Perky mail...

One of the only perks of returning home after the best couple of weeks of the year, is the bundle of held mail, especially when you know there should be a couple of goodies in amongst the junk and bills.

Before we went, I took advantage of the M is for Make sale under the premise of needing some Essex yarn dyed linen, not too much of a splurge, but lovely to receive none-the-less...

And at last, a parcel that I had all but given up hope on.  A long time ago, in the time before Retreat, I liaised with Di so that she could pop a couple of t-shirts in her suitcase and hand deliver them to me in person.  Printing was delayed, plans changed, Retreat came and went, delivery direct from the US promised, but nada. 

I was very restrained, in the blowing my top department, because said t-shirts were from Heather Ross as part of the fundraiser for her twin sister's breast cancer treatment.  I had sent a couple of unanswered chase up e-mails, and the night before we left, Heather (oh yeah) emailed me to apologise and that she would get her assistant onto it.

So they're here...

I bought 2, and am going to send one to my sister.

I may also have made an order from Justine since returning, availing myself of the Simply Solids Saturday 20% discount, so Daniel the postman can rest assured that his job is safe, I am nice like that. xxx

Make mine a small one!

Early posting for me today.  I didn't want to leave you in suspenders, as the kids and I are off to meet up with Emily and Nicky shortly, and I really want to show you my promised late-night make.

Quick background.  Holidays mean making new things, just because.  Having big bags, clutch bags and small purses already, I felt I was lacking a simple small cross body bag for out-and-about essentials.

OK, this is not strictly true; I have my beloved Sidekick Tote, I use it all the time but it isn't new, and I really wanted a new one!

I looked through all the patterns I had stashed away, but they were mostly too complicated for what I wanted, or required hardware I didn't have on hand.  I googled, I really was prepared to be completely inspired, but then... lightbulb!

I printed out my Noodlehead Super Tote pattern at 50%!!!

Grabbed those gorgeous HR Strawberries, fresh through the door, some natural Essex Linen and pink Kei dots, then at about 7pm, got making!

Not the best pictures in the world, but the grass was wet, and the assistants were not in an assisting mood!

Cross body strap, rather than two handles; no internal pockets, some piping to break up the plain back along the seam that would have housed the handles; a concealed magnetic snap in the front pocket and Bob, as they say, is your uncle.  I stitched up the gap in the lining just before 11pm.

I love all Anna's patterns, I made a 50% 241 Tote for Cindy, and knew, (well hoped), it would turn out great!

I used Aurifil 50wt in 2021 as always, and my walking foot to piece the whole thing, including the zip.  Popped on a Jeans needle for the final top stitching that incorporated the strap ends as there must have been at least 10 layers of fabric plus fusible fleece at those points; and it sewed through like a dream.

I rarely need to finish anything so urgently that I keep going after about 9pm; most things can just wait.  As you know I am not one to leave stuff until the last minute either, BUT I wanted to see it completed so badly; dear husband had to be woken up for the Ta dah! moment too.

So there you go, my super mini-Super Tote.  Sorry for making you wait, but I hope I will be forgiven xxx

Random Bobbins

Well in two months time I know I will be filled to the brim with turkey and mince pies and in no fit state to move; and in one months time I will have 4 out of the 5 family birthdays under my belt and will be able to start thinking properly about the festive blow out!

In the meantime, here's some random pretty bits from my day...

A parcel from Heather Ross, (I cut her autograph signature off the packaging - I am that sad!); my studio sale goodies arrived and I am really pleased with my sweet little bundle.  Two FQs of sock monkeys and peg dolls, two fussy cut samples, a notepad, 1/2yd of Echino and my very own munki munki vest!!!  Happy me!

You can also see my son's pumpkin baby-face, the leaves spreading at quite a rate up the road and over the neighbour's garden, and some text prints courtesy of bad bad influence Brenda!

Only 4 1/2 hours more work until the week off; the little purse is already made and the hexies are ready for stage two, not bad for an evening's work.

Linking tenuously with Cindy's Really Random Thursday x

New Look!

Well as I know some of you already spotted, a ShabbyBlogs.com malware attack put pay to my trusty old background and has forced my hand on a blog revamp; so as an interim measure I have had a little tinker about and I am liking the fresh new look.

Please let me know if anything doesn't work for you; I use a MacBook Pro, so how things look to me may not be how they appear on a big ol' PC.

I have also finished the project I was working on over the last couple of evenings...

Keyka Lou/Michelle Patterns Ditty Bags!

These 3 are for the twins and their friend who has a birthday next week.  Super Heather Ross courtesy of Kerry's destash a week or so ago...

Nice bit of subtle orange for lining!

And a couple of Summersville pretties...

I made these in the Small size, which caused a couple tricksy moments, but nothing determination couldn't overcome, or small people won't notice.

They are pretty fun, and I am definitely loving the production line making.

And yes, I have been at the PicMonkey again, (and they are going to start charging for some of the best bits soon - blame Susan!).

So the Bank Holiday weekend has started nicely; tomorrow dear hubby and I will be hitting Bluewater while my parents kiddie-wrangle, so hoping I will have some 'shopping' to show you!

Happy Weekend everyone x

Feelgood Friday...

I have so many Thank You emails and replies to send, so I have to make this quick!  (2 Explores in a week - has the world gone crazy?).

Today's mail included these...

Do you want my twisted logic?  Goldfish - stupid money (but I love them too much), doggies - not so much; 2 FQs, add them together, a good price for a 1/2 yard (well, sort of!).  And I have used way more than a 1/2 yard of stash so far this year!  I got mine here.

This evening I turned these...

... into HSTs for my Mouthy Stitches partner; they still need to be trimmed, but that's a job for tomorrow, after a trip to Bluewater.

I started cutting the background fabric for the Cherry Star... but more on that over the weekend.

I also got my first Fat Quarterly on Subscription - thank you Mum & Dad (if you knew I had a blog!),  there are so many awesome things to make, and Kerry has made me so want a teapot!

And finally, check this out!  Be chuffed Bee ladies xxx