tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457811799313438832024-03-14T15:50:30.133+11:00make it perfectmake it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.comBlogger1395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-57458879687552150852015-06-16T13:47:00.003+10:002015-06-16T13:47:58.369+10:00.Nani IRO Month - Waterfall Blouse. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnG67qxNgb5VkSoBAYcMR5w0VlaRgW6CcjSqdCqvHnfQrqaQD0S4zeXWIsXvyAIGVoKDxwdWYAtNcKf8NKBk4nnyON6wkvEMHR7xUHJV0Wo-ICfSYbQFJOpjUFTuRMWUhe41xlKKFcjyv/s1600/IMG_5668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnG67qxNgb5VkSoBAYcMR5w0VlaRgW6CcjSqdCqvHnfQrqaQD0S4zeXWIsXvyAIGVoKDxwdWYAtNcKf8NKBk4nnyON6wkvEMHR7xUHJV0Wo-ICfSYbQFJOpjUFTuRMWUhe41xlKKFcjyv/s640/IMG_5668.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Nani IRO! If you haven't heard, June is Nani IRO month over at <a href="http://www.missmatatabi.com/">Miss Matatabi</a>. Frances has invited some of her sewing friends to select a favourite fabric from the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MissMatatabi?section_id=13148219&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1">Nani IRO 2015 collection</a> and of course I accepted that invitation! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGQYEXs-dNU7Eftjs8uSZlJYMAi34GXTwPdMrwJbQ0-6wAL7Btyfk8nsKK3r0nVr_pyzjTeaP0CvlIgl2VYIrwMNF7ff2i7kJzhOt4VYhf8x9kyzHy7vi-aS_-C6AvzjT_hULMFxWTIlu/s1600/IMG_5667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGQYEXs-dNU7Eftjs8uSZlJYMAi34GXTwPdMrwJbQ0-6wAL7Btyfk8nsKK3r0nVr_pyzjTeaP0CvlIgl2VYIrwMNF7ff2i7kJzhOt4VYhf8x9kyzHy7vi-aS_-C6AvzjT_hULMFxWTIlu/s640/IMG_5667.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fabric I choose for my project is a double gauze print called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/221928827/japanese-fabric-nani-iro-en-garden?ref=shop_home_active_18">En Garden - So</a>. I've got a pretty hefty Nani IRO stash but find it hard to actually cut into, so committing to participate in a celebration like this is good for me! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDXUIhHiQ2-uNH6nwQuYm73t6IrBA9genZxnp5tlvoDHXksudkeObq0Eg3GHjFU2POzLH92LDyl_4ezMSGGnxQj3gKzMs9bXQCFUSCFsUf0ahjOnparOo3ZtNrhK53424K3SCjFZe8bat/s1600/IMG_5675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDXUIhHiQ2-uNH6nwQuYm73t6IrBA9genZxnp5tlvoDHXksudkeObq0Eg3GHjFU2POzLH92LDyl_4ezMSGGnxQj3gKzMs9bXQCFUSCFsUf0ahjOnparOo3ZtNrhK53424K3SCjFZe8bat/s640/IMG_5675.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My intentions were to use this fabric to make myself a pair of pyjama pants, but when the fabric arrived in the mail and I took a look at it in person I couldn't bring myself to use something so beautiful for a pair of PJs that no one would ever see. Instead, I decided to sew a new <a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Waterfall_Blouse.html">Waterfall Blouse</a> that I knew would get worn a lot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMXww5UmxaiMBKupPUjyxcKDFraa1f-oA2sSjmg69cgdcdXdqX4LOWCE_BIaf2KtC_CTPYqLGnbL7EQpdAzqNXoLpoTVncA9NqZZb6gJ_D91CHrZf3Cs3Qr8Dgws-aLR1fZpH5BI63N0g/s1600/IMG_5672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMXww5UmxaiMBKupPUjyxcKDFraa1f-oA2sSjmg69cgdcdXdqX4LOWCE_BIaf2KtC_CTPYqLGnbL7EQpdAzqNXoLpoTVncA9NqZZb6gJ_D91CHrZf3Cs3Qr8Dgws-aLR1fZpH5BI63N0g/s640/IMG_5672.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The watercolour floral print is stunning, and there are little birds throughout the design which are shimmery metallic light pink. So pretty. The quality of my photos just isn't doing the amazing fabric justice...I'm still waiting to get my computer and all the programs recovered and restored so can't edit them as I would like to. I'll come back and fix them up when I'm back on track though!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSwb1IVCVgqT1qBpNAzZNnyt5hbONBrkU7FvF_E9JVvMF_EOvVsLI-k3cVbwFKIoONOoM1WsJ6SKJmXP8BXmwMbb2RyYVgPEOM2E6M_1VGLV-GfhO9kB9kTBoXUpx-gzdg3dCpnW4NsZT/s1600/IMG_5674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSwb1IVCVgqT1qBpNAzZNnyt5hbONBrkU7FvF_E9JVvMF_EOvVsLI-k3cVbwFKIoONOoM1WsJ6SKJmXP8BXmwMbb2RyYVgPEOM2E6M_1VGLV-GfhO9kB9kTBoXUpx-gzdg3dCpnW4NsZT/s640/IMG_5674.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>SUPPLIES</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Make It Perfect, <a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Waterfall_Blouse.html">Waterfall Blouse</a> pattern</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/221928827/japanese-fabric-nani-iro-en-garden?ref=shop_home_active_18">Nani IRO, En Garden - So, double gauze</a></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/" target="_blank">Straightgrain</a> ∆ <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/" target="_blank">noodlehead</a> ∆ <a href="https://instagram.com/ute_ig/" target="_blank">Ute</a></div>
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<a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">verykerryberry</a> ∆ <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">Make It Perfect</a> ∆ <a href="http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">Groovy Baby and Mama</a></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/alittlegoodness/" target="_blank">A Little Goodness</a> ∆ <a href="http://skirtastop.com/" target="_blank">SKIRT AS TOP</a> ∆ <a href="http://www.cashmerette.com/" target="_blank">Cashmerette</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.skyelittle.com/" target="_blank">Sew Little</a> ∆ <a href="http://imaginegnats.com/" target="_blank">imagine gnats</a> ∆ <a href="http://youandmie.com/" target="_blank">you & mie</a></div>
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<a href="http://sanaeishida.com/" target="_blank">SANAE ISHIDA</a> ∆ <a href="http://www.missmatatabi.com/" target="_blank">Miss Matatabi</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To help you build your Nani IRO stash (trust me, it's a good stash to have!) Miss Matatabi and Naomi Ito (the genius behind Nani IRO) have put together a massive giveaway...<a href="http://www.missmatatabi.com/?p=2416">click here to enter</a>. It's pretty awesome!</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzhmzjzIE5DWVkYD8qJyHNyoUZSHWr-a9cbZC5XXmuMt27C4OfCPTk0wjerLazSjp1SW-CX_CMvgOLcKXFARGg12E6K_DCjVzLz6O74Wpo3E56ack4ppyrXkzvXWPhnBuxxI6Ylp3Cis5/s640/present-blog.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br /><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-20504638650002064772015-06-08T09:48:00.001+10:002015-06-08T09:48:54.616+10:00.Spotty Skippy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q-Laj2VKqeANwxE2BxXxb6iO_6XpNS1XVlOciuoKAl4fq8OmfTlEWGn7KIHOwluoXWreTiCTIDDichjY5dnlw-u89Xz1dmKosl3yNK8Vu9PfTrlWtw8qMG4XFXprhHphHkQis2_Be716/s1600/Skippy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q-Laj2VKqeANwxE2BxXxb6iO_6XpNS1XVlOciuoKAl4fq8OmfTlEWGn7KIHOwluoXWreTiCTIDDichjY5dnlw-u89Xz1dmKosl3yNK8Vu9PfTrlWtw8qMG4XFXprhHphHkQis2_Be716/s640/Skippy6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that Make It Perfect attended the last <a href="https://www.facebook.com/QuiltMarket">International Quilt Market</a> in Minneapolis? Well, I wasn't there in person but my pattern distributors (<a href="http://creativeabundance.com.au/">Creative Abundance</a>) were there showcasing my patterns along with a few other designers from Australia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I sent over a whole heap of samples for display and it was a great excuse to sew up a few fresh ones too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV9aHEuXsT5XJVx5tr6KJkBaVoA5BZeO0-loa6xs2RolZQ_vYs1qyJvsldKxplEVHNP7W070SIWG66KkNw93hOQ1Ck5bhzy-y8tI9U4jcnSvgr7UNEegZK48w8-DvJp2jwUmUrafu5pwJ/s1600/Skippy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV9aHEuXsT5XJVx5tr6KJkBaVoA5BZeO0-loa6xs2RolZQ_vYs1qyJvsldKxplEVHNP7W070SIWG66KkNw93hOQ1Ck5bhzy-y8tI9U4jcnSvgr7UNEegZK48w8-DvJp2jwUmUrafu5pwJ/s640/Skippy+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a cupboard full of Make It Perfect samples but sometimes I sneak the samples out of the cupboard and into my own wardrobe! I needed to make a new <a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy</a> dress because nothing was sample-worthy and this is what was created...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeVncoZN915Omf5PpJmPdZD1pmuq-BX143hVzL8Kg5K_41NHZm_YPxpGKt8qNUgnNXHvs5HHdRb5pUQGw4IWlbq2-h8_HLS_sJDBb9qBQfljrOIbez9vs5JKrTB0Lh-k_EWYlly6A9hT9/s1600/Skippy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeVncoZN915Omf5PpJmPdZD1pmuq-BX143hVzL8Kg5K_41NHZm_YPxpGKt8qNUgnNXHvs5HHdRb5pUQGw4IWlbq2-h8_HLS_sJDBb9qBQfljrOIbez9vs5JKrTB0Lh-k_EWYlly6A9hT9/s640/Skippy2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used an Art Gallery knit, and am so happy with the quality of this fabric. It's great that the bigger fabric manufacturers are spending more time creating fabrics that are suited to sewing clothing, the variety and types of fabrics are ever increasing giving us so many more options for sewing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBBT7qtG2XXrhC4bfi1BGq-g8XJwyt1eG3auF2O0tbhyphenhyphenIYqxO-U4RuAIFcrEdeAQ4vJVQ1QdPTXXDj6PGrW6dTnE3AVNIeuXU6pYpS1OI4aMGc-rQqciK_sL5_GoBEZO7UKMGMZqHDA_N/s1600/Skippy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBBT7qtG2XXrhC4bfi1BGq-g8XJwyt1eG3auF2O0tbhyphenhyphenIYqxO-U4RuAIFcrEdeAQ4vJVQ1QdPTXXDj6PGrW6dTnE3AVNIeuXU6pYpS1OI4aMGc-rQqciK_sL5_GoBEZO7UKMGMZqHDA_N/s640/Skippy4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't use any contrasting fabrics for this dress, just the spots all the way through and I love the effect. I'm not sure where this dress will end up yet...it should be living in the samples cupboard so I don't have to sew up another one next time I need a sample but I can feel it making it's way towards my own wardrobe!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5cmMNAzNGQu8PpRtBrJTOKy4fxevI5x2BEZQnjXcVzo-PLo0KsB7FkDienCaCFPnVGlZ6uIBw5LazKjr2mje3KZx44w0idTnFxx5C67TwW-VQ1k9gxPqVSwKjuJOiz7R0goE7ttBEdm8/s1600/Skippy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5cmMNAzNGQu8PpRtBrJTOKy4fxevI5x2BEZQnjXcVzo-PLo0KsB7FkDienCaCFPnVGlZ6uIBw5LazKjr2mje3KZx44w0idTnFxx5C67TwW-VQ1k9gxPqVSwKjuJOiz7R0goE7ttBEdm8/s640/Skippy5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">SUPPLIES:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Make It Perfect, <a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy</a> pattern</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Art Gallery knit, Dotted Boulevard by Sara Lawson</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-13650997418791906462015-06-06T09:26:00.003+10:002015-06-06T09:26:51.045+10:00.All the things in May.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Something terrible happened in May.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A month ago the hard-drive on my computer failed. And I have never backed up my 55,000 + photos from 2008-2015, like EVER. I have everything I need for the backup sitting on my desk and for months Jaron has been reminding me to do it, but it was something that I just never got around to. And then everything was all gone! May was an annoying month. It took 4 weeks for the computer to be repaired and partial recovery of the files, but I am still missing about half of my photos, all of my purchased computer programs (like everything I use for writing patterns!) and much more. Photos are priceless and they can still be recovered, it's just going to cost an annoying amount of money but needs to be done. Lesson learned = back up regularly. (I think I'm the only person who needs this lesson, by the way!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Something new started in May.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently I have been getting lots of requests from you Make It Perfect sewers out there for a Facebook group. I'm a little anti-Facebook so didn't really get what all the fuss was about when it came to closed group. Usually I'll just keep an eye on my MIP page and check out posts if I am tagged or check my messages, but other than that I steer away from my newsfeed and anywhere else that will suck into my time. Long story short, I did a bit of asking around and it turns out these topic-exclusive Facebook groups are actually pretty cool, so I started one! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are as naive about it all as I was, basically the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1492513540971144/">Make It Perfect Sharing Group</a> is a place where you can go to discuss anything related to MIP patterns...you might have a question about how to sew something or want to share a tip or trick or even show off photos of your MIP creations (my favourite part!) The group has been running for a week now and there are already some amazing photos shared and interesting questions and feedback to read up on. We would love to have you join our group so <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1492513540971144/">head on over and request a membership</a> and get ready to be inspired!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwG1Kp2XvjToRvxgxE7LzTtx_yCEz6xJgAkYFhgQkK72O_m-mf-0nKNp5WXfRuWkq-TUPQGvEccOntozva0Skj6xp4WkTaf-MMn7uH6412VR188f_kNYfFBRxgcDr05MeCIBE-vtspWrZ/s1600/MIP+sharing+group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwG1Kp2XvjToRvxgxE7LzTtx_yCEz6xJgAkYFhgQkK72O_m-mf-0nKNp5WXfRuWkq-TUPQGvEccOntozva0Skj6xp4WkTaf-MMn7uH6412VR188f_kNYfFBRxgcDr05MeCIBE-vtspWrZ/s640/MIP+sharing+group.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Something inspirational happened in May.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the month of May, I participated in my first <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/me-made-may15-sign-up-here.html">Me Made May</a> challenge (#mmmay15 on Instagram). I have been a spectator of this challenge in previous but this is the first time I have committed to taking part in it myself. For MMM I challenged myself to wear a piece of handmade clothing everyday and document the outfit with a photograph (<a href="http://instagram.com/make_it_perfect">documented on my Instagram account</a>). I also challenged myself to wear something different everyday...which meant that I had to dig deep in the wardrobe and revisit a few items that I don't wear that often. While I loved the challenge, taking a photo every day was pretty tiring! By the end of the month, I had the self-timer on my iPhone sitting on the ironing board all sorted out because my family members were sick of me getting them to take photos each day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I learned from the challenge is that I have a pretty versatile handmade wardrobe. I think the only thing I am really lacking are some jeans and cardigans so will make sure I tackle those in 2015. Other than that though, I feel like I have a good mix of handmade clothes...lots of comfy, everyday wearables as well as a few dressier, prettier pieces. If you missed it on Instagram or Facebook, here is a review of everything I wore for the month...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that's it for May! </span></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-53817346261555760352015-04-24T17:21:00.000+10:002015-04-24T17:21:31.502+10:00.Baby Shower blankets.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This year we have had two babies join our family already. They both live far away from us so I haven't even met them yet, but I did make them both a <a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Baby_Shower.html">Baby Shower</a> blanket to snuggle in as they grow.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqkdXq5H3AtgOVlvG4_GCRDynL866L6p_U1jaF1PZ0cV4HIlAg65YmTuRuNrqBAEBatX-GXF0hAPVTit2Ym9n4dKcw5Epcqqrce_y0iwPLO-svq0T7Wj8QZVk4byCMAPmxCDlOQUz836D/s1600/IMG_4655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqkdXq5H3AtgOVlvG4_GCRDynL866L6p_U1jaF1PZ0cV4HIlAg65YmTuRuNrqBAEBatX-GXF0hAPVTit2Ym9n4dKcw5Epcqqrce_y0iwPLO-svq0T7Wj8QZVk4byCMAPmxCDlOQUz836D/s1600/IMG_4655.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">These blankets are one of my favourite things to make for babies. I love choosing a special feature fabric and the minkee backing is so soft and cuddly (and super fluffy and messy to cut and sew with!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA5yZ6M0n1-Z8oGgj3Ka1yvpydKib6BIuyqIqdgcn7fhP5HjyVwogzrYe_E1TIXPaRQRK4prkDbaCPFdlWr30XzGvbnhwdYYAARXhS6ivC6yiutbQ3u9S8Km_TBEG22fPVLJLPq_mLzVz/s1600/IMG_4664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA5yZ6M0n1-Z8oGgj3Ka1yvpydKib6BIuyqIqdgcn7fhP5HjyVwogzrYe_E1TIXPaRQRK4prkDbaCPFdlWr30XzGvbnhwdYYAARXhS6ivC6yiutbQ3u9S8Km_TBEG22fPVLJLPq_mLzVz/s1600/IMG_4664.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9sAW_XLmmqEJzU0wbW7g1dm1EZgljZmYPckihjbErVRGFTL_YgXDL7RPm-pIJwB5MuUlayR99_oCfeKryjdXR6J-qUDua-2jhBDnVVGt7NC86ixajcu524HZ73weQknAPWXU9tioElQr/s1600/IMG_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9sAW_XLmmqEJzU0wbW7g1dm1EZgljZmYPckihjbErVRGFTL_YgXDL7RPm-pIJwB5MuUlayR99_oCfeKryjdXR6J-qUDua-2jhBDnVVGt7NC86ixajcu524HZ73weQknAPWXU9tioElQr/s1600/IMG_4667.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one was made for baby Sebastian. I think the toucans are cool and the bright colours and geometric shapes don't look too "little babyish". And of course, you can't go wrong with Lizzy House's pearl bracelets fabric for borders!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27f6RNW7J9EnASMW0RrIcOZbxpG3WyWCcwKRuaAC5o1OwwzkbAbkEDm9YcREOrKmoHdm2sX2bOYFUdCSBawq9yTDwLIU2u3qRIXOVmcMIMuMRvi2pGWkVtOh1XllpO-NAw9yL875RMO_7/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27f6RNW7J9EnASMW0RrIcOZbxpG3WyWCcwKRuaAC5o1OwwzkbAbkEDm9YcREOrKmoHdm2sX2bOYFUdCSBawq9yTDwLIU2u3qRIXOVmcMIMuMRvi2pGWkVtOh1XllpO-NAw9yL875RMO_7/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this one for baby Odette:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZMPdRvrnQP0d2A2nSaw6E7OtHMbvnqcHVJsW-5UB9_eWvdwS69FC-uxY7N9BU_y1RTn_ss49B1YSo_cNBItE7itv3rT952s2xz8awRE5M1ZEh8X3ZR77tWYa2HvlgIcSqGiYHw_qcVDa/s1600/IMG_4733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZMPdRvrnQP0d2A2nSaw6E7OtHMbvnqcHVJsW-5UB9_eWvdwS69FC-uxY7N9BU_y1RTn_ss49B1YSo_cNBItE7itv3rT952s2xz8awRE5M1ZEh8X3ZR77tWYa2HvlgIcSqGiYHw_qcVDa/s1600/IMG_4733.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gLdiQZqg_vGy9HZ1b6bX5zlpVYFEClfuu75lTTt1-1txbNoWi4OdYz2tiTjMS8BIxBIffuDpDI5RE0NuOkavF6T69K29Y-VYfyb5M3xbz5ZXINqK89taxRy6WEI0Z30uDznmah-9pLVq/s1600/IMG_4742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gLdiQZqg_vGy9HZ1b6bX5zlpVYFEClfuu75lTTt1-1txbNoWi4OdYz2tiTjMS8BIxBIffuDpDI5RE0NuOkavF6T69K29Y-VYfyb5M3xbz5ZXINqK89taxRy6WEI0Z30uDznmah-9pLVq/s1600/IMG_4742.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had this Ikea fabric for years so it was nice to finally put it to use. It is bright and fun and a little bit quirky. Both blankets are backed in soft, snuggly, smooth white minkee which feels lovely against baby's skin.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignHefbwkNF2fMFsjEbnKy1l-_vGGKmpOfdnvFBzoXngfQTxbxhCbXcCTu4qFvnj4bnqp6o-ePDcwNJnt-GWZ8sFrZduLQT7bX2nQlNG4ZErOIV2w9iRtcwuj9rwQKqIBOhQWvug7ufzZs/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignHefbwkNF2fMFsjEbnKy1l-_vGGKmpOfdnvFBzoXngfQTxbxhCbXcCTu4qFvnj4bnqp6o-ePDcwNJnt-GWZ8sFrZduLQT7bX2nQlNG4ZErOIV2w9iRtcwuj9rwQKqIBOhQWvug7ufzZs/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRdZd0fE7eI9NKl-PSYEl-Zcc3IYE2niXx_JLq5aA5VyYcCYdRJjnBdvkhrftU_LBYPgedIWX23paJ_kEGdds_30g-UcWjIuTR6s2NyQdbExpAg_uW-7C6xXNxDxrZsU-LVvgRFGpf4Jy/s1600/IMG_4746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRdZd0fE7eI9NKl-PSYEl-Zcc3IYE2niXx_JLq5aA5VyYcCYdRJjnBdvkhrftU_LBYPgedIWX23paJ_kEGdds_30g-UcWjIuTR6s2NyQdbExpAg_uW-7C6xXNxDxrZsU-LVvgRFGpf4Jy/s1600/IMG_4746.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><u>SUPPLIES:</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Baby_Shower.html"><i>Make It Perfect, Baby Shower creative card</i></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dan Stiles, Safari Soiree, Toucan Tango</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lizzy House, Pearl Bracelets in Verbena</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ikea, Barnslig animal print</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Aneela Hoey, Sherbet Pips, Play Dot in Bubblegum</i></span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-299160257340093282015-04-20T22:14:00.001+10:002015-04-20T22:15:12.366+10:00.House Tour { Part 3. Bathrooms & Laundry}.<span style="font-size: large;">Time for another house tour post! If you missed them, the first two posts are <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/the-house-tour-part-1-exterior.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/the-house-tour-part-2-kitchen-dining.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I thought I'd show you around the wet areas today - bathrooms & laundry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the first house we built, I found choosing tiles to be such a nightmare. We went tile shopping every Saturday for 6 weeks until we finally settled on something! This time around though, we knew exactly what we wanted and our tile shopping lasted less than 1 hour! </span><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkrKTY1W7288rGBOapuLXlHVH6frsuiFR3sN12SUBKEsrl6ol2xXZhC12ElCuywj42KlnNLQDYC74BT8uqVbeyj2pVPm9xgQWZLhaSRsqTj5q8ITdW-Xt3OjxGL7Ytm4N00fzpntQY0pE/s1600/IMG_4466.