WOYWW - 17.08.2011


BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY....

Except it hasn't been THAT normal this week.  Picture if you will....a scenic campsite by the River Avon in Wiltshire. It's a calm evening, the sun is setting, all is peaceful.  But hark, what's that loud noise in the distance.  Oh, it's only Morti, Julia Dunnit and Yours Truly having a plum stone spitting contest....I tell you, that Morti can sure spit a distance, very impressive shooting!! *grin*  She won, by the way :D  Lil Miss B and Son No 2 had a great time playing frisbee in the dark with what looked like a flying saucer made out of glow-in-the-dark sticks joined together. Impressive work, Lil Miss B - it looked fantastic.  The beer was cold, the tent was amazing and the company was excellent - thanks for a great evening, guys!!

Then an old friend came to stay and commissioned a tote bag.  We had a fine old time comparing fabrics with linings, seeing what matched and what didn't. Other people's ideas on colour are so interesting!  Anyway, Lynne plumped for this combination, which I may say, looks tres chic.  The silvery grey fabric was a curtain sample that I bought from a remnant stand outside a shop in Salisbury; the black and white spot will be the lining with the black making up the handles and interior pockets. All cut out and ready to go!!


I've also been having a go at making one of the little pillowcase dresses (as featured on Wipso and Twiglet's blogs).  I had a go at making my own bias binding, which, although pretty, is time consuming, so I'll probably use ready made for future dresses.  Fun though and a new skill learned!


I read an article recently that indicated that hedgehog numbers are falling dramatically and no-one can work out why.  This little fella was snapped climbing over my compost heap at the bottom of the garden.  It was quite dark and I think he's the Usain Bolt of the hedgehog world because he was blooming quick (hence the blurriness of the shot!)


Anyway, enough waffling, Jan - cut to the chase. girlie.  The results of my first ever giveaway!!  I was so thrilled to get all the fab comments last week - thank you - and quite a few of you entered your names into the draw.  Well, Son No 2 organised it all this afternoon.....

First...we have all the entrants...


They were folded up and put into the bag......


He gave them a good swish around.........



And picked out......





Woohoo - congrats to you, Jennibellie.  If you could please email me your address via the contact at the top of the page, I will send it to you forthwith - with a little something inside as Doone informed me that it was good karma to do that!  Thanks again to everyone who took the time to get involved, it was much appreciated :D

May your crafting be happy and successful - have a good week!! xx


47 comments:

Annie said...

Love the little dress. You need a bias binding maker like mine....sooooooo quick and easy and the binding is so much softer and nicer for the wearer than bought bias. Here's a link to where you can get one [well worth the money]
http://caricrafts.co.uk/category.php?id_category=104
A great company I use all the time.....very reliable and the parcel usually arrives the next day.
Hugs,
A x

Franka Benjaminsen said...

Your mini dress looks very sweet and the black and white combination is perfect. Love the picture of your hedgehog. It's difficult to take a picture of them.

Today I hope to start with a cushion cover for the garden seats. Maybe I can show you them next week. Have a happy WOYWW.
xFranka

Sarah said...

A great post and I am about to attempt a dress too! - will not be doing my own binding...
Love the black fabrics on show today...
Thanks for sharing today,
Sarah (at 2)

Tammy said...

Happy Wednesday, Love the fabric choices for the bag, do share when finished

Helen said...

Congrats to your winner. Love the fabrics for your commissioned bag. Thanks for stopping by.
I need to see pics of the plum spitting!

famfa said...

That commissioned bag is going to look fabulous. Hope you will show us when it's finished. Congrats to winner.

debby4000 said...

That tote bag is going to look stunning with those materials.
luv
Debby

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Lovely fabric combination for the bag and such a sweet little dress:) I can second Wipso's recommendation, as I ordered from there too, although I am yet to try out my latest gadget.

Di said...

The dress and the bag you're going to make are both great! I've seen the bias binding maker demo'd and it looks like a really useful piece of kit - we'll spend your money for you Jan! Cute hedgy - as you say, they can run very fast so you did well to get this photo! Happy WOYWW, Di xx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there Lunch Lady Jan - ah so a winner was picked well done her (and also well done you)! loved the silent slow drum roll of the pickies! and also keen on colours on first pickie too, ah Wiltshire a lovely place would have loved to have been there for the plum stone spitting comp, yum!
Now I have made home made bias for piping on clothes (yes can sew just dont do it these days.. more is the pity)! happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x

Julia Dunnit said...

