Summer Sewing

On the off chance we get warm weather that lasts i've been making summer dresses.  These are all from the Geranium pattern.  I'm a huge fan, it's quick and easy and has enough variations to keep it interesting.

I was in a bit of a hurry, dd tried on last years dresses yesterday.  I was hoping that they might work as tunics this year, but her tubby belly was poking out, so I had to whip up some new ones.

This first was was my size tester with very cheap fabric.  It's worked well, I've made a size 3 (dd is 20 months), I took about an inch off the width, but left the length.  She's tall but scrawny.  This will definitely see her through the summer.

I bought this fabric a while ago, I'd seen lots of similar dresses in this more traditional style.  I have to admit, it wasn't until the very end that I fell in love with it.  I would like to think of it as Belgian style children's clothing?!?

This is one of my favourite fabrics.  I've had it for a couple of years and not done anything with it.  I do however think it was made for a dress like this. I can't wait for the sun to come out so dd can start wearing it!

I feel I've perfected the method of the Geranium, now, do I have the confidence to cut into the Liberty fabric?

Spring is on the way

I looked out the window today and the sun is shining, the sky is blue!  It's still freezing cold but we are definitely on the way to warmer weather.  It seemed like a good day for a clear out, tidy up and fresh start.

It has been getting harder and harder to get motivated in my little sewing machine, the fabrics were taking over, I need to get my space back.  Easier said than done, but I have done some tidying and it all feels a lot better.  I have space to lay things out and work.

Lenka is now in nursery two days a week. That gives me one day for tidying and sorting the house; we're still sorting out boxes from when we moved in. The other day will be for sewing, crafting and me! I may even get a haircut, but don't hold me to that.

Now it's dry and light I can start taking photos outside.  I've always struggled to keep up with blogging because the photos look so bad inside, there is no space to show things off and bad lighting.  I do have a space in mind for a mini table top set up, but I need to do some more research and find out what would work best for me first.

We've got a lot of birthdays coming up at school.  I never know what to get people, so we decided on Birthday crowns this year.  My children love them, we like to get a few special occasion photos in them, but after that, they just like them for dress up.

I started off with these two, I hope they will be appreciated.  I'm never sure when giving handmade gifts.

Now I just need to make sure I take a photo straight on, trust me the are symmetrical and the stitching is straight!!

Winner time!

I'm sorry it's taken a few hours longer than I anticipated to announce the winner, but here we go.

Congratulations JLVerde!

I'm going to pop an email to you now to get your address details.  I hope you enjoy it and make something lovely.

I'm quite excited to see where in the world I'm posting it to!

Pin it to win it! + a small competition

I don't know if you've seen the fantastic promotion at Freshly Squeezed Fabrics?




I'm going for broke, and trying to get a Nursery Versery bundle. The fabric is beautiful but out of my price range and incredibly hard to come by in the UK.  In fact I was at my local fabric shop yesterday and they had one of the prints.  It was £22.50 a metre! (Or $35 for those of you over the pond!)

So here is mine

http://pinterest.com/pin/23855072997439736/

Now for my competition.
I'm hoping pay it forward will help, I am going to offer a selection of FQ's and a couple of Kokka scraps. Sorry for the dire photos, I'm trying to do it one handed, with a baby strapped to my front.




Rules are simple, firstly you have to be a follower.  That's easy enough.  Don't worry that you'll be inundated with posts I've just had a baby and moved house, if I have any free time I'm unpacking boxes at the moment.  Secondly you need to repin my pin. If you leave details of yours in your comment I'll return the favour.

On the huge plus side I only have 10 followers at the moment so your chances of winning if you enter are rather high! I'm happy to post anywhere in the world.


ETA - My mini competition will be closing Wednesday 26th at 8pm BST.  I'll pick a winner then and announce it that evening when the little ones are in bed...
If you need a pinterest invite just email me.