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">This is our ensuite. For the tiles, we choose a matte-finish grey rectangle tile and used that one tile everywhere - floors and walls right up to the ceiling (that's why our tile shopping was so fast!)</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8lZuSqZDo0KSdreeqfu8nH61yh1e7KwW7D9kbECVQCA6nQGfM12RBbS-7AK5nqDWxz2aIECFvtjMUXZB5vkSX0V-J2KlLVJwJNP7pJD71j2Bx_MJ3gl-C0pmh8Wx61NGbBt5daaQoS-0/s1600/IMG_4470.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wanted to keep the bathrooms uncluttered, simple and open and using a single tile helped to achieve that. I always thought that showers like ours in the ensuite with a single panel of glass and no door would be cold and draughty. Now that I have been using the shower for awhile I am completely sold though. I don't find it cold at all and cleaning the shower is a breeze. After the tiles are dry, I vacuum the whole bathroom (even into the shower) then mop the entire floor. Cleaning the tiles and shower area is really easy because there aren't any grooves or edges on the shower door or surrounding frame, so it is really just a quick wipe down and scrubbing in the grout if needed. Then the glass is just like cleaning a big window. Bathroom cleaning is one of my least favourite jobs but this shower makes it a little bit better! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbugR-SGFcQXXzoU6bCNbCqXF6sqvioZ6ZrMmWslGyFEbaX0-4h3Utqeex0P-4iNZyz7FCvYkguK_Hm1fn6n9eaC4cMnq3QzvPypl3tTO-oxZSj-Pdg2F0nQseF1UGa8TYUQJ4trR0-Uhp/s1600/IMG_4469.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I really like about having matte tiles in the bathrooms are that they dry super fast. An hour or two after having a shower the tiles are completely dry in the bathroom - including the ones in the shower. The great thing about this is that it means that water isn't sitting on the tiles, in the grout and the corners of the shower for as long and reduces the amount of grime and scummy buildup in the shower. I have been pretty slack at cleaning the showers in this house for that reason - they hardly ever get dirty or grimy because the water dries so fast. Big win!!!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAB0Vv6YskuzKuYlKIx60honQuMLd5CiONeol71c2YalPM9kEurCKvf-w4HYgyWG5QnMiaTNT2T4bGi9vcXhvi4s9lNNYleYJwMjuMLvQEqk7ql7q5vvXOsctANYHxj7ErRGc_2Hu4h0p/s1600/IMG_4474.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The kid's bathroom is pretty similar to the ensuite. We used the same vanity, basins, taps and shower heads. This bathroom has an enclosed shower with a door though (not as fun to clean! In hindsight, I probably would have done the same shower as in the ensuite) and the addition of a big bath. The kids love it.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxdv9j1g6u9a8XaSVPXpcnocTowuEAOxw8KpL0C4daAozQh5UiWZ3lvBhBcbB2Xb4YAPS-ZcXY_jfat3AAYLuYXZUxDTbAemB_Hw94-RzJnt-7PXjQmgAOvykc296cmbVJ3wxi8FYdok0/s1600/IMG_4489.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxdv9j1g6u9a8XaSVPXpcnocTowuEAOxw8KpL0C4daAozQh5UiWZ3lvBhBcbB2Xb4YAPS-ZcXY_jfat3AAYLuYXZUxDTbAemB_Hw94-RzJnt-7PXjQmgAOvykc296cmbVJ3wxi8FYdok0/s1600/IMG_4489.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZ-W6mbLuPsaKp_GiqM6QUIIdGSR1q91m6UwKjqvuXw28z0NwxAaLOh5GyDb7UTvuWFr-oKZE5wK1AcfejlDu4tAuCbBpt3_YuiCg0yQbqS8U3E9Oe0j6BliX2GQ7h67tn30Cdt6mWgLA/s1600/IMG_4485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZ-W6mbLuPsaKp_GiqM6QUIIdGSR1q91m6UwKjqvuXw28z0NwxAaLOh5GyDb7UTvuWFr-oKZE5wK1AcfejlDu4tAuCbBpt3_YuiCg0yQbqS8U3E9Oe0j6BliX2GQ7h67tn30Cdt6mWgLA/s1600/IMG_4485.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In our old house we had a heated towel rail in the bathroom and got them again for this house. It is so nice to have warm, dry towels in the middle of winter. Some days it can be so cold and dull that the towels don't even dry between showers and there is nothing worse than trying to dry yourself with a cold, damp towel after the shower! It's a little luxury that we love now!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCshlEgFsoWFQ26KQFE5GYe50v1V6dUnjCRGdjaRicvlI_7Gh6EXOpmkQVtYOYT3UgY-S4tkZ4VkuYxqNSnMg3rnVQX12MNUGsNSleAMpa1PvLKfMdFDV_QrWwzGAGwHQh5rNGKYjhxE/s1600/IMG_4478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCshlEgFsoWFQ26KQFE5GYe50v1V6dUnjCRGdjaRicvlI_7Gh6EXOpmkQVtYOYT3UgY-S4tkZ4VkuYxqNSnMg3rnVQX12MNUGsNSleAMpa1PvLKfMdFDV_QrWwzGAGwHQh5rNGKYjhxE/s1600/IMG_4478.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And lastly, this is the laundry. We kept things all white in the laundry to help give a sense of cleanliness...because the reality is that my laundry NEVER looks like this! There is plenty of colour and texture introduced in baskets and piles of washing waiting to be washed, folded and ironed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because the laundry is an internal room with no windows to the outside, we decided to put a big skylight in the roof. It makes such a difference to an internal room to have a shaft of light and sunshine flowing into the room. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrroTs-JLHEU92L53sfBBWpjeQkW5mV_iUhMCS73rkFtU_HoqokPZLpFOmj3Biq5wbvBcq_yq7gjhlRT9WtueiDVycYu6o7W6iXvpmoV_usl0eFcrmCemsAbP-9LalTFeKPU4Jont2mdDC/s1600/IMG_4594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrroTs-JLHEU92L53sfBBWpjeQkW5mV_iUhMCS73rkFtU_HoqokPZLpFOmj3Biq5wbvBcq_yq7gjhlRT9WtueiDVycYu6o7W6iXvpmoV_usl0eFcrmCemsAbP-9LalTFeKPU4Jont2mdDC/s1600/IMG_4594.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The laundry has cupboards galore - the top ones are hardly even filled up yet. But it is such a great feeling knowing that there is plenty of room to store everything in the house. The tall cupboard on the right is great for keeping mops, brooms, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the window to the left of the room which looks into the garage too. We did that to let in a bit more light and open up the room some more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The floor in the laundry is polished concrete. Again, a really easy flooring to keep clean. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBuHyY0plN5oeODuTFxXLLRjWtJ2wFy4ArFmT0GpnCxRwq3Ag2REPXHUfofJXH40JpOoiuZ4XdqNz23hd42Db_P0ObgmAUqzNDKStBdJiXcbg2tt2B7WIHrDjgYrps0i1KCBeYGzmuzhw/s1600/IMG_4604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBuHyY0plN5oeODuTFxXLLRjWtJ2wFy4ArFmT0GpnCxRwq3Ag2REPXHUfofJXH40JpOoiuZ4XdqNz23hd42Db_P0ObgmAUqzNDKStBdJiXcbg2tt2B7WIHrDjgYrps0i1KCBeYGzmuzhw/s1600/IMG_4604.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's taken me 3 months to get this far in the house tour so by the time we have been in here for a year maybe I will be finished!!! Stay tuned!</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-83332487336369723282015-04-06T21:23:00.002+10:002015-04-06T21:26:41.773+10:00.Lane Raglan.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm still in a sewing slump. I'm finding it hard to settle into my new sewing area and have been working on a few new patterns, but not feeling like I am making great progress with any of them. In past experience, the best thing to do when I'm not feeling enthused by any of my sewing projects is to let them go for a little while and get stuck into something "just for fun" - so I did just that! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our weather has really started to turn, we are still getting some warm days but there is a chill in the air that is hinting towards Winter and for some reason, cold weather sewing is my favourite. I like making snuggly clothes that will keep me (or the kids) warm and cosy and prefer buying winter-weight fabric over lightweight. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeczvuJ-Kp9mAF6JpvxK462zf-gcCYnQGkZjD31asesI6KaFGE_zZbKBReJI5vPriLW6u3a5vBogvC0CzEGA7YN7_JEdAiyMEKfLzlnsy7oPUJI538_sae3TwEUAla09Cm2pYTV0Wg8mSi/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeczvuJ-Kp9mAF6JpvxK462zf-gcCYnQGkZjD31asesI6KaFGE_zZbKBReJI5vPriLW6u3a5vBogvC0CzEGA7YN7_JEdAiyMEKfLzlnsy7oPUJI538_sae3TwEUAla09Cm2pYTV0Wg8mSi/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I flicked through my pile of unsewn sewing patterns (yes, I have a big collection of patterns I have never used too!) and decided to give the <a href="http://www.heyjunehandmade.com/store/p22/Lane_Raglan.html">Lane Raglan by Hey Juen</a> a turn. I remember seeing a few Raglans sewn by Kelly of Cut Cut Sew (<a href="http://www.cutcutsew.com/cream-lane-raglan-sweatshirt-2/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.cutcutsew.com/another-lane-raglan-sweatshirt/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.cutcutsew.com/lane-raglan-sweatshirt-take-three/">here</a>) in the past and they are exactly what I feel like wearing at the moment. Comfortable, casual and perfect to wear day after day.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwA-ZSRmO2cIaYSo-H3Cf_5np25ge2rFQBaoKdK46cB1Py5YY7eeOurp8Ci_wqLzY_aJ7aIbPa_ioeI5Lw54vtoPVoaVFitGpEZYJEtQ8LMxIxvGOgQCF2WAuEQcmbq4JR6FAMS01ynlY/s1600/IMG_4770.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would usually sew a size small in a top like this, but I didn't want my raglan to be a fitted tee, more like a slouchy sweater, so I cut out a medium instead. Perfect fit for the look I was after. This is such a versatile pattern and really well written. With just a few little changes you can achieve a different look every time you sew it. By sizing up or down you can get a more snug or loose fit. And the type of knit fabric you use changes the look completely too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLGFyCZdA1FJc-HwwfQGxpaItncTKnnZESZTUGN9vqkMZ-fls_O-q59DIzLih69IIr3nIIrTjNqatb5LIFQ0XDKIwPMqdhExiimsUY5l6ZmRHqX25Cyzrhj2kZZbro7iYugi6_QprJyBI/s1600/IMG_4778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLGFyCZdA1FJc-HwwfQGxpaItncTKnnZESZTUGN9vqkMZ-fls_O-q59DIzLih69IIr3nIIrTjNqatb5LIFQ0XDKIwPMqdhExiimsUY5l6ZmRHqX25Cyzrhj2kZZbro7iYugi6_QprJyBI/s1600/IMG_4778.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted my raglan to be like a jumper - soft, loose and baggy and used a hoarded french terry knit I bought awhile ago from <a href="http://ixat.storenvy.com/">Ixat</a>. It is the best fabric - a light marle grey with red/blue/purple specks all over it. It isn't too thick and is really soft and squishy and just lovely to wear. I purchased 2 yards so still have plenty left over but wish I had bought more now because I will use it for everything! I also bought the same fabric but with a black background and multi-coloured specks that I'm hanging out to use too now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaeyX1_d-O1cj2hnKFRNWNJxxIvydpk1BHkGsVLEqTP_QBczBfrE88EWLrpft5vWHQu7sQOa3ODaQ6xQUpokDV_V8C6Giv5gRdvr76-AaEPIdOXhdgztlWL-dBmGq9iF43CY08aaMRjop/s1600/IMG_4785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaeyX1_d-O1cj2hnKFRNWNJxxIvydpk1BHkGsVLEqTP_QBczBfrE88EWLrpft5vWHQu7sQOa3ODaQ6xQUpokDV_V8C6Giv5gRdvr76-AaEPIdOXhdgztlWL-dBmGq9iF43CY08aaMRjop/s1600/IMG_4785.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know this jumper is really going to get a workout this Winter - I have already worn it more days than not since I made it and finally managed to wash it over the weekend ready to wear again and again and again! And yes, I've since made another raglan and have been wearing that one on the other days! </span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-82826240688743274042015-04-02T20:38:00.003+11:002015-04-02T20:43:56.785+11:00.Favourite Children's Books:: Herve Tullet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last few years we have unintentionally started an Easter tradition of giving the kids a special new book with their Easter eggs. I don't think I set out to make it a tradition, but I love new books and adding to our collection so Easter seemed like the perfect excuse to give the kids a new book each.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I pretty much always buy online so sometimes it can be a bit tricky to know exactly what a book is going to be like without actually flicking through it first. This year, when I was researching new books to buy for the kids I realised how much I rely on the recommendations of others when it comes to buying online and thought that it might be helpful to other researchers out there if I shared some of my favourite picture books too. Now, I'm a bit of a a sporadic blogger at the moment so I'm not promising too much, but here's the first installment in my Favourite Children's Books series...and it may very well be my last too if I don't ever get around to writing another one! </span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4pVZvfzC8xYaNKYlswTL4AyCF9-LPw_feAsPufcRTW8NNZiKxYr_h65vxrR3k91sYCXdG3O9hsd1Ctpbmo4V4jxRzMvTZW6J6OEae6hWQzUyirWSMpPsmcTvLQU-nlEj-8m7wDCA3v1X/s1600/IMG_4671.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The books I want to share with you today are by a French author, Herve Tullet and they are awesome. The first book I bought by Herve Tullet was actually at a bookshop (rare for me!) when we were holidaying in New Zealand last year. Herve Tullet takes interactive picture books to a whole new level - much more than a lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel or pop-up variety, Press Here is a super clever interactive picture book where the children are specific directions to follow, and the book responds with the turn of a page.</span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"></span></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgmWt_SSYSqYVShkxWTyODICtC73XKP02Fznqtl1L4JMX73vKag06wnslOBAA_-IkFzUlZJ0JSqt0-_gxU9xsd6Qce6nPrY204GKCHzV-DfWoiQC_G2VU_XWSsSVWPaWDrWjQMqNBSfm6/s1600/IMG_4692.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">My kids haven't tired of this book and it has been read over and over again for the last year. From the first page the children are given specific directions like "Press the yellow dot and turn the page" and "clap your hands twice" - every time a page is turned, the dots change position, colour and size. Sometimes the lights are turned out and other times dots grow and grow and grow. It really is an amazing book where the kids feel in control and a little bit magical.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7-f4pBhRh0Nqo2WiqeXtUoWPpo_cEi5FiPmImL80To10ql25U3mm1N29tioimVTRQibHamuoAVuUMP_GQxexozdDRzXGGVFVabbBZZ6t89wEKMxzQ90qZLogSXnE1Kaq5JRuv8Uxp6U_/s1600/IMG_4681.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7-f4pBhRh0Nqo2WiqeXtUoWPpo_cEi5FiPmImL80To10ql25U3mm1N29tioimVTRQibHamuoAVuUMP_GQxexozdDRzXGGVFVabbBZZ6t89wEKMxzQ90qZLogSXnE1Kaq5JRuv8Uxp6U_/s1600/IMG_4681.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyKxVihor7aDjPNF9-ICxI-fVVh2vkDRtb0pxGkcJLoeSemirB_q12PfbX3bVuWAJouDUi1IRYfXSFm251fG3lhvwZbBOWKLmzH6dpeVzg52_X63MFh11tDQi0ibyBvsvmBYmwjbyDPW4/s1600/IMG_4696.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also love that this book helps young children with fine motor skills, counting, learning directions (left, right, up, down) and they also learn how to follow instructions in anticipation of what will happen when the page is turned. It's such a great concept and the story never gets old.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytMRLtEmh4A4z7F4mOOJsPydCB2nue7SroLLSZyO5LGC4pDXU9ayOUiSAojb6NEiSuyKkzO3vqR90YLS7TUJjZOSB5gpk_8_VLAiOqF8Dc0UV5ooNbS20WPGorvHS8JbIyWFcHezcy11K/s1600/IMG_4680.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytMRLtEmh4A4z7F4mOOJsPydCB2nue7SroLLSZyO5LGC4pDXU9ayOUiSAojb6NEiSuyKkzO3vqR90YLS7TUJjZOSB5gpk_8_VLAiOqF8Dc0UV5ooNbS20WPGorvHS8JbIyWFcHezcy11K/s1600/IMG_4680.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"><span style="font-size: large;">After the success of "Press Here" I went on a hunt for other books by Herve Tullet. The next book we bought was "The Book With A Hole." </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6GKlrIXmn_p3VGnYy1l5ja_TCXU-w8epSMfSdiSv07CfNCWypi5SljEZATaHn_oJXgPY5GjlGw12aIscUgKSVkXNgBhrWAD3ROjphTGhKhmHZUiKgfSqY2O7_so9z8DfYeGtlOA-16Qd/s1600/IMG_4705.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </span><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"></span></span></span></span><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"><span style="font-size: large;">This book is huge and not so much a story to follow, but a platform for imaginative story telling, art adventures and play.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer153319970"><span id="freeText17497177661549382116"><span class="readable" id="reviewTextContainer160482025"><span id="freeTextContainer6189134067220438109"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPalKWPaN-aE7chZvjRc-9-esA5H8sl49nD6zfFZToQkT2kHOJPLEmEqG1VORw4IoCOjj5b6xkh4pCKnkYPY3NwHe3SNUiWPIqfbDlWytQcgtHgFTL5f1aGwi6YjgT8UHQ9u_bKFLkMeHi/s1600/IMG_4674.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On each page, the children are given a simple black and white picture or image created around the hole in the book and are often asked a question - did the lady in the picture below eat too much?<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Qe-AZx-aByRFixGjbsfPDBkdoMMpPOV5fTWMvhPDlhcD8JXFhmCctAq_rM6w6N2fchMFHX95ue-tntwDh0Rqrzjvabp3DpErtWM3r5lsiGs4IoF5rjCD9ZuJT5ozld5MmHp4Vm8OMqPW/s1600/IMG_4706.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the cat watching on TV? In response, children can use their imagination and carry the book around place images in the hole or draw pictures to create a scene which they can then insert in the hole. My kids seem most content popping their own heads in the hole! This is a really long book, heaps of pages, prompts and images to keep you going for ages and no two answers will ever be the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIywsg3MNv59EE3kA49S1FaXdO-mybEbG5oulbmL8tmZhl5mzfZWdlrJJHSoutBnS7BjoCqWDSZ9AfL6BE3EumORUJ_grvwlngRkY8BDi41NcZzQ-f3o-aolG46XbAe8byqJjrN8tJiU0t/s1600/IMG_4707.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Mix It Up" is another book similar to "Press Here" which focuses on colours - what do different colours make when they are mixed together?</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLi9l_Nf66TErs22zttnG5hCkThn-7NCdaGTbSykaYRcGx_b77J9pdJSNln0Y9cdoRZ86lhF4KOAC4jVSvZDJlU-OYjdL-eBverPER3iVtGqlunKqVPhYyBLiPyzJT78Eg3cNxLQOuE2e/s1600/IMG_4712.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the children are asked to take an imaginary dab of paint from one colour and rub it on another...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza9Gyulvd3s82b8vS0EzM-EyFOVZnE5X1IIzgmOb67yobzjWHOKj8ckHK5WdTjNR61Kqr4Fh5lNVbropitYfTcruw8nNDGGrkN1H2uqfaAIxidLGnztVVnz_ndHsrfot-CkmiN1FvVCHR/s1600/IMG_4682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza9Gyulvd3s82b8vS0EzM-EyFOVZnE5X1IIzgmOb67yobzjWHOKj8ckHK5WdTjNR61Kqr4Fh5lNVbropitYfTcruw8nNDGGrkN1H2uqfaAIxidLGnztVVnz_ndHsrfot-CkmiN1FvVCHR/s1600/IMG_4682.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other times they shut the pages of the book together and squish colours together, when the page is turned the mixed colour appears - magic again! Like "Press Here", "Mix It Up" is read over and over again and is great for learning colours and learning what colours are made when mixed together.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo5ZJODNpowTmAolmdkvRgSwzS58q0vBLYtKL9z3Wd_5Q4e2dV0KhQ9gX2t6XU7dJOEOH6YkUCsuM5_eJofsVsZ6M2Z-ZQxqUdu46YHAcE0lLCWsnVySFkWY5hgVaQrLVnCXwVH8yQNCc/s1600/IMG_4683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo5ZJODNpowTmAolmdkvRgSwzS58q0vBLYtKL9z3Wd_5Q4e2dV0KhQ9gX2t6XU7dJOEOH6YkUCsuM5_eJofsVsZ6M2Z-ZQxqUdu46YHAcE0lLCWsnVySFkWY5hgVaQrLVnCXwVH8yQNCc/s1600/IMG_4683.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL4J5DtG6Hnx1AXydEN5GnxnCoJyiUkFySW46I7CMqLfd0kPPfQj9VNUcWaLjw6C-1zHpot8OnjX9up-Yk4WpXz1-qtGxL15EoZJQSQoaoz_DSQ4GD09yqT1_VVWB2ugRdSism4VZp5cV/s1600/IMG_4684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL4J5DtG6Hnx1AXydEN5GnxnCoJyiUkFySW46I7CMqLfd0kPPfQj9VNUcWaLjw6C-1zHpot8OnjX9up-Yk4WpXz1-qtGxL15EoZJQSQoaoz_DSQ4GD09yqT1_VVWB2ugRdSism4VZp5cV/s1600/IMG_4684.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The Game Of Finger Worms" is another book with a hole, this book is a board book so suited to babies and toddlers and you are instructed to draw a little face on the tip of your finger before playing. </span><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIskS6bGCS1oMjDBoNMJikMsQYCnudfnQoG4rWgDcQa92hUdwkKh6k8uTfe_TCkIolWnCok4-2_2baQUAVZf6k9jUvnOnHzcMB4-N_MY_a9sahhXLxoO6VG2y_Djp0ojQsnjqh_8Rk6dn3/s1600/IMG_4695.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> <span style="font-size: large;">The text is very simple, the highlight is the surprise of popping your finger through the hole and wriggling it around. It always creates laughter with the little ones and they like to poke their fingers through the holes too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3gFf7ZnoVOJyXgbscVfT6g-ZjzFHWyCN5ZS2rgGwMAFKaeNS7KG0x4cci0v_RNfdd8uGwF-0hEDjthyphenhyphenhutqku4KyHpMZiCjn07ODkq6beFVuwvzbs5jxXTJ587IQQyYqamim-dCo_l2M/s1600/IMG_4686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3gFf7ZnoVOJyXgbscVfT6g-ZjzFHWyCN5ZS2rgGwMAFKaeNS7KG0x4cci0v_RNfdd8uGwF-0hEDjthyphenhyphenhutqku4KyHpMZiCjn07ODkq6beFVuwvzbs5jxXTJ587IQQyYqamim-dCo_l2M/s1600/IMG_4686.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPQVGgjCTiReGBbuAcnnDkGOU3avdlYhoBfLlbIK7gxcfMS-cbQgr7FDMFKTqZLwj-k80CWR3qqclDIzI2tcwTHLHRxbNaknE2OoVXM7XpJEw5l2mlaGV27cIIxqzKMx8qOStNNkSzyU7/s1600/IMG_4687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPQVGgjCTiReGBbuAcnnDkGOU3avdlYhoBfLlbIK7gxcfMS-cbQgr7FDMFKTqZLwj-k80CWR3qqclDIzI2tcwTHLHRxbNaknE2OoVXM7XpJEw5l2mlaGV27cIIxqzKMx8qOStNNkSzyU7/s1600/IMG_4687.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> And the final Herve Tullet book in our collection is "The Game Of Let's Go!" Similar to "The Game Of Finger Worms," this is another board book aimed at small children. To be honest, we haven't really got into this book like we have the others but if you have a very imaginative child (or adult) who is into telling stories in your family, then I can see how it would be a lot of fun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8XIKvVNX02Wx5eU4wDp2KpMg7u-t1FPi2HbA5WyrHM6ObHVU11ItGw7lR38AduQiTWW1iQ5GRI1vtI_6LYSox33yY8t8RgAAOtLb_b5AyIV4grF2AMbF324CzJlQRPyqAFbldG74ZHQq/s1600/IMG_4689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8XIKvVNX02Wx5eU4wDp2KpMg7u-t1FPi2HbA5WyrHM6ObHVU11ItGw7lR38AduQiTWW1iQ5GRI1vtI_6LYSox33yY8t8RgAAOtLb_b5AyIV4grF2AMbF324CzJlQRPyqAFbldG74ZHQq/s1600/IMG_4689.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first page of this book gives instructions but the rest of the book is without words. Instead, on each page there are raised green pathways to follow (they are kind of velvety-feeling) and you are supposed to trace the lines with your finger whilst closing your eyes and coming up with a story to match along the way. It definitley has potential, but you have to be in the right kind of mood and we haven't really latched onto this book yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UBwWBVQprR-fwumzDoTRPE4JrFAyOm8Lp8ZshaQEdhoNrFZTYQeDpi_GvpeivlPvlST5XK2XWj71epyOTKbOPQufq4soejAxmEYHxTJBKa5pF_v2dMj0aWIDrRrQ5ss9Kk1nXxlaKD9l/s1600/IMG_4690.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think you can tell we are huge Herve Tullet fans around here, and if you are looking for a new, special picture book for some littlies in your life, then I highly recommend his collections!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I wrote this post because I wanted to - nothing sponsored and no one gave me anything, I just think this guy is pretty awesome!)</span> </span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-51065247591343006342015-02-22T21:55:00.000+11:002015-02-23T09:55:21.012+11:00.The House Tour. {Part 2. Kitchen, Dining, Lounge}.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let the house tour continue! If you missed the previous house tour post, you can see and read all about <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/the-house-tour-part-1-exterior.html">the exterior here</a>. Now to move into the kitchen, dining and lounge areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think a lot of people were surprised when they heard
