Operation Thirteen: Part 3 ....

...so these are the last of my makes. The bunny creature has rice inside so that you can microwave it and use as a hot water bottle.

a bookmark

and a little bag.

This poster has been designed by the fab SJ, such a great product and price and a completely personal design service. You can find out more here.

Operation Thirteen: Part 2 ....

... a few stationery items. Making these I realised that I'm not very good at cutting out or sewing straight! So I bought myself a rotary cutter (blunt already from much use!) which is helping a bit!

I've not applique'd before, so why I thought I'd try on these presents I'll never know, but at least the recipient isn't critical of my work!

Just need to buy some rice to finish the last present and then I'm done. Have a real sewing groove on at the moment, have also made the girls a nightie each at the weekend.

Operation Thirteen: Part 1 ...

... my sister turns 13 at the end of November. Some of you may remember that I made her a scrapbook album when she turned 10. For this milestone I've decided to make her 13 presents.

Here are the first 6. I've another one on order (handmade, not by me, but I'm still counting it!) So just another 6 to go.

The purse clasp and pattern came free with the latest issue of Mollie Makes, very cute, but very fiddly to make.

Some weekend crafting ...

… although seasoned campers last summer we decided to try some ‘glamping’ at Featherdown Farms. I was going to make a minibook with the photos I took but decided on a couple of LOs in the end,, the rest of the photos I’ve put into 6x4 page protectors so I can keep them together.

I thought I they would be the last LOs from April’s Scrapbook Circle kit but I managed to do this one as well, can you believe they’re from the same kit.

This was done for for a Scrapbook Circle Anniversary challenge from a Sketchy Thursday sketch.

Using up this kit made me realise that part of the reason I scrapped so little last year was that I was no longer inspired by the kits I was getting. Opening a parcel and wanting to get crafting straight away surely is a good sign.

Lastly some sewing for my niece’s birthday present, which I need to get in the post asap!

Facebook Pay It Forward and RAK ...

... I hope you've all had a glorious weekend.

A little while ago I decided to take part in a pay it forward on Facebook where you offered to make something handmade for whoever commented and in return they had to do the same.

So bit by bit I made and sent off these bags (my troublesome sewing machine meant they took longer than anticipated).

I want to offer a bag as a RAK to my lovely blog readers, so simply leave a comment on this post letting me know your favourite colour by 10pm Thursday 28th April and I will pick a random winner.

Laptop bag ...

... I have a laptop for work and although I don't need to take it out of the house very often when I do I have a really awful case for it. So I've been on the lookout for something more stylish and when I saw the Organised Office Bag in The Bag Making Bible, I thought I'd give it a go.

Now this bag is far more advanced than any bag I've made before - it has hardware for a start!!! I'm amazed at how it's turned out. It's not without it's faults -

- for a taller than average person, the strap needs to be longer (I can change that)
- I put the turn lock holes on the front flap too high so it's a bit squeezed at the top when closed
- I'm rubbish at sewing topstitch and around corners!




Inside there's a holder to keep my laptop secure and a few pockets for pens and a phone.

And here it is filled up.

I have to say I'm thrilled with it. BTW the fabric is from Ikea.

Zipper fear ...

... I don't tend to make much that requires a zipper, however I was really taken with the Origami Bags in AmyButler's Style Stitches Book and know I'd have to take the bull by the horns!

I was really please had it turned out (even if the sewing machine did throw a wobbly and some unpicking had to be done which resulted in the fabric getting torn!!) The beauty of it is that it opens out really wide, so you can actually see what's in there. This one's a present for my step mum but I'm sure I'll be making some more.

And a big congratulations to my dad and stepmum who celebrated their Silver Anniversary yesterday (the interior fabric of the bag looks a bit like the fabric my bridesmaid dress was made in!) A simply card for them.

Hello blogland!

... I'm back (I hope!)

Well having a new puppy and then increasing my work hours certainly had an affect on my creative energy and time for blogging. 2010 was not a great year for me emotionally and although I celebrated my 40th birthday, which was fantastic, in many ways I am glad to put the year behind me. I am grateful though that the family has its health and we remain financially stable.

Being creative however is part of my being and I did really miss it. I managed to make some lovely Christmas presents and cards, which I forgot to photograph.

So whilst blog hopping I came across Monika Wright's blog and this post in particular has really inspired me to get back into making and doing. So with a new resolve I have written myself some goals for 2011:

- make at least 1 LO a week

- make at least 1 card a week

- make at least 1 fabric project a week

- make a project with the girls each week

- blog about what I've made!

- blog about what is inspiring me

- take part in a photo challenge - either this one or this one

So here we go - all made last Friday!

Using Sketchy Thursday sketch and Scarlet Lime Kit (mainly Sassafras). I have decided to cancel my sub to Scarlet Lime, as you can imagine I have lots of kits to use up.


A couple of cards (well two are as easy as one!)

And a hair accessories board using a Flossie Teacake's design (love her blog!) I made one of these for my sister for Xmas and this one's for my neice. Don't think you can see them easily, but there are hooks on the lefthand side for hanging up hairbands (or bangle/necklances) and the ribbons are for putting clips on.

We're redecorating the girls' bedrooms and I plan to make one for each of them. Hopefully it will make finding clips and bands easier in the morning!

So that's it for now. I need to spend a bit of time sorting out photos and then hopefully I'll get back into the swing of scrapping again.

See you soon!