy with this product. I followed a "quilt-as-you-go" method. I think I'll be making a few more of these for presents this year. They are easy, pretty and enjoyable to make.

Dining room runner # 2

2012-01-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

This runner was made to match the one on the dining table. I love how it looks on top of the wine rack.

The top was made with left over fabric from the table runner, the backing was from some stash. The wadding was a few scraps of wadding I have in my bits of wadding box. Happy days!! No extra money spent!

I think I might try and attack the scraps box next. the thing is so full the lid can barely close!

A finished WIP.

2012-01-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

Last year sometime I decided to make some nice table runners for our formal dining room. So I cut up the fabric, sewed it all together, and began hand quilting the one for the dining table. I put it aside to work on other projects, and the runner ended up in one of my WIP box.

This is one of my WIP boxes.

Today I finished that table runner and it now sits proudly on my dining table.

Yay for me!

Hi ho! Hi ho! I can't make my mind up you know!

2012-01-11T23:06:00.000-08:00

Today I was planning on working on a UFO from one of the boxes I have filled with them! I pulled out a table runner I had begun ages ago, and began working on that.

My fingers have some dermatitis from washing dishes, and there was only so much of the needle jabbing the splits in my fingers I could take. So I moved on to a somewhat safer activity.

Crocheting squares. :)

Summer Garden Granny Square

2012-01-11T00:10:00.000-08:00

Today I worked from my first crochet pattern. It was a very simple and clearly written out one by Attic 24. I'm so proud of how it turned out, and I even learned to bobble stitch as part of it!!

I'll make as many as I want of these, and make a small blankie, probably for a dolly or something. Then as I get better and more confident, I'll move on to more of the stuff I REALLY want to make. :)

A "must do" done!

2012-01-10T01:43:00.000-08:00

A few years ago MIL and FIL gave me a Cath Kidson book filled with projects and some fabric for a little handbag.
Today I decided to put it together. I didn't do it exactly how Cath instructed, but it's still pretty close. I flicked through the book, and there are tonnes of really awesome ideas in there that I can use up stash on.

G'day Granny!

2012-01-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

Look what I can do!!!

A Granny square!!

No more rattling around...

2012-01-04T21:04:00.001-08:00

In the bottom of my knitting basket!! My needles and hooks now have a nice little home, made entirely by scraps and leftovers I had. That tropical print is so cute! I'm glad I found it.

*Please excuse the upside down photos, but I blogged this from my phone. Not much control there!! :)

I've made a start!

2012-01-04T00:03:00.001-08:00

.... on learning to crochet! A band of single stitch. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I did it! :)

Mop's Quillow

2012-01-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm so proud of this one!! :)
This was supposed to be finished at Christmas, but it wasn't. Never mind. It was only a few days after - and she doesn't mind!! :)

Another 11th hour finish

2011-12-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

I made this for my Mum, it's a Christmas mug rug. That way she can eat my homemade fruit mince slice and have her coffee and think of me as she admires my stitching. :)

Belated Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T02:42:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
Well the last few days of the lead-up to Christmas were absolutely and completely insane! Here is an example of one of my freak out moments from my personal blog.... Happy birthday to me.... YIKES I honestly didn't have time to scratch my head, let alone blog. So forgive me. I'll get around to doing a few of the projects I got done later on.

First things first, a big thank you to Car for hosting the annual Advent Blog Along. It was very fun, and I really enjoyed seeing what different things people posted about.

My next thing is that I am taking my vow to make 2012 the year of the cheap very seriously. Does anyone want to join me? 2012 is fast approaching and I plan to have a plan!

You will see a tally on the side bar with how much I spend during the year, and also you will see my completed objects on the 2012 Challenge page. It would be cool to see how much we can make with what we have, and how creative we can be. So if you want to join in, comment and I'll put your blog on "the list" on my sidebar, and then we can check each other's work out! If no one joins me that's fine. I'm still doing it!

Any craft is acceptable - scrapping, sewing, quilting, knitting, etc... The more varied the better! We can all be inspired by different types of creativity.

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you and your family joy and many good times. 2011 was a crap year for so many, and I hope that crap is now over and we can look forward to a better future.

Advent Blog Along - 22nd December

2011-12-22T15:23:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Molly!

Advent Blog Along - 21st December

2011-12-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday today!! YAY for me!! I'm 33 today. I've been spoiled, but now we have to get down to business. Christmas is approaching and I still have lots of things to do!

But first things first....today I gave my craft room a big tidy up, because it looked like a fabric factory had exploded in here!! I went through a few crates and baskets full of UFO's and was horrified!! Since when did I start all these things, and didn't finish them off? I had spent good money on the materials, yet they lay in a box, incomplete!! I am one of these people that get the good idea, get it started, then get another good idea and work on that instead of finishing what I started. Well I have decided that next year, every single UFO project is going to get done. I want those boxes empty!!!

I do not want to be like this:

I also have a massive basket chock a block FULL of wool, that my Mum has given me (she doesn't need it anymore, or has finished the project) That wool stash is going to disappear as well.

I would also like to get through my scraps and fabric stash, making gifts for people with what I have (apart from my brand new niece of course!!)

Plans plans plans. I love planning... I just need to execute the plan!

Advent Blog Along - 20th December

2011-12-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

I know, I know! It's not the 20th today, but I had this baby done yesterday, but it was too dark to take a photo of it, and too late to blog. So I'm doing yesterdays today.

So..... this is my latest finished project! YAY!

Please excuse the dodgy photo, but I was in a rush and couldn't be bothered being artistic IYKWIM?

This is a wall hanging, a combination of applique, embroidery and quilting. I love it. :)

Advent Blog Along - 19th December

2011-12-18T23:42:00.000-08:00

Everything is getting very fast and furious now. I'm working all day and all evening on Christmas presents. Things are slowly coming together, but I think it will be December 24 that has all the pressies finished.