about our natural, neutral palette at the new house. The first house we
built was very "out there" as far as colours go. Lime green accent
walls, lime green mosaic tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, splashes of
scarlet red and brown tones throughout. It was a fun house with a lot of
character but we felt ready to tone things down this time around and
reflect the beautiful countryside and nature surrounding us.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to stick with light timber, lots of stark
white and concrete/grey throughout the house. Our house has a lot of
North-facing windows and is really bright and fresh, which is only
enhanced by the clean, neutral design and colours inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFXtwDT6-n3zMcBfRgi9PPO0Bk70Pk_KlChdU19cD2-7U-TbGSiAzgiTKj2CFA-rgVklwQMATHGBYcNmDGmL5gVIi05eW8dYPL_2bUdpXHftKyyIU5NU06nYjqHwPXgGmR89qkPLxwHXi/s1600/IMG_4330.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> So, here is our kitchen. Definitely the hub of the
home and where I seem to spend a great deal of my time. It is right in
the middle of the lounge room and rumpus room and looks out to our front
yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbLWNYtTEODke8A1XbwktYLZ4l_78ChC6MASihhzM4F66GUuoF8WAdMHcw2SpX83e_zYUUvpq36LWc0hs6LIccYMEQgninRBnBLCZ_zHfk3g93jCQyzbYSJLBOsu3XG8sbrwHyVKSpmvl/s1600/IMG_4361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbLWNYtTEODke8A1XbwktYLZ4l_78ChC6MASihhzM4F66GUuoF8WAdMHcw2SpX83e_zYUUvpq36LWc0hs6LIccYMEQgninRBnBLCZ_zHfk3g93jCQyzbYSJLBOsu3XG8sbrwHyVKSpmvl/s1600/IMG_4361.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We spent quite a bit of time deciding what colours and finishes we wanted to use on the kitchen cupboards, benchtop and splashback. In the end we went safe and fresh and choose white high gloss cupboards and drawers. Underneath the benchtops we have lots of drawers, which I love and above the splashback and appliances are soft-close cupboards. I'm happy that we decided to omit the handles on the cupboards as it keeps things looking nice and clean. I'm hopeless at visualising a finished space before it is actually finished and I was a little worried that the kitchen would look too boring, but I really love how it all turned out. It feels sleek and simple and stylish.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipktrF3hEiXLFwmv5F-RiOYVc8HJE1L8TzIkiEZy5sEXsmM0nZEioa9myi0ygMH0oGE3VQybCsfLIoFeofO8OLLH0FYXhWX-7SuwEKoBGrRTVSQMGHVnaFKtkqU6einX8wHpFqYD8H3nS_/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipktrF3hEiXLFwmv5F-RiOYVc8HJE1L8TzIkiEZy5sEXsmM0nZEioa9myi0ygMH0oGE3VQybCsfLIoFeofO8OLLH0FYXhWX-7SuwEKoBGrRTVSQMGHVnaFKtkqU6einX8wHpFqYD8H3nS_/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The splashback is white glass, this is the only part of the kitchen that we are not 100% happy with. It has a slight green tinge to it in some light, especially when compared to the bright white cupboards and drawers. We did think of putting timber behind glass at one stage but weren't sure how it would stand up so didn't go for it but if we could change one thing about the kitchen now we would have a timber splashback. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To bring a concrete element to the inside of the house, we choose a concrete-look benchtop. It is a new <a href="http://www.caesarstone.com.au/colour/4003-sleek-concrete">Caesarstone colour called Sleek Concrete</a>. It would have been nice to have a polished concrete slab as the benchtop but also super expensive so this was a nice compromise. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuj4wMcWzSaJrRx34AkCLqjsU2a2kZTkvoPIRDGi_9JAaxOGjiWUrLW773vJWAmsNj92Yj3s0PK2KYVXwBFtV_XFS7CYrKsiiypA-DZm7e6cj7mQ1zIfo7xEA1RvJehiIWNem-2KOiqCE/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuj4wMcWzSaJrRx34AkCLqjsU2a2kZTkvoPIRDGi_9JAaxOGjiWUrLW773vJWAmsNj92Yj3s0PK2KYVXwBFtV_XFS7CYrKsiiypA-DZm7e6cj7mQ1zIfo7xEA1RvJehiIWNem-2KOiqCE/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moving onto the ceiling...we wanted the kitchen nice and light so put two big square recessed skylights in the ceiling. There are a few other skylights in the house and they are one of the best decisions we made when planning the build. They let in so much light and I love the direct sunlight that moves across the kitchen throughout the day. It is awesome standing underneath them and looking up during a heavy rain too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPkRBYbThLpSLKtcHmCJUtmbf4aSt0VBclFIsCFJ9Rh7-AG8tzJwZKRFLcQK6X5u2Cbbt7QorLzfCCY_iXBbpIoJlFwGIyLgXkUrxNortr2MytzNb_uSBpaoBpW2QVNyRN7jnQZzQByEq/s1600/IMG_4331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPkRBYbThLpSLKtcHmCJUtmbf4aSt0VBclFIsCFJ9Rh7-AG8tzJwZKRFLcQK6X5u2Cbbt7QorLzfCCY_iXBbpIoJlFwGIyLgXkUrxNortr2MytzNb_uSBpaoBpW2QVNyRN7jnQZzQByEq/s1600/IMG_4331.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The timber running up the wall and across the ceiling is the one thing in the house that I can take full credit for...and I'm pretty proud of myself because Jaron usually comes up with all of the cool design stuff before I do! We were trying to look around for pendants to put above the island bench and couldn't find anything that we were really happy with, then I had a thought that maybe we shouldn't bother with pendants at all and keep the kitchen clean and streamline without too many distractions. I'm not sure where this inspiration came from but we played around with different ways of including timber in the ceiling of the kitchen and settled on this design and it really helps to increase the interest and ties in well with other timber elements in the house. All of the timber in the house (including the floors) is Tas Oak. I was really set on having a light coloured timber and wanted to stay away from high gloss so we did some research and used a Scandanavian product called <a href="http://www.bona.net.au/HomeOwners/Products11/TrafficHD2.aspx?cat=Coatings">Bona Traffic HD</a> as a coating on the timber and it is awesome! It is a satin finish and makes a huge difference in keeping the floor looking clean. When the sunlight hits the floor you don't notice any of the dust that is really noticeable on a high gloss timber floor. It also has a soft, almost waxy feel under your feet and is lovely and warm to walk on. I especially love the light blonde colour and how it is more of a sandy colour rather than dark brown, yellow or orange. The floor is so easy to clean and hardly ever looks dirty - I've managed to go 2-3 weeks in between washing it and you can't even tell it is overdue for a wash! After the white gloss tiles in our old house that always seemed to look dirty and smeary this floor is a dream!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOSTyH5jXCUYJidYmz6v7nXj2eaovy0X3z4FIw9JI1iR4WeNAi8VxfykdW5dKv5i3Fisa1okOaaJ8LigJOIK6JSUcTKY9kn60ij5RGodKbP6w7XjVrKLlK2IJwBCfoFeyegNuLv9OhScu/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOSTyH5jXCUYJidYmz6v7nXj2eaovy0X3z4FIw9JI1iR4WeNAi8VxfykdW5dKv5i3Fisa1okOaaJ8LigJOIK6JSUcTKY9kn60ij5RGodKbP6w7XjVrKLlK2IJwBCfoFeyegNuLv9OhScu/s1600/IMG_4355.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The pantry is to the right of Harvey in the back of the picture above. It feels a little hidden as it is enclosed by two big, gloss, push-to-open doors with no handles and feels like a blank wall. It has heaps of space, actually the whole kitchen has heaps of storage. Half of the cupboards above the bench don't even have anything in them yet!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oIeT2z2wSmbn-skOllX59BLmtbNjp2tU415UPBkK77JGVNsfVdmj2X6c90JNe1PrDo63ZrcnnugDWERBMekeGQ6lsUCvMFwvh0TX7W4vTZ8uvYBTzYdWP8ORPT8ts-yiplfLc0Duk7_c/s1600/IMG_4337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oIeT2z2wSmbn-skOllX59BLmtbNjp2tU415UPBkK77JGVNsfVdmj2X6c90JNe1PrDo63ZrcnnugDWERBMekeGQ6lsUCvMFwvh0TX7W4vTZ8uvYBTzYdWP8ORPT8ts-yiplfLc0Duk7_c/s1600/IMG_4337.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think we are one of the few, newer houses that doesn't have a sink on the island bench. It is just something that I have never wanted in my kitchen. I would rather have my bench clutter-free, ready for kids to sit at or people to eat at or a place to serve food and not have to worry about water and taps and dirty dishes getting in the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see in the photo above the timber posts screening off our computer nook. This area works really well. It means that the computer is still in the busy part of the home, I can always see what is going on or be close to everyone when I am using it, but also has it's own space. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here it is looking from the rumpus room. That door to the left of the computer desk is for storage. The computer desk is a grey laminate - it looks almost identical to the Caesarstone benchtops in the kitchen but a fraction of the price.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkl0bO0NYsM0UJufNarE_7k34gLgZ3b0OBrPKFzZZx4RZDYuG8OyD07kQk8qLEv_eP1TJm_9eCRO729-X4HDb_zHW3TO9RO3dVlhP8A2dxIGU_EHdaFIDUzo0xTsbqq8Xr2OTXXmSzp-f/s1600/IMG_4403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkl0bO0NYsM0UJufNarE_7k34gLgZ3b0OBrPKFzZZx4RZDYuG8OyD07kQk8qLEv_eP1TJm_9eCRO729-X4HDb_zHW3TO9RO3dVlhP8A2dxIGU_EHdaFIDUzo0xTsbqq8Xr2OTXXmSzp-f/s1600/IMG_4403.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The dining area sits directly in front of the kitchen. I love the pendant light that we choose to put here (there is another identical one in the entrance) the white gloss and timber suits the house perfectly.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8OuRPKuto-357VZM7JaJXosspccrVIAKfFSIT-xCt4mzTjZxNtugpjz4gocqc258b15puaDnFDs59ZVU9EhNoYOlbhZq1apz01Snn1Dxw_b_o3Tbso44lsCqLT-KhD4jqNsbVPvyF1oO/s1600/IMG_4379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8OuRPKuto-357VZM7JaJXosspccrVIAKfFSIT-xCt4mzTjZxNtugpjz4gocqc258b15puaDnFDs59ZVU9EhNoYOlbhZq1apz01Snn1Dxw_b_o3Tbso44lsCqLT-KhD4jqNsbVPvyF1oO/s1600/IMG_4379.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our dining set is a work in progress...the table was the same colour as the chairs a few months ago. Jaron painted the legs white and used left over timber from the floors to make a new tabletop. So much nicer than what we had before and it only cost $60 and a couple of nights work! Now we need to paint the chairs white and cover the seats with something. Not sure what we will use yet...I have been looking for a grey oilcloth but haven't been able to find anything that I really like yet (any ideas?) but am also wondering if I could cover them with some leather. Not sure how the leather will go with milk spills and wiping up food though so will have to do a bit more research.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the last area to talk about for today is the loungeroom...</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgdNwvgbyVXOJ7oqWEWAGmlQOMXtfc0uXV-7syeq6k6o5DyNJGIJfW1Olqf1hO3JBwyvWDbt6kcL1uyZCq7jWfxasXaekYKW1d1_cZmN1P4db5A4JJm-J8nwzmQEgqEBNY2lAdmIm1Jea/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgdNwvgbyVXOJ7oqWEWAGmlQOMXtfc0uXV-7syeq6k6o5DyNJGIJfW1Olqf1hO3JBwyvWDbt6kcL1uyZCq7jWfxasXaekYKW1d1_cZmN1P4db5A4JJm-J8nwzmQEgqEBNY2lAdmIm1Jea/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The loungeroom is still a work in progress - we eventually want to get a new couch that suits the space a little better and the display shelves are ever changing and I really need to make some new cushion covers but I'm taking my time with the decorating of this room because we also spend so much time here I want to get a feel for the house first and see where it leads me! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LK6x5lVaUP2kU7P4SRUsfRPLxU7xiCfFiYPKJC5Hd3UhRKTReJnxUwzPsLWqC0y5DUlQdhv0FifVtvPMULHoovoOkGDPpy22bwqRAsn9AfFKZvd3m6w1LFq6nQ1kqS1FL4M-OJ_VxIOL/s1600/IMG_4441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LK6x5lVaUP2kU7P4SRUsfRPLxU7xiCfFiYPKJC5Hd3UhRKTReJnxUwzPsLWqC0y5DUlQdhv0FifVtvPMULHoovoOkGDPpy22bwqRAsn9AfFKZvd3m6w1LFq6nQ1kqS1FL4M-OJ_VxIOL/s1600/IMG_4441.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had some Ikea shelves next to the TV in our old house and I loved how I could display photos/prints/knick knacks and easily change them around without committing to holes in walls. Because we knew it worked well for our style we had the joiner build us in some white gloss shelves either side of the TV for this purpose. It was nice to have somewhere easy to start decorating when we moved into the house too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The timber paneling in between the shelves is the same Tas Oak as used in the kitchen. We wanted something to give a bit of warmth to the room so that it just didn't look like a TV on a white wall and it carries on with the light timber theme we have going throughout the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Either side of the shelves are two big white gloss cupboards to use for storage - the one on the left is for books and the one on the right has board games, kids drawing stuff and is predominantly used for media - the DVD player, top box, amplifier and receiver are hidden away in this cupboard. Jaron's big dream was to have surround sound in the loungeroom and he won (I wasn't keen!) so this is where all of his stuff is kept out of view! The grey bench underneath the TV and shelves is also made up of a heap of cupboards too for extra storage (and at the moment they are all empty except for a few puzzles and kids books in one of them!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDQSBe-knWPGIzkaAvvpeTpsPqzDZHm6lklli70xurKQ3k7TPgj9LAaMnOjB7256aFbomzODM0U0hop1lpr5IUj7PZ6pJYtdij2Mh4yqrd22JOhhyphenhyphenmzsC0ndioHlLo9cEG1nM1IN8T53-/s1600/IMG_4432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDQSBe-knWPGIzkaAvvpeTpsPqzDZHm6lklli70xurKQ3k7TPgj9LAaMnOjB7256aFbomzODM0U0hop1lpr5IUj7PZ6pJYtdij2Mh4yqrd22JOhhyphenhyphenmzsC0ndioHlLo9cEG1nM1IN8T53-/s1600/IMG_4432.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> We used the same paint colour throughout the whole house - on all of the walls, trims and ceiling. It is Vivid White half strength<a href="http://www.dulux.com.au/products/wash-and-wear"> Dulux Wash & Wear 101</a>. This was another risk we took that paid off - we really wanted stark white walls to contrast nicely with the timber and grey elements of the house. So many people tried to talk us out of it and said that it would look too cold but we love it and I've discovered a great way to wipe dirty finger marks off without leaving any smears - I'll share it next time because this post is getting too long!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UoU4tEfb3ofY87skJxTskNIRtxAeH4_hUN-UxsnUJp9f1uZK_EeDuY9SzGHUPrhmCWfOvBOAjKhXvtT2UYiZ6gDKWIEmbSBs5oF9ORZTsVH4VNvz4iUXiHh9f19Kx8Fa6v92NN9tSwlp/s1600/IMG_4423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UoU4tEfb3ofY87skJxTskNIRtxAeH4_hUN-UxsnUJp9f1uZK_EeDuY9SzGHUPrhmCWfOvBOAjKhXvtT2UYiZ6gDKWIEmbSBs5oF9ORZTsVH4VNvz4iUXiHh9f19Kx8Fa6v92NN9tSwlp/s1600/IMG_4423.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure if you can really tell in these photos but all of the windows in the loungeroom, dining and rumpus room have Tas Oak timber reveals with a shadow line around them. To tell you the truth, I didn't have a clue what Jaron was talking about when he said he wanted to do it but I love it and once again, it brings in a subtle timber element to all of the rooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carpet we used throughout the house was something that we splurged on. It is <a href="http://www.prestigecarpets.com.au/Sublime.html">Providence Sublime in Fog</a> and is super soft and thick and luxurious. I figure that we sit and lounge and walk barefoot on the floor constantly so it was worth forking out a bit of extra money for. Plus it was one of the only carpet ranges that we could find that made a real stone grey colour, most other greys were too blue or too brown but this one works just right with the rest of our colours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this is what you see when you look back at the house from the loungeroom. That big opaque sliding door at the end is the rumpus room and my sewing area but it was a big mess on the day we took photos so I'll save those for another day!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHme0tsI7wSvWxgzEXmIOIKXflPqB0FqEM3eE-dguCEX0c-sNci7aMoQn4irfxccKdJI9LVytMj5jfCTsXf-8GgJQ0h0HL_J9KiOZq87DRMqrvqq6z21HFbtj1-08dNvoVlq59M370KP_X/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHme0tsI7wSvWxgzEXmIOIKXflPqB0FqEM3eE-dguCEX0c-sNci7aMoQn4irfxccKdJI9LVytMj5jfCTsXf-8GgJQ0h0HL_J9KiOZq87DRMqrvqq6z21HFbtj1-08dNvoVlq59M370KP_X/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if you're a bit clueless with visualising things like I am, here is another look at the floor plan so that you can make sense of how these rooms fit together with each other and the rest of the house!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshVONdPCib6uDZpcZS35FX8JDAVAYVwkUfhtGJUocufPFhSjdlc5lcyyXsqMejsCiCDnkdFLxF0sPMGuHzfG9NpDDZvmVDlszNOZNCOqPvKeOj4b-R8TXj4uuuvsn2yh7aTqFDCrDOB-h/s1600/FLOOR+PLAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshVONdPCib6uDZpcZS35FX8JDAVAYVwkUfhtGJUocufPFhSjdlc5lcyyXsqMejsCiCDnkdFLxF0sPMGuHzfG9NpDDZvmVDlszNOZNCOqPvKeOj4b-R8TXj4uuuvsn2yh7aTqFDCrDOB-h/s1600/FLOOR+PLAN.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">High 5 to you if you stuck with me for this loooong post! I better save the rest of the house for another time!</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-26573176773265806372015-02-14T11:24:00.001+11:002015-02-14T11:24:31.976+11:00.Grainline Archer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB21qClQ9ZK6XPUGh4PDDqUfmdxSwV5FJYgRADuOFUSkvDLEIr6mWTlOczRI9eps6kQ8KuuPyik6qy-oHlFcteC-42vzkvnTY9vX8F6TFr0SIvFfqAupy0ouwXxwx0UAD97yQakqp9onx/s1600/IMG_3975.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> <span style="font-size: large;">I'm getting to the end of my "unblogged" sewing projects pile. Now I'll have to start sewing again so that I have something to blog about! There hasn't been a whole lot of sewing going on since moving house, but I'm really missing it so will definitley start making some more time for the sewing room now that we are feeling more settled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure this pattern doesn't really need much of an introduction, the <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/tops/products/archer-button-up-shirt">Grainline Archer Shirt</a> is everywhere! And when I see a pattern sewn and blogged about in such abundance I can't help but give it a try myself. