Shopping in Mandors Edinburgh

So whilst in Edinburgh for my brief visit, I managed to get a little fabric shopping done.... I went to Mandors which is pricey enough, but you get what you pay for I say!

I love the under construction fabric, I think it will be brilliant for little tote bags for the boys, and a little quilting too! The black and white graffiti fabric is a heavier cotton, it was a remnant and I'm not sure on it's purpose yet, but it has the cogs turning for sure! As for the tartan bundles, I just couldn't walk past them.... Just shows you how long I've not been home for huh!! I'm a tourist!!

This fabric was a total bargain at £5 a meter.... I love it, reminds me so much of home nostalgia is a strong incentive to buy fabric for me it would appear! I think this will be a crochet hook roll...

I know we should be nearing summer-ish weather soon, but both my boys are Harold the helicopter & Jeremy the jet plane mad, so this fabric will be put to great use at some point. As for my already coveted dolls.... I LOVE them I will be making the perfect tank top.

Till the next post have a great day

xxx

Gardening has commenced!

Hello there peeps
I have to say it feels like forever since I last wrote, I had lost my blogging mojo.... But it appears I have found it again!! I am oh so glad to I do love a good old blah blah blah to myself!

We have been buying and planting seeds for the coming summer.... When it decides it's coming that is! There have been a few nice days, I am looking forward to a few more though!

Me and the boys got out strawberries planted along with our herbs (the basil didn't last long the birds ate it the buggers!) We also have garlic and last but not least our peppers and tomatoes are beginning to sprout too. I fell like I have been missing out on all the gardening fun, for all this time.... That being said the boys very much enjoy watering so it might just have come at the very right time!

My friend also gave me a over grown pot of Aloe vera and I managed to get 13 plants out of it! I can't believe that there were so many in one pot! I hope they thrive in their new pots!! They would make lovely wee gifts for Easter with a poem too. Pauline also gave me a few cuttings from her money tree... I hope they sprout too!

I shall keep you posted on my green fingered escapades!!

A granny update.... My Granny Mattie seems OK ,I have been calling nearly everyday, just to say hi. Thanx for all your lovely comments they were greatly appreciated really they were xx

xxx

A quick visit home- A sad post sorry.

I have a rather heavy post today.... Better out than in they say.
So please be aware before you read.

I have been off on a visit home to Scotland-Edinburgh.

I had called my much loved Granny Mattie on her house phone last week with no answer, which I found odd. So I tried her mobile to have my mother answer.... I knew something was wrong -1 my Mum should be at work, -2 why was she answering Granny Matties phone....

My granny Mattie has had open heart surgery before, so I was beyond worried. It had turned out my Granny Mattie had taken another heart attack, but to my relief not half as bad as before, she has had a stent which is a small balloon inserted in to her artery (beside her heart) as it had collapsed, she seems to be on the mend now. I love my granny, more than most things in the world and am full of relief.

So this is my picture of us just last Thursday Paddy's day to be precise.
My granny is my rock always has been and always will be.
I only hope that one day I can be the woman she has become, a inspiration, a person who is such a source consistency, a shoulder to cry on, who will be there and never judge, and also give you that stern word when required... I could go on and on but I have a tear in my eye!

If you have a candle or any wee blessing.... And feel the urge, it would be very much appreciated as she is a woman worth her weight in gold. And I want her to be in tip top form ASAP... As she put it "it's not my time dear I have too much to do"

I LOVE YOU GRANNY MATTIE
XXX

Whilst over with my Granny I found out my Grandad has Prostate cancer, I have not looked into it as I am full of fear for them both, they are companions and have to think the very best thoughts. Cancer has played a big role in my life, after my dad passed at the age of 46 with terminal cancer I have found it very hard to come to terms with his loss he was my best friend, the thought of losing someone else, well to put it bluntly brings me to my knees with a heavy heart....

I apologize for the heavy post really I do, but this is a type of free therapy I suppose better out than in they say....

On a happier note
I made my granny a rad doll a long time ago....

