Friday arvo ramblings!

Howdy Beanies!

How are we this windy afternoon?? I was almost blown away trying to hang out washing earlier today..we've had wind gusts of 65km/h with a possibility of them reaching 100km/h overnight! Scary! O.o

Guess what I did today? Apart from get hit by a flying twig whilst doing my washing thismorning...


Yep you guessed right, not much LOL I did manage to make this absolutely ADORABLE Dr Suess theme earflap hat... ain't it cute!! It's for my youngest nephew as a Christmas pressie :o) I think he'll love it! I'll be making his brother a 'Thing 2' hat to match, they're gonna be the cutest kids in town! There's a link for the free pattern under the 'Handmade for Christmas Challange' tab up top there...

Sooooooo today is Friday!! YAY!! And HOLY COW this week has flown! But that obviously means that it's the WEEKEND and here at QC Shmoogle Bean HQ, in our reasonably average lives we have plans! My hubby and I ideally spend our weeknights reading/gaming/watching anime (Kaichou wa Maid-Sama! is our current series of choice...sooooo cute!) together and we adore it that way! With the exception of Wednesday nights when we venture down to the pub for Trivia and a beer. Hey, if you're ever in Armidale, Australia you should totally come with! We welcome extra brain-power hehe This weekend however, we plan to spend Saturday morning in the garden giving it some much needed TLC (stay tuned for another 'Diary of an Inexperienced Gardener' post) and I THINK but not entirely sure (need to check up this) that I have a photoshoot in the arvo; Saturday night we're going to visit Vaun and her beautiful little girl Sophia (seriously this bubba girl is such a stunner!! takes after her mum!) and on Sunday we're going, and don't blame me for this it was not my idea, bowling and rollerblading with people who can actually bowl and rollerblade.....very much unlike myself. I am the world's most unco bowler (I sort of throw the ball rather than bowl it and NEVER break 50) and don't even get me started on how hilarious I look on a pair of wheels!! I'm sure I'll provide plenty of good 'ole entertainment for everyone else anyway! I'll see if I can get someone to take a photo of me on skates so you can see exactly what I'm talking about (and laugh!)

In crochet news...I'm being an uber yarn geek as per usual. I swear my poor husband will get lost in the balls of wool about the place one day! I made the Dr Suess hat as you saw and I've also been working away on my chevron blanket and these gorgeous coffee mug cozy's!

And for some other random tidbits of news:

• My favourite colour is.... none! I don't have one, I love all colours in many combinations, so there you go!
• Right now I am wearing odd socks because I'm too lazy to pair them
• Tonight we are having pizza for dinner
• I am listening to 'Just Ace' by Grinspoon at the moment
• I am in my pj's
• and my hubby is being licked to death by our puppies so I'm off to tickle him while he's stuck on the floor coz that's the kind of loving wifey that I am :p

Catch you on the flipside!

Xx

Finding Pleasure in the Small Things

The beautiful sweet strawberries I had for breakfast

My darling little Sparrow asleep on his cushion

My cheeky boy, Toby

The first of my daffodils that have started to bloom in the garden

Admiring the beautiful colours in the latest set of Squares sent to me by my mystery Granny in the Aussie Granny Square Exchange

Appreciating the delicate work that someone I've never met put into making these squares just for me

and isn't a cloud in the sky!

I would say there is a lot to smile about today :o)

Nappy Wallet Sewing Tutorial ~ Very Handy and Very Cute!

Hey guys! You may remember this tutorial was featured at The Babbling Baby's Blog but unfortunately due to personal circumstances Charlene closed down her website. I was able however to retrieve (luckily!) this sewing tutorial I made up especially for her blog and relocated  back here to the QC Shmoogle Bean! I know a few blogs have featured this tutorial since then, if you are one of those wonderful bloggers, I have emailed you with this link if you'd like to replace it with the old one :o)
This is a gorgeous project to make as a gift for any mother-to-be, handmade gifts have that special personal touch! It takes very little fabric and is not a difficult sewing project; I made one for a friend of mine for her baby shower a few months ago and she just loved it! I hope you will enjoy this tutorial!! *I make no income from my blog and my tutorials are created for free for your personal/gift use only. Please do not sell items made from this tutorial; no part of this tutorial, text or photographs, may be sold, copied or reproduced in any way.Thankyou!

