Taly's Creations

2012 Scrappy Awards at DSP - I won in 3 categories

2012-01-29T08:25:00.000+01:00

I am so excited, since I have never won in the Scrappies before :) All three layouts that had been nominated won in their categories. The full list of winner can be found here at DSP. And here are my winning layouts:

In the Nature/Scenic Layout category:

In the Layout with 1-2 Photos category:

And in the Layout with no Pictures category:

Bread Basket Liner

2012-01-27T17:05:00.002+01:00

I have had this old basket for many years. When we moved into this house, I had an open shelf under a counter and this basket fit it's height, so I started using it as a bread basket. But the top of the basket starting falling apart and the crumbs from the bread were always falling through. So, for a while now I planned to make a liner for this basket and give it a fresh look. Finally I got to it. I looked at some tutorials online, but none of them was exactly what I wanted, so I kind of made my own drawing and pattern. I wanted the handle to stay exposed, so it could be used. This is the result:

I am pretty much satisfied with it, except that I took the inner measurements of the basked and the top edge is quite wide, so when the fabric is turned to the outside, it's not big enough and is pulled weirdly. I should have taken the outer measurements and then maybe tapered it off as I went toward the bottom of the basket. Next time, I'll know.

Just for fun, I used a ribbon instead of the sewn ties on the other side, so I can switch it if I get tired of the same look :)

Also, the liner is fully lined :), so that it is technically reversible. I used a bed sheet, since I didn't have any matching fabric. If I had something else, it would be prettier.

And here is where the basket resides on a daily basis. Next to it is our cutting board that is used only for bread and to the left of it are my frying pans.

I still have some fabric left over and am thinking of making a baggy holder, maybe a toaster cover and some pot holders (or even a small curtain).

Linked at:

Scrappy Awards at DSP

2012-01-23T09:01:00.000+01:00

I am so honored to be among the nominees for Scrappy Award at DSP (Digital Scrapbook Place). I have three layouts (labeled with TALYQ) nominated.

DIY Crib Top Changing Table

2012-01-14T22:31:00.000+01:00

The first 6 months while our baby was sleeping in a bassinet, I was changing her on my bed while sitting down on it, since we didn't have a changing table. But my back couldn't handle that anymore, so when we moved her to a large crib, we decided to make a changing table/top for it. I have seen these here in Europe, something like these:

We built ours from materials we had around the house: Some pieces of wood left over from other projects and a sponge padding form an outdoor cushion that we no longer used (I too off the fabric cover and washed it). The only thing we bought was a small piece of new vinyl tablecloth that my husband stapled over the padding. And this is the result:

It is so much easier on my back to change my baby here. And I can reach everything without going away from the changing top. My diaper stacker with cloth diapers is hanging on the left side from the crib and the dresser with her clothes is right behind me when I change her. If I need to leave for some reason, I can just put her down into the crib - very convenient.

The changing top lies securely over the crib and can not move because of these two pieces of wood which are holding it in place from both sides. Yet it can be taken down when baby is sleeping in the crib.

And here she is - my sweet 7 month old cutie pie on her new changing table.

Linked at:

Purple Velvet Dress

2012-01-02T14:54:00.000+01:00

Elizabet didn't have anything to wear for Christmas, since she has outgrown her clothes, so I promised to make her a new dress. We chose a purple stretch velvet (or is it velveteen?) from my stash. I asked her what she wanted and with the help of Miriam's sketching, this is what they showed me:

I decided that a pattern I had in my stash (McCalls 2590 - OOP) would be the easiest to modify to achieve this. There was very little time before Christmas, but I managed to sew it - so glad I did, because she love the dress.

After I finished the dress, it looked a bit "empty", it needed some kind of belt or sash. I had some shiny thin silky fabric, so I made a sash and hand-sewed it to the side seams. That made a huge difference.

I also used that silky purple fabric to cover a headband the girls already head to match the sash. I used a strip of the fabric I had leftover from the sash, folded the raw edges in and then wrapped the headband with it, hand-sewing the end from the inside.

For a full review and explanation of the alterations I did, read my review on PR.

Linked up at:

Scrapping for Kim Liddiard

2011-12-28T10:22:00.000+01:00

This month I have had a special privilege to scrap exclusively with products from DSP Designer Kim Liddiard. Her style suits my scrapping preferences, as she always has some stamps, overlay and masks included in her kits. That allows me to do to more graphic style pages.

You can see all her designs at the DSP store and read a bit more about her on her DSP profile. She also has a blog and a facebook page.

So, here are a few pages that I made this month so far with Kim's products:

Credits:
Yellow bg from Whimsical Love Page Kit by Kim Liddiard
Mauve bg from Destination Unknown VC by Kim Liddiard
Brown bg from Dolci II Large VC by Kim Liddiard
Overlay from Sweetest Memory Overaly Stax by Kim Liddiard freebie
Dotfetti element from Goldfetti Page Kit (can't find in store)
Flourish stamps from Fresh Flourishes Stamp VC by Kim Liddiard
Ribbons, flowers and frames from I wanna Play VC by Kim Liddiard
Wire flowers from Full of Fall Flourishes VC by Kim Liddiard
Vines from C'est La Vie I Value Collection by Kim Liddiard
Berry twigs from Berries&Acorns VC by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: Elephant, Kristi

Credits:
Trompe L'Oeli SVC by Kim Liddiard
Digi Paint Grunge Set 1 by Kim Liddiard
Digi Paint Grunge Set 2 by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: Feathergraphy Decoration, OldStyle 1

Credits:
Plenty to be thankful for Page Kit by Kim Liddiard

Credits:
Berries&Acorns VC by Kim Liddiard
Simple Wonders Overlay Stax Set by Kim Liddiard (store freebie I think)
Digi Paint Grunge Set 1 by Kim Liddiard
Digi Paint Grunge Set 2 by Kim Liddiard

Credits:
Destination Unknown VC by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: Another Typewriter and Jellyka Western Princess

Credits:
Key to Your Dreams by Kim Liddiard
Artful Fusion - Botanicals by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: CK Maternal and Iskoola Pota

Credits:
Fragile HeART Journal VC by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: Felix Titling, Lucida Bright

Christmas Layouts 2011

2011-12-23T08:24:00.000+01:00

Before I get up to do all the last-minute preparations for the Christmas weekend (pressing the dresses, finishing baking, cleaning up, wrapping some presents, ...) I thought I would post a few of the Christmas themed digital layouts I did in the last few weeks.

Credits:
CD Scraps of the Season: Christmas Memories by DSP Designers
There are so many wonderful kits in this CD that one could make a whole Christmas album.
Font: Kristi

Credits:
Joyous Christmas Page Kit 1 by Meryl Bartho
Joyous Christmas Page Kit 2 by Meryl Bartho
Splatter Doodle Mask by Nicole Young
Fonts: Maestro Times, Kristi

Credits:
Club Digital December 2011 by DSP Designers

Credits:
Oh CMas Tree Quick Click Template by kim Liddiard
Satin Silhouettes VC by Kim Liddiard
Font: Palatino Linotype

Ginger Bread House

2011-12-19T11:06:00.002+01:00

It has been a few years since we made a ginger bread house in this household. Since the small children don't remember it, we thought we should give it a try. I baked the pieces on Friday night and put them together on Saturday morning. Then on Saturday afternoon I turned it over to the 13y, 11y, 8y and 4y old. They did a wonderful job in decorating it, don't you think?

Linked at:
Weekend Warrior Link Party at Ask Anna

One Project at a Time at Bowl Full of Lemons

Table runner and placemats from old tablecloth

2011-12-06T14:47:00.000+01:00

I had this old tablecloth from a donation that I loved, but it didn't fit our table at all. So, I decided to cut it up and make into placemats. I found a small piece of patterned fabric in my stash and used it for the backside (I had just enough for all 8 place mats). Originally I wanted to bind the place mats with burgundy bias tape, but I couldn't find any here, so in the end, I sewed front and back together with a piece of white cotton in between, turned and top-stitched the mats.

There was just enough of the checkered fabric to make a table runner. I just made a narrow hem and attached a cotton trim from my stash. I quite like the results.

November 2011 Digital Layouts

2011-11-30T11:34:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the digital layouts I did during this month:

Credits:
Being Grateful Megakit by DSP Designers
Font: Aparajita

Credits:
Seasons of Love SVC by Jeanet Almhøj
Old Type Keys Alpha by Kim Liddiard
Font: CK Typist

Credits:

Spanish Moss Page Kit by Kim Liddiard

Credits:
Floral and Spots Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
General Idea Overlay Set by Elizabeth Weaver
Fonts: CK Maternal, Estrangelo Edessa

Credits:
Flea Market Page Kit by Marcee Duggar
General Idea Overlay Set by Elizabeth Weaver
Dotted with Grunge Large Masks by Heidi Kuester
Font: Jellyka Delicious Cake

Credits:
Covent Garden Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Pretty in Periwinkle Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Stories of the Past VC by Lauren Bavin
Tag from I'ts my Birthday by Lauren on the CD Scraps of Life: Birthdays by DSP Designers
At Home Page Kit 2 by Meryl Bartho

Credits:
Going This Way Page Kit by Nicole Young
Midnight Garden Overlay Set by Nicole Young
Uniquely Me Wordart by Tina Chambers
Font: Ebrima

Credits:
Thankfully Yours Too by Robyn Gough
Vertical mask from Photographer's Essentials Megakit by DSP Designers
Font: GeosansLight

Credits:
Little Lucy Page Kit by Christine Gundersen
Beat the Blahs Page Kit by Christine Gundersen
Happy Talk 2 by Christine Gundersen
Hush A Bye Page Kit by Nicole Young
Font: HaloHandletter, GeosansLight

Finally sewing again!

2011-11-23T08:13:00.000+01:00

It's been a long time since I actually sewed something. These past 6 months since Klaudia was born, I have been a few times behind the sewing machine, fixing and altering things, but have not really been able to actually sew some new things. It's not that I couldn't find the time, but for some reason I still had a post-partum brain, that couldn't handle a larger project. It's hard to explain. I could not get myself organized enough to actually start a project and finish it. The only creative thing I could do was some digi-scrapping. It's probably because it required only opening a software and some files and it doesn't create messes that have to be cleaned up afterwards. Also on most days I was happy when I was able to manage taking care of the baby, preparing all the meals, doing all the laundry and some cleaning.