And here she is right above her bed, it makes me proud
Warms me cockles you might say.

xxx

Summer jacket found :)

I have been scouring the rails for a fab summer jacket, but alas the thrifting has thrown me a blank... So far anyways. I seen this pattern through, a giveaway over at the Sewing Directory and fell in love, the fabric well.... I had a meter already, so went mission hall to get some more, much to my surprise there was enough left for my jacket!

So what do you think??
Do you like it??
What about the fabric??
It's not so summery BUT it is lovely?!?

xxx

Drum roll.... And the winners are.....

Hello old followers and new!!!!

Thanx so much for taking part in my

Giveaway

I have enjoyed the re-using/giving!!!

So without further adieu

The winners are

TRACY YOU LUCKY LADY YOU WIN
GRANNY MATTIE'S CARDI SET!

SARAH YOUR A 4X WINNER
THE VINTAGE PATTERNS
Please message me your address

DOSIEROSIE YOUR GONG TO BE SEWING...
THE FABRIC IS YOURS...

AND THE CLIP CAFE, WE GET TO TRY AGAIN!!!
YOU WIN THE HOOPS!!

I'm off to email you all now :)
If I get all your addresses by tomorrow I shall have your wins in the post

xxx

Rummaging again!!

LOOKING FOR THE GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE

Well hello there
How is everyone?
I have had a fairly relaxing day today, me and the boys were out for a walk, as it was nice again. How happy are we that the sun is eventually rearing it's happy face?!? I managed to actually remember quite a few things on my list today... Well done I hear you say eh!! It was quite a feat for me as I forgot the bloody list running out the door!!! So I now have a printer with ink, which is most helpful! And I can now burn all the boys movies..... Again so glad I save their movies on the computer, they always scratch the discs!!

Anyways enough of the jibber jabber!!!!!

I have always been a thrifter but with Flea market finds I feel like I can share the excitement sad I know but it's the little things.... Plus kids do that to you. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I have been still been shopping away but I have not been able to photograph much lately you know life and laundry and all that jazz!!!!

I found this dress just a couple of days ago..... I love it the style really suits me too. It's River Island but I got it for £3!

This is a Primark number that is begging to be altered. I am going to take the elastic waist out and make it a fitted LBD any suggestions?? Should it have buttons? A belt? Mr Phew thinks it looks like a nun's dress!!!

It is defo the lace that gets me for sure!!
That and the £1.50 price tag!

Now the 3 items in this photo were all in the same shop and cost just £6.
The skirt is just too cute really it is, the pattern is so simple too.
The Cardi has me written all over it I love stripes and gray seems to be a trend!!
The bag needs a better lining as it's basically plastic but I have some china silk in my stash...

It has summer time written all over it...

Fancy spotting other rummagers then head on over to Sophie's

xxx

Creative space #7

LOOKING FOR THE GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE

Well hello there, I missed my creative space last week. Another week gone, I have to say creatively I've been a bit meh, Mr Phew was back for a couple of days so it took a step back! I have been messing about with the pattern alterations for my big butt pants, with a big thanx to Amanda from kitchycoo I now have a pattern to fit Frazer which is in the process!!!

The fabric is a up-cycled bed sheet!! I think it will be spot on when it's done!

I was out shopping today too, now that I know we are going on holiday in a few weeks, I had to grab a few bits.... I never really wear blue, I should really like it, as it's as close as you can get to purple!! So I picked this pattern I reckon i'll go for the blue one it's strapless so less tan lines!!!

check out other crafty peeps over at Kirsty's

xxx

Slowly slowly....

LOOKING FOR THE GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE!!

So as it turns out I am a person who, is full of gusto when things are started, not just sewing projects but all things!!!! I have known this for quite sometime, but my blogging has shown me just how "late" I run... I have lots of examples but hey, I'm not gonna be that honest!! I have taken the first step, not rectifying my trend.... But running with it, it doesn't have to be a bad thing?? As long as I get my projects done I say.....

