Lots of crochet

I've been crocheting heaps lately. It's a great train project and so relaxing. I've gone a bit ripple blanket crazy! Only problem is I keep rushing in and not estimating yarn very well. So I've had to keep popping back to yarn stores to get another ball or 2. One of which (photo below) I can no longer get but I'm still on the hunt.

It's finished

Messenger Bag Inside

Yay, Here is a sneak peek until I get better photos!!

Pattern here.

All cut out....

Fabric Cut

.....and ready to sew. Fingers crossed I get to tonight ;-). 

Getting ready

Pattern Cutting

Lots of pattern cutting going on today. These are for the smaller sizes of the messenger bags. I've cut the fabric for the large one and hope to start sewing soon. Now to get the youngest to sleep....

No idea what I'm talking about? See previous post. 

Fabric Selection

Fabric selection, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

So here is my fabric selection for making Michelle's Messenger bag (see previous post). I went out and bought all the proper interfacing and wadding so this bag will last for a while I hope. I even purchased some of the buckles that she uses in the pattern.

Are you making the bag too? If so pop a link in the comments so I can have a squiz.

If you want to make Michelle's Messenger Bag and join in, get the pattern here. She also has 2 more sizes for the bag on special till Monday, so grab them too while you're there. I'll be making the small one as soon as I've finished this one.

Happy sewing :-)

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag, originally uploaded by michellepatterns.

Oooo Michelle's just launched her new bag pattern, yay. I've had my eye on it since she started blogging about it. I can't wait to start it, I have the perfect fabric. But first I need to go for a run (yep I'm doing that now) clean the house, do the basketball run, the list goes on!! You can get a pattern too from here.  We could have a bag-along. Let me know in the comments if you are making one too.

Happy weekend sewing :-).

Happy Mothers Day

Secret Pocket Envelope Clutches, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

I know, a couple of days late. I had a lovely day, how about you?

These are the gifts I made this year for my mum and mother in law. They are made from Michelle's newest pattern, Secret Pocket Envelope Clutches. I made the size 3 version. Perfect to fit a Voucher inside. Now they just have to work out what else to put in them, endless possibilities!! They are very easy and quick to make, just what I needed at the moment.

Only took a quick photo with my phone before gifting. No amount of photo editing was going to help this photo so I just waked a filter over it!!

You can make one too, pop over here for a pattern. I want to make the other sizes too, I think I've got a use for every size at the moment.

Felt Foxes

Felt Foxes, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

Crafting for me lately has been mainly dreaming about what I want to make rather than the actual making. Too much other stuff going on, house reno, more stress at the real job and school holidays always stuff the routine around. Hopefully it will all settle down soon and there will be more making going on.

While the sewing machine is packed away at the moment I did get a little hand sewing time in the past week. I bought a Mollie Makes mag (issue 23) a few weeks ago, as soon as my sons saw the front cover both of them wanted a fox each. So instead of just putting it off till the increasingly long make list is complete I decided to squeeze them in.

I made from the pattern with the exception of using whip stitch to sew them together. They both came together really quickly, so if you need a quick gift, I recommend making them. They are now much loved :-).

More patterns

I just can't help myself. If I see a cute pattern I have to buy it!! Are you the same? It's nearly as bad my fabric addiction ;-). At least they are easier to store. I've been very good this year with my fabric and pattern buying, but then I found out Michelle was retiring 21 of her patterns and all in one go wrapped up in a neat little package. So I had to buy it. I already have a few but have been eyeing off most of the others!! Now I have them. So if you would like to make a quick gift for mum this mothers day these patterns are perfect. Here are some I made ages ago, you wont be able to get these patterns again and will only be available till Monday. Now I'm off to spotty to buy more fabric!! I will be constrained I promise ;-).

Camera Case Wristlet

Lots of pocket tote

Pleated Pouches

Envelope Clutch

Size 5 Secret Pocket Envelope Clutch.
Source: Michelle Patterns on Flickr

Michelle's much awaited Envelope Clutch pattern is finally here and I've snapped it up already. When she first started writing about it on her blog I was starting to think of all the things I could use one of the clutches for. The biggest one would be to pop a gift card into then the receiver could use the clutch for whatever they liked. Then I started to think of all the things I could use one for. Business cards, excess cards, then the biggest one could fit all the stuff that floats around in my handbag, note book, medication scripts, endless. There are 5 sizes in the pattern and they are very cute. Now I need to find the time to make some!! If you would like to make some too the pattern is currently on sale here. If you do make some I'd love to see them, pop a link in the comments.

Happy Sewing