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

The lovely girls at Moona Fabrics sent me a fat quarter bundle of England Swings. I was fortunate and won a competition run by Laura.  I'm amazed I won, but incredibly pleased!  I initially was going to make a table runner and some quilted Aga top covers for MIL, but then the fabric arrived today.

See? Yummy!! Again the photos don't do it justice.  I'd love to think it will soon be in my MILs kitchen but it is going to be hard to part with this one.

Also they sent a couple of extras! Freebies on top of freebies, thank you so much.

These two look beautiful together, they are destined for a little coin purse or two.

At the end of last week I also received some lovely fabric from Sew Obsessed.  It was a half yard bundle of feedsack fabric.  It's destined for a Kaleidoscope quilt, but I have to complete two more quilts first, I'm starting to get quite a few projects on the go.  It's another nice thing to look forward to.

I'm going to finish off a Christmas table runner today, and as the bamboo fairy arrived early I'm going to baste a cot quilt.  Is it still basting when you are using pins?  

Instant gratification

I admit, I'm an advertisers dream. When Amy Butler released Soul Blossoms I knew it was merely a matter of time before I bought some.  My lovely LQS had a jelly roll for £39.50. Whilst they knew I was waiting for it I had to graciously decline.  I know they have to make a living but it's quite down heartening to see things that over priced.  So the hunt started online where I found it for £19.50 woo hoo! I'd pass on the secret knowledge but unfortunately the shop was closing down at the time.

Cue the arrival of Soul Blossoms. I opened it up, looked at it, ummed and ahhed. It was scary bright!  Hung up on my design board it looked even brighter!  I've had a play, sectioned some of the colour ways and made a very simple coin stack quilt top. Putting on the grey has made such a difference.  The colours sing rather than fight. The best part was it only took a few hours to get the top together. I have to say it's really growing on me. I'm often quite muted in my choices, but I think this has taught me to be a bit braver. (and to iron before taking photos?)

It's not going to get quilted quite yet, it's my birthday in a few weeks and I'm waiting until then for the bamboo fairy to arrive.  I was recently given a spool of thread to try by my sewing machine repair man.  I was struggling with Gutterman and was looking to try Aurifil. Whilst they didn't have that he did have some he thought I might like. I've got the variegated thread.  I think it'll really pop on the grey sashing.  I might try a quick scrappy mug rug first to see.

I'm loving this weather for photographing quilts, the light is so much better.  Now if only I could get rid of the wind as well we'd be onto a winner!


On a little side note, we've not had stickiness this time, roll on the next treatment! And as I am between treatments I shall be spending this lovely evening, in the garden, relaxing, with a glass of rose, and my dh. Long may this Indian summer last...

Not so nicey Jane, but very lovely Laura

Let's start off with Nicey Jane.  I don't like her anymore! We had a falling out when my machine munched part of a block.  The problem arose when I realised I didn't have enough fabric to make another one.  The quilt is smaller than intended, but hey ho, lesson learned.

Then I decided on a really simple zig zag quilt to echo the pattern. I waited till i'd finished to look behind and realise the tension was off. (My machine is *supposed* to have auto tension).  Here is a photo.  Incomplete, as it shall remain until I calm down a bit.... It's now at the bottom of the pile.  I think next time I'll wait till daylight and charge the camera rather than snap with the phone.

I had help! But he is so cute he may as well be included.



Next order of business, the lovely Laura has just emailed me to say I've won her fantastic give away over at  Needles Pins and Baking tins  it's a very yummy bundle of "England Swings" courtesy of the lovely people of Moona Fabrics. Go and have a look, I love them both and of course I'm not biased in any way! ;)
The fabrics are perfect for my mother in laws Christmas present.  She'll be getting a table runner and some hot pads ssshhhh! They match her kitchen colours and style so well.


I have to say that whilst I'm only have one follower I do seem to get quite a few people looking. Just in case anyone was wondering why I haven't posted in a few weeks this is why.
Introducing Isis and Hestia

Let's hope for sticky thoughts over the next couple of weeks.