All Washed Up

Hi!

Today I was feeling the need to get to grips with my sewing machine.
Its a gagillion years old and the only manual I found was online and not as clear as I might like! Anyway, I thought I would try something simple to get to grips with controlling the sewing machine and trying to sew in a straight line. I had some oilcloth left over from the picnic basket (details to follow!) and a random zip lying around so decided on a wash bag.

I cut out two rectangles of oilcloth that were slightly longer than the zip and a smaller rectangle to make the base of the bag that little bit bigger.

After a bit of trial and error (and a harsh exchange with the sewing machine) I finished it!

Im really pleased with it and think the size is going to be brilliant for keeping all my wash things in for weekends away, camping and general wash bag type things!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

xXx

I have linked to Handmade Harbour, Sew Can Do and Making The World Cuter

Feeling Jazzed.

Hi!

I've been away for a few days and so spent this evening lazily pottering around on various blogs and stumbled across one that I HAD to share!

Kate Henley is a totally awesome blogger/life coach and has just released her first E-book Sass, Class and Badass. It promotes exactly what it says on the tin and I have to tell you I thought it was brilliant! As someone who tends to lack in both sass and badass-ness I finished the E-book feeling totally jazzed about embracing that side of me. I feel like tomorrow morning I will wake up with that bit of badassness creeping forward, taking less nonsense from people and just being comfortable with being me.

The E-book is free and I 100% suggest reading it. You won't regret it!

Sass, Class and Badass

Byeee!
xXx

Bits and Bobs!

Hi!

This week I have been doing little bits and bobs including opening my Etsy shop!

Its a mixture of vintage finds and little things I've made. Im looking forward to putting more things in it as and when I find/make them so keep checking back to see whats new!

Its also become apparent that I really need to start using my sewing machine if I want to make good quality items. Don't get me wrong, I love the little quirks that come with hand stitching but to make the basic softies etc a sewing machine makes it sooo much easier! If you know of any blogs or Youtube videos with good tutorials on using sewing machines please let me know!

I also made some lemonade but then the camera I was using to take pictures for a tutorial got given back before I could take the pictures off so heres the only picture I have!

I will tell you however that it was really delicious and I'll be making some more for when I leave for my mid week getaway!

Other than that I've been hanging out with these guys a lot:

So cute!!

Have a fab weekend!

xXx

Songs for June

Hey!

So today I thought I would share some of my favourite songs and artists for June so far!

Twin Atlantic - Edit Me.
This is the first track on their album Free. There are no tracks on this album that I don't love which is pretty rare for me! I love this band and cannot wait to see them in November (thanks to The Boyfriend for the tickets for our anniversary!)

Jake Bugg - Lightning Bolt
If you are in the UK and you listen to Radio 1 you have probably heard this song already. Its such a good track and if this is anything to go by the album, released in October, is going to be amazing.

Of Monsters and Men - Dirty Paws.
These guys won Battle of the Bands in Iceland in 2010 and are playing at Reading Festival this year on the Radio 1 stage so I'd keep an eye out for them in the future!

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Atlas Hands.
When I'm feeling in the mood for something with a little less guitar and a bit more calm I go to this guy. His album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm is lush and I will be seeing him on the Festival Republic stage at Reading this year singing my little heart out!

So there you have it. A little insight about what Im listening to this month!

What have you been listening to?

xXx

Granny Square Update!

Hi!

You may or may not have seen that I am currently working on a blanket made up of granny squares.
Its been a while since I started so I thought it was time for an update.

At the last count I had made 9:

 This was a good start but I needed more if I wanted to cover more than one leg (which I did!)

Here is where I'm at now:

I now have a glorious 27 squares!!

It was getting a bit boring with just pink and white so I've brought in purple, blue and red to add something else to it.

Theres no target date to have the blanket finished by but it would be nice to have it for winter to snuggle up and be all cosy!

27 down 153 to go!!

xXx

The Picnic Basket Project.

Hey!

Much like everyone else in the U.K I was shocked the other week that the sun actually made an appearance! There was full on sunshine, people getting tanned/burnt and lots of drinking Pimms!
When the sun comes out I always want to have a full on picnic with a lovely basket full of yummy food. Now the food is easily managed with the help of the local supermarket if we are in a rush but the basket is different. I didnt want a standard one from the shops, I wanted a nice vintage one without clasps etc.
So the other day I got this beauty:

 It wasnt too expensive at all but I guess thats because it was the bare bones of a picnic basket rather than filled with goodies!

 I figured this would mean I could make it over as I wanted, have a fun project and a lush, one of a kind picnic basket in the end.

Cut to this weekend at the vintage section of a market and I found a large piece of oilcloth for super cheap! My immediate thoughts went to the picnic basket and how cute it would look inside and be wipe clean if I got stuff on it (very likely!)

The tricky part is working out how to attach it to the basket. My main idea at the moment is hot glueing it on and then maybe using some kind of wire or thread to keep it firmly attached to the wicker.
Theres no rush on this project really as the sun has gone again and left us with LOTS of rain but it gives me hope that the sun will eventually return with his hat on!

What do you think?
Have you attempted anything like this?

xXx

Elderflower (Or not!)

Hey,

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things craft/blog wise but being so busy with work etc its going to take a while but bear with me!!

This Sunday The Boyfriend and I took the dogs for a long walk in our local woods. While there I saw these plants where all the flowers were bunched together and I got a flashback of something telling me it was Elderflower. So, after getting pretty excited and quickly checking my phone to make sure I was right I picked a load and brought it home.
After taking it all out of the bag I had I realised some flowers were different to the others so I had another check. Not all of them were Elderflowers. Safe to say I was not pleased as I was looking forward to making some yummy cordial with it!
I have taken some pictures in case you ever see what you think is Elderflower and want to make sure before looking like a numpty like me!

  Elderflower.

 

 NOT Elderflower!

 Elderflower

 So there you have it!
I like to think I make these mistakes so you don't have to!!

At least I know what it looks like now and will be going back to pick some more soon before the season is out and I can make yummy things!

Have you used Elderflower to make anything?

xXx

I'll Be Back...

Im still here! Everything has just gone a bit crazy, I got a job that means I work much longer hours and by the time I get home I just want to sleep! But rest assured I will return soon and I have a project or two for you!

xXx