A year in flowers

vintage fabric

I am terrible. Honestly, I cannot help but buy more fabric even though I have a stock building up at home! But really, deep down, you know you couldn't have resisted this loooovely vintage-like fabric if you'd seen it yourself, could you?

When I spotted it, I knew instantly how to use it too. So last weekend I started fussy-cutting it into beautiful little rectangles...

And guess what they became? Little lavender trinkets for Christmas stockings. Aren't the fabrics just gorgeous?

They all went in "the finished products basket" for a while...

And finally into little bags of lavender goodness - by that time day light had disappeared, sorry for the bad pictures!

Christmas project

These little Christmas ornaments are now finished, but you get to see them in the process of being assembled together. I used the same pattern and idea (inspired by the yukata I brought back from japan) as I had two years ago when I made an enormous batch of favours for a December wedding.
This time I embroidered "Noel 2012" or "Christmas 2012" at the back for keepsake.

I will show you the whole "batch" of this year's lavender bags (last year's is here)before they go and find new homes next week.

Things I love this September

Y Watching the Great British Bake Off every Tuesday night. These guys are really inspiring, they really make me want to jump in my kitchen and make something straight away. So far all I've managed to rustle up is a lemon tart with a meringue top. The tart was delicious, but I won't mention what happened to the meringue...

Y The true return of Autumn. After this afternoon’s rain and wind, there’s no mistaking it for anything else!

Y Posie’s new ornament kits for this Christmas. This year I have not even tried to resist – with new postage pricing to Europe, it would almost be a crime not to order any! I cannot wait to get them, make evrything, and show you.

Y Ramen soups – my favourite at the moment. So clean and healthy, yet super yummy.

flowers

I started off those little flowers a while ago - remember them? A couple of months later, and look how busy I've been... my sewing box needs a rest this week!

Perfect to gently perfume your cupboards - without looking like a nasty old-fashioned moth repellent! 

The wedding guests are in for a treat

Amidst the sea of felt flowers, there are now many more things taking shape - hearts and stars.

To be continued...

lavender bags

There's still loads to improve on those lavender mini bags, but they're so lovely I had to show you what the felt ones look like at the moment. As posted a few days ago, they are destined to be wedding favours, but first of all I need to bride-to-be to say which designs she likes best. I am also preparing a few fabric hearts, and then she can make an informed decision. To finish them off, I'm going to have special labels made and attach them at the back with the names and date of of the wedding.
Married women, or brides to be, I would just love to hear your comments about them. Do you think they'd be appreciated? What did you have for your wedding favours (if any)?

Oh, and talking about weddings, as usual a few bloggers are getting married this summer, and I just have to mention Alix's fabulous-looking wedding. Even if you're not a big fashionista (I'm not, really), you'll love her blog about Paris, accessories, and shoes. Worth a peek!

And of course, for those who have been following (by the way, if you want to follow, there's still space ;) ) I simply cannot let you go without showing you the magnificent - oh so sublime - gorgissimous chocolate tart I made this weekend for my half! Let me tell you, the half was happy! But then who wouldn't be?

pasta mia

A while ago I was telling you about my felt fun period. And as I'm really quite a greedy person, I've found a nice way of combining the two, but without the calories to accompany my dishes: farfalle and ravioli!

This is a recent thing, but I've also been known to make a cake or two when I first started sewing. Sadly, a lot of them have found new homes before I could picture them...one night even say they "sold like hot cakes"!

Luckily I still have apicture of my very first (bless, I was so proud of my efforts!)

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!