Month: August 2009

bags, sewing

Freya’s Laptop Bag

Beautiful cousin Freya is going overseas on Thursday for a month’s holiday with her family.  Lucky Freya!  I promised months ago that I’d make her a bag to take that would fit everything she needs for a day out when travelling.  Like many mums she ends up carrying her stuff and all her kid’s stuff, so she needed a bag that was a decent size with some good pockets for passports etc but she didn’t want a daypack.  Our European backpacking days are well and truly over!  I finished this bag on Friday evening.

Laptop bag for Freya - front by you.

The pattern is the Laptop Bag from Nicole Mallalieu Design.  The outer fabric is vintage upholstery fabric provided by Freya – she has a whole bolt!  The lining is a Robert Kaufman toile bought a couple of years ago, and all the interfacings, webbing, buckles and purse feet also come from Nicole.  The clear PVC on the front flap is from Spotlight – you can find it with the tablecloth vinyls that are cut to measure.

Laptop bag for Freya - flap open & front pocket by you.

The front flap has an adjustable velcro closure, which is extremely handy when you’re travelling.  Hard for pickpockets to open silently, and you can close the bag no matter how much crap stuff you have crammed into it.  There is a front pocket which is a handy place to slip things that you need easy access to, like boarding passes.

Laptop bag for Freya - inside expandable pocket by you.

The inside of the bag has a key leash, an expanding pocket with velcro flap closure on one side, and a triple compartment pocket all along the other side.

Laptop bag for Freya - back by you.

The strap is adjustable so the bag can be worn on one shoulder or across the body and has a padded shoulder “thing” (what ARE those called?) to make it more comfortable.  I love that fabric – and it’s shown off so well on the back of the bag!  The structured base keeps it strong and sturdy, and the purse feet offer protection.

I’m having morning tea with Freya on Tuesday and will be presenting her with the bag then.  I hope that it ticks all the right boxes!

by thornberry
fabric stash, Sunday Stash

Sunday Stash #40

Thanks to Tamara I am STILL posting Sunday Stash!  This week I have some dress-weight cotton sateen bought for $2 per metre from Darn Cheap Fabrics.

IMG_0066 by you.

I’m not sure yet of what this is destined to become.  Something for me, but what?  From a distance this looks like birds with pointy beaks.  And before I make anything for summer I need to lose some weight – it’s been gradually creeping on over the past year and my always-present pot belly has increased to resemble a 5 month pregnant stomach (I’m not kidding – people are presuming that I’m pregnant again, and I’m definitely not!)  Time to knock off the chocolate and wine and possibly even do some exercise!  Dammit, I love my choccy and wine….

by thornberry
vintage crochet

Vintage crochet Friday #33

This photo could do with a caption too – many thanks to those who contributed a smile and a giggle to last week’s photo!

IMG_7637 by you.

As usual, Clare would like one – she prefers the dress on the left.  I think that there aren’t enough hours in the day even if I crocheted all day every day to complete everything she’s asked for.

by thornberry
2009 CAL afghan, crochet

August CAL squares

This month’s Ravelry CAL squares weren’t all that inspiring – or perhaps I’ve just been in a fabric mood instead of a yarn mood – and it’s taken me until almost the end of the month to do them.  The Craftster square is the Popin’ Square – essentially lots of dc, some chain spaces, and popcorn stitches.  I hadn’t done popcorns before, so at least I learned something new!

2009 CAL August Craftster Square - Popin' Square by you.

So many people had trouble with the Ravelry 12 inch square that I decided to do the 6 inch square instead and make it larger.  I’m glad that I did.  The pattern is the Jupiter Granny Square. 

2009 CAL August Ravelry Square - Jupiter Square by you.

Both squares are worked in Cleckheaton Vintage Hues, with a 6.0mm bamboo hook, which should have been 6.5mm.  I forgot to check what size hook I’d been using for the CAL before I started these squares.  Fingers crossed that they’ll still match in okay with the others.  It was a pleasant change to crochet in thicker yarn, because I’ve been busy with the 1.25mm hook and red thread for the past couple of weeks. 

by thornberry
children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing

Instant satisfaction

Sometimes you just need a craft quickie.  Some instant satisfaction.  So, take two t-shirts from Best & Less and add an Aunty Cookie to one and some iron-on bling (bought at the Craft Fair) to the other.

Embellished t-shirts - Clare by you.

That will keep Clare happy.  Now, what about Stella?  Another two Best & Less t-shirts, an Aunty Cookie applique on one, and an op-shopped doily on the other.

Embellished t-shirts - Stella by you.

All done!  Now back to one of the other slower works in progress.

by thornberry
miscellaneous, musings

Naptime

Just after midday I was busy doing chores in one room, and thought that the house seemed unusually quiet.  Much too quiet for a house with Stella in it.  So I came out of the room and found this:

Sleepy Stella by you.

Yes, it was naptime.  So Stella had found herself a cushion, lay down on the floorboards and tucked herself in under the hall runner.  Still in her fairy skirt.

I did put her straight to bed.  She’s still asleep now.

by thornberry
children's clothing, craft magazines, crochet, kids clothing, musings, patchwork, planned projects, sewing, vintage patterns, work in progress

In progress in August

What I’m up to so far this month:

July 2009 Hip to Hook by you.

Admiring yarn colours from Sarah London‘s Hip to Hook club and working on her Hawaiian Flowers motif.

Sue Ross BOM August 2009 - Whirly Gig by you.

Assembling my first Sue Ross Block of the Month (BOM) from Material Obsession – I nearly fainted when I received it, as it contains curved pieces, templates, needleturn applique and hand-piecing.  Gulp!  I’ve made a start – but I’m piecing by machine.

Crocheting a second (larger) red doily for my contribution to The Quilt Project.

Mod Sampler quilt top cut out ready to piece by you.

Combining the pieces for my Mod Sampler Quilt.

Procrastinating about crocheting this month’s Ravelry afghan blocks – neither of the patterns really inspire me, so I suspect this month will just squeak in once the pressure of a new month comes closer.

August 2009 Craft Mags by you.

Browsing some inspirational craft magazines – and look, there’s a beautiful quilt by Kellie on the cover of Homespun magazine!

Wool/cashmere & coat pattern for Stella by you.

Planning on making this coat from this beautiful green wool/cashmere for Stella for next winter, thanks to a very generous friend.

Drooling as I read the recipes in the Homemade, the Handmade Help Recipe Book.

Dreaming of having the time and energy to do everything I’d like to do and be all that I’d like to be.

How about you?

by thornberry
Sunday Stash

Sunday Stash #38

IMG_0064 by you.

Wool/lycra blend from Darn Cheap Fabrics, $9.95 per metre.  I have enough of this for a jacket (or possibly even a coat) for me.  It’s such a great combination of colours.  Hard to tell in the photo, but there is cream, light blue, teal, dark chocolate, black, and a grey/tan colour.  It will go with so much!  I’d really like to make some clothes for myself soon but my weight is fluctuating so much that I don’t quite know what size to make.  That’s where making quilts is nice – they don’t have to fit anyone!

Thanks Tamara for hosting Sunday Stash!

by thornberry
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