Birthday cake time of year!

September is only a breath away and that means it's time for me to break out the Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cakes book. Jack's having a small family get-together on Sunday which means this week is Cake Week!

After last year's attempt at a robot I vowed that for Jack's second birthday I would ask for cake decorating tips from you people out there.



The main problem last year was getting cake crumbs mixed all through the icing as I tried to spread it with a pathetically bendy silicone spatula.

Last week I read through the decorating tips section at the front of the book (which I chose to ignore last year, certain I had an innate talent for anything crafty) and learned that baking the cakes the day before decorating is the first step in avoiding crumb spread. Would two days be even better?

Will finding a sensible old-fashioned plastic spatula make a difference? Last year I couldn't find one anywhere in Northcote Plaza but I'm willing to travel further afield if someone can name a supplier. Or should I abandon spatulas and use a butter knife dipped in hot water?

What else can I do to help this year's cake be more successful than the last?

And in case you're wondering, I thought that as I've got the experience of one cake under my belt I'd jump in and do the big one: the train.


Book photo from It Pleases Us
Not much scope for disaster there, hey?

Finished Spring tops and a giveaway winner!

I've already shown you these as WIPs, but I love these laneway photos so here they are in all their glory!


This outfit is so me. 2005-07, I was dressed like this every Friday night sitting in a booth at Panic (Rochester Castle Hotel, Fitzroy) with my boyfriend/fiance/husband, a cider and a big bunch of friends.


Nothing I love more for warmer weather than a cute shortish skirt and fitted top with as much colour as possible.


I love how long these Spring tops are. They can be worn scrunched up or pulled down smooth.
Mrs Beckinsale Spring tops and Sailor skirts are available in sizes 10-16 at Olive Grove Studios. And with that, my spring clothing range is finished and all I need to do with my remaining two weeks of work is sew cushions!

Without further delay:


Wouldn't ya know it, the winner is giveaway queen and colour bon vivant Curlypops! I could have predicted her favourite print would be Flower.

Overall your favourite print was Leaf by a long shot. Maybe I should try to make another set of Leaf for the shop before starting my maternity leave...

Nah.

My Creative Space: Gestation, WIPs and a GIVEAWAY!

Yesterday my midwife confirmed that New Baby has stuck her head back where it belongs and at 36 weeks everything is normal. This morning I found my belly had 'dropped' and suddenly I can breathe again. Seriously, the pre-drop and post-drop difference is like suddenly not being pregnant. Apart from the insomnia, leg cramps, having outgrown even one's maternity clothes... But what matters is I can sit at my sewing machine again! This is more than adequate compensation for the fact that I can no longer maintain dignity nor grace whilst mobile. I waddle like a duck.

But as long as I can sit forward sufficiently to see the seam guide on my sewing machine and overlocker, my creative space is full of work-in-progress tops for spring. Sleeveless stretchy tops with patterned fronts and colourful backs, with a decided nature theme in anticipation of spring's delights. I'll finish these off over the weekend using the mysterious Finki Coverstitch Machine.

This one's Feather:


This is Flower:


And this familiar-looking print is Leaf:

And as this is my 300th post I'm going to do something completely out of character and have a giveaway! One random commenter on this post will be given a spring top in their chosen print, in size 10,12,14 or 16. I'll make it especially! All you have to do to be in it is say which print is your favourite (and make sure I've got a way to contact you).

Giveaway closes midnight Saturday 28th August, Melbourne time. Gotta be in it to win it!

Do yourself a favour and visit dozens more creative spaces thanks to Kootoyoo.

Olive Grove Garage Sale on today!

Despite my current inability to sit behind the machine and sew anything new, I've still managed to gather together a reasonable offering for today's Olive Grove Garage Sale.

From 10am til 6pm you can find these Mrs Beckinsale goodies at extra special prices:


Completely unique one-of-a-kind maternity dress samples from my business's original incarnation as Cravings Frocks;


The last few Brenda skirts;


Cadbury purple Teaparty frocks;


And a sad W Class Cushion that would very much like a quiet place to retire.

