Bread Basket

It was so much fun making the little round gathered basket yesterday that I decided I needed to make another quick project. I know I should be sewing up my orders but this was an experiment. The lady wanted some nesting baskets and as I can't get hold of brand named fusible fleece and interfacing like Pellon, I have to try out different one's they sell here to see which is the best for what I need. I wanted to make it as firm as I could and this is what I came up with. This one's for me.

 

 

I used the tutorial for the SMS Happy Hostess Box here. Of course that one was too small so I enlarged it and mine measures 10" x 10" when made up.

The other thing I did different on mine was to sew the center square and then sew a cross, it makes the edges crisper.

 It's so satisfying making quick projects. Now I'm off to make some more of these.

~ Maria ~

Gathered Round Basket

I went over to Pam's blog, Threading My Way, where she had made a cute little gathered round basket. I left a comment and Pam wrote back saying it only took half an hour.

So I dropped everything and made one. It really does only take half an hour.

These cute little baskets can be used for so many things other than sewing supplies. Maybe jewelery or loose change.

If you'd like to make one go to Pam's blog where you will find the link to the free tutorial. I'll definitely be making more of these.


~ Maria ~

GIVEAWAY - Celebrating 100 Followers

I've reached 100 followers. I'm delighted!!! Never thought I'd do it.

To show how much I appreciate you following my blog and leaving comments which inspire me to carry on I'm doing a GIVEAWAY with the help of my dear friend Christine from ChrisW Designs.

I wanted to be able to give you a special gift so I asked Chris if I could give away one of her patterns that I test for her. She came back to me with an even better offer, a $25 off voucher for her patterns on her website/blog and as all her bags are under $11 that's an excellent giveaway. That's not all though, if you're not the lucky winner you can still get a discount of 15%. All you have to do is either 'Like' Christine's Facebook page or follow her blog to get your discount. Once the giveaway is over I'll post the discount code so you can claim your discount, so everyone is a winner.

To win the $25 off voucher all you have to do is visit Christine's blog or website to check out her bags then leave a comment here on my blog telling me which of Christine's bags you like the most. I'm just curious to see which styles are more popular. I love them all but I think if I had to choose one it would be the Abigail Bag. You can see mine here.

  The winner will be chosen with Random.org. so please make sure you leave your email with your comment so I can get in touch with the winner. If I can't get in touch with you I will have to choose someone else.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday 5th Feb.

Best of luck to you all and thanks again for following me.

~ Maria ~

Table Runner, Flowers and a Tree

Finally completed an order. The lady that I made the two Dresden plate table toppers for also wanted a table runner. She gave me a piece of fabric that was a remnant left over from her sofa's. It wasn't very big, I got nine 6" x 6" squares out of it. The fabric was upholstery fabric so I was limited in how I could cut the piece as it was too thick to make a small intricate block. I bought some plain brown curtain fabric to add to it and I had the border fabric which is satin curtain fabric.

This is the fabric she gave me.

The binding looks like black in the photo but it's actually a dark brown.

The overall measurement is 36" x 21"

She loved the fabric flowers I made for my kitchen so she asked me to make her some also.

 

You can find the tutorial for the flowers here. The tutorial also includes instructions for the stems but I used this one here.

 And last of all was a Christmas tree. She saw the green fabric I had in my stash and asked if I would make it for her.

With this out of the way I've now started on the next project. Another order that involves loads of different bits and pieces for the kitchen including a chef's hat which I've never made so that should be fun. First I'm starting with the eight place mats. I'll keep you posted on each of the projects as I finish them.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria ~

Blog Problem Solved

You'll probably remember the post I did on Blog Problems a few days ago. It was driving me nuts especially as everyone else was seeing my blog normally.
I was chatting with my bloggy friend Samantha and unknown to me her hubby Dus is a computer genius. He said to click on View then Zoom then click on in/out. Well what do you know it worked. How stupid do I feel. LOLLLL
Samantha said I must have clicked on something by accident or pressed the Ctrl button. Just then a light bulb came on. Seconds before emailing her as I swiveled my computer chair I notice the hand rest hit the Ctrl button and the font on my computer suddenly went large but I couldn't figure out why, now I know.

Just thought I'd do this post 'in case' there is someone out there who is as daft as me. LOLLLL

A big thanks to Samantha and Dus for solving the problem for me and also to everyone who wrote to let me know they could see my blog's fine.

~ Maria ~

Dresden Plate Table Toppers

Finally finished the two Dresden plate table toppers I had on order. The lady brought the flower fabrics and although when the fabrics were side by side you could quite clearly see the contrast in colours now they're made up the difference is very subtle. Hope she likes them.

