Shoes and Balls

shoes and balls
Originally uploaded by Sewchristine

This is what I have been making - as well as bags of course! You can see my latest bags on flickr. So how cute are these shoes? I made the smaller ones for my daughter Melissa, and the larger for my daughter Amanda. (Not for them you understand but for their impending babies). My three daughters are all expecting at the moment. Big explosion in the grandchildren population! The balls weren't that easy to make. They seemed simple but it was really hard to get the panels to the right shape so it looked like a ball when they were all sewn up. For anyone interested you can get the pattern for the shoes here and the ball pattern here. Don't forget to leave a comment for my giveaway. It will be drawn next Friday.

Small giveaway

I bought some frames from ebay and instead of paying attention I assumed they would be bigger than they are! The frames are tiny.
When I say tiny, I mean really, really, TINY! I have made one purse which I am giving away to someone who leaves a comment. This purse is cute and suitable for an adult's coin purse or a little girls wristlet. It has a tiny hook attached to the side with a narrow wrist strap. It would be great for holding coins, sweets or even small toys. The frame measures 2 inches across the widest point where the hinges are. It was pretty fiddly to make and unless you are very keen to have the smallest coin purse in the world - I wouldn't bother with 2 inch frames. The rules are as usual. Leave a comment, check back on Friday 25th July to see if you've won. I will pick one winner randomly and post out your prize. Easy or what?
By the way the driving to Heathrow and back went without a hitch. LOVE my TOM TOM. Poor Ben, it's rained since he got here which is a shame after the recent glorious weather.

New things but not bags!

bib and cloth
Originally uploaded by Sewchristine

I've had a go at making cotton baby bibs and burp cloths. A few of you mentioned these in the post for my last giveaway. They were pretty easy and have turned out well. I will be making more of these as soon as I get more towelling. The burp cloths I made are very simple. Just an oblong of fabric and the same for the towelling. Sew together turn to right side and topstitch. Quick and easy! I'm going tomorrow to pick up my lovely nephew Ben from Australia. He's arriving at Heathrow so wish me well! I haven't driven on the motorway since my strokes so I'm a bit anxious.

New Nappy Bag

nappybag2
Originally uploaded by Sewchristine

I've just finished this bag which could be used for a nappy (diaper) bag, toddler bag or shopper. It has two roomy pockets on the outside back and front and 5 extra roomy pockets inside. The bag is fully lined and interlined with quilters fleece - soft but sturdy! Also has stiff interfacing in the bottom. It has a flap closure with magnetic snap. As you can see it can fit nappys (or diapers), baby wipes, muslin (or burp cloth), sippy cup/bottle, toy, change mat or bib. There's still room for Mummy's things too. I love this fabric - so reminiscent of a bygone age.

Prize winner and New Fabric

Thank you sew much to everyone who left a comment for this prize draw. I always read all your comments, and this time there were just so many really good and exciting ideas left. I did the draw using the random number generator as this seems the fairest way to do these things. The winner is number 16 Sewing Passion who left this comment: How about key fobs to clip inside a purse/bag? I'm always losing my keys in the bottom of my bag!How about hair clips?(By the way I love your bags!) If she would like to contact me with her real name and address I'll post off the goodies. I'm sorry I couldn't give you all a prize! But I'll be having another giveaway soon. I saw this fabric on Etsy Fabric Shop and I knew I HAD to have it. Do you ever the feeling that some fabric just speaks to you? Well this lot certainly spoke to me. It said "Buy me and make me into bags!" I can't wait to get started.
This is some of the stuff I've got ready for my exhibition. As well as bags I've got quilts, lavender hearts, rice/lavender heat bags with cotton covers, little felt brooches, bunting, tea and egg cosies, etc. It's all adding to my stock but I can't sew fast enough!

Frames

You've got a couple of days to enter the prize draw, just leave some comments.

I've been busy making some frame purses. These are little bags with a detachable handle that lets them go from a bag(or purse) to a clutch. I'm pretty happy with them but I've got one frame left. I can see I need to vary my colour scheme!

I've been tagged

Yes I've been tagged by Jo of Blissed Out. I'm not quite sure if I use the same questions as she did, but they are as good as any so that's what I'll do.

The rules: I answer 6 questions about myself. At the end of the post, I tag 6 people and post their names. I then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read my blog. Finally, I let the person who tagged me know when I’ve posted my answers.

What was I doing ten years ago-1998?
I was working in a Prison (as a Governor) which I loved, and suffering at the same from empty nest syndrome as my youngest was in her second year at University. She went to North Carolina for 6 months on an exchange and I really missed her. Craft wise I was sewing clothes which I mostly don't do now, and keeping chickens (well it's a kind of craft!)

5 things on my to do list for today
1. Take Jessie the wonder sewing dog for a walk
2. Start photographing the stock I've made for my exhibition
3. Fill the hearts I've made with lavendar
4. Phone each of my children (I do this most days)
5. Make some chicken wire covers for my budding plants to keep the rabbits off

Things that I would do if I was a billionaire
Although I live in the UK, I originate from Australia and my Twiggy Twin sister still lives there. So I would fly over and see her more often but go first class! For a 23 hour flight it would be sooo much better!

I would buy Winston Churchill's House Chartwell from the National Trust and live in it. It is a wonderful place with a fantastic story and a truly amazing previous owner.

I would take personal lessons from people like Amy Butler and Lisa Lam.

Places I have lived
I lived in and around Melboune, Victoria until i came to the UK 23 years ago. Since then I have lived in Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Canterbury and Pluckley. Pluckley is a little village in the middle of the Kent countryside. For anyone from the UK it's where they filmed the "Darling Buds of May".

Snacks I like
Licorice, olives, fruit especially pineapple, mango, red berries, Vegemite on toast. This is an Australian acquired taste mentioned in the Men at Work song Do you come from the land downunder? as in "..she just smiled and gave me a Vegemite Sandwich..."

6 people I want to know more about
Like Jo says this is a bit of a challenge because so many people have already done this. Still here are my picks:

Flossie teacakes

Plump Pudding

Tiggypeasticks