So with this in mind, I was super happy to have found this little course...



Lier from ikat bag & her friend Jen from my measuring tape
(And a little help from mum and aunt L)
Have put together s series on pattern drafting.
I would love to have this skill really I do.
It has started and finished, so no pressure I'm going to do it all at my own pace!!

Well that's it for just now I'm off to read the first chapter so I can get ready, then off to finish a project for my Creative Space tonight!

xxx

My 1st Birthday + 7 GIVEAWAYS!

So like I said
It's my wee blogs 1st Birthday can you believe it

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HANDMADEHAPPINESS

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

To celebrate I made white chocolate muffins with wholemeal, so a little naughty & a little nice!!! Also for you my dear readers, to thank you all, I am having a wonderful giveaway that will have no less than 7 winners!!!

**I just wanted to add, that I read all your lovely comments, and will one day get better at answering them!!! But you may have to wait till my boys are at school!!!

This Giveaway will be open to all of you guys no matter where you live...
All that i ask is.....

**You must be a follower (or become one!!)
**You must tell me what prize(s) you would like to win
**I must be able to mail you too... How else will I be able to tell you you've won some goodies!!
**One comment per person

And if you want to be really helpful, (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!) You could tell me what you like about my wee blog OR tell me what you'd like to see more of!!!

The winners will be chosen from a hat by my boys as usual!!!

So without further adieu.......

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!

The infamous Granny Mattie's knitting, this is a cardi/jacket with a scarf and hat to match, I'd say it's age 4-5, as Finn is 3.5 and it's still a long while till it would fit... It's Arron and will wash really well....

Here are 3 wooden embroidery hoops looking for a new home as I have doublers, I bought them in a clear out on eBay and have never used them....

This little bundle of fat quarter's will make a lovely wee summer project I'm sure....

I'm having a clear out of all my patterns also, this is a lovely vintage 2-piece size 50...

This dress pattern size 20, has such a lovely bust line, in the right fabric this would be a show stopper....

This dress pattern size 14, is right in time for summer and comes as in a maxi dress size too...

This girls dress size 8 is super cute I love the pleats.... Too cute!!!!!

Need help with the vintage sizing???
check out this link

This giveaway will be open till 10th of March
So good luck peeps :))))

xxx

My fave Oscar dresses.

So the 83rd Oscars have been and gone.... Did anyone watch it???

I watched the highlights and acceptance speeches...

I have to say I have not seen the movie "The Kings speech"
But what acceptance speech huh!!!
I have always been a fan of Mr firth, I mean Mr Darcy.... And what about Mark Darcy...


Colin has his own way with words!

"I'm afraid I have to warn you, I am experiencing stirrings, em somewhere in the upper abdominal, which are threatening to form themselves in to dance moves, which em as joyous as they may be for me, would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get of this stage!"

On to the dresses...

I have to say that Cate was thee lady for me in her, Givenchy Haute Couturers, it is divine I love it i think the Oscars deserve that little bit extra, and here is how to do it... It screams Hollywood glamor and she looks so effortless, which we all know is so not the case!!

And here is a real lady, I love the colour of this Vera Wang gown and the construction is just wow! Sandra looks so good, she shows everyone that rail stick thin is so not in.

I do love a lady growing old gracefully, and boy oh boy if I look like Helen at her age then I will be thanking my lucky stars I mean look at her, Vivienne Westwood the dress is just so spot on and I love her hair too it compliments her features.

Now this Valentino Haute Couture gown for me, is fantastic but it would have been so much nicer if Florence was not so bloody thin.... Is there any need to be this thin? You are in the limelight and young people look up to you... I think yes I love this gown but.... EAT some pies please!!!

And here is another fabulous gown but again with the not eating, I mean where are the even vague curves, I know your a woman but I can't see it.... It's a shame really as this Gucci dress is to die for..... I may seem harsh, but hey these are people who should be mindful that yes people are looking up to them and being SO skinny is not a go thing...

So..... What do you guys think of the super skinny's???

xxx