Miss M Turns 4! (including the birthday dress)

It seems hard to believe that Miss M was just a few months old when I started blogging and a few days ago my 'baby' turned 4!  Yes FOUR!  Well actually she's not that interested in being 4 other than the fact that it means that your are 'nearly 5' and then you can be a big school girl (I'm not sure I'm ready for that but she certainly is).

We had a lovely time celebrating Miss M's birthday.  It started with a  wee party for a few of her friends.  She wanted a 'Frozen' party (like every other girl her age) and while I don't really do themes we gave it a go.  She also wanted to do pass the parcel and dancing to Frozen and that was it.  Mummy provided the tutus for all the girls to dance in and overall I think a blast was had by all :-)

I need to clearly state here that other than the baking I can take virtually no credit for the cake.  The amaaaazzzzing snowflakes are courtesy of my dear friend from Imaginarium Cakes who has more talent than you can shake a stick at (go check out her work it's totally out of this world).  And we bought the figurines so it was pretty simple to pop it all together the night before, and it went down a treat :-)

Of course every birthday girl needs a new party dress.  The brief from the wearer was that it needed to be pink and twirly and I think we ticked both of those off nicely.  For once I actually dug out a paper pattern (I know shock horror).  I used Butterick B4718 and cut a size 2 with size 4 length for a near perfect fit.  The only thing I found was that it was too big around at the top of the bodice so I needed to take in the side seams quite a lot on each side.  The fabric was from stash and the gorgeous rosebud trim I also found in my 'trims box', I'm pretty sure it either came from my Mum or my Gran at some stage.

From there all that was left was the actual birthday.  Miss M got thoroughly spoilt by family and had a wonderful time.

It's hard to believe our wee princess is growing into such a confident, articulate and caring wee girl.  We love you Humph.

FO: Cannes Hoody

I thought it was about time that I proved I haven't forgotten how to knit :-)  I actually have 2 knitting projects that are waiting to be blogged about but  chose this one first since I started it  *cough* quite some time ago.

The story behind this project goes something like this:

Me "Mr A what kind of jersey or cardy do you want for winter?"

Mr A "One with a hood and those twisty bits on"

Me "Perfect"

I had the yarn already picked out and I knew the perfect pattern, in fact I'd knitted it before (tested it even) but Mr A never got to wear it as he grew out of it before winter arrived, grr.

After the last sizing debacle I chose my size very carefully, so carefully in fact that I picked up a couple of errors in the pattern which have since been fixed by the designer.  Oh yes the pattern is Maritimes by Elena Nodel and there are countless options with this pattern, including the one that fitted Mr A's brief. I love the interesting cables that Elena puts into her patterns, they look fantastic and make the knitting so fun.

This time around according to the size chart I did a size 5 with 6 length for mr A, even though I did the loose fit version it has turned out more of a slim fit (as per issues now corrected mentioned above) and I did have to rip back the bottom cable to add more length to the body (possibly because my row gauge was slightly out).  The only other change  made was to not add the buttons to the front placket, again at the request of the wearer.

So was it all worth it?  I think so :-)  The yarn I chose (Red Riding Hood Yarns Beau Superwash in colourway Cannes) was amazing to knit with and made the whole process a joy, and I haven't had one complaint about scratchiness, woohoo.

Once again my photography really doesn't do this project justice and the boy has barely taken it off since I finished so he must be happy with it.  Now to hope he doesn't grow too much and can wear it next winter too (I don't like my chances).

Omni Tempore Review and Giveaway!

First of all this post is totally skipping the queue of all the things I have mentioned in my previous post but it's more exciting because it includes a pattern giveaway :-)

This pattern was originally real eased a wee while ago and at the time I contemplated requesting to test it but didn't have the time.  When a call went out for testers for the extra versions of it to be added to the pattern I jumped at the chance, not in part because it gave me a chance to test something for Mr A when Miss M seems to have been profiting far more of late.

So what is Omni Tempore by Sofilantjes?  Or maybe a better question is what isn't it?  There are now so many options in this pattern.  It is a perfect unisex top/tee/jumper all in one.  With options for short or long sleeves both either cuffed or hemmed, hem or bottom band, hood or shawl-type collar and with or without kangaroo style pocket the possibilities are virtually endless.

As we are coming into summer here I tested the short sleeves with bands, hood and pocket and the result was a winner all round.  The pattern runs from size 12m through to size 14, I made a straight 6 for Mr A with no mods and the fit is fantastic.

The only change I made to the pattern instructions is that I decided to bind the pocket openings rather than hemming them, that's just personal preference but the instructions for this aren't included in the pattern.

With such a wide size range and the fact that this pattern is completely unisex and can be used year round I can't think of any reason not to go buy it  :-)

 

NOTE: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to you as a reader.

Lots Of Sewing But Not Much Showing!

