Crazy Little Projects - Sew March Challenge

Well, this is a first for me. A Sewing Challenge. I'm trying to keep the little ole grey cells working by challenging them, and seeing as I'm new to sewing, what a better way to do that.

If you hit the link in my sidebar it will take you to a wonderful blog where this extremely talented and versatile lady challenges us every month to produce a sewn item. This month was 'bags', and I chose to make an adult's messenger bag with the help of her tutorial.

 It didn't quite turn out as well as I would have liked but I did manage an internal pocket and magnetic clasp (these must be my new fav thing).

However on the positive side it didn't really cost me much. All the fabrics I've had for probably well over 10 years, so I was using up stuff. Which meant that the only new purchases were the clasp and thread, oh and the fusible interfacing.

So now I have a smart bag ready for the summer.

Suggest you hit the link in the side bar while I try and remember how to incorporate it within my blog post. See......the old grey cells aren't that good.

Happy Mothers Day to all you lovely Mummies out there, x

Ta Dah! A Finished WIP

 Ta Dah!. The Finished Work In Progress - Little Lady's bag for the disco. You may remember spotting it the other day with some yarn I was also showing. Well I got it finished.

 I had intended to stitch some little beads along the bottom edge of the flap but time ran out.

I've put one of those brilliant magnetic clasps under the flap to secure it. I actually took photos of the whole making process with the intention of writing a tutorial but in the end I wasn't entirely happy with the handle/strap so I will make another bag using this method, make changes to the handle and will try to do a tutorial.

Meanwhile Little Lady loved it and immediately popped her tissues, purse and lipsalve inside. Quite the little Fashonista. And then spoilt the image........

By swinging the bag around her head by the handle. 6 year olds!!!!

Hope you're having a good weekend, x

Easter Bunny or Easter Lamb???

Good Morning Folks. Sometimes I don't sleep well and therefore am awake at the crack of dawn...Othertimes I don't sleep well and therefore can't get up at all. Today is the former! Not sure if that's my general health at the moment or the steroids, but in either case I am just grabbing each day as it comes and making the most of it.
This is another of these really cute Topsy Turvy toys from the book written by Susan B Anderson. An amazingly talented American lady. A little tricky if you're not used to knitting on DPNs but extremely satisfying when it all comes together.
I'm not sure if my little bunny is being whimsical or has been on the sherry??? But I think he's rather cute.

 Stick your hand up his bottom!!! and he turns into a cute little lamb. Ah....

Here's the overall effect. So for any little kiddie they are getting two toys in one.

This one will be going to my beautiful God-Daughter for Easter.

Have a good day, x

UFO's, UU's and WIP's

 UFO's - No not flying saucers but Un-Finished Objects, and I had a few of those lying around.

This was a little hat I just wanted to crochet to practise my crochet skills. Then I found out my BFF is expecting her first great niece and thought....get it out of the bag and get it finished.

 A little crochet flower embellishment and a cover up......

 Some more of those little birdies. I'd machine stitched these and they were just waiting to be stuffed and finished.

 I have a few more cut out ready to go but not just yet, other things to do.

 More close ups.

 UU's - my phrase of Usey Uppys. I'd come across this pattern by Danger Crafts a while ago, printed it off and kept it with my little oddments of yarn that need using up - as you do. So quick and easy to knit up - less than an hour from start to completion. My little labrador ornament is about 6 inches high to give you an idea

 But then he wanted a friend - probably a girl

 And one thing led to another

 And another. So to stop anymore nonsence they are being shipped to the grandees in Scotland where they can be separated. Little Easter Chicks.
I'm not very good at linking but if you're interested the pattern is from www.rebeccadanger.typepad.com or www.dangercrafts.etsy.com

 Finally, WIPs - Works in Progress. Just a little tempting morsel of what's currently on the go.
The stripey yarn to the left is a cardi for eldest Scottish grand-daugher, the circular crochet is the beginning of a base for a bag, the stripey yarn to the left will be another cardi using the same pattern but for my friend's grand-daughter and the black material etc is ready for Little Lady's evening bag for the disco.

Watch this space, x

Another Flamenco Scarf and a Usey Uppy Day

Thought I'd quickly share the other 'flamenco' scarf I made, this time for my beautiful younger step-daughter who has a birthday this week.

On the other subject, I have tried this weekend to finish up some projects and use up bits and pieces. Not just yarn and material but also some baking goods. So its been a busy day in the kitchen and the craft room.

Thing is I'm now in trouble cos I've overdone it and worn myself out. Note to self....DO NOT REPEAT!

