Time flies!

Hi All,

WOW! How time flies.. looking through my last posts it has been WAY to long since my last post. I started a new job in June and unfortunately, but excitedly all my energy went into it...

Christmas has come and gone and for my first post of the year, I wanted to share some of the things that I created and constructed for my favourite season! 

I'm a sucker for a hand-made Christmas cards. Every year in October, I start to research which design I'm going to attempt & here is the WINNER! It was really easy to make & seemed to be appreciated.

I was lucky enough this Christmas to host my better-halfs family. Of course the theme was purple (to match the cards - lol) It was a great night!

I was worried that my gorgeous nephews were going to get bored in our tiny house, especially with the lousy weather. So I made them some gifts to play with. This is probably the most appropriate time to mention that I am OBSESSED with Pinterest... all of these ideas were scoped from there, and I was so impressed that they all worked and were a hit with the boys..

The last lot of goodies I wanted to share were some of the gift and things I made for my class and collegues.. They were such a great cohort of kids and the staff at my new school were so welcoming and supportive. For the staff I made reindeer noses (an idea from pinterest) and the kiddos some lolly/gift bags..

So - that was my Christmas! Busy, but really enjoyable.. Below are the links for some of the above stuff. Hopefully I can post a bit more soon... 2 days until school goes back - ahhhh!

http://tottreasuresnorthbay.blogspot.com.es/2012/01/easy-and-fun-diy.html
http://www.squidoo.com/angry-birds-party-ideas

Oh I LOVE giving presents!!!

It was a special little persons 1st Birthday on the weekend, and I couldn't help myself and took the occasion as an excuse to sew up & create some pretty girl things.
The first was a hair clip holder. I love the fact that you can find old things, that nobody has a use for and revamp them to suit another purpose.


For this project I used an old wooden photo frame which I found at my mother-in-laws house - The glass was broken - so it was perfect!. After a few coats of paint, with the addition of some wadding, material and ribbon & voila' - a gorgeous hair clip holder. Here are some before and after photos as well as some other close ups.

The other present I made for this lovely little one was a singlet and skirt set. I had been experimenting with an owl applique and this was the finished product - So cute! I love it when what you produce matches the picture you have had in your head, exactly.. She seemed to like them - she is such a clothes girl..

Now on madeit.com.au!!!

Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know that I am now on madeit.com! After receiving comments suggesting I start to sell some of the things that I create, I finally got myself organised and started www.madeit.com.au/berrystitch. Check it out. I hope to add more items very shortly. Here are some of the things already available.

Thanks for your support!

Happy Mothers Day - A quilt for Mum

As a gift for my wonderful mum on Mothers Day, I made her this quilt. I love this hoot fabric and since both my mum and I are a little crazy about owls, it was perfect.

This was also the first time that I have made a quilt 'properly', using binding etc. I taught myself to quilt while at school, so I have just been doing it my own way..

I must admit, I will probably go back to my way as I found it much neater. I have learn a few tricks from this experience that I will definitely do again.

It turned out well and she seems to love it!

Tote with matching Mini Case

This has been a project that I have had on my list for months. I have recently started to crochet and desired a tote, which I could take with me (to my mums, to my mother-in-laws - all the places we visit during the week, as well as when we go camping), which could store any crochet or sewing supplies that I was working on at the time. I also wanted a pencil case type of clutch, which I could put small items such as scissors, needles etc. This is the finished product...

I had bought this material months ago and had been storing it for this project. The tote is made with the cotton material, as well as with PVC plastic - a new adventure for me. It was a lot easier to work with than I expected, but adds another dimension to the sewing process, as it means that many steps have to be altered.

but.. I am happy with the end result! The accompanying case is inspired from a tutorial which you can find here. I added a piece of felt to pin needles and pins into, it saves them rolling along the bottom of the case and causing all sorts of trouble. I chose not to cover it in PVC, as I don't think I am ready to manipulate it in such a small project.

I cannot wait to use it! I am so so happy with it that I want to take it everywhere! Hopefully it stands up to the challenge.

'The Summer Tunic'

This is my version of the 'Lovebird Tunic' found here on this awesome blog! This lady is so talented and inspires me every time I visit.

Well, one of the lovely little ladies in my life is turning one in May and I wanted to make her something cute to wear. I found the process of making this tunic a little bit challenging, but got there in the end. I did have to add some triangle panels in after I had finished, as the poor little dear couldn't fit into it..

Birdie Tank

My first attempt at a top for myself. I'm happy with the end result, but look forward to perfecting it. I used some gorgeous bird print that I bought while visiting Berry on the NSW South Coast, and worked it with some white t-shirt material from Spotlight..