Sewing Gals please help - Pencil Pad Cover

Do you ever have one of those moments where you think "I'd like to make XYZ, I don't have a pattern but it can't be that hard..." well I had one last night. I want to make a pencil / drawing pad cozy / cover for a friend as a thank you gift. The pencil rolls come together so quickly so I thought this would not be too hard. (insert picture of me rolling my eyes to heaven!)

This is the finished product / tester.

Ok I didn't account for the fact that with the pencil roll you just sew the holding part in with the seams which is what makes it such a quick project. But with my new one the pencil section was smaller than the width so I ended up making the holding bits and then sewing them on (I guess next time I could do the sections all the way out to the ends and then just center the pencils?).

I initially cut the holders, put interfacing on one half and folded it over and was going to turn it under and hem it but that seemed too fiddly so then I decided to stitch and turn it as one pocket and then topstitch on and sew the dividing sections.

My problem - and I need help. If you look at the pics you can see it is all puckered (click on the pic to enlarge).
Is this because I have too much interfacing (I have it on the back on one of the large pieces - the one on the inside, and I have a half strip on all the pockets)?
Or is it that I am making the pencil holding sections too tight therefore it is pulling?
HELP PLEASE???

On this one I also forgot to put the ribbon on the left hand side seam so I could close it (DOH). I did put some on the top as I thought if there was no pad inside then it could be rolled like a regular pencil roll. But as you can see it does not roll nicely, too much fabric and interfacing I think?

Please let me know any suggestions or ideas you have to improve this project.

thanks friends ....

Oh and here is my boy ... (just because I love taking pictures of him)

Tears, Treasures and Theater

Tears. Today there were a few tears. Laith moved to Grade 1 and it was just like day 1 of the year all over again. I felt awful leaving and of course I worried about him most of the day. When I picked him up he was bouncing all over the place with joy! ;-)

Treasures. Today I went to Ruwi. Anyone here knows that a trip to Ruwi can be, well, ... I am not so sure how to describe it. The traffic is insane, the people are even more crazy, and getting what you want is really hit and miss. BUT today I got lucky with some treasures in my little notions store ... Twill Tape!!!!! Cute buttons, some eyes for craft (I have to check the prices with my mum compared to home to see if its a bargain or not), the wee small hair clips to embellish, empty hair slides to be decorated, and very ordinary (but needed) thimbles. (Oh and Charlie and Lola books were not from Ruwi - that would just be surreal!, I found them at Boarders and snatched them up to put away for Lulu for Eid or Christmas - she is Charlie and Lola crazy, in fact she sometimes insists you call her Lola and Laith Charlie). These simple things you take for granted in Oz with a Spotlight down the road but here they are like little hidden treasures! I also managed to pop into my "fallen off the back of a truck" fabric shop and got some good quality gingham, and some cotton stuff that I can use as batting for the kids quilts. I can't show you photos as the bag is still in the back of the car. Now it is not that I am HIDING my stash from my husband I just figured it would be easier to wash and unpack when he was at work tomorrow ;-)

So for all the PAIN of driving, parking and the hustle and bustle of the evil Ruwi I had a good day. I tried on the way home to get a turkey for Christmas but still Muscat is OUT OF STOCK so there could be a turkey war at Al Fair on Monday when the manager said he is expecting a shipment!


Theater. My darlings yesterday. Sir Laith, Princess Pirate Lulu and Sami the Wand Waving Train Conductor who just liked chasing everyone with a wand LOL.

You don't want to mess this one I tell you!

Last night I finished the other pencil roll for Lulu's nursery Christmas party. And I cut out three pairs of Santa shorts / pants for the kids. A little early but I figured they could wear them to the Christmas / end of term party this wednesday.

Time to get dinner ready ... bye

A funny little song

I saw this tonight while blogging (I should be sewing!) and just loved it ...



AND my darling Laith just LURVES this song at the moment. It is on the radio every morning on the way to school. Of course it means nothing to him but my goodness it really sticks in your head!


