Violette Field Threads -Molly Jacket

What seems like forever ago now (whilst googling "children's clothing") I came across an amazing and truely unique site called Violette Field Threads. This is the site of all Girly-girls dreams, I kid you not! The variety of patterns and the styles (oh the styles) in which they are executed, every child should have the privilege to wear at least once.

 

Back then I purchased a couple of PDF patterns -which I am still yet to use! For this reason I was thrilled to spot that they now sell paper patterns -WHOOP♥! So I bagged myself the Molly Jacket pattern and here's what I made. 

Little Miss Molly...

 

I used IKEA plain and patterned cotton fabrics with lemon Bias Binding.

 

The construction of this little jacket was a great lesson in sewing! There were so many "firsts" in the making of this cutie and I'm thankful that the full-colour instructions were clear and precise.

 

The pattern gave you the option to choose your preferred sleeve length and wrist style. As we seem to be skipping summer this year I decided on a full length sleeve. My munchkin chose the gathered/bias binding finish -so ...Mummy did as Mummy was told♥

 

I had never made a collar before and it really was a doddle. I'm starting to think that sewing is like making a puzzle. Fit the pieces together correctly and you have a pretty picture.

 

Buttons, believe it or not -another first. Well, buttonholes anyways. Slicing into the buttonhole was slightly daunting I admit. I'm very happy to check another "must learn" technique off my list. I went with 2 large buttons positioned at the collar and mid chest.

 

 

The pockets were one of my "firsts"! These are my first ever pockets and I sure have the bug. It's gonna be pockets-galore around here from now on.

 

 

Finally my last "first" was: to create the lining. I was dreading having to stitch up two jackets to then stitch them both together.  I now realise -it was worth the all the effort, looks really professional and I should just quit with the whining!

 

I stitched a rose look embellishment by stitching long strips of fabric into a circular swirl and attached it to the front.

 

Do you love to sew? Fancy checking out some desirable patterns to send your inspiration zooming? Check out the Violette Field Threads website and Blog and grab a cuppa!

 

Thanks so much for popping by, I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

 

Katie

Happy Birthday & ART

Another Birthday card today. Not sent as yet, but as it is on my "To Do" list to create a stash of "Birthdays" -I got to work.

 

I used the super pretty Butterfly Wishes & Butterfly Wishes Additions stamps & dies by Clearly Besotted. Is it obvious that these are my faves?

 

 

I went with White on Kraft which I think, looks kinda quirky. I used the dies to create negatives then stamped the butterfly images within them. Dead easy, but at the same time effective too. The scrunched embelli on the side is a bloom (just incase you were wondering).

 

Inks Used: Memento-Rich Cocoa & Papertrey Ink-Fresh Snow.

 

Yesterday's Art class went really well concidering I showed up 1/2 hour late. Do you think I could find my ID anywhere? After realising I'd left it in my daughters backpack (which was with her at school).... well you can imagine I was off to a slow start. Strangely I managed to stay calm and fell easily into some Russian Revolution inspiration having a go with oil paints for the first time.  I think another 1 or 2 classes til it's complete.

 

 

There is something about this painting that holds my gaze. Perhaps those eyes, those unusual tones? Either way I love the style and the freedom within it, hence my having a go at re-creating it!

 

Today I'm working on a commission, so had best get the kettle on. Have a fantastic day all.

Happy Birthday to you

Apart from FB I have little contact with "real" friends from my school days. Moving overseas at 17 meant huge changes, as for keeping in touch -people were less inclined to grab pen & paper back then. One however, one whom was the cause of "my" being moved (when she was the one might I add who caused the havoc) in numerous English lessons is still a true friend.

 

Today is her Birthday!

 

Happy Birthday to you

 

 

Through the years we have joked probably too many times about those English lessons. Perhaps she's the reason I hated English!? Passing notes from left to right was way more fun! It has taken a long time to find my passion for the written word and honestly -how are you supposed to know at 12 what you want to be when you are all grown up?

 

Am I grown-up? That's questionable. I definitely don't feel it -lol! A good friend is always there and despite the English & Geography lessons (Geography I had with her too), her emigrating to Australia & New Zealand numerous times didn't change anything -she's always been there.

 

 

This pic of us was taken when we were back home on a flying visit in March. Yep, still call it home. Funny, since I haven't lived there for 14 years! In Starbucks I do believe.

