Jan May

I've been wanting to make one of these snap purses ever since I first saw them in a quilting shop whilst on holiday in the US about 15 months ago.  I could see it was simple, so there was no way I was buying the pattern.  Surely I could figure it out?  Finally - I've got around to it! To be quite honest, I'd forgotten all about this little make until I came across a few versions on Pinterest.  I've found a couple of different tutorials, but I thought they were both fussier than they need be.  An idea formed in my head that I was certain would be easier and faster to make. Sew....... this evening I've had a go using the method I thought may work - and luckily it has.  It's super quick to sew up, and if I hadn't bothered with the embroidery would have been a matter of minutes to complete.  (I thought I'd do a little purse to keep in the car to contain change for parking..... was going to be quick back-stitch, but after I'd written on the letteri

Just a quicky today..... saw this bag and had to share: from http://heegeldab.blogspot.com/ Isn't it lovely?  Love the red and blue combo.  And the coral, sea urchin and weed decoration.  Looks fab. My only concern is that although the handle looks really pretty, it wouldn't be very strong and stretch like mad. I've had a quick butcher's at the site from whence it came (click on link under photo) - and there's some lovely crochet on there.  Like me, you will probably just gape at the pictures, as it's in a language I can't begin to identify. I do note that there are patterns for sale.  Wonder if this is one of them?  If in diagram form it would be a doddle to follow.  Seriously tempted.

On a dank and dismal day - what better than a splash of colour to brighten the mood? I know we've all got oodles of fabric in our stash, but why not throw a little inspiration out there...... you never know, you may have just these colours in your collection.  If not?  Oh well..... another feeble excuse to add a bit more. I'm thinking spring colours; fresh and bright.  I absolutely adore these colour combos - what do you think? Let's start off with a little spring lamb.  Loving the blue and green combo.  Very natural and muted. Lying in the sunshine - a beautiful cat, producing a wonderfully soft and gentle colourway. A new leaf in sunlight - gorgeous - zingy, fresh and smiley feelgood The colours of nature - peaceful and serene. Okay - bugger all to do with spring - but I love it! This combo is delicious in every way, but not quite my favourite.... drumroll...... It's this, This, THIS! This one!  All my favourite co

Today I'm sharing a few new patterns I've come across whilst browsing........ Let's hope that planet cloud is kind to me and manages to produce the links for them all! Find the tutorial HERE - on Printable Decor.net  Firstly - the world is alive with quotation art at the moment, and easy as it looks - it's not that straightforward to do.  I know, I've tried - and it's nigh on impossible just using Word.  I made two small framed pictures as Christmas presents, and it was incredibly difficult to get the layout right.  Now I know what I should have been doing!   Here's a tutorial for producing your own Word artwork - I've had a quick look and it's clear and concise, with lots of pictures to follow.  What are we all going to print then? Purse pattern from All Free Sewing  I'm loving this cute little purse from the All Free Sewing site.  Haven't had a proper look at the pattern yet, and wondering if it's using metal tape measure a

to my Amazon Shopping Basket - honest it did! Feeling the urge? ......  Click HERE to "pop" to Amazon UK's pre-order page You know what it's like.......  see a tweet, catch a Facebook post in the corner of your eye.  Within seconds, you've "liked" it - and popped over to Amazon for a quick shufty (as you do).  And.... before you know it - you've added it to your basket and pressed the "1-click" (oh boy - but is that the best bit of marketing genius EVER).  Hey presto - you've bought another book on auto-pilot. Seriously though - I can't wait for this one! Despite now being a fully paid up member of the Sis Boom "Happy Home" Society (now there's an idea Jennifer!) - I now have to sit and wait patiently for it to arrive, as it's not due out for a wee while. "HURRY UP AND PRINT - DARN YOU" I absolutely adore Jennifer's prints and designs - and I just know this will be a "happy&quo

In a moment of madness yesterday evening, I decided I'd have a go at something incorporating hexagons.  You know what it's like when you have an idea brewing in your head?  Well....  despite knowing it was a crazy idea, (I detest hand sewing as a rule) I simply couldn't stop myself.  Until I did a google search of hexagon images, I didn't really know exactly what I would do.... until I came across a grid of teeny tiny little hexes.  "Why not?" I thought.   Oh my, but these little babies are tiny!  I knew straight away it would be madness, but felt compelled to give it a go.  My eye-sight isn't really cut out for something like this.  I peer away at the best of times, and know my reading glasses need upgrading, so imagine for a moment if you will, a woman sat with scrunched up eyes and tongue stuck out in concentration.  After grabbing one of my scrap bags, I sat down and began looking for little pieces that could be fussy-cut.  A cha

Until the next time! We've only been back in Blighty for a few days, but it already seems like forever ago we were sunning ourselves in Cancun.  Its' so lovely there.... perfect weather, amazing level of service and attention to detail, fabulous food, and of course - the obligatory non-stop cocktails. We've never been abroad for Christmas before.  How relaxing it was.  I didn't have to put any decorations up at home - instead it was a family party and pressie-opening exercise the week before. Mind you - the elves work really hard, don't they?  This not-so-little Elf (aka Si, aka the other-half) is cooling his toes on Christmas morning after a hectic night before. Somewhere online, there must be instructions for towel folding.  Every day on returning to our room we were suitably impressed by the cleaner's efforts.  There was some arguement between us as to what this is actually supposed to be.  Si says rabbit, I say dog.  The other makes were far eas

A Happy New Year to everyone.  May 2012 bring everything you wish for.  Okay, so the title of this post is a bit mis-leading.  I haven't actually made anything yet...... but the intention is there! I haven't made any resolutions.  It really would be pointless as I am totally useless at sticking to anything.  I am however determined to design (AND MAKE) and produce a pattern for at least one new item for each month of the year.  I suppose I could cheat a little by writing out patterns for last year's efforts?  No?  What......   I've got to do that as well? Top of my list of new things to try is purse-making.  It's something I've never attempted, as the combination of me and glue tends to be a disaster.  However after seeing the beautiful purses made by Helena  @microbionoar I'm inspired to have a go.  (Plus - I've found a wonderful source of cheap purse frames) Check out Helena's fab shop HERE I bought one of her lovely makes last y