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQJvOvO_Ak2vEAImHIXjZan0h2bmszE2IQYoKnNb6E8Da6keJa4Gd8s2K-P2eYmXLqjQCBpRvumOVJ0GS9vG3C0xbJNbdkwvQh605b-DS70PxuGW0xrOz6J5qNUW5mfP7bmQkHBWJnK6c/s1600/IMG_3991.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> <span style="font-size: large;">This is definitley a "slow and steady" project, it was completed in a few sessions over a week or two. Although it is a little more complicated than most patterns I sew, it wasn't difficult, just a little tedious and detailed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOhVzr1FU2gyu0SPi_u9jeKNfRfBHYGbHtmjz68qv-htK17TjEVf4mK-LRwL8VVfeq9zDIFsulbPQ3-d1_-e9_wzZ141_sb8z-DWLT7CDjFM3hK-AWRzlldn2ptn-mHCcUJiILpliHUZH/s1600/IMG_3968.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOhVzr1FU2gyu0SPi_u9jeKNfRfBHYGbHtmjz68qv-htK17TjEVf4mK-LRwL8VVfeq9zDIFsulbPQ3-d1_-e9_wzZ141_sb8z-DWLT7CDjFM3hK-AWRzlldn2ptn-mHCcUJiILpliHUZH/s1600/IMG_3968.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I used a piece of chambray (Robert Kaufman Slub Chambray in Indigo) that I have had in my stash for awhile. You can't beat a good chambray and Robert Kaufman knows how to make them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This shirt is definitley a wardrobe staple. It coordinates with everything and is easy and comfortable to wear. I'm not a fan of wearing the sleeves down so always roll them up or wear a jacket over the top when I wear the shirt. Because of the loose, boxy fit of the shirt I feel a bit frumpy when the sleeves are down, but I like the rolled up look so that works for me! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E8nVLOQLMUWpZ2PfYzW0_4vxSbatTa8bd7dVXdEXqQS0ylFG9pT8fi81zejWz7EqIqkAqFc4QbDhhh2qwVS77sp980FVB24VPQGRrYJKB7xA6X-fe-dfJl-uvuPA1v75ZB0A6kr9sP7c/s1600/IMG_3961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E8nVLOQLMUWpZ2PfYzW0_4vxSbatTa8bd7dVXdEXqQS0ylFG9pT8fi81zejWz7EqIqkAqFc4QbDhhh2qwVS77sp980FVB24VPQGRrYJKB7xA6X-fe-dfJl-uvuPA1v75ZB0A6kr9sP7c/s1600/IMG_3961.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm debating on whether I should curve in the side seams a little when I make another, just to add a more feminine shape. I made a size 6 and am really happy with the fit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBPu75_S35I5-VS9T-jISU-oJASZ-tjMg2HcZbiijUDJljxiqXD1L74SMwKCS7xqbdDmK8LAJ8nlUz70TLVJt0jv4UhNCmJ7vjuWvZanOM7H63I4qLVW6gK18RJVzQy7Wb_xwyFHjNbi3/s1600/IMG_3992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBPu75_S35I5-VS9T-jISU-oJASZ-tjMg2HcZbiijUDJljxiqXD1L74SMwKCS7xqbdDmK8LAJ8nlUz70TLVJt0jv4UhNCmJ7vjuWvZanOM7H63I4qLVW6gK18RJVzQy7Wb_xwyFHjNbi3/s1600/IMG_3992.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The only thing that kind of bugs me about the shirt is the blue tone of the chambray is similar to most of my jeans so I feel like I'm a bit "double denim" when I wear it with jeans! Overall though, I give this pattern two big thumbs up - the sew-along is a great reference too for unfamiliar parts of the shirt and it comes together beautifully.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWgYH_E36xB6CctezhDg4IUuKMRfE1dpUzZ_P6v-HMW7DatM5DvodRHDrOE0rxohDr369zizw62IGdf1j-eWg0vqASdgnJI16S4N-GJXPURH9jC_v8xDzoh3KFDL3s3K1y9VmbMsaKTlO/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWgYH_E36xB6CctezhDg4IUuKMRfE1dpUzZ_P6v-HMW7DatM5DvodRHDrOE0rxohDr369zizw62IGdf1j-eWg0vqASdgnJI16S4N-GJXPURH9jC_v8xDzoh3KFDL3s3K1y9VmbMsaKTlO/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-28925563942577998212015-02-11T21:42:00.001+11:002015-02-11T21:42:36.205+11:00.The House Tour. {Part 1: Exterior}.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV3HvxQovrfqiLlkvfK0-OqR5wpN_A7ytclPVoX6fbzjJBDl-7SMECABK8SVL6U_DPoq0VTChtZYG6xedGqHwhuGH4gEMVQfhhJrtiCU_HYbBJZM9khq1AUmbg-RXl5yC1IYyD0kUtGm-/s1600/10974412_899970443367703_9061651056683519584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV3HvxQovrfqiLlkvfK0-OqR5wpN_A7ytclPVoX6fbzjJBDl-7SMECABK8SVL6U_DPoq0VTChtZYG6xedGqHwhuGH4gEMVQfhhJrtiCU_HYbBJZM9khq1AUmbg-RXl5yC1IYyD0kUtGm-/s1600/10974412_899970443367703_9061651056683519584_o.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We have been living in our new house for 3 months now and I'm ready to start sharing some pictures of where we live! You can click on these links to see some "<a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/scenes-from-block.html">before</a>" and "<a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/week-8-at-block.html">during</a>" shots if you are interested. And here it is - all finished and lived in! Today I will share some pictures of the finished exterior of the house and will move inside next time. Jaron (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starbox-Architecture/174288259269262">Starbox Architecture</a>) designed the house (the designs went on foooorever...and he has already started getting ideas togther for our next one!) and it was built by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lawconstuction">LAW Constructions</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINHyZnck0rLoRkWm98HYs0dIV_34WvTJq7KNwiPJ4pd6EZcmfB2FOOLS3mEz3Qm1XYCzWqLo_GzNpYD2sypojoVIIOG9TvYgBBswuNlNOS9a5Ug0ySsQc7s1RIRS4Dm1tRqKPA5nDObDz/s1600/IMG_4129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINHyZnck0rLoRkWm98HYs0dIV_34WvTJq7KNwiPJ4pd6EZcmfB2FOOLS3mEz3Qm1XYCzWqLo_GzNpYD2sypojoVIIOG9TvYgBBswuNlNOS9a5Ug0ySsQc7s1RIRS4Dm1tRqKPA5nDObDz/s1600/IMG_4129.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Our block is just over one acre. Towards the end of the build, we had a digger and bobcat come in to level off the yard and create a circular bank around the perimeter of the land. It looks a bit scrubby at the moment with LOTS of weeds to get rid of and years worth of landscaping to do but has great potential. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtkR5rsDAmFfHsQzUnHazUd2MAD3fj_e6I7llmk-oAAo4w3N8nTHZw32DIiu-NJWLtZZnQ2Prrdzm1VDwjwx9a0ol0KCXXUPLUGuFsrUZlLjK5ar8I-03itr2VhvCPg3qqPy4dvsHHo-y/s1600/IMG_4197.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtkR5rsDAmFfHsQzUnHazUd2MAD3fj_e6I7llmk-oAAo4w3N8nTHZw32DIiu-NJWLtZZnQ2Prrdzm1VDwjwx9a0ol0KCXXUPLUGuFsrUZlLjK5ar8I-03itr2VhvCPg3qqPy4dvsHHo-y/s1600/IMG_4197.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another benefit of the bank surrounding the yard means that we have a head start on screening and privacy as the bank sits about 1m above ground level so anything that we plant now will already be sitting higher than the yard. Plus, it looks pretty cool - once the grass has grown and thickened up we are going to enjoy some fun footy, soccer and cricket matches out there! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8dE2joZVhtv1CT9_bppXIWaNPL2QCB5EmrotN9-WR298kOOfoTEdVqEXwup3wl05z1cGZS2SHhiIekm1KdwHtpGoX1cIUOLAVCLn6H_D7v7MpnSvmP8g9GXQ4EwL6NClBGPAwPSvGz4E/s1600/10942579_899970466701034_5441083460975238564_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8dE2joZVhtv1CT9_bppXIWaNPL2QCB5EmrotN9-WR298kOOfoTEdVqEXwup3wl05z1cGZS2SHhiIekm1KdwHtpGoX1cIUOLAVCLn6H_D7v7MpnSvmP8g9GXQ4EwL6NClBGPAwPSvGz4E/s1600/10942579_899970466701034_5441083460975238564_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The grass has been a big job for us. Before we moved in we got a heap of topsoil delivered, but unfortunately we lost a lot of it in crazy high winds that we experienced a few months ago. Before sowing the grass, we installed some underground irrigation. The system is automatic so Jaron sets the timer for when we would like the grass watered and the little sprinklers pop out of the ground and turn themselves on. I wasn't too keen on the system when we were getting started, but can now see that it was well worth the investment with the time and effort we are saving by not having to move portable sprinklers around the yard all day just to keep the grass wet! Our soil is pretty rubbish out here - we are basically living on a big sandpit! It is actually awesome because no matter how much the kids dig and roll around in it they don't get dirty but not so good for gardens and lawns. Our grass is slowly getting there, but it is going to take a lot of work to get it to where we want it. I'm obsessed with weeding and head out for a little while every day pulling weeds but it's amazing how much faster and stronger they grow than the grass! Because of the sandy ground, any time we want to plant anything we have to fill the area with potting mix first.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpU28Mad2Mb_gpl-H1gIyBc0aCXZ-x3iKeSoiShpSm1GAWmztnA-hYCk9m65qX0UMNUojit8TO-B8-Ljr7NYF6UExciswwwtEEKfZ23w0EyGLZe0VpdH3A93qnecXKJ6TZaFPwumelLSi/s1600/10974167_899970453367702_1371739334532986556_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is what you see when you come up our driveway. The main entrance to the house is actually at the back - although we still call it the front door! A few years down the track we hope to finish the driveway with hotmix, but compressed gravel is doing the job for now. We waited awhile to get the block fully fenced (it was included with the land) and I thought it was going to be such a relief when everything was finished so that I could send Harvey outside to play on his own...only to discover that he could squish is way underneath the fences and escape! We are very lucky to be only one of two houses in the subdivision so it is a very quiet street and can let the kids ride bikes and play anywhere they like without worrying about cars or people that we don't know hanging around.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCROjK2Ocvk6Y5XuniZ42Q-TzDCHBH7nlcPKwLJ57J_8z9s_SOrBkyxa7Ii39w2Fu3c_ukqPJk5Jbf4eAQL6c8zqtS7d6ua-KoM7jjUXVCZUAbaUwJPGy9tlR0QBi7KvmAOiM80fI8aSu/s1600/10955783_899970536701027_4080741556270995456_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCROjK2Ocvk6Y5XuniZ42Q-TzDCHBH7nlcPKwLJ57J_8z9s_SOrBkyxa7Ii39w2Fu3c_ukqPJk5Jbf4eAQL6c8zqtS7d6ua-KoM7jjUXVCZUAbaUwJPGy9tlR0QBi7KvmAOiM80fI8aSu/s1600/10955783_899970536701027_4080741556270995456_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a close-up of the entry. Jaron's office is behind that timber wall. This works great because when he has clients come and see him they walk straight into his office and the rest of the house goes unseen. There is even a separate toilet right next door for them to use. One of our priorities after moving in was to eliminate the amount of dust, sand and dirt being blown and walked through the house. The garden at the entrance was one of the first things we did after the grass and we planted it out with daphne bushes, kangraoo paw, jelly bean succulents and some hearty grasses then finished it off with a medium sized stone covering. It's amazing how much cleaner the house stays when there is grass and garden keeping the dirt at bay. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFLX9ngRZnFHyO12nFrA7gzlAzfFYBV9sQjKMbIGOSIG7WkFY0cLxE3gAB3xxbs6PzfWygq71vP-YX8IqZyNNsjy7RmhQcWlCwHCTuv1N9dcXPFGf5qNkF7NFU7PGTykKnPS7KzTK7rIS/s1600/10483082_899970610034353_1748816723642191086_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Let me try and list all of the exterior materials here in case any of them interest you. The big feature of the house is the timber wrapping around the front and a little at the back of the house. Originally we wanted to go for a grey colour, but ended up choosing a more natural brown colour, Spotted Gum from <a href="http://www.woodformarch.com/">Woodform Architectural</a>. The original colour of the timber was exactly what we wanted and then when it was stained it turned darker than we had hoped. We still like it, but are happy that the colour will fade with time and then we will coat it with a clear stain to retain the lighter colour. The ends of the house are clad with South Australian limestone from <a href="http://www.limestoneaustralia.com.au/">Limestone Australia</a>. The roof and slanted wall at the back of the house are <a href="http://colorbond.com/colour?Category=AFB135BFD2F04AA7AC74F7BC384B9489">Colorbond Custom Orb</a> in Shale Grey colour. And the window frames are all Shale Grey colour too. At the entrance of the house, you can see slanted timber posts which are laminated Tas Oak.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46HMStBTGl38aRj9v_LZpFQ3VI7C5x7iMll1HBIxSb1QitrXt7jtOCbhMTZyafSc1hgpdsVvn5593kiSOwQlQvxRhqE7MbG2rfPLB7HOBB2XuZ0w2ZHHod1hEfLoT0B9GprreKFH9EtIv/s1600/10857348_899970613367686_4626253043506036336_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46HMStBTGl38aRj9v_LZpFQ3VI7C5x7iMll1HBIxSb1QitrXt7jtOCbhMTZyafSc1hgpdsVvn5593kiSOwQlQvxRhqE7MbG2rfPLB7HOBB2XuZ0w2ZHHod1hEfLoT0B9GprreKFH9EtIv/s1600/10857348_899970613367686_4626253043506036336_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The building to the right of the house is a shed with Tas Oak timber posts and slats to screen air conditioning external units and wheelie bins. The shed roof is also clad in solar panels.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrxmMusioEkzsLd3IKAu_bwxG4L6CDrEAS3oojrvzzF9NG3rRvSsrp6eCaiqFSG5yU8UiWXJ0jQwc9eQ4yYidDYMfS2Rg66x7rI-HsgM9CTDKR70YJxvkuEapdrxOXQ1aj8oscKyNqquv/s1600/10928833_899970533367694_6562090139013443699_o.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I've covered everything and will try and write a post in the next few days about some of the interior of the house!</span><br />
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make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-57860923085665570372015-02-02T23:39:00.002+11:002015-02-02T23:39:20.046+11:00.Washi Tape the school books.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After packing up to move house a few months ago, it became clear to me that I have way too many craft supplies. I mean, I knew that I had a lot, but it wasn't until I counted my boxes of fabric next to my boxes of kitchen items and realised that they were pretty much equal that my eyes were really opened! And that was just fabric...not everything else!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'm trying to become less of a hoarder and more of a user. It is a bit tough at times but I'm just gonna do it because if I run out of a precious supply I can always replenish, right?!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhpdrFP32RWVbOdFIh0Lf7927UE9fUKjjRf4UktsplVVayoGpxOQXtDLHLgQOUYan4gNLIXkywq74-RmiFmzoYHlxAOQw4k18Bj0R4518MVpybEroHy0Bl_-oN380v7oNsdqk5LsB_Tx3/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhpdrFP32RWVbOdFIh0Lf7927UE9fUKjjRf4UktsplVVayoGpxOQXtDLHLgQOUYan4gNLIXkywq74-RmiFmzoYHlxAOQw4k18Bj0R4518MVpybEroHy0Bl_-oN380v7oNsdqk5LsB_Tx3/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our kids start school in a couple of days and the start of the school year brings the book covering marathon. It seemed to go on and on and on this year with three kids to cover books for! To make the job less of a chore, I am the sucker who tries to get crafty at the same time! Lil's books are much easier to "pretty up" as a lot of my craft supplies and papers are girly looking. The boys require a little more thought and I resort to using printed wrapping paper on some of their books. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSu0y1P5Bx27pP-2jV5HY4yhxbt_6UG6OCrjgJCOWwWI8RysFr6wha1vaZIqc78ORRkx7fiuKiJa4vq_CfzXYxGSuoy9BYwgo3A7xjhmkvCkHBPnhwpk_iXLTcpbQF5k2ZBDaLQkVeus-/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSu0y1P5Bx27pP-2jV5HY4yhxbt_6UG6OCrjgJCOWwWI8RysFr6wha1vaZIqc78ORRkx7fiuKiJa4vq_CfzXYxGSuoy9BYwgo3A7xjhmkvCkHBPnhwpk_iXLTcpbQF5k2ZBDaLQkVeus-/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">These washi tape covered school books, however, are both boy and girl friendly, and take much less time and effort to make than they look. In fact, they are so easy to do that Oscar and Lil even covered a few books each using this method with great results! Because the washi tape can be repositioned without tearing the paper underneath, they can pull a misplaced piece of tape up and have another go at sticking it down if it ends up in the wrong spot.</span><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F_VM94D7g6uH91Zg1hORtoFGyF9MkL8VJRryVUQ5CcXvENvDkFGAUnTLUAfXVFvlVFzXtqsokvyHCXcPso41HtMuFF74PQVjBlMTEEch41LQZjVn2dHFGcQlgBFUSQ-grqzNIl4AEf5Y/s1600/IMG_4766.JPG" height="640" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even if you think you're not a crafty person, I can guarantee success with these books! And if you have covered your kids school books already then maybe you can make yourself a special washi tape covered book to write important notes in or to use for journal keeping? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh8emAL6mayHDsDJx6dW0yIqtdk74wx-_Bg18ryiE42dxj_Hafu27lvBC9Wd4W8zTpwzwjr086LXl6PG2Gq2rYj__HCHvBwAZND93VY9vv5iozMvvBIOtvotnip9iLBLKsgUXTZTB9-Nr/s1600/IMG_4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh8emAL6mayHDsDJx6dW0yIqtdk74wx-_Bg18ryiE42dxj_Hafu27lvBC9Wd4W8zTpwzwjr086LXl6PG2Gq2rYj__HCHvBwAZND93VY9vv5iozMvvBIOtvotnip9iLBLKsgUXTZTB9-Nr/s1600/IMG_4769.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To start with, you will need your book to be covered and a selection of washi tapes. If you don't have a big supply of washi tapes, don't let that put you off. Some of the books I like best are covered with a repeated pattern of just 4 or 5 different tapes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYXKHPboB1qQHOBQsfkCh4YBzecDZXvaiFr9MDiC65MWSGW6638myH2_9fvs-qVRkvUPU-K4ysGIINRqh_zOIUgtttIcam8OTm-VohuHSn2Oaqlrf4jPniivIBqU_LarwTiwAspIirjuL/s1600/IMG_4748.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before you start sticking down your tapes you will need to cover your book with a piece of plain copy paper. Most washi tapes have clear or opaque areas in the design, so if you don't start with a white base you will see the colours and patterns on the cover of your book through the tapes. I just stick mine down with a couple of pieces of double sided sticky tape. For most of my books, I only cover in washi tape and then stick a patterned paper on the back. If the book is smaller though, I will cover the front and the back. Do what ever you like - but just make sure that you have white paper on any surface you want to cover.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlx9qi6RRI-ln36Tl_Wxwvd9kTxBBaNZcAhuU6PKB2-NzJwMUvheBOm_mLuPOg7PMY3VTtukp-gMt93FpQkrKiFV8WqYdhizFFjRBRKfs4co_7nfxMY7yjYh0R_7ROVp10jX8WwSBSZ3r/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlx9qi6RRI-ln36Tl_Wxwvd9kTxBBaNZcAhuU6PKB2-NzJwMUvheBOm_mLuPOg7PMY3VTtukp-gMt93FpQkrKiFV8WqYdhizFFjRBRKfs4co_7nfxMY7yjYh0R_7ROVp10jX8WwSBSZ3r/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Decide on what direction you want your washi tape to run (diagonal, horizontal, vertical, etc.) and stick one of your tapes in that direction, leaving a little bit of tape hanging over each edge of the book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPaa7_XqKm_TDchZCy5n52_DnrLCRSIXZz9HiG5XzxkEU4IWKdPOUz7fPrpFqqmMy71AQdOs-9BjQZjRFpcaGFY1XyMjp2W0YjtjrwbnRXIgFvuGU7HudT1HSrf6e8JgnPZC368GV3bIU/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPaa7_XqKm_TDchZCy5n52_DnrLCRSIXZz9HiG5XzxkEU4IWKdPOUz7fPrpFqqmMy71AQdOs-9BjQZjRFpcaGFY1XyMjp2W0YjtjrwbnRXIgFvuGU7HudT1HSrf6e8JgnPZC368GV3bIU/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Open the cover of the book, and fold the overhanging edges of the tape to the inside cover and press down.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhsTamBn0qNmeSAs0fL6IyPbE1cxZSHURy0-_SkCgAlYv6KaUrD1eTUV4wBdmUdcnKsuMHzbaKkzAB86kQYTOqR9Ki6s67mqE_zDccuOMFU9jrYyqOncIIAL36ehY2NOvbRIpia6gB8u_/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhsTamBn0qNmeSAs0fL6IyPbE1cxZSHURy0-_SkCgAlYv6KaUrD1eTUV4wBdmUdcnKsuMHzbaKkzAB86kQYTOqR9Ki6s67mqE_zDccuOMFU9jrYyqOncIIAL36ehY2NOvbRIpia6gB8u_/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Take your second piece of tape and line up the edge with the first piece. Press down, break off and fold overhanging edges to the inside cover. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkVERjQSSv8d3WqnNz52hawaLApneWWbwkqk0w051tC5KCTnGC0pgF3R2FPrzZ7eJgVk7KfIlDOs3VxAaNBCLP0iaUS8W-bP5P_N277MDJZoIV5GELG8EeLM11Sq5WifUMKlXgCl3FHeL/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkVERjQSSv8d3WqnNz52hawaLApneWWbwkqk0w051tC5KCTnGC0pgF3R2FPrzZ7eJgVk7KfIlDOs3VxAaNBCLP0iaUS8W-bP5P_N277MDJZoIV5GELG8EeLM11Sq5WifUMKlXgCl3FHeL/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Continue adding strips of washi tape...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJDpCS5ldynVC3oPIknC-twufboJEJJHnKSku_MLtFdZUJEvDWERoIEmA4mHjGGqfOmVqAq7WvgpEqYulS4MEV6NujlyhkDIaXwtHyo9TngDVAr1ETN5gbRRmeK0Ffpnmc7C_ngEL7aa8/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJDpCS5ldynVC3oPIknC-twufboJEJJHnKSku_MLtFdZUJEvDWERoIEmA4mHjGGqfOmVqAq7WvgpEqYulS4MEV6NujlyhkDIaXwtHyo9TngDVAr1ETN5gbRRmeK0Ffpnmc7C_ngEL7aa8/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaXbhRDFjDtlNYiPP7I3TuUS6jHyFykBN_tBz-m2AQitTlbosmOL1NOa9kRrMNOvI5gjiVFp-4RNsaA0iatf4ap1wxpUs-M9pu-5Ul3z9jEaAeYkC4Ee2f4zHRFbWuQoEDo7271hePr8C/s1600/IMG_4755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaXbhRDFjDtlNYiPP7I3TuUS6jHyFykBN_tBz-m2AQitTlbosmOL1NOa9kRrMNOvI5gjiVFp-4RNsaA0iatf4ap1wxpUs-M9pu-5Ul3z9jEaAeYkC4Ee2f4zHRFbWuQoEDo7271hePr8C/s1600/IMG_4755.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">...until your book...