Mug Swap- Received!

I was starting to get a little worried that my swap parcel wasn't going to arrive......but yesterday morning I went to the Post Office to pick up a parcel that 'was too big for your letter box'.

Well you can imagine excited just doesn't cover it, I got up earlier just so I could collect it before work. But then I realised, I couldn't open it as I didn't have my camera with me.....so I had to sit all morning at working imagining what was in the parcel!!! I had left it in my car just so that I wasn't tempted to open it.
But once I got home.....the camera came out and the wrapping came off!!!!

My swap partner was Sara from 'fromthehandsofkittyeden' and she has a gorgeous website over here! Go check it out she has the sweetest things in her shop. It was gorgeously wrapped and inside were all these goodies! I couldn't believe it......

There was of course a mug, which I love....the colours are very me. I must say Sara you definitely did your home work, every item I though 'yeah that's me to a T'. Alongside the mug was this yummy antioxi chocolate from Thornton's, its says on the box 'Just two scrumptious squares a day will make you feel great' now that is what I want to hear about chocolate!!!

There were also 3 balls of wool and some small knitting needles......I wonder what I will make with these? I am loving this little pouch (fabbo fabric!! Cath Kidson I presume) inside were some fruit teas. Which I also love! Yes, there was more, some Ric rac, the most gorgeous little crochet butterfly, some buttons (2 in the shape of strawberries) and some sparkly star beads.

And to top it all off this beautiful mini tote........love it, love it love it!!!!!!!! And the little brooch you see pinned to Sara's business card I have attached to the little bag and it just looks the business.

I want to say a BIG BIG thank you to Sara (and her talent) for a brilliant swap parcel.....it was definitely worth the wait. And also a BIG thank you to Jenny for organising the swap.

I want to do another swap now.......anyone know of any??

Late night blog

Sorry to disappoint tonight folks but there are no photo's for this post. Its around midnight and I just wanted to get a quick post in as I haven't posted since my last day off work.

The downside of having time off is trying to catch up when you get back....things this week have been extra crazy. So much so, I have a pile of ironing the size of Mount Everest, I desperately need to dust and tidy....and there's been little time for crafting this week. :(

I did however customise a child's cap into a duck for an Easter bonnet parade. It involved lots of yellow felt and a steady hand at blanket stitching. I didn't take a proper photo, but I did take a quick snap with my phone which I will post over the weekend at some point.

Another weekend of housework and D.I.Y me thinks.

Back to work tomorrow.....sigh!

So I thought I'd make the most of my last day off. I got up early, went to the post office to post some orders and went to pick a few things up from the supermarket. As a rule I never bake, or make anything that is complicated. Not that I don't want to just that I never have the time.

Taking advantage of today I decided I was going to bake some bread and make some cakes. Now no laughing here!!! This is a good attempt for me :)

Chocolate Crispies!! Always a winner, there's nothing that can go wrong with these babies! And TA DA here they are.....I made extra large ones in muffin cases as it stops the other half from eating 5 of the normal sized ones.

Next on the list, I thought lets try making brownies. I even cheated by buying the mix in a box where you just add water, and lets just say there's plenty room for improvement. :) They taste good, I just think the tray I poured the mixture into was too big resulting in very thin brownies. Ha ha.....

And last of all BREAD, although I did kinda cheat with this too as it was a mix in a bag and AGAIN just add water. But I tell you what......amazing bread!! I think I will start making it more often when its this easy!!

Oooh what a good little house wife I am ;) I am very surprised I didn't burn it or over cook it. Thin brownies are OK with me.

I also rearranged all the stuff in the kitchen cupboards (now I have my new cupboard/utility) which is going to be hilarious stuff when the other half comes in as he wont be able to find anything!! :)

I've had so much fun being off work, wish I could re wind to Thursday and do it all again.

Mothers, leopards and feltyness

Hello bloggers.....Happy Mother's day to all the Mam's/Mum's/Mummy's and Mama's out there. (Especially mine **wave**)

I think I have decided that being at home doing what I jolly well please is way better than actually going to work :) (we all knew that).

Having days off work gives me a chance to catch up on all those things that get neglected on a normal working week. Some boring (house work) others (crafting) a delight.

