Craft Show - Old Friends and New Discoveries

For the second year now, Stitch - By Craft Alive has held a show at Castle Hill, just a few minutes from home. I really like these smaller shows and especially that it is so close to home! An opportunity to support small businesses from around the state, easy parking and opportunity to meet and chat with the stall holders.

Saturday morning my friend Marilyn and I met for another wonderful few hours of browsing, shopping and fun.

I caught up with Maureen from Stitch Between the Bridges in Tamworth (way back in the 1980's, Maureen ran an amazing fabric and yarn shop in Baulkham Hills and I spent a lot of time there.) 

It was great to catch up with Karen and Brendon from The Stitching Post. We have met them at a few shows but also thoroughly enjoyed a weekend retreat up the mountains last Oct that they ran. If you are looking for a fun weekend of stitching, yummy food and lots of laughter, check out their page and the information on this year's retreat.

Shows such as this give you the opportunity to meet new store owners, discover new businesses that also offer online services if you like their product range.

I was excited to come across a new business by the name of Mercier. Marie is so friendly and I loved her style of stall presentation and range of fabrics and nick nacks too. You can check out her facebook page here. 

I've signed up for her "Happiness Is..." club, love having the opportunity to discover new designers, patterns and fabrics. 

Oh and see those cute scales in the background of the photo? A set is now sitting happily in my guest room holding some Tilda fabrics..........

I also managed to pick up a couple of kits to do when I manage to find the time.

A great day and look forward to next years show. 

Until next time,

Robyn

Summer Sewing

Over the summer break I managed to whip up a few items for my wardrobe - all colourful & easy wear.

As I've shared before, I love the EYMM Active Wear Leggings, such a great pattern & this hydrangea fabric was too pretty to pass up from Boo designs right here in Australia.

I also wanted a couple of easy wear dresses to pop on in our how weather so decided to trace a pattern off one I like wearing from my warddrobe.

This super bright and cheer knit is easy care & I receive lots of comments when I wear this one.

Same pattern but different fabric & slightly shorter due to the amount of fabric I had to work with.

Love the fact that knits are such easy care fabrics to work with & wear.

Whilst it's a bit too warm to wear the leggings as yet, am looking forward to some slightly cooler days to pop these on.

Until next time,

Robyn

Christmas Baking Day

Life has been busy and it's awhile since I've had a chance to post, hopefully over holiday time I can update you all on some of all the exciting adventures and events of the past few months.

This past week Christmas holidays started here and on Thursday I had just the best day catching up with friends and baking. Olivia is an amazing young lady I met this year when she hosted a fundraiser for Red Kite (Cancer support charity). At only 16, this young lady has already achieved so much and I love her passion for serving and helping others. Along with her sister Sophia, they are members of our local Hills Youth Army, volunteering to help at local events through our local council. When they asked if I would like to come over, spend the day baking the answer was a resounding yes.

Of course, what Christmas baking day would be complete without Christmas aprons? So last weekend, I whipped up a set of aprons for the girls, their mum Julia and myself. 

Thursday was such fun, the aprons a huge hit and we achieved a lot. 

Two batches of cupcakes, some choc chip cookies, two trays of my chocolate fudge and some Oreo Balls later (oh and the additions of some antler ears) and we had finished.

After a quick stop and rest for lunch, we finished our preparations and they plated up the goodies onto some trays.

Olivia had wanted to do the baking to say thank you to our local Police, they are amazing group of men and women who she wanted to bless and I was happy to play a small part in the day.

Here is Olivia handing over one of the trays to one of our local Inspectors. Such a simple idea, maybe it's something you might consider?

Until Next Time,

Robyn

Pattern Release - Hang About Toiletry Bag

 

Two Pretty Poppets has done it again - another new design, this time the Hang About Toiletry Bag.

 

Lisa has designed the bag in two sizes, with several handy pockets and storage spots. 

As well as the option to hang the bag on the door, hook or a bathroom rail.

 I made a male version in the smaller size and the ladies version in the larger size. Both sizes are included in the pattern. It is so good to have another pattern suitable for a male gift.

As always, a Two Pretty Poppets pattern comes complete with step by step detailed instructions and clear photographs of each step of the construction process.

I chose to line mine with PUL fabric, but you could use laminated cotton. You could also use laminated cotton or PUL for the exterior fabric as well.

 

For the pocket inside the flap, I used mesh, but you have the choice of using clear plastic. 

Just a hint - I picked up a mesh laundry bag from the local reject/junk shop for only $2.00 and will be able to get multiple pockets from just one bag.

Why not head over to  

Two Pretty Poppets website, check out this new pattern and all the other great designs from Lisa.

Until next time,

Robyn

Sewing For Moi

I have really enjoyed getting back into sewing for myself over the past few months.

 Having initially discovered the world of PDF patterns through the amazing Leesa when I signed up for Craft Boxes nearly a year ago, the boxes led me to discover various facebook pattern groups and I now find myself gathering up a growing pile of patterns and fabrics.

