See you next week!

Claire

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50% off all PDF patterns, all weekend.

http://craftschmaft.bigcartel.com/

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Call it a weekend celebration if you will.

Happy Crafting!

Claire

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I’ve even gone so far as to go to a timber yard to find planks for my ladder shelves but it has to be said that the timber yard men were far less than helpful. They just couldn’t get their heads around me wanting to use timber meant for construction to put between two old ladders. They also seemed to have a panicked glint in their eye, a fear that I may give birth at any time or perhaps go on a pregnant hormonal rampage.  You may think this is ridiculous but I have spent a fair deal of time in hardware stores and other man domains and, before the big bump, got a very different reaction to needing some help with purchases. Fear not, I will persevere. There are plenty more timber yards on the northern beaches!

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This time around I seem to have added a new dimension to nesting. I’m feeling the need to have a space where I can craft. A retreat from screaming children, piles of washing and curious little fingers. There is no corner of our flat for such a place so I am moving myself into the garage.  I am creating a woman cave. A place with jars of buttons and stashes of fabric. A place where you can leave scissors on the table. A place where all my vintage patterns just invite me to browse them.  I know that I won’t have much time to spend down there once the baby comes but I’m thinking that even an hour of time down there might just be the bliss that I need amongst newborn chaos. I even have visions of the baby taking naps there while I relax and stitch (yeah right, keep dreaming love!).

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It is highly likely that my woman cave will be a jumble of junk storage and abandoned projects but in my mind it’s filled with vintage suitcases, jars of buttons, a big clear cutting bench and a comfy arm chair. Perhaps the odd newborn swinging in a terribly designer linen hammock. Bliss.

This weekend I went on a crafty weekend away with the lovely Belinda, Cass, Bianca, Fiona and Jade. There was good food, great company and the hum of sewing machines as everyone dove head first into sewing. I didn’t take my camera so I’ll have to steal some pics from Belinda but I did manage to take this show of the spectacular view from the house we stayed in.

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I worked on creating a new hood for the bugaboo which was probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done – the actual sewing wasn’t difficult but tracing the hood to a pattern and then figuring out the construction was very tricky. I couldn’t have done it without Fiona’s help. I was doing celebration dances last night when I got home and it fit! Hooray!!! Only problem now is that I don’t like the placement of the pattern so I may just have to make another one. I also whipped together a doona cover and pillow case for Oscar out of Erin Michaels 5 funky monkeys. Such a dream in comparison to that hood, let me tell you! It was greeted with “Wow mummy, thanks!” from the munchkin. Very high praise indeed.

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It was such a treat to have an entire day on Saturday to just sew – no interruptions, no packing things away just pure, unadulterated sewing. Bliss.

I’ve been a bit slack on the Vintage Tuesday front lately I’m afraid but, fear not, I’ve had two recent raids on the op shop and come up with some gems. This one I really love, the neckline and the two tone colours are just stunning. The pattern also covers the handbag and the co-ordinating hat. I, of course, would look ridiculous in it but it just has such a sense of style about it.. doesn’t it?

For next week I have a choice between hilarious 80′s “Club Additions” his n’ her knits or outrageous 70′s crochet with caption of “No man minds a woman wearing the pants when they’re like this!”. What would you prefer?

All of the love owl kits have now sold out and we’ve raised over $100 for Doctors without borders in Haiti. I know it’s not millions of dollars but I like to think that every little bit helps.

Thank you so much to everyone who bought a kit to support the cause ($5 from every kit went to the charity).

I do this experimenting thing with recipes a lot. Sometimes it’s great, other times… a complete disaster! Thankfully this one was in the first category. I think it could use some pancetta or smokey bacon to lift it a bit but Mr Schmaft said “awesome”.

We had it with cheesy damper, just to keep on the Aussie side for Anzac day.

What are you cooking this weekend?

I’ve had a mad few days packing kits and patterns for Stitches and Craft. We’re off to Melbourne for a wedding today so I’m taking the opportunity to get as much stock south of the border as I can. Lots of stitching has also been happening and I have a few new baby owl colours to show you tomorrow when I get back.

Here’s my cover girl complete with a new collar (diamantes are a sausage girls best friend, don’ cha know?).

Update: What about Sausage Roller? I kinda like it!