Loads of Fishes Slouch

So many of us make beautiful things for others..... and it's easy to forget that we deserve beautiful things too.


This is my new bag. The pattern is the Small Slouch from Nicole Mallalieu and those gorgeous fishes are a Thea & Sami design, Loads of Fishes*.


It's the perfect size to take everything you need for a night out with good food, good conversation and an amazing person sitting opposite you.


Hey.... why don't you make something for yourself? Go on....


*I'm sorry Thea, but those fishes are way too beautiful to be drying dishes!

Homemade Backpacks

I like the idea of the kids having their own bags when we go out. I know this means another two things to count (and another two things to possibly lose!) but I think it will be worth the effort. The plan is that the kids will be empowered to pack and carry their own bags, and be responsible for looking after their own things. That's the plan anyway!

I used the Toddler Backpack pattern from Made by Rae after seeing the pattern and some very cool truck fabric over at Angie's place. I told Angie I loved the trucks and she sent me some. Sweet her... lucky me!

I used denim as the base for the backpacks and laid out a heap of fabrics for the kids to pick one for the front. My boy chose the trucks and my girl chose purple on green 'Pets and Bones', a super cute print from Thea & Sami.

The instructions were easy to follow but they are a lot of work to make. Even though I used a heavy denim and added extra structure to the base, they don't hold their shape very well. I saw that Karen has also made one and is going to add interfacing next time, which would help.

This project challenged my "when to make, when to buy" thinking in terms of time and costs.... especially when my boy let out a very loud squeal of delight at a $5 Thomas the Tank Engine backpack in Coles.... hmmmmmmm!

Edited to add: Karen has used interfacing and template plastic and purse feet to help with the structure of the backpack. Check out her hints here....

My Creative Space - Assessed with Dogs

My space this week has gone to the dogs! My niece is obsessed - or if you ask her "assessed" - with dogs so for her 5th birthday, she has a new bag to carry her every growing collection of dogs.... and other special treasures.

I wanted a basic lined bag with a zipper closure, easy for 5 year old fingers to open and close, and secure enough so as not to lose anything while out and about. I have made and love the shape of Nicole Mallalieu's Make Up Purse so I enlarged the pattern and added handles.


There is fusible wadding on the outer fabric so it feels soft but also gives it structure, and I followed this tutorial to add a base using template plastic. I used two pieces of plastic for extra strength.

And because I had some little bits of fabric left over, there is a matching snap purse.


Thankyou to the lovely Miss Marzie for coming to my rescue with some perfect fabric for my dog-assessed niece.

My niece's party is this Saturday and the invitation says to "Come as your favourite jungle animal". Seriously??!! What was my sister thinking!
This is what I have so far.....

While I am confident I can talk my way around a leopard being in the jungle, has anyone ever seen a jungle cow?

Not sure what I am going to do next but if I run out of time, I could always cut out eye holes and the kids could go as jungle ghosts. Is it a spooky coincidence that Saturday is Halloween??? Oooooooooohhh.....

For more creative spaces, head over to visit Kirsty who just can't get red out of her space!

A Bag for Mum

I wanted to make Mum something for Mother's Day but I didn't know what to make. I was getting frustrated as time was ticking by. Then I saw this tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets and I cheered! A vinyl lined bag to carry your wet bathers. You see, my Mum isn't a fan of exercise but she has just started going to Aqua Aerobics several times a week... and I am very proud of her.


The bag is 35cm x 26cm with a heavy cotton outer and vinyl lining. I added a zipper pocket on the front for Mum to put her keys, phone, spare change, etc and a loop so it is easy to carry.


The liner is heavy duty vinyl so it is very waterproof (great for wet bathers), extra strong and gives the bag structure.


I cut the outer fabric too small (agggghhhhh!) so to fix it, so I made some binding (thanks to the fab Bias Tape Maker I bought from Nicole Mallalieu Design) and sewed it around the edge. I think it worked out OK.


I loved making this for my Mum because she is excellent!