Cupcake Details

Cupcake anyone? A little bit of detail on a napkin set I'm making up. Show and tell if it ever ends....

Flying the Flag

I'm a bit late to this game, but Shannon over at Aunty Cookie is doing a quilt along, and I've hopped on board.

This is a first for me: I don't usually follow quilt patterns, and when I do I've kind of drawn them up myself. I've also never done a group thang before either. Goes back to the lone wolf thing I suppose. But this project spoke to me - it bounced off a few ideas in my head and before I knew it I was dusting my fabric shelves down (literally, um, yuck) and picking out a palette.



It reminded me of this bunting and thought it would make a nice accompaniment to it ... and there is a birthday coming up... a big one... hmm .. she reads this blog which kinda ruins the surprise (invite me over to yours at Xmas and I'll open all your presents for you too), but, well, no harm no foul.


This is the schedule, and I have no idea whether I'll stick to it, because I'm going to be out of town for some of it, and well, life can sometimes knock you off your feet.

Week 1. (Finish by 16 August 2013) Pick it! Fabric selections – in a show us your flags kind of way.

Week 2. (Finish by 23 August 2013) Cutting it! cutting out & making the flags – ideas for personalizing flags, tips on making it fancy.

Week 3. (Finish by 30 August 2013) Sewing it! yes that would be sewing it all together.

Week 4. (Finish by 6 Sept 2013) Quilt it! ideas and inspirations and techniques.

Week 5. (Finish by 13 Sept 2013) Bind it! And lets perve at your finished quilt….

Week 6. (Finish by 20 Sept 2013) QAL Wrap up & the awarding of awesomeness.

It's a bit intensive, I have to say. I work in two modes: do it in one day, or do it in one decade. This will be an interesting, but pretty challenge.

So here are my fabric choices.





I wanted a carnival feel to it and to break up the white by having pops of colour of aqua, purple, orange and yellow (trust me. It will work). I'm treating the pattern as the bare bones starting point and hopefully will work some of my own ideas in somehow.

So that's me sorted for the next six weeks then. Because I honestly don't have enough to do.

If you want to join in, pop over to Aunty Cookie's and get on board!

To Take My Knitting In

Envisaging some out-of-town mama work-time in the next few months (secret project related, sorry no details) it wasn't long before 'knitting' went straight to my 'take with me' list. It's important, you see.

And, well, any excuse to make something, I ran this little knitting bag up in under ten minutes - embroidery hoops for handles and faux patchwork fabric giving the illusion of a whole load of work.

Now I can travel safe in the knowledge my knitting can stay by side.

The Evolution of Miss Maggie

Way back at the start of my blogging adventures I got into crafting by accident. It was when we were following Waldorfy things in our homeschooling life when the children were small enough to benefit from that gentle rhythm (and I know some people carry on this methodology all through school life, but it hasn't been right for us since the eldest turned about seven years old), and the need for hand crafts was very much part of the order of things.

It was in trying to make a Waldorf doll for my two that the whole process of crafting and making really took over my mama brain. Seeing the correlation between my efforts in making things and my family's life benefiting it wasn't long before all manner of things started pouring out of my work niche - sweaters, quilts, mittens, hats, clothes.... but the doll making was the first thing that breathed crafty life into my heart - I loved it, and still do.

I was reminded of this as I read through Alicia's blog and kept seeing her Maggie Rabbit popping up here and there - I had a memory of what started this all off, and the pleasure I got in making little tiny things for a little tiny doll. It's been years and years since I've made a doll, and when I saw the pattern for sale for mere pennies I couldn't help myself. Before I knew it the pattern and a couple of clothe patterns were in my inbox and I was happily umming and ahhing in front of my fabric shelves.

I have been slowly making this pattern up in moments of quiet; I savour the process, I don't want to rush it, because I enjoy it so much. I have plans for a few little extra pieces for her. The jacket it almost done, and I'm sure she would like a bag to go with it, no? And I do not intend on sharing my little Maggie - these boys of mine use delicate dolls as bludgeons - she's mine, all mine.

I do love this craft.

{The felt is from our local market and the Lawn cotton of Miss Maggie's dress and ears is Alexander Henry}

My Eldest Sews

After the initial success of the midget's foray into cushion making and selling, the eldest decided he wanted to make bags to sell.

The first one he made I snapped up, not out of charity, but because I actually dig it. It's small and funky, and appeals to the punk in me. Large enough to handle all the basics of keys, wallet, phone etc, and slings over the shoulder easily. A no fuss funky bag.













Since then he's received one commission and would like you all to know he can make bags in ANY COLOUR and any size, and his mama sells them in her shop. He had thought these would make excellent nature bags for when you go on adventures - you can take books and notepads and magnifying glasses, and also have enough room to bring some treasures home. But since he's seen me with mine, I think he's realised bags are for everyone.

Oh my children. This first flutter of being out there in the world all by themselves has made me realise how much letting go I've got to do in these following years. And in so much as I'd like to protect them from everything, and insomuch as they make me proud, I can't help but marvel at how painful this growing process is. Not for them, but me.

Having children, well, it's like having your heart living outside of your own body, isn't it?

Shameless Self Promotion :: Shop Open!

{Mu'Mu} is now officially re-opened! Come on in! As well as makes from my children (thankyou for pre-orders and promises of buying!!) I have managed to make a few things too...










































Bags, cushions, pouches, mitts, cowls and handspun yarn! Oh my! I feel as though I've made something with everyone in mind. There are new materials being used for the first time here - oilcloth, leather in the closures, woven cotton webbing, and I'm really pleased to be working with genuine Harris Tweed for the first time (not the last time insha'allah). I've also designed things in wool felt which looks lovely, feels lovely and I think looks very classy. Because I'm a classy lady. As you know.

Looking over the small collection of things offered here I see a shift in my work from previous offerings. I'm happy with everything here. I'm happy with the quality of the materials and the quality of my work masha'allah. I love the emphasis on design. I love the simple lines. I love the wool that seems to be working its way into everything. I definitely love these colours.

And I'm happy to offer things that I enjoy making. I might not update the shop all that often anymore, but I hope that when I do you can see the love and care poured into everything. There is nothing here I wouldn't want myself. I hope you like what you see!

And please don't forget that I have some things up on eBay too find them HERE.

(See - shameless)