Project Update

I've been following a lot more crafty people and companies on Facebook recently, its nice to have a little crafty injection when I manage a 2 minute break at work to refresh facebook.

A favorite at the moment is And Sew We Craft, they regularly post funny crafty photos and this one really made me chuckle 

It's so true...

Really got me thinking about all the promises we make to ourselves about not starting projects, I hear myself thinking this all the time but I rarely manage to actually see it through 

Somehow my fingers manage to make their way to that new book or that new pile of fabric or just maneuver my car into the car park at the local craft shop...I surely cannot be blamed for these incidents over which I have little control?  

Well in the spirit of desperately trying not to start anything knew, I thought I would own up to the projects which are as yet unfinished (but are well on their way!) 

Ripple Blanket

I'm 120 rows in....yes really 120 rows I had to count twice....but I'm not finished. I don't really know how many rows I'm planning but is isn't quite long enough so I'm still going.

Lovely a warm to sit under and make on a blustery autumn evening

I'm loving the colours.... it's so Missoni 

Liberty Quilt

Not sure I've shared this project with you, other than mentioning I'd bought the fabric and pattern at the Knitting and Stitching Show in October 

As you can see it's a tree, I've cut out about 100 flower pieces, tree trunk and butterflies and am now in the process of applique-ing these on to a fabric sandwich...its actually not taking as long as I'd feared...
tree trunk done...now just the 80ish flower pieces to go! 

Loving working on this, and working with Liberty fabric is such a massive treat 

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Ok, so now I've admitted to my 2 mammoth ongoing projects is it a good time to admit I'm starting another one??

I will also point out right now that I have just joined the Quilty Fun Sew Along being ran by Lori Holt and a raft of quilty bloggers so yes I'm about to start something new....oh well it's the thought that counts right???

This runs right until March 2014! 

Weekend Stitching - Patchwork Coasters Trial

I did a spot of shopping last week...

I know I'm meant to be saving money but I spotted this tutorial by Lori Holt on the Fat Quarter Shop for some easy patchwork coasters which I couldn't resist. Plus I keep seeing patterns which use charm cakes plus it is nearly Christmas. And I need some Christmas patchwork in my life.......

so basically it wasn't my fault at all that 2 charm packs from Moda cyber-jumped into my basket on eBay. 

I was a victim really! 

After a little pinning, stitching, cutting and pressing...here they are.... 

My first attempt at coasters didn't turn out to bad....starting to wish I'd taken up the offer of the village craft fair. Oh well I'd probably be stressed beyond belief right now if I had agreed to do, and stressed crafting is rarely fun. 

So my next task is to make some Christmasy placemats and coasters. Just the 3 of us for Christmas this year, pleased I don't have all the family here and don't have to make 15 of them!

The Belle & Boo Book of Crafts Review and Campervan Bean Bag

One of my little treats at the Knitting and Stitching Show was a new craft book. I'd seen a review of this book previously so when I saw it at the show I had to have a flick through, and as soon as I'd seen inside I had to treat myself -

The Belle & Boo Book of Crafts 

25 enchanting projects to make for children

 The book contains a wonderful collection of projects, including a beanbag which was my prompt to buy the book....I wanted to make a campervan cushion for my son's bedroom to match the campervan blind. So I've road tested one of the projects and I'm still really impressed.

The instructions were really simple and clear to follow, also really pleased that it only took me a couple of hours to make 

(I've got a few projects on the go at the moment so to get something completely finished in one sitting was great) 

Here it is....I've made a cosy little book corner in my son's bedroom, he loves his big boy beanbag and it looks great matching the blind

The book is filled with cute illustrations and many more sewing, crochet and knitting projects from simple to amazing....would thoroughly recommend if you are looking for ideas for children that are just a little more enchanting than the norm

Maybe something to ask Santa for????

More elephant bunting

I posted recently on facebook that I was making elephant bunting for a friend, a different friend left me a comment asking if I had scraps then her little boy would love some elephant bunting for his elephant room.....This friend has always been so kind about my crafty exploits so I couldn't resist sending her a little treat, and whilst I had everything out I needed making an extra set of mini bunting really wasn't any trouble at all.

