Handmade Monday Number 72

Another Handmade Monday, think we should think of  a celebration when we reach 100.

Been quite productive this week with my Parisian collection, stitched on the machine as normal but this time the designs are more like sketches and I love them, fabric used cream linen.

Lavender Sachets

Madam Nightshades Bag

Ideal for a handmade soap, perhaps one of Jane's Rosemary & Pine bars, delicious

Hummingbird Frame Bag

Not sure why but had the idea of a hummingbird in a stitched toile style

More Owls, such a hoot.....

Following on from the call from Tracey at WTY just had to add this cute owl bag

Bridal Keepsake Pillow

I mentioned this last week but had not sent off to my favourite customer, has now arrived safely and she is pleased with the design and have permission to show off to you all. Drama masks, lavender and roses were the brief. I loved doing this project, think because bespoke gives me carte blanche on the creative design front. Plus had to send her a matching silk bag filled with confetti to throw over the happy couple on the day.

Been such a productive week and think a lot of this has been my new regime of planning in advance, getting everything needed to complete a task rather than the usual hunting round for items, then so exhausted cannot be bothered with the stitching. Now how long this super organisation is going to last? well watch this space.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour

 &

Mum's sewing room is so much fun, do not understand why she does not think the same!!!

71 weeks?

Can you believe 71 weeks since Wendy started Handmade Monday, may have missed 2 during that time but certainly an inspiration to keep going. Thank you Wendy you have kept me on the crafting road most weeks, my stock is increasing and loving it more day by day.

Quite a week spent some waiting for deliveries of 'things I needed' to complete projects think the postal service is a bit like watching a kettle boil! Having seen in the news that apparently no post somewhere in the UK because it was raining and the postie slipped but not on a pavement in his own drive, sounds more like wrong leaves on the line every day.

Back on track the insul bright arrived so table mats finished and in the post, silk arrived for a keepsake bridal cushion all done and packaged but not showing yet as want my favourite customer to see first and be happy then hopefully can publish, with permission.

Tooth Fairy wallets, I know teeth have got more expensive now but these do hold silver coins, made in the 'In the hoop' method of machine embroidery using pink and blue gingham a bit cliche but still love it added a ribbon hanging and button for decoration, think these on a mug tree at a fair would look fun.

Email from Tracey at Wow Thank You apparently 'Owls' are in so an owl ring shown in pink and blue but can be done in other colours.

Off to hunt for some owl print fabric for a bag and more.....

Have a happy crafting week and don't forget to check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour

On a final note know I have posted this link on CF but just goes to show where the handmade audience could be: Handmade Lives thank you Dixie.

 &

Been quite good this week but that could all change!

Handmade Monday No.?

Finished the school bag order for delivery on Monday, just glad have been making them piecemeal as no way could I have coped with 60 all at once. So what next had an order from a friend for some table mats got a sample of her curtain fabric from John Lewis and then had to ponder, should I go plain or slightly patterned. Now she is not much of a chintz gal so thought plain in toning fabrics to compliment the curtains quite happy with the result just hope she likes them, one problem ran out of insul bright made 5 out of the 6 now have to wait for a delivery!

UK Handmade bi monthly advertising is Glitz and Glamour so have to get my thinking cap on what to do, never work well to a theme preferring to go with the flow did  get back to the sketch book and come up with two ideas so far, white silk with a black chandelier with crystals. May also add the rose swan framed bag, also in white silk now what else.

Glamour Puss in Lavender

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour, don't forget to add a comment as bloggers love comments.

Check out Shiloh's blog for his birthday party with 2 siblings and fur Mum

 &

Now an adult dog....NOT!!!!

Had to share

Pretty Nostlagic

This is a new British publication for all things vintage and vintage inspired, so had to grab the premier issue and what a brilliant read and such excellent value. Published bi-monthly so the £8.00 cover price is not expensive, printed onto matt heavy duty paper this is more of a book than a magazine and can see my shelves laden with all the issues as will remain current for a long time. Those of you that know me know that I do not gush about a publication unless I think worthy and tbh have been some doozies over the last couple of years.

Given the details by Tracey from Wow Thank You and low and behold in her advert on page 25 my mini car coin purse is displayed, so a double dose of excitement.

Okay calmed down now but would suggest if like me you love vintage treat yourself at Pretty Nostalgic.

Had a wonderful surprise through the post, I entered the give away over at Made by Ewe blog and won! no less than a kit to make Fraser, he is so sweet but think will sit on him, not literally until the winter as can imagine sitting by the fire knitting. A big thank you to Linda

What have I been doing this week? started with a restock home delivery by Waitrose the cupboards were bare according to Lee (DH)! larder and freezer now full and such an easy way to shop, this left me more time for crafting. Finished the doggie bags for the 5th, will post pic's on Shiloh's blog of the celebrations, think he may be in the sin bin having been red carded more times than is appropriate. A pic of the bags  all wrapped and tagged.

