My lolly bag!

I was feeling hungry so i decided to bake myself a little afternoon tea! No not really. I have been baking for my daughters birthday party. The kids helped make the chocolate slice and heart chocolate cake.

We decided to include some sewing into the party by letting the kids make their own LOLLY BAGS! A little preparation was required as time will be limited at the party and there will be 8 kids altogether. 6 girls and 2 boys. I have cut out the bags, attached the handles and ironed on each childs initial. At the party the kids can then hand stitch around their letter and sew the side seams on the sewing machine.

Here they are all ready for the kids to arrive. The girls are making a tote style bag and the boys a draw string marble bag.

This cake was SO easy. Jess and i discovered a can of pink soft icing with 4 different nozzles just ready to instantly decorated our cake. It seriously took about 1 minute.

and then we added these adorable icing flowers...

Mmmm.. i think the kids will like it?

There was great chatter and busy little fingers as the kids happily stitched around their letters. Some kids were fast others very slow, some kept unthreading their needles, or wrapping the thread around the bag handles, some stitches long and others very short, but all being said everyone was enjoying themselves - even the boys. For all of the kids except for mine it was the first time they would use a sewing machine.

The birthday girl enjoying every minute of her party (especially the lolly hunt they are about to do to fill their lolly bags!)

Annie kept her full lolly bag on her shoulder for the rest of the party - except when she had a lolly or two!

"We love Vintage"

Unlike my previous visit to Bellingen, this time the doors were open!! I have had fun taking some photos of this gorgeous building and the surplus of vintage fashion. It was also great to see my handiwork on display.

Here i am at the back of the store looking down to the cafe. This is only one side of the store.

This is most definately the best seat in the house and is being enjoyed by the one and only Jenni. (I hope you don't mind me sneaking this pic of you?)

These are one of my most recent Frolic in Fabric designs.

I just had to take a photo of these gorgeous roses. I am a sucker for all flowers - especially in this purple pot.

this is one of my button bird charms - a cute accessory for a bag or even on a necklace.

I really do not like to waist (you can tell i sew alot.) great fabrics like these so i made these funky bookmarks.

Sadly this bag did not make it to The Vintage Nest because i sold it, but thought you might like to see it anyway.

Well i certainly have had a great day enjoying the coffee, vibe and Vintage of Bellingen. Hope you have enjoyed a sneak peak inside of the Nest.

Elizabeth X

And the WINNER is?

For someone who never wins anything how amazed i was to win a competition run by Sasha at Faint Impressions for the best studio. Check out this owesome "surprise package" that i recieved in the post. Thank you so much Sasha...i will so enjoy creating with these great fabrics and goodies. To see some of Sasha's awesome bags and products please click on this link http://www.faintimpressions.blogspot.com/

Button drawing!

30 buttons all in a row....these buttons are covered with an eclectic mix of fabrics. Some are vintage tableclothes, vintage fabrics and some are new. i am about to attach the elastic and package them for The Vintage Nest. They will make cute hair ties.

Mmm.. this is fun i could spend hours drawing pictures ..who needs building blocks when you have buttons?

Well i had better stop playing with the buttons and get them ready to sell.

Happy drawing.

Elizabeth X

My Big Brother

I was browsing through some old pics and just had to share these with you. How lovely it is when we see our kids loving and helping each other. This was one of those special afternoons at the beach. Jessica is wearing a little pini and hat that i made for her..which is now being worn by her little sister.

Stay tuned for more studio pics very soon..it is nearly finished.

Elizabeth X

Inspired to Sew!

After reading both of my favourite mags recently - Country Style and the Notebook it is no wonder that i was inspired to make a bag. Kath Kidston certainly has some great patterns and i just love her floral fabrics she uses. This bag is a slight modification from a bag in Amanda Blake Soule's book "Handmade Home" - only a little larger and with a button.

Must have been feeling very domestic... time for an apron.. yes i am doing lots of cooking now with three kiddies. You can never really have too many aprons?

Just a little doodling.....................

Hope you are inspired to sew too.

Elizabeth X

Holiday stitches!

During the holidays our place is always visited by lots of kids from the neighbourhood.

This is Bridget who is making a very cute book mark for her Mum.

She has drawn the picture herself and is now happily embroidering it.

So simple and so adorable. One book mark ready to take home to Mum.

This is my daughter Jessica's artwork and embroidery. She is only 6 so this has taken a little while and needed a little help but what a great job she has done.

We then decided to make it into a pillow for her bedroom. i cut the pieces out and Jess sewed them together on the machine.

These photos were taken on our holiday at the Blue Mountains. Obviously the kids were keen to use there new Christmas presents everywhere they went.

Very graceful Jess!

Why is everything always a race?

Not sure if they should really be skating n scooting in the beautiful rose park? But sure was fun.

What a great and exhausting holiday the Cooks have had. I think i will spend the first few days of school going back recovering - and cleaning the house. The joys of motherhood.

Till next time. X Elizabeth.