Haven't posted in so long. I have been sewing up a storm but haven't taken photographs of the items.

I got a new camera for my birthday and to encourage me to learn the different functions of the camera I started doing a little photographic project with one of the girls I work with.

We are taking a photographs of differnt (things that begin with) letters of the alphabet each week for 26 weeks.

We have a private Facebook group but I have been taking way more then 7 photographs so I thought I might post some of the photographs here.

Starting with A:

Let's hope my photography improves and I am encouraged to play with my fancy new DSLR !

Disaster !

I was feeling so confident because of my success with the projects in Sewing with Knits I leapt into sewing a dress from Sew U Home Stretch - Built by Wendy.

It's too small. Why didn't I make it up in the cheaper fabric purchased from the Fabric Cave like I planned?

Currently being cheered up by the Dr Who Christmas Special and a cup of tea.

Feeling like I never want to sew again.

My next project is making baby dresses for Miracle Babies. Dresses for premature babies. It's our next sew-along project for our little sewing group at work.

Then I think I'll tackle the breton top from Sew U Home Stretch. I'll make it a size larger as I do like a roomier fit.

Happy New Year !

Sewing with Knits

It's been a long time since I've blogged anything but here goes...

I have stumbled upon Craftsy and finally put my money down to do one of their courses "Sewing with Knits" with Meg McElwee http://sewliberated.typepad.com/, I've loved every part of it so far.

My first project was a cotton fleece hoodie and the second was a scoop neck t-shirt. I watched the first couple of video classes and started to gather the additional tools that I would need. I have always cut out fabric previously using the kitchen table and a pair of fabric scissors. Still using the kitchen table I have added a large cutting mat and my Mum bought me a rotary cutter. Makes cutting out a lot faster. The next major purchase was a walking foot for tje sewing machine.

Most of the sewing was done on the my Mum's overlocker (serger) which I've aways been a bit scared of always relying on her to change cottons and fix it when it stops working properly. When I wanted to change the cottons on the overlocker to make the scoop neck t-shirt I held my breath and thread it myself and after a few hiccups got kit working.

It was so great doing the Craftsy course it was like having Meg in the room with me showing me as many times as necessary step-by-step.

The Craftsy community are great. Everyone is so supportive and ready to help with advice.

I have a pair of yoga shorts a similar skirt and a dress to make in knits and I've already signed up for The Couture Dress, Pant Fitting Techniques and Pant Construction Techniques. So I've piled myself up with projects which sometimes feel overwhelming but I'm determined to just put one foot in front of the other and work slowly through.

Feeling a lot more confident sewing along with the Craftsy community ... finally.

My Aunt's Beautiful Knitted Blanket

I've always loved this knitted blanket my aunt made from leftover wool. It's so great that leftover wool can be pulled together and transformed into something so amazing.

The details are just gorgeous. Each square has been knitted in stocking stitch with a moss stitch border then embroidered in wool using a different design for each square and crocheted together. A crochet border has been used on the edge then it is backed with wool felt. It is incredibly warm and beautiful.

You might have noticed I have used a photograph of the blanket for the background in my blog. My Aunt is also a wonderful painter and, of course, an inspiration to me.

Here we sew again !

I haven't done any sewing for a long time. I've been so inspired by Frankie and Peppermint Magazines I decided to get the sewing machine out from the back of the cupboard where it's been gathering dust. I found a great retro inspired pattern and some fabric on sale to make a dress for my niece's wedding.

The pattern has the option of a straight or an a-line skirt. I'm going to make the pattern with the straight skirt next in a light denim with embroidered anchors in red and blue.

Will keep you posted.

Amazing Tomatoes

First time gardener... I planted two different varieties and I had quite a lot of fruit but it wasn't ripening and it was getting too cold. I was worried I would have to compost the whole plant without tasting any beautiful home grown fruit.

I was saved once again by Gardening Australia. Who would have thought that pulling the plant out, washing the roots and hanging them upside down in the shed would result in the fruit ripening within 2-4 weeks and tasting fantastic. Almost forget to mention not to worry if all the leaves fall off (compost them).

Gardening is a fabulous learning experience. Things go wrong but there is usually some way to turn things round. It's all a matter of finding out the best action to take.

To learn how to apply these lessons to every aspect of life. There is the challenge.

The bigger tomato is taking longer to ripen but it's starting to happen. I will be able to save some seeds to sew in spring.

Gardening Australia has once again shown me the way. Take a tomato and put it in a jar to decompose then sieve it then wash the seeds. Leave them to dry in the same jar and voila you will have seeds for your next seasons crop.

Can you believe how amazing it is !

Two steps back and hopefully one step forward

For the last week I have been knitting away and going absolutely nowhere. My inability to read a knitting pattern correctly has seen me undo 45 rows of the left front of a cardigan not once but twice. Actually this time I need to go back 58 rows. Crazy!

I should have read through the pattern before jumping straight in and going for it. One day soon it will be a cardigan. I will practice my patience and continue.