Handwarmers, Totes, a competition win and more........

My main "thing" is quilting but after finishing a couple of big quilts, lately I just needed a few small projects that I could start and finish fast!  And the fun I've had! 

First I made the Fabric Wreath that I showed you yesterday.  Check out my first ever little tutorial if you haven't seen it already.  It's a no-sew project so suitable for everyone!  You will see the Tutorial Link at the top of the page, under the header!

Then, I made a few hand warmers for my mum and a good friend, Georgie who has Reynauds Disease so always has blue hands in the cold.  I filled them with rice and added a few drops of cinnamon to give them a nice smell. 

Next, I wanted to make something for my friend who has recently taken up crochet.  We've been friends since we were 10.  I have always been the one who was into "make & do" and always had a box of some craft or other in the corner whether it was glass painting, jewellery, card making and eventually, my total addiction, sewing/quilting and it's lovely to finally be able to share the love of making with her.  So, when I found this pattern online, I had to buy it and make it up for her.

It was my first time making a tote....... I have to admit, the base was a bit of a challenge so it's not perfect but it taught me alot!

I get fierce excited when I start to see a project come together so it takes a little longer because I need to stop regularly to admire it....... hence this picture of it before even adding the lining and it's turned right side out!

  It's a Crochet Tote.  It has a fine big center to hold up to 5 full balls of wool and then all the way around there are different sized pockets to hold the crochet hooks (or knitting needles), scissors and any other related notions!  I chose bright and cheerful colours because she's young and funky (just like me, ha ha)! 

And finally, I had bought some of the Gorjuss Fabric about 6 months ago and just didn't know what to do with it but finally, FINALLY, I cut into it and made my friends two little girls some bags.  I did some straight line quilting on them (which I love since I haven't mastered free-motion yet) and they turned out cute. 

It's hard not to turn out cute when you are using anything Gorjuss by Santoro........... it's just adorable!

I used a stem stitch and added their names on too.  You can't see the names because I hadn't gifted them when I took the picture so I covered it up with a bit of selvedge!

Now, before I go.............check out my little "win" on Instagram.  I entered a little competition with @colourmehappy2 and I won!!!!

I got orange chocolate ( my fav) (well, one of my fav's), a funky fat quarter, a mini Moda Charm pack, some wonder clips and hexie templates!  EEEEEEEEEK, I'm going making hexies!!!!! How cool...........

Daft pic won't rotate properly - sorry!

Scrap Happy!!

Scrap Happy, oh yes I am! 



I've had great fun this week so far, making things from scraps! 

First I made another zipped pouch for a friend who fell for the first one I made.  It's great when you make something with mad colours and you think it's a bit out there but someone loves it!  I also made another set of bunting which is currently winging it's way to Australia!

Yesterday I had loads of time with nothing to do.......... okay, that's not true, there were loads of things I could have done but it was the first day that all three of my kids were back at school after 10 days of sickness.  I had a quiet house and decided to make the best of it.......... but really I spent half the day deciding what to do !  Finally, at 5pm, I finally dug out the scraps and made this heart wreath.  I love it, it's totally scrapilicious!!!  There are dozens of different fabrics and colours in there!  It's hanging on the blue wall of my sewing room and pops with colour in reality - the pic doesn't quite do it justice. 
I will do a tutorial on this in a few days if anyone is interested!





Today, I got to the sewing machine earlier and when I found one single Eiffel Tower scrap, I chose to make a scrappy cushion cover around it.  I used the quilt-as-you-go method so it came together very fast.  By noon, all I had left was to put the backing on and I had a squishy, scrappy, pink cushion! 


Wonder what I'll do tomorrow morning!

Pouches of fun!

Today was a Storm Day - the country called a Code Red on the weather.  Storm Rachel was heading in and all the schools were advised to close.  Hooray!!!!  Half the morning spent in bed watching movies with the kids and browsing for ideas of something to sew.  I decided on zip pouches because I've been wanting to try them for a while.  They're another thing that everybody said was easy but to me they looked difficult so I started small......... a 4" zip to make a small change purse.

Hmmm, it was easy but I used a metal zip which complicated things slightly.  Still loved it though and took out even bigger scraps to go to town on!



Then of course my boys came in and "needed" one each.  I love that they're interested in what I sew and always want one of their own.  They all picked the fabrics they wanted.  My youngest (by 23mins) is very particular and it had to be green with cows........ thankfully I could manage it.   At least 2 of these pouches are in bed with my boys right now!






 



I have to admit, I really enjoyed making these.  It's the first item I've made that I would gladly make over and over (other than quilts obviously)!   I had made this box pouch earlier in the week.  It's extra plush because it's quilted.  I love the space in it, the design would make a great make-up bag or nail polish bag but I'm using my to carry my perle cotton right now! 



This week I also made a mini charm cushion as a shop sample for The Quilt Shop Tuam.
I used a mini charm pack from Moda called Persimmon.  The pictures don't quite do the fabric justice, the colours are far lovelier in reality!  The complimenting fabric is called "grunge"!  I have yet to fill it with a pillow form that fits so it's a little lack lustre right now but it was a fun little project!

So, go on...........ask!  What has prompted this feverish fit of sewing all of a sudden?  I have been rather quiet lately and then all this?............ Well, it's my new baby Bessie!!  Or rather, my new Juki Sewing Machine!  She's pretty amazing - I had to give her a few test runs!  I'm feeling fairly spoiled with her to be honest, she has all the bells and whistles!!


Expect more from little Bessie soon :)


Just one last picture.............

Doesn't the excitement on his face make the time and effort worthwhile?