Another lunch bag

I've had fun this afternoon playing around with my sewing machine trying out an idea to make an insulated messenger style lunch bag. I used the last of my gorgeous white strawberry cotton, insulbright and a polyvinyl lining and made up how to do it as I went along.

First I cut all three layers to the same size to make a long thin rectangle. I then layered them with insulbright then rightside up fabric then the polyvinyl. I stitched down both long sides and one end. Next I turned it inside out so the insulbright was between the fabric and the polyvinyl. I then folded it to the desired size with the fabric right sides inwards. I had some fun (=difficulty) persuading the thick sandwich to go through my sewing machine to sew up the sides- several cross words came to mind as it jammed several times before finally I got both sides done (I wanted to stitch it twice to re-enforce the seams but couldn't face doing it again). Next I turned the back right side out and finally turned the unstitched flap edge over and fastened it by handstitching with blanket stitch.

The gorgeous strawberry fabric

I'm pretty pleased with the result- I'm sure there may be better ways to do it, but It worked OK. I am happy with my lunch bag, and know I will be using it soon.

I really hope I can get more of the fabric soon- but in reality this is a summer style fabric so probably the shop I get it from won't stock it again until next year.


Until next time
Gillian

Creations

I've had a busy last few days of our summer holidays. Another day at the beach on Thursday. Friday and Saturday mostly at home because the weather wasn't brilliant. Of course that just gave me time to play and make...


I've gone a bit overboard making cute little lunch bags- just the right size to fit in a small lock and lock box, some crisps and a piece of fruit...

I saw a friend with a bag like this and through trial and error have designed some sweet little bags. They are basically  little tote bags but what I  love about them is that the tops of these bags have one long loop for the handle and one short one to thread the handle through- a great way to keep everything together.

Two loops...

...One handle

Though when I gave one to Sean he very seriously said "Mummy, I think we've got a problem. One handle is too small." - bless him...




He's actually taken one of the bags to keep some small toys in. I'm thinking of making some larger ones and ones with two equal handles instead of the loop and handle design...






My favourite bag is the strawberry insulated one. I used insulbright as a wadding in a straightforward tote shape- this makes it a proper insulated lunch bag. This one I'm keeping for me- oh how selfish!....








I'm also working on two hexagon granny blankets for a crochet a long with Scotti Oxford a.k.a. the Inner hooker on Facebook. I'm using a pattern I found on Attic 24's blog ( this is a great blog- one of my favourites)  at http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html .


One is in coffee colours. It's hard to see in the photos but the centres are very pale cream, very pale flesh and off white. I find crocheting this one very soothing.

 The other is supposed to look like a field of wild flowers. I'm using lots of leftover wool and trying to avoid any regular repeats- the idea is to be completely random and wild.




Anyway, time to go and do...
So, until next time
Gillian

New Tastes

Sean eating his first ever McDonalds burger

This summer Sean has started to eat the same foods as the rest of us... for the first time in his life he has been trying new foods. So, after years of surviving on bread and butter with prescription vitamin enhanced milkshakes, he is daring to put new foods in  his mouth. This is a big deal for us all!

His motivation is that he really wants to go to school camp next summer on the Isles of Scilly. We've said he can but he has to be able to eat more foods just like his friends otherwise it's not really possible. Fortunately he is bright enough to understand, and though it is not easy for him, he is really trying.

(Admittedly we are also using bribery and corruption and giving him money  as a reward when he does try new foods- but even the psychologist we saw a few years ago said this would be worth trying when he was old enough to understand).

I've started a hexagon granny square blanket this week. Inspired by the crochet along with the Inner Hooker on facebook. Here is my first 10 blocks...

 I was working with the idea that they looked like a field of flowers, but my lot all seem to think they look like lily pads, so even I am thinking of them like that now... I've even started to look at maybe making an amigurumi frog to sit on them... I'm sure  I've a pattern for one somewhere...

Anyway, until next time
Gillian

Summer Laziness

Hi, It's been a while but I'm still around, busy enjoying our summer break. Five and a half weeks off work- the advantage of working in a school- I know that should have given me more time to blog but in my world it gives me more time to do so many other things I haven't had time for it!

So, what's been happening?

Two weeks visiting family- we do this every summer- it's hard not seeing them for months on end so we try and make the most of invading their houses and spending time with them all...

Then a week and a half of high stress waiting to find out if Tom had got the grades to get into University- he did!- and also to see a Skin specialist to find out if I had skin cancer- I don't- the specialist said it was a skin coloured viral wart in an unusual place probably because it was where my sunglasses rest on my nose!!!! Anyway that was a relief and she froze the thing off so it looks better too. Still my lot are all taking using suncream more seriously now so hopefully they will never get skin cancer...

As part of looking after myself more I also started doing more exercise. I like doing DVD's at home as it's so much more convenient and cheaper than going to a gym. My asthma is playing up so doing aerobics is too much, so I've started doing pilates. Although it's really hard I actually enjoy it, it's good to feel strong and actually feel your muscles... it makes me feel good.

For the last week I have been able to relax more, Kieran got his GCSE's today, he was so laid back we had to beg and nag him to even get his results- they were really good even though he didn't exactly over do the revision for them!

I'm also making a new quilt topper- I saw two gorgeous polka dot fabrics in a shop last week and just decided to make it with just these, so that pattern is a simple checkerboard design, its working out quite well- pictures to follow soon...

I've been doing a lot of crochet- amigurumi and hats so far- again pictures to follow. I also just decided to do a crochet along with Inner Hooker on Facebook- ( see also http://oxfordfam.blogspot.com/2011/08/crochet-along.html ). I love making granny blankets but think it will be even better to do it to meet targets- so often I start something and then after a little while it gets put away while I do something else...

.....that's just the way I am I suppose....

So until next time
Gillian

Sail Away

Sometimes you can just imagine you are on a tropical beach looking at azure waters in glorious sunshine...

Isn't it beautiful!

St Ives, 3rd July 2011

So until next time
Gillian

Beach Fun

We went to St Ives today and I just wanted to share some of my favourite photos with you all...

I think you can see how much we enjoyed ourselves- no need for more words today!!!

So until next time
Gillian

Adventures in Geoland: St Ives

Adventures in Geoland: St Ives: "We had a wonderful day in St Ives, Cornwall today. It has been so gloriously sunny that it is one of those days that demands you go somewher..."