A Story of a Sewing Box

This is my sewing box, it has been with me for many years, since I was young...
I know I may have mentioned this treasure before, but I haven't ever really given this subject the attention it deserves. I even thought of replacing it a few years ago, I went searching for a new and better sewing box, (I thought), but when the time came for me to buy something new, I just felt, I couldn't. This sewing box is like an old friend, it has moved with me from house to house, throughout my childhood to the home that I have made with my family. I have found, now, that I could never replace it, it means far too much to me...

When I was about eight years old, or so, I can't remember exactly, I went to a church fair with my mom, dad and sister and there it was on a table for sale. My mom bought it for me and it has been with me constantly since that time, so long ago. Oh, it is so very special to me, the thought that I once wanted to replace it is unimaginable, I could have given it away and lost it forever! But no, it has it's own place on the book shelf in our library and each time I craft, sew, knit or make a new toy, I take it down from the shelf, open it... and feel such a sense of peacefulness. It also reminds me of my mother and how grateful I am that she bought this beautiful gift for me...

It is a little faded now, but that's all right, it is full of wonderful memories that I can carry with me wherever I go...

The Summer Blouse is Finished!

I had no intention of posting a second post today but then I finished the Summer Blouse for Jen and I was just so excited at how it turned out that I had to blog it! OK, this is my first attempt at a garment, so please, all the experienced sewists, forgive my obvious errors, (blush) I do intend to improve... I really enjoyed this project, it was so meditative in a way, setting everything out and slowly piecing it together. Jen is really happy with her new blouse, so this of course made it all worth it for sure! It is really difficult to see the print on the fabric in the photos, but I did post a photo of it here. I am also very grateful for the comments from readers who made me aware of the errata pages that are avaliable, this was such a great help especially with the sleeves as some of the markings were missing off the pattern and this would have confused me to no end, thanks so much!

Hope you are all having a wonderful New Years day.

                        

Hankering to Sew...

For the last few days, I don't quite know why... but I have the had the tremendous urge to sew. I am a knitter and haven't really sewn since I was in high school and that was a while ago, trust me! But lately I have been pulling out my sewing books and really enjoying paging through the projects. Now, today, the need is great, I can't ignore it anymore, so I went and found the sewing machine, fabric and even a pattern that I THINK I will enjoy making only to discover that I cannot for the life of me find my dressmakers tracing paper. Quite a necessary item to have when sewing, Ahem... Well that didn't stop me, I just went around the corner to our local fabric shop, bought some and now I am all set, I think. It has been a while, so I hope everything comes flooding back to me... but Oh... I am so keen to get going with this new project and now tonight, as soon as everyone is fast asleep, I will venture into my studio and begin! (she says with glee:)...

The stash...

The project from Weekend Sewing, by Heather Ross... what a lovely book...

This is the fabric I have chosen, pure cotton with a white background and tiny blue little leaves... wish me luck:)

Christmas Advent Calendar Tutorial,Handmade Holiday 2010

Today the girls and I decided to make a Christmas Advent calendar for our family that we will use this year and for many years to come. It was a really  fun activity and didn't take long at all. We decided to use pinking shears, they are quick and easy to use and the result is such a pretty edging, and of course no seams!

Materials:
Two different fabrics
Pinking Shears
Scissors
Yarn
Sewing machine
Ribbon
Pegs

This is our cardboard template we used for the bags 5 x 7 inches.

I love this Christmas fabric, I bought it last year and used it as a centrepiece for our Christmas table. Today we just cut a thin slither off the one end to make our little advent bags.

 Fold your material double, place the base of your template on the fabric fold and mark out your bag.

Erin, marking our the hemp fabric.

Cut out your bags with pinking shears, just around the top and sides.

Jen sewing straight up the sides of each bag on the right side of the fabric. The top the bags have been cut with the pinking shears too so no need for a seam there.

 Here are all our little bags, sewn and ironed, 13 in Christmas fabric and 12 in plain hemp.

