miffys world

Everybody was kung fu fighting, stylin', superheroeing & sewing!

Recognise this superhero?

Why of course.... It's Super Undies Girl. Fighting Bad Guys with undies on her head and...

Undies over her leggings. No going commando for this Crimefighter!  Undies everywhere!(  That apparatus under her shirt by the way is Darcy's 'Barbie Brace' keeps her 47 degree scoliosis in check - looks gruesome - does great work!)  Anyhoo - Super Undies Girl did a great job.  Haven't seen a 'bad guy' round these parts since!

Last night, Darcy gave a stylin' session on how to wear a scarf... First you flick it like this...

Then you tie it like this... Then you shove it in your mouth of course.

Then if Super Undies girl isn't around, you can actually (Darcy's favourite word at the mo!) use it to be a ninja.  (Yes, my princess clearly has an older brother!)

And then he (Jackie) decides if you can use the girly scarf to be a ninja - well he can busta few karate moves himself for the Layyyydeeees!!!

Oh, besides ninjas and super heroes, some sewing action too! Oh, ok.... lots of sewing!  By the way...one more sleep til my birthday!  And if you haven't entered, see the last post here for the competition!!! So if you are having trouble with those pesky 'bad guys',  call Super Undies Girl.  (Just don't call me - I'm busy keeping up the clean undies to our brave and overly undergarmented superhero.)

Let's go shopping!

So, it is here... and without further adieu, please come inside.  Champagne and canapés all round.  Well it is a shop opening isn't it?!  There will be a little competition here on the weekend to celebrate my store and my birthday next friday 9th may for those planning to celebrate with me! So make sure you pop back for a Crazy, Sexy Apron giveaway!  Meanwhile...welcome to made by miffy!

Meanwhile, back at the Janome...

So, the bummer is that there is a problem between my ISP (that would be TELSTRA BIGPOND everyone) and Paypal.  (Here's me cursing Dazzle for doing something magical to the computer so I couldn't spend money...  Well that would be the logical thought would it not?   So I have all these fabbo pieces waiting to post for sale in my little shop - and I cannot access Paypal.  Nor can I order my 'made by miffy'  clothing labels or little stickers. (Little stickers are for the gorgeous little parcel you will receive when you buy something from moi!) The problem was even written up in yesterday's paper.  But of course - telstra says it is only about 10 people affected... So a big cheerio to my 9 other Bigpond/Paypal friends out there in Australia...?!

Nevermind... I keep sewing! And here we have a few little goodies. Whatcha think peeps? Jeepers is that almost a smile and almost looking at the camera?  Darcy, you're going soft on me darlin'!

Oh well, this is how the shop will look when the planets align and it all comes together!

The Kenny Rodgers book of Parenting

Overheard from Darryl today. "You have to know when to fold 'em Darcy" I couldn't help myself but to add "And furthermore kids...you have to know when to walk away, know when to run.  You never count your money when your sittin' at the table.  There'll be time enough for countin' when the deal is done." Yes, good advice for poker and parenting.

Speaking of poker... Darcy beat the rest of the family last night - every game.  As a 4 year old only really knows about pairs... she put down her cards with a "I have a pair of 8s...and another 8" But knowing Darc - this was a cruel ploy aimed at humiliation of the opposition. Consider yourself warned future suitors...

Meanwhile, back at the machine.. 

  I even matched up the tangerine fabric pattern for the detail on the pocket trim...  You're right. I ought get out more...

Who's that cool cat in the hat?

Darcy of course. Her usual pouty supermodel self in front of the camera! I was excited.  Look what I made! A new hat.  First one. Yay for me.  Darcy however tried to show us all just how nonchalent she can be...  Hat is okay. But a photo for Mum?  That is SO NOT OKAY.

Smile, NO WAY.

Note to self. Have the subject say "Cheeky monkey". It will promote a better face shot than if they say "poo poo"... See...

So we tried the tickle strategy...

It worked - but she wouldn't admit she was smiling. So I started to take shots of Jack on the new climbing wall Darryl has built... (That is a whole other post...) See Darcy having her say in the background...

Anyhoo, what do you think of the hat?  Should I make some to sell in my store?  I am asking for feedback here viewers - please :)

Made By Miffy - International Mumpreneur

Exciting news... These skirts are my very first international orders! They will be on their way to England very soon - together with matcing appliqué singlet tops.  I am now - a Mumpreneur.  Great word isn't it?

And for a closer look at that sweet dress print.  It is from In the Beginning Fabrics - around 2003. I have some in mint green too.  See - I hoard the stuff....

