a jacket for baby George

I got a bit behind with knitting for the two recent babies but have managed to quickly finish the little knitted jacket for baby George, I don't know but I always seem to be making something to a deadline! I really love the multi colour of this and I think the pockets and hood are a good finishing touch. George is the son of one of Andy's work colleague and he was one big baby at 10lbs plus, let'e hope it fits!

I needed to gift wrap it and what better way than to make a nursery gift bag to put it in!

In my last blog I mentioned  I was going to make a big roomy beach bag and that is exactly what I have done this week. Having checked my fabric stash I had some dotty fabric left over from making cushion covers, perfect as it is a reasonably sturdy material. It was really quite easy to make and hey presto, a big roomy beach bag, big enough for at least 2 large beach towels and everything else.

summer makes

I am definitely in the dressmaking mood, especially when I get tempted by some pretty fabric at a reduced price...I love a bargain! I spotted this fabric, and thought how fresh and summery it looked so bought a couple of metres of it and made this tunic.

The pattern was free with Prima magazine and the fabric is 100% cotton  called Ambrosia by Kathy Davis for Freespirit. It was very easy to make and the fabric was lovely to work with and I have loads of the fabric left  for other projects.

I want to make a big roomy beach bag to take on holiday and I have found a good free pattern on http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/pattern-finder/sewing-projects/sewing-for-women/sew-a-big-beach-bag-48317, I just need too check out my stash of fabrics and I am sure I will find something suitable, it would have been nice to have made it in the above fabric but it needs to be a bit tougher!

and has summer finally arrived?

At  last summer has arrived, well at least for a couple of days! I got my summer clothes out in anticipation of some warm and sunny weather a few weeks ago and have only managed to wear something summery one weekend and that was it! This cool and wet weather is so depressing, there is something not quite right about having the heating on in June! Well that's the whinge about the weather over! 

Babies are arriving in abundance (well two, is that not an abundance?) and another sweetie due in September. There are some super knitting patterns about for babies and I was spoilt for choice, I eventually plumped for a Sirdar pattern book, specifically White Whispers, which is made from 100% bamboo fibre and is a very delicate silky-soft baby yarn.  I made this sweet little cardigan for Ayla who is the new little  daughter of one of the girls who works with Andy.

 I am having a little bit of trouble uploading the photo that I actually want to show and  the blooming computer only wants to upload this one! oops here it is!

 The colour is the palest pink in fact just a whisper of pink to quote Sirdar, it is also very soft, perfect for Ayla! The border has a pretty frill and the cute pink heart buttons finishes it off perfectly. As I wrapped it in recycled pink tissue I added a liitle lavender sachet I made in the sweetest tiny gingham cotton fabric with a little bit of lace added.

Adding a home made label, (a buff coloured luggage label with recycled ribbon and stamping it with a message) it was ready to be delivered.