Barbados Blogging

My last three posts have had references to summer and sunshine, sunlight and sea, and needing vitamin "sea" - they have also all had the label #Barbados for anyone who didn't guess, these were scheduled last week as I was away . . . In Barbados!
Oh my gosh, what an amazing holiday! Just one holiday pic - our beach, the beach bar and the sea as seen from our roof terrace!

What I would like to share are some pics of my holiday sewing and purchases!
I took a kantha project (see my Pinterest page if you want to see the inspiration) - well over 25 hours so far!

My poor finger suffered though - no thimble!

And I took my La Pass second cog - it's progressing!

We managed to find a fabric shop in Bridgetown, and bought some fairly thick fabrics, suitable for bags, plus some faux silk

That back fabric is really bizarre - cats in tutus, Penguins in clown boots, lips in window boxes - I wasn't going to buy it, but kept getting drawn back to it - just as well: Lisa has claimed it for the big cushion at the back of her bed!

Posted with Blogsy

Crafty Calendar

Niki's friend Polly is a teacher - a scary thought for those of us who have know here since she was 5, but these things happen!

She inherited a classroom with a lot of rubbish - but one of the things that survived a major clear out was this calendar

However, not only was it seriously out of date (see the years), but some numbers, most days and a season and a weather patch were replaced with either a laminated one, or a very basic stitched one

So I've embroidered the next six years

All the numbers

All the days

And the missing season and weather, so she and her mum can make new patches and recommission it

Rain and Winter - pah, can I choose Summer and Sunshine instead?

Feeling Shirty

There have been quite a few posts about some blue quits for my cousin Bård's I owed him a huge thank you, and he asked for blue quilts.  You can click on the label Bård's Blues to see the other posts .  

I finally got sorted in my new sewing room and decided it was time to sew - time to convert the final strips of shirt fabric into something approaching a quilt.

(this looks a bit like sunlight reflecting off the sea!)

Just the binding to add then I'll have three quilts for him when I see him in June.

Crafty Christmas

 Did you have a good Christmas?  I hope so.  I was spoilt!  I'll just show you the sewing related stuff:

This sewing kit from Niki's boyfriend Harry

A sew-your-own Christmas decoration set and a lovely boxy pouch from Jackie

And fabrics and scissors from nephew and his wife

I saw this the other day - I quite agree!

Barbados Bag Two

Driving home from work this afternoon I was thinking about my Barbados Bag.  It worked really well over the suitcase handle

And will be great filled with drink, sunnies, book and towel for a walk to the beach, but may be a bit big for shopping or travelling

It so happens I just *may* be travelling tomorrow too - on a girly trip to Gibraltar, which was really why I was thinking about the suitability of my big bag . . . so I planned a new, smaller, version, and no one was home when I got in - so I made it!

Same fabric

Same inner pockets, same zip pocket and my usual purse clip and secret slip pocket,

And almost the same outer pockets - but can you see the blue zip at the bottom of this pic?

It closes to make an outer pocket . . . or unzips to open so the bag will stand on my case

So I'm ready for some autumn sun this weekend, as well as ready for my January holiday (did I mention I'm going to Barbados?)

Barbados Bag

Husband went to Barbados several years ago with his sister and her family, and he brought back several lengths of fabric ideal for bags. Most have been used, but some bright shell fabric was still waiting for the right project!

I've now (nearly) made another version of the Everyday Tote bag:

It's landscape rather than portrait, and I've set the straps into the top seam rather than part way down.

I've added the internal slip pockets and zip pocket as per the instructions, 

and I've also added a few extras: a clip at the top to keep the bag closed as well as a hidden slip pocket and a key ribbon (as I usually do on bags)

New to me however is something I've wanted to try: I've seen holiday bags that attach to the pull up handle on suitcases, and they seem like a great idea, so on the back (below an external zipped pocket) there is a wide band (carefully fussy cut so it's almost hidden)

But this is two external slip pockets, and an open section

I'm hoping this will work on a suitcase.  

This is called my Barbados bag because the fabric came from there, 

oh, 

and because 

I'M GOING TO BARBADOS 

IN JANUARY!!!!!!  

And my bag is coming too!!!!

Whoa, I’m going to Barbados
Whoa, back to the palm trees
Whoa, I’m going to see my girlfriend
Whoa, in the sunny Caribbean Sea

I don’t wanna be bus driver all my life
I’ve seen too much of Brixton town in the night
Fly away on Coconut Airways
Fly me high, Barbados skies

I looked up at the sky and I see the clouds
I look down at the ground and I see the rain go down the drain
Fly away on Coconut Airways
Fly me high, Barbados skies
  

Whoa, I’m going to Barbados
Whoa, back to the palm trees
Whoa, I’m going to see my girlfriend
Whoa, in the sunny Caribbean Sea

Far away from London town and the rain
It’s really very nice to be home again
Mary Jane, with the coconut air plane
Now I know she loves me so

Whoa, I’m going to Barbados
Whoa, back to the palm trees
Whoa, I’m going to see my girlfriend
Whoa, in the sunny Caribbean Sea

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now commencing our approach to Bridgetown, Barbados
The weather is fine with approximate temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit
The sky is blue and the palm trees are really cool
Captain Wilcox and his crew hope you have had a pleasant flight
And that you will fly Coconut Airways again

 
Whoa, I’m going to Barbados
Whoa, back to the palm trees
Whoa, I’m going to see my girlfriend
Whoa, in the sunny Caribbean Sea

Whoa, I’m going to Barbados
Whoa, back to the palm trees
Whoa, I’m going to see my girlfriend
Whoa, in the sunny Caribbean Sea