• crafts - handmade - sewing - swap

    A crafty swap {Very Berry Hoop Swap}

    April 4, 2017 - By 

    It’s been a very long time since I participated in a craft swap. My free time is very short at the moment and I’m hardly spending any time papercutting or sewing. However, the latest Very Berry Hoop Swap really appealed to me so I signed up. The idea was quite simple. To purchase a miniature embroidery hoop (measuring just 4.5cm across) and fill it with some handmade textile art. I purchased a dandelyne miniature embroidery hoop from Cloud Craft and turned to Pinterest for some inspiration. There was almost too long to think about this swap – 8 weeks from signing…

  • patchwork pouch
    crafts - sewing - swap

    Being brave and trying new things {NanaCompany swap}

    May 31, 2016 - By 

    Regular readers will know that I love to craft and purchase an insane amount of craft books. Sewing is my favourite thing to do in my limited free time but often I’m struck by the fear of failure which holds me back from trying new things. So when I saw a new swap on Instagram I bravely signed up. The swap was quite specific to those who were fans of the NanaCompany style. I’ve had Amy Sinibaldi’s book for a while, I love her blog and her style but never got round to making anything from the book. I knew…

  • days out - handbags - London - mindfulness - Orla Kiely - swap

    Monday Happy Things – Week 71

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    I’m getting a bit bored of writing about another busy week but it’s true. I can’t believe it’s Monday again and a new month to boot. We have lots of exciting things planned for February so it should be a great month. Anyway, time for my weekly roundup – Monday Happy Things. This week I’ve been using the new Orla Kiely handbag I bought in Covent Garden last weekend. I fell in love with my Little Owl Quilted Reversible Tote as it features my favourite stem pattern in a lovely quilted design. I chose the red colour to add a…

  • Christmas - days out - swap

    Monday happy things – week 64

    December 14, 2015 - By 

    I have to admit that things have felt a little flat lately after a few busy weekends with friends and family. Not to say it hasn’t been another one of those weeks! On Tuesday my 4 year old had her Christmas performance at her new nursery. Last year she sat and didn’t join in with anything  so my expectations were low for this year. Fortunately she was really excited about it and joined in with every song. I loved seeing her so happy and surrounded by her new friends. My 5 year old had his Christmas play on Thursday. They…

  • Christmas - days out - London - swap

    Monday happy things

    November 23, 2015 - By 

    I’m sure I’m not the only one finding life exceptionally busy at the moment. In the next couple of weeks I have two birthdays, two weekends away and the school Christmas Fair which I’m helping to organise. It’s time for my weekly Monday happy things post before I face the week. On Saturday I enjoyed a trip into London for the 4th annual Mumsnet Blogfest. I missed last year but went to the first Blogfest in 2012 and the second one in 2013. I have never hung out on the Mumsnet forums but Blogfest is amazing. It’s more about good…

  • sewing - swaps

    Motivational felt banner

    July 21, 2015 - By 

    I hope you’re not bored of reading about my little banners yet? I can’t help making them as they are just so satisfying and fun! Every couple of weeks I like to sign up for a craft swap to ensure I’m making things and being creative. The latest swap I took part in was the Handmade Gift Exchange from Craftaholics Anonymous. I’ve taken part a few times and made and received some lovely handmade gifts. I exchanged a few emails with my partner and we decided to make each other banners. I knew I wanted to make a motivational felt…

  • Dolls quilts - handmade - interiors - sewing - swap

    Monthly Makes – April

    April 29, 2015 - By 

    I think April may hold the record for speeding by the quickest. It seems like only yesterday I was turning over a new page of our monthly calender, a Minion one in case you were wondering. This month I’ve managed a little bit of sewing, mainly for the two swaps I participated in. First there was the UK Mini Swap for a sweet little quilt which I wrote about here. There was also Round 6 of the Fabric ATC swap organised by Very Berry Handmade. The ATC measured only 2.5 x3.5 inches and I made a tiny row of terraced…

  • Dolls quilts - handmade - Handmade gifts - Patchwork & Quilting - quilt - sewing - swap

    Mini quilt swap reveal

    April 19, 2015 - By 

    Yesterday I received the most amazing mini quilt in the post. Late last year I signed up for a mini quilt swap and today I can write a mini quilt swap reveal post. I love sewing and patchwork and thought it would be a fun challenge to make something for someone else. The only requirement was that the quilt had to be a minimum of 15 inches on both sides, and maximum of 24 inches. We were paired up and sent links to inspiration boards to gather ideas. I chose a gorgeous patchwork heart which I loved making. There were…

  • baking - Cath Kidston - swap

    Monday happy things

    March 2, 2015 - By 

    Just popping in to list the things which have made me happy this week. A visit to Cath Kidston where I treated myself to a Piccadilly cushion. It goes perfectly with my vintage London bus sign and vintage toy bus collection. Watching and enjoying Birdman. Baking Miffy biscuits with my daughter. They didn’t last long enough to be iced – hopefully the next batch will. The new Merchant and Mills/Uniqlo collaboration. They all feature sewing slogans or images and there are so many items I want (all of them). I think I’m going to ask for this one for my…