We hung a ribbon from one end of our fireplace to the other and wrapped the red yarn around the bags and tied them onto the hanging ribbon with a bow. We were going to add pegs but decided not to. We hung the bags alternating the Christmas fabric and the hemp.

Such a sweet project for mama and her girls... I still need to think about what treasures I will be adding to these little bags for Advent, any suggestions? I would love to hear your thoughts...
xo
Linda

Thursday Afternoon...

Yesterday, try as I might, I could not manage put a blog post up, Blogger was using a new uploader for photos and turning all of my photos sideways... very frustrating, so I just decided to abandon the idea. Today, I see the old uploader is back, what a relief!

Yesterday our group of knitting and spinning friends met at the most beautiful, quaint little shop, it is called Taryn Jean, the owner sells the most amazing trinkets, both old and new. So many treasure finds to be discovered here. I have my eye on an embroidered tapestry hand bag:) They also serve tea and cake and I will be visiting this wonderful venue each week to knit with friends:) When we arrived they had set the most beautiful table for us and we sat and knitted and chatted for hours...

I just love it...

I have finally hung my Roman blind! I still have to put the rods into the fabric and was just testing the fit in the window. Richard drilled holes into the lintel for me and up it went. I think I am going to rather enjoy sewing! As soon as it is finished I will post another photo:) We have been having a rather slow week, three of my little ones are coughing and I have discovered the most wonderful immune boosting remedy that you can make yourself here using elderberries, honey, ginger and cloves:)

Warmly

Linda

Our Work in Progress etc...

The girls and I went to our favourite craft shop to buy some handwork supplies and they have been so busy sewing...

While we were at the craft shop the girls noticed that they were selling embroidery for little ones and they suggested we buy one for Caiden... Well, when we arrived home he was so excited, he opened the packaging immediately and started to sew.... He sewed all day and that night, eventually he went to sleep and as soon as he woke up he continued sewing, until at last later that day, he was finished! It was a wonderful process to witness, such concentration, completely absorbed in the task he was busy with...

Today his daddy had it framed...

Our sweet pet rabbits scratching around in their new straw...

A new addition has just emerged out of the nursery burrow...

Our candle and lamp lit dinner table...

My love, sitting with me in my workroom, reading while I sew...

Dolls with Slings

Hello everyone,

I have started adding knitted Waldorf inspired dolls to my shop, this one above is a custom order I am busy with for someone. I will be adding more dolls similar to this one above with a sling soon. I do accept custom orders, so if there is a particular colour you would like for a doll, just send me an email at this address: lindadawkins@mweb.co.za

or send me a conversation on my Etsy shop, http://www.mamma4earth.etsy.com/ and we can discuss what type of doll you would like.

The dolls are knitted in the wool colours that I sell, you can view the wool on my Etsy or here on my blog, under the label Wool on the left side of my blog page. Then you can choose the colours that you would prefer.

I'm so excited, I have just discovered that my Farmyard Animals have been included in An Old Mc Donald's Treasury right now on Etsy! Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=54717

Have a great weekend!

Warmly

Linda

A Gift

It is my friend's daughter's birthday party tomorrow and I have made her a skirt among other things. I am so pleased with how it has turned out. It is made from 100% cotton and is simply delightful.....

Two Skirts

Today I feel so fulfilled...... I have just finished sewing two cotton skirts for my daughters. I used to sew many years ago when I was at school and not really since then. So last night when I opened the pattern, I found it all a little daunting. Anyway, I managed to find my way around and I ended up with these two beautiful skirts that they absolutely love.

I will be making many more...

So much has changed since we started our home educating and self sustainable path, vegetable gardens, chickens, free range eggs, recycling and compost heap building has all become part of our everyday lives, as many of you know who read this blog. Now I can see that sewing will also take up part of my days, I feel a deep connection to buying the fabric and shaping it into something for my children, that they will love and that I will enjoy making.