At craft camp

I made two bags and had a fabulous time with some great friends. This was our second Crafty Mamas craft retreat. Last year I was recovering from my sewing marathon to prepare for the Kamaroi Fair. This year I was determined to make a couple of things for myself. I decided on two bag patterns that I owned and have wanted to make, the Tamara Tote and the El Porto.

Friday night I made the Tamara Tote from some Robert Kaufman Cool Cords that I had in my stash. Yes, it's the same fabric as Mollie's soon-to-be Muriel dress.

Spotlight dots for the lining.

Can't go past some Farbenmix ribbon

So after I warmed up with Tamara, I was ready to tackle El Porto. Nancy says on the pattern, "the destination is the journey". I think it's an apt description.  I used some hot pink corduroy and one of my favourite fabrics, Alexander Henry's mini calaveras.  There's a touch of Stenzo on the mezzalunza pocket because I thought I was being clever and stuffed up the pocket.  In my infinite wisdom I didn't pack extra calaveras fabric.  Luckily Lisa had brought my Stenzo fabrics with her.

Ribbons on the side and a chunky purple zipper

Gusseted zipper pocket

Media pocket on the strap

Inner pocket.  I just sewed it to the lining.

Side circle pocket.

It was nice to have a 'project' to work on.  I may not have sewn as many items as my friends, but I have two items that I am very happy with.  I also learned that it is possible to sew on another sewing machine and still do an ok job, but I did pine for my baby.  

Will says, "Thank you Peta!" He insisted on wearing his Milo today when he saw it.

Thank you to Lisa and Suzanne for the use of their sewing machines.  A HUGE thanks to all the girls for a fabulous weekend.  I can't wait for next year.

Raining rainbows

all over my cutting table.


Half of these babies have been sent off to their homes. The others will be leaving soon which is good because I really need to hack into this fabric.

It's been destined for a Muriel for ages. My friend, Tas, just made one for her princess and now I really want to make one for Moo.

What's for dinner?

Can you guess from the photo?


Nice and yummy chicken soup with all organic ingredients. I used to have a wild parsley patch in my backyard, but the extension was built over it. I did try to forage for some a while back as the seeds used to blow around the yard, and we'd have random parsley sprouting up, but there was none to be found. The parsley in my soup came from Angela's front yard veggie patch. Only thing missing is matzo balls, but I don't have any matzo meal to make them.

Stunning Stenzo

When I saw this fabric, I had to have it.  I know it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love the colours in it.  I've made my favourite Ottobre Woman pattern.  It's the "pintuck top" from 02/08, pattern #2.    This pattern suits my plus size figure very well.  The pintucks give extra fabric over the chest and the slight A-line cut hides the bulges, but at the same time the top does not look like a tent.  This is my third time I've used this pattern.  I've gone for 3/4 sleeves since the weather is cooling down.

Tangy Lemon Squares

Last week at the Craft Room I brought us a treat to eat.  I made Tangy Lemon Squares.

I started making this version of lemon squares when I happened upon the AWW recipe. My other recipe is from my Auntie C and it makes a huge 9x13" pan which is too much for just us.

Did you notice that my coffee is in focus as opposed to the lemon square? I'm such a lazy photographer that I forget to make sure I've focused on the correct subject. Or is it that I just LOVE coffee?

Who's in the crystal cave?

The first day Mollie wore her jacket to school.  Will brought home his gnome in the crystal cave painting from preschool. 


We've been saying, "It's Mollie in the crystal cave."

My little pixie

The day Mollie wore this jacket to school Will came home with his painting of a gnome in the crystal cave. Will's gnome was pink. I said, "look Will has painted you in the cave." They thought it was funny.

Pattern is Ottobre 01/2006 #22. It's from double faced wool melton that I bought from fabric.com a while back. I also have some more melton in a lime green. I washed the fabric to felt it a bit more. I did this so I can wash the jacket in the future. The jacket was easy to put together. Mollie adores it. I did try to make covered buttons to go with the jacket. I tried and tried, but finally gave up after 20 minutes of trying to make a button. If you think the fit looks a bit odd, it's because I sewed a 134 and Moo is a size 128. I wanted her to be able to wear it for a while.

You know when you get that feeling that you must make something...well, that was this jacket. And then I made myself a top. But I should be tying skirt pieces in preparation for dyeing. YEAH for the Craft Room tonight because I did spend 2 hours tying!