And finally I sing this song all the time in the car to the kids, they love it and think I am quite mad (of course I never get the words right). It reminds me I must ask my sister or mum if they can find a copy of Mary Poppins DVD, it would be wonderful to show the kids.

Finally I Started a Quilt

I can't say much as it will be a gift but I most excited about starting my first ever quilt! Here is the jelly roll I am using... it's Moda - Freshly Squeezed by Sandy Gervais

and just check out those lovely prints - click on the pic for a larger view. (sorry the light was terrible in the play area, again a little overcast but alas no rain)It is coming together nicely and I am learning a few important things along the way like accurate seam allowance, pin Pin PIN! at the seams, and iron the seams and front well after each step.

This afternoon we had a lovely time over at Laila's mums place. She had a new swing set and it kept the kids very busy. The weather is wonderful now, just perfect. Lulu was asleep in the car before we hit the main road so that will tell how much they exhausted themselves.

Last night we tried a new icecream place. Did the kids liked it?
You decide ...

The icecream "high"
The icecream "low"

I have to go quilt - sooooooooooooo excited!

Cherio ...

Sami's Pillow

Ta-Da .... Here is Sami's new pillow.

I made it last night using this pattern from Kimberbell Kids over at You Can Make This. I know I could have done it without a pattern but I wanted to get the alphabet cutouts already done, reversed etc as I will use them on a few projects in the next few months.

I made the front panel with some Organic Bamboo Velour, it is so soft and lush to touch (and such a bugger to sew!) but I wanted something soft. (click on the picture to make it larger and you will see the softness - ummm you will also see all the flaws LOL! ) Then the rest was made from different fabrics from my stash. It uses 2.5 inch strips so it is great if you had some left overs from a Jelly Roll. The back is a soft flannel. I altered it just a bit as the pattern itself is just stuff and sew shut but I wanted to be able to remove the cover easily for washing so I added a bit of flannel to the front and turned it under (doubled) so I could put in blind snaps. Worked a treat. I also decided to cut down an existing feather pillow I had, yikes what a job I think I still have feathers up my nose! I then washed it and put it in the dryer with some tennis balls. They take FOREVER to dry!

That was my first attempt at applique and I certainly need more practice for sure.

Playdough Time

Today is a holiday here so it was a family day in the house. Nothing too exciting happening and while it looks like it must be raining somewhere in Muscat it sadly is not here.

Ali put up the shelf in the boys room but this time I stood at his side with the vacum cleaner while he drilled as I could not bear the thought of all that fine dust everywhere again. It worked a charm.

I have been on the hunt for Cream of Tartar for months and all the supermarkets have not had any in stock (it gets like that here sometimes). A friend of mine snatched up some as it was being unpacked the other day in the supermarket so I was thrilled to be able to make a batch of playdough as we have been without any for some time and I find it a great distraction while I am cooking. This batch turned out really smooth and it got the thumbs up from Laith and Lulu.

We use the traditional recipe.

1 cup flour, 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon oil, 1/4 cup salt and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar. Then what ever colouring you choose. The recipe often says to add the colour while cooking but I like to make a double batch then divide it into four and then add the colouring at the end. You need to squish and squish it thought your fingers until the colour gets stronger as shown in the picture below. Just add all the ingedients into a saucepan and then cook over a medium heat until it creates a smooth ball. Then turn out onto the bench and let cool. At this stage I divide it and add the colours. When you are finished playing just seal it in an airtight container or ziplock bag.

Teachnet.com has a few different recipes you can try if you are interested.

I finished my project last night. Will come back later and show you. Dinner time soon.

Ciao Ciao

Fun Days

Today was one of those days when it was just good to kick back and enjoy the day and have some fun.

