End of Year Projects

These are things that I made in December 2012. Some zippered pouches in different sizes, an eye pillow filled with flax seeds and a long bag for baguettes.

And this one is for my girl... A top in cotton, the same pattern as one previous dress I made (Japanese seing book). She looked happy!

Three others are not in the photo: a waterproof zippered bag made from shower curtains, a zippered boxy pouch and another long bag for baguettes in cuter prints.

Happy holidays!

Meat Balls

With 500 grams of minced beef, I made meat balls that were enough for 6 person-meal. At the beginning I planned to make meat balls with spaghetti. But then... I changed my mind. Tomatoes, green peas, onion, garlic, salt, pepper... This simple meat balls were served together with buttered fussili + a bit paisley herb (not on the pic).

Bon appétit!

PS. Meat balls: 500 gr minced beef, cilantro, garlic, onion, 1 sandwich bread, 3 tbsp tapioca, salt, pepper, ... I don't remember the rest :( Ah, oui... 2 ice cubes :D Put all in a food processor. Make it into little balls. Boil some water. Put the meat balls into the boiling water. Wait until the meat balls are going up (to the water surface). Dry and put them all in a bowl.

Decorating Cupcakes

I am not an expert of decorating cupcakes. But I always want to try. And tonight, this is the best shape that I got...

*We found a great recipe for the buttercream. It's in French.

Talking About: French Sewing Patterns

As promised, let's talk about some french sewing patterns... for children.


C'est Dimanche

Their designs are classic but they have some unique accents that make them different especially in the collars or near the collars.

I love these patterns:

• Sydney
• Cincinnati
• Chelsea
• And many more!

*Sydney coat. Photo belongs to C'est Dimanche

Not only Oliver + S and Japanese Sewing fans that have special blogs, C'est Dimanche is the same! See here: http://cestdimanchefans.canalblog.com/

At this moment, I am waiting for Sydney pattern from someone that sells it at La Fibre Creative. Seven euros plus fdp. Not bad. I have been considering to have one coat pattern for my girl and I think Sydney is so cute. Classic, but cute.


Coupé Couzu

For me, Coupe Couzu's design is also classic. But simpler than C'est Dimanche. Caperon Pas Rouge is interesting. But I have one similar cape from Oliver+S's book that I haven't tried.

* Petit Caperon Pas Rouge - the back part. Photo belongs to Coupe Couzu

Citronille

The design is, again, classic but sweet. I love to see the website of Citronille. It looks original. The pattern that I like very much is Albertine. I don't know why. I just like it since a long time ago. But I never have it :( I have one Citronille pattern, Hortense, in the category of Nuit. I bought it last year. And yes, I have never tried it yet. I was a little bit scared with the instructions... in french >_<

* Hortense. Picture belongs to Citronille

Fans of Citronille, see this blog: http://fancitronille.canalblog.com/


Her Little World

The first time I saw this pattern packaging in an expo, I was impressed. Lovely and sweet, full of imagination and fantasy. Perhaps that was because I saw their patterns for dresses :D But one that I love is the Médieval dress pattern. Simple and down to earth.

* Médieval dress. Photo belongs to Her Little World

***

Ok, that's all... I think other brands are not too interesting for me. Those four are my fantastic four for children french sewing patterns :)

See other french sewing patterns in here: Couture Stuff

Ciao!

First Potatoes

Only 3 little potatoes that I harvested :D But I am happy because the planting itself was just an experiment (I planted one little part of old potato that I had).

I want to plant some more on the next spring. Semangat!


Btw, I love to see pictures in this blog, about growing potatoes.

A Lazy Day Skirt for Winter

This time, I used fine corduroy cotton and put one big button as an accent.

Une Surprise

Yesterday I was so excited because of the official announcement from d'Aucy about me winning the contest. Did I mention it before that I joined a contest? It's about balcony gardening. The details can be seen in www.daucyculture.fr.