But Klaudia has turned six months last Sunday, my health is improving and finally my pre-pregnancy brain seems to be returning. It's a wonderful feeling! So, it's time to stop dreaming about sewing projects and actually do them. My list of things that we need is very long and I have to get rid of my fabric stash by making it into actual clothes and items. To ease into sewing, I have decided to tackle easy stuff first - things with straight seams - things that don't require lots of fitting or detail work.

So, here are some things I have done in the past two weeks. First a lampshade and some small pillow covers for our green kids room. Beni (8) and Abi (3) live there and I had this jungle fabric stored for years reserved for their room. In spring when we got a curtain rod for their room, I made the drapes and now I finally redid their lampshade to match. I love these wired lamp shades (we have them in all our bedrooms), because they can be "redressed" as often as we like to change the look of a room. All it basically takes, is measureing around the wires and sewing a tube that width with small tunnels on both top and bottom. Then I put a small elastic in the top tunnel and a larger one in the bottom and voila!

The pillow cases are made from the same fabric with zippers in one edge. I still have some fabric left and am considering how to use it without overdoing it. I think two regular sized pillow cases with zippers will be best, so they can use them for playing on the floor. I have some spare pillows which would work.

I also made a lampshade for the blue room where my 13y and 11y girls live. They had a Smurfs fabric on their lamp and now they have a cool one with fabric from Ikea. I still have some of that fabric and a piece of coordinating one, so might make a few pillow covers for their beds.

I also made my first fitted bed sheet. I followed this tutorial and it came out great! I will be making more of these from flannel, since I have now two girl sleeping in the same size beds (crib and toddler bed).

I am so glad that I was able to sew something even these very simple things. I have lots of similar things on my to do list and hope to do them in the next weeks before I attempt sewing some more complicated things like clothes.

Scrapping for Robyn Gough

2011-10-24T22:29:00.001+02:00

This month I have had a special privilege to scrap exclusively with products from DSP Designer Robyn Gough. She has a very unique style that is often a bit grungy and graphic and I love it very much. You can see all her designs at the DSP store and read a bit more about her on her DSP profile. She also has a blog and a facebook page. If you "like" her facebook page, there is an exclusive freebie waiting for you.

So, here are a few pages that I made this month so far with Robyn's products:

Credits:
Urban Teen VC by Robyn Gough
Urban Edge Quick Bits Masks by Robyn Gough
Font: Adler

Credits:
Urban Teen VC by Robyn Gough
Urban Edge Quick Bits Masks by Robyn Gough
Newspaper Cutout Alpha by Robyn Gough
Font: Adler, Broken Ghost

Credits:
Doodle Spritz VC by Robyn Gough
Font: DSP Robyn

Credits:
Doodle Spritz VC by Robyn Gough
Urban Edge Quick Bits Masks by Robyn Gough
Fonts: 28 days later and Candara

Credits:
Stapled Down Squiggles Layered Quick Click Template by Robyn Gough
Altered not Aged VC by Robyn Gough
Fonts: Maiandra GD, Ma Sexy

Credits:
Altered not Aged VC by Robyn Gough

Font: Pea Hurry Up Beck

Credits:
Naturally Page Kit by Robyn Gough from Club Digital March 2010 by DSP Designers
Candyland Page Kit by Robyn Gough from CD Scraps of Style: Storybook Fantasies by DSP Designers
Watercolor Fun Page Kit by Robyn Gough
Urban Teen VC by Robyn Gough
Hippy Hemp Page Kit by Robyn Gough Tweet Chic Value Collection by Robyn Gough
Nature's Touch Kit by Robyn Gough
from Club Digital October 2011 by DSP Designers
Pet Capers Page Kit by Robyn Gough
Its Xmas Element Set by Robyn Gough
Doodle Spritz VC by Robyn Gough
Celebr8 Page Kit by Robyn Gough
Font: HaloHandletter

On the team again

2011-10-03T09:14:00.001+02:00

After a year break, I have entered the DET contest at Digital Scrapbook Place and after 4 rounds of the competition, I made the Digital Elite Team for the 3rd time. I am so excited to be able to create pages for DSP designers again and at the same time be motivated to scrap a few of the hundreds of family photos that are piling up in my computer :) Here are my 4 layouts from the contest:

Round 1: Elizabet

Credits: Floral Fancy Value Collection by Robyn Gough

Round 2: Zebra Love

Credits: Walk on the Wild Side XLVC by Meryl Bartho

Round 3: Tabita

Credits: Funky Teenscape VC by Nicole Young

Round 4: Debora

Credits: C'est La Vie I Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

Published in Somerset Digital Studio Fall 2011

2011-09-02T09:33:00.002+02:00

Once again I have the honor to have a layout published in this wonderful magazine:

Here is the layout:

Trendsetters Contest Summer 2011

2011-09-02T09:23:00.001+02:00

I had fun being in the Trendsetters Contest at DSP again. I made it to the final round and here are the layouts I made:

Round 1

Credits: Family Affair Page Kit by Heidi Kuester

Round 2

Credits:

New Beginnings Pake Kit by Christine Gundersen

Perspectively Different Page Kit by Nicole Young

Round 3

Credits:
Blues Image Page Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
Opulent Romance Kit by Teresa Loman

Something a bit different

2011-08-21T23:13:00.002+02:00

I have always loved the work of digital designer Anna Aspnes. Recently I have had a bit time to experiment with some of her products and created three different layouts:

Credits:

10Things2Heart Art Play Palette

Blooming Marvelous Art Play Palette

Floralis Art Play Palette Add-on Freebie

Saffron Villa Art Play Palette

Layer Masked Template No.1

all by Anna Apnes

Something Springy Page Set

10Things2Heart Art Play Palette

Blooming Marvelous Art Play Palette

Saffron Villa Art Play Palette

2011 Project Template No. 7

all by Anna Apnes

Credits:

Blooming Marvelous Art Play Palette

Saffron Villa Art Play Palette

all by Anna Apnes

July 2011 Digital Layouts

2011-08-01T09:15:00.003+02:00

I didn't have much time scrapping this month because I spent 12 days in the hospital with my precious baby who had a urinary tract infection and had to be on intravenous antibiotics. But here are three that I did manage to do:

Credits:
All from Club Digital July 2011 by DSP Designers

Credits:
Blues Brothers kit from CD Scraps of Life: Friends by DSP Designers

Credits:

All elements and backgrounds from Club Digital August 2011 by DSP Designers

I've been published in a scrapbooking book!

2011-07-05T11:48:00.002+02:00

This morning a Fedex van pulled up in front of our house and delivered me a package with a book which has one of my layouts published in it. It is such an honor to have been included in this publication :) The book is called The Big Book of Scrapbook Ideas published by Memory Makers.

Blue Twirly Dress

2011-06-24T12:52:00.001+02:00

Just before I went to the hospital, I managed to sew my 3y. old girl a knit dress from scraps of fabrics around the house. She does not like to wear pants at all and is very short on summer skirts/dresses. The patterned fabric was leftover from my skirt and Mimi's dress. The purple fabric was left over from a maternity shirt I made several years ago and the blue fabric from a few projects.

I based the bodice of this dress on the pajama pattern from Ottobre 06/2009 (#34). I had made these PJ's for her a few times, so I knew the pattern fit. I omitted the neckline bindind, scooped out the neckline a bit more, shortened the sleeves and finished both neckline and sleeves with clear elastic (sewn to wrong side, then turned and stitched with double needle).

For the skirt I just cut out rectangles depending on how much fabric I had, each next one a bit longer than the previous. Gathered each one of them and sewed them together. I finished the hem with a cotton decorative trim (used to be elastic, but it's very old, so lost it's elasticity).

April/May 2011 Digital Layouts

2011-06-20T17:50:00.000+02:00

I haven't scrapped a lot in those two month, since it got too hard to sit at the computer in the last weeks of pregancy, but I did managed to make a few that I like:

Credits:

Scribble Boy Value Collection by Nicole Young

Credits:

Beyond a Dream by Nicole Young

Credits:
Daisy Country Value Collection by Teresa Loman
Yout Comes Wordart Freebie by Tina Chambers

Credits:

Rock Steady Page Kit by Nicole Young

DSP The Basics Freebie

Credits:
Inspired by Nature Page Kit by Erica Belton
Overlay from Club Digital May 2011 by DSP Designers

1 Month Old

2011-06-20T10:55:00.001+02:00

A lot has happened since my last post a bit over a month ago. I ended up being admitted to the hospital, since I was 10 days overdue and two days later I was induced. The labor lasted only an hour, but was pretty intense. On Friday, May 20th our 7th child (6th daughter) Klaudia Damaris was born. She was a pretty big baby (4270g). We were released two days later. I had some health problems in the last month, but hopefully things are on the mend. Klaudia is still battling a little cold, some thrush and some other minor problems, but hopefully things are not going to get complicated any more. Today she is exactly one month old. We are getting adjusted slowly in our family life, but there has not been any sewing or scrapping. I can barely keep up with nursing my sweet baby and taking care of the basic needs of the family. I am thankful though for all that has happened. The children love their little sister and wish they wouldn't be so busy with other activities and could help more. I am hoping to slowly get back to sewing a bit, since my sewing to-do list is getting longer every day. But all in due time...

Diaper Bag for new baby

2011-05-14T14:08:00.003+02:00

Since baby is overdue and doesn't seem to hurry to be born, I though I would share a few pictures of the diaper bag I sewed last week.

About 3 years ago I have sewn a cover for a infant car seat. I still had some of that quilted fabric left over, so I decided to use it for a diaper bag. The fabric is already so colorful, I had a hard time combining it with any other fabric I own, so I opted in the end for some denim (from an older jumper that I had cut up). I didn't have a pattern for this, I just made it up as I was sewing. I think maybe it's a bit boxy and the proportions are maybe not the greatest, but it's functional. The only thing that is still missing is some kind of stabilizing piece of plastic insert for the bottom of the bag. I am still figuring out what to use.