This morning Laila came over and while Sami and Lulu played with Abdullah and Noora we each made a crayon roll. They both turned out looking rather special so that is one present ticked off the christmas lists. Mine will go to Lulu's school Christmas party as they have asked everyone to bring along a gift (generic so it can be given to any child) for their party.
I like putting FOE (fold over elastic) on mine to close them as I find that little kids can't tie the ribbons. I just love the froggy print on this one!
Sami will go to the party too so I am going to send two gifts. The other will be a pencil roll more suitable to one for one of the KG kids. The kids had fun, Laila and I had a good ol chat while we stitched (I worked out that I can not talk and sew at the same time as I made a few foophahs but nothing too serious LOL) and even Laith was kept busy and happy with his computer and then reading.

I spoke to my Mum and my sister briefly today. They rang while they were out Christmas shopping, ohhhhhh I felt just a tad family / home sick as I wished I could have been with there with them. Not long until my Mum arrives - yay.

In the afternoon the kids and I made a tent village. Lulu set up camp in her fairy tent (thanks Uncle Colm for that fab gift!) with all her friends (can you see she is speaking to her dollies opposite her) and Laith set up in the other "ball" tent. It kept us busy for a while and everyone was happy enough so that to me is a GREAT day!
So what have I been up to tonight? I almost finished it but here is a teaser ...

Until tomorrow.... nite nite

(P.S. I realised after posting this that it was well past midnight so Blogger had clicked over to a new day. I really must get to be earlier but tomorrow errrr I mean today is a holiday!)

Sling and Bag and things to do

Last year I met a lady at the AWG craft fair and she asked me if I could make her a sling when her baby arrived the following year. A few weeks ago she rang me to say her bub was now three months old and she wanted a sling. Even though I am no longer operating Bubbas and Mummas I wanted to fulfill my promise, and this is her sling which I finished today.
It is such a lovely fabric. Here is the sling all ready to go.

It took me three weeks to get this to her so as a thank you for her patience I made her little one a drawstring embroidered bag.
The kids are off now for 4 days as we have the National Day holidays. I need to sit down and make a list of the things I need to make in the next month. Eid gifts, still things for the kids room, Christmas gifts, thank you gift for a friend, Holiday dress for Lulu .... it is a long list!

Tonight if I get a chance I will try stippling just to see how hard it is as it may sway my decision to do a quilt as a gift.

Oh and today is MEND IT MONDAY, I must get some things out of the mending basket every monday!

Hooroo....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO

It is my darling brother's birthday today. I can't reach him on the phone as he is "at sea". (Yes you may remember my sister was at sea for her birthday - tough life hey?) LOL. He joined the boat in Darwin and has been sailing around the coast on a fishing trip with Silvio (a.k.a the chicken), sounds like fun.

So bro when you come to plebsville and catch up on your blog reading - big HAPPY BIRTHDAY hugs out to you.

Laith asked me how old is Uncle Colm. Before I could say anything he said "I don't think he is 100 yet is he mum?" you just gotta love their innocence!

Another teacher gift

I did not get a chance last night to do the thank you gift for Ms. Spencer. Her first name is Kealy or is it spelt Keely? I wasn't sure so I went with initials this time. She is the co-ordinator that assessed Laith and made his move possible. She is a real sweetie (all these Irish gals are!;-).

I got her pen/pencil roll finished tonight in time for Laith to give to her tomorrow when she takes him to meet his new teacher ... Ms. O'Brien ... I don't think there are any teachers left in Ireland as they are all at Laith's school!
Laith's teacher loved her gift and said that she was the envy of the lunchroom so I felt really good about that.

Sami is poorly tonight he just woke up and won't go back to sleep so he is with Ali while I finish up (my husband is a true darling!) so I am off to see if I can get him back to sleep. I am dripping in sweat as a result of a fever that spiked about an hour ago (I am going to blame my friend Laila who is also sick and I think I got her germs down the phone today! LOL).

Night to all,

Farewell Gift

Laith asked me to make something for his teacher...Ms. O'Sullivan (a great Irish Gal) as he will be leaving her class this week to join the new Grade 1 class. He told me at the beginning of the term how the other teacher would come in and use Ms. O'Sullivan's whiteboard markers and then she could not find them and she would get annoyed. (LOL, Kids they tell you everything, just imagine what they tell the teachers!)