My intention to join that contest was more about sharing my joy & happiness of knowing & learning a new knowledge. Yes, balcony gardening of course. I was happy to find that contest (in Facebook). I think the idea of making "Concours Potager de Balcon" was very good. Somehow it could motivate more people to try planting edible plants & making mini bio/organic garden at home, even if they live in the apartments. Some people will notice that it's possible. Totally possible. There are many benefits of having our own garden.

So, I won. The juries picked my photos. They picked me. Me! *still too excited*

I won a cooking class worth 240€. It's a cooking class for 4 persons. I will take my husband, that's for sure. He's a good chef in our home. And he always wants to improve his cooking/baking skill. In addition, my husband has been supporting me a lot in my gardening activities. He always listened to me everytime I shared good things or bad things related to my plants. He gave me some advices. He also learned together with me. Thank you, dear husband...!

So, two others will be... *thinking*

Mini VPP Wallet

Last Saturday, I spent hours organizing my sewing papers (patterns, tutorials) and putting them all into binder folders. Then I found the wallet tutorial of Very Purple Person between those papers (I printed it long time ago then forgot where I put it). I had planned to make one wallet for my daughter as her birthday gift and that tutorial was in my mind. So, I made it!

I changed the length of the wallet from 23 cm into 13 cm (original length, before being sewed).

Tutorial link: here

Lovely Dress

Finally I could make a correct dress from this book. I mean, now I get familiar with the pattern paper and the book itself (how to use the instructions). Of course it is not perfect but better than before.

My lil princess is happy...

I plan to make another one but shorter. It will be a top then.


Fabric: flowery cotton from my mom, long long time ago... :D
Buttons: wooden buttons from Ambre Noire

Winter Sewing

I have a tendency to make spring-summer clothing for my kids ;D Can't resist... And I'm coming from a tropical country too.. *is there any connection?*

Now I need to see fall-winter sewing patterns on the market. No intention to buy one (not yet), just for having some ideas.

Couple months ago I saw this After-School Shirt + Pants pattern by Oliver + S. Totally cute and suitable with.. me. The problem is, it will not be for me. For my daughters. The eldest seems okay with this style. The little one, I don't think so. She's a princess! *but sometimes she's fine with a pair of jeans as long as it goes with a pinky t-shirt/top ;D* Anyway, I love this style.

And I love this one too... School Photo Dress.

And how about this Bubble Skirt by Ruffles and Stuff. I have tried to make one couple years ago and I failed :( *try again then!*

Going to Etsy... I love this dress, don't you? Sleek Dress by Puperita. And Allie Dress by Sew Sweet Patterns. Sorry for not inserting the photos from the original sources. But you can click the link in each pattern's names.

And now, this... A beautiful dress, don't you think so?

Winter Rose Dress by iCandy Handmade. I believe my little princess will be very happy if I make one like this *if...* ^_^

Well, I don't have extra time to continue my "window shopping". But while I am here talking about sewing patterns, I think I also need to write about French brands of children sewing patterns. Hmm..., perhaps later?

Five Travel Organizers To Go

Custom orders... from a friend.

My travel organizer is designed to keep passports (it can fit 2), boarding passes, an ID card, a credit card & baggage keys. And I made an extra space for city map or other important papers. Let's travel the world!

* Contact me for the details.

S520

Bbrp hari yang lalu, saya trial vlieseline (vilene, pislin) yg kodenya S520. Pislin ini kaku sekali. Dan fusible. Yg menjadi project percobaan adalah, again, travel wallet. Di-double dgn H630, hasilnya mantap.

Travel Organizer

Pattern: website Husqvarna Viking
Outer fabric: cotton from Casa Cenina
Lining fabric: cotton linen Mondial Tissus
Interfacing: H630 & H250
Bias tape polka dot: Eurodif

Result: belum memuaskan. Harus rubah ukuran, dll.

