Oh dear......

It seems to be growing again.


I just can't help myself.


And there's more on the way.


Spot any of your favourites?

Crafty Sunday #8

Wow it seems like ages since I last posted anything for Crafty Sunday! This however is not for lack of craftiness, just a lack of being able to show you as all the items completed this last couple of weeks have been for swaps!!

Now I know that Mrs. Yappy Dog has received her parcel I am at liberty to share it with you guys too! Betty and I had decided to make PJ cases for each other, here is what I made her using prints that I thought were Betty's style (decided after many emails back and forth!)


It is big enough to use as a laundry bag as well as a PJ case, I used fabrics from my stash including pieces from Tanya Whelan's 'Darla' range and a vintage FQ (middle fabric in pink floral). I then embroidered 'Betty' onto a piece of linen and added some cute co-ordinating buttons, the whole bag is lined in a cute white with red polka dot print and has a bright pink cord through the top.


I also sent two lavender bags in a now rare Cath Kidston print. To be honest I actually had trouble parting with these two beauties I loved them so much but since Betty has turned out to be a really cool friend I decided not be a meanie and get them sent to her!!


Here's what Betty sent me, I must say when I opened the package and saw what she had made I was totally bowled over, the PJ case was so me!!


Betty also did me one of her silk screen paintings in colours to match the PJ case and turned it into a fab lavender bag, its so gorgeous and smells divine.


I've felt really priviledged to be Betty's swap partner and we're even going to meet up in Florida whilst we're both on holiday - how cool is that? This is why I love doing swaps - you make such lovely friends and receive great handmade goodies into the mix - Thanks again Betty xxx

Now whilst we're on the subject of Florida I just wanted to say a HUGE THANK-YOU to all you lovilies who have offered to make me something handmade for the big day - I am blown over and really really appreciate it, so THANK-YOU - you know who you are XXX

Finally.......
Get yourselves over to Seamstar! For two reasons::

Courtney is offering a fantastic pre-order deal on the full 'Tufted Tweets' range (until 5th July). This line by Laurie Wisbrun is sooo fab I just love it and this bundle deal saves you 20% - Bargainous.

image courtesy of Seamstar
Here is my favourite print from the range::

image courtesy of Seamstar

The 2nd reason to get over to Seamstar is that Courtney is also now stocking my 2nd must have line for the summer - Patty Young's 'Play Date'. I love this line, its so cool for kids stuff and a funky summer quilt for the beach and picnics. Once again it's available in a fabby bundle::


image courtesy of Seamstar
The best part about this line is that there is a panel which has 3 rag dolls to cut out and make - how cool? What's even cooler is that there are free clothes patterns for it on the Modkid Boutique blog!! AND if you order 2 bundles from Seamstar you get the doll panel FREE!! Way Hey!!

Here is my fave print from the line::


image courtesy of Seamstar
I've put my order in and now I'm soooo excited for the postie to bring me more gorgeous fabric......

Wedding Love........

Now I had a little thought today whilst I was brainstorming ideas for wedding presents for the lovely Mr. G.......



I've been struggling with what to get him as (like everyone else) money is tight at present, saving for the holiday of a lifetime and the wedding has really drained our resources and not left me with much to play with in terms of getting him a special gift.



We've not talked about getting each other gifts but I really do want to give him something on this momentous occasion, he's such a doll and honestly he deserves a medal (if only for putting up with me!). He picks up the pieces of my wildly busy life - whilst I try being a special care nurse, mummy to two young children (one with special needs and all that that entails) and on top of that now I've found a huge passion for sewing and blogging - the poor man often doesn't get a look in!

He never grumbles though (sometimes he hides the laptop and blames the kids) and he pays genuine interest when I make him read some of my favourite blogs, he listens to me waffle insanely about fabric design and never goes mad when he reads the bank statement and realises how much I spent this month on fabric (he says he feels like Courtney aka Seamstar is part of the family) and he takes great pleasure in seeing my face when I make something I love (his words not mine!). He's a great dad and the kids adore him (as do I I've just realised), so anyway my idea.....

How cool would it be to give him some handmade wedding themed goodies from my lovely online blog friends???? I'm open to ideas and really I'm not expecting freebies, I'd be happy to pay for your services if you think you can help!

So if you're up for a little challenge to help me make our wedding day extra special for the fab 'Mr. G' then please leave me a comment. I don't want big ideas just a few little handmade items that will put a smile on his face that we can display in our home afterwards would be immense.

I really do hope some of you will be able to help me, it would mean a great deal to me....

Good evening peeps!

I've been sewing away this evening so thought I'd do a little post before I hit my bed - doesn't this heat tire you out? I'm not complaining merely commenting!

I can't show you what I've been working on this evening as it's for the lovely Mrs. Yappy Dog who is my Boudoir Swap partner, I've made really excellent progress and the parcel will be posted out by the weekend so watch out for it Betty! I can however show you the Strawberry Swap parcel that I sent to my partner Lynne in Australia (no blog unfortunately) a couple of weeks ago.