The front of the bag has a pocket that closes with velcro (button is decorative), the sides have one pocket each and in the back is a flat large pocket also with velcro. There are two pockets inside. I didn't have enough length for the shoulder strap, so I made a kind of shoulder pad with the contrasting fabric.

I had a bit fabric left over, so I used a piece of plastic waterproof sheet and bound both of them with some FOE to make a changing pad.

And here are all three matching items waiting for baby to arrive - car seat, diaper bag and changing pad:

A Spring Dress for Eli - Simplicity 5645

2011-04-26T19:53:00.000+02:00

I had promised Elizabeth a dress as a birthday present, but somehow there was no time for it in the winter. Since the weather has warmed up and she is attending a wedding in May, I decided to make her a spring/summer dress. She picked a sheer crinkle fabric from my stash and we lined it with a pink polyester satin also from the stash. The fabric did give me a bit of a headache and I had to alter some things, like underline the bodice instead of lining it as I had originally planned, but in the end it turned out great. You can read a fulil review of this pattern at sewingpatternreview.

I had made this same pattern 3 years ago for Tabita and Debora wears that dress now. Here they are together:

Published in Somerset Memories and Scrapbooking Memories

2011-04-26T19:43:00.000+02:00

I am so happy that two of my layouts have been published in some of the best scrapbooking magazines out there. The first one the Spring 2011 issue for Somerset Memories:

And here is a photo of the published digital layout:

I am also published in Australian Scrapbooking Memories magazine:

Here is the photo of the published layout:

March 2011 Favorite Digital Layouts

2011-04-01T11:19:00.000+02:00

Here are few of the layouts I did in March:

Credits:

Genealogy Megakit by DSP Designers

Credits:
two overlays from Adventures in Teal XL VC by Elizabeth Weaver
A third overlay from Enchanted Forest Overlay Set by Nicole Young
A forth overlay from About a Butterfly by Carole Harden
Green swirls from Harmonic Whimsy Page Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
Flowers from Sweet Daydreams VC by Elizabeth Weaver
Yellow flowers from Golden Dawn VC by Elizabeth Weaver

Credits:

All from Club Digital March 2011 by DSP Designers

Credits:

Club Digital June 2010 by DSP Designers

Credits:

Bloomin' Beautiful Page Kit by Erica Belton
Maskee Page Size Masks Set 9 by Marcee Duggar

Credits:

Everything from Club Digital April 2011 by DSP Designers

Member Spotlight at DSP

2011-04-01T11:01:00.000+02:00

I am so honored to be picked at the Member Spotlight for the month of April over at Digital Scrapbook Place.

You can read the whole interview here.

Two new PJs for Abigail

2011-03-29T12:05:00.000+02:00

Abigail was in great need of some spring thinner pajamas. Since the pjs I made for her in the fall are getting too small, I decided to make the Ottobre pattern two sizes larger to make sure that it will fit her even next fall (and they do shrink with washing and drying). The pattern is from Ottobre 06/2009 (#34 and #35), but this time I made size 104. I made both of these pajamas from leftover fabric, which is why some parts are pieced together, since I that's all I had from the patterned knits.

Princess Dress for Abigail

2011-03-17T08:20:00.002+01:00

For Abigail's birthday I had made her a little princess dress for dress-up games. I used Simplicity 2767 as a basis for the dress. I did make a few changes to the pattern: I eliminated the zipper in the back, but then had to make the neckline a bit lower so it would fit over her head. I also made the dress much longer, almost floor length. I had to take in the size 3 dress quite a bit in the sides, since she is very skinny. Now it fits her wonderfully and she truly looks like a little princess:

I have been published in Somerset Digital

2011-03-11T21:02:00.002+01:00

This is the third issue in row that has one of my layouts published. It is quite an honor to be part of such a wonderful publication.

Here is a photo of my layout in it:

Jedi Costume for my boy

2011-03-01T12:47:00.001+01:00

Last week my son's school had a Carnival, and he wanted to go as a Jedi knight. He already had a light saber that was a present from my cousins a few years ago, so that was a start. I used two small pieces of brown fabric (used almost every little bit of it) to create the hooded coat and a piece of texture linen/cotton to make his tunic.

Maternity shirt makeover

2011-02-25T11:29:00.000+01:00

Somewhere I have gotten this huge maternity t-shirt in my last pregnancy. It was way too large for me, so I just didn't wear it and loaned it out. But the shirt was returned to me and since I am in need of some daily wear shirts, I decided to alter it. I completely cut it apart and used McCall's 2416 as a basis for the new shirt. I had to shorten the pattern to fit on the fabric I had available and make the sleeves 3/4. I also narrowed the back, since from experience I know that most maternity patterns are drafted way too wide in the back. I bound the neckline with decorative elastic and added a cotton trim from my stash to the empire seam. It's not perfect, but much better than the original and now it is wearable. This was the original:

Trendsetters Contest

2011-02-22T08:04:00.001+01:00

This month is Trendsetters Contest over at DSP. I made it all the way to the final round. Now to wait a few days for the judging and see where I placed. Here are my entries:

Round 1

Credits:

Baby Beluga Kit by Suzanne C. Walker
Adjectiferous Stamp Set by Elizabeth Weaver

Round 2

Credits:

Mocha Moments 2 Page Kit by Heidi Kuester
Designer Journal Stamps by Robyn Gough
DSP Henrietta Font by Suzanne C. Walker

Round 3 (Final Round)

Credits:

Watercolor Fun Page Kit by Robyn Gough
Splattered Ink Frames by Elizabeth Weaver
I'm In Love Megakit by DSP Designers

Very Simple Apron Tutorial

2011-02-17T12:53:00.003+01:00

Posting about Beni's new apron reminded me of a apron tutorial I wrote several years ago on my sewing webpage that has not been updated for a very long time because I had run out of space. Since it may be useful to someone, I am reposting it here. I apologize for the small photos, I don't have the originals anymore. I might take some new ones next time I make another one.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

First, the pattern: Some aprons I made so far, I just traced from some RTW aprons I had (I just pressed the apron along the center front, pinned it on the folded fabric and traced directly, then I took it off and made any changes I wanted). Others I made from the apron pattern available on the free software Wild Things! from Ginger, Inc. The software make a full pattern, but I prefer to cut the aprons from folded fabric, so I just use one half of the pattern. I also make some changes to the pattern, mainly rounding the bottom corners.

So, then I fold the fabric (I prefer cotton and for small children, even small leftovers will do) and pin the pattern to it. I trace it with chalk and make any changes in length or desing. (in this case I made it longer and curved the corners) The I cut it out.

Then I find some embelishment. I don't have a wide selection, so ric-rac is usually what I use. You don't really have to use anything or can use any nice ribbons you have or even make an applique. I also pick the bias tape I am going to use. If I don't have anything matching, then I make my own bias tape out of self-fabric. I have found that the ironing-board techniques works well, but if you have a tape maker, even better.

After I stitch any embelishments, it's time to apply the bias tape to the top of the apron. Now, I do not have any special tools to do this and I have tried too many times to apply the bias tape in one process, but always made too many mistakes and spent too much time unpicking the stitching, so now I rather choose to apply the binding in two steps, but do it accurately every time. So, I do it in two steps. First I open up the bias tape and stitch it, aligning the edges of fabrics and tape (on RTW, the smaller side). With cotton, I usually don't even pin, just sew slowly.

Then I turn the bias tape over to the right side of the fabric and top-stitch from the right side. This helps me to get it rigth every time. Now, if you are skilled in binding in one step or have a special machine foot, you can do this apron even faster.

I do this also to the bottom part of the apron, all the way from one side to the other. When this is done, I trim all the binding and embelishment even with the fabric of the apron.
The second part of the job is now to make the ties, bind the sides AND do the neckstrap all in one process.

So, now I measure actually measure something, LOL. I decide how long I want the ties to be and how long the neckstrap should be. When making an apron for someone in my family, I actually hold the apron to their bodies and measure with a tape measure how long the neck strap should be. For other people, I estimate. But if I would be making a apron for someone, I don't know well, I would probably not make a loop on the top, rather two neck ties that can be custom tied at the top.

Then I actually pin the bias tape to the wrong side of the apron. Starting at one side, I measure the tie length, mark, then pin the side of the apron, measure the neck strap, mark, pin the second side of apron and measure other tie. Cut off the bias tape. Sew the bias to the wrong side of fabric. Turn the binding to the right side and pin again.

And now come the fun part - finishing all of it in one process. Turn the apron with right side up and start with one tie. I usually turn the end of the bias tape to the inside (clipping the corner a bit) and start sewing the tape together. When I come to the apron side, I continue to finish the binding, then come to the neck strap part and sew that together, then the second side and finally the second strap - all this without having to take the needle out of the fabric! Cut off the thread and you are done! Press the apron and you have a lovely present in less than 30 minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are a few of the aprons for my girls I had made in 2005:

Oh my, have they grown since :)

Little Chef's Apron and Hat

2011-02-17T11:12:00.001+01:00

Benjamin complained the other day that there are only girl's aprons in the kitchen. So, I found a remnant of striped fabric and made him a boy apron. He also wanted a hat to go with it. Here is the result and he loves it. I think I might to try make another had with a higher base, which I think would look more like a real hat.

