I got me a hair cut today - 2nd of the year!!!

And here is the pile of ipod classic cases I made yesterday. You can buy them HERE!

I'm so terribly sorry about that title, but it just had to be done! Only because this week I ordered some new mini moo cards and I'm really pleased with how they turned out!!! Just look at them! J helped me choose the pics for these ones. I've also ordered a batch or Monsieur Orange stickers which I'll show off once they arrive.

On the sewing front; I've managed to do some today! J had the day off so we had a deal that in the morning I'd watch Hattie while he did a little on his computer project and he'd watch her in the afternoon while I got some sewing done - that way we can have some fun family days over the weekend! And boy, did I sew! I completed this pile of nice bright ipod classic/iphone cases (finished photo tomorrow as it was too gloomy to photograph them once I'd finished). And, I also managed to get Hattie's new sling made! We'll try it out and try and remember to take a photo!

Firstly, I apologise for this post being a bit late! And secondly I have to say this topic is not really one of my strong points. I'm not really a hair and make-up sort of gal. In fact the make-up that I do own should probably be thrown away as it was bought for my wedding....10 years ago! Oh dear!

I find one of the greatest things that has happened to me lately also saves me so much time, energy and water in the grooming front! Since I've become a mother I've hardly any time to preen myself in a morning. I've become used to super-speedy showers and I'm lucky if I actually remember to moisturise! I shall now point you in the direction of Rachel's post for some real info on green grooming and I may have more or an opinion on next times topic ;)

A month or so ago I received this lovely package from a very nice lady at Baker Ross. How could I possibly resist a bit of sewing??? Well, even with a munchkin to look after I've finally managed to find time to make 2 of these felt puppets!

I had fun making them and plan to make the others at some point over the weekend when I have some sewing time planned (including making Hattie's new sling!!!). They'd make great stocking fillers for any crafty kids out there! Hattie really likes them and gives me lots of lovely big smiles while I sing 'Old McHattie had a farm' at her! Poor thing must think I'm crazy!!! :)

We had a lovely weekend including our first over-night stay with Hattie, at the in-laws. She was a very good girl!!! But more importantly while we were there we had to have a visit here to get some yummy fabric!

Usually I buy my fabric on-line, but sometime its nice to go into a real shop to see and feel the fabric in real life! I got a nice little stash, including a couple of Christmas FQs.

Look what I got in the post yesterday!!!

Letter Day by Lizzie House - Ugly Duckling (pond)

and Robert Kauffman - Animal Party - Fat Quarter Set. Both bought from here.

The ugly duckling fabric is for the bigger sling I'm going to make for Hattie, hopefully some time this week! I have managed a little time to get some sewing done today. Hattie and Daddy had a good time hanging out while I completed this little monkey face blackberry case for a custom order. I have a little more sewing to do this evening so I had better go and crack on with it! Bye for now!!! *wave*

Now, I have to confess I'm not much of a housewife. Given a choice between cleaning the bathroom and doing a bit of sewing.....well, I'm sure you can guess which I'd rather choose! A few years ago now, I switched all of or household cleaning products to those made by ECOVER. And I do have to say they do the job, probably not quite as well as the all-singing-all-dancing-chemical-packed products you can find around the shops, but with a little more elbow grease (when I do clean!) they do the job. I certainly don't believe that all the anti-bacterial products out there do any good for the health of the nation, it's good for your immune system to be exposed to a few germs!

I had two reasons for switching to these. The first being the obvious environmental impact of using harsh chemical cleaners and flushing horrible wildlife harming surfactants down the drains, the other was that I was becoming wheezy and finding it difficult to breath while using them - they had to be replaced.

From the range I use: washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets and rinse aid (I only ever use the eco wash and only when the dishwasher is packed fully), non-bio washing powder and fabric softener (again the eco wash and only when I have a full load), toilet cleaner and multi-surface cleaner. I did notice on the ecover website that they also sell heavy duty boat wash(!).

I've managed a little sewing over the weekend. While Hattie and Daddy were hanging out with Aunty Boo, I sat in my little corner of the dining room and made a few things. The first was a small 'taggie-alike' I really do like the taggie mini-blankety-things and we've bought Hattie one of the round rattley ones which keeps her entertained in the car. The only problem I have with them is that I always think 'I could make one of those'. So I did! I mooched through my fabric stash and decided on a nice piece of blue 'shrooms backed with some nice pink fleece.

After making the mini one I decided I'd quite like to make a nice big mat from the yard of robot fabric I bought a little while ago. Luckily I had a piece of fleece big enough to back it with and popped ribbon tags on the two shortest sides! I was really chuffed with both of them. The robo-mat is so Hattie can get some tummy time at home without having to squish her face on the rough carpet. Sorry about the rubbish photo, the days are drawing in here and it definitely feels like the seasons are changing - autumn is one of my favourites!

Now that we are getting a bedtime routing established for Hattie, I have a little time in the evenings to get a bit of sewing done. And boy, have I been sewing! I've made a batch of Holly Brooches for my Christmas shop (official opening this week!), I've made a custom order of an ipod nano case.

Made my sisters Christmas present of a crochet needle case (she knows what it is and what fabric its made from but not what the finished article looks like!!!), I've started a bit of fibre art as a Christmas gift after seeing a tutorial by Checkout Girl (again top secret!). And finally I made a prototype baby sling from an old sheet!

I think I need to make it a couple of inches longer as Hattie is a bit squished up in it! I also need to choose some nice fancy fabric to make it out of - any suggestions welcome. I'm thinking blue of green?! I'm hoping to get more sewing in this week with another custom order to make and who knows what else - I'm certainly trying to make the most of bed time! :)