Giveaway - Swoon Betty Bowler pattern.

UPDATE** winner was Maria Hands

I went and bought the latest perfect pattern parcel, and of course it came with one of my favourite patterns, the Betty Bowler. Which I have already!

So I'm doing a giveaway over on my FB page. Just like the relevant post, and comment and I will pull names out of a hat or similar on Tuesday xx

This is my version of Betty - the Love Leopard bag.

Craftseller Win, Hibiscus bag, Lighthouse dress and enormous salads

This weeks news:

Voodoo Vixen are trickling out publicity shots for the new plus size range. Talk about teasing! Someone on Facebook spotted this shot this morning and let me know (that's me on the left!)

I came second in the Craftseller Make of the Week competiton for my Love Leopard bag. You don't win anything. You just get to bask in the glory LOL!]

I made a bag. This is for my early 40th celebrations on Friday. I embellished the front with a strip of the lining fabric, and some covered buttons, but I don't really like it, so I'll probably hold it with 'plain' side showing!

I've just realised it looks quite lopsided on the photo below - it is just the way its hanging, honest :)

Noah started to sew. Here he is making a skirt for his dolly. What he lacks in skills me makes up for in enthusiasm!

I took Joey to Pizza Express. I thought I'd be 'healthy' (lets discount those dough balls) and ordered a salad. Bl**dy H*ll it was enormous. I ate it all of course! 

Took the boys to Hinchingbrooke Park on Sunday. They played together really well. Its rare, but very welcome when that happens.

I bought a sewing magazine. I do try to avoid doing this unless they have a useful freebie, because I am unable to throw them away afterwards, and they end up cluttering up my already cluttered house. I had to try this Simple Sew pattern though....

...to make this Ruby dresss. Note this is unfinished. Needs extra darts, a zip and hemming. I made a  few alterations including:

• neckline drop. I just couldnt bear it across my windpipe so I lowered it by an inch. It doesn't look quite right but at least I'll be able to wear it
• half an inch on all bodice side seams. Because I am fatter than their size 18.
• extra dart to compensate for gaping armholes (first pic) 
• four extra inches on the bottom to take it to my knees. I don't like them on display much.
• pattern placement - I only had a 44" wide fabric and this pattern requires 60". Not really an issue as I just seamed the front skirt instead of having it on the fold. I also used most of my 4 metres of fabric because of the width issue.
  
  

I will post on the dress again once its finished. I already know I don't really love the bodice shape, but I do love the skirt, which I think I will match with the ByHandLondon Flora bodice next time as I prefer it to their skirt. Nothing like a bit of pattern hacking!

Betty Bowler complete!

A post dedicated to one topic only this week: my Betty Bowler (Swoon Patterns), which I have named 'Love Leopard'

I really love most of the Swoon Patterns. Theres just something about the shape which is aesthetically pleasing to me. Maybe its the proportions. I dunno. I just like them  :)

I knew I wanted a bowling bag, so this was the pattern I chose. Instead of stripes down the front, I decided to have a little heart detail instead. Then I went one further and decided it would be a kind of patch pocket (and then I decided I had to have one on the back too) 

The pockets are big enough to fit a phone or a travel card wallet. 

There's also a zipped pocket on the front, which is where I'd stash my keys.

Overall this came together well, although I won't say it wasn't hard work - it was. The bit I hate about making stuff is cutting out fabric. I just really don't enjoy that. Its so tedious. And it needs ironing. And. Yeugh!

But I think it was all worth it. Piping is my favourite trim and of course its used in this pattern.

I also added a little zipper pull as its so tiny (the zip that is) You can't really tell from the pic - I just used a mini lobster clasp then added some charms. Ideally it would have been silver to match the other hardware, but I didn't have any. TBH I wish I'd used bronze hardware, but its way too late now!

I'm so thrilled I got to the end of this. The hardest part was trying to sew the external parts together as the layers were quite thick. My trusty machine handled it though!

Betty Bowler, Water, Sand, Cake and sunshine!

The summer holidays have definately started! Ok they started a while back, but for those of us with day jobs it generally doesn't make too much difference. However when I do get days off, I've been taking the boys to some of the amazing locations we have nearby. Cambridgeshire really does have some fantastic places to visit. I must write up a list at some point...

Firstly though, just an update on sewing - I've been trying to move forward with my Betty Bowler bag. Its time consuming, but I'm hoping to finish it this week. Here's a snap of the front. Two pockets - zip and heart. Slight deviation from the original pattern with the hearts (one on the back too) but I really wanted to use that pom pom trim again. Handles went on last night but no shot of that yet. I'm quite excited to see how this one turns out.

I've also been working on the bodice of my hawaiian sarong dress. I don't know why I haven't taken a photo yet. Probably because its not been going swimmingly and I've put it to one side. Will go back to it when I'm less irritated!

Family shots: me and the boy (the bigger boy that is - Joey)

Noah at Papworth paddling pool (just up the road from us - fantastic fun in summer)

Joey at Stanwick Lakes (about 25 minutes away, but free and fantastic fun)

Noah and his very brightly coloured Victoria sponge (with extra icing on top). Tasted better than it looks (although Noah would disagree as he thinks it looks FANTASTIC)

Hinchingbrooke House held a WW1 commemoration day yesterday. Lots of fun - renenactments, vintage bikes, horse and cart rides. And FREE! 

Lancaster Flyover, Scones, Bags, Summer Fete and Beach Party time

Lancaster Flyover

For such a small town, we tend to have quite a lot of events, which is wonderful. There has been a lot of emphasis on the WW1 centenary lately, and a special flyover was arranged over the rec along with a memorial service. I don't have a photo of the Lancaster (well I do but it was rubbish) but it was a great turnout from all the Godmanchester residents. 

Scones

Noah was insistent that we make scones after John bought some at the shop (and polished them all off)

Baking with a broken arm - can be a bit messy - I put his waterproof cover on shortly after this photo was taken!

He did a smashing job:

Swoon Bags

I am also mid-sew with this Rosie Crossbody bag from Swoon Patterns. Its described as 'simple' and 'easy' It is in fact quite time intensive and a little bit difficult to understand, but I am persevering as this is one of my favourite Joli Pomme fabrics (bought from a Japanese etsy shop). I'm mixing it up with a black/white puppytooth.

 

 

I'm also planning on making the Betty Bowler (honestly I have a To Do list as long as your arm)  This one with a mix of leopard, red and frida fabric. 

When am I going to find the time?! 

I'm trying very very hard just to use my stash at the moment. I failed miserably last week due to my trip to London. However sometimes it just has to be done - there are no fabric shops near me so I usually have to rely on whats available online. 

Summer Fete

More local events: the summer fete, usually held in the vicarage gardens and hosted by Rev. Busk and his gorgeous wife Yoko. This year they made the last minute decision (prompted by weather reports of thunderstorms) to move it into the church. Typically the sun shone throughout the event (so much so actually that it was a bit of a relief to be inside)

As usual, lots of lovely stalls and activities for the children. 

Noahs nursery is located in the church hall, which is also where the cream teas are served :)

Beach Party

And on Sunday - a beach party in Huntingdon town centre! Another scorcher of a day, the boys got straight to it, and made some castles.

They also made themselves into mermaids!

Sew Chic Tia Dress pattern

Finally. I'm supposed to be holding back on purchases, but I couldn't help myself. They're doing a craftsy offer at the moment on the tia dress so I got the pattern and the online tutorial for £12.50. 

I am now thinking I would like to make my hawaiian dress with this bodice. Minus sleeves. Possibly just using straps rather than a full back. I won't know till I get started!