the fat sparrow - pattern purchased from the craft hive in Liverpool Street Hobart

I bought this sweet pattern when I was on holidays visiting my very clever and creative friend Rachel Bullen in Hobart, Tasmania. I am reluctant to post this pattern though because it belongs to a lovely woman who opened the shop THE CRAFT HIVE. She is a teacher for primary children and special needs. She also runs this craft store with her own creations and those of local artists. You might be able to order this pattern at:

- www.thecrafthive.com
- facebook.com/thecrafthive
- http://twitter.com/thecrafthive

I will try to create a similar pattern of a different small creature as time goes by and post it for free but best not hold ur breath as I have so so much to learn!! He he

I found this little sparrow was very relaxing to make and great for a beginner like me!!! It would be a good present for young girls too!! It reminds me of my friend Rachel and our fun adventures. Happy sewing! xo xo

Clutch - pattern from Kelly Doust - The Crafty Minx

I am seeing my friend for lunch today to celebrate her Birthday and I am giving her this clutch so she can use it for whatever she likes. I will suggest it will be good for holding combs, lippy and a mirror in her desk at work. This fits because we used to work together (in fact she was my boss!!!) Humorously the other reason I will suggest this is because I have had severe trouble sewing on the press studs so it is not secure because it is without studs. oh well!!! It still brings joy to look at the nice fabric!!

This pattern comes from the book The Crafty Minx by Kelly Doust. I just love love love this book. It gives inspiration and PERMISSION to enjoy craft. I always felt like enjoying craft was somehow selfish and a time waster but realising how happy it makes me I can no longer even entertain that mind set. I hope you all get to look at this book. I really like Kelly Doust's images, lay out, fabrics, creativity and the kind,ethical values that thread through the book. Once again I am reluctant to post her pattern because it is hers but I will try to create a similar design in the future with my own twist and post it for free.

Kelly Doust has another new book out aimed at projects that older children (3 up) can enjoy. I love this book too but I don't have it yet and I think I will wait until I have made more things from the Crafty Minx before I buy it.

I found Kelly's website for you all at:

http://thecraftyminx.com.au/about/ and
http://www.kellydoust.com/

I cannot wait to explore them myself. Oh joyous quiet times. I am making the most of exploring this new hobby as in a week I will be starting my new course of study - School Teaching!!! I also think I will not sew for a little while because my beautiful boyfriend is returning home from six months of work overseas. I am bouncing off the walls with excitement to see him!! In the future I want to sew some curtains to cover storage spaces and to decorate things in the cute one bedroom apartment we are moving into.

I hope you enjoy your sewing and turn quiet times into happy colourful times with Kelly's ideas!!!!

Day 2

Thank you to my new follower Natalie Minkin and to Cherry, Amanda, Michelle, Kelly and Bec for liking my new blog site. I'm off to a patchy start. Sigh...I will have to turn to hand sewing for a little while as I have managed to break my machine. :( It seems it is not a good idea to sew two pieces of canvas together on a domestic machine! Who knew? My machine is having a good cry everytime I try to pass material through it now! Poor thing. I will have to put it in its box and give it a nice rest in the back of Travis' car.  When he drives his car up to Brisbane in a few weeks I will get it fixed at a place where I plan to do lessons.... Lessons! What a novel idea!! Today I am going to post photos of two small sewing projects that I have completed in the last few weeks. Happy sewing people! xx

Day 1

Very Soon I will post some photos of my first few sewing projects. xx