Matching!

Spawnette loves matching at the moment, so I thought a nice gift idea for her friend's birthday would be matching skirts.  Annie the Cat had to be included too, of course!

I used some nice bright fabric scraps, made big pockets for 3yr old essentials like rocks and hankies.  One skirt has a yoke because I didn't have enough fabric.

As with most of my sewing projects I completed them at night when everyone was sleeping, so first thing in the morning we raced out to take some photos.  You can see my photo-taking shadow on the left, and on the right the tyre swing!

The only drawback is that until I made Annie the Cat a t-shirt, Spawnette is insisting on going topless so that she matches!

Wouldn't it be Luverly!

I'm sitting in front of my heater all alone, thinking and knitting and drinking ginger tea, feeling like Eliza Dolittle, and wishing I had someone's head resting on my knee, instead of watching a horror film in the next room!  

I found a beautiful printed velveteen skirt for $3, which was so long I was able to make two skirts from it, one a-line, the other gathered into a waistband.

 But now that I look at the photo, people will probably think I'm just wearing the same skirt!
And I have yet to figure out what shape an elephant is. 

 I was trying to make an elephant 'blocker' in classic derby stance, but without the orange..

She looks like this, resting on her trunk because I've made her arms too little!  I don't know what to do with her, I haven't the heart to tell her she's not going skating anymore!

Craft Therapy

This is what I have been crafting tonight.

Ask me how I feel about the Panda spilling 10litres of enamel paint in the back of his car, and me having to miss out on skating whilst he swore and cleaned it up.  Ask me, I DARE YOU.

My Creative Space

My Creative Space this week has involved dragging out this quilt which has stagnated! because I have been working on some random softies and roller derby shorts for my new etsy store!  (I had to find a way to stop my house filling up with soft toys and bout-fits.)

For more creative spaces, head on over to kootoyoo!

My Creative Space Damnit!

Let this be a lesson - don't sew whilst pre-occupied and tired!  In case you can't quite make it out, this is a lion with a TAIL sewn on the front. 

  I think the entire day might be a creative project, just trying to keep entertained.  Have a look at the weather at my place!
  Oh well, what better kind of day to sit inside and browse everyone else's creative spaces over at Kootoyoo!

Cabbages and Kings

This weekend everyone has gone to the ball , and Screamstress has been left to the housework again! 

Prince Panda has been delayed (by a kangaroo and a tree) delivering my glass slippers...

But, I don't mind, because sometimes a girl would rather be home with the housework, woolly jumper, vegetables, spawn, than dancing around in fancy clothes and uncomfortable shoes!  

Beautiful vibrant cabbage grown in my best friend's garden.

Three kings of the jungle, sensible baby gifts I have been threatening to make forever, and finally got around to!

And, this afternoon, I get to go to my own mini ball anyway.

I am also terribly chuffed to have my emergency couscous recipe featured on Frog, Goose and Bear. 

A good weekend, hope yours was too!

Helen Wheels

Alan's sister, derby name Helen Wheels, came to visit this week.  She doesn't like children.  Which is a shame, because I started off crafting gifts for my pregnant friends.  Oh well :)

Super Jiffy!

I may not ever use this pattern, I just like the simplicity of the toys, no batteries, sirens, or pieces that break off in the first five minutes.  And the fact that they suggest they can be made from 'gay' fabric.

  

I also love this pattern, its only got one main pattern piece, and according to instructions can be made in a "super jiffy"!  Fabulous!  The model is definitely looking pretty chipper about that, and I might make one up for derby in summer, if I'm not put off by the ever-present threat of giving myself a mega wedgie every time I raise my arms.

 

Finally, I kinda sheepishly really like this vest.  Its all hand worked, and what a gnatty collar!

Alan

Meet Alan.  It should have been 'Alien' but someone at Immigration spelled it wrong.
You might recognize the green stockings from My Creative Space, and thanks to CottonKiwi for sending me a link to this "How to Make a Sock Monkey" tutorial.  Don't ask me why he's got glasses and a tie, sometimes I'm a mystery to myself.

