30th project

It's my 30th birthday this week! I don't really feel 30, but I thought I would create something throughout my 30th year as a memento of this time in my life. So I've decided to sew a quilt.

Our family has recently moved out of the city down to the lush green foresty south coast. The quilt will be made in a forest colour theme.

All the fabric for the quilt is donated by my dear friends and family. Everyone chose something they thought was beautiful, represents their personality or significant to them... a scrap from a cushion cover they have in their house, covered in insects and bugs because of their love of nature and creepy crawlies, soft gentle and floral patterns or bold bright and dynamic. So many beautiful greens!

I love the idea that a little piece of everyone that is significant in my life will be sewn into something I can wrap around myself and keep me warm.

jennifer collier

 It's all made out of paper!

 

Jennifer Collier

city cushion

I made this cushion for a friends little boy to snooze, cuddle and play on. I had been thinking about creating an applique street, and this was the project to try it on.

It was difficult to keep Hannah off the cushion... we will just have to go and visit so they can play with it together!

two little dickie birds

It was our little girls second birthday this month. We can't believe she is two already!

With lots of little kids around for her birthday party we had a sugar free party. I made a sugar free lemon and almond cake using Xylitol, a natural sweetener found in corn husks. I drizzled the cake with lemon juice and dissolved honey to keep it sticky and hold it's shape. Then cut it into bricks to make the wall. The mortar for the wall is Philadelphia cream cheese, honey and berry juice for the pink colouring.

I made the birds from scraps of felt, fabric and pieces of wire found in the shed. Peter and Paul ended up being quite feminine!

sewing box

It was my birthday recently, and once again my very handy man has given me the most beautiful and useful birthday gift. We have a lack of storage space and the organisation of all my sewing things comprises of boxes and bags stacked up beside our bed. He found this old tool box in an antique store down the road, he cleaned it up, added some compartments, trays, drawers and a vintage box for bobbins. It still has all of its rustic charm and I love it. And it is the first step in having my own organised sewing space!

birthday bows

I had made this little top for Hannah, my birthday picnic was the perfect occasion for her to wear it for the first time. Mind you, white is probably not the best colour to wear while playing in the park, chasing ducks and eating party food.

I created the pattern for the top by taking the pattern of a gorgeous tiny baby top my sister found in an op-shop, modifying and up-sizing it.

rainbows, bicycles and pencils

I finished the first of the pencil rolls this week. I'm working on a red one now.

back to school

School goes back this week. I always felt a sad loss at the end of the summer holidays with the thought of having to go back to school. Buying new stationary was my little bit of happiness and brought some excitement back to the thought of returning to school. Hopefully these pencils will bring some happiness to some children somewhere too.

umbrella girl dresses

I'm working on a new baby dress. It will be a reversible wrap dress, lavender, with a cute spotty lining material. A screen printed umbrella girl is appliqued on the front. I can't wait to see them finished, they are going to be so cute. I think I will have to make one for Hannah. They will be in my Etsy shop soon!

kleintje

I opened my Etsy shop this month. Kleintje. It has been a long time coming, but I finally got there. I've had so many ideas but so little time to realise them.

All the products so far are screen printed children's clothing, handmade dresses and crocheted slippers. There is lots more to come...

www.kleintjehandmade.etsy.com

bye bye sandra

One of my lovely friends has moved over east. We are sad to see her leave, but so excited for her and all the amazing things she has ahead. I made this moleskin note book cover as a little good bye gift. The image I drew and printed during my screen printing course.

vintage patterns

I was recently given this pile of vintage children's clothing patterns from Rae, a gorgeous lady in Nanna's craft group. One of her first jobs as a teenager was to develop the sizing charts for Simplicity Patterns. The patterns are from the early 70's. I love the classic posed illustrations of the perfect happy children. So gorgeous. I can't wait to start making