And the winner is..

A bit later than planned due to a very very busy week at work. The winner of my little giveaway is...

number 5 - ihanna

I will email you for your address and get your prize in the post very soon :)

Toby loves you

Toby loves you
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Happy Valentine's day from Toby and me. Hope you've had a day full of love. Or chocolate. Or both.

EDIT: he asked me to remind you to enter the 300 posts giveaway. He's going to help me pick the winner on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Don't forget to check out UK Handmade and Made in the UK

Latest posts on Made in the UK include a gorgeous cake and a valentine's card made my me.

Over on UK Handmade you can read about fellow makers, fairs, businesses and find gorgeous things to buy. We're also busily putting together the next magazine but in the meantime, read past issues online.

Happy 300 posts to me!

300 posts
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Wow, 300 posts!

I've been asking what to do to celebrate and the consensus seems to be a giveaway. So your wish is my command. Leave a comment and I'll put together a little package of goodies for the randomly drawn winner.

Winner will be drawn after 8pm (GMT) on Wednesday 16 Feb.

Teeny tiny pot

Little pot
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Inspired by tiny happy I bought a porcelain pen. I've only drawn on one thing so far but I see lots more in my future as it was really easy and fun. I just doodled with no real plan but I think it turned out pretty cute. What shall I draw on next?

Ask me anything...

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/pinkchristine

Postcards all ready to swap

Postcards
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Postcards
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

I signed up to ihanna's postcard swap and have been busy making 10 postcards to be sent all over the world. They're made out of the winter Toast catalogue and paper doilies and here's a sneak preview. I don't want to spoil it for the recipients by showing too much yet - I hope they like them.

A lovely vintage find

Vintage textiles
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Vintage textiles
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

I went for a little wander around the Woodbridge charity shops the other day and came across a couple of beautiful embroideries in Oxfam (the same shop I found this bundle of joyousness).

One of a beautiful lady with pretty flowers was finished but the other still has the outlines ready to be filled in - as a bonus the embroidery threads were tucked inside it so maybe one day I'll get round to finishing it.

Does anyone have any tips on cleaning vintage fabric? I certainly won't be throwing them in the washing machine.

Snuggly baby blanket

Baby blanket
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Here it is, my first finished object made with Nina the Bernina - a baby blanket for our niece or nephew that is due in May.

As previously mentioned, the kit was from Quilter's Haven, and the fabric is so soft and gorgeous. As we don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl I went for a gender neutral kit but there's pretty pink and blue as well.

I can see myself making more of these as they're so easy.
Next baby project is a cot quilt though I think - I just need to decide on a design.

It's that time of year again

Valentine's day card
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

I made this card last year but I'm showing you again as I've written a tutorial for it on the made in the uk blog. Go take a look.

Do you have any plans for Valentine's day this year? Last year I got quite festive about it. I guess as it's our first married V day we should do something special!

Looking back...

Engagement ring
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

I've been reminiscing this evening by going back through my flickr stream. This time two years ago I was only just engaged and feeling very heady, giddy and happy. Gosh it really is scary how quickly time flies sometimes. I'm pleased to have my blog and flickr account to look back over to remember exciting times (not that I could forget a lot of them!).
On my blog this time two years ago I was talking about my engagement ring of course.

What were you up to this time in 2009 or 2008? Link to your blog post or photo from that time too if you have one.

Introducing Nina...

Nina the Bernina
Originally uploaded by ::Christine::

Here she is, the latest addition to the household: Nina. Yes it's a lame name but it's kinda stuck already so there's no changing it.

So far I've only made the baby blanket she's posing with in the photo but I see so much more sewing in my future than ever before. I never knew sewing machines could be so quiet - my old one rattled so much I dared not sew after 9pm in case I was annoying the neighbours. I can listen to music and sew now as Nina just whispers in comparison. I'm only starting to learn how to use her but it's been fun so far.

P.S both Nina and the baby blanket kit are from Quilter's Haven. I'm planning to head there again next weekend to stock up on yummy fabrics.

P.P.S the fact I'm making a baby blanket is not an announcement - I'm going to be an auntie later this year.