A mixed bag....

Its a mixed bag today and what could be nicer than starting off the day with a little thank you gift,  a wonderful bag of beautiful chunky yarn, how lucky am I?  Mmmmmm just lovely 100% wool and a gorgeous shade of baby blue...I am thinking a nice cosy throw knitted on great big needles to cuddle up with over the Christmas holidays.Now that is my plan of what to knit and I actually promised you completed projects, so on with some silly knitting... cute little felted hearts... a free pattern from the talented Mochimochiland, yes free! You just print it off and knit, I made them over breakfast with my little ones chatting away about their day to come... The eyes are optional, but kind of make me smile!
Talking of hearts a little knitted mobile for a new baby... I had no heart pattern at this stage and I was trying my hand at designing my own pattern, it needs a little work, but the end result is rustic and that's the look I wanted...
So on to sewing... I am being inspired by this new party skirt, just far to pretty to hang in the darkness of a wardrobe, it is in my sewing room, it is just the most beautiful fabric, it makes a wonderful swishing sound when you move in it and it is guaranteed to make any girl feel like a princess...  
I seem to be making more clothes now than bags, maybe its seasonal? Funny how these patterns of creating  go.  With all the rain we have at present a fabric bag is far from practical. Whilst I am limiting my fabric buying at present (saving up for a blow out at the Harrogate show) I have made a small purchase... I went to IKEA for a new table cloth, I was uninspired by the selection but spotted this fabric, I think it will jolly up breakfast time a treat and with a clear plastic cover over it, I can relax around the children and their creative endeavours.
I have been playing about with some Christmas gift ideas, I am planning on backing a couple of journals for some friends that will appreciate this kind of gift...  this tree idea is appealing, its not perfected yet but its fun playing with the idea... seasonal trees... 
Summer Tree... Autumnal Tree... (click on to picture for greater detail) 
Ideally  a silk painted  landscape for the backing fabric would be stunning, in reality time will not allow this.
A couple more blocks for the quilt have been finished, some applique and a block which involved a protractor... I have not used one of these since my school days and even then I had no idea what to do with it, suddenly it all comes together...
Its also a chance to raid the button stash.  The green Amy Butler fabric is by far one of my favorite designs, the colour is perfect, its my favourite colour!
A mixed bag of things today and no flow at all, I have yet to find my Winter groove and I am so not feeling it yet... I am trying, maybe trying just too hard... the cooking is no longer summer foods, its been replaced with stews, chunky crusty bread, soups and for the children they seem to want warm rich flavours.  
With the onset of the dark evenings, the outdoor play is no more after school, instead we are having to think about what we want to do, some nights we just chill out and others we...well, make a mess!!! 
But with some smile inducing results...
Ah I have always had a secret passion for play dough, the colour, texture and smell... 
SO how to escape this winter funk that I find myself in, looking around the house and my garden I am reminded  that summer is a long time off, how I long to stand on the beach, to listen to the movement and power of the sea, to feel the grains of sand scratching at my skin, the wind making my eyes stream with tears and the smell of fire burning in the evening light... this is what I do when I need inner strength.  BUT, with the sea so far away and prospect of cold wet winter days ahead, whats a girl to do?
Time to move on, and look at the positive.  The rich, lush  shades of red that mark the coming of the  holiday season, its that in between time, Winter is here and the festivities are just around the corner, right now however they all seem so far away. I received my first Christmas card today, the calender already has a few parties dated in  and I am well and truly involved in the Christmas planning at school, but just now the only bit of this promise is a room in my home, a room every spring I want to paint yellow and every winter I am pleased I have not... I love the reflection of the light in the glass of the picture and you can just make out the horizon of hills that can be viewed from the window.  Yes it feels like a transitional period... a time of change, in a short period of time Christmas cheer will be all around us... 

Circles in the sand...

So our weekend was a little more than a couple of days, we had so much fun we thought we would stretch it out a little...
 This visit to the beach was yet another success, we had a couple of days of great weather and a couple of days of rain...as you would expect with our British summer.  Lots of playing got done, both by this Mommy and the children...The silk socks got finished... 
...and the boys spent lots of time rolling around in the open air...
A small amount of sewing has been accomplished, I am so missing my sewing time, I know however once the summer is over I will be back to it so I comfort myself with a small projects just to keep that addiction fed! So another block for my latest quilt is complete...

The weather was set to change so we thought we would head home, we spent the morning on the beach and then hit the road...