January 2011 Favorite Digital Layouts

2011-01-31T12:35:00.030+01:00

Seems like I didn't post any of my layouts for a while, I want to catch up on that. I'll just probably post my favorites at the end of each month from now on. That should be the simplest. Here are some of my favorite creations for this month:

Credits:

Cathee Maree VC by Marcee Duggar
Maskee Page Size Clipping Mask Set 1 by Marcee Duggar
Maskee Page Size Clipping Masks Set 6 by Marcee Duggar
Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar
Wordee Deluxe Word Art Set 4 by Marcee Duggar

Credits:
Autumn White Page Kit by Marcee Duggar
Cathee Maree VC by Marcee Duggar
Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar

Credits:
Autumn White Page Kit by Marcee Duggar

Cecilee Alpha by Marcee Duggar (recolored)
Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar

Credits:
Ruthee Value Collection by Marcee Duggar
Cathee Maree VC by Marcee Duggar
Digital Punches - Christmas Borders by Elizabeth Weaver

Credits:
Colbee Page Kit by Marcee Duggar
Urban Dayzee Titles by Marcee Duggar

Maskee Photo Quick Bits by Marcee Duggar
Maskee Page Size Clipping Masks Set 7 by Marcee Duggar

Credits:
Satin Shabby Kit by Marcee Duggar
Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar
Autumn Whites Page Kit by Marcee Duggar
Distant Memory by Marcee Duggar
Soul Happiness Kit by Marcee Duggar
Maskee Page Size Masks Set 9 by Marcee Duggar

Blue Christmas

2011-01-23T11:39:00.001+01:00

I am bit late with this, but I only finally got to sort some photos from the holidays and wanted to show you our Christmas decorations. My daughters didn't want the traditional green/red decorations this year, but blue with accents. I found 2 yards of a very interested blue/silver/pink Christmas fabric in my stash and then some remnants of coordinating solids. We used the patterned fabric to tear "ribbons" for our Advent wreath, candles and other details, then I used a combination of the fabrics to sew six different pillow covers and a table runner. We also used mainly silver/blue for the tree (except for treasured ornaments) and the girls made some paper stars. Miriam also sewed some felt ornaments that complemented everything very well. It wasn't cluttered, but felt special. I had fun sewing something that didn't required fitting and only had straight seams, LOL. I also did mitered corners on a bound edge for the first time in my life on the runner and it came out pretty well. The tree is planted in our yard by now and the Advent wreath dissasembled, but the pillows, runner and some accents are still "hanging around". We love them and don't want to put them away just yet ;).

Back to Blogging Land

2011-01-19T09:50:00.000+01:00

After almost four months of silence, I think I am ready to return to some blogging :). The reason for my absence was a 6 week travel to the US with our whole family in October/November,

Chicago Shedd Aquarium

then busy 6 weeks of catching up with school and Christmas preparations. Our holidays were very busy, but blessed as well. When finally things slowed down, I needed some time to rest and recuperate :). But now that the children are back in school and we are back on a normal schedule/routine, I think I might be able to post something now and then.

Conducting at the Open Air Christmas Concert

Now, another reason why I couldn't keep up with everything as usual, is that I am expecting our 7th child in May! It was kind of a surprise we found out just before our trip, but praise God everything is going well so far. I can feel that it's getting a bit harder now that I am a bit older, but I am still managing. I pray that the rest of the pregnancy will be without major complications and that I can still do a lot of sewing and scrapping before the baby comes.

A Quick Ottobre pajama

2010-09-07T08:47:00.002+02:00

As the weather is cooling down, the need for warmer and longer pajamas arises. I realized that Abi had only one that was big enough, so I decided to quickly make a few for her. Yesterday I found some in my Ottobre magazine stash and traced the pattern. The pajamas were done by the evening and she already slept in them. Here she is this morning:

Both top and bottom are from the 06/2009 issue of Ottobre kids magazine. Top is #34 and bottom #35. Although the instructions called for a serger and flat-locked seams, I just used my regular sewing machine and a narrow zig-zag for all the seams. I top-stitched some of them with a small zig-zag to give it a "mock" flat-lock appearance. I will make a few more of these for her, but will have to lenghten both the top and the pants quite a bit.

Trendsetters Contest at DSP

2010-09-04T09:52:00.002+02:00

I recently participated in a contest at DSP and won 3rd place with these layouts:

Round1

Round 2:

Round 3:

In the Mood for some Blending

2010-06-25T10:26:00.000+02:00

Lately in my scrapbooking time, I just couldn't help but create layouts that have lots of blending, masking and special effects :) Here are a few of them:

I really like the grunginess of Heidi's kit. I paired it up with a few masks and used some brushes to created the brown border around the layout.
This photo of Tabita was taken years ago by Miriam when she just started using our family camera.
Credits:
Beautiful Soul 2 Kit by Heidi Kuester
Wordee Deluxe Word Art Set 4 by Marcee Duggar
Arty Love Quick Bit Masks by Robyn Gough (used on background papers)
Font: Another Typewriter

This is an older photo of Eli. She was playing dressup at her grandma's house. This kit's colors and elements seemed to suit it perfectly. I used the elements and backgrounds blended and masked the photos.
Credits:
Warm Earth Memories VC by Erica Belton
Maskee Page Size Clipping Mask Set 7
Halftone Clipping Mask Quick Bits by Erica Belton
Fonts: Hawai Lover, Kokila

I just love the turquise and brown combination in this Kim's VC.
Products:
Obisidian Flight by Kim Liddiard
Doodlicious Stamp MVC by Kim Liddiard
Font: Baskerville Old Face

I had a picture that Miriam took a few days ago during a walk with Abigail and Tabita. Thep photo was a bit too colorful (especially the green trees in the background), but after some playing with blending modes I got it to match the glowing evening colors of the kit.
Credits: Golden Dawn Value Collection by Elizabeth Weaver
Fonts: Beyond Wonderland, Kunstler Script, Microsoft Himalaya

I was playing with Christine's Happy Talk 2 Page Kit and Erica's Halftone Clipping masks, when I hit the wrong key, changed the blending mod of the picture and fell in love with it! I then continued to blend the elements and this is what came out as the result. I love this graphic style, but rarely am able to actually create it. Maybe I need to hit the wrong key more often, LOL.
Credits: Happy Talk 2 Page Kit by Christine Gundersen
Halftone Clipping Mask Quick Bits by Erica Belton
Fonts: Perpetua, Nueva Std

When we were in a Zoo in Slovakia last year, Tabita took this photo of the flamingoes. I had some fun with blending and Lauren's Wetland kit Here is the result.
Credits:
Wetlands VC by Lauren Bavin
Fonts: Hawaii Lover, Nyana

Vest for Tabi

2010-05-11T08:27:00.000+02:00

I finished this almost two weeks ago, but forgot to post it. I made a vest for Tabita and then scrapped the great picture Miriam took of Tabi in it. I will write a full review on it soon, but for now this has to do:

Credits:
Black layout from Dark Moods Value Collection by Lauren Bavin
Another black bg set on Darken on top of it from Boldly Sparkling Page Kit by Lauren Bavin
Black frame from Love Lies Bleeding by Lauren Bavin
Overlay (set on Overlay mode) from Veranda Tapestry by Elizabeth Weaver
Green leaves from Succotash Splash VC by Elizabeth Weaver
Sequins (a bit desaturated) from Beautiful Past Page Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
Metal Spray and Watercolor splatter (desaturated) rom Loves Gift 2 by Erica Belton
Gold bubbles (desaturated) from Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar
Three squares from Olive and Aubergine 2 by Christine Gundersen
Button from Stories of the Past VC by Lauren Bavin
Corner stamp (desaturated) from Red Hot Love by Heidi Kuester

Fonts: Susie's Hand and Kingsthings Type

Today we Fly

2010-05-11T08:22:00.000+02:00

I am very behind in posting my latest layouts, but here is one I made yesterday with photos Mimi took of her younger siblings:

Credits:
Fantasia's Charm by Nicole Young

Digital LO - Inspiration for April Mix'n'Match Challenge

2010-04-15T10:21:00.000+02:00

Here is a layout I made for this month's Mix'n'Match Challenge at DSP. This month the theme is the color PINK.

Journaling:
Its a difficult age, the years between being a child and a grown-up. Sometimes you can’t wait for the privileges that come with age, at other times you still just want to be a kid. Enjoy your time my dear, every moment of it. Do not wish to grow up too fast and savor every moment of every day. Enjoy being twelve.

Credits:
background (overlayed on pink photo) from Everything Nice Page Kit by Carole Harden
overlay and gold hanging element from Imagination Overload XVC by Elizabeth Weaver
flower from Positively Peacock 2 Kit by Heidi Kuester
alpha from Club Digital January 2010 by DSP Designers
grungy frame from A Harvest Hello Kit by Heidi Kuester
stamp frame from Gracee Mae 2 Kit by Heidi Kuester

A Birthday Tunic for Debi

2010-04-15T10:14:00.000+02:00

This was supposed to be a birthday present, but as usual I am late. I had trouble finding coordinating fabric to the little piece of pink checked fabric we had and Debi picked. The pattern is Simplicity 3904 and we made the shorter dress version as a tunic. I had a bit trouble with the instructions on the neckline at first, but step by step it became clear and finally worked out. I really love how this looks on her and we'll probably make another longer version as a Sunday dress for the summer. There is also a detailed review of this on Pattern Review if you are interested.

On the Team Again!

2010-03-31T16:16:00.000+02:00

The DET Contest at DSP has ended and I made it on the team one more time. It is an honor to be able to create for the amazing DSP Designer for 6 more months. Here are my Round 4 layouts. The tasks was to use the same kits provided and the same pictures for two different layout but with different rules:

This layout uses all the elements "as is", withot changing anything.

This one uses the same photos and kits, but there are no restrictions on blending cropping, recoloring, etc.

