Free stuff I love: Abalone

Roaming around Ravelry of late, I've stumbled across some gorgeous free patterns.  This one looks great, and I'd love to have a go one day.  There really are just way too many desirable projects out there for one lifetime.

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All details and free pattern here.

Free stuff I love: Eggs 3 ways

Easter is nearly upon us again, I can't believe it.  I'm playing it easy this year with Easter Craft, not much happening.  Last year was a bigger effort, so I'm excusing myself.  If you're up for some Easter making, here are 3 egg tutorials I've come across that I think are pretty cute.

If I had the time, I'd be giving them a go...maybe next year!   

1. Easter Surprise Eggs at Not Martha (have a browse around here too for lots of other ideas)

2. Fabric Eggs at Lola Nova 

3. Sparrows Nest and Eggs by the Purl Bee

Have a lovely Wednesday.

xo

My creative space.

A little gift for a friend who is just starting to sew.  Some crisp new linen with one side new season liberty and the other a vintage cotton to complete a simple and satisfying project.

If you'd like to make one similar, you can find a tutorial here.

And don't forget, as always, you'll find lots more creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Free stuff I love: Liberty Mini Quilt

Love this idea!  What a beautiful project and tutorial recently posted over at the Purl Bee.  I'm so tempted, but alas, I have too many projects on the go, and I'm saving myself for something special.  This one's definitely bookmarked.

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Free stuff I love: Valentines

Just a few little Valentines Day ideas for you to browse, and if you feel like it, have a go!

[ printable valentines cards by little miso ]

 [ Very sweet little Valentines Day hair clips at the Purl Bee ]

[ Origami hearts via Wild Olive ]

 [ felt cupcakes at sew hip mama ]

 [ fabric heart garlands at how about orange ]

Free stuff I love: Last minute Christmas 2010

Ten of my favourite gorgeous little seasonal freebies (tutes and downloads) that I love...you may just have enough time to do some if you're quick this weekend!!

1. Finnish Paper Star at Craft Ideas (via Maggie Makes)
2. Vintage floral gift tags from Eat Drink Chic
3. White hooky Snowflakes from Attic24
4. Felt Shingled Christmas Tree at Scissor Variations (This is my favourite! Just beautiful and so simple)

5.  Little Mini Matryoshkas from Sew to Speak

6.  No sew decorations from Kootoyoo

7.  Five pointed paper snowflakes at How about Orange (I'd love to make these in white!)

8. Super cute felt ball garland from Oh Happy Day

9. Holiday Mail stripes gift tag again from Eat Drink Chic

10.  Simple and beautiful christmas ornaments for your tree from Between the lines

Now off you go!  There's 10 ideas to start for some quick little decorative projects last minute!

A few notes:

1.  If you're visiting from Sew Mama Sew, looking for the giveaway, see the previous post!

2.  2 days left of my 30% off sale, using coupon code CHRISTMAS2010

Free stuff I love: Gifted

If you haven't already heard, Creature Comforts Gifted Magazine 2010 is out!  And it's full of wonderful gift ideas and easy Christmas DIY projects.  And, yes, it's a freebie!

Check it out here, if for no other reason than some gorgeous window shopping.

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Free stuff I love: Applique

I'm thinking about doing a little applique this week for a certain little person who is turning 2 and celebrating with our families on Sunday.  So for your sake and mine, here are some of my favourite applique ideas and how-to's around...

I LOVE this gorgeous little pink house applique by Melissa at Sew Mama Sew!

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A super effective felt applique tutorial from pigeon pair

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Such a simple but cute idea from crafterhours.  I love it.

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Some cute little fringed and appliqued table napkins at the purl bee

Refresh or learn the basics of machine applique with this table runner at design*sponge

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That's all folks, I'm off to select fabrics!  I'll be sure to show you when I'm done.

Free Stuff I love: Moleskin covers

We are somewhat addicted to moleskin journals in our household, where they seem to multiply every year.  Honestly, we have shelves and drawers full of them, with various contents from wedding plans, to European vacation budgeting, to journalling, list making, ideas for rainy days, business  and crafty jottings, sketches, sermon notes, you name it.  Perhaps these tutorials and inspiration might help us distinguish between them...

1.  Moleskin cover tutorial from Mr. Monkeysuit

2.  Gorgeous notebook cover tutorial from Little Z handmade 

3.  Be inspired by this fabulous paper embroidery at What Katie Does

4.  Downloadable printed cover paper and tutorial at Twig & Thistle

5.  A moleskin from scratch tutorial by Susie Garhemani

6. Free moleskin cover pattern from Keyka Lou 

7.  Fabric covered moleskin tutorial from Wise Craft

I love free stuff.  Have a fantastic day everyone.  

xo

Free Stuff I love: Business Advice

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Do you read Design*Sponge?  If so, you'll be familiar with the "Biz ladies" segment that pops up regularly on the blog.  I loved the latest post, about the top 10 mistakes you can make in your small business.  Such sound advice, so if you have a small business, pop on over to Design*Sponge and have a read of mistakes not to make here.  If you want some more, there are many other posts to read as well from product photography to pricing your work.  All of the 'biz lady' segments are available here.  Enjoy!

