This Mama knits and this Mama sews.

Chicks finally arrived for our spring nests.

Bamboo face cloths for birthday friends.

Dolls for the Woodland group fund raiser.

And then along came the dinosaurs.

This Mama is sewing and her boy is loving it.

Train Trousers

Its been a year since I had a short lived affair with my sewing machine, trousers for my boy were made http://abigsmile4.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-am-knitter-not-sewer-including-30.html tried on, deemed too tight, folded up, put away and forgotten about, needles and yarn in hand once more and all was well again.
But O is once again in need of some Summer adventuring trousers and with a trunk full of wonderful fabric, gifted from a friend, it felt wrong to hit the high street and part with cash.

So with O at playschool,Woman's Hour on Radio 4, I dusted off my neglected sewing machine once more.The faithful thing, sprang straight to life and these trousers were made in just less than an hour, an hour, for goodness sake.O has decided they are just right for driving trains in.

Excellent pattern and sewing advice, came from here http://handyprojects.blogspot.com/2005/04/how-to-make-easy-kids-pants.html

Plans for two more pairs to be made this lovely, long weekend, O has chosen dinosaur and batik fish fabric, just perfect for Summer fun.

Rainbow Sewing

I have very kindly been allowed to join a crafting swap group based in America.
Themes are posted and when one takes your fancy, you sign up to make 5 items ( all the same ) plus an extra as a Thank You to the person organising the swap.In return you receive 5 different items, all hand made with love.
The theme that inspired me was "Rainbows"

I made 6 tissue/cloth holders, using this wonderful, easy pattern

http://www.ehow.com/how_2337635_sew-cloth-tissue-holder-purse.html and this fabulous fabric.

I popped 2 cloths ( my trial pieces ) into the holders.

I hope they see passed my wonky lines and feel the fun I had creating them.

Another May "to do" crossed off.

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I have added a "Blogging Week" list in the sidebar, am missing inspiration for Tuesday and Thursday, any suggestions ?

Spring Time Buds

Sweet smelling tokens of love and friendship.
Celebrating the fresh buds of Spring.

Next came a Bird

I am wondering, if I can start calling myself a sewer yet.

I have added sewing as a topic in my labels, it has 2 entries now .. got to count for something and then all your wonderfully kind comments, really made this new "sewer" smile, thanks so much.

I am a Knitter not a Sewer ! including 30 Days of Beauty : 14

My poor sewing machine, which has been with me for many years, mostly lies dusty and unused in the cupboard under the stairs ( very Harry Potter ish ! )
But recently, instead of lusting after all the wonderful bits and pieces other bloggers seem to always be up to but sitting on my hands ( and piles of stashed craft equipment ) and not giving them ago, I have decided to just get on and do them.
Finding the time has been easy, one rule ... switch off the TV for the whole evening or at least a couple of hours.
So out came the sewing machine, quick dust down and we began to make friends.

Inspiration came from here
http://www.rookiemoms.com/make-some-easy-kids-pants/
and as with most things from Gill, who always gets things done !

I had no t-shirts to use, so ordered some cheap material from ebay ( gotta love it ) sent N to the pub, children to bed and set to.


The above photo is for my 30 days of Beauty project, proving to myself I am no longer just a Knitter but a Sewer too.

The finished trousers in all their glory and 101+ mistakes, I can tell you them all, not least of all is the snugness of the waist but hey I learnt to love my sewing machine, enjoyed my evening and

the delightful giggles and jumps of excitement from O this morning, so makes it worth it.

I am stupidly over-the-top proud of seeing my boy in Mama-Made trousers and funky animal trousers at that !