Knickers!

I've been working on some samples for the next workshops at Darn it and Stitch. First up is knickers (27th June), and I have to say that I'm pretty proud of these frilly smalls. I knew exactly what I had in mind, but couldn't find a pattern anywhere - so, I bulk bought a load of knickers from the high street then started hacking! I think the end result has just the right amount of frill, can be easily adapted with ribbons and lace, and they're pretty simple to whip up. I'll definitely be making some for myself and will let you know once the pattern is in my shop.

Latest additions to the fabric stash

More vintage fabric has come my way recently and this time, ebay was not involved!

Our local swap shop turned up tops with this funky curtain and groovy towel. I'm keeping the towel for it's original towelly purpose, but no doubt the curtain will make it's way to a bag...

Another fabulous curtain was donated to me at my last farmer's market - perfect for the summer!

baby's got some brand new clothes

After the pre-holiday weeks of manic stitching till the small hours while watching back-to-back Mad Men and absorbing the annual recommended allowance for caffeine and chocolate, I thought it was time to do some non-bag related sewing. Little F needed some new frocks, so I made some tweaks to the Leila & Ben sweet little dress pattern and whipped up a couple using bits of fabric I've been saving for a while. I widened the bottom and dropped the front neckline, but otherwise loved this pattern - quick and easy and looks cute on too.

Back to the real world...

So much to catch up.. where to start?

First off - Wood - a very lovely, family friendly festival. I got lots of good feedback about my bags, the weather was great, the other stall holders were super nice and me and my cushion-making compadre, Liv, had a wonderful time playing humbug (hum a tune and the other person has to guess it). We upgraded to "operabug" for a while but started to put off the customers.

So altogether a fab weekend. I forgot to take proper pictures of the stall, but here's a mini-customer enjoying Liv's trunk of cushions.

One short day at home to wash off the mud and brush my hair and then off we went to the Algarve for a week of beach combing, cheese & ham toasties and a beautiful friendship beween Wally the dog and our little monkey.



Back home in Blighty our flowers had enjoyed a week of rain and provided a very nice welcome home party.

Slightly panicked work in progress

So, this time my excuse for irregular blogging is the sewing frenzy that I have been immersed in for the past few weeks. I'm trying something new and having a stall at a festival - Wood festival, described as the greener, younger and quieter sibling to Truck.


The countdown is nearly... umm... counted down and I now have just 2 nights of sewing left before I can make no more!

Fingers crossed I have enough in stock...

Vintage treats from The OK Corral

Today I am in crisis mode. Just like the time I discovered H is for Home, I have spent much of the past hour sitting on my hands in order to stop buying some (maybe even all) of the lovely vintage treats from The OK Corral.

Their website is gorgeous and so is their collection of fabulous vintage and retro finds. I am feeling a bit sick with envy and may even stamp my feet a bit. Here is just a little taster of what they have in stock at the moment...

Summer issue of UKHandmade

The summer issue of UK Handmade Magazine went live earlier this week. This issue is all about cultivating creativity - which definitely floats my boat! There's some really great articles in there, so check it out.

And while you're there, take a look at my interview with the lovely Jo from Darn it and Stitch...


...and my tutorial for creating a fabric covered noticeboard which now resides in pride of place in Freya's room (she's a very organized 18month old!)