So here is where I am at:
Yesterday I forgot that I needed to make something for my niece for Christmas. Her Mum loves handmade stuff, and isn't too keen on toys for her kids. So I have decided to make her a cute little tote with a cute embroidery panel on it. I've cut up the fabric, and the embroidery will be done tonight.

I've decided to make Aunty Lyn a tote bag and a note book. The tote bag will be fairly easy, and the notebook will have some embroidery on it.

Nanna called a few days ago and said she is coming around to drop off the family's presents. I feel bad if I don't give her anything, and she goes away for Christmas, so baked goodies won't be any good to her.

I've finished Mum's main present bar the hand stitching of the binding - which I'll do tonight.

EJ's quilt has been tied. Looks pretty good too I might add. :) Just need to decide what to do with the edges, and then bind it.

Mop's quillow needs a pocket on it, and then that is done.

These are the most important things that need doing. Anything else after that is a bonus. :)

So, onto other things. About a month ago I finished a quilt, which I totally forgot to show!! I was generously given some beautiful squares, which I made into a nine patch quilt. Simple but so lovely. I use this in my photoshoots.

Advent Blog-along - 17th December

2011-12-16T22:34:00.000-08:00

Today I've had a fairly productive day.

I made more white chocolate covered Oreos. Remember those Pringle containers I was talking about a while ago? Well I've covered them and the Oreos have gone in there.

We picked up our laybys from the different department stores, and have now started wrapping. I cannot tell you how excited the kids were when they saw this sight this afternoon -

We don't teach the kids about Santa, so they are ok with seeing presents under the tree. EJ has been inspecting them, to work out which ones are his. LOL

I also got my traditional fruit mince slice made up:

Daz just came home from shopping for me, and he has bought in some DMC thread that I've needed, so I am going to continue on with embroidering and hopefully get started on EJ's Seuss quilt.

A really easy and productive day. I like days like this!!

Advent Blog Along - December 15th

2011-12-15T03:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas is approaching at such a fast pace, but I'm not panicking yet!! I'm still managing to stay on top of my list, and have been working away steadily. I must say I am such a last minute person - I put it off until I can no longer put it off, and then go great guns!! I'm not like that in real life, I plan and am prepared and ready for most things, but when it comes to creative stuff - meh, Queen Procrastinator here!!

So... what did I accomplish today?
I have finished most of the needlework of the piece I have been working on for the last few days. I have run out of the DMC thread, so now have to wait until Saturday until I can get some more. The joys of having an ASD boy who HATES crowds, shops and unfamiliar places. That's ok. I can wait.

Then this evening I decided to get on with the boxes that will sit on the plates of everyone who attends my Christmas lunch. They will be filled with little goodies suited for the individual.

Here they are:

Tomorrow I am going to give my body a break from being hunched over fabric and quilts - and I'm going to finish all my Christmas baking, bar the Gingerbread House. I'm going to package it all up and have it ready to give as gifts.

I have updated my Christmas list and I'm so pleased with how it's progressing!!

Advent Blog Along - December 14th

2011-12-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

Ding dong merrily on high! Today has been a very relaxing day as I've been plugging away at my Mum's Christmas present. I thought I would give the Seuss quilt a break so I can approach it with a freshness of mind and attitude. Today I've been embroidering, and embroidering some more. Housework was ignored - because hey, it will all be there tomorrow. I wanted to just work on this piece I'm doing.

(Please excuse the dodgy photos that you have been getting lately, but it's soooooo much easier to upload photos from my iPhone, than from the SLR)

Tomorrow is the official start to school holidays, so now I want to do Christmas craft with them, like I usually do. I just have to think of something to make!!

Advent Blog Along - 13th December

2011-12-13T02:49:00.001-08:00

Today has been better. After a sleep and finally finishing the blasted unpicking, the offending quilt has been rebasted and is ready to go.

I also whipped up some white chocolate dipped Oreos for Mr T - Mop's teacher. I only did the top half because I liked that look! I stole the idea from pinterest!

I'm trying not to panic when I look at my list and see that there are only 11 sleeps until Xmas! I like to live on the edge don't I?? :)

Advent Blog Along - 12th December

2011-12-12T02:23:00.001-08:00

Today has NOT been a good day creatively. The Dr Seuss quilt is not cooperating! I started quilting it by machine and it's a disaster! So I've spent the rest of the day unpicking And the wadding is falling apart too :( So Im not feeling very festive at the moment. The plan is to continue unpicking, rebaste and the tye it. I've never tied before so it should be interesting! Hopefully it turns out well.

Advent blog along - December 10

2011-12-10T00:18:00.001-08:00

Today I baked 2 of my traditional Christmas goodies... Rocky road and gingerbread!

Advent blog along - December 8th

2011-12-07T19:40:00.001-08:00

Today I nipped down to spotlight for some fabric to finish EJ's quilt. I also picked up an empty wreath for $4.50! 50% off all Christmas stuff - bargain! A project for next Xmas!! My current wreath is a bit tired and grungy.

This afternoon I got all the kindy and school teachers gifts packaged up and ready to give on the kids last days. Each gift is a mug with a mug mat and cookies, apart from the gluten intolerant teacher, who was a bauble instead. I always like to give something to the people who contribute to shaping and helping my kids become the amazing people that they are.

Advent Blog Along - 7th December

2011-12-06T22:17:00.001-08:00

After a bad night of insomnia, I decided to put aside the sewing machine. In my dreary and sleepy state I would really botch something up, and I didn't feel in the mood for that. So I cast aside my quilting for an apron and whipped up some Christmas presents of a different variety.