There's also a tonne of other discounted last season's stock, samples and seconds from all the Olive Grove designers, as pictured by Finki:



So don't miss it!

Already bending to New Baby's will

Eight days ago I had a checkup with my midwife who confirmed that New Baby was in a lovely head-down position, as she had been at the previous visit three weeks earlier. At 34 weeks, all was as it should be.

Two days later I had a morning of shocking Braxton Hicks contractions. New Baby expressed her displeasure by spinning herself around into a transverse position - lying with her spine across my pelvis, limbs kicking and punching upwards.

She was still there two days later, so I researched different positions, postures and activities to try to move her. I recommend this no-nonsense pamphlet of simple things to try* (expect that last point of lying on an ironing board, which sounds more dangerous than uncomfortable).

It wasn't long before New Baby moved most of the way back, but now she seems to have settled in with her head in my left hip and bum under my right lung. At any time of day you can find me on the loungeroom floor with my hips in the air and forehead on the floor, trying to rock her back into a more orthodox (and birthable) position.

Rereading the pamphlet this morning before preparing for a few hours of sewing this section jumped out at me:

"Pay attention to how you sit, stand and move. Are you slumping over your belly, crowding your baby into a bad position? ... Sit and stand tall with your head and shoulders held comfortably high... You may find using good posture allows your baby to move into the proper position."

Hmm, how compatible does that sound with using a sewing machine? I'd rate it a zero compatibility.

So (but not sew), New Baby, looks like you win this round. Just you wait 'til I get you back into a head-down position - then I'll be doing everything possible to entice you out of there ASAP!

* If, well-meaning readers, you are tempted to suggested anything along the lines of moxibustion to get New Baby to turn I ask that you first read this blog post. And then don't suggest it.

Keep on Truckin'

My whiteboard tells me I'm meant to keep working for another four weeks before my 'maternity leave' kicks in.

My body tells me this is insane.

My stock levels in the shop, and my plans to have something to sell leading up to Christmas, tells me a miracle is needed!

I did have seven tram cushion 'blanks' prepared for Christmas orders but I've already used up three of those for the shop, which have since sold, and am going to have to use the remaining four very soon. Then I'm back to having no stock ready for Christmas, yay!

I think I'm going to have to put my Made It shop in vacation mode before the end of the week, because the idea of getting custom cushion orders at this stage scares me. I can still get them done, but it has to be at my own pace and with flexible or ignorable deadlines.

By the way, if you'd like to order a W Class Cushion for Christmas you're welcome, even encouraged, to let me know now. The timing of my return from maternity leave means I'll probably be closing Christmas orders as soon as I'm back on board!

Now that my Sailor skirts are on the rack and I've become fully acquainted with what I'm running low on in the shop, my to-do list for the remaining four weeks has changed to:

#1 More cushions for the shop, with at least six in stock when I start my leave. There's currently two. Also a big stack of blanks for Christmas.
#2 My spring tops, which I have to do because I've already bought the fabric. Still haven't started drafting a pattern.
#3 Restock my screenprinted textile cards which are running very low. An afternoon of screenprinting and sewing (well, half an afternoon of each with drying time in between) should get those done. Hmm, should print some more patches for teeshirts to sell over Christmas while I'm at it...
#4 Restock my fabric postcards. There's some fabrics I've used which I've restocked multiple times in the five months I've been in the shop, and two designs I don't think I've sold a single one of. At least I know I've got some taste.

That's not too much work for four weeks, especially if I remove one source of custom orders. I can even afford days on the couch here and there. Maybe even today...

Fairy Goddaughter's Toddler Backpack

Here's the bag I made for my fairy goddaughter on Thursday using Nikki's toddler backpack pattern!










I was worried it might be too big, but according to Laura and Ted it's juuuust right. Happy birthday sweet girl!

Sail Away!

The top priority on my 'OMG I'm having a baby time to PANIC!' list was new skirts for spring. I finished the first colour last week but it was only yesterday when I took the second batch into the shop that I remembered to take my camera as well.

