March 22, 2006

Almost Spring

I haven't felt much like posting this past week but today the sun was shining so I hung a wash out to dry for the first time since last year. Its still a bit cold so I am probably wasting my time, but there is something uplifting about the prospect of summer being around the corner, so it made me feel better giving it a try. As you can see I have a teeny weeny garden. Its not until the better weather comes that I start dreaming of a bigger garden, where Emily can run about and I can sit and enjoy the sun.

I still have to post about Saturdays Supper Club and there are some fantastic recipes to tell you about but I will do this soon. Also I am a busy bee this week. I am doing a crafty night on Friday with a bunch of moms and childminders (about 32 in total) and I have a craft fair on Saturday (which for those of you who are local is in Hillsborough Community Centre/Primary School from 2-5pm). I have only managed to get a few corsages done as an extra to my prints. I was hoping to make bags too but I don't know where the time has gone! Oh well, the intentions were there and all that.

Posted by Maxine at 01:07 PM | Comments (1)

March 18, 2006

Chocolate Guiness Brownie Cake

In celebration of St Patrick's day we are holding the second Supper Club meeting tonight. I am designated to make a pudding this time and let me tell you, it wasn't an easy task coming up with an Irish dessert. I asked lots of people what they considered as typically Irish and most came up with apple based desserts. I was set on doing baked apple when I came across a recipe for chocolate Guiness brownies. How could I resist?!

I didn't have the right size baking tray so I have ended up with a round brownie cake instead! I will be serving it with Maud's (Irish) mint ice-cream. Yum! Decorated with a few shamrocks just to top it off (although have to remember not to eat these!).

Posted by Maxine at 03:01 PM | Comments (1)

Flower Pins

I just made these two flower pins from a wonderful and simple tutorial over at Wise Craft. Thank you so much for this Blair, they are so much fun to make. I even covered a 5p instead of a button so that I don't have to part with my lovely buttons! It worked quite well.

I am doing a craft night next Friday for a bunch of moms and these will definitely be a feature. I also think I will be making a few more for myself!

Posted by Maxine at 01:51 PM | Comments (2)

March 10, 2006

Goodies in the Post!

Look what Emily and I received in the mail! Its our Mini-Swap partners box of treats. Toni and Noah (who is 4) sent over these wonderful things all the way from the USA. Noah is so sweet, he handpicked out a few of his toys to hand down to Emily; amongst them a little elephant and snake which Emily was getting to 'talk' straight away (this involves her showing me the animal and saying 'Talk Mommy!'). Toni made this totally adorable little felt bunny, complete with interchanging skirts, and a gorgeous little blanket and pillow, this totally made Emily's day, she adores it. She also get some learning cards(you can see her playing with them in the picture), she calls this game 'flip flop' which is what Charlie and Lola call it.

And look! I got goodies too! A lovely, summery laundry bag, a little tissue holder and super cute stitched notecards on that gorgeous polka dot background!

Thank you so much Toni, these things couldn't of been more perfect, and thanks again Molly, for organising the swap, I hope you do another one in the future because this one was so much fun!

Posted by Maxine at 03:37 PM | Comments (6)

March 08, 2006

Production Line

Last night I finished up these batch of pins. It is so satisfying to get so much done and these were a joy to make, just sitting in front of the TV with a cuppa and my sewing supplies.

I am not too sure about the yellow ones, they looked great in the dim lamplight last night, but not so great in the daylight. I think I will definitely have to do more pink too as it is such a lovely happy colour.

Overall I am very happy. Just hope everyone at the craft fair feels the same way!

Posted by Maxine at 01:45 PM | Comments (6)

March 07, 2006

March

I thought I would share my current calendar page with you. This calendar is just fantastic, every month has a wonderful illustration, this one even comes as a toddler t-shirt - how cool is that?. You can find this and other groovy t-shirts and goodies at the Airside shop, its definitely worth a look!

Posted by Maxine at 07:47 PM | Comments (1)

Thrifty Joy

After a morning at pre-shool gymnastics with Emily (which was so great, we definitely will be going again!), we headed over to meet W for lunch and then a trip round the nearby charity shops. Its such a joy hunting for things I could never tire of looking. Emily was great and played with all the toys and looked at the books while I had a good look around. We picked up this lovely little summer dress and lovely bag. I can totally imagine Emily running around in the dress, and this super warm hat and scarf set (originally from Gap) - this will go up until next year as its quite big, but who can resist spots and stripes?!

I also picked up these three duvet covers, perfect for my little totes (or big totes!). Karen, I think you will appreciate the one on the far left, this girly print brings back such memories, I really love it. I am almost tempted to keep this for Emily's bed, but if not I think I will make some bags for little girls, after all we all need pretty bags, whatever our age!

Posted by Maxine at 07:39 PM | Comments (1)

March 05, 2006

Circle Pin Continued

I sat last night and cut out a lot different colour circles. I have really started the production line and it feels great to actually be seeing results that don't take a life time to do.

I am really happy with this green one. The vintage flowery fabric is one of my favourites and I will have to make another bag to match the pin! I decided to give a blanket stitch a try instead of the running stitch. I still like the simplicity of the running stitch but this definitely has the edge for me I think. I might do a variety of both.

There is bound to be another post coming soon when I have them all complete!

Posted by Maxine at 09:21 PM | Comments (0)

A Current Project

I thought I would post a couple of picks of my latest project - Emily's new room. I have a long way to go yet but the sky is taking shape. Eventually the little clouds will teeny little smiley faces, there will be green rolling hills with a little house sitting on the top of one. We have the most fantastic sun light fitting for the ceiling, the only difficulty was choosing bedding to match, but I think it is almost sussed.

We want to make Emilys transition from cot to 'big girl bed' an adventure. We are hiding the room (which surprisingly hasn't been that difficult) so that is a wonderful surprise for her when its done. I am sure she will love it!

Posted by Maxine at 09:15 PM | Comments (0)

March 02, 2006

Work in Progress

Here's a preview of what I am working on at the moment. It is a range of corsage cards made from a combination of felt, fabric, beads, and buttons. These are my first two in pink but I intend to do a range of different colours, using new and vintage fabric and buttons. I thought it would be a good idea to attach it to a blank greeting card so that it could be sent as a card/present combo. Although attaching it to the card is proving a little tricky (hard to believe but true) so this could possibly change at some time. But so far so good I think.

NOTE FROM LATER THAT NIGHT: Have changed my mind about the card thing now. The more I think about it, the less I am happy with the idea. I have decided that attaching the pin to the card lessens its value as it is seen more as a greeting card than a corsage. I will still mount the pin on a card in some way as it is a food way to package it...

Posted by Maxine at 06:43 PM | Comments (4)

March 01, 2006

Mini-Swap & Tie One On

I can finally post about what I sent my Mini-Swap partner, which is also what I made for this months Tie One On theme of the 'Mapron'. They received the parcel this morning and really liked it, which makes me so happy I can hardly explain. I agonise over every little detail and totally worry about people not liking things. I realise I have a slight self confidence problem and this is something I need to work on.

This is why it is extra special to me that little Noah liked his goodies! I made him this apron, which has lots of pockets, which come in very useful as you can see. I also made a matching bag which was filled with cookie cutters, chocolate, stickers and a frog (he likes frogs!). I laminated two little cards with recipes on them which fit snugly into the car pocket, with little illustrations of Emily on the front. Emily made a couple of cards with her favourite googly eyes and covered the parcel in stickers!

This project has been a joy for me and hopefully we can do it again when Emily is a little older and take a bigger part in the swap.

Posted by Maxine at 01:44 PM | Comments (3)