new kits...

I find it's always good to produce new items this close to Christmas. 

You know, when you are so rushed off your feet and can hardly breathe.

It's just perfect timing to spend all hours getting it into a ready selling state and neglect what really needs doing.

Hence I have just produced  these kits...

I spent most of yesterday photographing and writing up the instructions for them and they are now winging their way to various stockists to sell as Christmas extras.

They come with everything needed to make one pouch and full instructions to make as many more as you like! Perfect for making lots of presents this Christmas!

For now they are available in my Etsy shop...and in time I will let you know which stockists are selling them.

Now back to the To Do List...

giveaway winner...drum roll please...

Giveaway for Courtney of Seamstar's generous solids bundle giveaway is...

Helen from The Fabric Laboratory!

Well done Helen! Your chosen bundles will be on their way to you and if you missed out but would like to order some, please go here.

Thank you all for entering and another giveaway on it's way later this week.

x

coming in 3's...

 They say things come in 3's and this week is no exception for me.

3 WIPs finished in a week. 

It's nothing short of a miracle!

...and just in time for winter arriving in the North too.

I'd earmarked this cowl from Mollie Makes magazine back in April I think it was. It's a really quick and easy project and so snuggly and warm. I didn't use the recommended Quince & Co. wool, mainly due to the fact that I couldn't remember what it was called when I was out wool shopping. Instead I opted for Rowan's Big Wool. I love Rowan wool and Big Wool comes in so many delicious colours it was hard to choose. Hence i went for this indigo blue. Go figure.

I have a feeling this will be the first of many...especially since various family members have been dropping xmas pressie hints.

With the satisfaction of all these projects completed it's probably time to get back to proper crafting...

you know, the stuff that brings the money in.

Back to the Fair making stuff tomorrow...

Oakshott...

 I was very glad to hear that I am not the only Starter Non-Finisher amongst the group...

although if I'm not careful I'll be getting myself a reputation for being a finisher too...

Nah, probably not!

 I received a bundle of Lipari Oakshott a couple of weeks now and in all honesty I don't think I have been as bowled over by a bundle of fabrics EVER! 

If you haven't got on the Oakshott bandwagon yet, you must! The shot cottons have the most incredible jewel like quality. i have to admit when I first saw images of it I wasn't 100% sure. The camera does not do this fabric justice. Not in any way. 

It is very hard to capture the effect that the black shot (I would use the technical warp and whatnot but I'd only get it wrong) running through these subtle colours has on each colour. You will just have to take my word for it...oh and try some out for yourself.

 I decided on a couple of projects with the fabric (you can see the start of the second one here...) and since we were away last week the hand stitching hexie project seemed a good one to start with.

Do you have a plan when you start out with a project? Often I don't (that probably doesn't surprise you). I have a vague plan...as in it will incorporate hexies or whatever, but what shape or form this will take is anyone's guess at the start...and pretty much through to the end.

 I made all the hexies up last week and then started to piece them together. Again, I wasn't totally sure how this was going to be...flowers? coloured rows? random? Yes, definitely random! The jewelled colours seems to spring to life the more random the pattern.

I got about half way across the width of the cushion when i decided enough was enough and thought a little more randomness was needed to added a bit more personality to the cushion.

A few individually grouped hexies and a little sashiko embroidery later and the front was complete.

I just need to point out at this point that the back was getting me all inspired...I could feel a screen print design coming on...well I could, until someone pointed out on Twitter that it looked rather phallic...hmmmm, maybe not then.

Reining it back in...here you have my Lipari Oakshott Cushion made from the truly wonderful colourful shot fabrics ethically sourced from master weavers along the Malabar coast of South West India. These really are beautiful cottons to work with.

I'm thinking the Ruby Reds may need trying out next...

hexie heaven...

 I am a great starter...

I am a crap finisher...

There I've said it!

In an attempt to rectify that I am setting myself little goals to complete WIPs.

I really don't mean to be so rubbish at finishing things but it is just that I get so distracted by new things coming along.

Take the rainbow cushion below for instance.

This was a Christmas project that I started 2 Christmases ago. With the third Christmas imminent, I felt pushed into a corner to finish it.

What amazes me most - and a lesson I wish I remembered - is how quickly projects are to finish once I actually set my mind to them.

Do you think I will remember this lesson in a couple of years when I get around to finishing my Oakshott Lipari Hexie cushion?

Probably not...guess I had better tackle this one whilst it's fresh.

giveaway time!...

Seamstar has a fantastic selection of Better Value Plain Cottons and Courtney is offering a very generous giveaway of them.

Seriously generous and seriously tempting...

Better Value Plains are 100% cotton and available at Seamstar in over 50 colours as well as various 4 and 6 colour palette bundles. They are better value too as they are are 150cm wide.

The generous giveaway that Courtney is offering is your choice of any 3 bundles of 4, some of which you can see above and the rest you can see along with all the colours available here.

And here's how you can win...

1 entry for telling me which bundles you would choose...

another entry for following my blog before or now...

another entry for signing up to Seamstar's Newsletter...

a final entry for tweeting about it.

So 4 chances to win...what are you waiting for??!

Giveaway open until this time next week - end of play Sun 4 Nov 2012.

p.s. apologies but open to UK residents only this time

I've only just recovered from catching up from the summer holidays. 

Actually I will rephrase that...

I am still recovering from catching up from the summer holidays.

And now it's Half Term...for 2 weeks...what's that all about?!

Apparently it's about seeing quite how far I can stretch before I snap. 

Let's hope it's sometime after all the preparation and execution of the looming Christmas fairs!

Speaking of looming fairs, I will be at the following and would really love to see you...

Selvedge Winter Fair - Sat Nov 10

We Make London Spitalfields Market - Sun Nov 11

Country Living Fair Harrogate - Thurs 29 Nov - Sun 2 Dec