Normality? The peasant blouse

After that last post I wanted to start off again with something a bit more 'normal'. 

Complete with sweet little strawberries (thank you for the fabric Great Aunty Cuggle) I made one of these easy tops for Little Miss Cuggle a while ago.  Just thought I'd share. 

There are a few tutes out there but I used this one from Indie Tutes.  

(I'm still going on the quilt but the way, wondering if it's too ambitious to finish it for mid March when Little Miss turns 3).

Kim

At my house: Making Toddler Headbands

Here's another 'midnight special .  After Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters I felt sudden inspiration.  I made this as a thank you for a client's little girl who is having a birthday soon.  It matches one of the personalised tops I made her last week.

Thanks again Lou for the 'At my House' game.  The pattern and tutorial for this headband can be found on Heather Bailey's Blog.  I used about 9.5cm of elastic including allowance for seams to fit a 2 year old.  I made the band width narrower than the pattern and the elastic under the knot is designed to be exposed but I think I can do something about covering it the next time I make one.  Overall, pretty happy with the outcome. : )

At my house: Personalised kids gear

I love a new project.  These personalised Tees and PJs started with a request from a Daycare Mum. 

This long sleeve, soft cotton top is a bit more interesting with a little lady's name appliqued onto it.  This will be delivered this week along with 2 others, hope the girls like them!

These flanelette PJs for a little man feel so 'cuggly' I'm tempted to make some for Hubby Cuggles... and then some for myself! 

Thanks again Lou, I always like playing along with 'At My House'.

Late Night Pinny

Another hard-wearing little number for day care.

If I do say so, I think this will be cute with little leggings and a long sleeve top underneath in winter.  The red skirt got a thrashing in the sandpit this week but came out of the wash looking new again. 

Must go hang this on Toddler Cuggles' door so she can gush over it in the morning!

Warm and Happy

I love it when a project turns out the way I imagined.

Warm winter colours for the not so wintery Qld weather.  And.....!

It's totally reversable!!!  I know.  I'm too cool for school.

This is part of a growing Cuggles! wardrobe for Toddler to sport at Daycare, it's hard wearing, can get paint and playdough rubbed in without too much staining and best of all it looks good.  Poor little girl and her own clothes were coming second to my paying projects for a while.

Sigh.... so happy. 

Birthday Girls!

Our beautiful baby girl, Toddler Cuggles, is 2 today.  Hubby Cuggles and I went a bit overboard with presents but the squealing and wide eyes at 6.15am were worth it.  Our other gorgeous girl, Puppy Cuggles turned 1 yesterday so she will enjoy a lovely cupcake this afternoon with the rest of us.

(I'm hoping my cupcakes which are yet to be iced will look like this, the recipe is from my fav cupcake book, Crabapple Bakery Cupcake Cookbook 2007).

We've had a great morning, playing with all the new things, including this slightly wonky handbag that Mummy made late one night and which has already been carted to the butcher and back filled with books.

I think I've been a really good Mummy today, so I'm off for a well deserved cupsy.  : )

 

Mailman has been! And more boardys.

When parcels like this arrive in the mail it is like winning the lotto for me.  A very dear lady, Great Aunty Cuggles (hubby's Aunt) sent these fabrics and patterns left over from when she was sewing for her little girl.  There is so much potential with all of this I can't wait to get into it! 

Meanwhile, I'm in the middle of making up heaps of boardys as I only have one pair left in the shop!  I'm ambitious but hope to get these together by this afternoon, then casings, elastic and hems tomorrow. 

Hmm, Toddler Cuggles is sleeping and I'm on track, so maybe time for a cuppsy while sewing!

Bums, Bickies & Bargains

BUMS!  Fat little bums wear nappies, and sometimes you don't want the nappy to be the couture.  My very good friend and 'bestest' customer asked me to please make some nappy cover thingys for her 9 week old boy.  So, out came the butcher's paper, pens and tape measure, a couple of calico drafts then a final and bigger draft in pink gingham for my 18 month old and I'm ready to go.  So far I've cut out, finished edges and joined seams on the real ones.  Now just to do the elastic and they're done.  Here's the fabric I'm using on the right.

