A new addiction (or two)

Did I tell you that Mike got me a new sewing machine for my birthday a few months back?  Anyway, he did, and since then I've been making a collection of random items with it.

 Fist was a picnic blanket, seen here in progress, and below, in use by Felix.

That was a project I've been thinking about for a while - waterproof, gortex-like fabric on the bottom, and fun patterned fabric on top.  Perfect for the beach, damp grass, or anywhere else you might want to sit in a city that sometimes gets a lot of rain.  Plus, if it starts to rain, you can always put it over your head as a makeshift a poncho!

Next up were some little drawstring backpacks, which I made for the nephews' birthdays... but genius me forgot to take photos of them, so I'll have to wait for Tara to send me photos before I can show them to you.  :)

My most recent project was another one I've been thinking of for a while - and my friend Amelia's wedding shower seemed the perfect opportunity to make them up!

 These are little lingerie bags for when you go travelling - put all the clean ones in the "Wear Me" bag, and then move them to the "Wash Me" bag after you put them to use.  Aren't they fun?!!  :)

For the lining of the bags I used this pretty rose fabric that Tiffany gave me as part of a "you have a fun new sewing machine, now you need supplies!" gift.

For the fronts - which require close-ups, because they're just so cute - I found (and modified) vintage embroidery patterns, and then stitched them in by hand.This embroidery thing is really fun - I already have LOADS more ideas for what to make next!  I should be careful though -between this, sewing, and knitting, I may never have time to do anything else!

Just to show you that I'm still knitting, here's a pic of the other gift I made for Amelia:

Handknit, pure silk knickers - the perfect wedding shower gift! ;)