dolliedaydream

wakey-wakey!

2008-03-01T17:37:00.011Z

Now, I would love to tell you that I spent all of the last days, weeks and months (yes months!) since my last post tucked up in that bed hibernating. And like all the buds and bulbs am waking to greet the spring. But it would be a lie.

I had meant to post so many times but just never got around to it and then I sort of fell out of the habit. Work seriously got in the way - the increased hours, the lack of time, the Christmas panic followed by January sales all took up valuable space in my head and life and craft and blogging took a back seat. Heck, who am I kidding they never even made it along for the journey let alone being in the back seat! No, they were the ones hibernating whilst I worked my butt off and came down with illness after illness.

Then as the time goes by and you still haven't posted you sort of fall out of the habit. You think you'll write something tomorrow or the next day and then a week has gone by and then a month. Then you realise that you have nothing really to say other than how tired you are or what happened at work that day or how poorly you are feeling and I didn't want to bore you with that. No, that's what the husband is for!

Well the 1st of March seemed like the perfect time to break that cycle and to try and start to get back with the programme! I've been catching up with all your goings on thanks to my feeds on Bloglines and my oh my you have been a busy lot. New arrivals, both human and animal varieties, have been welcomed; birthdays celebrated; homes moved out of and into, and of course lots and lots of crafting. Next I had to think desperately hard to remember my login for Blogger not an easy feat and thank goodness it didn't lock me out after my numerous attempts.

So now I have started on my journey back to the blogging world, and I need to get down to some crafting but I'll let myself back in gently by browsing through the Spring issue of Marie Claire Idees.

this is where I want to be...

2007-11-08T16:55:00.000Z

yep - I long to be in my bed all snuggled up under the duvet reading my book. It has been a very tiring week and it's not even Friday yet. So am I regretting taking on extra hours and responsibility? No, life is to short for regrets (oh, how easy it is to say that but how much harder to really mean it).

The problem lies in just not being able to sleep properly. This is now the second week of disturbed sleep with no apparent reason for it. Oh well, it means I can crawl into bed early and read my book.

I'm currently reading the Alice Sebold book "The Almost Moon" which is very cheery reading indeed. The blurb at the back, "when all is said and done, killing my mother came easily", gives a fairly good indication of just quite how cheery it is. Then after that I plan to read "Someone at a Distance" by Dorothy Whipple which is one of the Persephone range. Another rather cheery read me thinks - this time the breakdown of a marriage and its effects upon the family - "a brilliant account of fraility and folly".

And now that the nights are getting colder I am very grateful for the extra warmth provided by this quilt.I made it a couple of years ago from plain brushed cottons. It is gorgeously cosy.

Oh how I do love my bed. So goodnight, sleep tight watch the bugs don't bite and pleasant dreams to you all.

pannacotta and pastitsio ...

2007-11-07T19:21:00.002Z

so I have now christened both 'Apples for Jam' and 'Falling Cloudberries' by Tessa Kiros.

We had a friend visiting for supper last night and for mains I opted to make the Pastitsio from 'FC'. It was a slightly bastardised version of the recipe in that I had to cut the amounts in half otherwise we would have had way too much for us to eat. I also opted to take some elements from the recipe for Pastitsio in the Waitrose magazine. So I added some chopped celery to melt down with the onions. And I added some grated pecorino to the breadcrumb topping.
It was very tasty and the recipe was written so clearly that I found no problems in making it. And more importantly it all got eaten hence no photos of the finished dish.

Then on to pudding and the chocolate pannacotta recipe came from 'A4J'. And again the recipe was clear and well written so that they were really easy to make. I was a little worried, because of the accuracy issue with the weighing of the leaf gelatine, that they may not set as I erred on the cautious side. But they turned out of their moulds easily and looked just like they do in the photo in the book. And they tasted gorgeous - very chocolately and really rather rich so the tartness of the raspberries helped to cut through beautifully.

So now I'm off to luxuriate in the bath and dream of which recipe I'm going to create next...

5 days ...

2007-11-05T18:45:00.000Z

So here it is November 5th and 5 days into the nablopomo challenge that some of you have taken up. I read about it and thought what a good idea - the kick in the backside I need to getting me blogging regularly again. But the problem is with all this daily posting by some of my favourite blogs, I am reading rather than writing. So sorry but I will just be as sporadic as ever.

This weekend was the most amazing burnt golden weekend I have seen in a long time. The sun shone and the leaves in all theit autumnal hues glowed like a myriad of gems. Oh dear I seem to be slipping into Romantic Poetry territory but you get the drift. In fact this morning was glorious and I wanted to do a bunk and not turn up for work but rather go down to the park and kick and scuff through the piles of fallen leaves.

Another autumn gem to arrive this weekend was the Persephone catalogue and Biannual which has made for excellent perusing. I think this Christmas I will be adding several of the books to my wishlist - I would so love to have their entire catalogue in my posession as there is never a duff book published by them. And what can I say I covet books.

This evening after work I finally got around to making the Chocolate Pannacotta that I mentioned a little while ago. The recipe comes from the Tessa Kiros book 'Apples for Jam' and when we eat them tomorrow evening I'll let you know if they are as good as they look in the photograph in her book. Although I will state now that I am little concerned that I may have not added enough gelatine. I used the sheet variety and trying to measure 6 grammes of the stuff on my scales was nigh on impossible.
And being the fifth of November what would I be if I didn't leave you with at least one firework shot.

newness and no photos...

2007-10-30T17:52:00.000Z

so here we are a day into a new week. A week where I have acquired a new baby - no you didn't miss any pregnancy related posts - this baby is my new black MacBook. It is gorgeous and so spritely quick when it comes to all computer related stuff. Although I have not put any photos on it yet hence this is a photo-less post.

My new work hours started yesterday and so far so good even though the little fella was sent home early from school yesterday. On arriving home he promptly threw up but the man of the house dealt with it all - what a star. That's how I can go back to work because my husband works from home and so any sick days can usually be covered without me having to scoot out of work.

I haven't got to grips with the new element of my work yet - I have a section to look after - but I hope to get down to it properly tomorrow. Although I do find the whole thing rather daunting.
This afternoon as a new member of V&A Friends I went on my induction tour which was fascinating and I got to checkout the Friends' Room where you can enjoy a quiet sit down with a cup of tea and slice of cake. I didn't have time to take in the Couture Exhibition so that will have to be done another day

Just one final thing my husband has been working on a little film. It is a short film for the Daily Telegraph Ford Film Challenge competition. You can go and watch it here the film you are looking for is 'The Tree' and if you feel so inclined you can even vote for it.

momentum ...

2007-10-27T17:20:00.000+01:00

I seem to have been building up quite a head of steam this week - can you believe that I have posted nearly every day this week? Let's see if I can keep this momentum going.

Little Fella's best friend at school is having a rough time of it at the moment. She is in hospital after having to have her appendix removed on Thursday. So we went to visit her today and we took along a little present.
In case you can't guess he's a horse - or maybe that should be she's a horse. She will probably be in hospital until Tuesday so there are more visits planned. It felt very good to sit down last night and make this little gift. He's made from a pair of M&S thermal mens' socks, his mane is lilac wool and his eyes bright shiny brown buttons. I think I can feel the crafting momentum picking up it's pace again too

My thanks for you thoughts regarding my work decision. After carefully considering it I have decided to increase my working hours - an extra two hours a day. But the exciting thing is that I have been given some extra responsibilities which I am really quite excited about. Although I am expecting to get quite highly strung and stressed over the next couple of weeks as I try to get to grips with it all - but it is a great opportunity and I feel flattered to have been asked.

what a grey day ...

2007-10-25T15:49:00.000+01:00

oh dear, the gorgeous sunny autumnal weather has disappeared today and left us with grey drizzly weather. So the only thing to do is settle down with a gorgeous cookery book and dream of plates of divine, warming, heartening food.

Today, I bought Tessa Kiros' book 'Apples for Jam' which I have been meaning to buy for so long now. Like so many others I fell head over heals for 'Falling Cloudberries' as much for the photos and family stories as for the recipes. In fact I haven't cooked anything from 'Cloudberries' despite it sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now but I do use her book 'Twelve' which is full of her Tuscan recipes.

Well, my mouth is just watering as I think of what to cook from 'Apples'. The weekend is my opportunity to do proper cooking and I love the whole planning and procuring process involved. At the moment I'm not sure which main course to choose but I am very taken with the idea of chocolate pannacotta for pud.Enough with all those food thoughts! I need to go and read through some work documents and decide whether to increase my working hours or not. As with everything there are pros and cons I've just got to see if the pros outweigh the cons. And whilst my thoughts are on books and bookshops I am fascinated reading these guys' blog and their exploits trying to set up an independent bookshop in Wood Green, North London.

And what can I say, it seems that we are all very much in the same boat as far as Royal Mail is concerned - isn't it an act of treason to tamper with and hinder the transit of the Queen's mail? I know treason is no longer a hanging offence but hmmmm...

just what you need ...

2007-10-24T20:33:00.000+01:00

to make yourself feel better.

Good wishes from blog buddies to brighten your morning before heading off for work.

When at work you get told that the book you ordered has come in. Hurrah! the chance sit down in the afternoon and lose myself in pictures of the most divine dresses. I must get me to the exhibition sooner rather than later.

Then, on returning home from work, discovering that the postman has finally delivered the fabric you ordered over two weeks ago. Don't get me started on how frustrated and annoyed I am by Royal Mail. At the moment I am awaiting the delivery of several other things 'trapped' in the postal system but I won't hold my breath.

And going shopping with Little Fella to get his Hallowe'en outfit - he's very scary indeed (and that's without the mask).

Here's to more good things to come in the rest of the week.

the second day...

2007-10-23T17:32:00.000+01:00

of the half term holidays and my last day of leave from work - no more days off now until well after Christmas is a dim and distant memory of worn out batteries and half used packets of Rennie.

But the lurgy has struck big time - so don't come too close - my poor ears are hurting and my sinus's are aching. A hot whiskey is definitely called for later this evening. Before that there's the chicken casserole which is bubbling in the oven and is just perfect for these colder days and germ ridden individuals. Only I rubbed my eye after handling the chillis - so add eye burn to the above list of ailments!

So as it is today involved no trip out - but rather enjoying reading together with Little Fella both out loud and in our heads. But I did knock out a little penholder just to keep my crafting hand in. It is inspired by shim+sons penholder. It was a very quick and easy project for which I used an empty, cleaned chopped tomato tin. It is by no means perfect - notice I'm not showing you the back of it!

moore and more ...

2007-10-22T19:34:00.000+01:00

Here we are with the first day of the half term holiday coming to its end. I have taken today and tomorrow off work in the hope of doing some fun family things.

So today we headed off to Kew Gardens to see the Henry Moore sculptures. Sadly today wasn't as bright and autumnaly sunny as yesterday which would have made for fantastic photographs. They are sadly slightly dull because of the dreich conditions but hey we had good fun.But it was definitely a scarf, gloves and proper coat day. There is a proper autumn chill in the air these days which hopefully will kill off all the cold bugs that seem to keep going around. Yep, we are still fighting the good fight trying to stave off those nasty germs.

Once back home I even managed to get some preparation work done. I am going to be making some more of my little bags so the assembly line process starts with the cutting out. Then there's the gathering together of the various notions. It feels good to be getting to grips with this project.

ally pally with my pal ali ...

2007-10-15T17:07:00.000+01:00

OK that title came to me in the shower this morning and boy was I chuffed with myself. I know, I know how sad is that?!

Anyway, yesterday I met up with Ali to head off to the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace. Monica was going to come too but sadly couldn't because of poorly children and Ali nearly didn't come because of an injured little boy. The omens were not good.

But I had a fantastic time and Ali was good company as always. I had never been to a Knitting and Stitching show before so really had no idea what to expect. The exhibition was huge and had far more in it that I had anticipated. It was quite overawing and there were so many people and so many things to see.

I did see a few things I really liked, like this girl's work. There was another lady's work who I really liked but I can't remember her name now. I saw some of Julie Arkell's gorgeous creations up close and I fell even more in love with them sadly they were a little bit too pricey for me so I bought a book about her work instead.We also browsed around all the fabric, wool, notion and accoutrement stalls. Infact it was really too much for me to take in. In the end I just bought some thread - I feel a new favourite colour combination coming on.

And some linen squares and linen thread. I have some ideas but nothing really formulated yet - I think I need to have a bit of a play around with them first.

the sewing gods were smiling ...

2007-10-08T16:02:00.000+01:00

and the thread and needles were willing - so hey presto I have a new bag.It is based on the Lotta Jansdotter All Day Tote from her Simple Sewing book but with some changes. I had previously made one in denim following the directions in the book but there were some elements of it I wasn't totally happy with.So this time I added some heavyweight interfacing to make the bag slightly sturdier. It still has a slouchy feel to it which I like, it is just not too slouchy.

I also added a magnetic fastening to help keep the bag shut and to hopefully make it harder to dip.
The internal pocket has been made larger so that it can hold my mobile phone and iPod quite happily - I found the internal pocket on the original to be too small to be really useful. I also used iron-on interfacing on the inside of this pocket so that it holds its contents without flopping and dropping them into the bottom of the bag.
The water bottle pocket is still there as I find it very useful and also the key thingy is still there as I just love not having to scrabble around in the bottom of the bag trying to find my keys. There's nothing worse in the pouring rain than not being able to find your keys.

But gone is the funny pocket at the front of the bag which only seemed useful for carrying a strategically folded newspaper. In its place I have just added a large pocket that will quite happily take a paperback book.The bag is made from very bright pink cord that looks a lot more subdued in these photos - trust me you would certainly see me coming. It is all lined in a fabric from the Heather Bailey 'Freshcut' range. So there it is my 'Stand out in a Crowd' bag.

look ...

2007-10-07T11:36:00.000+01:00

can that really be some craftiness going on?

We have a sketch
fabrics and interfacings have been cut out and notions assembled. Surely his can mean only one thing - finally there is actually going to be some sewing going on. I am planning to work on an adaptation of the Lotta bag using the very bright Schiaparelli pink corduroy that I bought the other day.

