Bundles of gorgeousness

I've often bleeted on about my large collection of fabrics which are stored in huge bags, cupboards and under-bed draws.  Well, just after Christmas I decided I needed to spice up my collection a little, having looked at the same old materials time and time again.  I don't believe I've ever bought any material in my life, although I know I helped my mum choose some once when I was making a skirt at school! 

I had a quick scoot around the supply shops on Folksy but didn't really find what I was looking for so headed to ebay and found this:

called "Early Bird Pop Flower" - a bit stunning don't you think?  Anyway, I bought it and am extremely pleased with it. 

Then ...

over this last weekend, my dear mother-in-law asked if I'd like to take off her hands a huge bundle of mixed fabrics (and wools) - oh boy they are all so gorgeous.  Batiks, cottons, chiffons, silks in the most fabulous bright, bold and pretty patterns thinkable.

Here's piccies of some of my favourites; I can't wait to start using them:




The floral one is actually a 1970s child's long party dress - remember owning a few of these for special occasions?  It brought back lots of memories.


The diamond cotton fabric is a lovely shade of jade.  It's actually a top and it would be fun to try and alter it somehow to become a jockey top for Katie when she does cross-country!!

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Being patriotic

Remember the little Union Jack key rings I made for family members at Christmas time?  Well, comments were very encouraging when I blogged about them, so I've made four to sell in my shop.  The first two are already listed, both hand sewn from sturdy denim with a hessian centre and fabric sepia Union Flag.  One's stitched with sunny yellow embroidery thread, the other in teal green (or blue, depending on how you see it of course!).





With a Royal Wedding looming this year (two actually I believe), why not celebrate all things Blighty by purchasing one of these to smarten up your bunch of keys?

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Take one box ...

which my dear sis bought for me as a present when my son Ben was born 11 1/2 years ago.  It was a luxury to have such a fabulous box to hold all those wonderful baby bits and bobs in one place.  Previously, for my daughter Katie, I'd used a large cardboard box.  It was perfectly adequate for the job, but this one was far nicer and probably sturdier too.  I told my sis that it wouldn't go to waste, and would always be used for something or other.

Well, that seems to have been the case.  In it's 11 year life not only has it been used for storing nappies, but it's been a toy box for the car, an art box for the kids, a storage box for materials (before my collection grew out of hand), a collage bits and bobs box again for the kids, a grooming box for the horse and finally (and I have to add after a triple thorough clean), a box to hold all my sewing paraphernalia.

It was perfect for holding the horses's grooming kit, but after some slightly rough treatment from horse and continuous rough treatment from the resident dogs the lid decided to part company with the box.  This was actually quite a sad moment for me as it has stood up to so much until then!  Black duct tape did done a fabulous job of holding the two together, but it refused to keep any rain out and any stray dogs hoping for a quick nose inside!  At Christmas, I receive a specially designed grooming box which doubles as a mounting block so this box needed a new home and boy did I know what it would be used for.

Now, it proudly holds a shoe box of ribbons, a box of buttons, two tin boxes of brooch catches and keyrings, another box of lovely charm gems and special buttons, a set of drawers containing beads of various sizes, glue, scissors, applicators and an assortment of current sewing makes that require finishing - all in one convenient place.  No more hopping back to the work room to fetch this or that, I just lug this box and my actual sewing box to wherever I need to be.  It's pretty darn heavy too, so it's also giving my arm muscles a good work out too every day!

I wonder what it'll be used for next?

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A cover for my new diary

The new diary that my hubby bought for me, is very dear to me.  I've had a brief flick through the whole thing and marvelled at some of the drawings that are featured.  There's so many wonderful crafters out there, and each day features a shop, website or blog to visit to see more of each crafter's work.  The diary came uncovered and although you can download printable paper covers for it, I decided to sew a cover with pockets (naturally) to hold all the papers that usually stick out of the back of my filofax! 

I've used a soft cotton blue check fleece as the basic cover.  To be honest, if I was doing this again I'd either line it or go for a sturdier material.  It's way too flimsy so I've had to link the edges inside to keep it all together!  The pockets are from a lovely Christmas Rose patterned fabric, edged in coloured cotton stitching and a mini flower embellishment with little "made with love" heart linked to it.  A chocolate brown and sky blue dotty ribbon along the binding finishes it all off. 

Here it is:

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I can now reveal ...

the little hand sewn table pressies I made for my family.  We all got together this last weekend for our Christmas celebration and I wrapped these and hid them next to the crackers on the table as an additional surprise!


Keyrings for the gentlemen.


Little brooches for the ladies.


Mini funny "Blobbols" for the children, each with a different name secured to the reverse.


A special two photo holder keyring for my sister as she's photo mad and I knew she'd love it to keep a couple of special photos close to hand!

The photo keyring is a new item that I'd like to sell at Ellie's Treasures but I can't guarantee when!  It took me many weeks to get just right, hand cutting and sewing something so small is very fiddly, but very much worth it in the end. 

Happy New Year to you all!

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Bargains to be had ...

We all love a bargain, finding something gorgeous at a reduced price would make anyone happy.  So, I thought I'd feature a few Folksy shops having end of year sales.  Don't forget to also check out Ellie's Treasures for a few bargains too!  Click on the photo to zoom straight to the shop.

Padleigh Corner


Trinket Box


Jings Things


Lynwoodcrafts


SP Jewellery


Arabella's Attic


Wellydog Designs


Lisa-Maries Jewellery

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