Still here!!

Don't worry, I'm still here, although you would get the impression that I'd gone walkabout!! Poor neglected blog, and so close to the bloggy spectacular that is Sew It Together!!

I have been making stuff, some secret stuff, some not so. We had a long weekend last weekend so I got to get up north to see my sister on her property. (That sounds rather grand doesn't it!!) It was very relaxing, got to have lots of cuddles with baby niece and ate scones :-). While wandering around we came across some awesome looking toad stools, you can just see the little pixie living under this one can't you?

I've been keeping busy and out of trouble on the train for the past couple of weeks making a gigantic granny square rug for Little A. I finally finished yesterday. I used Lincraft double knitting yarn with 4.5 hook. I used the granny square pattern from Meet Me at Mike's book and I finished the edges with triple crochet. Final measurement 1m square. If anyone needs something crocheted I'm looking for a new train project, just let me know.

I also finally got around to making Little A's school library bag. Only a term late!! I made it the same as this one but it came out skinnier, still fits books though. I bought the material from amitie last year at the craft show, finally got around to using it.

That's it for me today. Off to finally make Nikki's bag so I can take it to show her next week at the stitches and craft show, can't wait, if it's anything like last year, should be ace.

TTFN

Happy Birthday Becca

Gifts for my sisters
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

For our birthdays this year my sisters and I decided to go see a show (Billy Elliot) together and that would be our birthday present to each other. That was back in April. But I felt funny about not giving her anything for today, so I made the cute as a button clutch from Meet me at Mikes book. It was quick and easy to whip up, my over stitching still needs a bit of work though, it's the machine, definitely the machine!!!

Gifts for my sisters
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

And cos I couldn't leave the other sister out I made one for Jo'e too. Happy birthday Bec and happy un-birthday Jo'e :-).

TTFN

"Cute as a button vintage clutch" from book Meet me at Mikes, Project by Kara Smith, Handmade by MandyMade.
Fabric from Spotlight.

Edit: Since I posted this I have read a tute from Pepperberry & Co about how to take photos of purses, I need to now note that my photos were taken a second after they were finished and seconds after that, wrapped and given to my sisters. I know I need to work on my camera skills and thanks to people like Sandra for posting such great tutes :-) may my purse photography be ever better in the future.

PS. I've been playing around using Picnik in flickr, can you tell?!!!

Drawstring Case

Drawstring Case
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Our nieces have moved away interstate and I wanted to make something for them to take with them. So I scoured all of my patterns until I found the drawstring cases in Meet Me At Mikes book.

I found that folding the denim over to sew was too thick so I kept it raw edged, I think it will be ok. I wanted to line the bags so for the red one, i just fused a piece to the back then sewed it up, this worked fine but did end up being a bit stiff. So for the orange bag I worked out I could just do normal lining and that worked fine also.

I finished them off with badges and pens and paper from smiggle.

Drawstring Case from Meet Me At Mikes by Pip Lincolne. Project by Kristen Doran, Handmade by MandyMade. Fabric from Spotlight and an old pair of jeans. Completed on July 18 2009.

Thanks Pip

Completed Granny Square Rug
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Pip from Meet Me At Mikes has blogged about my rug, how exciting, you can go here to see what she says, Thanks Pip.

I will blog more about the rug but must dash and actually give it to the intended recipients. Questions about it would help :-).

TTFN

Completed Granny Square Rug

Completed Granny Square Rug
Originally uploaded by MandyMade

Yay its finally finished!! , 64 squares each bordered with triple crochet, squares joined with double crochet and border has 2 rows of triple crotchet.

The lovely recipient will be receiving it today, hope they like it :-)

Granny Square Pattern from Meet Me At Mikes book, Project by Pip Lincolne, Handmade by MandyMade