A new year...

As I sit here on this cool, (18C) rainy, new years day (it's supposed to be Summer here) pondering the last couple of years and asking myself why I haven't been indulging in any creative activities I've come to the conclusion that I just haven't had the time.  Well, I've decided that 2017 is going to be different.  I've decided, that this year I'm going to revive by little blog here, I'm going to 'make' time for sewing and I can't wait to get started! In fact I have already started and you can get a sneak peek on my instagram.

Now... I don't make new year resolutions because lets be honest, who keeps them after the first couple of weeks anyway. I know I don't. That's why I don't make them!  So putting all that aside I will tell you that I do have a plan, and that is to 'SEW'!! I'm not going to make plans like, for example that I will make 3 tops, 2 dresses etc. using specific patterns. I'm just going to go with the flow and see where my journey takes me and I hope you'll come along for the ride.

And to finish off, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and creative 2017!

Do I or don't I

You may have noticed the recent slump in my blog posts.  I thought I was getting back on track with my sewing and blogging. By joining in with the Stashbusting and the Sewlutions challenges and blogging about it I had hoped to stay motivated.  But as luck would have it, I did the most reckless stupid thing and tore a muscle in my leg back at the end of February which left me out of action for over a month.  (Wow! As I get older I find it's so much harder to recover from injuries, especially silly ones like this)  Turns out sitting on the sofa for a couple of weeks with my leg elevated not being able to do anything was just plain boring and there goes all my good sewing intentions, but I did have plenty of time to think whiling away the hours, and came to wonder whether I really wanted to continue blogging.  I mean, after all I've been awfully inconsistent lately to say the very least - not just with my blogging but my sewing as well.  It's hard to write a blog post when you've made nothing to blog about.

Image Source

Sooooo...I'm thinking, do I or don't I?  I began to carefully consider all the reasons I do blog and all those reasons that keep me from being consistent and came to a very gratifying conclusion.

As selfish as this sounds - I do it for myself!

I love to sew! It gives me so much joy when I sew but I find it hard to allocate time for sewing when there are other things to be done (like housework and such) without letting it take over my life and become my sole purpose, leading me to neglect my home duties.  I like that there's a record of what I've made even if that doesn't amount to very much; after all that's why I started this blog - to keep record.  I love that I can see where my journey has taken me, how I've grown as a sewist and how my likes and dislikes have changed over time.  I like that I might be encouraging others to start sewing and making things for themselves.  But you know what the absolute best thing about blogging is - it's the camaraderie of the blogging community.  The feeling of belonging and encouragement of like-minded people; people I've never met but somehow feel I've known forever.

In a nutshell; that's the reason I blog.  That's the reason I will continue to blog even if it is spasmodic.  (Note to self...must try to organize a routine/time line for blogging, i.e. set days to post, it might help.  Making something might help too!)

Why do you blog?  Do you ever feel that it's too hard and not worth the effort?

Proudly Announcing...

Drum roll please...

...the arrival of my gorgeous granddaughter 'Liana'.

Isn't she gorgeous.  I think think so but then I'm biased.  She is just two days old in these photos sporting her brand new headband which her dad (my son) couldn't resist buying for her.

Nanna's first nurse

Her parents are both so proud and that's not to mention how proud her grandparents and aunties are.  She is very alert even at this stage as you can see.  Born in the wee hours of the morning she weighed in at 8lb 1oz.  My, how fast time goes by, it was 4 months ago last Friday.  And it seems only yesterday that her father was born.  She still has all that hair but it's grown much longer now.

I made a few things for Liana which were received with many "Did you make that's!" and much appreciation.  The bunting previously shown of which the photo now eludes me, a bunny rug and a couple of bibs.  I also bought her a cute pink teddy bear but didn't get a photo.

After all this fuss with Liana's arrival, David was starting his new job a couple of weeks later and having to pack up and move here to join me finally. It's been chaos since!  Things are settling down now and I can get back to sewing.  The first thing on the agenda is a dress for myself to wear to Liana's christening next month.  I have chosen a pattern, bought some fabric and just need to get started.

Mother's Day

Wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to all mother's out there today!

Breakfast in bed?  Not today.  I had to work this morning and besides there's no-one here except me at the moment.  All my children did send messages while I was at work so I guess that's OK, especially since two of them live four hours away in the city.

My day out last week to Ladies Day at the races was my gift from my children.  Then this afternoon my daughter arrived and presented me with these lovely chrysanthemums saying I should receive something on Mother's Day seeing as how I'd already been given my present.  Jacqui also cooked me dinner. We had the most wonderful three course Thai banquet.

Getting presents is great and I absolutely love what I was given but y'know, spending time with family is by far the best present ever, don't you think?

I hope you all had a wonderful day with your families.

So many things

So many things to make... so little time in which to make them...

With my first grandchild due in about three weeks I really need to get some sewing done.  I've been planning what I want to make, have purchased a pattern for one project and fabric for another but haven't even made a start yet.  Panic is setting in.  Will I get anything made before the impending arrival?

The pattern I've chosen is McCalls 5963.  It's sooo cute - don't you think?  I'm going to make view A, the bunting but can't find any fabric suitable when I don't know if it's a boy or girl.  I will make a decision as I can't leave it any longer or it wont be done in time.  Mmmm... Better get to the shops!

Bunting for 'Jellybean

I have also been going through my wardrobe, as you do when the weather starts to turn and found that I'm really in need of some more winter pajamas.  I really don't think the ones I have would qualify as winter pj's any more... most are more than a little thin and falling apart but meh...they're comfy!

Cosy Flanelette

Anyways, I purchased me some lovely warm flanelette to make the pants.  Ya know, I do love the warmth flanelette gives for the pants but I much prefer a t-shirt top to wear with them, don't you? I think it's much less restrictive but I had no luck with a cotton t-shirt fabric for the tops.  Hey, there's no rush - at this rate they'll be finished by 2013 - maybe. lol.

In the meantime Karen from Did You Make That decided to have a "Pajama Party" and I'm thinking I wanna go to this party - what a great way for me to get them made.  If only I can find some fabric for the tops.


And what's more... I've been waiting with anticipation for Me-Made-May '12.  I enjoy the challenge of wearing items made by my own hands every day.  And... lets face it, I need a kick start to get some sewing done. What with moving and a new job I haven't done any sewing since before Christmas.  I have however, bought fabric with good intentions but nothing to show for it yet.

Sooo........ without further ado I pledge

I, Shelly of Shelly's DIY Style, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '12. I endeavour to wear at least one item made by me each day for the duration of May 2012'

Now, I really need to be getting some sewing done not sitting here at the computer.