Pleasure pain balance

So, life has been keeping me busy recently to say the least. You may recall my laptop broke, oh how hard it was to be cut off from the internet, I think I lasted about 2 days before going and stealing borrowing my mums laptop whilst she was at work!

Well, I have to 'fess' up, I have had the laptop back for about a week now, how naughty of me not to blog! To tell the truth I actually found the radio silence a blessing, it came at a time when I was making some very big and difficult decisions about my life. I have decided to step back from the running of the monthly 'Meet and Make' workshops I was co-hosting and also the organisation of a local 'Handmade Market'. Both really big and important decisions for me. I loved being involved in both of these and I know that crafting is truly where my heart lies but when it comes to work/family balance and making a living it just wasn't working for me. I have decided that I need to spend more time with my youngest before she starts school and I had to take on a job that would give me a guaranteed weekly income.

Ok so for the time being I wont be doing something I love for a living but I will know that I only have to be away from the children for a couple of hours a week. I am really hoping that when Juliette starts school I will have the time to do work I am passionate about. In the mean-time I will still take commissions for Strawberry Patch and hope to run some small sewing workshops in my new home studio (with home-made cake of course!)

Anyway so that is the pain, here is the pleasure balance! And wow how lucky I am, lots of lovely things dropping through my door when I need them most.

First to arrive was my AMAZING package in For The Love of Solids swap from the super talented Aylin

I wanted this so much and told Aylin as much when she posted it in the Flikr group. The darling person that she is re-did the second side of the machine cover after she saw my comment on her mouthy stitches pouch, I simply loved the colours in those small squares. So she incorporated it into the machine cover for me, what a gem!

She stalked me really well, getting it just perfect! I love dp and rainbow colours, white background, ahhh I could go on all day!

It is awesome is it not?!

And she sent me washi tape and some cool homemade binding. I have wanted some washi tape for ever, I am over the moon with my lot, thank you Aylin, you can go and see her other amazing swap makes here.

Then the very following day look what the postman brought me:

My Mouthy Stitches pouch from Susan @ Canadian Abroad. Some of you may be thinking huh, Susan's partner already got hers??!! Well Susan is a very thoughtful lady and sweetly made me a pouch because my poor partner has had really bad flooding and hasn't been able to sew. I don't know who she is but I hope everything gets back to normal for you soon.

Susan is not only an awesome swap mama and sweet person but a very talented lady too. I'd say she knows me well because those cute tiny squares, perle stitching, text prints and linen and perfect for me! And all made in a last minute hurry!

Just look at how neat her zip end and top stitching are.

Super cute lining and the perfect size, it went straight in my handbag, once I had filled it with a nappy and wet wipes. I am feeling far more glamorous at nappy change time now! Susan not only sent me a lovely pouch but on the same day she awarded my blog the Liebster Award (and sent me a very sweet email to cheer me up about my big decisions). Thank you so much for giving me a thoroughly spoilt day Susan :-)

So now I am supposed to link back to Susan and nominate 5 blogs I love reading that have under 200 followers.

1. Erin @ Billy Button Design - I love what Erin makes, she has a wonderful eye for colour and design.

2. Sarah @ Chic Quilt Geek - Sarah makes some super cool pieces, she also has some fab things in her online craft store.

3. Lynz @ Domestic Light and Magic - Lynz is the coolest quilter on the block, everything she makes is awesome!

4. Nicky @ Mrs Sew and Sow - Nicky can quilt, in her sleep I suspect! It has been an honour to get to know her better and I can't wait to meet her in June at the FQ retreat!

5. Sarah @ Narcoleptic in a Cupboard - Sarah makes me laugh, a lot! She is funny and can quilt like a demon (in a good/cool way!)

So a huge thanks to Susan for nominating me, for the followers that read me and those that might find the patience to listen along in the future! (Hint, I'm edging closer to the 100 mark and I've been working on a giveaway to celebrate!)

Susan is having a lovely giveaway on her blog right now to celebrate the new Village Haberdashery shop. Hop on over to enter here.

Finally, more goodness of the parcel postie variety, look what I won!

I apologise in advance for the gloat that is about to follow, but I can't help it. A fq bundle of Curious Nature by Parson Grey, sent by the lovely Kate of M is for Make. I love this shop, the fabrics are so cool and modern, the postage is not only reasonable but very very fast and beautifully wrapped. I highly recommend stopping by the shop. I did actually do a little run around the room dance screaming 'EEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeppppppppp'!!!!!! 

when I found out I had won! I cant wait to get stuck in and make something with them, perhaps for my long suffering husband (if he is nice to me of course!).

I also have a ton of finishes to show you, I haven't spent the last 2 weeks blog free simply receiving ace swap parcels and delicious fabric, but I'll save them for another day, you must be bored of me by now ;-) !!