U-handblog

...and the winner of the Sewing Patterns and Craft Mags is...

Thanks for your entries to the latest crafty loot giveaway.  I loved seeing what you're up to craftwise. It's obvious that craft is an integral part of your lives - which is great because it must mean that I'm 'normal' too!  Haha!  I can see lots of BMB bag pics on the horizon - I'm looking forward to getting them because I'm setting up a baggy gallery in which to 'hang' them in.

 

Up for grabs was patterns and mags - wish I had time to enjoy 'em!

 

 So the winning number of randomness is:

...numero 16!!!

Which means that Alexandra who said:

"I have a party dress planned for September, a couple of tops for August, and some bags as gifts for the next few weeks. And toys and clothes for my kids for the rest of the year, of course"

 

Congrats Alexandra, will you please get in touch with me (for may emaila ddress please click on the ABOUT at top right hand corner of blog) so we can arrange getting the good stuff sent to you.

My Makeup Makover - Before & After

As some of you already know I popped into London last Thurs (BTW that's a turn of phrase: it's impossible to 'simply pop into London'. A full suit of American Footballer armour aids one's manoeuvrability in the city centre, but only marginally). It's nice being a tourist in the Smoke, but as I get older and more crochety I find myself getting 'city agitated' after a few hours.

Anyway, whilst in London I ran a few errands, had a yummy noodle lunch and got meself a bit of a makeover! 

 

It's grey, it's been raining and it's the height of summer. How can I cheer myself up? I know, I'll go an see Les Mis!  :)

It's grey, it's raining and it's the height of summer. How can I keep myself dry?  I know, I'll wear some bags covered with Union Jacks!  :)

 

Good ol' Wonkies!  It's a London China Town institution. I've been eating here since I was a little girl. It cheap, the service is umm, gruff, but if you're hungry and in hurry it can't be beat.  And the Duck ho fun soup noodles are ta-hasty!

 

Installed in the makeup hot seat (which as I predicted is hoisted up as far as it will go) inside Selfriges. This is the 'before' shot.  BTW I haven't doctored any of these pics - it's all mother nature or bubbly Mr Pan from here on in!

...and 'after'. (sans photoshop)   No serioulsy, what?!?  Where have my red patches gone!?   Hey Alan [the makeup artist, not my hubster], don't spose you've ever considered settling down in Brighton?  Actually it's a great place in which to to live...aw go on, PLEASE!

Here's Mr Alan Pan (the magic-ian). What he doesn't know is (that in this pic) my hand is fishing around in his pocket for his mobile phone (or other form of ID) so I can stalk him - for any special occasion which requires make up expertise (which is hardly ever, but anyway...)

This shot was his idea OK?  I'm guessing that in this shot he might be encouraging onlookers to buy the a bottle of the product in his left hand? Maybe?

 

What did I learn:

• As we ...er...mature it's more important to pay more attention to your skin care than to your makep up. Turns out my skin is pretty dry and could do with bit of scrub.
• Oriental Ladies should go for bolder brighter eye colours (over paler shimmery colours). That's fine by me!
• Less is more (not to mention more convenient!) Drag queens may wear the most amazing makeup, but they are less likely to have time constraints such as those imposed by having to do the school run or to have stuff to sew (I have no hard evidence for this, I'm lazily falling back on my perceived stereotype of glamorous drag queens).
• If you happen to be in town when Alan is in town I can highly recommend!

 

Powder, Lipstick and Warpaint

Woo excitement! I am going to get a makeover by a pro makeup artist; Alan Pan.  I read about Alan on Coquette's blog. I was particularly excited to read her (Natalie's) blog post because she is oriental (and very pretty she is with it too!).  I am (as you know) also oriental, but for all my life have been a total makeup numpty.  I just never got round to experimenting and the UK magazines hardly ever provide beauty advice for orientals. To me warpaint has never been that important, but in my later years (what with book signings and that) I'm finding that a  little bit of slap does make for more chirpy photos - am I right?

Amazing what a a bit of slap (and LOADS of Photoshop) can do to pep up a gal!

The makeover is going to happen in a buzzy London department store where I'm sure I'll be surrounded by gorgeous young sales assistants with fab figures, lashes, and pouts.  And I'll be sat (racked up as high as the chair will go) and I'll tell Mr Pan, "I don't know what I want because I am a makeup numpty!"  It's gonna be so fun! Heheeee!  I'll be sure to show you before and after pics - with pre- warnings of course :) 

Craft isn't always slippers and pyjamas (tho I'm very glad it can be a lot of the time). 

Are a "slick of lipbalm and out the door I go!" kinda gal?

Or are you more a "the full works or I don't leave the house" kind of gal?

 

Sewing Patterns and Craft Mags Giveaway!

Wooo! I'm feeling sooo good right now. I've just handed in a big chunk of writing to my editor. This means I can have a guilt free rest day - before I get back on with the rest of that book.  What shall I do?  Go bungy jumping, salsa dancing, take in theatre show, or have a slap up meal with Al?  Nah, I think I fancy: walking Beans on the sea front, sewing something for fun, watching a movie on telly and then nomming ribs and salad for tea - awww right!

I have to say; I love so much that you have still continued to say hi in emails and on the sosh media.  I really appreciate the link love that you're sharing too - even though I've not been blogging as much you're still out there keeping tabs and that's very touching. Thank you.

So, before I pop out of the house with Beanie I wanted to post this give-away, becuase: it's been a long time since we had one, it helps keep my craft gear in order and therefore it'll go to a more deserving home than mine.

**Oh, before I post my own give-away do pop over to the ace Fat Quarterly blog where Kate had made a reviewed my Easy Peasy Purse Kit and she's giving one away!

   

This purse kit is up for grabs on the Fat Quarterly blog.

 

 

Right back to my give-away. Here's what crafty contraband we got comin' your way...

Firstly we have sewing and knitting mags all with yummy and quality projects and a decent level of technical information.  They all 2011 issues.

The pattern and instructions are included for this cute skirt - if I had the time I'd love to whip up one of these! Inside sewing World mag.

Same can be said for this sweet halterneck/waistcoat...  Inside sewing World mag.

Cute socks aplenty!  I can't knit (or crochet) for toffee so let's not even go there! From Knitting Magazine.  All the following project pics have instructions included to make 'em...

So so gorgeous!!!! (not sure about the boy jumper, but look at the girl and her top what a cutie!)

And we also have some brand new sewing pattern-age goodness. The 3 patterns above are by Cheryl Kuczek of Paradiso Designs. This lady knows her shapes!  Check out her site for more patterns and lots of free tutes too!

 

It might be summer, but that don't mean nuthin to the rainclouds (which is why Amy B's raincoat will deffo come in handy!)  This Carpet bag pattern is one of our best sellers (it'll be back in stock V soon) - when teamed with a bag frame it makes the most adorable shaped carpet bag...

 

..see what I mean?  Beautifully made by Marion G.  (Sorry this bag isn't included in the give-away).

 

Contest Details (please read carefully):

I will send the crafty good stuff  to 1 winner.  The draw is open to everyone.  If winner is overseas I will mark the package as a 'gift' so there will be no customs to pay. 

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Telling us what are your crafty plans are for the next 6 months? For instance: what are you hoping to make, what skills are you hoping to learn or what are you planning to teach etc? I can't wait read your answers!

 

 SORRY, THIS DRAW IS NOW CLOSED.

 

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly select 1 winner in a weeks time: 12th July and announce them the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)