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Yesterday I received this cute little house patchwork book (ISBN 4834764427) from superbuzzy so I thought I would show you some photos:

 

Sorry, that shot of the cover is a bit out of focus.  This book is really cute and has loads of little house related patchwork projects, along with patterns and tips. 

 

It has patterns and ideas for little house wall hangings, mini quilts, tea cosies, pot holders and more.

 

Little and cute and Japanese - kawaii!

 

I have to make some of these!

 

I love it all. There’s something about house imagery that really speaks to me. It is so simple but so universal.

 

I also bought the latest (I think?) Burda WOF magazine which has some lovely shirts and dresses, not that I ever wear dresses but still, they look very nice:

 

And I cut out all the pieces to make this shirt/tunic today.  I will sew it up tomorrow.  The pattern is Burda 8516.

 

Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia.  Today I remember and thank all the men and women who lost their lives in battle and especially think of my grandfather and father who were both well-respected leaders in the Army. Lest we forget.

I’m back.  Did you miss me?  Yes, this here blog was offline for about 3 days and do you want to know why?  My domain registration expired, that’s what!  Can you believe it?  In my defence, I didn’t receive any email notification that it was about to expire - no reminders.  And living half a world away from the company in charge of these things meant that it was a hassle to get it all sorted out. 

I really missed my lil blog and I’m so very glad to be back. So what happened in the last few days?

Someone turned 40.  No, not me - my brother in law.  Did you know that you can get a cake made entirely out of donuts?  It was exactly like one of those chocolate Long Johns - complete with jam and fake cream and it even had lollies on top!  It was so good.

 

Jack has been making loads of things with Lego and Lego Technics - he gets onto the Lego site, looks at the photos, prints them and goes away and makes his version.  Genius.

 

I got a little sewing done - six placemats for my brother David.  A little while ago I recovered his dining chairs with the maroon fabric and there was some left over so now he has matching placemats.  Love the Amy Butler print.

 

I bought some cute new shoes:

 

Today Emma and I saw this lovely bed display in Target - she wanted me to buy it for her.  How pretty is this?

 

I particularly loved these cushions so I took a photo on my mobile.  I might just have to make my own version of these for Emma’s bed.

 

And finally, I was very lucky to receive three wonderful things in my mailbox today.  I will take some photos of the inside pages tomorrow.

 

Good to see you again! 

As promised yesterday, I took some photos of the inside pages of the magazines that my cousin brought back from Japan for me.  Here are some of my faves.

First up, a kids sewing pattern magazine called Child Boutique:

 

holding hands - shorts and capris with pieced patchwork detail on hems: 

 

baby sets with bias binding accents:

 

cute shirt and short sets:

 

mini kimonos in hello kitty fabrics:

 

this next picture (below) just kills me!  I love it in so many ways! 

 

Next we have Cotton & Paint no. 27 - I had never seen this mag but had read about it online so it was great to get a copy to look at.  I love the bear on the front cover:

 

this bag screams vintage and handmade - I love it:

 

love this dress - and look, yellow really is popping up everywhere: 

 

little purses:

 

crafty mums chatting and laughing (as we do):

 

mother and daughter skirts:

 

doilies on bags:

 

little lovelies:

  

Kids Style is a kids fashion magazine, so no sewing, but great clothes and photos:

 

looking very grown up:

 

love this shot:

 

japanese mini punk:

 

 something is cracking these kids up - are they wearing that to school?

 

The first issue of Milk magazine in Japan, again kids fashion with great photography and styling:

 

I love this shot so much! how funny are these kids?

 

what is he doing?

 

and lastly, what seems to be a catalogue style magazine with baby and pregnancy and mum items:

 

these are cute - the babies and the prints:

 

baby items in neutral tones:

 

love these little boxes and bags:

 

So many photos - I hope you liked them!  There are a few more from each magazine over here. 

It’s school holidays here so more play than crafting right now but I am hoping to get some making in soon!

It’s late.  I’m tired.  Yesterday was a big day.  Up at 5.15am and on the way to Sydney by 6.30 and heading back home by late afternoon.  The wedding was lovely - very personal and moving.  The bride, my cousin Philippa, lost her mother to cancer recently so it was especially emotional at times but an honour to see two people who have found each other and are starting a new life together.  I don’t go to many weddings and I haven’t been to a church wedding in years and years so it was interesting from that side of things as well.

Changing the subject a little, Phil’s brother (also my cousin, of course) lives and works in Japan and I emailed him a couple of weeks ago to ask him to bring me a few Japanese crafty magazines when he came over for the wedding.  I had arranged to pay him back in Sydney but then yesterday he refused to accept any money.  I will take a few pictures of the inside of these to post here tomorrow.  Nice - thanks Charlie.

 

I’m off to bed now but will return with actual content tomorrow.