Thursday 13 October 2011

A Sewing Malaise in Marrakech

So it`s been a little quiet here at Marrakech Towers the last couple of days - the thermostat on that sun is still turned up way too high and has zapped me of my creative mojo and good humour.  What with that and a sick little dinosaur to care for and visitors to entertain and provide for, not much sewing has been done in these parts.

Yesterday, I tried to come up with my `goodie` for my partner in The Scrappy Swap 2011 and made this little puffy pouch from scraps. I used this tutorial by the super talented Ayumi.


It`s lined with the fabric which you can see in the middle pleat.  I would like to say I whipped this up in a jiffy but what with the heat, evaporating mojo, fevers, lunches to prepare, plate spinning and magic tricks (okay I made the last two up), I struggled with the top part and so it didn`t meet the exacting standards of quality control and will remain on my dressing table looking little, puffy and pouchy.

I had some fun this morning trying to come up with a cohesive design for my partner in The Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap being hosted by super good bloggy pal Susan.  I am not such a newbie at swaps now. I have learned that it is all about what your partner wants and it`s not for me to inflict my taste and wants on them.  So my partner likes traditional colours, trees, wonky stars and very fancy things, which I`m not yet up to doing.  So I came up with this design, minus the very fancy things obvs.


If I was making this for me, the colour palette would be more muted and Scandinavian but as I`m learning to be less me, me, me this is what I`ve come up with.

I`m sorry if I haven`t been to visit you recently or am late in answering your email but I am super behind and will catch up once the dinosaur is less hot and back at pre-school.

20 comments:

dutchcomfort said...

Cute little pouch and a lovely design for the table-runner!

Toni said...

Cute pouch! I think your runner is looking great so far! It is definitely much harder to make things for someone who has different tastes. Hope your son feels better quickly!

Sheila said...

I'd be happy to be your partner again! Love the puffy pouch. Hope the wee one is back to normal soon.

Sarah said...

Love your poofy pouch! And your design is great too, simple but lovely :-) Looking forward to seeing it progress!

Canadian Abroad said...

Poor Zaki is not better yet. It must be horrid having a fever in the heat you are enduring. Hope he is better soon. Your pounch is gorgeous and your runner design is great. Who needs all the fancy stuff after all? Good clean design and some nice fabric and you are sorted!

Catherine said...

Your pouch looks fab, and I really love your table runner design, the colours are great. It is hard to think in the way of some-one else isn't it! (especially when that someone else doesn't appear to be participating - aaagh!)

blandina said...

Well, quality control or not the little pouch is very attractive.
I also love the table runner design, I think it is interesting and well balanced. Your swap partner will be delighted!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Your pouch and ideas look wonderful; sorry Zaki is poorly, I can again empathise with him as I have a new cough to keep me company and awake at night.
xxx

Anonymous said...

a cute pouch! Your very busy, lots of delicious swaps.

Ellie said...

I hope your wee one gets well quickly. When they are unwell you get nothing done!
The heat can just drain you of all you energy can't it? I am impressed you got anything done!!

Lynn said...

Your table runner design is so cute!! I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Hope your little dinosaur gets better soon! Love your runner design and your pouch looks wonderful from here!!

Katy Cameron said...

The pouch is cute, love those fabrics!

Hope your dinosaur is feeling much better soon, nothing worse than feeling under the weather when the weather is so hot too!

That runner looks fab (and complicated enough to me!)

Anonymous said...

i love your puffy pouch! hope all is better soon. xo.

Unknown said...

Hi lovely

Oh I hope the Mojo and the dino find they are on the way up very soon

I love the pouch - gorgeous :)

x Loulou

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I love the design of your table runner. It will be perfect. We are suffering from the heat here, too. 106'F yesterday and today. Way too hot to do anything. I hope the little one returns to his bright self real soon. I like the fabrics on the pleated pouch.

Unknown said...

Poor little dino, hope he feels better soon! Love the pouch, and LOVE the design... I have a feeling it might be for me. Could it be???! If it is... full steam ahead! Love it!!!!!

Little Dotty Bird said...

that pouch looks fab, wish I could whip up something like that in a jiffy...I fear my attempt would be no where near that good! Like the idea of a xmas table runner, youve just given me a xmas pressie idea for my (nearly) inlaws! thanks for visiting my blog xx

Unknown said...

argh longer comment gone!

mainly - glad our cooler weather has arrived, and lovely bag, loving the pleats.

Anna@MyDesignEthos said...

I'm beyond impressed with your gorgeous sewing skills and have to admit I am a fabricaholic as well (although my fabric addiction is for upholstery and home decor fabrics!). Love this beautiful pouch - one day I will learn to do more on my sewing machine than sew cushions!