Homemade blackberry cheesecake

So, as planned, I went blackberry hunting the other day, and managed to bring 800g home!
Look at the beauties...

So I made my spiced cheesecake with them for my visitors...yummy!! My visitors are still around at the moment, so I'll post the recipe later if you want it. Here's a piece of the finished product - we were in such a hurry to eat it, I forgot to take the picture of the whole cake!

Simple lunch

While I can still enjoy the little summer pleasures...

A small salad, some lovely and addictive blue cheese, Italian ham. Yummy!

And I just love using my dwarf tray! It's a rare pleasure as Mr Lavender doesn't like it...too girly and naff for him.

In keeping with the late summer theme, I'm going "hunting" for some blackberries later - hope there are some in the bushes, I am dying to make my spiced blackberry cheesecake!

Clutch

Look at this adorable clutch! I have to say, I am really quite happy with this one, it turned out really nicely.
It is my first experience with sewing a bow, so I think i still need to refine my technique, but it looks good enough for a first try.

(Oh! listen to me, blowing my own trumpet!)

Well, if you like it, let me know, I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Whilst I was making it I had some cringing problems with the tension on my machine - I hate when this happens, don't you? I ended up having to walk away for a bit - thought I was going to go crazy!! Then once I re-threaded and checked my bobbin, it turned out to be fine. The end result was worth it!

School bag #2

Here are the latest additions to the "school bags" (that is, back to work and/so treat yourself bags!). First of all, a smaller version of the bag presented last week, but with the same gorgeous lining I purchased last autumn in varying colours.






Then there is my take on stars and stripes, with a lovely dentelle ribbon I brought back from France last year. If you are lucky enough to go on holidays in the countryside over there, do not hesitate to go and look around a car boot sale - there are some amazing finds!!
Each bag comes with *Yummy Lavender* in a little sachet, and is closed with a vintage button. They are great fun to make! The pattern is from this book, an amazing source of inspiration.

School bag#1

I know, I know...this looks nothing like a school bag! At least now one for kids - but in my view every respectable lady should have a new bag for going back to work after the summer holidays. This one is velvety on the outside, has a cosy flowery lining, and of course, comes with its trademark *Yummy Lavender* lavender bag, so no matter what you put in there, your bag is sure to smell lovely day in day out for a long time.

Watch this space for more school bags to come in the next few days.

Sewing kits

Here are the fruits of my labour! And the first thing I get to show you on the blog: felt sewing kits.

Those come complete with their little cotton bundle, needle, buttons and nursery pins. They are very handy and will fit in any bag / suitcase, and are an ideal present for mums, friends, and not-so-keen-on-sewing friends!
All of them, of course, are hand-made by myself.

Here is a detailed picture of the inside: I have been having lots of fun with felt recently. I'll show you my felt pasta soon...to die for!

**Sewing story**

Time to start talking about what really matters, and the reason for creating this blog altogether: sewing. I started it like must of us, I guess, with a granny showing me how to do basic stitching, sew buttons and make simple dresses for my dolls. After many years with hardly any practice, I’ve felt the need to take it up again in recent years. My Good Star heard my wish (and my moans about not being able to, you know, “do stuff myself instead of buying it ready made”) and bought me my very own, first Singer. I cherish it. It’s one of my most precious possessions, even if I don’t get to use it as often as I’d like. Since I've had it, I have tried and tested many things - clothes, accessories, bags, home things. Some very successful, some less...all gave me great pleasure to produce though.

Tell me, how did you start sewing? Is it always linked to our childhood? Or do we develop a need to be crafty when we enter a new stage in our lives?