Tuesdays

I love Tuesdays, because it's the day I run off and play with my quilting friends.  That's the way it was for the many years we lived in Queensland and so it continues here in Sydney.

This week we had a special visitor, Maru of Material Girls Down Under who brought along lashings of fabrics, notions and all sorts of quilty things to tempt us.  I didn't really need any more fabric, but my eyes lit on two half-metre pieces of the most adorable soft pink fabric adorned with little chicks and they somehow followed me all the way home.  It happens to me a lot.

This is my flavour-of-the-month pattern and I knew it would work beautifully with the chicky fabric.  

The bow is detachable, so it can be removed before the dress is laundered.

Sadly, there was only enough fabric to make one dress and it's ready to ship in size 12-18 months here.

The first Saturday of every month gives me a double dip at quilting when the Sydney SCQuilters get together at a local watering hole.  It's always fun, noisy and full of laughter.  You can take a look at our antics here. 

 By the way, the pattern for this dress is by Tie Dye Diva and they are having a sew-a-long commencing tomorrow (Monday).  

You will be making a sailor dress and if you would like to join in you can read all about it in the Tie Dye Diva blog post. There are two versions - one in girls' sizes and the other for babies. It should be great fun and you will learn so much. 

On the other hand, you can let me do all the hard work and buy it from my Etsy shop. or my MadeIt shop.

It's a small world

Thank goodness for modern technology.  I am still in awe of how easy it is for us today to reach the far corners of the earth with a simple click of a key.  This week is a perfect example.

My daughter had commissioned this pinwale jumper dress as a gift for one of her girlfriends who now lives in New York.

She returned to Sydney with her husband and adorable baby for a family visit a month or so ago and this week I received some delightful images from her back in New York. Don't you just want to squeeze those chubby little cheeks?

A couple of days ago I was contacted by a lovely customer in Italy who ordered this dress to be sent to Perth for a baby's first birthday.  It was mailed yesterday and the customer in Italy can follow its progress through Australia Post's tracking system.  Ten years ago none of this would have been possible.

Yesterday I finished this swing top and bubble shorts and I must say I was suitably chuffed with the results.  Oh, to be young enough to get away with such bold combinations.  They are currently available in my Etsy shop.

It's been a sad and nostalgic week.  On Monday I attended the funeral of my favourite teacher who had such an influence on my school days. Her motto was educate girls and you educate the nation.  She was a Poor Clare nun who held the girls in my class particularly close to her heart and we never lost contact.  She died at the grand age of 91 and the church was packed with students, ex-students, friends and family. Some of the girls from my era flew in from around the country, such was the love and respect felt for her.  What a wonderful life and it was a privilege to have known her.

Full circle skirts and bubble shorts

Now that the cold weather has settled into Sydney, all I can dream about is next Summer.  Mind you, the days are crisp, sunny and reasonably warm, and the trees have turned the most amazing array of colours from bright yellow through to deep red.  Camellias are blooming everywhere, so that the neighbourhood gardens are a delight.

I had been itching to make the latest pattern by Tie Dye Diva and when I came across this gorgeous fabric, I knew it was ideal for the design.  I love the full circle skirt which falls so gracefully.

I made some piping to give emphasis to the pretty tulip sleeves.

The sweetheart neckline is a classic and so flattering.

Then there's the back

with contrast sash ties - so sweet.

The dress is available in sizes 2 to 9/10 in my Etsy and MadeIt stores and would make a delightful special occasion dress for any little girl who loves to twirl.

Earlier in the week I made these separates, adapted from patterns by Brownie Goose. They are cool and easy to wear and the eye-catching daisy fabric is so soft soft and light.  They are being offered as separates, but they do look wonderful together.   Available here and here. 

I have more new fabrics patiently waiting their turn to be transformed into garments, so it will be a busy week or so ahead.  At least it takes my mind off Winter.

It can't be May already

We had our last drive to the Royal North Shore Hospital today for hopefully ever.  Tony finished his cardiac rehab on Monday and the participants were summonsed this afternoon for a final debriefing.  I guess passing out parades are not a good idea for cardiac patients, so instead they had a general report and pat on the back for completing the course.

Life is getting back to normal and it's good to see Tony finally returning to his old self.  It also means a little more time for sewing!

And it couldn't have come at a better time.  

Ever since I was a pattern tester for this gorgeous skirt by Jen Hagedorn of Tie Dye Diva, I have become a fan of her patterns which are always so clear and concise and the designs are adorable.  While I do create my own designs, sometimes it's lovely to work on a well-crafted garment designed by someone who is top of her game.

