[lattemama]

Our house is turned upsidedown and insideout (it feels like) since work has finally begun in the attic. We have a huge 45 sqmeter space that will be turned into two rooms and a walk-in-closet for the girls. My husband has spent most of his hard-earned vacation days working up there putting in insulation together with his Father. Today they are having a rest day but tomorrow they’ll start again.

The result is that, while I am home (I have conveniently started working again) I am on food and beverage service duty and all the stuff that was in the attic that we didn’t want to throw away is now put away in every available (and unavailable) nook and cranny – which translates mostly to “my sewing room”.

I got a Pink Chalk-delivery yesterday (yummy Heather Ross and Anna Maria Horner) and I have one O+S (tools) and once CityCrafts (Essex yarn-dyed linen) delivery coming this week and I can’t do anything about it! The girls start school in two weeks and I still haven’t made them anything new.

Wah! I really have to fight my way in there tonight and get something done.

[Tamara]

I think you are very fortunate to be able to utilise your attic space Lotta. Our climate doesn’t allow us to do that here – just too darn hot! And our house has a low lying roof. The girls are very lucky. I do feel your anxiety regarding not being able to sew though. I am supposed to be getting things sorted for showing – the first show in two weeks – and haven’t started! The good part is that I have decided what I am doing and even better is that I haven’t had to go and purchase more fabric to make the projects. It is the time!

I had planned to finally get to go into town and do my sewing with the ladies who “do craft” on a Monday. It won’t be a full day thing now though as I put my hand up to help my daughter’s class when they do their woodworking class as the teacher who takes them is high school mainly and the class is full on. I am willing to help because as she gets older she doesn’t want me around at school as much so this is my chance to still feel and be involved in her learning whilst at school.

I ordered some Heather Ross fabric the other day too but it won’t be here for another fortnight. That was my “selfish” purchase so it has no project in mind for it at present.

DO your girls fit the Ottobre design patterns Lotta? I noticed the Autumn edition has some school worthy wear.

Hope you get your chance to sew.

[lattemama]

Thanks. Yes. We are lucky to have the space. We could have had it insulated and decorated when we bought the house but opted on doing it ourselves. Once the girls are moved in I will take over the biggest of their rooms and make a great sewing studio there.

I made some progress last night though on a Roller Skate I cut out for Isabel last week. I have to put the elastic in and hem it, then I can move on to the two identical ones I have already cut out.

I think they fit in the Ottobre clothes. I’ve never tried anything much from there but I’ll have a look. Thanks!

Once Isabel’s Roller Skate tunics are done I’ll figure out what to make for Sofia. She’s grown into Isabel’s old clothes and doesn’t really *need* new clothes. But it’s always fun of course.

[Tamara]

Of course it is always fun! I have to set to and get measurements and enlargements sorted for the spring/ summer sewing for my daughter especially. She tried N’s Ottobre 301 striped t shirt on the other day and claimed it! I don’t think so! She has to have her own. But first show stuff and then onto sewing for kids again.

Right now though I am through to about the third muslin for a continental blouse for myself – yes caved! I was having a bit of inspiration web surfing and came across Liesl’s board for smocking on Pinterest. There is a skirt on there that has caught my eye and now I am having visions of the continental skirt in denim with a smocked panel!! I wonder how many muslins I will have to et through to get the fitting right on that one?

I am only now just ready to cut out and it is dinner time – the troops need feeding but the cook is in the sewing room! What to do? Wish the pizza guy delivered out here.

[with love Heidi]

Tamara, put a crockpot on in the morning and take straight to the table at dinner!

I have just started quilting my first machine quilted quilt! It has been sitting all pin basted for at least 4 or more likely 6 years :/ I am doing stitch in the ditch along the squares, the quilting is not perfect but it’s better than being left in a cupboard unfinished! Anyway unless someone is a quilt fiend all they should see is the bright colours.

[needlewoman]

Yay Heidi!!!! well done! Hope you will post it on Flickr when finished, and as you say, it’s the colours and fabrics in the quilt that make the biggest impact, not the quilting itself. My slow cooker gets used at least once a week – brilliant for a single sewer – produces healthy food to be reheated when you need it, and are really too hungry to cook sensibly. I’ve decided to return to some quilt making asap to try and reduce stash. Simple quilts will be the order of the day; ‘modern quilt style’ is a life saver if I can just persuade myself to stay with simple designs. Gotta get back to the Book Report, now so it can be hemmed, washed and posted to very cold Bendigo.

[Tamara]

The slow cooker is a staple appliance in our house but not everything can be made in the slow cooker. I was hoping for a night off from cooking but have been promised this tomorrow when the other appliance, the bbq will be fired up and loaded with homegrown chops!

Good on you Heidi! Such a great feat but well worth it once finished.

[with love Heidi]

Oh yum, Bbq lamb chops! Can I come for dinner?

[Tamara]

Absolutely! But I warn you its mutton because they taste better (and my son would die if our lambs ended up on the table). We love rogue rams from neighbouring farms because it keeps the cross bred table supply going (wink nod!) of course we dont eat the rams (they are dutifully returned) but the progeny are terrific!

Have you ever tried chops in the slowcooker? So divine melt in your mouth delicious!

N was just literally having a panic attack over squawking hens – we have little lice problem that Murray is dealing with but I don’t blame N as they make such a terrible noise. We have had 17 chickens hatch from our “incubator” under the verandah. I’m not really a chicken fan but I can’t help but have a soft spot for the tiny ones.

My jenaveve linen I had been saving isnt enough to make my version of the continental blouse out of which is a real pain because I had it earmarked for this top. I worked out that should I make a short sleeved version of the top though I could scrap it out of 2 yards so when it comes time to sew for the warmer weather I might just do that. I will make other tops from my Lisette patterns so the linen will be used should I decide not to use it for this particular blouse.

I have some light weight denim out ready to layout for the continental also and lots of voile that I am thinking about. Two tops for now though and I want to make a “pretty” one with smocking which I will pleat and make ready today also.

So now back to cutting out.

[with love Heidi]

Mutton chops sound great! What a pity you are three plane rides and a long drive away 🙁

[Tamara]

Well we shall make it for your next trip west then! There are always chops in the freezer. And it smells like it is burnt offerings tonight anyhow so I will make sure they aren’t burnt (wink nod!)

[Maggie]

Can I get some sympathetic murmuring? After a tough day with my 4 year-old, all I wanted last night was to sew up some leggings. The threads on my serger kept breaking. In frustration I decided to retread it completely.

I then realized that said 4 year-old had turned the tension knobs all the way up. I was too tired to get the serger threaded correctly and had to give up.

Still a month until school starts…it is going to be a long month.

[scgoble]

Mmm hmm, mmm hmm. Been there, done that.

[Masha Richart]

Oh no, Maggie! Frustrating for sure. Hope you can get to it today.

[Tamara]

Booo! To the stubborn “I don’t want to sew” attitude from your serger Maggie! You poor thing! Four year year olds can be marvellous one minute and horrid the next (but they are NOT as as some older age groups) hang in there.

Hope you have a better day today.