This sudden desire for creativity is part in thanks to meeting up with some very creative knitty ladies on Wednesday evening. It was the Liberty shopping evening - with free wine and 15% off purchases who could resist? But it was watching these girls working on their various projects that made me desirous of a project of my own.

So the first job was cleaning my crafting corner - it truly looked like a bomb had hit it. There was paper, fabric and stuff scattered everywhere. It was just not conducive to encouraging the creative muses to bestow their gifts. So yesterday afternoon I dusted, polished, hoovered and generally straightened everything up. Boy, it felt good! and the bonus is that I now have the room to sew and I actually feel like it.

Thread and needles willing I'll show you photos of the finished bag, all sewn up, tomorrow.

today, I am mostly loving...

2007-09-29T17:50:00.000+01:00

The new Joelle Hoverson book 'Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts'. It is full of some really lovely ideas and the photography is very inspiring. I have no particular plans to make anything from it, as yet, but I do feel it creating a ground swell of ideas.

Also on today's 'love' list is corduroy. A favourite autumnal fabric of mine and these colours (although the photo doesn't do them justice at all) are helping to turn that swell into a surge of creativity. I have found it incrediably hard to get back into the creative swing of things since my long hiatus over the summer but these fabrics and books do help to nudge me in the right direction.

Another thing that really helped was visiting a couple of galleries when in Norfolk. At the Bircham Gallery in Holt I spent my birthday money on an Angie Lewin print entitled "Totem". I just love looking at and find myself losing myself as I stare into it. Then at Big Blue Sky I loved browsing all the crafts and art for sale there. I discovered one particular crafts person whose work I fell in love with - Fran Squires who handprints fabric and then turns it into bags, aprons or tea towels and she also creates one-off framed works of fabric art. I could have bought lots of her stuff but I was a little strapped after buying the Angie Lewin print!

I am also loving my membership to the V&A especially with such fantastic exhibitions on at the moment. I've been to view the 'Art of Lee Miller' and have plans to go to the 'Golden Age of Couture' next week.

Ain't love just grand?

pull up a chair ...

2007-09-25T20:49:00.000+01:00

and grab a cup of coffee or tea or maybe a glass of wine depending on your personal time of day. I think it's time we caught up with each other don't you?

I've had fun catching up with everything you have been up to over the last month. So much has been happening to you all. Holidays have been enjoyed, bereavements shared, expectations and births celebrated and books published. Those back to/first days of school feelings, worries and joys struck chords.

And I guess my month has been much the same. The last week of the school holidays we spent in Norfolk enjoying what must have been the best week of the holidays weather-wise. We basked in glorious warm sunshine and so hit the beach everyday. Little fella had a whale of a time and I'm still finding sand in various garment pockets.I managed to read two whole books and proper books at that no pictures or nuffink. And even more importantly I enjoyed both of them. In case you were wondering they were "Tokyo Cancelled" by Rana Dasgupta and "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen and now I'm working my way through a biography about Lee Miller.

We went out one morning to see the seals - something, in all the times we've been to Norfolk, we have never done before. We took an early morning boat trip from Morston Quay and the weather was perfect and there were so many seals and seal pups to see. It was fantastically good fun and made us ask 'why have we not done this before?'The next morning we went to Holt for yummy coffee and cake at Byfords and then browsing some of our favourite shops. Old Town where we placed an order for some garments and I was lucky enough to get a sneaky peek at the fabric, "Kensal Rising", they have designed for St Judes. And of course we checked out the toys in Starlings. Then we headed back to the beach.

Another morning we hit Cromer to walk along a different beach, collect pretty stones and then enjoy chips with lots of salt and vinegar on the pier. Then back to Wells in the afternoon to hit the beach. (Bit of a theme developing there - don't you think?)

All in all we came home with sunkissed faces and looking a whole lot healthier than when we left. Which, sadly, evapourated rapidly once we got back to school and work! We seem to have been living under a cloud of illness and general malaise hence the lack of blogging but I think our bodies are regaining their immunity to the school and workplace bugs so hopefully we are starting to fight fit again.

sporadic, sparse, lacklustre ...

2007-08-24T15:03:00.000+01:00

all these words seem to sum up my blogging and crafting habits over the last five or so weeks. The school holidays mixed with working and the most disappointing and dreary weather have left me with neither the time nor the desire to craft or blog.

There have been a few glimmers of things happening although not much really but things, I hope, are starting to look up. Today was my last day of work before starting a two week holiday. The first week we are all off to brave the weather and will be hitting the North Norfolk coast. Days of beaches, chips and playing the slotties lie ahead. I'm hoping that the change of scenery will fire up my enthusiasm and help inspire me.

The second week the little fella goes back to school and I hope to catch some of the new shoes and new pencil case spirit and use my time off to get busy with some new projects and maybe actually finish some projects that have been hanging around for way too long.

Now better go and get the packing done whilst daydreaming of having this as my crafting space.It is Martha Stewart's creative refuge and you can 'ooh' and 'ahh' and 'if only' over it all here.

Have fun and I'll See you in September (which sounds a lot further away than it really is).

two tomatillos ...

2007-08-20T17:39:00.000+01:00

A couple of Saturday's ago I decided to clean up the garden a bit. Several garden waste sacks later and I could actually set up the deckchair and sit out there without being attacked or poked in the eye by the rampant plant growth.

Sadly, the very next day it then proceeded to become positively autumnal - the weather has become so much cooler and the rain has failed to cease so there has been no chance to sit out there and relax reading a good book. Typical - just typical.

This rubbish weather has resulted in my 'harvest' this year being very disappointing. The tomatoes have rotted on their stalks, the slugs and snails have feasted and feasted on any plants that didn't drown and so far I have only got two ripe tomatillos. I need a lot more to make a Mexican Salsa Verde. So does anyone know what I can do with just two?

how nice ...

2007-08-12T18:07:00.000+01:00

I am feeling very flattered because the very nice Jo of Frenchknots has awarded me a 'Nice Matters Blog Award'.

The award was started by Bella Enchanted. Who says, “This will be awarded to those that are just nice people, good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!” The award is then passed on to seven people and so the niceness multiplies and passes on around.

Now for the tough bit, choosing just seven recepients, because there really are so many nice bloggers out there. So in the spirit of this award I would like to present it to (drumroll please)...... Domesticali, Dottycookie, Monica, Flibbertygibbet, Cheryl, Simmy and Kirsten.

show and tell 2 ...

2007-08-10T18:09:00.000+01:00

well here we are back on the show and tell kick.
A couple of weeks ago I bought The Cute Book from The Book Depository. I was really impressed by their service, the book arrived quickly and was even delivered on a postal strike day!

Anyway the book arrived and Little Fella was really taken by it and by the afternoon he'd made his own little cutie. His name is Blue and he's a lizard. I had to help a little with the cutting out and stitching but he was a wizz with the stuffing.

We haven't been the only ones creating our own little creatures recently Pink Chalk Studio and Heidi have all been busy too.

The cuties are only a couple of inches big, the perfect size for sending through the post - Little Fella has grand plans to create loads of them and send them to friends. But seeing as he still hasn't written thank you notes for his birthday presents then I think they will remain just pie in the sky ideas.

Here's hoping for more of this glorious sunshine this weekend as I really must get out and tidy up the yard. All the rain has led to mad, rampant growth and it all needs a good hacking. And having previously said that I don't tend to partake of white wine because of its fortunate side effects I find myself typing this whilst imbibing a delightfully chilled Sauvignon Blanc. Cheers and here's to Friday evening!

eight things...

2007-08-09T16:24:00.000+01:00

well a day later than promised here are my 8 things:

1. Despite my sewing skills I don't ever seem to get around to sewing buttons back onto shirts or stitch hems back up. I have been known to have trouser hems that are held up with sellotape and when that fails I just replace the tape with more tape. Lazy? No, just saving those skills for something more interesting.

2. I have a thing for books. The flat is littered with hundreds of books and there is even a little box room rather grandly called 'the library' that is full of books but they are by no means restricted to just that room.

I have a small bookcase full of my craft books.
My 90-odd cookery books are on shelves in the kitchen. The front room has more shelves stacked with books and then of course there are the ones piled beside my bed.

3. I prefer red wine to white wine. I tend to get too tipsy, too quickly when drinking white wine. Although I love white wine of the fizzy kind.

4. Spurred on by Japanese craft books I am trying to teach myself Japanese. I'm mainly interested in trying to get a feel for the characters but I have also bought a teach yourself CD. I am pretty bad at learning languages so don't expect anything amazing.

5. I love my music and always have my iPod with me. But I also love just sitting in absolute silence just dwelling on my thoughts. See I'm a contrary so and so.

6. I'm a Gemini which is what I blame my contrariness and vacillation on. Of course it is also what gives me my wit and intellect! Ha, ha I wish!

7. Sometimes I wish I was shorter so that I could wear killer high heels and not tower over people. I fancy a pair of classic black Manolo stilletoes. The fact that I would fall flat on my face the first step I tried to take is immaterial.

8. I passed my driving test 17 years ago and haven't driven since. So I have a licence but would you trust me behind the wheel?! I just have never needed a car because I moved to London shortly after passing the test and I just took to using the tube, buses and walking.

I am now supposed to nominate 8 other people but I think most people have already taken part in this but if you haven't and you'd like to join in then consider this an open invitation.

can I take a rain check? ...

2007-08-08T20:30:00.000+01:00

so I promised you '8 things' but the truth is I haven't even thought about it.

Today was taken up with work this morning and then off to the cinema to watch "The Simpson's Movie" - little fella loved it. In between there was the sorting of laundry and a spot of cleaning.

So if it's OK with you I'll cry off - I'm delaying my promise rather than breaking it.

show and tell ....

2007-08-07T19:55:00.000+01:00

as promised here is the first instalment of my 'show and tell'. And first up is the latest bag I have made. A clever, cunning little creation that converts from a tote that is slung over the shoulder to a back pack just by pulling on the handles.
Ages ago now, I received a pattern for the 'Day in the Park Backpack Tote' that Liesl of Disdressed had drafted and produced. The pattern sat there waiting for me to finally choose some fabric and get on and sew it.

I ordered some of the necessary hardware from Lisa and the rest came from Kleins. And still the pattern sat there now with 'O' rings, magnetic closures, rivets and a zip to keep it company.
Well, after much deliberation, I finally chose natural linen for the main body of the bag, a coral coloured cotton for the lining and a Heather Bailey Freshcut pattern for the contrast.
I like the way the pattern worked out although there were a lot more pieces to the pattern than I would normally have considered and lot more interfacing and lining than I would normally use. My machine began to struggle getting through all the layers until I had a brainwave and remembered that I bought a walking foot for the machine ages ago. What a godsend! The walking foot was a minor miracle and made short work of all those layers. It also kept me captivated just watching it 'walk' along the fabric. Well as they say 'simple things...'

The instructions were very clear and easy follow. Although there was a slight discrepancy between the table showing what pieces you need from each fabric and the layout schematic. This led to me cutting out extra side panel fabric but nothing too desperate.

I also adapted the pattern ever so slightly. I added a key holder, a strip of fabric with a clasp on the end which I attach my keys to, which saves having to hunt around in the bottom of the bag.

Tomorrow, no show and tell but rather '8 things'. Zoe tagged me a few days ago and having had fun reading other peoples octopolies I thought I would think about mine between now and tomorrow evening and then share them with you.

back again, again ...

2007-08-06T17:08:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, I come out of self-imposed exile only to go and disappear again. What can I say I am toying with your affections - I'm just a nasty tease really.

I absconded to my parents, in Nottinghamshire, for the weekend. It was little fella's birthday on the Friday so we celebrated with a couple of his cousins. The weather was gorgeous so there were lots of fun and frolics in the garden. For me a day off work combined with sunshine was a dream.

Saturday was a journey by tram into the centre of Nottingham. While I hurtled around getting all the shopping I needed to get. Little fella played in the new fountain in the re-vamped Market Square. Some children came well prepared with swim suits, toys and towels. Being not so well prepared, one little person had a soggy journey back on the tram.

I couldn't resist getting this book - no sock or glove is safe!

Saturday afternoon I took full advantage of the Powell and Pressburger double bill on BBC2 to finish the handquilting on the baby quilt. By the time Moira Shearer was meeting her untimely demise I had stitched my last stitch. Hurrah! My thumb, which bears the brunt of my needle wielding, survived with minimal damage.

I have a few other things to show you but I think I'll opt to 'show and tell' over the next few days. That way I am on a promise and woe betide me if I break a promise.

incommunicado...

2007-07-30T20:08:00.000+01:00

quite unintentionally I have been in a sort of self imposed exile. Maybe it was the awful weather, maybe it was the onset of the summer holidays, maybe it was just laziness but I just didn't feel like blogging and indeed haven't really been that bothered with keeping up to date with other blogs. A bad state of affairs indeed.

But today is sunny and bright and cheery - so the perfect opportunity to make amends.

First, I must show you a lovely package goodies I received in the post in the last week. Emma kindly bought one of my bags and she sent me these beautiful buttons
and some dolly pegs and that fabric they are nestled on, is a lovely little draw string bag. Emma runs an online fabric shop and there are she has some lovely fabrics for sale.

I have also been working on a quilt as a gift for my cousin and his wife who have just had a little baby girl. My mum wanted to give a quilt as a gift and so I am making it for her to give.
My fabric choice was restricted to what I had in my stash as I really must start using some of those fabrics. I opted for pink for a girl but hopefully the green and cream help stop it being too saccharine.
So there was the cutting and then the piecing. And now I am in the process of hand quilting it. I love the process of hand quilting because it is the perfect opportunity to just sit down and watch a film and get on with it. The only problem is that it has been so long since I last did any quilting that my fingers have become too soft and the callouses have faded so my thumb and pointing and index finger are blistered and sore. Ahh well as they say 'no pain, no gain'.

freezer paper fun ...

2007-07-18T10:44:00.000+01:00

thank you for all the "waving boy" love. I must confess that I was very chuffed with how the T-Shirt came out.Freezer paper stencils are a nice quick way to add a design to an item of clothing and I thought of putting up a tutorial but there are far better ones here and here than I could produce.