Cranberry and white choc chip cookies:

Cinnamon Toffees

I also spent most of the afternoon covered in craft glue.... and I am not going to tell you why just yet, but I can tell you it has something to do with the Pringle containers. :)

Over all, after less than 3 hours sleep, I had a very productive day and didn't burn the house down. And to top off my day, I found out that I am one of the winners for November's OPM! I am thrilled. Yay for me!

Advent Blog Along - 6th December

2011-12-06T00:38:00.001-08:00

Today I spent the WHOLE day Christmas shopping. Yes. The WHOLE day. So not much crafting got done today, but I did get most of EJ's quilt top done late last night... so here is a glimpse of it.

I still need to visit Spotlight and get some plain border color before I add the final Cat in a Hat border. This quilt seriously does my head in because there are so many colors and patterns - but Dr Seuss does my head in too with all his crazy words. He makes my head spin!! EJ LOVES the quilt top so far, so I'm happy.

I've also managed to get a few of the jobs marked off my Christmas list (that is on the page up above there!)

18 more sleeps!!

Advent Blog along - December 5

2011-12-04T23:18:00.001-08:00

So, weekends don't turn out to be good blogging days. Considering that I wasn't home all weekend, due to 5 birthdays in the family being celebrated - one of them being my little Milly Moo - who is now 4 years old!!

Today I spent most of the afternoon working on these blocks for my son's quilt for Christmas. I'm hoping that tonight I get them all pieced together and the quilt top will be mostly done before I go to sleep. Fingers crossed.

Also today the family Kris Kringle came out for my husband's side of the family. I have Aunty Lyn. She's a pretty great lady, she seems to be a no-nonsense, practical kind of gal. I'm going to make her something.... I just have to figure out what. I was thinking a bag. I have to get my skates on....because according to my cool little app it's.....

Advent Blog Along # 2

2011-12-01T22:48:00.001-08:00

Christmas isn't Christmas without music! So today I thought I would share some of my favourite Christmas tunes:

Advent Blog-Along #1

2011-11-30T21:48:00.001-08:00

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me....... 4 rotting teeth, 3 tummy aches, 2 heart attacks, and a type b diabetes."

Welcome to the first post of the next 24 of the annual Advent Blog-Along, hosted by the very wonderful Car from Carrose Creations. This is always a very fun time, so all those who love all things Christmas can be excited, motivated and thrilled with what is put up on other Christmas Crazies blogs.

As the festive season encroaches upon us, sneaking up like the Boogy Monster in the dark alley, I find myself starting to stock up on things I will need for the festive baking. I bake for gifts. I love to do it. I find it such a lovely way to give without having to think too hard about what on earth to buy them this year. But every year, I cringe as I load up what I have put in my trolley onto the conveyor belt for the checkout lady to scan and pack. "What must she think? I'm the unhealthiest person on the planet! I'm a heart attack waiting to happen. I'm a diabetic coma waiting to happen!"

Here is a sample of what was in my trolley this week:

Last week I had 10 tubes of Pringles, ready for emptying so I can use the tubes. You will see why later. Next week is lots of brown sugar, jars of fruit mince and more baking goodies. Ahhhh yeah! Lots of sugary baking goodness!!

If you want to see what I am baking, check out my Christmas page up the top there and as you scroll down my list, you will see what I'm backing. I'll be taking pics of my goodies to torture and make you salivate like wild dogs over a rotting carcass... oh such imagery!! :)

It's coming!! So you better sign up!!

2011-11-27T22:58:00.001-08:00

Accoring my my iPhone app - it's only 26 days, 6 hours, 30 minutes until Christmas. That's not much time to get all that crafting done for the big day...

So to help motivate you, head over to Carosse Creations and sign up for the annual Advent Blog-Along and blog all your amazing stuff that you are making.

I've update my Christmas page in anticipation of lots of blog activity and Christmas creativity. :) Hope to see you participating!

Christmas present for Poppy

2011-11-23T22:04:00.001-08:00

Finding presents for my Dad is sometimes a nightmare, especially when you are like me and "oh that will do" doesn't cut it. I like to give unique and special gifts.

I just sent this through to be put on a mug. I'm going to put this in a gift box with lots of my baking - since he loves it!! :)

2011 Christmas Cards

2011-11-20T21:34:00.001-08:00

Still alive!!

2011-11-20T21:24:00.001-08:00

It's been a while, I know! I have been working on things, but haven't actually finished anything!! I really need to get a wriggle along, since Christmas is looming.

I finished 5 little projects today - which was really good to do! It's for my kid's teachers, for Christmas. Mug Mats!! I will roll these up and put them in some nice mugs, with some nice little treats inside. I love how they have turned out!!

My girls

2011-10-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

This week I'm going to work on a few pages a day on my kid's albums. My poor Milly is starting to get a complex because she can't understand why Mop and EJ have albums, and she doesn't. So I'm voing to try catch up a bit while I can.

So here is today's efforts:

Another table topper - and finally something finished!!

2011-09-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

This is a table topper for another friend's birthday. I'm so happy that I have finally finished something!! Soooo many projects on the go... it's nice to feel that sense of satisfaction of "Finally! Finished!! And it looks amazing!"

I love this table topper. I reckon I'll be making one for my lounge room.

Update

2011-09-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well I've been working pretty solidly on projects since my last post.

The Dr Seuss fabric has arrived from the US, courtesy of a very special courier - aka my bestie Bec. So I have started cutting that up ready to get the quilt top assembled for EJ's quilt.

I'm just about to finish another table topper for a friend. I should finish that today... if I feel like working on it.

I have launched into business with my photography and have been working pretty solidly on getting that set up.

I have just completed a quilt-top as a prop for my photography. I need to get it quilted and bound, which I will get working on ASAP, since bookings are starting to come in for family portraits. I might even zip into Spotlight this afternoon and get the stuff I need after I've done that table topper.

I've started knitting a newborn hat, which has been challenging, since I am still such a novice. It's nice to sit down in the evenings and work on that.

