Bag swap - yippee

Opening day is here and look at the fantastic bag I scored from the lovely Emma!

Here is a close up of the embroidered label she put on it to remember the swap - a very nice touch. Sorry Emma, but this is strictly a keeper and you can't have it back!!!

Appologies for the dodgy photos but hubby has the camera at work so I resorted to mobile phone images. I couldn't get bluetooth to work so then had to recharge my account, set up phone email, email them, save them on the computer then upload them here. Two hours and a bit of aggro later, here they are.

She has done a great job and when the camera comes home I'll try to put up some better photos. I'm very impressed with the internal zipper pocket and the big pocket under the label. She also made a matching tissue case which is great because I can never find the things in my bags

And here is a pic of the bag I made for Sahra using the fabric from my last post. I enjoyed making this one and really hope she likes it. The photo is pretty bad, but the cross-over trim hides two big pockets on the outside of the bag and the whole thing is lightly quilted.

Yay - what a great start to the day. I'm off to pack my new bag up so I can take it to work and show it off!

Bag swap sneak peek

Here is a sneak peek of the fabric I'm using for the bag I'm making for my partner in the EB bag swap.

I'm rather in love with it and just happened to buy enough to make something for myself afterwards. It is called 'Jacobean Rhapsody' by Timeless Treasures fabrics.

The bag is taking a little longer than expected because I rolled my foot at work and couldn't walk for three days - right on they day I was meant to be going fabric shopping! My foot is still several lovely shades of blue-black but it is my left foot so I'm able to sew right-footed without a problem.

I spent the weekend fussy cutting to make the most of the fabric design, cutting out and ironing-on interfacing and pellon. I also unpicked the small amount of quilting over and over again.

Now I've got to make and apply some binding, design and apply some pockets and try and figure out the rather poor instrustions for the lining.

Hopefully it will be all ready to post off on Monday. I don't think I'll have time to make the little purse I wanted to put with it.

Bella's new family - Giveaway day winner

Thanks to everyone who offered to adopt my little Bella.

Using the old-fashioned pull a number out of a hat (or tupperware bowl in my case) method the random winner was comment number 21 - Joanne.

Just waiting for Joanne to contact me and then Bella will be off to her new home, and by the sounds of it to a very appreciative little bear-lover!

I've been looking at Bella every day for the last week and am very tempted to pull the templates out and start one or two little friends........like I need any more WIPs around the place!

Pay it Forward

I've signed up for a Pay it Forward challenge on Bec Clarke's blog - http://becclarke.blogspot.com/
She has another one too - http://becclarkecreations.blogspot.com/
Check them out because she has some great jewelry and soap, and several great give-aways at the moment.

Here is the text from her 'pay it forward' challenge:

I found my idea here: Marianne's Art Blog.
I am entering into the following contract with the first 5 people who comment and then commit to do the same on their blog.
Just read below and if you feel up to the task copy the following into your blog and leave me a comment.
I am willing to post overseas (I am in Australia), but remember you must committ on your blog to do the same to others.
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.

Right, so I commit to sending something handmade to the first five people who comment here. However, maybe five is a bit much for you to commit to, so as long as you pay it forward to at least two people then that's fine. Just leave a comment, put a link back to this along with your own Pay it Forward post on your blog and wait for me to be in touch!

My baby boy is TWO today

When did that happen? Amazed at how quickly time has flown, these last two years have been the best and hardest and most fullfilling of my life.



Humpty Dumpty was the favourite present for my little Playschool fan. He even got to help blow out the candles.



As part of his present I've got tickets to the Playschool concert in July and can't wait to take both Jack and Humpty. I think he'll love it.

Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway Day - Bella Bear needs a hug!

The Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day is on May 27th and I'm joining in the fun.
Here's the link if you want to join in too: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=805

Here is the sweet little Bella, looking for a hug to call her own. She has been keeping me company in the sewing room for a while except for the times I've had to rescue her from the toy box, cot, clothes hamper or assorted other places that Jack likes to stash pilfered items.

Lately she has been a bit neglected and I think it is time she was adopted by someone with more time to share secrets with her. (Jack just saw this picture and raced down to the sewing room to find her - I think he might miss her a bit even though his own bear hug is rather large)

Bella is the third bear I've made so she is not perfect but she is very charming and has been stitched with love.
The lovely Bella is about 25cm tall. Her fur is fuzzy felt (I think polyester) in a dusky mushroom pink with a fuzzy rather than furry effect. Her filling is polyester fibre fill. Her arms, legs and neck have timber joints and are fully poseable. Her eyes are plastic safety eyes. She is safe for gentle hugs from little ones (and enjoys them very much) but I'm not sure if she will stand up very well to rough play. Her burgandy bow is a bit of ribbon used in my wedding decorations, so it brings good luck and fondest wishes with it.
If you would like to share your own secrets with Bella and think you could give her the perfect home then leave a comment here by 31st May and she could be yours.
I will draw a winner at random on June 1st, so please remeber to tell me how I can contact you. Bella wouldn't mind a plane trip and is happy to move overseas (as long as she sends a postcard home when she gets there) so international visitors are very welcome.

Jack's swap clothes

Finally, Jack has been well and happy enought to co-operate with a photo of his swap clothes. This arrived in the mail just as we got home from NZ but because we've all been sick (and I've also been a bit lazy) I'm only just blogging it now.

This is a pic of the pack that Lil Frankie sent us for the EB clothing swap - a pair of beautifully made PJs with brightly coloured tractors/diggers all over them, a cute singlet and a board book about cars/trucks/planes which was a good choice for Jack. Jack took one look at the PJs and said 'Dig Dig' and took off with them.

Here he is curled up in my bed reading his book, which is a firm favourite. The top is a little big now but will be perfect by the time the weather warms up again.

And here is an action shot - 'Big Jump!' as he shows off the singlet and pants. The pants fit perfectly now and by summer hopefully he will be TT and nappy free so we should get a full year out of them.

Jack loves his gifts and I'm pretty happy with them too. Bring on the next swap now I've recovered from this one!