You will need:
Ruler or tape measure
Fabric scissors
Tailors chalk
Sewing machine and matching thread
Hook and loop tape
(2 x 5.5cm loop tape and 2 x 5.5cm hook tape)
Iron
Focus fabric
Lining fabric
Iron on interfacing

Fabric
For the nappy wallet:
1 focus fabric piece 42.5cm x 26cm
1 inner lining fabric piece " "
Interfacing " "

For the inside pockets:
2 focus fabric pieces 12cm x 14cm
2 inner lining pieces " "

For the wrist strap:
1 fabric piece 42cm x 7.5cm

For the closure strap:
1 focus fabric piece 9.5cm x 22cm
1 inner lining piece " "
Interfacing " "
This adorable 'Hungry Little Caterpillar' fabric is from 2 Little Bowerbirds, they stock some absolutely gorgeous fabrics and are an Australian based supplier. Before starting this project, be sure to have all your fabric cut and ready to go and be sure to read through each step before you start :o) I've included plenty of photos to help you along so it should be nice and easy to follow, but if you get stuck at any stage, please don't hesistate to ask me any questions!
Step 1: Iron the interfacing onto your nappy wallet lining fabric. Set aside

Step 2: Iron the interfacing onto wrong side of closure strap lining. Flip over and position both pieces of loop tape side by side in the centre onto right side of strap lining 3cm in from the top as shown. Overlap the tape slightly so it's easier to sew. Pin, and sew.

Step 3: Once your loop tape is sewn on, place the two closure strap pieces right sides facing and pin in place. Sew along the edge using a 1cm seam allowance leaving the bottom end open for turning. Cut a 45 degree angle at the corners close to the stitching, this will give you a nicer corner. Turn the strap right side out, fold in open end 1cm and press. Topstitch all around close to the edge. Set aside.

Step 4: Place one set of your pocket fabric pieces together (1 focus fabric and 1 lining piece), right sides together and sew around the outside using a 1/2cm seam allowance leaving a gap for turning. Turn right side out, fold in opening and press. Do not topstitch. Repeat with your second pocket. Set aside.

Step 5: Take your wrist strap fabric and lay it  wrong side up. Fold in the sides to the centre lengthways and press.

Fold the strip in half again enclosing both raw edges inside. Press. Your wrist strap will be 2cm wide. Top stitch along the open side close to the edge. I like to topstitch down the other side aswell to make it look more finished.

Step 6: Take your two main nappy wallet fabric pieces and place them right sides facing. Pin. Now take your wrist strap and fold down in half. Sandwich it between the two nappy wallet fabrics in the centre leaving 2.5cm of the ends outside as shown. Pin into place. Note: to find whereabouts you need to pin the wrist strap, fold your fabric in half and pin the strap in at the fold. Also make sure your wrist strap is not twisted inside the fabric pieces.

Sew all around the edge using a 1cm seam allowance leaving a 10cm gap for turning. Be sure to sew over the wrist strap to secure it. Trim off excess fabric and cut 45 degrees on each corner. Turn right side out and press the whole thing nice and flat.

Top stitch around all edges, being sure to catch the 10cm opening.

Step 7: Fold your nappy wallet in half. This is what your nappy wallet will look like when closed and is how we are going to position the closure strap. On the back of the nappy wallet, position your strap velcro side DOWN in the centre (about 8cm in from either side and 8cm down). Pin into place.

To attach the strap, sew a square 6cm x 6cm lining up the bottom of the square over the stitching at the bottom of the strap. Sew across from corner to corner. Don't worry, once we place the pockets on the inside of the nappy wallet, you won't see the stitching on the other side.



Step 8: Still with me? :o) Don't forget if you get stuck or have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Next we will be positioning the hook tape onto the nappy wallet. Lay your nappy wallet down as shown

Measure in 6cm from the top edge (about 8.5cm in from either side) and this is where you will sew on your loop velcro. Lay your velcro side by side slightly overlapping as before and pin into place.

Sew on your velcro.

Step 9: Take your two pocket pieces and position them at each end of the wallet as shown about 2cm in from each side.

You will be sewing along the sides and bottom edge leaving the opening towards the middle so when you are positioning your pockets, be sure to do so with the gaps you left for turning on the bottom of the pocket so they will be sewn over and closed in the process. Sew around each pocket as close to the edge as possible. And you're all done!! All you need to do now is add some nappies inside, gift wrap it and I am sure the mum-to-be will adore it! The nappy wallet will hold 2 newborn to 5kg nappies in each pocket snuggly plus you could easily fit a folded changing mat and another nappy or two between the pockets when closed.