Shaz - you come over for spitting any time you're ready!!
Great pics of Usain the hedgehog..gosh it's starting to make me think of autumn.
I do love your friends chosen colour combo, and I know Jenniebellie will love her new bag. As will the girly that gets that little dress - how gorgeous it is.

JoZart Designs said...

Great fabrics and love what you are making with them too. love the pic of Mr Tiggywinkle. We used to get them often until the hedge blew down in a gale and we put up a fence so I think my Mr Tiggys got stuck on the other side of it!
Love JoZarty x
For non UK readers Mr Tiggywinkles is the name for the hedgehog sanctuary working hard to protect them so that's what I always call them now.

Morti said...

Helllooooo! I didn't really win, did I? It must have been because I was laughing hard and trying not to choke.... LOL. Fret not though, the picture of you and Mrs D will not be shown, not unless someone pays me a LOT of money, or donates the entire Spellbinders Nestie AND Shapeabilities collections. LOL.

I might have an idea for you - we have a large fabric bag lined with plastic that we use for camping bedding (Lil'Miss B has purloined it at the mo). I will have to show it to you, and see if you can't come up with something similar to it - I'd buy a couple more!

Spyder said...

lovely mimi bag and well done on the winner! Iguess of course , we should've all been spitting plum stones! But I might have swallowed mine!
Happy WOYWW
(Lyn)

voodoo vixen said...

Love the black and silver material colour combo... will be lovely together and as to the plum stone spitting contest... hmmm... there must have been wine with those plums! Sounds as though you had a fabby time messing about in the dark!!
I'm glad it wasn't only me that was surprised at the speed at which hedgies can travel... used to get them in my garden in Scotland... they love dog food!!

donnalouiserodgers said...

I'm supposed to be working but dropped by the blog at tea break and had to let you know - it is sunny - I think he may be a flasher.....

hope Jennie enjoys the bag and it's content,

I agree other peoples colour combo's are very revealing....

love the Soiree stories as told by you and Mrs D, must now go see how Monti recalls it...

dxxxx

ScrappnBee said...

Oh! Camping sounds like so much fun! We go camping on Mt. Rainier in 2 weeks. Cold beer and good friends...what more could you want! The little dress is adorable. Love the hedgehog pic! I'd rather have hedgehogs then groundhogs anyday! Thanks for sharing your WOYWW!-Amanda

Jingle said...

CUTENESSS!!! I love the bag you drew the number from, too!

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Congrats to the winner. Looks like you had fun on the campsite. :) Hedgehog looks adorable!

Hazel said...

Lovely sewing projects. You did well to get the hedgehog picture - Hazel WOYWW #65 x

Sue said...

Hi Hun
great post sounds like the stone spitting contest was fun! lol, gorgeous little frock, aww i dont see hedgies in my garden any more, congrats, Jenni, thanks for the mooch, happy WOYWW, sue,x

Anonymous said...

I keep hearing about this mad weekend away but so far no one is fessing up with the photos! My husband likes to sit on the deck and spit cherry stones, he tries to hit a metal birdbath we have and is quite accurate so you can imagine the noise!! Love the little dress and congrats to Jennibellie.

Hugs
Brenda

Yogi said...

that looks like a fun time had by all. Cute little dress and yes making your own seam binding is a little tedious, but oh so nice. Nice fabric for the tote.
Have a great day.
Thanks for commenting on my blog post.

marjoleincreatief said...

Thanks For THE tip of THE tent. Tried it today but also that ended in à fight!!!! Boys, ahhhhhh!!!!

The pattern of the fabrics you are showing are gorgeous!!!!
Greetings, marjolein

Kath Stewart said...

my heart just went boom when I saw your adorable hedgie friend...loving all the stitchy creations too....thanks for the crafty snoop..hugs kath xxx

dianneo said...

I bought material and printed a pattern found online for a pillowcase dress yesterday. I hope I get to it before my granddaughter gets much older!

Dragon said...

You are funny!! but interesting... tee hee and super stuff to ogle
Frankie
xx

Angie said...

well done Jenniebellie for winning your pretty bag ....love the material you are about to use for the new tote ...would look great hanging up on a hook in my craft/bedroom lol xx

The Crafty Elf said...

OK... you guys have way too much fun and I hate (not really)to admit it but, would fit in just fine with "The Girls Across The Pond". Cute picture of the Hedgie...

RosA said...

Hi LLJan, Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comments re. my knitting and the little collage (which is just made of leftover bits). I love that silvery material! And I used to make bias binding when I did a lot of sewing. Do you have the little gadget that helps you make it? It's worth buying.

okienurse said...