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-C4odKhg9vNCCEKpPdSMoD23i9e42C92S-olU6tScDxGm-WL2pH253c_1EzSxQE3ituuKwAd5eakuaJDMu8TO0_9Pu-Vmn9fuHRelzzNhDAbbFojVOnrIpsUSYZk15DOL5rJj28f9PcJP/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-C4odKhg9vNCCEKpPdSMoD23i9e42C92S-olU6tScDxGm-WL2pH253c_1EzSxQE3ituuKwAd5eakuaJDMu8TO0_9Pu-Vmn9fuHRelzzNhDAbbFojVOnrIpsUSYZk15DOL5rJj28f9PcJP/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmQmQZME8k3x8xUVxBWjeks3fcQYGpVRTtXuzBB-qz21ySaj1S_X1cwFGcd5D9DdLEK-L1WZM77j5Xsd9lG7Hz8IfQnVfuRPCt1JzLaBtIbphG6tIyYaVLhFu2BIh3ObD7GM4_VMKQcuK/s1600/IMG_4757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmQmQZME8k3x8xUVxBWjeks3fcQYGpVRTtXuzBB-qz21ySaj1S_X1cwFGcd5D9DdLEK-L1WZM77j5Xsd9lG7Hz8IfQnVfuRPCt1JzLaBtIbphG6tIyYaVLhFu2BIh3ObD7GM4_VMKQcuK/s1600/IMG_4757.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">...is completely...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYmkpAg4atlSHUc1BsddCzSIYC_S4ZZdsISK61s1KZTLXjXpfyWF5IzcG84F2qjejTI2JEBIJdzBIBMN_E_Ec98O4l50eK22zBGpJp-BB_7AY12zES72ucIO_vDmyVgIoaB_AG_hYv6Hf/s1600/IMG_4758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYmkpAg4atlSHUc1BsddCzSIYC_S4ZZdsISK61s1KZTLXjXpfyWF5IzcG84F2qjejTI2JEBIJdzBIBMN_E_Ec98O4l50eK22zBGpJp-BB_7AY12zES72ucIO_vDmyVgIoaB_AG_hYv6Hf/s1600/IMG_4758.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">...covered!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B4UTrgp3pm-4wCLNwr5fC-AutIc9SB0TNE9K3OfoZzX5v5Tkdv6n5qYLFHHvS-T80r6I9mdDyRobiUyxHmaBX4tQZo_NYCEgzFCZSWrJ5VN6gJyb6W4-vJ3rN2-IgJFcDg4jYfgF7qdU/s1600/IMG_4759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B4UTrgp3pm-4wCLNwr5fC-AutIc9SB0TNE9K3OfoZzX5v5Tkdv6n5qYLFHHvS-T80r6I9mdDyRobiUyxHmaBX4tQZo_NYCEgzFCZSWrJ5VN6gJyb6W4-vJ3rN2-IgJFcDg4jYfgF7qdU/s1600/IMG_4759.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Decide what you want to put on the back cover - I mostly use scrapbook paper cut to size (yep, using up those hoarded craft supplies!) and stick it down with a few pieces of double sided sticky tape.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpqzd-012IF3yXqSd1n3LdzMjg_q3iPI-qPfiCkvNV1a7vZJMt87CEeB-Q-jL5IDgAISC_UcIVvSICpqhepoa-FL988yfBfWJYpdaJOvkeyPqgkCSa5COPSfBtQGupKtHKqcr2Ygy9vh/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vpqzd-012IF3yXqSd1n3LdzMjg_q3iPI-qPfiCkvNV1a7vZJMt87CEeB-Q-jL5IDgAISC_UcIVvSICpqhepoa-FL988yfBfWJYpdaJOvkeyPqgkCSa5COPSfBtQGupKtHKqcr2Ygy9vh/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To keep the spine of the book nice and neat, choose a washi tape to run down the folded edge. Make sure that half of the tape is hanging over the spine...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L5bs885U7cTUbvdR9T1Z1KQwpJgzrjD8v4uRvNU-jGZDhpxTtu2IFXh8Vledm7lFBp3fmqpBuYp3SLGGzOMa7wMFogE_IXmbizSJpmerqV0MR4q49LYmMd_csbvwpXxZ0gwUC2Cf7sMh/s1600/IMG_4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L5bs885U7cTUbvdR9T1Z1KQwpJgzrjD8v4uRvNU-jGZDhpxTtu2IFXh8Vledm7lFBp3fmqpBuYp3SLGGzOMa7wMFogE_IXmbizSJpmerqV0MR4q49LYmMd_csbvwpXxZ0gwUC2Cf7sMh/s1600/IMG_4761.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">...and fold it over to the back cover of the book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeA1i0wjsiEoB2SNbYgD1LuJygj6z2Cz-DX0rw5MASCKHo1QnkdS6Z9nP7E3t5n3FdQUMTs3m1ftrdkvvrbZNSnSx5THp4-tACQGJ_EePn57pZ1t1A-f7qtdXqb4W1uY1EbSiC7Hk4LvE/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeA1i0wjsiEoB2SNbYgD1LuJygj6z2Cz-DX0rw5MASCKHo1QnkdS6Z9nP7E3t5n3FdQUMTs3m1ftrdkvvrbZNSnSx5THp4-tACQGJ_EePn57pZ1t1A-f7qtdXqb4W1uY1EbSiC7Hk4LvE/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fold the short, overhanging edges of the washi tape to the inside of the book to finish.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2x4YAYtsSM0Ge5q033dcV6llLkHRZKjxUD1_oxewVqYlK5a_Z52farIFl9QlsTLzUpnYbdjt9k8dL5PTUBbElsApqQCsjCamIMnW6zLgX3gYKEhBn5CusXe7ZCQfqe4LuHy3rtVMUPtm/s1600/IMG_4763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2x4YAYtsSM0Ge5q033dcV6llLkHRZKjxUD1_oxewVqYlK5a_Z52farIFl9QlsTLzUpnYbdjt9k8dL5PTUBbElsApqQCsjCamIMnW6zLgX3gYKEhBn5CusXe7ZCQfqe4LuHy3rtVMUPtm/s1600/IMG_4763.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And there you have it! A washi-tape covered school book that is way cooler than any Disney or Minecraft character contact!!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsFAmadcRixLfUDllI0dtXD7n1yeIYXfzt652R4dG5a6OXSNDd_bEHIBeQBt35LAfnGjnH00n9A-bWMz3qQ5DQYrNRNQlqGRASgqG-iIUp_SxeApoTLUhTCLcJ5dhhjma8VsENn9bhRQL/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsFAmadcRixLfUDllI0dtXD7n1yeIYXfzt652R4dG5a6OXSNDd_bEHIBeQBt35LAfnGjnH00n9A-bWMz3qQ5DQYrNRNQlqGRASgqG-iIUp_SxeApoTLUhTCLcJ5dhhjma8VsENn9bhRQL/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I like to finish my book off with some protective plastic. If the book is A4 size, I buy plastic book covers (way easier than contact!) to pop over the top. And I use clear contact on smaller or odd shaped books. If you are covering your whole book (front and back) in washi tape you could probably skip the plastic covering, I would skip it for myself, but not for the kids!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy covering, and here's to using up pretty hoarded craft supplies! </span> make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-46275625778864672492015-01-31T09:10:00.000+11:002015-01-31T09:10:02.052+11:00.Bombshell Swimsuit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04lGlofva4afkFf3VRvpfjK-HFXn6-cd6axeIKoXJPF2m4Vw8czK9v2iiysvyj69F-I5yi2XL9tq4RT9OfAIWPBc3CdCrGsNmtDFYJqqMfhbjaE7SXmzsUpXpmSivCIbDuraq40y8PD1F/s1600/IMG_3872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04lGlofva4afkFf3VRvpfjK-HFXn6-cd6axeIKoXJPF2m4Vw8czK9v2iiysvyj69F-I5yi2XL9tq4RT9OfAIWPBc3CdCrGsNmtDFYJqqMfhbjaE7SXmzsUpXpmSivCIbDuraq40y8PD1F/s1600/IMG_3872.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was only a matter of time before I joined the <a href="http://www.store.closetcasefiles.com/products/bombshell-swimsuit">Bombshell Swimsuit</a> bandwagon. I first noticed this pattern in the middle of 2014, Winter for us, and I wasn't really interested in spending my sewing time on Summer attire so I popped it away for warmer days. And stocked up on some swimwear fabric in the meantime.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-iVg8bOPXNO9-cEOm_o4tqnhvT-JsYeik4YCjL7GzGLZXYrZeTZ6U81LpXtgmCT3YjmXmUMjwC0qtTgvixyshyQeJzA7jg73GsFwOeRL00llDnvzAHBw8Vhy22eQkm1ga061CL-W-Mm-/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After a few beach trips this Summer, I was well and truly sick of my current swimmers and that was good enough incentive to spend a few evenings sewing myself a new pair - and here they are!</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO7BzO5Q9F0JouophkD_SqFqurgNXc6oNnKxllTXu6pe3sbJOCjHR7t_FAQ63-2pAx0b9QkOAWoT544C-rGU7MFdTCM3rnWeEkRs7UIAnbS4uPKv9ZS05g7U9FbX7U-1u2P-NfVQxydbE/s1600/IMG_3869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO7BzO5Q9F0JouophkD_SqFqurgNXc6oNnKxllTXu6pe3sbJOCjHR7t_FAQ63-2pAx0b9QkOAWoT544C-rGU7MFdTCM3rnWeEkRs7UIAnbS4uPKv9ZS05g7U9FbX7U-1u2P-NfVQxydbE/s1600/IMG_3869.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern was great, I had a few issues getting an even zig-zag stitch with the rubbery swimwear elastic I bought but it ended up okay in the end. My sewing machine doesn't sew well with cheap thread on any decorative stitches and I had no polyester navy blue thread in my stash so I ended up doing all of my topstitching with 100% cotton thread in order to get an even stitch...so I'm really hoping that it holds up in the elements! I don't really go swimming that much and I'm sure I will make myself a few more swim suits in the future so I think we will be okay! There are still a few areas of skipped stitches but they aren't noticeable enough to be an eyesore.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTD8d8-Tmv6W9Mh3KCrXEgkD4k0iJBzXNpaRJjKBW8Y8o0aEpaO2WJM68f2gfpN0ISdesQ5T1WFtnlB9CwYJpHxrBcSGAJCqE2HvKYYvbgSgIpRS41v6wPLnr1VIbCCfAn1WU9oU3uxa7/s1600/IMG_3868.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This pair of swimmers is my trial version...I've got a few other lovely swimwear fabrics in my stash that I want to use on another pair - or maybe even another pattern? But thought this navy blue fabric (from the <a href="http://thefabricfairy.com/fabrics/by-type/swimsuit/solid-swimsuit-fabric.html">Fabric Fairy</a>) would be a good, basic design to start with. I lined the entire swimsuit in nude lining also. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c3dlEnZjM4fP9kkkjsaibEZ_T41O8Q0gH7LNVCM3KsT90XjQVSlH8UHQAgoP9A4GyY0NLjf36ffpXXegGE8YaRphf8daeMowqhlMIwtxrnONAdDzhNGhyBAzTF_RTNXmf0iGEA1MxQye/s1600/IMG_3893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c3dlEnZjM4fP9kkkjsaibEZ_T41O8Q0gH7LNVCM3KsT90XjQVSlH8UHQAgoP9A4GyY0NLjf36ffpXXegGE8YaRphf8daeMowqhlMIwtxrnONAdDzhNGhyBAzTF_RTNXmf0iGEA1MxQye/s1600/IMG_3893.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For future Bombshells, I wouldn't change much at all except increase the shape and support in the bust! I knew that I would like a pair of swimmers with good bust support but for this pair I pulled out some cups from an old pair of swimmers I had in my cupboard and they weren't very supportive at all! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz04ZDRnPvtTy1RouTnrnvKXmJigLGrVQJqv2X4Nh4M_PNV-RrBazxjH3aIQG7e8UZzRlCynWt4TTqxEQdlXyfZSdEHyDqipsAaP3D0zYV9bAKEPhyphenhyphen-ncZpT9W6LcUD8cvxTY81hZ2JPjB/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz04ZDRnPvtTy1RouTnrnvKXmJigLGrVQJqv2X4Nh4M_PNV-RrBazxjH3aIQG7e8UZzRlCynWt4TTqxEQdlXyfZSdEHyDqipsAaP3D0zYV9bAKEPhyphenhyphen-ncZpT9W6LcUD8cvxTY81hZ2JPjB/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I really like how modest this swimsuit is, it provides good coverage in all the right places and is comfortable to wear. Nothing worse that being at the beach in something that doesn't make you feel good! Plus, the extreme gathering on the side and back seams really helps to disguise parts of the body that aren't in such good shape!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNZ7Xsdzz6bv_DWOeMtbGfHHgmISGmcO3e2oYBVtjy8pWyUUR1Blb9kJHO2lux3Y6lBDZA-slIctObxWHBKVmn_ejFJYzV_LMCLMsTPn1Cs2TZXDw43euib82uRrnl04NkM3yn5MBXzVw/s1600/IMG_3907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNZ7Xsdzz6bv_DWOeMtbGfHHgmISGmcO3e2oYBVtjy8pWyUUR1Blb9kJHO2lux3Y6lBDZA-slIctObxWHBKVmn_ejFJYzV_LMCLMsTPn1Cs2TZXDw43euib82uRrnl04NkM3yn5MBXzVw/s1600/IMG_3907.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, if you are wanting to sew swimwear for yourself, you should really try this pattern as a starter to help you get the feel for it. I didn't find the experience hard, but there were some parts where I didn't really get what was happening but just keep following the instructions and it all makes sense in the end! </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXodmO8F85jInGxbndreVEQXz1oOeKXPjBe94R0yd9S_GyNTJvFQrLDTpsAhzAu1_aBK6JYJMk3aoA3oB4XN-t2d4_FMdQmONBHFmyo6aF-9NARcdqPK1_HF9bmVmZXylrfNKuAFBz-sbS/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-31237425866468706462015-01-26T21:52:00.000+11:002015-01-26T21:53:16.418+11:00.Tova #2: the muslin that should have been first.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4BsFarGCIC9tUG-ooIxXpIUtLtVKYtUjwpffX3BbWYLiFyJmp-CDyXl5Qw7OG3Lleaakg8rsZtb_pWzx6az8YHLkCEK1vSJTEq9TWRXe72nPbxlV6W4_zU9TUCvFfokWICUFtiaJhhE8/s1600/IMG_3930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4BsFarGCIC9tUG-ooIxXpIUtLtVKYtUjwpffX3BbWYLiFyJmp-CDyXl5Qw7OG3Lleaakg8rsZtb_pWzx6az8YHLkCEK1vSJTEq9TWRXe72nPbxlV6W4_zU9TUCvFfokWICUFtiaJhhE8/s1600/IMG_3930.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Back in October <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-first-tova.html">I blogged about my first Tova top</a>. The one that I was sure would be a great fit so cut into some of my precious Nani IRO, only to end up with a beautiful top that was just too tight for me across the bust and underarm area. I have since handed it off to my little sister and after lots of feedback from you lovely blog readers, <a href="http://instagram.com/make_it_perfect">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/makeitperfectsewingpatterns">Facebook</a> followers I didn't feel so bad about the poor fit because it seems as though many others have experienced the same issues as I did!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I did what I really should have done at the beginning of my sewing experience with the Tova and made myself a muslin! To be honest, I hate making muslins. They seem like such a waste of good sewing time, but I know that it is valuable when you aren't getting a good fit from a particular pattern. For this muslin, I went with a brushed cotton fabric I had in the stash. I bought this super cheap (like $3m?) on clearance at Spotlight once. I think I must have bought about 5m of it because it just keeps on going and going! I used it to line <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/minoru-jacket.html">my Minoru jacket</a> and still have a decent amount left over. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQkwHY7q7vH6XVyFAAat699dNUkGfJOfnePkEfRUxhG8-I7JAKgnFPNZqYF9CCDVJuV7LQSLYQuqljACfZcV9x0BXuIkk5rOtvBGZPfEdZSxZwnMhOPy55M6oLDg-yPxtE3YFZl38Pna7/s1600/IMG_3943-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQkwHY7q7vH6XVyFAAat699dNUkGfJOfnePkEfRUxhG8-I7JAKgnFPNZqYF9CCDVJuV7LQSLYQuqljACfZcV9x0BXuIkk5rOtvBGZPfEdZSxZwnMhOPy55M6oLDg-yPxtE3YFZl38Pna7/s1600/IMG_3943-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, this time around I decided to sew a size medium, with no adjustments (I sewed a straight small last time.) I also added a fair bit of length to the top because I thought it could look cute as a dress. Here are the two options below...I asked for opinions of dress or top on FB and IG and both versions got a decent vote...but a few people did mention that the dress looked a bit like a nightie in this fabric (which I was kind of worried about, myself) so I chopped it off and stuck with the top!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6AcJOv-hHBMsvp8zqCQWhzRVMmT09jcTGI_E7it30RDde6fq9rquGvop4CQwf0iqcRsnSBiO9J139Q-6B1FYD1iJdZS-RF-qUcFhG-yr1N6hMtLUqkIVK32H6FcMfJdTv8OQ032xPLRo/s1600/10665602_1476089739311869_465321535_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The fit this time is a lot better across the chest, but if I am being super picky, I feel like the sleeves and underarm area are a bit loose and baggy so I would probably reduce some of the bulk next time. I also took in the side seams a lot - I think I curved them in at the waist a bit to give the shirt more shape and like how this looks a lot more than the straight, boxy look the size medium had before. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also added a couple of buttons to close the front placket up a bit because it was a little too low for my liking. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJXU0c6X8JbZYskW3kdyl-FA56smYXoK3je1Pntb-s7PrBFCtUJK2ckEE-BiRuDI8cc0owfj-VuoeGx1QG9koPyYb9uInSQeTVy295muDbqGZz9UnYM8gakfobg6Zx49JG5rwQusBAxe_/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJXU0c6X8JbZYskW3kdyl-FA56smYXoK3je1Pntb-s7PrBFCtUJK2ckEE-BiRuDI8cc0owfj-VuoeGx1QG9koPyYb9uInSQeTVy295muDbqGZz9UnYM8gakfobg6Zx49JG5rwQusBAxe_/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Prior to this top, I haven't worn red clothing in a
very long time. I just don't feel comfortable in it so I thought that
this top would never be worn. But I was totally wrong! I wear it HEAPS. So maybe red isn't a bad colour for me afterall?! Or perhaps it just works in this particular top and the blue plaid check lines help to break the boldness of the red up a bit? I don't know, but I am happy that my muslin is completely wearable and wasn't a waste of my time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gv8CHhkwj7aFHBjmrHsES5wKiRmQJPf4s3lQ0KcalsAFshQEpi-ZHU3xG79DpwMYfopMrpeUjhqImRNMtq4nbxq8OtLj94l0L0wA6xjX91ckGTGrTFMe4PU1PP3avhK3x-Vnr3LKe2uo/s1600/IMG_3931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gv8CHhkwj7aFHBjmrHsES5wKiRmQJPf4s3lQ0KcalsAFshQEpi-ZHU3xG79DpwMYfopMrpeUjhqImRNMtq4nbxq8OtLj94l0L0wA6xjX91ckGTGrTFMe4PU1PP3avhK3x-Vnr3LKe2uo/s1600/IMG_3931.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Will there be a third <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tova-sewing-pattern-downloadable-pdf">Tova</a>? I do think so. It is such a comfortable top to wear - especially in the cosy brushed cotton fabric. </span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-32794902495209357282015-01-16T09:43:00.001+11:002015-01-16T09:43:35.663+11:00.Spring Tops.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo-S85b2kNnmYxd-Mm1oKHtmUEXyLNgjlZQsM7DV4KdobqGpIbHKpxH1aup62WSRLq8__jhcqm1C1T2jf5FN9L7YT7jwqLRxPbxKMMg4HbPyJRPsYgH50ScMi42Yw6lSQt5aBmfOnvm8_/s1600/IMG_1862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo-S85b2kNnmYxd-Mm1oKHtmUEXyLNgjlZQsM7DV4KdobqGpIbHKpxH1aup62WSRLq8__jhcqm1C1T2jf5FN9L7YT7jwqLRxPbxKMMg4HbPyJRPsYgH50ScMi42Yw6lSQt5aBmfOnvm8_/s1600/IMG_1862.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I'm almost to the end of my un-blogged sewing projects. Like these three tops. The change of season always brings around "wardrobe crisis" - usually in the category of tops. Last year's are tired, worn out or I just need something fresh and new - you get it, right?! Plus ALL of my knit tops end up with a couple of little holes right in the front, a few inches above the hem. I have no idea why, but more often than not I am getting rid of tops because of these little pesky holes! Does that happen to you? So frustrating!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX0v906n9E8mK6YI4vwO9A2fGs3z90ePrEh9mFl_qjzCrK5kInMNmQiyZ5wMTcJN87xjbY3Ze_m3pvG4bBv_e4__5bZSmOjl2qrS0UBq2ZgwTnDjQDqakVhxKHwJ6kZMYWCKcPcwRxMYY/s1600/IMG_1872.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, for this top I used my <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy dress pattern</a>, but didn't add the skirt to the bottom. I love this style - it has a lovely relaxed fit, the half-sleeves are always a win and the kangaroo pocket in the front and gathered sleeve caps help set it apart from a regular tshirt.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8ZWxt0YoyCGbW71w1HFFwO4lMF_h1Nu6RvGE3RvLQ8FTIJF3Dp9qcoYu1cnsPU6rMbplBw_aA2hjDCDgDbWGvOfJSbEu-86uXHPVWQXOPFD2hWeKsErnxYLeGFToQqQFZ83GAxG-Pqqx/s1600/IMG_1863.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After these photographs were taken and after I had worn the top a few times, I ended up taking off the hem band and shortening the length a bit to make it more snug around my hips. It has a much nicer fit now. This fabric was purchased from <a href="http://ixat.storenvy.com/products">Ixat</a> (no longer avaliable) and I originally bought it as a "boy-friendly" print with intentions to use it for one of the boys but it was quite lightweight and I thought it would suit an adult better than a child so it became mine!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kL5VhDjTELRF3OsBjGgxAE4zzQfcVYx-jbCfLSUiNp7t-416pit9Aw5XNV4-ev694BVOmAPFu3jWWfQj1K5Yu4_fW2z3IF8XHRZEPOVGOfEL36_QQys0Mmp5DkWj2x3WTxHUECVAK-la/s1600/IMG_1864.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUmRh3r_E8lIQks9cYllUCU6p1aEwjVKA2bvUutt6AMRtwu7WDZGqfRRUPdCFZAp8fwInZ6AKSMgDSCzqAyeLWmza0cxWXQuNorYdBupcfKtXwKUGh2tP4gEU29TIShvaf6w8ON9TM0ez/s1600/IMG_1878.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUmRh3r_E8lIQks9cYllUCU6p1aEwjVKA2bvUutt6AMRtwu7WDZGqfRRUPdCFZAp8fwInZ6AKSMgDSCzqAyeLWmza0cxWXQuNorYdBupcfKtXwKUGh2tP4gEU29TIShvaf6w8ON9TM0ez/s1600/IMG_1878.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">And another one of the same...<a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy dress</a> turned into a top. This fabric is also from Ixat (also out of stock), but much thicker and with a better recovery than the arrow print and you can see how much that effects the way the finished top looks. Knit fabric varies so much, using different fabrics for the same pattern can give it a totally different look. </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmwbC3jJbwYGzkBPdZul_-ElcXpg7NZ_H3MvtYU6Znur7c2uL95XmjS26jRPv1nhTdGIiJDm6_1xYaf9trt6kmr0ZxsHzO0mvfmaBmRoibvJ7SC2TehURVNnlG2DIS48FVYlPqizOUxoq/s1600/IMG_1874.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of the trims and bands for this top were made using a really good quality black jersey with great stretch and recovery. The waistband on this one was cut exactly the same size as the one in the arrow top but it much tighter here because of the recovery (how much it "bounces back" when you stretch and let it go) of the fabric. Unless you have someone to guide your sewing decisions, sewing with knits is a real trial-and-error process until you get to know what is going to work, how things will turn out with different fabrics, etc. I loved this fabric uncut, but it is pretty "out there" as a top! I have to be in the right mood to wear it and have actually changed the sleeve bands from the solid black fabric to the triangle print to try and tone down on the contrast so much but I'm not sure that was the best move?! </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-XRY_HXmQ7FaT2SZUAMLX1NJK1R7H09xDPV67cdV5kTO-vdz_sT7ErESUtDE1q2qojFTiWEkNP9s57N0EUVZ9sWKzVGV0bZk0YsbQckAoPvkLqWeUZtrLrD2CuM5jLjdk38DBgYZ5hyphenhyphenU/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the last Spring top make is using a different pattern altogether! This one is the <a href="http://patternanthology.com/collections/just-add-jeans">City Girl Top</a>. I bought it during a sale from Pattern Anthology a long time ago and hadn't used any of the patterns yet so thought I needed to at least give one of them a try! </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPSPgHIHZAG244zgeU9bJ_npw5n-u_sO4Uwq-bXdGZ4WRKvAYWnEiwUywqOpXjysBNowlaRI0TZ9qy504-MVQr6Guu9nDEkOD3xENYqnDpSXDDCb4gVBjVn8gsagxjU9VBBvi-AdFTEQn/s1600/IMG_1893.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The fabric I used was purchased on clearance from <a href="http://www.craftymamasfabrics.com.au/">Crafty Mamas</a>, it was really cheap so I thought it would be good for a trial-run before cutting into a more expensive fabric. I think I would like the top more in a solid print, but the fit is really nice - very comfortable to wear as it is nice and loose and flowy, but the cowl neck and pleat in the front are just enough "extra" to give it a more dressy rather than casual look.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzU5e8bg8GUXPUCUJlDT5DD5kZx3wJfiEqXosbHswWiN0XJv5-T6MFe82Ry0yiB3XxwMa3qtrFzybtQGU98dvgDNefUnC832V_AS-lZr0GiEW8-e_5HOQ1ZU9fhZizK1Qwld1-l-DKJS0/s1600/IMG_1891.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, now we are half-way through Summer (although it doesn't feel like it some days!) and I have Summer wardrobe crisis going on! Need to sew some short-sleeved tops and a swimsuit or two ASAP!</span></div>
