Pick n' Mix

Don't you just love Pick n' Mix :-) There is definitely a feeling of wonderful expectation when you stand looking at the multi-coloured, multi-shaped, multi-textured display and then when you open the lid to your first selection that sweet smell that wafts its way into your senses...hmmm quite delicious. 

Although Snowflakes and Strawberries newest offering cant offer you the sugar high, the bright colourful selection of 100% cotton materials that you can now Pick n' Mix to your own size and colour requirements will hopefully inspire your next crafting project. Head over to my E-Bay listing to see it here.

Happy Shopping!

The Great British Sewing Bee

I do love that in the 'Pile it high sell it cheap' world of many high-street fashion stores that we have come to expect (and please don't get me wrong - I am the first to grab a bargain and my staple clothing is several plain white T-Shirts from the front runner of them all 'Primarni'!), there is enough interest for the BBC to produce a programme proving that there are still people out there who do spend time and effort and more importantly have a real skill for producing a handmade item of clothing that won't be worn once, then chucked at the bottom of the wardrobe to only be carted off to a car-boot in 2 years time! 

Of course, I think my favourite bit about the whole show is drooling at the fabric and haberdashery in the background of every shot - and just wishing it was all mine! 

Tonight we are promised a series of challenges, where the contestants must make a simple tunic out of cotton, transform a high street skirt, and make a made-to-measure silk nightgown. BBC2 - 8pm tonight - I'll certainly be watching.

Good Morning! I was going to say 'Here's an early morning blog' but at 2 minutes to 12 - it is definitely not early and will probably not even be morning by the time I finish this post - woops! Where has Monday Morning gone???!?!?!?

Anyway just a quick blog to show you my finished version of Gerbera The Giraffe (see this post). I finished her over the weekend as her intended recipient is due to arrive into the world at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning! 

I'm pleased with the bright stripy material and the yellow on white patterned fabric used for the bottom of the legs, ears and mane compliments it perfectly I think. Don't you think its great she can do the splits!! 

I would like to attach a label with a name attached (a little bit like those Wooden Ducks) but I'm stuck! Any ideas gratefully received!

Happy Monday Morning :-)

That Friday Feeling :-)

There are not many things that miss about working in my former office job in Customer Services, however 1 of them is that Friday afternoon feeling - which I've discovered I don't quite have since working from home...if anything its quite the opposite - its more a panic of 'have I done everything I need to before the weekend starts full of family commitments' feeling!

Anyway today I had a very productive morning and had done everything on my To Do List that I needed to before the weekend. So what better way to spend Friday afternoon than on a sewing project :-) I have recently purchased an IPad, which actually you would think belonged to my 5 & 6 year old boys considering the time they spend on it - but it is actually mine, and my 'To Do' list lives on it. It spends most of the day flat on my desk, which often means its the wrong way up when I go check off a task and I have to sit it up, I remembered sometime ago seeing an IPad Pillow and after a quick Google search, soon found what I was looking for. Although I found some tutorials I actually didn't follow one and just made it from my sewing knowledge after looking at some pictures of them. Very simply a piece of rectangular material that I folded in half and sewed up 2 sides; I inserted a piece of triangular card, to offer some stability to the bottom and filled with toy stuffing. I then literally sewed across with the seam twisted to create the triangular shape, inserted another piece of cardboard to create a platform for the Ipad, sewed again to keep it in place and another row of stitching at the edge enabled me to stuff with toy filler again and give a lip to prevent the Ipad from falling forward. Volia :-)

There would be a few things I would change if I did it again but for something that took me under an hour from start to finish without a pattern I was pleased with the end result.

I even had time to bake a tray of Brownies before the boys came home too. 

Definitely had that Friday afternoon feeling today. Have a great weekend :-)

Shhh......Lets keep it a secret!

Shall I let you into a little secret......I love sewing books, actually its not much of a secret! I love spending ages just pouring over the pages and digesting all the photos and taking inspiration not only from the projects that feature in them directly, but all the gorgeous displays showing all amounts of pretty 'sewing-y' things. I probably spend far too much time doing this - but hey ho - indulgence is good for you sometimes :-) 

Anyway I have been trawling them recently as a friend is due to have a baby soon (any excuse for a project!) But just couldn't find anything that I fancied making, so I started looking at sourcing another sewing book (again, any excuse to buy yet another sewing book!) Anyway, I came across the website http://www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/ and found this adorable pattern for Gerbera The Giraffe - it was delivered as a downloaded pdf so instantly received and I love instant! I cant wait to get making him (I promise I'll be back to show you my version of him soon!)

Gerbera The Giraffe

So, reader, are you thinking another sewing book wasn't purchased. Of course it was! I couldn't resist this:

But Shhhhhh...lets keep it a secret!! Have great weekend!

Party Time

So, my boys have been invited to a quadruplet party today (2 girls & 2 boys).....and I was determined to be inventive with presents and not spend upwards of £20 on 'tack'. I have a present bag that I keep stocked with either duplicate presents that the boys are given, or when I see a bargain that is too good to pass, I'll pop it in there. Inevitably with a house full of boys the bag almost always contains 'boy' themed gifts. The boys had a rummage in the present bag, which they love :-) and picked out 2 lego (no surprise there!) themed gifts for the boys. My eldest was quite right when he pointed out that the girls would not think that either a wooden pirate jigsaw or a silly word factory magnet book were good presents, so I suggested that I try out my new Tutu Skirt Kit. 

I'm really pleased with them :-) I made some matching headbands to go with them too. Hope the girls like them. 

PS. Please note the handmade cards are still going! And before you say - I know we haven't even got through January yet - so I'm not being smug!

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

Its been freezing here today.....brrrrrrr!!!! My feet were numb when I got back from walking my boys to school and the heating has been on all day (which doesn't often happen!) but I just couldn't get warm today.

However I certainly had a warm glow after these buttons were delivered by our lovely postman :-)

Lots and lots of lovely wooden painted heart buttons and the cutest little birds. I have already mounted some onto card ready for orders and at just £1.50 for 6 of either design, how could you resist! There are available in my shop under Buttons here :-)