May makes

Here are my creations for May.  Not as many as in previous months, but still quite a satisfying haul.  A lot of time has been taken up with apron creation, and with sales - five this month, with the same to come next month.  Busy busy busy!
You may notice the thermometer on my side bar.  I raised nearly £4000 for the children in Utange last year, and have set myself the challenge of raising £5000 from bags this year.  I thought it would be fun - maybe even rewarding - to keep a visual record of how I am progressing.  I may even post my "total to date" at the end of each month!

Money apron

This was an adaptation of the peg apron.  I have been using a money belt for takings at fairs, but it gets a bit fiddly at times.  So I designed myself an apron.  As you can see, there are jean pockets on the outside. Then there is a divided pocket behind that, and two more jean pockets inside the apron.  I use these for notes; the large pockets (originally for pegs) for coins, with £1 coins separated from the rest, and the outer pockets hold a pen and my cards.  It has been so useful.  I made  a second one, and sold it on its first outing!

This post will be shared at these link parties:

Create and Share	Made by Me	We Made it Wednesday
A Creative Princess	Whatever goes Wednesday	Wow us Wednesday

Drawstring bags

Remember these?

It was time to replenish stocks, so I made up another five - minus the embroidery!  They are quick to sew, especially in bulk, and came out looking great.  (I was glad I made the effort as I sold three of them at a craft fair on the very next day!)

The tutorial for these bags is here.

I'll be sharing this post at these link parties:

Sew Cute Tuesday	Too Cute Tuesday	Take a look Tuesday
You flew Tuesdays	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday	Ladybug Blessings

Craft fair - Houghton Conquest

This was a lovely little May fair which I found at the last minute, having been let down by a cancellation.  Such friendly people and a lovely venue.  I didn't make a huge amount of money, but felt compensated by some fabulous conversations and wonderful new contacts.  I'm looking forward to returning to Houghton Conquest for their outdoor summer fair in June, which is apparently a really popular event.

Baby play mat

This was a delight to make.  The embroidery has been done over quite a long period, using some designs I purchased online.  I finally got round to putting them all together.  I think this would be so useful for a mum with a small child - one who is not yet crawling.  The denim is beautifully soft from wear, but the mat will be easily washed if it gets dirty.

I have two more sets of squares to complete - they are pieced into quilts and just need backing - but I am hanging on for completion until I sell this one!

I'm adding this post to the following link parties:

Sew Darn Crafty	Sunday Funday	Submarine Sunday
Bouquet of talent	Sundae Scoop	Sew-licious
Just something I whipped up	Petite Hermine	The weekend creative

Peg aprons

A variation on / combination of two earlier projects - peg bags and aprons!  These worked out rather well, I think - though I haven't sold any yet!  Hoping they will be spotted for Christmas presents later in the year, if not before.

I'll add this to these lovely link parties:

Crafty Showcase	Polkadot pretties	Saturday Sew and Tell
Saturday at Seven	Strut your stuff Saturday	Check me out Saturdays

Sale in Bedford

This was a very friendly little sale, Carrie's Craft and vintage fair.  Some super stalls, and I had help from my daughter H and her friend F, who ran the stall for the first half of the show.  H was very tempted by some of the vintage dresses on sale..!

Lots of customers and lots of money raised for Utange.  I'm looking forward to returning for the Christmas fair!

Owl phone cases again

An ever popular line needed restocking.  I enjoy the money these bring in, and the fact that they draw people to the stall.  It is fun to use scraps of different fabric.  My heart does sink a little at the prospect of starting another sew of 30 though.  Just saying!

I'll add this post to these link parties:

Happy Hour Fridays	Can I get a Whoop whoop	Anything Goes
5Days5Ways	30 Handmade Days	Diana Rambles

Peg bags

I'm always looking out for new ideas.  Here are some of my recent ones - peg bags.  Not sure how many people use these nowadays, but I have two peg containers hanging on my line.  One is a basket - easy to reach the pegs but they do get dirty from leaves on the trees.  The other is a bag, and this gave me the idea for my peg bags.  I made up the pattern for these, and am now looking at adapting it into various animals...

I'm sharing this post at the following link parties:

Catch a glimpse	Things I've Done Thursday	Link it Up Thursday
Hookin up with HoH	It's Stinkin Cute	Make it Wear it Thursday
I gotta create