Leoni's Christmas Outfit

INSA skirt and BEA jumper.

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I would like to wish all who read and follow my blog a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It snowed...

... and nothing kept Leoni inside.

Argh, I want to scream!

This week is definitely not one of the best ones: yesterday some idiot (sorry for the expression) drove so close past our car while my husband was on the road, that the drivers mirror was torn off. Luckily, no more damage was done, but of course the other car didn't stop and just sped off! So we need to get that sorted. But that's not all: I nearly fell off my chair today when I heard in the news that Globespan had gone into administration! Last month we spent hours searching for flights to Gran Canaria for next summer and as we are going out together with my family, we only needed the flights from here and the hotel was booked through a travel agency in Germany. And Globespan had the best offer from Edinburgh, great departure times, just perfect. And now this! Of course there are more flights available from here, but my biggest concern just now is if we get the money back. So first thing tomorrow is a visit to the bank and see what they say, as we've paid by credit card. And now the search for flights starts all over again, grrrr. Happy Christmas!

Me and my skirts

Skirts

The skirts I'm making are from the OTTOBRE magazine 5/2007. I've already used the same pattern for a skirt I made last year, only this time I chose a size smaller! No, I haven't lost weight :-) but size 38 was too wide. That's what I find with many of their patterns, they always come up quite generous.

I've used the lovely paisley and some brown velvet ribbon to give it some colour. The brown skirt is finished now, photos with me in it will follow.

Advent

The Christmas cards are written, I've done all my shopping and the house is decorated. There are no more custom orders waiting, nothing that HAS to be done, so I've got time now. What a nice feeling.
I'm planning to make two skirts for myself, which I've been wanting to do for a while. And maybe something for Leoni. Will keep you up to date.

And here is something I'd like to show you:

The orchestra of angels

I get one angel every Christmas from my mum. She started it the year I moved out 13 years ago and I now have a proper little orchestra, that gets a new member every year.

What do you think?

Maybe you have already read on my blog that I'm doing the HobbyCraft and Stitches Show at the SECC in Glasgow next march. I've done a lot of small craft fairs, but this is the first BIG event. I'm going to take most of my stock, fabrics, patterns, mags, etc. And now my question: so far I didn't need a portable credit/debit card machine for my craft markets, but this show is much bigger.

When you visit craft events, do you expect the exhibitors to take cards? Will I need one?
I hope the question is not too stupid, but I would love to hear your opinions!

Reversible "Lakritsi" top in navy and campan jersey, Ottobre issue 4/2009...

...the other side...

Hooded sweater in red sweat and different jerseys, Ottobre issue 4/2007

The craft fair last Saturday was very successful, lots of people came along, looking for Christmas presents. And normally I sell more girls clothes than boys stuff. But this time it was the other way round, what a surprise! It was a surprise indeed as I have always more girls clothes than boys. And now I have even less :-( Good in a way, but not good for the coming events ... So the next clothes I will be sewing are for boys, boys, boys...

Ok, I'm going to start 0n the boys stuff after this one :-)

Back again

It was a very nice but pretty stressful trip to Holland. Three suppliers in two days, you can imagine that I even dreamt of fabrics at night...They all had nice collections and I'm already looking forward to next summer, especially with this rain here at the moment :-) I'm taking a new supplier on board next year, POLYTEX Stoffe, some of you might have heard of it already. And there will also be some ABRACADABRA patterns available in the shop in January.

Have you heard of Tone Finnanger? She is a Norwegian designer and the founder of TILDA. Her books and fabrics are lovely and well known in the craft world. And I can already tell you that I'll get some Tilda reprint fabrics in at the beginning of next year. Only a small selection, but really lovely!

Off to Holland

It's time again to pay my fabric suppliers a visit. I'm going to Holland tomorrow for a couple of days to order the new spring/summer collection. I do that twice a year and it's always very interesting to see their new range. Summer fabrics are probably the last thing on your mind just now, but the first deliveries will come in January, which is only ten weeks away.... Will be back at the weekend!

Fleece, fleece, fleece

The next craft fair is coming soon:

Quilts

I have never tried quilting myself (there's simply not enough hours in the day), but I met a very nice lady today who makes children's quilts for cots, prams, car seats, etc. They are absolutely lovely and I thought I'd share it with you. Her website is beebawdesigns.com.