I sent this as a surprise so didn't want to ruin it by posting pictures last week and having to make up who it was for, blah blah blah....

well I now know it has arrived so can share this slightly different elephant bunting with you ....  so cute - this would look great in any nursery

Bunting had it's outing

Do you remember a few weeks ago I mentioned making some bunting for my husband's work, but it didn't quite make it to it's planned outing?

Well it went out to the market this weekend

Looking good - quite pleased with this 

Elephant Bunting

Started using the stash of fabric I bought at the Knitting and Stitching Show this morning to make some bunting. It was always the plan to use some of the elephant fabric to make bunting. A very good friend of mine is nearing the end of her second pregnancy and is decorating the nursery brown and white, I asked if I could help in any way and suggested bunting. When I saw this adorable beige and white elephant fabric at the show it I knew this was perfect for the bunting. 

So here it is, elephant bunting for the nursery, hot off the sewing machine only minutes ago...

Right I'm off to the post office with this....

Knitting and Stitching Show - October 2013

Yesterday I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London. What a fabulous day.

As always with these shows, preparation is key. 

I booked in for 2 workshops - one on Shrink Plastic and another to make a make up bag

I'd made a list of what I wanted to buy 

had other project ideas in mind. 

I also went with a very good friend...crafting and a good chat...what could have been better. 

This was by far the biggest craft show I have ever been to, taking up 3 halls in Alexandra Palace. There was such a range of things to do and see.  Including an amazing yarnbombed taxi at the entrance!

One hall had a beautiful display of work from experienced and student artists

Whilst another had the opportunity to get involved in upcycling to make woven rugs and flower corsages

The third hall was by far the biggest and full of all types of knitting and stitching products, of course I didn't come home empty handed 

Campervan and Spotty Fabric

Cars Fabric

Elephant Fabric

Liberty Scraps Fabric

I also bought a fabulous quilt fabric which I will use the liberty fabric for...will share this soon

Looks like there will be a lot of stitching in my future!

Shrink Plastic Workshop

I've had a play with Shrink Plastic before, but always useful to learn from someone more experienced. I made these amazing buttons...so incredibly pleased with them and definitely learnt some new tips to help me make better items at home

Shrink Plastic Buttons

Sewing a Zip into a Makeup Bag Workshop

This was the workshop I was most excited about as I thought there was a dark art to inserting zips...turns out they are as easy as pie! 

Within an 1.5 hours I had made the outer bag with a zip inserted and box corners (also new to me!) then I slip stitched in the lining on the train heading home....great skills I will use again and again. 

From this....

...to this

Love it!

If you're crafty and can get to London would completely recommend the show, its on until Sunday so get there if you can.

I was sent the entry tickets to the show for free in exchange for writing a review, however, I paid for all travel, workshops and shopping myself. All words in this blogpost are my own. 

First attempt at bunting

I'm always a little apprehensive when trying something seemingly simple for the first time. I want it to be perfect and it rarely is. But this time....well I don't want to blow my own trumpet too much but, By George She's Done It.....my first attempt at bunting and I'm pretty chuffed

Hubby has started to run a monthly market stall and wanted to display his company name, I suggested making some bunting with his company name on.

I searched an awful lot of photos and articles before starting, there were loads of different techniques and shapes. But I'm a fairly traditional girl at heart so it was the classic triangles with patched letters for me.

Now I was holding this post to show you a picture of my husband's market stall...well I went to my parents house this weekend with the little man. On Saturday morning I got a rather sheepish phonecall from my husband...he'd forgotten to pick up the bunting...so after some 1/2 serious 1/2 joking swearing we laughed about it...

So you will have to wait for an in situ photo next month... oh hum.... so pleased I worked late into the night to finish these on Wednesday before I disappeared for a long weekend on Thursday! LOL!

Another Textile ATC Swap

Really excited to be taking part in the second textile ATC swap ran by Ali over at Very Berry Handmade

The partners have been exchanged, so I know who I am making for (sorry its a secret till we exchange!)

The theme this time is Autumn. I've got a few ideas in mind and a little time left to finesse as the exchange is the first week in November. Looking forward to making something for some one else.

