Vox Pop! Tigernaut Jeans beyond toilet training ...

For those who have children that have toilet trained, I would love to know how your Tigernauts fit 'on the other side'!

To be in the running to win a $15 gift voucher to spend at Tigernaut Jeans in 2011, please send your answers to the question below to: tigernautjeans (at) gmail.com. (Please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this post before emailing).


I'd love to know:
- The age and approximate weight of your toilet trained child.
- The size of the Tigernaut Shorts or Jeans they're currently wearing.
- How you rate the fit of Tigernaut Jeans shorts or jeans after toilet training (too baggy, baggy but wearable, great fit or too tight, for example).
-Also, if you have older children, I'd love to know how long they can be worn for! (My 19kg 5 year can fit into DS2's size 2 shorts!)

Thanks in advance for your feedback!


Giveaway T&Cs:

-Winner is to be randomly drawn from the people to respond to the above questions at tigernautjeans (at) gmail.com.
-Voucher can be used towards the purchase of items from Tigernaut Jeans (www.tigernaut.com.au) only - not including Gossamer Dreams.
-Voucher is not redeemable in cash.
-Voucher is not a guarantee of a custom slot.
-The winner will be drawn and emailed on December 15th.

Like Mother like Son ...

... and Gossamer Dreams roundup!




I just had to take a shot of Mr 2 (nearly 3!) with this new bolt. It just so happens that he loves denim as much as his Mum! Perhaps I have a sewing recruit in waiting ;)

We've had our last Gossamer Dreams stocking for the year, and I thought I'd post a few pics of what I got up to. Gossamer Dreams will be back in the new year on the 15th January, 2011.

Oliver + S Bubbles Dresses

Cheeky penguin for a lottery with Cherub's Kiss.

Robot for 1st Birthday/Party set

Dr. Who?

Dr. Seuss, of course! Loads of fun, colour and handmade goodness previewing over at Gossamer Dreams now for an 8pm (QLD time) stocking!

Above is a size 2 'One Groovy Cat' set, and below is a size 1 'Mischief and Mayhem' set. As you can guess, I can't get enough of the red and white striped cuffs! Brilliant stuff, Robert Kaufman!

Time for some more photos.

Now Gossamer Dreams is done and dusted for another month, I thought I'd include some full-sized pics of a couple of the Tigernaut Jeans offerings. Its time to put away the bats and the spiders, and wait patiently for the cute and pretty fabric to arrive for next month's stocking!

While GD went live on Friday night, I was at the Smashing Pumpkins concert at Festival Hall. Fittingly, their last song was called Gossamer :) The rest of the crowd had mixed feelings about their newer material (as did I) but when the older songs came on, the crowd hit the roof. There are no words to explain how incredible it is to be only metres away from a band who have had such a profound effect on your life (and to share that experience with thousands of people who feel the same). Billy Corgan, you're one sublime genius!

Anyhoo, back to the pics!

Fly by Night Shorts set, size 2

Echino Gathered bag with Echino Cobweb Purple fabric.

Ghost Power! Set, size 1.

The 11th Hour skirt set, size 3

Phantasmagoria!

Bong! goes the bell in the rickety tower, Twelve times ... that means it's spooky hour!*

Coming up this Friday at Gossamer Dreams we have bats, fairytales and fairies, skulls, ghosts, witches and spiders!

Phantasmagoria is the theme , and I thought I'd quote Lesley's description on the Gossamer Dreams blog to explain:

phan·tas·ma·go·ri·a (fn-tzm-gôr-, -gr-) also phan·tas·ma·go·ry (fn-tzm-gôr, -gr)n. pl. phan·tas·ma·go·ri·as also phan·tas·ma·go·ries1.a. A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.b. A constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements.2. Fantastic imagery as represented in art.

I can't wait to see what everyone else has been up to - this is going to be a stocking to remember! I've had loads of fun using fabric I wouldn't normally use ... lots of purple, and lots of Echino - perfect!

'Fly by Night' with red Echino bats.

Echino Cobwebs

One groovy ghost!

*From the brilliant Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees' book 'Spookyrumpus' (pub. 2004 by Orchard Books).

Cloth Nappy Hunt prize

Well, the Cloth Nappy Hunt is done and dusted for another year! Its been a blast! Before I knuckle down to (at least) a couple of hours cleaning my sewing room, I will announce the winner of the Tigernaut Jeans Cloth Nappy Hunt prize. (You may remember that anyone who purchased from my website during the hunt was eligible to go in the running for a skirt or pair of shorts or jeans).

The winner is: Karen D'Cunha!

Congratulations Karen - I'll send you an email shortly!

The next time you'll see Tigernaut Jeans is as Gossamer Dreams on Friday 15th October. Our theme this month is Phantasmagoria - a mix of fantasy, supernatural and sci-fi! My fabric has arrived today, and I can't wait to get sewing!

Tigernaut Jeans - minus the denim!