Organise!!

OK.  I am SO doing this.  I have been fluffing around with my patterns for so long now, it's driving me crazy.  And this is my answer.  What a fantastic idea from the fabric bar.  If you're a frustrated organisational addict like me, go find out how to do it here. 

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Good one.

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What a fabulous idea!  Just spotted and had to share this great idea for paper globes, and it's straight to the party ideas bookmark.   Good one Ellen!!  See the full how-to over at Alpha Mom.

In other news..... It's Friday people!  What are you up to this weekend?  We're off to a playdate and then birthday celebrations tomorrow for family.  Looking forward to it.  Have a good one!

Free stuff I love: More bags!

I know I've posted about bag tutorials before, but I love bags so much, here are a few more that I've been spying around the web of late...

My no. 1 fave is this gorgeous reversible bag from Very Purple Person.  Such a great looking bag and also a fantastic blog.

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And then there's this amazing and gorgeous repurposed bag at Between the Lines.  Pascale's such a clever one!

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or this cute and quick Margaret Sling Bag from Oh Fransson!

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And a sweet fold over bag tutorial at In Bloom

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A very cool felt bag from the book Scandinavian Needlecraft.  Get it free at Design*Sponge and buy the book if you want more!

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And finally here's a pleated, lined bag tutorial at Wharehouse Fabrics.

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Enjoy!!

Free Stuff I love: Easter

One week to go people!  I've been thinking about what I might be able to make Ellie for Easter - something little for her to keep and remember the weekend, rather than just a whole heap of chocolate.

On my travels around the web I've shortlisted.  Here are my five favourite Easter freebie tutorials....still yet to decide...


1.  A Spring Chick from Making Ends Meet!

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2.  Bunny Finger puppets from The Purl Bee  (I also love the little lamb pillows!)

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3.  Easter Birdy at Mollychicken  

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4.  Cashmere Bunny tutorial by Betz White

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5. Fabric Easter Eggs at Retro Mama

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I must say I do like the chicken tutorials because they're a great celebration of new life and so darn cute!  Hmmm, which one would you do?

Good one.

OK.  This is perhaps the cutest and most accessible tutorial for baby clothes I have seen in a while.  I just had to share it.  Please, if you have a little person to sew for, head over to Made by Rae now, and bookmark it!

Good one Rae!!!

Free Stuff I love: Aprons

Hi friends.  How's your week going?  We've been OK here, just recovering from our big week of travel last week, and trying to catch up on the never ending housework in this place.  I'm also chasing my tail trying to get some sewing done for this weekend.

Today I wanted to share some of my favourite apron tutorials from around blogland. There really are so many out there I don't know where to start, except to say that these ones look like fun and also like great gift ideas. .  If you feel like it, make one too.

For the grown ups:

A very clever pleated apron with hot pad inserts (genius!) from The Mother Huddle

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A Bakers Apron from Martha.  (This one's my absolute fave)

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And a cute and chic cooking apron at Grosgrain (this girl can really sew.)

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If you're a patchworky quilty kind of person, try this nice idea from Denyse Schmidt at Craftzine. I love the shape of this apron.

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And for your little people who love to be just like the grown ups...

A very sweet apron tutorial from Skip to my Lou

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The sweetest little apron, and all you need is a teatowel, thread and some binding.  Found at I have to say. (this is my favourite kid apron.  And  I love lemons too.)

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A lovely lined child's apron from lulu lolly legs

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Also:

•  Martha also has a gardeners apron, crafter's apron, chef's apron and kids oilcloth aprons.
• One of my favourite aprons is the paris apron from living creatively, but unfortunately they're updating their website.  Try it again soon.

So many lovelies here, I hope you have some inspiration.  

Free stuff I love: Valentines (or anytimes)

In principle, my husband and I aren't really Valentines Day people.  I guess we just think that we don't need a special day to tell us that we should look after each other.    Personally  however, I think some parts of it are kind of nice.  Not that we should all celebrate the day together in an over the top 'I never buy you flowers, but today I will because I have to' kind of way, but it's nice when you can give or make something for anyone in your life who needs and likes to know you love them.

Now I still prefer a non-Valentines Day 'I love you', but here are my five favourite free things to make that I've seen around the web.  Maybe you might like to give them a try.  Just don't forget to use them anytime,  not just next weekend!!!


1.  Simple Heart Sachet's at Crafty Pod

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2.  Embroidery Heart pin at Maggie Makes

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3. Recycled Heart Garland by Oh So Crafty

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4.  Eye Pillow (and it's not a pink heart!!) from Chubby Hobby

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5.  Crocheted Hearts Drawstring bag at Between the Lines

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There you have it!  Enjoy Wednesday!

ps.  I've decided that Free Stuff will appear a little less frequently than it did last year, but keep a look out on Wednesdays for it.  It's just a lot of work and time to prepare the post and I seem to be running very short of that lately!

Thanks!  xo