It really does need to be freezer paper, waxed or greaseproof or parchment paper won't work because they don't have the plastic coating that bonds the paper stencil to the fabric. The only maker of freezer paper seems to be Reynolds and here in the UK there are several places you can buy it from, mainly quilting supplies shops. I tend to get mine from the Quilt Room or Quilt Direct and I have spotted it for sale in a local sewing shop.

I use whatever paint the local art supply shop has at the time - I just check that it is fabric paint and what temperatures it can be washed at.

For more Freezer paper stencil inspiration there is a Flickr group.

And look what the postman brought to my door todaymy prize package from paper-and-string. Thank you so much Sarah.

waving boy ...

2007-07-12T20:32:00.000+01:00

makes his debut.

I turned the little fella's picture into a t-shirt design with my trusty freezer paper and fabric paint. This one is for my husband and I plan to make one for me too - although we will be sure not to wear them at the same time. For that would be a level of twee-ness too far.

inspired by ...

2007-07-11T21:59:00.000+01:00

My little fella drew this quick little sketch today.
I think I can see this little waving boy on a t-shirt or two and dare I say it a bag.

guess what ... more bags...

2007-07-10T21:26:00.000+01:00

I've been cutting up the last few bags that I have had orders for and tomorrow I plan to try and sew as many as I can before I have to head into work.

One bag I have finished is my first 'commission'. The request was for a beach bag that needed to be large enough to carry three or four towels, suntan lotion, bottles of water and various other beach accoutrement.
It also was requested that it should be bright and cheery so the Rowan beachball fabric seemed a natural if obvious choice. I teamed it with a pinky reddish linen blend and the lining is an aqua coloured linen blend. This helps it all fold nice and flat for packing into a suitcase.

I have yet to show the bag to the women who ordered it so I hope she likes it but it certainly is capacious enough for three towels, water, beach toys, sun lotion .... It measures 54cm wide by 53cm long and has a depth of 14 cm. The handles are 54cm long and the bag can be carried comfortably on the shoulder. Although if you would want it on your shoulder when it is full is another question entirely.

I am particularly pleased with the pocket - which can take a 1.5 litre Evian bottle you can just see its lid poking out the top. The other side of the pocket is for all the other bits and bobs that you don't want to lose in the bottom of the bag.

After I have finished this little batch of bags I think I need to find something else to work on as I feel I need a rest from bags. Luckily I have a quilt commission to work on, so that should fill the gap nicely.

it was all OK ...

2007-07-09T16:01:00.000+01:00

don't panic my silence hasn't been because I have been hiding away in a cupboard as a result of a traumatic Fair experience but rather because it was quite productive really.

The sun shone, everyone had lots of fun and I sold 5 bags which out of 12 is not bad going. With hindsight I could have done alot more to show off my wares and draw in customers but I think it was a bit too personal for me. I was just too shy and embarrassed to make anything of it. My big concern was that other mums would feel obliged to buy them and that thought mortifies me. So maybe a fair where I am a bit more anonymous would be better - either that or Etsy.

Having said that the Fair did also lead to a couple of orders for bags in different colourways. So I have had my head down cutting, sewing, pinning and packing. But it is wonderful to feel that I am actually getting something back from my hobby and I can continue to invest in it. Which is just as well because a package of fabric arrived from Cia today.The lovely Heather Ross latests. The colours in real-life are gorgeous and the photo really doesn't do them justice.

more bags and a few plants...

2007-07-05T20:48:00.000+01:00

as promised here are the other bags I have made for the fair. They are the larger shopper bags and measure 45cm wide, 41cm long and 10cm deep, the handles are 50cm long.

The linings in these bags are more sedate and understated. It is also a heavier weight fabric which helps to make the bag more durable and sturdy. Like the smaller bags there is a patch pocket in the lining.

And here's the price tag. I have had a lot of fun trying to make these as it forced me to try and get a feel for Illustrator. I'm lucky to have Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator on my computer but despite lots of promises to myself to learn how to use them I still haven't. So these tags were the perfect opportunity to dip my toe in the water. But I really must make more of an effort to learn how to use them all properly or even just a little more effectively.

We also have some marigold plants to sell at the fair, courtesy of a neighbour who is a commercial gardener. So at the moment the trays are lined up on the stairs down to our front door. It does tend to make it look like we are running a sort of hash factory!

Please cross your fingers that it is dry tomorrow afternoon and I'll be back to let you how it all went.

sewin' up a storm...

2007-07-04T21:32:00.000+01:00

it seems only appropriate that as the weather rages on in its storm like state that I do likewise but with my sewing machine instead of thunder, lightening and hai l.

I have been making bags upon bags over the last few days. First I made some book bags using linen and a mix of Rowan fabrics and a little bit of ric-rac for good measure. The lining is a bright cheery contrast to the outer fabric and there is a single patch pocket in the back lining of the bag.On the vital stats front, the bag measures 26cm wide by 30cm long and is 6cm in depth whilst the handles are 48cm long. And there are six of them for sale at my son's school fair on Friday.

As you can see I have even made tags for them showing their price.Now you can see why I have been trying to pick your brains about how to price hand crafted items. I took on board all your advice, which I am very grateful for, and came up with a price that I am sort of happy with. I have made sure that all my costs are covered and there is a little bit extra to re-invest in fabric. Also I have priced it with the school in mind as they take a percentage from any sales. Of course I may come home with all of them in which case it will be bags as birthday presents for the time being!

I have also made six of my shopper bags which I haven't taken any photos of yet so I'll do that tomorrow.

lazy bones ...

2007-07-03T21:11:00.000+01:00

that's what I've got when it comes to regular blogging. I don't know what it is at the moment I just seem to be in a bit of a malaise. I have been up to lots of things but when it comes to sitting down in front of the computer and write about it all I just can't seem to get motivated. Infact I am writing this as I watch the season finale (whatever happened to calling it the last episode?) of CSI

Well, so what exactly have I been up to? Getting some fantastic post for starters. Heather Bailey fabric I ordered from the Quilt Room in Dorking.Then this gorgeous package arrived from Dottycookie.
Those beautiful buttons are all her own work - aren't they pretty. There were some dotty cookies too that were yummy.

And talking of yummy things I made some of the almond and cherry cakes from the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. They are perfect little bite-size cakes although I would probably add a little almond essence to them to really help the almond flavour.

On top of that I enjoyed some macaroons - pistachio, rose, coffee and lemon to be precise.I think all this wet weather has led to me eating as if I were preparing to hibernate.

simple things ...

2007-06-27T20:34:00.000+01:00

sometimes it is the simplest of things that bring the greatest joy. The biggest pain in my bottom, when it comes to sewing, is juggling bobbins. Either they are full with the wrong colour thread or they empty out right in the middle of a tricky seam, so that I have to break off to wind the bobbin. I know life is soooo hard!

Well, I finally invested in 20 new bobbins and these little plastic things have made me so happy. I guess I'm just a simple creature really.

And just look at all that lint and fluff. No wonder my poor little machine has been playing up. I had thought that it should perhaps go for a service, which I like to think of a little spa break for a very deserving hard worker. But the mud pack and sauna shall be put on hold for the moment as the dusting seems to have done the trick. Hurray for simple solutions.

breathing space ...

2007-06-19T21:30:00.000+01:00

today has just been a catch up, get back on an even keel sort of day.

This mainly meant getting the washing up to date and doing the housework. Joy of joys, never let it be said that I don't know how to enjoy myself!

But I have been enjoying looking through this book. Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives by Helen O'Neill.

I read about the book on another blog sometime ago but I can't remember which one now. It is an Australian book and I have been waiting ages for it to be available here. You can now get it here, here and here. It has to be said that it is not a cheap book at £36 but as a catalogue of all her designs it is fabulous inspiration and staff discount really helps towards the cost.

Another bunch of gorgeousness is this fabric which arrived today. I order it from Buttonberry after I saw them mentioned on Treefall - their service was fantastic. I ordered the fabric late on Sunday and it arrived this morning with a lovely hand written note thanking me for my custom.

Now, could I ask you guys for a favour? I have been asked by a couple of people to make bags for them but I have no idea how to charge for them. I know roughly what the cost of materials is but what about charging for labour? It is all so horrible as I get embarrased and shy asking friends to pay for them. But I would love to be able to sell some bags to help pay for my addiction. Any advice you can offer would be gratefully received.

8 or 0?......

2007-06-18T20:47:00.000+01:00

hmmmm...

the question was actually set by my husband as I am rubbish at setting questions. He says the answer is 0 because a jellyfish has no legs but I argue it is 8 because I made an octopus and they have 8 legs. But no, an octopus also has tenticles not legs. Oh the confusion! So if you said 8 or 0 then you are right and your names were put in the fruit bowl.And the little fella pulled Angel Jem's name out.

I have to say I am amazed the lengths some of you went to to find out the answer. I thought you might all just use the little search blog box at the top of the page. And I'm impressed that you can google 'dolliedaydream' and 'jack' and the answer comes up. But a special mention must go to bigbucketgirl and her children for their sheer tenacity in trawling through the archives - I hope the coffee high has worn off!

Now I need to go and make the bag. As this afternoon was spent at Liberty enjoying afternoon tea and fabric shopping. Yum!

broken silence ...

2007-06-17T21:19:00.000+01:00

Sorry, for the silence over the last couple of days. Quite unusually for me I was involved in quite a bit of socialising, birthdays, dinner parties and evenings out, which all resulted in way too little sleep. I love and need my sleep so something had to give and that something was the blog.

I have, however, made the Built by Wendy top. It was a fairly easy pattern to follow and as ever the instructions were clear and concise but I found it very fiddly to execute. Just trying to stitch the front piece into place was a pain in the backside. I found it very hard to turn the corners and not catch the fabric and so cause puckering. It was also hard to manipulate the binding around the neck line as the binding strip was so narrow and I was all fingers and thumbs. This neckline binding then also forms the tie at the back of the top.And after all that I am not sure if I like the top. It does have a hint of maternity about it. So I have thrown it in the washing machine to see if a quick wash will soften it up slightly.

Tomorrow is an Inset day so the little fella isn't at school but instead he is off to a party in the morning. So as a present I made another little cupcake bag.
I also need to make another cupcake bag for my little giveaway. You still have time to enter as I plan to draw a name tomorrow morning.

Anyway off to bed for me now in a desperate bid to try and regain some of my lost sleep - trust me it makes me a much nicer person when I have had a good sleep.

blogiversary...

2007-06-12T21:13:00.000+01:00

well it all began a year ago on a hot and sultry Monday evening in June. A year on and it is now a hot and sultry Tuesday evening and the adventure continues. Who would have thought I would stick at something for this long? Not me I am not good at sticking with things.

I haven't posted as much as I thought I would do in those initial heady days of my blogging honeymoon. I certainly read more blogs now than I did back then and I believe I have gained a lot of confidence in my sewing and crafting exploits thanks to the support and advice these blogs offer. But hey that's enough of that, I don't want this to get all preachy or award ceremony acceptance speech-like.

I do plan to archive this year though and I am thinking a Blurb book could be the way to go. It is great you can just suck your blog in and then it can be printed in either paper or hardback formats. However, I would like to play around with the formatting a bit and I need to find a way of including the comments. At the moment they don't show up on the pages and heck the comments are as important as the actual post so they need to be there.

So to mark this occasion I thought I would offer up a little prize to the person whose name is drawn out of a receptical to be decided upon. But what could be the prize? How about a bag similar to this one.I made it for a friend of my son. It is her birthday today and the gift has been given so I am safe to show pictures now. The lining is gorgeously green and spotty and has a nice large pocket inside.I also made a couple of complimenting badges, just for good measure.
So how to enter. I thought of doing just names in the hat but have now decided to add a little element of contest so how about a question? So why not email me or leave a comment answering the question .... how many legs does Jack have? I'll put all the correct answers in the proverbial hat and pull out a winner on Monday.

Here's to another year!

your wish is my command ...

2007-06-11T20:42:00.000+01:00

Ali requested some pictures from inside the Japanese stamping book that I received as part of my fabric swap package from Kahne.

And because I am totally unable to think today this provides me with a nice easy solution of what to post. So here you go ...

First up there are several photo heavy pages of instructions which is great when you have no Japanese. It shows you the equipment you will need and how to transfer the images on to the rubber and then how to carve your design.(although I would love to know what the little lady with the bun is trying to tell me)It shows how to layer your stamps and colours to create designs.Then it gives you lots and lots of ideas. Like, how about putting designs on little paper lunch bags - yeah right! So it can be screwed up and thrown in the bin? Not likely. But if I made biscuits as a gift then it could be a great idea.

And what about printing onto fabric and ribbon or braid I love this idea I just need to get some colourfast printing ink and then the world will be my oyster.

There are then also lots of designs in several different styles and covering a whole range of themes that you can copy and then it shows you how these designs can be put to good use.
Well I hope you liked that little tour through the book and apologies for the quality of the photos. Oh by the way the ISBN is 407248881X and there are a few more images here.

sunday evening ...

2007-06-10T20:48:00.000+01:00

What a lovely weekend - the weather has been totally gorgeous so sunny and warm. But now it's Sunday evening, the eve of another week, so it seems the perfect time to play a little catch-up.

On Friday I finally got to see the Kylie exhibition at the V&A and just in the nick of time as it closed today.

I am pleased I went as it is quite amazing see costumes up close and personal. Just like the stars that wear them they often benefit from good lighting and a considerate photographer. Some of the costumes were really showing their age and displaying signs of the hard life that they have clearly had performing but others. Well those others were just amazing, truly stupendous. They are the most stunning creations of pure couture imagination and expertise.

Friday was also a good day for post. The pattern for the "Day in the Park" backpack tote from Leisl over at Disdressed arrived so I now need to think about which fabric I will use. I also got the most amazing package from Kahne as part of the Flibberygibbet fabric swap. Just look at all that gorgeousness. I have been thinking of working in just red and white fabric patchwork for a while now. I just never got myself in gear but now I have no excuse. I am also really intrigued by the Japanese stamp book - lots of fabulous ideas. Also in the package was a copy of the Sew U book and Real Simple magazine. It was a wonderfully generous swap package to receive - thank you so much Kahne.

And today I worked on a special little bag for a special little person but I can't put any pictures up yet in case of prying eyes. The next thing on my list is that top I mentioned. It's another Built by Wendy shirt and I plan to make the one in the middle using that cream fabric that has a silver stripes running through it. Here's hoping for some good sewing opportunities in the week ahead.

a brace of bags ...