Credits:

Artifacts by Elizabeth Weaver
Dramatically Different Quick Bit Masks by Robyn Gough
Mood Swings Title Stamps by Elizabeth Weaver

Digital LO - Silly Little One

2010-03-30T21:43:00.000+02:00

It's 6th birthday celebration over at DSP. Which means there are many new challenges this week. Since my DET Contest layouts are done (results should be revealed tonight), I have decided to do a few challenges. Here are some layouts as a result of it:

Credits:
Silly Little One Quick Click by Nicole Young
Beyond the Moon 2 by Nicole Young
Falling Slowly 2 Kit by Nicole Young
Alizarin Moments 2 Kit by Christine Gundersen
Heureux Kit by Suzanne (freebie - http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...p?photo=322379)

Credits:

Wings of Hope Quick Click (blog freebie)
Antiquated Dreams Kit by Nicole Young
Repose 2 Kit by Nicole Young
The Fairest Part 2 Page Kit by Nicole Young

Credits:

Confetti Plopper by Kim (chat freebie)
Brad circle from Ostentatious by Lauren from Club Digital November 2009 by DSP Designers
Overlay from A Christmas to Remember VC by Lauren Bavin
Flower from Touch of Gold Kit by Lauren Bavin
Ribbon from Tranquil Forrest VC by Lauren Bavin
Bead from Rustic Touch by Lauren Bavin

Credits:

Six Stapled Photos QC by Carole (chat freebie)
paper from Vintage Time by Nicole (available on Club Digital March 2010 by DSP Designers)
Green Grunge Alpha by Heidi (also available on Club Digital March 2010 by DSP Designers)
Overlay from About a Butterfly by Carole Harden
Stapled journaling labels from Beat the Blahs Page Kit by Christine Gundersen
Ribbon from Dolci II Large VC by Kim Liddiard
Flower (recolored) from Little Lucy 2 Page Kit by Christine Gundersen

Made with the Freebie Quick Click and some elements from the Floral Medley Kit by Erica

DET Contest - Round 3 Entry

2010-03-20T08:14:00.001+01:00

I made it to the 3rd round of the Digital Elite Contest at DigitalScrapbookplace. And here is my entry for this fantasy round:

Credits:
Little Moon Dreamer by DSP Designers
Chasing the Wind 2 by Nicole Young

DET Contest - Round 2 Entry

2010-03-20T08:11:00.001+01:00

I am trying for another term in the Digital Elite Contest at Digital Scrapbook Place. Since I am a current member of the team, I got to skip Round one. But here is my entry for the second round:

Credits:

Boldly Sparkling Page Kit by Lauren Bavin

Digital LO - Inspiration for March Mix'n'Match Challenge

2010-03-12T08:34:00.000+01:00

This layout was made as an inspirational layout for the current Mix'n'Match Challenge at DSP. The goal of the challenge is to combine various backgrounds and elements from at least 5 different kits you already own. This month the featured color is brown:

Credits:
Brown background from Intensity by Tina Chambers
LightBrown background from Nature's Ephemera Kit by Christine Gundersen
Sludgy canvas background (and dark ink splatters) from Rocky Road by Erica Belton
Bursting and Splattered brown paper from Antiquated Dreams Kit by Nicole Young
(All of these backgrounds are blended in various ways to achieve the effect)
Always element is from Very by Elizabeth Weaver
Brushed Stamp is from Distant Memory by Marcee Duggar
Diamonds from Wings Of Hope 2 Page Kit by Nicole Young
Petals from Love Falls Kit by Nicole Young

Digital LO - My boy

2010-03-10T10:32:00.000+01:00

Here is my boy about a year ago. It's great to have a kit with boyish things.

Credits:
Little Mr. Mischief Page Kit by Nicole Young
Font: Can can de bois

Thirty-nine

2010-03-09T15:04:00.002+01:00

Yes, I know my birthday was exactly a month ago, but I completely forgot to post something about it. It's the last one with a 3 as the first digit - my, where has the time gone? But I am loving every minute of it! I think this is the best age to be - mature (hopefully) enough to have a realistic outlook on life, but still healthy and young enough to enjoy it! This year will also be 18 years that I am a wife and 17 years that I am a mother. I am thankful for a wonderful husband, great children, a warm and large enough home, all our basic needs covered. It's great to have both teenagers and little children - kind of the best of both! OK, so my birthday? I got a wonderful orchid from my dear husband that I cherish (and hopefully can keep for a while - since I do not have a green thumb).

I also got some money that I used to buy an external harddisk, because I was constantly running out of space on my computer, LOL. That's what I needed most at the moment and couldn't afford otherwise. It's so much easier to work now and all our family photo archives are at my fingertips now.

As I participated that month in a Self-portrait a Day challenge at DSP, I had quite a bit pictures that I took and was able to scrap some of them. Here is an example:

Fabric boxes and pin-cushions

2010-03-09T11:27:00.000+01:00

I wanted to try sewing some fabric boxes for quite a while now. But I didn't know how to make them stand up nicely. But recently a friend sent me some very stiff sew-in interfacing, so I decided to give them a try. I loosely followed instructions from this tutorial, but made a few changes. I also put in some recycled batting from an old comforter to make them softer. Then I made a matching pin-cushion with the free pattern from Heather Bailey. I had it printed for quite some while, but never got to try it.

I also finally made myself a wrist pin-cushion, because I was forever loosing my pin-cushion when sewing. I would leave it at the cutting table and then didn't have it at the machine and vice versa. I sewed the little band first, attached velcro to it. The top of the pin-cushion is a fabric circle that has been stithced around the perimeter, stuffed with some recycled batting and sewn close. The bottom is actually a baby jar metal lid that I covered with fabric, which I had previously sewn to the band. Then I glued the top part into the lid and hand-sewed around it to make sure it doesn't get unglued. It's so much easier to work with pins now!

Digital LO - Precious Newborn

2010-03-05T16:16:00.001+01:00

It seems like it happens just recently and Abi is already so big and almost potty-trained =). But recently I got a chance to scrap her newborn photo:

This picture was taken just after we came home from the hospital. The gentle colors of Marcee's kit and all the great masks helped me make this layout. I used one large mask for the harlequin background and then one reduced in size for the photo.

Credits:
Delanee VC by Marcee Duggar
Maskee Page Size Clipping Masks Set 6 by Marcee Duggar
Font: Susie's Hand

Digital LO - Sweetheart

2010-02-28T16:18:00.000+01:00

I got an external hard disk for my birthday (yeah!), so I finally have access to our old photos (I had to delete them from my computer before, because I didn't have enough space). So I can scrap some oldies. =)

Elizabet a long time ago =)

Credits:
Love Birds Page Kit by Meryl Bartho
Sweet Sayings by Heidi Kuester
Stitched with Love Handstitched Brights by Meryl Bartho
Font: Myriad

A productive sewing week

2010-02-28T09:46:00.000+01:00

Last week I finally got to sew some more. My mom came over a few times and took take of the little ones, so I could get something done in the sewing room. Miriam had already prepared the patterns and cut some items out, so it went a bit faster. First I made her a simple pink shirt for school.

It is based on Jalie 2449, which is a crossover top, but we modified it into a regular top. We also lengthened the sleeves quite a bit, since that is Miriam's usual problem with RTW clothing. It's a very comfortable warm knit. Then I made her a beatiful white top for church, because that was her biggest need.

The pattern is from Burda Magazine - May 2009 (mod 103A). Although it's a pretty complicated pattern for a knit top (it has a band all around, back seam and darts in the back), it wasn't very hard to do and the instructions were pretty clear. We really like this pattern and will probaby make it again. Lastly we made a black skirt for the upcoming concert she is singing and playing at.

It's made with a pattern from Ottobre Women's Magazine - Feb 2006 (mod 9). Originally this is a summer cotton skirt with a petticoat peeking out the bottom, but it worked also for this black warmer fabric. This one took me a bit longer, since I haven't made a skirt in a while and the lining fabric was pretty crazy to work with. Unfortunately the fabric doesn't seem to be high quality and so we might try it again with something better. But it feels great to be sewing again!

A few more February digital layouts

2010-02-25T16:28:00.000+01:00

Not doing as much scrapping theses days, since I have been sewing much more. But here are a few more pages I completed:

I am so glad I finally have my older photos easy accesible on my EHD and so I can scrap some photos that have been sitting on CD's for quite some time. This is my no 7 year old boy standing on the grass where our current house is now built.

Credits: A Day in the Life by Heidi Kuester
Font: 1942 Report

I paired Erica's Beautiful Baroque with her Two Dream Quick Click.

Credits:
Beautiful Baroque 2 by Erica Belton
Two Dream QC by Erica Belton
Font: Be Safe

Since she was a little girl, Abigail loves jewerly and keeps putting necklaces on her neck.

Credits: Dolci II Large VC by Kim Liddiard
Fonts: Palatino Linotype, Selfish

This was 5 years ago, I made my younger girls some matching dresses and they posed for me in the yard. Lauren's kit seemed to have great colors for this.

Credits: Tranquil Forrest VC by Lauren Bavin
Font: Susie's Hand

Tackling the cable mess

2010-02-16T21:18:00.001+01:00

We have two computer desks in our family room next to each other. One houses the children's desktop, the speakers and scanner. On the other one is the printer, the cable modem, router and my laptop. As we added these things slowly, we started running out of electrical outlets and kept pluggin and unplugging things and soon it got to be a horrible mess. Then we added another extension cord and it got to be an even more tangled mess. So, I turned everything off, unplugged everything, untangled everything and voila - not perfect, but much better!

Tackle a project in your home and join the Tackle It Tuesday Challenge on 5 Minutes for Mom.

February layouts so far

2010-02-14T09:21:00.000+01:00

Some recent layouts for our family album:

Journaling: Benjamin, when you grow up, I want you to become strong and courageous, but never forget to also be gentle and kind to those around you.

Credits: CD Scraps of Style: Graphic & Grungy by DSP Designers

Font: Another Typewriter

Credits: The Art in Me VC by Erica Belton

My grandfather was one of 11 children, but only 6 survived into adulthood. They all had very difficult lives, but were the greatest people I have ever met. Very simple, but industrious, funny, helpful, unselfish. I am privleged to have know all of them well when I was a little children. Unfortunately my grandfather died first of them, when I was only 7 years old. His brothers were great "replacement" grandfathers to us. By now all of them have gone from this earth and I miss them all very much.There never was one single picture of all of them together. This was one was cut (with scissors) and pasted together with glue to add the sister to the group.

Products:
Forever in My Heart Kit by Carole Harden
Font: Jane Austen

Credits:
Lost in Wonderland 2 by Nicole Young
Free Your Mind VC by Nicole Young

This is an old photo of Mimi.
Journaling: Miriam is always creating, drawing, doodling, designing, sewing . . . sometimes it's good to just take a break and dream

Credits:
Imagination Overload XVC by Elizabeth Weaver
Painted Photo Masks by Robyn Gough
Font: Another Typewriter

McCall's 4160 Plaid Jumper

2010-02-13T15:45:00.002+01:00

Remember the jumper I promised Elizabet for her birthday? I finally finished it, although it took me a month. I had troubles figuring out how to match the plaids, had to cut out another bodice and skirt part, did a lot of ripping, but managed to overcome all the hurdles and she proudly wore it yesterday. The part I like most is that I managed to do it all without hand sewing (even lining is attached by machine and the hem is done with a blind hem stitch). The detailed review with more pictures can be found on Pattern Review

Here is the back view:

Wool striped tunic

2010-02-13T12:50:00.000+01:00

Several years ago, I got some wool fabric remnants from a relative. I had big plans with them, but then came a pregnancy, building our house, moving twice, having a baby, etc. And they stayed stacked up in banana boxes in the deepest corner of a closet. Recently my mom asked about them and so I had to pull them out. She picked some pieces to make a sweater and a vest. When my older girls saw the fabric, it sparked their imagination and Tabita picked some pieces and sketched out an idea:

The problem was that these are truly remnants and therefore there are not big enough or wide enough pieces:

So somehow I cut similar size pieces and just sewed them together. Then we just pinned the front and back together at the shoulders and I kind of pinned the side seams on Tabita.

