Catch up!

It seems I'm more of an Instagrammer than a Blogger lately!!
There's been plenty of times when I've sat down to blog when something else has come up on the work front!
So here is a quick catch up of what I've been up to:
Being inspired by my new ironing board cover! Might have to make a quilt using this pattern design ~

Trying to get myself organised with a new planner / notebook ~

Completed some goodies for my Sew, Sew, Modern 4 partner and her daughter ~

Made another boxy pouch, which led to a fun little demo of how to make them at the London Modern Quilt Guild meeting in March!

Plus another one filled with goodies for my Mum for Mothers Day - Happy Mothers Day in the UK!

Started a couple of projects that I love but for now here is a sneak peek!!

So there it is, a bit of a catch up via Instagram - enjoy!

Swaps!!

One of the reasons for my absence around here lately, is a happy reason, as I've been busy sewing behind the scenes for several swaps that I signed up for!

This one was a very happy private swap that started with an email when it looked like I had missed the sign up deadline for Sew, Sew Modern 4. Camila had seen my post on Flickr and asked if I was interested in doing a small private swap. Of course I was and off I went planning and dusted off the sewing machine.
It was a happy coincidence in the end that we both got places in Sew, Sew Modern 4 as well!!
This was an amazing swap and just look at these goodies that arrived from Brazil! The pouch is amazing!!!

 

Camila had asked for a cushion in blues, greens and yellows and this is what I came up with. I really enjoyed making these and kind of enjoyed sewing the curves on the drunkards path! Weird I know!!

 

 

Concealed zips!

 

 

Extra goodies!

I love putting swap parcels together and am amazed at the generosity of fellow quilters/sewers and how exciting this little t'internet can be for things like swaps!!!

Sew Sew Modern

So I may already be planning for Sew Sew Modern 4 but as I've neglected my blog for a while I haven't got round to showing what I made and received for round 3!!
Round 3 was my first time in this swap and it was wonderful, and I'm amazed by the talent and generosity in this swap!
So this is what was keeping me and my sewing machine busy!

 

 

My partner mentioned they would like a bag for their big item so I decided to make my second aeroplane bag. I love this pattern and actually really enjoy the process of making this bag too!

As I'm slightly addicted to Quilt as you go at the moment I decided to give this a try in bright rainbow colours and was really pleased with how it turned out, in fact it was pretty difficult to give this one away!!
I also went with a wide open zippy pouch for the small items along with a few other goodies and I was more than happy when it arrived safely across the other side of the world and my partner liked the surprise!!
I'll show you the wonderful goodies I received tomorrow!! 

Lucky Lady!

Sorry for my minor absence, I've been busy opening some wonderful swap parcels!
I feel so lucky!
First this lovely lot arrived on Monday ~


and then this fab lot arrived today ~


These are both part of "A little fabric, a little chocolate" swap over on Flickr.
I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of people, and I love receiving items that I know I can not find anywhere over here in the UK. Thank you so much ladies!

So to return this generosity I will be launching a giveaway on Sunday! Why Sunday I hear you ask - It will be launched on Sunday as over the next few days I am trying to get all my Textiles printing stuff ready for the mini exhibition! (Not panicking yet, but will be at midnight on Friday!)
So here is a sneak peek - in fact it is quite a large peek! So if you fancy taking part in the giveaway pop back on Sunday for the launch!!


Have fun for now and see you in a few days!

Paper + Stitch = luvly goodies!

A couple of posts ago I mentioned a little new project - well here it is!
A part of my May "A little fabric, a little chocolate swap" over on Flickr I wanted to include a little handmade item that was not fabric based. So 15 minutes and voila!
Quick and easy project:
1. Cut out a nice shiny piece of card for the cover.
2. Cut out a range of fab colours in paper slightly smaller in size than the cover.
3. Stitch down the spine (I used the sewing machine for this)
4. Fold nice and flat.
5. Stamp a cute little cupcake design on the front!

In addition to the note books I also made some blank note cards to send away as well.
I definitely think there will be more of these!

New project!

I had so much fun making these... but I can not tell you what they are yet as they are part of my "A little fabric, a little chocolate" swap parcel and until my swap partner receives them they are a secret! But I'll definitely be making more.

A sneak peek!


Swap parcel all packed up and ready to go!

Hello blog - sorry it's been so long

Yay - I'm back!
Apologies for the longer than anticipated break, and thanks to those of you who have been emailing and popping on by (but not seeing much going on!)
Hopefully all is back to some normality.

Still busy with the day job but slowly getting around to other things as well....
Such as this fab swap package that arrived on Saturday. Lots of lovely little goodies! Thanks Figino!


Can't wait for my partner to receive her parcel - hopefully she likes everything.

Bag Ladies Swap

My parcel finally arrived in the US (suprisingly rather quickly) containing my handmade wristlet I sent as part of the Bag ladies swap over here. I'm glad my partner liked it!


I've already whipped up a few more for Etsy!

Memory reminders!

At the moment I have so many things in my head all for different things that post it notes will just not do, so I have had to resort to a Swaps memo board so I don't forget any of them!!


This is my quick and easy solution - using a cork trivet and covering it first with white cotton and then a thick polka dot furnishing fabric. The back is also covered with white cotton and everything is held in place by using a staple gun. It only took about 10 minutes and does just the job for now as it is hung up on the wall as I leave the room so I don't forget to look and make sure nothing should be in the post!

Thank you

I arrived home this evening to a lovely swap parcel all the way from Brazil. Upon opening first of all I fell in love with the wrapping paper which made me think I must use more of that with my swap parcels. I tend to just wrap them in tissue paper and bubble wrap to protect them in the post - not very creative or cute!
Then inside a bundle of lovely goodies. The swap from Tatiana was part of the Bag Ladies Swap and not only did I get a bag but lots of extras that I will definitely put to good use!





It amazes me the generosity of fellow bloggers whom we never meet but they find the time to craft and send beautiful packages all around the world. I have read peoples misfortunes with swaps not turning up but so far (and fingers crossed) I've had only fab ones!
All I can say to Tatiana is THANK YOU!

Another new bag!

My addiction for making and buying bags is growing yet again!
This time it is a hand made bag for my swap partner in Brazil as part of the Bag Ladies Swap over at Flickr. The theme for June was fruits and polka dots.
I've mainly gone for fruits - Strawberries to be exact. It's a smaller version of my pleated tote bag, but big enough to hold a wallet, phone and a couple of other girlie things. I'm hoping my partner will like it as I love making these bags! I'm even thinking of putting some on Etsy, what do you think?



My partner has already had a sneak peek of the bag so the photos will not be spoiling the surprise!

Swap love!!

I'm still overwhelmed with work at my day to day job but the temptation of posting today was just too strong! The reason being for this fab little parcel that arrived the other day.


I have only recently started taking part in craft swaps mainly organised by fab people over on Flickr. My latest swap is fab - it's amazing how generous people are that you have never met before! I just love the strawberry fabric and can't wait to get some free time to come up with a little project for it! I just hope my swap partner likes her package when it arrives!

Time flys!

It's been more than busy at work recently so posting has unfortunately been the last thing on my mind, also so has any craft!
I'm going to try and get myself back on track... but to keep me going I received a lovely package of goodies from Ilysa as part of the Fat Quarters Fabric Swap over on Flickr. I love the fabrics and the cute polymer clay buttons!! All I need to do now is get back to crafting!!


Yesterday I managed to get down to the Country Living Spring Fair in London which was fab! So many talented people and inspiration! I also met Samantha of Plump Pudding who had such a cute stand and gorgeous items for sale! It was lovely to say Hi and I hope the fair was a great success!