Each one measures 45cm x 45cm.

I used the tutorial here for the Dresden plate.

I've been trying different methods of sewing on the bias binding other than by hand. I really like this one and find it really easy. On the Diamond Dish Drainer I made, the bias was done in the same way only difference was that the binding wasn't pulled over as much so when the top stitching was sewn it was sewing over the binding on the underside also. 

This method misses the binding on the underside, I think it looks neater so I'm sticking with this one.

 

Now to finish the rest of the order. A fabric Christmas tree and the fabric flowers I made for myself when I cut my finger.

~ Maria ~

Tablet Holder

My son was given a Samsung Tablet about a week ago by his dad and he's been wanting me to make a case for it.
Today I sat down and drafted a patter and after making it up found that it was about 1/2 cm too short so I started again and made another one. This time it was perfect.

Ooops I just spotted some fluff on the Velcro.  Seems I only notice these things on the photos.

And on this one I missed the loose thread. LOLLL I'll go and snip it off after this post.

I was wanting to add a flower or two as an embellishment but I don't think my son would have appreciated it. LOLL I'll just have to save up my pennies so I can buy a tablet for myself so I can make a flowery cover.
Good excuse huh.

~ Maria ~

Ladies Wallet

I haven't been posting many projects that I've sewn lately but I have been sewing. I have two bags to post about that I tested but one can't be shown till June and the other until after 27th Jan.
I've also been busy making a couple of Dresden Plate table toppers. One is nearly finished and this is a ladies wallet I finished a couple of days ago. I had made one just like it previously and the lady I made it for ordered another one to give her friend as a birthday present.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria ~

Blog Problem

Hi

I'm calling on my followers to help me out. Someone please!!!!!!!!

In the photo below this is how my blog normally looks when I click on the bookmark 'Mia's Creations' along the top of the screen next to 'Print Friendly'.

For about a week now when I click on that same button my blog appears like the photo below. It's minute and I can't read it. I haven't done anything different with my blog except add a 'pin it' button. I can't be sure but I think the problem started after that. Also when I've finished writing a post and click 'View blog' it comes out minute. The only time it works properly is if I type in the full URL.

What I'd like to know from my followers is are you seeing my blog in the normal way or are you seeing it like the second photo. A couple of my friends here said they couldn't get onto my blog at all.

Thanks for your help

~ Maria ~

I've been nominated.

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Nissa over at nissaMade.

It's an fun "award" passed from blogger to blogger as a way to network and acknowledge some of your favourite blogs.  A receiving blog must have less than 200 followers. 

To participate:
1. Thank and link back up to the one that nominated you (Me).
2. Answer 11 questions asked to you by me.
3. Tell us 11 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 11 of your favorite blogs that have less than 200 followers
5. Ask them 11 questions.


Here we go.....


Thanks Nissa for the nomination.



Questions asked of me

 1. What's your favourite day of the week?
So long as I can sew I love them all.

 2. What would you be doing right now if you weren't responding to this?
Probably sewing or checking the internet.

 3. What's your favourite crafting or sewing tool?
It has to be my cutting mat and rotary cutter even though I've cut my finger twice with it. LOLL

 4. How many posts to you write a week?
Depends on if I've made anything to blog about but I try for at least once a week.

 5. What made you start a blog?
I wanted to share my creations with other bloggers and also find new friends.

 6. What skill would you like to have or learn that you don't have right now?
I'd love to be able to free motion quilt some beautiful intricate designs.

7. What's your favourite thing to shop for?
Fabric of course.

 8.  Link or post a picture of a handbag you have been lusting for.
Amy Butlers Weekender Bag

 9. What's your favourite vacation spot?
North of Spain

 10.  Do you play a musical instrument?
Only when I was in school but never since.

 11.  What's your favourite chip/crisp flavour?
Salt and Vinegar.


11 Things about me.

  1. I love chocolate and cakes.
  2. I'm a morning person for cleaning and organizing and an evening person for sewing.
  3. I love to organize things but that doesn't mean I'm really organized.
  4. I'm an optimist.
  5. My zodiac sign is Libra so I'm well balanced. LOLL
  6. I'm a pinterest addict.
  7. I love cats and dogs.
  8. I like watching any movie that gets me emotional.
  9. I admit I spend too much time on the internet.
10. I hate to cook.



Blogs I've nominated.

