Glimpse of our last week #21

This is where I show you bits and parts of our week behind the scenes.

I skipped last week, un intentionally, but here I am, back to the glimpse of our last week posts. HEre's a peek at what we've been up to... S. sat on his feeding chair for the first time, just because he doesn't want to lay for too long. G. and I decorated a paper yellow heart as homework for school. He fall asleep as he played with his toys. I finished a dress, two shirts, two cushions (and two more items that aren't showing in the photos). He likes to play with his sister's sock monkey. And he's just too cute! My living room is a total mess because I decided I needed to change everything from place and now I can't find a good solution to get it in the right way, at least a way that would please me. G. enjoyed all the mess... 

Omni Tempore Family Tour |A mom and daughter thing|

I just discovered another shirt pattern to use over and over. It is the Omni Tempore by Annemieke from Sofilantjes Patterns, and the greatest thing about it, is that you can use it for your entire family members. It was actually what I had in mind when I accepted to be in this tour. I wanted to make one for the boys and the ladies in this house, but the pattern only starts at 12M and the hubby didn't like the fabric I bought for this... he won't like it unless it is black or any other dark colour. For the girls only then!

Aren't we so stylish together? The thruth is that I love sewing some mom & daughter clothes (and I might start sewing dad and son clothes too), and this was a great opportunity to do so. This pattern is comfy and so wearable in our daily life. The Omni Tempore exists in child sizes and in adult sizes, it is designed to fit men too. How great is that? However, I just needed the child sizes pattern to do both. You see, I fit a size 13 so I didn't even bother to print the adult version of the pattern. And it fits so good! 

The child pattern starts at 12M and goes up to size 14Y, and then you have the adult pattern to make a matchy matchy for you or your husband too. As fot the option, the pattern comes with a cowl neck (that I haven't seen in any other pattern before) or a hood. Arm and waist bands are optioonal too, you can do a regular hem instead, and you can also pick a short or large sleeve lenght. In my opinion, the pattern has potetial for more, I am sure it'll be really easy to turn it into a dress for example. I made ours exactly the same. Only one thing is different and I only noticed it when I looked at these photos. Can you tell what is it?!

Oh, and if by any chance you are Dutch, you'll be happy to know the pattern is written in both languages. 

She's a much better model than I am, and since we didn't get a lot of good photos here's a few more of her - I keep saying this, my camera is about to die but while it doesn't I keep taking photos with it and they just keep getting worse - the good ones you will find in this blog were taken by dad, he's got a fancy one... I heard rumours though, Santa might be good to me this year. 

So, do you want to make an Omni Tempore?! Get your pattern HERE. During the tour the Omni Tempore Bundle is at 30% off, while child sizes and adult sizes (bought separately) are 20% off.

You can also entry the amazing giveaway!!! (Scroll down to find it) There's not much time left. if you haven't made your mind about this pattern yet, let me suggest you to visit all the other bloggers on the tour and check out their versions (and hacks) to the pattern...

Monday, November 24th

Pienkel – Mie Katoentje – Shaffer Sisters

Tuesday, November 25th

Serger Pepper –  From a Box – JaimeSews

Wednesday, November 26th

Sisko by Mieke – ShannonMac Designs – Felt With Love

Thursday, November 27th

Lulu & Celeste - SewOutOfControl – Filles A Maman – Sprouting JubeJube

Friday, November 28th

huisje boompje boefjes – Mae & K – House of Estrela

Saturday, November 29th

Oon - Daisy Chain Creations – Sew Cool for the Tween Scene – Rebel & Malice

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Constant: Change Series |a little late|

This post should be up last week, and for thatI apologise the hosters of this Series: Jenya over While She Was Sleeping and Renee over Nearest The Pin. Remember my last post where I mentioned the first time I failed a test? Well, this was my first time failing a series deadline and I feel as awful. I know, I should change something about it. I am not blogging for profit or anything, just plain pleasure and fun and as some of you told me, I shouldn't be so hard on myself... but I am. 

The name of this series couldn't be more appropriate though. Constant: Change! Things are always changing around us, people are changing, everything is and should always be changing. I had to change my initial project half way through because, everything that could go wrong with the first one: did!