This pop over pinafore for babies 0-24 months is among Jen's latest releases.

It marries so beautifully with another new release, a baby peasant dress.

They go together hand in hand so perfectly.  

I will be listing them on my Etsy and MadeIt shops in next next day or so and am working on yet another Tie Dye Diva release which should be finished in a short time.  Wait until you see it!

These delightful sailor shorts are by Brownie-Goose Patterns and are now available in my shops.  

It's good to be back sewing a little more regularly and even better, it's wonderful to have the patient looking so well.  By all accounts the second half of the year should be a whole lot better than the first.

Pure Gold

I find it difficult to believe, but fifty years ago today my best friend from childhood married her Prince Charming.  Fifty years.  Surely not.

Last evening the bride and groom chose three couples to share in their celebration - their daughter, two old classmates and our better halves.  Tony and I were picked up by our hosts for a cab ride to a harbourside restaurant with a view to die for.  Side note: if you order a cab in Sydney and it turns out to be an Indian driver called Sean, walk away.  'Nuff said.

After a glass or two of champagne in the hotel lounge, we were escorted to our table in the restaurant and there sitting at each lady's place setting was a beautiful corsage in honour of the bride's father who always insisted on presenting corsages to the ladies when he hosted a table at formal dinners.  It was a lovely touch to remember a true gentleman.

Here the bride poses with her new husband in her Going Away Outfit.  If you were a child of the Eighties or later you probably don't know about Going Away Outfits, so get Grandma to explain it to you.

And here they are 50 years later.

Tony and I are truly blessed.  Like old wine, old friends are the best.  

New beginnings

It's Autumn here in Sydney ... apparently.  Someone forgot to tell the Nasty Weather Pixie because we are blessed with the most glorious days.  Beach weather.  In another hemisphere Spring has sprung and before long our beautiful weather will leave us to start on its trek north.

Images: Boutique Baby Photography

 And of course that means that Easter is on the horizon.  

Dress available here or here

At Chez Fudge we have our own new beginnings, with Tony slowly but surely making progress from the disastrous first couple months of the year.  He will start on rehab (cardiac, not the more interesting drugs or alcohol) in about a week.

With life more or less back or normal, the much neglected sewing machine has had a bit of a workout in preparation for Easter party clothing and decorations.

Baby's Party Dress available here or here

This fabric combination had been sitting patiently in my stash waiting for the right design.  I knew immediately that I had found the answer when Tie Dye Diva released a new pattern for babies 0-3 months to 18-24 months.  It was exactly what I had been looking for.  I usually work with my own designs, but since I was invited to test one of Tie Dye Diva's patterns late last year, I have fallen in love with them.

At this time of the year I sell my bunny garlands which are not only suitable for Easter, but also for children's bedrooms, baby shower gifts, birthday parties, etc.

I was contacted this week and asked if I could make one in more pastel shades for the customer's little girl's bunny party.

Sometimes we need simple suggestions to set us on a different course, and I am so glad that this lovely buyer made her request, as I am really happy with the result.  It will be on its way to Florida in the morning and I really hope the little girl loves it.  I have added it to my Madeit shop here and will have it available in my Etsy shop in a day or so.

Bunnies on Vespas available here or here

What could be better for Easter than bunnies on Vespas?  With balloons.  

Available here or here

To celebrate Tony's homecoming, we were taken out for brunch this morning and our granddaughter was wearing this swing top which I made for her a short while back.  It's another Tie Dye Diva pattern and she loves wearing it - so cool and comfortable.

So it's happy times ahead ... new season, new beginnings.

Homecoming, Part II

At the risk of awakening the jinx pixies, Tony is finally home.  We pulled off the escape early yesterday afternoon in the rain.

As seen through the eyes of our 9 year-old granddaughter this morning.  Note my hanging glasses.

It will take a few weeks of cardiac rehab for Tony to regain strength - we are taking it one step at a time.  He even managed a trip to the barber this morning for a much needed haircut.

Next stop was coffee and Anzac biscuits straight out of our daughter's oven.  The children had each composed a Welcome Home Granddad card for the occasion.

Grandma through the eyes of a four year-old is a bit of a worry.

Spoken from the heart of a seven year-old

We are all going to visit the park if our nine year-old granddaughter's installation is anything to go by.

It was so strange today not to make the daily pilgrimage to the hospital. It's really good to have our lives back.