Doodles

I have recently found, quite by accident a thing called zentangles. It is drawing shapes random or a set shape and doodling in the shapes. Rather like we all did as children, drawing a scribbly shape and colouring it in but instead of colouring you do repeating patterns in each shape.
I don't go for "zen" stuff but I do like the art work, so if you fancy a go have a look at it here!

This pattern for soft padded bags came from the wonderful "Sew Hip " magazine. I have tweaked it a bit, but the idea is great. I made these for Christmas for my daughter and my son's girlfriend

These were made for friends too in the fabric of their choice. They are fun to make and very useful too.
The cup of tea is optional, or in my case essential to the sewing experience!

Last makes of the old year

I treated myself to a book in November and this pegbag pattern was in it, I must say I don't know why I made them, but amazingly have sold three already!

Also made a few Christmas stockings, which also sold well.
BUT...in the creativity stakes God beat me hands down, there is so much beauty in the detail of creation.

"Suzie and Lyn's Home-made Fair"

The day of the "Home-Made by Suzie and Lyn" has been and gone and we raised an amazing £745 so far! Half will go to BMS India and the other half to Romanian Summer Camps for children. We sold lots of cards like the ones above, quilts, Christmas stockings, bags, serviette holders, and numerous other bits.
We reckon if we feed the husbands with cake and tea/coffee thier wives are happy to browse and spend the money! So lots and lots of cake was made......and consumed! I spent the previous evening icing 120 fairy cakes plus 3 victoria sandwiches, 2 lemon cakes, 2 fruit cakes, 3 mini cakes and 200 biscuits.

A few bits and bobs on a table

And more stuff, people just came and seemed to enjoy the home-mades.

Cards sold well,

and the little bags, but not the pincushions. People from both our Churches and the Hospice where we work and neighbours came too. We still have a few orders to complete which will bump the overall total up.

I am so tired now....I need to lie in a darkened room for about a week I think!

Excuses for my absence!

This is why I have been away, I am having another sale of handmade stuff next Saturday and these are some partly made cards for it.

I have been making pictures, quilts, cards, potato sacks, tea cosies, serviette holders, bags, pencil rolls and numerous other bits and bobs. This time I am not alone, the friend above and I have joined forces to hopefully raise more money for the causes. Last time in summer the end total was £4oo, so I aim to beat that. The money is again going to India, in particular Koltata where my daughter went in summer to work with the street children in a school.

I have alot of sewing to finish off this week and alot of cakes to bake for the day, I'm on holiday this week but sadly have 2 funerals happening, one is my Aunty and the other a friend, both to cancer. Not the way I saw my holiday! Anyway here's hoping next week will raise alot of money to make a difference in childrens lives.

Inspired by Kaffe Fassett...but not as good!

I have long been inspired by Kaffe Fassett and his wonderful colourful designs, and while on holiday this year I picked up a book of his in a second hand shop called 'Glorious Interiors'. There is a chapter about mosaics and I had an old garden table that was crying out for something to revamp it. I had a great time doing it...but I think I have made it into a useless piece of furniture!

It's not grouted yet but it's so bumpy and uneven you will never balance a cup or plate on it again! I have even put cup handles upright on it...click on the pictures for a better look!

My son's girlfriend suggested I saw the legs off and hang it on the wall as a piece of art, and I might just do that!

If you click on the label 'mosaic ' on the side of the blog you can see the original I was inspired by!

Finger painting

Last week we had a "Family Fun Day" at our Church. About 90 children and their families turned up and I was hosting a table doing finger painting. I had done a few sample ideas but once the children started there was no stopping their creativity......I loved the dinosaur above!

I had done a catapillar as an idea but isn't it funny how children leave gaps between each red fingerprint where the original was joined to each other!

Mum's had a go too and as you can see face painting was also on the menu! There was chess for the adults, a quiz, musical instruments, origami, skipping contests, and tea and home-made cake for the adults to enjoy.