We decided to reduce the width of the strips and for the second fitting I cut a small neckline to assure betting fitting. I sewed the pieces together with regular yard on my old machine. I had a hard time deciding what to do with the seams, since I could leave them pressed open, so I just trimmed them and zig-zagged them. It's not the best solution, because it's pretty stiff and bulky, but I don't know what else to do. The neckline, armholes and hem are done with a double needle and wooly nylon in the bobbin. We also made arm armwarmer to match and she already wore them to school. The only downside is that it's really heavy warm wool, so it's almost too hot to be in it inside. Also that all it needs to be pieced and I do not know how to do it better without a serger. But we'll still try to use the rest of the fabric somehow.

Some January Layouts

2010-02-08T08:37:00.001+01:00

Trying to catch up on the layouts created in January:

Credits:

Monodrama by Robyn Gough

Dramatically Different Quick Bit Masks by Robyn Gough

Fonts: Another Typewriter, VNI-HL Thuphap

Joyeux Page Kit by Suzanne C. Walker
DSP Abby by Suzanne C. Walker
All Kinds of Faces Deluxe Wordart by Christine Gundersen
Font: DSP Abby

Credits: Club Digital February 2010 by DSP Designers
Grey swirl plopper by Lauren Bavin
Keepsakes kit by Teresa Loman
Loving Wordart by Meryl Bartho

Credits: Love Post Kit by Kim Liddiard from Club Digital February 2010 by DSP Designers
Fonts: Bickham Script Pro, Bernard Modern

Credits:
Remember the Year Page Kit by Tina Chambers
Remember the Year Element Set by Tina Chambers
Fonts: DSP Abby, Times New Roman

Credits:
Grey background (slightly recolored for ornaments to be red) is from Yule Time Cheer 2 Kit by Heidi Kuester
Scattered diamonds from Antiquated Dreams Kit by Nicole Young
Masks for photos and red background from The Photographers Toolbox Clipping Masks by Nicole Young
Stamped harlequin (desaturated) from Touch of Gold Kit by Lauren Bavin
Heart from Rocker Chic Page Kit by Nicole Young
Edge overlays from Only Beautiful Stax Overlay by Kim Liddiard Freebie

Credits:
Ruthee Value Collection by Marcee Duggar
One paper from the Ruthee Freebie available on Marcee's blog.
Fonts: DSP Carla Script, Bell Gothic Std

Beni's Birthday Presents

2010-02-08T08:31:00.001+01:00

Beni turned 7 last week. He had two wishes for things sewn. One was a small bag for playing and another one a sewn toy car. He picked the fabric for the bag and the embelishments.

I think this is the serious "I am a 7 year old" look!

The bag is made from a stretch denim jumper I took a part a while ago and have used for several projects already. It is embelished with some ribbons and ribbon animals I had once received from the US, but ever found a use for. It is lined with some blue checkered cotton and has a velcro closure.

The stuffed car he actually requested from his 10y. sister. She really wanted to make it for him, but sewing it on my crazy wild machine (which has a will on it's own and can't sew slow) was impossible for her. So, she designed it, made the pattern, cut it all out and then I sewed it together for her. We first made the pattern from an old bed sheet to test it, but once I stuffed it (with cut apart insides of a duvet cover), we decided to use that as a base and sew a removable cover for it. So the cover actually has a zipper on the bottom and can be washed if needed.

Digital Layouts - Animals

2010-02-08T08:21:00.000+01:00

Credits: Nature's Ephemera Kit by Christine Gundersen
Masks from The Photographers Toolbox Clipping Masks by Nicole Young
Fonts: Gentium and Harabara Hand

Credits:
Adventures in Teal XL VC by Elizabeth Weaver
Font: Georgia

Bibs remade

2010-01-17T09:53:00.000+01:00

About a year ago I made some bibs for my youngest from PUL leftover. I didn't have enough of bias tape, so I just used some fold-over elastic. What I didn't know that the bibs would start to curl in after washes and use:

But I didn't want to throw them out yet, because I love that they are water-proof and protect my darling's clothes. So, I ripped off all the elastic (which was the most consuming part of this whole process) and pinned the bibs to some flannel (old sheet) and traced around.

Then I cut the flannel out, sewed it right side together to the bib, turned and top-stitched. The PUL still curls a tiny bit after the wash, but now I can press it from the flannel side and it makes it flat. The bibs will still get some use instead of being thrown away:

I am always happy when I can remake things (even the ones I made in the first place) instead of having to get rid of them.

Wedding layouts

2010-01-14T23:06:00.000+01:00

I had the chance to scrap two layouts with our wedding pictures lately.

Everlasting Love by Heidi Kuester from Club Digital January 2010 by DSP Designers
Font: Jane Austen

Credits: Stories of the Past VC by Lauren Bavin
Font: Selfish, Sylphaen

Instead of Resolutions

2010-01-12T07:25:00.000+01:00

This year I start with a prayer.

If the text is too small to read, here it is:

Lord,
Help me to become more of the woman you want me to be, to know Your heart and Your will and to live accordingly.

Help me to love You with all my heart and daily read Your Word and obey it.

Help me to love my husband and do him always good, to be his helper and encourager.

Help me to love my children, to teach them and instruct them in Your ways, to always be patient, kind and enjoy our times together.

Help me manage our household well, to be dilligent, hard-working and make our home a haven for all who live in it and those who come to visit it.

Help me to improve my talents and skills that You gave me, to use them for Your glory and for helping others, whether itis my family or others You send my way.

Help me to exercise self-control, speak wise words, be gracious, gentle, feminine and modest. Fill me with your love, joy and peace. Amen

Credits: The Art in Me VC by Erica Belton
Font: Honey Script

Pillow case and sewing coupons

2010-01-09T22:14:00.000+01:00

Our 4th girl is turning 11 on Monday, but we had the family Birthday Party today. Since her Birthday is so soon after Christmas I didn't find the time to sew things from her wish list. But I did manage to do two small things - pillowcases for her favorite sleeping pillow (she has been sleeping with it since she was a baby). And for the other things I made her coupons, attaching swatches of fabric she picked for them from my stash. So, I better be starting on them next week - hopefully my better machine will be back from repair by then!

And even more Christmas digital layouts

2010-01-09T21:38:00.000+01:00

I am still catching up on Christmas photos - recent and past:

Credit:

Yuletide Cheer Page Kit by Robyn Gough

Credits:
It's Xmas Page Kit by Robyn Gough
It's Xmas Element Set by Robyn Gough

Credits:
Gingerbread Christmas VC by Tina Chambers

Credit:
Merry Trimfest Kit by Tina Chambers

Products:

Christmas Assortment MegaKit by DSP Designers

Hope in the Lord

2009-12-31T08:59:00.000+01:00

Nicole's Young Wings of Hope kits are so beautiful and I had fun playing with them. Thanks to Miriam and her self-portrait, this layout turned out beautifully and was honored by being placed in the Hall of Fame Gallery at DSP. It's my first reward of this kind.

Credits:

Wings Of Hope Page Kit by Nicole Young
Wings Of Hope 2 Page Kit by Nicole Young

Font: 1942 report

More Christmas Layouts

2009-12-24T07:53:00.002+01:00

Here are a few more that I made in the past week (between working on the Christmas presents):

My grandfather died in 2005 at age 81 just before Christmas. I have three siblings, but just the youngest brother was living here at the time (tall guy in black =)
Journaling: Starenka with Nata and Tim and Nata’s children Mimi, Tabi, Debi, Eli and Beni just a few weeks after Dedo Jozef’s death.

Credits: A Christmas to Remember VC by Lauren Bavin
Fonts: Garamond and Crunchy Taco

Meryl's kit has such beautiful browns that it I thought it would be great for a heritage photo. I had a tiny little faded photo of my husband's father when he was a little boy. I managed to enhance it a bit. It's really visible very well, but he is standing next to a decorated Christmas tree outside in the yard (I am not sure why). I am guessing he must be 4-5 years old, but will have to find out next time I see him. My Beni does look a bit like him =).

Credits:

All I Want for Christmas Page Kit 1 by Meryl Bartho

Vintage Memoirs Wordart by Nicole Young

Font: Garamond

I have waited for a while to scrap these photos with Christmas lights, but traditional Christmas kits just didn't go with Abi's clothing. Nicole's Coffeehouse Kit goes perfectly!

Credits: Coffeehouse Christmas VC by Nicole Young

Font: Marcelle Script

Elizabet decorating the Christmas tree.

Credits:
Yule Time Cheer Kit by Heidi Kuester

Christmas Greetings

2009-12-23T11:33:00.001+01:00

What's Cooking? Potatoes

2009-12-16T11:51:00.000+01:00

It has been snowing for a few days and now it even got icy, so there is no way I am driving anywhere =). My dear husband is busy distributing Samaritan's Purse packages in local schools, so I am trying to cook with the ingredients I have at home. Today it was a very simple meal. Potatoes are the cheapest ingredients and are very filling. They can be cooked and baked in many many versions. Today we had them in both courses.

Course #1: Potato carrot soup with dumplings. There is no recipe for this, it just happened to be what I found in the refrigerator. It can be made with any vegetables. I just browned some finely chopped onions and leeks, added the carrots and potatoes, sauted a bit, just barely covered wiht boiing water, seasoned wiht salt and pepper. Whe the vegetables were soft, I mixed an egg with some flour and milk and made some dumplings by dipping a teaspoon in the simmering soup, taking a bit of the batter and lowering it into the soup. I repeated this till all the dumplings were made. The dumplings cook in 5-7 minutes and the soup is done!