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make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-85785239029453929022015-01-13T16:27:00.003+11:002015-01-13T16:27:38.013+11:00.Festival Skirt in One Thimble.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpHnt6cn8C2wkOXnPrpaitl7NdYty7Le3-DdxDMnj9liCkN3R0z5xI6HZWXVjVUgY1FxBmNXTrpe8gcm506aKrxXRJaSiWRMSPtyYTQLMf2cZzbVrzTSVMF94FxBfKpSL-qcKo21vNWvq/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpHnt6cn8C2wkOXnPrpaitl7NdYty7Le3-DdxDMnj9liCkN3R0z5xI6HZWXVjVUgY1FxBmNXTrpe8gcm506aKrxXRJaSiWRMSPtyYTQLMf2cZzbVrzTSVMF94FxBfKpSL-qcKo21vNWvq/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just realised that I have a new pattern which hasn't been officially shared on the blog - shocking! This pattern was released with <a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/issue-5-one-thimble-pdf-digital-sewing-magazine.html">One Thimble magazine</a> (an Aussie-run PDF e-zine), just as we moved house and then we were without internet with over a month so I didn't had a chance to give it time to shine until now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are new to sewing or just looking for a project which you can quickly sew for yourself or as a gift for friends, then look no further than the <b><a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/festival-skirt-single-pattern-pdf.html">Festival Skirt</a></b>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUqlomYS_o_03lz_qizfL_BXV8q0yoT1fYT6OqEV_baByiGE-H92N_X6PIyy2bhfpJK2PCaE29pD42Uz8K93kpKq9JXL1nh33ylCrtxlAKOn01gaCkHqlc_MFg_6nwERwKSqLJPA4l36v/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUqlomYS_o_03lz_qizfL_BXV8q0yoT1fYT6OqEV_baByiGE-H92N_X6PIyy2bhfpJK2PCaE29pD42Uz8K93kpKq9JXL1nh33ylCrtxlAKOn01gaCkHqlc_MFg_6nwERwKSqLJPA4l36v/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Refresh your wardrobe with a Festival Skirt. A timeless style you'll be finding an excuse to wear often. The super comfy and versatile (yet stylish) elastic waistband is a relaxed alternative to fixed waistbands, zippers and buttons. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yzbpixgKhas2aaX2-Pwv0yl2P1U9Y9f0SQglfy-Jai0BMhx5qYCeuKCFafccrVnFOKwMpXG_T9jNlFeEOVsduNQBjzDT4nHb0y-xn7TcVW0nedmdzoHeMEc_zFrZhNpHj2lNFP59DP-T/s1600/IMG_2181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yzbpixgKhas2aaX2-Pwv0yl2P1U9Y9f0SQglfy-Jai0BMhx5qYCeuKCFafccrVnFOKwMpXG_T9jNlFeEOVsduNQBjzDT4nHb0y-xn7TcVW0nedmdzoHeMEc_zFrZhNpHj2lNFP59DP-T/s1600/IMG_2181.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> <i><span style="font-size: large;">The Festival Skirt is an effortless wear with side pockets for a casual feel and a chic puffed skirt. Simply grab your favourite fabric and you'll have one sewn in no time!</span></i> <style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhMveolJeUSTufZmAIrI12rPq9SA5eO8zyhKLvTHf_e8iL-_4bW9LXrMB-FqazhlDIAw634Npnq291P_fYGjF8dS57XtC2TfFxzg9fiywwlLPlUQlP4atYPwvRDvMGqYaPoMlsF6GoB99/s1600/IMG_2167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhMveolJeUSTufZmAIrI12rPq9SA5eO8zyhKLvTHf_e8iL-_4bW9LXrMB-FqazhlDIAw634Npnq291P_fYGjF8dS57XtC2TfFxzg9fiywwlLPlUQlP4atYPwvRDvMGqYaPoMlsF6GoB99/s1600/IMG_2167.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you just need a quick, simple sew - right? This skirt is just that, but still oozes with style and funk! The Festival Skirt is great for Summer, easy to pull over your swimsuit at the beach or pool and keeps you nice and cool. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbpmU4DTetvdvNXMCIPv_K2PmLnrn7kxDKDYri6wK7RZi-tDwSIIp60cf5-9mJpMqSPC1k-vFa1p1wHTB8yJ_Vpn3ddIZM3DJUQyPEHX4SN_j6gumT63wHNU64lS2s8hNNPyxtVYyZsSt/s1600/IMG_2184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbpmU4DTetvdvNXMCIPv_K2PmLnrn7kxDKDYri6wK7RZi-tDwSIIp60cf5-9mJpMqSPC1k-vFa1p1wHTB8yJ_Vpn3ddIZM3DJUQyPEHX4SN_j6gumT63wHNU64lS2s8hNNPyxtVYyZsSt/s1600/IMG_2184.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Festival Skirt is designed to have a "puffy" finished look, because of the elastic waistband, the fit is quite forgiving so if you want a less puffy look to the skirt then just size down a bit or use a lighter fabric with a softer drape - such as double gauze, voile, lawn, silk or rayon. I have made a few of these skirts made from quilting cotton too and they result in a much more full skirt, but still just as great looking!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Festival Skirt pattern has been released in <a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/issue-5-one-thimble-pdf-digital-sewing-magazine.html">edition 5 of One Thimble's PDF e-zine. You can purchase the whole magazine here</a>, or if you just want the Festival Skirt pattern <a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/festival-skirt-single-pattern-pdf.html">on it's own it is avaliable here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">{And thanks to my little sister, Filipa, for modelling this skirt for me whilst feeling rotten with early pregnancy morning sickness...she's a gem, that one!} </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ8PfjopmHqvxrWybbG4WVAaZxbx22h50WGRq4lmKWEBKi7CdZuE3cY0wevmrhI-zW2BlLMRCuqUR2DoiPUnNfTsSWidYPUyyZ4_hMiY0I1xFlzWvbqYTOaMEdtAbRbN7Y5VhKkAktDpJ/s1600/IMG_2202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ8PfjopmHqvxrWybbG4WVAaZxbx22h50WGRq4lmKWEBKi7CdZuE3cY0wevmrhI-zW2BlLMRCuqUR2DoiPUnNfTsSWidYPUyyZ4_hMiY0I1xFlzWvbqYTOaMEdtAbRbN7Y5VhKkAktDpJ/s1600/IMG_2202.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><i><span style="font-size: large;">SUPPLIES:</span></i></u><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Make It Perfect, <a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/festival-skirt-single-pattern-pdf.html">Festival Skirt </a>pattern</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Kokka cotton lawn, Jubilee Printed Matter, Mosaic C purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MissMatatabi?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Miss Matatabi</a>.</i></span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-16967237900278977882015-01-09T08:29:00.002+11:002015-01-09T08:29:26.256+11:00.Short-sleeved Skippy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3QAvR_ES_nyNYwDiyWC2jiDcn1B1zrRbvZw9FYySXv4jPdKuI-mxfsxyDZmrAKrn2i1vgUsM43myaHWiORrRkoaDDLKQ-s2rjRNKy7Oc9bqws4GOzlEVAQSrWROowOh1g6GXMN_F3qdy/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3QAvR_ES_nyNYwDiyWC2jiDcn1B1zrRbvZw9FYySXv4jPdKuI-mxfsxyDZmrAKrn2i1vgUsM43myaHWiORrRkoaDDLKQ-s2rjRNKy7Oc9bqws4GOzlEVAQSrWROowOh1g6GXMN_F3qdy/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, I'm still trying to get into the sewing groove...it always takes awhile to find the time during the Summer school holidays, but playing at the beach, working in the yard and hanging out with the kids have taken priority lately. And I like it that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was cleaning out some folders on my computer last week though and found a few items of clothing that I have sewn and never blogged about - kinda helpful to keep the blog rolling along!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy</a> dress I made awhile ago - I think this may be the first short-sleeved version I have shared on the blog?</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktm0RSjSYnuJLNSvcpeeVNIkZlmYCL9BVRYq2rkOWxEL2E5yiDDLRO5s0BQH6sfStfQKmAfJX7gK_3Z_aRjc7FnUmOWhyYM3T3XNNdBuorkoBzARKkcRkN-WwsbnL24TT33CI9ZzfsdBr/s1600/IMG_0552.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I choose to go a solid chocolate brown for this one. A little more subtle than the loud prints I am usually drawn to. And it gets a good workout. As fun as it is to sew with bold prints, these plain basics are always the ones that are easy to pull out of the wardrobe without much thought in the morning. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qDwHd7aerZ_igECkDX5AQmid_Z270B-epMUxmyGg38dtfedFyqfgnNMPDfXNpzICWuugId-vxzVDgYXWDiTmNVHKn2GGkfv0M34tN8y0WHmQBscJXbQomAFeTaVQDZJLBKAtkGUD24P0/s1600/IMG_0556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qDwHd7aerZ_igECkDX5AQmid_Z270B-epMUxmyGg38dtfedFyqfgnNMPDfXNpzICWuugId-vxzVDgYXWDiTmNVHKn2GGkfv0M34tN8y0WHmQBscJXbQomAFeTaVQDZJLBKAtkGUD24P0/s1600/IMG_0556.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I really love the gathered cap sleeve option on the Skippy dress. This sleeve is gathered both at the top and the bottom of the sleeve, creating a full and even puff. The edge of the sleeve is finished off with a thin band.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm determined to break my sewing fast today...whip up a few "needed" items then start work on a new pattern because it's been awhile!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><i>SUPPLIES:</i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Make It Perfect, <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy</a> sewing pattern</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Robert Kaufman, Laguna jersey in chocolate </i> </span></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-61695901717967691072015-01-05T17:00:00.000+11:002015-01-05T17:00:02.964+11:00.Handmade Christmas Gifts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYCfI4g1BDJLbcVcy_Hv5L3I0Tz90B_kdcXb1av7V38o58qLLmf0PlS9P9ezc2yonRwac1Uy-IgSN9-Bd2hdJ2eaMJjRpBa7Jo_PxlStwYD7EYWZchbkNkT0Ccvz2cMLeMLmm0J0UkeTS/s1600/IMG_3200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYCfI4g1BDJLbcVcy_Hv5L3I0Tz90B_kdcXb1av7V38o58qLLmf0PlS9P9ezc2yonRwac1Uy-IgSN9-Bd2hdJ2eaMJjRpBa7Jo_PxlStwYD7EYWZchbkNkT0Ccvz2cMLeMLmm0J0UkeTS/s1600/IMG_3200.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This year I only made a couple of Christmas presents for family members. In past years I have made many more, but the sewing machine hasn't been used much at all since moving house. I'm still getting my sewing area set up and with the kids on school holidays and the weather finally warming up I just haven't felt like doing much sewing. A sewing break is always nice though, after a month or so I'm really hanging out to get back into it and at the moment my list of things to sew is becoming rather long so hopefully this week I will pull out the fabric and start making a mess again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, the first handmade Christmas gift was for <a href="http://carlisclan.blogspot.com.au/">Carli</a>. We do a family Christmas draw where adults gift for another adult and children gift for another child. It's really nice - especially the cousins choosing presents for each other. Jaron got Carli's name and she hinted that I could make her a quilt top! She doesn't like cutting or sewing on the machine, but does enjoy a bit of hand quilting on the couch so I put together this quilt top for her, taking inspiration from colours in her house. I forgot to measure it before it was posted, but the blocks were cut at 6 1/2" square so it must be around 66" (167cm) square. I love this modern colour palette, nice and vibrant and I'm a big fan of simple square quilts where the focus is on the fabric.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEJJQ64Sd78h96J4z1UOMiXGLHyoiDbnFhq-xuvzK9BTfhsZ1_7QDwQN09gIZmPcfaLInVQPlTLFG1pPDvxO-L-jklbufV5mYhzMNjum2FC08-43VVw8PIbT1RVKcxxULvklU1qhtVkfU/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEJJQ64Sd78h96J4z1UOMiXGLHyoiDbnFhq-xuvzK9BTfhsZ1_7QDwQN09gIZmPcfaLInVQPlTLFG1pPDvxO-L-jklbufV5mYhzMNjum2FC08-43VVw8PIbT1RVKcxxULvklU1qhtVkfU/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After I had finished making the top, I kept looking at this floral fabric by Lotta Jansdotter sitting in my cupboard and thinking how good it would look on the back of the quilt. It wasn't big enough though so I selected a few fabrics from the quilt top and pieced them together to make the back bigger. Now all Carli has to do is buy some wadding and baste the layers together and it will keep her busy for a little while!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WYtqqI-2xEP2yc0xetrd_LYLVrpU11Px7JsISIe-w4nXpnrFAWic2X3cLnlmQ1Oof9v68DTnxWr7TYQPWQytKeswnXyYrckYUgsHXD9dOTDePTZYtF3Nts83MY6YlDRg1n5zA7q17DgO/s1600/IMG_3203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WYtqqI-2xEP2yc0xetrd_LYLVrpU11Px7JsISIe-w4nXpnrFAWic2X3cLnlmQ1Oof9v68DTnxWr7TYQPWQytKeswnXyYrckYUgsHXD9dOTDePTZYtF3Nts83MY6YlDRg1n5zA7q17DgO/s1600/IMG_3203.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The other handmade gift was not of the sewing variety. Lil had to get a gift for baby George and <a href="http://sambret.blogspot.com.au/">Sam</a> said that she would like to get more wooden toys for the kids. At the beginning, I thought this project was going to be quick, but I found myself cleaning, sanding and painting these little suckers for 3 weeks! Lucky I started with lots of time up my sleeve! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6XT3r9zXp-l_oKJObydizWbjEUDOfeySY0ISAbjUFeR-mz2lcko6rWNEtr81Lqkv7g6D0Q2qH_TPBJxS9k8agsDkoKXpdXW4JDEbvvJQVqRQe8jUIFg-78sH_VfDqwSsSxvh7RSJpBIG/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6XT3r9zXp-l_oKJObydizWbjEUDOfeySY0ISAbjUFeR-mz2lcko6rWNEtr81Lqkv7g6D0Q2qH_TPBJxS9k8agsDkoKXpdXW4JDEbvvJQVqRQe8jUIFg-78sH_VfDqwSsSxvh7RSJpBIG/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">These wooden blocks started out in our toy collection. I had a man make them for us a few years back and lots of them I had covered in scrapbook paper and modpodge. My kids didn't play with them much as they were so I soaked them in water to get the paper off then gave them all a really good sand and clean up. Then the painting went on forever...but I love the black and white geometric effect and think they will have lots of fun making different shapes and designs with all of the painted sides.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DmiLtcg1FqjPJNqcuDCEQtNtQIA-vjK2EKEQQuPy6ZkY8NmkmRws8LXAR3NLZfwH9Ey8NjhE1v5FByl4rVIeMdACDQzlJxIGoU71gQCGa65NX2bDope2z9upo3mAPJ7aWi7X3DIG5MJ8/s1600/IMG_3213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DmiLtcg1FqjPJNqcuDCEQtNtQIA-vjK2EKEQQuPy6ZkY8NmkmRws8LXAR3NLZfwH9Ey8NjhE1v5FByl4rVIeMdACDQzlJxIGoU71gQCGa65NX2bDope2z9upo3mAPJ7aWi7X3DIG5MJ8/s1600/IMG_3213.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My inspiration came from <a href="http://instagram.com/babeeandme">this account</a> I follow on Instagram. Check her out, she makes lots of funky kids toys and books and other craft projects. Now that I know how long these blocks took to paint I know why she has a really long waiting list for new orders!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb9erw1ppqkEXzc9aT6RifjV8y9DHhKRuvB9GAgBXfgo3dcpUNAS0ga2rNhKsiD_6U9KKsPqjn1axeKIJmS7nY1zB8lQTkeQggir3AuhWAXTwX6r5bsiMzkn8YLCgud7r4Mc_B-dwQ31J/s1600/IMG_3225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb9erw1ppqkEXzc9aT6RifjV8y9DHhKRuvB9GAgBXfgo3dcpUNAS0ga2rNhKsiD_6U9KKsPqjn1axeKIJmS7nY1zB8lQTkeQggir3AuhWAXTwX6r5bsiMzkn8YLCgud7r4Mc_B-dwQ31J/s1600/IMG_3225.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">FABRIC USED FOR QUILT:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Diawabo, Tip Top Elephants in grey (Japanese fabric)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lizzy House, Pearl Bracelets in dark blue</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cotton & Steel Basics, Cross in navy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lotta Jansdotter, Echo, Rugged Lena in suede</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sarah Jane, Wee Wander, Nature Walk in grass </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lotta Jansdotter, Echo, Moira in deep indigo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joel Dewberry, Modern Meadow, Herringbone in pond</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joel Dewberry, True Colours, Lodge Lattice in turquoise</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lotta Jansdotter, Echo, Small Spring Buds in grey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Art Gallery, Chromatics, Pointelle in navy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Michelle Engle Bencsko, Simpatico, Straws in minty</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Riley Blake, Hipster, Mirrah Leaf in grey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lotta Jansdotter, Glimma, Marby in jade</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-20800993876771837322015-01-04T15:33:00.000+11:002015-01-04T15:33:37.579+11:00.Teacher Zippered Pouches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBGBK8CXJbFLdLl-qbcFiRJ_nJp59UgZ9SLTQ49hkvfQxo7ysquCHgkbMLFreEY0Kh6MWGx7OIfIsfBBESXaC-aXycu0-q_Vo4bidZg4XHmZLtNUlUCl2Gt21sBJNeMOQeOMMLWKAd52e/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBGBK8CXJbFLdLl-qbcFiRJ_nJp59UgZ9SLTQ49hkvfQxo7ysquCHgkbMLFreEY0Kh6MWGx7OIfIsfBBESXaC-aXycu0-q_Vo4bidZg4XHmZLtNUlUCl2Gt21sBJNeMOQeOMMLWKAd52e/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The end of the school year was signified with the annual school teacher zippered pouch marathon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's kind of good having a "go to" teacher pattern - something that suits them all, is personal, not edible and something that I can be sure will actually be used in the future. Plus, it gives me a chance to lessen the load in the scrap fabric bin!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year there were two teacher's aides in Tommy's class which meant I had to make 5 pouches. I managed to get them finished with a week or so to spare though which was nice considering it happened in amongst the craziness of moving and unpacking house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see previous teacher zippered pouches <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/teacher-presents.html">here</a>, <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/gifts-for-teachers.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/teacher-christmas-gifts.html">here</a> - this is the fourth year I have made them. Funny that some of those same scraps are still going strong!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used my <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/zippered-pouch-tutorial.html">Zippered Pouch Tutorial</a> to make them.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4faNt0VnvLT_wI9rOr94kAt3WW8W6-y7XJBPy1QNX2-yvurkObZN9tz68CgKfICxfznc4XxUiKaCg6R6lVq742yveLom7gUwWEgZZp5N09OFlYQZsicGuNdzEfI8NpKcrB5V5MQrpIVCc/s1600/IMG_3152.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1cXP5yQ52DjfDBzKE3viNqhm81k8iR4yh3XVKRhmIn2YrA-EtsL6fBFk2gSDUALhYhRB7AGwhNdEQOrsJ1tFDbIzi3e4OsznsmfLNyorz9tvNT0HluxopdqTe4Eigp_scbCYp7pfDcRx/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1cXP5yQ52DjfDBzKE3viNqhm81k8iR4yh3XVKRhmIn2YrA-EtsL6fBFk2gSDUALhYhRB7AGwhNdEQOrsJ1tFDbIzi3e4OsznsmfLNyorz9tvNT0HluxopdqTe4Eigp_scbCYp7pfDcRx/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzqJiAy0K18vRo3XYgQhIbINd6jupVpdGfZk8eqvP6ITNvwN2JMYykT-IQQFouYFeXsHZjYjF9LJcVW_v4xKNBV7WmzF5Mt5nRBPaBtGTa4GS4IY25gUHMBYFV2rkmvlOPOSB1do8BmL1/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzqJiAy0K18vRo3XYgQhIbINd6jupVpdGfZk8eqvP6ITNvwN2JMYykT-IQQFouYFeXsHZjYjF9LJcVW_v4xKNBV7WmzF5Mt5nRBPaBtGTa4GS4IY25gUHMBYFV2rkmvlOPOSB1do8BmL1/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPHt_mX2Km21oqD6lUuGwYZ2ckbqg8MlFbVChVs7NINiwu9I4hZ_AgMHg8vj-5fHQ-jviSpUnwx017lr8kMBVgSeH-nnKwOC0OjhHhTr0l3Y599uIPP8zrOfP-156jRtDClhwFgZrUq1A/s1600/IMG_3153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPHt_mX2Km21oqD6lUuGwYZ2ckbqg8MlFbVChVs7NINiwu9I4hZ_AgMHg8vj-5fHQ-jviSpUnwx017lr8kMBVgSeH-nnKwOC0OjhHhTr0l3Y599uIPP8zrOfP-156jRtDClhwFgZrUq1A/s1600/IMG_3153.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp87ZiXSL309UDGsepw0065-SHbVdguHa7JFKZMSUedc_uHVosmZ3pI9J-LR4MixOXIUkE8lmaBDH1mi-cj5su4r_iuQ9eqA1Uuvq0lcsS8Eo3QuKbroH9J6qKARlxe5fduFuM2kuTcNKy/s1600/IMG_3154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp87ZiXSL309UDGsepw0065-SHbVdguHa7JFKZMSUedc_uHVosmZ3pI9J-LR4MixOXIUkE8lmaBDH1mi-cj5su4r_iuQ9eqA1Uuvq0lcsS8Eo3QuKbroH9J6qKARlxe5fduFuM2kuTcNKy/s1600/IMG_3154.