I made a camping / outdoor themed ATC  for the last swap with shrink plastic bunting and a free hand machine embroidery detail

Thinking cap firmly on

Campervan Bedroom Roman Blind

Have finally managed to get the camera out before my little man has gone to bed to get a photo of the roman blind I made for his room. 

Love this campervan fabric -so cute

I was a bit blonde when I was cutting it and did my measurements all wrong, was just having a seriously off day, managed to find some nice navy linen in my stash. Actually quite like it 2 tone, like to think it was a design statement but honestly it was to cover a mistake. Oh well no one will ever know, you wont tell will you!

I used blackout lining as the room is a bit of a sun trap and I would kill for a lie-in, he also has a set of curtains as the window is in an alcove. The curtains have blackout lining too, but he is still up at 6am every morning! I will be reminding the little man of this when he is a teenager and I'm struggling to get him to rise before noon! 

Embroidered Sampler Shopping Bag

Like most people I try to recycle as much of our household waste as possible and remember to take my own bags shopping about 90% of the time. Whilst sorting out my craft desk this week I found this bag folded in with some quilting material - I made this last year its a sampler / shopping bag, took me quite a while to do as embroidery always does.

The problem is I'm way to scared to actually use it. It's been sat on my craft desk for over a year and I've been using the hardy plastic bags you can get at the supermarket, I really need to get this out.

Think it will look really cute with a french baguette sticking out of the top....right that is my mission to get a photo of my using it to share with you 

The Amazings - Free Online Course Offer

If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know that I do love to learn new skills. I really enjoy attending courses as feel that there is so much more I can learn from a professional teacher than surfing the internet and learning from pictures. But, I don't always have the time to attend a course, there's work commitments, home commitments as well as babysitter needs, so I don't go to as many as I would like these days. So when I was contacted by The Amazings I jumped at the opportunity to take one of their online courses. You mean I can take a professional course from the comfort of my own sofa at a time which worked for me?....genius....yes please 

I took the Hexie Heirloom Patchwork Quilt class

This is the Virginia the course teacher showing off her quilt

The class is divided into 9 chapter videos comprising

• introduction explaining the technique, end product and the materials needed lasting approx 20 mins
• the process is then split into 8 bite size chunks of approx 7 minutes 

Each of the videos is done in a chatty style, it really feels like you are also sat in Virginia's living room with Jen learning all about the techniques. I found that I watched the first couple of videos and learnt about the template fabric cutting, then I proceeded in getting my fabric and paper cut whilst I watched the remaining videos, for me this worked really well as I was able to see what was coming, and of course because it is online I was able to rewind and re-watch if I missed a bit (you cant do that in a physical class when you've been daydreaming for a second and missed the important point!)

Each of the videos was really clear and because the chapters are only 7 minutes long it's achievable and you can watch the section as you need it without worrying that you will have forgotten what the teacher said by the time you get home.  

I don't think there is a substitute for attending a physical class, but if live is busy, finances tight or taking a day to travel to a class simply isn't an option this is a brilliant alternative. 

I was offered the course free by The Amazings' team in exchange for writing this review, the team are superstars as they are also offering you lovely readers the chance to take one of their online courses free too 

Free The Amazings Online Course - Click here

what will you choose? Loom knitting? Make your own beauty products? Upcycle a shirt into a dress? There are some great classes available and remember you can take one for FREE - awesome

Cupcake Pincushion

I was a lucky to receive a craft kit from my Mum recently as a little treat. Its sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks until a had a couple of free evenings to focus on this, and I was thrilled that this was all it took - 2 evenings of stitching in front of the TV and pow - 2 gorgeous cupcake pincushions to adorn my craft table.

Aren't they adorable...

The kit had everything you needed to create these 2 pincushions, in fact it had more than needed as I'm left with loads of stuffing and thread for another project. The felt pieces were pre-cut to size plus really clear picture instructions which meant I was guaranteed a great outcome from these 

WIP Wednesday - Cupcake Pincushion

Icing pinned and ready for stitching this evening. Making 2 cupcake pincushions from a Crafty Nana kit

Good enough to eat...

 

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