So very very busy, starting projects!! I like having so many projects on the go, so I can have a choice with what I work on! Hopefully soon I'll have some finished projects to show you.

Mummy? Can you make me something?

2011-09-20T03:06:00.001-07:00

My littlest princess was feeling a little miffed about her older sister getting dresses and skirts made for her, and she wasn't getting anything. On a quick dash into Spotlight to get some shirring elastic, Milly asked me "Mummy? Can you please make me something?" Trouble is that this little madam has about a gazillion more dresses than she can possibly wear. She gets the hand-me downs of her two very girly cousins plus whatever Nanny, Grandma and I buy as well. Dresses and skirts she didn't need.... what could I make her? Then I had the perfect idea. Headbands!! So I've made her two... one in the same fabric as Mop's ruffled skirt and this material. She LOVES them. Mother of the year goes to.... *drumroll please*...... ME!!! :)

Ruffles galore

2011-09-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

This week I've been trying to recupperate from a flu thing I've had. It's been nearly 4 weeks since I first got it and I'm still feeling lousy!! Anyway... enough whinging. This week I decided to try and make Mop some bits for summer to wear. This is one of her skirts. I had this small strip of fabric, less than a meter, and I thought it would make a cute skirt!
I put a ruffle on the top as well as the bottome - I thought it would look smashing, and I was right. I love the look!

E's quillow

2011-09-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I've been really unwell this week - and I was forced to rest for the whole time. So what better way to fill my time than to create quietly? I finished assembling this quilt top, quilted it, assembled it and finished it! It's a quillow for my boy for Christmas!!! It's so thick and snuggly because the backing is super soft fluffy fleece. After Christmas, I'm going to make 5 more of these for our caravan. How lovely to snuggle up under these while sitting outside!! :) Heaven!

Jungle Baby

2011-08-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

I made this quilt for a friend who is having a baby next month. Talk about 11th hour finish... I finished the quilting and binding yesterday, labelled it today, and the baby shower is tonight!!! YIKES!
Her nursery theme is Jungle - so I think it suits beautifully!

What am I working on #2

2011-08-29T17:12:00.001-07:00

1. Cat's baby quilt - just have a few more bits to hand quilt and then I can bind, label and wrap it for this Thursday.

2. EJ's quillow top.

3. A secret squirrel Father's Day present - will show next week when Father's Day is over!

4. A secret squirrel hobby/business venture - more details to come soon.

What am I working on?

2011-08-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

1. EJ's quillow top

2. Cat's baby playmat. I need this finished in a week and a half... I need to fly!!

And here is a finished project - this sits on the piano in the dining room - it will soon go on the wall. But it is a poem written really roughly on a crackled canvas as a feature art piece. I love it!!

18 weeks until Christmas....

2011-08-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

... and I'm trying not to freak out. But when I think of all the things I want to make for the day, I really need to get cracking. I've finally decided last night the last of all the Christmas gifts, so now it's just a matter of knuckling down and doing them.

Then I want to make Mop's spring/summer wardrobe this year too....

Oh boy.... I certainly know how to try and drown myself don't I??

If you want to follow along with my projects, I have made a page with my Christmas list. Who knows? Perhaps you will be inspired?

Upcycled Dress

2011-08-08T01:01:00.001-07:00

This dress WAS a skirt - I shirred it on the top and around the hips and added some straps and PRESTO!!

Make a wish....

2011-08-06T00:27:00.000-07:00

So ages ago Mum gave me this top - she didn't want it, it didn't look right on her. I didn't want it either because it was too boxy and a bit to "old" for my liking. So I put it in a box to upcycle later on. Today I finally got to it. The recent warm weather has got me motivated to start sewing Mop's new spring/summer wardrobe. I want to make as much of it as possible so I don't have to buy tarty little numbers that are more suited to a tramp than a little girl. So I pulled out the unwanted top and decided to revamp it into something amazing.

I think it looks MUCH better on Mop!!!

This is my first attempt as shirring, and I have to tell you.... I'm hooked. I am going to make a stack of stuff with this method. It's so easy and looks sooooo good!!!

Make over...

2011-08-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

I felt like a change. I am in the mood for spring cleaning... I think it's been that warm weather we had for the last few days - which has me itching for the first week of September. But instead of sorting though my house, I thought I would make my creative blog cleaner and simpler. I'm happy with it.

CRAFT UPDATE

~ I'm about 1/3 of the way through Cat's baby quilt (baby due in October)
~ 2/3 of the way through machine quilting Mop's quillow for Christmas.

PLANS
~ I plan to get started on sewing summer clothes for Mop - the weather warmed up suddenly, and I want her to be well outfitted for when summer/spring really arrives. I can't wait to start making her some pretty outfits.
~ I will also be concentrating on making Christmas presents over the next few months. Did you know it's only 141 days until Christmas? Divide that by how many presents I need to make... hmm... better get cracking!
~ I have some supplies for screen printing... I'm going to have a crack at that for some more specialised items for gifts. Stay tuned!!

Now that uni has started again, I have a better idea of my schedule and what time I have to spend on crafty fun.

Big ol' Beanie

2011-07-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of myself. I knit this all by myself!! It's a very slouchy, roomy but very soft and luxurious feeling beanie. I don't like tight beanies, they make my head hurt, but this one is perfect.

Not sure what I am going to knit next, I have about a gazillion projects on the go here, and I need to get some finished!!

My last week of freedom

2011-07-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

... and I'm going to make it count!!
I've been really busy working on things, but nothing finished. I plan to remedy that! I declare this week a create-madly week!

So today's list is:

1. Finish appliquing Mop's quillow
2. Embroider Mop's quillow
3. FMQ Mop's quillos
4. Design and make the quillow slip and handles
5. Continue knitting my beanie.

I doubt I'll get this all done, but I can definitely aim to!!