You may have already seen Finki's nautical new body tees. It seems there's a tang of salt in the air wafting through a number of sewing studios this month! Meet my Sailor skirt.






The blue version is my favourite by miles. The colours were inspired by this saucy little item I picked up in a vintage shop on Haight St, San Francisco in January 2005. I'll wear it again some day if I ever reach the same weight and body shape I had back then. :-)


Just when you think this skirt couldn't be any cuter, it turns out it's a skort.


My patternmaking teacher and I once spent a whole lesson trying to reproduce a pattern for this, without success. And check out the matching bakelite buttons:


That's enough of something I didn't make. Here's another Brenda skirt variation I started making months ago and never remembered to photograph. These are the last Brenda skirts I'm making this year so if you fancy them you'd best hop in quick!




There's obvious similarities between the Sailor skirt and the Brenda skirt. The differences are that the Sailor is a straight skirt while Brenda has a slight flare, and the Sailor has handmade piping sewn into the pressed-in pleats. Getting the piping even almost kills me - it's definitely the most difficult part of construction! Hope you agree it's worth the pain.

Sailor skirts in blue or black are available in sizes 10, 12, 14 and 16 (that's one size more than my previous styles). I'd love to do a red one but doubt I'll have the time or patience before my maternity leave starts in four weeks. If you really think I should find the time do let me know!

Olive Grove Garage Sale - Sat 21st August

After you've voted on election day, head to Olive Grove Studios for our first ever Garage Sale!
Lots of heavily reduced stock, first in will definitely be best dressed.
Saturday 21st August 10am - 6pm
159 Sydney Rd Brunswick

It's a small world after all

This weekend is my fairy goddaughter's third birthday party. I've had a request for a bag that she can use for kinder last year. Note that the party is this weekend, it's currently Thursday lunchtime and I'm only now starting to think about it. I'm an ace fairy godmother.

The best way to avoid hiccups and unpicking (and meet my Sunday deadline while still working on skirts for the shop) seems to be using an existing kinder bag tutorial rather than attempt a make-it-up-as-you-go project. So I hopped on Google, used their 'search blogs' function and typed in 'sew bag toddler kinder'. Although I guess 'preschooler' would have been more appropriate for a kinder student. I'll do better last time.

The third result leaped from the screen - Nicole Mallalieu has a free library bag tutorial (see her photo above)! And as I have no desire to learn bag-making from anyone other than Nikki it seems my big search has ended quickly and happily. Plus, Nikki claims you can make this bag in under 30 minutes so I might even get it done from start to finish during Jack's nap today.

Although on second thoughts, I will have to applique a cupcake first.

If Jack has a decent nap and my fingers are quick I reckon I can get it done by 4pm. It's currently 1:14pm - wish me luck!

[Update] At 4pm when Jack woke up I was up to putting in the straps. If I'd had ready-made straps to use I could have been done by 4:05pm! With making straps and taking care of Jack I finished at 4:57pm. Pretty good considering the amount of time I spent appliqueing and embroidering! Pictures pending fairy goddaughter's birthday party.

Catching my eye this week

For me, Saturday morning is a lovely time to write blog posts. Jack's watching Hessie (Thomas & Friends to the rest of the world), Hubby's still asleep, the heater's on and there's no rush to change out of my dressing gown. But I've got nothing in particular to write about this morning so instead, enjoy some images that have popped up on other local craft blogs this week.


Imagine Lovely shares this doily dress from 100 Layer Cake


New Kensington craft shop Onabee has gorgeous dyed doilies in store ready for projects such as, oh, a table runner.


Clutterpunk is hand-quilting her hexagons with circles. How geometric!


Finki has painted and collaged a new range of wooden bangles.
Polly Pratt and I are fighting over the hot air balloons.


Melbourne Epicure created the world's cutest cake for her son's third birthday.


Not the point of the post, but Little Cooties shares a photo of crafter Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing which convinces me that I really do need a couple more tattoos.

