A Sewn Toadstool Handbag, and Self Indulgent Garden Tour.

Sewing And Gardening This Week

It was weeks ago that I cut out all the fabric pieces for this bag, and because I’d never used the pattern before, I had mild reluctance about starting. It always happens, and I know it’s down to the fact that, at some point, I’m going to have to concentrate. I am an easily distracted person. Finally, I managed to find some focus, and I am so pleased with the result!

Sewing a Handbag

I picked up the sewing project again a couple of weeks ago to make a start, but it was abruptly stopped by a toddler waking from his nap. That means no sewing allowed. I got as far as basting and stitching mitred corners. I was then disrupted by lost magnetic clasps. Should I even bother with them? Well, I’d bought them, and one day they’d turn up, so I really ought to give them a go. Two days ago, I found them, so sewing resumed.

Magnets on My Sewing!

Look! Look at the magnetic clasps! They are so snazzy. I actually put them in and it was so straightforward. I feel silly now. My one disappointment is that I placed them too low in the bag opening. They need to be a couple of centimetres higher so that they’re nearer the top. I will know for next time.

Neat & Tidy Sewing

I’ve impressed myself with the sewing on this bag, even if I haven’t impressed anyone else. There are straightlines for goodness sake. I never usually manage that sort of thing…. Straight lines!

There are some untidy areas, such as the attachment of the handles. By that point, I was sewing in the evening and getting distracted by the telly, so I had some unpicking to do. Strangely, I didn’t mind. However, I did mind a little bit when I got a random handle stuck to the handle I was working on. That was unnecessary unpicking. I got the fabric from Etsy.

Anyway, I have been randomly pushing it in people’s faces and parading around looking very pleased with myself, whilst I swing it on my shoulder!

A Quick Garden Tour

A quick tour of the garden in its current state. Here are some flowers I bought at Aldi (!). The salvia and the osteospermum are both Aldi bought.

A Proud Hosta

This is the best hosta I have, and I think that must be because it is in a pot. The other hosta plants are down the bottom of the garden, which, once weeded, I shall take a photo of.

I’m starting to wonder if most of this year’s annuals are actually bought from supermarkets because I think this lobelia came from Tesco! I’ve grown them from seed in the past, but I’ve had a very lazy year.

Views of the Garden

Yep, the snapdragons are from Aldi too. I’m beginning to feel embarrassed. Look, I’ve spotted rogue horseradish trying to invade again. The winter before last, I spent days digging the biggest hole ever, trying to get rid of the stubborn roots…. So, that worked :\

Pansies from um, Aldi. But that blue salvia isn’t, I grew that from seeds I collected. That is going to look amazing in a few weeks. They all will, I have five or six of them.

Self-seeded nasturtium. It used to be a deep red but is slowly turning to orange. Each year, the orange takes over a little bit more. I still like it.

 

I was surprised to spot the first sweet peas yesterday. These are one of my favourite flowers. They smell gorgeous, and I totally love them. I love you, sweet peas!