The dishes are waiting, and some washing needs doing, but after that I'll be getting into it!

Today's list #7

2011-07-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of school holidays, and I have three very happy children entertaining themselves... for the moment. I'm hoping to get them doing a few activities later on so I can get crafting today. I've only got 3 weeks until the uni holidays end, so I hope to make the most of those weeks. :)

Today's List
1. A baby page for Mop's album
2. 30 day photography challenge (on FB)
3. A Day in the life of challenge (photography)
4. Baste Milly's quilt
5. Work on Cat's baby quilt.

Beanie Kid!

2011-07-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

I managed to get everything done on my list! Don't mind the mobile photos, my camera battery needs charging. :S

I whipped up EJ's hat for him for an up and coming 4WD/camping trip in the Flinders Ranges... which will be freezing. He LOVES it.

I also finished my very first real project - Milly's Scarf

I got all the applique pieces cut out and ready to assemble. That might be today's job, if I get a moment.

And finally my lovely jar of lemon curd! Yum yum! I added more lemon (because I have so many of them) and it's really lovely and tart! I prefer a tarter curd than sweeter.

Today's list #6

2011-07-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be a day of finishes I think.

Today's List

1. Start and finish EJ's beanie
2. Finish cutting up all the applique pieces for the girl's quillows
3. Finish Milly's scarf
4. Make Lemon butter

I can't believe it's butter!

2011-07-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

We get our milk from a farm. It's 100% from a cow. So that means that after a day or so, there is STACKS of cream sitting on top of the bottles. DH has been removing the cream bit by bit as it rises, and today I had 500grams of cream ready to beat into butter. This is how it turned out.

Today I also taught myself how to "cast off" or finish my knitting. This was a practice piece that I've been working on, trying to get the hang of tension and not dropping stitches. I gave it to Milly-Moo to use as a blankie for her Barbies or something. Turns out it fits really nicely on the dolls-house bed, and she is thrilled with it.

I found a pattern for EJ's beanie, but haven't started it yet, because I need to measure his noggin!!
I also worked on Milly's scarf, I reckon I have gotten another 3 inches done. It looks really good!

I did another page in Mop's baby album. This is actually one of my favourite pictures of my man and my girl. It is so lovely seeing them gazing at each other, oblivious to me!! :)

So all in all a pretty productive day!

Today's List #5

2011-07-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ahhh it's an overcast and wet Wednesday!! I'm just about to shoot out to make some sorbet for a little boy with leukaemia - who has ulcers all over his mouth, poor darling. Then I'm coming back home ready and raring to do a few things.

TODAY'S LIST
1. Make some butter in the Thermomix.
2. Continue knitting Milly's Scarf
3. Continue working on applique shapes
4. Learn to cast off - and cast off that practice piece.
5. Choose a tutorial and start work on EJ's beanie
6. Digi scrap another baby page for Mop's album

It looks like a lot to acheive, but really most of it is plodding along. :) What are you doing today?

I've had a productive day!

2011-07-04T01:42:00.000-07:00

Even though I was interrupted by the plumber and all the cleaning up of the sewerage that was spurting out into my house... yeah... gross... don't think about it too much.... I still managed to get quite a bit done.

Today's List
1. Continue cutting out applique shapes for the girls quillows.

(Note the tiny bit of sunshine that we had today!)

2 Knit some more of Milly's scarf

3. Digi-scrap a page out of Mop's baby album

4. Do a journal page
(I wasn't in the mood, so didn't do it)

5. Continue working on Cat's baby quilt (Baby shower is coming up and I need to get a wriggle along!)
I plan to do this tonight! :)

Today's list #4

2011-07-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's cold, it's windy, it's raining. I'm expecting a plumber today because my drains are blocked - which means washing, dishes and anything water related cleaning is not going to happen today. It's the last week of school and we are all feeling it. We are all tired and feeling drained. So what better way to shake the tiredy-blues than to get motivated with some fun creative stuff and get a few things done.

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. So... I'm going to attempt a bit of everything!

1. Continue cutting out applique shapes for the girls quillows.
2 Knit some more of Milly's scarf
3. Digi-scrap a page out of Mop's baby album
4. Do a journal page
5. Continue working on Cat's baby quilt (Baby shower is coming up and I need to get a wriggle along!)

Let's get a coffee, and do this!

Stocking stitch

2011-07-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

I learned it! At first I was hopeless at it, and had a hard time doing the "pearl" stitch, but once I got the hang of that, I managed to get a good 2 inches of Milly's scarf done!

*The color of this wool is not very accurate since it's very dim and dark today, and I used my phone camera. It's not as dull. It's actually quite bright in places. :)

Today's list #3

2011-07-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I managed to make the lemon meringue pie. It's been mostly eaten now, so no photo. I also have been working on the applique pieces for the girl's quillow. I didn't get around to learning the knitting and starting Milly's scarf.

It looks like it's going to be a mostly busy weekend, but I would still like to attempt working on something in any case.

Weekend list
1. Continue working on applique pieces for girl's quilt.
2. Learn stocking stitch
3. Start Milly's scarf

Today's list #2

2011-06-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

Since it worked so well yesterday, I'm going to do it again today. A list to focus me.

Today's goals:

1. Work on the appliqué pieces for the girl's quillows.
2. Learn how to do stocking stitch.
3. Start knitting Milly's scarf
4. Make a lemon meringue pie with all those lemons we have!

It's a beautiful sunshiney day, with clear blue skies and gentle breezes. The house is open and quiet. Time to make the most of the gloriousness of it all! Let's do it!!

Zac & Joey's artsmocks

2011-06-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a plan, and I stuck with the plan which is really good, even though I only finished 2 of the goals. These art smocks took a whole lot longer than I had thought. Still, they are done now and looking really cute! I made them for my besties little boys in New York.

