Working progress

So since last post I've had my birthday, my brother and his wife, children and dog visited for two nights, I donated plasma, finally got health cover, celebrated my husbands birthday + Father's Day (Yah I was finally able to give him his work bench and tool chest!), sewn and received two deliveries of fabric. 

The first lot of fabric was scraps from thesplitstitch. It included a lot of pieces of Amy Butler's Love and Soul Blossom Collections. I've been wanting a sample of quite a few of these (or pretty much anything Amy Butler!) and I'm so happy to see the real colours. The monitor/photos really doesn't do justice to some of them. Amy Butler's Love Sandlewood Turquoise for one, on the monitor it looks very acidic, but up close and personal, it's as lovely as I hoped it was going to be. The same goes for Love Bliss Bouquet Teal.

The second lot of fabric from beyondweddings, I thought would never get here (Due to postal services, not the supplier). Then it arrived yesterday. As alway, I went out to the mail box hoping it would be there, but then saying to myself, before I open it, it wont be there. That seems to work, because it was there! I'm not sure if I let out my excitement at the mailbox, but I do know when I get back into the house I let out a squeal of excitement and said 'My fabric is here, my fabric is her!'. Sometimes I sing "I'm so excited!"

So here are some pics of of the fabulous 2 yards of Amy Butler Lotus Wall Flower in Cherry that I bought especially for the back of my It's a Hoot Quilt. 

I do have to say again, the monitor/photo, doesn't do this justice. It looks white and red, it's actually more a off white/beige and (cherry is not a very descriptive colour, because it makes me think of deep red cherries, this is more a glazed cherry) a pinky red. That's my best shot of describing it. With these colours it almost has a natural look to it. I love it!

Next is some pictures of my It's a Hoot quilt top, it's a working progress.

I keep going back and forth of how I'm going to quilt it. I bought the Amy Butler Lotus Wall Flower in Cherry, because I thought that i could quilt around the pattern. I'm thinking this will take a long time to do by hand. I have also thought about quilting the Wall Flower pattern on just the white bits of the quilt top. Then I thought maybe just quilt 1/4" out from the lines of the quilt top. Originally I wanted to do a meandering continuous stitch or something really different like a tree and other things till it was quilted all over. However I think at this point of my life (having young two children at home), I don't have the patience or inclination to take on such a huge task.
Isn't enough I'm doing it by hand! That last statement is for myself. I would really love to be more artistic, but I also have to do this quilt and move on, back to making things for my Etsy store.
So if you have an opinion on quilting this, I'd love to hear it.

This is one more thing I have been doing since my last post that I wished to tell you a about. A couple of nights ago I was struck with a epiphany. A way for me to give back a little to the sewing community or future sewing community, what ever the case may be. I'm still working on it at the moment, but I hope to have something for you soon. So stay tuned.

As I write this post, my youngest son (he doesn't talk yet), came up to me and tapped me to get my attention and then pointed towards the hall, so I followed him (what is it Lassie, has Timmy fallen down the well, lol). He stops at the door to his room, so I opened it, we go inside and he walks up to his change table and stops. He wanted me to change his bum! I think that is just SO clever of him!
I better go now, but keep a look out for my next post.

Happy Birthday to............me!

I was nicely woken for the second time this morning to a phone call from my Dad and Step Mum. With the combination of that and the dream I was having about a friend that died a few years back, i couldn't go back to sleep. In my dream my friend was just about to tell me why he didn't actually die, when I was woken the first time by my gorgeous Husband, who wished me a Happy Birthday before he went to work. 

Have you ever woken from a dream and went straight back to sleep hoping you can continue the dream where you left off?

I tried, but it didn't work :-(

So it looks like it's going to one of those days! Eythan is a wonderful sleeper! However he woke up only a few minutes after the phone call and was crying! This is SO rare! 

So a much earlier start today and not even time to lay in bed and wake up. Oh well.

I was a lucky girl last night, I got one of presents early! My hubby listened to me and bought me the bookcase I showed him. It's only purpose is to house and display my fabrics! 

Yum! 

This is my sewing area by the way, but as you all know i don't do much sewing there. I usually sit on the lounge. Can you blame me!? Have a look at the seat and then the bottom of my sewing desk/old dresser! I think I be asking for a sewing desk for Christmas from Santa lol!

You can also see in the picture bits of the It's a Hoot quilt lying over the awesome sewing box my husband made me for Mother's Day. Also on the sewing machine cover in the middle of the desk, is a place mat I'm in the middle of. I will have to show you more of these a bit later.

I had to tell you about the last lot of fabric I got in the mail. I ordered a heap of Heather Bailey and Amy Butler (at last! My first lot of Amy Butler fabric, I have only been wanting some for ages!) scraps! i purchased them from imaginefabric. I was so rapped with them and that is what I'm using in my place mats. Here is a little pic of them.

