A touch of red

Always a favourite colour of mine and now I've done full circle with my sewing challenges, back at the same point as February of last year, except this time, I have developed more of a stash and find I can delve into it for just the right finishing touches.  Last year's red Sew Weekly theme inspired me to do an apron.  The leftovers from that went into finishing the dress this year - miraculously, there was just enough red bias tape to cover the join between skirt and bodice.  Full details about the dress here.  I've developed more where pattern altering is concerned too this year, using 3 different ones to make up the dress, so I feel I've learned so much (with more to come!!) 

Anyone for cake?  (shhh... don't tell anyone it came out of a box!)

Just enough tape for the inside ...

I used guipure lace in a project last year too ...

It's cold out here!

It's yours Mimi ...

I've been deliberating what to do about the pattern giveaway ... I didn't want to end up with another situation like the last one, sooo, I've made a decision that it's going to Mimi.  She's having a rough time at the moment and needs cheering up, I'm sure you'll all back me up with this.  Plus she's been a blog follower for some time and we met up at the UK Sew Weekly meet last year.  Anyway, congratulations Mimi and get well soon!

New Draw, Tuesday 28 February

Kim hasn't come forward, so I'm doing a new draw for the Amy Butler pattern and accompanying pincushion on the above date.  Good luck everyone!

Are you there Kim?

If I don't hear anything from you soon, I'll have to do the draw for the Amy Butler pattern again ... stand by everyone!

Congratulations Kim Powell!

Hi Kim, you are the lucky winner of the Amy Butler pattern and apple pincushion.  I hope you see this because I don't have a contact for you.  Can you please e:mail me at this blog?

Commiserations to everyone else ... thanks for answering and I now have a load more blogs to look at.  I put all your names in a paper cup, swished them around and asked my work friend to pull one out - not very sophisticated but it worked!  I decided to enter everyone, new followers included, as I'm grateful to know about you all. 

Happy sewing everyone!

A Reflection On Why I'm So Grateful, plus Giveaway...

I was going to finish a sewing project but I've been so busy at work that it just hasn't turned out that way ...  instead I have the opportunity to reflect on why I'm so grateful for this wonderful hobby.  Sometimes, I find it really hard to switch off from the everyday routine and I'm also aware that I'm not being 'creative' these days, which is what I originally trained to be.  Sewing has helped me to re-discover this side of myself in lots of ways ... there's the searching for fabulous fabric and choosing just the right stuff for a pattern.  There's the creativity of visualising how something is going to turn out, then the actual making and having something unique to wear.  I'm also inspired and encouraged by other bloggers and their creations, so as a thank you, I'm giving away this pattern and pincushion as part of Sew Grateful week.  I'd really like it to go to one of my followers though, so if you already are then just leave a little comment - anything will do - after this post.  Winner will be drawn at random on Valentine's Day.

Sew Grateful Week

Just to say I am taking part in this along with Debi - but I'm a bit behind!  Have had to travel for work this week and everything else has gone to pot, but I'll have a proper post ready for tomorrow complete with my giveaway - so keep looking!

Edwardian Tea Room at MMU

Have a look at this...  http://www.mmu.ac.uk/news/news-items/1540/  Wish I was in Manchester to participate.

Keeeeeeep Dancing!!!

Just a few shots from the staged arena version of Strictly Come Dancing.  I went last week, to the Nottingham venue - it was very well put together and the costumes and lighting effects were gorgeous. 

Waiting ...

The show begins ...

A good view!

Pink and yellow and tropical things ... nice thoughts for this time of year