lazylol

Blogs...so many to read, so little time!

I was up early this morning. I made myself my usual huge mug of tea and instead of jumping straight on the computer, I decided to get all my jobs done and out of the way. So I've been grocery shopping, to the post office to mail some ebay parcels, to the garage for air in tyres and petrol (wow - that stuff is getting expensive!), washed the car, cleaned the whole downstairs, and done three loads of washing - phew! It's all pegged outside drying too because for once it isn't actually raining and we are some slightly spring-like weather.  Actually I am keeping one eye on the washing line while typing because it suddenly became cloudy.

I've been thinking lately that I spend too much time on the internet.  It seems to suck my whole day in and only leave me with only a few hours to do everything else.  No wonder all my craft and diy projects are left unfinished.  I need to do more but I'm addicted to the internet.  Does anyone have any tips?  Maybe I will only allow myself a set amount of time online or only log on certain days? I am interested to how much time everyone else spends online.  I love reading blogs and my blogline feeds are growing by the day.  (I have over 250 - is that ridiculous?) There are so many fabulous blogs about.

If only  i could drag myself away for a while I maybe could make this apron  I've been drooling over...

isn't it fantastic? - I have to go here and have another look!

Now I am logging off for a bit. I'm going to do some sewing and make Chargrilled Chicken Pasta for dinner. yum.

Have a lovely weekend x

New Sewing Sites

I found this website today, it looks good & they ship to the UK (with reasonable shipping costs, up to 4 yards of fabric for under $12.00).  I have been buying from the US but the bigger sites have increased their shipping costs recently.  I know it is expensive to ship things but sometimes they just overprice the shipping to put international buyers off I'm sure!  Some have a set shipping price of $30 - $40 dollars which is fine if you want lots of fabric but no good if you only require a couple of yards. However, I am not complaining because the choice is fantastic compared to the UK and it is usually half the price for the fabric in the first place, so this balances out the shipping.

Another site I found was isew which is UK based.  At last something about sewing that is up-to-date and based in the UK!  I will be joining the forum later. Lots of ideas & tips. Great.

Handmade for Christmas...or for me!

Over at SewMamasew they have a fabulous idea......

 

Everyday a different item to sew.  Lots of ideas to get you started on that gift list.

I am not planning on sewing all that many gifts this year. (If only I had the time!)  I don't have that many people I can give handmade gifts to.  But I am planning on a few cushions and some decorations. I also would like a christmas apron for myself.

Today's item on the Sew Mama Sew '30 days of gifts to sew' is this beautiful bath mat by Montessoribyhand...I am drooling over this mat and have to add it to be 'to sew' list.

Isn't it lovely?  I love patchwork and the combination of red and aqua is one of my favourites.

Bad Boy

How come the six week holiday from school goes zooming by so fast? I can't believe it is over and I am back at work tomorrow. sigh. I suppose if i was still a parent of young children I'm be sighing with relief not regret. 

There is only one thing for it.  Feet up, large mug of tea to wash this down

yum yum (sorry about rubbish picture - bad light)

and reading this magazine which popped through my letterbox yesterday and I got all excited! I love Ottobre Magazine.

 

xx

I'm in love.......

.......with this gorgeous fabric.  I am trying to find some online but it seems to be sold out everywhere.  It is from the 'Summer In The City' range by Moda.

(Not that I have time to sew anything with it!)

Weekend Wishing........

Phew, what a busy week I've had.  I haven't had time to sew or blog.  I hate that!  Nonnie is also having the same problem. (Check out her gorgeous blog) Working full time, keeping the home in order, feeding everyone and doing laundry etc doesn't leave much blogging or sewing time.  I am seriously going to have to set aside an evening during the week just for me to get something done.  The only sewing I ever seem to do is during the school holidays when I am off work.  It still doesn't stop me planning and buying fabric though! I wish I had more time.

My tumble dryer is not working - just what you need when you have a mountain sized pile of washing and no other way of drying it!

I did manage to make my monthly trip to the fabric store.  I was quite good and didn't go overboard for once! They actually had a really good selection of fabrics.  Sometimes I go and there is nothing new or interesting, but this week was a good week.  I only bought three pieces though.

I bought these fabrics

Top Fabric - Red Gingham.  Gingham is my all time favourite fabric.  I want to use it all the time and in every project I do.  I have been using a lot of red recently so I thought I better re-stock. It is only £2.20 a yard and is fairly good quality so I was happy with that.

Middle fabric - jersey t-shirt type fabric.  £3.99 a yard.  I got 3 yards to stash.  Pjs maybe?, who knows what this will end up being used for.

Bottom fabric - Brown tweedy stuff £3.99 - new skirt for the office.

and these patterns

from the New Look new 2007 catalogue.  I can start planning my summer sewing soon.

After a lovely Sunday Lunch at my mum's, I did actually manage to squeeze a little bit of sewing in.  Here is a preview, more about this later in the week (she said hopefully).

Say hello to my little bunny

Presenting my first ever stuffie - Funnybunny.

I made this little fella this morning after tidying and re-organising my sewing area (the kitchen table).  I was in the middle of doing laundry but I decided to abandon it and be creative instead. Well I tried (blush) but the thing is I really enjoyed making him.  I had forgotten how i love blanket stitch.  I want to do more of it.  I am determined to have some fun with my projects this year, not to over think them and just get stuck in.  It's ok to be a bit daft.  Who cares if my family think I've lost the plot. I got the idea for him a while back from Mollychicken's Anna Panda and Noodles and Doodle's Wonkybunny.  I made him out of scraps from my scrapbag too which makes it even better!

I looked out of the window and down the street and realised that it is all back to normal now, not a christmas light in sight.  I am sad. I love Christmas but hey, roll on the next one.  Maybe I will even begin planning it earlier this year. Maybe we should have a mid year christmas swap/sewalong!

We have had a birthday in the lazylol house today.  A 16th Birthday.  Happy Birthday Greg.

Someone was a little too protective of the cake (maybe trying to keep in all to himself).  Greedy funnybunny.  Bad funnybunny.

OMG the cake looks really bad in the picture, doesn't it.  It looks black and wonky.  It wasn't black but it was wonky (blush).  Delicious and birthday-like but wonky.

January Strip

Hello to everyone who is taking part in Flibbertygibbet's January strip.  What a great idea.  I am only just beginning to learn to quilt and am desperate to build a quilting stash.  This is the perfect excuse to buy some lovely fabrics to swap and also receive others.  I have been browsing fabrics all day and as soon as I know who my partners are, I will be buying!

Have you ordered yours yet?

I can't wait to received this new book - I have just pre-ordered it.

Please Mr Postman - bring it soon xx

Sew Retro Apron

I still need to change all the sew-a-longs/swaps etc over to my new blog but here is a pick of the apron I am going to sew for one of them.

I love this retro pattern and can't wait to start it.  The fabric is some vintage cotton that I thrifted but it will be ideal to try out the pattern with.  If I like it I'm going to use my lovely Amy Butler print from my stash for one too.