By Popular Demand - My Undies!

Well, due to popular demand, here are MY UNDIES! Ta Da!

I made the first pair because I had a small piece of fabric left over from the derby shorts I made.  They turned out to be so comfortable, I went through my stash to make some more!

As you can see they are mega-easy, elastic in the waist only (kind of a french style?) so they are very quick and cheap to make.  The pattern is drafted from another pair of knickers I had and liked.

So now I'm out of the closet, I wear home-made undies.  Now I want to know, who else is brave enough to come out and post their self-sewn-smalls?

My Creative Space

THE WHITE CLOUD came over to give me an hour sanity break, so naturally I went straight to the op-shop to find some things to play with!  (Clockwise from top left)

1. Retro belt, perfect to wear with my royal blue 'Screamstress' jumpsuit.
2. Skulls nightie, begging to be made into a flip skirt, for roller derby.
3. Post-menopausal striped top in lovely soft cotton, perfect for derby shorts. (Already completed last night! See previous post)
4. Lime green nylon kids tights that looks so much like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" that I hardly have a choice BUT to make them into caterpillars.
5. Fabulous huge black glossy buttons for plush squids' eyes.
6. Red with green flowers singlet top. 

For lots of other creative ideas, go on over to kootooyoo!

The Long and the Shorts of It

 This top was an ugly shape, but the fabric was a vibrant stripe in a beautiful soft yet thick cotton. 

 

One pattern piece, two seams and a waistband later, perfect roller derby shorts!

 In summer I cut the legs off some 50c jeans to make shorts.  I know fabric has no feelings, but I always feel bad for the cut-off, cast-off, out-cast pieces. 

 This time it was a good thing, because I whipped them up into jeans for Little S!  (Mess in background model's own)

Retro Sheet Party Dress

The party dress fashioned out of one of my retro sheet finds turned out pretty well, of course it pales in comparison to this little girl I'm madly in love with!

The "Jennifer Love-Hewitt" pose...

and I just thought this one was funny!   Adoption day at the barefoot orphanage!

The Panda is Back!

There's no petrol in my car, even though I haven't driven it, my last breakfast fruit has been moved or eaten, and it looks as though a raccoon has scattered the clean washing all over my bed.  No, no raccoons, the Panda is back!

I love that he's back, but I got so much sewing done while he was away!  Three long sleeve tops with my op-shop fabric,

and I finished off my "Cuddle-fish".  At first I thought "what the?  I've created the ugliest, oddest thing, I'm not sure I can give it to a baby".  Turns out though, it is kind of cuddly, and the spawn have taken to it.  Now for some reason I'm thinking 'tadpoles'.  Don't ask how the mind of a Screamstress works, cos nobody knows :).

Gotta Love a Card Playing Squid!

I don't know... Flattie the Happy Flounder turned out a little bit odd... he might have to find a special person who can love him the was he is.

I picked up this deck of playing cards for $1 at the op-shop, just as I was leaving, thinking that the spawn might use them for counting games.  What a surprise I got when I discovered the beautiful pictures!  I was a bit worried when I first saw the 'amphibious' suite, I thought "What are those?", then I realized they were spawn! (and tadpoles)  Ha! Ha!  Also, gotta love a card playing squid!

Stepping Out - Introducing Shortie the Happy Lion

I think I made the right decision, to share the love.  (See my post "Happy Shorts - Madness or Genius?", and yes, it is the lace I wore in my hair!)  I was inspired by FOUR of my friends announcing their pregnancies!

I am absolutely exhausted after a really successful solo weekend of spawn activities, playgrounds, and in the evenings working overtime (obviously inspired by The Pink Whimsy Scissors of Industry.)  In addition to Shortie, I completed

this apron with a large pocket for a good friend

 this boring but practical winter top using my 50c fabric

 and began on Flattie the Happy Flounder!

