KCW +

This week was kids clothes week, and I did try to make an hour for each day/night to make my kiddies clothes, and all up I probably did end up doing the 5 hours but not exactly all in the right days, which is fine! I didn't get as much done as I hoped I would but that's ok too! I really should have dropped my machine off for that service when I said it was going in but I was stubborn and decided it could wait till the end of the week to allow me to do this. It held up ok, but I spent more time unpicking to fix missed stitches then I would have liked. And now the ammount of missed stitches is more then the hit stitches so its off to the shop now with hubby on his way to work! So the last couple of projects were exclusive or almost exclusive use of the serger! And Saturday, I got sick of clothes and needed a quick fix so I made a fleecy blanket. Not really the rules of KCW but its such a quick project and I felt accomplished! The Flickr pool for Elsie marley is topped with cute and radical clothes! So inspiring, and a few of them that are self drafted patterns or upcycled - I desperately wish I could buy, or have a tutorial or pattern for! So my photos below; spots and whimsy- sailor shorts pattern by peekaboo pattern shop, extended to pants length. I love the way these go together and I finally have an understanding of pockets and the sailor opening! Yay. I made two more pairs of those, one in elephant printed corduroy which is lovely and soft yet hardy, and another in aboriginal print polycotton? I'm not fussed on the poly cotton in the way it sits all boxy but on they look extremely comfy. I upcycled a pair of men's suit slacks into two pairs of pants, which don't fit anyone yet-oops. And made Tetris stencils and fabric painted some geeky jeans for the boys, I haven't got to the other pair yet (i am thinking pacman) I made some leggings for Ellary with a ribbed cotton waist and owl fabric paint stamps. And finally the blankie, it's a great size for the boys cots as it actually tucks in at the sides where as the bought cot quilts and blankets rarely or never stay tucked at the sides. I think I'll call KCW for me a half fail and I'll continue to do more clothes for my kiddies when my machine gets back later this week. Until I'm satisfied that they have enough to last them the season ahead! :)

My Day 1 for kids clothes week

I have opened a Flickr account, I have hardly any idea how to work anything but its there and I have found a couple of groups and posted a few pics of today's progress. I have some more patterns and fabric cut ready for today so im off! I'm going to share my Flickr pics here also, since noone follows my Flickr, or my blog for that matter, but that's just the way it is (singing)
If anyone reads this and wishes to follow me on Flickr I am upcakesmummy :)

Projects beckoning me!

my autumn shopping and projects list!

Aren't these boots just darling! my boys love shoes and often wear them to bed because the refuse to let us take them off so these would be perfect, soft & light like socks but not. 

Gorgeous Jacket, source unknown
I love this entire outfit, but that jacket is the thing that really makes it. the ruffle plackets, ruffled and laered sleeves and that belt! and sadly i dont have any idea where its from- no doubt some gorgeous boutique! i need one, or 3!!

toddler boot free pattern and tutorial @ goinggreenwiththegrizl

gorgeous hoodie scarf tutorial

This Hooded scarf is adorable like the model. Reminds me of a little fox cub, definitely an item on this seasons make list.

source

source unknown
Absoluetly need to make some of these towel backed quilt rugs for my laundry and bathroom floors, tiles are cold!

This little guys outfit is gorgeous, pity i cant read the language the website is in to know any details. loving the vintage feel at the moment for the littlies.

A few more things on the list- boot cuffs, ear muffs, leggings, beanies and scarves, cowls. yup i am going to be making a lot when i am given the all clear from the doc.

God Bless

Lepidoptera, Queen living etc.

Firstly, Our lepidoptera caterpillar, we found a couple weeks back, 

which cocooned the very next day, has finally emerged; a beautiful butterfly this morning!

 

We followed and observed her all day as she warmed her wings and flew a bit and then stopped to unfold a bit more and warm them more, she drank some nectar from a grape Tehy gave her and then we left her to it in the garden! We took lots of piccys and Tehy ( our insect loving child) was amused to no end all day! Introducing "Lepi-dot-tooora" as Tehy calls her.

