All Gail's Fault

Well not really just that great minds must think alike we have both in the last week done designs with bicycles, Gail a traditional bike with flowers and me a penny farthing with flowers. Must be the onset of Spring makes me think of cool Parisienne streets, bicycles and flowers. Struggled whether to make into a bag or pillow but decided on the former, love the pink and white spots with the muted marbled green, will fit a 12" x 12" pad, ideal for a  gazebo in the garden in the long sultry summer days.

Carrying on from my theme of the Fleur de Lis earrings now lace Angels of Light perfect as a gift to let someone know you are thinking of them during a tough time in their lives, because angels have so many different meanings for each person or the Teacher Angel as a special end of term gift for the help given throughout the school year. A special Angel for New Borns. These are Sonia Showalter designs.

I am also very honoured to have an interview published with Wendy from 1st Unique Gifts on her new project Handmade Harbour. Thank you so much Wendy for this opportunity and so looking forward to all the read all about others.

Check out Pinelry by invitation only: http://www.pinerly.com/i/5251v still think it needs another n but never mind.

I would also like to thank all those that comment on my blog each week, your comments mean a lot to me and a special thank you to a new follower Connie, her stunning paintings and for her thoughtful words.

 Check out the other blogs for Handmade Monday with 1st Unique Gifts

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Master of Bickie Ceremony

Sewing themes and Fleur de Lis

Another week gone and am now convinced that the days have less hours in, either that or I am getting slow in my old age. Been a busy week not so much from the crafting front but making up flat packed furniture with DH offering to help!! that was when the problem started he used brute force to knock in a panel pin in the back and it went through the top of the book case, at least too tall for me to see the top but he can see it so he may remember next time leave well alone!! and let me get on with it on my now, just typical.

Anyway back to the bookcase, so pleased with it problem I now have space for more books so Amazon watch out, my wish list has already grown expedentially and needs to be emptied into the shopping cart. Still not finished the big declutter but will get there wanted a break to make a cushion cover for a relatives birthday in April, I know early but love to be organised on the gift and card front. I hope she likes it made in silk fabric, colours of creams and beige with embroidery of a sewing theme.

Fleur de Lis Earrings

Have found the most delightful machine embroidery site of designs that are amazing and these caught my eye. I love lace and the fleur de lis design so what better than to follow the suggestion of earrings, hanging on a silver ear wire with a crystal added for some sparkle. Sonia Showalter Designs is a positive heaven for machine embroidery enthusiast and cannot wait to try some of her other designs.

Another card for the family Birthday's this year, up to May already and doing good.

This new machines helps but my brain hurts with all the ideas.

Have a happy creative week and don;t forget to check out the other blogs at:

Make Mine Pink

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1st Unique Gifts

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Chief of handouts of doggy treats

Flutterby's and more

Another week of crafting and the weather has been odd one day beautiful the next dull and miserable but I have not let the changes get me down worked on some Spring/Summery things this week.

Butterfly Carte et un Cadeau's

Undecided about these but having found these beautiful foil embossed cards made up my mind a card and gift in one. Machine embroidery lace design in variegated pastel thread with a brooch back. The foil card design varies some are gold and some silver, some have square centres others circles but I am happy with the end result and as I love butterflies.....

Thank You Cards

A set of 3 thank you cards, simple yet effective designs and to have a set to hand just perfect

St Patrick's Day

Not to ignore the Irish contingent (forgive me Grand Ma) a Patchwork Shamrock embroidered card perfect for St Patricks Day on the 17th March and as my patron saint must not forget this day.

This is my new baby working away for me producing beautiful designs, what would I do without it?

Just for a laugh:

Took Shiloh up to the playing fields for a run around, he rugby tackled Lee to the ground then got sent of to the sin bin on a red card for said tackle after trying to give his Dad the kiss of life, this was also to add insult to injury for Lee in front of 3 other dogs and their owners.

Check out the other blogs at 1st Unique Gifts

Happy Crafting

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Pescalator Extroidinaire

Is Spring here yet?

The crocus are popping their heads above the soil a dash of colour on a dreary day and think almost Spring. To me seems to have been a long, long winter and although the weather has not been as bad as previous years am really looking forward to the Spring and Summer. Perhaps an age thing that I need warmth on my bones.

Talking of Spring ordered some fantastic fabric for the school bags, I just love it so summery and reminds me a tad of Easter. Now not one to waste anything had to make some Easter Egg Hunt bags, embroidered with a cute bunny or chick, ideal to stash all those chocolate goodies in or use to fill with eggs and give as a gift to the grand children. Or fill with scented goodies from Just Soaps of the Earth for a perfect pampering gift for a Mum, Nan or girlfriend, all of Jane's products have less fattening centres.

The Easter bags are available on my website or Wow Thank You

The reason for the fabric purchase in the first place school laundry bags, should brighten up the dorms.

This fabric just spoke to me although only enough to make 2 laundry bags in each colour way just felt the need to stop my finger itching and had to buy. On arrival there was extra as the end of a length so 3 bags out of the pink at no extra cost, Yippee!!

