Reddy Made

Not just a dishcloth...

...but curtains too!

  

I know I have mentioned these wonderful dishcloths from Sarah Smith, but little did I know how versatile they could be! The playhouse was looking really ropey. 2years old and really ageing badly. So my brilliant and retiredly busy dad put a new roof on and painted it my favourite colour - hoorah - now I can look up my garden without feeling shame.

The curtains had to be changed too. The original ones had faded badly. I did get a twinge of nostalgia though as I remembered being rescued by my neighbour - I had climbed in 39 weeks pregnant to do the curtains and couldn't get back out - serious nesting!!! I thought my neighbour was going to have to take the roof off!

I thought I might introduce you to Matilda and Frankie, our lovely hens who have been delivering eggs for us for nearly a year now. They live behind the shed and they are no bother. 14 eggs a week. They definately pay their keep.

Frankie - the cool redhead

 

And Matilda - the ruler of the roost - and a little bit broody.

Having seen this baby, and this one, and this little bless too, I'm beginning to feel the same too!

So instead - a small reminder of my own not so little baby

Thank goodness you weren't born in a shed.

A little bit of New England...

In South Wales

 

How can you live somewhere for 7 years and not know how close you lived to the sea? Ok its the Severn Estuary, but its still the edge of the land and there is sea to be seen! I knew we were pretty close but I didn't realise that 10 mins down the road I could walk through the most beautiful reedy Wetlands. And there's a cafe which sells cappucino and cake!

 

Its the newly renovated Newport Wetalnds Centre and its just stunning. Ok, on Saturday, it was glorious, but numpty here forgot the camera. So instead you have drizzly poorly photographed wetlands today. Still stunning though.

 

And the cute wildlife were out in force too.

 

 

 

The Silver Swan who, living, had no note,

When death approach'd, unlock'd her silent throat.

Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,

Thus sung her first and last, And sung no more:

"Farewell all joys, O death come close mine eyes.

More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise."

We recently sang this beautiful piece by Orlando Gibbons at the Spring Concert. I'm sure those last 2 lines must have meant something dark and mysterious in Tudor times, but I love the sentiment - when you see swans, you just know that there is something other-worldly about them.

All this New Englandiness got me thinking about my new seagull print fabric from ikea. I wanted to make cushions for the living room and I am delighted with the result

 

I love the white gull with the red beak. Making it face the wrong way is a touch of genius. I then figured that this is the perfect fabric for my holiday beach bag. Lined with heavy denim and the new addition of an adjustable strap, I can't wait to get it filled with sarnies and suntan lotion!

It was a big hit with Edith too, so I made her an itsy bitsy version which she already adores and has stuffed with essential items such as her "sun-glathes".

 

Cute eh?

What I wasn't expecting was my 6 year old son demanding he had a birdy bag too. I know. It's not what you expect from boys, but he looked so sad and left out. So I made him one from the larger print and as long as he fills it with cars and trains then surely that's ok. Isn't it?

Well too late. Its done.

 

Hope you had a good one too x

Mr Blue Sky

 

The sun shone in the Capital today. It was heaving down the Bay. My shoulders are red and my tummy is full of ice-cream - yummo

 

The kids had a ride on a proper merry-go-round . I can't believe how much Edith is starting to look like her brother. Proper pair of rascals.

I have had a busy weekend on the sewing machine too. Not content with producing 1 shirt from Weekend Sewing - I've gone and made 3 in 3 days. I have gotmy head around the instructions and now believe that this is my favourite pattern ever. I even got to grips with my bias binding machine.

So we have #1 - Ikea linen fabric - my favourite so far as the fabric is just made for this shirt

#2 wasn't such a success as the inside of the fabric shows when the placket folds down. Not a major problem. I do love the fabric though so I think it will be a grower, and I think it will be great throw on when I'm at the caravan

 

The idea for #3 came to me last night when I was thinking about my Amy Butler fabric. I felt I needed to make it a bit more glamorous, so I devised the crossover version. I cut out 2 front pieces from the pattern and then cut the wrapover out drawing a line from each shoulder. I also added contrast ties at the back to pull it in, but it could make it look a bit maternity if not careful. I love the result though and will definately be tweaking this pattern a bit more.

  

Like others there are a few changes I will make - the pattern sleeves are too long for my liking and the placket is too deep, however, I totally agree that the length is very flattering and would have been tempted to make it longer. But I'm glad I didn't. I now have a new obsession. I may have trouble sleeping tonight!!!

Coming together....

...My little space is starting to take proper shape.

 

Space is sparce in this house, but in truth this space wasn't really utilised. I've spent most of the weekend here. It feels good. And I am able to keep my sewing away from the kitchen table, so I can keep projects out if I want too. Anyone with a big house will have no idea how important this little space is to me. Oh, and I even ironed my fabric to stack nicely. I may need to seek help soon.

This space has inspired me to pick up a few projects. But before that I need to share with you my little booty from a lovely shopping trip to Monmouth.

 

More fabric to expand my first proper quilt. The lady from the Cotton Angel is so helpful, but I really didn't realise who much math I'd have to use!!

