Woops

Woops
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Ok, this is a pledge, like another rather large department store here in Melbourne that I no longer shop at cos everything is too cheap and too easy to buy, I am no longer going to shop at spotlight!! Especially when they have a sale, not good. Boutique shops only from now on!!
Speaking of which, I received my latest Amitie VIP package today, yay, lovely bag pattern and father christmas material, I think the material is destined for cushions maybe and the pattern needs to be used to use up some of my other material purchases, I am a bad girl, and this wasn't all I bought!!

Dec amitie VIP mailout
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

TTFN

First Friendship star

First Friendship star
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This is my first attempt at this kind of patchwork. I am now following Block Party Quilt Along. It looks like a really good way for me to pace myself and learn some patchwork.
I think I am safe in telling you this (I am pretty sure my MIL doesn't read this) that I am making a table runner for my MIL for christmas using 3 of these stars. I made an apron for her with the same fabric.
It's the biggest quilting project I have undertaken, the patchwork bit didn't take as long as I thought so lets hope of the quilting will be the same.

TTFN

WIP's and secret stuff

WIP's and secret stuff
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Enough said!!

Ooo my

Ooo my
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

He he, got my Homespun mag in the mail this week and look who was in it. I sent the photo in ages ago and didn't think it would make it to the Mailout section of the mag. But here it is.
At the time of writing the email to them I was very happy with the range of projects, materials and colours that they had, and I did have a few projects in each edition I wanted to make. But lately, I haven't been as happy, sorry Homespun. The thing I liked about the mag was that country craft was kind of in the back burner, there are enough mags out there that cover country craft and prim. But lately there seems to be more and more, so less projects for me. So if you are reading this and make stuff out of the mag that isn't country craft or prim please send in photos so they know what we want in the mag.
That's my two bits, I am looking forward to the next block of the month though, I have never done one but this one appears to be more my thing, lets see.

TTFN

Little A's encounter with a craft market

Originally uploaded by MandyMade

We went to Northside Makers Market on Saturday. It was great. I got to meet up with the lovely Sandra again and finally give her her prize for winning my first blog comp. Apologies again Sandra for how late it was. All the stall holders expected rain so had these big umbrellas to protect their wares, but then the wind started, all the umbrellas came down and everyone was concentrating on keeping everything on their tables. I found a few things I wanted to get but I always go all the way around a market first. We met up with another crafty friend and had lunch at the cafe in the middle of the market, sorry can't remember the name, the food was really nice. After lunch Little A was getting a bit tired of the market so decided to climb the tree in the middle. (I was off powdering my nose!!) don't worry the hubby was watching him! Next thing I know very family screams were being heard across the market. He had fallen out of the tree, or more precisely, the branch he was holding onto decided it didn't want to be attached to the tree anymore!! Everyone was lovely, a first aid guy was called over, all wounds were patched and this ace badge made for him. So a big thank you to the organises of the market, and I am so sorry for all the commotion. Needless to say we then left and unfortunately I yet again didn't buy anything.

This is the clutch I made for Sandra

TTFN

Spoiler Alert!!

Patchwork Ball
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Spoiler alert!! If you're my cousin (or in law) and have a son that has a birthday soon you may not want to read on!!

I have been wanting to make this patchwork ball from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me for a while, and I finally had the opportunity. It's been sooooo hot here in melbourne so I haven't been doing much sewing and this project was perfect to keep the sewing itch at bay. It came together very quickly. The time consuming part was fussy cutting the fabric (from lincraft). I hope to make more of these.

With Christmas not too far away, I don't even want to think about how soon now, I'm busy thinking of and making gifts. Hopefully this weekend will be a bit cooler to work on them. I may or may not write about them, don't want to have to put out too many spoiler alerts!! My aim this year is for part of everyones gifts to be handmade (even if its not from me) I may have needed to start a few months ago. With fire season in full swing, work is really busy so I will need the de-stress somehow.

TTFN

Ta da

Doll Quilt 2
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Blog upgrade finished. For the moment anyway. May add some pics later not going to rush this!!

I can now tell you about my second dolls quilt now, the gift has been delivered. I made this doll for my cousins daughter for her birthday last year, and while looking at the photos again I thought, this doll needs a blanket, so out came the same fabric and I whipped!! up a blanket for her. I used the same pattern from the sew mama sew tutorial and the one I made for my niece. I think I may have made the binding too wide as the corners didn't quite come together as nicely. I'm now thinking of a bigger quilt but we'll wait and see!!