2007-06-06T21:34:00.000+01:00

I finished a second bias bag today. This time I opted for brighter binding a gorgeous hot pink. I also made some of the changes to the pattern. I decided to just have the two pockets at the front rather than the four in the original, the handles were also made slightly narrower and a little longer so that it would sit more easily on my shoulder.
It also has a gusset (not the most attractive of words but it does offer the best description) to help make it wider so I can fit more stuff in it without it bulging too much.It is quite a flimsy bag so I'm not sure how well it will stand up to the daily rigors and trials I put bags through. In fact I made sure that I stitched all the elements togther before sewing on the binding just to add an extra layer of stitching to hopefully make it a little stronger.

I plan to road test it tomorrow - which means that I can give my Lotta bag a bit of a rest. After not being entirely complimentary when I first made it I have now fallen in love with it. The floppiness that annoyed me when I made it now seems totally right and prefect. I can just shove loads of stuff into it and it happily copes with it all. It doesn't gape open nearly as much as I thought it would and when I wear on my shoulder I feel quite confident that it would be quite hard to 'dip'.

The little pocket at the end where I keep my bottle of water is so useful, and I just love that I can always find my keys at the bottom of the bag because of the special key strap thingy. The only thing I did do was add a piece of mountboard covered in the lining fabric to the base of the bag to offer a little structure - thanks for the idea rebecca.

I'm not sure how much sewing I will get done between now and Sunday as I have family visting for a couple of days and a couple of events to attend. Which is slightly frustrating as I have top I want to make. I have the fabric and the pattern, I just need to cut it out and sew it up! I have also realised that I am a few days away from my blogiversary so I would like to plan a little celebratory giveaway but need to get my thinking cap on for that one....

biased ...

2007-06-05T21:22:00.000+01:00

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments about the skirt - I have put it in the wash this evening so fingers crossed it survives as well as the layer skirt.

After all that garment sewing I have gone back to my old favourite - bags. Spurred on mainly by the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. I wasn't going to buy the issue as I have found it very samey recently but I fancied something to browse through whilst lazing in a deckchair in the garden. Well I never did get to laze but I did come across an inspiring article all about bias binding.
To be honest I have tended to shy away from bias binding and I don't really know why. I think it is just a hang over from doing needlework at school where binding came in boring colours and the thought of making your own was a way too outlandish notion. Also I had to use it 'properly' - machine stitch in the ditch along one side, fold it over the raw seam and then hand stitch it into the machine stitches. Very long, tedious and boring work that really destroyed any thought of the fun posibilities that binding could offer.

Anyway I decided to have a go at the bias tote. The pattern and the instructions can be downloaded here so that there is no real need to buy the magazine. However, a word of warning at no point in the magazine or online do they state the dimensions of the handles. They don't appear on the downloaded pattern either. So I had to guess.
On this occasion I think that the handles are a little to wide. I like the pockets on the front of the bag but there are too many off them for me - I'd never find anything! I also find it a little flat for my liking. So I now have plans for my own version which I hope to post photos of tomorrow.

sew and tell ...

2007-06-04T20:28:00.000+01:00

Thankfully my wish came true and we have been having the most glorious weather - hence lots of time enjoying said weather and not posting. But the sunny weather also meant that I could take some photos of my Amy Butler 'A' line skirt. Or rather my husband took the photos as I modelled but I'm no Helena Christiansen and he's no David Bailey so these are the shots you get.The Barcelona Layer skirt has survived two washes in the machine and I love the way the layers have now started to fray just as they should so I had no qualms about making the 'A' line skirt. As I knew the pattern would work and I would end up with a really comfy to wear skirt.

Whilst on my garment making kick I decided to have a go at the apron skirt that also comes as part of the Barcelona skirt suite of patterns. It involved an urgent re-ordering of some fabric from Get Knitted in order fulfil the pattern.
The apron is nice and swishy feeling because it is slightly gathered at the waistband and the big bow at the back makes it feel very girly and 50's housewifey. I do like the fact that the apron is reversible as it gives you options and a girl should always have options. I think the apron over the skirt does create a rather full on effect - but I think it would look good over jeans.

I really like the fact that these Amy Butler patterns produced such comfortable and wearable skirts and I am now very tempted to try out some of her other patterns. After seeing all the wonderful items over on this Flickr site I am very tempted to try my hand at the Weekender Bag and after seeing Ali's take on the Cabo Halter top I am getting a hankering to try that too. And it is my birthday coming up in the next couple of weeks or so, so I think I may just be adding them to my wish list.

wet days ...

2007-05-30T21:44:00.000+01:00

Whilst it is frustrating that the rain keeps coming down in near biblical proportions it does provide some good opportunities.

Some sewingI have been working on the Barcelona 'A' line and some more bags.

Walking along the river (when the rain lets up slightly)
to look at the nesting parakeet
she keeps nice and dry in her little home as her husband braves the rain to bring her food.

and after 'fessing up to some dubious record purchases in my last post, I decided to dust off the vinyl and then listen to them on this. Nice and loud to drown out the drumming of the rain and to try and kind of get into that teenage vibe again.

Despite the opportunities it provides I do wish it would stop raining. It would be lovely to have some sunshine for the last couple of days of the half term holiday.

7 ...

2007-05-21T20:45:00.000+01:00

I've been tagged by Knitting Ingrid and Maxine so here are seven random things about me.

1. I was born in the Chinese year of the Pig and my element is metal. Which apparently means I am strong and assertive, passionate, cheerful, industrious and worth my weight in gold. But not a very good judge of character and tend to think other people are better than they really are. I am also prone to naivety, materialism, superficiality and laziness. So now consider yourself warned.

2. My favourite facial wash is Mario Badescu's Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. So much so that I used to get it Fed Ex'd from New York (that sounds so extravagant doesn't it?!). Luckily there are now a couple of places in London I can get it from.

3. I am currently reading 'Salt' by Jeremy Page. It is a book set in one of my favourite places - North Norfolk but I have only really just started it so the jury is still out on what I think of the book although so far it is favourable.

4. I used to have a gap between my front teeth, the technical term is a diastema, but I had it filled a couple of years ago. It was not much fun studying Chaucer's 'The Wife of Bath' because she was 'gat-toothed' a sure sign of a whore back then - that made for fun in class.

5. I used to do Judo and got as far as orange belt otherwise known as fourth kyu.

6. The first CD I ever bought was 10,000 Maniacs "In My Tribe", which was far cooler than the first record I bought which I think was Bucks Fizz "My Camera Never Lies". Bucks Fizz were the first band I ever saw play live. I saw them play Mansfield Leisure Centre and their support act was Bob Carolgees with Spit the Dog - oh, I tell you it was a real classy evening! I later went on to see many more bands play live and most far less damaging to my street cred.

7. I am scared of clowns or indeed anyone dressed up in a character outfit. Just the thought of them makes my skin crawl.

I'm back ...

2007-05-20T17:14:00.000+01:00

and I had a brilliant time away - I don't think I have laughed so much in ages. I was crying with laughter on more than one occasion.

We did the cultural bit we walked the nine streets, we marvelled at the Van Gogh Museum, we reflected at Anne Frank Huis, we enjoyed the tranquility in the Begijnhof, we climbed numerous steep staircases, we ambled by the canals, we tested and tasted food samples at the Saturday market in the Jordaan area ....

I'll warn you now I made no fabric purchases. I think I have been more rather gratuitous on that front over the last couple of posts so I will spare you. I did see the most amazing ribbon shop but sadly it was closed Fridays and Saturdays - typical closed the two days I was there. I also spotted what would probably have been an amazing button shop but didn't go in or even look in the window. And truth be told I wasn't there to supplement my supplies.
But I did come back with some food items - yummy biscuits, delicious chocolate, scrumptious sprinkles for toast and a tub of satay sauce. I love foreign supermarkets so much. All the fascinating alien packaging and products that are on display just make me happy. OK, I know, I'm weird.

We had a wonderful meal out at this place and we spent lots of time just drinking wine and talking and laughing, having fun and relaxing. We were lucky the weather was as good as it was just perfect for strolling around chips with mayonnaise in hand. For sitting outside cafes enjoying a drink and watching the street entertainment which was dubious to say the least.

Where to next? I have a hankering to head over to New York but will have to save up my pennies for that one, even with the exchange rate being so favourable.

yet more fabric ...

2007-05-17T12:25:00.000+01:00

Well, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go but thought I would just leave you with a little lookie at what the postman delivered today.Only some scrumptious Denyse Schmidt "Katie Jump Rope" fabric from Cia's Palette. The colours and designs are even more gorgeous in the flesh. And even with the increased customs charges charged by the Post Office it was well worth it.

I can't wait to get back from Amsterdam and start using all this beautiful fabric that has plopped through my door recently. However, I am not looking forward to my credit card statement plopping through the door!

I'm back on Sunday so see you then and I hope you all have a lovely weekend in the meantime.

just messin' around ...

2007-05-16T20:20:00.000+01:00

I had fun this morning. Housework was done in record time leaving me a couple of free hour before work so I just messed around. Yesterday I finally bought me a glue gun and today I got busy using it

I had seen this thumbtack idea over on howaboutorange and have been wanting to have a go at them for ages. I'm really pleased with the four that I made and although they were quite time consuming they were very theraputic to make. My noticeboard is crying out for nice pins so there are certainly more of these little babies on the cards.

Following on the theme I thought I would use some of the larger buttons to make some fabric badges.And then just as I was leaving for work look what the postman brought.
The much coveted Amy Butler fabric which I ordered from Get Knitted and who despatched it extremely quickly. And look a pen and lolly popped into the package for good measure. So I certainly see some more skirts on the very near horizon. But they will have to wait until after the weekend as I am off to Amsterdam tomorrow for a couple of days.

here it is ...

2007-05-15T21:05:00.000+01:00

sorry the photo isn't great but there was no way I was going to model it personally. My legs are the palest bristly mess you can imagine and really wouldn't set the skirt off to good advantage. I promise to model it when my pins are in better shape but, in the mean time, my stand-in will have to do.

The hemming was finished this afternoon and it wasn't as bad as I was making out. I think I was just lacking in concentration yesterday. In order to get the frayed edge to the layers that the photo on the pattern shows I need to wash the skirt a couple of times. I might bung it in the wash this evening as I have a dark wash going on but there is always that thought in the back of my head that I may open the machine to discover the skirt has disintegrated. As a result I usually hold off washing one of my own made skirts as long as possible. But I want those frayed edges so into the wash it must go.

I have carefully folded away the pattern pieces and plan to make the 'A' line skirt as soon as I get the chance and get some of the fabric I am craving. I am hoping some of the latter may arrive in a couple of days. Wine may not help when it comes to hemming but it sure helps to loosen the purse strings.

I hate hemming...

2007-05-14T21:04:00.000+01:00

I have been making the Amy Butler Barcelona Layer skirt and I am not the only one. But I am now at the hemming stage which I always find so tedious. No matter how hard I try I find it so hard to get the hem to look even despite having a dummy to help me - and no I don't mean my husband!
I ordered the pattern from U-Handbag on Wednesday evening and it arrived on Friday - so Saturday I went off to buy some fabric. I really wanted to make it from one of the new Amy Butler Lotus designs but Liberty didn't have them so I opted for the Lashes pattern from her Belle collection. And whilst I came away feeling it was second best I am now really taken with it.

On Sunday afternoon, as the rain lashed down, I cut out all the pattern pieces. Interestingly, whilst on the Wendy Mullin skirt I was a medium I am small in Amy's patterns. It shows you really need to check the measurements rather than just relying on what you 'normally' are.

I then started sewing but by Sunday evening I had to get my trusty stitch unpicker out - I had made a boo-boo. Luckily nothing major but I hadn't read the pattern properly and assumed I should be doing one thing when really I should have done something else - as they say it is dangerous to assume. So I gave up at that point.

After work today I carried on. I don't have a concealed zipper foot so opted for a normal zip and put it in my own way. The fabric closes over the zip so it is sort of concealed. My own way also means I didn't have to bother with the hook and eye. Next the sides and lining were all sewn up and inserted. And so now you are back where we started, with the boring old hemming.

I have had a quick try on and it is a very comfortable skirt to wear. The pattern is very easy to follow, although far more wordy than the commercial patterns I am used to. Which meant I tended to skip through it and just look at the diagrams hence my mistake.

I definitely plan to use the pattern for the A line skirt that is included and thanks to Monica I now know where I can get some of the Lotus fabric from. I'll post a photo of the finished skirt when I have finished the hemming but that won't be this evening as I have had a glass of wine now and hemming and wine do not mix.

aqua and pink ...

2007-05-10T18:56:00.000+01:00

mmm I just love this colour combination at the moment. It is a light summery version of the red and aqua that was so popular around Christmas time.The gingham makes me think of hazy lazy summer picnics - sadly the weather here at the moment is as far as it could be from summery. It's so wet, so blustery, so yucky. Oh hang on, what on earth am I thinking, that is typical British summer weather.Look at this goodness which landed on my doormat today. Anna, my vintage button swap partner, sent me some more goodies.A lovely leaf brooch with incumbent ladybird and that key is the key to my life.

And just look what my dearly beloved came home from work with - the latest issue of Blueprint.
I'm just loving the photos of Purl owner Joelle Haverson's gorgeous shop and home.So now I am off to sit down with a glass of wine and gaze wistfully at all that scrumptious fabric and wool.

what was that? ...

2007-05-09T20:15:00.000+01:00

it sounded like a cold lonely wind blowing through this deserted little blog - ahh, indeed there goes the tumbleweed rolling along.

I know it has been ages since I lasted posted. What can I say? After all that lust I think I was over taken by sloth. But really it was only slothfulness in relation to this blog. I have really been working my little butt off.

We had family visiting us for the Bank Holiday weekend so there was lots of cleaning to be done, making up of beds, buying in of supplies and so on in preparation. There was seven of us fighting for sleeping space in our little flat so I am not sure how well everyone really slept. But it was all worth it as we had a lovely time.