It would be very easy to assume form the lack of posting on here that I've been slack on the sewing front lately. Actually the reality is quite the opposite and the state of my house is testament to that (I mean honestly those who think housework comes before craft need some kind of emotional guidance and help). I can share this cute wee top that I made a few weeks ago for a dear friend of my DD who was turning 3. It's a size 2 (she's tiny) Raindrop Tee (I am all sorts of in love with this pattern and have about a gazillion more planned) in some gorgeous owl print euro knit that I've had stashed for quite some time. She had an owl party so I felt this was fitting :-)  The best part was she loved it and it fitted, woohoo.

Raindrop Tee

 As for everything else, well for one reason or another I can't share any of it yet :-(  But the wait will be worth it I promise, well I think so anyway.  Most of these projects are either pattern tests which are awaiting pattern release (or blog tour dates) or for Miss M's birthday (can you believe she will be 4 in just 8 more sleeps!).
So just to prove I've not been completely lazy here are some sneak peeks of what will be coming up over the next couple of weeks, any guesses as to what each photo is are welcome but there are no prizes I'm afraid.

And finally some fluffy mail I got the other day.  Now to decide what to make with it all (and for who?).

Raindrop Tee Review and Giveaway

We have only been back from holiday a few weeks and I've managed to test two sewing patterns and nearly finished testing a knitting one.  This is the first of the sewing patterns and I am more than thrilled that I got the opportunity to test this one because it is all kinds of awesome (and this is my first ever blog tour - yay).

The Raindrop Tee by Gracious Threads is a fabulous year round addition to any wardrobe.  It comes with 3/4 or short sleeves, an adorable hi-lo hem and the cutest wee pocket ever.  I gave Miss M the choice of fabric for her first one and she chose this cute stripe baby rib.  It was a little dull so I decided to fancy it up a bit with a wee fussy cut pocket from some woven I had in stash.

 Right here I have to tell you how much I love the fit of Jess's patterns.  With both my kids I usually have to go down about 2 sizes and then add a whole heap of length to get something even remotely sensible but with the slim fit style of these patterns I can just cut their straight RTW size!  Yes you read that right I just cut straight from the pattern, no alterations.  That said I did play with this one a bit.  The striped version is a straight size 3 and I was surprised when I tried it on Miss M to see that it ran a little short in the front.   Then I remeasured her and oops, she's grown quite a bit and is bang on the size 4 for height now.

Cat photo bomb!

Cheeky monkey

One other very exciting thing happened since we got back, I tried out a new supplier of knit fabric and in the middle of testing a package of gorgeous fluffiness arrived.  So teamed with my love for this pattern version 2 appeared, this time the short sleeved version, cut to size 4 length in the hope it will last through our (hopefully) upcoming summer.

So what's not to love about this pattern?  NOTHING!  It's perfect for the spring or fall wardrobe, covers sizes 2-8 and is a super fast wee sew.  There are so many possibilities and I already have a couple more planned, you should also check out the rest of the blog tour there are some amazing versions out there.
And finally you can even enter to win your own copy of the pattern!
Happy sewing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FO: The Travelling Traveller Tee

We have just all returned from a fabulous 5 week trip to the UK and France to spend some time with family.  One day I may get around to blogging about the trip but for now I really need to cacth up on the sewing I did before we went away.

Not long before we left I got the opportunity to test a super secret pattern for Jess from Gracious Threads which is to be included in the upcoming issue of the fabulous One thimble e-zine.  Thi super secret pattern is a gorgeous colourblocked tee suitable for boys or girls, called the Traveller Tee.

I cannot say just how much I love this pattern, it goes together flawlessly and gives such a professional finish.  I couldn't decide what fabric to use for my test and in the end I stumbled across a mens tee in a charity shop and decided to upcycle it for Mr A, being car themed I knew he would love it. 

The tee was from the local streetcar race from some years ago I think but was still in perfect condition and rummaging through my stash I found the perfect complementary fabric for the side panels.  I managed to get the front/back/sleeves out of the original tee and even salvaged the neck band :-)

 And on the model here at home :-)

 Now the travelling begins.  This shirt has now been worn in NZ, France, England and Scotland.

Trying out St John's Chair, Scotland

Checking out Hardrian's Wall, England

Exploring the Roman settlement of Vindolanda, England

Walkway by Hadrian's Wall, England

Saving Baby Inge, Beauval Zoo, France (No babies were harmed in the taking of this photo)

Hanging out with the primates, Beauval Zoo, France

At the bottom of 100 steps, Blois, France

There were many other occasions when it was worn during out break too, it met lions and tigers at a safari park, and saw at least 2 bird of prey shows as well as having fun on lots of woodland walks and trips to the river.  Now thoroughly tested I can say it is a huge hit and Mr A has already asked for another before summer hits here. 
I would highly recommend this pattern as a bit of a variation on the normal tee, and I can't wait to try and version with trim for girls.  It is a lovely slim fit for Mr A (I did a straight size 6 and the fit is perfect) and it works really well for upcycling as well.  Fab pattern Jess it was a pleasure to test it for you.