Scrappy Houses!

 

I'm on a mission!

 

A mission to use up all my scrap fabric!

I'm not sure about you - but I have HEAPS - and I don't want it to go to waste.

This little project is one that I finished a few months back but I wanted to share it with you all.

Please forgive the 'roughness' and 'crinkles'. Lets just pretend the 'roughness' was on purpose, and the wrinkles......well I was too lazy to get the iron out!

 

But have no fear, after the project was finished, I ironed the whole lot!

So here's the progress shots!

 

The bit that I really loved most about this project was adding all the little embellishments. I used buttons, little hand stitches, and ribbons which I think just helped to finish it off!

Ta daa!!!! It's now hanging proudly in my dining room. What do you think? Since I took this picture I have added a little owl button to the tree, and I have some mushroom buttons waiting to be added too! I think it is going to be a work in progress!

Upcycling Daddies Old Work Shirt!

 

My husband recently sorted out his wardrobe which left me with a huge - and I mean HUGE pile of clothes to get rid of.

I really hate waste, and even though I originally put them in the "off to the op shop" pile, I still felt that it was a shame to get rid of perfectly good clothes. (even though they didn't fit hubby anymore)

 

So before carting them off to the op- shop, I thought I'd see what I could do to re-purpose them first!

 

So this little project is something that I've been wanting to do for a while. I usually say "I don't sew clothes" but, seeing as though I have a little girl - and girls can never have too many clothes - I thought I'd give this a go!

 

A while back I also read this post by Pip Lincolne about Ethical fashion. Since then, I have been itching to start a project just like this one!

 

I searched through Pintrest for some instructions - but I didn't really find any simple enough that I liked- so I have kind of combined a few different instructions here and put my own spin on it too!

 

So here's what I did:

 

I firstly took this extremely wrinkled work shirt ( I didn't bother ironing it - as It would probably end up wrinkled throughout the process anyway - and I don't like ironing - so any excuse really!)

 

I then got one of Little Miss Z's dresses that fits her nicely and is a similar shape to what I want my dress to look like.

 

I placed this dress over the shirt. I lined the neck of the dress up with the collar of the shirt. This is an awesome way to cheat doing a neckline on your new dress - as it is already done for you!

 

 

Now cut around your dress, adding about an extra 2 cm around the edges. This will give you a seam allowance, and helps to avoid cutting your good dress!

 

This is what I was left with - looks a bit rough, but we can soon sort that!!

Next I hemmed all the rough edges - (this should be the bottom and the sides.)

 

Once I had done that, I got Miss Z to try it on - she loved this part!

 

I marked where I wanted the sleeves to be, then I stitched from the bottom of the dress up to my mark.

 

Again I got her to try on. As this shirt was quite wide to start with - it wasn't sitting right on her. I had to fold over and stitch up the bottom "corners".

The dress now looks like this! ( for some reason it looks a little uneven on the shoulders here - but I promise you - it is even!)

 

 

 

And just to finish it off I tied a bit of purple ribbon around her waist.

What do you think? ( please don't mention the dirty floors! I probably should have been cleaning them instead of sewing - but I'm like that and choose sewing over housework any day!!)

 

 

 

My little model LOVES this dress. Every time she puts it on now - she asks me to photograph her in it!

I still kind of look at it as being Johns work shirt - but I do like it. I might have to make another one!

Weekend Project - Bunting

Whats better than balloons, streamers, tinsel and tacky decorations?? Whats handmade with love and care and can be used year after year?? BUNTING of course!!

I think using bunting to celebrate special occasions is a great tradition to start! I'm going to make each of the kids their own special ones for their birthdays, as well as a Christmas one...maybe Valentines, Easter, Halloween.... oh the possibilities are endless!!!!

Making bunting is something that I find really therapeutic. Maybe it's because of the repetition? Not sure really, but it's something that I enjoy, so I thought I would share it as a Weekend Project for you to try too.

So firstly - gather your fabric supplies. Either co-ordinated or random, or make it all from the same piece, it's up to you. You'll also need some Bias Binding Tape or ribbon or something to string it all together, Plus a sewing machine and your usual sewing supplies.

 

Then, I like to make a stencil. This makes it easier to keep all the pieces the same size. Empty cereal boxes come in really handy for stencil making! My stencil is about 18cm across the top, and measures about 23cm from the top to the point.

 

You then need to fold your fabric in half, with the pattern facing in, and pin together. Then either trace around the stencil or pin it on and cut out. Do this until you have your desired amount of 'flags' in each of your chosen fabric.