The cut off's? well the hearts spoke to me of a little Princess so eager to be big and grown up but still in love with fantasyland, fairies and the Princess in the castle. This time as actual mini tote bags, ideal as a gift can be filled with all manner of things for a perfect little girl or just because she is your Princess.

That is all from me this week off to make some embroidered lace 3D butterflies into pins/brooches. Debating whether to add to a card to become a Carte et un Cadeau a card and gift in one or leave as stand alone, leaning towards the card idea as I have so many CD's with some beautiful vintage style papers. Oh well decisions, decisions you will just have to wait for next week.

 Check out the other blogs at
1st Unique Gifts for more creating tales.

Have a wonderful creative week in Craft Land

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A smaller gift

In the current climate gift buying can become a problem as money is tight. You don't want to not give but wish to give something small that you know will be well received. This is part of my new business plan for 2012 to design and make a selection of gifts and complementing cards including gift wrapping aimed at a small outlay but big in the receiving department. A gift made with care and attention to detail, something to be treasured hopefully for years to come.

I love to give more than receive, love to take the time making and wrapping and the biggest gift to me is knowing that a gift I have made is loved. Money should not be a part of gift giving it is the thought that counts and the days of buying big to impress I hope are finally over. Some gifts I have given may be small but could have taken hours to make, every stitch a gift of love.

MINI COIN PURSE

Onto my small gifts, carrying on from the boy's coin purse my new offering depicting a union jack mini on flag fabric, bearing in mind it is the Jubilee year nothing better than a bit of patriotism, think these could be used for little boys, girls and bigger girls especially useful for the change needed for the town car parks.

NEW HOME CARD

Suddenly remembered my friend was moving from Lyme Regis to Stonehouse, Gloucester not like me not to be ready in advance and had to whip up a New Home card, now I love bird houses not sure why but they speak to me, hope she likes it.

VICTORIAN NECK POCKET


A detailed embroidered heart onto silk embellished with organza flowers and ribbon roses with diamante gems, a delightful item for that special evening out.

BOOKMARKS

As you know from a previous post I love to read BOOKS! yes I said it actual paper pages and all, so the next progression was to add some bookmarks, think these two designs are fun for any age.
Suggestion a good book and a book mark as a gift, if you search can be again a reasonable gift and one that will be treasured long after the book has been read.

Check out the other blogs at

1st Unique Gifts Blog

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Make Mine Pink

Almost Spring hang on in there...

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Chief Nuisance Factor

Monday again!!!

Well not sure where last week went but has gone never to be seen again, will soon be on the countdown to Christmas again.

Well what have I been doing or not as the case may be, not done as much as would have liked but that is life the snow seems to have made me want to hibernate and work is the last thing on the agenda.

BOYS COIN PURSE

A challenge thrown down by Tracey from Wow Thank you a boys coin purse, apparently they are hard to come by, girl's not a problem but boy's think again, this is my offering in brown mottled fabric and an embroidered tractor with zipper closure. Think may just make some more.

CLOWN INITIAL DOOR PILLOW

Fun new addition to my door pillows this time with and initial in a clown design

PEACOCK SILK CLUTCH EVENING BAG

I love the colours of this silk and as my mood board a few posts ago finally got around to making.

Check out the other blogs on:

1st Unique Gifts

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Make Mine Pink

Have a great week creating, same time same place next week.

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Eating the snow to help Dad clear the paths!!

The Winners gift

following on from my 'giveaway' this week here are the two Jacobean initial sachets,  winging there way across the UK and over the 'Pond' to the USA:

J for Jan from Picto

and

S for Shannon fron Shabby Shan's Cottage

Enjoy ladies

Wow Thank You


My first order from Wow Thank you for 2 of the embroidered Mother's Day cards, embroidery done just waiting for the card blank delivery which should have been today!

Child's Prayer Cushion Cover


Had an idea originally wanted to make a picture and frame then thought no what about a cushion, done in lemon mottled for the backing and sides and white on white leaf sprig design fabric for the centre panel and corner squares. Happy with how it turned out, could be done in say a pink or blue or any colour to match the nursery decor.

Another Oriental inspired evening bag this time in cerise butterfly print satin and burgundy velvet panel with embroidered butterfly.

Had a request from my BFF for a Mother door pillow, her Mum is a very brave and special lady.

Had to test out my new packaging,

I love to receive beautifully wrapped orders through the post, think it shows the sender cares. Did pinch this idea from Liz Earle and Fig Leaves, nothing better than to receive a package, open and see what lies inside. The labels I designed and printed myself and just love the spotted ribbon and think goes well with the tissue paper which next time may have to be silver sprinkles as the spot as usual has now been discontinued, just typical.

Off to check out the other blogs at:

1st Unique Gifts

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Make Mine Pink

Have a creative week and hope the snow has not caused too many disruptions.

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Fun in the Snow Director