As I drove the rain came down and what should have been a couple of hours in the car went on to be nearly five hours, driving through torrential rain and at one stage I was unable to see the markings on the road...scary...I arrived home and went straight out to my knitting night...It was good to be back home and  immediately slipping back  into the the rhythm of home life...when I returned, I popped a pizza in the oven and caught a glimpse of myself in the oven (we have a mirrored oven) due to the stressful drive I had huge panda eyes, as I had rubbed my eyes whilst driving to try and relieve the stress of all the concentration needed to NOT crash the car...I ran in and then out again and had not looked at myself...So I should now rename the blog...PANDA SEWS, KNITS, CRAFTS AND MOTHERS!!!

Weekend baby!!!

Not a lot got done this weekend, but do not get me wrong, it was a good weekend. On Sunday I spent most of my day being snuggled up with my babes especially the littlest one as the wind and rain continued to attack the area...We did a bit of this...
Why...Mommy had the day sewing on Saturday and had a rare day away from the children...well they missed their Mommy and Mommy missed her babes so the next day my cuddle tank got filled to over flowing...
I did have a good day sewing I spent the day working on some basic blocks, I worked on three in all and just need a little time now to finish them off so they can join the pile for my next quilt...
So at the start of the week its been an exciting day, mostly filled with water...lots of water...I am surrounded by floods, the school evacuated some of the the children for fear of the roads becoming to flooded to use. I drove past a house I love in the village and have enjoyed watching the convertion from a derelict barn to a lovely family home, as the water rushed over all the sand bags straight into the front door, such sadness...
The Suzie Sews household is actually quite safe at the moment as we are on a hill, so after all the excitement, the children asleep, the house is tidy...its time to relax and I will worry about tomorrow when it comes...for now though its a glass of wine and a bowl of cherries!

Honey...

Madness...the last few days have been a bit of a 'making' frenzy...Usually I plan to make something and other things take over...housework, food shopping, cooking and even a little socialising...not this time...busy busy busy. So without further a do I will 'show and tell' First I would like to introduce you to the new member of the 'Suzie Sews family' this is Honey Bear. Yer!!!I made him! I know I am in shock myself...I went on a one day work shop taken by a member of my patchwork class. This is not something I have ever felt a need to make, but as I like the person doing the class and it was a good excuse to spend the day at my sewing machine I went along. The day did not disappoint. Now let me tell you...there is nothing cute about making bears...pins, washers, making holes and sticking in huge needles...not very cute at all...but look at the results...How cute is he!!! Of course the children all wanted a cuddle and to claim him for themselves, but as he is jointed and with glass eyes he is more of a Mommy kind of bear...The children named him, it was between Shmoo, Toffee and Honey and Honey won.
Now for a little late night crafting due to not being able to sleep I got round to making the cushion to match the quilt (see previous posts), it helps as the cushion pad is a very fluffy feather filled one and it makes the perfect little Autumnal set to snuggle under whilst doing a little hand sewing or knitting as the nights are now so dark and cold!!!
Its not just been me that has had the sewing bug...my two babes have taken to sitting on the sofa in my sewing room and as long as I provide them with their leap pad's or some books they tend to sit there quite happily. I noticed yesterday my older one eyeing up my machine and then he got upset 'Mommy have you got rid of my sewing machine???' In the clear out to make the play room in to a sewing room the children knew a lot of the toys they had grown out of got taken (with their OK) to the Hospice charity shop. Of course I have not got rid of it, its all packed away in the corner...'BUT!!!I want to sew now' What was a Mommy supposed to do...SO with a scrap of fabric he got busy making a bean bag, he filled it with split pee's (dried ones) and hand sewed the gap...now I know it does not look that much, but as my little one has had a hearing problem for many years his hand eye co ordination is not as good as he would like, so this is a major achievement for him, as for me I am one proud Mom!
Saturday was my patchwork class and I am now on to another quilt...yes I know the last one is not yet finished...Anyway after a rather sleepless night I found this class incredibly hard...I just could not get it...suddenly I had one of those light bulb moments and it all came together...I just have to sew the eight pieces together and my first block is done. That night I return home, put the children to bed and fell asleep with my youngest one (Oh the power of that child's cuddles) and I awoke the next morning after ten hours sleep...It is over eight years since I have slept like that...EIGHT YEARS!!!
Now I know not many people know this, but I am a qualified florist, this was the career I fell into (well actually...gently pushed) when it was felt that art college was a little to bohemian for a fragile daughter like myself. As with most careers when art is involved the pay was very low and I was unable to support myself so I sadly gave it up and worked in a travel and sales. I miss this profession and I am aware that even now if I went back to it I would not even be able to cover the childcare costs. So every now and again I get to make an arrangement for Church. This week was special as it was a wedding so I had three large pedestals to make. Armed with four buckets full of flowers and greenery cut fresh from my garden I got busy...sadly I did not get a picture of the three pedestals finished, but this one gives you an idea of what they looked liked, it was requested that lots of ivy and cream flowers be used with a touch of gold...

