When Sewing Machines Go Bad...

Since it's day four of Blogtoberfest and my turn to post, I thought I would make a cute little sock monkey and post some pics of that. Unfortunately several things went wrong along the way...

Firstly, I sewed one of his arms the wrong way out. I didn't realise this until I had spent a copious amount of time re-sewing it because it had a hole in it. So I had to cut a new arm from a new sock.

Secondly, my sewing machine went crazy and appeared to have a big tangle of thread stuck under the mechanism of the bobbin. I then had the genius idea of using a sewing needle to fish it out. I then lost said needle inside of the sewing machine. It made a lovely rattling noise whenever I moved it around. Thus began the long job of trying to get the tangle and the needle out of the machine. So to cut a long story short, a phone call to Sarah, alot of help from my Dad (thanks Dad!) and the complete removal of the casing of my machine and voila! The needle! Unfortunately I also discovered that there was no actual tangle in the bobbin mechanism and therefore using the needle in the first place was absoultely pointless.

So with my machine finally put back together and for some reason now working perfectly, I got back to working on my sock monkey.

But... then I sewed the tail the wrong way out (apparently I still hadn't learned my lesson) and had to cut a new one. Then I finally had all the limbs made and was stuffing the body with polyfill....until I ran out of it. So that's why I have no sock monkey picture to post and why I have to go to Lincraft tomorrow.

But maybe, just maybe, there will be a sock monkey to post tomorrow... or maybe Tuesday...

#3 Felties Fun

Last week while picking up our thai takeway at Bulimba (which happens to be right next door to one of my favourite bookstores fancy that!) I stumbled across this little gem written by Nelly Pailloux......


It is an amazing little book which is chock full of little felties to make. As you can see the book is quite similar to Softies exept everything is this book is made from felt. The book is sooo cute and is full of the most adorable little creatures to sew. The patterns and instructions are very easy to follow (unlike many a celebrity cookbook) and I was really happy with how they turned out. I managed to make the 'Hoodie Wolf' and the 'Cute Chihuahua'.




They are perfect small projects which can be done in a small amount of time and once the pieces have been cut it is a very mobile craft project. I was lucky enough to be invited as a guest to the recent Brisbane Brown Owls meeting and it was the perfect small project to take a long and complete over coffee.

Reader disclaimer: Please note that A) the quality of the photos contained in this post may look like they were taken in a darkened room, well, because they were and B) contain enough sugary cuteness to put a person into a coma.

2# Rocktober...................

Ahh music what better place to start in order to really get to know a person. Now I could write about all the cool, hip, recent music that I am listening to at the moment but wheres the fun in that! I want to talk about all those CD's and songs which lay hiding in your iPod collection, only to emerge during those unfortunate party situations where some one puts it on shuffle.

you know which ones I'm talking about....

Exhibit A:

Now what child of the 80's does not remember the joyful sounds of Huey Lewis and The News. Now I do have to admit that this may be more of a recent purchase than I care to admit (damn itunes) and all i can say is 'If this is it' then 'I'm stuck with you'. Now I can hear the proverbial cringes from here and it you get it, then you are as sad as me. Moving on....

Exhibit B:

Well what can i say about this one... I am still trying to understand the concept and possible symbolism of the song onion skin, but despite this conundrum I still can't get enough of it. If anyone out there knows the significance of this song I would be happy to know.

This is just a small example of the hidden depths of my music collection but I wonder what is lurking in yours?? All you can do is sit back and embrace the music collection that you have because it is probably a mixtape unlike anyone else's in the world.

Tomorrow, thanks to escaping the prison that is work, I promise to post some crafty goodness.

Reader Disclaimer : Please note listening to any of the music listed above may A: Seriously effect your street creed, B: attract the elderly or C: induce an unstoppable urge to get down and boogie.

Blogtoberfest!

Well Sarah just informed me about an hour ago that she had signed us up for Blogtoberfest (gee thanks sis!) While I was slightly alarmed at first at having to find something vaguely interesting to write about for a month I now think that it will be a lot of fun. I love that there are kooky topic suggestions for every day of the month (thank God!) and really who could resist participating in something with such a cute name? Plus it is a good poke in the arm to blog more regularly!