Quilt pattern from the doll quilt sew along on sewmamasew Handmade by MandyMade

Under construction again

Please excuse the wonkyness of the blog at the mo. Will have to get stuck into after a weekend away without any computers!!!

TTFN

Mandy

Pencil Roll - before lines sewn

Pencil Roll - before lines sewn
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

The lovely Brooke made a comment on my pencil roll post regarding my straight lines!! So I thought I'd let you in on a little secret.... Masking tape. If you get the not very sticky stuff it works perfectly as a straight line guide. And I just happened to have some exactly the right width for the pencils. It comes off really easily and doesn't take any fabric with it. Just don't sew over it, not that easy to get out of a seam!!

TTFN

Mandy

Ok, I'm over it!!

I'm over this blog look, doesn't feel like me, feels like it's someone else. Do you have an opinion? Please let me know or I'm going the all white look I think, till I get a fantastic idea to design myself.

TTFN

Mandy

Pencil Roll

Pencil Roll
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Another one of Little A's friends turned 5 over the weekend. I made this pencil roll for her. The original pattern had a caterpillar applique on the front and Hungry Caterpillar material. Well, I didn't hunt too hard to find that material and I had these wonderful pieces in my stash. So this is my version. I sewed the lines for the pencils from the front instead of the back as I was still a bit unsure of how my tension was going on my machine. I ended up not having to worry, a good clean does wonders!!

I can see many more of these being made, I even went out and bought basting spray. Anyone had any bad experience with basting spray? I would like to hear about the good or the bad.

TTFN

Mandy

Pattern from Australian Homespun Vol 9.12. I'm a Hungry Caterpillar Pencil Roll, design by Lynne Power. Handmade by MandyMade

Olivia's birth present

Olivia's birth present
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I know it's been a little while, been really busy. Not to mention reading everyone else's blogtober fest blogs!! I don't know how you all have done it!!

I made this little friend for new born baby Olivia. It's from Homespun Vol 10.9 Designed by Louise from Audrey and Maude. The majority of it is hand sewn. Yes the hexagons are hand sewn. It's the first time I have sewn this technique (I think its called American piecing) and I must say it was very relaxing. And it came together very quickly.

I was so impressed with it that I am making another, but for who, is a surprise still to come.

For more pics please go to my flickr page.

TTFN

Mandy

Tickle the Turtle, Design by Audrey and Maude, in Australian Homespun Vol 10.9, handmade by MandyMade

Erin's Birthday Present

Erin's Birthday Present
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This is a birthday gift to one of Little A's friends who turned 5 last weekend. I ended up making up the pattern as I had bought crayons and a little diary but no pattern that I found would fit my idea!!

So I made it up. I measured the diary for one side, then how the crayons would sit on the other. I made a very basic mockup in calico. Long story short, I whipped it up in about 2 hours, would have been quicker but as you may notice from the pic I had heaps of problems with the under bobbin thread catching, I had a few goes and this is the best I could get it. Lesson learned, never sew under pressure, giving the bobbin area a clean didn't even occur to me!! So hopefully my next project will turn out a bit better, sorry Erin :-)

A bit under construction

Well I decided I had enough with the old look and now I've taken on a new. Which of course means I now have to add back all my buttons and links etc cos they didn't follow through? So what do you think? I've just used a template, don't have enough time to muck around with these things. I will one day make something unique I promise :-) Until then please bear with me.

TTFN

Not happy

Grr, I must be living in a bubble, how could I have missed this grr.
Myer wants to demolish this wonderful building, Lonsdale House, so they can what, put more shops in? Like Melbourne doesn't have enough already. What Melbourne doesn't have enough of is lovely heritage buildings. Grr. I totally agree with the girls at Ink and Spindle new developments belong in the docklands not in the heart of the city, isn't it enough that they have demolished half the back of the building already, grr. If you would like to participate in the partition against knocking down this wonderful building please go here. Ok enough of the grrs for now, back to work!!

100th post winner

100th post winner
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Congratulations to Sandra @ Pepperberry & Co, the winner of my very first blog giveaway. Sandra chose the Clutch purse for her prize. Sandra please send me your address and what colour you would like the clutch to be.

Thank you to all of you who participated in my first giveaway. Hopefully there will be more in the future.

