I heart Mulled wine

It's that time of the year again when I can whip up my really simple recipy fr mulled wine. I favour Neven Maguire's recipy which I started using a few years ago.

1 bottle Red Wine,
1 pint orange juice,
12 whole cloves,
2 cinnamon sticks,
1 orange sliced,
1 lemon sliced,
50-75g sugar,

Bung all the ingredients into a saucepan and heat up without boiling.

Drink!!
And it tatses even better the next evening....if it lasts til then!!

Purse making day

I made yet another attempt to travel to work today.I live 26kms away from my shop and this journey usually takes me about 30mins. For the last few days the same journey has taken a nail biting 1hr 10 mins ish in the snow. This morning I drove to my brothers house which is only next door to drop Kian and Cerys off for the day.I literally skated along the road but kept the car reasonably controlled.The fun began as I tried to get the car out the gate to go to work. It was as if there was an external force on the car. I could not drive the car over the snow and out the gate. I tried reversing and making a run for it only to turn 180 degrees and wedge the car between the kerbs in the drive. I gave up and went back inside.

Thankfully I will always find something to keep me busy.Hooering,washing,ironing and cleaning were left again in favour of sewing.

This is my favourite!

I love the spotty lining.

I am quite partial to this one too!!

I am planning (weather permitting) to have a table at the Ballinasloe Community Market tomorrow (sunday Dec5th).These little babies will be there for sale.I might find it hard to let go of them though...maybe I should keep one for myself??

Lush shoulder bag tutorial

This is my second attempt at a tutorial....here is the bag I am going to guide you through making.Please feel free to let me know if I have left anything out..

Place the pattern on a double layer of fabric. I used a home decor weight so did not interface it. If you use a lighter weight fabric I would recommend using an iron on interfacing to give stiffness.

Here you can see the measurements if you click on the picture to enlarge.

more measurements

Cut out lining...again on a double layer.I used fleece fabric for a soft finish.

This is the pattern for the pocket,cut two pieces.I used co-ordinating fabrics.

Note the marks at the top for the pleats

Pin the outside marks to the centre to form a pleat on both fabrics.

Pleat.

Pin the two pieces together ,sew around leaving a gap at the bottom to turn out.

gap

trim the corners.

Sew the 2 sides on the lining.

Sew one side of the main fabric.

If you like add a trim to the top of the pocket.I could not resist this pretty ribbon.

Open out the main fabric and place the pocket centrally on the seam you sewed.Sew the pocket in position.

Sew together the other side seam.

Open out the bag so that the two seams are on top of one another and sew along the bottom edge of the bag.Do the same with the lining.

Make corners and trim excess.Again do this for the lining too.

This picture might give you a better idea of how to do the corners.

Next is the button flap.Cut two pieces 5inches by 3 inches.

Sew around 3 sides and clip corners

Overstitch and sew a butonhole.

Place the lining into the main bag right sides together.

Place the botton flap between the layers centering it on the middle seam.

Pin the two layers together all around,keping seams and corners matched.

Starting about 5 inches from the end of the strap sew down along the strap ,across the front of the bag and up the second strap,taking care at the corners.

Stop about 5 inches from the end of the strap.

Sew the other side from beginning of the strap to the end of the other side.

Clip into the corners taking care not to snip the stitching.

Turn the bag right sides out through the straps.Pin and sew the strap seam.

Strap seam sewn.

Fold in a seam allowance on both fabrics.

Handstitch the gap together.

Sew in a button....and voila....all done...Enjoy your new bag!!

There is a flickr group for the lush shoulder bag....if you make a bag from my tutorial please add pictures to the group pool...I would love to see your bag.

Crafty Christmas

I have been busy looking for some little christmas craft projects...here are a few I am dying to try.

These will be lovely on my dining table....just have to get some red pistachios... Instructions here

So cute...instructions here

Love these...instuctions here.