The only thing I have really had time to do is to make some cards. One is a belated Birthday card - oops.and the other is one of several thank you cards I have had a lot of thanking to do recently and whilst it was tempting to buy a pack of 'thank you' cards I opted to go for a more personal approach.

Thank you Yarn Shop Girl - Sorry, I couldn't find your email address - for your generous offer but I haven't a clue what Martha Craft stuff I would like until I see it and then it would probably just confirm that I would really rather like all of it. It's the packaging that really does it for me. I have always been a sucker for anything in gorgeous, well thought out packaging.

Finally, I spent this evening cutting out some fabric for another bag - it's in my new favourite yummy colour combination. It's too dark now to take a photo so I'll post about it tomorrow.

lust ...

2007-05-01T19:21:00.000+01:00

what can I say, I am just a wicked girl who is guilty of the sin of lust. It is something I try hard to keep under control but boy is it hard when I browse through my favourite blogs.

My biggest feelings of lustfulness are for the Martha Stewart Crafts line of products. I first heard about them here and then here and now that their website has gone live the feelings have reached fever pitch. Sadly though there is no international shipping - are they totally crazy?. So I suppose if I can't act on my feelings of lust then I'm not so bad?! But honestly, all those perfectly packaged crafty bits and bobs is just too much for a girl to bear.

But my lust is also extending to the latest books from Persephone Books. I received their bi-annual magazine a week or so ago and I now have a strong desire to get my hands on Frances Hodgson Burnett's book 'The Shuttle" all about an American heiress who marries unhappily into English aristocracy and how her sister comes to her rescue. Perfect sunny weather reading.

It has to be said those little silver books with their understated covers and amazingly beautiful endpapers are enough to drive anyone to lust and covetousness no matter what the subject or author of the book. It is a happy consequence that the books are a wonderful read too.

Last year I lusted after Jane's amazing tulips. Her wonderful photos showing their colours and shapes in all their glory did nothing to sate this lust. It was made worse by a visit to the Chelsea Flower show where huge tulip displays made my head spin with possibilities. So I acted on my lust and planted some bulbs of my own and have been justly rewarded.

Lust is good when it is this beautiful.

where did April go? ...

2007-04-30T19:42:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that tomorrow is May and that it has also been nearly two weeks since my last post. The sand is slipping too quickly through the hour glass at the moment which is very frustrating and a bout of tonsillitis didn't help. Although I still made it in to work (I know I'm such a martyr) but it did mean that I was totally washed out by the time I got home and so blogging and crafting were placed on the back burner.

But I did receive a wonderful button package from Anna as part of Vintage Button Swap Deux. I really love these red flower ones and need to think of something special to use them on. Packages with foreign stamps on them do so much to raise the spirits.

I also signed up for Flibbertygibbet's Fabric Swap 3. What can I say I just love receiving happy post and surprise fabric makes for some very happy post.

In an attempt to keep my hand in with the crochet I decided to have a go at making one of the crochet baskets in the Erica Knight book Simple Crochet. Here is the result it took me a ridiculously long time but in my defence I was poorly because it really isn't great.It didn't help that I didn't count the stitches or rows but rather used my 'that looks about right' guage. On this occasion it was not calibrated correctly. Hence the odd shape that lends it a charm all of its own at least that is what I keep telling myself.

skirt ...

2007-04-19T17:09:00.000+01:00

The hemming had to wait until today. Work just so gets in the way of my projects! As you know I made the skirt using the Wendy Mullin pattern that comes with the Sew U book and it is the first project in the book because it is relative simplicity.I decided to use some of the Martha Negley 'Marigold' fabric I bought from Liberty a while ago. The only problem is that the fabric isn't that thick so without some sort of lining you would see a little too much VPL. I had no traditional lining fabric so used some quilting calico instead. I had concerns about it being too bulky but the two together have a nice weight to them. Although the calico may ride up horribly when I walk but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.It is a straight forward pattern consisting of just six pieces, eight if you want to line the skirt. I chose to use a zip at the back of the skirt but Wendy shows you other possible options, such as elasticated waist or drawstring. Wendy provides good instructions on inserting the zip and doing the darts. I have to confess that I hate darts if you don't take your time to execute them properly they can let the whole garment down and make it look homemade in that bad way. So for further instructions I referred to this book

it really is my sewing bible. The photos in it are very dated but the knowledge it contains and the instructions it provides are superlative.

I opted to put the waistband facing on the outside of the skirt and use contrasting fabric which is one of the many permutations that Wendy offers instructions for. In fact there are so many ideas and options that you could make a myriad of skirts all completely different but from the same basic pattern. I could have added pockets, ruffles along the hemline, bound the hem, shortened the skirt oh the possibilities really are endless....

The one bone of contention though is the size, there has been some conversations on other blogs about the small size of the pattern pieces. The skirt comes in XS, S, M or L pattern sizes and I had to go for the medium one and it is a snug fit I am a UK size 8-10 so the sizing is an issue especially as the book gives no details on how to size up.

But I like my new skirt and I hope the weather continues sunny so I can wear it and therefore I think a little leg dipilation is called for this evening.

booty-licious ...

2007-04-17T21:38:00.000+01:00

I thought I would share with you a little snapshot of some of the booty I brought back from Paris.
There's some fabric for tote bags, a couple of pieces of the most amazing wool felt, felt hearts, crochet hooks, thread, buttons, some more buttons, thick strap tape.

Also in the case coming home were biscuits, sweets, sirop, shoes, a skirt, books, toys. But I could have bought so much more.

I had a wonderful weekend. My Vintage Button Swap package got sent out to my partner in Stuttgart - just in time to meet the deadline.

Saturday saw me spending the day at Flibbertygibbet's home being taught to crochet. Several of us gathered to be plied with tea and cake whilst Emma Seddon taught us the fundamentals. It was a wonderful day, Emma was a great teacher, the company was good and Flib was the perfect hostess. And a huge thank you to her for arranging it all.

Now it is all back to normal and that means back to work but hey at least the sun is still shining as the gorgeous scent of jasmine wafts through the open windows. The perfect weather for a new summer skirt! So today I have been working on the Sew U skirt that I said I would make ages ago, it just needs hemming, and I hope to post a photo or two tomorrow.

paris was wonderful ...

2007-04-15T21:06:00.000+01:00

what can I say it was the most perfect three days. The sun shone, we enjoyed good food, delicious views, delectable shopping. The city did not fail to impress.

We had a huge hotel room that more than accommodated the three of us which meant we all slept well and so had plenty of energy for exploring the city and staying out well past a little person's usual bed time.

The view from our hotel window was fabulous.Yes, that's the Eiffel Tower.

The first day we just wandered around and soaked up the ambience and got our bearings. On the second day we first went to see the Sacre Coeur. Sadly the funicular railway was closed and according to the notices will remain so for the forseeable future. So rather than take the shuttle bus we climbed the steps avoiding the hawkers who were starting to gather.

At the foot of the Sacre Coeur there is the most fabulous fabric district. Buildings full of the most wonderful fabric and most of it ridculously cheap. I was so busy gawping open mouthed at all that was on offer I forgot to take any photographs. I also only bought three meters of fabric. Talk about a wasted opportunity!

Then we went on to see the Arc de Triomphe which my little fella insisted on calling the Arch of Triumph. We had watched 'Funny Face' the afternoon before travelling and that is what Fred Astaire called it. Then a brief walk down the Champs-Elysees before heading off to Boulevard Hausmann to check out Galeries Lafayette.

Then the Eiffel Tower. Little Fella was impressed that we had name checked pretty much everything in the "Bonjour Paris" song in 'Funny Face'. I was kind of impressed too at the speed of our sightseeing but that's the benefit of the French Metro system. We didn't go up the Tower as the queues by that hour of the day were so long, so instead we went and had ice creams.

On the third day we got up early again and walked up past the Louvre to Rue Monmartre where I went to Mokuba and got totally bedazzled by all the ribbons then took a hop skip and a jump over to Rue du Jour and La Droguerie. We then walked back along the Seine to buy a tacky souvenir (Eiffel tower snow globe) then rushed off to buy PJ's for the little fella and a book for the big fella. Quickly back to the hotel to check out then out again for lunch and little more wandering this time over to the Jardin du Luxembourg.We went to no museums as the weather was just too good to waste indoors and it was great that the little fella got to play in a few of the many parks in Paris. I am still shaking sand out of the pockets of his jeans. It felt like we were away for a lot longer than just three days and I think it was a definite hit with the little guy as he cried when we left.

bread, bags and au revoir

2007-04-09T20:10:00.000+01:00

There is nothing like a few days off work to get you motivated. So fasten your seatbelts and I'll take you for a ride through my productivity.

First up bread. I decided to try my hand at No-Knead Bread, the New York Times bread recipe that has been doing the rounds in Blogland for sometime now.
All you need is flour, water, salt and yeast. Which are all mixed together and then the mixture is left for 18 hours - yes 18 whole hours - this is not a bread to make in a hurry. After all those hours the mixture is like some bubbly witches brew. At this point the mixture is folded in on itself and then left for another couple of hours to rise. It then gets cooked at a high heat in a big casserole like a Le Creuset. After all that time you then have to wait for the bread to cool before tasting. So after all that time was it worth it? Well I think it looks fantastic and it tasted not bad althought I would perhaps add a little more salt which is not like me as I rarely cook with salt. I think it would also be lovely with chopped walnuts baked into it.

Another tote bag - this has been packed and will be coming to Paris, for all those purchases I hope to make!It is made from linen blend fabric in a lilac and aqua as well as the scrummy cupcake fabric.

I am also rather pleased with myself - I have finally made something from some of the strips I received from Flibbertygibbet's first strip swap. I made this cushion cover from the fabric Sarah over at Made for Moot sent to me. It is just a very random log cabin type of patchwork that I machine quilted but it was good fun to work on.

So tomorrow - Paris here we come! Thank you for all your suggestions and ideas plans have been formulated and the weather promises to be on our side so here's to a great couple of days.

bag lady, part 2 ...

2007-04-03T15:51:00.000+01:00

You didn't believe me when I told you I was on a roll did you? Well as proof here is the bag I made the other evening. It is a very simple idea that is made from scrim and linen and just has cord threaded through eyelets for handles.

The fabric applique is just stuck on using heat'n'bond but I think I will stitch around the design with some embroidery thread - maybe just a simple running or back stitch.

It was inspired by these upmarket paper carrier bags .As far as the other bag goes, thank you for your helpful suggestions, as a result I cut out a piece of mountboard and covered it with some of the lining fabric. Hey presto with the board in the base of the bag it is suddenly far less saggy and looks a lot better.

The Easter holiday has now begun, as my son broke up from school today, after the yearly spectacle that is the Easter hat parade. It is a shame that the weather wasn't as gorgeous as it was yesterday. It was rather overcast as they paraded around the playground and the wind whipped a few hats from little heads.

We have nothing much planned for the rest of this week as I still have work but I am not working next week so we are heading off to Paris en famille. I can't wait I am so excited - a week off work and Paris - what more could a girl ask for?!

We are going via Eurostar and because we booked it quite late it is actually cheaper for us to go out on their Leisure Select ticket which is akin to First Class. The Standard fare was more expensive how weird is that? but it means we will start the trip in style.

But can I send out a plea for help? I have a few ideas of places I would like to go to and things I would like to see but does anyone have any ideas of things to see and do with a 7 year old boy? Any and all ideas will be most appreciated.

bag lady ...

2007-04-01T18:31:00.000+01:00

a girl can never have too many bags can she? Well going on this premise being true, at least for me anyway I thought I would have a go at making this bag from Lotta's book.
It seemed a simple pattern - just cutting various blocks of varying sizes from an outer and a lining fabric. The instructions also seemed to be straight forward enough. So all in all a perfect Sunday afternoon project.

Well, I cut my pieces out alright - denim for the outside and an Amy Butler floral fabric for the lining. I decided I would line the little side pocket although the pattern doesn't call for this. I wish I had also lined the front pocket as the instructions regarding adding twill tape to the edge of this pocket is a little confusing - I ended up doing my own thing.
I wish I had also followed my gut instinct and added something to stiffen the base. Some heavy duty interfacing would have done the trick. The front and back panels would also benefit from some support but if the base was more rigid then they could get away with being a little floppy.

I would also make the handles ever so slightly longer so I could sling the bag over my shoulder if I wanted to.

Anyway, I'm off to make another of my dollie tote bags but different from the usual corduroy ones. What can I say, don't stop me, I'm on a roll - what a shame it's Sunday evening and its the start of another working week tomorrow.

mary, mary ...

2007-03-31T15:00:00.000+01:00

my name may not be Mary but I can be quite contrary and thank you for asking my garden is growing beautifully.

Instead of silver bells and cockle shells I have daffodils in full flower and tulips getting ready to make their appearance.
The lilac is coming into bud, as is the jasmine and I can't wait until they flower they have the most gorgeous scent. I have also bought three blueberry bushes which may fruit this year - fingers crossed. I love blueberries so much but they are pricey at the supermarket and anyway you can't beat homegrown. We should hopefully also have some strawberries this year although one of the plants has perished.

And on their windowsill nursery the tomato seedlings are doing nicely. They are tumbling varieties that I can put into pots rather than a gro-bag and they don't need complicated pinching out. I have also decided to try growing tomatillos as I have never found anywhere to buy the fruit, either tinned or fresh and they make a fantastic Mexican salsa verde.

Hopefully the summer will also see the sweet peas, zinnia and nicotiana flowering just like pretty maids all in a row.

I grandly call it a garden but really it is just a yard which measures about 8 meters by 5 meters. There are no lawns just a small paved area with raised brick beds which get crammed full of plants and there are a myriad of pots everywhere. We are lucky to have an outdoor space and our south facing haven gets the full glow of the summer sun (when it isn't raining). The ideal place to sit in the summer, drink a cold beer, listen to the bees buzzing and enjoy all the hardwork we put in during the spring.

grey skies ...

2007-03-30T16:06:00.000+01:00

misty mizzle, drizzley rain and a coldness that gets right into your bones means only one thing, stay indoors and keep warm. It is the perfect opportunity/excuse to just sit on the sofa and flick through some recent book purchases.

Firstly, I am completely smitten with this colouring book.I love the style of the drawings and the colours used. Not one to let the boy actually use so I got him a copy of oodles of doodles. Which is keeping him entertained because sometimes it's nice to have your imagination directed.

