ME.... In SEW Magazine!!!!

Yes yes I'm procrastinating!!!

But in my defense.... This is some great news!!!

I was contacted last month from the editor at SEW Magazine, about a email of the child's skirt I sent in. I was told I may be in the issue....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

TAH-DA

And here it is close up....

I am super happy. I know it's only a 1/8 of a page but to see my wee skirt and name in a magazine... It makes me quite the happy bunny!!

*****

On to other news...

Sewing Seams For 15 #2 is on it's way.... Here's a wee teaser!! Such a lovely fabric can't wait to show you what I'm up to!!

Till the next post...

:)

xxx

Little of this and a little of that!!

 Hello there peeps

It's been a few days since my last post... It's been busy over here at chez Traci :D 

The house is very nearly sorted.... Have to say I have had a mixed bag of emotions. I love the house but it's a little strange, Getting used to being on my own after the boys are away to bed, is going to take some getting used to. It's all evolution i suppose!

 

 

I have to say the new fire is definitely helping..

Do you have any ideas on how to decorate?? I want to get a little handmade loveliness going on but have hit a creative wall!!   

 

 I spent the other night doing a few more crochet flowers for my friend, she gave me some ends and asked for embellishments, she's a knitter and loves these!!!!

 We had a great day on the way to school the other day...

 

 Finn just couldn't wait to get home to get his superman costume on!! Look at him I'm sure he's gonna break hearts!!! :) Love you Finn :)

I hope you are all keeping well.... And are having better weather than we are here in dreary Derry.... So much rain and grey skies. 

xxx

Sewing is to resume!!

Hello there peeps

It has been a busy weekend over here at chez Traci... With all the unpacking and finding places for things!! I am very nearly there.... It is no easy task. I hope I'll have a lovely organized home by next week :)

All that being said, I do have moderate order. I have found a project that had been lying around for some time... I have decided this will be my first project!

 This is Amy Butlers Hooded Raincoat, it can be made in 4 lengths. I'm making it mid thigh, I love things with hoods...

This is from my stash, it's been in the stash FOREVER!!! I think it was meant for this pattern if I remember rightly. It is a michael miller quilting cotton called  ZEPHR... I love it! It may be seen as more of a winter fabric but I'm still gonna run with it!

Anyways that's all for today, I shall be cutting out the pattern tonight and keeping you posted!

xxx

Rainy day fun with Abakhan Fabrics

Well hello there again!!!

I told you I had another post lined up :) 

It was another 4 seasons in one day over here in Derry. So, me and the boys got on with some rainy day fun, Thanx to my lovely sponsors over at Abakhan Fabrics, 

I was sent over a cool wee soft toy kit (Which is now sold out!!)

 This was a monster making kit, The boys loved it... So age appropriate.. And came with everything needed to make it. It was all sticky bits and Velcro!!

 Look at the concentration on my wee boy!!

 Frazer loved getting involved!

 And  look at that for a TA-DA moment!!

 With the obligatory "fake smiles" shot!

The boys are still playing with their handmade toys, as you can see Finn is very chuffed!!

Abakhan Fabrics has a whole section on Kids crafts...

I will be getting a couple more rainy day activities for the craft box at this end .... 

Here are a few of my faves

• Cars & Copters - £1.50!
• Fimo kits for kids Robots - £5.95!
•  Green crafts for children -£12.99!
• Painting on stones - £6.95!
• Scrapbooking kit my stuff - £1.38!

There's something for every wallet there, I especially like the books... On first look they seem expensive BUT there are so many things to do in them, they are well worth it... I can't wait to get all nature like with the boys!! Not only do you get to do cost effective crafts with the kids, you have to find stones sticks and many other things that need to be searched for!!! A treasure hunt no less!!!

I hope you've enjoyed my wee write up, as much as I have enjoyed writing it!!

If you have any special requests then let me know in the comments

As ever thanx so stopping by.

xxx

I'm back & Finn's winning!!

Hello there, 

So it's been a few days since my last post... I now have a working computer, I am oh so happy! Everything seems to be back in place for me to get on with my crafty happiness.... Well I say that I still haven't  managed to gain a sewing room but, it's a work in progress!! I shall be getting the sewing room in order before I let myself get caught up in any other activities... Such as sewing or blogging.... Too much!! LOL

As for Finn's winning - We had out first ever sports day over at chez Traci.. I am such a proud mummy!! He did so well, a little too excitable for my liking, but to be honest it does mean he's like that all the time not just at home!!  There were bike rides, egg & spoon races, racing games and bunny hopping games.. What a wee star he was... Like I say super proud.

I hope your all keeping well... I shall be doing a wee write up in my next post let me know what you think!!!

Happy Thursday to y'all

xxx

They say it comes in 3's

Hey there peeps...

I have been missing in action again... They say it comes in 3's

1- My camera broke..

2- my sewing machine died..

3 My laptop is unhappy~ the kids spilt a glass of water on it

All in all things are at a stand still...

I still have hope for my laptop... I have to back everything up, and go for a full recovery then see what happens. I have managed to pick up a second hand 14mp camera for £35! So thats a plus and last but not least a dear long distance friend is sending me her spare sewing machine!!!!

I shall not be out of action for long!

And when I do get back I can regail you over my adventures of moving house... And attempting to downsize the sewingroom!! LOL It's no easy task for a fabric and notion hoarder!!!

Hope everyone is keeping well

Does anyone have any happifiying words of wisdom?!?!?!?

I'd love to see them in the comments!!

Take care

XXX

My current reads... And my new home find!

Hiya AGAIN!!!!

I told you I was on a roll, third post today huh!!

