Give-away bag

Here's piccies of the give-away bag from my shop, which was won by the lovely Pippa. I have it on good authority that it arrived safely, so I can now show you the piccies.

Next red bag is virtually done so I'll be able to show you that as soon as I know it's landed safely.

Right, off to finish said bag and make some cushions for our splitty.

Sore fingers

Just a quickie to say I've nearly finished 2 bags of the 'shop' list (one being the prize for the give-away), that my fingers are really sore from stabbing them repeatedly with the needle, and that there should be some piccies tomorrow! Really want to do some bits to take with us when we go to Vanfest at the weekend but I can see I'm going to end up sewing seat covers for the van instead. Oh, I should hopefully be able to show you some naughty purchases in the next few days too (depending on how long they take to arrive).

Supplies

Charity shop finds at the top, then a few buttons from a shop on Ebay.

Finished all the san pro (phew) so I can now start on the bags again.

Finished

I didn't actually think I'd get it finished today but I did - yay - first time I've added tassels too.

Winner and knitting

The winner for my website giveaway was drawn at tea-time by my youngest. Pippa, I shall be contacting you regarding your bag.

I got so fed up with the cold weather yesterday I started knitting the scarf with the alpacca wool. I'm doing it the cheat way (knitting with two balls of wool and bigger needles) so it shouldn't take too long! Got 40ish cm done yesterday evening. Back to the san pro and bags after this evening ;-)

Swaps

A post went up on the GP forum for a Christmas stamp swap - what a great idea. So here's mine that I received yesterday, along with some extra crafty bits that will definitely be put to good use.

Another swap is the Season Table Swap. After sewing all my sisters stuff yesterday I wanted a break from the san pro bits so I thought I'd start my swap item. I LOVE IT! I really want to show you it, can't believe how well it turned out. I'm definitely going to have to make another one just in case this one ends up on our table ;-).

Wonderful friends

Thank you so much Pippa for the gorgeous surprise belated birthday present - it is absolutely gorgeous. Go and see the very talented and generous Pippa on her blog.

A pile of san pro pockets waiting for their inners. Only 10 to go.

Manic

Just a quick update to let you know life is quite manic at the minute with san pro orders, excitement about the website, sewing to do for my sister (who is still loaning me her sewing machine!), a fab idea for the GP season swap swimming round in my head, new ideas for the shop, kids, the hubby, cats, ducks, chickens, the dog, the house, more ideas for the shop, visitors - well life. Hopefully some piccies soon, but need to get on.

I'm sooooooooo excited

It's done, it's finished, it's live...................my website - Handmade Haven. I spent all evening yesterday adding, deleting, changing, cursing, stressing, grinning, trying to get everything how I wanted it...going to bed at 12.40am only to lay there an hour while my head still whirred, then to get up this morning and have to go straight back on to get the bits done that had been going round and round in my head. Anyway, it's done and I'm very, very pleased with it. To celebrate I will be having a give-away on 31st August - so if you want to leave a comment on the guest book of my shop (that sounds so good) I will be making a bag for the lucky winner.

Tah-dah...

...the finished article! I'm quite impressed - the colour/smell is gorgeous - although it is rather thick (which is why it's taking ages to settle). Because I'd got a mixture of soft, stoned and hard fruit I used 400ml of water but next time I think I'll use a little more depending on how much soft fruit there is. Anyway, I used the crab apples, plums, brambles, sloes, haw-berries and elderberries (quantities in descending order) to make this cordial. I'll let you know how it tastes once it's cooled down.

Edited to add: Tastes gorgeous :-)