I made something!!

Made from this book, with stash fabric, for a friends daughter.
Looking forward to making another for my niece (already cut out!!)
Loving making things that somebody can wear, but wishing I had a girl as girls clothes are easier than boys!!!
(the pattern for this dress is in June's Sew magazine )

loving this week..........

Seeing Patch in Print...we get 2 mentions in this months Sew Hip magazine *insert massive smiles here*
My new ring from eclectic creations and primarni bracelets.


These downloadable invites generously available on the Belle and Boo blog. I love Belle and Boo's work..I love that they do 'boy' prints too....


The latest edition of UK Handmade online magazine, well worth a read..some great articles, tutorials and fab recipes.


I started tweeting last week..and I'm hooked!!(I'm patchfabrics) I love the short but sweet nature of tweets..and I have so far found it to be just as nice a community as blogland!!


my latest book recommendation......I am a quick reader anyway but this kept me hooked and I read it in just over an evening!!!

Sewing!! Well to be more precise...cutting out!!
This is what a pair of little boys pj's look like in the first stages of construction...I think the tracing of, and cutting out of the pattern is the longest part.
Sewing machine will go up tonight.......

(apologies for the list nature of my posts..at the minute I'm so stretched its this or not blogging...normal service should resume soon!!)

loving this week..........

My veggie bed..we went away for 2 days and came back to this..it actually looks like they could grow into something worth eating now!!
Started and finished in the car at the weekend....... please read this book if you haven't already..was such a well written, beautiful book, I am now not sure I can go see the movie...so so sad :(
Sweet Williams,I think my fave summer flower to have in the house.....

season finale......whaaaaaaaaaaaaattttt!! I really enjoyed it but too many unanswered q's for my liking..I have heard a rumour that answers will be given in the dvd boxset..hmmmmmm!

A new book..having a spare room full of fabric is inspiring if not a little frustrating when I am struggling to find spare time!!! I plan on making the dress on the front for my niece and some pyjama bottoms for my 2 tiddly chaps out of this fabric

Michael Miller's Kids Zoo print - love it!!!
(available here)

CraftTea Creations

Attention all you East Anglian Bloggers!!
My very good friend Rachel has been a plotting and a planning these past few weeks and CrafTea Creations is born...
Stitch and Bitch comes to Beccles (ish)!
Have a look at her very colourful webpage...found here and if you can make it...please come..Rach makes exceedingly good cake...
I will be there..it will be one morning a month where I definately stitch!
Patch is eating into my crafty time in a big way!!

Polka Dots and Posies

My lovely friend Mary sent me this fabulous commisioned tshirt......You could have one too from here......
I love it so much, I am a sucker for personalised stuff and with a name like his we don't see much about...actually anything.....I am tempted to frame it so my little minger doesn't make it messy but that is perhaps a little cautious ;)


And how super dooper is this heart?? Full of lavender....
Thank You Mary xx
(those eagle eyed amongst you may spot changes if you read in google reader...edited due to overuse of the word 'lovely'!!!!!!)

A Shopping List

As seen in the new (scrumptious) Cath magazine....going on my wish list for my visit to Windsor next month...complete with my 15% off coupon that was in this months Easy Living ;)
I don't think I will ever tire of Ms Kidston...but thats not a quote!!! Certainly not while she keeps bringing out lovelies for me to drool over..........

racing car mug..my last CK mug purchase ever!!! (thats what I promised Mr D with my fingers crossed!!)...would I use it (the flask that is!) too pretty perhaps to spoil with hot drinks stuff!!

I love these...and I'm sure I saw a different design in Country Living this month described as Tupperware..are they the real thing..I thought you could only say Tupperware if Tupperware had made them??? In which case £8 seems cheap.....
(blimey how many times can I write Tupperware in one blog post lol!!)
Be rude not too when it matches my china.........
I love these, but it depends on the toe cleavage..they look low cut (iyswim!!) and I HATE toe cleavage!!!
One of my fave prints......
because I am selfless..and small boys feets will look cute!! Although is 5 to big to wear them??? Hope he doesn't refuse!! (R has freaky fat feet that NO shoes fit!! Except special imported things that cost a fortune!! Oh and crocs -thankfully!!)

But one last thing - this next one just made me go whaaattt!!
I know not everybody has access to a fabric stash or scrap box to make ones own but seriously...whhhaaaattttt?!?!?!!
(sneaks out quietly before someone comes along and tells me they bought them!!!)
(in which case - I'll cut you your next lot out for a fiver lol!!!)

I have been sent a cath mag plus have an extra that mother in law gave me from easy living magazine...does anyone need one? Or want one..as I don't think need comes into it!!!
Maybe somebody overseas??? Give me a yell.....

my poor neglected blog!!

I seriously do not know where time goes...I have things to say but not much to show, life is getting in the way of fitting everything in again.
Things at Patch are ticking along nicely, which is fab but leaves me no crafty time...I have finally finished my nieces Easter quilt even if I haven't posted it off to her yet.... Please excuse the creasy pictures...my excuse is that I will be telling my sis in law to wash and tumble so no point me ironing it *blush*!!!



