Crafty Mermaid

For some reason, I've been collecting photos of cakes past consumed.  These were somewhat worthy of a post.  I just can't seem to shake the idea that they need to be noted in some way. I think it all started with my fixation on getting a 'real' birthday cake as my birthday present from BM last year. Forgive the added flower effects - but I was rather excited on cake collection.  This beast was from Sweet Bakery in Marsden village . And was actually as tasty as it should have been.  Also rather larger than expected.  We had a dinner party for a few friends and despite our and their best efforts only got through half! I'm definitely going to have to up my cake baking game!   Many of the confections you can buy easily outstrip my best efforts. How can you remotely compare to decadent creations ala Louis Sargeant - at least they're manageable size wise! Although some cakes aren't really anywhere near as edible in com

Our recent family trip to Ireland, the UK, and the States didn't result in quite as much fabric as it normally does!  Three main reasons... 1. LP is great at fabric shopping for a bit but gets bored and I had to drag BM around with us too! 2. It was mainly a work trip for me (BM and LP hung out while I conferenced, meeted and seminared) 3. I've discovered a wonderful online tool called the stash shrinker created by SewJourners Stash Shrinker is a pre-programmed excel spreadsheet to help you keep track of your fabric purchases against your fabric use.  By recording each sewn item and the amount of fabric used as well as the fabric purchases you can track how much your stash is increasing or decreasing.  I quite like it because I don't have to inventory my current stash and just mark in new purchases as well as record what I've made.  I originally started with a 3m out for every 1m in guideline but realised I just couldn't keep to it!  (Dammit!) 

I bought fabric.  I bought star wars fabric. Randomly. Online. Via Facebook.  I don't know me any more.  Its pretty amazing though, eh?  I started going through my phone photos and realised there was a whole world of sewing related purchases I haven't blogged.  I think I had a bit of a stash realisation just before the end of last year.  I just wasn't sewing enough to reduce my stash and I was adding to it at a rate that while so satisfying also meant I would have to rehouse my LP altogether if I didn't do something.  LP is due to move into my former sewing room when she graduates from her cot. The fabric is cotton lycra and a really good weight.  My plan is to make matching tees for my brother and his daughter (please don't tell him!) and BM and our LP too.  I've gotten as far as cutting out and then losing hope (see below for the black cotton lycra deets). I shuffled off to Spotlight to buy a man's T pattern and came home with two extra (o

I spent a little too much time shopping online since the arrival of the LP into my life.  On the plus side, I've discovered far flung corners of the internet.  I bought two iron on patches online during one late night foraging session.  I had a few plain white and cream tees for LP and wanted to jazz them up a bit.  Rather pleased with how this tee and patch turned out.  I can't seem to find the second patch (my sewing supplies are distributed between three rooms at the moment and its beyond this mere mortal to keep track despite my best efforts).  I ordered them from Ali Express and they took the normal 5 weeks or so to arrive for stupidly cheap.  I ironed on the patch and then sewed around the outside.  The second patch was missing its iron on backing so I'm not chomping at the bit to find a means of sticking it on before I sew it.  Haven't washed it yet so don't know the durability.  The tee is 12-18 months so not sure if I should just add it to the present

Pattern: Itch to Stitch Tierras Woven Joggers  in size 12 (I think - I really need to start taking electronic notes when I finish sewing the garment) Fabric: Can't remember but stashed. (The black and white top was for the photos - I couldn't help it) I quite like the fit and I didn't do any pattern adjustments.  These were actually the second pair I cut out but the first finished - I ran into a snag based on the fabric for the first pair.  These 'joggers' are elastic low waisted and are simply constructed but thankfully also include pockets.  Boom!  Love me some pockets! The major downside is that I haven't got the elastic length right at the waist and they have a tendency to migrate South on my body if I put anything into the pockets.  The pattern suggests a draw string but I wasn't keen and now I'm regretting it.  I reckon a hidden drawstring is the way to go in future and may even be what's needed to make me happier about

Yes, it a humongous crochet basket. No, I don't have a good reason for making it, Yes, it was awesome. A few months ago on the way back from swimming with the LP, I dropped into an open studio at the Neighbourhood Studio on Adelaide Road.  I ended up buying three cones of oversized yarn from Plump & Co .  It was a complete OTT impulse purchase and I loved the stuff! I then hand crocheted (as in no crochet hook) myself a two coloured basket - for no particularly good reason at all. A rather quick but cramping process for my poor hands!  I used single crochet and three spools of yarn.  Two in purple and one in grey. The wonderful sewists of the Wellington Sewing Bloggers Network (who are also often fiber enthusiasts of some description - thanks Joy ) helped me figure out how to join the yarn together. Happily gifted to a house guest of ours the week it was finished and currently residing in Ireland.