Catch up

Time flies when it's boiling hot!  I've been doing my best to stay cool and less grumpy during this rather disgusting heat-wave so I haven't got a lot to show you today. I have made my very first pair of trousers though! OK that's not quite as impressive as it sounds, they are for a 6 month old ;) I've never been one for making clothes, it's the pattern pieces that put me off, way too scary! This year I've decided to take the bull by the horns and try to conquer my fear of them. I've bought 3 very lovely books which make the art of clothes making look easy! For my first project I used Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing for Baby. The Simple Pants pattern was just that, really simple, start to finish in about an hour with faffing! I used a fantastic Michael Miller print that I bought in a destash some time ago to make these funky little trousers for my little nephew :) I think he's going to love them, see those fish...he loves Nemo so these should be a real hit! I'm really looking forward to the next project now, whatever that might be :)

The posting window for the In the Frame Purse Swap opened on Wednesday so I've been stalking the post lady since then and today she came up trumps! I received a super package from Tracey of Quilt me happy. I got not 1 but 2 purses and a gorgeous lavender bag!!! The purses came in a cute bag made from a page of a magazine, so cool :) The first purse is natural linen with Liberty hexies front and back and hand stitchery;  the second is a very pale pink retro transport print with vespas and funky cars. I'm going to feel very hip and trendy using these babies! the lavender bag is tiny but perfect with the most amazing long-arm quilted flower on it, I'm in total awe of that!! Thanks again Tracey :)  

My partner has also received her parcel so I can show you what extras I sent! I was lucky enough to be partnered with my blog pal Hadley. I've already shown you the purse that I made for her but I didn't show you the sneak peek of the owl that was waiting inside in the double frame :) As soon as I got my partner allocation I was determined to make a brown purse, knowing Hadley's tempestuous relationship with brown fabrics, I'm such a bugger ;) So I made a large brown linen purse with an "antique gold" fancy frame. I raw-edge appliqued strips of brown innocent crush to the front and back and lined with a brown Kaffe Fassett target print. I wrapped the pretty grey purse in brown Kaffe millefiore spots and more of the brown target print and tied it with a brown bow. I've been chuckling to myself ever since. I'm not totally mean though as I did include some bits and bobs that I knew she would like as well.

I've had such a fun time in this swap, thanks to Helen and Nicky for organising it all. I've been very good at limiting my swap sign-ups this year and I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to be making for people that I 'know' for a change. I'll be back with more news soon including a giveaway for our 2nd blogiversary which I successfully missed a few days ago. Hope you're all enjoying the Olympics! Proud to be British right now :) Catch you soon x

Glued!

I didn't trust myself not to make a total mess of the gluing of my In the frame purse  so I took some naked shots for you to see. I managed to make the purse look quite tidy by turning through at the top which was a necessity with the middle panel being sewn into the lining. At least if it falls out of the frame it looks quite presentable ;)

 I used a thin iron interfacing to keep the linen in position, well you know how stretchy it can be, and batting to add a little substance when I quilted the diagonal lines.

 I went for the less is more option on embellishment so hopefully my partner will happy with that :)

I wish I'd used a stiffener in the central panel to give it a bit more structure but I didn't so it will have to do as it is. There is a little personal detailing on the other side of the panel but it will be a dead giveaway to my partner so I can't show it! What a tease?! Thankfully gluing went without a hitch. That is to say I got it where it was supposed to be and not all over the fabric. Whether it will hold is another story. I used some purse frame cord on the lining side of the purse in the hope that it will stop things moving too much. 

I have to say I'm pretty chuffed with how it turned :) Now to stitch up a little something extra...Catch you soon x

HipBees and Purse Frames

Hello, I thought I'd do a quick post today to let you know Yvonne is recuperating at home following her angiogram. She's very tired and sore as expected but in good form otherwise. Thanks for all your well wishes :)

While I'm here I'll tell you a few other bits of news :) I was recently invited to join a new UK bee called hipBees. I'm so excited to be joining a great group of ladies for a year of sewing fun! There are lots of familiar names in there along with some that are new to me, so it will be lovely to play along and get to know each other.

Tanya - Second Chance Tan - http://sewasecondchance.blogspot.co.uk/

Rachel Addison - Mamma Fairy Sews - http://mammafairysews.blogspot.co.uk/

Karen  - Lisnaweary Quilts - http://lisnaweary-quilts.blogspot.co.uk/

Fiona - Sew Fi - http://go-sewfi.blogspot.co.uk/

Collette - Poppie and Poochie - http://poppyandpoochie.blogspot.co.uk/

Reene - Nellie's Niceties - http://nelliesniceties.blogspot.co.uk/

Lynz - Domestic Light and Magic - http://domesticlightandmagic.blogspot.co.uk/

Jan - Isisjem - http://isisjem.blogspot.co.uk/

Catherine - Sew Wonderful Life - http://sewonderfulife.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah - Sew Me - http://sewmeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Judith - Just Jude Designs - http://judith-justjude.blogspot.co.uk/

Di - Willowbeck Designs - http://willowbeckdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

I've taken on the first month's Queen bee responsibilities so you'll be hearing a lot more about this bee as I prepare for August :) I don't remember if I mentioned that I'm joining in with the In the frame purse swap over on flickr. I've been procrastinating for the last week over what to do for my partner and today I finally made a start.

 I had to be cocky and choose a frame with a centre panel for my first glue in purse didn't I?! I'm sure it will be fine.....I've loosely based my design on this fabulous purse by Kerry which was in lots of people's inspiration mosaics. I say loosely based because my fussy cutting skills and fabric choices are way off the heights of Kerry's brilliance but I hope that the finished article will be even half as effective as hers.

 I've used a cute bird house print for the lining.

 All ready for the final seam to attach lining to exterior.

Next stop turn inside out and glue!! Here's hoping for a good result with minimum mess :) Catch you soon x