First off Lincraft had a half price sale. I went to look at quilting fabric for the new balloons. I came home with this (definitely not quilting fabric). My only reprieve is that I have already started whipping the first one up in a Cynthia Rowley dress pattern that is shaping up quite nicely.

I’m doing the sleeveless view for the top fabric, if that works out I might even have a go at the short sleeved version for this fabric. I am applying the  ”it’s so cheap… the more you spend the more you save” mantra to these purchases.

These purchases from Calico and Ivy yesterday were not on the cheap side. Originally I was going for yellow balloons but while browsing this amazing stripe from Kaufman “free to grow” collection just jumped off the shelf and insisted I buy it.

This one from “parisville” I have no excuses for. I just love the pattern.

At least this fabric binge has me progressing on the balloons, little baskets have been woven and I’ve figured out a much, much easier technique than my original basket weaving attempts. So you’re probably thinking… well, that’s not so bad for a fabric binge. Yesterday afternoon I bought a stack of fabric online for owlie kits. Naughty. Let’s hope Mr Schmaft isn’t reading this.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who goes out on fabric binge tendency? Anyone?

It an be hard to find cute fabric for boys. It’s out there but it feels like you have to search it out much more than girly coloured fabrics. Heather Ross is one of my favourite designers not only for her gorgeous illustration but the way she works blues, reds and golds into a colour palette. Her latest collection Far Far Away II has the most gorgeous Owl and Pussycat designin Aqua. I’m afraid the paypal account is about to get a beating!

See the full colour palette on Heather Ross’ Blog.

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Onto more crafty related things, I have been on a fabric raid to ikea. I’m always amazed that such a mass produced store has such great fabric.

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I’m attempting to make a hood for my pram – it’s looking a  little shabby after nearly 3 years of use and I could buy a new one but I quite like the challenge of making my own. This canvas weight fabric from ikea has quite the japanese feel and should go with the base colour. I really love sections of it like the pink flowers, the red huts and the leaves I haven’t had any luck finding a pattern yet so I’m going to have to be brave and copy the existing hood. I’ve allowed quite a few metres of fabric for experimentation and I’m also thinking I might take on the nappy bag  to go with it if there’s enough fabric when I’m done.

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I bought this very cool abric for cushion covers…

And this one I had in mind for a  maternity wrap skirt but with the lack of sewing for the past few weeks I’m not quite sure I’ll get that far before the bubba is born!

I have a thing for Japanese fabric – who doesn’t really? These little purchases arrived in the post today and are destined to be puppy dog ears and baby owl wings. The red matryoshkas are going to be little christmas owls. Ahhh… stash heaven. Not much blogging this week as poor little Oscar has been sick. He’s on the mend now so there should be a bit more going on round here!

Are socks allowed in the Sunday Stash game? Probably not but I couldn’t help putting the fabric in with the socks here. One of the reasons I started making sock toys combined with fabric is so that I could get carried away with matching the two together – and yes *ahem*  I do get carried away. This fabric is Kaffe Fasset’s Targets. It was all folded up neatly into a bundle on the amite stall and I loved the colours so I just picked it up and bought it without even looking at the entire piece. I’m happy to say it’s even better than the bundle preview. I’m making an owl mobile with the socks and although I wouldn’t have considered this combo straight off, I really like that the socks pick up on the pale aqua in the targets. This mobile is a special top secret project for the next week or so. Stay tuned.

See more stashers at the gorgeous 1/4 of an inch.

Two years ago I was in a sewing frenzy getting the Monkey Nursery (original post and photos here) ready for Oscar’s arrival. I fell in love with Erin Michaels 5 Funky Monkeys fabric and based the whole nursery around it.

Goodnight monkey has just been released and is on sale over at the Fat Quarter Shop. I’m loving the ZZZZZ’s, the books and the cheeky monkeys in pyjamas. I may just have to have another baby to justify a whole new set of monkey nursery accessories. This spending up on fabric is really going to have to stop soon!

Wall hangings and softie made for Oscars Monkey Nursery two years ago.

Japanese Babushkas with stripey sock destined for mummy owl kits.

Alexander Henry Toadstools, Dear Jane for and Heather Ross Gnomes for Woolly Woof Woofs. Timeless treasures flowers for Mummy owls.

There have been quite a few little domestic dramas going on around here this week. Nothing that I’ll bore you with on this blog but just when I was starting to feel quite defeated a little package showed up on my doorstep. Wonderland by MoMo, inspired by Alice in Wonderland .. mmmm… it’s as good as it looks. I bought a layer cake from the Fat Quarter Shop because I couldn’t decide between the colourways and I dont’ use huge amounts making sock softies anyway.  I spent a blissful hour down the rabbit hole today matching fabrics to socks and dreaming up new patterns. It was better than retail therapy. It was stash therapy. *sigh*

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Pictured here is Tweedle Dee Jam, Tweedle Dee Sugar and Snip Snip Glass.

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In other news patterns are complete for Mathildas Markets and I’m busy working on packaging and logos. More on those later in the week!

Last night I pulled my entire stash of socks and fabric out to choose materials for the BIG SWAP (hosted by the lovely Cass at Snailblazer). I’ve been getting quite nervous about having to create 10 things so I thought I’d better at least make a start on it.I’m planning to use this range of fabrics as little highlights with the chunky cotton socks in greys and browns. It’s funny the way that you have a picture in your head but often once I start playing with different fabrics it changes into something I didn’t expect. I was planning on using lots of hot pinks but they just didn’t seem right.

I can’t give too much away but I will give you sneak peeks of swap progress over the next week. It’s actually a good excuse to pull out my big camera and take some detail shots.

On the mobile progress, I’m having to wait for the weekend so I can saw these sticks into mobile pieces which has proved hard to do with a toddler who wants to help with everything. I have to say this is the first time my crafting has ventured into hardware territory. Slightly frightening

Three is a bit of a magic number for me so here they are, my favourite trio for this Tuesday…

1. Gorgeous type from Print & Pattern’s New York trip
   Seriously, can that blog get any better?
2. Patch Set of fabric from Umbrella Prints
   I especially love the hearts, the way the pattern sits so geometrically.
3. Bird wall decals by Elly Nelly
   Simple and lovely… especially flying into the tree.