A little crafting.

A little teeny tiny crafting has been the order of the day!

I actually used a free gift from Molly Makes, do ever use gifts or do they just sit pretty?

Little Babushka is rather cute, and I was pleased to make her up in a afternoon, fun yet satisfying, a way of keeping your hand in with the crafty stuff!

Refuge blanket completed.

I have been working steadily for a few months and I have finally finished my blanket. As you will know I do not really consider myself a knitter, scarfs and squares are about my limit, although I do dream!

So here we are a finished item! I chose a nice bright but not trashy pink and a neutral cream. I am pleased with the combination.

Each blanket had to be a certain size as I was making it for the refuge, a campaign by the knitter magazine against domestic violence. Si you can download a great booklet for Fancy squares and leave a donation, or you can make blankets or little knotted teddies instead. Follow the link and see loads of updates and great examples of other peoples work  http://theknitter.themakingspot.com/category/tags/refuge

I really enjoyed this project and hope to get my blanket bagged up and in the post this week. There is something really satisfying making something for other be it home made presents or a charity event. Lets do it more often. x x x

Busy times

Well have to start off by saying I have done very little crafting, I think you will see why! Yes my friends some very busy times. And realisation that my boys are growing up FAST.  As you may know I have four lovely boys and their lives are changing.

 Arthur is now 3 and with me starting a job he will be attending a local pre school. This is a big change for us as I have been at home with him for all his life.

Callum is officially a teenager and moving onto higher Queen Elizabeth's which is our local secondary school, at the end of this year he will be choosing his GCSEs!

A big change for Liam, he has just got his GCSE results. We are so proud of him for passing (nearly) everything. He will be moving up to 6th form to start his A levels.

Finally the biggest change (or so it seems when it happens to your first child) Luke has turned 18. He is the youngest of his school year and feels he has finally caught up. I personally can not believe it! To make it more of an achievement he has passed his College course and will be going to Bristol University.

I am such a proud Mum, I love them all.

New season new sewing boundaries

So for the last two years I have tried to make my own wardrobe. I have enjoyed, been frustrated, learnt new skills and had great fun and opened my mind. Now I find I struggle with that obsession to keep producing, I have enough don't I? Or don't have the right things and the right amount of time to do Justice to clothing.

We have all made our clothing for many different reasons, all as valid as the next. I personally feel that I need a little tip toe away from the sewing machine! Don't get me wrong I'm not giving up, my life is changing at the moment and we all have to set our own boundaries. I am starting a new job in September and a access course so sewing time will be minimal. Also spare time may also need to be a touch more relaxing.

So what do I have planned? Well you may step back in horror but I have ordered myself a pile of everyday stuff to see my through the autumn and winter. I plan to make just one or two garments this season, something with this lovely knit

and then this that has long been on the to do list.

 

I will really look forward to smaller scale dressmaking, and I am also looking forward to the cosy nights on the sofa with a little hand sewing or knitting. I have a love for quilts that I think I am about to rekindle the love affair!

So what are you plans for the autumn?

Meeting Debbie.

Today has been lovely as I had the opportunity to meet up with Debbie from Minnado's House.  I enjoy following Debbie's blog, she always uses such lovely printed fabric, and fitting in any time to sew with her three children, makes her an inspiration.

Well we met for the first time at Exeter museum, which was a great place to avoid the rather heavy showers! Her children are lovely and we spent a while looking at various stuffed animals! We didn't really get the chance to talk much sewing but I did have a lovely time as it is so nice to say a real life 'hello'! Also a big thank you Debbie for her beautiful gift of fabric.

Winner and top.

I was blown away at the lovely comments you made when entering the 100 followers give away. And yes those buttons are cute! I am pleased to say that Helen form Sew Stylish is the winner, once I get you address Helen all those goodies will be in the post and on there way to you, well done.

I have also been a winner recently, I won this lovely pattern from Debi at the wonderful vintage style blog My happy Sewing Place

Thank you so much Debi, I really love it, so much so I ran up a a version of the little top within two days of receiving my gift.

What I love about the little T shirt is that it seems to cover the decades and styles. This is how I have been wearing it over the weekend.

I really liked the band along the bottom, although I am getting used to wearing something a little shorter in the body.

This is my favourite look as usual a pair of jeans just makes that casual but a little smarter look.

And finally just to say a girl can look like the front of a pattern, a pencil skirt 1960s style to finish off the look.

Thanks Debi. x x x

GIVE AWAY ! As a thankyou.

WOW! 

I am really surprised I have just reached 100 followers. I am totally amazed and thankful for all of you that take time out to read and comment on my little blog. I love to write and show off my makes and life activities, hopes and fears. You are all so supporting and inspiring, I thought you deserve a little present.

Up for grabs for one lucky reader will be the Sew and Save book, a skirt pattern, and 6 lovely buttons. All I ask is that you are a follower of my blog. I will announce the winner next Sunday 12th Aug 2012.

I would also like to use this opportunity to thank everyone for your kind, caring and supporting messages recently, you're comments really ment to much at a difficult time. As a little update life is looking like it's on the up. MrPB has bagged some work for a couple of months, which really takes the pressure off. And I also feel like I'm moving on. I have also found a job (just waiting to confirm) but I think I will have a occupational therapist assistant post. Also I have enrolled on a distance learning access course! Moving on up, with an eye on the future! x x x