The Finding Nemo one is for Joey - he's almost 2 but he loves to paint and gets really grubby doing so, and I've made his quite big, so it covers him from head to toe, and also so he can grow into it over the next few years. The spotty/star one is for Zac. It will be easy to hide the paint spots on this one! :)

Today's list

2011-06-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Righto - I'm doing a list of all the creative things I want to accomplish today because I am sick to death of this aimless half hearted attempt to get stuff done, and I end up doing nothing but waste time. I need to focus! So here it is...

1. Finish Joey's smock
2. Start and finish Zac's smock
3. Get all the applique pieces cut up for girl's quillows
4. Start knitting Milly's scarfe (before winter is over!!!)

First ever furniture build..

2011-06-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

.. and DH and I chose to make the biggest, baddest, hardest project with limited tools and experience!! And we loved the results. We based the design on Ana White's Cubby designs from Knock Off Wood

What do you think?

Look what I learned to do this week....

2011-06-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm happy with my progress and although I still have trouble with tension, I think I'm doing really well. This "practice" piece will end up being a blanket for one of Milly Moo's dolls. I bought a ball of wall today on clearance, nicer and softer, and I'm going to attempt a scarf for Milly. :)

It's about 26 weeks until Christmas...

2011-06-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

.. and I have already sorted out what I am going to be making for gifts this year. (Although I haven't worked out what I'll make Mum yet)

So this is a basic rundown of what I'll be doing:

Photo calenders
Embellished/cute tea towels
Mug rugs
Personalised T-shirt transfers on Tees
Christmas decorations
3 x Quillows for the kids
A quilt for EJ
A cushion for each of the girls beds.

Not too bad, and definitely acheiveable.

If I end up hosting Christmas again, there will definitely be more added to that list.

Has anyone else started to make plans for handmade gifts for Christmas?

Journalling - Today's Playlist

2011-06-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit embarrassed to show this one off... but here it goes.

Yes world, I am coming out of the closet. I am a Gleek!!

An 11.59th hour finish

2011-06-17T23:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was meant to finish this project. It is good friends of ours little girls birthday party, which my DD was invited to. I couldn't be bothered. And I started it really late yesterday... then this morning crawled out of bed to finish it. It had to be finished my 12:30pm today... and I finished it at 12:20pm. 10 minutes to spare!! :) Talk about a close finish!!

When the birthday girl opened her present, she immediately held it up against her body, realisation suddenly dawning on her. "So THAT'S why you took my measurements the other day?" I smiled, "That's right!" She admired it a while longer. Then I noticed her friends looking at it, one particular girl looking at it in admiration. "Did you MAKE that??" she finally said. I felt a little bit proud. I had impressed a 9 year old. :) The birthday girl finally put it aside and sighed "I wish it was summer!"

Happy birthday Aimee!

My alter-ego

2011-06-11T04:33:00.000-07:00

This was a pretty fun one! I enjoyed thinking about what I would be if I wasn't me. Not that I don't think I'm acceptable... just thinking about being someone else was an interesting exercise. I did struggle at first to come up with anything, but after the first 4 lines it started to flow.

A few journal pages

2011-06-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Car I have been given a boot in the right direction with journalling. I must say I have loved it. It's not often I write about myself and create pages all about me. So the experience was nice.

Anyway here are 2 pages I can show you. Some I won't show because they are deeply personal or reveal too much information that I am not comfortable showing people I don't know. You understand right?

Table Topper

2011-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

I downloaded this really cute pattern for a table topper and I'm so happy with how it turned out. I think I'll be making a few more of these as gifts, because they are so sweet. What's even better is that I made this out of scraps from my massively overloaded scrap fabric bin.

Snotlout and Camicazi

2011-06-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is my very first attempt at making softies, and they are a Skipper exclusive design!! Trust me to launch into softie making head first! The truth is that a friend of mine asked me if I would make 2 characters for her daughter from the book "How to train a Dragon". The pictures I had to base the designs on were sketches, so I had to put in a bit of artistic guess work on the rest. This is how they turned out and I am really proud of them. They look pretty good to me, even though I personally think the characters are ugly as sin, but who am I to judge? They aren't for me... they are for a little girl who happens to LOVE them.

So here we have, Snoutlout and Camicazi!! If you click on the picture, you get a better look. :)

I'm thinking...

2011-06-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

.. and this could be really dangerous!!!

Mop (DD1) found a journal of mine that I made when my son was born. It was filled with photos, journalling, hopes and dreams. I loved it!! She loved it! The thing is, I don't DO paper anymore. No paper scrapping stuff around here... well there is, but very little. I just did a massive cull of scrapping stuff and it has ended up in my kids craft box. So I'm thinking, why do all that again, when I have loads of digital scrapping stuff that could do just as well. And I'll print up my journals in little books.

I've seenCar's lovely journalling and have wanted to do something like it, to inspire my creative writing, and allow me to be creative in yet another area! Who knows? Looking back on life as it was could be awesome when I am so old my memory is shot to pieces!!

So I'm going to have a crack at that. First of all, I need to find some topics to journal about. So off I go looking around for journalling ideas to mix up with my own ideas. I am pretty excited about this.

What do you think?

I have a new creative space!

2011-05-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well.... not brand spanking new... DH and I decided to consolidate the home office with my office and craft room. We reorganised the furniture (which I think is almost as good as redecorating!) We did a huge cull of old stuff and have created a functional and organised work space! We moved the computer desk in to make extra storage, which makes a big difference. I still need to sort out my fabric cupboard, but other than that, it's all very clean and tidy. I can't wait to use the space to create amazing masterpieces. One day I might be able to afford matching and modern furniture, but today this is what I have and love. I'm so grateful that I can have a permanent space right in the middle of the house.

(Excuse the dodgy mobile phone pic - but I can't be bothered getting out the camera, uploading etc!) You get the general idea anyway!

I'll be back...

