December Makes!

They were all about Christmas things.

1. Felt Critters, 2. Critters Drawstring pouch, 3. Door Curtain, 4. Swoon ish, 5. Swoon peeks, 6. Dolls House Mat, 7. Dolls House Mat, 8. Dolls House Mat, 9. Christmas Book Report Dress, 10. Baby Boy Quilt, 11. Christmas Cafe Apron, 12. Christmas Book Report Dress

And I still have a few things on my 2013 FAL that are really NOT finished! But I'll see how I go over the next few days.  But can I just say, that thermal lining on the curtain is really keeping out the draft, so it is worth not finishing some things on my list for! 

I may have mentioned in my last post, but the Christmas holidays have been exhausting, with a wedding, a birthday and my poor dads knee has completely given up! (I fear my mum might finish him off with his crutches, as he is such a bad patient!!) So I'm really sorry if I haven't replied to your comment. I will get there tomorrow, when we don't have another house full. 

My New Years Eve is clearing up birthday cake and wrapping paper and then this evening trying to get some of my December Frosted Pumpkin Woodland Sampler finished, I won't let myself buy this amazing Once Upon a Time for next year, until I finish!!! 

What are your New Years Eve plans? Crafting or partying? Or both, which really could be dangerous!!!!

Whatever you do, have a wonderful night!

I'm linking up with the lovely Lynne's

Only 361 days to go……..

Only joking…
Well, I survived Christmas!

Got the best card, from a friend who knows me far too well! 

And I'm probably a lot heavier than I was on Christmas Eve, but the added pounds are worth it for the fun and gorgeous food we had!

Google made my photo snowy!!! 

The children got all they wanted, the husbands wardrobe has been restocked (as he wanted clothes from everyone!) and I must have been a very good girl this year as santa bought me this!

So, as long as I can process the instruction booklet, photos around here should drastically improve, especially as 99% of photos that I put on here are iPhone ones!

One of the first pictures off it! 

The Swoon was really well received and I need to get to my parents to get some decent photos, as it's just too large to bribe the children to hold up!
And the only bit of sewing I've done, was on Christmas day, stitching a very rushed label onto the Swoon!

The pudding was a visual disaster darling! Trifle Cheesecake /trifle messy! 

It tasted amazing, but was rather ugly! The jelly just completely fell off as we got it out the tin. So the parents were instructed to eat with their eyes closed!!!! 

We are off to a wedding tomorrow and then it's Rose's birthday on New Year's Eve, so I can't see any sewing in the next few days. 

I can't wait for this holiday to be over for a rest! Oh, and for my sale fabric purchases to arrive! You can't beat buying yourself a little post-Christmas present, your guaranteed to get what you want!!! 

How was your Christmas? Did you get any fabric or crafting goodies! 

My Making Christmas!

For the last 11 weeks Janine and Rebecca have cheered us on form the sidelines to get our homemade Christmas, halloween or Festive makes, made. Without the linkups and all the brilliant people who have hosted and joined along, I don't think I would have gotten half of the stuff on my list completed!

So this week I have managed to get the last two things off the list, with one still having hand binding attached to it as you read probably, or spinning around the washing machine!

Christmas Book Report Dress

All blogged about here. 

The full reveal of the Dolls House Mat, with the drawstring bag for the critters.

Blogged here! 

And lastly my Swoon Quilt arrived back from Trudi and I actually felt a tearful when I opened it, as the quilting is simply stunning! 

The binding is on the front and I'm slowly hand stitching it to the back! I should finish tonight and then it can be washed and dried tomorrow! 

So, that is my homemade Christmas and the list is in my opinion, all finished! 

Swoon Quilt for the Parents - furiously hand stitching as you read! 

Hootenanny Quilt for Son No.2 - Finished  

Doll's House Mat for Rose - Finished

Christmas Table Runner -Finished 

Polar Bear Cushion - Finished

Christmas Book Report Dress of Rose -  Finished
Hudl Cover - Finished
Advent Calendar - Finished
Thermal Curtains - Finished
Cafe Apron -Finished
Drawstring bag for critters - Finished

I am still cleaning and cooking up a storm in anticipation of I don't know what! The queues at the supermarket make me a little worried that it is actually more than just two days and no one has let me in on a secret! 

So I would just like to wish every single person who reads, comments or just passes through on this blog, a wonderful Christmas and I hope you get everything you dream of……5 minutes peace, fabric, wool or FQ retreat tickets….oh sorry thats just my list!!  

What have you asked your Santa for? 

Little Dolls House Mat - Ta Dah!!!!

You know that I finished this last week, but I really wanted to go over the top with photos on this one with it's own post, as I think it is particularly cute!
I'm all for making things up as you go along and I've made some great things that way, but this time I wanted my mat to look exactly like the Eternal Maker tutorial, as their one was so perfect.
And in the sign of a great tutorial, it looks identical!

It has loads of ridiculously cute details, not just that Kokka fabric panel for the main house. 

All of the inside windows are pockets, as well as the door and boxes in the loft. There is a bit of appliqué on the front, that perfect brick fabric and really clever details with lots of bias binding. 

