I feel the need for tweed

I've found it very difficult squeezing in any crafting lately, you see I'm one of those people who can't say no, which inevitably means I have neglected my poor blog whilst suffering terribly from 'crafting' withdrawals.  And so to correct this I managed to throw caution to the wind yesterday and made my 2nd tweed bag. 

I'm rather chuffed with how it turned out.  Due to time constraints I find myself sticking to the same old pattern, as I know it like the back of my hand, however I did make a couple of subtle changes.   

I used two different colours of material, making panels for the front and back of the bag before I could begin sewing it together, which I find the most exciting part.  the other alteration was to the pleats, which are inwards instead of out.

The brooch is removable, and I couldn't decide where on the handbag it looks best ... top left  or bottom middle ... oh decisions, decisions. :0)

Totally shocked and delighted ...

Remember I entered a competition at Ragamuffin?  Well I didn't win but (drum roll) ...  I did get a runners up position - woo hoo !!!  This is the lovely prize I received.

Gorgeous wool from Wales

Tweed rosette brooch

Mustard Shetland Tweed

and last but not least some VERY funky buttons

Oh I am one very lucky girl ;0)

Scraps of fabric

What do you do with your fabric scraps?  I hate throwing things out, so I have a drawer with every - and I mean every scrap I've been left with.  Each bit loved SO much I can't bare to throw it out.  Needless to say the drawer is full, no that's an understatement, it's bulging to the point of being crushed within an inch of it's life.

Most recent I have been left with grey fleece scraps from making the new hot water bottle covers.  So after some careful cutting I made this...

A cosy fleece flower for my hair.  Okay, so it doesn't exactly keep my head warm but it sure looks like it does.  It's time for me to pack away all the flimsy, floaty summer accessories and get out the winter woolies - yeah! As some of you will know I'm a hat person so it's my favorite time of year. 

The true fleece colour is closest to the above flower.  Not quite sure what has happened to the two photos below, they've gone a shade of blue? 

I'm really pleased with how the clip has turned out.  I've had a few lovely comments from people too - which is always nice.  As I've dark brown hair, the grey stands out well, also it's my 'colour of the moment'.  I go through phases of favourite colours.  Last time it was turquoise, which goes rather well when teamed with grey, so I'm not completely colourless ha ha.

Tooth Fairy Pocket

After lots and lots of nagging from my lovely 'little worlds', I have finally made both of them a little felt tooth pocket.  The Tooth Fairy has already visited Miss World 8 times now. 

On one occasion Miss World had cared for her pearly white all day and had placed it under her pillow, with great excitement, however her little brother was extremely curious and took the tooth to play with, managing to loose it - much distress followed as you can imagine, however the clever fairy used her magic to find the missing tooth, well at least we think she must have, as a shiny coin was left that night.

Another time the Tooth Fairy was SO busy she didn't manage to collect Miss World's tooth but did leave a coin and a lovely teeny, tiny, hand written note of explanation and apologies the following night.  Mr World is yet to embark on his relationship with the Tooth Fairy, so fingers crossed his one won't be so absent minded ;0)

As you can see I made the pockets from felt, 14cm long by 5.5cm wide.  Stitched together using embroidery thread and a little ribbon and button attached.

The pink pocket looks squint but I assure you it's just the photo - honest!.  Needless to say I've been asked to make a few more.  Why not have a go yourself, would make a great present - especially with Christmas coming up.  I'd love to see what designs you come up with.

Hotties are back ;0)

As much as I love making bags, it is SO nice to have a change of scenery.  I've been making my hot water bottles again.  This year though I have got a couple of new designs - so far!  I make them out of gorgeous soft grey fleece, which is stretchy too, so your hot water bottle is nice and snug.  I find it very therapeutic sewing blanket stitch, I think it gives the cover a real old fashioned, cosy, homely feel.  Here's a sneak peak before they head for Folksy.  What do you think?

Introducing ... 'Wishing on a Star'...

... and 'Strawberry Dreams'.

The strawberry even has tiny pips, unfortunately it's difficult to see in the photograph.  Last year I made green, purple, pink and blue hotties, I've decided to work towards a rainbow of them.

Hope you're all having a lovely Tuesday, if you're looking for my usual 'Tuesday Tips' they will be returning in a couple of weeks.                             

See you soon... Marice x

Got my button swap - yipee !!

I joined Noodlebubbles Everlasting Button Swap as I'm ever so slightly obsessed with buttons  I love picking up unusual ones from charity shops.  I mostly use them on the cards I make, and large ones always make great centres for fabric brooches.  I was partnered with Ina from The Netherlands.  Ina doesn't have a blog but is on flickr.  She is a very talented lady, she does quilting, cross-stitch and sewing.  Here's the lovely buttons I received.

I'm loving the turquoise flower power button in the middle, also the little pink rose.  All of Ina's buttons have interesting texture and designs.  Here's the buttons I sent Ina.

So a huge thank you to Lisa from Noodlebubble who organised the button swap.  There's no closing date so if you'd like to join in, then just send Lisa an e-mail.

Hello

Time flies when you're having fun eh! Yes, I can confirm that is true.  The past 3 weeks have flown in.  We went to visit family on the Isle of Skye.  It was fantastic to get away and recharge the batteries.  Where we stay there is no phone signal - absolute bliss, and I never turned on the computer once.  Sorry to anyone who did miss me but I SO enjoyed not having to answer to anyone or anything.  While on holiday though I couldn't resist buying some fabric from Ragamuffin in Armadale.  They were selling of Shetland Tweed for charity and running a competition, on their blog, to see what their customer made with the tweed.  Naturally I made a handbag, as I'm obsessed with making them at the moment.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I love the autumnal colours, mustard, brick and dark brown.  I always make removal brooches with my bags however this time I stitched the flowers straight onto the bag. 

The photos look a little dull, as the colours in real life are very vibrant.  The competition closes at the end of August so fingers crossed for me ;0)   Hope you are all well,  I've got loads of your blogs to be catching up with, best make a large pot of tea and get reading. x