I sent a strawberry re-useable shopper, strawberry napkins, lip balm, soap, lollipop, notebook, Cath Kidston strawberry fabric in 2 colourways, some strawberry buttons and ribbon and I handmade a felt strawberry keyring! I'm still awaiting my parcel from Lynn but as it's winter in Oz she's struggling a little but assures me it will arrive soon - unfortunately I've still not received my apron from the Great Apron Swap 2010, very dissapointing as I really don't think I will ever receive it, just a hunch.

This week I ordered a couple of bits from fellow bloggers Emily Pickle and Muddy Puddle Crafts.















Hair clips are a necessity in our house for 'Little Miss H' (me too when my fringe gets too long and I can't be bothered going to the hairdressers!)












And I simply jumped at the chance to get a mini
inspiration plaque from Jo when she offered
them to her blog readers for a mere fiver - how cute will it look hanging on my craft shelves?


I also wanted to show you some lovely jewellry we've had made for 'Little Miss H' and 'Master M' to wear on our wedding day, gifts from us to them you might say on our family's special day.

'Little Miss H's' is made from multi-coloured freshwater pearls with sterling silver clasps. The necklaces pendant features a shell, heart and traditional pearl and the bracelet has her initial on it.


'Master M's' on the other hand features a sharks tooth in sterling silver and his is made from blue and red shell beads, again with sterling silver clasps. His bracelet also has his initial on.


Both sets are just gorgeous and so in keeping with our beach wedding. They are from a company that was called 'The Children's Jewellery Co', who have now unfortunately stopped trading. I found them in the ads in some random magazine last year (possibly Junior Magazine) and have bought lots of stuff from them. They sold quality hand crafted kids jewellry that was no more expensive than the high street but with way more street cred - I just cannot stand tat!

Finally for this evening I wanted to share some fab photo's of the kids sports day that was this afternoon - in fact we have had the most lovely afternoon today......














The sun was shining, there was a good turn out of parents to watch the event, lots of laughing and cheering and we even took the little folk out of school early when sports day had finished so we could go meet daddy at the 'mucky pub' ('Master M' phrase - he got it from my mum!) and yes we watched the football. Well I say watched, I had to sit in the beer garden with 'Little Miss H' as it was way too loud for her and she was getting quite upset but we enjoyed a glass of wine or two in the sunshine so all was well! (clearly we knew from the cheers from inside the pub what was going on in the match!)

Well I really must get myself to bed, I have to be up and out of the house early tomorrow morning, no not for work, not even to take the little people to school (my lovely childminder will be doing that for me!) Have you guessed yet??????

I'm going to treat myself and get queueing early doors at the O2 store to try and get my hands on the new iPhone.........................very limited stock don't you know and I simply must have one!

Sunday Stash #56

Yes it's that time again!


Just because I loved it from the moment I saw it and now that I am the proud owner of 2 panels, I certainly love it even more!!


On the crafting, making and doing front I haven't got that much that I can actually reveal to you. I am part way through making my item for the Boudoir Swap and so cannot reveal that or my partner, the lovely Mrs Yappy Dog will see what it is I am creating for her!

I also completed the handmade element of my Strawberry Swap and got the whole package posted over to my partner Lynn in Australia (she doesn't have a blog), I will show what I sent another time when I know that the parcel has been received safely!

I am part way through cutting the fabric required to complete the bridesmaids dresses and hope to finish these over the next week so I can start the wedding dress the week after!

I am still waiting for my apron to arrive for the Great Apron Swap 2010 and my partner has gone very quiet on me. Rubbish I know.

Anyway off to work for me, enjoy your Sunday!

Simply Solids...

If you're a quilter you really need to check out 'Simply Solids'. It's a new venture from Mandy, formerly of Made With Love by Mandy, now Simply Solids!!

Her online fabric stores sells the much coveted and sought after in the UK, Kona solids range (might I add at a really great price), in addition to free postage on orders of £15 or more.

What more could you ask for?

Click the 'Simply Solids' button in my left hand column to be taken straight there....

Show & Tell Sunday

As some of you may be aware I started taking part in 'Show & Tell Sunday' just this month, after seeing some of the lovely May posts here and here.

The idea originates from Joe's lovely blog and it was a cool surprise when she asked if I'd be interested in hosting the next couple of 'Show and Tells'. (I think I was probably the only person who put forward ideas for themes when she asked at the end of her June post, rather than me being someone special!!)

So I am happy to tell you that for July and August I will take the guantlet and lead the fab 'Show and Tell' project. It's like been a school teacher all over again! Eeek.

So the theme for July is none other than Favourite Song.

Now if you're like me this will be massive, I have a favourite song for every occassion. My life has been mapped out by music. I love it. Mr. G says I need to remember I am now the wrong side of 30 and no he will not accompany me to a Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen concert. How boring (Dizzee is the man) and this from the man who had never been to a gig, not one single gig until he met me, he clearly hadn't lived. Why am I marrying him again, it certainly isn't for his love of music I can tell you!! He told me I'd be the oldest rocker in town if I went to a Dizzee gig at the MEN and he couldn't let me embarrass myself. How rude.

Anyway enough of my waffling, I'm hoping that by hosting 'Show and Tell Sunday' I'll get a few more participants via readers of my blog that may not read Joe's blog. You know what I mean.

So get your thinking caps on:: SUNDAY 4th July Favourite Song

You just need to get the button from my side bar and use in your post and let us know a little about your kinda music!!