So busy busy busy...I am off to make a rabbit cushion now...projects not shown that has been worked on over the last few days... baby bibs, crochet squares, knitting and some lovely Reading...an amazon order arrived with some great books I have seen out there in blog land...

Feeling special, thank you...

I am feeling very special today, I received a fantastic parcel in the post from the wonderful Quilting Debbs. I have just deleted a very long emotional post about the ups and downs of my emotions, heavy stuff so I am going to go with the English stiff upper lip and side line all the emotional stuff so as not to bore you. Never the less it is important to say that Debbs, having read my blog for a while, actually realised through my witter that I had been feeling down, I am so touched by this and I really do thank her form the heart. What a lovely thing to do. My delight is also in the beautifully made pin cushion, the choice of colours, I so love gingham, if you could be a fabric gingham would suit me in personality. Not only that, but Ric Rak, I have trouble sewing this on in a neat line and this is so fiddly, is beautifully done. I thank you Debbs.
I mentioned I had splurged on fabric over the weekend and this was my buy. I am so excited about it, what is it with fabric, I laugh when I say buying fabric is my 'Prozac' but you know I believe it, it makes me feel giddy and full of possibilities, sad maybe, but I could do worse things. Mmmmm just look at that eye candy. Yum!!! The first is a Moda fabric, sort of pre quilt...I plan to make a lap quilt for the winter, quilt the batting and backing with the top fabric, embroider some linen squares, design not decided yet, I have even already bought the backing fabric a lovely soft flannel dark cream sheet, which is washed ready for action. On my quilting course one of the girls brought in a quilt she was making at home and it has really fired me up to make one for myself using this fabric. The two green pieces are for stash, the pink...what can I say I have loved this since I fist saw it, sadly it was out of my price range but I thought I would invest in the sale, I am slightly disappointed though as there is a permanent mark right in the middle of one of the ruffles which makes it a little difficult to cut round so the planned project might have to change. The owl print is to make a spare pair of PJ bottoms for my youngest. As for the plastic lolly makers I bought these a couple of weeks ago, they are still unused and sitting on the kitchen window ledge, they look so pretty, a pound shop buy and they look real neat. Maybe when the sun does eventually shine here they might actually get used. In the meantime I am getting some joy out of their design, more as a work of art than a functional object.
I had an email about Charlie and Lola, so I thought I should show you an update on how they have grown, I came back from my week away in disbelief, they had got so big...
Can you spy the cushion in the background. I did plan to blog about this in the future, but as its sneaked into the picture I thought I would mention it. It needs no introduction I am sure you must recognise it, its from fellow blogger Treefall. I had so admired these cushions and pictures, so when it was my birthday I treated myself to the cushion and matching picture, its every bit and more what I thought it would be, the quality is superb. The picture is at a local shop being framed as we speak, well actually they said it would take two weeks, but I do like to support local business. Having done my early morning blog reading I have just discovered she has a new set for sale, maybe mine needs a partner!!!

Talking of spending money, what better way to make it go further than shop at sale time. Oh that's right the sales are already on. I have just completed mine, I have topped up my wardrobe with the Boden sale. As for luxury I paid a visit on invitation to Cath Kidston and finally bought the sewing box I have had my eye on for over two years, because I need one to add to the other three I already have!!! Well actually I also treated myself to a garden chair for the back of the car for when the sun finally shines. Lots of picnics planned for the summer holiday and I shall do it in style this year!!! Go on check them out, what will you go for?

As for the response on schooling this week I am still reading all the emails and taking it all on board, a lot of thought needs to be put into this from me and I thank you and value your opinions so much.

Just fooling around...