When I thought about what kind of change  I could craft/sew about I kept jumping into one thing or another in my mind. Sometimes I find it hard to make this little choices. I always think there's something better to do; but, I finally made my mind. The latest big change around here was the birth of my son (can you believe he's almost 5 months already?!), so it'd make total sense to sew for him. I had this idea in my mind to make him a family fabric book, and that was the first thing I started. But things went wrong. I just couldn't get the images transfered into the fabric (our family member photos). I got frustrated, after hand stitching the cover of the book "My Family". But I ain't no quitter (most of the times though), and another idea started to form. I started another panel, where I hand stitched out family members in felt. 

One thing didn't match the other, and I got stuck for a while again. I had to do some brainstroming to get somewhere with it. The light came when I remembered how much I wanted to make new cushions for our living room. Not long ago, I have been talking about how much I'd like to change the deco from our living room for much lighter and brighter colours. A great mix of colours if possible. 

And so, my two don't-know-what-to-do-with-them-now, handstitched panels became two little cushions to embellish our living room. It needs a few more, I know it. but it is a start. It is the push to remind me to CHANGE what I want to change and start it. Even if I have to make it a bit at a time. 

My daughter really liked the one with the family members. She has actually proclaimed this one as her own. I can keep the other one, she told me, but this was hers. Her eyes were shining when she held it, and she could tell it was us. The only thing she pointed out was that "mom, that's not S. My little brother has more hair than this one mom!". 

All the rest were okay I guess. She said "that's me" as she pointed the little girl in the panel, and then laughted. I was so happy she recognised us as a family in my work. That was fun and worth it all. Can you see the details of the colour of our eyes? We got a bit of everything going on: dad has brown eyes, G. has green eyes, I got blue eyes and the baby apparently has blue eyes too. 

I confess, just like her, I am not so happy about the second one. But I just had to do something with it after all the time I spent stitching those letters, right?!

This project was a real constant change of plans. But I am so happy to be part of this series, because I really found myself thinking and rethinking a lot of my priorities and definately, I need to focus just a little bit more on my family. 

Did you miss anyone from the tour? Make sure to visit their blogs because there have been great things created. 

Oh, and by the way, I filled the cushions with scraps of fabrics I have used before. And I had little hands helping me in this job. Isn't that adorable? You know when you can't part from those little pieces of unuseful fabric, and it is using part of your storage bins in vain, you can always keep them this way. Yes, you don't get to see them, but you know they are there! lol

The Uptown/Downtown Dress Expansion Pack Tour

Today I get to be part of the Uptown/Downtown Pattern extension tour. I was supposed to be a tester for this dress, and I did start it back then, but it was about the time S. was born and unfortunately I couldn't finish the test. It was the first time it happened to me and I felt so angry with myself because of that. I hate missing deadlines, however - and in a side note - it has been happening more than I wished ever since I had my baby boy. 

I couldn't be happier when I read about the extension tour, and couldn't help but to feel so thankful to Terri, for the fact that she'd have me on board after failing her through the test fase. All the extensions to the pattern were so tempting and I really took a few days to decide what option I'd sew. There are five new features to the pattern:  Cowl - Long Sleeve - Maxi Length - Pockets - Tank/Cami Top. 

I had the test version left unfinished, so I went with it. The original dress I was going to test was the sleeveless option, and I had cut a size 2 in a pale pink knit. However, I will make her a bigger size next time. I wanted to turn this into a winter/Christmas dress. All the new options are wonderful, but I went with the long sleeve one. I would make it a maxi too if I had enough fabric, and if the pale pink wasn't already cut. 

I made just two little changes to the pattern. Well, maybe not the pattern, just the way I sewn it together. I've added a bow to my dress. I sewn a red satin belt I had made and used in a dress for myself, just in the front of the dress, I didn't sew it on the back, so we can easily make a bow. And, the second change comes in the hem. The side seam actually, I left front and back pieces separated at about 3" from the hem, creating a small opening. I did a regular hem on the pink fabric, but chose to do a roll over hem with the lace. 

I just loved how it turned out and how many great looks you can create out of this pattern. This runs from 2 to 10 yrs, and it's perfect to sew for any season because of all the different sleeve lenght options. 

 Terri is offering all of her patterns at 25% off through Saturday Nov. 22nd, by using the code UPTOWNEXPANSION25 which can be purchased on etsy or her shop.

You can always try your luck with the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Glimpse of our last week #20

This is where I show you bits and parts of our week behind the scenes.