I really did want to put some loops on it so it could be put on the wall, but the man of the house gave me a bit of a gentle reminder that eye height hooks or nails are not very safe!!!! So it will remain on the floor. Also, I still have of a ton of prints resting up against the walls awaiting his diy skills!

I made a drawstring bag to keep the critters safe, using this easy tutorial and that lovely organic A is for Apple fabric from Monaluna and some Kona solids. 

I did follow the tutorial word for word, but……….

I didn't use the brick fabric on the back, for that I used the cheaper Kona medium grey, as I figured it isn't really going to be seen. 

I also added magnets behind the room panels and magnets in some of the critters as I was thinking about it being upright. This will hopefully work for the felt Christmas tree and door wreath that I'm trying to get finished! 

And my last tip, use the thin strips of bondaweb on the bias binding like the tutorial suggests! I didn't at first as I was trying to rush, but it looked so wonky that the time I had saved was used in redoing the door! I then used it for every other strip and it looked a million times better! 

I really loved making this and think if you are going to make one, it is perfect to break it up over the weeks like the tutorial. That way you don't get bored or feel like it is quite a mammoth task, I found that week 3 took particularly long, but I could pick it up and down in between other projects. 

I do really think this would make an amazing new baby gift, that could be a floor mat when they are younger and then a toy as they grow up. I know at nearly 3 Rose will really love this….well I hope so!

Now I just have to decide what to wrap this in, Christmas or birthday paper, as Rose celebrates her 3rd birthday on New Years Eve and I'm guessing I'm going to be struggling with present ideas 6 days after Father Christmas has made his delivery!! 

Christmas Book Report!

I've done it by the skin of my teeth…. here is Rose's Christmas Book Report dress.

I've had it on my Making Christmas list for nearly 11 weeks, I've had the novelty fabric for at least 3 weeks, so why, oh why did I leave it till two days before the nursery Christmas party to make Rose's dress??

The cord landed on my mat on Tueday morning and after several washes (5!!!!) and a dozen colour catchers, I got the dye to stop bleeding and chopped it up with those cheeky little gnomes. 

This is my second Book Report dress, (but this time I made the age 4, as Rose is quite tall) and it came together just as quickly and easily as the first. From fabric to dress in 36 hours is pretty good going! 

I love this pattern and think it is a really practical dress for my daughter! It can be fun and pretty without it being too precious to be worn everyday and looks great with thick tights and boots.

I got the pattern from The Village Haberdashery, those cute Michael Miller Gnomes from Fat Quarter shop (on sale but they have all gone now! UK peeps can still get it here) and the corduroy from Cloth Kits. 

Rose was very pleased about wearing it this morning….
Although I'm was little worried incase they had paints out at nursery or that my rush sewing job wouldn't stay together and left my daughter in just her thermal tights and vest…….
Oh, and the next time I mention Book Report Dress, please remind me NO directional prints! Getting those damn gnomes to line up tested my cutting!

Le Challenge - Precious

For my entry to Le Challenge this month there is really only one thing I can enter.

The 'Special Delivery' baby quilt I've made for my old school friend's very precious new baby!

He was born just 5 days ago and still does't have a name.

I can truly say I'm stupidly proud of this quilt, it's so so simple, but I've really fallen in love with it while quilting it! I added lots of favourite fabrics in there, cut into 5" squares and it's finished up at 31"x35", which I think is a nice mat or pram size.

The binding is a mix of Kona blues with a bit of green and stars as well. I'm just waiting for his name and then it will get a label and be ready for my first meet with him.

There has been a bit of discussion on IG about giving quilts as gifts. This will be my first one, with the Swoon to be the second at Christmas, both to people who don't sew or quilt, but who I love dearly! I'm a secret blogger and quilter, only my husband knows the true extent of my making, fabric, quilting and blogging addiction. Well, he sees the fabric piled up and the debits on the bank statement!

And I really feel quite sick in my stomach about giving something that I've loved making and wondering if it will be loved or if they will think I'm being a cheapskate by giving a homemade gift! If you sew you know it's not a cheap gift, but I really feel like I'm putting myself up for criticism or they will think I want praise and to show off.

What do you think? How do you feel about giving homemade? Have you had any gift badly received? Or am I just being a wuss!
Pop over to Le Challenge to see the other Precious inspired makes.

Sew Mama Sew Winner!!!

Drum roll please…….

the winner of the magazine and fabrics is…….

No. 31 who is

I'm getting am email off to you now and will get it in the post as soon as I've got your address. 

I wish I had more to giveaway, I can't believe so many people entered and thanks to for all the new followers!
I'm off to catchup on some weekend blog reading, while the children chuck decorations decorate the tree! 

Making Christmas Week 10!!

Firstly, I just want to say thank you to Janine and Rebecca for creating/organising Making Christmas, because as I realised yesterday, other than my homemade bits….. 

I still have everything to buy, wrap, write, send and do!!! 

And, although there is a certain reader (Miss Katy!) who would rather I stop reminding her, we only have 10 days to go! 

So, I had a massive online splurge last night and hopefully everything was purchased! Except for a limited edition rugby ball that you can only buy from Saracens the week before the match, from the actual shop!! And I bet the bloody elves get the thanks! Sorry, mad mothers Christmas rant over!  