 

Stitch around each set of flags leaving minimal seam around the edge. I leave the top of the flag unstitched as this will be sewn later. Then cut any extra fabric off, so the stitching is as close to the edge as possible.

 

Turn the flags in the right way ensuring you have a good point at the end. I like to use a knitting needle to poke it all out.

 

Then iron your flags flat and order them how you would like them hung.

 

 

I use Bias Binding Tape along the top of my bunting. I fold it in half and iron it flat. Then I slip the top of each of the flags into the fold and pin down. You could easily run a length of ribbon across the top if you didn't have the Bias Tape.

 

 

Then sew it all together!

 

 

And there you have it! A funky new bunting to hang around the house or to use for a special occasion!

 

Why not try one for yourself this weekend! - or if you would prefer head over to my Etsy Store where I have some for sale!!

Life's a Hoot!!!

Good afternoon!!

I know I've been a bit quiet with blogging recently, despite all the blogging I do in my head- getting to the computer is a bit of a challenge sometimes! And you know how it is... the words in your head are fantastic and you have that 'if only I'd actually written that down I'd win awards'!!

But the reason for my absent-ness is I've been busy at my sewing machine. I've been building up some stock for some upcoming markets and for my Etsy store - House of Nicnax. 

 

My Etsy store has been on my mind a little bit recently. I haven't been able to devote as much attention to it as I would like. I was pretty much ready to shut up shop for a bit and maybe re open at Christmas time - when - as I sign from the crafting universe - I made two more sales! (yes only two but that's huge for me!) So then I starting thinking -

I was thinking back to a time about 5 years ago when I had to return back to work after having my second bub. I remember thinking "if I could do anything what would it be?" I thought ultimately I would love to just craft and sell my craft whilst spending time at home with my family.

Well here I am, 5 years later and I'm at home and I have an Etsy store!

Obviously sales don't anywhere near equal a second wage, but I have what I want now I just have to make it work!!

So back to my original point....I have been busy sewing and listing in my store!

 Here's a sneak peak of my latest additions!

 

Feel free to pop by and have a look at my store! You can find it HERE

 

Do you own an Esty store or have a favourite store you visit? Pop a link in the comments - I'd love to come see!

Todays Project - A Nappy Wallet

Organisation is not my strong point. I know that. Doesn't matter how organised I try to be, it doesn't happen. I have a terrible memory and time management doesn't always exist. PLUS just when I feel as though I am getting on top of things, I find myself wondering into new projects - normally ones with no necessity!!

 

But today was a little different. Although I have a HUGE stack of sewing to be done, and a (smaller) pile of unfinished projects to be completed (not to mention cooking, cleaning, and general house duties), I decided to use my bubs nap time to make a nappy wallet.

 

As I say, this project is a bit different. I actually need a nappy wallet to keep my bag tidy and make it easier to find things in there! So this little project wasn't a waste of time.

 

I used fabric that I already had, and made a button from the scraps to match.

It is kind of big, but it fits not only two nappies and the change mat (pictured) but also a pack of wipes, plastic bags and a small tube of cream.

 

It's not perfect, but it will definitely do the job!



Busy, Busy

Hello my friends! Boy have I missed you! It's been nearly a week since I've blogged. I actually don't know where all my time has gone....oh wait......cooking, cleaning, school pick-ups, school drop-offs, parent/teacher meetings ("conveniently" in the middle of the day, so I have to make extra trips to the school and back!), washing, ironing, more washing.....ok, you get my point. Well it hasn't been all work and no play, I've added some new little friends to my House Of Nicnax Etsy store,

 

Received an awesome little package of new fabric this morning,

and I have been super busy designing a new owl!

Yes a new owl product is in production!
All thanks to one of my beautiful friends! She wanted me to make her an owl pillow. So I have designed and created one for her that is the "pillow" version of the "doorstop".
So my bloggging friends I shall reveal to you first, the new Owl Pillow By House of Nicnax.

Drum roll please........

What do you think??

I know its a bit rough, but I've become a little bit addicted, and made a few now. And the pillow has now evolved to just a pillow case. This way I thought if there was any interest I could sell them through Etsy.

So let me know your thoughts friends! I value your opinions! Do you think she will like them??

More owls!

 

Good Morning!

So I've been working on a few more owls this morning! These two are mini owls. Both made from recycled materials!

Still a few more just waiting to be stuffed!