Monday again.

Back to school for some of my boys today, thats another half term over and done with. The weather has been truly awful..with the exception of one day in the week. We have had no white stuff here...and Saturday looked a lot like this:Sunday brought lots of rain, which still hasn't stopped so as it was so wet and dark all day, we did some of this:

Stone painting...followed by playdough..new pots of playdough, what a treat!!!..I love that stuff it smells good enough to eat!! (which R tried to do...) I also found some fimo in the back of the craft cupboard, so will try making buttons I think at some stage...

I managed to sew some more hexagons this weekend, and I have been making some embroidered applique pictures - more on those later...so I really must do some chores today to make up for it ;)

Thank you for all your lovely comments about my candles..they were really the easiest thing to make. I bought wax from here (delivered in 2 days) and just melted it in a saucepan on top of another pan of water (my double boiler improvisation!!), I don't have a microwave but I reckon you could melt the wax in one?? Its a mineral wax and literally just wiped out of the pan. I've been burning a teacup candle all weekend, smells gorgeous and we have been wowed by how long and evenly it burns...its so annoying when you have a container candle and it only burns in the middle and leaves wax up the sides!!!

I'm now off to sort out partners for the colour swap..hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll be back with a list.

Also, I am sorry to disappoint anyone but I'm going to have to say that you must have a blog to take part, sorry if I've already been in touch with you. I have a lot of ladies to partner up and having a blog makes it easier for me and for partners to communicate with each other. x

Wordless Wednesday....

Otherwise known as 'What I've made Wednesday'

Patchwork cushion with heart applique for Ginger Pudding.

Small tote bag lined with heart fabric sent to Lissy Lou for her Red for Heart event...

Boys Toys?

Inspired by this post I decided to dig out the dolls crib of my childhood and make some new bedding, using the fab fabric given to me by Natasha for the Friends swap last summer.

I gave a sneaky peek in my last post......

As I have mentioned before neither mum nor I are great ' keepers of stuff ' but along with the appliqued bed throw, my dolls crib given to me for Christmas '77 or '78, survived our numerous moves. It wasn't new when I got it so I should think its 40 years old....

Mum kept it I expect for my children, and as we are all aware I got blue flavoured children, each pregnancy mum would say perhaps we'll get to have our crib out......

We did get it out for the boys, but I think certain things are programmed by nature and none of them have shown that much interest in it, after the initial novelty of something different being out to play with. My eldest (now 14) showed the most interest when I had just had his brother, now 12...he would put his stuffed teletubby in there to sleep and take Po out to breastfeed him....bless :)

(We do finally have a little pink baby in the family, courtesy of my sister in law -but they are a fan of the shiny new plastic stuff so don't think they will appreciate vintage!! Anyway tis mine!!!hehehe)

It took me a while to get round to finishing it...the patchwork was done last September...the binding last week!!!

tada....(I cut a piece of spotty fleece to make a sheet for the 1970's esque mattress in the crib)

Dolly has been named Harry by C. So he is now round at Grandma's having new pyjama's made for him...boy colours..it makes daddy feel a bit better!!! (not much though..but we are ignoring him!!!)hmm....not sure what daddy will think about me playing with this baby...oh who cares...dolly needs a kiss!!!!

The crib is in the little boys bedroom, I'm hoping they will play with it...but R (pictured above) is a bit rough, he wanted it downstairs the other day and chucked it...and C keeps saying MY dolly(no its mummy's)...so I'm being a bit precious and limiting the time its played with.
I enjoyed making the little quilt..well I say quilt its not actually quilted, it has a plain flannel backing and as I am chuffed with how it turned out I don't want to spoil it by messing upthe stitching!! The handmade binding is far from perfect, but for a first attempt I am very pleased with how it turned out, the mitred corners were easier than I thought...I am learning very quick that if I take my time things work..I know what a revelation!!
I think I am going to make another for my friends baby. Maybe 1 row longer and wider, then it will be just the right size for the moses basket.

string patches

Friday found me with 2 and a half child free hours. I had prepared for them all week. I made sure I had strips of fabric and I cut squares out of lining fabric.

