LOVE Amy Butlers new range

I always love her fabric but I really love Amy Butlers new fabric range "LOVE".

Bright, girly, floral and absolutely delicious. My mind is going into overdrive of projects I could make...

All image via amybutler.com

Name and Shame

I am hereby naming and shaming myself in the hopes that I will finally take some time out to sort and tidy my embarrassing fabric stash and crafting/sewing area.
Then I can post some pretty pics of my lovely fabric collection!

Image 1. Piles of singlets, tshirts and onesies for planned items to make for {Bits & Bubs}
Images 2, 4, 5 Disgustingly messy fabric stash's
Image 3. My shelves that hold my fabric, crafting and sewing supplies.

The Tale of the 30 Year Old Quilt

Once upon a time there was a quilt; to be precise, lots of pretty little squares hoping to one day grow up into a quilt.

Now these little squares were born from their talented mama who cut them lovingly from various fabric she had used over the years to make clothing for herself and her babies. Some were lucky enough to be joined together with their sisters not long after they were born.

Unfortunately, mama was very busy running a household with 4 little children and a family business so the little squares were left huddled together in various cupboards, baskets and boxes. The pretty little squares sat forlorn and lonely for 30 years.

They sat patiently waiting, waiting, waiting for some love and attention from their mama who would one day help them transform into the beautiful quilt they so much wanted to be.

One day, mama was cleaning out her sewing bundles and boxes of fabric and came across the little squares. She gathered them all together and gave them a new home in a little basket on her table where she could see them- she even started ironing some of them.

Maybe one day the little fabric squares will become beautiful, cosy, lovingly made quilts for 2 lucky little girls to enjoy...

Yes, the mama this story is my mum and yes, this is obviously where I get my sewing procrastination from- it's in my genes. I just hope my many unfinished projects do not sit for 30 years! Yes, you heard right, 30 years! Mum started making these quilts for my sister and I when we were toddlers...

We try to steal these gorgeous, now vintage, squares of fabric in various shades of pink, white, florals and spots but she just wont part with them. She is absolutely determined to finish these quilts and maybe this post will give her the push she needs (yes I know, pot calling the kettle black). I just love that every square of fabric is from something she has already made and that this quilt will tell a story.

Well now, I guess I better get off the laptop and hop to it then...

Confessions of a Compulsive Fabric Stasher

Heather Bailey's Studio. image here

1. When I walk into a fabric store I get so excited, my heart starts to race, and I can never remember why or what I am there for- even if I have a list. (Now if you are not a fabric stasher or sewer/crafter you will think "OMG, get a life!" but I assure you I am not alone on this!)

2. I buy fabric I never intend to use because it is pretty or I just have to have it

Image via Anna Maria Horner here

3. I like to rearrange and refold my fabric so they are coordinated into categories like colours, prints, floral's, vintage, by designer etc

4. ...and I very rarely put them back in the right spot

image by Jenny B Allsorts here

5. I love to look at my neatly folded fabric stashes- they make me smile

6. I love to look at pics of other peoples fabric stashes and how they organise them

image via Creative Little Daisy here

7. I do not throw out any fabric- I have a massive bag of scraps that is growing and growing- why would I throw them out? There are buttons that can be covered, appliques sewed, yo-yos made...

8. I can not even throw out fabric I no longer even like!

image via Spring Chick here

9. I buy fabric for a purpose but never get around to making it or only half finish it...then buy more fabric for something else I plan making but inevitably never do.

10. I buy fabric because it is pretty... I buy fabric just because...

The Problem with Spotlight...

Goodies for Mazie's "superhero" cape- not just a cape, it has to be a "superhero" cape

Cozy flannelet for winter- I am thinking some jammie pants out of these.

Vintage style quilting fabric- loving these colours...

What started out as a 5 minute drop in to Spotlight to pick up some plain pink fabric for a "superhero" cape for my daughter Mazie's 3rd birthday this Thursday, turned into absolute bedlam when of course I got completely sidetracked as usual and went off on a tangent purchasing fabric for god only knows what. The baby was screaming with hunger and tiredness, the toddler was alternating between tantruming, pilfering pieces of ribbon, and riding empty bolts of fabric cardboard rolls like a horse while I frantically tried to balance rolls of ric rak, ribbon, broderie anglaise edging, 3 quilting bundles and 6 bolts of fabric on the back of the pram squeezing down narrow aisles and dodging the disapproving stares of the grandmas, ladies with no children and staff members.

Who can ever go to spotlight and come out with only what you were there for? Not me that's for sure.

Well at least I have some more pretty fabrics for my ever growing "don't know what I'll use it for but I am sure I will use it one day" fabric stash as well as everything I need to whip up a spectacular superhero cape - PS she picked out fluro lime green (ew) and polar fleece with red clouds but I quickly diverted her attention to the pretty candy coloured fabrics- because of course it is I who will be wearing the cape isn't it (he he)?

Now I know I haven't finished the Heather Bailey happy stacker yet, but Mazie's birthday is coming up and she is totally obsessed with superhero capes - a perfect reason to start yet another project! At least this will definitely be finished by Thursday! (fingers crossed)