The other book I am sitting down and enjoying is the Lotta Jansdotter book.

I thought it sounded like my sort of book but when I read about it on disdressed I knew it was a must have. Well it arrived today and it is full of inspiration and a new take on some projects that have seen in other sewing books and some totally new projects. Liesl really does cover everything I thought about the book so I would point you in the direction of her incisive review.

Other than that I haven't done much else - no sewing, no knitting, no crochet. But I have been enjoying some thinking space and the chance to make my own doodles. So I have a few new project ideas that I hope to work on this weekend.

thank goodness ...

2007-03-26T19:54:00.000+01:00

... last week is now over. It was a complete write-off for a variety of reasons, hence no blogging, but today the gorgeous spring sun came up on a new week so lets run with it.

Last Sunday I met up with Monica and Ali and had a lot of fun wandering around the Country Living Fair with them. It makes such a difference going round with other people rather than on your lonely ownsome. We saw Samantha of Plump Pudding fame at her stand which looked wonderful. I was also rather taken with the as twee as can be stand and Jennifer Collier's amazing paper shoes, child dresses and jewellery. And of course Janet Bolton's amazing work made me sigh with admiration. There was so much to look at including a eye-catching knitted sofa cover. I came away with lots of inspiration and a slight hankering to have my own stall. Only a slight hankering mind you.

I was also the happy recipient of a lovely gift from Ali.

Did you spot it? Ali has her own moo cards.

That Sunday was also Mothering Sunday and I thought I would share with you a photo of the card I sent to my mum.Yep, there's one of those felt flower brooches on it.

I have also been working on the crochet granny squares. Thank you for all the words of encouragement and advice. As Liz advised, I did another couple of rounds and yes it did start to click and look more like they should.

They are also highly addictive so I expect to do many more.

please don't laugh ...

2007-03-15T16:56:00.000Z

but I have been trying to teach myself how to crochet granny squares.

Here's the first attempt

I didn't put the hook through the ring but rather through the foundation chain so this one is missing the hole in the center. I think I also got confused about how many times I wrapped the yarn around the hook.

So then came the second attempt.

This time it at least has the hole in the center but I still got confused about creating the triple crochet and I really must count how many stitches I am doing so I don't end up too many.

Finally, here is the third attempt.

And it wasn't third time lucky. I went and made some of the same mistakes I made in the second attempt.

I will persist though as there is a bandwagon to jump on. Next up to try and master is the ripple stitch because why restrict yourself to one bandwagon when there is another raring to go.

show and tell ...

2007-03-13T19:02:00.000Z

Well here is a very belated show and tell of my Liberty evening with Flibbertygibbet and Knitterrooney. Crying out loud it was almost a week ago and I have not shown or told yet - just how slovenly am I? (no please don't answer that).

So in true better late than never style here is a tour of my purchases. Firstly, I got me some Rowan fabric. More of the flower fabric that I think I may make a skirt from and some very yummy cupcake fabric.

Also in my basket was some Rowan DK wool in fun colours. Liberty really had the best array of DK wool that I have seen anywhere and it was a joy to behold all those gorgeous jewel colours beautifully racked up. John Lewis only seem to have the dingier colours and then only about 7 colours to choose from. Liberty had easily double that.

The collection of Liberty print fabric this year is fabulous - more patterns, colourways and fabric types than in previous years. Yummy yummy. The big problem though is that Liberty fabric isn't cheap so I shied away from buying any until Flib enlightened me to the minimum cut. I always thought, somewhat mistakenly, that the minimum was 50cm but no it is 30 cm. So it felt only right to treat myself to strips from 3 of their gorgeous new fabrics.
Aside from the opportunity to spend some money, the evening was a wonderful chance to catch up with fellow bloggers and chew the fat and share ideas. Thanks Flib and Ting it was a wonderful evening.

happy post ...

2007-03-07T11:53:00.000Z

Somedays I just love it when the postman comes, especially if he has to ring the doorbell. The days when it isn't just bills plopping on to the doormat. Those are Happy Post days and I've had a few of them recently.

Firstly, bing bong, the postman brought me a copy of Romantic Homes. Not just any copy though but the now famous Alicia issue. It was a swap with Toni she got a copy of Marie Claire Idees and I got this delight and some Jelly Bellys.

Bing Bong another day and another parcel this time from Monica a copy of this month's Real Simple. Which I love and this month there are a couple of recipes that have really taken my fancy and a couple or crafty ideas too.The picture also shows one of Monica's lovely moo cards - the colours on the card compliment the magazine cover beautifully.

Then today, no bing bong, but when I came home from my run there was a parcel waiting for me. Luckily my husband was home to answer the door. This time it was the most amazing handmade felt from Simmy.

She had kindly offered to send me some of her off cuts when I expressed a desire to use real wool felt for my brooches. Apparently she thought the offcuts too small to be useful so she put this package together. I love the orange and blue colours sadly the photo doesn't do them justice.

I am such a lucky girl to get such happy post.

blooming blooms ...

2007-03-06T20:05:00.000Z

Last night I sat down with some felt, embroidery thread, stuffing, beads, other bits and bobs and not forgetting a glass of good red wine.

I had no real plans just decided to have a little fun. First up was another felt brooch but this time a flower rather than a heart.
Then I made this key fob.Neither are that well executed the stitching leaves a little to be desired - maybe the wine had a something to answer for!? But they were good fun and easy to make - perfect head candy and just the right level for me to cope with at the moment. However, I am now beginning to get the urge to make a skirt using the Built by Wendy pattern in Sew U.

Oh, and Matilda asked me to pass on her thanks for your kind comments.

meet matilda ...

2007-03-05T19:45:00.000Z

Oh dear me. I am trying to get my grip on things again I seem to have been running to stand still and have only to managed to blog twice in the last three weeks or so. I'm also just feeling horribly tired and lethargic for no apparent reason and totally lacking in any impetus or enthusiasm - I need a serious dose of sunshine.

But I haven't been doing absolutely nothing (not quite anyway). There are a few things to show you.

So today I would like to introduce you to Matilda.
She is a another sock dog but this time she's a variation on the theme. She stands on two legs rather than on all fours and as a result I felt she need to be clothed. She looked obscenely naked otherwise. So I made her a little dress from some of my patchwork fabric.
I so want a dress like hers but the amount of fabric I would need would make it disgustingly expensive. But having said that I bought the fabric from Liberty a little while ago and this Wednesday they have 15% off event for Liberty card holders - maybe that dress will be mine. I am hoping to meet up with flibbertygibbet on the evening for some parting with cash and drinks courtesy of Liberty.

Something I neglected to say on my last post was why I craft. I offered up the question and then failed to answer it myself - doh. The answer is simple - it makes my head happy.

why do you craft?

2007-02-28T10:37:00.000Z

This is something I have been contemplating recently, you see I have been reading "The Crafter Culture Handbook" by Amy Spencer.

I have had it for quite a while and I had intended to offer up my thoughts long before now but it has been quite hard to know where to start. You see the book isn't just a straight forward 'how to' of crafting, as the title accurately states it is also a book that looks at the whole culture of crafting today. I had thought I would probably just be posting some photos and going 'ooo I want to make that' and 'isn't that a lovely idea'.
Instead I found myself actually reading the book, rather than flicking from project to project, and thinking about why I craft. Am I making my own stance against consumerism? Am I part of a radical social resistance movement? Or am I nurturing my innate domesticity albeit with all its modern connotations. It certainly makes for a thought provoking and debate inducing read.
But don't panic this isn't some subversive book offering up anti-globalisation diatribes. It is after all is said and done a craft book and it does offer some wonderful projects. All the projects are supplied by the great and good of the crafting world and cover every possible theme. There is sewing from garment making, to refashioning, to embellishment, to cross-stitch, to adornments.

There is knitting and crochet with projects for hats, scarves, bags. As well as advice on kool-aid dying, setting up your own knitting groups. There is paper craft which delves into the world of Gocco printing (I would dearly love a little Gocco of my own). And shows you how to coptic bind a book or even a papier mache bangle amongst other things.

How about making your own soap, bath bombs and beauty preparations? - this book has that covered too. Then there is the electro-craft section, that seems to me, a mysterious world of soldering irons, LEDs, batteries and the like. I just love this idea it would certainly make answering emails much more fun. The whole list of projects featured in the book can be viewed here.

Each section is suffused with essays and introductions by the contributors on how and why they craft. There are lots of colour photos of the projects and clear, well laid out instructions. I really like a lot of the projects in this book and I plan to try some of them out in the not too distant future. The book is readily available from Amazon or you can order it direct from the publishers.

cakes and hearts ...

2007-02-14T20:34:00.000Z

where on earth does the time go? don't worry a purely rhetorical question but honestly where does it go?

My sister paid us a whistle stop visit on Sunday afternoon - so we had cake (as you do).

But not just any cake. I finally got around to making some cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery recipe book that she brought back from New York a couple of years ago. I had flicked through the book,whilst my mouth watered, but never actually used any of the recipes. Sunday morning I was measuring and mixing up a storm. I decided to make the vanilla cupcakes and ice them with the vanilla buttercream which is alright in small measures but is rather sweet. And I didn't even add all the sugar suggested.

Anyway, it being St Valentine's day it only seems appropriate to leave you with a picture of a heart. A felt heart not made for Valentine's day but rather for a birthday. My nephew's 5th birthday is this weekend and he has a thing for hearts. He has a mini wire tree in his bedroom which he hangs them on for display.

Whilst making that heart I also made a couple of felt heart (or should that be heart felt?) brooches for no reason just the heck of it.

I am really enjoying the spontaneity of working with felt - I see much more of it on the horizon. But I would like to try using 100% wool felt rather than the wool/acrylic blend I'm using at the moment.

photo heavy bliss...

2007-02-10T16:15:00.000Z

a wet Saturday, a rubbishy film on the box (Camelot in case you were wondering) and a couple of delectable magazines. Divine truly divine.

Husband had to go into central London yesterday and joy of joy he came home bearing gifts. First up is the Spring issue of Marie Claire Idees.
Look at this gorgeous sewing room/corner. I can at least feel happy I put my Bonne Maman jam jars to a similar use but that's as close as I get to something so chic and cute or indeed so clean and neat.Who would have thought of such a novel use of an egg carton - those clever crafty people and Marie Claire that's who.I love this sewing screen. A really good idea for optimising a limited space.
There are also lots of other inspiring ideas - tulips on bags, on tables, on quilts. Yellow on jugs, on plates, on textiles. Lamp shades made from scoubidoos - oh, the list is endless.

Then there's Martha Stewart Living. Which has a hard act to follow but it succeeds with some of its ideas. I like the repackaging of shop bought sweets and treatsthe scanning of lace to create wrapping paper is a good idea too.
Anyway back to browsing and dreaming. Love is a guy who not only puts up with all of your magazines but adds to your stockpile.

2007-02-07T21:45:00.000Z

I had meant to say much more in yesterday's post but it slipped my mind - it seems to be happening a lot at the moment.

I wanted to express my thanks to everyone who took the trouble to leave a comment on my hundredth post. It was such a buzz but the best thing of all was discovering some lovely new blogs via those comments. I may otherwise have never found them and Jo's is a good case in point.

Also, I forgot to tell you about the surprise package I got from Monica on Saturday. A copy of February's 'Real Simple' which I had been looking for all over the place without success and a mini heart shaped cake tin. Perfect for making some gorgeous chocolate confection. Thank you so much Monica.

The photo at the top is the first glimmer of Spring that has burst forth in our yard. The Japanese quince has decided to start blooming. Obviously no one has told it we have snow forecast for the next couple of days.

belated drum roll please ...

2007-02-06T18:14:00.000Z

and the winner is..... Jo.

We drew a name out of this glass container on Sunday morning. I was too tired Saturday evening because of a day out with the girls, but more of that later. With hand over eyes, no peeking and no cheating, little fella pulled out one piece of paper and so the bag is on its way to Jo. Sorry Jo, I haven't posted it yet but it will go in the post tomorrow - I'm a bit behind with wrapping it up and addressing it.

So back to Saturday. I got the train from Paddington over to Oxford to meet up with Ali and Monica. The weather was glorious and the train journey beautifully uneventful. Although if I had got the later train, the one I had intended to get, I wouldn't have made it to Oxford until after lunch - some train drama at Didcot apparently.

We had coffee and chatted and then went to a textile exhibition and wandered around the rest of the Pitt Rivers beautifully bizarre collection. We had a yummy lunch at the Ashmolean Museum Cafe - Ali's treat. Wandered around Oxford perused some fabrics and notions then more coffee and chat. It was a fantastic way to spend a day. Sorry I forgot my camera so no photos.

have you heard....

2007-02-02T20:55:00.000Z

about this book?I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. If you loved the Crafter's Companion then I think you would be equally smitten with The Crafter Culture Handbook by Amy Spencer.

The projects are all listed here and my mouth is truly watering. As soon as I get my hands on a copy I'll let you have even more details but if you can't wait you can pre-order from the publisher.

Tomorrow, I am off out of this city and heading off to the city of dreaming spires to meet up with a couple of bloggy friends. I can't wait I am so looking forward to it. And don't forget tomorrow my little person will be drawing names out of a hat for the centennial bag.

how much is ...

2007-01-31T21:32:00.000Z

I have been admiring Manda's gorgeous sock pups and felt encouraged to try the pattern in the Martha Stewart Holiday magazine. The same magazine I got the mice idea from.

The little doggy looking out the window is Scrufty - so named because, well he is. I made him from and old pair of cotton socks I had. The wear on them had made them nice and soft but it also meant that didn't hold their shape too well when stuffing. So he has some funny little lumps and bumps. It is also still chilly round here so he needed a scarf.

The other thing he needed was a play pal. So here is Betty.

She is made from a brand new pair of socks but let's face it she doesn't have a great deal of sartorial elegance and the elastane in her socks makes her feel slightly naf. Hence her name Betty - named after the wonderful Betty Suarez of 'Ugly Betty' fame. But just like her name sake she is very loyal and her heart is totally in the right place. And Scrufty loves her just the way she is.

