Craft Fair Delights

Just a week and a few days away,
we are hosting our first Craft Fair.
It's getting very close, very quickly,
and it seems like there is still so much to do.
In between printing posters, letters, leaflets,
running to the pooter shop for yet more ink,
trying to rent out the tables...................
I've been trying to make some new goodies too.

I've had the patterns for these aprons for some time.
Actually there is a bit of of saga attached,
I might have blogged about it ??? not sure ??

Anyway, I bought them.............
and they promptly went missing for about a year!!!
Eventually they turned up but still sat in their packets
for a further year *blush*

Then I found some wonderfully
bargainous bias binding from Alcatrazzzz
(actually it's Abakhan, but the place
holds me prisoner until I pay a ransom)
So out came the patterns at last!!


The Globaltex "Sweetie" fabric came from Alcatrazzz too,
it's looks so yummy with the blue gingham binding.

This apron tells a tale too.

The main fabric is a gorgeous reproduction from RJR fabrics,
part of a limited addition range.
I got this piece about 2 years ago,
and always planned to make something kitcheny with it.
It's part of the Mama's Feedsack range,
this (obviously) being the blue teacups.
It's so pretty, I've tried to get more
but can't, sadly :(

I've teamed it with some lovely fresh gingham,
sent to me by Heather, bless her.
And the binding is another Alcatrazzz one,
sweet tiny red flowers,
the odd tiny blue flower and little creamy-biege butterflies.

The apron is put together by
completing the outer side panels first,
and then work inward, the centre being last.
Imagine my disappointment when
I got to the centre panel I was
about 10" short of bias!!!!!!!!
Then I thought "get a grip gal",
and "invented" the little fold-over panel at the top,
finished off with a little appliqued teacup.

I really like it now, problem is I made it up as I went along
so could I do it again !!LOL
Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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Birdhouse in your Soul

Can anyone remember the song of my title???
It just popped in my head when I loaded the photo,
but I can't remember who did it ??!!???
Just a quick update to let everyone know
I've not forgotten, swaps, PiFs etc.
They will be done soon (I hope)

Thought I'd show you all the pretty little bird feeder
I found in the local £shop, so pretty,
but as I was taking the photo the birds
in the tree were telling me off,
They love it already and wanted
me gone so they could feed !!!


Not sure why we have this sign next to our pond,
we don't have any fish !!!
Just a little bit of urban wildlife.
Croak!!!

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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Bags of Bags

I have my bag-making head on at the moment.
Shopping bags, tote bags,
foldable bags in their own little pouches,
but today I made my favourite bag.
It's my favourite because it's MINE!
I just love this Globaltex fabric,
but the bags on my blogshop are
aren't suitable for me (as much as I like them)
I needed a bag that is comfortable to wear
across my body rather than on my shoulder.
I've many shoulder bags I'm no longer able to use,
most of them are lovely, some have lots of buttons
(which I adore) but my poorly neck/upper back
means I can't use them.
Hence the need to design a bag that is both
functional and scrumptious.
And this is it!!!!


Very roomy, not too heavy,
wide comfy strap, that's adjustable.
And 6 pockets inside !!!!!!!


Room enough for the most avid junk collector *blush*
It will have it's first outing on Thursday.
TBH, I have already made 2 prototypes,
one I've already trialed, and one
for a friend to trial. Both have done good.
So I've stepped up the mark,
redesigned a few bits,
And added Pompoms.


Pompoms are my new love,
almost as good as buttons.
Now I'm off to make another, for the blogshop.


Oh, and this little beauty I made 2 weeks ago.
Well, not quite so little beauty,
it's actually quite a large tote.
I love the way the gingham bow turned out.


But this one is for selling, not for me.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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Pay it Forward

Aren't these just gorgeous!!!
The lovely Sharon at Clover Cottage sent me
these lovely hand made gifts just for
commenting on her blog I received
a beautiful needle case
and a scrummy note book!!!!
Thank you so much Sharon *mwah*
Sorry the photos aren't up to scratch,
I made a right bodge-job of them, and
deleted the wrong ones (mega blush)


Thank you also to Mel at A Country Dream
for a lovely award.

I have to pass it on to 10 other lovely people
so here goes

Raspberry Grace
Shabby Angel
Clover Cottage
Painting New memories
Fifties Girl
Dolly Dollop
Jellies Jams Dolls
Biker Boots and Chicken Feet
Country Hearts and Home
Sew Hot Mitmot

Of course there are many other lovely people
I'd like to award, I think some have the award already

and I know the others soon will have.

But I'd love to be able to award you all
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With love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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Buttons as rare as Hen's teeth!

Look at these lovely buttons, aren't they just exquisite????
They have been hand-painted for me by the
wonderfully talented Paula at
Painting New Memories
I'm afraid the picture does them no real justice at all,
they are so detailed, yet quite small.
It's amazing how she does it! Wonderful!
Paula also sent me 2 tiny china trinket boxes.
She asked a while ago if anyone had those initials, and no one had,
but my Mother-in-law does, so Paula kindly sent them to me
to pass on to her.
Also Paula read that I like geese, so she sent me
the cutest little goose, with freshly painted bill and feet.
Isn't it just so sweet
Thank you so much Paula, I love everything!
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I thought I'd give you a quick squizz at a couple of
teacosies I've been working on.
Another Elaine at Shabby Chic Cafe
asked me a few weeks ago if I would have a go at
making her a hen or cockerel teacosy
and these are what I came up with.
Elaine chose the sage and lemon one
and I've put the other one in
my blogshop.
Thank you for asking me to make them Elaine
I really enjoyed designing them.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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OOooo Lush !!!

Just a quickie for now,
but I wanted to show off the latest addition to my stash.
How gorgeous is new fabric!!!

Oh, and a sneaky peek at some bits
I've been making this week

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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A gift for you..........

...............if you are one of the first 3 to leave a comment!
Such a sweet idea, thank you to
The Crafty Trundler at
Clover Cottage for including me.

So the first 3 people to leave a comment
will receive a handmade gift from me
though I'm not sure what that might be yet!!??!!
I know they won't be huge or heavy gifts which
means I'll be able to post them anywhere!
(so if your in the US or Oz,
or Timbucktoo, still join in)
And then, if you wish to join in you can
do the same too.

Such a lovely idea.
Another good idea is The Toy Society.
This involves making a small gift toy
(or thrifting one) to leave anywhere
for someone to keep.
Whoever finds the toy is the owner,
just a lovely simple way of spreading smiles.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
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