Swap update

I completed another swap! The Creative Swap was great fun and my partner is the nicest girl! I really enjoyed "getting to know" her secretly on her blog. I hope she likes the stuff I sent.

The Sassy Apron Swap has turned out to be a problem. I have been unable to get any shop to enlarge the Apron pattern I want to use. So last night I improvised! I made my own pattern by doing careful measuring and calculations. And it worked perfectly! So, tonight I can start on the final item for this swap. The parcel should go off early next week.

I will be taking a break from swaps until January since Christmas is coming fast now and I need to get my own stuff done, mostly handmade presents. Very exciting!

Great Give-away at Lola's!

I am such a fan of Lola's! I have been visiting (stalking) her blog for several months, made bags with her beautiful free patterns, but only recently stopped lurking and introduced myself. Lola is celebrating her 300th post and starting next Monday, November 17th, she will be giving away some awesome prizes! Some are projects that she made herself and other are items from her stash. They are ALL worth having though! All you have to do is leave a comment. (Actually, I would rather you don't go there as it makes my chances of winning better if you don't!) If you are crazy about sewing like me though, you need to visit Lola's blog at http://lolaagain.blogspot.com as soon as possible. Congratulations, Lola! Thanks for all the inspiration you have given me!

Pink Pig!

I nipped out to visit a local Craft Store that sells handmade items from local artists called The Crafters Market. I love this shop. I found this cute little pig made from wire and beads!


Isn't it cute?! I love the wire and bead crafts. Wish I could do this...I am planning to buy a book for myself as a birthday present on making these pretty things.

Thrift Store finds

I paid a visit this week to my favorite thrift store and found a couple of cute things there.

This cute little bowl is ideal for a pincushion. It has a pink flower on the one side and a yellow flower on the opposite side. It has two holes near the top facing each other. I am not sure what it was used for but I am thinking of a creative way to make the holes part of the design.

I also found this cute little cow cup and side plate. This will be added to my sister's parcel next week. Her whole kitchen is decorated with cows!

I loved this cup the moment I saw it. Another pincushion in the making! Sadly there was no matching saucer, but that's OK.

Last, but not least, I found this stunning wire bowl that is now gracing my cutting table.

Cow Applique Apron & Potholder set

I recently posted http://pinktulipza.blogspot.com/2008/11/current-sewing-projects.html about the Apron and potholder set I was making for my sister, Linda. She loves cows and I made an attempt at applique' on the apron bib and the potholder. I finally finished the apron and potholder and I must say I am rather pleased with the result! Here I am modelling the apron. (Sorry, not ironed!)

Here is a close-up pic of the apron bib with adjustable neckband and my attempt at applique'.

And a close-up of the potholder, once again with a cow applique'.

And a picture of the two completed items that shows the pleats off better...

I have another two aprons to sew this weekend- one for me from my brand new book "A is for Apron" and another for my swap partner in the Sassyapronswap.

Guitar Case continued...

I spent the whole Sunday last weekend to complete my son's pirate guitar case. It brought back memories of the "Amy Butler Weekender Bag" with all the layers and piping. I can assure you they were NOT good memories! I kept on asking myself why I am doing this! At 10pm it was finished and the great moment arrived. I called my son to bring his XBox Guitar Hero guitar and let it grace it's new "home". Bummer! It did not fit!!! The only thing I did not measure - and I measured all possible angles! - was if the guitar can go in with the zip all the way open. It is a good 10cm too short.

I am NOT taking this thing apart! I cannot believe I was so stupid...I asked my son to remove the bag from my craft room and tried to forget about it. I will have to make another one. With a longer zip. Sometime. When I have recovered from being mad at myself....

I am on The Big List of Sewing Blogs!

I received word from Suzi that I have been on The Big List of Sewing Blogs for a few weeks already. I just did not know it! I am number 393 on the list. If you have not been on this list, you should go there now. I am working may way through the list and have found great sites and inspiration.