You might (probably not) be wondering why I haven't posted for awhile (ages)? Well there is no good reason. I've been working on presents, my It's a Hoot quilt and anything else non- business related. I'm just not feeling inspired Mother Dragon Creations wise. Although I do have ideas galore! It seems like I'm always making something for someone else (manly presents) and I'm hoping once I've made a few things for us, I can get back to work.

My eldest son finally wished me a happy birthday at about 10am. He is 5, so it's ok. He remembered his Aunty, Uncle and the twins are coming to stay today and he had commented on the early "present" I got last night, but he hadn't twigged that today is my birthday! He was watching TV and someone said it was Wednesday, and I couldn't wait any longer. I asked him what else was today? So he said the day his Uncle, Aunty, the twins and there dog where coming to stay! Yes I say, but what is special about today? Um......It's winter! he says. i give up, so I told him it's my birthday. He runs off and does something and comes back a bit later. "So do you have something you want to say to me? "Oh yes Mummy, Happy Birthday!".

Finally!!! He woke up today talking pretty much non stop, but couldn't remember the one thing he needed to say. Oh well, better luck next year son!

i better go set up the portable cots in the spare room, so i better go for now. I will try not to leave you for long this time. 

Leacena

Birthdays, Birthdays and more Birthdays!

Wow! It's been awhile, I know. I have been super busy, making birthday presents! After Red Granny Dragon's Birthday, then it was my Dad's. I never know what to buy men, and because I'm trying to make presents at the moment, I decided to make him a note book cover too. Man use note book too don't they?

Oh well, I decided to make him one and man it up! I designed this one as well, it's different to the last one. 

Sorry about the photo, I had to take it at night.

I worked the GT badge into his name. If nothing else he loved that part. His own little logo!
I also made another one of these in the Patricia Bravo material, that I have been using lately. That one was for my Sister In-Law. I didn't remember to take photos of that one :-(

While I have been doing all this, I have also been making things for my eldest son's birthday. We had his party yesterday. Everything has been working up to then, designing during the day, very, very late nights sewing. I had to put my new design on hold and work on by son's gifts. Although it's wonderful that while designing something especially for my son, I think I have come across a new line for my business.
Masks! A Fox Mask!

I recently was inspired by a fox hat we bought for our son from Etsy for his birthday. I fell in love with it and wanted to get my son into pretending to be a fox. He loves animals, he loves dressing up and he loves pretending. His latest thing has been frogs. However it is hard to find a good frog costume or mask, because it just looks like the frog is swallowing the child to me! Lol. So I can't bring myself to buying any frog stuff. Before you think I'm a horrible Mother, he has the following costumes, Iron Man, Bumble Bee, Optimus Prime, Sporticus, Speed Racer, Superman, St George Dragon (sadly the last two no longer fit him). So he is not deprived in anyway and no I didn't buy them all for him, so I don't spoil him either.
I did make a frog mask. The idea I think was good, however I'm not overly happy with the execution of it, so I'm not showing a photo of it. My son likes it though and I'll work on the design another day.

Now I'm working on a Drawing, activity, notebook cover with a place for pencils (another design of mine) for my Son's Birthday. I hope I can get it done in time!
I then have to make my Nephew a hat for his Birthday. He is two days younger then my eldest! We all had our children close together!


After that I can work on my Niece's Birthday present for next month. Finally I get to make something pretty and famine! And what better thing to make a little girl, then a Tutu! When I was out shopping with Red Granny Dragon Saturday last week, I bought some beautiful pink, and cream (black as well, but that for a different one) coloured tulle like fabric (it's much softer then most tulle, I hate the ruff stuff) and some gorgeous coloured ribbon to make the Tutu. I can't wait!

I bought some business cards the other week and they are on there way. I can't wait to see what they turn out like!

Well I must go now, sew much to do, sew little time (sorry for the sad pun)!

Leacena

I've Been Busy!

I've been busy!

I did forget to mention last week that I made a pincushion for my father in-law for his birthday. I used yellow and blue felt, Parramatta Eel's colours. He said he like it and that he needed a new pincushion (yes he sews!). I made my own pattern, cause it's not hard! It did turn out rather big though, he will probably be able to stick every pin he owns in it!

Next I made myself a pincushion, yah! Finally!!! My husband is pleased that I no longer use my pants, or the couch as one. I did use a free pattern I found online.

It's called Square Deal Pincushion by Heather Bailey. I don't know why, I used a pattern, it wasn't exactly the easy way for me. The reason being that I don't have a good printer, nor does it have any ink in it (I've given up on it!). So I (I can't help but laugh at this myself!), had my ruler against the monitor, measuring the pattern! LOL! I never do things the easy way, even when I do use a pattern! 

Next I made a notebook cover for Red Granny Dragon Birthday. 

This one is a design of my own. Again, not too difficult. I really enjoyed making this. Not only was it finished in one day (I sewed it by hand), I didn't have to stuff it! 

