So long since I blogged....

.....but I have an excuse. Life just got in the way. First and foremost my Dad has been really ill this year, resulting in four trips interstate in as many months. Unfortunately he succumbed to an infection and passed away on Monday 12th August. he made his 87th birthday but just missed our Father's Day (Sept 1st) and I miss him terribly.

On more cheering news, I have been doing a tremendous amount of sewing. My grandson keeps me busy with making clothes for him, but I was suffering from withdrawals from not sewing anything girlie for years. So I have "adopted" two little girls owned by my daughter's best friend and made them some outfits recently as well.

I also discovered Jellyrolls. I wanted to  make a Jelly Roll Race for my grandchild on the way and found this Moda Jellyroll called "Notebook". It is gorgeous colours and, as we don't know the sex of this baby, we thought muted enough for either sex. I looked up Jellyroll Races and discover this take by Piece N Quilt on the idea. I love this version but have decided, now it is almost finished, it is too girly if the new baby turns out to be a boy so it's mine to keep. Anyone might think I had this planned all along ..... muhhahahaha (imagine evil laugh).

I also needed a new bag. The one I made myself some time ago is still in good nick but I wore out the straps LOL. So I went hunting for a pattern and found this one, NoodleHead 241 pattern. I already had a series of fabrics in polished cotton from the same range and I was really pleased with the outcome. I even used my snap press to add snaps to the inside pocket and to close the top of the bag.

Now I still needed to find a pattern to make a quilt for my up and coming grandchild. Searched the Internet and got lost on Pinterest, but finally settled on this Disappearing Nine Patch version from Cluck Cluck Sew. I had picked up some gorgeous I Spy charm squares from eBay and away I went. I had enough squares to make my foster son Steve his own quilt as well (pictured) and the baby's quilt is not quite so big. I now have to add the borders, back and quilt. This step seems to take me forever, but as Baby no2 is due early November, I better get a move on.

I am also making this BOM by Kookaburra Cottage called Noah and Friends. I have completed the Giraffe and the Monkey and have just picked up the Crocodile.

Outfits made for Edie, my grandson Lachlan's friend. Long Sleeved Turtle neck Tee and Leggings are from Ottobre mags.

This gorgeous Hoody Dress is a design by Tutorial Girl which I purchased on Craftsy. I used crushed velour and it is gorgeous! Edie loved it, phew!, and likes to twirl around in it.

Again, Lachlan's Long Sleeved Turtle neck Tee and his pants came from Ottobre designs. I used jersey for the top and wide waled cord for the pants. 

Both Lachlan and Edie got a pair of All-In-One Pj's (Edie's shown). this were made with Kwik Sew 3922 and used my snap press for the front closure. Both PJ's were made using Polar Fleece.

Another outfit for Lachlan. This Cowled Neck Jumper is by Peek A Boo Patterns and was a purchase from You Can Make This. Also made from Polar Fleece.

Lachlan's PJ's .

Another outfit for Edie and a matching outfit for her younger sister, Matilda (shown first). I used Burda 9645 for both outfits although I left the pockets off Matilda's pants. I used a pretty baby cord for the tops and poplin for the pants.

I have also just purchased Texas Rose dress pattern from Etsy so I can participate in this Sew-A-Long. However, today is the last official day of the Sew-A-Long so I may be a little late in getting mine finished. Especially as I haven't actually picked out any fabrics yet LOL .

On a scrapping note, I almost made it into the Visual Designs by Chris store as a Designer, but unfortunately, Chris has had to make the difficult decision to close the Store and so no selling for me. On the upside of this, you have one more day to take advantage of some MAJOR sales at the Store, so if you were looking to add to your personal cutter files, now would be a good time, but HURRY! .

I have become a fan of Project Life and started my album for 2013, a little late in the day but better late than never hey!  I have also been adding to my Smash collection and now have a few books to start SMASHing!

Thanks for reading through all this and looking at my pictures. Have a wonderful day wherever you are!

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