Course #2: Potato pancakes with homemade applesauce. I peeled and grated the potatoes, added two eggs, some flour and a tiny bit of milk and salt. The I fried the batter up in oil. I had made the applesauce in the summer and had it frozen in a plastic container, so I just thawed it. The kids loved the meal!

Where has my laundry room gone?

2009-12-15T08:15:00.000+01:00

I't s been a busy week. We got some used clothes for the family, which after beeing tried on - all ended up in the laundry room either to be washed or passed along. I was finishing Abi's jumper still on the day of the birthday and the chidlren just dumped the vacuum cleaner wherever. Just before the birthday party we shut the door on the room (I am so thankful to have that door!) and this morning I knew I had to tackle it before I could go on with my regular duties.

I managed to do 5 loads of laundry, pack the things to be given away, put away my sewing things, sort the remaining loads of laundry to be in the next tw0-three days and vacuumed the room - now isn't that better? It literally makes me smile, because it means that tommorrow I can sew again =). I need to make a blouse to match the jumper for Abi and make the smaller girls some PJ's.

For more tackles visit 5MinutesforMom

It's snowing!

2009-12-15T07:41:00.001+01:00

We are getting our first snow and it's coming down heavy. It has only been snowing since last evening and is supposed to continue to , snow for three days! The children are excited.

Digital Layout - Abigail's First Christmas

2009-12-14T13:12:00.000+01:00

Most of our babies are born in the beginning of the year, so by Christmas they are almost walking. Abigail though is born on December 13th (on the day we moved into our new unfinished home) and so she was only 10 days old.

Kim's kit was great for these pictures, since it has blues and reds and such great papers.

Credits:
Satin Silhouettes VC by Kim Liddiard

Abigail turned 2

2009-12-13T10:11:00.001+01:00

My youngest turned 2 today. We had a small birthday party with the grandparents yesterday. Oldest sister Miriam made George the Monkey cake and the main present from the whole family is an aquarium with fishes. Happy birthday sweetheart!

Some Christmas Album Pages

2009-12-10T11:15:00.001+01:00

As Christmas time is approaching, I am trying to catch up on some older Christmas pictures for our albums before we make new ones:

Holiday Fancy Page Kit by Heidi Kuester

Made with a kit I created for a kit exchange at DSP called SNL

Made with a combination of elements from other participants of SNL56

You were always fascinated with grandpa’s stereo, although you knew you were not allowed to touch it. Yet, whenever you had the chance, you run there and quickly turned the knob to the loudest setting!

Credits:
Bits of Christmas Fun Kit by Teresa Loman
Bits of Chrstmas Fun AOP by Teresa Loman

Candlelight Carol Kit by Carole Harden

December Club Digital at DSP

2009-12-05T10:59:00.000+01:00

This month's Club Digital features some nature friendly kits. I had fun making three layouts (all pictures taken by Miriam and Tabita):

Credits: Club Digital December 2009 by DSP Designers

Mix'N'Match December Challenge at DSP

2009-12-01T11:04:00.001+01:00

This month's theme for the Mix'N'Match Challenge is the color Purple. For more details on the challenge visit the DSP forum.
Imade this purple layout for inspiration using papers and elements form several kits:

Credits:

Papers from
All Green Kit by Meryl Bartho from Club Digital November 2009 by DSP Designers
Positively Peacock Kit by Heidi Kuester
(these two papers are actually blue and green, but blended together they give purple =)

Overlays from Tussy Mussy Overlay Stack by Suzanne C. Walker

Mask from Dotted with Grunge Large Masks by Heidi Kuester
Flower (recolored) from Gracee Mae 2 Kit by Heidi Kuester
Hearts (recolored) from Big Dreams Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
Hanging gems from Autumn's Afterlight Value Collection by Tina Chambers
Alpha (recolored) from Azul Value Collection by Kim Liddiard

November Digital layouts

2009-12-01T10:24:00.000+01:00

Life has been busy a bit and I somehow didn't have time to post recent digital layouts. I have have a bit time this Sunday morning to catch up, so here are some of my favorite layouts made in November:

This is another "dress-up" photo my oldest daughter did of her younger siblings. I think this was supposed to be Little Red Ridinghood. I thought the colors of Christine's Alizarin kit went great with.

Credits:
Alizarin Moments 2 Kit by Christine Gundersen
All Kinds of Faces Deluxe Worart by Christine Gundersen

Abi was watching one day some cartoons and playing with a plastic box at the same time. One of the older girls snapped a series of pictures while observing her.

Credits:
Runaway Dream Kit by Elizabeth Weaver
DSP Frumpy Font by Suzanne C. Walker

Journaling:
Abigail being cheerful and posing for her older sisters, completely oblivious to the fact that she has jelly all over her face!

Credits: papers from Way Up High 2 Kit by Nicole Young

My only son was born exactly on my oldest daughter's 10th birthday. It was her best birthday present. When I saw their recent self-portraits on my computer (that happens to me all the time - I turn the computer on and there are new pictures!) I knew I had to scrap them and this style was suitable for both boys and girls!!!!

Journaling: I'ts Amazing that the two of you were born exactly 10 years apart

Credits: Artifacts by Elizabeth Weaver

This is another layout in the "dressup" series my older girls did of the little ones.

Credits:
black paper Beyond the Moon 2 by Nicole Young
red paper (recolored) Love Falls 2 Kit by Nicole Young
Checkered overlay and hearts Rocker Chic 2 Page Kit by Nicole Young
pearls from Party Time Kit available on CD Scraps of Life: Birthdays by DSP Designers

My oldest shot a few pictures of Abigail on a recent short walk to the Canal near to us. Although this kit doesn't completely match the colors of her outfit (a bit too colorful =), but it's a beautiful kit and was so easy to work with.

Credits: A Harvest Hello Kit by Heidi Kuester

Deborar is trying to get some one-on-one time with our camera like her older sisters. A while ago she did some autoportraits in my bedroom and I really love this one (after I managed to delete our bed from the picture, LOL). Nicole's Antiquated Dreams is so wonderful and I was able to use her Photographer's Toolbox Clipping masks not just for the photo, but also the papers in the background.

Credits:
Antiquated Dreams Kit by Nicole Young
The Photographers Toolbox Clipping Masks by Nicole Young

When I was looking through older pictures to find some that would go with Suzanne's Hallie kit's colors, I stumbled upon these pictures of Abigail, which were taken last spring. She is much older now and I just love that sparkle in her eyes and that pure joy of a little child. Miriam was holding her in the window, while some other children were outside and she wanted to join them.

Credits:
Hallie Page Kit by Suzanne C. Walker
Inky Edges Set by Suzanne C. Walker

Another t-shirt remake

2009-11-25T08:31:00.003+01:00

I am finally getting back to sewing. Now for a while my older 3 daughters have been begging me to remake some baggy boxy t-shirts for them. Most of these shirts they got for free at camps, competitions or other school events, but do not like to whear them because of the large frumpy look. I have done a few shirt for Mimi and even her schoolfriend in the past, so it was just a matter of finally getting to it. I had Tabi cut the whole shirt apart at the seams and take the neckline ribbing carefully off. I then re-cut the shirt using a TNT pattern we have been using for the older girls for a while now. I cut the ribbing in half lengthwise and combining both pieces to create a new longer, but thinner ribbing for the new neckline. Then I sewed the t-shirt together. The only original seam is the hem, which I preserved. I did another white one for Mimi yesterday, but we didn't take any pictures. It's basically exactly the same thing. I have one cut apart for my 3rd daughter Debi, but have to figure out a pattern, since she is smaller.

Blog Address Change

2009-11-22T09:15:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know that the adress of this blog has changed to a shorter form - www.talyq.blogspot.com
Please bookmark this new address, it will be permanent. Thank you.

Mix'n'Match Challenge on DSP

2009-11-18T07:58:00.002+01:00

While it's fun to use digital kits as they are created by the designers, I often like to combine many different kits to achieve the look I love. To encourage others to do the same, I am leading a new monthly challenge on DSP called Mix'n'Match. The goal is to use papers and elements from at least 5 different kits following a certain theme. This month it's the color GREEN. In the end of the month there will be a draw for a gift certificate to the DSP store.
Here are two layouts I made as inspiration:

DSP Club Digital November

2009-11-02T09:51:00.004+01:00

This month's Club Digital at DSP is very beautiful. I created three pages with it already:

Whack-A-Do Collection

2009-10-29T11:07:00.001+01:00

This collection by Suzanne Walker is so much fun, that I made three layouts from it.

February Sewing

2009-10-29T10:52:00.001+01:00

It seems I am much behind on blogging, but on the other hand that is a good sign that I am busy in real life =). Before most of March has passed, I better put up my February sewing log.
These are the new things I made last month:
~ the 7 pocket diapers I already wrote about here
~ a striped Vogue 8151 that I am still not happy with and am working on fitting it better with another fabric:

~ a while simple shirt for Mimi based on an altered Jalie pattern

~ a pair of pajamas for Tabita with a puple knit top based on the same pattern above and flannel pants that I drafted myself based on a Diana knit loungewear pattern:

~ I also made two bibs for Abi from leftover PUL and some fold-over elastic:

I also refashioned some more things:
~ a blue pleated skirt and an oversized striped blue top for Miriam shown here
~ a blue knit top that I made out of two tops from the same fabric. I had made these two tops 5 years ago and they were my favorite every-day tops. But both got very short and one of them had the decorative elastic damaged. So, instead of throwing both out (they were unwearable as they were), I replaced the elastic on both neckline and sleeves and added a piece that I cut from the other top. So, out of two unwearable tops, here is one wearable (at least for a few more weeks, LOL):

Besides that I managed to mend several things (waiting long in the mending basket), shorten and hem a pair of pants for hubby, alter another pair at the waist, sew in a new zipper in a skirt that has waited a long time for it....
All, in all not a bad sewing month =). I mentioned last month that my goal was to sew 50 new things this year. So far for the first two months, I had counted 16 (including diapers and bibs =), so I am on well on the way.

Back from Germany

2009-10-21T09:14:00.000+02:00

My husband and me just returned from a trip to Germany. We attended a 20th anniversary of the humanitarian organizations Oase in Hersbruck which we have partnered with a lot in the past. We traveled through Croatia, Slovenia and Austria on the way there and were surprised by snow half of the way =). We also got to see a bit of Nurnberg, although it rained the whole time. On the way back we stopped in Salzburg, where my husband grew up and I finally got to see it! There will be pictures once I find time to upload them. First I got to get back to taking care of my family and household =). The children stayed with their granmothers and did fine. It was wonderful, but it's nice to be back at home.

