Having a little sort out

I can be quite a chaotic person - I blame it on being vaguely creative - but my sewing room tends to become a focus for my chaos and every now and again needs a really good sort out.  Having just finished a crazy long week I decided to take my days off as opportunities to hibernate and nest a little bit.  So I found myself digging through all of my boxes and organizing everything.  I was quite proud of my sensible head that I had on as I even managed to throw away scraps of fabric that I know I will not be able to use!

All of the organizing left me with a lovely spare room with neatly hanging fabrics and lots of space to cut out.  Now that I have a dog I find myself sewing downstairs with him a lot more so even though I use the spare room as my holding room for fabric my machine is more often than not sitting on the dining room table.  Inspire by my tidy room I set to work to make a cover for my machine.  I wanted something that makes the machine look less abandoned when I leave it downstairs but also can hold little bits and pieces that I need when I'm sewing.

I was recently given this fab fabric which seemed perfect for a sewing machine cover!

So here it is - I didn't quilt it like some of the amazing covers you see on pinterest but for my purpose it really is good enough. 

The pockets on the sides are really handy for scissors, thread, tape measure and pins - all those bits that would just lie on the table looking untidy otherwise.

And there you have it - much tidier and tucked away without any obvious wires or bits and pieces hanging around.
I'll never be a minimalist but hopefully this will look just a little more like it belongs!

x

Liebster Award

What on earth I hear you ask?  Well I have been nominated for a Liebster Award which is basically a nod from a fellow blogger to your blog.  It kind of reminds me of a massive chain letter of bloggers passing on a big thumbs up to their favourite bloggers.

So this post is going to be a little less about my projects and a little more about some other bloggers that I enjoy.  So thanks to Budget Food Mummy for my nomination.

For a bit of fun I have to answer some questions suggested by the nominator as part of the blog post.
Here goes . . .

Why did you start a blog?
Because I love sewing and I love writing and I love talking - put it all together and you have a good idea of why it makes me tick!
What is your dream job? 
It involves people, talking, maybe some writing - it changes regularly but I love seeing resolution - problems solved, conflicts reduced and people free to move on and live their lives - chuck some sewing in and I'm super happy.
If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go? 
South Africa to visit friends and family
What is something people would be surprised to know about you? 

I actually think most people know most things about me - as I mentioned already I like talking!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hmm I struggle to plan consistently for five minutes!?! With my husband and adventuring our way through life I think probably sums it up as neatly as I can when it comes to plans.

Who is your inspiration?

Too many people - I have an amazing family and some awesome friends who inspire me day by day to stay strong, dream big and love with all I have.

Top 3 films? 

I can't choose - I like everything on different days - is this post starting to demonstrate I'm not good at being pinned down? 

What is your most prized possession? 

People

What is your favourite post you have written?

http://daydreamsandsunshine.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/tablecloth-skirt.html

Because I still love that skirt! 

What advice would you give to a fellow blogger who has just started? 

Only do it because you love it - don't watch your follower numbers too closely - use it like a journal of who you are and how you feel.  Your blog has to be first and foremost for you!

Well that is quite enough questions for me to be honest! Here are some bloggers who I enjoy!

Handmade by Katherine

Jenny DIY

Meschok

Crafty Crusader

Living on A shoestring

This Particular Blog

Flossie Teacakes

Wee and Twee

The Hearty Home

Fancy Frugality

Well that's 10 - so if you fancy it carry on and nominate some of your favourite blogs as a shout out to all the work they put in.  

10 questions felt a bit long for me so here are 5 for you to answer

1 - Why do you blog?

2 - Favourite Sunday afternoon pass time

3 - Dinner party meal of choice

4 - Best Crafting tip

5 - Favourite blog post

Have fun :)  

Stitching gifts

Life seems to be super busy right now!  I have to admit I love it but sometimes you just need to STOP!  I think sewing is the perfect thing for that!
Shut away in whichever corner you choose to sew in and happily crafting and creating.  And then at the end of your YOU time you have a finished product to show for it!  Seriously what could be better.

Recently my projects seem to be going in bits as I just have snippets of time to work on each one.  My trousers are all cut out and ready to go but no actual sewing has happened on them yet.  I've done a little bit of repair on the dog bed (eeek my new puppy is super strong!) not that you would tell it from this cute pic!

And finally I sat down to make someone a little thank you gift - nothing massive but something small.  I used two things that I have made before but adapted them slightly.
For the eye mask I followed the instructions here but just added an extra layer in.  Instead of just using two layers of fabric and a layer of felt I added in some wadding.  I then quilted lines across the mask before continuing with the steps where you add the bias binding.  I have to say it certainly adds a bit more luxury and comfort to the finished product.

 Then I continued to make a slightly larger scale rice warming pack than this one here.  You follow the basic instructions that you find on that post but increase the size of the pack.  Once I had added a third of the rice I stitched it into a little pocket and then repeated.  Then I edged in bias binding which just finished it off neatly and gave a bit of continuity to the gift as it matches the eye mask,

All in all I was pretty happy with the finished look and really enjoyed the time out I got to make it in the midst of a busy week!
 Let me know the projects you have been relaxing with recently too! Just share in the comments and I will pop across and check out what you have been up to!

x