I can do the 'Can Can'...

As I mentioned yesterday, I went to the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair. I also said that I brought a few more things than I mentioned in the post. One of those things was some Can Can wool.

I hadn't heard of Can Can wool before but when I saw it at the Craft Fair, I realised that I had actually seen it in the form of a scarf. A local craft shop was selling them and I also saw a lady about a month ago wearing one and at the time I thought to myself "Nice scarf". These scarfs were made using the Can Can wool. 

It is very different to regular wool. It is like a netting fabric that curls up and it comes in a range of colours.

The instructions of how to knit with it are on the inside of the band around the ball. I found the instructions to be very brief and didn't help me much. I turned to the Internet for further advise and was surprised that there were loads of instructions available. Here is the one I found useful but there are plenty of others out there.

This would have to be the quickest knitting project I have ever done. In about 15 minutes, you have yourself and lovely long scarf. I brought the aqua blend colour as I am in love with this colour palette at the moment.

Photo courtesy of Hunter....not a great shot of me but that's the scarf.

They will be great for when we live in Melbourne next winter. I'll be able to wear a scarf everyday :)

Also, the good thing about the Can Can wool is that 1 ball can make several scarfs. Great for Christmas pressies I reckon. Give it a go!!

Stay tuned and Thank You for reading....

Craft and Quilt Fair.

Yesterday I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Brisbane. I just love going to it every year and this year was no different. Actually, I think that this year I may have enjoyed it more than ever before.

There are so many things to see at the fair, it is huge. I always go with my MIL and it takes us all day to see everything. We stop at nearly all the stalls to have a look. Most stalls are just so gorgeous and inviting. Displays of beautifully hand crafted quilts, dresses, aprons, bags etc. Fabrics that feel so luscious and are just screaming out to me to buy them, (how can I say no?). The latest sewing machines and overlockers. Paper craft, bead craft, anything you can think of craft. The list goes on.

I 'ohh-ed' and 'ahh-ed' the whole time I was there, all the while wishing that I had a million dollars....hehehe.

While I was there, I decided that on the end of my huge, ever growing list of things to make....I am going to make a quilt. I have always been a bit to scared to even think of making a quilt due to my lack of expertise in sewing but now I just figure, What the hey?? I'm sure if it goes pear shaped, I can un-pick it all and use the squares for something else....maybe! So while cruising around the stalls, I decided that I want to make a 'Vintage Chic' quilt (seemed to be the in theme at the moment too) so I started building my stash. I found the above Fat Quarters at a stall and think they will be perfect for my quilt.

It might take me a while to build my stash and take me a year to make this quilt but I will get it done and showcase it when it is :)

In staying with the 'Vintage Chic' theme, I bought the pattern and some fabric to make this pillow as well...

Won't it go nicely on my bed with my quilt? Poor Nick doesn't yet know that I am going to transform our room into a very girly, flowery, beautiful room!! lol

I picked up a few other things as well while I was there and all in all, I had fantastic but exhausting day :)

Back home on the party front, things are coming along well. I have almost completed my outfit and then will move on to Nick's. I can't wait to share all the photos with you.

6 more sleeps.....

Party Progress...

OK, I have been slack, I know!! I am trying to get all prepared for my boys Cowboy party which is next week. I must say, I have a lot to do before then but for some reason or another, I seem to lack the energy to get the tasks ticked off my list. Oh well, I'm sure it will all come together before the big day :)

As you know, I am trying to make most of the costumes myself (especially the kids ones) so I have been excited about getting some of that done. I have already made Cowboy vests for the boys.

To make these, I got a t-shirt that fitted them well and used that as a pattern. I made a few adjustments...shortened it by 2 inches for a shorter vest, made a big V neck and cut the front down the middle. I used suede fabric that I picked up from a local fabric store in the remnants bin, score! I could have left the edges raw since it won't fray but I overlocked all the edges for a different look. The boys love them and wear them often already :)

Next on the list was an outfit for Miss Chelsea. I wasn't 100% sure on what to make her. I had been to the fabric store to find something but nothing really appealed to me for her. Shock I know!! Anyways, while I was there, I needed to get some red checkered fabric to make the table clothes from but they only had a small red check fabric. I bought it anyways. When looking at it at home, It just didn't look like the right sort of check so I decided to cut it up and create a cute country dress for Chels out of it.

To make this dress I used a self made bodice pattern that fits Chelsea well and a Circle skirt pattern (Pattern: New Look #6688) that I purchased a while ago. You can also find lots of circle skirt tutorials on the web like here and here.

I adjusted the bodice pattern slightly by giving it more of a boat neck and a thinner shoulder seem. I also fully lined the bodice and made it button up at the back.

I then made the circle skirt and sewed the bodice and the skirt together. I added a thin blue belt and a big flower that I made out of scrap blue fabric and a big red button to add a pop to the dress.

It looks amazing on her so I am happy at how it turned out :)

Next on my list is my outfit. I have changed my mind a hundred times as to what I want to wear so far. I think I have finally settled on an idea though, fingers crossed that I can make it look like the plan in my head!

Find out soon (I promise it will be soon) what else I have made....

Until then, take care!