Great post today. Love the little dress you are making. The only way I would do my own seam binding is if I had the gizmo that turns and folds it for you. Congrats to Jenniebellie for winning that bag! Have a great week. Vickie

Tertia said...

Sounds like you guys had great fun! That tote bag is going to be great. One of my students got a Hedgie as a pet for her birthday (can you believe people keep them as pets!?) and its so cute!
Happy WOYWW

SueH said...

Sounds like you’ve had a hectic week Jan!
Love the photo of the little hedgehog, I think they are so sweet.
I haven’t seen any in my garden this year but at least I know they are around because of the little messages they leave on the grass for me. What I do have though are lots of cute little mice and BoJangles keeps bringing them home and letting them go indoors so I spend the next 30 mins. Trying to catch them…..little love!
That’s beautiful fabric your friend has chosen for her bag, what good taste she has.

Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Lovely fab for the tote..cutie Hedge and what fun to share laughs with wine and stones. Unstressing I'd call it. Everyone needs it. Have a great week and Happy WOYWW

Carola Bartz said...

I love that little hedgehog - years ago, when I was still living in Germany, there was a hedgehog who regularly visited me - or better say, the cat food that was out on my patio. She had young ones and one of the little ones one evening came into my room and munched up dead flies behind the heater.

Twiglet said...

That bag will be gorgeous! AND your little pillowcase dress is perfect - get Annie's little gadget for making bias binding - simples!

sandra de said...

Gorgeous bag and I love the colour combination. The cute dresses are going to be gratefully received.

Hettie said...

Gotta love the hedgehogs and I cannot believe someone as sophisticated as you (parasol!) would spit plum stones!! Good on Morti though!
My email is "sam@hettiecraft.biz". I am very intrigued but love surprises!! Who doesn't?
Still no internet so I have resorted to staying in lunchtime so I can play catch up with you lovely ladies. I cannot believe I have not been able to go on blogs since Monday - besides not being able to shop!! Arrrrgh!!

C said...

Adorable little dress and great bag! TFS!!

Neet said...

Great dress you have made and so clever to do your own binding - afraid my sewing days have gone.
Loved the hedgie you featured, I saw one at the bottom of our drive a few weeks ago going like the clappers.
Congrats to jennibellie and thanks for the snoop to you. Hugs, Neet

Elizabeth said...

Great fabrics for the tote - like the combination. Your little dress is very pretty even if the bias binding gave you grief ... but I've got to agree that shop bought binding is just not as nice. What you need is a Simplicity Bias Tape Machine - see it here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/items/__simplicity+bias_W0QQ_dmdZ2?rvr_id=257299740662&clk_rvr_id=257299740662&crlp=6988869683_228459_228459&UA=WVI%3F&GUID=35949a8e1250a0e202e75697ffb5f156&agid=2077817363&tm_kw=simplicity+bias&siteid=3&MT_ID=12&tt_encode=raw&keyword=simplicity+bias&geo_id=21&ff4=228459_228459

It will set you back a few months pocket money but make the job a doddle. Like Di says, we can spend your money for you :) Love Usain, love hedgehogs and love the Mr Tiggywinkles sanctuary that Jo mentions. Elizabeth x #70

laurie said...

Cute dress and hedgehog story! My hubby and I were out bikeriding and ran into a porcupine the other day. I think he was as surprised to see us as we were to see him!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Lavinia said...

Well what can I say....I am SO envious of you camping trip ages since i did that, makes me want to go get my tent out of the loft! however I would have been rubbish at plum stone spitting :-)) Liking the colours of the bag your making, let us see it when your done!! Mr Lavinia found a Hedgehog on the lawn the other day, sleeping right on the middle, wierd eh! but very cute, think he was lost!
Lavinia
x

HeARTworks said...

How amazing to find a hedgehog in your garden, or is that usual in your part of the world? So cute! I've only seen one in a zoo!

Karen said...

Finally net access after three days will have to catch up with WOYWW when I can....hit and miss still, sorry. Love your little pillow dresses, how cute!

Linda said...

The hedgehog is so cute. I have to settle for looking at groundhogs in my yard, they aren't as cute. Your friend picked out beautiful fabrics for her bag.

Jennibellie said...

Oh wow Jan - I cannot believe I missed this (again my head is hung in shame at having dropped off the planet for the last month) EEEEEEEE! I'm so excited, thank you so much, IT'S GORGEOUS! As is the fabrics your friend has picked, no doubt that'll be amazing too as they're in your hands. Thanks so much again and sorry for my absence, hugs Jenny x

WOYWW 769

 WE'LL MEET AGAIN.... I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while - please don't worry, all is ok! - think I just need a...