And sew it begins : PJ bottoms

Good morning my lovelies, another glorious day out there. I love Summer :) there's nothing better than sitting in my sewing room creating, other than sitting in my sewing room creating and the sun is shining!!

I have a very large mug of coffee so lets get started before I go and finish some more pen cases and tackle the rest of my to do list (yes I am most definitely keeping myself busy). I thought I'd show you my first Make 9 project. Now I know its a little late in the year to be starting only my first project as I posted about this back in early February, but there is still plenty of time in the year to get the other 8 done for sure!

So first from the list I chose PJ bottoms, mainly because I live out of them (dont judge me, I like being comfy lol). The very lovely Lynne from The Make It Room kindly offered to send me the pattern and instructions that she uses in her classes. If you have never heard of Lynne before pop over and take a look at her website. She runs workshops and courses in dressmaking and sewing, feltmaking, needlefelting, knitting, crochet, lampshade making, rag rugs, painted furniture and découpage. I do wished that I lived closer so I could attend all of her sewing classes :(

I bought some beautiful cotton from a shop on ebay which was about £11 for 2 1/2 meters which I thought was really cheap, I didn't want to buy anything too expensive as this was my first project. Once I get a little more back into the swing of things I will be a bit more adventurous with my choice of fabrics. I have my eye on a few :D I bought some elastic for the waist band and already had this beautiful cream ribbon that I bought from John Lewis many moons ago.

I added some length to the pattern as I have very long legs so 6" extra was necessary! And that was it I was ready to get going!!

This was the first time in a long time since I had used an over locker. It is ridiculous how excited I was to thread it up and over lock something. Although it had been ages since I had used it I still managed to thread it up like it was only yesterday. I could have literally spent all day just over locking stuff (yes I need to get out more).

Anyway I did manage to prise myself away from the over locker to actually sew them together and start sewing the casing for the waist band. My one mistake was that I ran out of the thread and had to use two different colours, if you look carefully at the photo below. But I dont think I will ever notice!!

I started to get a real pang of excitment once I started feeding the elastic in for the waist band.....they were actually looking like a garment!! 

I hemmed the bottoms and added the ribbon...........

.........and this is how they turned out!!!!!

I couldnt be happier with my first make. In fact I was a mix of emotions of 'why the hell have you not been doing this all along' and I was so proud that I had made something that I could wear! 

These wont be the last pair I make...I have already ordered some more fabric to make my next pair. They were so easy to make, Lynne's instructions were so easy to follow and the fit was perfect.

It has really fuelled my passion for sewing again, I feel like I just want to spend every single day sewing!! So if anyone can find me a permanent job where I can sew all day then please let me know lol.

I'm already planning my next two projects and cant wait to get started.....

Emma xxx

If I were a.....

...pencil case! I would most definitely look like this one :) No really I would! 

Its amazing when all the pressure of making things to order goes away, the motivation to create returns. After making a bit of a faux pas on the amount of fabric I needed to make my first "Make 9" project, I decided that I would make something that had been on my list from last year while I waited for another delivery. 

Its been such a long time since I've made any of the make up pouches that I used to sell in my online shop. I could have used the original pattern and adapted it but I thought it would be good for me to create a new one, to kinda get back into the swing a little. It felt a little strange getting the pattern paper out and starting to mark out the measurements but I suppose its like they say "riding a bike". 

As I am totally obsessing over the colour that I painted my sewing room, I seem to be a magnet to anything in the same colour spectrum. This also goes for the fabric I've bought for my "Make 9" project, now if you can remember that far back, my plan was to make 9 garments before the year was out. Now I can hear you all whispering....but its April already Emma and you haven't even started. Dont worry...I'm not, its not the finish line that is important, its the journey along the way.