Foto kedua adalah hasil 'revisi'. Much better. Tempat pulpen diganti key holder. Size organizer diperkecil spy lebih handy. Slot utk Boarding pass dipindah dari kanan ke kiri. Cara jahit bias tape juga dirubah. Yah, beginilah hasilnya...

Key holder: merk Prym, mungkin dibeli di Mondial Tissus (lupa).

Tutu Tutu

She adored her sister's tutu so much. But it was too big for her. Finally I made a little tutu that she can use anytime she wants.

First project from Little Things to Sew - Oliver+S book.

Tulle: Butinette (online)
Satin ribbon: Mondial Tissus Bourges
Matching thread: Bourse des Couturières Dunois

Home Sweet Home

Finally we came back home! And finally I sew again... :)

Thinking about a little bag or pocket or whatever to keep my laptop cord. I lost it many times *grr...* Once I lost it for more than a month so I could not use my laptop (no battery). I know it was my mistake. I didn't remember where I put it *my poor brain*

Today I sewed one bag to keep the cord safe :) by using a fabric scrap from the bed sheets made by my mom.

Then, I checked my plants and realized that my carrots did not grow so well. However, I had to harvest them before the weather becomes colder & freezing.

And this is the biggest carrot I got...

Happy Halloween!

Comme l'année dernière, we prepared the pacquets of candies for the children who came into Mamie's house for trick or treat. With the idea from Thalia (thru one article at theurbanmama.com), we made little pumpkins filled with candies. We had some orange papers from previous bday decoration. Unfortunately, the papers were not enough so I went to Cultura store to buy some more.

Then, with additional candies of Carambars (long candies), it was difficult to make little pumpkins (round shape). So, we changed the packagings for the rest of pacquets ;)

Happy halloween!

A Special Tote

I made this tote to carry all tools & materials to my sewing group. They provide the sewing machines so we only need to bring our tools & materials. At first, I planned to make exactly like the tutorial (from Martha Steward) but then I decided to change in some parts. Still it has some pockets and even a key holder inside.

The first time I sewed leather (imitation) with a special needle for leather fabric. Slowly but sure...

I wanted to make nicer photos from my camera but I didn't have time :( So here are some photos from my phone.

And as an addition, I made a matching wrist pincushion. I really wanted to make one since long time ago but I don't know why I didn't do it (the same thing like a pincushion that is attached at the sewing machine - I need that too!... And a thread catcher!)

:D

Bon, one by one...

PS. I still need to re-sew the upper part of my tote. I'm not satisfied yet :(

Bourse des Couturières

Visiting the Bourse des Couturières in Collège Dunois today. Many people were coming and the room was quite full.

I got 10 pieces of Gutermann 100m @ 0.50 cents, 8 pcs of 10cm zipper (not YKK) @ 0.50 cents and 3 FQ Tilda 8€. I couldn't get ribbons that I needed :(

Bourse ini lebih keren dibanding event serupa yg saya hadiri bbrp minggu lalu di Fleury-les-Aubrais. Pilihan lebih banyak. Apa mungkin karena saya datang lebih cepat (before lunch)?

Cute Drawing

Look, a cute drawing made by my daughter... Love it!

Tool Roll

I needed something to carry my sewing tools (scissors, rotary cutters, pattern markers, pattern tracer, chopstick ^_^ ). So I opened Lotta's book, Simple Sewing, and made this tool roll.

I might need a matching zippered (or not) bag/purse too for carrying fabrics & patterns. Make one?

Mini Pouch

From Emergency Zippered Pouch Tutorial by A Spoonful of Sugar.

This pouch is matched with the classic tote bag (complete story will be posted on different blogpost).

DigiScrap 2012: HEADER!

