Imbetween the hecticness of work at this time of year, I've been trying to make a few of my presents. I'm not doing too badly, surprisingly, but no doubt there will be the last minute franticness. I'm still planning on making all the children their own initial keyring. There aren't too many of them so it shouldn't be too much of a challenge.

I made a friend this purse. I was playing around with some of my new stash of Mikodesign fabrics. I think she'll be pleased with it.

Then the in-laws. My in-laws are very hard to buy/make for but I'm quite pleased with what I've come up with. My father-in-law is taking us all away next summer for his 80th so I've made them both a Passport Holder...useful and appropriate! I even spoilt them by cutting into my precious Liberty stash.

Hopefully they like it enough to at least use it next summer...if they don't lose it/wear it out before then.

Could not resist sharing this with you... What a cool idea to make with old sweaters! Check it out here along with other felt holiday projects.

Life is somewhat running away with itself at the moment and I am not blogging as often as I would like. There is so much going on around here at the mo. Some the mundane, some the pre-Christmas madness and some very exciting stuff that I am desperate to share with you.

But I can't. Not yet anyway.

Hopefully by next week I'll be able to spurt it all out!

In the meantime I wanted to show you how well I had got on with my Sashiko cushion. I absolutely loved doing it and am really pleased with the result. I think there'll be plenty more of this going on.

Harrogate was hosting the Knitting and Stitching Show this weekend, so Manda and I popped along on Saturday afternoon. The show itself was okay. We both wanted to go to get some much needed fabric from Fabrics Galore., which we did with gusto. I'll tell you about that later in the week.

But the highlight was definitely the Sashiko and Japanese Fabrics stand. I have definitely found a new love.

The fabrics there were utterly stunning in their simplicty. They actually had these that I had previously purchased on Etsy. But it was the Sashiko panels and threads that won our hearts.

As you can see the colours are just divine. And their texture is simply sublime. And since I was incapable of waiting to have a go, I tested it all out last night and the threads are just a joy to work with.

There were several different panel designs and after much deliberation I chose this one. It comes with half the fabric printed and the other half plain to then turn it into a cushion cover.

I am totally in love with this process of continuous running stitches building up the design. The needle simply glides through the fabric (oh yes, you have to buy the Japanese needles too). If you haven't experienced the art of Sashiko, you really must give it a try. It is effortless, yet immensely rewarding and I have a feeling that this will be a welcome evening distraction on a regular basis.

And the good news is that it is all available online right here.

I'm rushing around like mad today. The week was definitely shorter than usual and usually it's short enough. But I just received this amazing package I had ordered from Erika of Mikodesign and I just had to share it with you.

First of all it was wrapped beautifully...

Second of all Erika had included these little stamped bags too. How gorgeous are they?

Then the pile of handprinted fabrics was never ending...

I particularly love this little girl bunny and will think up something very special for that, although I have a feeling if someone else sees my stash she'll have her own ideas;-) But just check out all this!

And there was loads more too! As ever, the most simple of designs are the most appealing. Well, for me anyway.

I am so excited by this and have a million and one ideas in my head of what I am going to do with it. Go check out Erika's blog and Etsy store for more inspiring work from her and pick up your own stash today. Haapy weekend all...must dash...x

I've been involved in a Hand-stitched Embroidery Swap on Flickr this month. I'm not sure what possessed me to do it as my last swap ended in tears as my swap partner disappeared off the face of the earth after receiving my lovely bunch of goodies and I never got to get hers (I am genuinly concerned that something awful did happen to her as she has literally fallen off the end of Flickr with not a word from anyone).

I was invited to join the swap by Kate, my lovely friend on the other side of the world, so I couldn't refuse her. I have to say it was a fantastic experience. This is my first 'making' swap. The others were swapping fabric and I think this made the whole thing such fun. We all posted our progress pics and oohed and ahhed over the ones we hoped we'd be getting. (It was a secret swap - noone knew who was giving to who)

I was very much oohing and ahhing over the progress of Tacha's pics of the embroidery I subsequently received. Even from the first posting she did, I was intrigued and mesmerised. As for the finished article, well, just look at it, it's stunning isn't it?

Tacha had obviously done her homework on me. I mean, would'ya just look at all tha blue and red?? I could not have bought a more perfect embroidery. And I love it's position in my kitchen.

Thank you, Tacha, it is more than perfect.

As for my creation...this is what Kate received from me...

Yes, that's right, Kate ended up being landed with me as a partner! Apparently she loves it...or so she says...

Above all, this was a fantastic experience, meeting lots of talented, wonderful people. Can't wait for the next one!

Sunday Stash #6

Again, not so much a stash in my possession, but one that will be any day now...

My American aunt is on her way over, so as ever I have ordered a shed load of fabric for her to bring with her for me. Here's just some that I'm hanging out for.

This lovely little lot is coming from Sew Mama Sew.

(Go see more SS goodies over here...)