So I have decided to pass on The Pink Whimsy Scissors of Industry, plus a little inspiration, to my friend over at The Doily.  Who knows when they may come and inspire you too?

Happy Shorts - The Next Chapter (Plus BONUS Bikky recipe!)

THE WHITE CLOUD has many lifesaving qualities, but super photo skills are definitely not included.
  Screamstress "Frame it here and here, close up and centred"
  The White Cloud "Ummn...Its a bit wonky"
  Screamstress "Hmmn.."
We were attempting a shot of the small gift she'd brought over, The Pink Whimsy Scissors of Industry.  And, they worked!  I  was instantly seized with desires and ideas to transform The Happy Shorts!  Stay tuned for the next instalment to see what became of them!

Chocolate Chunk Biscuits

• Melt 113g (1/2 cup) butter and 1/2 cup sugar.
• Add 1/4 cup coconut, 1 cup SR flour, and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
• Add 50-90g chocolate chunks (white, milk or dark and/or any nuts).
• Put on tray, allow for spreading, and bake 15 minutes in a moderate oven.

This recipe is soooo easy and flexible, and doesn't need eggs (just in case SOMEONE ate the last of the eggs and forgot to tell you).  You could also leave out the coconut if you wanted.
P.S.  *fingers crossed* I've changed it so anybody can comment, you can do so as a guest. So, be my guest!

Retro Sheet Fever!

I have been inspired by blogs like Fox's Lane , The Doily and Wardrobe Refashion to think about old sheets in a new way, and I was incredibly lucky today to have found four gorgeous retro sheets for only $2.50 each!  The cotton is a lovely weight and quality, and will look fantastic as a border print children's dress, or indeed an adult sundress.

Trying to Stay Sane

I try to do "positive parenting", by using positive language and being clear on my expectations.  But sometimes, I get  into ridiculous moments.  "I AM HAVING A NICE SHOWER, AND YOU ARE WAITING QUIETLY IN THE LOUNGE ROOM!"  Really?  'Cos anyone looking on would be thinking "Looks to me as though you are standing naked in the bathroom, yelling at three kids who are bickering/whinging/trying to push their way through the door at the same time."

  The Panda is away for work at the moment, so I have lots of strategies to stay sane.  One of which has been to make a calendar of events and activities that the spawn can follow.  I've got to say, it has been a huge success! I think its because they have a sense of being involved in what we're doing, and they can anticipate good things in the future.  Its also great for me, because it breaks up a long, adult-less day!  And I have been trying to go with the flow, like for instance when Bigspawn decides that a much better activity is sticking crayons in his hat!

 Anyway, I got a good haul of fabrics from the op-shop, for only 50c or $1 per piece, so I'll be entertaining myself sewing up some winter tops.

 I'll also be (obviously) spending waaaay too much time on the internet (check out these homo-erotic craft prints, hilarious!)  AND,  I think I might have come up with the perfect project for the 'happy shorts'!

Happy Shorts - Madness or Genius?

I had a great weekend, I went to an 80's themed Roller Disco.  But now I have a terrible secret, and a dilemma I need help with.  You see, I have fallen in love.
  When I saw them in amongst the crowd I was captivated, so bright! so right! but Oh, so wrong.
  I'm talking about the shorts.  At first I thought they were sooo hideous.  They have lots of bright colours all woven together in checkers.  They have a waistband that sits on my ACTUAL waist, which means they also have a fly thats 25cm long.  They have gathers in the front, and capacious pockets that can fit your hands, plus a first aid kit, a hat AND a handbag.

  But every time I look at them I can't help thinking "What lovely happy colours!"  "What fluid drape and handle!"  "What useful pockets!" 
  So I was thinking.  Maybe if I lowered the waist band and removed the gathers, and either left them as shorts, or made them into a skirt?  In summer, accessorized with a white tank and sandals?
  Am I a genius, or have I just gone mad?