After quite a long break from creativity, the desire has finally returned! I couldn't say the last time I had a day sewing, but I have had 2 in the last week! This has mainly been due to the fact that I am hobbling around the house having done something mysterious to my foot, and possibly have a broken toe. As a result I haven't been out of the house for days and I have been pottering at home quite contentedly, and making a huge mess in the process. Andy had last week off and ended up taking the girls out on his own, while I made these....
I have been meaning to make some of these lounge pants from Amy Butler's 'In Stitches' ever since I got the book (about a year ago), and have been saving thrifted sheets for the very purpose. I have to say they are the comfiest 'soft bottoms' I have had for a very long time, and I am practically living in them at the moment! I had to make 2 pairs as one was a trial with a not-so-nice sheet, and the white ones are my ones for 'best'. Unfortunately as always happens, the trial pair came out slightly better than the 'best' pair, but they are both comfy and pretty, so who cares?!
I also made the girls a nightdress each. Grace is obsessed by nighties and has several - some of which I've made and some from Boden, and I have to say that the ones I have made myself have lasted longer and washed better, so from now on I am sticking to making my own. Ruth demanded one when she saw I was making one for Grace, despite normally having to be swaddled from head to toe at bedtime (including socks) even in the hottest weather. I made her promise she would wear it if I made her one, and to her credit she has rarely been out of it. It is now lunchtime and she is still in it, so it was a hit and I may make her some more.
Aside from nightwear I also made three cushions (the three in the middle) for the sofa (long overdue), 2 cushions for my outdoor chairs (if we ever get to use them again - they are a bit soggy at the moment) and an ironing board cover, which was a necessity as I cut through the existing one whilst making one of the cushions. I've even dusted off my jewellery making stuff and made these two necklaces. 
My lovely little sister has just bought her first house with her boyfriend and the girls and I are going to stay with them on Friday for almost a week, so I had to make her a few house-warming presents to take along too. Unfortunately I can't show you at the moment in case she reads this, but I'll post a photo when we return.
All in all I have been a very busy bee, and I have loved feeling that creativity return. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining. I'll have to injure myself again soon so that I can stay in and sew more often!
We are loving the holidays and don't want them to end. It's so nice catching up with friends and floating around in PJs until lunchtime. I may not be around much for the next couple of weeks - I'm away with the girls and then we are (weather permitting) going camping for the last week of the hols, so apologies if I am not a frequent blog visitor for a while. Normal (ie erratic) service will resume once term starts!
Happy holidays,
Cathy XX