Rubbish week ...

My week off has turned out to be a bit rubbish really. The weather was reasonable, I managed to meet up with friends for lunch, walking, shopping and more lunching. I did some sewing but couldn't really get into it and do as much as I wanted. And I definitely didn't unwind and relax. Bummer.

I did make a couple of little dresses using the fabric the lovely Sheena of the Fat Lady Sews sent me. It was the sort of fabric you could actually use either side, so I did one of each to start with - plus there are two more all cut ready to go. But I haven't cut out the teenage size dress yet, never mind start sewing it... sorry Sheena... 😔

I hardly did any crochet this week. I made up a sample of the Circle of Friends Square which I've admired for a while but that was all. The pattern was in US terms so I had to translate as I went - grrr - but I got there eventually. There was a fair bit of unpicking amongst the translating though. Not sure if I will make a blanket with this block - it would be very good for using up scraps though.

Well that's all for now. I'm off for a glass of wine with friends...

Pencil Cases and autumn photos

Hello again!!
I was chatting with the lovely Fat Lady Sews this week as she had offered to send me a copy of her pattern for making teenage sized peasant dresses. As I've bought absolutely loads some fabric in the sales recently I wanted to have another go at making a larger size dress and she said she'd refined her pattern so it was a more comfortable fit. (I'd tried making my own pattern back around Easter but I wasn't overly happy with it...) She also very kindly offered to send me some buttercup yellow fabric to make some toddler size dresses - they'll look so cute in yellow!
She mentioned she had been making some pencil cases for DAGUK as well, and I thought, I could do that. So I hunted out some zips I had bought for goodness knows what, and some leftover cut up denim jeans from bags I've made and produced these -

To be honest I could have done with longer zips - I had 8" ones - so my pencil cases may not be quite wide enough to get a brand new pencil in but they should be ok. 

I came across a good tutorial recently for making a zipped pouch without a seam across the bottom edge. A simple construction method once you know how - it simply hadn't occurred to me. Find it HERE. It doesn't show you how to do the really neat zip ends though - try THIS SITE for a truly neat finish - although I opted for a very quick zip install this time rather than fiddly and pretty. I think it probably took me about 20 minutes tops to sew each pencil case. All the fabric was leftovers and the zips were no more than 50p each. Bargain.

(While I'm sharing links to good tutorials, try THIS ONE if you want to make a pouch with a "flat bottom".)

I'm on holiday this week, so hope to get some more dresses made. And maybe another pencil case or two. I know I've got a handful of zips somewhere - just need to find them...

I also want to get out and see some autumn colour. I went to Hilliers today while the sun was shining and it was looking glorious, with lots more colour still to come.

Here's just a taste -

Well, that's all for now but I'm sure I'll pop by again before the week is out! 

Bits & bobs

Last week was so busy at work that I felt as if I was going quietly mad!! (Although I daresay my colleagues would say I did it quite vocally!) It was so busy that by the weekend I didn't even have the energy to pop by and say hello. This week is no better either... Plus my computer decided to die on me so I packed up and left a bit early, hence my brief hello today.

I'm going to share one final picture of my Peacock Tail Bag now that it's finally finished, strap and all!! And it's also for sale, should you be interested - just email me.

There were so many things buzzing around my head that I wanted to make over the weekend but I just couldn't concentrate on making anything really. So I just bought a couple of charity shop magazines instead and look what I came across from 4 1/2 years ago -

Yes, an article about Dress a Girl UK!!! Fancy that!! I really must make some more dresses - I have the fabric, it's just the inclination and the time I lack at the moment.

I thought it time I showed you how my Bargello Alliums piece is progressing. It's coming along rather slowly to be honest... I do seem to recall saying it was going to be a labour of love with quite a bit of stitch counting and I wasn't wrong!! There are 2 whopping great mistakes - well, they are to me at least! - and I haven't managed to get much done in the shop as I keep going wrong... But it's getting there slowly. Very slowly!!

Do you like the mouse cushion?? It was a birthday treat to myself from the fabulous Fiona at Marmalade Rose. She makes the most amazing pictures from wool tops and she's self taught too. As well as selling framed pictures, she also has a good selection of prints on fabric, cushions (they're faux suede and really nice quality), and lots of cards too. Go and take a look through her gallery - you really won't believe her pictures are made from tufts of wool with a little machine stitching. There's so much detail they really do look like paintings. Amazing.

Finally, before I go, did you see the sunset last night?? It was a cracker! I am blessed with living in a house that faces west, so always get to enjoy the best of the sunsets but I haven't seen one this good for a while. At 6pm it looked like this - 

It made me think of an oil painting where the artist has used a pallete knife to spread his paint in broad strokes. Half an hour later the sky was on fire, as they say.

The weather is supposed to hold for the next ten days or so, so hopefully I'll managed to get out and enjoy some autumn colour and fresh air - I could certainly do with it!

Have a good week yourself!! T xx

Lots to do

A busy day today and it all needs to be squeezed in before I head out for a visit with a friend for an early dinner and a trip to the cinema. We're going to see Deep water Horizon - the trailer looked good and we're hoping they didn't put all the best bits in it!

But before then I need to take up a large pair of lined curtains for my sister (they will be followed by a second pair next weekend, then make a matching roman blind).
I also want to finish the strap for my peacock tail bag. I crocheted the strap yesterday and need to back it with fabric - I'm now thinking I'll make the length adjustable which means I need a "buckle". But I didn't buy one and I doubt I have one tucked away somewhere that's big enough.
I'd also like to start the gusset on the purple and pink crochet bag - did I show you that? I know I put it on fb. ... anyway, here's a quick pic -

That's the strap laid around it. The bottom section started with free form crochet which I've never done before - great fun until you try and join the "arms" and get it flat. That was a fiddle! It'll do though.

I had a lovely email this week from Lucy of Attic24. Yes, The Lucy. The actual LUCY!! I'd sent a message to the Yarndale team to say thank you for sending the little sheep (now called Lucy in honour of The Lucy) and got a reply from the Crochet Queen herself! She has also now published a list of all the people who made the flock of sheep - I only just got mine in in time, I'm almost last!

My Lucy was made by Angela in Lincolnshire - Thanks Angela! And chosen for me by Roma of Martin's House Hospice - Thanks Roma! 

She's now very at home in the office with Geoffrey the Cat and his friends. 

Oh, and I need to do the supermarket run too. I've just hung the washing out - it's Cold outside! - I may have to run back out and rescue it as one of the neighbours said they're having a bonfire today. Joy...

I'd better say goodbye and make a start really. Need to jump in the shower first! 

Have a good day yourself!!