Topsy Turvy Dollies

These super cute topsy turvy dollies are so much fun to make. They are made using an Abbey Glassenberg pattern that was in Mollie Makes Magazine last summer. I love tailoring them to the the recipient, changing the hair colours, skirt fabrics, even the hair styles. My favourite one had a side pony tail and a removeable furry bear hat to match her new owner!

Ruby loves hers (Daisy and Maisie) on the right :)

All of these dollies were given as Christmas gifts.

If you know someone who would like one, you can purchase the pattern here. 

Project in Progress - re-creating retro Sindy, Barbie and Tressy Doll Clothes

Sindy (on the left) is mine from the early 1980's and Barbie (on the right) is from Toy Story 3 and belongs to Ruby. We have a difference in opinion over who is prettier, Ruby thinks Barbie and I think Sindy. We do agree on how lovely their new clothes are that came from Emmaus a couple of weeks ago. 

My friend and I sat on the floor and searched through a box of clothes selecting the ones I liked the best. In the end I cam home with some lovely retro Sindy and Barbie Outfits. Also in the box were some Tressy Doll Clothes. Tressy Dolls were made in the UK in the early 1960's and my Mum used to have one. 

When Ruby got home from school we tried all of the outfits on her dolls and they did a fashion show :) I felt rather envious of Sindy's shift dress and the grey Tressy dress. So armed with my new skills from my City and Guild's course at MIY Workshop and my Winifred Aldrich Pattern Cutting book I am going to re-create some of the outfits in my size. 

Now which one first?

Crafty Catch Up

I have been a bit quiet on here over the summer/autumn but I have still been busy sewing and making...

I made a bear hat for Ruby.

And these little ladies have been taking up most of my time. The pattern for Topsy Turvy Dollies was in Mollie Makes in the summer and I think I have made 10 of them now. They take ages but they are fun to make and each one is cuter than the last. I think my favourite one is the one Ruby gave as a gift because she had a little bear hat :) that I forgot to photograph in Ruby's haste to wrap her up.

I've also been attending a One Piece Garment Pattern Cutting course at MIY Workshop and draft a pattern for my Christmas dress. Photo's to follow when it's finished.

Wendy is great and I have learnt loads from her. Check out her classes and learn something new too!

I have also helped her make some Suffolk Puffs for her Christmas Window. As of Saturday 7th December you will be able to vote for your favourite small business window on the council's Facebook page. I'll post the link when I eventually find it. Vote for her!!

 I've also started a little xmas decorating myself, here are some sneak peeks!

The advent calendar I made a few years ago is up and filled with chocolates and Christmas jokes. They are classics!

I'll leave you with todays joke...

Why does Santa need a big umbrella?

Because of all the rain-deer!

London's Calling

We're on the train heading into London for a day at the museums. I'm off to the V&A to look at the fashion room and Chris is taking the kids to the Science Museum. 

I finished my shirt dress on Thursday and I'm wearing it today. I love it and I'm planning on making a nautical one too.

Next sewing project - shirt dress!

My summer holiday is getting closer and closer. Two lovely new swimsuits arrived today and I need to make myself some new dresses for the evenings. 

I came across these two shirt dresses in last week's Grazia magazine...

...and they reminded me of this pattern that was in my bag of sewing swag from Carol :)

I love yellow and the shape of the hemline, I've also got a thing for dogtooth at the moment. I'm hoping to make a couple of versions for my summer wardrobe.

I had a spare half hour this morning and managed to cut out the pattern pieces, now I'm off to the draw to find some fabric! 

Baby Bib

I bought this Simplicity 1950's vintage pattern when I was able to put Ruby down in one place knowing that she would stay there! (approx. 4 years ago) She looked very cute in her red polka dot version of the yellow outfit.

Friends of ours have recently had a baby boy and we met him last weekend. I couldn't resist making a couple of the bibs as a gift.

I used some soft blue and white striped flannelette and appliquéd an anchor on one and a J on the other. I edged them using bias binding.

The anchor one is my favourite.

May: Sewing, baking, Brighton Festival and books.

May has been busy and although I have done lots I haven't had much time to say anything about it. Chris has been nagging at me to write a blog post and it occurred to me that with our kids constantly shouting for our attention in the evenings and weekends it might be the only time he gets to find out what I am up to. Maybe written communication would be easier for us.

