I'm back!!

So it's been a long time between blogs! And i'll tell you why. This picture on the left says it all - Yes - Uni. I have been studying hard and trying to get through to my exams. The one on the left (Contemporary Indigenous Australia) is done and dusted and i am awaiting my results which will hopefully be released on Friday. I have to say that i have enjoyed it so far even though the time restrictions with a family of two adults and five children has been challenging. 

I do have one exam left though and it is my Sociology exam. It is a deferred exam as i was sick on the day and had to apply to sit it later. All the deferred exams are being held in December so i am about to get back into study again.

We have also been galavanting around the countryside and spent 3 glorious weeks in sunny Queensland in October. The next 3 shots are snippets of our trip and i will try to do a whole blog about our holiday. This pic above is at our accommodation in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. This is the rooftop spa (which Asha DID NOT like one little bit). Everyone jumped in every night for a steamy hot spa!!

 This pic on the right is of Morgan and Asha on a tea cup ride at Aussie World (also on the sunshine coast).

 On the Giant Slide at Aussie World! fun. And yes i did go on this . . . and nearly everything else.

 But as all trips have to . . . it came to an end. We got home to discover that YES! we needed a new washing machine. So we toodled on in to Harvey Norman and grabbed an 8.5kg LG front loader. I have wanted a front loader for ages as i want to build a bench in the laundry. We had also been struggling along with a tiny 4.5kg washer for many years (and with 7 of us i really mean struggling!) so i am thrilled to be spending way less time in the laundry!!

 While we were in Queensland we went to a market up on Tamborine mountain where i was inspired to make these little pencil pockets. 


I searched for a pattern online that i liked but couldn't find one so i drew up my own. 


The next pic will not turn but you get the idea. I made one each for Jory an Asha to take to places like church or in the car. Anywhere they need to be amused really.

 I am really happy with how they turned out and the boys have already been getting plenty of use out of them.

 So after so many months of studying a little sewing got me inspired!! I decided to get some stuff made . . . just for fun. Now sewing may not sound like the most usual thing to do for fun but i find it really relaxing and satisfying. My grandma (who died just over 4 years ago) gave me her Janome memory craft 4000 quite a few years before she passed away and i am very grateful to her (and also for the things she taught me about sewing) as i would never have been able to afford a decent machine so early on in my life. 

The first thing i decided to make were these super cute dresses for my neices (on Heaths side). They are a Simplicity pattern and the fabric is just from boring old spotlight but i just love how they turned out!

 

I modified the pattern to suit my own taste as the original pattern called for a tulle skirt to go underneath - i replaced it with a nice white linen trim. This is much more modern i think.

I also changed the waistband as the pattern only called for a white ribbon to go around and be tied at the front. I attached a white linen band and stopped sewing at the side seams to allow for it to be tied at the back.

I also made up a cute little headband for each of them. How cute do they look??!!!

I made them in a slightly bigger size as they're mothers wanted them this way so that they will fit them next summer too.
 

I have also had a birthday along the way and i asked Heath if he would buy me a cabinet for the dining room so i can store all my sewing stuff including my machine (this will allow the use of the dining table again) 

 This is the cabinet i chose and matches well with our dining table. I really love it as i can have all my stuff sorted and within easy reach. I can't take credit for the idea though as it was inspired here

http://tonicoward.blogspot.com/2011/07/where-i-sew.html

 Toni's sewing room is really cool and i loved the cabinet she has all her fabrics sorted in to.

 I grabbed some boxes to put my patterns in while in Hobart which will help to keep it neat!!!!

 So now it's time to get a few things made for Christmas. This fabric on the left is on its way to being something cool for Makayla. But thats another story.


Kind of a boring sewing blog i know but this fabric on the right is a true 'vintage' peice from my Grandma's stash. I know it could be great for something but i just don't know what?? If i use some kind of classic pattern then it will just look old. I was thinking of some kind of modern funky thing that will really make it shine! 
Any ideas??!! Please help.