 

Some Amy Butler for a skirt or blouse (haven't decided yet) and a Kaffe Fassett off cut which may become a scarf.

 

The cutest salt and pepper set ever. Can't wait to have a boiled egg!

 

A bloomin expensive jelly roll. Its beautiful. I spent most of last night looking at all the pieces.

 

Oh and thank you Attic 24 - I never thought cleaning could be so glamorous. I'm totally with you on the outside bunting! TheseSarah Smith cloths have actually inspired me to clean my kitchen. Her blog is fabulous too.  Why hasn't anyone thought of this before. Genius.

I was so delighted with my jelly roll I had to get started straight away. So I pulled out issue 6 of Sew Hip and attempted the Obi belt. I've been wanting to make this for ages but couldn't seem to understand the instructions. So I ignored the stabiliser (?) and went for it.

I'm so happy with it I may even make it in 4 colours. Now I just have to find somewhere to wear it.

 

Have a good week!

Keep calm and carry on....

Look at this beautiful cover

I think the Lady maybe a sellout this month.

I 'm musing over frame, mounting and where to hang as I write.............

Mid-week blues....

....and greens, pinks, yellows and reds!!!! I'm so excited!

I was sat reading my book, Edith was having her sleep and it was raining outside. They were due tomorrow, which was disappointing as today is my day off. And I have a hideous throat infection which is making me very grumpy. So imagine my delight when a nice man with a white man handed me these two...

 

To say I have devoured them is an understatement. I couldn't wait to get started...

But first, I couldn't get passed the page in Weekend Sewing where Heather Ross shows her cupboard sewing room. It got me thinking. I dream about having a studio, somewhere to go to and close the door when I finish, and not have to worry about packing it all away. Cos, I'm sure if you are like me you'll sew til 2.55 even if you have to be at the school for 3. Packing away is just so bleuhhhhh.

And then it came to me. I do have space. It's been staring at me from the kitchen table all along. Its the family dumping ground! With haste I fed the kids, and got started on rearranging the space. Guess what. I have a proper sewing space - at last!

Funny thing is, the minute you find a bit of space, everyone wants to join in

Bless.

OK OK OK OK......

I CAN'T STAND NOT HAVING A COPY ANYMORE!! I HATE BEING LEFT OUT!!!!!!!! I WANT WILLOWY BLOUSES AND CUTE HEADSCARVES...

So, I'm about to go on Amazon and order one ok.

Let you know when it arrives........... :)

Pattern is the new Prozac

I can't hide it. I'm depressed. Proper fed up. Crying bouts. Can't sleep. Can't wake up.

I'm sick of the world being full of depressing news! Please can we get out of this recession - right now - or I'm going to have a flippin tantrum.

Anyway, work is truly truly horrid and extremely depressing so instead I am sitting in bed watching Kirstie's Homemade Home (I know, bandwagon alert, but any programme that shows craft is ok even though it is a bit patronising!!!) and pretending that my life is organised and perfect. HA! So instead of moaning I'm going to show you what is making me smile inside and outside right now. 

The perfect Apple green shoes

 

A lovely surprise present for Easter from the kids (and only £19 from Paperchase!)

 

I hope they produce a fabric like this - and some perfect little dishes for little dinners

 

Oh and of course a new notebook to add to the collection

 

Please make this a fabric too!!

My new mug

My first tank top in teeny weeny size for my friends new baby Oscar

 A new door hanger for my big little girl

 

My first Log cabin attempt

 

And the beginnings of a big quilt project.

 

I've discovered Feed dogs, Stippling, Binding and I want to do more and more.

I know all this stuff is twee and that under my stairs is an ironing pile monster, that my fridge needs defrosting, that I I have no bread for tomorrow. But, really, if it wasn't for simple pleasures I really think I would put my head on the pillow pull the quilt over my head and stay there forever.

I saw three ships....

  

....I was asked by a really good friend to make a wall hanging for her lovely little 1 year old.

It's a sad story, one that is still too painful and private for my friend, but she wanted her son to have a connection to her mum. One that reminded her of a wall hanging her mum had made for her and that they looked at and talked about every night.

I was chuffed to be asked. And I have thoroughly enjoyed every stitch

 

It still needs some work, some decorative handstitching, but for now it makes me smile and I hope it does the same for them too.

The big 2...

So Edith has turned 2 over the Easter break - or should I say Eater break - I've managed to shuffle 4 pounds on and that is mostly chocolate! But we had a great time even if Dad had the flu.

A special card - Edith is a massive fan of Tilly books, so I sat down with my pencils and made her a special card from them all - I hope this is ok as I don't plan to sell it!!!! And I did spend 20 pounds on 2 more books which she loves (and so do I)

 

I'll leave you with some photo's as I'm tired and back to work tomorrow after a week so a bit grumpy too! Here's to the next celebration

 

  

 

 

Oh we did manage to squeeze in an egg hunt

 

And I can'y believe my kids are growing up so quick   

We topped her birthday off with a trip to lovely Clifton village and a pizza - yummmm

No off to get those 4 pounds of chocolate and pizza off my hips!!!!!