Just keep swimming...

Trying to keep my mind occupied yesterday, I came to the conclusion, that as much as I was lusting after one of Kat's beautiful frame purses, especially the ones made of HR goldfish in bags, I really should use my own frame, my own goldfish, and save my pennies for next weekend, (more on that later in the week).

So I did.

I fussy cut a precious little Swimmy, pulled my current favourite denim yarn dyed linen and the white frame I got at Eternal Maker last weekend.

An hour or so later I had drafted a pattern, after a fashion, because the frame is only 2" x 4", and came up with this little beauty...

I did the little fishy outline and quilting in Aurifil 12wt, and put in the spotty lining from an M is for Make scrap pack.

I love this little purse.  It makes me smile.  And that, as they say, is what it is all about.

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

Still Raining...

No Retro Flowers for you today I'm afraid; I was only home for 30 minutes in what we can loosely call 'daylight', and it was raining, so I was not going out in the garden, and had a couple of Beavers badges to get sewn on anyway.

But on the bright side, and ignoring the second day of small-folk sickness, (I had an unscheduled day off watching ET and Christmas films yesterday, Daddy's turn today), I got mail.

I was soooooooo good over this past weekend of made-up holidays and bizarre excuses for sale days, and only indulged in a $6 Noodlehead Sidekick Tote pattern and a small selection from M is for Make; Loulouthi Hugs & Kisses and laminate, and a small bundle of scraps, as it would have been rude not to.

So today those lovelies and my free-shipping Spoonflower Heather Ross Mermaids swam into my grasp...

I also have a rammed full Inbox which I can't face right now, so please accept my apologies if you are awaiting a reply from me; I will hopefully have a clear down tomorrow after the recorder concert and ballet lesson, oh joy - are you jealous!? 

For now, I just need a cup of tea and an early night xxx

Needle Case Swap

Yesterday was full of family walks, a trip to the local church with the girls to look at 'wedding dresses through the ages', (mostly the 1980s, so many puffy sleeves!) and back home to make my needle case for the Sewn Spaces Swap.

We can post these here, on flickr and put our goodies in the mail any time before the end of the month, so once I receive a secret little extra I have ordered for my partner, this will be winging its way to...

... someone who requested 'Yellow'. 

An inspiriation mosaic and a colour choice are all the secret partners have to go on, other than general stalking and lurking to make something we truly believe our partners would want.

So although I am pretty sure my partner doesn't read my blog, this is what I made for her...

I hope I got her 'right'!  This is the first time I have attempted to make anything like this, so I am rather pleased that it turned out how I envisaged.

I kind of cobbled together the pattern from a few I had seen on flickr, it measures 3"x 4 6/8" closed.  The fabrics are Feedsack - Yellow Blossoms by Sara Morgan and Alexander Henry's Farmdale Orchard print, both from last week's M is for Make haul, and topped with a couple of mother of pearl buttons from the local antique shop.

Job. Done.

My Post!

It's Friday, and I said it was going to be good!

Look what I had trying to stop me getting through the door when I got home from work today!

OK, no shots of the parcels, lovely wrapping or any of that business I'm afraid, as I wanted to get to the contents and finding my camera was not my top priority!!

I was expecting this...

...although the scrap rolls are always a mystery treat, and I hadn't seen the gorgeous Feedsack fabrics in the flesh before, they are so gorgeous and destined for good use...

I was hoping these would come some time soon, and today was perfect timing...

 ... my super winnings from lovely Verity, aka Miss Ginger - if you want some too, please check out her Etsy shop.

I knew, but had almost forgotten, that a small present would be coming from my friend Ann, and look what she sent me...

Ann, you got me hooked on all this blogging mularky and opened up all the joys and friendships it can bring, and I will never be able to thank you enough xxx

And finally, Matron (ooh matron!) of the Mystery Quilt and fellow Brit Quilter, Sheila, sent me all this...

... just because she is awesome and wonderful!  I cannot thank her enough for making me smile (and shed a few happy tears!).  Surprise, surprise, dear son 'bagsied' the beautiful gecko the second he saw him!

I can now call myself well and truly 'cheered up' (honestly, I am not so materialistic - fabricalistic maybe!), but the kindness of friends I've never met is overwhelming, I want to thank you all.  Thank you, thank you, thank you x

There is also the small matter of this...

... now that can have a post all of it's own tomorrow!

M is for...

Moving?  Mummy?  Well today, it's Make!

If you haven't visited Kate's beautiful online shop, or taken a peek at her blog, well now is the time to do it!  On nearing the enviable 100 follower mark, she is celebrating by planning to give away some absolutely gorgeous Joel Dewberry fabric.

You have nothing to lose, and a whole load of lovely inspiration to gain, and who knows, become a follower and you could be a winner too. 

OK, so I fibbed about the Moving bit, a little.  We had the chap come round to quote for removals this evening, so we are edging that little bit closer, and it's all becoming rather exciting, and scary!