"We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Not your every day heat pack


Here is another cute project made from polar fleece. It's a funky gecko shaped heat pack made especially for my wonderful dad whose birthday is tomorrow. He has a bad back so I thought this would come in handy. The pattern is from this really cool site called Funky Friends Factory. They have lots of lovely downloadable soft toy patterns mainly made from polar fleece.

He is filled with wheat and cinnamon

So lovely and warm. Gabby was a bit shy when she first met him. Funny girl!
Happy Birthday Dad! Hope you have a great day tomorrow! xxx


Thursday, June 23, 2011

A warm winter vest

It has been so cold here this week and I never seem to have enough warm, comfortable, casual, play clothes for Gabby. I recently discovered polar fleece which I had never sewed with before. It is fantastic! So cheap ($6/m), so easy to work with (no need to hem anything as it doesn't fray), so soft and soooo warm! I didn't use a pattern for this one- just drew my idea onto paper and cut it out of the fleece.  The bottom sections are just rectangles gathered to fit the top half pieces. You could leave the raw edges as is, but I chose to line them with bias binding for a bit of contrast.

All ready for a play at the park 
I'd like to make a red one and maybe a funky yellow one with orange binding,
but pink is practical as it goes with the most things in her wardrobe.

So cuddly!
Stay tuned for another polar fleece project coming up soon- It's a cracker! I just can't post it until after I give it to someone special for their birthday. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!

Friday, June 17, 2011

More reversible dresses

I'm looking forward to the day when I see a little girl walking down the street wearing one of my dresses. How cool would that be? These little reversible numbers have sold really well at Sew Beautiful so I have been busy making more this week. I love these bright colours. Who says Winter has to be dull and boring?

Fabric is Cool Cords Cherry on white by Robert Kaufman

Fabric is Birds of Norway by Michael Miller

Cool Cords Blue Dot by Robert Kaufman

Cool cords Cherry on lime by Robert Kaufman


And matching reversible headbands

Sunday, June 5, 2011

A buttercup bag for Tracey

Just a quick one today. A couple of months ago, I wrote about a bag I made for my cousin Libby's birthday. Well the free pattern that I downloaded from here was begging to be made again. So I made this one for my sister-in-law's birthday. This time I enlarged the pattern by 130%. I love making this bag. Everyone could give this a go.... really... it's so easy!

How cute is this fabric?



My sister-in-law, Tracey, is a VERY talented quilter and crafter and she taught me to sew about 5 years ago and I haven't been able to stop since! She has given my family and me lots of beautiful handmade gifts over the years so it's nice to be able to give just a little one to her.

Happy Birthday, Tracey!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

A hat for Hannah

June is another busy month of celebrations in the Harris household. We have birthdays for 2 nieces, one sister-in-law, one dad and one Grandma, as well as our wedding anniversary.

Our niece Hannah is up first- she is turning 8. I found this pattern by Butterfly Tree here on etsy. It was another downloadable one which makes it just so convenient. This one comes in adult sizes too and I would love to try one for myself. The flower is stuck to a pin so it can removed easily.


And it's reversible!



It's hard to get a decent photo without a head in the hat! Here it is on me- it's a bit small but I'm sure you get the idea (Please excuse the no make-up, hair not done, looking into the sun self-portrait)


I'm sure you get the idea.

I really hope she likes it! Happy Birthday Hannah!