I am having such a nice time at the moment. Funny when the kids are off school how relaxed it is around here. Yer, OK! so I lose those precious hours in the morning when I do the housework and blog, but not having to be in and out of the car, having time to walk, slow down and just enjoy my kids company. Bliss... The first day of the holiday was Friday, my youngest was still in nursery, so the older one and I had special time and went out for a tea and chat (he had juice). It is funny, I so never wanted the baby days to end, but we are in a whole new time now, we talk and laugh and share our idea's on the world, its a great stage. Once we had collected little brother we just mooched around the garden and then a trip to story time at the library, this brought lots of memories back for my older one as we used to go every week before he started school and do you know the librarian remembered him, he was so pleased. On Saturday it was 'Mommy's Day' it was my patchwork course, this was the block we did this month, and next month we are on to putting the quilt together with its boarders etc...a bit scared of this part.
So with the holidays up on us the craft box is all ready, full of last minute make and do! I wounder what they will make this week...See the plastic box, this was a bargin, only £3.00 and full of glitter, lolly sticks, pom poms, fibers, googly eyes etc. COOL!
To add to the joy a little thrifting, my new apron, such a lovely print, sorry it totally clashed with with raspberries. This little sweetie was 35p!
I leave you with some of the fooling around in the garden, playing tents, as only a four year old can. Archie is most interested in this. He is so loving having all the extra company.
Let me tell you he has been a tinker since Charlie and Lola (our GP's see previous posts) arrived. He got extra cuddly which I though real cute, then after a nearly a year of being house trained he started peeing in the house. HORROR!!! Anyway I think we have got him sorted now, lots of extra love and cuddles and he especially stays around me at the moment I think he is reassured he is part of this family. As for Charlie and Lola, just too cute, they chat all the time, their little noises are so cute. Have a good week and I will catch up with you in a few days as I am spending some time with the children.

Just a personal note to say thank you to all those who have read my blog and those who have supported me with lovely comments. Its my 100 post soon and in true blogging tradition I am going to do a little freebie. So watch out for that post, hopefully some people might delurk and say HI. I am thinking about either some fabric or some wool, depending on what the winner is in to, or if not a little gift, anyway something that would make you happy to come through your post box!!!

All over the place...

ALL over the place, both mentally and physically, I am unable to concentrate on one thing before my mind hops on to the next, I feel I need a good tidy up, so bare with me... I want to thank you (and I will do personally by email) for all of your support over the sad loss of my cousin. I had such a busy couple of days I told myself I was just going to get on with it. I think this had an impact on me in a way I did not expect as I ended up ill on Sunday and spent most of the day in bed, I could not even face picking up my knitting. I slept a lot and spent a lot of time thinking of my cousins direct family, her husband, sister and Mother who were all there at her parting. It brought back a lot of pain about my Dads death and from what I have been told those final moments were both very similar, my heart truly goes out to them. A braver women you could not hope to meet, to fight with such dedication and zest for life. With that heavy guilt feeling we carry on, how strange it is that you get up and do the things you always do when such sadness is all around. I know this is an inbuilt thing so that we cope and keep going. So I shall carry on with my witter, I had a special moment last week, I actually took time out just for me in my garden, the day before I had done a lot of gardening and I enjoyed the rewards, the sun was shining, the children were out and instead of running around doing house work, I sat in my favourite corner of the garden, plugged my ipod in my ears, made a pot of tea and sat for and hour (or so) and finished my older ones tank top. Oh it was bliss. Before I knew it it was time to throw down the knitting and do the nursery run, but that moment was very special.
Baking, I have baked cakes until they came out my ears, Friday was a none stop day. Fridays are always a little busy but this one was especially full. I went to lunch at a friends, I stayed later than I should so I missed my 'baking time' in the afternoon, I did the school run then had an hour between Drama class for my oldest, I ended up at a neighbours whilst our children jumped all their energy away on their HUGE trampoline. Again missed another baking window. So once I had finally got all the children home, settled playing in the garden, I put on the apron and stayed in the kitchen till nearly 10.00pm. Why, well Saturday was my patchwork class followed by the school PTA quiz night, as I am on the committee I had promised to bake in the hope of raising some more money. So trays of cakes later and very gooey chocolate cake...well I was worn out to say the least, I also managed to cook a roast dinner, including Yorkshire pudding for the family.
So I curled up in bed and actually slept well, so Saturday, I went on my patchwork course, we did two blocks this week, I am only showing you the heart at the moment, quite apt I thought. We worked on 'curves' and I have to say I found it hard, but I did manage to achieve the end result, I will get the other block photographed then you will realise just how many curves we did!
I love this day, I will be sad when the course is finished, the whole thing is great, including the drive over to the place. I do live in quite an outstanding place of beauty, full of history and the grit of time gone by. On the way back I actually stoped my car and took a few pictures, they do not really show its beauty and impressive size but it gives you an idea...I have watched the seasons as I drive through these hills and moor land, from Autumn, to snowy winter, grey wet rain and incredibly thick fog (not a trip I enjoyed) and now to the freshness of spring. I listen to the radio, with no children to distract me and take in the views. Its a great time, although a little nervous when I realised a man in a car had pulled up behind me, I made a quick retreat...
On arrival at home I unloaded my sewing machine and fabric goodies and got the kids in the car ( I am always welcomed by such love, lots of kisses and cuddles) get the baking and off we went to quiz night, it went on till 9.oopm and the children all got past their best, My table won the general knowledge round, yippee...it was through no help from me I can assure you. My poor little boy was so tired he lost his co-ordination and fell about four foot onto his head, my heart went out to him, so he spent the night curled up in my bed, so peaceful in his sleep. Yesterday he came in to wake me before he went to bed and we spent a lovely half hour chatting and giggling, kids laughter is truly the best tonic on this planet.

