Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

*** The Giveaway is now closed ***

Hello, hello, hello!

I am going to cut to the chase, you have so many places to go, so many giveaways to enter, I am not going to keep you here for too long; I know you just want to know the what, and the how eh!?

The what is a small (8" square-ish) zippy purse made of Liberty Lifestyle and Essex Linen, my current favourite combo...

There is also a key fob in matching Liberty; you can never have too many purses and keyrings nor too much Liberty in my humble opinion!

If this is your first time visiting, it would be nice if you came back again; I know today is all about the goodies, not going to kid myself about that one, but if you are liking my style, (stop sniggering at the back), please think about coming back and clicking the follow button.

So anyway, the how...

Leave me one comment, (any additionals will be deleted), telling me your current favourite combination of fabrics; things that were born to be together, or others that probably shouldn't work, but actually do; it would be nice to try something new.

The giveaway is open internationally; Random.org will be used to select the winner; and I will say it again, if you are a 'No Reply' blogger, please leave your email address in the body of your comment - if I cannot contact you, I will click the generate button again.  I will not be responding to individual comments, but may well give credit for fab combos in my Winner post.

I will close the giveaway as soon as I wake up on Saturday (11th May), because 5pm PST, or DST or whatever Friday, is the middle of the night in the UK, and I'd rather give you a couple of extra hours than disturb my beauty sleep.

Thank you Sew Mama Sew for the hosting, and thank you for stopping by.  Good luck everyone xxx

Triple Zipper +

OK, you know me, I have to join in with the cool kids and latest crazes, follow the crowd, hate to miss out and all that jazz; well I did it again.

Everyone who is anyone seems to have been making triple zipper pouches over the past few weeks, and so I had to have a go too didn't I?

Well it is my sister's birthday in a few weeks, so this seemed like the perfect excuse.

I pulled some fabric on Friday night, Dear Stella Campgrounds and some Kaffe paperweights, and made a mental note to refer back to Marci's blogpost to use her version for the final stage, then Krista posted about hers.  Her directional print comments and the observation about 3 compartments but no more space than a single zipper got my cogs whirring at lightening speed!  (Steady!)

I was going to have to make my outer panel from two pieces of fabric anyway because of my directional print, so why not do the same with the main lining?   This would cut out the seemingly complicated turning stage, and therefore be able to add the missing final zip's top-stitching, and whilst at it, make it a bit bigger and box the corners to make the whole thing a little more roomy?  Why not indeed!

So I made it.  I wish I had taken progress pictures now it has actually worked, but it was all done on a wing and a prayer.

If you are planning on making one of these, you might want to consider adding an extra 1/2" seam allowance to your main panel and lining pieces, (for cutting and rejoining), and constructing the final pouch body as you would any single zip purse.  The instructions for getting to the final stage are great, I like, OK need, the nice clear 'outer fabric face up, zip face down etc' to see me through that part, especially with 3 zips!

I also added an extra 2", (+2.5" in total from the original), for boxing the corners, and as with all purses I make, I left my turning gap in the side, not bottom seam, and hand-stitch that closed.

My zipper tabs usually have a life of their own, sometimes perfect, other times completely caught inside, but these top ones worked pretty damn well.  If I make another one, or any zipper purse actually, I will make the tabs this way but maybe leave the excess a little longer, (1" instead of 3/4"), for more pushing out power, and I have never not sewn over the zip ends before and I was pleasantly surprised!

So there you go, my little venture into pattern alteration. 

Three cheers for Deb for being so wonderful about all the tips and suggestions that makers have offered up about her pattern; I have found it really interesting to see how everyone has a different take on the same pattern.  And there are some beauties in the flickr pool, go take a look, just in case you haven't already decided you need to make one. xxx

Super Saturday...

It was another of those wonderful starts to a weekend where a quick look at my Blogger Reading List, before facing the day, brought a big smile to my face! 

I popped my #scrappytripalong into the January Made With Pink Castle linky last week, like you do, and guess what, it got randomly picked to receive a surprise prize!!  When I pre-ordered my FMF from Brenda last year, I pretty much had to sell a vital body part or two; but I knew it would be the basis for my favourite quilt ever, and I was so right!  I'll let you know when my surprise arrives!

