A love of all things twirly ...

It's no secret that I have a love of all things twirly. The twirly skirt has been one of my favourite items to make since I started to sew. Miss B (7 years) also feels that an essential wardrobe item is definitely a skirt with a 'twirl factor.' As you no doubt guess, she does indeed have a wardrobe full, of all things twirly!

There are many patterns out there to create the ultimate twirl skirt. The very first pattern I ever used was the Josephine Twirl Skirt, then there was the Noodles & Milk Annabeth skirt. Both beautiful, simple patterns to use!

This year, along came the BOO! design twirl skirt (see below). Very similar to ones I've used in the past, but just as simple to create (with a few variations in there too).

So ... here are a few snapshots of my love for all things twirly, thus far in 2013 ....

 

'Strawberry Garden Tea Party' twirly love ...

A beautiful twirl skirt for Miss B  

I love using lace bias trims to add extra detail 

 Little Miss Red Riding Hood twirly love ...

Tilda 'roses' twirly love ...

 Tilda 'tea cups' twirly love ..

Hope you loved them too ...

Giveaway *LOVE*

I *LOVE* a good giveaway and I'm currently having one hosted by the delectable Denise of Whimsy Couture!

If you would like a chance to win a $40.00 Custom Gift Voucher from Handmade By 3 Little B's, pop on over HERE and enter today! Some great custom items waiting to be created via my madeit store or put it towards a purchase!

Thanks for entering, share it with your friends and most of all, GOOD LUCK!

Ensley Halter Dress by Noodles and Milk

Sabrina from Noodles and Milk is one of my favourite pattern designers. I have already created her stunning Annabeth Skirt which was featured HERE and also the gorgeous little reindeer applique tutorial HERE.

The last few days I have been working on the Ensley Halter Dress. It is just as well, as it only goes to a size 5 and Missy Jaida is already heading into size 6 these days!

With summer upon us, this gorgeous little dress will be a sweet summer party frock for sure in this household! Thanks to Amy Butler for one of our favourite fabric combinations too!

Dress Front - Halter Neck Design


Dress Back - Elastic


Some pretty embellishments


One very happy little girl!

Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

Twas the Night Before Christmas ....

The 3 B's were dressed in their finest for dinner at Grandma's House ...



Miss Reindeer made a special appearance ...
Applique Design courtesy of Noodles & Milk tutorial



The Christmas Candles were alive and glowing ...



Junior Santa was preparing for a night of giving ...



Merry Christmas to all, and to all Good Night xox

Amy Butler - Fresh Poppie *LOVE*

Those of you that have followed my sewing journey know that I have a bit of a *LOVE* for Miss Amy Butler's fabric. Her fabrics are inspiring as well as being so soft and delicate to work

I must say her beautiful Fresh Poppies were just *DIVINE* to create my latest designs xox What a beautiful blend of creams, pinks, olives and aqua blue for sweet little girls xox

Reversible Pinafores & Ruffled Bloomers

Ruffled Bloomers

Ruffled Bloomer & Organic Singlet Sets

And how "sweet" are Fresh Poppie Love skirts?

Thank you Amy for inspiring my beautiful pieces xox

Happy New Year - I am STILL HERE!

I am still here, I know that the last few months my blog has been just a distant memory, a vacant space of neglectful thought. I have tried many times to sit down and update, and I really have no excuse, but I am STILL HERE and its' the NEW YEAR and the perfect time to begin once more!

So how did my 2010 wrap up you might ask?

On July 31st, I took my DREAMS of handmade sewing and took that leap of **FAITH** with **INCREDIBLE** support of my friends and established HANDMADE BY 3 LITTLE B's (you all know my 3 B's) and *WOW* what an absolutely **AMAZING** experience it has been!


The support for my little handmade passion has been **OVERWHELMING** and my heart has been full of so much love as fabrics have weaved magically together to create beautiful and often special, unique and one of a kind designs for many little boys and girls across Australia and even Internationally xox


Its' so very hard to express in words the journey I have been on, the new friends I have made in the world of creativity and the ongoing kind words of encouragement with this little venture of mine. Just Beautiful xox If you happen to be reading this and have followed my journey, then I must sincerely express my ongoing gratitude for your love and support xox Thank You xox


And of course, my fabric addiction has worsened now and its' always calling my name, luring me to add to my shopping card and then eagerly await the arrival of the mail man each morning secretly hoping for that fabulous crafty mail xox What's a girl to do when there is just so many beautiful fabrics around just waiting for that special project???


