mini marvels

I hope this will be first of a series of posts today as I have been a busy bee sewing this week.  It has been half term so we've had both girls at home all day which has created more of a challenge in finding the time and also because whenever I get things out to begin, my eldest becomes very interested.  So I will upload some pics in a little while as I have had to charge my camera overnight.  My latest mini marvel (Okay, it's just a handbag charm/ keyring) will be on the project 52 page shortly, but here's a pic of the finished project.

Scarf totes

I'll be updating the project 52 page shortly with my latest creations- yes, plural, I was fairly busy this week! These were made using half of an old paisley scarf which I cut into sections to be appliquéd onto the bags.  I'll say more in the full post on the project 52 page, but will say here and now that the pictures aren't the best.  I twisted my ankle and so I haven't been moving around much or carrying my camera around to get pictures at each stage of the creations.

Enjoy perusing x

Bargain quilt

Thinking of charity shop buys this week made me appreciate my favourite all time bargain which was a patchwork quilt with crochet centres for £5!  Now that I know how much effort goes into each quilt, I feel awful for the poor lady (or Gentleman) who put all those hours into the quilt, which was then sold so cheaply.  However, it is loved and appreciated very much.  Here it is in my dining room/ sewing room with a few other pics of my arranged fabrics and ribbons et al.

  Newly organised ribbon box.  It's not likely to stay like this though!

My Fabric shelf.  You may notice some little ladies poised within the folds of material.  They are creations of mine also which I hope to make more of in the future but they are still in the early stages!  Amongst the material are my magazines and books all within easy reach for inspiration if it is needed.

It may not be the most stylish room, but it is functional and I am very grateful to have this amount of space.  My sister regularly admonishes me for my grumbling about wanting it to be prettier when she doesn't have space for even a sewing machine :s  *whisper* If I could though I'd love something like one of these:
http://pinterest.com/katielovescraft/fantasy-sewing-spaces/

wk 5 dress

Just a quick post to say the new project is now on the Project 52 page.  Here's a peek.  I have a few more things to share but have a busy night so it may be tomorrow before I get to post.

thrifted bargains

I will be posting my latest creation in the Project 52 page a little later but wanted to share a pic of the bargains I picked up this week in a couple of charity shops.

I love vintage embroidered table cloths and have quite a selection growing.  For 99p, I couldn't resist this little square linen one.  I will take some more pics of my favourite ones and upload soon.   

I have purchased a few jugs over the last 18 months only to have them be broken by workmen etc.  These were both reduced and I fell in love with the floral one.  Sadly, it isn't quite as pretty as it's predecessor but it's a good shape and size and will be perfect for summer bbq's.  The plain glass one will be used for all other everyday purposes in the hope of prolonging the life of this one. The other items include a bag of chocolate brown aran wool (possibly for a winter waistcoat for our new addition) and a peach floral sheet/  I also picked up a large fisher price garage for £1 and an Early Learners cottage (which has buttons with 4 sounds e.g. doorbell and phone).  I didn't get a pic of these as they were whisked away to be played with.  So less than a £10 spent on lots of little lovelies =happy girl xo

project 4

Busy busy busy week but I have updated the Project 52 page with my latest idea- well it was influenced by Pinterest with a 'Katie' take on it which I think has a more vintagey feel.  It isn't quite finished but I didn't want to fail my project within the first month!

Here's the original- no negative comparisons though please! Haha- all criticism is constructive!  (and I'm thick skinned ;p) x

Christmas bites

A month after all the Christmas dinner preps were starting, I decided to make Turkey and stuffing meatballs.  A friend of ours and excellent traditional cook told me of this recipe and said they had been described as little Christmas bites- and she is dead right.  Both my parents are Irish and no Christmas dinner was ever complete without a 'Ham' so I also added some bacon to my meatballs and served them with Cranberry sauce. 

  I wasn't brave enough to repeat the whole 10 veg spread that we usually have on Christmas day, but did use up the last of the goose fat for roasties, the last of the cranberry sauce and also the last packet of stuffing.

 I rolled the meatballs around 1 o'clock and although you are supposed to put them back in the fridge to set for a while, I fried them in the pan straight away as I wanted them to have maximum cooking time.

After browning them in the pan, I made up a gravy and placed them all in the slow cooker.

  4 hours later, I did the rest of the veg and have to apologise for the last picture as I started eating in hunger and eagerness, forgetting to get a picture first! So there is a bite out of a roastie and a meatball missing from my plate :$ oops.  It was delicious mmmmm