Then the postie came, just as I was setting up my sewing machine for the morning; Judith's Brit Bee fabric had arrived and was ready for the making.

You know how Brit Bee are all super friends, and we are able to take those liberties that common or garden acquaintances might not, well following my month, a 24" block, (that's really 4 blocks, but who's counting!), Judith wanted 16" half square triangles to make into a beautiful wall-hanging for her bedroom, and a second hidden star block.  Judith explains more, and way better here.

Middle picture to prove I am capable of matching points, but apparently only sometimes!

Well these came together so quickly with her pre-cuts, and because my points left a little to be desired on the star block, I whipped her up a little 4" square of 1" HSTs made from the off-cuts; Judith is the queen of waste-not-want-not!

After lunch Kerry had a little Instagram de-stash, which created complete havoc with trying to make a triple zip pouch; playing Quick-draw McGraw with Emily to bag the bargains was fun though!  She won, but I got the Pips I was after, and some Japanese bunnies which will no doubt come in useful when the Easter-making urge comes over me!

You won't be surprised to hear that I did finish my triple-zipper though, but that really deserves a full post of its own tomorrow. 

I hope your weekend got off to a flying start too.

Party Time!

Well I successfully got the birthday purse made this week, in time for the little princesses to take it to their friend's party this afternoon....

Sadly, before wrapping, the weather was less than considerate of blogging photographs, but you get the gist...

The Open Wide pouch is definitely my new favourite make, and with a little embroidery for the birthday ballet-girl, it was a complete hit, especially when filled with chocolate coins.

And whilst quietness prevailed this afternoon, I basted, quilted and attached the binding to the secret commission quilt.  I am looking forward to hand-finishing the binding in front of the TV tonight.  The heating has been on all day and cosy stitching is definitely needed.

We didn't get any snow unlike some, but I think temperatures peaked at a dizzy 7 degrees!  I hope everyone is suitably attired, (flannel 'jamas for me), and comfortably crafting this weekend xxx

Buttercup, buttercup...

...sweet little buttercup.

I needed a quick and easy bag, just a small one, enough for keys, wallet and camera, so I headed to bag-guru Sara - Sew Sweetness, and on her super tutorial list I spotted the Buttercup bag by Made By Rae...

So simple...

I swapped the traditional magnetic snaps for sew in ones, as that was all I could find in my whirlwind session, added woven interfacing to the lining and sewed the slightly lengthened handle inside rather than adding it to the outside, as suggested by Sara.

An hour later, job done xxx

Proud Mama!

I take back all the nasty things I have ever said about the Canadian Postal Service, as yesterday it did itself proud!

I got back from the weekly shop to be met, not only by 3 smiley kids, but dare I say it, a far more exciting Mama payback!

A parcel all the way from Leanne!!  Friday, I left this comment on her blog...

Oh I am soooooooooo happy!

Unbeknownst to me, Susan had partnered Leanne and I in the Mouthy Stitches swap, and I am absolutely over the moon.

Wouldn't you be thrilled too...

Talk about all of my favourite things!

Those individual squares measure at just over an inch, the colours are perfect, the lining is Echino and the back pocket is lined with Denyse Schmidt, although I must add that it was full of brown scraps on arrival!

Leanne is an ardent member of the I heart brown fanclub, and to be honest, with the selection of scraps she sent, I could be turned!

But not only browns, I also received all these beauties too...

Kokka goodness!

Heather Ross, mine Susan, mine!!!

Denyse Schmidt and selvedges!

I honestly could not be happier!

And guess who is also coming over to the Fat Quarterly Retreat in June, how fantastic is that?!

Thank you again Leanne, you have made this Mama as chuffed as can be.  And I have to admit I can now check out the 'received' notifications in the group without fear that this one had arrived with someone-else, (who incidentally would have been thrown out of the group and barred from all future Mouthy Stitches activity in a fit of spite!).  Everyone's a winner xxx

God Save The Queen...

OK, not really a Royalist, but when thinking what I could put together quickly this weekend, and following on from my Jubilee Going There bag, I plumped for a Union Jack!

