FO Friday

I haven't done a FO Friday for ages!!  Thought I'd do one today as I have a few FO's and I have the time this week (it being the half term break).
First up is a large tote bag to carry all of our (me and the boys) stuff around in.  I have been planning it for weeks (since I got into sewing) and have made a couple of trial project bags.  This week I finally finished it.  It is made from fat quarters that I sewed together.  It has 3 pockets and I coated the outside with Lamifix, to make it wipe clean.  Here it is in action!!

 We went to the zoo today.  I have been busy this week trying to get the products for my craft stall ready and feel like I haven't done much with the boys (just some swimming and some soft play!), so decided to treat them to the zoo.  We went to Port Lymphe.  This is part of the Aspinall Foundation and does a lot of work for endangered species.  It is set out like a safari and you take a truck ride through the park (which is huge) spotting animals as you go.

We had a fabulous time as you can see - this is the boys in the truck looking out for giraffes.

The second FO is also sewing related and I am particularly pleased with this as it is completely designed by me, made by me and I added a zip.  Considering I have only been sewing a couple of months, I feel very pleased with myself!!  Anyway it is a small lined purse that has a long strap that I can use to hold my money at the craft fair.  I have pictured it together with my new business cards and postcards!!  I like to be organised (although considering I have yet to sell 1 thing this may be overkill!)

I have several knitted items for the stall finished, but no items for me - I'm making good progress on my cardigan and hope to get that done for next week - we'll see!!
Lastly, I am reading something again that is not knitting related.  Apparently there will be a film out soon based on it (I don't really do films so I shall assume this is correct and if I blog about it I will not reveal too much!).  This is not a FO but thought I'd include it anyway.

I shall be linking up with Tami - if you want to see some more see the link on the right.

Works In Progress!

Thought I would join in for WIP Wednesday this week as it is half term and I have a little time and I have LOADS of WIP's all of a sudden!!

First up and nearly finished is my cardigan - a http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lucybowen/featherweight-wrap-to-knit - I am onto the arms and I hope to have it finished at the weekend.

Secondly, I am all set to embark on the Outfit-a-long with Andi Satterlund.  The idea is that you knit a garment and sew a garment that are designed to wear together.  I have decided on Myrna by Andi that I will knit in Malabrigo worsted in Fuscia.  I have also decided not to sew a dress, as I don't think I would wear it.  So I have settled on Delphine - a skirt by Tilly Walnes in her new book 'Love at First Stitch' and some fabric I had in stash.

It all starts on the 1st, so technically, it is not a WIP at the moment - just an idea in progress!!  If you fancy it, please join us - there are links at the side to Andi's blog or look up the untangled knots group on Ravelry.

Thirdly, and again only just a WIP (have only done a couple of rows and so have not even taken a photo!) is my Christmas jumper along again with Andi.  This time the idea is to knit a jumper for Christmas, and to start now doing it bit by bit to a timetable. My project page has my progress and a copy of this timetable:
Rib on body - July 1st
M1 pattern on body - July 1st
Bulk of body - August 1st
Start of M2 - August 1st
Sleeve 1 - September 1st
Sleeve 2 - September 1st
Yoke finish M2 - October 1st
Neck - November 1st

I think I may try to blog once a month about my progress - I will try to keep to the 1st of each month.
Lastly, I still have my tunic top all cut out waiting for sewing together.  Maybe, just maybe, I will have it done for Friday!!

I have finished some items and will post about those on Friday, when hopefully, I will have some more!

It is fairly dismal weather here in the South East of England - so hopefully, lots of crafting time.  The boys are playing nicely at the moment, so I shall make the most of it.

I will link up with Tami and visit everyone - if you want to join in the link is on the side!  Also linking with KCCO.

How to...sew a simple fabric flower brooch

These are really the easiest ever flower brooches to make!!
 You will need:

• Scraps of fabric (I used some from a free gift in a magazine to make these)
• Cotton thread
• needle
• brooch back
• button 
• 6cm diameter round piece of cardboard (to act as a template - you can use bigger if you want)
• optional tiny piece of felt and fabric glue
• fabric scissors

1. Using the template, draw 5 circles onto your fabric and cut them out.

 2.  Fold the circles in half

 3.  And fold a second time - like so!

4.  Tie a knot in one end of the cotton and sew a simple running stitch along the round edge about 3mm in from the edge

 5.  Continue with the running stitch through all of your folded circles until you have a tiny piece of bunting!

 6.  Then start to carefully pull the cotton through so that the circles start to gather.  Keep going until they bunch up together in a circle.

 7.  Stitch a couple of stitches between the first and last 'petals' to hold them in place.

8.   You should have something that looks like a flower now.
Now attach the button.  Spend a bit of time doing this and making sure that each piece of fabric is stitched through to hold it all securely in place.

 9.  At this point you can simply attach the flower if you want it permanently attached, or you can attach a brooch back.  The felt back is optional - I have done some with and some without.

 10.  You can add a small piece of felt to cover your stitching.  Use a drop of fabric glue and place on.










And there you go!!