TTFN

For Levi's 2nd Birthday

For Levi's 2nd Birthday
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I made another elsie dog, this one for a friends son Levi. We don't get to see them very often so I whipped him up as soon as I found out we were going to have a chance to see them on the weekend.

All the fabric is from my stash. As this is the second time I have made this softie I found him pretty fast to make. I do think they have made a mistake in the instructions though, I think they ask you so sew the ears onto the wrong side of the fabric before adding the head gusset. So I just made it the way I thought it should be and it turns out ok.

I'm still not sure if they have added the seam allowance though to the pattern as it still didn't end up as full as the picture in the book. I need to make another by the end of the year so I'll experiment then.

Only one more day left on my giveaway so don't forget to check out my 100th post for your chance to win. I will draw the winner tomorrow night Melbourne time.

It has now been 66 days since I bought material. I may have to break that tomorrow as I have a few newborn's to make something for and I would like to get something fresh and new.

Until next time.....

elsie the little dog: design by Kate Henderson from 'more softies' Penguin Books. Handmade by MandyMade

Mr Rooster

Mr Rooster
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Finally finished him, getting ever closer to my WIP's completed. I first blogged about Mr Rooster here so I wont bore you with the details. He took so long to finish as I didn't like how the comb ended up and the wings didn't sew in as I would have liked, but now he is finished and currently being cuddled by Little A on the couch.

I have discovered Sashiko, a japanese style of embroidery. On our trip to the library yesterday, mainly to try out the new library bag, I had to check out the craft section. It has been a long time since I've borrowed from the library, content with reading stuff there, that my card was completely out of date and now there are self check outs, who would have thought? Anyway, I came across a book on Sashiko and now I'm in love, can't wait to start a project, I know, must finish the WIP's first, maybe I could incorporate some into a WIP. Hmm the mind boggles :-).

Don't forget to check out my 100th post, now back to more WIP's. Desperate to go fabric shopping, it's now 55 days since I bought material, not bad ha!!

TTFN

"mister rooster" from the book More Softies, Design by Marieke van Esvald, Handmade by MandyMade

100th Post

Mum's Birthday Bag
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Wow, i have reached my 100th post, how exciting, who would have thought :-) I have seen lots of other blogs give stuff away when they reach their centenaries, but I have been racking my brain as to what I could do. So I think I may leave it up to the few readers that I have, after all this kinda thing is about the reader!! So if you have seen something in the past that I have made, my coffee cuffs for example, and you would like me to make something for you, please leave a comment, I'll either choose randomly or the best idea!! It all depends on the response :-). I'm sorry but I will only be able to accept Australian residents only unless you have a way for me to get a package to you os. I will give you until the end of September to comment. How exciting ;-)

Now to Mum's bag. I made another of Anna Maria Horner's Taxi Tote's for my mum for her birthday. She chose the fabric ages ago and was just sitting there waiting to be made. I used pre-made bias tape this time, saved me heaps of time and fabric, still need to work on the joins though. I put some magnetic snaps in this time so the bag will close on the outer edges. I found with the one I made myself that it gaped too much and I was worried about hands that could get in there!! I added a base to the bag again, following Nicole Mallalieu's tutorial.

Well there you go, 100 posts. Thank you to the people that read my blog, I know that posts can be few and far between but I like to spend more time behind the sewing machine than the computer!! I do that enough in the day job. I'm going to do a re-haul on the site soon, needs a spring clean and a fresh look so stay tuned....

TTFN

Mandy

Anna Maria Horner's Taxi Tote from Seams to Me. Handmade by MandyMade
Bag base variation, I added a base to this bag using Nicole Mallalieu's tutorial found here

Happy Birthday Becca

Gifts for my sisters
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

For our birthdays this year my sisters and I decided to go see a show (Billy Elliot) together and that would be our birthday present to each other. That was back in April. But I felt funny about not giving her anything for today, so I made the cute as a button clutch from Meet me at Mikes book. It was quick and easy to whip up, my over stitching still needs a bit of work though, it's the machine, definitely the machine!!!

Gifts for my sisters
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

And cos I couldn't leave the other sister out I made one for Jo'e too. Happy birthday Bec and happy un-birthday Jo'e :-).

TTFN

"Cute as a button vintage clutch" from book Meet me at Mikes, Project by Kara Smith, Handmade by MandyMade.
Fabric from Spotlight.