Last week while doing our normal afternoon routine of outside play, i went to put Juju in the swing and i did something to my back and it hasnt been great since, i have a history of back issues so i am used to the constant dull pains but this was different, it has stopped me from bending over, i cannot pick up the kids, the toys off the floor or put a load of washing on! i can squat to do things if i absolutely need to but yesterday my doctor put strict instructions upon me; LIVE LIKE A QUEEN!!- For a week and then come back to reassess after swelling goes down. Its not something that comes easy, and i struggle to sit still and watch others do my things. So anyway, all my planned projects have been put on hold and instead i'm sitting, and planning more ha. Hubby has gone back to working full time since the holidays finished last week and my cleaner has gone on a cruise so my home is resembling an episode of hoarders in certain areas, especially my craft room/upcakes HQ. because im unable to pick everything up thats fallen on the floor and under the desk, or put anything away that i had out during the early part of last week. shambles i tells ya. Anyway, i'm going to share with you a few pics i managed to take before church last week, i was planning for it to be a photo shoot to beable to link up with project run and plays formal week, but things dont always go to plan, i wasnt able to complete any other of my partially done pieces of the outfit and if this shoot was anything to go by... not a great one lol.

Tehya was not impressed, 

 "oh hurry up!"

 "ok one picture thats it! and i'll decide if i want to smile or not" 

"are ya done yet?"

 Roo was ok to start with, such a poser when in a good mode, 

even with a shiner on his forehead (walls hurt?)

Still loving these 'stache pants

 Ju Jus suit jacket, one of the pieces I did get finished. I love it. An upcycle project, it was a medium mens suit from a second hand store. I still have enough to make another for Roo and pants for each, (which was the plan and other details were planned and partially done also just wait i guess) i'll just have to scale down the Basic Blazer pattern by Blank Slate Patterns, Roo is a size smaller and even on Ju this 18 months size was a tad wide and long (and yes i think i need to add an extra button on his, up top, too) but winter isnt here yet so it may be a perfect fit for then.

Most of the photos were like this, Roo had lost his patience and just wanted to go "car" and at-least one was pulling a face purposely or candidly! Ellas dress; an upcycle from my closet, i only took it in 2 inches on either side of the back shirring and it sat well on her. i hadn't worn since the occasion  for which i bought it, (a friends wedding- i was hiding my pregnant belly, the twins had "popped" and were evident in all my other clothes and we werent telling yet) i bought it white and spent hours boiling the polyester dress, it is dipdyed effect and i love the 'pick ups'! i love it on her, much better then it looked on me i think.

Some days photos just don't work as well, but these pics;
I like them; they do star my favourite little people! 

Autumn chills

So half way through autumn it becomes winter? Who knew! We have had the silliest seasons and I'm not loving the cold change with added rain. We have had a hectic few weeks, the painter just finished the front veranda last week and is now onto the back deck. We have had trestles two stories high in the yard for over 3 weeks and the yard has been scattered with ladders and paint tins along with the kids toys which doesn't make it very safe for the kids to play when we get the rare moments of sunny warm weather! Being Cooped up inside has done a terrible thing for routine and the boys think its grand to wake at odd hours and stay awake for a few hours crying! My machine is off to get a service this week, it's skipping stitches and I've lost all zigzag stitch settings! So all my projects are sitting idle, cut and ready or are half done just on the serger and waiting for hems or top stitching. And while I wasn't fussed on pulling out all the winter clothes and projects just yet, the weather is dictating that its certainly a good idea sooner than later. I'll share my 'cooler weather' project list with you all soon!
And here's a pic of my hand sewing today, I couldn't help it- just had to get in there and do something so I have made the boys a tie each from op shop/ thrift shop ties, more on those soon also!