2011-05-23T23:28:00.001-07:00

.. in one more week. Uni will be over for the semester and then I'll be able to give some loving attention to my poor neglected blogs.

Stay tuned!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T02:05:00.000-07:00

So this year for Mother's Day, Mum wanted some chrysanthemums for her garden. And that was it. I felt pretty stingy. I usually like to make something amazing for her, but because Uni is an all consuming force in my life at the moment, I hadn't got anything made. So Friday afternoon I decided that I was going to try and whip up something lovely anyway. I made her a lavender scented heat bag.

It's time....

2011-04-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have set up a new blog for my photography. I want to get involved in more challenges and learn how to use my camera more - and I don't want to overshadow the other work I do. So all photography from now on will be HERE

If you want to watch me develop (hopefully) and are interested in photography - please feel free to follow it.

Harrison's Raggy Quilt

2011-04-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

I whipped this quilt up in no time for a special little man. He loves it! I'm sure he will love snuggling down with it over the winter months, when watching movies.

I'll be making my boy one as well with the same fabric. One day soon.

Elisha's Bag

2011-04-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

I made this for a dear little man's birthday. I saw the fabric in the remnant bin at spotlight and grabbed it!

I am LOVING school holidays!

2011-04-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

I have nothing to show you yet, but am making good progress on a few projects and I'm pleased that I have hours a day to work on things.

I have also been doing craft with the kids as well everyday so far of the school holidays. It's been really fun and they have loved it.... and we are slowly but surely plowing our way through the craft box, using up bits and pieces.

So what have I been doing?
I was asked by a friend to make a few of the characters from the book "How to train a dragon" - I must admit I'm really stoked with how they are turning out. They should be finished fairly soon.

I was given some pre-cut squares by Kayscha when she did a big clear out in preparations for her renovations (which are well under way I might add!) - so I today have just finished piecing the squares together to make a 9-patch square. I will be adding white sashing to them and then hopefully have it basted and ready to hand quilt this winter. :) Happy days!!

I just whipped up a cute little tote bag for a little boy's birthday present. That's finished, and just needing some natural light for a photo to show off. :)

My next task is to start cutting up the flannelette for more raggy quilts. One for my boy and one for another little boy who I thinks needs a bit of spoiling for his birthday.

I'm loving these school holidays. And in six weeks I'll be partying because uni will be over for a while (apart from doing the final exam) and I am going to kick back, drop a subject and craft more for the rest of the year! HAPPY DAYS!

Molly's Cushion

2011-04-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

I made this cushion based on the tutorial from Don't Look Now. My Sister-in-law saw the one I had made for my niece, and she hinted very strongly that she would like one made for each of her daughters. So I obliged.

I am also on uni holidays and I have great plans to get a few projects started and finished over the next 2 weeks. Wish me luck!! :)

Happy belated birthday old bag!

2011-04-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

It was Mum's birthday in February, and I tell you, I've been that flat out with uni stuff that I only JUST got her present finished yesterday. I feel awful, but she's been very sweet about it. Not to mention she absolutely LOVED what I gave her.

Here they are:
Mug mat #1

Mug Mat #2

Knitting basket

PS: Part of the gift was a table runner, which I messed up - and I shoved it in a box to deal with later. I showed it to her afterwards, and she LOVED it and took it anyway. There is no photo of it, because it was pretty dodge!!

Cheeky Monkey Quilt

2011-03-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

A finish! Finally!!! To be honest this quilt didn't take me long, and I machine quilted it all. I'm so happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to give it to the precious little boy who can snuggle up under this now the weather is turning chilly.

7 months old.

2011-03-24T15:50:00.001-07:00

I'm slowly plugging away at this baby album. What a cute she is!!!

I never thought I would say this....

2011-03-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

I hate study at the moment.

This subject sucks.

It is NOT part time study, this one subject alone takes me three full days, and the other subject one full day. 4 days is considered part time?? I think not!!!
I am not getting any time to sew and quilt and do all the really IMPORTANT things!! :)

Just sayin'....

So it's going to be slim pickings around here until June. :(

My very first and definitely not last mug rug!

2011-02-27T00:42:00.000-08:00

I've seen these mug mats around the place and I've been wanting to make these for a while now. Finally I had a reason to whip one up. It was SIL's birthday last week and so I made her one. I love it so much! I'll be making stacks of these for sure!! They are so lovely and unique.

It's been an insane few weeks...

2011-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

... and you can see why HERE

I have a few WIP's that I'm working on and hoping to get finished in the next few weeks.

I'm working on my friend's baby's quilt - the fabric is cut up and we are ready to assemble.
I'm also working on my Mum's birthday presents - it's just a matter of finishing on project and starting the others.

When I'm finished that, I have another big project I intend to embark on, and finish very quickly if I can. More about that later.

Just thought I would touch base.

It's slightly different.

2011-02-16T04:27:00.000-08:00

Don't mind me. I'm working my head around blog templates etc so Creative Expressions is a work in progress at the moment.

:)

Carry on.. :D

My very first newborn shoot

2011-02-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

... a sample anyway.

This little man was such a good tempered and easy baby to photograph. He was very tolerant, even when he was woken up from a very short nap. He was so good!!

And just secretly, he made me very clucky! Shhhh!!

Reusable "zip lock bags"

2011-02-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

My family go through SO many zip lock bags, I was tempted to buy Glad shares. But instead I decided to do something more environmentally friendly and sewed up reusable zip lock bags, using a $2.50 table cloth and some velcro. I have made snack and sandwich bag sizes. They are getting good use now that school has gone back!! :)

The perks of no electricity...

2011-02-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

... I head to my Mum's with my laptop. And this is what is produced...

