More patchwork clutchbags

I have become slightly obsessed with making these patchwork clutchbags. I really like the way that, eventhough I am using the same fabrics in all the bags,they look so different depending on the fabric I choose for the end strip. I also love the braid I added too.






I have had such a busy week. I am attending the Terryglass Arts Festival Craft Fair on Sunday and am trying to make stock but it is selling quicker than I can make it. That's not a bad thing but I always worry when I go to these fairs that I won't have enough.

I am also very excited because I have started organising an xmas craft fair in Ballinasloe . Date is booked in Gullanes Hotel Ballinasloe for Sunday November 14th. (11.30-6.00 I want to target the 11.00 mass- goers).

Loads more going on too, and tonnes more news to come....

Versatile Blogger award

What?? Me??? Really??? Thanks Michelle (the Desert Quilter) for awarding me The Versatile Blogger award. I am truely honoured.

The award comes with a few easy rules:

• Thank the person who gave you the award.
• Tell 7 things about yourself.
• Award 15 other bloggers that you enjoy reading.

7 Things About Me:

1. Favourite Tv Programmes - any programme of Goks! Sex and the City-the only programme I can watch over and over and still laugh.
2. Was in New York once and would love to go back again.-someday....
3. Only learned to swim last year after always having a fear of water. I was determined!
4. Wish I had more time to grow more veggie . I love getting my hands dirty in the garden.
5. Love Shoes....can't resist them.
6. I want to learn how to do a fench plait in my daughter's hair. I have tried so many times and can't do it. What the heck am I doing wrong??
7. Eventhough I love my work I would love to be able to spend more time learning new crafts.

Here's my list of 15 Blogs I am awarding with The Versatile Blogger award.( in no partiular order)

1. Emily at thenest
2. Ger and Eva at pippablue
3. Fiona at patchworkdelights
4. Tyne at Tyneboden Necklaces
5. Karen at sewing tales
6. Larri at seams inspired
7. Neen at neencrochet
8. Ruth at Nicedaydesigns
9. Rebecca at Luckyrainbowdesigns
10. Nina at Mrs Moen
11. Craftyirelandteam at etsyireland
12. Rachel at balancedcrafts
13. Jessica at sewcraftyjess
14. Rita E at myquiltparade
15. sarah at confessionsof a fabric addict

Crochet Flowers

I have an idea.....and it involves....crochet flowers. Now it's ages since I crocheted (probably years!), but it's like riding a bike..yes?
I trawled the internet looking for a pattern or a tutorial for a cute simple (it had to be simple.I am happiest with instant gratification). Now I did find some great stuff,especially on utube but nothing exactly what I was looking for.

Thank God for our little crochet group meeting,which met on tues night...Emily our master crocheter,hands and hook quicker than Concorde, showed me How To.

I got this fab yarn (trying to break a lifetimes habit of calling all yarn Wool) in pippablue (of course,sure where else would I go).

And made these...
My idea is to make children's fleece hats and have a cute detachable(handy for washing!) flower.

Made these too from 'fluffy' yarn....mmmm did not turn out quite how I had imagined...bit of a blobby flower...

As usual I am linking up this weeks 'makes' to a few fun blog parties....lush friday,simply designing,amy lou's sew and tell,

Pressie for the birthday girl

I have been making an effort of late to make my own presents for people , buy from other makers or buy from Irish businesses.
So it all started when I bought this cute little bracelet from Martina at Glitzandglam.net. I bought it for my little niece Shauna who's birthday was today.I wanted to give her something else too so I made her a skirt and top combo to wear with the bracelet.

Scooby was a little curious when I was trying to photograph it on our back fence.See that for a tongue!!

I was really pleased with the way it turned out.

I am getting great mileage out of the fabric I bought in Pippablue. Think it might be time to re-stock a little.

I heart vintage florals

It's not everyday that I open a delivery of new fabric books and totally love them. I am sorry to say that i don't always like the new season fabrics. I know that some of them will be best sellers but they don't always float my boat.!!!

I felt such sheer delight when this book arrived that I had to order some pieces to do a new window display. Dream Interiors is renouned for its colourful and lateral thinking window displays.It is a task I love undertaking. I won't just hang up lengths of fabric like many other shops do, I have to think of a concept and start making.I get such a thrill when I see cars slowing up outside the shop to take a look.