Thank you also to everyone for all the lovely congratulations and comments - don't forget you have plenty of time still to leave a comment to be in the draw for the bag.

one hundred ...

2007-01-29T18:57:00.000Z

This is my first big blogging milestone - my hundreth post! It has taken a while to get here, in the region of seven months, but for someone who can be bad at sticking with things it feels like a genuine acheivement.

So following the precedent set by many other blogs that have celebrated significant milestones I offer you a gift, well one of you.

What is it I am offering? Well, I have made a tote using some of the Liberty cord I bought yesterday and I thought I would offer it as a celebration gift.
Please excuse the very yellow photograph - it was dark by the time I finished the bag hence the light bulb jaundice.

If you would like to be entered into the draw then leave a comment between now and Saturday. On Saturday evening I will get my son to draw a name out of a hat and I will send it off on Monday. I am happy to post worldwide.

by jove ...

2007-01-28T19:34:00.000Z

I think she's got - no, not the ability to annunciate "The Rain in Spain" with perfect diction but rather the ability to crochet.

Yesterday afternoon was spent concentrating on the photos in a crochet book and working at it until my fingers hurt but it suddenly just clicked. It felt fantastic. I think the big difference was using a bamboo hook rather than a metal one and going for a larger size (5 mm). It just made it easier to manipulate the yarn. I used an old Rowan cotton I had lying around, the paper wrapper disappeared long ago so I can't tell you exactly what it is.

I have to confess that it is by no means perfect. I seem to gain stitches and lose stitches all over the place and as for tension well just forget it. As for the stitches themselves I have only really figured out slip stitch and double crochet. I still need to practice triple although I think it only means wrapping the yarn more times around the hook? Half and double triple are still a complete mystery to me.

Also I still haven't got to grips with what to hold with what hand. The hook is easy I hold that with my right hand but it is the wrapping the yarn around particular fingers of your left hand whilst holding the worked crochet with your left hand too that has me feeling like I am all finger and not enough thumbs. But I am so pleased that it has 'clicked' and I have made a start.

On the spur of the moment, today involved a quick trip into the last day of the Liberty sale to see what bargains I could find in the fabric department. Sadly, there was a lot of jersey and only a little Tana Lawn. In the end I bought some fine corduroy which I think I will turn into tote bags.

snow and thank yous...

2007-01-24T11:40:00.000Z

Hurray!! We woke up this morning to a world of white. It is quite a rarity in London because of all the concrete, brick and latent heat.

It has more or less all gone now, there's nothing worse than snow that out stays its welcome and goes all grey and sludgey. But at least there were snowballs on the way to school.

Now, I want to say thank you to my two strip swappers and show you the wonderfulness that has dropped through my letter box.

This fantastic package arrived from Sarah on Saturday.
And this gorgeous bunch of loveliness came from Lazylol yesterday.

Thank you so much girls, it was a complete delight to open both packages. Now I have to get my thinking cap on and come up with some ideas worthy of these lovely fabrics.

I know that one of my packages has arrived safely with Sheila in France and I hope that my other package is nearing the end of its journey to the States.

Thank you for all your comments about my weirdness - how strange so many of us have ganglions?! I also meant to say that I wasn't tagging anyone because everyone seems to have already shared their weirdiness. I have enjoyed reading them and found it rather reassuring that we seem to share so many oddities in common.

Finally, have you heard the news? Lock up your credit cards ... Kitty Craft has reopened!

oi, weirdo!...

2007-01-23T18:48:00.000Z

Both Simmy and Laura have tagged me to share six weird things about myself. Well, I have had to think long and hard about this because I think I am completely normal. But then when I had done a bit of thinking I realised what I think of as normal could be other people's weird.

I suppose the first weird thing about me are my hands. They have two weird things about them. I suffer from Raynaud's which is basically bad circulation and it expresses itself in my hands and feet but worst in my hands. Even on the mildest days they can turn blue, really truly blue and on colder days that blue is punctuated by luminous orange spots. Yes that is really orange spots. If I am really unlucky my fingers go white and dead looking which is really painful when the blood starts to return. This condition meant that I could never do up the buttons on my school shirt after playing hockey (real hockey not the ice variety) and just forget about tying shoelaces.

The second thing weird relates to my right hand - it has a huge ganglion. This ganglion sometimes disappears but eventually it comes back and becomes a large turgid lump that effects the movement of my hand and can cause a fair bit of pain. It is a nuisance that is in my right wrist because it means that sewing, knitting, drawing has to be curtailed sometimes.

I am completely anal about making sure the housework has been done before doing anything creative or crafty. I find that my mind works better when it is clear of worries and concerns about the washing up or laundry or hoovering. I wish I could ease up about it and let go but I guess that is just something that makes me, me.

A sort of adjunct to the weirdness above I can't go to bed without making my bed. Equally , I can't make my bed until it has been well and truly aired.

I don't like making phone calls. I won't phone up for takeaway or to book anything. I can do it but prefer to just make my husband do it. If I know I have to phone someone I get really anxious and nervous before hand. I have to carefully think out what I want to say and then I get all let down when the phone is either engaged or I get the answer machine. The only exception to this rule is when I am phoning up to complain about something and then I can pick up the phone straight away and let rip.

My husband has suggested that I mention that I don't like mashed potato which he thinks is really weird. I love chips, roast potatoes, dauphinoise, crisps and I can even just about eat boiled potatoes but mashed potatoes - yuk.

My final weirdness and it is quite a good weirdness is my eye for colour. I have the ability to see a fabric once and then go and pick out the perfect thread to go with it. Well that is making it sound a little to easy as common as often there isn't an exact thread colour to match. One might be a little too red, or a little too blue or not have enough yellow to it. The Gutterman may be a little too light whilst the Sylko is a little to dark. I like to think I have a good sense of colour pitch. The downside is that I have a hell of a time trying to marry fabric combinations together.

Yes indeed, I am weird and proud!

serendipity ...

2007-01-16T20:21:00.000Z

If I hadn't made the Wendy Shirt, then Rebecca wouldn't have pointed me in the direction of this lovely blog. I am in awe - she uses Illustrator to help create her quilt tops. I must get on and learn Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign they are all sat on my machine so it is stupid not to use them. OK, add that to my growing 'must do in 2007' list.

Sadly, because of work, I will miss tomorrow's DD fest but it is Thursday's I am really looking forward to. You can't beat a bit of classic Doris and Rock. Abby, I tried to get your details but blogger wouldn't let me view your profile - sadly, I think you live outside the UK so Channel 4 wouldn't be available to you.

ta da ...

2007-01-15T19:28:00.000Z

I've finished the blouse! Thank you for all your help with choosing which buttons to use, I went for the blue buttons in the end.

Everything worked out well in the end although I had terrible problems with the buttonholes on the cuffs. My machine just didn't want to do them properly. It would do the bottom and one side but it messed up when it came to doing the top and the return down the next side. After unpicking for the umpteenth time I decided to give up and just use press studs until I could gather up enough strength to try them again. Luckily the buttonholes down the front of the blouse were no problem at all.

It was a great pattern to use. The instructions were clear and the number of pattern pieces weren't too numerous. All the pieces were necessary there was nothing extraneous. I would certainly use another Wendy Simplicity pattern, I just have to decide which.

This afternoon I got home from work and sat down and watched Doris Day. Channel 4 are showing a DD film every afternoon this week. The perfect opportunity to sit down and do a bit of quilting.

B is also for ...

2007-01-14T14:54:00.000Z

Books .... for which I have a passion, OK I guess it is really a fetish, I just can't help but accumulate them. It is such a pain that there are so many wonderful, gorgeous craft books out there and so many more being published. A pain, because it calls for some tough decisions and convoluted selection criteria when choosing which to purchase. Which is why I appreciate it when fellow bloggers offer up their thoughts on books they have.

Well, I thought it only fair to reciprocate and share my thoughts on book that was sent to me recently. "The Apron Book" by Ellyanne Geisel.

At first, I thought a book totally dedicated to the apron would be, shall we say, a little limited. I mean how much can you say about aprons, or pinnies as I grew up calling them. But I was sucked in from the very start when the writer of the introduction talked of the first apron she ever made - a yellow gingham one for a Brownie badge.

The first apron I ever made was also for my Brownie Needlework badge and it too was yellow gingham (small world -huh?). Mine was very simple with little red crosses embroidered along it's hemline and across the top of the little patch pocket. I had forgotten all about that apron. And that is what this book is brilliant at, it is dotted with the most fascinating stories and anecdotes of aprons in peoples lives. It is a completely fascinating social history.

But the best of all it comes with lots of instructions to make your own aprons as well as a full size pattern tucked into an envelope at the back of the book.

Sadly, I didn't get any book tokens this Christmas but if I had then these two books wouldn't be languising on my wishlist. But when my staff discount card comes through rest assured I will be getting them.

And I can't wait for Amy Karol's book to be published, although it will be a few months yet, and after reading so much about aprons I might just take part in her 'Tie one on'.

B is for ...

2007-01-12T20:04:00.000Z

Bleeauh, which is how I was feeling at the beginning of the week as an upset stomach wiped me out. I am not usually a sicky person but since I started work I seem to have come down with all sorts of bugs. And I thought school kids were the generous ones

Behind, which is what I now am. So many things to do, so little time and a bout of illness really didn't help at all.

Blouse, which despite the above I have actually started - yay! I have made the body and the sleeves but I haven't set the sleeves in yet. I have to do the buttonholes on the cuffs before I set the sleeves in.

Buttons, which is the reason I haven't done the buttonholes yet. Before I can do them I have to choose which buttons to use. I have four choices and I just can't make up my mind - any ideas?

Beautiful fabric. It is a Liberty Tana Lawn and it is gorgeous to work with. I was a bit wary initally as it can sometimes be slippy and hard to manipulate but not this time. Thank goodness because it certainly wasn't cheap and I would have be very upset if I had bodged it. Actually I better not speak to soon - it's not finished yet.

Big difference which is what having the dress form has made. It is fantastic to be able to put the pieces on realistic body shape. I had always relied on a wooden hanger hanging from a door which was not good.

This weekend I need to play catch up and start cutting some noodles for the January strip swap. They need to be in the post by next Friday and that will come around quickly enough.

Also, thank you for all the offers of help with crochet. I think at the moment I need to concentrate on my other projects at the moment .... but I will be touch.

she's here ...

2007-01-08T20:49:00.000Z

Do you remember the parcel I was expecting? Well it arrived this morning and lo and behold in the box was this little lady.

Yes siree bob, that dress form I was talking about buying with my first wage packet well after a bit of research I found a company in Kent who make and sell them direct. So I placed an order at the beginning of January and it came today. And after a wee bit of assembly I am as pleased as punch with her.

With the expectation that my little lady would arrive today, yesterday, I finally cut out the pattern pieces for the Built by Wendy shirt I have been planning to make. I hope to get down to sewing it over the next few days.

Yesterday was also spent trying to teach myself how to crochet, there are no pictures of my rubbish attempts. I find the instructions in books too confusing so I think I need to find someone who would be willing to teach me some basics. I love the essence and practicality of crocheting too much to fall at the first hurdle.

Epiphany ...

2007-01-06T15:59:00.000Z

I had my own little epiphany today - just to spend the afternoon quilting whilst watching 'Charade', the housework can wait. It feels good to be back to the handquilting there is nothing you can do but sit there and enjoy the luxury of relaxing. The other little epiphany is discovering the Clover chacopel pencil. I have tried lots of different things for marking quilt tops - fabric pencils, air erasable pen, masking tape and this Clover pencil is the best by far.

Anyway, true to Twelth Night tradition the tree and decorations have all come down, I don't wish to induce any bad luck so soon into a new year.

Also as a special treat I bought a Galette de Rois from a local French bakery to have today. Who will find the feve and become king for the day?

In an effort to cheer up a grey wet day I also bought some pretty little flowers. I am looking forward to Spring. The seeds that I spent New Year's Eve ordering arrived today so in a month or so I can start transforming every window ledge into a nursery for seedlings. I also ordered three blueberry bushes and a lingonberry which should be despatched soon. It was a very fruitful (pun intended) way to spend New Year's Eve.

I have something exciting coming in the post and I think it will be delivered on Monday. I unreasonably thought it might come today but it isn't a working day and they don't make deliveries so Monday it will be. Ooooo I'm so excited, I hope to goodness it measures (another intended pun) up to my expectations.

quilts ...

2007-01-03T18:50:00.000Z

While I was at my parents' over Christmas I read an interesting article in my mum's copy of 'Country Living' magazine. It was all about Lynne Edwards and her quilts. I had always, quite wrongly, thought that Lynne was an American quilter so it was a surprise to read all about her quilting life in Suffolk.

Anyway, the article prompted me to take out a couple of her books from the library. I admire her attention to detail and am totally with her on the meditative qualities of hand quilting. And whilst my current personal taste in patchwork may be different, think Denyse Schmidt and Kaffe Fassett, her techniques and knowledge leave me with a lot to learn and plenty of ideas to explore.

Whilst I was at my parents' I also took the opportunity to take some photos of the quilts I made for my mum. They are some of my earliest quilts and very traditional in their demeanour.

I just love it when something prods you out of a fallow period. All this has made me think more about quilting and has rekindled some ideas I have had. Talking of quilting I am loving Monica's placemat so bright and cheery and full of the promise of Spring. And Rebecca has finished her beautiful Swedish inspired quilt. And don't forget Flibbertygibbet's Strip Swap which closes this Friday

Good news, the antibiotics appear to be working and I feel a trifle more human today - thank you very much for all your well wishes.

intentions...

2007-01-02T19:52:00.000Z

ah, the second day of a brand new year and I am trying to stick to my good intentions. I am drinking more water and my fruit consumption has increased too. I have even started to eat a healthy breakfast. Let's see if I can still say the same thing this time next week.

I also took myself off to the doctor's this morning to try and get this cold kicked good and proper. So I now have antibiotics and mega loads of painkillers so I am hopeful that the sinus pains will abate and I can actually get my head round some creative projects.

ah, creative projects. Whilst in the doctor's surgery I started to make a list of some of the things I wanted to accomplish this year. But the doctor wasn't running as late as usual and my list making had to be curtailed but as it stands there are a couple of quilts, some knitting, learning how to use my camera properly, a shirt, a skirt and I really must get to grips with crochet.