This is going to be a great weekend (or at least I hope), since we are going to take the kids to the zoo, (we'll be on our way as you read this). This past week, I have been able to sew so much, I still can't believe it. The baby has been an angel most days. I've basicly only worked with knits this week, I made briefs for a little cousin (and for my daughter too), I made the top from Gracious Threads sewalong. Been having fun styling my daughter to school (since I am pretty much about jeans and tees myself). My dad came over and brought me teh granny squares blanket my mom made a few years ago, I've always loved it so much and now she gave it to me!!! The baby fell asleep to the sound of the washing machine. I have been organising my fabric stash. And last but not least, I've been helping a (friend) designer to test a new size chart. 

Tween Boy's Wallet for my nephew - take II

Not long ago, I blogged about the wallet I made for my nephew. Well, he doesn't have it anymore, and because he is a wind head, we first thought he had lost it, but we have reasons to believe it was stolen after all. His sister is very caring with her stuff and hers dissapeared the exact same day! 

Anyway, he was so sad, because he really liked it, it made him feel older and more responsible for his stuff. I knew I had to make him an improved one. Improved because the first one didn't have a proper place for coins, he needed a place for coins. 

It was his birthday recently, so I made him a brand new wallet, using scraps of a blue courdury fabric a friend of my mom's gave me like a year ago... apparently she had used it in a few project already and was sick of it. I was so happy to get it though, I love the blue tone. I also used scraps of baby gingham. The bias look awful, I made them for my daughter's overalls last year and I had a little piece left, the fabric is bad though and so hard to press. 

Contrary to the first wallet I made him, this one has a space for everything. When I gave it to him, he came to me, thanked me and said "I love this one even better than the other". He's easy to please, but still, those words were so great to hear. 

Rowan Tee Pattern Tour

Laura from Titchy Threads and Craftstorming, is hosting a pattern tour for her latest pattern and I am thrilled to be part of it. Not only have I tested this shirt for her, as I showed you here, I have also tested a few of her previous patterns, and I can say, no doubt about it, that Laura is one of my favourite designers ever. Her patterns are easy to print, piece together (they always match perfectly), cut and sew. Instructions are always clear, with beautiful and consistent images on every step. Of course, the Rowan Tee pattern is no exception to all of what I just said. You can get this pattern HERE, and if you sign up for the Titchy Threads Newsletter during the tour, you'll get an awesome discount code!

The cold days are here, and I realised that G. had too many short sleeved tees, or too many way-too-hot-for-this-weather tees at the moment, but she actually needed something in between, something that would be cosy, but not too hot, and I needed it to be easy to wear in school, under the overalls. With all that in mind, I made her one of the 144 options of this tee. Yes, you can make a total of 144 different tees out of this single pattern. My option included a regular neck, shoulder and arm stripes, no hood or pockets, cuffed sleeves and a regular hem. And I'll soon be making at least two more options because the niece and nephew want theirs too. 

Of course, I have refashioned again. I used a purple wool knit shirt I owned (and loved) a few years ago.  It was a bit too baggy for me though and I cut the sleeves off in an attempted to start a refashion, back in the days when that wasn't my thing yet. I never made anything out of it though. While going through my refashion pile this time, I realised I was running out of daddy's shirts already, and I almost panic but there it was, the wool shirt staring at me. To match it, I used a pink ribbing knit top my mom had just given me a few days before. 

The heart was patched to the shirt in an improvision moment. I had finished the shirt and I was showing it to my daughter as usually. She loved it, but I felt like it was too simple and lacking something. Would you like a heart on your shirt? I asked her... and of course, I got a big YES, mom! in return. When I finished, she looked upset because I did a big heart and she wanted a baby heart. Oh well!

This is a very quick piece to put together, it might take you a little less or longer to make one according to the option you pick, but it's easy and quick to make it, believe me. Because I am lazy, have a baby that cries for attention all day, I tried to make things even easier for me, and skipped top stitching the neck band or the sleeve cuffs. It bores me to death to change my knit needle to the double needle. I have also used the original hem from the original shirt to avoid hemming at all. I just cut the hem seam allowance out of the pattern. By the way, I made G. the 2T with the 3T lenght again because I thought it fitted so well when I tested. With this tee, I think it fits even better. 

I asked her to show me how much she loved her new tee, and this is what I got!

On a side note... just look at how many handmades there are in these photos: the blanket my mom made a couple of years ago and has just given to me... I've always loved it! The hat, was a gift (together with the cutest scarf) from a dear friend of mine, and the flowers she's holding for the photos, were also made by me a few years ago. 

