Teacup pincushion

You see a lot of pretty vintagey tea cups in the CS's and I have seen them turned into pincushions. They are so pretty...and I always wanted to make one for myself but I haven't found the right tea cup yet until today!

I found this Colclough rosebuds fine bone china teacup for £1 and turned into a pincushion this afternoon. It is a little tall but it turned out ok. Pretty and useful.

I followed this tutorial apart from I hand sewn mine and stuffed it with polyfil and DD's old socks so it's nice and compact but cushy at the top. Embellished it with my left over curtain cords.

 

Back to school...finally!

This seemed like a long summer...not complaining. Really, I'm not. Maybe because we had our break at the beginning of the school holidays. My eldest goes back on Wednesday and the little one on the 10th. We have a home visit tomorrow from the nursery teachers.

I haven't been posting because I have been busy making buntings! I made a couple and gave them as gifts and advertised it on facebook selling page and I had a few orders so still working down my list.

I'm not going to bore you with a lot of pics but it's in my pinterest album My buntings.

 

 

We are doing our bedroom at the moment and have bought some wallpapers from LA and a new sliding doors from the bay of E so DH is busy juggling his work and extra work at the farm.  He didn't want pink but managed to mix it using a pot of white emulsion and dulux bargain tester pot. I love it!

 

 

Our seaside Mini tour

Wasn't the last couple of weeks scorching... I hope you're all nicely tanned and not burnt.  I booked a last minute break right after the school ended on the 19th July.   I have become a fan of Butlins when we first went a couple of years ago booked through the Sun holidays.  We have on a few Haven ones as well.  Hubby likes the buffet breakfast and dinner and I love not having to worry what I will feed them.

We started in Minehead (2nd time).  We got there around 11pm cos we left it later after school.  Dinner in Morrisons first, if you haven't been on their cafe yet. Their fish n chips are best value, feed a family of 4 for £8 with drinks included after 4pm on weekdays.   We like eating out or maybe I don't cook often enough ...lol :)

Back to Minehead, we were upgraded to an apartment upstairs with lounge for no extra cost.
DH and DS loved the water flumes and slides in the swimming pool.  We didn't get a time sheet for the shows so didn't see any although I wish we queued for the circus.  We spent most of the time walking by the beach and town. There was some sort of festival going on where everyone got dressed as pirates.  DH took a fan with us, so glad he did as it was too  hot at night.  The break cost around £225 for 3nights with breakfast and dinner included.  I found a code for £25 off, so it's worth searching first for discount codes before booking.  Booking direct cost almost the same with the Sun holidays offer without the worry of getting the right dates and extras you have to pay.

 The in-laws were on a week break nearby too,  Combe Martin.  My brother-in-law rented a cottage
here http://www.coulscott.co.uk/ A very nice place to stay in.  After checking out in Butlins, we headed to Combe Martin. Very hilly and narrow main road.  Stopped to admire the view and use the facilities.  I booked a room in a pub / hotel http://www.packocards.co.uk/ .  The rates are reasonable £90 for a family room with breakfast.  A place with a good history and full of character.  Good play area for the little ones and slightly older kids, even I had a go at some obstacles :)  Only stayed there for a night.

Drove by the seaside and there wasn't much so we didn't stop and next stop was Ilfracombe. There is so much going on for this seaside with great rock pools and little harbour.  It would be nice to go back and explore a bit more.  We didn't miss 'Verity', she's the naked pregnant bronze statue on the pier.

 

Woolacombe has a nice sandy beach but didn't see much of the town.  We stopped but Dd was fast asleep, worn out.  We contemplated driving home but the weather was so good we know we had to make the most of it.  This might be the only summer break we have as DH will be so busy mid August.  Looked at the map and decided to drive to Lyme Regis
We got to Lyme Regis around 6pm and I haven't booked anywhere to stay.  I was on the phone ringing round and the cheapest I could find was a small hotel for £160 a night.  The nearby towns with B&B's were all fully booked.  Uplyme and Charmouth, finally I found a family room in Bridport 10 miles from Lyme Regis.   It seemed a popular place.  1 night was £115 but I bargained a 2 night stay for £200 with breakfast.  

The beach was halved, 1 part was pebbly and the other was sandy.  We walked along the pier and lots of young people catching crabs. The town is famous for fossils and ammonites but the kids were more interested in visiting each and every arcade.  I found a great Arts and Craft, vintage shop along the promenade where I found a knitting bag in a wooden stand for £2 to add to my To do Up list.  The shop was full of 'treasures' I could spend hours just browsing but I was hurried by DS needing the loo grrrrrrrr.....We visited the Town Mill and took a couple of photos.  I was hoping to find a fabric / sewing shop when I saw a dress displayed on the window but there's none just a galleries.

