Fabric addiction

Just a quick post as I'm busy moving things out of the spare room, to move the boys in - their room is to become a playroom.. long story no time! I'm having a fair bit of success selling fabric in my etsy store. Feeling excited at this actually becoming an earner rather than just an excuse to have more fabric in my stash! https://www.etsy.com/shop/brambleboutique

dress making... for dummies

I feel like I'm staring at a map of the London underground. And so begins my journey into sewing! I made skirts for the girls last year and that was easy enough. Thought I'd try some simple pants for baby because I got some really cute polka dot farm animal fabric the other day. 

Yeah. So far, haven't got past staring at the pattern for 5 mins! I also got a dress pattern thankfully haven't opened it yet so that cat can remain in the bag for now - think it would send me over the edge!

hitting the sales

I decided to venture into Michael's last night, while hunting down some fabric stock for my store https://www.etsy.com/shop/brambleboutique. I was really checking out some jewelry bits and bobs for my daughter's upcoming 6th birthday, but couldn't help myself with the holiday sale stuff. They had all the Valentine's finds at 75% off - how could I resist! The thing is if you are smart you can buy the items in the sales that you would use anytime, not just that holiday. Michael's has a bad habit of putting hearts on the packaging of the funniest things.. same with holly at Christmas, Spring Chicks at Easter and so on. Most of the items I bought can be used year round so also could be bought year round had they just thought not to add their silly packaging! 

My finds:

Red and white straws - 16pc ea for just 59c ea these can usually be found in there for $4!

Rubber stamps - the doilies can be used anytime! Cost just $2 each - usually $10

Red ramekins.. just 59c each! I can use these for ingredients, crafts.. so many things! 

I also bought some red glitter ribbon for 50c usually $4. Perfect for Christmas time bows for the girls. Oh and I bought a big pad of Valentine cardstock for $5 usually $20. The items are displayed on some of the pages which are a bit "lovey" - but for the most part it is flowers and chevron patterns - so can definitely be used anytime. Bargains! Love it.

100th Day of School fast approaching!

The children are all a buzz about their 100th day celebrations. I'm not sure the 3rd grader celebrates much - other than the fact that half a school year is almost done and dusted! The Kindergartner has the usual project of producing a collection of 100 items - and this gets me excited. With my first we made 100 origami cranes.. yes really.. and made them into a mobile (which the teacher took home for her baby's room). Impressive right? Last year it was 100 googly eyeballs stuck to a superman. Yeah, you can tell the enthusiasm had waned a bit! This year I've seen this genius (ok really crafty) idea of making a gumball machine out of a flower pot.

I think I'm more excited than she is but it will be a winner I'm sure! Not that it's a competition..ahem.. We're going to fill it with 100 of those fuzzball pompoms instead of actual gumballs, which I always think are a choking hazard for anyone under 21, don't you?!

knit one purl one

I've always loved knitting, and the look and feel of knitted clothing for my babies. Lately I've become a huge fan of knitted toys too. I started selling my gnome babies on etsy a while ago, so far successfully.

I'm hoping to branch out into other toys too - hedgehogs anyone? No one could resist those sweet little faces? On a side-note that is definitely one thing to add to the list of "oooh I really miss from home"... hedgehogs are just the sweetest thing - and much cuter than porcupines!

I've been a forever fan of the blabla dolls - although none of my children have actually owned one. There are so many different simple little styles of knit animals to try - I should really just go for it - when I find the time of course!

Autumn Jewels & Tuxedo Collections launching!

Check them out this weekend over on Bramble Boutique's etsy store:

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/brambleboutique

et voila

I didn't mean for it to have short sleeves, although that is one of the options on the pattern.. I just realised a few rows in that it wasn't knitting but gartering or whatever you call it! Regardless it'll be a warm layer over a white sleepsuit - lovely.

ah hah

It must have been the euphoria of completing the cardi that got me thinking what's next? A hat is what's next. But this being the first time I've tried double point needles lets just say I'm on my 7th go at even starting it argh! A good soak in the jacuzzi tub fixed my gloomy mood and late as it is I'm determined to at least get past the first use of the 4th needle. More tomorrow - hopefully!

et voila!

The 5 hour/5 day cardigan is done - added some fancier trumpet style sleeves and the sweetest snow bird buttons to complete it and it looks beautiful:

I will definitely be making another one - but this time remembering the whole, no pun intended, knit into the back not front to get the holey lacey effect you want for girlish style. But as it is I love it. Can't wait to see baby wearing it with a little sleepsuit underneath. Perfect for chilly winter days! Next on the knitting agenda is a hat using Martha Stewart's yarn range, available at Michaels. I'm switching the colors a bit and doing a soft lilac instead of the green - I think it will be beautiful. Will update with a completed pic when it's finished.