What's Christmas Without A New Outfit?!

Well, I guess it's still Christmas but it isn't as fun as when you have a new outfit to get dressed up in.  In saying that I didn't have time to make myself a new outfit.  I was working on something but it just didn't get finished in time.  Luckily for Imogen though I managed to get hers finished.
Now am I the only person who is ridiculously in love with jumpsuits? They are my favourite item of clothing ever. I own about 5 and I have plans to make myself a couple this year.  Given my love of jumpsuits when I saw this free pattern pop up on pinterest I couldn't resist making it for Imogen.


I used a Christmas print cotton that I picked up at Spotlight.  What I love about this fabric is that it isn't the usual Christmas colour scheme.  I didn't really want to make something that was red & green and overly Christmasy.  I think this is the perfect amounts of Christmas and class.



This was a super quick make which was a good thing as I started making it on Christmas Eve.  I managed to get this made in between baking 2 cakes, cookies for santa and getting prepped for Christmas lunch.  I'd love to make Imogen another jumpsuit in a more everyday fabric so don't be surprised if you see this pattern pop up again soon.

Teepee Time!

 Before we get too far into the new year I wanted to share a couple of things that I made for Christmas. First up is Imogen's main present that I made, a teepee!

To say that I am happy with how this turned out would be the understatement of the century.  I have been thinking about making this for a long time so I have built it up in my mind.  Usually when I do that the final outcome is a bit of a letdown.  In this case though I was pleasantly surprised!

The main fabric is a decorator weight fabric from Spotlight.  I used a basic cotton poplin for the pink portion and added some gold rope to tie the posts and as ties on the doors.  I really love this colour scheme.  Pink, black and gold is just perfection!  When we move Imogen into a big bed I want to give her room a makeover using this teepee as a starting point.

Luckily for me Imogen also loved her teepee.  She crawled straight into it and sat inside drinking her bottle.  I think I would called that a gift making success!

The best part of the teepee is that it can be collapsed and packed away when not in use.  Ideally I would like to have it up in her room permanently.  I am thinking of making a pink cushion to go inside and making it into a bit of a reading nook.  One day!

Christmas Present #1

Look, I made my first Christmas present! Given that we are only 15 days away from Christmas it is about bloody time.  The only presents I am making this year are for Imogen.  The past few years I have made a couple of things here and there for other people but the last three months of the year are hectic for us so I decided to focus my present making time on Imogen.
So present number one is this little doll who I am going to call Clover.  She was made using the black apple doll pattern available here.  Essentially this is a very easy make! The hardest part was turning the legs and arms right side out because they are so tiny.   This is also why I decided not to stuff the arms and legs.  I stuffed one and it became really stiff.  I thought it would be a bit easier to play with if it wasn't stuffed.
I also decided to stitch the face rather than paint it on as I have absolutely zero painting/drawing skills.  Lastly, I added a little extra touch with a flower in her hair.  I love when Imogen wears her flower headbands so I thought this would be a nice addition.  I am really happy with how this turned out! Fingers crossed Imogen likes it.  Now onto the other 2 presents.  Keep your fingers crossed for me to get them done in time!

Mum's Christmas Present

I have been wanting to share this bag with you guys since the minute I finished it. I am so in love with that I may need to steal it back from mum ;-) This is one of only 2 presents that I made for Christmas this year. But considering how long it took me to get this finished I would have had to start in June to get more presents done.

I used this tutorial by See Kate Sew for the basis of the bag. I used her measurements to cut the main bag pieces, lining and handle. For the scallops I didn't use her template but rather traced around a cup on the wrong side of a piece of fabric. I then used this chalk line as my guide and sewed along it before trimming and turning my scallops right side out. I found this gave me a rounder finish on my scallops and I could make them a little bigger.

I also didn't use her sewing instructions because I was too impatient to read the tutorial before jumping into the sewing. I just winged it but it turned out pretty good so I am happy. I love the colours in this bag. I may have to grab some more fabric to make myself one otherwise I really will want to steal this back.

The other gift I made this Christmas was to whip up a couple of this necklaces for my niece who is accessories obsessed. Did you make any gifts this Christmas?

Imogen's Christmas Outfit

I couldn't resist making Miss Imogen an outfit to wear on Christmas Day.  I also couldn't resist making a tutu.  I'm not sure how long it will last on the day because it is quite puffy but as long as she wears it long enough for some photos I'll be happy.

There are a million tutorials on the internet for these types of tutus.  All you need to do is google no sew tutu and you will find heaps.  They are super quick and easy to make.  The most time consuming part was cutting the strips of tulle.

The onesie was nice and easy too.  Just a few bits of ribbon sewn on with a silver star button on top.  Voila, instant Christmas tree onesie!  I figure this is christmasy enough that when she gets over the tutu she is still in theme.  I also have a my first christmas onesie for her to put on if she throws up on this one.  I have all bases covered, lol.

I am hoping this is the start of a tradition of making Miss Imogen a new outfit each Christmas.  There is nothing better than a brand new dress on Christmas day!

And the stockings were hung....

By the kitchen with care?  Not as exciting as hanging them by the chimney but it'll have to do.

This year I decided to make us all stockings to hang.  I have decided that we are going to start our own little family tradition where we get new pajamas to open on Christmas Eve.  When I wrap them I am going to pop them into the stockings.  I remember when I was a kid we used to get a present from our Pop & Carolyn to open on Christmas Eve and it was always pajamas so I wanted to do that for Imogen too.

I used this pattern via Purlbee.  I made the stockings a while ago and they sat on my sewing desk for quite a while before I tackled the embroidery.  Embroidery is not exactly my strong suit so I was a little wary to get started on it.  I eventually did though and although they look a little, shall we say, rustic I am happy with how they turned out.

So that's one more item off the Christmas to do list.  Only a couple more items left now.  I am hoping to make a couple of small presents but not sure if I will get them finished in time.  One I definitely will but the other two are maybes.  I also need to get started on Imogen's Christmas outfit but that will be nice and quick to make.  Hopefully I will be able to share that with you soon.

I am so excited the weekend is finally here.  We are having a very festive weekend this weekend.  Tonight we are off to White Christmas at Movie World, tomorrow we are going to go and get Imogen's Santa photo and then tomorrow night we are going to check out the Christmas lights in our area.  But the most exciting part of the weekend is that my sister is arriving Sunday night and she will be here until Boxing Day.  I can't wait to see her!

Homemade Ornaments

Day 4 on our advent calendar tasks was to make ornaments for our Christmas tree.  I decided to make some super simple air dry clay ornaments because they were quick and easy and could be done during Imogen's nap times.

They are seriously super duper simple!  Just roll out your clay and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.  I then used a small piping tip to poke holes in the top of each shape.  I left mine to dry overnight and they were perfect in the morning.  Keep in mind we are in the middle of a heat wave on the Gold Coast so f you are in a cooler climate they may take a little while longer to dry out.

This morning I cut my lengths of ribbon and threaded them through the holes and popped them onto the tree.  So simple it's ridiculous!  There are so many things you could do with these too. I chose to leave mine plain but you could paint yours or emboss them before cutting out the shapes.  Little Paper Lane used hers as gift tags on her present.  Use your imagination and have fun with them!