All Things Lovely

Frenchy Bag

I've wanted to make a bag for a little while now, and it's my friend's birthday coming up in a few weeks, so I figure, what better time! I've settled on the Frenchy Bag by Amy Butler, which comes in both a shoulder bag and handbag. I'm attempting the handbag. So, here is the pattern and the fabric I've chosen, wish me luck!

The fabric is Amy butler Star Paisley in Lime and Pink Wallflower. I think they look really pretty together. Fabric photo from Caty Lou Quilts.

Baby Cards

I've had a few people ask for baby/children's cards, so I started to fiddle and play today while I had a chance. While I don't scrapbook, I do love the supplies I can buy for other things due to its popularity. I managed to pick up a pack of 25 sheets of paper for $4.95, and while some of it was terrible, a lot I've been able to use. This card is an example of what I could do by cutting some of it out.

I also liked the idea of using mini clothes pegs, I think I will use something similar to this design for some baby shower invitations I need to make.

And one more just for fun.

Backyard Renovation Part Two

This weekend it was time to begin to tackle the side garden out the back. Most of the hard work has been done in previous weekends, so it was just a matter of clearing the remaining weeds and then mixing in some old cow manure to get it ready.

I had chosen to plant Camellia Sasanquas along the back of the garden, which will eventually grow up a nice screen for that dog ugly fence. I could cover it with a bamboo screen or the like, but I'm going for a more English looking garden, so the bamboo I think will be a bit out of place. I laid out the plants until I was happy with them. Side note - I absolutely hate the copper log wall, but due to lack of funds unfortunately I'm stuck with it.

After a lot of digging I finally got them all planted. I'm really not a green thumb, so I'm pretty proud of this effort! Let's hope they're not dead within a week.

All done and mulched with a sugar cane mulch. I'd really prefer a nice bark, but I figured it's a waste of money to buy the pretty bark until the roses are done. This was a $12 option for the time being.

Ridiculous Purchase Of The Day

I normally don't spend frivolous amounts of money on silly things, but I needed cheering up and I've had my eye on this for some time. I also redeemed every single gift voucher I could, so that justifies it in my head! Yes, it's a bin. Yes, it cost more than some of the jewellery I received for my birthday, and yes there are better things I could buy. But too bad! My consolation is that it's on layby so I have to wait a little while to get it, but I can look all I want. So I give you the Typhoon Capsule Kitchen Bin.

                         

I'd also really like this kitchen timer, you know, to go with the bin.

Spoiling My Puppy

I love my puppy and it's about time he gets a new collar. He doesn't normally wear one, but when I found some beautiful ones at Pattern & Paw, well, I decided he must have one. So this is what I'm getting him. I think he will look incredibly handsome. :)

Nappy Clutch Bag

In keeping with the design of my knitting bags, I've finally finished this nappy clutch bag. Basically a small, but very pretty bag that fits a couple of nappies, some wipes and a few other things to throw in your bag as you go. Using some gorgeous Heather Bailey fabric, it has a couple of compartments to separate things, and keep them in place. Not sure if I will sell it or give to a friend who just gave birth.

I also got to use my brand new tags! I'm so excited, makes it look a smidge more professional.

Inside I've just sewn one side to make two halves to keep wipes and other things like that.

Chunky Knitted Scarf

I've knitted this scarf so many times I can't remember, in various versions for friends. This is another gift for a friend. It's a really easy pattern, literally plain and purl, it's just remembering what row you are up to, and counting which stitch. I think it looks really effective, and it's a lovely warm scarf. I love this red wool, it's Patons Zhivago, which has a beautiful soft and silky feel to it. The pattern is right here if you're interested.

The Begining Of My Backyard Renovation

Before I show you this, I'll say I am so not a gardener! I've been in my home two years, and it's now time to do the backyard! I started off with a pile of weeds - which with some help was actually cleared last October. I did nothing with it so they all grew back. This time around, I was on my own to fix it up again.

I ripped it all out and started leveling it out a bit. I did all this last weekend, and for the first three days of this week I could barely walk! Not looking forward to the next couple of days now.

Then yesterday I turned it all over along with a bit of dynamic lifter (my neighbours must love me) and got it reasonably flat. The rain didn't help at this point as it got a little bit muddy.

Then a beautiful pile of turf underlay arrived at the ungodly hour of 7am (on a public holiday no less!) ready to be moved out the back. After about 40 trips with my little barrow, we were ready to level and screed. Fortunately my parents had kindly offered to help, so I wasn't on my own for this one. Dad and I got to work getting it all looking gorgeous.

Once it was all flat we got to work rolling out the turf, and here is the finished result! I've never done anything like this so I'm a little bit proud of my gardening efforts. Next job is to plant out that side garden, I'm thinking camellias and David Austin roses.

Fabric Tags

With all the sewing I'm doing, I wanted some little tags to sew into the seams to mark them as my designs and creations. I found these fabric tags on Etsy, so I've ordered 30 to see how I go with them. I'll post some photos over the weekend when I get them sewn into something.

Baby Knitting

A few of my friends have recently given birth - or are due any day so I decided to knit a few little things. I know it seems a little Nana, but I enjoy knitting and I think these are gorgeous. One of my dearest friends just had a little girl - Kirrilly Charlotte, and so this knitted shrug is for her.

I've never been able to cable knit before, so I wanted to learn. This beanie was a good little project, I'm sure it can be made better, but it was my first go. I really want to learn how to knit better with a set of double pointed needles. I can knit normally on them, but doing a pattern is a bit beyond me at the moment.

30th Birthday Party #3

I am one spoiled girl. I really just wanted to make this post to show off my cake from my third and final birthday party. Made by my very good friend Melanie, it's a Tiffany box! It's beautiful chocolate mud cake underneath, gosh it was amazing and so delicious. When I cut it up I wanted to cry - but I made sure people only got small pieces so I could take some home.

Unfortunately Mel has no blog or website to refer you to, I'll try and convince her to set one up so that you can see more of her work.

New Furniture Buzz

I sprung out of bed nice and early today to go and pick up my new three drawer stand that I've been waiting two months for! It's kind of my birthday present to myself so I'm glad it finally arrived. I bought it from Everyday Living, from the Ruby range and it's solid hardwood. It weighs a ton! I convinced myself that I bought it for the wonderful storage but really, it's just because it's so pretty.

I'm hoping to order the matching lowline TV unit today, and if it's on sale... perhaps the coffee table. I might be pushing it though!

Anyway, here she is.