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