Lovely things from lovely peeps

Oh, sweep away the cobwebs from this blog. I didn't intend to stay away from this place for so long.  Real life just got in the way, various minor illnesses and too many other events.  I kept wondering if I will lose all my readers by being so neglectful. Maybe?  I hope not.  This post has been languishing half written for at last a month.  So I pulled myself together, left the dirty dishes in the sink and got typing.

I was very lucky and won some great sewing goodies.  Firstly this pattern, Butterick 5612 from Philippa.  She didn't tell me in advance so it was a lovely surprise when it dropped through the letterbox.  I have already sewn up view A and still have to blog about it.  

Then I received a handknitted cardigan from Jessica that she had offered as part of
Spring Cleaning Swap Meet.  I still have to photograph the cardigan.  She was generous enough to include some fabrics.  There is a black knit fabric, some stripey jersey and this cute cotton.  Hmmmm......my mind is whirring with ideas.  There is enough of the black for a pair of jersey trousers - and I have several pattern choices.  I just have to choose either a drapey flowey (is that  a real word?) pair or a more fitted style.  The stripes I have earmarked for a top if I can figure out cutting and pattern placement.  I was thinking of using the japanese doll cotton for a skirt for Little I.

Next I won the "white bundle" in Alessa's giveaway.  There is a large piece of the grey/pink floral striped cotton.  It is a really nice light weight and I was thinking of a dress.
The other pieces are smaller and I am planning to use them for my little girls.

This black and white cotton was also in Alessa's bundle and I have used it already.  Do you want a peek of what I made?  Well, here it is...

...it is  the Butterick top from Philippa's pattern.  I will witter on write a constructive review soon about it.  I have doubts as to whether it suits me greatly but I have worn it lots anyway as it is so light and ideal for summer days when I don't want to have arms out.  Oh and please feel free to laugh at my unfortunate bad haircut. Happily it is now grown out a bit.  It was cheap and sometimes you gets what you pays for.  A lesson learnt. I have to say a big thank you to Jessica, Alessa and Philippa.  

So a big thank y

February Giveaway

A giveaway for February because it is cold here, grey, and depressing. Little I has a croaky voice. T has a snuffly nose. Mr Minnado just recovered from 2 days in bed with man flu and I am taking plenty of paracetamol. Oddly, having a giveaway is a cheering exercise. I plan a more exciting one for March (though perhaps my idea of exciting is no one else's) So apologies for blurry substandard pics, blame it on the lurgy I am fighting off.

1) Simplicity 3622 pattern UK sizes 12 - 20, european 38-46. A pretty dress - for stretch knits, though views C& D can also be made in crepe fabrics, charmeuse, rayon. The pattern is unused. The photo isn't too clear but it is a pretty dress with a slight gathering under the bust, long and short sleevs with different options for cuffs and shapes.

2) Burda Magazine Autumn 2010. The images below show you the patterns.

There are some fab Heidi style childrens clothes in there. (Anyone else like Heidi books?)

I am away next week so I will leave the giveaway open till next friday 25th February. Just leave a comment if you are interested with a contact email. I am happy to post these anywhere.

Giveaway - sewing magazines

Okay so here it is...my first giveaway. I thought I never win on giveaways but then I got lucky and won the shoes giveaway by the very lovely Ali.

Then, yesterday morning the postman delivered a mysterious box with no letter inside or return address. When we opened it T and I found it was full of clothes....after a few texts were sent I discovered they were from a very lovely friend who was having a clear out.

I was relieved as I had started to worry I had a clothing stalker. So with all these new-to-me gifts I feel I am due to make a giveaway myself.

I have been sorting out my sewing supplies and have a couple of sewing magazines up for grabs. I am not going to use them so would like them to go out there to good homes where they can be properly appreciated.

I will send them out separately and am happy to post them whereever in the world.

Above is Sew magazine from summer 2010. It comes with the unopened pattern envelope to make the halter neck dress, either a maxi style or kneee length, plus a little cotton knit shrug, Amy Butler baby hats, Alice inwonderland inspired embroidery, and lots of other projects, even a little patchwork in there. I bought it when overwhelmed in the supermarket last summer but it just isn't my taste. I am sure another sewer out there can do great things with these patterms.

Then I also have Burda Magazine from Summer 2010 on offer.

The Burda patterns are unused, the magazine just has some wear and tear on the spine.

It has summer clothes and also maternity and childrenswear in this issue. I esepcially love the little girl dress patterns in here but I have a little girl who doesn't like to wear dresses.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment by Wednesday 19th January telling me which magazine you would prefer and perhaps why (I am just a nosey parker) and if you do not have a link set up in your comments to a blog or email, then please add your email address to the comment. Good luck. Oh and keep reading, I feel another giveaway may be due next month with my increased clearouts...