Inspired by this purse I saw in Cath Kidston the other week, and having claimed 'I can make one of those', it was time to put my money where my mouth was...

 

This one measures up at 6"x 8", uses a few of my prized Denyse Schmidt scraps, East of India heart ribbon, shell buttons and some shocking pink lining, and I am in love with it!

It's not perfect, but it's mine!  Now I really do need to think of something to make for Valentine's Day and my sister's birthday, probably should have thought about those before, oops.

Mouthy Pouch!

Well let's just ignore this scene of disappointment shall we...

... and I'll show you something far more satisfying!

So for my partner, wannabee partners and other interested parties, I am pleased to present my Mouthy Stitches Zippy Pouch...

1" HSTs

1/2" HSTs

I will add a split-ring and clip before posting.

Magnetic snap.

Lined outer pocket.

To say that I was feeling the pressure as a Swap Mama is an understatement!  I had an idea where I wanted this to go, but I was  really winging it the whole way.  I must admit that I wasn't keeping to any particular size; it turned out very approximately 9"x7".

I really hope my partner is happy with this after all the build up; I am just pleased that I was able to make something, without a pattern, that looks better in reality than it did in my head.

I just need to go check out my partner's mosaic again, as I think I may have ended up as a bit of a deviant!

Flaps!

Today I finished my Mouthy Stitches pouch!!

But as it was dark by the time I finished, you will just have to make do with a few in-progress 'flap shots' for tonight...

As you can see, I had a total about-face and plumped for a lime zip and lining, in reality far zingier than the photos.  Sorry partner, if you are looking in and had your heart set on one of the earlier choices, but going off at a total tangent is a Mama's prerogative, (well any maker's to be honest); I played for ages and these really did look the best, trust me.

I am hoping that when I wake up, to a beautiful crisp white vista tomorrow, I will be able to get some lovely bright pictures to show the purse off in full.  Should the snow, that is now gently falling, not come to much, I will attempt to do my best with a background of disappointed children and redundant sledges.

Day Off...

Today I am blogging early as I am on my day off, not helping at school, but not sure I will have the energy to blog tonight as I am exhausted already and still have the school-ballet-Beavers runarounds to look forward to!

I have already re-sealed the bath, sewn on a Beaver's badge, done 2 loads of washing, quilted a little more of the Constellation (such hard work!), and made this...

 

The old zipper tabs are not so technically perfect, but it used some of my stash and has a much needed purpose, so that's good enough for me.  It measures up about 10.5" square, and is a pretty nifty size for a storage pouch.

I used some of my old Kokka Matryoshkas, lined it with the same Klona Teal as the Constellation and uses one of my new 9" zippers.

And this is my current view...

I am sorting the charms required for my Made In Cherry, and making the most of the floor before the kids get home, so can't stop, must get back on my knees xxx

Anybody ready for a SWAP??

Ladies, there's a new swap in town, and now is the time to reveal all!

For months, my dear bloggy friends Susan, Cindy and I have been chatting away, plotting and scheming, and now the Christmas makery and New Year excitement has passed, it's the perfect time for a swap to share the love with a stranger!

We have called this venture Mouthy Stitches.

The clue is in the name; we are aiming for a chatty, actively creative, fun and friendly flickr-based group.

Obviously it won't be much of a mystery swap if there are only the 3 of us, so please come and join in!

I suppose you need to know what you could be letting yourself in for this round, (yes, we are thinking long-term here!), we are having a:

Zippy Purse & Scrap FQ Swap.

A purse, by my definition might be what you call a pouch, or a clutch or a wristlet.  We are not talking a full handbag, more something to hold a little money, cards and phone when you pop out, or maybe to keep some hand sewing gubbins, or your pens and pencils safe in style just like these...

You will be assigned one partner to make for, but they will not know you are making for them, likewise you will not know who is making for you.

We also want to limit the 'extras' which are customary with such swaps, to a simple fat quarter of scraps, be that 2 fat eighths or 20 smaller pieces; you should ONLY send those, along with a handwritten message.  We want the purse to be the focus, and no competition or anxiety about what else to send.

