Hello readers! I've decided to have a bit of a break from crafting for a while. We've not got may free weekends before our first potential move date and I need to have a ruthless tidy and a clear out before we even consider starting to pack.

Just to keep you interested here are a few of my recent makes. The first is a big shopping bag I made for sally for her birthday next weekend. I'll be posting it tomorrow. I hope she likes it.

And then....this is my top secret school project, not quite finished, but you'll get the general idea. It all started when I was looking through the Philip Harris catalogue at the 3D models to see which ones we didn't have at school. Julie was telling me off for asking if we could buy pretty much all the models in the catalogue when I saw the vest. I asked if we could get one, but at £85 I got told "no". So....I said something along the lines of "well I'll make my bleeding own then!" And there it started...THE VEST!

I've tried to make it as accurate as possible, I've even counted the lumbar (5) and thoracic (12) vertebrae!!! I'm not sure about the organs, maybe they need to be stuffed a bit more/less? Maybe I'll like them after a while. It's impressed everyone so far and that's before any of it's been sewn together! I've stitched the names on to each organ just so the kids can't get what they are wrong! Hopefully it won't get wrecked, I've wasted spent many an afternoon at work studying the anatomy colouring book getting the parts just right ;)

I'll finish it off after we've moved. I only have the intestines to do but haven't decided how to do it yet. In the catalogue they unravel to show the length and I'm not sure I'm good enough to do that.

Bye for a while! xx

Had a hair cut after work today, I quite liked it this time so I reckon I'll need another trim in about 2 weeks :)

Popped into John Lewis while in town and bought some red felt (for the dinosaurs) and some pink thread to finish my top secret school project. It's almost ready to start sewing together! I can't wait, all the Science Department think it's great (Julie just rolls her eyes and thinks that I shouldn't be encouraged!!!). J working Sunday so I'll probably get cracking with it then. I've just got one more part to cut out and then it's ready to sew, I might see about doing that tomorrow. Watch this space!

Managed to make Sally a nice shopping bag for her birthday on the 29th, just need to get her a nice present then it's ready to post. Off into town for breakfast on Sat so will have a look then.

Ali: hope you are keeping an eye on my crafting! How's the new school? And the technicians? email me at school and I'll let you have my home email. I hope you are making time for your tapestry :)

Jackie: Tell Clive GOOD LUCK with the marathon, I'll try and remember to look out for him! Hope he makes it in the time he wants!

Hurrah! I've got two books in the post today from Amazon: Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing and Toys to Sew by Claire Garland (also Peep Show series 1-3 for J). The complete guide has come up trumps and gives clear instructions how to actually quilt a quilt once you've done the top and bottom. I shall try that later in the week and can hopefully get the cats to snooze on the quilt on the sofa bed instead of the towel.

Toys to sew has some great looking toys. I will be taking the book to work tomorrow to have a bit of a sneaky photocopy of a few patterns, just one or two! I really want to make the patchwork crocodile and the elephant in it. watch this space, i just need some toy stuffing (or to dig out and wash an old pillow) then I can get started. I think I'll finish the fish quilt first :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JOY!!!

I only started making this fish quilt in January (the first thing from my new years resolution - use the sewing machine more!) and I have only just put the edge around the patchwork panel. I've got a nice blue gingham to use as backing but I'm now completely out of my depth. I've never made a quilt before....where do I start? And while I'm at it, what made me start another quilt as well?

As pretty as it is (I'm really pleased with the fabrics) I think I've been having mad crafting moments again! I should have stuck with patchwork cushions, everyone can make a cushion!

Right, going to go and read up about doing the actual "quilting" part now....wish me luck! Or I might go and make another shopping bag, stick to what I know ;)

I was having one of my mad gardening moments yesterday and decided I'd start the epic task of washing all of our plant pots. I've done 2 draining boards full (stacked up as high as they would go) and hardly touched the pile. Oh well, I'll do a few more later. I did find these labelled ones that made me smile...

Remember the old dwarf sunflower growing contest Jackie and Joy? Ah, those were the days, was it 6 or 7 years ago? BLIMEY! Wormy won that contest, damn him! wonder if I can find a pic of worm with the winning flower? I know I have one in one of the albums...

On another gardening note, we went to Ryton Organic Garden yesterday and I managed to still get in free even though I realised I still have last years RHS membership card in my purse...WHOOPS! I'll dig the new one out later ready for next time. That also means I got into Birmingham Botanical Gardens at the weekend half price using my out of date card... We also went to the the new house again and I still really like it (good news!), everything seemed bigger than when we went round the first time. It just made me even more excited about moving in....oh well. hopefully that won't take too long.

Craft projects are going well. I made myself a new shopping bag and one for Annie to either use to carry around Megan's stuff or just use for shopping. Will post a pic later. Received he last big of fabric I needed to start my patchwork quilt this morning, It's ironed and ready to cut up once I've decided what sized pieces go where. I need to make Sally a bag for her birthday at the end of the month too.  So much to do and so little time, I had better go and make a start! BYEEEE! x

As is typical for me after a bit of time off from crafting I've gone a bit mad and started 3 different projects this morning! I'm currently cutting out pieces for a little patchwork quilt - yellows and greens as it's spring! Started a shopping bag AND a tea cosy. I'd have started a few more things too if it wasn't for the fact I had to put some of my new fabrics through the wash! It's on the line now...Might do a bit more knitting while it dries ;)

What I really need to do is make Joy a birthday card. I might whip one up this afternoon so it has time to get there before she goes swanning off on holiday!

Hello! Sorry I've neglected blogging for a while. I've been preoccupied with house buying, family and various other things. I am pleased to say I've been to town this afternoon and got some more nice fabric and bits and bobs to get on with a few things while we're off for easter. In the mean time here is a picture of my latest "have a go" project; not fantastic but at least I've improved since I was about 7! haha!!!

I might give up on knitting and stick to using my mum's trusty sewing machine! What do you reckon JJ? What did you do with your knitting in the end?

That's me out for the day. Going to play on WoW for a bit then see what I can sew together while John is out for the evening. Tara, have a good break!