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFplVDxQCDGgDLqfyFjS018j2hNHIUf6BhhcSxC0a9yJUT2-ZVtuFXnNs-aPmCh9K60slBPex9RjeUHiwLVRMzzGZB8vjVkJj5i4OCiX5VGsRllRsuk-oLDUv3MQySfMas2Dedr5DlJ0-/s1600/IMG_3164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFplVDxQCDGgDLqfyFjS018j2hNHIUf6BhhcSxC0a9yJUT2-ZVtuFXnNs-aPmCh9K60slBPex9RjeUHiwLVRMzzGZB8vjVkJj5i4OCiX5VGsRllRsuk-oLDUv3MQySfMas2Dedr5DlJ0-/s1600/IMG_3164.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-53785313051675698392015-01-03T21:54:00.000+11:002015-01-03T21:55:19.339+11:00.Christmas 2014.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvVkDb7g5aI24tUzXrimypXsdOIQMiffskqEp01VuMiydteUSgcsbUgDnyDUOAfxjlTg0jZ77FNawjylifJrUR06e-J3q_h2eAhf9TJXf1oF-jnVtKdocHHYJWlMFKytGv0zrrTgMFlrp/s1600/christmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvVkDb7g5aI24tUzXrimypXsdOIQMiffskqEp01VuMiydteUSgcsbUgDnyDUOAfxjlTg0jZ77FNawjylifJrUR06e-J3q_h2eAhf9TJXf1oF-jnVtKdocHHYJWlMFKytGv0zrrTgMFlrp/s1600/christmas1.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsjq-w_pdF2oVYrQH-_P5quHXiXYMraHvnqUSjeG-sLUAuhfGxpqizHcgxyct3SWj9e4ibN_c1ygRiZ85BfnuYojOu3EJQZHP3-Tqrt4lBcuf0HfNZCZuTtco-FLiWDnf88JogugTI-wM/s1600/christmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsjq-w_pdF2oVYrQH-_P5quHXiXYMraHvnqUSjeG-sLUAuhfGxpqizHcgxyct3SWj9e4ibN_c1ygRiZ85BfnuYojOu3EJQZHP3-Tqrt4lBcuf0HfNZCZuTtco-FLiWDnf88JogugTI-wM/s1600/christmas2.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7C2cRAluB2pE6_JAIsWEOhb856JUg-cugOjaqNtgrisuRNFIpXQY9RiECNLXJbAsk_Mk5YcUGaDvyssNmiIWb6Du1a3WNNpgZRBldz__Y99cFMtgkrt4QKN8cWLwIRMbPRru3UH96byM/s1600/christmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7C2cRAluB2pE6_JAIsWEOhb856JUg-cugOjaqNtgrisuRNFIpXQY9RiECNLXJbAsk_Mk5YcUGaDvyssNmiIWb6Du1a3WNNpgZRBldz__Y99cFMtgkrt4QKN8cWLwIRMbPRru3UH96byM/s1600/christmas3.jpg" height="960" width="615" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUVBiVZn9lKg-FB4rywHH71kSraEQ8r58WcWP72G7P-qm7PswvFzV9uHwl9OxNMezcoaVcDAQpHJmi2hF4Wk3fWP2L4uN8xiTCFThmUaM32cgXXcsMRmtW7VzCBTsmJQygYcGoT0swHHg/s1600/christmas4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUVBiVZn9lKg-FB4rywHH71kSraEQ8r58WcWP72G7P-qm7PswvFzV9uHwl9OxNMezcoaVcDAQpHJmi2hF4Wk3fWP2L4uN8xiTCFThmUaM32cgXXcsMRmtW7VzCBTsmJQygYcGoT0swHHg/s1600/christmas4.jpg" height="960" width="615" /></a><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEDZx5EwCjSCa2l9sVkor5s50MfOujwTl-cb9S-Qtg8tEmttlPzXJLUIpYEZTv32g6Cl90RLRgSybx3cEep0tc4hm3cRS3njqTQ5vY_jPZHCgi9twhyYPlFeAqWBIhDByDzMLC0w8u8Nm/s1600/christmas5.jpg" height="896" width="649.5" /><span style="font-size: large;">5:45am wake-up. We made them wait until 7am, they were very patient watching TV whilst surrounded by their presents!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Harvey joined us at 8am. Bleary-eyed, in new car heaven (although the car didn't have wheels yet...we ran out of steam at midnight on Christmas Eve!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Paper-ripping, fists pumping, squeals of delight. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gourmet breakfast with the family followed by a lovely walk to the jetty. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The smallest children swam, clothes and all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest children skimmed rocks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Home for rest, movie and play time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Reunited at Gramma & Poppy's house for a funny rendition of the Nativity story - complete with three very strange wise men.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Family presents exchanged and opened followed by another delicious feast and lots of laughter and relaxing together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was pure bliss.</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-76554948506057758812014-12-23T21:11:00.000+11:002015-01-03T21:55:37.754+11:00.Boxing Day Sale.<img alt="Picture" src="http://www.onethimble.com.au/uploads/2/6/5/2/26529642/8971495.png?929" style="max-width: 100%;" /><span style="font-size: large;">Popping in just before the fun of Christmas Eve to let you know of an awesome Boxing Day Sale I'm taking part in with a group of other Aussie pattern designers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sale will run for the whole of the 26th December (Australian Eastern Standard Time). All of my <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Instant_Download_Patterns.html">PDF instant download patterns</a> will be 30% off for just 24 hours - the perfect time to stock up on some patterns for a bit of holiday sewing!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are links to all of the participating businesses (most require the code "BOXINGDAY" but some stores, mine included, will have a discounted price displayed for all to enjoy!): </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ainsleefox.com.au/category/patterns-pdf" title="">Ainslee Fox Boutique Patterns</a><br /><a href="http://appleandfig.weebly.com/shop-af.html" title="">Apple & Fig</a><br /><a href="http://bobkin.bigcartel.com/" title="">Bobkin</a><br /><a href="http://boodesigns.com.au/product-category/patterns/" title="">BOO! Designs</a> (stand-alone patterns only)<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellieinspiredclothes">Ellie Inspired</a><br /><a href="http://www.fabricdirect.com.au/shopping-cart/patterns-and-books/pdf-patterns/" title="">Fabric Direct.com.au</a><br /><a href="http://flosstyle.com/patterns.html" title="">Flosstyle</a><br /><a href="http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com/products/patterns" title="">Funky Friends Factory</a><br /><a href="http://goldenrippy.com/shop/" title="">Golden Rippy</a><br /><a href="http://www.heytherethreads.com/shop/" title="">Hey There Threads</a><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JodysCraftyCreations?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_1" title="">Jody's Crafty Creations</a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/au/shop/WillowandtheOwl">KC Creates</a> (no code required - price will be discounted for you )<br /><a href="http://www.littlemoodesigns.com.au/pattern-shop.html" title="">Little Moo Designs</a><br /><a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Sewing_Patterns.html">Make it Perfect</a> (no code required - price will be discounted for you)<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollyandmama">Molly and Mama</a><br /><a href="http://www.onethimble.com.au/e-zines.html" title="">One Thimble</a> (includes e-zines but not subscriptions)<br /><a href="http://www.patternemporium.com/products" title="">Pattern Emporium</a> (stand-alone patterns only)<br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/RabbitRabbitCreation" title="">Rabbit Rabbit Creations</a><br /><a href="http://www.sewnsow.com.au/product-category/pdf-sewing-patterns" title="">Sew n Sow</a><br /><a href="http://www.tadahpatterns.com.au/shop.html#%21/Individual-PDF-Patterns/c/6740230/offset=0&sort=normal" title="">Tadah Patterns</a> (stand-alone patterns only)<br /><a href="http://threadingrainbows.com.au/?cat=4" title="">Threading Rainbows</a> (no code required - price will be discounted for you!) </span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-87600409715249352522014-12-22T22:03:00.000+11:002014-12-22T22:03:47.488+11:00.Emerging...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello blog! I'm not sure that I remember how to do this, it has been so long!!! The last two months have been a whirlwind. We said goodbye to our fun home of 4 1/2 years at number 19</span>...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIj3PGvDiQx82x7BTI5Nj5iXAEgd_iQUT42DPXcpKGVGvuG3HukBiFd4BVINA2G-FVFNXsQe-S6ePpY1RFfCL272qBMcF9O931vmfBygeCxxCCwhyFtX7VyWRMej0Umdxx01kT5e6sEcm/s1600/10748290_1513106368941199_325999913_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...and hello to our new place which we finally finished building! This is our backyard - well, technically speaking these are the vacant blocks in our new subdivision that we are hoping don't sell for a long time because the kids think it is all theirs and run wild through all of that grass! We have gigantic (kind of scary) hares bouncing around all day and night - there are no bunnies here, just thumping huge hares! And so many birds...much to Harvey's delight. He is bird crazy and chases them when ever he gets the chance. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTvHlbaKZdYO1PEIijyJgsRnKRlMhikGGKL2fJVWBvB_1cIUiKaBMoSPl25P0uu61cnGDvOt4-3kQ8dW16S3JOpHJdrZaN5dBiLapjkyFOYuphbTTn55enyHsTJxzwGlfLr4CqADRBsJm/s1600/10707069_1491588497796102_773441027_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On our first night sleeping in the new house, this was the beginning of a glorious sunset - I think it was welcoming us to the neighbourhood. The sunsets here are amazing. I don't think they are different to the ones we had in town but the unobstructed horizon and clear views magnify the beauty of the sky. Sometimes at dusk, I like to go outside and watch the sun go down. With nothing but the chirping birds surrounding me, it is so peaceful. (Until one of those scary, big hares bounds by...)</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOgL7wpC8P8SMRYN9_7N1vrw1gv0n6zLmdZGR5ERZPv4jE89yeoL8XQLc9t6Yfwc-y7dSzVE0EknPiT5Fyel7-7atKQcah5r6lFVMPNdEqf0rpDLeX_ittWlNeUKRtvz8GNz7ost8DaQm/s1600/10808618_364412367057193_2137563919_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOgL7wpC8P8SMRYN9_7N1vrw1gv0n6zLmdZGR5ERZPv4jE89yeoL8XQLc9t6Yfwc-y7dSzVE0EknPiT5Fyel7-7atKQcah5r6lFVMPNdEqf0rpDLeX_ittWlNeUKRtvz8GNz7ost8DaQm/s1600/10808618_364412367057193_2137563919_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The day before we moved, this was pretty much all that was left in any cupboard in the house. When Lil woke up in the morning, she went to the pantry to find something to eat and yells out, "Mum!!! Are we poor?!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv9vk3lCCNMbDnApY3gAV1FGRV-QfgIidejvpAbAnzzwZfNP_2dRNVgIljSon9YWSX5vRDJIMM3bO2xTGznwv15C8J_74jVnBZj3TYdVJDeED94is28SQ_vw8aOnzWyilsuNeX1k5M4td/s1600/10809709_949678761713702_1085712102_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv9vk3lCCNMbDnApY3gAV1FGRV-QfgIidejvpAbAnzzwZfNP_2dRNVgIljSon9YWSX5vRDJIMM3bO2xTGznwv15C8J_74jVnBZj3TYdVJDeED94is28SQ_vw8aOnzWyilsuNeX1k5M4td/s1600/10809709_949678761713702_1085712102_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a> A few days after we moved, Grandie and Nana visited us from New Zealand. They were so helpful getting the old house all cleaned out and fixing things up ready for the tenants to move in. Such a relief not having to do it all on my own. Not only did they work like troopers, but they also spoiled us with babysitting, gifts and taking us out for lots of yummy lunches.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hBk0PDJHJ-HDgGYjdU3xOm7BY5HYKqj481vfhwn8Xl5ncK-AiANQlD1bR8oH3Lel7LhzeFuY1lFgoZiamBpW8r0hd84gA2S9aaM0Hnugd4gH7t9WV-IbFQlyH5iZglWwGujqf-f_CU_Y/s1600/10832000_344512292388500_1376169072_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hBk0PDJHJ-HDgGYjdU3xOm7BY5HYKqj481vfhwn8Xl5ncK-AiANQlD1bR8oH3Lel7LhzeFuY1lFgoZiamBpW8r0hd84gA2S9aaM0Hnugd4gH7t9WV-IbFQlyH5iZglWwGujqf-f_CU_Y/s1600/10832000_344512292388500_1376169072_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and they also brought along the biggest bag of giant marshmallows one has ever seen so we did what all newly semi-rural folk do to christen their property and had a backyard-campfire-s'mores-making session.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YtYRj3-P3m670WrgccGG4h3EgCAmR5aJ7p8uz61gfaKu-t3ElPzHN2MpCyL3pB4ybMthB3bEYuEWu4H9t8WvQ9ZcVlyKvhf0kbzWilAVbx34EwWYaeDOoVgmVbHQYaIvKS8yDepKAUC/s1600/10787962_833317073366267_814421932_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3YtYRj3-P3m670WrgccGG4h3EgCAmR5aJ7p8uz61gfaKu-t3ElPzHN2MpCyL3pB4ybMthB3bEYuEWu4H9t8WvQ9ZcVlyKvhf0kbzWilAVbx34EwWYaeDOoVgmVbHQYaIvKS8yDepKAUC/s1600/10787962_833317073366267_814421932_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBij_eyT6-Fn_RJYnN0ydujPltzkO_QLUcyqfrmW7HNqcicdIsnK_GeaxcbEfsvsbVaBfZhHsGZd7RmrDYd-QQ0FgOAlagL4d4C7qov4RBG13hY0y7_1qHos9Hr0KybOiovo2z-c7rHr/s1600/10802469_623510734420240_1756580873_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBij_eyT6-Fn_RJYnN0ydujPltzkO_QLUcyqfrmW7HNqcicdIsnK_GeaxcbEfsvsbVaBfZhHsGZd7RmrDYd-QQ0FgOAlagL4d4C7qov4RBG13hY0y7_1qHos9Hr0KybOiovo2z-c7rHr/s1600/10802469_623510734420240_1756580873_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zUxxY9fekbbPzMNCSHSc65UHmce1H50bddIDHVOGuuZQq0YS4Lcej7Eg_HBYYRZH26W-0IQJzzBh2t98xOGklRwr0ePSGAKutEOjJ7g0rIVVIrSBB0zcrRne1AFRaqyTVfDBp0_ZD7fS/s1600/10787768_1497280113858281_788675172_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon moving into the new house, Harvey decided that he wanted to feed himself all the time. Not my favourite baby phase to get into. Especially in a brand new house with sparkling clean floors. So I pulled out the first quilt I ever made and now it is used for Harvey spill protection! He likes to tip his whole bowl of food onto the tray of the highchair and smoosh it around with his hands at every meal. And then he wears the bowl on his head like a hat. And usually walks around with crusty bits of weetbix in his hair all day long.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wi-i7iHkx0ENp2yslJ7B8WWz78b2iyZY3fVCeBO6Nszo-cLgYXoVskXGg-nI1RlAWOmyOD8Wxh438nnfl679328nxIB-a7q6ipUthtA3iCD04Zv12cAqmSVw6KiX8RXLzo6R4hXmfe-K/s1600/10787968_1547428162166853_1566385982_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wi-i7iHkx0ENp2yslJ7B8WWz78b2iyZY3fVCeBO6Nszo-cLgYXoVskXGg-nI1RlAWOmyOD8Wxh438nnfl679328nxIB-a7q6ipUthtA3iCD04Zv12cAqmSVw6KiX8RXLzo6R4hXmfe-K/s1600/10787968_1547428162166853_1566385982_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, we are in the new house. There was no internet connection for 4 weeks which was actually kind of nice for a little while. We are mostly unpacked, it feels like home, and we have about 20 years of landscaping ahead of us! One day we will get around to taking "nice" shots of the house to do a little tour for the blog. It was exhausting though, children would often fall asleep in strange and uncomfortable-looking positions!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuRiuGeMPLi5TQFfPlacCWGJcWHQLiOkKA7fgxwQMxqGl87DSiMxfDw8g75mWheBUHOPJjwhr0gpK8HHQH1eCDSJf8nRzkhhkGxU6ZVQeX7uVK69C1bsoWSU4vgoMHv2rzHCnUaMpd7nV/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuRiuGeMPLi5TQFfPlacCWGJcWHQLiOkKA7fgxwQMxqGl87DSiMxfDw8g75mWheBUHOPJjwhr0gpK8HHQH1eCDSJf8nRzkhhkGxU6ZVQeX7uVK69C1bsoWSU4vgoMHv2rzHCnUaMpd7nV/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And just in case you're wondering...the pantry is full now, but we spent all the money on food so now we are too poor to dress the baby!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtvhkO4sIAQ86YimuQTafSdno154WcwAgG5-SBjtQ9feGrjCP8rN678pSGfHrAOltSd_4eEyvdsHw3LFupOO4UmwDB1a_C6Q2h2DEAmGbRhYVpO4GMraXLOgq3ntTanh8fPScWpsNFjL-/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtvhkO4sIAQ86YimuQTafSdno154WcwAgG5-SBjtQ9feGrjCP8rN678pSGfHrAOltSd_4eEyvdsHw3LFupOO4UmwDB1a_C6Q2h2DEAmGbRhYVpO4GMraXLOgq3ntTanh8fPScWpsNFjL-/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-82926434814976332552014-11-10T12:40:00.000+11:002014-11-10T12:40:18.533+11:00.325 Triangles Quilt.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxsU3xxiwTNXMBcR8iwCJmL_VJwvckbE6rt_zvU7L6hKvItVmTuGp-YHyutCNPb_D7m2H-E6VsnT3kDjtfkK2ObwhzOGWeAUOVIagF8EFRgEHnyFSg8qi1-oh1XjO3VpOhNkcqQbnV-R_/s1600/IMG_2621.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxsU3xxiwTNXMBcR8iwCJmL_VJwvckbE6rt_zvU7L6hKvItVmTuGp-YHyutCNPb_D7m2H-E6VsnT3kDjtfkK2ObwhzOGWeAUOVIagF8EFRgEHnyFSg8qi1-oh1XjO3VpOhNkcqQbnV-R_/s1600/IMG_2621.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I've had a 2 1/2 year break from quilt making. <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/for-kings.html">The last one</a> I made was very special and there hasn't been a need for a new quilt until now. New house = new bedrooms = new quilts. Well, I guess I could go out and buy bedding, but that's not my style. Any excuse to get creative, right?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our house will be finished at the end of this week (eek!) then we have a marathon of cleaning the new house, moving, unpacking and cleaning the old house. We are really looking forward to it, but will be able to enjoy everything more when the work phase is over!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oscar is especially looking forward to having a bedroom to himself. His two great loves are the solar system and the human body - we thought decorating a room solar system-style would be more tasteful than the human body!! Oscar has just turned 9 so I'm very mindful of keeping the room decorated to suit an older boy and didn't want to make him a quilt that screamed planets. </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BSm0ebMVg6YaJtONCQJ0uZTLfGnxUQOParTy7wnS6RVa2Wx6VZMqru7ODk4EbYJurW6h-bBCE-0HIgqS_TZA26-ShIWZ0OSMnaRkNZ9kGCpUwxWU6W88I2bEjCPWZl9EBdXZAOBhq_O2/s1600/IMG_2697.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead, we chose a selection of solid coloured fabric (I've listed them all at the end of this post) inspired by the solar system. I've been drawn to triangle quilts lately, <a href="http://instagram.com/p/cfdmtKAr5g/">this one on Instagram</a> especially caught my eye and it was decided that the quilt would be made of lots and lots (325 to be exact!) of triangles. Sticking with a theme-neutral quilt also means that if he ever grows out of the solar system, we are not stuck with an out of place piece of bedding that a lot of work has gone into! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV5loVWotT0mLkTJUPJg3rPUp8_Bfxg8632nLElkfaKbE6yM30Jo7k5tgWAf3fwWD_o4DvIkm2PiJvXJ_7vXQ-zuqhlEct3Oc-mI3y-SP8uIdSCXNFTRAaEXToq8kP1sn_ALW40LsBayn/s1600/IMG_2610.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV5loVWotT0mLkTJUPJg3rPUp8_Bfxg8632nLElkfaKbE6yM30Jo7k5tgWAf3fwWD_o4DvIkm2PiJvXJ_7vXQ-zuqhlEct3Oc-mI3y-SP8uIdSCXNFTRAaEXToq8kP1sn_ALW40LsBayn/s1600/IMG_2610.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This quilt is definitley the biggest I have ever made. The finished measurements ended up being 91" (231cm) x 82" (208cm). I wanted the quilt to be big enough to sit on a queen-sized bed and tuck under completely on the bottom and two sides. I like the look of a tucked in quilt.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCed8qPUu6oa9MCk58u8z8oxRBkGEAkGk5FAjYBS-rS468IDYqAqcvpaNjc_-RAxN4u9qMkTy7lJtnKlfsY_QJYT0OhHy72EA7ScFGAnm5OgB71ZDKQatPMkL__hZJhN2DIcABBs5wpeJ/s1600/IMG_2543.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCed8qPUu6oa9MCk58u8z8oxRBkGEAkGk5FAjYBS-rS468IDYqAqcvpaNjc_-RAxN4u9qMkTy7lJtnKlfsY_QJYT0OhHy72EA7ScFGAnm5OgB71ZDKQatPMkL__hZJhN2DIcABBs5wpeJ/s1600/IMG_2543.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> When I first started cutting and piecing triangles, I totally underestimated how many I would need to make the quilt big enough and ended up cutting and piecing more and more rows until it finally worked! At the moment Oscar only has a single bed, but when Harvey moves out of his cot we will do a bed shuffle and will buy a queen sized bed for Oscar. This quilt is made with forward planning in mind, but can sit folded in half on his bed now anyway!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS6TRYaXEqQLz454bZLPgiFCQzlx8BPYCluMiESaVDVCj15Mp8G0R8M6RxTctE1cvQQQppYWLhPzEjHkcWaBdPDgIf0gAa90KnoS3nEuuOVmdPAoRG3EL55e1ccZTS7_-qZiXSEJb22ZC/s1600/IMG_2553.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS6TRYaXEqQLz454bZLPgiFCQzlx8BPYCluMiESaVDVCj15Mp8G0R8M6RxTctE1cvQQQppYWLhPzEjHkcWaBdPDgIf0gAa90KnoS3nEuuOVmdPAoRG3EL55e1ccZTS7_-qZiXSEJb22ZC/s1600/IMG_2553.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To cut the triangles, I cut 7" wide strips of fabric, then cut those into equilateral triangles using the 60 degree cutting line on my cutting mat and ruler. It wasn't hard, but more time consuming than cutting squares or rectangles.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_NHH2Am-WVgt9UjXi2sb82qvJaG4fCnz51nRMT-HehHITWXubfaLxJKz7bHF7GIqjxpSnfHzmZorEdX3TRujlCraZ5c2lwU_4X2U5_AiBqQPeAOR_McvpnSXf7-bdFJxp14QStMJdjrH/s1600/IMG_2655.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all of the quilts I have ever sewn, I have<a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/quilt-for-newlyweds.html"> only once</a> had a try at machine quilting and that was using a quilt-as-you-go method. I was keen to give proper machine quilting a go though but wondered if it was worth trying for the first time on a quilt this big?! I bought myself some proper quilting gloves (they were my magic gloves and made a huge difference!) and used Matilda's Own brand 100% cotton batting and managed to pull it off!! I'm definitely not going to be winning any prizes at the fair for my efforts, but it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. There are a few wonky sections and uneven stitches, but I'm super happy for my first effort and am keen to perfect my technique now! </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQAkEP0up5a5kvE40EAHUjOoNsEmVN9JM1_Q7qpU5FwCLn_Tyc-BiNLPp89Miqf0IEHimmdlgrDcrZdewSy9jjXfa6BXbmoqzguYLowbaHGllQNDJF8IVnwNHRD6iTenrSy8E1Jol1vDl/s1600/IMG_2688.