We're supposedly into Spring here in Australia and despite some very wet, chilly days, I've been inspired to make some bright and pretties ready to wear over the coming months.

Out September CraftBox included some gorgeous floral fabric and a pattern for the Make It Perfect A+ Skirt.


 I decided to line this one and am so happy with the result. I plan to wear this outfit later this week as I attend a High Tea to mark the start of Mental Health Month.

 When I saw this cute, colourful house door fabric recently on the Tesutti site, I knew it would work in the same pattern.

I decided to straighten the side seams on this one as it suited the fabric and print better.

I received so many comments when I wore this outfit to church yesterday.
 
So many colour options to pair with this skirt!

The skirt is a quick sew, I made both skirts and one pair of the leggings in one day!

I have also become slightly addicted to leggings, such a quick, easy sew. The pattern that best suits me is another one from the wonderful Kymmy of  EYMM, the Active Wear leggings. Cut out, sew to finish is well under one hour per pair!

Both the leggings here are in spandex fabric from BooDesigns, an Australian company.

Today's post is simply about me sharing my creations, is not part of a blog tour or pattern promotion, I just enjoy sharing the pattern and fabric sites I have discovered and enjoy using in the hope others will be encouraged to have a go at sewing for themselves or discover new designers. I also appreciate both these designers have a wide size range in their patterns.

Until next time,
Robyn

Pattern Test - Stand Up and Tote Notice

Love opening a new pattern by Lisa from Two Pretty Poppets! Apart from well written, clearly photographed step by step instructions, I know I will end up in love with a new bag and the Stand Up and Tote Notice (loving the play on words......) is no different.

This Tote comes in 3 sizes and I chose the large and let me tell you it is L A R G E ! ! ! But oh what a great size to take shopping for fabric or other sewing delights.

It will also be ideal for those summer trips to the beach or pool, as you can see from my photo, I have two large beach towels rolled up (only folded in half to give you an idea of size) with room to spare for cossies, sunscreen, drinks, snacks, sunhat, novel or other goodies to take to the beach.

For this test, I also tried Annie's Soft and Stable for the first time and really enjoyed sewing with it, it gives the bag great shape and helps it stand up well, even empty. I did find it best to use my walking foot when using this product but would have done that anyway for interfacing.

This large tote measures:

Width at base - 12" (30cm)
Depth 7" (18cm)
Height to handles 18" (46cm)

The other sizes are:

Small:
Width at base - 8" (20cm), Depth 5" (13cm), Height to handles 12" (30cm)
Medium:
Width at base - 10" (25cm), Depth 6" (15cm), Height to handles 15" (38cm)

As well as the cleverly designed outer pockets, there are two internal pockets divided in half to store keys and phones etc. 

Check out the Two Pretty Poppets website or facebook page to see some of the other Stand Up and Tote Notice bags that have been made.

I plan to make some more of these in the smaller sizes but am working on another pattern test that you will just love when Lisa releases it soon. 

If you want this great pattern, here is the link to the Two Pretty Poppets website shop. It's also available via Craftsy, or Etsy. The pattern is in the same format whichever shop you chose to purchase it from.

Don't forget to pop back real soon to check out the coming pattern.

Until next time,

Robyn

Lexi Lou Bag - A Vision To Remember Blog Tour

 I love the opportunities a good blog tour gives to discover new patterns and designers as well as meet other bloggers! I was recently able to try out the Lexi Lou Rag Bag designed by Bobbi from A Vision to Remember.

This bag is different to others I've made as following the 'rag' effect (i/e/ seams to outside, soft, fluffy finish) it was a quicker sew. 

As soon as I saw the pattern, I knew this one would be ideal to use up some of the bright fabrics I have stored in the collection.

Here is the bag finished prior to clipping the exposed seams, washing and popping into the dryer to encourage the 'fluffed' finish to happen.

 The bag includes a zippered closure across the top giving added security when out and about.

 Inside the bag there is one large internal pocket with a smaller pocket attached to the front of it allowing for phone storage as well.

 

 Here is a close up of inside the bag.

 I chose to make mine with out any stiff interfacing (option given in the pattern to include or not) as I felt the bag lent itself to a softer, floppier look.

 

The bag is surprisingly spacious and the strap length means it sits well over the shoulder.

Why not pop on over to the other blogs on the tour and check out their bags as well.

Join seven seamstresses as we sew up the New Lexi-Lou bag from A Vision to Remember. There will be one or two bloggers each day, be sure to visit them all as no two bags are the same!

*NOTE* The links below won’t show the tour posts until their day of the tour, but you are encouraged to click through and check their blogs out.

8/24-

8/25-

8/26-

8/27- &

8/28- &

Be sure to leave a comment each day to be entered to win a free pattern. Each blogger will be choosing one comment from their blog to receive a free pattern from A Vision to remember.

Also, the Lexi-Lou Pattern has been discounted 25% this week! Get yours now on Craftsy or Etsy!

Until next time,

Robyn