This swap is open to international participants, so you must be prepared to make and send to someone anywhere else in the world.

What you need to do:

• Join the flickr group here and express an interest in the sign up thread.
• You MUST then complete the sign up questionnaire, signing over the rights to your children, car, home and more scarily, fabric stash, should you renegue on the swap rules.
• You MUST also post a photo mosaic in the group pool.
• This part must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 22nd January.  NB sign ups may close sooner if we reach over 90 swappers before the 22nd.
• Partners will be assigned and notified by Sunday 29th January.
• Posting must be during the window Saturday 25th to Wednesday 29th February.

That gives a month to stalk, ponder and make for your partner.

In the meantime if you do not have any zips, or need to practice, maybe get a bundle ordered from Zipit or any other retailer you prefer - pick a multi-colour bundle and there's bound to be one to match your partner's loves.

Please feel free to add discussion threads about great deals, tutes and patterns or ask any questions in the flickr group even before the making starts.

Please note, we want this, above all, to be fun and stress-free.  We do not approve of silent partners, we want Mouthy Stitchers.  We do not want anyone worrying that theirs is the partner who hasn't uploaded any pictures or commented on any of the marvellous creations that we are hoping will appear.  We want to have a laugh, inspire each other and produce beautiful, thoughtful makes that our partners will love.

You do not have to comment on every picture or thread BUT you will be expected to join in, plot your progress and to let your swap mama know if anything is conspiring against you as early as you can.  If you prefer to work quietly, without any interaction, this is probably not the swap group for you.

Susan, Cindy and I will be cracking our whips if we think you have gone AWOL!

If February is not a good month for you, or you already know you cannot make and post in the above time-frame, don't worry, we want to run regular swaps, so you can join the next one.

Think carefully if you have commitments that may impact your ability to meet the requirements, if you have unpredictable computer access or are off on your holidays.  Please do not leave it until the last minute to start making, that's common sense; life happens, we do understand that, but 'sloppy swappers' will have their cards marked and may be excluded from further swaps if they don't play fair!

Do you think the power is going to my head?

Well what are you waiting for?   Please come and join the fun, you know you want to, and we want you too xxx

Leftovers...

Whilst the leftovers are still being consumed, I thought I better give you a look at some of the things I haven't shown you before, (you can tell I am scrabbling about for blog posts ideas now, without actually making anything new!).

Firstly the Secret Santa gifts that I sent to fellow Brit Bee Jennie of Just A Little Stitch.  My pictures are not that great - taken at work on my phone as, in my attempt to get them posted in time, I forgot to take any at home, muppet.

The Christmas purse outer fabric is wipeable PVC for any gravy-spillage problems, and I couldn't not send felt baubles could I!?

Oh and there was this kanzashi flower brooch I made for my coat for Christmas Day, using this tute...

Now I suppose I better go make something new.

More Plays and Purses...

I got to see the Christmas play again this morning, my reward for putting about 15 little girls' pairs of tights back round the right way and pulling big heads through tiny sweatshirt head-holes!

These phone snaps sum it all up for me...

I also went Christmas food shopping; all bought, bar the fresh veggies and the small matter of a turkey (ie. we have enough chocolate, coke, cheese and cake for a month!).  We are meant to be dining with my parents, but I am stocking up just in case it snows or some other mishap keeps us 70 miles apart - have you seen the forecast?  Blimey!

I haven't managed any sewing yet today but I only have one felt ornament left to make for the school presents, how I forgot 'Nanny Jean' I will never know.  Then all the deadlines move forward to the big day.  Phew!

Last night I put together the last of the production line purses... although I am officially addicted and may just keep on making...

This one is for Ballet Twin...

The measurements are again based on Ayumi's tute, and I have finally memorised the zip layering mantra, thanks Kat.

This one is for me... 

I know, I don't need it, but since when did that matter!?  The fabric is another upholstery sample, and still requires an additional detachable section of strap to be put on when I get more split rings; I am rather in love with it already.

There's still time to enter the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway if you haven't already.  I have been literally overwhelmed with the number of responses so far, so please forgive that I can't reply to all the comments, otherwise there'll be no time for making - and that just wouldn't do!