Bickies!  I borrowed this book from a friend, it was new and in very good condition when we left her home with it.

Then....

the wonder girl Toddler Cuggles found the book, and found a pen while I was washing up breakfast dishes.  She made a few working notes of her own.

This is the back cover.

This is the index.

She didn't stop there.  This child scaled furniture with a stealthy silence, the quiet really should have triggered my 'mummy alarm' to reach the book and same for the pen.  After drawing on every surface of our furniture and walls some time ago we had banned pens and offered pencils only but thought even they were out of reach.  Anyway, we'll be replacing the book.  Oh, and here are the result of borrowing it int he first place - Ginger and Rum BICKIES, not Cookies. : ) 

They're ok, but a bit sweet for my liking.  With 499 others to choose from in the book there's sure to be something more my taste. 

Speaking of finding things to my taste, I absolutely SCORED with my opping today.  It was the Salvo's at Bundamba that made me so happy. We got a pair of gum boots for Toddler Cuggles for 50 cents; a little Ralph Lauren dress for $4; some patterns for $1 each, including a knitting pattern for you if you're reading Liesa, Merry Xmas; a children's clothes pattern book $2 an etchascetch in good enough condition $2 and the bargain of the day?  A black sexy dress which I plan on wearing to a wedding this Saturday for.....$3 because it's Wednesday.  Tomorrow it would have been $12, and a bargain even at that.  No label but who cares, it fits and it matches shoes and bags I already own with no special stick on bra requirements or any such trivia.  Sold.  Here's some of my loot:

Well I've had my cuppsy and bath so off to brush teeth now and to bed.  So many things to do tomorrow!  Starting with scrubbing those gumboots!

Baby has sleepover = Productive weekend

What a wonderfully productive weekend I've had!  Baby Cuggles had a mini holiday at Granny and Pa Cuggles house and I sewed all weekend!  Daddy Cuggles and I even managed to have a conversation or two.  It was lovely to remind ourselves that we still have the same values and have things to talk about other than how many poos the little one did today.  So, while someone else was changing nappies these are the photos of what I was doing.  A few more kid's aprons, an owl for my Cuggles! Tree and a bucket hat for a little boy.  I'm in two minds about whether to sell the tree and owl.  It needs a few more leaves so I can procrastinate until I've finished.  Now, I think I'll tiptoe into the kitchen for a well deserved cuppsy.

 

New Hat for Baby Cuggles and More Aprons

We had a lovely day playing in the garden today and pottering around getting the washing and other chores done.  Baby Cuggles even kept her new hat on, pictured left.  It is so much better than the store bought kind as it is shaped beautifully to fit little heads and the brim sits lower at the back for better sun protection.  I will be making more like this for both boys and girls which can be found in Handmade Heaven. 

I'm making a little rose embelishment in a bright colour for Baby Cuggles' hat because she loves 'fowers'.  Oh yes, that is Budha's head modelling.  Meanwhile..... 

I have been making more aprons, also available at Handmade Heaven. 

Here is an example of one of the chef style, child size aprons in navy blue.  These have easy velcro fastenings on the neck and waist straps.  The red truck pocket is big enough for all kinds of frogs, snails and puppy dog's tails.

         Here is a smock style, child size apron in pink.  This one has a large pocket, for sugar, spice and all things nice... and an essential mini whisk of course!

Well, I have a cuppsy tea waiting, some hat fabric to get started on and custard to wash out of my hair!  What a great end to a beautiful, playful messy day.

Mummy Cuggles XXX

Whistle While You Work

There's nothing like a change of scenery for new inspiration.  During a 'whistle stop' holiday at the In-Law's for a couple of days I have come home with more exciting fabric and a new smock-style of apron on the go, in Toddler and Child sizes.  Here's a preview of the brand new 'Whistle Apron' in red.  The noisy boys I know will love these aprons with gangster car pockets. 
These will be available for $19 in the Handmade Heaven Shop.
Now to get working on more of the same style in pink with girly pockets and navy with more cars.  Best keep sewing while Baby Cuggles is sleeping.  Wonder if I'll get time for a cuppsy?