Alicia http://artyandcraftylittlethings.blogspot.de/
Jenny http://downtosew.blogspot.de/
Nati http://natipatch.blogspot.com.es/
Stephanie http://mycalicoheart.blogspot.de/
Sandra http://suddenlysandra.blogspot.de/
Kathy http://sewcraftykathy.blogspot.de/
Marisa http://passionetcouture.blogspot.de/
Ayu http://whitenroses.blogspot.de/
Susan http://so-sue.blogspot.de/
Deb http://asimplelifequilts.blogspot.de/
Natalie http://carryhers.blogspot.de/

My questions to the wonderful bloggers I have nominated.

 1. What's your favourite colour?
 2. Do you like to design your own patterns or are you happy make things from other designers patterns?
 3. Do you enjoy cooking, if so what's your favourite recipe?
 4. Which is your favourite season?
 5. Which bad habit would you like to quit?
 6. Why did you start blogging?
 7. Have you traveled abroad and if so where?
 8. Do you prefer cooking or housework?
 9. What's your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
10. Do you have a pet and what is it?
11. If you could have one wish what would you wish for?

~ Maria ~

A time for change

The time has come to make some changes to my lifestyle.
 Giving up smoking and being more active.
I've already started cutting back on the cigarettes but now it's time to do something about the active part.
Since I was a teenager I have always been involved in sports from gymnastics, trampolining, running, swimming, a bit of ice skating and aerobics and walking for the past 12 years which I did faithfully but for the last 5 years I've given it all up and mainly sit and sew, blog or search the internet. It's starting to take it's toll.

Not only am I putting on the pounds it's not doing my health any good. While checking through the blogs I follow I came across a post over at Geta's blog. Geta is planning on doing a 30 minute walk and a 30 minute work out everyday for the next 21 days starting from Monday.
I've decided to join her, at least the walking LOLLL. Start off slowly and all that. Having someone to join in with you is a great intensive to keep going. I'll post about my progress as I go along. My main reason for doing this is my health and if I manage to loose some pounds along the way that will be a bonus.

If you'd like to join us just print out this free printable over at Mama Jenn

The more of us taking part together the more fun it will be and we can support each other too. Geta is start on Monday so I will too.

Here's to a healthier lifestyle.

~ Maria ~

Diamond Dish Drainer

First finish of the year.
I posted about this dish drainer on the 1st Jan and it's taken me longer than hoped as I ran out of thread and had to wait for the two day holiday to finish before I could buy more.
This was ordered by a lady who wants to use it to drain her dishes on when she has guests.

 

It measures 80cm x 125cm.

I used the machine method of sewing on the binding to the back of the dish drainer and then folding it over to the front to stitch, so much quicker than doing it by hand and kinder on the eyes.

I bought fabric for the backing and thought I'd wash it first. Good job I did because the colour ran. Went out and bought another and that one ran too. By this time I was going to just put a white fabric on the back but the lady wanted it green so off I went and bought a third piece. This one was fine.

Whilst making this I also cut up squares to make a rag quilt but ran out of fabric so now need to buy more.
Tomorrow I'll be starting on a test bag so everything else gets put on hold until that one's finished.

Linked to http://quiltville.blogspot.de/2013/01/mystery-monday-link-up-jan-7th.html
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2013/01/07/made-by-you-monday-135/
http://ladybug-blessings.com/ 

Thanks for stopping by

~ Maria ~

Home Sweet Home Create Along

Last year Liz from Moments had a sew along that lasted the year for making things for our sewing rooms. Unfortunately I joined in late because I hadn't come across it but this time I'm ready to start from the beginning as Liz is having a Create Along. This should be fun and instead of doing a monthly sew along this one is a quarterly one. Each quarter is assigned to a specific room in your home and you can create anything, it doesn't have to be sewing related.
Pop over to Liz's blog and take a look. The first quarter is assigned to the living room and or dining room and Liz will be giving links to some ideas for you to try tomorrow.

Click on the button above to go to the Create Along.

~ Maria ~

Happy New Year and a WIP

                                                                   Source

Just popping in to wish you all a very Happy New Year, may it be a healthy, happy and prosperous year for everyone and may it be one filled with creativity and inspiration.

Starting the New Year with and order I have. This is what I've been up to for the last few days. Slow going but now the new year is in I'm hoping things will speed up a bit. They'll have to because I've already got the longest of lists.
This is going to be a dish drainer ordered by a lady amongst other things she is wanting for her kitchen.
Half of it is completed.

 

Other half nearly completed. I'm hoping to finish the top by the end of the evening but I have a trip into town to buy fabric so I'll see how I get on.

~ Maria ~