Things that make me feel happy or make me smile.  And why not!

I followed a link on twitter and read a blog post from somebody whose work/blog I really admire – Petals to Picots ( 52 weeks of happy ).  I understand that the original idea for this came from Jen Little Bird – such a lovely idea and a lovely, happy blog too. 

This made me think about doing something similar, I am not sure whether I can remember to post weekly pictures of what makes me happy or makes me smile – but hey, perhaps the 52 posts don’t need to be consecutive weeks – so that would be the first thing that makes me happy.

• 1) Deciding to create this set of blog posts of things that make me happy and deciding it does not have to be consecutive weeks (as that could become a chore).

• 2) Visiting the Bead and Textile fair at Norwich on Sunday 28th April 2013.  I really hope this will be an annual event as I met so many lovely people there. Just look at the beads and buttons I purchased – simply gorgeous!

• 3) Also on Sunday, before visiting the fair, I purchased a new camera as the camera in my phone is rubbish.  Of course I had to make a case for it on Monday night, so on Tuesday night I made an improved version of the case.  I love both of them.  I love the retro fabric used for the outside which is really yummy and the bright orange polka dot lining which just makes me smile.

• 4) Today I purchased a new bag.  It only cost £14 at the Gt Yarmouth market.  But it was just so lovely, I could not resist it.  I went into a fabric shop in Bungay using the bag for the first time and somebody working in the shop commented on how she loved the owls on it.

Being happy is good.  Knowing and noticing how often things make me happy, makes me smile.

Norwich Bead & Textile Fair Purchases

Camera Cases – Quilted

New Owl Bag

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

One shop (so sorry I don’t know the name or address of this shop) is just an Aladdin’s cave of everything.  Affordable fabrics of all kinds, equipment, bits and bobs that you would not believe.  I will be returning to this shop soon as I saw some really fantastic beach hut fabric that I would love to make new bathroom curtains with …. watch this space!

Another shop I found was Sew and So’s.  Fabulous if you love fabrics.  So much choice and colour in fabrics and loads of books and so much inspiration with quilted goods and examples all around the place.  Love it.

Sew And So’s of Bungay

The picture above shows the brown paper bag that my purchases were placed in … I even love the paper bag!  I purchased some freezer paper as I’ve read so much about this.  I spent all Sunday night tracing out patterns from a book I recently purchased.  From what I gather, you trace and cut out the pattern onto the paper.  You iron on (without steam) the shiney side to the fabric then use that to cut around. No pins required and you can re-use the freezer paper several times.  Sounds great heh?  I will let you know how it all works for me.

I cannot wait until I start to create a Tilda doll or animal (from the Amazon book listed below), but saying that, I might just have to return to Bungay and purchase a pattern of the cutest elephant you ever did see.  I also purchased a bias binding maker, the wrong size I think as its 2″ finished size, not the width of the fabric.  Never mind, I am sure I will use it at some point.  I also want to attend some of the workshops that Sew and So’s organise.

Something else I have taught myself recently, is how to make these fabulous Shamballa type braceets.  I’ve always loved beads, and the Chinese cord is just so lovely to work with too.  I am teaching other people how to make these too.

Shamballa Bracelets

As I said, it seems so busy, but its a good busy.  All craft related stuff this weekend.

Blogged today …. and changed site somewhat

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

Meantime, this photo shows my current WIP.  Another odd type of new “wool” just out.  My local craft shop (Craftmania) posted they had this in store so I went the very next day and bought some. 

This wool is a mix of chiffon and lace.  You have to knit into each second hole … each row only has 5 stitches.  I am not yet convinced this will become long enough to be scarf.  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, what do you think of this?  There are several projects (bag making?) that I think I could use this “wool” for – but as it costs £10.99 a ball, I would have to consider carefully before purchasing.  A lot will depend on how far this one “ball” goes.

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

This to me, proves that quilting can be quite expensive as all the animal fat quarters that I purchased mainly from Sew Simple in Norwich were quite expensive but its a shop I can spend hours in as it really does cover just about every single craft you can think of!  On the other hand, passing a fabric shop in Gorleston (sorry, cannot remember the name so cannot link at this time), I decided to pop in and see what fabrics they had available.  Wonderful stuff and extremely affordable!  I had already purchased a little girly type of fabric that I would use for this project, but fell in love the Winny the Pooh fabric which cost only £2 a metre!