So then Chris, this has been my May so far....

I've been helping in school and nursery a lot. I love going in and seeing what the kids are up to and how differently they learn maths now. I now know how to do calculations that I couldn't do at school! The nursery is fun and I get to do craft stuff with them, like bubble painting and mask making.

I normally help at school on a Wednesday morning but as year 2 are doing the sats that they don't know that they are doing I got to do some filing and come home early. Which is good because I am tired today, I went to see The Great Gatsby at the cinema last night and loved it so much that it took ages for me to relax and come down of my pic n mix high. I came away inspired by the outfits, the sequins and with an urge to be very rich and throw lavish 1920's themed parties. If you haven't seen it already, go!

I've been listening to Daft Punk's Random Access Memories and Frank Turner's Tape Deck Heart on Spotify. Frank Turner is my sewing music of choice.

Lots of hanging out with my kids, reading Swallows and Amazon's by the campfire. Enjoying every bit of Ruby's last pre-school days (I don't want September this year) and being forced into taking selfies with her.

We have been reading Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons to Jacob and not only have we all really enjoyed the story, it has inspired Jacob's games and attitude towards playing. I think this will be the summer he embraces the outdoors and adventures.

I also managed to read a book for me. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I was surprised how uplifting the book was despite it's topic and the ending. I read it very quickly and felt motivated to get on with some things that I have been putting off (like finishing the bathroom tiling). Check it out!

I've been making and baking...

Attending...

...a couple of Brighton festival bits and pieces. The Spiegeltent and The Embroidered Tattoo Parlour.

 Sewing...

A cute little felt ice cream garland for a lovely friend's birthday present.

 ...and some tops and dresses for me using patterns from Make Hey While the Sunshines by Pip Lincolne, burda style as inspiration.

With the exception of G.C.S.E textiles my sewing skills are self/mum taught. For a while I've felt that I have a gap in my skill set. Whenever I make something for me I am always dissatisfied with the fit and usually have to make alterations to the patterns to fit me. In hope of fixing these issues and fulfilling a teenage dream I have booked myself on to a Pattern Cutting Course at MIY Workshop starting at the beginning of June. I am so excited and feel like I'm 18 again with the opportunity to follow the creative path that I deep down wish I had gone down 15 years ago. I'll let you know how I get on!

I've also been cutting out hundred of little flags for a bunting craft activity planned for the school fair.

What have you been up to this May? Any bank holiday weekend plans? Our plan is to enjoy the festival atmosphere and maybe finally make it to an open house or two.

Brighton Festival - Embroidered Tattoo Parlour at Beyond Retro

We popped along to the Embroidered Tattoo Parlour at Beyond Retro today.

The event was run by machine embroiderer Jenny King who creates beautiful pieces of embroidery on her selection of 1950's machines.

We bought a nautical headscarf for a couple of quid and flicked through the book of flash to choose our design.

We went for one of Chris's favourite pieces of Sailor Jerry flash and watched as the machinist transformed the scarf into this...

We're going to frame it and hang it on the wall.

Flashback Friday - Bunting and Tea Cosies

I love scrolling through iPhoto looking for inspiration for my Flashback Friday posts. I am reminded of  Jacob and Ruby's baby and toddler years and my past sewing projects. There is such a difference from the first items I made back in 2007 to the things that I make now. I would not have dreamed of making a parrot costume then.

Today it is mostly tea cosies and bunting that have caught my eye.

The tea cosies are made out of old jumpers and are adorned with appliqué and buttons.

The Bumble Tea Cosy is one of the first ones I made and it live's with my friend Lou. I think I could make a much better one now and will get round to it one day. If anyone has a yellow and black/grey striped jumper that is heading for the charity shop think of me!

These two are from 2010 and made out of Gap jumpers. Caroline Childerly, did you give one of these a home?

I think this beach hut cosy is one of my favourites. It was double sided and made at the end of 2011 as part of my "Brighton" collection.

I have lost count of the number of metres of bunting I have sewn over the last six years but I am guessing in excess of 100! Here are some of my favourites...

Camping bunting with appliquéd tents.

 Custom orders of personalised memory bunting.

Both of these sets were made using baby/toddler clothes that had been saved by the Mummy's.

And very cool Batman and Thomas bunting!

This one is my personal favourite and lives on our Bell Tent in the summer months!

Do you give any of these a home?