Easter Activity

Spring is definitely in the air, the days are longer, there is the sweet smell of crocuses and daffodils on the breeze and we've had the first few warm sunny days here on the Wirral. The Easter weekend saw the house packed with the family, giving me the opportunity to indulge in a spot of baking, a pastime I love but don't do as often, now the children have all grown up and our waistlines need no further expansion! My chocolate Guinness cake is a firm family favourite and my chicken and ham pie went down a treat.

The brighter weather has inspired me to bring some colour into my creative projects. I've chosen these pretty chalky colours for the 'v' stitch blanket I'm working on in the evenings. Every new row brings a smile to my face as this bright little blanket emerges. Perfect for a little girl I think!

I'm definitely an all or nothing person. I can be fired up and full of creativity, my hands struggling to keep up with all the ideas whizzing round my brain. Then after a while I run out of steam and can't seem to get the motivation to make anything. I find these periods very frustrating especially when they coincide with holidays and I have time to spare. Eventually inspiration comes, often after browsing on Pinterest or talking with likeminded friends. The cogs start to turn again and I'm off!

I've had these striking retro print fat quarters in my stash for a while and decided to make them into a messenger bag swapping my usual heart appliqué for a 70s cosmic design! This bag shape is another favourite of mine as its so versatile. Its practical to use and the design has lots of scope for your own interpretation. I'm currently working on a tutorial so watch this space!

A couple of people who I sit with for lunch at work asked me for a lunch bag with a drawstring lining. I found this great tutorial for just the thing at Pink Penguin So far I've tried it out in these bright polka dots (anyone who knows me, knows about me and polka dots!!).

Today I found these fabrics in my local fabric shop while stocking up on bits and bobs. The green / blue combo and the Cath Kidston inspired heavier weight cotton will be great for these little lunch bags.

A while ago I was asked by a friend if I made tea cosies. I finally got round to trying one out. I found this lovely fabric with tea pots on it and thought it most appropriate!

The last thing to show from my latest making frenzy is this pretty set. The cube bag is a regular repeat but I haven't done a matching drawstring bag for a while.

Well This Easter break has been busy so far, I will hopefully be in touch soon with a new tutorial and some more of my makes.

xxx

Book Review

The internet is a fantastic resource for design inspiration and I particularly love Pinterest. A day rarely goes by without me checking to see what new ideas are out there and saving them to inspire my own projects.

That said you can't beat a good craft book, packed full of beautiful colour images and imaginative projects. I've had this book A Passion for Patchwork for a while, it is well-used and full of my scribbles as I have taken and adapted many of its ideas to suit my own style.

Here are just a few of the things I have made using inspiration form this lovely book.

I thought the combination of these pretty hearts and stripes on this tea cosy would work well on some quilted place mats. I have made these mats several times now and each set has sold straight away. I think the actual tea cosy might be one to make soon as I have had a couple of enquiries. I love a cup of tea and proper tea from a pot has definitely come back into fashion! I must get cracking on some cosies soon!

I knew I had to make these cute little purses as soon as I saw them. They are so unusual and fun to make. I love choosing pretty fabrics that go together and they only need scraps. The best bit is when you turn the finished purse to its right side and it suddenly becomes three dimensional.

I have adapted this little draw string bag and it goes really well with the cube purse above to make a pretty matching set. I have made lots of these in all sorts of colours and sizes. I can make a whole set of matching purses from three or four co-ordinating fat quarters.

As well as small projects like the purses and the tea cosy, the book also has quite a few quilts of different styles. I particularly liked this chequer board design and thought it would work well for a jelly roll of batik fabrics I'd had for a while. I didn't use quilt batting for this one but lined it with a bright orange fleece fabric which along with the black border, brings out the bright colours in the fabrics.

I hope you have enjoyed my review of what is definitely my favourite and most used craft book.  Books can be so expensive so it's great to have a recommendation so you are sure you will get lots of use from it. I would love to hear about your favourite book whether it is about patchwork, sewing, crochet or any other craft. Please do leave a comment.

I look forward to investigating some new books and possibly learning some new crafts.