And another chance to win......yippee!

If anyone else is like me and really fancies getting their hands on a Go! Baby cutter then here is another chance for you

Thrifty Thursday & more makes....

Happy sunny days are here, Eloise has broken up for the summer and although it likely means I will get less sewing done I'm looking forward to lots of childish fun!

Firstly I'm just itching to share with you my latest thrifty finds from the car boot sale this week, my top find is a simply stunning patchwork quilt.

Its perfect for the fresh summery look I was wanting for my bedroom. It was one of those finds that has you hopping from foot to foot with excitement, its absolutely perfect, its just what I wanted and I love it, best of all I wasn't even looking for it! Some thoughtless person appears to have used the reverse side as a dust sheet when painting but thankfully you don't see that side when it is on the bed.
I love the lace details, they perfectly match a table cloth made by Grahams Nan that I have on my bedside table.

I also picked up a battered old sewing box, I discarded the box as it really was in a terrible state but I did get a nice little pile of notions to add to my stash. On my way out I happened upon this great book, Crochet Adorned which is choc full of cute little patterns, perfect for adding to clothes, soft furnishings, bags, shoes, in fact anywhere you and attach them!

Its also been a week of trying to get jobs finished and off the WIP list. First I finished my Mollie Makes Issue 2 Embroidery project. I love hand embroidery but rarely get the time to practice so when I saw this fab 'Josies Garden' template by Charlotte Lyons I just had to give it a go.

I made it up into a cushion to sit on my bed, it just goes perfectly with the new quilt :) You can get the template here if you fancy giving it a go.

I also finally found time to finish off my 'Vintage Feedsack Dress' using the tutorial from the amazing Jess at Craftiness Is Not Optional

I think you can see that Jools is pleased with it ( I am too but lets not be big-headed about it!)

Then having gotten the bug I moved straight onto Jess's new 'sew-along' for the Junebug dress

I have since added the sleeves and skirt and it just needs hemming, finished photo soon hopefully!

Finally, I had to whizz up a couple of cards, a birthday card for Grahams Dad who is mad for golf

And a thank you card for Grahams Aunt who recently sent me a HUGE box bursting with fabric she no longer needed.

All in all, a very productive week, my favourite kind!

Great Giveaways!

Just wanted to let you all know of some great giveaways in blog land right now.....in particular for a neat little buddy called an Accuquilt Baby Go Cutter. Who wouldnt want one of these in their studio, the possibilities are endless!


http://threadgatherer.blogspot.com/2011/07/go-baby-giveaway-time.html
http://pitterputterstitch.blogspot.com/2011/07/giveaway-accuquilt-go-baby-fabric.html
http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/win-accuquilt-baby-go-cutter.html

Have fun and happy giveaway hunting!

WIP Wednesday

Just a quick post this evening to show you what has been keeping me out of mischief this week....

I am busy getting ready for the Exeter Vintage and Handmade Fair this Saturday which is being held at the Thistle Hotel. I have been sampling new lines and thought it would be a good place to trial them, here is one

I have also run up a matching Union Jack cushion, a notebook cover and have several more items on the list to make up before Saturday (guess who'll be living by the sewing machine for the next few days!)

No wanting to give myself an easy life I have also discovered I love to crochet and thought it would be ideal to revisit knitting at the same time. I always wanted to knit but its never come very naturally to me, here is a little project I have started

This is taken from the current issue of Handmade Living Magazine and is the first time I have tried increasing/decreasing and shaping. Its turned out rather better than I expected (having only knitted scarves previously!). I Just have to make the second one now to make the pair of mittens.

I am also teaching myself to crochet with help from books, YouTube and some very helpful friends. Here is a little of my practice

My first ever granny square and a crochet flower, I think I need a lot more practice! I have also started making a little baby play mat to practice my tension and colour changing techniques

Finally, I have been working on a promotional flyer for our really exciting new Christmas event, yes you did hear me correctly, its for Christmas! By now I should really have sampled my Christmas stock and had ideas sketched, made up and finalised. But the summer sun keeps me creating sunny tea party by the sea inspired pieces!

Anyone interested in having a stall at this event can email me at emilylevey@yahoo.co.uk

Busy Busy Bee!

Woweee, what a busy week! Firstly we are still getting used to Charlie Puppy settling in at home, so sewing is taking a bit of a back seat.

I did however have a very busy week getting ready for the Ruby Slippers Retro Romp on Saturday in Exeter and what a day it was! A beautiful sunny day, perfectly filled with retro sellers galore, gorgeous frocks and vintage wares, yummy cakes and treats, super music, retro makeover and photo booth all topped off with the loveliest people.

I had the wonderful pleasure of being sited next to Finola Warren and her lovely goodies from Betty Machete, colourful and playful retro textiles abound!

I also got to meet the lovely Mary of Handmade by Mary Emmens, I have been following her both on Facebook and with her blog for some time now and find her a great inspiration as a fellow fanatical sewer/crafter and mum of young children. I love her work, always so well made and such cheery colours and designs.

Here is a peek at my stall at the Romp, complete with its new shabby shelving made by myself! My first foray into carpentry, I think I shall stick to sewing from now on however.

The stall went really well, selling out of bunting again, several cushions and a stitched picture and a new tablelamp with an enquiry from a lovely retro shop called Vintage Green in Sidmouth about supplying them too!

After a hot and busy day what better way to cool down than a few days away at the Parents on Exmoor and a lovely dip in the pool at Aunt Lesleys!

So back to the sewing machine to re-stock in time for the Exeter Vintage and Handmade Fair on the 16th July at the Thistle Hotel. Cant wait for this event, vintage and handmade goodies galore with pimms and lindy hop dancers - yes please!

I'll leave you with a peek at my latest work to be put in the Blue Indigo Gallery in Teignmouth