So, the last few months with going back to work and what-not I've not had a lot of time to be making anything. Mainly because I've just been far too tired to do anything much once Hattie is tucked up in bed! And here's what I *have* been making.....

We had the 12 week scan on Monday and all is well so its safe to broadcast our exciting news to the world! And I know what you are thinking: 2 under 2?! We know it'll be a challenge and tiring, but we're ready for it (apart from needing to buy a double buggy!). The new bun is due 1st march so we'll see if he/she will arrive right on time just like their big sister (OMG, Hattie is going to be a big sister! She's tiny!). I think the evening sickness is starting to subside so I'm hoping to get cracking on a few custom orders - one being a full set of smiley planets! I promise more crafty photos soon! :D

I had an exciting morning today. I was on twitter (as I tend to be most of the time!) on Monday and saw Francine (who runs the Creative Open Workshops in Birmingham) wanted volunteers to help make bunting in preparation for the start of the Handmade Markets at the end of the month. Having a few days off work this week while Hattie is still at nursery I wanted the perfect excuse to avoid the housework so offered my help for this morning!

I had a lovely morning and met some very nice ladies! You can see more photos (including ones of me!) HERE!

Recently I helped out Clarebears, an etsy friend, with her new venture into pattern writing! The sewing pattern is to make a bear, koala and mouse! Its aimed at beginners and was good fun to make! I went for the mouse option and decided to try using fleece to see how different fabrics would turn out! Here's my little mouse! I'm so pleased he turned out like he should! :D


Mousey's front and back!


Playing in our garden

You can buy the PDF pattern here is Clarebears shop! I think I'm going to make a koala next!

I have been doing a little sewing, not a lot, but some at least. I have a MASSIVE pile of things to be getting on with. The first of which are these finished fish. When routing through my sequin box I found just enough purple sequins to make a pair of purple sardine ornaments! YAY!

These will be available, along with the other colours, in my christmas shop! Pop on over and have a look!

Oh dear, I've been a terrible blogger haven't I?! To be honest there hasn't been an awful lot of crafting going on the last few weeks. Most of my time has been spent with this little munchkin.

Hugging mini dino

Since starting back at work/nursery we've had all manner of coughs, colds and tummy bugs to deal with and its really zapped my energy. Then there was the first birthday celebrations! Spread over 2 weeks to squeeze in various friends and family. We had a lovely time and now I can't believe we have a 1 year old. On her actual birthday (17th July) we went for an afternoon out to Twycross zoo, where she loved all the animals, and then took her out for tapas!!!! It doesn't seem 10 minutes since I posted this photo of when she was only a few hours old!

This month I plan on being a better blogger. I have a list of things I need to blog about and I'll try my very best to have more than 1 post this month(!)

Hello there! Sorry about the long gap between blog posts, we've all been a bit ill lately. I'm totally blaming being back at work for it! I've not been ill for ages, then one week back and there you go. ILL. Hopefully *fingers crossed* we're over the worst of it. I expected Hattie to pic up a few bugs from nursery when she first started but after only 2 weeks?! I know what I'll be saving all my holiday for this year *sigh*.

Here are a few things that I got finished before the outbreaks(!). Some plump and juicy citrus slice pincushions! They are quite big and lovely: measuring 9cm across and about 6 cm high. The orange and lemon slices are already listed in my etsy shop and the lime one will be next! They are $15 (about £10) and once I've got time this afternoon everything in all of my shops will have FREE SHIPPING for the rest of the month! Pop on over and have a look!

And here we have it, the winner of my fishy giveaway!

I'm ever so sorry about that title! I do feel all embarrassed! But hey-ho, I wanted to show you things I've been doing recently. Little Hattie has started nursery (there have been plenty of tears) this week a-head of me going back to work on Monday (Pffff!) and I've been tackling various neglected jobs around the house (cleaning the cooker and kitchen cupboards, resealing the bath - that sort of thing!) and I've also managed to get out in the garden a little too.

You may remember me mentioning that the previous owners, rather than have a driveway had 2 nice big vegetable beds (you can just see them here) as the front of the house faces SW. Well, this year I've tried to be a bit more organised with the front (last year I was far too busy growing a baby and being fat!) and I've just picked our first crop.

Yummy onions!

Hopefully I'll have something a little more crafty to show you next blog post. In the mean time, don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a set of sardines!!! :)

I've been hard at work on my Christmas line - I know it's only June but when you have a baby you have to work VERY far ahead of yourself. To celebrate the reopen of my Christmas shop AND my birthday a couple of weeks ago I am giving you a chance to win a pair of sardine ornaments.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me which is your favourite colour of sardine and I will pick a name out of the hat on Friday the 25th June and make you a set of sardines in your colour choice! Remember sardines are for life - not just for Christmas! ;)

Edit: Comments now closed a winner will be announced tomorrow! Be sure to pop back to see if you've won :)

We're home safe. We've learnt a few things from this holiday. You can't take a buggy on the coastal path(!), Roskilly's ice cream is yummy, 1 cream tea is not enough, you can't stop a baby eating sand and I pack far too much stuff!!!