Here are some of the custom designs that have eventuated over the last 6 months. I have so many favourites that it would be an impossible task for to narrow it down to any particular design, my LOVE has poured into each and every single piece that has come off my machine xox

And here as well ....



And a few just before Christmas too ...

To add to the experience, I also did my first "launch" country market on December 19th with my very good friend Mumma G from Mumma G's Hair Accessories.

What a fabulous experience it was to take our handmade goodness to our local country market! *WOW* is an understatement to the atmosphere we enjoyed, all the new people that we met (including lots of our Facebook Fans in real life who travelled to see us) and the social aspect that comes with markets! I cant' wait to do another one based on our success of this one :)

Here are some of the beautiful designs that came to Market with me ...

And here is our gorgeous Market Set Up .

So there you have it, the last 6 months has been a world of fabrics, of threads, of colours and designs, of new friends made and beautiful support in the ever growing handmade world xox And Yes, I have been teaching in there as well! A beautiful balance of creativity flowing xox

So Happy New Year and my final blessing to you xox

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

...This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

William Arthur Ward quotes

Lately I've been Sewing For ...

The Sweet Cheeks, Art Caddy Swap, where the purpose was to add your flair to a simple pattern.

I was designated a little boy almost turning 3, so went for something with a cute applique and space for some great jumbo crayons or the giant tripod pencils, perfect for those little hands.

Its' the very first Art Caddy I have ever done and something I'd like to make more of.

Instead of a layer of flannel, I had some beautiful soft interfacing that I have used in many bags, which made for a nice padding or softness.

This Ryan's Art Caddy, his mum is keeping it to give to him for his 3rd Birthday which is coming up shortly, what a lucky little boy!

Applique prior to putting Caddy Together

(Above & Below)

Then there was the cute little number for Miss Ruby Rose. This little girl is utterly adorable and I can not wait to be able to post a picture of her adorned in her new outfit! Miss R's Mum brought the fabric and I popped it together for her, then completed the outfit with an appliqued elephant top (orange button eye) Notice the elephant's truck is pointing upwards signifying GOOD LUCK? I couldn't resist some little yo yo's as Miss R's, the talented Mumma G creates gorgeous hair accessories and I am looking forward to seeing what she has done with them! {before you ask why I haven't put buttons on them, Mumma G is quite handy with a needle and thread herself too, lol}

Overall thoughts, this is very CUTE!

Then there is little Baby Damien Riley, brother to D'Arcy and Matthew. This is part of his gift, I'm still working on a few little pieces, but have been trialling using terry towelling as bib backing and a few different shaped bibs. Very cute tractor fabric and it seems the little tie applique is a hit with mums and their baby boys! Who am I to deny sweetness?

Above (before button holes) & Below (finished pieces)

Wouldn't you know it, a few days after finishing
my self-covered button kit turned up in the mail! lol
Always the Way!

And lastly Jaxon, of whom I have been trying to make some simple play pants for home. At first I was excited, I was doing so well, following the pattern, adding a hem-band (with a gorgeous Riley Blake FQ I had), but all the time thinking, "boy these pant legs look a lot longer than Jaxon's legs!"

As you can see, what is meant to be a size 3 (according to the pattern I brought and Jaxon does normally wear size 3 pants) actually fit his older sister Jaida (who is in between a size 4 & 5 in leg length now) ... so unfinished, knee patches pinned on, these have gone back into the wardrobe with some extra fabric for an applique perhaps in 12 months time? I'm actually going to use this pattern just to whip up Jaida a pair of pants (same size) to wear under her Pre-School dress through winter! (so not a complete waste of time!)

As you do, I went back to the drawing board, and with a size 3 rise and a size 18 month leg length, I have a good final leg length for Jaxon (I guess it probably didn't help that I was sewing at night and couldn't try as I went as he was tucked up fast asleep in bed.) The 18 month leg length is a great length, but to achieve that hem band next time (now that Jaxon has tried these on and we have measured) we would have to cut at the 6 to 12 month leg length which would allow the hem-band to give that extra length!

Its' all a learning process and for me, with my children's own unique measurements, I am learning the artful skill of tailoring to their specific needs. I still have applique to go, a waist to finish sewing and a good iron! Never fear young Jaxon, Mumma B will have them finished soon!