I took back my library books... With not to many late charges! I photocopied some of the projects for my to make folder which is now bursting I might add... I so can't wait to get my sewing room back up and running! I have found a new house so will be moving in the next 2 weeks!!! But that's for another post! Keep on track Traci!!

So on to the new books on loan...

 QUEEN OF CRAFTS

JAZZ DOMINO HOLLY

I LOVE this look it's a mixed bag of sewing, knitting, baking, gardening and so much more, this is going on my wish list!

***********

50 Fabric Animals

marie claire

This book is filled with all the patterns required to make the 50 animals of all shapes and sizes.. I shall be photocopying a couple to try out.

bright & breezy patchwork

R. Norum & H.A Krohg

There are a couple of projects in here I like, the instructions seem easy enough.

practical sewing techniques

RUTH SLEIGH-JOHNSON

I'm not fussed on this book, I love a book with way more visual aids!

FLOWER POWER PATCHWORK

ANNE-PIA GODSKE RASMUSSEN

OOHHhhh I lurve this book.. This will be on the book shelve in no time! There is a knotting/crochet bag I have to make!!

Well that's my current books... I'm off to the photocopier to get that to do folder bursting a little more!!

What are your reads... Firm faves Do share in the comments I always like a good recommendations!

xxx

Flea Market Finds #2 2012

Hello there peeps, 

How is everyones day going?? 

I am on a blogging roll, I have a few posts that I want to write. But I have to share this one first, I have had a great week thrifting, I am always on the hunt for vintage sheets & pillow cases they are defo a firm fave... I will soon be able to use my Accuquilt Go Cutter and make a couple of fab quilts.This week find was a single duvet cover, I have to say there were a couple more that I loved but, I had to leave them and hope they are still their still there next week!

 So here it is.... Do you love it?!?!?! I do!!!!

My other finds were not from a thrifty store.... But my much loved library, They had a fantastic book sale on. Fill a box for £4. I managed to get a few that I had been lusting over... I reckon if you want to know me more, then my book selection should help sus me out... I'm all about creating, researching, my boys & bettering myself or trying too!

I hope you've all had a little thrifting fun this week..

Check out more Rummagers over at her library adventures!

xxx

Abakhan Fabrics, Sewing Seams for 15

Hello there peeps....

So this post has been in the pipe line for to long, why you ask? Life and Laundry is why! 

I was approached by the lovely Abakhan Fabrics, and asked if I would like to write for their news section on their site... I have to say I was so excited to be contacted... I mean me!!!! Anyways on to the nitty gritty.

I will be writing a post once a month called.... Drum roll please!

"Sewing Seams For 15"

The idea is for just £15, yes fifteen pounds, you can make a garment/outfit for you or yours, whatever takes your fancy! I will be making a garment/outfit every month, hoping to give you inspiration by the bucket load... I mean if I can do it, YOU most certainly can too!

So for my first SSFF (Sewing Seams For 15) I wanted to get straight in to making something for my boys. I always find that sewing for men and boys can have it's challenges... I mean finding a pattern worth it's salt is hard enough!

 

So when I came across this wee bute, I thought right this is the one. It's not a everyday jacket I know, but I thought it was very "cool" not to sure if I'm showing how not up with the kids I am saying that, I think it's all "sweet" & "ream" now!!! 

 I am very happy with the collar, I reckon it turned out well... There was alot of basting which I found time consuming but alas look it's crisp indeed!!

 The buttons came from my stash, I was not to sure to begin with because I had a wooden set in the frame but ... I think that these turned out perfect!!

 I love the linen... Looks so fresh!

Check out them seams!!!

They match!!!

(even if they do need a little press, the trials of working with linen!!)

*********

So on to my wee model shoot!

This months model is my Finn...

Our rainy photo shoot!!!

What a smile!!

The trousers were just the right length...

They are oh so very comfortable I'm told!

I have to say I had so much fun with this challenge, I done alot of research for it and I have a few helpful links to share with you, I am so a visual learner so these would have helped me when I first started sewing, and a great refresher for me now!

*Working with linen ~ Fantastic with more links

*Sewing curved pockets ~ Simple but great tip

*Sewing a vent ~ It's for a skirt but a great visual

******

 So on to the numbers huh!!!

~ Pattern 
Age 1y-4y

£6.50

~ Elastic 

1 Meter
(with some left to stash!)

£0.65

~ Interfacing 

1 Meter
(with 3/4 left over for stashing)

£0.89

~ Linen

 3 x 1 meter

£11.05
(You will only use 1.5 meters so 1.5 for the stash!)
£6.03

~ Buttons
x4 metal anchors @ £0.36 = £1.44

TOTAL £15 exactly!

So there's my first instalment of 

"Sewing Seams For 15"

I hope you guys have enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed sewing/writing it..... Any questions comments or suggestions, I would love to hear them in the comments below, I read and answer all. Just check back later on. I hope to see you all back next month.

This was a sponsered post

Abakhan Fabric

xxx

Manchester Part 2

Hello there, I may seem MIA but I am sewing away... And catching up on the never ending washing I have in my life!!

I thought I would take a quick break and have a wee ramble!!

I have been pretty slack on the photo taking whilst in Manchester, don't know why I'm normally clicking away!! Anyways here's a couple I thought I'd share...

Finn enjoying a stringy cheese and ham toastie!!

There's very little space for kids over in Manchester city centre, that being said there is a massive green patch that the boys love playing cars in. If you look real close you might just see then looking teeny tiny!!

I couldn't resist this photo opportunity.. Talk about not travelling light!!! 

You can tell your back in Ireland when you have all this greenery and animals around!!! What a sunset it was to come home too!

Hope your all having a great Saturday.

xxx