So yesterday I spent most of the day finishing sanding the utility cupboard and then giving it 2 coats of paint. It looks fab, all ready for things to be put in the cupboards!! After all the cleaning up there was not really much of the day left.....so I spent the evening with a glass of wine and catching up on a bit of blog reading.

This is the other gift that I was telling you about the other day, its a blown glass Leopard. The markings and colours are so beautiful. Another amazing gift from the other half (what is he after I wonder???? Cynical woman alert!! ) :) No really, I'm lucky that he is so thoughtful. This will go on one of the shelves in my sewing room along side the chest/box he bought me.

And to finish my post with a bit of progress here is a photo of what I have been up to this morning. Nope, they're not brooches or embellishments......I'm hoping that they're going to be bag charms (if they turn out OK, that is). I'm in no rush to finish these as I have another 2 new projects whizzing round my head that I want to get the patterns drawn out tomorrow, so these will be sewn together at my leisure.

I'm having a sale.....

....over at http://www.bagladee.com/

All bags have been reduced and as a special offer to my bagladee.com customers I'm offering you a choice of one of my gorgeous limited edition purses for FREE....yes free!! Just email me after purchase with your choice and I'll include it in your package.

Also on offer: Buy 2 accessories get 1 free, choose a purse or brooch for free...I know crazy! Email your choice after purchase and its yours. My prices have also been reduced in my etsy shop to match and the same offers apply, just convo me or leave a comment as you check out on your choice.

ooOoo

I must say I could quite easily get used to this not going to work malarkey!!! I am enjoying myself way too much :)

Yesterday I had a little lie in then it was up, breakfast, quick tidy up and vacuum......I then spent the day creating my sale poster, changing my website, updating all my prices in my etsy shop, and writing my very first newsletter (which I am still yet to send- having a few teething difficulties with the program I'm using, I'm sure its just me being dumb!!) The evening was spent relaxing with the other half.....who bought me ANOTHER gift yesterday for my sewing room which I will post about tomorrow. (I am so spoilt ) ;) but I like it!

Today, however was not spent doing bagladee things...we were up with the birds to the bank and then the post office, to the shops to pick up some croissants and fresh juice for breakfast and then back home. After spending the morning sanding what is going to be a utility cupboard (yes we LOVE d.i.y!!) I nipped off to get my hair trimmed and as we speak I'm waiting for some poly filler to dry so that I can sand the next bit so its ready to paint tomorrow morning.

And to top the day off I received an email from Audrey from Audrey's country crafts not only has she given me an award (see bottom right corner) but she also featured my shop on her blog today!!! Thanks ever so much Audrey, I'm proud as punch I made it onto your fab blog :)

2 little ducks....quack, quack!!

Look at this pair of love birds....well ducks :) Nearly 7 years ago I bought this 'Punk' duck (the one on the left) for my other half when we first started dating. 7 years later he buys me this 'Hugs & kisses' duck (the one on the right) on Monday. So tonight they were happily swimming around in the bath when I took a well deserved soak after work tonight. There has been some crazy days at work this week which has kept my head buzzing even after winding down.

But I'm pleased to say tonight is the official start to my mini holiday :) I'm not off anywhere and I don't have anything planned. Just me, my sewing, the house, the cats and occasionally the other half.

When he brought home my duck gift I also got this gorgeous chest/box, he said he thought it would look great in my sewing room when its complete.....and I totally agree, I love it.

The inside is just as beautiful as the outside.

I'll be back to fill you in on my days off.......

Limited Edition....

Here is my new project all finished....little denim purses with cute felt flowers hand sewn with diamantes.

I've used some of the fabrics that I normally use to make my bags for the lining inside the purses.

There are 9 different versions in light and dark blue denim

How do you get your hands on them?

Well they aren't for sale so to speak.....I'm having a huge sale on my website and Etsy shop this weekend and they are FREE yes I said free....if you buy any handbag from either of my shops you get one of these free.

All bags will be reduced and if you buy any 2 small accessories you get a 3rd free. I will post about it again on Friday with all the details. So if there is something that you've got your eye on get it quick as I may just sell out. And with all my products being made in limited numbers....once they're gone they're gone.