Art After Children

The Guardian has a lovely piece about creating 'art' (written, visual, whatever) after having children. It's written by a father but has a lot of references to women who've balanced creation with procreation. I highly recommend that anyone who thinks about combining family with creativity spends five minutes with this uplifting article.

My favourite part:

"I discovered recently that my youngest child thought I spent my days typing out more and more copies of my book Millions, so that everyone could have one."

One clarification for Australian readers - in the UK the term 'public school education' refers to what we call 'private school education' in Australia. That confused me for years.

Six weeks to prepare for Christmas!

For the last fortnight I've given in to third trimester apathy. What does it matter if I don't make anything new for the shop? I could spend time sewing things that may or may not find buyers, or I could loll on the couch and check Facebook every five minutes. It's still over two months until the baby comes, plenty of time to catch up.

But this weekend it hit me that I now only have six weeks until my two months of maternity leave (granted by my infrequently generous boss) begin. And my to-do list is not what one would call under control. In the next six weeks I aim to:

• Design, draft patterns for and sew a new style of skirt for spring, four sizes in three colours (this may drop back to the two colours of fabric I was able to source today; I'm halfway through drafting the patterns)
• Design, draft patterns for and sew a spring stretch top, four sizes in two or three prints (the design finally came to me at 6:30 this morning; I've already bought one of the prints)
• Design and order a silk screen for one of my Christmas items, screenprint 30-40 prints and have them professionally heat set so I can start sewing the items during maternity leave (my infrequently generous boss has a very hazy idea of what maternity leave involves)
• Finish the instructions for the cupcake applique kit, another Christmas item (I've gathered all the components of the kit, just need to do the computer-based designy bit)
• Prepare another 13 tram cushion 'blanks' (prepared up to the point of having destinations added and being sewn together) in preparation for Christmas orders (I've done seven of the 20 I aim to have, but I'm probably going to turn three of those into shop stock before my leave which means I need to make another 16...)
• And somewhat importantly, finish my 16 year old cousin's dress for her Year 11 Formal (I think it's on the week before New Baby's due but for logistical reasons I dislike pinning hems when I'm beyond 36 weeks pregnant)

Ergh.

I think the cupcake applique instructions are going to have to wait. Those are something I can theoretically work on while nominally watching two children.

Getting eight to twelve skirts and the same in tops into the shop before my break is a higher priority, because that much stock will probably last until I'm back on board mid-November - at which time I'll be too busy sewing Christmas stock to replace any sold clothing.

The screenprinted Christmas item feels like a priority because I've been planning it for months. However, it's another thing where I can wait to design the screen until I'm on leave, get the screen made, then spend a few hours in the shop's screenprinting space making prints while Child 1 is in occasional care and Child 2 takes a nap out the back. I can send it to the heat setters and then figure out when I'm actually going to sew the thing after that.

The cushions, well, I guess I'll simply have as many ready as I manage. They're my 'signature item' and I'm so very proud of them, but I have to admit they also have the lowest profit for the amount of time I put into them. Genuinely a labour of love. I think skirts and tops and a 16 year old's dream formal dress have to come first.

There's nothing like a deadline to shock me into action. I think I can do most of it as long as I keep a clear eye on what really is a priority, and don't let any new project ideas creep in (the key to craft business success: ignore distracting creative thoughts). But as well as being rigid I should also be flexible in approaching these tasks - if anyone wants to hire themselves out to do my screenprinting for me I'd be very interested, or if you can see another way I could use hired help my ears and mind are open.

And once I'm rigid and flexible I also need to pay attention to what my body's telling me and let work slide if I would be better off resting. This is advice I should have followed the other day when, in a fit of brain-dead exhaustion, I was confused as to why the front piece of a 45cm cushion was 47cm long and confidently sliced off the 2cm commonly known as a seam allowance.

Forget screenprinting - if anyone wants to offer their services to stand over me while I work and supervise every potentially boneheaded thing I do I'd be very grateful.