Friday, 5 April 2019

Gifts Made With Love

I have been on a mission this past few days to prepare everything ready for my visitors next week.  We like to have familiar toys out ready for them.  We have also added a few new Charity shop finds to the collection.  Gerard has been working on the railway diorama and giving the points a good clean.  We must start putting a cloth over it, it was amazing how dusty it had become and took an age to clean.  Baby is looking a little scruffy so if I have time a new outfit may need to be made.  I have already made a couple of meals ahead of time and popped them in the freezer.  The weather forecast is looking brighter so I am one happy Mama/Granny.

In the meantime I have added another Harris Tweed bag to the collection, a messenger bag.



I originally made it using tape for the handle as directed by the pattern.  Sadly on completion I didn't like the overall look.  The tape made it look cheap, which spoilt it.  Very quickly it was taken off and a new handle added using the same Harris Tweed and cotton fabric as the rest of the bag.  So much better.



I have also completed another bag for the gift cupboard, using some suede effect fabric left over from another fabric.  It has been in my stash for a long time and several times came close to been thrown away.  Finally I have found a use for it.  It has been brightened up with some beautiful red cotton lining.



The pocket used from the scraps of suede as there wasn't enough left from the lining fabric.


They will be perfect as gift bags with a few treasures added.  Gifts made with love.

Do you like to make your own gifts?

I have a busy day planned making beds up and cleaning windows while we have a break in the weather.  I am hoping to get some washing out on the line.  Nothing beats the smell of line dried washing.  I would also like to get some basil infused oil made and some pickling vinegar made for red cabbage and beetroot.  We also have seeds that need sowing.  The list goes on and on...but I do enjoy been busy!

Thank you for your visit and your uplifting comments.

See you soon.



45 comments:

  1. Perfect! All the gifts you make are so beautiful. I've made a few crochet gifts, but nothing as good as yours. Best, Jane x

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  2. Thank goodness the weather is perking up for next week, I hope you have a fantastic time. It's a great idea to have a gift cupboard.

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  3. Lovely bags, beautiful gifts☺

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  4. Both bags are lovely and will make wonderful gifts. I have a gift box and add to it regularly, it keeps my hands and mind busy. I have a couple of bags cut out but am trying to finish a few knitting WIPs first.

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  5. Those bags are wonderful. I have made a few bags through the years and find them a bit too fiddly for my limited abilities. I try not to make my own gifts as my lack of ability plus my perfectionism are not a good partnership. 🥴 You must be getting good and excited about your company next week. What joy there will be!

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  6. I love to make homemade gifts, but I'm not that great with sewing and have not gotten my machine out in a few years sadly. Glad you are getting a break in the weather. It's raining here.

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  7. Oh my, that bag is amazing! Sounds like you're enjoying the "readiness" of the visit. Enjoy! Yes, I love making gifts!

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  8. Your bags are beautiful, I have made the second style several times but not the first style, I must give that a go, I love messenger style bag, you did such a great job! I really prefer the feel of my cloth bags, thanks fir sharing this!

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  9. You do make such lovely things. Tony bought me a beautiful Harris tweed bag at a craft fair. It was expensive but we were more than happy to pay for a beautiful hand made bag. It's great quality and will last me a long time

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  10. Both bags are gorgeous! I a not talented when it comes to things like sewing - just not in my genes I'm afraid. I do try to keep a gift stash though - mostly small things these days or items purchased on sale throughout the year - it does help to defray all those last minute costs.

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  11. I love your bags.
    You have a lot to keep you busy.
    Hugs-x-

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  12. Precious Mama/Granny !!!! And talented too ;)
    Have a cosy weekend !
    Anna

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  13. You sound very ready, for the coming visit. And it's lovely to be ready. :-) I'm sure all will have a grrrrreat time.

    You are so talented. So very talented. No, I don't make gifts. I'm simply not that talented. Or perhaps, I never used my talents enough, to have them be "good enough", to gift. :-)

    Enjoy!!!!!!!!

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  14. Love the bags. My sewing days are done. I gift may paintings and I make my own cards from the images of my paintings. Thats it!

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  15. I love the messenger Harris Tweed bag, lovely.

