Bumblebee dress and giveaway

A little while ago I opened my e-mails and read an invitation from RaeAnna of Sewing Mama RaeAnna to a few bloggers to participate in her upcoming blog tour. My name was on that list. I thought RaeAnna must have confused me with one of the famous big blogs that contain 'sleep' or 'nap' in their blog titles. However the idea sounded like so much fun I convinced myself RaeAnna really meant to include me - silly little me - and went ahead and put my hand up saying, 'Yep, I will make a new dress for my Little Monkey, and I will have a lot of fun during the blog tour'.

While she was sleeping I made a Bumblebee dress for Little Monkey.

I wanted to use lovely blue cotton with flowers on it for the dress and lace for embellishment, but Little Monkey had a different idea. She picked this brown quilting cotton with fun print and declared that she wanted 'this one'. Arguing with a three year old is pointless. It really is. Besides, I liked her choice of fabric. I mean, just look at it! It is so fun and childish!

Because the print is pretty busy I decided to omit the ruffles and use piping to embellish the bodice instead. I made piping out of the same fabric I used to line the bodice. I just love the pop of green on this dress!

There are two things you need to know about my daughter. One - she loves pockets. Two - she loves buttons (as well as cars, dinosaurs, trains and ice cream. Oh, and her Mummy and Daddy of course). So I added simple patch pockets to the dress and used piping to embellish them... because I am not addicted to piping at all. I mean, not a little bit... which might be a little lie.

Self-covered buttons for the back closure? Yes please!

Little Monkey loved her new dress! She gasped with delight when I showed her the buttons. We had a lot of fun looking and talking about the characters on the fabric. The pockets comfortably accommodated Lightning McQuinn, the Fast Car (Francesco, the F1 car from Cars 2), and a couple more of her favourite cars, as well as a hand full of small stones, a couple of flowers and some general rubbish, which a three year old consider treasure of course.

The dress was an absolute delight to make. I love the timeless style, and there are opportunities to get creative and customise the dress. The pattern comes in sizes 3 months to - wait for it - 12 years! Instructions are clear and photos accommodating every step make the process so easy!

Are you completely in love with the pattern? Then you will be happy to know it is only US$5 at RaeAnna's shop during the tour. You are also welcome to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of the Bumblebee pattern.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would you like to see what other blog tour participants created using this pattern?

Maura Jean & Co|Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts|Pattern Revolution|Daisy Chain Creations|Get Your Crap Together|Zafarani|Welcome to the Mouse House|Designs By Sessa|Sew Like My Mom|Once Upon a Sewing Machine|Shaffer Sisters|Francess Suzanne|sewVery|Climbing the Willow|Blogs Like a Mother|House of Estrela|Rae Gun Ramblings|While She Was Sleeping|181ReUp|Feathered Ruffles

Birthday giveaway

It is my Birthday today :) Yay! I love Birthdays. I always have. Growing up we shared treats with friends on our birthdays. It was a norm. Mum and I would make sugar lollies to celebrate with my friends at the playground. We lived in a block of flats and had a huge common playground. There would be 10-15 kids playing at any given time. An instant Birthday party!

Well, to continue the tradition I have something to give away on my Birthday. It's not lollies. It's not toys. It's not clothes... It is...

A nappy wallet and a matching take-away coffee cup cosy! Do you like them? Please let me tell you more about each item.

The coffee cup cosy is made out of quilting cotton with bamboo wadding in the middle. I think the button was created for this fabric! I love the fun print, and red is my favourite colour. This cosy will allow you to enjoy your hot beverage without burning your fingers.

The nappy wallet accommodates two walker size nappies, a slim box of wipes and a small changing mat.

This nappy wallet is made out of quilting cotton. I think piping on the strap makes it look a little cheeky. And that button - yum!

This is a much more attractive alternative to carrying spare nappies in a plastic bag ;)

Do you like what you see? I hope you do. What do you need to do to win them? It's simple:

• please 'LIKE' my Fasebook page;
• 'SHARE' this giveaway;
• LEAVE A COMMENT letting me know you have done this. Please leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win. Just for fun feel free to share a funny, cute or horror story featuring nappies.

Here is the fine print:

• entry is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only;
• accessories not included;
• competition begins on the 17th of July 2013 and ends on the 22nd of July 2013. The winner will be announced on the 23rd of July 2013 on my Facebook page and notified by e-mail.

 Good luck!