I'll share some of my UFO's and Usey Uppy pieces over the next few days.

Hope you're all having a good weekend, x

A Ta Dah! Moment

Ta Dah!!! My first finished item of clothing in over 30 years, and that was a simple sleeveless top. I've posted a few piccies as trying to get a decent one was nigh on impossible. Just a really simple sundress courtesy of Butterick see & sew. Little lady tried it on last weekend for me so that I could get the strap lengths right and also the hem, although next time I will cut the material a little longer as I barely had enough to hem. Below, you can see that I even managed to put in a zip.

 These next two piccies may be slightly clearer as I lay the dress on the bed, although I don't think the busy pattern is ideal for photographing.

 Of course, being Little Lady, she has to have a bag to match!!! Just a really simple over the shoulder job with a magnetic clasp for closing. The buttons are just pure decoration.

All I have to do now is make the other 2 I've promised her ready for her holiday to Turkey in the summer. Oh, and before that I have to make a REALLY sparkly evening bag for the disco!!!

Back soon with another of those flamenco scarves, x

Eurovision in Copenhagen anyone???

 Had to share this one with all you Eurovision fans out there..... According to the guide on the canal cruise we took, these warehouses are where the song contest will be coming from. So when you see all that glitz and glamour just think about where they have tramped to reach that stage....

 As I said in my previous post, I really didn't have the energy to be all creative with photos on this trip but of course I had to take the 2 most important ones....Mr H.C.A. himself and.....

The Little Mermaid....very serene.

Will share some crafting in my next post, x

Yarnbombing in Malmo and other stuff

Sorry, not very colourful for yarnbombing, but I couldn't resist sharing with you as DH was bemused by the whole concept. These were the little 'socks' on our bedroom chair in our Malmo hotel room, and below is the overbed lamp.

Although our trip had been booked for some months we only decided to travel on the day itself as I'm not in the best of health at the moment. Although I found it very tiring it was nice to get away for a few days especially from the rounds of hospital appointments we are going through at the moment. So, I will share a few piccies but I'm afraid my heart wasn't really in it.

This cute piccie is from one of the window displays at Malmo Theatre. Malmo, for those of you who aren't sure, is in Sweden. We had booked our flights in and out of Copenhagen but thought it would be nice to experience some Swedish culture, and so took the train across the Oresund Bridge into Malmo for 2 nights.

These last 2 piccies are from a little town called Ystad, on the Southern tip of Sweden. One of the things we did was to take a train ride out. It meant we could see some scenery without me having to do too much walking. This was such a pretty little town with a lovely atmosphere. These are just typical of the buildings in Sweden, probably Scandinavia as a whole, and we found a lovely little coffee shop just where I'm stood taking the photo. In fact we spent a lot of time in coffee shops during our short trip so that I could refuel and re-energise.

 Next time I'll share a few piccies from Copenhagen.

Sorry its not much but hope you like them, x

In the absence of anything else

 Hello again. Sorry its been a while but we were away last week for a few days and I haven't got around to sorting my photos yet. There are a few I want to share. So in the absence of anything else, I thought I would show you a recent sewing creation. It's a hanging storage 'thingy' for baby bits and pieces.

The idea is you hang it from the end of the cot or changing station and use it to keep all the essentials such as nappies, wipes, cotton wool etc etc. You get the idea. Don't you just love that patterned fabric...owls, butterflies and flowers. Watch out for another item coming in that fabric very soon.

I've been gradually challenging myself on the sewing front, building up to making Little Lady some summer dresses.
At the moment its in my Folksy shop but it may end up being a pressie.
Hope you're all enjoying the snippets of sunshine that are around.
TTFN, x

To Twirl or not To Twirl.....that is the question

Good Evening Peeps, how is your weekend going. You'll remember a few posts back I shared with you a bag I had made for a friend's 30th. Well with the material left over I made Little Lady a really simple elasticated skirt for the summer. Was she happy??? NO. It didn't twirl!

Having brought up 2 sons I didn't understand the meaning of 'twirl', but my very good friend who had 2 daughters explained that they have got to be able to display their knickers when spinning around.....well I ask you.

So, off I set armed with 12 panels of material and stitched a twirly skirt. Bearing in mind I am a complete novice here. This is the little madam with her arms folded displaying the pre-twirl effect.

 Oh Yes!!! It twirls. I have spared you the photo of the knickers although I had to take one to prove to her that indeed she could show them off.....

 And here she is showing off the little bag I made to match.

One very satisfied customer.

Clever Grandma, x