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  16. Yes, I love to make handmade gifts.. and your bags will be so treasured! They can also be used for shopping bags. I'm excited for you to have your kids and grands visit!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  17. I love all the things you make. Unfortunately I am not blessed with the craft gene but no one complains when the gifts they receive is FOOD.

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  18. I've just found your blog via Teresa Kasner's blog. I love your Harris Tweed work as I buy Harris Tweed jackets at thrift stores (usually for $5 Canadian) and turn them into bags. Most of my friends and family own at least one.

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  19. Your lovely Harris Tweed bags will be wonderful gifts. I used to make a lot of gifts, but not many in the past few years.
    I understand your excitement for family visits. We just spent time with our grands. There is nothing like it. Enjoy your time with them.

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  20. Your bags are beautiful. I love to create special from the heart gifts.

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  21. You do make such lovely gifts and they are so beautiful. I am sure the ones receiving them will be so touched.

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  22. The bags are lovely. You have the know-how to change a pattern to make them unique. The gifts I occasionally make are food ones as family and friends appreciate a home baked cake. I'm also getting everything ready for our family reunions over the Easter holiday. Like you and your husband we're looking forward to these special family times.

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  23. You were very busy ! Mr. G. is now in reeducation center 20 km from here and I am driving there almost every day. So I am quite tired, more than usual due to this flu !

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  24. More gorgeous gifts you are one busy lady. Enjoy your time loved ones. x

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  25. Oh, very nice. I love seeing photos of your work. What nice use you made of that suede. I planted some zucchini seeds today. I also put the rhubarb in the ground. It feels so healing to work in the garden.

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  26. Beautiful and I love the contrast linings.

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  27. How I like the idea of a gift cupboard. I must have one. I love your handbags. I must try my hand at one, never have. You have some fine fabric you are working with.
    I like hearing what you are doing as it gets me in the mood for doing the same thing. You energize me.
    It's Sunday but a beautiful sunny one for being out in the yard and keeping an idle mind busy.
    Happy Sunday to you
    betsy

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  28. I would love that messenger bag, it is so wonderful! I do love to make gifts but never am sure if they are received with the love they are made. I think making them I might think they are a bit more special than they really are! Have a wonderful visit.

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  29. You are busy, busy, busy but in a fun way.
    I do like the bags.

    Have a wonderful family visit.

    All the best Jan

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  30. I love homemade gifts - giving and receiving though there are only certain people I give homemade gifts too. Sadly there are some people who don't appreciate them much.

    I really like your bags! Enjoy the family visit

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  31. The way you make gifts reminds me of my mother, she made us so many things growing up. She mainly sewed but also crocheted and knitted. Lovely tote bag!

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  32. The best gifts are the handmade ones. They are a brace of lovely bags. Jo x

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  33. Those are lovely bags, i am sure your guest gone love your handmade gift.Have a nice day.
    My New Post | Instagram | Bloglovin

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  35. You are quite the seamstress!! You do amazing work!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your prayers for my surgery and for my dear nephew and his family!! I truly appreciate it!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  36. No, I do not make homemade gifts, Lorraine, and so admire yours. I have made gifts of some of my photos in the form of cards.

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  37. What a great way to use up extra fabrics and the bag are so wonderfully handy. They make super gifts. You're very crafty and talented. I used to make alot of gifts but am more into painting and sculpting now as time allows... It's good to be energetic and busy, and Spring is a busy time ... I can hardly wait for the snow to go so that I can get out into the garden. I've already planted seeds in indoor pods hoping to get a jump start on the long winter, alas we still have lots of snow. Your basil infused oil sound wonderful....Be sure to take alittle time to relax and enjoy the weather...Be healthy and Happy...Hugs

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  38. This is a wonderful handmade

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  40. How lovely the bags are! Enjoy your company and make many happy memories!

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  41. How wonderful to have your company to come visit! Love your bags.......so lovely!

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  42. Hi Lorraine, if you want anything done, ask a busy person like you! You remind me of myself in healthier days keeping busy with very much the same things - homemaking and gardening and crafting and attending to family. I'm late to this post but I can read the excitement for your impending visitors between the lines. It'll be great.

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  43. If you enjoy being busy, you must be one happy lady. You wear me out just reading about all your accomplishments. Love your bags.

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  44. love the bag, so pretty and also love the tags.

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