Sorting things out

I seem to have lost my way a bit lately - sewjo gone, blogging seems hard. Remembering why I started and what I love about it all, and hoping that my creativity returns. Maybe playing with the buttons is in order... back soon -

xx

Spring showers...

So few days are left in Spring before the long, dry and inevitably hot Canberra Summer begins.

I am busy clearing the table (well, rearranging the piles of crap actually...) and getting through the hand made Christmas pressies.

As a procrastinate more than I sew, and safe in the knowledge that Mr Button Beauty doesn't read my blog, I can tell you that today while shopping online, I bought his present!

I am rather excited about this! I do like to spoil him at Christmas, as he so rarely buys anything for himself during the year, and doesn't tend to treat himself. This year I am ignoring the global economic crisis, and spoiling him rotten. Of course I will accompany him to this event, I wouldn't want him to feel lonely or anything... and really he can't be trusted alone with Myf!

Meanwhile, the sewing pile is slowly getting smaller, and I am aiming to complete Mum's shower cap renovation tonight.

Mum bought her current shower cap in Canberra a few years ago (Bus Depot Markets - I think so anyway). The elastic has begun to perish, and the water-proof fabric has ripped. Many would throw it out and buy another, but Mum is the best at repurposing, renovating, reinvigorating, and reconditioning. This time though, she sent it to me to be fixed. Reminiscent of The Doll Hospital, I went about carefully and painstakingly removing each stitch, unpicking one by one. The quick-unpick lay hidden in a drawer. The required delicacy.

When it was disassembled, it was revealed that the poor thing was past saving, far too hideous for photos, and so I went about sourcing identical materials. I cut a pattern from the old one, and off I went to the local haberdasher (sounds better than fabric store), and stocked up. The poor assistant was trying to get me to make a funky replacement, with wild trim and vivid colours, but I wanted to just replicate the one Mum loves. That's what she wants - it's not about me! Of course in The Stash I have plenty of fabulous choices but Mum likes ..... blue.

It will be finished by tomorrow along with my apron for the latest apron swap, so look out for picture overload over the weekend!

Have a great night

J

When the going gets tough - the tough get sewing

I have had tonsilitis all week, however have only just had time to notice. Mother-martyrdom prevented me from giving in to it. I say Mother-martyrdom, as I at least recognise the 'quality' I see in others, which is the 'life must go on', "I don't have time to be sick" mantra. I had made commitments to people, had babysitting to perform, hubby was away...)

In a last ditch effort to have some time to myself, nurture my heart, and find my sewjo, I hooked up with a dear friend and had an afternoon of childless sewing.

Let me set the scene.

An abandoned dining room, now permanently set up with:
Sewing machine and overlocker.
SIX large plastic storage boxes of fabrics.
TWO large plastic storage boxes of patterns.

MORE of both in the spare wardrobe.

Bottomless cups of tea.

Sliding Doors on in the background (mmm, John Hannah).

Table for cutting patterns.

Ironing station for pressing seams.

NO kids to disturb.

Magnificent cantaloupe/rockmelon (depending in which side of the Murray you grew up on).

Sushi train for dinner, (no rice paper rolls...)


Mamma Mia at the movies for dessert (yes, I went back for seconds).



Beautiful day.

Results:

One top cut out (me, the Simplicity 3835 that's all the rage ATM)
Two tops from start to finish (her)
One pair of pants cut and sewed (me)
One bib (me, for a friend's recent TWELVE POUND fourth child!)
Four items mended (us)

And the best night's sleep in ages.

Thanks K for a soulful day.

x

The Button Collection

Many of you (especially those that know me in real life) know my love for All Things Buttony, and also of the loss of my sewjo *(Ingrid has coined this great expression!) when it comes to new buttony creations at the moment.
In fact my first foray into etsy was for a buttony print of The Button Collector by Black Apple - remember this? I so love it, it makes me grin like an idiot actually!


Well I was again moved by the brilliant creativity of Miss Emily Martin (Inside a Black Apple) some time ago by this.

So Thank You Emily for letting me post the photo here for all to enjoy. I have not yet finished my version, and am unsure if I will be able to carry it off, but you continue to inspire, and I am grateful for all you share!

Thanks Em!

As we say here in Australia - Love your work!