Somebody really needs to hide my sewing machine

 

Today's make was a pair of new jarmies for Violet.

 

 

I found this lovely, bright yellow fabric on sale in House of Fraser and knew that Violet would love it.

 

 

It's called Babble by Brandon Mably (sometimes I do take a note of what I actually buy!).

 

 

I was hoping that she'd want another heart design appliqued on the T-Shirt, but this time she was adamant she wanted a star.

 

Easy enough to draw and cut out. Not so easy to blanket stitch around.

 

 

We've got a day away from the sewing machine tomorrow, as we're off to the library for their little monster crafting session.  Should be fun.

 

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Making Monday.

It would appear that my friends can't get enough of my little bags.

 

One of my closest friends, who is also one of Violet's Godmothers, saw some photos of the bags I'd made on Facebook, and asked if I'd make her one too.

 

But of course, I said.

 

She wanted the same pinks and flowers I'd used previously. So you've seen this combination before.

 

 

I just love the spotty fabric, and continued with it in the lining.  I think it looks really great when matched with the stripes.

 

 

This is how the bag looks when reversed.

 

 

I'm loving this combination.  It'd make a great looking beach bag, maybe with quilting, and made slightly larger to fit towels in etc.....................

 

Oooooo, that's an idea.  I'll be needing one of those in a few weeks time when we're off to the seaside.

 

Hope she likes it.

 

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Embellishing

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any plain fabric to go with the Sky Blue Paisley.  Instead I thought I'd look for a plain pillowcase that I could embellish.

 

I found some bed linen on offer in my local branch of John Lewis, and ended up leaving with an Oxford pillowcase (£2.50) and a single sheet (£5), in Salmon Pink.

 

Inspired by the paisley fabric, I decided to use the same design as an embellishment.



For some reason the pillowcase looks a dirty orange.

 

It was (very) awkward to sew because my applique design was rather close to the sides of pillowcase.  There was much scrunching and manoeuvring to be done, but I got there in the end.

 

 



I used a blanket stitch function on my sewing machine to give a neat edge, which won't fray.

 

Hopefully, I've tied the bedding together quite well.

 









Sometimes photos don't do your makes justice. It honestly looks far better in real life.

 

What should I make tomorrow??????

 

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I can't stop making things

 

I bought this pretty paisley fabric in a sale last year.

 

I didn't have any real plans for it at the time, but yesterday, whilst I was changing Violet's bed, I had a sudden urge to make her a new duvet cover.

 

 

I just had enough fabric to make the duvet.  But, unfortunately there wasn't enough spare to make a matching pillow case.

 

 

Though there is enough left over for some kind of embellishment or trim.  So today, I'm off into town to see if I can match it with another fabric. 

 

I really wish I'd bought more, but isn't that always the case?

 

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Teacher gifts

Yesterday was Violet's final day in Reception. Come September she'll be starting in Year 1, with a brand new teacher.

 

I must thank you all for your great suggestions on what to get a male teacher.  In the end I made a few discrete enquiries and found out that he loves going to the cinema.  Great stuff, a Cineworld gift voucher for you then Sir.

 

And, for the teaching assistant......

 

 

I made a bag to match the covered notebook I'd made a few weeks ago.

 

Violet chose the fabrics.

 

Sketchbook Roses by Amy Butler (Alchemy Collection)

Sunspots by Amy Butler (Love Collection)

I didn't make a note of the pretty yellow flower print, but I'm going to try and get some more because it's really lovely.

 

I lined the inside with some bright yellow gingham.

 

 

It's very summery.

 

 

I hope she likes it, and will get a lot of use out of it. I use mine all the time.

 

You wouldn't believe how many appreciative comments I've received whilst I've been out and about carrying mine.  I start to think that I should make more and maybe have a stall at school fairs, but then I think 'would people actually buy them?' I'd feel so embarrassed if I hired a stall and then couldn't sell any. Perhaps I should just stick to making them as gifts for friends etc.