I didn't quilt it - just tied it in with embroidery thread in a few places...yes Mary P that is THAT fabric and the offer still stands ;) xxx
the binding stitching is well erm rustic but that adds to the handmade charm yes???
On the Patch blog I have talked about the craft fair I did on Saturday. It wasn't a total flop however.....wasn't a massive success either!
I think it was the first one the school PTA lady had organised and there was a wide variety of stalls. The lady doing Tarot did quite well... she was in the same room as myself, my friend selling beautiful jewellry and nappycakes, the Virgin Vie lady, a lady selling cardmaking supplies and another selling..well a bit of everything!!!
I think I would have put the beauty things including the alternative therapies in one room..the Body Shop lady was in the main hall....the readings that the tarot lady was doing weren't very private and the bell she used to cleanse the cards took some getting used to!!!
I made sales, and if I work it out as a percentage of actual browsers versus customers it was a great result..except there just weren't enough bodies through the doors.
Each stallholder said the same..but anyhoo..nothing ventured etc etc!!
One thing we noticed looking at some craft stalls was the ridiculously low prices some people charge..as crafters my friend and I know the work and money that goes into making and we got a little annoyed to see some prices. We felt it was doing fellow crafters a disservice. I like a bargain as much as the next person but I think there is a huge difference between a reasonable price and underpriced!!
I know we all want our products to sell, thats the whole point.....I only had Patch things at the fair so made no difference to me but one other stall was selling beautiful handcrafted things at very reasonable but still sensible prices and we really felt for her as it appeared she was overcharging copmpared to some others....
Am I just not experienced enough in the craft fair department??!!
Does anyone else get irked by this?? I know pricing is always a thorny issue!!!

still here

Busy Busy Busy!!!
I am manically cutting and folding ribbon for the craft fair I have been offered a table at on Saturday....1 week to go and nowhere near ready....
For you East Anglian bloggers..its at Scole near Diss from 10 -3 on Saturday 8th... details over at Patch...
The only crafting that has happened lately was Lorraines' colour swap......
a magazine and remote tidy for her armchair.....
a patchwork cushion..a real labour of love with those teeny squares!!
some musical themed fabric..some blue buttons...and some buttons I covered myself with blue star fabric
she has blogged here about what I sent too.
This weekend starts by waiting for my husband to get home from work, then we can drop 2 small boys with Grandma and Grandad and go to a child free bbq at friends..so blow those east coast clouds back over the sea..we want the sun back (12noon and still dry so fingers crossed!!)
Tomorrow I shall more than likely be nursing a bit of a sore head and cutting more ribbon..oh and finishing the binding on my poor niece's Easter quilt!!!
Happy BH weekend everyone!!

Red Colour Swap

Lorraine at the Balancing Kiwi went back to her NZ roots whilst the colour swap took place..and as she really wanted to play, we agreed a later finish date and her and I did a little extra swap.

Yesterday I got a lovely box of goodies from Lorraine, all my chosen colour Red themed....
She has made me a massive and gorgeous tote bag..perfect for the beach, and a tea cup candle which I have already had to wrestle my mum for!!! The candle came with a covered box of matches, which didn't get photographed as I put them out of little fingers reach and forgot to put in the pic!!)
She has also made me an owl, a heart, a hanging bird, a pin cushion , a needle case, a brooch and a fab scented pot mat...you rest your teapot or pan on the wheat filled smelly pad and it releases lovely aroma (that was in case you are as uninformed as I was - I had never seen one before!!!)
I also opened a fold up shopper for my handbag, which is in a personalised case..it tells me that Claire is self assured and calm...my family laughed. A lot!!!
Also a great Keep Calm and Carry On book.

(you should be able to click to enlarge)
I really thought the box was bottomless - the goodies kept coming, Lorraine thank you so much, I love everything you chose for me xxxxxxxx
I have already lost the owl to the little boys (I wish you could hear R say owllllllllll and see him actually, its hilarious, the big boys have him on repeat saying it!!)
I have been offered a table at a craft fair, thankfully its for Patch not me, so I don't have to get sewing, however I do have to measure cut and fold a lot of ribbon!!
I'll be back soon, with more craft fair news and also a link to a great little sewing project that has been brought to my attention. xx

patch fabrics and haberdashery

*****FABRIC SHOP NOW LIVE*****

After a very traumatic day, I have managed to get the delicious fabric loaded on to the website.

We are all systems go now!!

But let me tell you it wasn't easy...there was a problem with my pics...a problem with my cookies...a problem with the web hosts techy stuff...typical on the day I was child free and excited to do the boring part of the shopkeeping lol!!!

Anyhow..3 phone calls to some techy people, one takeaway tea for my boys, lots of sweary words, very sore fingers from tapping and a headache from screen gazing......I am there!!!

I know I have said before but the site is very much a work in progress, I have more techy stuff to do to make the home page easier to use (some links and pics)

Bear with me!!!

There is more fabric coming soon...some I have made available to order as I know its on its way..and there are new designs coming in June, July, August etc etc!!

I'm off now to lie in a dark room!!!!

