A bit of Crafting.

If you enjoy crafts as well as dressmaking you probably also have the same problem as me. Yes books! I just can not help myself, anything with a pretty picture and I need a copy. So here is the latest edition to the book shelf

As craft books go I really enjoyed this, all the projects are manageable without having to buy loads of new equipment or fabric. Amanda seems to share my love affair of old blankets too. A few of the projects we have certainly seen before but it's always nice to be inspired or see how someone else makes bags or pot holders etc.

I would also add that it's pretty much a yummy mummy's kind of book, which is fine with me. It also has a good look using up those vintage bits of fabric.

So this is my attempt at a bedroom banner for Arthur. We have been decorating his room with a budget of £0. 

We also made ART with Arthur to hang in his room. I had this canvas lurking in the loft so still sticking to budget.

A bit of thrifting always helps on the decorating, so we found this great print for a staggering £1. It's so sweet and we are huge fans of Beatrix Potter.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. x x x

An Award, Thank you.

Well what can I say but Thank you, Mimi. She has very kindly put my name in for the Leibster award which celebrates small blogs. Mimi herself has a lovely blog, I have recently enjoyed her crafts and ventures of her own craft stall.http://magpiemimi.blogspot.co.uk/

So now having a lovely award which I am really grateful for, knowing that others enjoy your ramblings is rather special! But to continue, I will now list a few blogs that I feel would benefit from this award :

1. http://hausfraujournal.blogspot.co.uk/

2.http://sewblessedmaw.blogspot.co.uk/

3.http://thebutterflybalcony.blogspot.co.uk/

4.http://athomeindevon.blogspot.co.uk/

5.http://heartscottage.blogspot.co.uk/

To be honest it was hard to choose five, but do look at them, all lovely ladies with very different lives.  Also a few I was think have recieved an award already so I would share the love further afeild!

If you where chosen please use the picture on your blog. Thank the person who nominated you. Then select another five blogs to celebrate, the aim is those with under 200 follower's.

Thanks Mimi, enjoy everyone else. x x x

A pair of very cool slacks, AKA very comfortable trousers!

This year I've certainly not been driving through the pattern pile or fabric stash, in fact with a little mindful sewing it will all be looking a little better but going a little slower! It makes it rather special then when do do finish a new wearable something.

So I've gone all American and have a pair of slacks, AKA very comfortable trousers. And on the whole they are pretty darn good to wear and to make. Using this pattern :

Although this was an easy pattern by it's own statement, I thought it had some lovely features, and then, yes it was very easy, in fact a joy to make up.

I did have the most lovely thick double knit jersey, which means it held together when sewing and continues to hold it's shape when wearing. My only down point was although I knew they where baggy, they where more so then I realised, but after a days wearing I do still feel OK in them. A highlight for me is completely getting pockets now and they look amazing, which always helps with sewing confidence for the next project.

I hope you all had a great Easter, I'm now thankful that these trousers are elasticated at the back having had the biggest tea party ever!! Oh and these will be the best wearable kind of clothes for MMM12 and my own sewing ambition of Sew Active.

Me Made May 20212

Well Zoe has announced the only me made, self stitched month of 2012. With the number of tops from the OWOP project I feel I have a good amount of summer clothes to keep me going.

http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/me-made-may-12-join-me.html

How do you feel about this kind of project, fun or hell on earth pressure to have a new outfit everyday. I think it's great, I totally up for wearing the same stuff over a few days, after all that's my real life. It will be a good push to make a top or dress from the to do list too.

The Vintage Tea Party Book.

I adore vintage so this was a must have just because of the front cover! The art work is just wonderful, if not magical with it's animals and old style all mixed up to create a rather special tea party!

The tea parties themselves are in chapters breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening. Even including how to make invitations and not to forget the thank yous!

Initially at glance I thought the food looked fun and nice to look at in a book but pro bally not something I would ever really attempt. Reading more I was inspired more that I now have a few favourites that I like to use. The easiest being the heart cream cheese and cucumber hearts.

Amongst all that party food for grown ups, oh and drinks I really loved the crafts ideas. Flags and hats, anyone who like to make an effort or a bit a show even, this is the perfect book to inspire an essence of fun, food, crafts and that a touch of English eccentrics . I think you would like this book, I did.

OWOP, day five. The truth about my sewing.

Ther will be no wearing shots today as I prppose to tell you the horrid truth about my sewing. The photo you get is this

A sad tale can only follow. As I mentioned yesterday I start to rush the closer I get to a finished product. The result it short cuts that don't work and having to redo even quicker, what I', racing for is a mystery. Today's end result though ended up in  ruining my top. I am truly saddened by this as I just loved the fabric and print.

I would like to tell you the truth even further, many of the items I wear have little faults  such as hems falling, a hole where I have sniped a bit of fabric, bias binding that hasn't taken. All in all it has opened my eyes to my shoddyness!

What I propose to do is to become more mindful in my sewing approach. I intend to use my yogi and meditation principles into my sewing. This I will know will be a hard task but the end result is this. Better garmets, made with more love, a reminder as to why I sew rather than the personal manic stage I find myself in. So I have put together a little picture for the side of my blog. As I post I will see it and I will know if I have worked mindfully.

You may also use the picture on your own blog should you wish.

OWOP. dayfour.

This daily blogging is rather fun, if only I could think of enough to say each day to sustain it! So on with the owop! Offering no. four used to be a rather granny unstylish dress, a cute print though.

The fabric was far more light and slippery, it was more challenging, particularly with the bias binding. In true Charlotte style I rushed it and ended up doing the edges three times! Got there in the end though, if only I could hold myself back from being in competition with myself to finish quicker, faster.