What I've been up to

(My new quilt curtain from Alison - definitely keeps the cold out!)
I've been doing my usual trick of being far too busy with orders to get on with the day to day housework, shopping, being organised stuff - but then messing around and not actually getting on with the sewing! So nothing is being achieved!

I think I was in such a rush last week to get things made for the Saturday craft stall that I have relaxed a bit this week and done a lot less than I should have done! Next week I will no doubt feel very stressed with the craft fair on Thursday evening.

I did make this bag yesterday and am planning a larger one - although that does mean buying a little bit more fabric.......................!
I need to unpick the corsage and make it into a brooch as the bag is fully reversible - velvet on one side and printed tafetta on the other - quite grown up for me!!!

And this is a photo of a photo of a bag I designed and sold a the weekend. My camera batteries ran out so a friend took a photo of it that she gave me yesterday.And my fabric from Hancocks has just arrived. The blues are to make a quilt for my Mummy! I was going to make her one from a couple of Chelsea Boutique charm packs but when I saw these blues I knew they were far more "her" (and she agreed!) When I will actually get it done is another matter as she and dad are still waiting for a chicken fleece blanket I started about 5 years ago and a stitchery I designed for Mum's 70th birthday present 2 years ago!

Finally a photo of a Janet Bolton picture I made for my friend's 40th a while back
This is her original design from her Patchwork Folk Art Book:So mine is pretty much a direct (not as good) copy but I used fabrics from my friend's children's clothes for many of the little pieces to make it personal to her and the book is a "how to" so I hope that it's ok! Interestingly, this is the version I made about 12 years ago when her book first came out so you can see how my work has developed!

Melly and Me and Moo's

I was very excited on Thursday because my Moo cards arrived!

I had been out craft shopping first thing in the morning after dropping the children off at school and spent far more than I had expected on all sorts of things - zips, press studs, interfacing, and ....... other things! It all added up unfortunately but I was pleased to see that my local craft shop had increased it's fleece stock for the winter - it is quite hard to make my blankets during the summer and I had to order the cream fleece for the elephant blanket from Ebay.
I had rushed back from shopping so that I would be here in time for the postman just in case the cards arrived and didn't fit through the door but it turned out that he had been early and they were small enough to be posted! Hooray!
Isn't the little box lovely?
and aren't the cards fab?

Certain photos haven't turned out as well as I had hoped but that means I will know which sort to choose for next time. They really do seem to be excellent value and I have already parted with a few! I think I may have to keep some for myself though!

Then today a parcel arrived from Melly and Me - I love their designs - which I frantically opened before going to work! They are having a SALE in their etsy shop at the moment and I have been eyeing up Rosie's quilt cards for a while so I bought a few packs. They had also said they would include a free gift if you bought two or more items but as I had only bought cards I didn't expect anything - but look at the gorgeous pincushion that arrived! I had even thought of buying one of them but thought LSH wouldn't talk to me if I spent any more money! There was also a lovely letter from them - I'm so delighted!



I need to get back down to some sewing now. Dorothy and I tried to go over to the Fat Quarters for a sewing session this afternoon but we were stuck on the motorway in solid traffic so I had to call Kim and cancel unfortunately. I will have to put in an online order next week for the things I would have bought and need to do some sewing this evening to make up for what we missed!

But first I'd better cook LSH something for supper as he has looked after the children all day while I was at work and out with Dot and cooked their tea, washed up, blitzed the kitchen and generally been an all-out Supermum-type-husband - where would I be without him? I can tell you, with a lot less time for crafting, that's where!

I told you he was tolerant and long-suffering didn't I? Well now you know it's true!