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..

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everybody! I just wanted to share with you some of the easter goodies I made for my hard working colleagues. As it is the last week of school (and it's a packed one - Easter Hat parade, Grandparents day, Disco, Cross Country and the list continues) I wanted to make them a treat to brighten their Monday.

Both recipes are from this months 'Super Food Ideas'. In the magazine the Easter egg biscuits are Arnotts arrowroot biscuits, but I chose to make some gingerbread as I thought it might be yummy..

Ruffle Apron

Ruffles Ruffles Ruffles -  I love them!

This weekend I attended a lovely ladies Bridal Shower. It was a great celebration and I cant wait until her big day - only 12 days! I made this ruffle apron as part of her gift. Like myself, she is a little owl crazy, so I had to include a strip of them.

Pleated Skirt

So, I decided that it was about time that I made myself something.

I haven't sewed clothes from scratch since my major work for year 12 (2003 - feels so long ago), but took the plunge and just went for it. 

I was a bit apprehensive and didn't know how it was going to go, but I really like the result. 

The fabric will look a little familiar, as I used it in my last project, and, am currently working on another project that uses it again. So you will be sick of it after a while - gotta love $4/m sales at Spotlight!

Excuse the photo bomber! He just wouldn't go and sit somewhere else.. a little cute though.

Bonvoyage!

One of my good friends Mel is leaving us soon, to embark on an adventure - London! She had recently acquired her dads old DLSR, so what better present to give her but a ruffle camera strap. I bought a whole lot of this funky bright material (which I have a few things in mind for) and christened it with this project.

Singlets for James..

Not that long a go I created some singlets for my gorgeous niece Isabel. I had been wanting to try a range for boys, but was struggling to put my ideas into action. Those who know me, would know that I am kind of surrounded by a baby boom at the moment - Multiple people I know have had children in the last year, and the 1st birthday of one of those gorgeous little men is this Sunday. So what better opportunity to create some little men singlets than a first birthday.

Bonds sell these cute little 5 packs of singlets, in a boys and girls range. I used 3 of them to create these, and have kept the other two, one for my niece (project to come) and the other for another special little man. I really like the range of colours they include, especially the orange.

Boys, boys, boys... so much harder for me to be creative with. Girls have endless amounts of flowers and frills, but boys... I was perplexed. I googled and googled and googled boy clipart and ended up with these AND I LOVE THEM!!!! and I think he does too!

All wrapped up ready to go...

 I decided that it was time for me to start packaging the things I make for the people I love. Hear is what I have come up with -  I wanted it to be simple & elegant.. I think I am happy with it..
You will have to wait until these are opened to see what goodies they hold..