Edit: Since I posted this I have read a tute from Pepperberry & Co about how to take photos of purses, I need to now note that my photos were taken a second after they were finished and seconds after that, wrapped and given to my sisters. I know I need to work on my camera skills and thanks to people like Sandra for posting such great tutes :-) may my purse photography be ever better in the future.

PS. I've been playing around using Picnik in flickr, can you tell?!!!

Little A's Library Bag

Little A's Library Bag - Front
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This bag has been a long time coming, poor Little A, when he first saw it on the front cover of Homespun, back in Jan I think, he's asked me to make it. All these other projects got made for other people, but not the one he wanted. I have to admit I did have to get over my "never going to make a quilt" thing first, not that I had to quilt it, but it does look better that way. I was thinking of hand quilting it, but he would never have got it!! I did hand quilt around the rocket though.
I didn't change much from the original design, except for omitting the embroidery text and changing the teddy bears to aliens, apparently Little A is too old for things with teddy bears on them now!!
We are going to test drive it on friday, so if you're at the library and see a little guy carrying his brand new library bag around, stop by and have a chat.

This bag construction was also used for my niece's library bag.

It's an adventure library bag from Homespun Magazine Vol 9 No 12, Design by Rachel Measham-Pywell, Handmade by MandyMade

Sign of Spring

Sign of Spring
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Stay tuned, I haven't gone away I've just been a very busy bee, it's spring you know!!

Lots to blog, check out my flickr if you can't wait.....

TTFN

He cracks me up!!

Just need to share a little bit of a 4 year old brain!!
My son woke up this morning with a very crockery voice (the cough monster has been in the house). He declared “A frog has stolen my voice and now I have his. But if frogs can’t talk then how am I?

Classic Little A!!

Just need to share!!

I have a thing for Neo Blythe dolls. There I've said it, it's out there. I don't know what it is about them, is it the eyes, the hair or that not one appears to be a twin to another? There seems to be an endless supply of clothes and accessories for Blythe on the internet. And the craft world seems to be riddled with the lovelies. Alas, unless I win the lottery (that I never enter) I may have to worship from afar.

I was first introduced to Blythe through Craft: magazine, then googled from then on......If you want to know more you can go here (where this image is from) or google her yourself!!

TTFN

Mandy

Sunday WIP #2

Sunday WIP #2
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This weeks WIP's. (works in progress for those not down with the lingo!!)

This is Little A's Library bag, been on the go for a while but finally got the chance this weekend to finally start sewing it together.

Ok, I still have a few WIP's, and the hubby still says I can't buy anymore fabric until I have finished all my WIPs before they turn into UFO's (un finished objects!!) It's now 28 days since I bought any material!!

So in no particular starting (or finishing) order:

• Sgt Peppter turtles: More softies
• Scream: More softies
• Mr Rooster: More softies
• Library bag for Little A: Homespun Mag
• Crotchet Beanie: Lincraft
• Felt Bag: Bags that rock
• Kimono foundation piece project.

And on the to-do list

• Taxi Tote: Anna Maria Horner, for Mum (fabric bought)
• Pencil roles: Homespun Mag, for ...... (surprise) (fabric bought)
• Summer quilt for little A (fabric not bought yet!!)
• Pin cushion from sew mama sew for me (fabric stash)
• Nicole Mallalieu Bag(s) for me
• Summer quilt for us

Think that's it. Want to add to my list? Just add a comment!!

Sarah's Journal

Sarah's Journal
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Another 5th birthday, coming thick and fast now. This little friend of Little A's I am told loves to write in a journal with her mum, so when I saw this pattern in Homespun Mag 10.8 (design by Danielle Carey) I had to make it. There was supposed to be a stitchery but I thought with the age of the recipient, I would fussy cut into a panel instead.

It ended up being slightly smaller than the pattern said and I was lucky enough to find a note book to fit, too big for an A5 and too small for the intended size.

So there you go, another stash buster down!! 26 days now since I bought material!!!

TTFN :-)

Birthday Pressy

Birthday Pressy
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I've been very busy in the last couple of weeks, thus the lack of blogging. I have been busy crafting though so I guess that makes up for it!!?

I still have heaps of projects on the go and will definitely have another Sunday WIP this week.

I made "Bubbles" from Melly and Me's book Kaleidoscope. It was a pressy for one of Little A's friends. If carrying it around and feeding it jelly at the party was anything to go by, I think she liked it!!!