 

Products Used: Clearly Besotted's Honeycomb stamp set, TH Distress Inks-Spiced Marmalade/ Shabby Shutters/Victorian Velvet. Brads, Adhesive Pearls, Tissue paper ribbon.

Tools Used: Papertrey Ink-Scallop border die, Heart die. Corner chomper.

 

This gal has also attempted to teach me Photoshop (she's a Graphic Designer) -ha, ha, ha......in one ear,...

 

I trust you all had a great long weekend? I feel refreshed. I did very little cooking which was great -I am lazy. We enjoyed a couple of family meals out plus mini golf, a trip to IKEA, some sewing (which I'm very excited about) and now I have to get ready for my Art class. All systems go!

 

Have a wonderful week.

 

Katie

A Mini Skirt, a School Trip & an Art Museum

I for one am relieved that it's Friday, this week seems to have gone on forever.

Wednesday was amazing, the Art museum was an incredible place and not only did I get to admire some incredible work, but I learnt a lot about the Russian revolution at the same time. (I will share some pics next week.)

Yesterday I chapperoned on my daughters school trip to Belgium. Oh my gosh, it rained poured with rain the whole day. There was not one break in the weather at all resulting in a whole bunch of fed up, damp and miserable kids. I can't blame them, there wasn't any shelter and the trip itself left a lot to the imagination!

What a surprise, it's raining again and I believe it's staying for the weeked. As it's a long weekend too, perhapps it'll be an opportunity to work on the house and craft with the kids. Perhapps I'll be able to work on some fondant flowers too -we'll see.

On to Today's Project...

Birthday parties seem to come along thick and fast around here, and for one little girl my daughter wanted something a bit special. This gorgeous bunny was a part of the gift and according to my 5 year old -was in great need of a Mummy made skirt!

 

So with half an hour to spare I sewed up this teency, elasticated wasteband skirt. The material I used was also the material I used to make my daughters "Amelie Skirt" which she wore -so they were matching awwww....

I have a couple of sewing projects on the go just now. One is almost complete and the other, well ...I have cut out the pattern pieces. So far, so good♥

Who knows what next week will bring....let's wait and see. Have a wonderful weekend.

Katie

With Love

Thank you for the lovely comments left on my cake decorating below, it's great to hear such positive feedback.

 

Today I'm sharing a card that I made using Clearly Besotted's Blooming Marvellous & Butterfly Wishes.

 

With Love

 

 

These stamp sets were 2 of my first purchases from the CB store and I think they are 2 of my most beloved. Coloured with Promarkers and inked up with distress inks this card has a calming, natural feel.

 

A circular die-cut aperture creates the frame I embellished with the blooms. The small butterfly image I stamped randomly as if they were drifting between the flowers.

 

I am heading out to an Art museum shortly in Maastricht, an excursion with a group of ladies from my Art class. I'm open-minded, intrigued and hope I will be fascinated. I am taking my camera too -so hopefully some snaps to follow. Of course it's tipping it down with rain so I must dash and find my unbrella!

 

Thanks for checking in today. Hope you have better weather where you are.

 

Katie

The Final Cake

And here she is...

 

 

I'm thrilled.

 

 

I had no layout set in stone, so I just went with what felt right.

 

Arranging the pretty fondant/gum paste flowers in a half swirl. 

I decided to go with a white fondant to cover my cake. Covering the cake was .....interesting!

 

 

What I love about the layout is that the eye moves with the cake. Although a side view (above pic), the roses are fully visible. So which ever way you turn the cake, the flowers are in full view. 

 

I went with a small fondant ball edging which not only worked a treat, but hid a little uneven cutting underneath! Hey, I'm a beginner *wink*.  

 

It was a tense moment slicing the first piece.

 

Fondant isn't for everyone with it's super sweet, super soft texture but I enjoyed it. I'm saving the flowers for the children♥

 

I had the best time on this course. Wilton Gum Paste & Fondant Course 3 is awesome and I learnt so much in such a short time. I now have to make a heap of cakes to get good use out of my much "needed" equipment!

 

Oh, here's the panic look... (...........quick -take the pic before I drop the cake...........) -thankfully I didn't.

 

Huge thanks to Rhonda the Wilton instructor, I can't wait for the next course. For more information on Wilton courses click here.

 

Have a fab day all.

 

Katie "cake decorater gal"♥