Pants at blogging......

I've been pretty much pants at blogging lately, and it got to the stage where if I did post I was just going to ramble on about lack of internet, grey days, crafting disasters 

and feeling knackered by 9pm, but then I thought who wants to hear about that so I didn't post anything!!!

I have been posting some updates on Instagram as its so easy to do from my phone,

I know a few of us bloggers are on there already but 

if any more of you lovely ladies are on Instagram let me know.

I'm Mad About Bags

Well I'm back blogging now and after a wonderful couple of weeks locked in my sewing room I'm feeling like it's time to share what I've been up to.

I made this heart bunting cushion with black sparkly hearts. I belong to a couple of fabulous raffle/dips pages on Facebook where you have the chance to win some super handmade goodies. There are new listings each week and so far I've won sweet trees, wooden signs, paper cuts and much more. It's very addictive, if you would like the link to the pages just let me know.

I finally finished this messenger bag and brush/pencil roll which had been on my to do list for far too long. I was really pleased with how it turned out and enjoyed the pattern matching. I used every scrap of the butterfly fabric, making a key fob and book mark too.

We took part in the RSBP Big Bird Watch, when I say "we" I mean me as after half an hour I found myself sitting by myself counting the few measly birds who decided to visit. I think they knew I was watching and decided to hide because as soon as I finished they all came out again!

I've been on a bit of a fabric spending spree recently too, here are just a few of my buys!!!

For my kitchen,

everyone loves flamingos,

and my most recent purchases that dropped through the letterbox.

I did buy some red and grey fabrics to make some February/Valentine bunting and makes for my conservatory but I haven't got around to making anything yet! Maybe it's not too late as Spring has taken a nap for a while!!! 

I also bit the bullet and tried free hand embroidery for the first time, my new machine can with a darning foot and with a supersize appliqué project on my cutting table it was a case of now or never.

This was my very first attempt.

and then a practice run around letters, straight lines are trickier than curves.

It goes against all my normal neat even stitching, its like writing so no two letters or lines are the same but the effect is amazing and I have fallen in love with this technique so be prepared to see more free hand embroidery creations.

This was the final finished creation - a super man sized shopping bag. 

I also had a request for a flamingo fabric zippered pouch and found these fancy flamingos at one of my favourite fabric shops, I teamed it with some fabrics from my stash and was very temped to keep this one for myself.

My other makes this week have been for swaps so I won't share those until I know they have arrived .

I've really enjoyed my week or so of sewing, it's half term week here now so my sewing will be a bit sporadic but as the weather forecast is cold and rainy I think there will be time for some crochet and cross stitch!!!