Bike Riding

2011-01-30T20:32:00.001-08:00

Back to School Project #2

2011-01-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

I asked Miss Mop to get her library bag so we could start gathering up her bits and pieces for school. She looked at me oddly.. "I can't find it.... you will have to make me a new one, like EJ (her brother)" - I looked at her... I knew she wasn't telling me the truth. I stood up, "Ok I'll look for it..." and she dashed off quickly to her room ahead of me and emerged with her Disney Fairies bag. With tears in her eyes she said "I'm too old for this now."

Awww.... so I got Mop to chose some fabric, and I whipped up a new library bag for her.

Her name has been embroidered on the pink tag. And she is VERY happy with it.

Back to School project #1

2011-01-30T16:06:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else found that art smocks in the shops only go to size 6? Yeah.... that totally sucks!

The school required Mop to have a waterproof art smock.... and she is a size 8. She has outgrown Littlest Pet Shop and I really didn't want to pay through the roof for a handmade smock from Etsy and Madeit and they weren't waterproof anyway.

So... I decided to make one by myself. I nipped into Spotlight and bought an off-cut of curtain block out material, which is thick - it cost me $3. Wow... big bucks! I used THIS pattern as a guide and THIS design and came up with a cute smock. Then I sprayed it with Selleys Waterproofing spray and it is now waterproof, paint staining the uniform proof.... and no one in her class will have one exactly like this. :) She's wearing an original!

Improving the wine rack

2011-01-23T15:42:00.000-08:00

I saw this idea somewhere and I thought it was brilliant.

It's a stained piece of MDF to add a decorative touch to the wine rack. I love it! It sort of looks like a sideboard. Anyway the plan is to make a matching table runner and topper for the wine rack (fabrics have already been purchased!) and this will finish the rack up nicely.

Then I think it's time to think about some art work for the walls.... but that can come another day. Today I will enjoy this project completion.

Upcycling for SPD

2011-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember that my son has Sensory processing disorder. Part of his therapy is using a weighted cushion on his lap before he reaches a place of high stress, or if he's starting to get a bit fidgety and over-done. Anyway.... for kindy I made him a Humpty Dumpty weighted cushion, which I can't believe I didn't blog!! Oh well... So I thought with EJ starting school, I better make him a new one, that isn't so "kindyish". I also needed to make the cushion appropriate for his weight so it will be effective.

Some years ago MIL gave EJ a stuffed car. It's pretty useless really. It's just a decorative piece, that spent a good many years sat on the shelf or in the cupboard. He never played with it or lay on it or anything.... So I decided to use it as a a base for a weighted cushion!

I ripped open it's seam - and pulled out a great deal of stuffing (which I'll use later on I'm sure!) and then refilled it with poly-plastic beans. I closed the seam and this is the final result.

Monday's Digi-scrapping efforts

2011-01-18T15:01:00.001-08:00

Update...

2011-01-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

I'm plodding along slowly on my attempt of balance in my creativity.

DIGI-SCRAPPING - Still working on Mop's baby album. I'm almost half way through it. I'm posting my finished pages

PHOTOGRAPHY - I just finished the maternity shoot editing and have given them to the beautiful couple. They are really happy with them. My next project is to start a black and white series of our family from the very start, and frame them and have a whole wall of our family growing up.

QUILTING - I'm continuing to work on my quilt and working on blocks. I also want to make a table runner topper for my dining room. I will buy the fabric tomorrow with my birthday gift voucher.

SEWING: I'm almost finished a pair of pants, but have to put it on hold because I need to make a library bag and art smock for Mop for school.

HOME DECOR: We just finished making a top for our wine rack and varnished it. It looks lovely and adds a bit of something to our very plain (so far) dining room. We also roughly priced and designed our wall unit we plan to build for the play room. That will start to come together as we can afford it.

So doing well, and enjoying working on different things everyday, and accomplishing something every day. :)

My beautiful little girl

2011-01-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Maternity Shoot

2011-01-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

I was asked by some wonderful friends if I could do a maternity photo-shoot for them. I only screamed on the inside!!!! I was soooooo excited! We did some of the shots in J & S's lovely home and then we headed off to a glorious vineyard where we finished the shoot. Unfortunately the day was very dim and cloudy, and so the evening light was not as wonderful as I had hoped. But never mind, I got some good shots, and here is a sample of some of the work I did.

In a few weeks, this precious bump will be born - and I am hoping to do the newborn shoot. :)

2011 - The year of balance.

2010-12-28T20:49:00.000-08:00

I always set New Year's resolutions, because I am a believer in that we should have goals and dreams to work towards. No one has arrived at that perfect place of being absolutely amazing in and at everything.

So 2011 will be about balance for me. Balance in all areas of my life - for example, study, spiritual input, exercise etc. But I am taking it a step further in my creativity. I tend to focus on one project at a time, or work on one skill every day until I am sick of it. 2011 I'm going to try and work on my many creative skills and projects - and focus on one skill a day. This will give me the opportunity to work on and perfect the areas I enjoy being creative in.

I know I can't be rigid and inflexible because when it comes to deadlines to having projects finished, I may need to focus on that for a bit, but I want to as much as I possibly can be balanced in my creativity and give equal time and energy to each one.

I can't wait to see how things pan out at the end of the year, and how many projects I have been able to work on and finish. :)

11th hour finish!

2010-12-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I finished it!! I have been working so hard and fast on this beauty so it would be under the tree come Christmas morning!

And yes, I have done quilts with VHC fabric before. My littlest, Milly, would grab the quilt and claim it as hers, and I would dissapoint her by saying "No, no it's for baby.... so and so". So I decided to actually make her one to call her own. As I fashioned the quilt, she kept grabbing at the fabric "This is for me!" she would say. Tomorrow morning, she is going to actually have a Very Hungry Caterpillar quilt all of her own.

I'm proud of this quilt. I think it looks wonderful!

And today marks the last day of the Advent Blog-Along. Thanks Car for hosting again! :)