 

Whilst I'm being Mrs Bag Lady again, would you like to see the miniature version Violet nagged me to make for her?

 

She chose the fabric combinations, and I think you can tell a lot about my daughter from her choices.

 

Her favourite colour is yellow, with pink a close second.  And, she loves butterflies.

 

She even sat on my knee and helped me sew it together, which may have felt ever so slightly awkward, but we both had such fun.  She took it to the Supermarket and Ikea over the weekend.  Not to put her purchases in.  Oh no.  To carry the important things, like her toys and sweets!

 

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We have a winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered my '250th post' competition.

 

There were six entries, but unfortunately there can only be one winner.  Sorry ladies.  I wish I'd got enough prizes for everyone.

 

Violet wanted to sort all aspects this competition.  So, I left it in her very capable 5 year old hands, and just took the odd photo.

 

She carefully wrote all the entrants names down on pieces of paper.

 

 

Then put them all into a pot.

 



 

Drumroll please........

And, the winner is.....

 



 

 Jo.

 

Huge congratulations, Jo.

 

You've won one of my bags.

 

The outer bag is made from two fabrics from Amy Butler's Love collection (Bali Gate and Paradise Garden). 

 

The lining is called Sunspots, also from Amy Butler's Love collection.

 

 

Hope you like it.

 

Please email me your address, and I'll get it sent off to you.

 

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Quilt along anyone?

 

I'm thinking of giving this a go.

 

It's the (Big) City Girl Quilt Along, starting on the First of September.

13 quilting aficionados from around the World have joined forces, each choosing a different city to base their quilting block around. 

 

There are some fabulous cities too; Marakesh, Delf, Tokyo, London. 

 

As you all know, my sewing machine skills aren't fantastic, but I'm willing to give this a go.  I may make one block, or I may end up making an entire quilt.  I'll just have to see where the quilting journey takes me.

 

It sounds like fun, I may learn something new.  Plus, you never know, quilting may become my new favourite hobby.

 

I may even be able to use up some of the fabric scraps I've accumulated over the years.

 

Do any of you fancy joining in?

 

You can find out more about it here.

 

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250 is a good enough reason

I've just realised that I've posted 250 posts on this here little blog of mine - yay! 

 

Surely, that is a good enough reason for me to hold a giveaway.

 

Seeing as my blog is entitled I Should Have Listened to my Mother, why not leave a comment on today's post, telling me what was the best piece of advice your mother gave you. If not that, then how about a favourite recipe she passed down to you, or maybe just a treasured/funny memory (if you want to share it, that is). 

 

Closing date will be next Friday, which should give me plenty of time to sort out a prize.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

 

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Thank you postcards

 

Last year's 'Thank You' postcards were so well received by various folk, that I decided to do the same again this year. 

 

I've gone for a simpler version this time round, and I'm really happy with how they turned out.

 

 

I had created a collage version over on Picmonkey first, but sadly it didn't transfer well on to a postcard layout.

 

This was my original design.

Perhaps I'll be able to make a card version from this design instead, as I love all the different expressions on Violet's face.

 

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Spots, stripes & roses

After a dear friend complimented me on the bag I made a few weeks ago, I thought I'd make her one too. 

 

She's really in to pinks and I thought this Barefoot Roses fabric, designed by Tanya Whelan would be right up her street.

 

 

The stripe fabric is also by Tanya Whelan, though I can't recall the name of the spotty fabric.  Sorry, my little grey cells aren't what they used to be.

 

I took special care when constructing this bag, making sure that the striped panels on the sides all matched up perfectly.  Taking my time and paying attention to those little details really paid off.  It's probably my neatest sewing to date, and my friend was thrilled when I gave it to her. 

 

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It's another beautiful day here again today - I've even got my legs out!!!!

 

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Edited 12th July 2013:  I've just been into town and found out what the spotty fabric is.  It's Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.

