Me Time!

Tonight I am enjoying the view of my sewing area.
For today I have finally managed to do some sewing for myself and family! 

And it feels good!

Strawberry Fever

So the strawberry season is well and truly among us, and the kids have been happily munching their way through our crop so quickly in fact that I have failed to get a photo of our best crop ever to show you or even to eat one myself!

All this 'strawberry' fever has had an effect on my latest choice of fabrics. I couldn't resist this fun berry print when I saw it and I have enjoyed teaming it with a dark pink gingham fabric to make this bib and burp cloth set which is available here and here.

I've also been making some girls tote bags for the fairs I have been doing. There size makes them ideal for a young girl to fill with her toys, hair clips or books and to carry them around with her just like her mummy!

I can't believe how quickly girls get into their bags my 19mth old already loves filling hers up with what ever she can find and I do mean 'whatever'! I have added one to my on-line shop and one to my folksy shop a crafty hen   

As for our crop of strawberries, I think the kids have eaten most of our crop and have now started on our raspberries and loganberries. I wonder if I'll manage to get to eat a few myself or even better to get some into the kitchen to do some cooking with them?

It must be the sunshine!

The weather over the last few days really has been magnificent.

Blue skies, a warmth in the sun, a smell about the air that is a sign that everything is beginning to wake up. Little by little there are true signs of spring, the birds are singing the spring bulbs are brightening the garden up and the seedlings are making good progress in the greenhouse. And as for me, 

I've been surrounding myself with 'spring' fabrics!

It's been a real joy to pick out this gorgeous orange and pink vintage floral print and match it up with other vintage and new fabrics. With the sun streaming through the window whilst I sew, creating this large drawstring bag has been a pleasure.

Both sides are different and are finished with a trim of velvet ribbon. 

It is fully lined with another summery vintage print and closes with a cream barley twist rope. It is a perfect size for keeping laundry in or even toys.

It is part of my slowly increasing 'Dotty Vintage' range in my Folksy shop . I have also added a set of two burp cloths also made out of this lovely range of cheerful fabrics.

These handy cloths match perfectly with my 'dotty vintage' bib making it a lovely idea for a gift.

Well that's me done!! 

I'm off to have a good night sleep as tomorrow we are digging over the allotment, a job that needs doing but is rather back breaking! At least it looks like we will be doing it in sunshine!

Enjoy :)

Birthday treats

There are many benefits of having a birthday in July, 

the sales are definitely one of them!

 50% off on Orla Kiely bags is too hard to resist!

A girl can never have enough bags!! 

Especially when the inside is as gorgeous as the outside!

And as for notebooks,

 Am I the only one who finds it difficult to use notebooks when they are this pretty! So thank you Grandma and to think it's not even my birthday yet for another week!

Is that the sun .........

The sun is shining,

the birds are singing, the garden has come alive it is a truly magnificent day.
Such a contrast to the grey drizzly days we've been having lately.

What a great opportunity to show you my latest sewing project out in the sunshine.
I've been wanting to make a bag/bucket to house all of E's baby toys in since xmas, to get them off the sofa's where they are usually left lying around.

The outside and bottom are quilted which helps keep the shape. I've used a bamboo/cotton blend wadding that I buy from my local fabric shop by the meter, but I think I might try a heavier weight wadding next time to make it even sturdier.

Overall I'm really pleased with it. The only thing is, it's a little big. Why I made it the size I did, I'm not sure! Though as Mr D said it'll soon fill up with toys! So I'm already planning to make more in different sizes. I can imagine a whole line of these in the nursery.
Well I'm off to hang some washing on the line something I haven't done for weeks. I hope it's not too grey with you and that this sunshine stays for the weekend.
It really feels like Spring is in the air!

Last minute

Never again, is what I'm saying to myself, though I know I'll probably be the same next year!



With the boys out fetching the turkey and the potatoes that I forgot in the shopping!
I've finally had the chance to finish my sister's present, and I'm really happy with the bag, in fact so happy that I've decided (in the new year of course!) to make myself one out of the fabric I have left.




Apart from some last minute wrapping I think we're finally prepared!!
Not sure how the boys are going to make it through the night as they are so excited especially J the 4 year old.
We must not J said, forget the beer (his words) and mince pie for Father Christmas and the carrot and water for the reindeer.
He would of course have it all ready for them now if we let him!!

A Happy Christmas to you all, keep warm, stay merry,
and I hope it's everything you wished for.