Just stopping by...

To share the photo of my advent calendar!

It was quite hard to take a pic, as the light indoors was not good enough, and it was windy outside; anyway, you get the picture.

I am very happy to have received the Collette Sewing Book for Christmas, and have already finished reading it. My purple fleece fabric is beckoning, but first I am due at the hairdresser to be 're-purpled'. :)

Ho Ho Sew

I can't believe that in a week's time it will be Christmas Eve! I have been very busy in both my craft room and the studio this autumn, although I can't share a lot of it for obvious reasons.

In October I went to Cardiff to the big craft show; lovely day out with friends, and the opportunity to meet up with another crafty buddy once there (although it was unseasonably warm, and I did regret wearing knee-length boots ). Didn't buy much, to be honest, as the show was predominantly glittery card-making stuff (!), and I am still in full-on sewing mode. But,......I did succumb to a rather gorgeous quilt panel (says she who is not planning on taking up yet another hobby).... AND it's finished. There, I do finish stuff. Mind you, that may have something to do with the deadline imposed by the fact that it is an Advent Calendar ;) My girls always receive a beautiful calendar each from their Uncle, but equally bemoan the lack of 'tacky chocolate' calendar that their friends have. So, the best excuse really to have a play. Anyway, it's done, it's up.... and my camera batteries have died :( I will take a photo though, as I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out, especially for a first attempt.

Other than that, christmas presents (and a secret santa gift) have been completed, and I'm itching to get going on the next project. I got to grips with sewing with fleece (actually, surprisingly easy), and have the most fab piece of fleece to play with next... ...'purple flower fleece' from Calico Laine... subtle it is not (it's even brighter in real life, AND matches my hair). But, if I'm going to make something for me, why bother to make something that could be bought in the shops? Anyway, the pattern I chose is dead simple (McCalls 4675 and I have now made it three times, LOL), so it shouldn't take too long. Then, hopefully after Santa has been kind and bought me the Collette Sewing Handbook, I may need a trip to buy more fabric.

Wishing you, my reader (yes, both of you), a Happy Christmas, and health and happiness in the New Year. I should be back with a photo of that quilt, but I am Random, remember? I'll leave you with a pic of some seasonal beads.

Sew busy

Whilst mulling over whatever my next challenge might be (still no idea really!), I have been playing with my new sewing machine. My old faithful Jones, purchased at a car boot sale 18 years ago, for £20, finally gave up the ghost a few weeks back, just as I decided that I wanted to use it. This had all been prompted by one of my daughters wanting to buy a dress from a shop in Weymouth, which I considered to be extremely poor value for money......'you could make it for less than a quarter of that price' I think were the words that started it. So, a few projects in, and I am remembering that, actually, I can sew. A bit of a revelation from someone whose teenage efforts never managed to pass muster as far as the mother was concerned.

Anyway, I had a particularly productive day yesterday, a top for me, and a dress for the 'not so little' smaller one (12 last week) in the most adorable fabric that we found on Friday. Here we are, modelling the results.

Note the wet hair on littly; she was fresh from the swimming pool and hadn't realised just how quickly the dress would be finished!

Next up, another top from the same pattern for me, and possibly some skirts; those black trousers are WAY too big and held up only by the belt!