love, janie lou

happybirthdaytimes...

I love birthdays! They're so much fun. And giving presents is one of the best things about them. For quite a while I didn't have much spare time, so off to the shopping centre I'd go if a birthday was coming up (which is fun, but not the funnest). But lately, I've been able to make some gifts! Yay! I just love it when I get time to make a present, because I feel like I'm giving a friend a piece of me... and not something that so many others have bought for their friends.

So here's what I've been up to:

 

This apron was sent off to a friend who I've been writing to for the past eight years, and was made using Mady By Miffy's newest pattern. It was such fun to stitch up... so much so that I made a mini version soon after for my darling neice. Unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of the second one, but it was made out of a yellow spot fabric with purple ties and ruffle.

Two friends (also sisters) have recently each had a son! So we bought these little cotton spencers the other day and appliqued each boy's initial on the front. Aren't they cute?

 

In other stitching news... I've been sewing our Etsy & blog banners to give Love, JanieLou a new look in time for all those Peppermint readers out there. Yep! We're going to be in the next (I think!) issue!

Happy sewing!

xo Lauren

Showtime Continued...

Off to the Stiches & Craft show I went on Thursday morning, and boy, was it a fun day! To get in free, for starters, was great (gotta love volunteering!)! And then to be working with two lovely ladies was just dandy. We arrived at the Reconstruction Zone, created by Wardrobe Refashion, to find the most hideous yellow reflector vests we had to wear, and the 'zone' marked out with yellow & black construction site tape :)

There were piles upon piles of clothes from op shops, as well as old bed-spreads, and remnants, and some new things, like ric-rac and buttons, all waiting to be used in some reconstruction. At first people were a bit stand-offish, until the gals got working that is! Bec & Nicole each found something to work on, and soon the machines were running hot, and people got very interested! So many were just so excited at the idea of being able to pick anything they like and make something new- and to take it home at the end of the day! There were young girls who had never sewn before, and others who were a tad scared to step out of their comfort zone, but were so glad when they did. Some girls spent hours at the machines, while others just zipped in and out with something new at the other end. All in all people were thrilled to be able to have a go...

Here's Bec at work...

 

One of the massive piles of clothing and fabric!

 

I took these lemon shorts, and cut them off across the bottom, and gathered the gorgeous blue floral fabric onto them to make a skirt.

 

Nicole is part way through the refashioning of these cut off pants.

 

Now onto the show-goers creations... Cute huh?

 

This young gal had never done stitch in her life!

 

Don't you love this apron made out of a doona cover?

  

If you get a chance... head over to Wardrobe Refashion and be inspired! Maybe you could have a go at some reconstruction yourself... it really is loads of fun!

xo Lauren