I almost forgot to post these pics - they're my latest adventures in breaking away from denim (as much as I still love it!) The above pic is 'Midnight Forest' on a Helmut Lang pinstripe, and below is 'Red Lightning' on Houndstooth Plaid (from Gossamer Dreams).

Using different fabrics has been a huge source of inspiration - there will definitely be more experimentation! And if you have a fabric that you'd love to see - feel free to let me know!

We have a winner!

The winner of the Facebook draw for a free custom skirt or pair of shorts is .... N Turner! Congratulations! Please send me an email at tigernautjeans @ gmail.com to discuss what you'd like!

Almost at 250 FB fans ... and Gossamer Dreams!

I'll be giving away a free custom skirt or pair of shorts in size 0, 1 or 2 once we reach 250 Facebook fans! (Although I'm not allowed to mention it on FB :)) If we're at the magic number by 7.30pm tomorrow night, Monday 20th September I'll make the draw then. Anyone who is a liker at that point will be included! Good luck!

I had a massive blast at the last Gossamer Dreams, and thought I'd include some pics of what I made. The theme was 'Paint the Town Red'.

Red Lightning, size 2

Apple Crunch skirt, size 2

Gossamer Dreams!

Gossamer Dreams is coming back this Sunday, 15th August at 8pm! I have been very lucky to have been asked to be one of the new contributors, along with Jodie from Nappies Covered. We are joining the original gorgeous Gossamer Dreams WAHMs: Lesley from Cherub's Kiss, Mel from Beetlebums and Stacey from Outrageous! Oh - and not to forget our fabulous guest WAHM - Pint!

Here is a sneak peak of one of my first items - Whistler Whale.



See you on Sunday!

Possum Pouches Charity Auction

Yikes ... this is a bit belated, but I thought I'd post a pic of my contribution to the first Possum Pouches charity auction. Its a summer-weight Tiger Two jeans set perfect for Spring:


The first Possum Pouches charity auctions were in aid of Jeans for Genes/Children's Medical Research Institute, and raised a fantastic $535. Be sure to check out the next auctions running from the 1st to the 30th September, in aid of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which work towards keeping children safe from violence.

Taking stock

When I was home at the weekend, Mum and I went through a box of my beloved late Nan's sewing items (both my Nan, and Great Nanna were avid sewers).

Some of the items were exactly the same as I use (Gutermann threads, bias tape makers, etc), but we also found some gorgeous treasures (pictured above). We found wooden thread spools, old metal snaps, hooks and loops and loads and loads of buttons! She'd also saved all the zips she'd taken out of items of clothing - incredibly thrifty! We even found a scrap of fabric and buttons from my old primary school uniforms that she used to sew for us.

Its amazing how much easier sewing is for me that it would have been for my Grandmothers - I have a fully computerized sewing machine, sewing stores galore within a 10km radius, and the internet! I can buy any fabric imaginable, chat, network and collaborate with other sewers, and even have my own webstore! :P

I would have loved it if they could have had even a tiny peep at all of this!

Our BeetleKissRoar Collaboration!

I've been hugely fortunate to join 2 of the most warm hearted and talented WAHMs around - Lesley from Cherub's Kiss, and Mel from Beetlebums for our first BeetleKissRoar collaboration!

Lesley's gorgeous Auriel has alternating minky and denim panels, with an apple, apple core, and tiny caterpillar on the front. On the back is a divine fluffy minky caterpillar, and the inner is lime minky.

From Mel, there is a funky Inside Out with a fruit panel on the front, and an appliqued caterpillar on the back, munching his way through a leaf. The inner is hand-dyed in beautiful greens and blues.

*Sigh!* How I wish my little one wasn't nearly toilet trained! These nappies are incredible.

The Tigernaut Jeans set consists of a size 2 pair of denim jeans and top, with fruit on the cuffs and pockets, and a cheeky caterpillar creeping around the side of the left leg. These are the new 'Tiger Two' jeans, which have a cuff featuring two different fabrics, different inside and out.

These items are currently up for auction here on Lesley's site. What a lucky bub the owner of these goodies will be! :D

Something different

I thought it was about time to post a photo of something other than jeans!

Last month I participated in the Contemporary Handmade Alliance (CHA) craft swap, and decided to indulge my bag making fetish! I decided to make the Amy Butler Birdie Sling, as I'm a huge fan of bags that look fantastic as well as being able to fit the kitchen sink! (And I was desperately hoping my swap partner felt the same!!) I also love this bag as it fits nicely into your body, and you're not continually shifting it back onto your shoulder as you walk.

Take 1 - I made this one as a test to make sure it was going to work well: (Can you tell I'm obsessing over Amy Butler and Erin McMorris fabric at the moment? :D)



... and take 2, the final product for my swap partner. I used Riley Blake's Retro Umbrellas in Pink as well as Amy Butler's Green Martini for this one.