On a less creative front, it has also been a day of trying to clear out paperwork and complete my tax return but thwarted by not having my password to file it online. Ahh well the intention was there.

on the eve...

2006-12-31T15:00:00.000Z

So here we are at the last day of 2006. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying your holidays. I won't bore you with tales of our illnesses that are still lingering and persisting making for snotty misery. Or the fact that Wednesday saw me back at work. The family time between Christmas and New Year was always my favourite time and I really missed it this year.

We did have a lovely, if short, Christmas stay with family and we all got some wonderful presents. Lego was high on my son's wish list and Father Christmas didn't fail him. Some of my present highlights were the warmest, toastiest PJs ever, which I adore and a pair of tailors scissors - big, heavy, proper, metal scissors.

My thoughts now are turning to the year that has been and the year that is to come. 2006 has had its share of ups and downs just like other years. There has been some bad things and some good things that have happened but most of the time it just carried on in its own way. But I do cherish the fact that it was the year I discovered this amazing community of people who enjoy crafts of all shades and hues. A community that is so nuturing and generous in its offers of help, advice and support.

I have been thinking about possible resolutions for the new year and there are some of those which relate to trying to improve health - I must eat more fruit and drink more water as I am very bad at both. There are also all the skills I would like to learn and develop having discovered them on other blogs but maybe they belong on a wish list rather than as resolutions?

Anyway, this evening I will raise a glass to all of you - the new friends I have made and to hopefully many more friendships to come and develop in the year ahead. Here is wishing you all a healthy, happy, prosperous and crafty new year.

eeeeeek ...

2006-12-19T20:48:00.000Z

mice!

My son broke up from school today and as a little gift for his classmates we made lots of those Martha Stewart candy cane mice. Yes, I am one of those mothers who will dose your kids up with sugar and then watch them head off home hyped up to kingdom come.

The candy cane tails didn't sit too securely in their mice bodies so they had to be bagged up to save lost tail tears.

In other news, the Christmas present for my nephew is finished. He is a keen little 5 year old artist so here is an artists bag. Made of denim and lined with a lime green fabric. It is worn across your body like an old fashioned satchel.
Then inside are a few artist's essentials, paper, colouring book and pen roll.

Here's that pen roll again.
With so many pens and pencils it is quite a bulky affair but you can never have enough pens. I decided to fasten it with velcro as tieing a ribbon can prove tricky for little hands.

Now I have to get on with finishing a pair of knitted socks. Luckily it is a very simple pattern so I should be able to get it done before Christmas. Then again it is only 5 days away.

If you fancy joining a swap and fabric and patchwork are your thing then pop over to Flibbertygibbet and check out her January Strip.

oh dear, oh dear, oh dear ...

2006-12-18T21:23:00.000Z

the blogging momentum I built up at the beginning of last week seemed to have dissipated by the end of the week. But I had a good excuse - honest. I have been desperately trying to finishing making the Christmas presents that I had such high ideas of.

Now last Thursday I promised a photo of the quilted hot bot cover I had made as a Christmas gift - so in order to keep my promise (if a little belatedly) here it is. The front is machine-pieced and hand quilted.

The back is just a plain yellow cotton flannel.

And I've used velcro to fasten the cover.
The design is from the Denyse Schmidt book but I have played around with the piecing and had to adjust the sizing.

On Saturday my parents came for a quick visit - and came bearing gifts. Ribbon and buttons from the Smedley factory shop. I love the ribbon colours a lilac and a sort of chartreuse colour - this could become my favourite colour combination.

I spent a pleasant couple of hours sorting through the buttons and putting them away in jars, it was incrediably theraputic.

I love these pink ones

Oh and I also received my Moo cards - I had ordered them on the 11th December and they arrived on the 14th - how quick is that? and I love them.

twinkle, twinkle ...

2006-12-14T20:19:00.000Z

today I have been mostly making more of these

and I have also been working on a quilted hot water bottle cover which I haven't photographed because it is way too dark now. I promise to try and take some photos tomorrow.

I have also been trying out those Martha Stewart felt sugar cane mice. Again - sorry - no pictures and, again, I will try and rectify that tomorrow.

Otherwise I have been writing lots of cards and making lots of trips to the post office. I discovered that the best time to go to the post office is about 3.30pm as in the morning the queue is out the door. And I really don't have time to stand in queues as I have too many presents still to make and oh my goodness there are only a few days left.

it's all about me, me, me, me...

2006-12-13T17:50:00.000Z

A couple of days ago I was tagged by Ali, but it has taken me this long to have a think about some of my answers.

So here I am indulging in a little naval gazing...

4 jobs I have had
administrative assistant in a bookshop
management assistant at a BBC local radio station
personnel assistant for BBC World Service
telephone answerer for children's television programmes 'Live and Kicking' and 'Going Live'

4 films I could watch over and over
Shadow of a Doubt (Alfred Hitchcock)
Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (Ang Lee)
Any Powell and Pressburger film
Amelie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

4 places I have lived (apart from where I live now)
Derby, England
New Ross, Ireland
Nottingham, England
Bromley, England

4 TV shows I love
yikes - I don't think I love any TV programmes but I enjoy ..
University Challenge
CSI be it NY, Miami, or original
The Simpsons
Extras

4 places I have been on holiday
Holland
Denmark
Ireland
Scotland

4 websites I visit daily
bloglines
google
and, um, I can't think of any others

4 favourite foods
starters
main courses
puddings
snacks
what can I say I enjoy food - especially if someone else is cooking.

4 places I would rather be
New York
Hawaii
Norfolk coast
West of Ireland

4 people I am tagging
Sorry, I am chickening out of this one - I'd hate to impose.

production line ...

2006-12-11T19:53:00.000Z

I have been working at getting all my Christmas cards made so that I can get them sent out in good time to reach their recipients.

So, with a glass of wine in hand and a film on the box I settled down to stamp my little heart out. And whilst it did feel like I was on some factory production line, it was very theraputic. Tune in, turn on, stamp away. No real thought necessary - just what the doctor ordered after a day at work. And en masse they look quite impressive - a veritable heavenly host.

I also made a stamp for my husband's business Christmas cards, his company logo is a blue cow. So to Christmas it up a bit we gave the cow a red nose a la Rudolph.

Now I just have to sit down and write them .... But at the moment I am thinking up my answers to Ali's tag which is far more diverting and fun.

oh Christmas tree ...

2006-12-11T18:56:00.000Z

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree - so let the festivities commence!

We don't usually get a tree until our son has broken up for the Christmas holidays but this year we thought what the heck. The weather is grey and miserable so a pretty tree all lit up and decorated is the best way to lift spirits and start the Christmassy feeling welling up.

There are still lots of Christmas presents to make and buy but I am not going to panic myself about that - I am sure I can get everything done in the next 14 days! I have also seen alot of gorgeous ideas I would like to try out like Heather Bailey's yo-yo garlands or the lovely Little Birds soft Christmas trees and Anna Maria Horner's owl ornament and then there's Liesl's mitten ornaments too but I think have to rein myself in. No more new ideas until I have completed the tasks in hand. Maybe in the New Year I should just get a headstart on Christmas 2007.

A big thank you to everyone who convinced me that feeling guilty was just a waste of time and effort. And as pointed out it is better to actually blog. So this is my concerted effort to post more regularly as I realise I have been too sporadic recently.

awash with guilt ...

2006-12-07T19:47:00.000Z

I have been feeling so guilty. I have been so bad about replying to comments that have been so kindly left here. Words of encouragement, advice, fun, hints and tips so freely and warmly given. I have tried to keep up with my acknowledgements but over the last few weeks it has all got the better of me.

So to try and make amends I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone listed below for taking the time to comment.

Liesl, Jane, Jessica, Pea, Samantha, Carolyn,Poshyarns, Jessica, Max, Ali, Mathea, Sonia, Mary, Simmy, Cricket, Lyn, Julia, Martina, Cally, Ingrid, Kirsten, Heather, Jackie, nuttnbunny, Penny, Tracey, Alice, Mahulia, Amy, Gracia, Soo, Kate, rebecca, Flibbertygibbbet, Tammy, Maggie, Melissa, Lazylol, Autum, Kristy, Pinar, Dee, Danielle, Stephanie, Hay, Monica, Beki, Megan, Paper-and-string, Stephanie, Atelier455, Donna, Babybug, Ferret, lorilaurielauri, Carolyn, Bigbucketgirl, Sunshine, Cherry, Lorenzstudio, Anna, Sarah, Liz, Karen, decor8, JuJu, Rebecca, Alicia P, Tabby, Kristen

as promised ...

2006-12-03T17:14:00.000Z

well I mentioned last time that I had been working on my Christmas card ideas and after much umm-ing and ahhh-ing this is it...

Originally I had been toying with a snowman design and using the orange ink for his carrot nose but everything changed and I decided to create an angel.

At least then it has some religous roots and remains a little truer to the Christmas message. But before you all think I have become holier than thou, my son has a chocolate advent calendar.

Yesterday, I made a trip 'up town' into central London to try and make a start on my Christmas shopping. I had very limited success. It was incredibly busy despite getting in early and attempting to escape early. I hadn't realised that Oxford Street and Regent Street were closed off to traffic that day as part of a grand Christmas shopping frenzy.

There was music and singing, street performers and all sorts of things going on along the lengths of both streets. I luckily came across a lady giving away free Krispy Kreme donuts just as my blood sugar levels were giving out.

Somethings I did get though were felt - for those little mice and ric-rac for adding to presents. I also got a dress for a soiree (sounds far more grown-up and sophisticated than party) I am going to on Friday evening.

But you know what put a smile on my face - my bus home - it was a Routemaster. Routemasters, for those that don't know, were the quintessential London bus that have been decommissioned over the last couple of years and replaced with modern buses. These modern buses are noiser, less comfortable, over-heated and provide no joy to me whatsoever. After a hard day shopping the thought of getting on one of those confounded new buses filled me with dread. So to find a Routemaster heading my way was like the gods were (finally) smiling on me - oh, and it was free, yes free. These guys were offering the service as a free art bus. I had a wonderful journey home.

On a different note, I really must update my links side bar. I have been discovering so many wonderful blogs recently that I would love to share. In the meantime here is a small list of finds which is by no means exhaustive.

willowhouse
irish craft worker
bigbucketgirl
anna maria horner
sweet nellie
lazy lol

there are so many more - I must, must, must update the sidebar.

And finally, a message for Martina. I get my Martha from the Chocolate Box newsagent, 131 Lower Richmond Road, SW15. They only ever have a couple of copies and I noticed on Saturday they had none but I am sure they could order copies for you or your local newsagent may be able to.

more seasonal musings ...

2006-11-30T19:09:00.000Z

I found this copy of Martha Stewart Holiday in my local newsagent the other day

and I am very taken with these little fellas.

So a trip to the supermarket produced some candy canes - I wish we got more variety in the colours rather than just the red, white and green which seems to be the only colour combination available here. Anyway I just need to get some felt in pretty colours and then I am going to give them a go. I thought they could make good present toppers or gift tags.

I also strung together some of my stars - I have just a couple of the larger size to make and add to the ribbon. I plan to put them in front of the fireplace just like this but I need to find a better way to secure the ribbon.

The sellotape I used in order to get this photo lasted all of three minutes. Having to re-hang them every few minutes will make for a very tedious festive period.

This afternoon I finally got round to working on my Christmas cards - but more of those anon.

a study in grey ...

2006-11-27T20:55:00.000Z

when the weather is like this all weekend
the only thing to do is read grey covered books and make starry grey ornaments. The stars are going to make a garland inspired by one in the latest issue Marie Claire Idees.

'tis the season ...

2006-11-23T14:57:00.000Z

... to be snotty.

This time of year seems to bring with it inevitable sniffling and sneezing. So what a good excuse to finally have a go at making a tissue holder.

The idea and pattern is cobbled together from various tutorials floating around on various blogs. Belladia is one, Stardust Shoes is another, oh and Whipup is another.

I like it but it isn't right yet - maybe if I had stuck to one tutorial and actually used a ruler to measure and mark out the fabric it would be a better size and fit. I also think it looks rather plain - a little embellishment is called for. But all in all a quick and satisfying make.

Last Saturday, I met Flibbertygibbet. She has a stall at the market at the top end of Marylebone High Street and last week was her first week. This week on her blog she has been showing us all the things she has been making to sell. If you happen to be in the neighbourhood why not pop along and say 'hi'. She is really friendly.

the mitt...

2006-11-17T15:08:00.000Z

I finished the oven mitt this afternoon. The scanner worked a treat, especially when ably handled by my husband. I decided to bind the edge of the mitt rather than add the pom-pom trim suggested in the Denyse Schmidt book. I had visions of the pom-poms melting and causing horrible burns when near a hot oven.

So now the apron and mitt can be wrapped up and sent off. They were originally going to be a Christmas gift but they are now going to be a birthday present.

The weather has become very wild and woolly - the perfect weather for battening down the hatches and get on with knitting projects (I still have to finish Florence) or hand quilting (my 'Ice Pops' quilt also needs to be finished). It is also a good opportunity to browse through the book catalogues that arrived recently.

There are a few Persephone books that I have earmarked as perfect Christmas presents and the same with Eland books catalogue. Of course the hope is that a couple might make their way to me in turn

working the whole day through ...

2006-11-15T21:04:00.000Z

Honestly, I haven't been sitting here busy doing nothing. Although the extended silence may suggest otherwise. Nope, things have been ticking along nicely.

I have been working on this apron and I finished it last night but had to wait for this morning and the hope of some decent light.

The pom-pom trim was purchased from VV Rouleaux when I was out on the town with Ali.

I have also got the pieces together for a matching oven mitt using the insul-bright that arrived a couple of weeks ago.

I just need to scale up the pattern by 400%. Easier said than done. I don't have access to a photocopier and I am hopeless at scaling things by hand. So here's hoping the scanner will come up trumps.

Both items have been made using patterns in the Denyse Schmidt book.

Plans are also afoot to go to the Cabbages and Frocks market on Saturday to see Flibbertygibbet who has her own stall there over the next few weeks. It is also a great excuse to head up to Marylebone High Street.

Now I really must get on with the Christmas cards ....