Started the Royal School bags and have managed 3 out of the 14, not as many as would have liked but life gets in the way, lol.



Off to a record fair in Caversham tomorrow, well Lee is and I am browsing the shops.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour and hopefully back next week with more tales from Azalea Avenue and more creations than achieved this week.

 &

Soon to be 1 !!!!!!!

What a beautiful week

Is summer finally here? wall to wall sunshine not a cloud in the sky, baby birds in abundance, flowers blooming. The climbing roses on the pergola are laden with buds and think could be a good show this year, ideal to sit under on a warm afternoon. 

What have I been doing? well had a disarrster on Wednesday morning, took Shiloh for a walk with Lee as normal quiet and peaceful until and ijiot decided to walk towards us and blow a dandelion head, Shiloh went ape and got in front of me to protect me, I was still walking he was at a standstill, so I go over him land on my knees and put my hands out to break the fall. Well lets just say my knees, wrists and elbows along with being badly scraped and bleeding are now a lovely shade of blue and purple and blooming painful. Why is it when you have an accident like this, one then proceeds to knock said injured limbs on everything! not a good end to the week. Never mind the weather made up for it and a good excuse to recline on the sofa in the garden room watching Lee do the housework under my direction of course, lol.

Now creativity this week, not been as it should, however, as most of you know Shiloh turns 1 on the 6th June and we are meeting back at the breeders (well private house) which is in The Sands in Farnham backing onto the 7th tee of the Sands Golf Course, hoping for good weather and we will be going for a walk then tea for the humans. Four out of the 6 puppies going Lucy is not allowed as she is still in  training with Dogs for Independence in Midhurst and Logan is in Lincolnshire, so a bit far to travel. However, Lily, Alba, Gypsy and Dido (the Mum) will be in attendance so had to sit and think what could I do for them both from a business promotion point of view and something to mark this special day. So thought of doggie doo bag and treat holder, as I know always have to cram all and sundry into my pockets. Did Shiloh's first as a template and having used is brilliant, hooks onto a belt loop so very handy and not too big to get in the way. Just hope the other puppies and Mum appreciate them. Dido's done and dusted 3 more to do.

That is all on the creative front but have had an order for 6 bespoke oval place mats, got a sample of the curtain fabric from John Lewis and have ordered some plain cotton in the muted shades and pewter. Plan to make in patchwork strips of varying widths to match the curtains and maybe add a monogram of the surname initial in pewter onto the middle, lined with thermal wadding to protect the table top. Plus The Royal school sent me an email and want 60! fabric bags by mid August this year not 56 for May next year as originally thought. Have 46 in stock and found some fantastic fabric for the other 14. To top it off an order for  a keepsake bridal cushion for a wedding in August. Not complaining as things have been a bit quiet of late so the next few weeks it is all go but love that work much better when busy than when time to kill.

Have a happy crafting week and don't forget to check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour

 &

Chief Protector of Mum and Dad but must learn not to trip them up!!!!

Another Handmade Monday

MIL is now back in the nursing home as they can only give her palliative care, so sad and she is so weak so have been advised to expect the worst and only a matter of time. Lee is visiting with her every day and relatives have been to say goodbye. As you can imagine not a lot of work done last week as whilst I cannot do much I am supporting Lee through this as best I can.

I have added another edition to my Steampunk Collection this time a clockwork fairy handbag in a  beautiful black and pink lace print fabric:

Still plugging away at the Jubilee collection and following on from the telephone key fobs now 

Union Jack ones

& Crowns

finally back to the frame bags this time in a vintage style printed linen with embroidered tag

That is all folks for this week anyway, so sort of productive and must admit after checking back on this blog post did far more than I expected to.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour

Have a Happy Creative week

 &

Stitching is in the Air

Another week and not been very productive, funny how some weeks everything just falls into place. energy levels are up and one can achieve so much and others not a sausage. Have got to know Frimley Park Hospital very well after MIL was rushed there last Tuesday with pneumonia, what a pickle and walk for miles trying to find the ward you want. Anyway did get a bit of work done just hope now things have settled down next week will be more productive and my mojo which seems to think it is the summer break makes a reappearance.

Iconic Telephone Box Keyfobs
Now with a Big Ben charm and key ring attachment

Steampunk Time Purse/Handbag

I love the steampunk styling but with a pretty twist, however thought this fabric leant itself well to the jewellery theme flap with a watch fob.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Harbour

Have a Happy Creative Week

 &