I will embroider this one in a stronger pink the next time

Some random patchwork featured!!

As well as making for the window I also started a little giveaway on facebook. All you have to do to get your hands on a personalised apron is become a fan and leave a comment telling me what you would like written on your apron. I have had some fantastic suggestions already.

Upcycling is the new black!!

Having my own curtain shop gives me access to loads and loads of fabric. I don't actually stock any curtain fabrics in the shop. I have hundreds (I kid you not) of sample books where we basically choose a fabric,work out the quantities and then order in what we need It usually takes about a week for the fabric to arrive into our workrooms and then Hey Presto the little elves work away on it and out comes a beautifully finished pair of curtains-I wish!!

See I was not kidding about the huge number of sample books. Eventually these books are replaced by new designs and I have to throw out the books. I have to buy all these books so it kills me to dump any of them.
This week I got a note about newly discontinued books. Usually I groan but in this instance I was happy because they are the most beautiful children's applique (ridiculously expensive!!) fabrics. And I had a plan.

Unfortunately I did not photograph the book before I got my scissors to it...

I made these cushions. Each one different to the next. I knew they would be gorgeous but they turned out even better than I had imagined.

Also this week I have been studying the manual I got with my embroidery sewing machine and figured out a few things. I found out how to repeat a design on one fabric so I tried it out like this.
And then used the designs to cover buttons-Sweet. Thinking of putting them on a white cardi, Maybe...
I have a bag of clothes ready for the charity shop (ready since my xmas clearout). I rummaged through it and found this t shirt.
I turned it into a pair of shorts for Cerys. There's not enough sun here though to warrant shorts so she had been wearing them to bed!!
And I made my first tutorial.Jeepers it takes ages to make one. I think I may have too many photographs in it but it was a great experience to do it. Definitely more to come. Check it out and let me know what you think.
As usual I am linking up to a few blogs:
lush friday (my very own show and tell), amy lou's sew and tell, simply designing ,

Lush Skirt tutorial

Remember a few weeks ago I made this skirt and top for my daughter,well I decided to write a tutorial on how to make one.

Bear with me,this is my first tutorial...and its for a skirt for my 7 year old Cerys. We love these wonderfully colourful fabrics. The combinations are endless.
This is a gathered skirt with a flat front waistband and elasticated back waistband. The length of the skirt from the top on the waistband to the hem is 15invhes.So if you want the skirt to be a different length ,adjust your piece lengths.

What you need for this skirt are

2 co-ordinating fat quarters

Piece of 1 inch elastic

Thread

ric rac(optional)


Decide which will be your main fabric and cut the fat quarter in half so you have 2 pieces each measuring 10 x 21 inches ( front and back)

Cut co-ord fabric into 2 pieces measuring 5.5 x 21
and
1 piece 13 x 4(front waistband)
and
1 piece 21 x 4 (back waistband)

Take the 13 x 4 inch piece ( front waistband) and front piece. Mark the centres

Centre markings



Pin some pleats in place, keeping centre markings centred until the front and waistband are the same width.

Pin and sew together

Pin right sides of back waistband and back piece together (no pleats this time).Pin and sew as front.

Press seams flat towards the waistband.

Pin front and back right sides together at sides.

Sew side seams together .

Pin and sew co-ord fabric 21 x 4 inch pieces together at sides.

Pin hem band and front pieces together making sure the side seams line up

Sew and overlock together, also overlock the raw edge of the waistband and the hem band.

Press up a little hem on the hem band.

Press under the waistband so it is about 1.25inches high.

I cut my elastic 10 inches long. Pin the edge of the elastic to the side seam of the waistband on each side

Sew in place.

Place some pins through the layers along the lower edge of the waistband .

Sew along the lower edge taking care not to stitch through the elastic.




The elastic will gather up making it difficult to manage so put the needle down into the fabric, lift the pressure foot and move the elastic through.You may need to do this a few times.The ric rac is optional ! Place it on top of the seam and sew along.

I sewed ric rac on the lower edge to sew the hem in place. If you do not use ric rac simply machine or hand sew the hem.
Here it is ...the finished skirt. If there is any part of this tutorial you cannot follow please comment below and I will try to enlighten you!!