Summer Wrap

After much delay I finally made a Summer Wrap as featured in the June 2009 issue of 'Sew Hip' magazine.... this one was for my Mum as a birthday gift, I think the look of surprise on her face was because she couldn't believe I had made it!

It is made using a Jelly Roll of assorted fabric strips, easy and quick to make. The hardest part was deciding in what order to sew the strips. I now want to make another one, only this time for myself... ideal for a summers evening walk along the beach... or as cover up for the evening.

Thank you to Tracy Cushing who designed it - excellent instructions and I love the fact that it is moebius wrap... so much easier to wear than a pashmina as you are never worried about it falling off your shoulders!

For those of you who have yet to discover 'Sew Hip' magazine I would definitely recommend it, it is full of beautiful ideas, most suitable for beginner level , but be warned your 'To make' list will just keep getting longer.

Kindred Crafters Coaster Swap

The postman has delivered my coaster swap package from Angelune - Wow! Four Beautiful coasters and a matching bar towel. The coasters are stitched onto cork - genius.... I never would have thought of doing that! I love the colours, thank you Angelune.

Check out Angelunes blog - http://angelune.wordpress.com and her etsy shop at - http://angelune.etsy.com

Fabric tray

I have just made myself this fabric tray from two Amy Butler fat quarters - quite easy to make.... I know I will be making more of these.... keys, spare change, necklaces... the possibilities of what you could keep in them are endless. And the plus... I had some fabric left over for another project.

A slow week

Last week I injured my back and have been laid up as a result so no sign of a 'Summer Wrap' .... I have however chosen the fabric for the Kindred Crafters Coaster Swap and hope to make these at the weekend.

Yesterday I cut out 50 Morsbags ready for sewing, and managed to sew 10 mini bags last night. I love the fabric on these two.

I am planning a 'Sew~in Sunday', check back then for an update.

Summer Wrap

I love the bright colours in this Jelly Roll. I am going to make myself a 'Summer Wrap'. I fell in love with the idea as soon as I saw it in the June edition of 'Sew Hip' magazine. The wrap has been designed by Tracy Cushing and is ideal for a beginner. I can't wait to wrap myself up in the finished wrap on a summers evening. I will post my progress as I go..... watch this space.

Coaster Swap

Last night I signed up for another internet swap - this time it's coasters. The swap is hosted by Sara and Donna at kindredcrafters1.blogspot.com ~ check it out for details. If you are interested sign up by May 8th and mail your swap by June 1st. There are lots of great links to tutorials via Sara and Donnas blog - well worth checking out.

For me, the big plus of this swap is that coasters are so simple and quick to make that even a beginner sewer can make them in no time at all. Plus it's a great way to use up all those scraps of fabric.

This afternoon I have made 8 more Morsbags. Morsbags is why I started to sew again after a 20 year gap. We did 'needlework' at school but it wasn't really my thing - we made an apron and a dress, however learning to sew Morsbags gave me the confidence to try other things....

So what is a Morsbag? It is a simple tote shopping bag made from fabric that otherwise would have been thrown away and ended up in landfill. I have made Morsbags from old duvets, old curtains even old shirts, the bags are then given away free to friends, family or unsuspecting members of the public to discourage them not to use plastic bags.

My mantra is 'Carry a bag - not carrier bag!'. Please check out morsbags.com for more details of how to become part of the wonderful morsbag community.