It was the first softie I have made where the majority of the embellishments a sewn on after the body is complete, not sewn into the seams. I was a bit daunted by this at first but I think it turned out ok. It was my first Melly and Me pattern, I've been dying to do one for ages. So there you go.

All material was from my stash. It is now 24 days since I last bought material. Going not to bad!!

Melbourne Craft show haul

Melbourne Craft show haul
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I went to the Quilt and Craft show on Sunday at Jeff's shed. This is what I came home with, not much I know but I needed to be restrained due to the new restrictions put on me by the hubby!!!

So I now have some fabric to go with my Once Upon a time Melly and Me bom, Baskets of Flowers Jelly role by Moda. I finally got my hands on Melly and Me's Kaleidoscope book, a small foundation piecing project, and a mix of fabric for some small projects.

It was a nice day, very crowded though, I think I liked the stitches and craft show at the show grounds better.

Sunday WIP #1

Turtles in progress
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I know you've seen this photo before but I have decided to start a new blog thing for Sundays, Sunday WIP (works in progress for those not down with the lingo!!)

Ok, I have a few, and the hubby has said I can't buy anymore fabric until I have finished all my WIPs before they turn into UFO's (un finished objects!!)

So in no particular starting order:

• Sgt Peppter turtles: More softies
• Scream: More softies
• Mr Rooster: More softies
• Library bag for Little A: Homespun Mag
• Crotchet Beanie: Lincraft
• Felt Bag: Bags that rock

And on the to-do list

• Taxi Tote: Anna Maria Horner, for Mum (fabric bought)
• Pencil roles: Homespun Mag, for ...... (surprise) (fabric bought)
• Summer quilt for little A (fabric not bought yet!!)
• Pin cushion from sew mama sew for me (fabric stash)
• Nicole Mallalieu Bag(s) for me

Think that's it. Want to add to my list? Just add a comment!!

Follow up on the copyright issue

Well the blogging world is on fire at the moment discussing copyright issues for softies, bags and the like. Amy from badskirt is putting together a list to help sort out what can and cannot be sold from patterns that you haven't designed yourself, so go here for the list. Some you cannot sell at all and others allow a small run to be made for selling at markets etc or for charity.

So now that I know some of the designers do allow on sell I wont get so grr when I see them being sold. But for the people that don't acknowledge where the design came from, grr to you.

I just hope that I have done my small bit in making people more aware of the issue and that the designers are trying to make a living. There is a fine line on some designs but when they have obviously been ripped off that is not on.

Happy making :-)

Mandy

Pressy for Mother In Law

Pressy for Mother In Law
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I made this apron for my mother in law for her birthday. This picture doesn't show the straps as I sewed them on after giving it to her. So imagine the strap to be around the neck with 2.5 cm bottons convered with the orange fabric.

There were some new techniques in this pattern that I haven't use before. I have never sewn binding around a single piece of fabric. I had to unpick my first attempt as I didn't catch the material properly underneath. When sewing the apron base to the middle strap the notches didn't line up so I've had to fudge it a bit, this may have been an error on my part not the pattern but I couldn't get the pattern pieces to match up either.

I had a go at my mum's new sewing machine and thought I'd never go back to mine. It was so smooth, had things in funny places but i could get used to that!! Save up the pocket money!!

I loved the pattern on the fabric, I may just have to make something else from the left overs!!!

Full Contact Cooking Apron from Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner, Handmade by MandyMade, fabrics from Spotlight. Strap still to be sewn after fitting. Completed July 18 2009.

Drawstring Case

Drawstring Case
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Our nieces have moved away interstate and I wanted to make something for them to take with them. So I scoured all of my patterns until I found the drawstring cases in Meet Me At Mikes book.

I found that folding the denim over to sew was too thick so I kept it raw edged, I think it will be ok. I wanted to line the bags so for the red one, i just fused a piece to the back then sewed it up, this worked fine but did end up being a bit stiff. So for the orange bag I worked out I could just do normal lining and that worked fine also.

I finished them off with badges and pens and paper from smiggle.

Drawstring Case from Meet Me At Mikes by Pip Lincolne. Project by Kristen Doran, Handmade by MandyMade. Fabric from Spotlight and an old pair of jeans. Completed on July 18 2009.

Pre-felted cube

Pre-felted cube
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I know it's been a while, i've been sick (winter cold), so on my sick bed I decided to knit and experiment with felting, so more to come. I've just put heaps of photos up on flickr if you want to have a peak of the past weeks before I get around to blogging again.

