Nose to the grindstone

Wahay, the kids are back to school again ... for three whole weeks.

Still it's given me time to catch up on all the things (more than a lot but less than a helluvalot) that were set to one side during the never ending Easter holidays.

But for now it's back to normality again, making, designing, doodling, filling orders and cutting out more panniers than you want to know about. Seriously I have bicycle bags coming out of my ears, who knew they'd be so popular.

I did manage to free up a morning for a good cause though. You can pop over and visit Louise at Sew Scrumptious for the full details but basically Louise is kindly offering to coordinate and send handmade dresses to Hope 4 Women International's "Dress a Girl Around the World" campaign. The idea is to make pillowcase dresses, as many as possible and these in turn are distributed to little girls by Hope for Women International.

I managed to make 3 in one morning.


They're very easy to make once you get going, but truth be told I'd never made a pillowcase dress before. I've seen plenty though and the little white ones always look lovely so I set about making my first white pillowcase dress (I know what you're thinking but give me a minute, I'm getting there).


When I was finished, I hung the dress on a hanger and stood back to survey my handy work. I grinned, congratulated myself and gave myself a mental pat on the back, I'd successfully made my very first pillowcase ... nightie.


Some colour was definitely called for ... and a matching scrunchy for each. I hope you agree.

If you'd like to whip up a dress or two yourself Louise links to a great tutorial and you have until the end of May to send them.

Frugal Finds

I love a good old plunder around charity shops, though if I'm honest I'm rarely very lucky where greats find are concerned.

For instance, I've yet to find the bin bag stuffed with vintage Laura Ashley fabric for a tenner, nor have I come across the shoe box stuffed with great granny's buttons for a quid. It just doesn't happen to me.

But occasionally I do find some real gems, especially on days when Robert has been abandoned very kindly offered to stay at home with Chloe while I go a rummaging.

On Saturday I snaffled these lovely patchwork pillow cases out from under somebody else. A lad had been looking at them and had hung them back on the rail again, but I could see her mulling it over so as soon as she turned her back I grabbed them.



Not very nice of me I know, but you snooze you loose:)



I do have a thing for the flowers, don't I.

I've also been keeping my eye out for a summer quilt or blanket for Chloe's bed. During the Summer the front of our house is baked by the sun for most of the day and Chloe's room is at the front of the house. It's not a problem if we're just pottering around the house and in the garden because I have all the windows open, but if we've spent the day at the beach and arrive home at about 6pm the heat in her can be powerful and by that time opening all the windows is like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I found this lovely, very light quilt (I've said before I don't do ironing, don't you judge me). It's a very pale yellow with little feather prints all over it. She really loves it and I'm hoping that because it is slightly satiny (not a word) when she turns over in bed the quilt should just stay on top of her rather than getting tangled around her and making her sweat.



Well, I hope so anyway.

Labra Kadabra - The World Famous Magician

Earlier this week the very lovely Hotdog and Me posted a thread on Folksy. Simple enough, she would send a sock dog kit to the first ten people to comment on the thread and all of our crazy makings would be listed in the Crafteroo Shop on Folksy in support of Children in Need. She sent out 12!

Anyway, I was all over it like flies on ... ahem!

I had a couple of ideas floating around my head and decided that I'd make my mind up when the kit arrived.

The very next day, my postie knocked the door and there was my parcel....

Yes, I know the drill. Receive a parcel, take a photo, post the photo.

Impatience thy name is Leanne.

After a couple of days of fitting in little bits of stitching here and there during sickipoo nap times, Labra Kadabra is finally finished.


I should probably mention that he's a world famous magician because he isn't very good at magic.

Check out that poor bunny!


He was listed in the Crafteroo Shop on Folksy a short time ago, but you can't have him.

He's sold already and will be heading off to his new home first thing tomorrow.

However remember now, 12 kits were sent out and Labra is only the warped result of one of the kits, so keep an eye out in the shop. They'll be popping up quite regularly, although if Labra was anything to go by, you'll need to be quick. Really, really quick.

Brave or Foolish?

In April of 2010 Rosie of Brave or Foolish will run the London Marathon. Rosie will run the grueling 26 miles in aid of The Miscarriage Association.

That's only seven short months to prepare. Seven short months to get ready for something she has never done before. Rosie isn't a marathon runner. Rosie has been bed bound and wheelchair bound due to a difficult pregnancy, although she's one of the lucky ones;


More importantly though, Rosie has seven short months left to raise the £1300 needed in order for her to run the London Marathon for The Miscarriage Association.

You can visit Rosie's sponsorship page at JustGiving.com to help her on her way.



Alternatively, or as well as, Veryan of Beady Pool has created this one of a kind bracelet;



This gorgeous bracelet is being auctioned on Ebay and you can go now and bid for a one of a kind bracelet for yourself or as a gift for someone else.


In addition to this, for the duration of the auction Beady Pool is also donating 10% of all purchases. All you need to do is just enter MARATHON at the PayPal checkout on the website or mention it in your email if buying direct. Veryan will honour the 10% of takings on both the website and also on her Folksy shop.

As will I.

Help Fight Against Cancer

The very lovely Laura Cameron has got together with the Fabulous Folks at Folksy to set up a shop in aid of Cancer Research UK.

An avalanche of wonderful sellers on Folksy will be donating beautifully handmade items to the shop which will be up and running soon.

Cancer is a disease which runs very deeply in my family and the families of many others. These families will spend this coming Christmas mourning the departure of those close to them and also celebrating with those who have fought against and overcome this terrible disease.

So far I have donated two pairs of earrings to the Folksy Cancer Research UK Shop and plan to donate more just as soon as possible.




I would urge everyone who has been touched by Cancer to get in touch with Laura and donate what you can however small you think it may be. Even the smallest things can make a difference in the fight against Cancer and helping to support families affected by Cancer. You can get in touch with Laura via her shop on Folksy (which I've given the link to above).

To donate a product, all Laura will need from you is three square images of the item, the item price and a shop description, simple as that.

Laura is currently in the process of building the shop and will notify us of it's launch, we in turn will then spread the word of this wonderful opportunity to purchase items, perhaps as Christmas presents which will make a huge difference.

The best part is that all of the proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK. Each seller will cover all of their own material and P&P costs so you know that this really can make a difference.

I would ask everyone once again, if you can donate please, please do and once the shop is open please make it your first port of call for all your Christmas pressies this year. So many brilliant and talented designers are donating to the shop that there will be an amazing selection to choose from.

Thank you.

UPDATE - The Cancer Research Shop on Folksy is now open for business and filling up steadily with lovely items. Please head over and take a look and don't forget to check back often as new items will be added regularly.