More Swap Goodies and a Purse Frame

I'm participating in the Pretty Little Pouch Swap that is running on Flickr just now. I love this swap. I had to sit out the last round, but in the first round I had a lot of fun making a Boxy Pouch for my partner and the lovely Jules made me a pouch for my sewing supplies that I adore and use every day! This time I have decided to give purse frames a go, and decided to have a little practice before ruining starting work on my partner's pouch. I used a couple of the charm squares that I received from Cindy in the Japanese charm swap recently, and a cheapy little coin purse frame. I was pretty confident after reading the lovely Katy's post about frame pouches, but I was soon pulled down a peg or 2!!!

I found it pretty fiddly, and had bought a budget version of the glue that is widely recommended, which I regretted as soon as I started gluing. Never mind, my daughter loves her new 'Dinner money' purse and I have learned some lessons

• Don't make something tiny as a practice. Smaller is NOT easier!
• Don't think a cheaper version of the recommended glue will work just as well. It won't! There is a reason that people recommend something - listen to them!
• If you have a great tutorial to follow, Follow it! Don't skim it and then make up your own dimensions and way of doing things! Follow the tutorial! 
• Always do a practice run when you are trying something new. Your daughter will not mind glue dribbles and splats all over her purse. Your swap partner will!!!

I've ordered some glue, frames and supplies from U Handbag for my partner's pouch, and will proceed more carefully this time!

I received the second Goodie package from the Goodie Swap on Flickr. The lovely Dianne at Quiltova made me this beautiful Mug Rug and Needle case in my favourite colours! Aren't they beautiful?! She also included a sweet magnet and a postcard from the Czech Republic :)

And just because I like showing you all my morning cuppa......

 The Mug Rug isn't tiny, that mug is giant, and holds about a gallon of tea!

Thankyou for all your well wishes about my back. It's feeling a lot better and I am actually able to sit at my sewing machine again - yipee!

Happy Tuesday!
Fiona x

The most beautiful cuppa!

Today I got to have the most beautiful cuppa ever! Look what the lovely Kat from Diary of a Flutter.Kat sent me in the Goodie Swap on Flickr!!!!! Some scraps of one of my favourite lines, a gorgeous little pouch, and the most stunning Mug Rug ever!

From what I can tell Kat should become an international spy because she has clearly been snooping around inside my head without me knowing it!

Just how beautiful are the fabrics she has used? She's so sweet and thoughtful, she stalked me a lot before deciding we had very similar tastes and used her most favourite fabrics to make me something she would love. Then she quickly packaged it and sent it to me within 2 hours of finishing because she loved it so much she was worried she wouldn't be able to let it go!

And here is my beautiful cuppa again just so you can admire one more time!

I know this Mug Rug is too beautiful to use - but I am going to use it because I really really love it to bits and want to enjoy it (but I will be very very careful!) Thankyou so much Kat - you really made my day!

Just in case anyone is still interested, I still have one spot left in my Pay It Forward. You can find the details here

Fiona x

Little Clutches

I've been making little gifts the last couple of days. Sometimes it's really nice to sew up something quick and easy, especially after lots of quilting, and I've been really enjoying making these little Key Chain Clutches, using a sweet little pattern by Keyka Lou.

The pink one is for my secret Partner #2 in the Goodie Swap, and the yellow one is a surprise for a friend. I'm really enjoying the Goodie Swap, there's a great bunch of ladies all having a laugh in the discussions. Mind you some ladies are quieter than others (Hint, hint Partner #1, speak up and play along! It's much more fun when you participate!)

I'm also playing in the {Pillow} Talk Swap on Flickr at the moment. This is one of my favourite swaps on Flickr :) It was the very first swap I ever did (talk about jumping in at the deep end - you should see some of the talent in there!)

Here are the pillows I made (left) and received (right) in my first round

And here are the ones I made (left) and received (right) in my second round

I'm itching to get sewing for this round :) I'm really enjoying my partner. He/she is pretty cool :)
Here is what I have come up with so far

Happy Wednesday!
Fiona x