Jan May

A trifle miffed that the sun has decided to hide this morning.  The sky is back to it's normal leaden look. So lets jolly things up with a selection of pastel pinks - never fail to cheer. I shall start shamelessly with one of my own creations - the Sugar and Spice pillow.  I love the way the fabrics go together.  Currently sitting on my bed.  I do enjoy foundation piecing - and have another one in the pipeline featuring beach huts.  (Better get cracking or summer will be over). Isn't this wigwam delightful?  It screams summer.  I want a grown up sized one.  This is so utterly charming.  Created by Hickity-pickity who makes the most delightful things (if you have a little girl - get over there right this minute - you'll love her designs), using fabric designs by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom   I am in the throes of a long distance love affair with all things Sis Boom.  If you like bright, fresh and zingy fabrics - you m...

You know you're starting to lose the plot when you wrap your dog up in fabric and pose her for a photo to send to George at SisBoom Jennifer will think I'm nuts.  (And judging by the expression on Phoebe's face, she won't be the only one).  George may well be impressed.  Although, as I described her as a hot little bitch, he may think her a tad forward for his liking.     The things I'll do to avoid sewing!  Currently stuck in trying to finish the border for my new cushion design.  Spent too many hours on it to muck it up now, but brain is refusing to play ball.   Time to leave it for now and hope there's some wine left in the fridge. Then I shall sit down and take a closer look at my copy of Jennifer's latest book - Happy Home.  I had a quick flick through when it arrived in the post, but haven't sat down and had a proper read.  It's colourful, with some lovely makes.  And the photography!  For me, that re...

In the last couple of days, I've actually managed to stir myself into action and start a new project. Introducing the bare bones of my "Pretty Random" quilt.  How can it possibly be called anything else?  For the fabrics are most certainly pretty, and as quilt designing goes - it doesn't get more random than this..... Whilst clearing away a pile of fabric to get at my cutting table, I suddenly realised that all the brights went together rather well, albeit in an "in your face, grab the migraine tablets quick" sort of way.  I absolutely adore each and every one of the fabrics.  I have no idea where all of them have come from.  I know there's some SisBoom and some Tilda.  The rest is anyone's guess?  I received some of the brights as part of a secret santa swap, I know I bought the aqua polka dot for next to nothing locally, and there's a bit of a charity shop girl's dress thrown in as well. Though all small pieces, there seem...

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...

I'm being rather optimistic in calling this Part 1.  I may never get as far as a Part 2 ...... you never know! In a few short weeks I shall be away on my winter hols.  Sun, no sand (hate the gritty stick to everything stuff), and several gallons of alcoholic combinations a day.  Can't wait.  The only moot point is the fact that I have little in the summer clothes department.  The summer here this year was dreadful, and I never bought anything.  Therefore I'm left with a ratty selection of well worn old faithfuls, and a pile of lovely stuff that I will only be able to fit in if I shave 3 inches off each side of me (and suck my stomach in). The only answer is to make a few things.  However simple; as long as I have something to pootle about from room to pool via dining room, I will be happy.  I have no dress-making patterns whatsoever.  The thought of unfolding that infernal tissue paper and cutting out, for the end result not to fit (doe...

Posted: 07 Sep 2011 01:20 PM PDT  (subsequently lost by Blogger, and found by Karen via her E-mail feed) If, like me, you're a keen follower of all the crafty sew and sews in Twitterland, you will probably already be aware of the wonderful world of Sis Boom. If so, you will need no introduction - so do skim over to see why I'm feeling a tad special today. If you're a fabric fan and the name means nothing to you; Where have you been? Wait 'til you see what you've been missing! An Introduction to Sis Boom Introducing Jennifer Paganelli - the face and all-round lovely person behind the Sis Boom banner. Click here to go straight to SIS BOOM To quote direct from the fabulous Sis Boom website - As a designer, Jennifer Paganelli finds inspiration in everything. Sis Boom™, her one-of-a-kind vintage products company, is the inspiration distilled from several lives: her youth in the Great Lakes region of the US, her adolescence s...