 

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Revisiting an old favourite

This morning I had a hankering for a cheese scone.

 

I used to make them quite regularly, but since having Violet, I've become lazy and just haven't bothered.  But, today I thought I'd get out my faithful (read very old, falling to pieces, covered in different foodstuffs from past decades) notebook, which holds some of my favourite recipes. 

 

 

According to my notebook, these little lovelies are Lincolnshire Poacher Scones.  Though I used plain old Supermarket Strong Cheddar today, as I didn't have any Lincolnshire Poacher sitting in the fridge.

 

Here's the recipe if you fancy making some.  The original source is unknown, though I probably jotted it down from a Good Food magazine.

 

 

Ingredients

 

675g Plain Flour

40g  Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

140g Butter

200g Lincolnshire Poacher/Cheddar, grated

3 Egg, beaten (plus 1beaten Egg to glaze)

200ml Milk

 

1.  Heat oven to 200c/180c (fan)

2.  Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in to a bowl.

3.  Add the butter and rub together.

4.  Add 150g of the grated cheese.  Then add the beaten eggs & milk.  Combine to make a ball of dough.

5.  Tip onto a floured surface, and roll out.  The dough should be about 2cm thick.

6.  Cut out as many rounds as you can, and put them on a baking sheet.

7.  Brush with the beaten egg, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

8.  Bake for 15-20mins, until golden.

  

My husband absolutely adores cheese scones, so I think I've earned myself some major wifey points today!

Right then, I'm off to sit in my garden.

 

 I have knitting and scone eating to do.

Hope you're all enjoying this glorious sunshine too.
 

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A Rainbow Promise

 

A very good morning to you all.  I hope you were out enjoying the fabulous sunshine over the weekend. Wasn't it glorious?

 

And, what about the tennis?  I was totally enthralled.  Huge congratulations to Andy Murray - what a stupendous achievement.

 

All I've got for you on this sunny Monday morning is a photo of Violet making her Rainbow promise.

 

 

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Thank you gift

It's coming to the end of Violet's Reception year, and I have to start thinking about what to give her teacher, and teaching assistant, as a Thank You gift.

 

I've been wracking my brains trying to think what I can get her teacher.  He's a man, and I don't think he'd appreciate one of my embroidered lavender bags, or a covered notebook, like I've made in the past.  If any of you have any ideas on what would be a good gift for a male teacher, please let me know. 

 

The teaching assistant's gift is much easier, and I've already made a start.

 

I bought a fabulously bright green notebook from TK Maxx a few months ago, and decided to cover it in some of the fabric, which I had left over from the bag I made a few weeks back.

 

 

Covering a book is so simple.

 

 

 

I absolutely love this fabric.  Sketchbook Roses from Amy Butler's Alchemy collection.

 

I'll probably make her a bag to match.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful, sunny weekend.

 

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Mrs........

 

Hello, and thank you all for the lovely wedding wishes you sent.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any actual wedding photos to show you at the moment, as we haven't had chance to view them yet.  It will be a bit of a wait I'm afraid, as we aren't booked in to view them until the end of August. 

 

What I can show you, are some photos I took.  Though there aren't that many.

 

This was our beautiful hotel room.

 

 

And our fancy shamcy bathroom.

 

 

I think Violet was a bit upset that there wasn't a third sink for her.

 

We stayed at the Hotel Du Vin, in York.

 

This was my bouquet.

 

 

I only wanted something very simple.

 

Three heads of white Hydrangea with some Bear Grass around the outside.

 

It's still looking good, sat in a vase on my kitchen window.

 

I kept my fingers crossed for some sunshine on the drive up to York, and luckily it kept dry all day.

 

The wedding was a very simple, intimate affair at the Register Office, with only a handful of guests.  Then it was off to the Museum Gardens for some photographs, before heading off the Betty's, for cakes and some fizz.

 

Here's a pic of my new husband with Violet outside York Minster.

 

 

Look at the glorious blue sky.

 

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