I used to love doing digital scapbooking. But since our old laptop was in trouble, and then I could not have Scrapbook Flair software for our new iMac, so I stopped digital scrapbooking. Sometimes I missed it and I tried to do it again in my little laptop. Unfortunately I did not have time luxury to do one single page. Yes, my little one was always around me, asking this and that, while digital scrapbooking is one of activities that is time consuming. Creativity is time consuming :D

Today, I used again the Scrapbook Flair software. Since my old papers and embellishments are not in my little laptop, so I downloaded some new from Free Digital Scrapbooking. Why I did again this digiscrap thing? Because I needed to make a new header! Scroll up, up, up... Voilà! My new header for a quite new blog title (previously, Mon Temps Libre). Actually, I had to do this since months ago but I didn't have time and I planned to make hand sketched design by myself (it turned to be some ugly drawings :( )

Ok, Do it Do aka DID is well dressed now. Done!

Little Things To Sew

Look what I got! Finally arrived :)

I'm so excited. What to make first? Pinguin backpack? ^_^

KCWC - Day Six

Actually, I made this very early... Between midnight until 2 am (Oct 13). Just curious with this pattern from FleeceFun.com.

And yes, it was fun... :)

I should put some appliqués for more fun but may be later, by hand.

Here it is, a simple fleece pants.

KCWC - Day Five

A simple peasant top size 12 yo for my big girl :) The pattern & tutorial are from Petit Citron's website (in french). You may check on pattern (patron) of "Top Léa à manches ballons fille".

Fabric was bought from an online shop in Jakarta (I can't remember which one >_< ).

KCWC - Day Four

Today everything was coming back to normal. My lil one was going to school after 2 days off :) She's feeling better, no more fever 👍 So I could finish this Pinafore Dress. No, no... That's not what I planned to sew from the Japanese sewing book. For some reasons, I postponed it and changed my plan into Pinafore dress.

The pattern & tutorial were from Sewing Machine Basics's book (Jane Bolsover). I changed a little bit -> not putting the appliqués, nor the ribbon belt. So, the dress looks more classic...

Then my girl asked me to add two pockets... >_< And put her name label... Tomorrow, dear... ^_^

KCWC - Day Three

Hmm... I didn't have much time today. I just chose some patterns & fabrics. Then I could prep one to be sewed tomorrow. I hope.

KCWC - Day Two

Today I finished the dress by sewing some pockets on it with a matching fabric. And then I made a simple skirt for my older daughter, from the same fabric (of the dress' pockets). So one for the little one, another one for the older one. Fair enough :)

Both fabrics are Vera Bradley's. I got them from Jakarta (Indonesia), from online shops : Lemonz CraftProjects & Fab Fabric on Facebook :)

KCWC - Day One

My little girl has a fever since this morning. So, she is not going to school (again). This situation made me change my plan. I didn't have much time to sew, so I concentrated more on understanding a pattern from my Japanese sewing book (see this blog). It seems that now I am starting to understand it (yey!).

Today, I also tried to understand how the automatic buttonhole system worked on my Brother. Happy that finally I could make some buttonholes :)

Day one: understanding & preparing the pattern. Tonight I will choose the fabric.

Ok, back to my girl...

Puces de Couturières

I was visiting Puces de Couturières today in Fleury-les-Aubrais. I got the information from Les Filles de Centre's blog (merci!) and I finally could manage my time to take a look after my (gourmand) meeting with my Indonesian friends. The space (salle/room) was not too big so I could finish looking around in couple minutes. Some were selling fabrics, in meter or in coupon. Some were selling sewing notions. I saw one cute pattern but then I realized it was for adult (not in children size).

And voilà... these what I got from there...

Tomorrow I will finish the robe/dress for my lil girl ^_^

Japan Couture Addict

While searching for some "solutions", I found Japan Couture Addict. Interesting... and they have a discussion forum too. Since I adore the simple style of japanese clothing, so I joined this group. I hope it will give me more clues on making some nice little clothes... from japanese sewing book.

Btw, this is the unfinished dress, pattern from Vêtements amples à superpose but with my limited brain capacity to understand it :( I still need to put the buttons and make a matching skirt.

Time to dodo...!