Heritage Layouts

2009-10-10T12:14:00.000+02:00

In between scrapping current photos of my family, I enjoy taking some scanned old photos and working on a family heritage album for my children to enjoy in the future. These are some of my recent photo album pages:

My mom's family when she was a little girl.

My grandmother - I inherited her old Singer machine and it still sews!

The same grandmother when she was a young girl with her family.

My other grandmother with her neighbors and their spinning wheels.

My grandparent's wedding photos.

Recent sewing

2009-10-10T11:31:00.001+02:00

I have sewn really very little during the summer. But I have finally cleared my sewing area, organized my patterns, fabric and notions, so hopefully there will be more sewing coming in the next few weeks. The last things I made were some presents for visiting friends.

I had fun making this pillow case with some Ikea print fabric that a dear friends send me from Germany. It was for a 16 years girl.

I also made a kitchen set for an older single friend, since she told me she had a yellow/red kitchen. I used one of my aprons as a pattern, free quilted the pot holders and made also a plastic bag holder. I bound everthing with ready-made red bias tape I had in my stash for a long time.

Two new layouts

2009-10-03T19:04:00.001+02:00

Here are my first two layouts created for DSP Designers.

DET Contest

2009-10-02T21:37:00.003+02:00

Recently I participated in a contest on DSP and I made it onto the Digital Elite Team! These are the layouts that I entered:

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4 (two version with same photos)

Moving in

2009-10-02T21:14:00.003+02:00

I will be slowly moving my blog from Sarah's Daughter , where I have blogged in the past. I have recently become a member of the Digital Elite Team on Digital Scrapbook Plac e, so there will be more digital layouts from me. But I still hope to sew for me and my family as well as share from our everyday life of a homemaker and mother of six. Please pardon the dust as I move in and customize this place.

Burda Easy Tunics for my girls

2009-07-02T10:46:00.001+02:00

Last month we received a few issues of Burda Easy. My older girls fell in love with a tunic pattern. I managed to make three of them so far and I think there is one more planned =). They are very versatile because they can wear them over just a camisole or short sleeves or even long-sleeved tops in the winter. They are way too imodest to be worn on their own (at least in our family). They love the tunics.

Full review at Patternreview.com

Slow posting and some sewing

2009-03-21T10:48:00.000+01:00

For some reason, as the weather got warmer, sickness has hit our home and somehow we can't get rid of it. Nothing serious, just a series of colds, swollen tonsils, sneezing, coughing and somehow it goes round and round without anybody really getting completely healthy. These days it's my turn. A few days I have kept on my feet by using flu medicine, but today being Saturday my family let me rest most of the day. I think that is helping and I am feeling a bit better. But another daughter seems to be worse. On top of that our youngest is getting 4 (!) teeth and most of her mouth is swollen and keeps her up at night and makes her miserable. Poor thing! I hope those teeth come out soon, so she can return to her usual sweet self.
I have been sewing a bit though. First a made another version of Vogue 8151. I did some adjustments and it's better, but I am still not so sure about it. It is a good pattern for a darted top for moderatly stretchy fabric. But for some reason the sleeves feel strange. Almost like the armhole is too big, but then they feel constricting. Also I have a feel they should be moved more forward. I might give this pattern another chance later. For now I am not loving it yet =). Still it looks very nice with denim skirts. Changes I did to the pattern are: square shoulder adjustment, shortening above waist, scooping out neckline. I also finished the neckline with a decorative elastic instead with a binding. I will wear it a while and give my final judgment then.

Thanks for a wonderful friend, I am now a proud subscriber of the Ottobre magazine. As a gift I got to choose and old issue and today I tried the first pattern from issue 02/2007. I used the bodice of model 4 and borrow the 3/4 sleeves from model 2. The shirt has a few fitting and sizing issues, but I hope to fix them next time. I love the color and fabric. It was pretty easy to sew and I hoping so sew several more of these and similar tops from this issue.

There also maybe a change ahead - an blog address change. I have been debating this on and off. This blog has lately been mainly about my sewing and less about anything else. So, I am thinking about making my blog mainly a sewing blog. I also have several reasons to believe that I will be able to blog faster and easier at the new location. So, I might just leave all the archives here and continue blogging at the new place. I am still thinking about this, but I will let you know as soon as the change occurs.

February Sewing

2009-03-07T10:51:00.000+01:00

Organizing my notions

2009-03-02T10:50:00.001+01:00

I had mentioned previously that I spent the morning of my birthday happily (and finally!) organizing my notions, trims, etc. We had moved twice in the last two years and had a baby during that time also, so this job was not a priority. I had all these thing in several different containers and had no idea what is where. That drove me crazy. I was waiting for a final designated sewing space and some new plastic containers, but decided that I couldn't wait that long (if it ever came). So I use plain shoeboxes and some of the plastic boxes I already had and organized all of it. Most of what I have is thanks for wonderful friends that I met over the internet who shared these things with me. I am so thankful! So, here are some of the boxes after the sorting was done:

Laces and various trims by color

Different kinds of decorative elastic trims and FOE

Lingerie findings, some lingerie fabrics and powerband, ric-rac

Snaps and other closures, bias tapes, piping and ribbons, some spare needles and other misc. items

Thread sorted by color: neutrals, blue and green, red - purple - pinks
And here are boxes on a temporary shelf in our laundry room:

On the bottom two shelves are my children's art supplies for school, my mending box and boxes with a temporary place for outgrown, give-away clothes (until I have time to store them or give them away)
Some of the less "dangerous" items (meaning it will not be the end of the world, if my 14 mos. daughter gets into them) are stored on a little plastic shelf right next to my sewing machine:

On the top is a plastic basket that I put my current sewing project in between working on it. The flower says No. 1 Mum =) and somebody stuck it into the shelf. I like it there.
I also have a few smaller boxes (with dividers) for buttons and needles, as well as machine feet. I forgot to take pictures of those. I am happy that I finally know what I have. No if I could only take all the fabric still store in banana boxes out, inventory and put somewhere on shelves, I would be a happy camper. But I have to be patient, as we are still slowly finishing our house .... now I need to find more time to sew (maybe getting of the computer would help, LOL).

A ~new~ school outift

2009-02-24T10:53:00.000+01:00

I have made another refashioned outfit for my oldest. Here are the before pictures:

The shirt was a present for me, but first I do not look good in horizontal stripes and second the fit was horrible. But the shirt was too big on the girls. So, I took our trusty Jalie 2440 pattern that we had modified to a regular shirt (from a crossover top), cut the shirt apart, except at the shoulders, laid the pattern on top of back and front and cut the shirt to fit. I ended up modifying the shoulders also a bit, but I didn't touch the neckline.

I had to take off the patch on the bottom of the shirt, but in the process I made a hole in the shirt. So, after I finished the shirt, I stitched the patch over the hole (after the patched it up by hand underneath) and the situation is rescued.

The skirt was an old too big (also too long in my daughter's opinion) pleated skirt that we took apart two years ago, but it remained in the "to-do" pile all this time. Finally I refashioned it for my daughter. We removed the waistband, shortened it, and took it in on the side-seams. I put in a new zipper (the old one was broken) and finished the waist without a waistband. Since this skirt originally had a lapped side-zipper, I decided to it the same way. But I really wanted to try the lapped zipper technique on Fashion Incubator , which helps to sew in the facing (or in my case the lining) before the waistline and results in a much nicer placement of the same on the inside. It was a bit tricky to figure it out, but in the end it came out great. The only thing I should do next time is not sew the lining seam below the zipper until the end. It was a bit hard to manouver around with the seam sewn. Here is the detail of the lapped zipper - outside and inside:

And here is the finished outfit, which Miriam already proudly wore to school:

Wee Weka Pocket Diapers

2009-02-14T11:56:00.002+01:00

The cloth diapers I was gifted were getting too small and getting too worn out. The closurs (regular velcro) had been replaced once and were worn out again. So I took them apart, saving the good inserts to use on new diapers. The diapers I had sewn were not enough and some of them are too small already. So I decided I better use up the rest of my diaper making material in my stash and expand our diaper supplies. After I had tried almost all of the free patterns out there, I settled for a free pocket diaper from Wee Weka (instructions and pdf download)
This time I sewed in production line style (completely a step for all the diapers then moving on with the next step). That was so much better! I cut them out one day and sewed them in another afternoon. I made two different finished. Some I bound in FOE (fold-over-elastic), others I just stitched and turned. I like them both, but for the FOE bound, the crotch should be a bit wider, so that they are stuffed easier.
And here they are - all seven of them. If I had more fabric, I would make a few more to give us enough diapers for three days. Even with these, I had to piece the fabric a bit (cut separate flaps and sew them on). I stuff them with regular prefolds and add some doublers (from the diapers I took apart) for better absorbency.

Dresses for Tabita - Butterick 4018

2008-12-28T21:22:00.000+01:00

I promised my 12y. old daughter a dress for the winter, because she doesn't have any winter dresses. We looked through our fabric stash and she chose a beautiful green stretch velvet. But because I wasn't sure about the fit of the pattern, we decided to make another dress out of a pink velvet (velour?) as a test garment. If it wouldn't work out, it would become a princess dress-up gown =). It was a challenge to work with these fabrics and I learned quite a bit in the process, but both dresses were done before Christmas much to the delight of my daughter. For those interested in full detailed reviews, you can read them at patternreview.com for the pink dress and the green dress.

A blessings of wool knits

2007-02-10T12:20:00.000+01:00

Today I have been blessed with two bags full of wool knit remnants by hubbie's uncle. It's wonderful good quality wool knit in the most beautiful colors. The drawback is that those are leftovers from a factory, so the pieces are very small or come in strange shapes. It's going to be fun using creativity to use the pieces to make garments. Most are probably going to have to be pieced together and color coordinated. But I really love the soft wool. So watch out for some insteresting creations. I hope my regular sewing machine will sew this and that I can figure out how to finish the edges. If not, I will have to hand sew it.