Pinterest Challenge - Spring Snack Mat

It's true, I do love Pinterest, although I often find it rather a distractions. Firstly, there are all the boards to browse, and lovely things to find, then there are new boards to create blah blah blah. If I have too many things on my 'Sewing ideas for later' my head starts doing funny things. I can't help but see it. well, as another list. And another To Do list is something I can do without!!

But to purge myself of feeling like this, there is an excellent self help group called Pinaddicts who are helping those afflicted as I am with MustDoItAll-itis. If we can do just one of those lovely Pinterest ideas a month, we might feel able to continue on with our lives - amiright? 

So I just have about managed to squeek in to the March category, there being a few craft fair preps to get out of the way first. What I have created this time is a patchwork idea, using strips stitched together in two halves to make a crazy scrap sunburst. It's from Stitches and Scissors as as 'Mug Rug' tutorial Very jolly. And it looks like a great way of using long scraps and left over jelly roll bits etc.  Cos if there's one thing I hate more than a long unfinished To Do list, it's wasted material! 

The completed mat has a plain pink backing and pink bias binding. I used some wadding and quilted in all the ditches which makes quite a good pattern at the back too. 

Quite a spring like colourway. All I need to do now is make 5 more and I have a set of place mats?!!?!

Blog Neglect - and some Vintage Pattern Love

Yes, I am guilty. I have realised with a shock that it has been months since my last outside broadcast. Of course, I am still a bit on the old FaceBook but shame, shock, chagrin, I have hardly touched this blog. So apologies if you have been checking in, although I don't really know if anyone has...............

Tonight is Halloween, but I will ignore that for now (it's not a big event around here. If I get one Trick or Treater straggling up the lane they will deserve a mug of cocoa and a blanket as much as some sweets).

I am mainly here on Tinterweb to show off my latest aquisition in the Vintage Pattern stakes, this amazing girls smocked party dress. If I can get off my petooty and finish all the MBD Christmas orders in advance I will try and make one but it will have to be a gift to someone with a teeny girl - the patterns in Size 1 only and both my girls are too long and tall for this style. The 6 yr old looks like a standard lamp these days, in a frilly skirt. Luckily Baby T has several under 1 yr girlbabyfriends so......

I like the pink gingham version with the bigger bow at the back - that's a tongue twister - but these are all really short hey. Very full skirts too - need some matching knickers I reckon - cute!

Lunchtime Shopping

Further to yesterdays post, about lunches, I was at the shops today indulging in a little retail therapy when I happened upon Paperchase's new collection, which includes many a cute lunchtime item. Got the girls an  (other) adorable cutlery set, which I find very useful for eating out, weddings etc (how many times have I had to stop my 18m old poking herself in the face witih an adult sized fork?: too many to count) and a bento style lunch box with removable compartments which will be very handy for toddler lunches when she starts at her childminder. But my favourite is this tiny bowl with 'ears' - kawaii!!

Lunch

Well the new term has begun and although we were doing well on the shiny new shoes front, this morning I was reminded of the harsh reality otherwise known as 'getting everyone out of the front door'. Luckily I had remembered to pack her a decent lunch in her (shiny, new) lunchbox.

But the boredom of the sandwich maker has struck my heart almost immediately and after only two lunchbox constructions I have turned to my favourite lunch inspiration blog Lunch in a Box. Warning: only go here if you actually want to feel ashamed about the boringness of your childs lunch - this woman does not make cheese sandwiches 5 days in a row. Nor does she make a loaf of sandwiches, freeze them and them slap them out with a yawn. Having said that I know that if I put sauteed mushrooms in my child's lunch they would return untouched! Perhaps I have ruined her palette with my crappy bag of Pom Bear lunches. 

Here for information is an example of the art of bento, which I am sure I don't have time to do! But I love it...

from here

Found on my mantelpiece this morning