House of colour

Recommended by some of my friends I spoilt myself and went to a colour class at House Of Colour . The session was all about finding out the colours that suit your type. There were three of us and a very nice lady, the colour consultant. Each of us had to sit in front of a mirror, shoulders and hair covered with a white sheet, and no make-up of course. Then the lady put different scarfes around you to see which colours lit up your face or made you even paler (and I am very pale without make-up). It was really AMAZING! At the end of the class I got a small wallet with MY colours in, which I can take with me when shopping for clothes. It was a very interesting experience and I can really recommend it to everyone!

Sudoku

Not the normal one, where you fill in those squares with numbers, no, a sewing Sudoko. That is what the skirt in the OTTOBRE issue 1/2009 is called. At first it was a bit confusing with all the different parts, but once I got my head round it, it was pretty easy. And it's a good way of using your remnant pieces:

It's very twirly!

The Farbenmix parcel arrived this morning with four new patterns: ZOELA, MIKA, PAULA and YORIK

Available in the shop soon!

Another 'Sparrow' Jacket

After Leoni refused to wear the first one, here' s the jacket she chose the fabrics for:

And when granny asked her today, if she likes her new coat, she said: "I LOVE it and I'm always going to wear it. But what happens when it gets too small for me?" Guess.... :-)

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Finished

I made this coat for Leoni in a size 116 and it fits her perfectly. It is lined with fuchsia sweat and an extra layer of thermolam and I used the polka dot bias, as I felt the ribbing was too thick. And then my dear daughter told me today: I am not going to wear that mum, I like the style but I don't like the fabric!!! Arghhhhhhh! Don't we all love our children? She then went upstairs and picked the fabric she wanted (although we have to talk about that again), but I suppose I need to make another one ...

Your opinion needed

As most of you know, unless you've not visited my website, I have a small selection of Farbenmix patterns, which I would like to extend. So, over the past few days I've been thinking: do I choose this pattern or rather that one? Will my customers like it or do they prefer a different one? It's sometimes not easy to make these decisions. That's when I thought: ha, I'm going to ask YOU! If you've seen a Farbenmix pattern you really like or like to buy, please tell me. I would love to hear your suggestions, it doesn't mean that I will get it in straight away, but I certainly will keep a note of all your answers. So, if you like to share your thoughts you can either post a comment here on the blog or just email me.

And the next project already on the go

Although I'm not sure whether to use the polka dot poplin or pink ribbing for bias binding? Have to think about that.

Finished coat

After nearly a forthnight without sewing due to my mum visiting, I finished the denim coat today:

St. Andrew's Beach

...that feels good...

...three generations...

...collecting seaweed and shells...

...Mr D...

...rocks to climb...

...a beautiful day!

New arrival

These will be available from tomorrow:

I had to have them

At the Flower Show I saw so many beautiful, colourful, striped, checked, with dots, tartan and many more fancy wellies that I really wanted a new pair. And then my mum and me went in the town this morning and I came across these:

And they are mine now!!!

New fabrics

Stenzo's first delivery has arrived today :-) and I will try to get them online this weekend. Could be a bit tricky as my mum's coming tomorrow, hurray! But I'll try. Here is a preview for all of you who want to have a nosey:

Next project

As I've sold two jacket at the last fair I need to make some new ones. For this one I'm using the Farbenmix QUINTIA pattern and a plain blue denim fabric, which looks a bit boring on it's own, but with some coloured ribbons and bias, a bright red lining and an orange zip I hope it will turn out quite nice:

Dundee Flower and Food Festival

Despite the heavy rain we had before the festival (nearly 36 hrs NON STOP) and the show being cancelled on the first day due to safety reasons, it went ahead on Saturday and Sunday. If I had been selling wellies I would have made a fortune! But all in all it was very good event and I sold lots of clothes and I'm definetely doing it again next year.

We've been creative today

Leoni came home from school today and wanted to sew! Mmh, not quite what I had in mind for the day, but...
Together we made a simple tote bag before, she cut it and I sewed. So it had to be something different. I came across the little owls in the latest issue of the Sew Hip magazine and I really liked them. And it was real teamwork: Leoni chose the fabrics, traced the pattern of the sheet, cut the fabrics and helped a little bit with the sewing. Then she stuffed the owl, ears and feet and I handstitched all the other bits on. It's really nice to see that she is enjoying crafts. And she is very proud of her owl :-)

Be aware of the crocodile!

Although this is a friendly one :-) I made this slipover vest from the OTTOBRE pattern "Salmiak" (issue 4/2009) in a dark grey sweat fabric. Really quick and easy to sew!

And these are some more items for my next craft fair: notebooks with a new cover. They are not very pricey and with some small pieces of material they can be turned into lovely gifts...