Nothing says Happy Birthday like....

Inspired by Steph's hilarious posting of her unfinished cross-stitch, here's a pic of the gift I lovingly crafted for my husband's recent 39th birthday.

Design credit goes to Sublime Stitching, whose guts I also love. I love their daschunds, little houses, electric guitars and hundreds of other funky designs, too. This was actually a free pdf download for Valentine's day.

Poyo for Qld Flood Appeal Dolly Drive

Ooh, two posts in one day! It's just that I remembered I should post about this worthy cause I'll be creating for.

Monkeymoomoo is organising a Dolly Drive (hand made soft toy donation) for people in need after the Queensland floods. There's a really cute button I'm meant to add to my blog but once again I can't figure it out, oh dear! There's no code to copy, that I can find. So anyway this post will have to do for now.

I'll be making one of these. We call it a Poyo, which is how 3y.o. Clem used to say 'pillow'.

This one is Charlie's. He's 9 and made this almost entirely by himself. Then Clem loved it so much, he made one for him too. This Poyo looks rather flat now, since Charlie's head rests on it most nights, all night. I do wash it now and then!

We got the idea from a book called DIY Kids. These Poyos have been so beloved, and I hope one will be loved by a child who has been affected by the terrible floods. Thank you for organising, Monkeymoomoo!

Negroni sew-along plans + gratuitous kitty shot

For me, the scariest part of the Male Pattern Boldness shirt sew-along is "will he actually wear it"?

I'm talking about my husband who is quite excited about this project, but is notorious for picking one or two things in his wardrobe and wearing them to death, while everything else languishes unloved.

I bought this Liberty tana lawn (yeah, that again) on eBay without a specific project in mind. But it was beautiful, I think there's 3 metres of it, and it was going for a very reasonable price.

I was sort of thinking dress for me. I showed it to Andy as a potential candidate for the Negroni. "Yeah, I like it," he said. Oh. However, it does save a potentially long and frustrating search for just the right fabric. And he has mentioned quite a few times how much he is loving his tana lawn pyjama pants. Yes, love of my life, take this exquisite fabric, and keep up the encouraging comments.

He's opted for the long-sleeved version. Not sure whether we'll go with the two pockets and pocket flaps yet. Any thoughts? This fabric might be better unadorned, or, the pockets might give it a casual touch that relieves the formality of the print.

I'm also hoping to add a collar stand as per Peter's pending instructions. Andy finds the collar-with-stand a better look on him. He's also requested, and I think I can manage, tabs inside the sleeves that button up when you roll the sleeves up. Do you know what I mean? Do those things have names?

I'm very keen to get started. Oh and here's the gratuitous kitty shot. Don't cats just love walking all over fabric that you're trying to do something with? Not her best angle. (Devon Rex, in case you're wondering.)

Oliver + S patterns - joining the love-fest

I have noticed many bloggers professing their love for Oliver + S children's patterns. Of course, most of the really cute ones are for girls, boo. However, I found this pattern on sale at one of my fave Australian online sewing-goodness-places, Earthgirl Fabrics. I completely agree with other people who've said the patterns are so well-made, with such excellent instructions.

I made a pair in size 4 for my nephew Ori. He chose the fabric from my stash.

I'd been dying to make something with these adorable Heather Ross prints and they're the perfect weight for a sturdy pair of shorts. The moon in the front pocket and on the back is from the Owl and the Pussycat fabric in the same line.

As you can see I'm still struggling a bit with my photography, but these things take practice don't they. And , maybe, reading some instructions? Nah.

The pattern was available in size 0-4, or 5-12 and I got the smaller one, thinking of Clem. Then I realised Charlie (9) needed some new shorts. I did a highly un-technical grade-up of the pattern, made a muslin, tweaked, tweaked some more and then sliced into some lovely bamboo denim I've used a few times, ordered online here. A couple of Echino peacocks in the pockets of these, plus I added two back pockets this time (there are none in the pattern).

These shorts have a faux fly-front. Challenge for 2011: real fly-front pants.

Has anyone used another Oliver + S boys' pattern? Or any other boys' patterns to recommend?

Would you like to try some?

Tonight, our big boys are sleeping over at their grandparents' bush block cabin.

Tonight, Mama and Dada are having leftover minestrone with fresh pesto, using basil from our garden.

Tonight, the littlest boy learnt the mortar and pestle.

Japanese pattern + Japanese fabric = love

A friend and I have been swapping Japanese pattern books. I had this Nani Iro double gauze fabric I'd bought as a remnant. I just can't resist 'rescuing' those poor, unloved roll ends at bargain prices.

There was just enough to make up this shirt from Pochee Spring 2010, and I think the texture of the double gauze works beautifully. Plus, the floral helps stop it from looking too clown-like. I hope.

I suppose I should have ironed it.

The sleeves were meant to be longer and gathered into a bias strip finish, but I ran out of fabric and liked the open ends. Ooh look, here it is actually on my body. Not game enough to show face yet ;)

The Nani Iro double gauze prints go right up to the edge. This is great in that you can use the selvedge on sleeve ends etc. However, you can end up with a bit of unintentional branding.

It's kind of loose and vaguely maternity-like, so I'll be recommending the pattern to my friend whose book this comes from, since she actually is currently gestating.

If I made it again I'd definitely shorten the front (what do you call it?) slit part. I did shorten it a bit but it's still too peek-a-boobie to wear without a singlet underneath. Those waif-like Japanese models in the books make layering look so chic but I could do without the extra pouff-factor.

Sorry the photos are still so dark. Will work on that.

What a difference a camera makes

Yes, the images could all be a lot brighter and probably improved in several other ways too, but oh, what a difference a good camera makes. As opposed to my mobile phone 'camera'.

We made a chocolate cake, from the recipe in the back of the completely charming book in the last picture. I highly recommend it for anyone who has ever baked a cake with small children.

Actually, I made this mess, not the kids. Mixer turned on a bit fast at the 'add the milk' stage.

The cake is delicious. No photos of that, I'm just learning this camera and blogging thing, it all takes time!