Wow what a week and it's only Tuesday!!

Christmas Birds
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Wow have I had a interesting start to this week, bit blown away really!!

Last week I email Homespun Magazine and suggested they start a Flickr group for Homespun, which I mentioned in my previous post. Well that was last week, this week they have featured my suggestion on their blog here, wow, and a few of my pics.

It doesn't end there. Last night I got home and found in the letter box a card for registered mail, I had noooo idea what it could be with all these possibilities in my head, and I couldn't pick it up until the morning. So off I go this morning to the post office, and what did I pick up? A parcel. I won a comp that I entered ages ago in Homespun, I hadn't heard so assumed I hadn't won so forgot about it, what a surprise. Thanks to Lara Cameron's blue birds I made and a few questions. Oh guess you want to know what I won. This. Melly and Me's Once Upon A Time BOM pattern. Now I have to go in search of some fabric..... What a Homespun week.

Homespun Flickr Group

Homespun Magazine now has a flickr group, you can now join and add any stuff you have created from it, I have!! Go here for the group.

Octavius Owl

Octavius Owl
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I completed Octavius Owl. It was really easy to make I must say. I have never quilted any of my softies before so this was the new challenge. The back part seemed to end up being too long (about a seam allowance) so I trimmed it back, this worked. I'm not very good at top stitching around corners, I like to think it's my machine that's restricting me!! So I hand top stitched.
As I have blogged before about the fabric I wont go in to detail but I now think that some of it is Moda, but please don't quote me.
Check out more photos on my flickr site for more detail.
Octavius Owl from Homespun Vol 9.10 Design by Jhoanna Monte Aranez. Handmade by MandyMade.

Octavius Owl
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Thanks Pip

Completed Granny Square Rug
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Pip from Meet Me At Mikes has blogged about my rug, how exciting, you can go here to see what she says, Thanks Pip.

I will blog more about the rug but must dash and actually give it to the intended recipients. Questions about it would help :-).

TTFN

Completed Granny Square Rug

Completed Granny Square Rug
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Yay its finally finished!! , 64 squares each bordered with triple crochet, squares joined with double crochet and border has 2 rows of triple crotchet.

The lovely recipient will be receiving it today, hope they like it :-)

Granny Square Pattern from Meet Me At Mikes book, Project by Pip Lincolne, Handmade by MandyMade

Owl Fabric choice

Owl Fabric choice
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This owl has been on my to do list for ages and 2 people voted for me to make it next, so I've started. I love owls and have heaps of patterns and want to make them all. I know I could get a little obsessive about it though!!

The patterned fabric was from a fabric pack bought at a little patchwork shop in Rosebud and the felt is from my stash. I would credit the fabric designers here but as the fabric was in a pack and only the size you see, there wasn't any selvages, so if you can recognise the material, please let me know and I will give credit.

The pattern is from Homespun Vol 9.10 and the owl designed my Jhoanna Monte Aranez.

Big Question for the Designers

I have a really big question and I'm hoping that the designers of all of the wonderful things that I have been able to make are reading this and are able to comment.

I have come across at markets and on ETSY some "very familiar" looking creations. On further inspection the designer of these creations is not the maker and is not credited.

I'm going to use the Australian Softies book for an example here.

When a book like Softies declares in the copyright section "Copyright of individual doll designs remains with the creators" and (plus from More Softies) "Patterns are intended for readers' personal use only, and are not to be used for commercial purpose" this means that making from a pattern for profit is not just wrong but illegal right? Even if the designer is credited or not?

I know there has been discussion on other blogs about this and I have conferred for my own piece of mind with one designer and given my opinion on a few blogs but does something need to be done? I'm not volunteering myself to startup any campaign, but I will support any designer that feels that their design is being ripped off.

If at any time on my blog and Flickr I have not given credit when credit is due please give me a quick swift kick up the backside. I know I'm a maker not a designer and don't want to give the wrong impression.

This also includes fabric, not just softies, bags etc.

Glad to get that off my chest. Thanks

Crotchet Fingerless Gloves

Crotchet Fingerless Gloves
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I've been doing a lot of work from home lately and it is freezing in my house, so I made some fingerless gloves from a Lincraft pattern. I used left over wool from a jacket my mum made me. They do the job. Little A also wanted a pair so made some for him also.

