eye candy

1. peeking in, 2. macarons, 3. i don't want to give them up, 4. Lime Green Outfit for "piggaro", 5. Inspiration, 6. Screen-printed fabric panels - 2 mix pack (02), 7. citrus pram freeform, 8. Untitled, 9. green wool

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

on a roll

I felt a bit miffed that I had to cut short the Kids Clothes Week Challenge 'cause I was having so much fun with it. Then I realised that I could pretend the challenge was still going ... trick myself.... and keep making more kids clothes. I know... genius isn't it!

Last night I made this new winter skirt for Ruby using the Lazy Days skirt tutorial. I love this pattern as it is so easy and you can create a gazillion variations. I made this skirt longer than usual as it will most probably be dressed with boots. The fabric is a pre-hemmed curtain panel that I found in a bargain remnant bin. By re-using the already made hem the skirt was super easy as all I needed to do was create the waste band and embellish with the red velvet ribbon.

I spend a lot of time trying not to see an ever growing pile of mending which sits behind my sewing machine. They are boring jobs that don't get me enthused. Typically they sit there night after night as I start new more exciting projects. Last night after finishing the skirt I bit the bullet and made a start on that pile.

No matter how much or little effort I put into washing and soaking there are always tshirts & jumpers in the kids wardrobes with stains that won't budge. This tshirt is one of my favourites for Ruby as it fits well and goes with so many pants & skirts, but it has an ugly brown stain on the front. I cut flowers from an old piece of vintage cotton and used fusible web to iron them in place. Using a running stitch I machine sewed them on & embellished with buttons to make them look like they were always there. No too bad hey?

Of course I spent way to much time fixing an old tshirt that I could go and buy new for a few bucks but I'm sure that's not the point ;)

slim slacks with letter pockets

There was a last minute change of design with these pants. I had planned to make them in a dark blue denim until yesterday morning. While dressing Sachin in a pair of old jeans he announced "no not these, I want soft ones". Soft ones hey? He's practical just like his Dad. So the re-think began. Had to find something in the stash as I only had last night to get them finished (tonight I'm packing to go away for a few days).

Ta da! Plain but with a little pocket flair on the back courtesy of a thrifted retro bed sheet. It makes me laugh that he has a pair of personalised pants with his initials on the back. Of course he doesn't yet appreciate his mothers genius... but he will :)

I'm not sure why I was so scared of the whole pattern thing. These Hipsters for Slimsters were simple and very straight forward and they fit just as I imagined they would. Perfect pants for slim children with no hips. I plan to make more now that I've mastered the first pair.

I really wish I had an extra couple of days to work on some other ideas floating around in my head. Thanks to Meg I think I have discovered a whole new sewing world.... I'll start with the kids then maybe get enough confidence to try adult clothes next.

flowers + a nightie

Totally unrelated but the photos compliment each other so there you go... that's my post title.

The flowers were a mothers day gift from my in-laws picked from their garden. One posy for me, one for my Mum and one for my Nana. So sweet!

The nightie is my first finished item for the Kids Clothes Challenge. My week will be a bit short as we are off down the coast on Friday for a few days, but I'm hoping to get started on these pants for Sachin tonight. As I suspected I have already cheated myself and avoided using a pattern. Such a chicken!! I created my own pattern from one of Ruby's existing nighties which has been a favourite and made it a bit bigger. The fabric is a beautiful soft chenille - thankfully she likes it - and apparently, it works a treat. She has worn it to bed the last 2 nights.

One down... more to go. This time I promise I will tackle the pattern! Off to check out the other 200 or so sewers and see what they are getting up to.

kinderchefs | cooking classes for little dudes

My friend Jacqui is an absolute legend when it comes to supporting and promoting her family and friends and our creative endeavours. She is constantly sending people my way which I am ever so grateful for. Thanks Jac!

So it's high time that I introduced you to my friend and her cooking school for kids!

Jacqui is one half of a dynamic mother duo who run and operate Kinderchefs - fun cooking classes for pre-schoolers during school terms and for older children during school holidays. Jacqui is a qualified teacher and professional singer with a natural born ability to entertain / educate. Michelle is a qualified chef and restaurant owner who has recently been nominated for South Australian Business Woman of the Year!

Here's a little of what you can expect (taken from their website)... . .

"While learning food preparation skills is the main ingredient, each class adds a heap of kitchen safety, a scoop of etiquette and respect, a handful of music, a pinch of geography & history and laughter to taste!!"

My Ruby thoroughly enjoyed making Pumpkin Scones during the last school holidays Kinderchef class, and even ATE one... .. believe me. .. that is quite an accomplishment (the child who eats no vegies).

Check out Kinderchefs on facebook or hop on over to their website for more details. You can email Jacqui at info@kinderchefs.com.au if you'd like more information.