Busy, busy busy.

Is how I feel like I've been lately. Although I am coming to the end of a run of sewing that has needed to be done so feeling slightly less stressed about that. I recently finished 20 wet weather ponchos for Jack's Kindy.

I trialled this one with a placket and snaps but I am not sure that it is strong enough to stand up to the constant pulling from kids. So have only made the 1 at the moment.
Now i just have dress ups to go which will be fun and not quite so monotonous and mojo killing.
I am working on a new spring and summer range for my kids label - Two little Taniwha, which is fun. I am trialing a clothes party to release my new range on the 15th September. If this party goes well it might be the first of many.
Stay tuned for some sneak peeks.

Mackenzie frock stars

I really enjoyed this years Frock stars. for those of you who don't know what it is. It is a competition where you take an ugly dress and give it new life by turning it into something amazing. I shared with you a couple of months ago about the UGLY dress I had chosen. I mainly chose it for the gorgeous orange Linen that it was made from.
So here is what i did. I turned this
into this

front

Back

I used the sew serendipity book and made the skirt from one of the patterns but alternated the panels between the Joel dewberry Aviary 2 fabric and the orange linen as i didn't have enough of the orange linen to do all of the skirt.
Here are some highlights from the show - Photos stolen from my friend Kirsty (well technically not stolen as they are of me- hehe)

Me strutting my stuff

my accessory fabric flower brooch

From left - Me, Sarah, and Kirsty.
Kirsty entered too. She made the amazing creation that Sarah was modelling for her. A floaty Tunic with a Obi style Belt and matching fabric knot necklace. Ladies hope you don't mind being famous on my blog.

It was a great event - shared with awesome friends.

Once upon a time swap

On a forum I am on we recently did a Once upon a time swap. The guidelines were something for your child that had something to do with their favourite books. I got given 2 wee girls to do swaps for - one that was 15months so wasn't totally into books yet but loved Ladybugs - so I googled ladybug books and came up with Ladybug girl so i took my inspiration from this picture and I made a merino top and attached some satin ladybird wings and made a pair of undies and attached a tutu. SIMPLE... hmm well the tutu was an interesting experience. I used my friends tutorial and that made it very easy to do. I would have struggled without it i think.

The other wee girl is 4 and she liked books about princesses. I wanted to make something that was practical to wear out but also a bit princess looking. So I went with a drop waisted peasant dress, and made a princess hat to match.



Then it was time for my boys to receive their swaps.
I had put down the Jack liked "Harry and the bucketful of dinosaurs" books. So Jack received a Bagfull of dinosaurs and a dinosaur costume, all beautifully made. He absolutely loved all of it. He wore the Dinosaur mittens for most of the day every now and again he would "Rawwrrrrr" at us pretending to be a dinosaur.
Thanks to Louise for his awesome swap.

Charlie received an awesome swap too. I had put down that he loved reading books with diggers, trains, planes, helicopters, buses etc in them. So my swapper Viv made the most gorgeous wee quilt for Charlie with transport vehicles on it. he loves it so much. Thanks Viv.


I was so impressed with the level of workmanship of this swap - it was awesome!!!
Thanks guys for a great swap

Latest creations

I have been meaning to post about some creations that I have made lately. And I know that I STILL haven't posted pics from the fashion parade. Well today is the day. Although I still only have 1 picture so i can't show you the models in their second outfit - but you get to see the first one.
Jasper is wearing a merino hoodie with a helicopter print, it also has a green and black striped cotton knit for binding on the arms and around the hood and as the inside lining of the hood.
His twin Kitty is wearing a pink merino top with an apple print a double layered skirt and red merino leggings. Aimee is wearing a red merino hoodie with a rainbow cotton knit for binding on the arms and around the hood and also as a lining inside the hood.

Know I have also been doing some custom orders. Here are two tops for someone in size 8 one with a T rex and one with a ballerina (both very popular prints)

I have also been making some ponchos and dress ups for Kindy - I must remember to take pics next time I am there.
I do have a post saved about another wee project but it needs to wait till the recipients have received their items - don't want to spoil the surprise.

Flea Market Finds

A wee while ago while a friend and I were on our way to a girls crafty weekend. We just happened to stop at this little shop which had always caught my eye as we drove past. It was a goldmine of gorgeous vintage/retro finds and we had a field day in the fabric section of this shop. I couldn't buy it all though so i chose carefully. I eventually chose a piece of linen and a piece of thick printed knit, well it's actually more like a sweatshirting with the terry back rather than the fleece. I also couldn't pass up some gorgeous trims and a couple of wooden car display shelves which I am going to do a wee project with very soon (which i actually didn't take a photo of either - you'll just have to wait for the before and after pics ;-) )

Goodies from Ireland

Look what arrived in my mailbox this week. I won a giveaway on Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day from Cindy over at fluffy sheep quilting.


It is the most gorgeous bag and so well made. I have been taking it out and receiving lots of lovely comments about it.
And Cindy included a few wee treats for the boys too - which went down very well.

Guess what time it is...

Frockstars time!!!! For those of you who don't know frockstars is an event run by some locals girls from Fairlie where you get an old frock and turn it into something beautiful. You can see my entry from last year here .
This year I am going to be far more organised and not do it the night before they are due - oops.
This is the dress I have chosen. My husband refers to it as Mrs Clause's nightie. It is a reddy orangy linen. It's actually lovely fabric and the whole reason why i chose the dress.

I have great plans for it. But sorry you'll just have to wait to see what i do with it. I will give you one clue though - this year it's going to be something that I will ACTUALLY wear, probably to school. AND even funnier - I am hoping to model it myself this year - ARRGGHHHH.
You can check out some of the other entries from last year here