I plan on starting this weekend, even if its just the cutting out. I also have something else that I want to make but more about that later. Back to my gorgeous new pencil case :)

So of course it had to have buttons on it and a few little hidden sparkles purely because I love anything sparkly. Mr.B says I'm like a magpie! The fabric on the top section was literally some scraps I had left over from a bag I made a couple of years ago. I love the pinks and aqua combination. The problem that I had with my previous case was that it was wayyyy too small, so when I started to work out the dimensions for this one I knew how big I wanted it to be. 

I'd love to make some more, but I'm not going to pressure myself into anything. I've ordered some more of the gorgeous polka dot printed felt, along with a stripey version and whatever I create I will put up for sale. Its more about the creating for me, I really enjoyed making this one for myself. Its funny that I used to make lots of bags in lots of different styles for customers but I never really got round to making anything for myself....crazy I know!! At least this time I can say that the first one was for me :)

I'm also thinking of making another one to make a matching pair so that I can use the second one for a make up pouch for my bag. Its been a good distraction for me this week, and by god I've needed one. The day job 'issue' still hasn't been resolved, I'm trying to keep myself together on that one but its difficult. Creating is the thing that I say keeps me sane but I really think that is true. I feel like the 'real' me when I can make things.  Good things come to those who wait.....well if anyone has noticed I've been here waiting patiently all this time. Please bring a good solution :)

Well I'm going to leave it there for this week my lovelies, I do hope you all have a fantastic weekend whatever you have planned. We will be keeping on with the marathon that is decorating, we're on the home stretch now for sure. 

Take care, 

Emma xxxx 

1st Christmas Market of 2013

This was me last weekend at the Farndon Boathouse Christmas Market. I thought that since I've been absent from my blog for a little while you would all understand if I showed what I'd been up to.....making all this lovely lot for my fairs.

It was a lovely day and the fair was quite busy, there was a brass band, mulled wine and mince pies, lots of fantastic stalls and Santa was there too :) I took a large selection of products, some new clutch bags, mini clutch bags and purses.

I also took along some of my new felt swirl brooches that I've been keeping under wraps, these proved to be popular and they come in these cute gift boxes.

I also made a selection of these felt rings, in large and small I was sporting one for most of the day but as it was a little chilly I did give in and put my gloves on a few times :)

I love the new animal print fabric I bought in just before Christmas, my favourite is the blue print at the top.

I also made a large selection of my fabric boxes but this time they come as a set of two, large and small.

My felt flower hair bands made an appearance don't they look cheery all stood in a line together.

I've missed doing craft fairs, I love being able to chat to other stall holders and getting to chat to customers. Although I always give the best customer service I can through my website and etsy store, I don't think you can be actual face to face interaction.

Make up bags were also popular, they make great Christmas gifts.

My little ginger soldiers were with me again, don't they look cute on this little stand (which was actually a mug tree).

And their smaller counter part, the mini gingerbread men brooches were also there, proudly displayed on their very own stand.

We're all packed and ready for this weekends fairs, Tom Browns Brasserie on Saturday 10-4pm and the Riverbank Sunday 11-5pm.

WARNING!!! Too cute

Now you cant tell me that you don't just love this little fury face?????

Isn't he the most gorgeous bundle of fur? Everyone I would like you to meet Austin!

Every since first creating my blog and venturing into the world of crafting online I have met the most amazing people. Friendly, caring, like minded people who are truly the best, even though I've not met many of them in person I feel like I've known them all for years. First of all I receive the most gorgeous mini quilt from Rachel (big hugs) and then this little fella arrives in the post from the very lovely Michele whom I met through Twitter. Michele has a blog here please go visit you will see more adorable bears!!!!

Michele is a very talented lady, I've seen quite a few of her creations. She has made the most gorgeous knitted bag that I've admired for sometime, and the detail on Austin is unbelievable!

His arms and legs are hinged with buttons!!! I know buttons!!! He is very clever, he can sit or stand. He has the cutest eyes and the most precious nose. And would you believe it all this detail and......

...he is small enough to sit in the palm of my hand.

Michele I am truly in love with Austin and I thank you so much for sending him to me. Now hands up, if Michele had an Etsy shop would you go buy one?!?!?