Since the first topic is Knocktober I will tell you a few things about me...

Basically I am what I refer to as a "socially functioning nerd" in that i'm a nerd who actually has some social skills. I love geeky stuff like The Lord of the Rings, Buffy, Miyazaki films and anime. I also believe I should have been born in Japan, the land of Hello Kitty and other absurdly cute fluffy things.

The nerdy highlight of my life recently was meeting Ben Barnes (aka Prince Caspian) at the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Best-day-ever!

While Sarah and I have always been into the crafty stuff, I got back into it again recently when Sarah told me about all the cool craft blogs out there. Then she said she wanted to learn to sew, so in true little sister fashion I tagged along and started doing it too! Plus I started watching Martha Stewart on the How To channel. Martha can be very persuasive.

Well that's a bit about me. Tomorrow it looks like I will be writing about music. If I remember that is, because another thing about me is that I tend to forget stuff. So therefore I might be writing about music tomorrow.

and so it begins........

Well its official, I have signed up for the Blogtoberfest!

Now this is a pretty scary concept for someone who has until recently been quietly stalking the many creative blogs on offer. I was inspired to join in after reading a post over at Badskirt . I am hoping this will be a good opportunity to get started on my blogging career.

She has suggested via the Blogtober Idea Hub that 'Knocktober' maybe a good place to start. Well what can I say, I am a married twentysomething ( ie late twenties) girl living in sunny Brisbane. I have recently rediscovered my love of crafting and finally finding a use for all the bits and pieces that I have picked up opping over the years. My latest toy is my new iphone which has come in very handy when trying to settle those pesky little arguments which only the help of imbd can solve. Unfortunately for me my husband's latest toy is his new power drill. I'm not sure if my house will survive.

I am a little concerned that with a full time job I may find it hard to keep up the pace but with the state of television at the moment (bringing back Hey Hey Its Saturday, come on!#) I think I may have plenty of time on my hands. So if you too are feeling inspired and up to the challenge check out TinnieGirl and sign up.

Reader Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee the content of this post, A: makes sense, B: will actually go to the web links contained in this post and C: does not contain more than a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Blame it on swine flu...

Don't you just love it when sewing projects don't go according to plan? Above is a picture of what was meant to be a piggy heat pack for a friend's birthday present. She lives in chilly Canberra, so I thought a schnuggly-wuggly heat pack would be the perfect present. Plus it's in the shape of a pig, which just makes it even better!

Unfortunately my sewing machine doesn't like the thick chenille fabric that the piggy is made of, and for fear of breaking my lovely new machine, the project had to be abandoned until a later time. Or until Sarah can show me which correct foot and needle to use on the machine. I can't figure this out for myself because I lost the bloody sewing machine manual. Nicely done!

So it looks like this little piggy won't be going to market, or to Canberra, for a while! Perhaps it will finished in time for winter next year. Fingers crossed. (Sorry Lisa, but i'm glad you enjoyed the shop bought heat pack I got for you instead!)

Random fabric cuteness

I just had to show off some of my random favourite fabrics which of course are the ones covered with cute animals!

Is there anyone out there that doesn't like Sock Monkey? So quirky and unique, I especially love these pogo stick-hopping ones.

The little piggies are so adorable and like the little animal fabric underneath it in the pic, is made in Japan. Why are the Japanese so great at coming up with the cutest, most original fabric designs? All I need is some Hello Kitty fabric and I will be in Heaven. (Especially if it's pink).

The goldfish fabric was an amazing find from my local sewing shop and I was so thrilled when I came across it. Desigend by Heather Ross, I recognised the pattern from some kitschy stationery I had bought entitled "Goldfish I Have Loved (too much?)". Who could resist itty bitty goldfish with names like Bubbles, Swimmy, Whit, Cliff and Spooky? (Perhaps she's an X-Files fan?)