Last stop was Bournemouth, I have only been here once and I have fond memories of our holiday a few years ago and have always wanted to go back.  We got there and there was a Family Festival so we followed everyone heading to a big field / park and spent most morning there.  Lots of stalls and activities.  There was a ballet / dance class and Dd joined in, she's trying to follow the moves but the music was too fast.  She was in the middle of the crowd, mostly watching.  I can't believe she had the confidence, a little proud mum moment :)  Spent the whole afternoon on the beach,  splashing and digging sand even swimming in the sea while I looked after our things :) Headed home, tired and happy.  One downside is the Dd caught something, probably in Butlins, blisters on hands and feet and ulcers in her mouth. Hands, foot, mouth disease? anyway she's over it now but have passed it on to DS who is very grouchy.  He's making more fuss than DD did!

All 3 lunch bags. All wrapped and ready!

Only just finished the lunch bags for teachers.  Here they are! yeyy! they look good enough to give.

 

They all have a bottle of Lambrini.  I know nothing about wines and drinks but just saw these bottles and they are pretty.  They are cheap so I hope they are not offended.  They're mainly there so it's easy to wrap and not so floppy.

More Clothes...dresses and boys shorts

Please don't complain about the weather :) we have waited for the sunshine and some warmth for so long.  Slap on lots of sun cream, drink ice cold water and eat ice cream / lollies!!!!  Mango and passion fruit shake for me from McD''s or Costa's.
More sewing was done last few days and I'm trying to make a well-fitting pair of shorts for DS.
Shorts no. 1

I copied this design for a pair of shorts that was made for him.  2-front pockets and only elasticated waist.
Shorts no. 2

Another version of pillowcase dress.  Strappy with elasticated chest.  Added a pocket too.
I laid some of my fabrics and was thinking what I could try and make next.  The little dressy top is so adorable and very summery so I thought I copy the shape since it fits nicely on DD.

 I came up with a reversible A-line dress.  Shame that the fabric is not cotton, thin and feels cheap but the prints are lovely.  She has worn it once and I will be keeping it for winter to be worn with long-sleeved, turtle-neck top, plain tights and boots.

It's another simple dress.  Cut 2 x the fabric and bind the arm holes, neckline and hem with bias binding.  Make a button hole and sew buttons on the shoulders. And it's done! Only problem is on one side,  the shoulder straps are up, I will just tuck that under.  And the buttons underneath. I don't know if it will be uncomfortable.  Will have to see if I get any complaints :)

I have to get back to painting again.  There are few bits I'd like to paint like frames and the middle of the table.  Just need the motivation to start.  But for now I'm finishing the last of the 3 lunch bags I'm giving for DD's nursery teachers.  And hoping to make a name bunting for DD's little friend who's staying. She will be going to big brother's school in September.

Keep cool everyone!

Hanger hamper and T-shirt dresses

Now that we are getting more sun, am able to hang my washing on the line.  I love the sunshine! but I'm slightly getting fed up of looking at my hangers strewn on the bedroom floor, broken or tangled.  So I hit pinterest for inspiration and  I found this:

   I thought I'd make one but it's harder than I thought because I don't have anything sturdy for the sides.  I ended up with a flimsy bag but it doesn't matter at least my hangers will have it's own place.  Made a bag for my square pegs too.  Used an ikea fabric.










I'm feeling a bit under the weather at the moment but still have the energy to do some sewing.  An old T-shirt of hubby turned into a little dress for DD.

 

DD requested pockets so I did 2, only to be told she only wanted 1!

 

Looking a little plain on top half so I added a heart  and a little heart to cover a stain.

My neckline is a little wide.

 

This dress was bought in the CS, it's only from Primani...lol but I love the prints! 

It is too big for DD.  I cut the bottom half.

 

 Looked for a top, 2-3yrs but quite stretchy and cut it in half, cut the sleeves too because it was long-sleeved.

Turned it into a t-shirt dress.

Great for twirling!

 

She wore it to the park today and a friend of mine immediately recognised that it's one of my homemade dresses...lol... One day I hope they won't be able to tell :)

Painted dining table and chairs

Finally finished painting the table and chairs.  I didn't plan to paint the table top but there was too much sanding to do and I didn't have the patience.  It's too white! but never mind.  The carpet still needs changing and I'm hoping to find a rug to go under but for now I'm finished painting.
Ooops, the middle bit for extending still needs painting.

The before pic isn't mine but very similar with the same chair covers too.