To be honest, the quilt I made was taken from this pattern.  Well, it might have taken Leona only a day, but it took me several weeks to make.  Thank you Leona for providing the inspiration for this project.

As usual, just click the pic for a larger image!

This shows the full baby quilt.

Close up of quilt

Quilt hanging from line

Amazingly good value fabric and such fun

Onwards and forwards with the sewing ideas – I have such a wishlist of projects I would like to complete.  I would like to make some things for my kitchen (pan holders) to match the colour of my kitchen walls … I would like to make a few Tilde items.  So much to look forward to.

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

I made this crochet hat based on the barrowmean rings – but I will take pictures tomorrow (better lighting). 

This bust will really be handy for showing hats I will be making and selling – not only that, but I can use the same bust for all my handcrafted necklaces, neck warmers and scarfs.  I wish I had bought one of these years ago!

Mannequin dummy

My gorgeous dummy!

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

What better way to start making things for Christmas than to start making simple crocheted Christmas trees.  I followed a link with a really easy pattern for a Christmas tree, decided I wanted to make Christmas tree bunting in various green shades and just started crocheting!

I am not really happy with the colours shown in this photograph – as the background is actually white (cardboard paper) but you get the basic idea!

Christmas Trees – ideal crochet bunting!

I’ve made 8 of these cuties for now – but I will have loads of fun actually decorating these trees – now where did I put that glitter?

Pattern and tutorial found here http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/grandma-tree-tutorial.html

Edit:  Note added 14th Sept 2012

I totally love making these trees … so addictive and easy to do.  I bought some gold and some silver colour threads.  I made some trees with yarn and thread – so these trees will not need as much decorating – there are so many possibilities!  I will be creating bunting trees – about 10 trees in a mix of colours!  

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

Crochet Flower Bag – Colour

Finally, another blog entry – It has been over a month since I last posted an entry and its mostly down to the project I’m writing about today, the crochet flower bag.  This is a handbag you will not see anyone else around with unless of course, you have come across Meladora. 

Quite some time ago I asked Meladora if she would share her pattern for this amazing crochet flower bag.  She has only just recently published the pattern (so please purchase the pdf pattern to support the designer), which can be found on her website http://meladorascreations-com.webs.com/crochetedflowerpurse.htm

This is the medium sized handbag which means it has 48 large flowers (8×6) – then the gaps were filled in with smaller flowers – all linked to other petals.  All in all, it takes quite some work.

Click on the images to see a larger version of the picture. 

I was rather concerned about the handles stretching, so, with the same material as the lining, I reinforced the handles.  I decided to make the handbag lining with a lush, quite thick fabric and made pleats so it would fit nicely in the opening of the bag – however, because the flowers are so open, you could see the stitching on the outside of the lining so quite simply I covered this up by making another bag lining to cover the original one, so now no seams can be seen.  I would do much of this slightly differently for another bag – it was a steep learning curve and despite all that, I am extremely happy with the results of this crochet flower bag.  Because of the double lining, the bag even sounds lush when it moved (or is that just me being precious about a finished project I enjoyed doing?)

I am not too sure about the colours that show up on this computer, all I can say is that the bag really has lovely colours and the wool I purchased for the bag handles really ties the various colours together nicely with the flowers.

I will be making a phone cover to match this bag – so watch this space.

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

Rita was given a crochet phone protector and Jane was given an owl, a felted stuffed owl.  Those who know me, appreciate that I really dislike hand sewing but I had found a pattern on a really fab blog so I just went right ahead and made this, despite the hand sewing!

Not bad for a first attempt heh?

Felt Owl for Jane

If you want to make a felt owl for yourself, you will find the pattern on this blog

Its great to try out something different, something outside of your own comfort zone – I really like this owl and I will be making more of these cute creatures!

Thank you for reading. magsiesss

Go girls!

Boobs, boobs and even more boobs

I used a variety of patterns and methods – but the pattern that really worked for me came from the blog page Remembering Rowan.  This lady is a great crochet designer too …. she creates awesome designs.  Check her out on Ravelry too –> Laurinda Reddig

Thank you for reading. magsiesss