If you want to see some more amazing Rowan Tee shirts, remember to check all the testers photos over Laura's blog and follow the tour, for the coolest combinations created with this pattern.

An Everyday Tank Top... for myself! |Pattern Tour|

There's a very good thing about being a petit size. Sometimes I get across a few girls patterns that go up to bigger numbers (12-14-16), and most of the times one of these will fit me. It is a fantastic thing to make mommy and me looks.That's not what I did here though. Today I am joining in for the last day on the Everyday Tank Top and Dress Pattern Tour. This is Serger Pepper's latest pattern. 

The Everyday Tank Top and Dress, comes in a 3 lenght option; a tank top, a short dress and a maxi dress. If you've been following this pattern tour, then you probably already know how versatile it can be. Some fellow bloggers have made amazing boy versions out of it, and they have been adding hoods, long sleeves, and more... you really should check on everybody else's versions.

Irene mentioned she'd like to see a boy's version or an adult version of this for me. I kept going back and forth between these two options. But, I didn't have that much fabric available for a boyish version, not even from t-shirts to refashion. I then thought about making the maxi dress for myself, but I didn't have enough fabric for that. I bought this feathers fabric not long ago, - I broke my commitment of not buying new fabrics for a couple of times lately, but that's another story.I wanted to use it, and it would have been enough for the maxi - if it wasn't for the fact that I didn't have another matching piece of fabric, that was long enough. I had to go with the top then. The same day I bought the feathered fabric, I bought this lace too, which I had hoped to use for the formal dress, but I didn't use it after all, and realised it'd go pretty well with the main fabric I had picked. 

I thought it was an interesting and original idea. No one else would do the lace, of course! No one would have thought of that! How wrong was I? When I read the pattern instructions (after choosing fabric) I was surprised with Irene's covarage on all options that you could do with this pattern, and guess what? She suggests lace side panels! Buhhh for me and so much for my originality! hehehe... Irene suggests to use another fabric for lining when doing the lace option, but, I didn't though. I am layering it with a black top instead in these photos, for a bit of modesty. 

Anyway, this pattern goes from 3T to 14T and I made the largest size for me. I am usually smaller than that, but I am breastfeeding, so I opted for a larger size. I recently realised summer is finally over and this top will have to wait for warmer days. I probably won't be breastfeeding anymore (I didn't go past 9 months with G.), but that's fine for me anyway. I love that this top is perfect for moms too, easy to wear with jeans or leggings - my two best friends. The side panels give this top an unique touch and a lot of options to costumise.

Don't forget to join the giveaway, on her blog. Remember that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to have The Everyday Tank or any other Serger Pepper pattern with a 40% discount, using the coupon code

BLOGTOUR40

on her shop or on Etsy!

Glimpse of our last week #19

This is where I show you bits and parts of our week behind the scenes.

This isactually a glimpse from our two latest weeks, since I haven't posted last week, and haven't taken many photos either. I made V. take some shoots of the kids, G. played with her play food, I made something for myself, G. took a photo of me on my birthday. I took a photo of S. when he stped crying for a change, I recieved the books I've ordered, they will be Christmas presents, S. moved to a bigger crib. G. has helped my grandma making her birthday cake. I just got another pile of clothes to refashion. I'll never get done with them all. 

October Wrap Up

Note: I thought I had scheduled this post for the past saturday when I was away, apparently I haven't and only realised it now! 

I knew October would go better than September. It wasn't too busy, I shared basicly one post a week, plus the weekly glimpse on our daily life. Still it was more than I could achieve the previous months. We have a routine that is a bit more consistent right now, I am getting used to being a mom to two with little help from the hubby (because he works too many hours so I can stay home with the kids). 

I am really proud of the things I did this month. And I am so happy that some of it was for the boy. The tendency is to sew for the girl around here, either because it's a girl pattern to review, or a pattern to test that doesn't go as little as S. is yet... I have done a few pattern tests too but I couldn't blog about them right away, so they will probably be blogged later. 

  

I was able to make 3 outfits for S. The Boogie Boogie one (onesie and diapper changing friendly jeans), the sporty outfit (shirt and pants) and the formal outfit (onesie, pants and vest). 

     

for G. I got to make a formal dress for her cousin's wedding, I made her a Betty Skirt for the Shaffer Sister's Pattern tour, there's the test Rowan Tee and I made a quick Witch costume for a guest post over GYCT. 

Did you miss the little bits - through photos - of our month? You know what to do... click each photo to get you to the original post!