Enjoy x

A spotty giveaway!!!

There is another giveaway over at Patch blog.....
(there will be 2 winners if the followers on the blog or on facebook reach 100!!!)

Spotty ribbon anyone????
I am working through the fabric...I think we are looking at it being the end of the week before its available on the website.
My new cutting table is working well, I'll share some pics of Patch HQ (lol) when lovely husband has finished the flatpacks and put some shelves up at the weekend.
Hopefully I'll have time to craft again soon - and finish the swap I have outstanding...
(apologies lorraine xxxx)
I haven't signed up for any of the fabulous swaps that are in blogland at the moment so I can not get swamped under!!
Ok back to the fabric!!!!

popping in.....

Thank You so much for all your lovely birthday wishes for Cam...I did pass them on but I think the concept of bloggy friends is a bit much for a 5 year old to be dealing with!!!
He had a great birthday tea....and the cake went down very well!!! I only had 1 slice as I am back doing Slimming World again since my Wii Fit told me how much weight I had put on since I got married 13 months ago (1 stone 4lb if you are interested!!). Although I knew I was larger, the actual figure on screen was enough to shove me back on the diet wagon....
I have been doing a teeny amount of crafting...nearly finished my nieces quilt...
its finished the quilting in no time way..the backing fabric cut out larger and folded over to bind.
(excuse the creases...)


I am a little behind with my final swap of the 4 I signed up for all together (note to self..do not do this again!!), I shall be sending a grovelling email very soon to Lorraine!! But that crafting is allocated to my next bit of free time!!

I have also been getting over excited about fabric. Patch will be stocking some gorgeous fabrics very very soon.......I have had a delivery and am going to be working hard getting photos done and adding the fabric to the shop.

We have company this weekend, so I had already planned to take a weekend off, but ooh very bad timing lol!!! I am eager to put it in the shop for you to see :)

I have had surprise post from this lovely lady...
How did she know my treat tin was empty???

(only 3.5 slimming world syns each lol...yes I checked...but only after I had greedily eaten one as soon as the parcel was opened!!!)
And how did she know that the hanging chicken was exactly the same as my chicken hook thingy?!?!?

Thank You Beki, for everything...especially the brooch to match my cuff xx
Cam has helped me pick the winning name out of the pot...(well 2 actually!!!) over at the Patch blog.
There will be another giveaway next week, aswell as fabric in the shop by the end of the week...yippee!!!

FIVE

Happy Birthday Cameron!

Our 3rd boy is 5 today...I always think 5 is the absolute end of toddlerhood... :(
The birthday bunting was put up last night - the cake was made by big brother W (the family cake expert) and decorated by everyone........

Cards and pressies have been opened - noise has been made!!!
(the guitar and mic stand were all he wanted so whats a mummy to do!!! They can always 'run out of batteries' later!!)
The handmade element of his gift has been made ...

the sun is sadly not shining, so we are going to play at home today, there are 3 friends coming for tea (no party this year...jaded mum I'm afraid..I just couldn't stomach the organisation!!) and daddy is getting home midweek so we can put candles on the cake and sing Happy Birthday!
(help me tidy up more like!!)
I will be spending the day wondering how on earth 5 years went past so quickly!!!


don't forget the ric rac giveaway over at Patch....

Patch Giveaway

There is a giveaway over at Patch....details are here....
I am having a couple of 'waiting' giveaways..whilst we wait for that fabric to arrive!!!
This week its ric rac!!See you over there!!!

spring

It is officially spring today....I am wearing A SKIRT!!!
I'm not going out anywhere as my legs have only had one coat of fake tan so are not fit for public viewing yet but...its a skirt!!!
I am working today...obviously ;)
Mum has 2 teeny boys so I can get on with 'patch' work....I do feel in limbo until the fabric arrives...and I'm getting excited about its arrival!! Not looking forward to writing the mahoosive cheque perhaps..but i may disappear for a day while I lock myself away with it!!! I am still getting the 'office' ready, we ordered from Ikea online for the big bits I need (popping to Ikea for me is a good 5 hour round trip!!) which will get us nearly organised before we can get to the shop in person for the essentials they don't deliver (like tealights and fabric lol!)
Anyway I have some boring paperwork to get through today, so I shall break it up with some nicer things...like.....
rosali bedding!!
Someone very very kindly offered to pop to Ikea to get me a rosali bedding set as I had heard a cheeky rumour the design was back in the UK...

she got me not one but 2 sets a blue and a pink/white :D
I am so smiley...now I don't claim to love rosali as much as this lovely lady...but *sigh* .......I keep looking out of the window at it blowing on the line!!
Now my intention was to cut and make but now its here...not sure I will be able to make that 1st cut!!!
Thank you angel cake for being such a lovely friend xxx
Now I need some green fingered advice..is it too early to plant out sweet pea plants???
I have started them off in loo rolls (better roots by all accounts) on the windowsill....and they are now getting too big....do I need to harden off before whacking them in the ground??
They are healthier looking plants than the ones I have previously bought in the garden centre, but any help for my next move gratefully received!!