Cactus party!

 I went over to my friends yesterday and she showed me these cacti and we thought we would try to make our own± Above are my ones, travelling safely back home and below are my friends - I love the little bird!

Quilt cover to cushion covers and elmer blanket

This might be my favourite blanket I have made yet! I used a fabric sample book for the front and an old hospital sheet for the back! Very cheap to make and I love the elmer the elephant type look to it!

 I made all these cushion covers from quilt covers that I have collected from car boots and charity shops - the first one (with orange flowers) is my favourite. I bought this quilt years ago and haven't had the courage to cut it up yet, I tried to put it on my quilt but it was a really funny shape so I finally took the plunge and cut it, I love the result!

Hope you have had a good weekend, I have been working on another blanket and spent Saturday with my sister making valentines t-shirts!

Elf weekend

 I was at a hen do this weekend, we were all dressed as elves! I looked at the fancy dress outfits online but didn't fancy any of them, so I had to figure out what I was going to do for mine!

I started by transforming some shoes with glue and sequin fabric! I love them.

I made a skirt out of the same fabric and a pair of old reindeer pyjamas All finished off with an elf hat and stripy socks! I don't have a picture of the whole outfit but here is part of it! It was a very wet night as you can see!!!

Before we went out we had afternoon tea, it was lovely!

A mai tai cocktail started everything off! 

Rainbow rain cloud patchwork!

I have started a patchwork quilt, using fabric cut from a sample book I picked up for £2 in my local fabric shop. I have added the little ran clouds but now I don't kno if I should add more of the same, other designs or just leave it as it is! There are still a few more rows of squares to add too! What do you think I should do?

This was a sneaky photo I took hoping no-one would notice me in the ear muffs - but I thought they were fantastic and you would all like to see them!! I left them in the shop - I wise decision I think!

Off to London

I am off to London for a couple of days, be back soon!

This is a picture of my most recent make - a little giraffe 

Quick bag

I made this quick bag last week, I haven't sewn a project for a while and finally decided to do something! I made a simple pattern my self and made this bag - it is not perfect but I am pleased with it and I will try another one soon!

I used some of the beautiful fabric lexie gave me for the pocket.

And because it is me and I love silly things, I addd elephant fabric to the inside of the pocket - I love peeking in and seeing it there!

beginnings of a quilt

I have never done a proper quilt before - I have made patchwork blankets but I wanted to do a proper quilt. My idea is to have 9 of these patchwork blocks and edge them all in white.

I have the green squares ready to go and will let you see as soon as they are done!

A little stitching - monthly make

My most recent make - I was escaping football and thought stitching would be a good thing to do - I wanted something that I could finish there and then and was fun - this is what I came up with! No idea what I am going to do with it!!

Pizza express and a little bit of sewing

Friday night we went to pizza express and shared 2 of there pizzas. They were nice but not quite as good as Manny's - he has promised to make some more on Tuesday :)

Saturday morning I got up and made this little fellow - I'm not 100% happy with his shape but I like him he is hanging up in the lounge quite happily adding a little bit of fun!

We went out for a walk in the afternoon and stopped at a cafe - this is the flower they had on the table - all of them were the same - a little bit dead - I quite liked them though - almost look dried. Forgot to take a picture of the white chocolate caramel shortbread we shared - it was eaten far too quickly!

Machine embroidery

This is a few of my first attempts at machine embroidery! I am hoping to add them in to a patchwork quilt (my first proper one!) It is mostly going to be a lot of firsts! Below is also one of my first instagram pictures - yes I have jumped on that band wagon and I am enjoying it! I havent even looked at others yet I am just enjoying taking pictures!

Craft idea to reality and February monthly make

I wanted to make something else to go in my etsy and folksy shops, an idea for a little lion had been rumbling around for a while so this morning I started to give it a go. Above is my first attempt - I liked it but it wasn't quite right, Manny agreed - it's face looks a it like a bear! So on to attempt number 2, we both agreed the colours and materials were much better than the first but the legs need reshaping - and he needs a tail, Manny added.

So on to attempt number 3 - well I think i have got the head right - not bear like, and now there is a tail and the colours all work, only one problem - his body is too long! Not sure how I managed that! Oh well I reckon attempt number 4 will be spot on, then expect a few new additions to the shops!  

I managed to pick up this little cast iron frying pan from a charity shop, I had only been talking about wanting one on Thursday and then on a spur of the moment trip in to town and a pop in to the charity shops I found this - very happy!

So this weekend was my turn to use our cook books and try something new - I chose from Hugh's veg everyday book again and went with chachouka! It was very simple and very tasty, I add some veg, asparagus and mini sweetcorn on the side and some fresh bread and grated cheese. It went down very well!

Just a few photos there for you! These are all going towards mt February monthly make.

What a week!

It has been one very very hectic week, with lots of things going on! My job means that any cold weather and we are super busy, so I have been doing more there too.

I have lots of pictures to share but my cable to connect phone to pc is a little broke and I am yet to venture into the cupboard of doom to get the spare! However I have been at my sisters and so she has taken a pic and emailed it to me!

We have been crafting the past few evenings, and this was a little make for my mum (she LOVES robins) it is already on her tree!

Keep an eye on blogvent if you want to see some more felt creations!

Stockings

A few more stockings I have made, not 100% sure on them yet! Good job there is still some time before christmas!!

Stocking swap

Here is what I sent to the wonderful Tracey go check out her blog

I sent one of these flower brooches and the magnets below - inspired by Tracey's blog design

and then of course the stocking!

I also made a stocking for my sister clobelle as she just missed out of joining in the swap!

Jollyify an outfit!!

I have been making bits up recently that I hope will sell at a craft fair or folksy, something like that anyway and I think these are perfect. I love how a necklace, brooch, hair clip or other accessories can make an outfit more fun and more individual!

I am in the midst of lots of swaps so lots of crafting going on that I cant blog about - grrr!!!

Lunch bag tutorial

A very easy oilcloth lunch bag!

Mark out 15 inches by 12 inches and then in bottom corner make 2 1/2 inch squares

You will need to put right sides together and sew the two sides and the bottom (the shortest edge)

Then pinch the bottom and sides together and sew these.

Hem the top edge of the bag and tie all your knots.

You can use lots of different ways to fasten the bag, velcro, buttons, ribbon, poppers etc I like ribbon, sew on a piece of ribbon to the front of the bag and one on the back and your done!! Nice and simple!

Whilst on youtube I found this a lunch bag made out of old plastic bags and ironed together!! Had to give it a try!

Let me know if you try out either one and how it goes!