Meet Albert and Bella

I finished these two monkeys last night. I have made several Albert's before for a few boys born to some close friends and despite requests from my 3 boys for one of their own, I haven't managed to make another, until now. One of my dearest friends, a beautiful, strong and courageous woman has a birthday today and Bella was made for her. The monkeys are made from re-claimed woolen blankets from the Salvation Army store (I collect old blankets for my projects...ideas brimming!). Albert's trousers are made from fabric in my stash. Bella's dress is made from vintage fabric and bias binding I made with my nifty gadget. Her shoes are suede and a felt flower with bead finishes off her look nicely.

But, I couldn't resist the vintage fabric of Bella's dress so made one for Albert, too. It seems Albert has an identity issue and now has two outfits to choose from...

With a quick change of outfit, Albert becomes Allie.


Now meet Allie and Bella.


Happy birthday, my dear friend Rach. Cx

Vintage Top

On a recent trip to Sydney, I met a lady, Melei, selling stunning children's clothes she makes out of gorgeous fabrics. I was very inspired by what she did and have been quietly making plans to make a few children's (well girl's...now that I have one after 3 boys) clothes myself. With the added nudge of inspiration by a link sent to me by my dear friend at of gorgeous vintage dresses. I decided to make something with my stash of vintage fabric. I didn't have enough for a dress, but made this cute top.

It does up at the back (although I didn't have suitable buttons, so will have to finish it after a visit to the shops). Thanks largely to my generous friend Dee, I have a small supply of vintage fabrics. I love looking at them and playing around with what I can do with them, but need to start making things with them. Here is what I have in my collection so far.

The green ones are my favourite, I think. While I was visiting my Mum in Australia, we got this bias binding gadget. I used it for the first time today- so easy. Just pass the fabric through and iron. So exciting!


I can see myself using this gadget a lot! I even made a label (CHD 2- my 'name' and size 2, just to clarify)

Clearly, I need to get some more professional looking labels done, if I want to be serious about this. The home stitched, amateur ones will do for now. My model is fast asleep (and a size or two too small), but this gives you the idea anyway.


With a long sleeve top and jeans- cute! Now I just need to wait for my real life model to grow into it.... and maybe the next project something that will actually fit her.

Mo, Ponky and I Will

Well, after months of 'eeney meeny miny mo', 'inky pinky ponky' and 'I will, I won't' (think 'he loves me, he loves me not...'), it seems mo, ponky and I will. Jumping on the blog bandwagon, I mean. I have been inspired by many other creative blogs and maybe I will give some inspiration to someone else out there in blogland. Most of all I want to keep a record of what I make and be able to share these things with friends and family who don't live near or those who do and are interested. Creating and making are an important part of my life. As a devoted wife and mother or 4 I have little spare time and making things is what I do in my 'me time'.

Let me start with what I made today:

Sofia Doll

I had some bonus free time (unexpected, unplanned house to myself, ignore the chores time) - I was meant to go to church with my family, but my little Miss 9 months got a bout of gastro (first time- breaking my heart..), so I had to stay home with her. With the rest of the family out for a few hours, I decided to make Miss 9m a little get well doll. I recently found a copy of my old school photo from the mid-80s, when I spent most of my primary years in Scandinavia.

Check out the cute school I went to in Sweden

While living in Sweden I developed an appreciation of and love for what we called 'Swedish dolls'. They are much like Waldorf dolls. One of these dolls (a bigger one) was made for me by a lady at the Swedish church we attended. I have been reminiscing about my time there and thought it would cheer Miss 9m up, if she had one of her own. The Sofia doll is the perfect size for a little hand. It is made from Velour, cotton knit and mohair wool for hair. I had all I needed in my sewing stash. It seems to have the desired effect.

With the Darla Hest (horse) for Swedish authenticity and Miss 9m in the frame.

Get well soon, Little One