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQAkEP0up5a5kvE40EAHUjOoNsEmVN9JM1_Q7qpU5FwCLn_Tyc-BiNLPp89Miqf0IEHimmdlgrDcrZdewSy9jjXfa6BXbmoqzguYLowbaHGllQNDJF8IVnwNHRD6iTenrSy8E1Jol1vDl/s1600/IMG_2688.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To make it easier, I stuck with straight lines and quilted 1/4" either side of every seam. I thought it was going to to take me weeks to get it finished, but it only took 5 or 6 hours! Hand quilting this would have taken me a few months so I was extremely happy with the quick finish it gave me.</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTXkrlHd4dnKL-KnbBxZOj3pp71OzTcL1c1z7rjM8k8Yq_eI-2etU9_ubxFnZW7JUbf_vZWnNKmig0SRm8yh7N338eAnOVqZaQRwF97JwW0pTQXa2qGYfrS-Xnh6keT2cY_h6aYkL5x0O/s1600/IMG_2754.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the back of the quilt, I bought some extra wide backing fabric to save myself the hassle of having to piece anything. When it arrived in the post though, the shop didn't send me as much as I had ordered so I made use of a few extra rows of triangles that I hadn't used in the front and added a happy strip down the middle. Although I didn't want to do any more piecing, I'm really glad that I did because it really gives the back some bright character. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjWw0Yc0InppeYKp0Ibd-raLg2BLDcj__S_8yxbFK4qBU1-VJnxuB0Ac2pnW156jzSZFrO1EOc81ORDEWiA1QivGsZn6S2rUvgdhBtRy80ySZ9bEKEQntVrpWe4ZWpb0JM1wB08fHwLdC/s1600/IMG_2759.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had just enough solid grey fabric left to use for the binding, and then it was done! Just in time for a new bedroom in a new house...and now I've got three more children waiting for their new bedroom quilts! I said I wanted to perfect my machine quilting, didn't I?!!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHktH-MzYdlS1EAS4Hgkr5vLyvkq-3yYiE0AC_A68ssklprhkPvPNXVA7zsQU-LwG4Ffs7FIiNpQ8hf6FjA8V56c1fP16ncXCPDUD0lQnv1FGoG9c6LTH7xCXNLSJ0ISEtR8OoQPTsls_/s1600/IMG_2757.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKON7KEHbofXaw4qjC_AMQIuYfJeN2mPZaNh9tEB2MbFDTDpJMsWuiH0YCI8y3NjuDPbd-JXxlFN33n-NHUEJcPI42REYjYBhH4Nwc2RZ1uHSEVT4-338IZFMsh8Q-QR98-7MP6S_N2Yk/s1600/IMG_2666.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaHzvW8prxKL5cxrZm5_CzFVR4dKihXo6J5HwgECsYL6ZPnyzkjbTqhgIlrAcSozg60FZkDiT_zhY6ibTUnGmAp6yBdCmYhwyQV0V1Xx7-1dC23whKXVsdHJLjcdkQtKflrAhaDFR7pIX/s1600/IMG_2668.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQUFAUYoSxcBW_7b3m9ksp5JrJKg5QonDA5x7D_O7sDmBshiCU-Mp-BbhNhFjyrSrMKZfFHpgj5bPWSYRHjql7uo_g4j2sc7_AMrii3Esa7wxE_4YqmDPsbIb8bPchJQRd2CcbKEQ2Bve/s1600/IMG_2723.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BaWAU9Jdg2i77xHZihNXT78cigb46alsL9OVAv69jqoU8MPkav8fCzDGu5R6-g2rQu_NlxJCOJoN3ABg3vY4yZoB8bEnyn5ERVX9DKaoKpLHh_TTNntZwZlEtCjbnxx-dRVDLyLRp1hc/s1600/IMG_2677.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PdE23xgJqv_0Pw-no6JXm64Ty-jmCDKjzPd_EpGtH8-HIBgMY1M0u2G0t1-NcLkwbyF1b9GIErLL26uXglleb9OQgak94xsDp91oOix5nthSD5MCU-eUmCTQnXzj_PUcj6tRirXrMD9n/s1600/IMG_2626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PdE23xgJqv_0Pw-no6JXm64Ty-jmCDKjzPd_EpGtH8-HIBgMY1M0u2G0t1-NcLkwbyF1b9GIErLL26uXglleb9OQgak94xsDp91oOix5nthSD5MCU-eUmCTQnXzj_PUcj6tRirXrMD9n/s1600/IMG_2626.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><i><span style="font-size: large;">SUPPLIES:</span></i></u><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Triangles</b>...Kona cotton solid in the following colours:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Orange</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sage</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Breakers</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Celestial</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Poppy red</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Graphite</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oasis</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Chartreuse</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Corn</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Grass green</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Flame red</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Navy</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Peapod</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Binding</b>...Kona cotton solid in graphite</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Backing</b>...Carolyn Friedlander, Widescreen, Crosshatch in Pacific </i></span> make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-16909848410918887662014-10-28T07:00:00.000+11:002014-10-28T07:00:00.979+11:00.Hudson Pants.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week I made myself a pair of <a href="http://truebiaspatterns.bigcartel.com/product/hudson-pant">Hudson Pants</a>. This pattern has been on my "to sew" list since it was released, and I'm glad I hadn't bought it yet because it is a part of the <a href="https://patternparcel.com/">Perfect Pattern Parcel #6</a> so I managed to get this pattern + 5 other awesome women's patterns in one!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa3GE2qm4rx_Syx1pSKPdndpfBpDb42RCXls0AhZdRueNyDIlHvCFB5NdVLOf9wxk9hvDUbAruVI8aM304CnC2BLfiWoZzL7jze1GS-odAPGz3Q1rqVknNHbnfuUB_NtagaJu96h8trBO/s1600/IMG_2134.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">(I think I was singing a song with Harvey in the pic above!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I pulled out the pattern, I had a few moments of fabric indecisiveness...I had some light grey sweater knit or some dark grey velour or my (big) stash of jerseys to choose from. I was leaning towards the sweater knit or velour as the Hudson Pant pattern is for a pair of "dressier" trackies (if there is such a thing?!) but we are heading into Summer and I wanted something that I would be able to wear as the weather warms up and those fabrics would be too hot. Then I remembered <a href="http://www.justjeans.com.au/shop/en/justjeans/women/just-arrived/contrast-trim-print-pant">this pair of pants</a> I saw at the shops a few days before...when I saw them I made a mental note to try and construct a pair myself because they looked really easy to make and I knew I could totally kill that $60 price mark! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHrMfiCj52fQTLAFWzIXz3vUUnzvXGjducjBpE7p7DSchPBlilTsQR8PJ3-7V2R5VBHYLTu65cK33KLTen5b2G9zrI_hH3l1LiwZRy4rbCHvQefBCRHip-3f8LTxyj4xmnIQhsg-jUZj7/s1600/IMG_2136.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHrMfiCj52fQTLAFWzIXz3vUUnzvXGjducjBpE7p7DSchPBlilTsQR8PJ3-7V2R5VBHYLTu65cK33KLTen5b2G9zrI_hH3l1LiwZRy4rbCHvQefBCRHip-3f8LTxyj4xmnIQhsg-jUZj7/s1600/IMG_2136.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And this variation of the Hudson Pant was created! I decided to take the original pattern and change the bottom of the legs to give the pants more of a harem-feel. To do this, I simply straightened the legs instead of tapering them in at the bottom and then added 5" to the length as I wasn't adding a cuff to the leg hem. To hem the pants, I turned up a casing and inserted the same wide elastic as in the waistband.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuCeJi0VbDvS9JbvXz6vwWc0RGm7AeE1g9RIbP-zEw7I7SXPbOCh0XYw-2-z_LGEQAWZAhySljJymclzDdukX05DdlZ8QrJ9tXRlibN5lvwI2IbnhizlS7PsoTdBG-n4MjAUIxro5cndK/s1600/IMG_2138.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuCeJi0VbDvS9JbvXz6vwWc0RGm7AeE1g9RIbP-zEw7I7SXPbOCh0XYw-2-z_LGEQAWZAhySljJymclzDdukX05DdlZ8QrJ9tXRlibN5lvwI2IbnhizlS7PsoTdBG-n4MjAUIxro5cndK/s1600/IMG_2138.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I LOVE how they turned out and have been wearing them heaps! When the harem pant trend first started, I didn't buy it at all. But seriously...now I get it! Who doesn't want to be able to wear a pair of pants as comfy as pyjamas out and about??! I can't wait to make some more, and want to try out the original cuffed hem too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This fabric is a ikat print cotton jersey from <a href="http://ixat.storenvy.com/products">Ixat</a> (not avaliable now.) I thought I might have been too flimsy for the pants, but it is actually perfect. Perhaps if I had stuck to the original cuffed pattern it might have felt a bit too much like leggings though? </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfCSnrWBXQtHPqxt7DBZQZLuLYhSgDgksNyGOk9mhF0-ttdBqRa4xmkQgauJVAU1abaCc_l_uRQTTcDvGKrOsekdV4HcdldQqgMZNZ0VL9X79i7mfj9f8_LmuakUhLIXVVi1gm99uJINq/s1600/IMG_2142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfCSnrWBXQtHPqxt7DBZQZLuLYhSgDgksNyGOk9mhF0-ttdBqRa4xmkQgauJVAU1abaCc_l_uRQTTcDvGKrOsekdV4HcdldQqgMZNZ0VL9X79i7mfj9f8_LmuakUhLIXVVi1gm99uJINq/s1600/IMG_2142.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for a comfortable pair of pants you can wear practically anywhere - then give the Hudson Pant a go, it is awesome. I couldn't fault anything in the pattern...the fit is spot-on, the instructions are just right. The perfect amount of instructions and nothing was confusing or hard to understand at all.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRbW9ys8D5jPo_LQlv93FpBofbw_cG6oaUILnNy_NbCfelC9ds5AezinoLSGbm2iRxxFVJtity-YzJWwUJqZKo9KKSx3xxovpgbxJFEYtSxFQ_8n_TUaALr7yK9F-I5FXxb7AuxQMVUb4/s1600/IMG_2151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRbW9ys8D5jPo_LQlv93FpBofbw_cG6oaUILnNy_NbCfelC9ds5AezinoLSGbm2iRxxFVJtity-YzJWwUJqZKo9KKSx3xxovpgbxJFEYtSxFQ_8n_TUaALr7yK9F-I5FXxb7AuxQMVUb4/s1600/IMG_2151.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To get this and these FIVE other amazing women's patterns at a great price AND support a charity at the same time, visit <a href="https://patternparcel.com/">Perfect Pattern Parcel</a>...it won't be around forever, you've only got 4 more days to take advantage of this great offer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Parcel #6 includes: </b><br />Syrah Skirt by Lauren Dahl (exclusive release!)<br />Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren<br />Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations<br />Hudson Pant by True Bias<br />Zsalya Dress by Kate and Rose<br /><br />BONUS PATTERN: Odette Dress by Bluegingerdoll</span><br />
<center>
<a href="https://patternparcel.com/"><img alt="Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win!" src="http://i.imgur.com/8vP6KLj.jpg" target="_blank" width="500" /></a></center>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bonus Pattern:</b><br />Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #6 and you
will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's only $5 a
pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Odette Dress by
Bluegingerdoll. Vintage inspired silhouette is had two flattering
necklines and a gorgeous skirt. The Odette Dress pattern goes from a
size 4 through a 24!<br /><br /><b>How Pattern Parcel Works:</b><br />Here at Perfect
Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers.
It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big
box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we
allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each
Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel
price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in
need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel
sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised over $12,000 for
classrooms in need!</span>make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-78095406972353863032014-10-24T11:31:00.001+11:002014-10-24T11:31:32.243+11:00.Cuff Tops + taking matters into my own hands.<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMOYXpZyR5Iwi1sxIcitZb43vL4pCVGMK-Rt6Nw-Ju_uMTJvtCjJGR60BHD9SID4lkqsjH18QEENbAYpjJy7YgzT7MGuVppj3BABK0nfGjKA56Q7s3m5YrkXOjLAjHzraM-nVgNlRjmBN/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /><span style="font-size: large;">After making <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/search?q=spy+top">Spy Tops for the little girls</a> I had on my to-do list to sew one for myself. By the time I got around to it, the weather wasn't cold enough to commit to a cowl neck so I made a couple without the cowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These were fun to sew, super fast and it was a good
opportunity to put a few of those printed knits (both from <a href="http://www.craftymamasfabrics.com.au/">Crafty Mamas</a>) to use. I bought this
fabric with intentions to use it for myself, it is a German knit and the
quality is unreal. I used a black jersey for the contrast cuffs and like how it frames the print.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85BtA9HFbippWD6PU4cKMoivoMfmQIpPBiKYzFSbKIwuvSXPgDU0m1sLHr0JccPPvqSg_7Y6gn9zEEmSL6GVKEpnLo6W1Be9C6xqxAIiHYJINiBxtRunZz1qp5PKWqI5dBVZ-p3R6h-P_/s1600/IMG_2290.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This Lillestoff print is a little less "out there" but the tone-on-tone leaf print is enough to give a bit of interest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern was drafted using my <a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy</a> dress as a base. I took the top portion and modified it heaps - removed the gathers from the sleeves, brought in the side seams a bit for a more slim-fit, added some length then finished it off with wide cuffs on the hem and sleeves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are lots of top patterns around now, I don't know if anyone would be interested in this one or if you can just draft your own? What do you reckon? If enough people are interested I could write up a pattern for this - and include the cowl neck option and perhaps a couple of other variations? These tops have been on high-rotation in the wardrobe lately, just right for that in-between seasons change.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9PNoQqBklsNxV67yrQcYzzVlsA0rcCyoAgosgAtW3YwdOoL_Bi9QYuaBeVGPg7rlcQg8k01r13EndYIn1PXPHrl48B4UIhyOUXTpz14Dnr7BZY-5VlYqAxzT8ygRTDgKEH1w7iR2UMzw/s1600/IMG_2328.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9PNoQqBklsNxV67yrQcYzzVlsA0rcCyoAgosgAtW3YwdOoL_Bi9QYuaBeVGPg7rlcQg8k01r13EndYIn1PXPHrl48B4UIhyOUXTpz14Dnr7BZY-5VlYqAxzT8ygRTDgKEH1w7iR2UMzw/s1600/IMG_2328.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for the first time ever I pulled out my tripod and remote and took these photos myself! It took a bit of figuring out, but I found that it was easier to take them inside than outside for some reason. I rigged up a plastic basket on the highchair to focus on before I jumped in front of the camera! Apparently my camera and remote are supposed to have a timer function on them so that I can press the button and then hide it from view before the camera actually snaps the pic but it wasn't working for me so you can see the remote in all of the photos! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfjxbwmFbT-wcigT5l747HXC8_istYzfRM2Vo0qrV4TQscgSWN1P5H5xAOlk4hGfwXPAv6ZBvWaLd0Kd8PeoK4CzYOJTdbdY2Oa9ZODCVShTwdtuLgPegOAU2oTrBSMYhVX0I0W90F2Gc/s1600/IMG_3181.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfjxbwmFbT-wcigT5l747HXC8_istYzfRM2Vo0qrV4TQscgSWN1P5H5xAOlk4hGfwXPAv6ZBvWaLd0Kd8PeoK4CzYOJTdbdY2Oa9ZODCVShTwdtuLgPegOAU2oTrBSMYhVX0I0W90F2Gc/s1600/IMG_3181.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rky03INloqNPnaG6GlG2ji1Rm5b1uFoJlSA05BgZm3dMZ1OUZF16SIYkdjpaGHPru4O7ToB0OCGwZ3l9D1_NKr-kd-PiHmWSXMOP3mA48uNWeLKOoItSQ_5xvNJO2l7KpoY3SkThc5AO/s1600/IMG_2284.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rky03INloqNPnaG6GlG2ji1Rm5b1uFoJlSA05BgZm3dMZ1OUZF16SIYkdjpaGHPru4O7ToB0OCGwZ3l9D1_NKr-kd-PiHmWSXMOP3mA48uNWeLKOoItSQ_5xvNJO2l7KpoY3SkThc5AO/s1600/IMG_2284.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><i>SUPPLIES:</i></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Swaffing, Cherry Picking, Love Boat in Blue jersey</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Black jersey</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lillestoff, Leafly in mint jersey</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Robert Kaufman, Laguna in Emerald jersey</i></span><br /><u><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></u><br />
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make it perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318284786031318188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-645781179931343883.post-72351888257753307042014-10-22T08:50:00.000+11:002014-10-22T08:50:11.232+11:00.Skippy & Joey Hop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbZ8uCcF_msqTRHsP-uzFYGFp3xbgqeiy5QCarR3IVAIsusKLYshV8SmE9e09_WQ4sO1MZWJ6hM7zCOCfQc_cHpuUrx5Ul7rHh2_HYC6yVzzFfREiMiNvPos46WmYgzhkmjSVCudU7ADz/s1600/skippy+joey+hop+button.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbZ8uCcF_msqTRHsP-uzFYGFp3xbgqeiy5QCarR3IVAIsusKLYshV8SmE9e09_WQ4sO1MZWJ6hM7zCOCfQc_cHpuUrx5Ul7rHh2_HYC6yVzzFfREiMiNvPos46WmYgzhkmjSVCudU7ADz/s1600/skippy+joey+hop+button.png" height="614" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to the last installment of the Skippy & Joey Hop! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lbg-studio.com/2014/10/little-joey-make-it-perfect-patterns.html#more">Vanessa from LBG Studio</a> cropped the skirt of this Joey dress to make it a tunic length to wear with jeans - I really, really like! How about those big, bold florals too? Pretty!</span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbZwkqGPx0JHy4aJgQv8PGJ2N7r0EyMZubL14v82CeC5HqAly-xbd14vfm0xFCsTjgfoNYerwv8_FmOaJThka7Rk9T5VieoxtCQ1pUlo9FsArIyAaQN7q5pvZAAvgJ8JCuKfVc8yrntSO/s1600/joey6.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sewmuchado.com/2014/09/joey-dress-pattern.html#more-5470">Abby from Sew Much Ado</a> has THE cutest little girl wearing THE cutest Joey! She used an unexpected print for little kid's clothing and I think it looks fantastic, cute little cowl neck too!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4amCZmghteIX5rF59U8akpdib-Z9U9bgP8fPq8nh7_2UGHhHVwVEilU7AKMjHw7V9vZRWXGa1C7Mr70UXjkErb_UTmytmNBVAXzaluWoec_jSC_sZWqaL1EGGL2bUe5NGFQFS7D23oh0/s1600/l.jpg" height="640" width="526" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://draperyfinefabrics.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/spring-skippy.html">Jane from The Drapery</a> is ready for some Spring action in her cheery Skippy dress. Love her puffy, short sleeves. She used some Lillestoff knit - one of my favourites.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m-W7ivZRYPpFpsL7oGxROYBqYJHg0FxGEBoTRZ3ekLjO_QiVqjgTME_nu4p9DNQG3uXqNvKhyphenhyphenFyFcSWgvjdFU2IRDnqNpwBx20YTcmGPC0ZVAv-yVM_Y8FVS9dXlQbVimyLPE_HA6ymo/s1600/_MG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m-W7ivZRYPpFpsL7oGxROYBqYJHg0FxGEBoTRZ3ekLjO_QiVqjgTME_nu4p9DNQG3uXqNvKhyphenhyphenFyFcSWgvjdFU2IRDnqNpwBx20YTcmGPC0ZVAv-yVM_Y8FVS9dXlQbVimyLPE_HA6ymo/s1600/_MG_3437.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">How awesome is this Joey made by <a href="http://www.lemonsqueezyhome.com/2014/09/joey-pattern-tour.html">Christie from A Lemon Squeezy Home</a>? Perfect print for a little girl - and she pulled out all the cool poses in these fun photos!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisBiGS9D2C0QC0wxecYy4qZllWHzSz88psW6rsufuA8PAaptVzw-b-J9wkH4-qwZxQuP1uEekqATw2kOrjNopp10A9JUAigfVvBjiTnhf8Cr5Jo4clYne2T3dOST2EBIWJbv7tmI-8ZDc/s1600/DSC_0533%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisBiGS9D2C0QC0wxecYy4qZllWHzSz88psW6rsufuA8PAaptVzw-b-J9wkH4-qwZxQuP1uEekqATw2kOrjNopp10A9JUAigfVvBjiTnhf8Cr5Jo4clYne2T3dOST2EBIWJbv7tmI-8ZDc/s1600/DSC_0533%255B2%255D.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And <a href="http://www.lemonsqueezyhome.com/2014/09/joey-pattern-tour.html">Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch</a> has produced the cosiest Skippy top around. She used some thick, fleecy sweater knit and paired it with a pretty lace knit. Isn't it beautiful? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVcKBvLru9vshp-Gg_NVzwqEhwgHbPKSY4xwoSuKjZAT098aQxuAcp8LSwoZWJKahrJqxk3oIw2f4OQiHLKTWKlG6yskXw9kCk35lFpSbXmIW8wgXNpq_HrrEXeweXy7Yai_MyUcOjog/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVcKBvLru9vshp-Gg_NVzwqEhwgHbPKSY4xwoSuKjZAT098aQxuAcp8LSwoZWJKahrJqxk3oIw2f4OQiHLKTWKlG6yskXw9kCk35lFpSbXmIW8wgXNpq_HrrEXeweXy7Yai_MyUcOjog/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to send out a BIG thankyou to the wonderful ladies who took part in my Skippy & Joey Hop! So much awesome inspiration, I love seeing what others create with my patterns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span>If you would like sew these dresses for yourself you can
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Skippy.html">Skippy pattern</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><a href="http://www.makeitperfect.com.au/MIP/Joey.html">Joey pattern </a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>{For more inspiration, <a href="http://tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/skippy-joey-hop.html">visit the first Hop post here</a>, <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/skippy-joey-hop_11.html">the second Hop post here</a>, <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/skippy-joey-hop_24.html">the third Hop post here</a> and <a href="http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/skippy-joey-hop.html">the fourth Hop post here</a>!}</span></span></span></div>
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