I don't know about you, but I'm see a pattern here. Yeah I made both of these items in my latest fabric delivery from Hawthorne Threads. Bazaar Style Exotic Flora in Deep and Lace Elements in Plum by Patricia Bravo. I'm loving this fabric, if you can't tell. 

I also finished the Baby Dragon for Sam.

As you can see I have changed the eyes slightly as some people thought the last one had white pupils. What I'm trying to achieve is refection of light on a large black iris, in other words, big puppy dog eyes. I  think this version achieves this and they just cry out to you "Pick me up! I want cuddles."   

I'm loving seeing my logo stitched into my work.

At this time I don't know when I'll be starting on my next Baby Dragon. As I have a fair few more things to make for Birthday presents this month, and a new pattern to design, so I better get to it!

Take Care

Leacena 

Fly Dragon Fly!

I've just gotten back from the post office. The Baby Dragon is on his way to America! Flying of course. He should arrive sometime next week.

If that wasn't exciting enough (exciting for me and my eldest son, anyway), my fabric arrived today!

This is Exotic Flora in Deep from Bazaar Style by Patricia Bravo and Lace Elements in Plum.

I can't wait to see what it will look like, when I make my next Baby Dragon, using it. What do you think?

Well just a quick post today to share the news. I better go feed my boys and get them to bed for a nap. Then get to work sewing! :-)

Take care

Leacena

Bye Bye Baby

I woke today to my first sale on Etsy! Yes, the first Baby Dragon in the Lizzy House - Castle Peeps fabric, listed on Etsy has been sold. I'll be shipping him off to the US this week! I hope he is loved as much, if not more, then I loved making him.

I'm currently in the middle (hopefully closer to the end) of make another one in the same fabric, for Sam. I hope to be finished sometime next week.

I'm also whipping up a quick birthday present for my Father In-Law. His birthday sort of starts off the long list of birthdays for June (although his is the end of May). I have five family member having birthdays next month! That's just my family!

I thought i would have been writing my blog on Friday, but sadly my fabric didn't arrive, so hopefully it will be here on Monday. 

Although I was quite happy, just after I published my last blog, I receive a free bunch of large upholstery samples! Score!! 

I don't know what i'll do with it all yet, but I'm thinking, maybe a cushion out of the green one?!       

I did feel a bit guilty this afternoon for having a nap (instead of sewing), but seeing as I woke up with a idea for a new Softie, I don't feel so bad. Now I just need sometime to work on it.

Well I have to go and finish off the present for my Father In-law.

Speak to you again soon.

A good week

Hello all! I hope you are all well and have a good week since I last posted. I know I have! It really helps being able to write down all the good things, so I know I did have a good week.
A bit has happened since then. Firstly, I have my first order for a Baby Dragon! My lovely brand new friend Sam has ordered one as a special gift for her third baby. Lucky Baby! My own sons don't even have one yet, but I do and they keep playing with it! Lol!
I just meet Sam the other week, online though connect2mums, she has a online business called Beautiful Fairy. They make personalised memory albums, greeting cards, wall art and more! Beautiful Fairy is a great name for their business, because the work they do looks like what a Beautiful Fairy would do! They can take a photo of your beautiful bundle of joy and make it into a work of art! Here is an example of one of their pages.

Isn't it beautiful! It's so bright, soft and sweet. I know like me, you'd love to be able to open a beautiful bound book and see your little one in a gorgeous page like this one! Go check out there site, it is well worth a visit.

I was pretty excited to receive my fabric labels in the mail yesterday. I love them! It's awesome being able to see my logo on fabric! I can't wait to sew one in a Baby Dragon!

I purchased them from Sasha at Tags & Labels Etsy Shop. She also makes stickers, business cards and other such things. Sasha is a busy little bee as this is only one of three shops she runs!

Saturday I got to escape! I left the boys with my Hubby and went shopping with my Mother Dragon, Red Granny Dragon. She wore me out! Damn that woman can shop! The shops closed before we were finished. 

Here is a pic of something my Mother Dragon bought me.

An M with a Dragon on it. How appropriate. I love having an alias!  

So my fabric delivery hasn't arrived yet, but I'm expecting it sometime this week. So I'll probable post some pics when it arrives. I don't know if I'll be taking photos of it in the washing machine this time.

There was also a very precious delivery on the Thursday of last week. My friends Toni and Gareth had a little boy and called him Alex. He is a long awaited addition to their family, and I'm just over joyed for them! It seemed like her pregnancy went on forever, but that is just because I was just so excited and couldn't wait for the birth. I'm enjoying looking at photos of him online, and hope I can meet him one day soon. Congratulations Toni and Gareth, you did a great job, he is gorgeous! 

Well I think that will about do it today. I'm sure I'll be posting again soon.

Take care

Mother Dragon