5 on a Friday: Sewing mistakes I make.

I'm still kind of a newbie when it comes to sewing and there is definitely much I need to learn. But to learn from you mistakes you need to acknowledge them so today's 5 on a Friday is all about things I do wrong when it comes to sewing.

Boxy make-up bag and slim pencil case

I've been at it again, I didn't think I had enough of them so made myself a couple more zipper pouches! Actually I keep making the same thing to practice and try and perfect the skills that I am learning.

The Crafty Side of Me: Mini wallet and pencil case.

I'm desperate to do some more sewing and have a couple of projects planned with some gorgeous material that's been sitting in my stash box for ages. I'm trying to be patient and wait till the end of the month when I can invest in some grid rulers which will make my life so much easier as cutting out fabric neatly is not something I'm particularly good at. my lovely hubby got me a rotary cutter and large cutting board for Christmas which I really wanted so once I purchase my rulers I'll be raring to go, it will be a lot quicker cutting out patterns.

I have done a little bit of sewing so I thought I'd share some of the things I have managed to make recently.

Honorable purchases!

It's been a while since we've found any honorable purchases (or ones with in my budget) in our local charity or antique shops, but last week I found several things that I just had to buy and now felt it only right that I share them with you

The first 2 items I bought in a lovely shop called The Emporium in Godstone Surrey.  I love this shop, you can get all sorts of things in there from new to old.  I also like the idea that there are are 14 different people who sell things in there. Not all at once obviously, but they each have an area of the shop where they have all their bits on display.  It reminds me of a book I read by Katie FForde A French Affair.  It's about 2 sisters who inherit a stall in an antiques centre where romance blossoms.  You can imagine all sorts of interesting background stories of the people who work there...

Facecloth toothbrush wrap.

Easy mobile phone pouch

Slightly longer than a mid-year catch up

We're nearly at the end of August and things have been very quiet on the Tales of Me pretty much since I took part in the A to Z challenge back in April, that was a whole lot of fun but also a shed load of work.  Since then things have been pretty manic with one thing and another in the Rigby household so blogging and socialising with my blog buddies and on FB/Twitter has been to the minimum. But I'm going to try for a better work, life and blogging balance and maybe fit it all in...

My essay is written just waiting for feedback from my mentor and then need to do an changes, it will all be handed in on the 29th.  My results for the OSCE came in and unfortunately I failed that.  That came as no surprise as I already blogged about that and how badly it went.  I know where I went wrong and what I need to do so I will be getting as much practice as in possible.  The main problem I had in the exam was a ran out of time so I will be buying myself a watch to keep an eye on the time, we get 30 minutes to see each pretend "patient". I know 30 mins sounds a lot but in exam terms its not.

I had planned to do a a mid-year update when I was going to look back at the goals I set in January but I've kind of missed the mid-year mark but hey better late then never! So all the way back in January I made some Goals! and did a post about what I wanted to achieve this year. So lets see how I'm doing with all that...




I'm on my way to achieving my work goals, as I've mentioned I am doing my physical examination course and although it's not quite going to plan as I failed my exam but I will have achieved this by September!  In February I will hopefully be on my Nurse prescribing course which will be another one of my goals achieved.  Positive thinking! I actually started a 2nd course last month which is all adding to progressing in my career.  An ongoing goal for me is my organisation in life full stop. At work it has been better but I haven't been as organised with my course so definitely room for improvement there!



Ok one of my things as it is ever year is to get fitter and get down the gym!  Well I've managed to loose abour 5kg/10lbs ish. Which is great.  I had been going down the gym regularly, I even made it 4 times in one week! Unfortunately that has gone a little to pot this last 6 weeks due to time with my course and then I have time I have no car as Hubby's has broken down and he has to use mine.  That will hopefully be resolved in the next week or so and I can get back to the gym.

Another goal was to get to grips with my sewing machine, which I've done a little bit of but still got a way to go yet.



One of my money goals was not to make any stupid cock ups when it comes to money.  I suppose we have managed not to do anything stupid but as always money is sometimes good and sometimes bad.  There's been a major change with Hubby at work which is kind of good but has been tough too.  Intrigued? I shall tell you more another day...



I wanted to develop my blog further this year which hasn't gone so well as I just haven't had the time to spend on it.  On the other hand after the A to Z I have a few more followers which is great!



Well I haven't had as much as I'd of like this year.  I'm happy and life's not been all bad but we haven't got to do any canoeing or camping.  We have had a wonderful holiday in Italy and done some fun stuff, so don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but due to boring responsibilities we have been a little restricted.  I shall endeavour to keep at this goal!

So that's my mid-year ish update.  Later this week I'll be posting a new sewing tutorial , acute little mobile phone pouch.

A little catch up

I've missed just having a chat on my blog what what with the busy schedule of the A to Z challenge.  I am enjoying it and I've met some lovely bloggers but it's not easy.  So what's been happening in my world? I'm having a busy April with weddings, birthdays and even a craft exhibition.

*Warning, pic heavy post*

Last weekend I was lucky enough to have a long weekend off, which meant after Easter I only had a 2 day working week!  On the Thursday, I braved my first craft/sewing exhibition on my lonesome   As I say it was my first but very possibly my last.

Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show

♥Friday Delights♥

Fold over mobile phone pouch

How to make a lined zippered pouch

How cute is this, even if I do say so myself.  This is my first sewing project and I am soooooo pleased with it.  I know if you look closely (or may be not so closely) you will see the lace trim isn't straight but that's mainly because when I cut the fabric I didn't do a great job.

♥Friday Delights♥

You may have noticed I like to share fabulous discoveries I make with you, cuz that's just the kind of girl I am.  From pretty printables, honourable purchases (or extravagant ones), interesting blogs, oh and I have a thing about gorgeous notebooks (in fact there's a whole gang of beautiful notebook loving bloggers out there  Suzie Tullet Donna Trinder Anne Mackle Sharon Goodwin) So I'm introducing Friday delights, it's all about sharing my finds with you.  Some you may find useful, some you may just want to drool over or some you may want to put on your to do or wish list.  Whichever it is I'm sure you'll see some things you'll love