And my etsy store Made by Miffy is almost complete. I will be ordering my fabric labels this week as soon as Amanda (Henryrabbit at Etsy) finishes my artwork!  It is an exciting little hobby.  I am amazed at how much people now appreciate 'handmade'.  It is super cool.  Remember when we were kids - handmade was de rigeur - and SO NOT COOL!  Well except of course for my Bay City Rollers Woody jumper that my Grandma knitted.  Now THAT was supercool.  Especially with my stripey socks and roller strollers... I digress... now where was I... Yes, handmade is IT and a bit now.  Mass produced is out.  Take the Handmade pledge  and bookmark madebymiffy !  Give a girl a reason to sew...

Ahhhh... the lovely sound of a whirring Janome.

So, I got to sew.  Had a lovely afternoon of industry.  I know there is a little repetition here with this apron pattern, but it is a lovely one.  All edges finished off beautifully.  And I have 3 orders from my  lovely (and obviously stylish!) friend Sar. She has a lot of sisters!  I am trying to build a little stock for my soon to be launched etsy shop but as soon as I make 'em, Sar buys 'em.  The lovely floral one here is for her Mum.  But, the blue sashed one - is going in that shop - next week hopefully. So, without further adieu...

What day is it again?

Yes I have been quieter than usual this week. Darryl is doing his lightening world trip and is now in Rochester NY.  He flies out of Chicago tomorrow to Heathrow then on to Chennai (India).  It is a mad schedule and one I can't compete with in spectacularity (is that a word?  it is late, work with me here...)  But we have had our own trials and tribulations on the home front.  First - we have the incredible house eating Mrs Mosley and  then we have our chest infection Jackie who has missed most of this week from school.  He has had a fantastic week! "Mum - this is the best week ever! I think I should only go to school for 2 days a week every week!"  He has had so much mummy lovin' time to himself that he's in heaven!  Time to play games, go for coffee with mum, get smoochy cuddles, play on the new Nintendo Wii without having to share, its just been great.  For him.  I on the other hand am rather tired - up checking lots through the night, usual hectic Darcy therapy schedule, and not so looking forward to entertaining the anklebiters for the next 2 weeks of school hols!  But there is always time to squeeze in a little sewing goodness.

Notice the handy dandy towel hookie thingie on the apron?  This is a lovely pattern - from Amy Butlers In Stitches book.  Also Amy fabric with some obligatory dots - from Kaffe Fassett.

Tomorrow we have a huge party to attend.  Clowns, face painting, sugary treats. It is Montrose's 75th birthday.  Montrose Access is where Darcy is a clinic patient.  She is of course very able and has been able to overcome so many challenges and continues to amaze us every day.  Many of the dear kids there tomorrow are not so lucky.  So it will be a great day for fun and inclusion and to hug my kids and count our Blessings. 

Ta Da...They are finished!!

So Jennifer, finally, I did it!

But wait... there's more...

Not bad eh?  Notice neither photo shows the zipper??  But trust me folks - they are inserted!  And mostly ok too! So Jennifer - she of the rude comments about my zipper avoidance - there is now somewhere lovely in my sitting room to rest your bargearse oops (!!) bot bot when next we share a bottle of Moscato!  But be quick before Mrs Mosley slobbers all over the Amy Butlers!!*   **

* Mrs Mosley - Golden Retreiver pup - not some gummy relative...

**  Amy Butlers - the Designer of the cushion fabric.  It is pretty normal around here to have a name. After all the lounges are called Katherine and Michael - as in Zeta Jones and Douglas, who have the same setting. True!  I saw it in their garden in a magazine a few years back.  It is important right here to note that their setting is outside in the elements - probably discarded by now - it was a few years ago, whereas ours is  in the sitting room!  The green plastic jobs are out in the elements in our garden!!

Olivia the Pig can do anything... Except be worn by Miss Darcy

So, I sewed Darcy a new skirt.  Does she like it?  Yes.  Will she wear it?  No!

I begged pleaded asked again this morning... but instead, she chose some paint spattered Target leggings and a Disney Princess t shirt.  She is only 4 - but has had an opinion on her outfits since she was 2.  I remember it sadly... I had just purchased an entire Osh Kosh range (I didn't sew clothing then...) of red paisley, polka dots, denim and white items.  Very cute - would she wear any of it? No.  TWO years old!!!  When I wear some trackie dacks and plain ol' t shirt - Darcy says "Mum that looks ugerly (that is how she says ugly - just so you get the message that you look really baaad).  Will you get changed before we go out?" How do you feel?  It is not as though the house is Project Runway or Next Top Model - no I am running a household here.  But according to Darc - I should be decked out in my Sunday best to scrub loos and hoover the floor.

Anyway, I love the skirt.  It is printed with Olivia the Pig.  It is such a cute range.  I am going to make a few more and put them in my Etsy store when I get around to making said Etsy store that is...  Anyway - for those of you who don't know, Olivia is a kid's book character by Ian Falconer.  Olivia can do anything.  She is such a capable little pig!  But not yet capable of persuading Darcy to the Red, Black and Cream side... Here are a few more of the skirt that hangs freshly pressed, yet sadly in Darcy's closet...ahhhh *sigh*....