Eggciting times

OK its now the Easter holidays and we are full flow in Easter mode. If I need any inspiration, boy did I get it. A close friend of mine went on a business trip over the Pond and I asked if he would mind getting me a few magazines, so I could get in on the act of all the lovely magazines I keep reading about in blog land. Now he had a little trouble, with some help from Small Fox
he bought back this HUGE pile of magazines. Oh my I am spoilt, you just have fantastic magazines over there, my mind is buzzing with idea's. I am no longer a Martha Stewart virgin, I have actually read one of her magazines, seriously thinking about a subscription to this and ignoring the cost to have it delivered to the UK! Sadly and I should NOT complain, No Romantic Homes, I so wanted to see the article of fellow blogger Posy Gets Cosy...you all know the article I mean, I am sure I am the only one not to see it. As if this was not enough to shout about I also got my order from LaughingsHens
Take a look at these lovely knitting needles, there are actually five pairs, but I am already using one pair. Now I am also pleased to say that they are stocking Rowan fabric, Amy Butler amongst them too...this is very exciting because over here in little old England we don't get this kind of stuff, OK we have Liberty! Check out artsycraftybabe.
She is on a roll with her stunning bags, she has just finished one of Amy Butler designs, I have been rather put off doing one of her bags as I keep hearing how hard the pattern is to follow, I have been given hope to try, I love artsycraftybabe's way of just getting stuck in!
So School is out and I have both my babes at home and today has been the first official day of the holiday, to make things even better the weather has been fab!!! So we did a lot of splashing...
We put our tent up and we played Cowboys, don't you just love the horse, my Dad (now no longer with us sadly) made this for my first child and it warms my heart to know that it is still loved and being passed down. The tent was bought at Christmas, then saved for their birthdays, but as we went away it remained in its box, so it was our first chance to get it out, you just got to love Cath kidston. It was not all a whirl of playing! Mommy got to do a little sewing, it was my Patchwork course at the weekend and I wanted to sew in some detail to my block, So I went into my stamping room and raided my bead boxes and got busy with the needle, over a 100 hand sewn beads later, Ellie the Elephant was nearly (tail still to go on) finished. I enjoyed this one as I was allowed to break free from the guide lines and do my own thing!!!
She is rather jolly and I am pleased with her. It has made me want to get busy with some applique Tee's for the boys Easter presents.
Its now cooling off and in fact there is quite a chill in the air, the boys are sleeping and I am sipping a glass of wine, which reminds me I need to make supper before this goes to my head and I make no sense...OK I know....nothing new there then!!!

Apples and Pears

First of all I want to say a big thank you to the thoughtful words after yesterdays post. It was just one of those unexpected outpourings.
I also want to say hello to any one just checking me out after the very kind link from Little Cotton Rabbits. Look what came in the post, I have been after this fabric for a while, I am very please with it, I have a special project in mind for this. Hopefully it will turn out better than the photograph.
Today has been a great sewing day. It was my patchwork course. We did two blocks today and I have a little hand sewing to do at home, which once I have made supper I shall be doing.
I returned from a dreadful drive over the moors in fog to excited children as it was our PTA party evening. So loaded up with cakes and other goodies we arrived to a room full of giddy children. Who are now all sleeping...Ahhh time for Mommy to get busy...I shall just go and pop the kettle on.