So I thought I would have a crack at a marker / pen organiser. Hmmmm, it turned out ok, but I learnt a few things on the way. I did a pencil / highlighter roll too. Both have her name embroidered on the front. I used a Fat Quarter of the spirals and half of one for the inner.

Off to bed for this little black duck.

Oh and the birthday party was nice! And yesterday's thanksgiving lunch was fab too, oh the turkey was yummo!!!! It's party time here in Muscat!

The Grand Opening

Last night we had the "Grand Opening" of the boys room (LOL!). Here are some pics (of course the beds are not made to perfection - in fact bunk beds never look tidy!) of their room and the "ceremony" last night.

And I now declare our room OPEN!

and the crowd rushes in...
(my husband thinks I am mad, can you tell!)

Not everything is finished including their names on the door and a shelf that has to be mounted on the wall over the reading nook but mostly it is done. There is lots of space as I have not put a wardrobe in the room as there is plenty of space in Lulu's room at the moment but that might change, we will see.

The entertainment corner

The reading nook (or library as Laith likes to call it)The bunks and bookcase (yet to be filled) and storage boxes

Lulu is sleeping on the bottom bunk until her room gets done but to be honest I think she is much happier in with Laith so there is no rush on that move.

This afternoon we have a 2 year old party to go to. I must say I feel lousy with this cold so it will be a brief stint. Here is his present. (it is so hard to take nice pictures of blankets)

The FrontClose up

The back

Off to collect my son from school. He has a short week this week as there are two holidays in lieu of the National Day. Then on Saturday he will start Term 2 and for Laith this means he starts Grade 1 (currently he is in KG2) but my smart little bunny is skipping a grade! It might be a tough week next week, let's see...

Hooroo to all ....

Sniff Sniff

Yes the dreaded "change in weather" lurge has struck us big time. Laith has been a bit blah for a few days and now Ali and myself have both come down with the most awful cold. Just yukky! The great new is that weather is wonderful now. High 20's during the day and mid teens at night, no more A/C's!

Yesterday I was feeling dreadful and thought I would have a quick kip while the kids were having dinner with Tursini. But I kept hearing Lujayne's name being called. Then I heard Laith outside calling for her and I sat upright my mind racing. By the time I jumped off the bed I heard Tursini coming up the stairs calling for her. OMG where could she be, and as I opened my door my heart beating like mad, there she was, curled up on on the hammock swing asleep. Usually I would wake her after half an hour and get her to have dinner but I felt so rotten and did not want have to deal with her crankiness when she woke that I put her into bed where she stayed until 7am - Yay!

We moved the bunks back into the "boys room" today and hopefully Ali will put the blinds up and the bookshelf on the wall tomorrow and we will be finished. Pics to come.

I finally feel like the upstairs is coming together. We had the Ikea bookshelf arrive this week and they said they could put it together for me for Rial 15 (that's about AUD$63 / USD$39) and while I was tempted I declined and put it together myself. It was pretty easy even with three "little helpers"! I must say the hubster was pretty impressed too ;-)
Tomorrow we have been invited to a Thanksgiving lunch. I was very tempted to go down the shops and buy some chocolates as I felt so darn awful today but I was a good gal and "handmade" my gift. I made a personalised guest book so they can have their friends sign it. I thought this would be special given that this is probably their last Thanksgiving in Oman. I tried to find a nice guest book but no luck so instead I got two coloured paper spiral notebooks and glued them together. Although I had the measurements right what I found is that the embroidery shrunk / pulled in the edges so I did not have the allowance to play with so the top stitching was too tight to fit the book into the flaps. I just trimmed of the front and back covers and all was ok. BUT my machine got very cranky about the thickness of the fabric which really surprised me as it is a "quilters Companion" and as such it is designed to take bulky quilts! I practically had to sew it by turning the wheel as the presser foot would just stop. Anyway it is done and as they say "better done than perfect". I hope they like it.

The Front
The Back
The Inside

And just because I love that Sami can make me smile no matter what, here are some shots of him playing with his balloon.

And on that note I might call it a night.