I've been making stuff

Well after such a long absence I thought I might try to redeem myself by showing some pics of my latest creations, just to prove I have been doing doing "something". My cardmaking continues of course and I am lucky to have my designs on the front cover of the May issue of Crafts Beautiful (currently in stock in all good newsagents tee - hee)

I've also started to crochet, I've been wanting to learn for ages, but I'm left handed and most of the books are of course geared to help right handers. I managed to find a book which teaches both ways and I dug out my wool and got cracking. So far I have managed to make these "granny squares" and how addictive is it??? I was recommended a great blog by the lovely Anita Mundt. It's written by an uber talented lady called Lucy and it's called Attic 24 so I downloaded her step by step instructions and now I am picking up my crochet hook whenever I can.

I've also been sewing. I've been sewing on an off for years, but sewing is back "on-trend" at the moment so I thought I would find a pattern or two and blow the dust off the sewing machine. I made a bag , a skirt and a couple of tops last Summer and now I have made a couple of dresses to wear over leggings. The first is using New Look Pattern (6890) and the most swoonsome Amy Butler fabric. I wasn't sure whether the fabric was a bit OTT at first but I just HAD to have it. I was in John Lewis in Edinburgh and I spied it on a trolley before it had been put out for display. The assistants hemmed and hawed about letting me buy some as they couldn't find it on the "system" but I waited and they sorted it for me. Since the weather has been a wee bit chilly I wear it with black leggings, with a thin long sleeved black top underneath and I have to admit I love it. The fabric is of course from Amy Butler.

More Amy Butler fabric for this one, using a "Sew Liberated" pattern called School House Tunic, I got it from Fabric Rehab. When I'd finished, it was MASSIVE so I had to take it in on the sides, I've not made the best job of taking it in, but I'll know to make it smaller next time.

I've also bought a couple of shelving units for my craft room from IKEA (where else?) I've now got my inkpads all to hand, and I bought a mini filing cabinet to store more of my "inky things"
So all in all I've still been creating xx