The Beans

I figured, I haven't shown any Bean pics recently, so here have a few gratuitous pics!

Tiny Bean, crashed out on my living room floor after a strenuous nearly rolling session!

Small Bean, deciding that toy boxes are for people, not toys!

Small Bean investigating the contents of the washing machine.

 

 

Sewing is still happening, but it's either frantic kit making or Christmas Present sewing so I have less to show than normal!

Winter Spice Cake

I made a cake for my table top group again!

This is a Winter Spice Cake and is billed as Christmas cake for those who don't like fruit cake.  I can confirm it is seriously tasty and Hubby liked it so much he's asked for it as a birthday cake so it will be made again!  Recipe taken from one of my lovely employers recipe book so I don't have a link to share I'm afraid.

Kit Challenge

I didn't really make this outfit, but I did have an awful lot of fun dressing cybergoth for the day so I thought I'd show off the outfit!

I own the green wool dreads (epic Christmas present from Xanthipe a couple of years ago), the petticoat (epic Christmas present from lovely husband), the corset and the coat.  The rest of the gear (goggles, bracers, cyber loxs, muff and belt) were provided by the awesome Shaunasassie.

She also helped with my makeup, because I fail at eyeliner!  It was a great game and I really enjoyed the day!

Spats

Knee deep in 1880's sewing here, so have a picture of some spats I've made recently!

Tutorial can be found here.

Welcome Lizard!

Katy and Greg have welcomed a little one (hereby known as Lizard on this blog) into the world! I made a coupled of tiny dresses for her.

Both in the same pattern, the green one is cotton and the yellow one is linen.  The pattern can be found here.  I knew the yellow dress should be trimmed with blue and I couldn't resist the little touch of pink on the green dress.  Pale pink and mint green look so lovely together, I wish I could wear them!

I found it a very lovely sew and not even the little elastic channels fazed me. I have to say, I think Lizard looks great in them!

Isn't she gorgeous?   She gives lovely snuggly cuddles as well!

Many congratulations to her parents!

Cravat and Jabot

My friend Yarrow had his birthday last week, so I made him a present.  Seeing as he's also gonna be playing vampire 1880 when it starts I figured fancy neck wear was a good gift.

I made a jabot and a cravat as I couldn't decide which to give.  The cravat tutorial is this one and the jabot tutorial is this one.  I love the cameo, which I got from this super cool shop on Etsy.

And here is the birthday boy with his present, with cake and looking lordly.  We had a lovely afternoon of shopping and afternoon tea!

Kit Bag

I will get back to Ossia, I promise I've not forgotten her accessories!  However, neither have I had time to take pictures, so for now have a look at one of the bag kits I got at the kit fair and have made up!

I got Louisa's Bag from Craft and Cotton, in kit form.  I couldn't see it as a kit on their website, but they have a lovely range of other bags, or you could buy the pattern and the frame and use your own fabric I guess.

I found the pattern a reasonable one to follow, though it felt like it was written from a quilters point of view, rather than a dressmakers, if that makes sense?

Still, I got through it with ease!  I did find sewing the frame in place a bit fiddly, but nothing too bad.  It took an evening and an afternoon for me to assemble the bag and I've been using it as a handbag ever since.  I love it!  The only thing I might change if I make it again would be to do a cross body strap.

The photos were taken on a night out hence the slight blurriness but I hope you can see how nicely it sits on my shoulder.  All in all, I really like this bag and I'd definitely consider another kit from Craft and Cotton.

The Knitting and Stitching Show 2015

Yes, as usual we headed to London in Mid-October for the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace.

I do so love this as a day out, although I have to say afternoon tea was so disappointing this year we have decided not to go to that again.  The tickets were wrongly printed and needed correcting at the door, the cake wasn't that nice and the first cup of tea I was served was cold.  Next year we'll just pack our own cake and sit in the picnic area.

The stalls however were as fabulous as ever (I wish I could show you, but for the most part the stalls discourage photos) and my shopping was varied and fun!

This is my complete haul of goodies, as usual with some stuff hidden as it's due to end up in presents.  

 I got a set of paper scissors to cut pretty scalloped edges and two different bag kits which I'm really looking forward to making up!

 I got this yarn from stylecraft and I am hoping to make a hat and fingerless gloves from it, I have Plans for the lace edged zips and limiting myself to so few embroidery threads was really hard!

I will try and show off bits as I get them finished, we shall have to see! I also took a few photo's from the exhibition.

I adored this wall hanging!

These figures made up a chess set and were wonderful! 

And I thought this one rather fun!