The sewing machine was dusted off after more than a months rest and brought downstairs.

I set myself up a little ironing station on the dining table next to my machine (saves moving you see!!), remembering why I ended up with new oilcloth in the first place I made sure it was well padded.

I'm not a tidy worker...

And I found them surprisingly easy. You see I am very untrusting! When somebody tells me something is very easy I tend to think - for you maybe!!! But it really was simple.

(thats not to say that a few weren't messed up......)

Once all the strips are sewn on - pre trimming - I have to say I wasn't overly impressed, as I don't have great vision! But once trimmed...

I began to be impressed!

I made extra work for myself by roughly trimming down with scissors first, Then using the cutting mat and rotary..and a new to me metal ruler....I made them all the same size - 6 inch squares .....

Like I said I know I didn't need to trim with scissors first but as I don't have a square template and I needed to see the grid on my cutting board, I found this an easier way of doing it. I'm not very confident with my rotary cutter and mat!!!

It was at this stage that I found a few that hadn't made the grade, I had not used long enough strips in a couple of places and there were gaps and joins......not the end of the world....meet the 5 1/2 inch squares :D

I am very pleased with how they have turned out. Even with the wonkyness of the strips in places (bottom right green paisley for starters!!!). Such a simple process, yet very very effective. Some of my favourites.....

Obviously now I have 2 different sized squares then I will need to find 2 different projects, and as I'm hoping that in round 2 I won't make mistakes, then hopefully all future squares will be 6 inches. The smaller squares I may turn into a bag front or something.....

paper bag swap

I was nervous about this swap after signing up...actually having to take the scissors to somebody elses fabric *yikes*!!!

But I got over it lol...and what I made for Rachel can be seen on her post here.

Yesterday I had another parcel opening session - complete with sighs and oohs and ahs again!!

lots of parcels to opening, very exciting!!

Rachel is a very talented crafter, and I did do some little screams when I opened!!!

I love this patchwork stitchery that I am going to wall mount, and I will be following Rachel's advice hehehe!!

I love the addition of the recipe card and am thinking this is an idea I may adopt, its a great idea to pass on recipes and can't wait to give this choccy brownie recipe a go!! (love the card with the good enough to eat pic on too!!)

Now I embarrassed myself with this beautiful patchwork item...when I opened it I placed it around my neck..and thought what a lovely scarf....then I thought..hmm actually I think its a runner....so placed on my bedroom chest (thinking all the time that it would look lovely on my newly painted dresser...when its done....)

So I email Rachel and say thank you...and guess what!!! Rachel meant it as a scarf *blush* but has graciously told me I can use as I like!! (probably thinking what a numpty lol!!!)

Its gorgeous and if I use as a scarf it will crease!! On my dresser it won't and I can stroke it as I walk by...but if I use it as a scarf I can look at it all the time...hmm decisions!!!!

Some Christmas lovliness, wooden candle holder and a cute robin decoration...Rachel's stitching is perfect.....This pretty brooch is on my pink cardigan already...jellybeans are in my tummy :)

And a fab pincushion sitting next to some bath fizzers that smell of sweeties - yum :)

Thank You so much Rachel, for my fabulous makes and for organising the paper bag swap. Its been fun..once the worry passed, I enjoyed making for somebody with their choice of fabric.

Hoping for a bit of sun tomorrow so I can take pics of my purl purchases....also hoping for some time to use some!!!

The countdown to Christmas starts here for me...I plan to do some wrapping this weekend...I'm usually done by now...and I want to put the boys advent calendar together with chocs and activities.....not many sleeps now!!!

commission

I asked Paula over at Lajoni's Place if she would make me something special and personal for my baby boy.....I am yet to find anything with his name on in the shops!!

I had no idea what she was going to paint for me...I trusted that it would be fabulous after seeing her other work and I only chose the shape of the heart and told her that Reuben liked trains!!!

Isn't it gorgeous???

A proper train not a cartoony Thomas style one!!! The colours are perfect for his room - green and blue, not sure if I told Paula his bedroom colours....if I didn't she really is a genius!!!

On the back.........

wise words......

