A gift...

I am such a lucky lady, look at what the postman brought me on Saturday!! A sewing machine mat, beautifully sewn by Rachel from Contented. I have been friends with Rachel for a couple of years now and we met through the blogs. She's very lovely :)

I am always admiring Rachel's work and especially love the quilted projects she makes. Already being a proud owner of one of Rachel's mug rugs, it inspired me to order some very gorgeous 'sewing' themed fabrics with the idea that I would make a sewing machine mat.

Months go by and the fabric is still in my stash and I'm having a conversation with Rachel about how I never have time to do the 'me' projects. She kindly offers to make it for me and I accept......and I am sooooo pleased I did. Isn't it beautiful!! Sewing machine print on the front with a bobbin boarder and bound in the button print.

Thank you so much Rach you did a fantastic job and I love it, love it, love it!!!
I would never have gotten round to making one and because Rachel made it, that makes it even more special. Please stop by Rachel's blog and say 'Hi' you'll be able to admire the rest of her handy work.

Look at those neat lines!!!

And here it is, Bessie my Janome loves it too. Perfect!!!

'New'

Day 4 house sitting:

Yesterday I had a fab late lunch with a very good friend of mine (Hi Kelly!!) we nattered for ages which was great as I don't get to see her that often. After a mooch round Tesco I came back to my parents house and sewed til late.....

Today I met up with Nicola, you may know her better as smilernpb. We arranged a little while ago that when I would be here house sitting we would meet in Durham for a cuppa. I think we were both nervous about meeting up, but I didn't find it awkward at all Nicola is soooo lovely. She brought her youngest daughter with her and she is such a sweetie pie. We had a few cups of coffee and some cake/biscuits and chatted away, we then went for a walk round the shops and visited Durham Cathedral. Nicola also brought me a gift which was very kind of her, home made cookies, a re-usable cotton bag from the body shop and some coconut body butter (which smells good enough to eat). Thank you so much for a lovely afternoon Nicola we must do it again when I'm in the Northeast. The cookies are soooooo yummy!!! :D

When I got back I continued with my sewing and finished this bag, only a sneak preview mind, I will show you a full picture once its on my website. Well I'm off to make a cup of tea and I think I'll devour some more of those scrummy cookies!! And a little bit of hand sewing me thinks. Bliss!!

Old friends

What a beautiful morning today, the sun is shining and I can actually see blue sky! Such an improvement on yesterday, it was awful, chucked it down with rain all day and I don't think the sky was any colour other than grey. So far while I've been here I have drank waaaay too much tea :D went on lots of dog walks, cut out some more pieces for bags and relaxed.

Yesterday (during the downpours) I met up with a friend who emigrated to Australia 10 years ago.....it was like she'd never been away, I love friends like that. All at once I felt 18 again and then straight away back into the reality that I am 30 and the need to feel all grown up! It made me think of how happy and content I am now and shocked that I feel so settled with Chris in Notts but in a nice way. Sometimes its just nice to go back to your roots, it makes you feel grounded and remember who you are, where you've come from and the things you went through to get there.

I hadn't slept that great since I arrived, being unsettled and all that, and have to say that I've felt quite tired and head achy. Last night was much better and I feel raring to go today. I have some sewing to start.....maybe I can get 3 bags made by the end of today? Hmmmmm the challenge has been set!

Matilda meets some new friends...

Whilst we were having the BIG clear out last weekend we came across a black sack which had soft toys written on its label. I wasn't quite sure what was in there as the bag has been in the garage since we moved to the house.

It made me smile when I opened the bag, as it contained our 3 monkeys that used to sit on our bed at the flat. I dusted them off and took them up into the studio to meet Matilda, she was ever so pleased to have some friends to keep her company. And so we decided to have a little move around with things to make room for them all....

and some totally scrumdiddlyumptious fabric.

At last I get to keep all my fabric together right where I can stare at it whilst sewing, its amazing how inspired you get looking at it.

The custom cushions are finished and I will be back tomorrow to show you photos.

P.S. isn't today 'blustery' for us people in the UK.