Happily, it turned out my swap partner is also a fan of a good sized bag, and emailed me to let me know it will be perfect for an upcoming getaway! I'm glad you like it Caitlin!

My swap partner is Caitlin of Craft Cat Cards and Invitations - please check out her gorgeous Aussie-made designs when you get a chance!

And the new name is ....

Today is the day we're announcing the new name of the double cuff pants! Thank you very much Kristie for your fabulous idea:

Tiger Twos!

Love it! I'll be in contact very soon to see what sort of pants you'd like me to make for you!

Thank you very much to everyone who entered - what a creative bunch of people :)

New Double Cuff Comp!

Take a look at our new funky reversible double cuffs! Roll them up halfway or all the way for different looks and lengths. As your child grows, they make great 3/4 pants or even long shorts.

As they desperately need a new name, I'm running a competition. Have a go at naming the new double cuffs, and if your entry wins, I'll custom make a pair for your tot! Please email entries to: tigernautjeans (at) gmail.com. The competition will end midnight Monday 14th of June, and I'll announce the winner Wednesday 16th June. Good luck!

Check out the new double cuff stock at Tigernaut Jeans now - all stock will go live 8pm AEST Thursday 3rd June.

Garden Party, size 1, cuffs down.

Cuffs halfway up:

Cuffs all the way up:

Hope you like them!

Gigantic!

Well, I have been a super-slack blogger of late, but I'm back into the swing of things now!



March was simply huge! Firstly DH and I saw our first live music gig since the birth of DS1 4.5 years ago! I've sworn I will do it again soon - I'd forgotten what an incredible experience it is. We saw the Pixies at Festival Hall. They were absolutely sublime - if you have the chance to see them on their Australian tour - do it if you can. I'm besotted all over again - every CD in the house is playing the Pixies! (Above is a pic of the funky bags they were selling).

Secondly it was the month of the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt (GDUNH). I had a lot of fun sewing madly to get as many outfits out as possible! Here are a couple of my favourites:

Woodstock on purple cord.

Apples on red cord.

Mushrooms on pink cord.

Owls on red cord.

From now on, I'll be working through some customs, then I'm hoping to have a stocking around mid-May, where I'll be opening up my custom list again. Thank you everyone for your support during the GDUNH - it was awesome!

The winner of our giveaway is ....

... Sarah U! Congratulations Sarah! So we can discuss what you'd like to do, please send me an email with your contact details to: tigernautjeans (at) gmail.com. (Unfortunately Facebook fan pages don't have an inbox, so I can't contact you!)

For those who missed out, I'll be running a free lottery again this year with this GDUNH, so make sure you pop in during the hunt to put your name down! :)

Giveaway time!

The Lunar Year of the Tiger is nearly upon us! To celebrate the year of our mascot, I'm going to giveaway a free Tigernaut Jeans set! The winner may either choose a free set from the upcoming March GDUNH stockings, or a custom order. To enter, please either comment here or on Facebook - and if you comment in both places you'll get 2 entries! :)

The giveaway will close at midnight on Lunar New Years Day (this Sunday 14th February) and will be drawn by my Mr. 4 on the following Tuesday, 16th February. Please check back then to see if you're the winner, so I'm able to collect your contact details. Good luck!

Thank you Funky Fabrix!

I had a fantastic surprise this evening when I received an email from Shona at Funky Fabrix, letting us know we have been featured in tonight's Friday Feature! It's such an honour to be featured by one of my favourite fabric stores - thank you so much Shona! I have some very cool retro fabrics on the way soon from Funky Fabrix for our winter stocking - I can't wait to see them in the flesh.

Before I go underground in mad preparation for the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt, I've been finishing off some customs - the first of the winter stock. This customer sent in all her own fabrics to match with our cord - I love her choices.

Alexander Henry's Tillbrook Fairies on Iris Cord.

Cupcakes on Dusky Pink Cord

... and blue checks on Hot Pink Cord.

Jeans fans needed for testing!

Happy new year everyone!

*ETA: All testing spots are full now - thank you so much everyone for your interest!*

I'm currently looking for some little cloth wearers to help test sizes 1 and 2! I have slightly altered a feature of size 1, and some of the tots helping with earlier testing of size 2 have toilet trained :)

The jeans are ready to be posted, and the testing period will be from receipt until the 7th of February '10. Due to it being summer, very light and soft summer denim has been used for your bub's comfort.

Testers need to be full time (daytime) cloth nappy wearers - and preferably not too close to toilet training! Both boys and girls are welcome - but I would prefer size 1 testers to be around the 11/12kg mark, and size 2 testers to be around the 13/14kg mark.

If you're interested in participating, please email me your child's age (in months) and weight to tigernautjeans @ gmail.com (without the 2 spaces).

Of course, testing is totally free - all I need is your thorough and candid feedback! :D


Oh! Before I forget - I've taken 20% off summer sets on the website. Stock up for next year, birthday pressies, or just for the hot weeks ahead of us!