The heart is currently on the dining table being looked at and ooh'd and ah'd over by anyone who comes in, but will be hung in the boys room at the weekend.

For your own...you can pop here and sweet talk Paula :)

Today is going to be a bit of a catch up day....I have my house back today..more importantly my spare room so I can sew....I am hoping that lovely husband will take pity on the fact I haven't sewed for more than a week and allow me to sew all weekend.......

Only 5 more sleeps until NYC...I have been getting excited with the help of lovely people giving me advice on what to see and do whilst there...thank you all!! (especially you Ellie xxxxx)

I know I am going to miss the boys like mad but shan't let that stop my enjoyment of watching the in flight movies without interruption by a small child...or of sleeping until I wake up - ah bliss!!!

So I am pausing the Christmas preparations til I am back...well mostly after failing to source bakers twine locally, I have purchased some off ebay....its really lovely quality very thick and will tie up brown paper parcels a treat....the seller can be found here.

I have also found an excellent ebay seller of ribbon, I had a late night clicky session (as you do) and now have some lovely ribbon, pale blue tartan, red gingham and pale gold for tying up christmas parcels...haven't taken pics yet but the seller is here in case anyone is interested xxxx

Hopefully I'll post at the weekend...I have a new item for my blogshop...a Christmas Stocking being sold for charity.........back soon xxxx

the end of the month

Thank You to everyone who has offered to help me in my quest to find the little boys Christmas pressie... I am still a hunting and hopeful ebay will come up with the goods before long!!

I really haven't had the greatest of weeks, lack of sleep and discovering the baby has more food allergies than we first thought means I'm feeling really sorry for myself....so I'm sulking and eating too much, not the best idea when I want to lose a stone before my 'honeymoon' in NY in just a few weeks...about 6 I think?? (I've been preoccupied with Christmas forgetting our trip comes first).

Anyway I won't focus on the crap.....I have a few pics of what I have been up to......

tidying the workroom.....the shelves and drawers anyway, the fabric cupboard will have to wait.....

machine sewing the advent calendar...not quite there but it will be done before Christmas I have shocked myself!!!

Making and gathering some pretties for a charity auction for KIN over at SCC.

Winning a charity auction for KIN (lovingly put together by Mary Poppins) - oh what a delight this parcel was this morning..I wish you could smell it :) Mary's lavender smells more lavendery than mine!!!

Lovely fabrics for me to make lovelies with - my fave Cowboys (Mary also gave me some cowboy ribbon - will be treasured x) and my new fave green paisley.

lovely vintage postcards....need a changearound on my holders I think....

Thank You for a gorgeous and generous lot of pretties. xx

A bit of retail therapy, new boots, a new dress, a couple of cardies (although its been really hot here and so my new autumn winter wardrobe hasn't had much of an outing yet!!).

And this

lovely beach hut - lovingly and expertly made by elaine...who can be found here.....very fitting for my seaside home :)

I have done another swap....Lesley sent me some fab crocheted flowers that I wanted for a project...and I can not crochet :( - lucky for me Lesley can....she has blogged here about the swap.

(I also got a fab crochet brooch that I photographed then deleted somehow....)

I have received the latest Cath catalogue...yes another!!...and have started making my Christmas list lol!!!

love this jumper and as my hair is the same colour I know it will suit me lol!! The £75 price tag exceeds my what I will pay for a jumper limit though!!!!

still love this dress carrier -

and really love the london charm bracelet...I love the cowboy one too......

Also I was thrilled to hear that the new Sew! book will be out at the beginning of October rather than the end...mine has been on pre order and Amazon tell me it is due to despatch on the 2nd...however I have heard that someone (you know who you are....) has got hers today...here's hoping mine comes tomorrow!!!

Back soon with a WIP and to do list...have decided its the only way i'll get anything finished!!!

X

Bibs 'n' Bunting

I have made a few more items for ginger pudding.......


Cath Kidston fabric baby and toddler bibs

Non Cath bibs too....... Perhaps a bit too nice for splodges of carrot but great for parties!!!!

Stars and Stripes Bunting for a little boys room


Vintage embroidered bunting....dresser sized!!