Anyhoo, I've got the Doll's House Mat finished this week! And I am so so so excited about it, I just hope Miss Rose is…..

Only a peek for now as I want to give it a proper post. 

It's also generated another thing for the list, as I now need to make these fabrics into one of these fabulous drawstring bag for the critters to live in. 

Trudi has started quilting the Swoon! I can't wait to see it! I need to get the binding fabric ordered and into binding so it's good to go as the quilt gets back. 

The list so far….

Swoon Quilt for the Parents - It's with Trudi!!!!! 

Hootenanny Quilt for Son No.2 - Finished  

Doll's House Mat for Rose - Finished

Christmas Table Runner -Finished 

Polar Bear Cushion - Finished

Christmas Book Report Dress of Rose -  Cheesy fabric has arrived
Hudl Cover - Finished
Advent Calendar - Finished
Thermal Curtains - Finished
Cafe Apron -Finished
Drawstring bag for critters - Added

This week Making Christmas is over at Susan - The Bored Zombie so go look and cheer on everyone for the last legs of their lists!! 

Wednesdays Workings!

hello…. 

...to all the new followers that Sew Mama Sew have sent my way! *waves vigorously!!*
and of course

hello.. 

to my poor long suffering following followers!! *waves even more vigorously*

Today I will be mostly working on getting this quilt top into a quilt. As my friend had her baby yesterday and now we know it's a blue one!!!

I was thinking of all lovely ways to quilt it, but I bet I'll go with straight lines either side of the seams in white! What do you think?
I've got this lovely blue star fabric for the backing from my local quilt shop, it's the most perfect blue and is called Celebration by Bunny Hill Design.

I can't wait to meet him, but that won't be till after Christmas, so I'd like to get this off in the post to him and his adorable family.
I will also see seen wrestling this Doll House sausage roll into a finished dolls house mat…….I hope!!!

If you haven't already tried your luck at entering, my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is still open over here.

I'm linking up with the brilliant

 

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

Giveaway is now closed and the winner was posted here and is Happier Than A Bird Quilts!

I loved participating in Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day back in May and found loads of new blogs and was even lucky enough to win something.
So this time I'm offering up supplies again! (I really don't think you would want something I made!!)

 I'm giving away 

the latest (won't be in the shops till the 11th December) copy of Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, 

the Love Patchwork & Quilting pins 

and a fq of Juggling Summer by Zen Chic, fq of Kona Honey and a  9"x16' scrap of ruler fabric

To win these goodies all you need to do is leave me a comment telling me what is your favourite festive make? 

And for a bonus entry, be a follower (old, new and anyway you like) and let me know in a separate comment! 

The giveaway is open internationally.

You have until 5pm on Friday 13th December 2013 (PST) which is the middle of the night for me and I'll randomly pick as winner and post who has won on Saturday! 

Please, please, please make sure you are a not a no-reply commenter/blogger or that you leave an email,  otherwise I have no way of contacting you, as my telepathy skills are not very well trained! 

Good luck and go see all the amazing prizes up for grabs! 

Making Christmas Week 9….

Well, including today peeps you have just 3 Saturdays left to shop!!!!!!!! Unless your like me and work on a Saturday and then you have none and just order everything off the internet!!

This week I have gotten my cafe Apron finished and off the list.

Alexander Henry 'All I want for Christmas' and lots and lots of Kona solids. This is for a lady who works in the restaurant of my parents local pub, I hope Mr Alexander Henry's thermal clad men will not be too cheeky!!!  

Next I made the critters for the House Play Mat! I did not realise how tricky felt is to machine sew,

these poor critters have heard far too many swear words mumbled at the sewing machine! 

And finally, the curtains are done and up! Although they are not hemmed, but that does not bother me! 

So, the list is looking pretty good! 

Swoon Quilt for the Parents - It's with Trudi!!!!! 

Hootenanny Quilt for Son No.2 - Finished  

Doll's House Mat for Rose - I've started and am on week 5, just have to assemble it! 

Christmas Table Runner -Finished 

Polar Bear Cushion - Finished

Christmas Book Report Dress of Rose -  Cheesy fabric has arrived
Hudl Cover - Finished
Advent Calendar - Finished
Thermal Curtains - Finished
Cafe Apron -Finished

This week I will tackle that dress, I hope!

The link up this week is over at the lovely Lucy's, pop over and see everyone progress!
And remember it's Small Business Saturday, so go and support a small business locally or online today!

WIP Wednesday!

Working on tiny details on the Doll's House Mat can be so time consuming!

and quite addictive!

I have made so much progress with it this week and have finally caught up to Week 5 of the Sew Along. I should be at the quilting bit this afternoon, which will make it look a lot more like it should.

But, I need to get over to The Village Haberdashery to get the webbing and that won't be happening! As the boiler is having its annual check-up and goodness knows how long thats going to take, when he eventually arrives!
So, I will be playing with this stack of softness, to make these little fellas!!!

And maybe it needs a felt Christmas tree or door wreath too…….

I'm linking up with