Pattern from Crochet 08/09 book by Lincraft. Handmade by MandyMade

Doll Quilt in progress

Doll Quilt in progress
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This is some of the quilting detail in the doll quilt. I just stitched 3 mm each side of the seam along all seams. I don't have a photo of the back of the quilt, woops will try next time I see it. I used the same material as the outside border.

Boy doll quilt

Boy doll quilt
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

The doll quilt in action!!

Lily's Birthday Present

I went to spotlight to buy a new rotary cutter blade, I knew I shouldn't have cos I also came out with a quilting ruler some other stuff and the fabric I ended up making this bag out of. I don't know why I didn't get the quilting ruler sooner, it made cutting the strips for the bag sooooo much easier, can highly recommend one. I ended up getting the one with inches as all patterns that require this kind of cut have it in inches. Anyway... I also think it was my metal ruler that was making my rotary blade blunt.

I knew I wanted to make my niece a library bag and had my eye on one in homespun mag. I didn't think I had enough time to make it and thought i'd have to iou. So I changed the look of the bag but kept everything else the same, and finished it in time, approx 5 hours i think.

She seemed to like it (as much as a 3 year old does).

Lily's Library Bag
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Lily's Library Bag
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Doll Quilt complete

Doll Quilt complete
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I finished the doll quilt for my niece. It was great doing the tutorial form the doll quilt sew along on Sew mama Sew. Unfortunately all I can now think of is quilting, I say unfortunate because I really don't need to add to my already bursting craft to do list!! I am constantly going back over old mags to see what I could make. I really liked the size of this one and it was really fast to make.

Taxi Tote

Taxi Tote
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I finished it, yay. It's such a great feeling. This is the first time I have done bias binding. Made way too much so now i'll have to find another project for it!!! It was relatively quick to make. The longest part being the patchwork, and having to resource the lining material cos I didn't buy enough!! I added a bag base using Nicole Mallalieu's tutorial found here. Had lots of fun. I didn't use template plastic as I have a contact in the plastic card industry!! so I pinched some print rejects as you can't see the print. Worked a treat. Thanks Nikki, and thanks Anna Maria for the lovely pattern.

Taxi Tote
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

This is the full picture


Anna Maria Horner's Taxi Tote from Seams to Me. Handmade by MandyMade

Day 20-25 Granny Blanket

Day 20-25 Granny Blanket
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Granny Blanket progress, 40 down 40 to go. Getting a lot faster on the train and I'm now kinda used to some of the looks I get. For more progress photos go to my flickr.

Doll Quilt in progress

Doll Quilt in progress
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I decided to make a quilt. I've been itching to do one for ages but very daunted at the prospect. Then I thought maybe I could just make a small one. I noticed one of my flickr contacts was in a doll quilt swap and I thought fantastic, just the size I need to start. Not going to dive in and make one similar to this expert I did a google search for doll quilt tutorials and came up with http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=697 perfect for my first go. I wanted to make an accessory for another gift (not giving anything away!!!) So here goes quilt making!!

Look what came in the mail

Look what came in the mail
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I got a lovely pressy from my lovely husband for mothers day. He ordered a Nicole Mallalieu pattern for me with an added surprise of a Mix Tape mag. Thank you hubby, now I must go material shopping......

WIP Mr Rooster

WIP Mr Rooster
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Just sharing. I've had this on the go for a long time. The red comb didn't attatch the way it should have so I put it down and walked away. Will get back to it one day.

Day 7-15 Granny Blanket

Day 7-15 Granny Blanket
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

I'm getting there. I decided to add another row around each so the count is kinder off now but I have bought more balls. Looks like I'll make it 10x10 at this stage and will finish it with a dc on top.

Day 7-15: May 6 - 14

Wool Ball Count:
Latte - 1
Ecru - 2
Chocolate - 2

Pattern from Meet Me At Mikes new book, Project by Pip Lincolne, Handmade by MandyMade

Mothers Day

WIP Taxi Tote
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there.

My hubby asked me what I would like to do on mothers day, one of the options was a craft day, who could resist that? So what can I make....

After my fabric buy on Friday I descided to make Anna Maria Horners Taxi Tote out of her Seams To Me book. I looked at the fabric and how much I needed, alas not enough. Haven't got used to the whole imperial way of measuring. So I decided to take two of the fabric pieces and piece them together to make enough fabric. Never done it before. Seems to be working so far :-)

He is also going to order a Nicole Mallalieu pattern for me, can't wait.