A Little Love

A short but sweet post on the testament of love, and a love of making. I made Mr PB a felted heart display, hand crafted with love in time that gives space for dreams and moments of gratitude for our little life. 

I also took the opportunity to practice a new skill of paper cutting. This is my first attempt at something so intricate, I love the design and I'm tempted to try it again and maybe frame it.

Valentines day gave me time to try new things and remembering that hand made presents are really something special.

Long term projects.

We all have a few projects that we never really get round to finishing, on the dressmaking scene its labelled a UFO! I tend to find my other crafting projects take their time, mainly because I'm not in any rush to complete, I spend time crafting as a luxury moment, or there is just something about the doing and not completing or is it the fact they are huge projects that will obviously take a lifetime to complete.

 I thought it would be nice to share these projects see what others have lurking in cupboard, So here we are my first offering to the WIP 'work in progress'

 

I only know how to make a granny square so my plans are simple, a giant square as a bed cover! Yes its been a WIP for 2 years now!

I adore crochet, I have my board to collect inspiration, and that's as far as I often get but it doesn't stop me from appreciating all of those other beautiful color yarns  of wonder. 

Any WIPs to share?

Oswald

During my autumn inspiration list there was a lovely Felix the fox. Felix has a friend called Oswald the owl. These are totally adorable tea towel kits, making them into cushions or toys, perfect for a weekend make.The range are by  Sarah young are delightfully easy makes that are wonderful prints in there own right. So here is Oswald and keep an eye out for Felix.

A crafty day out

My once a year indulgence in Exeter is the stitch and craft show by hobby craft that comes to town each year. Each year I am always amazed the the quilting exhibitions, this year also had the women's institute exhibition on smocking, which was lovely and reminded me of a wonderful our fit my mum had made me when I was young. There was also Jane Austin pride and prejudice outfits (one of my all time favourite books) I was also very taken back by the mixed media creative stitching, embroidery groups, I may even find out about them in my local area as there work was beautiful and contemporary. I did of course forget my camera and take a series of bad photos on my phone which I will save you from!

And yes I did! Buy a pile of fabric!

So do I have time for loads of dressmaking at the moment? Do I have a stash pile that is out of control? Did that stop me?????

This totally wonderful knit! I am in love, I think my plan will be to make a Christmas garment out of this beauty!

This lovely super soft jersey is busy but the colours are so subtle, how could I resist?

These really think cottons are for Christmas present making, I'll share with you later in the year!

Amongst the stalls there are lots of what I feel are overly cute stuff (not really my style) BUT I was taken back by one or two little projects that may be fun. Cross Patch have Lynette Anderson quilt designs that may be nice in the winter months. I have always felt the creative process and oh I can do that myself is actually hindering me from getting on, so I may treat myself to a ready made package of cuteness soon!

A little crafting.

A little teeny tiny crafting has been the order of the day!

I actually used a free gift from Molly Makes, do ever use gifts or do they just sit pretty?

Little Babushka is rather cute, and I was pleased to make her up in a afternoon, fun yet satisfying, a way of keeping your hand in with the crafty stuff!

Refuge blanket completed.

I have been working steadily for a few months and I have finally finished my blanket. As you will know I do not really consider myself a knitter, scarfs and squares are about my limit, although I do dream!

So here we are a finished item! I chose a nice bright but not trashy pink and a neutral cream. I am pleased with the combination.

Each blanket had to be a certain size as I was making it for the refuge, a campaign by the knitter magazine against domestic violence. Si you can download a great booklet for Fancy squares and leave a donation, or you can make blankets or little knotted teddies instead. Follow the link and see loads of updates and great examples of other peoples work  http://theknitter.themakingspot.com/category/tags/refuge

I really enjoyed this project and hope to get my blanket bagged up and in the post this week. There is something really satisfying making something for other be it home made presents or a charity event. Lets do it more often. x x x

Meeting Debbie.

Today has been lovely as I had the opportunity to meet up with Debbie from Minnado's House.  I enjoy following Debbie's blog, she always uses such lovely printed fabric, and fitting in any time to sew with her three children, makes her an inspiration.

Well we met for the first time at Exeter museum, which was a great place to avoid the rather heavy showers! Her children are lovely and we spent a while looking at various stuffed animals! We didn't really get the chance to talk much sewing but I did have a lovely time as it is so nice to say a real life 'hello'! Also a big thank you Debbie for her beautiful gift of fabric.

Patch book review and Self stitched Tablecloth

Patch! by Cath Kidston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Like many other goodread reviewers I felt the projects where simple, but I did still enjoy browsing over the lovely Cath Kidston fabrics. And I have even managed to be inspired enough to have a go. A nice book but glad I got my copy from the library!

View all my reviews

 I must add though I did try out the tablecloth idea. In the book Cath has a great collection of beautiful french linen tea towels, without this kind of stash myself I invested in some and Patched together my own tablecloth. I am pleased with the results, happy I have made something for the home.

I think I would like to finish off by making some nice place mats. I would also like to make the cute pin cushion in the patch book, it's simple hexagon patchwork, effective!

Pin Cushion Parade volume 2.

Hello everyone, this is volume 2 of the parade. Today I'm simply showing a selection of pin cushions, I hope you enjoy them and thank you to those that have shared their lovely swapsys!

1: Fay

2:Jenny {http://the-gingerbread-house.co.uk/}

3: Diane{ Marguerite designs}

4:Collen

5:Sharon{http://theshabbychicbohemian.blogspot.co.uk/}

6:George

7:Judy{http://sewblessedmaw.blogspot.co.uk/}

8:Thereza {http://eastgatehill.blogspot.co.uk/}

9: Susy {http://suzybeesews.blogspot.co.uk/}

Rachel's {http://houseofpinheiro.blogspot.co.uk/} is showcasing different pincushions today, so why don't check it out.

 I would like to say thank you for all of those of you that took the time and effort to join in.

Secondly we are having another opportunity to show off any of your own pin cushions either received or given, time to show all those lovely self stitched goodies. So join in the link party that will be open for a week.

My Pin Cushion Arrives !

It has been so exciting running the pin cushion swap (although a lot of organizing and hard work too). The best bit of course is the actual swap and making new friends. I was lucky enough to make a new friend Colleen in Canada. She has made me a beautiful pin cushion in some of my favorite colours.

Thank you Colleen it is a wonderful pin cushion and already in constant use! And here is a little peek at what I sent to Colleen.

                                       Isn't swapping the best fun!

How to make a Jammie Dodgers and other cookies from felt.

This cute felt Jammie Dodger is a creation of Ouissi Gresty and was feature on Mollie Makes

Jammie Dodger and other felt biscuits. Photograph: Philip Sowels/Mollie Makes

What you need

Beige and red felt
Soft stuffing
Biscuit-coloured embroidery thread
Fine needle
Pins

What to do

1. Cut out your felt shapes using these templates. You can layer the red jam felt piece, the top of the biscuit, the 'splat' and the little round 'splash'.

2. Make sure the 'jam' fills the heart-shaped holes and that the splat and top holes line up. Pin the layers together.

3. Sew around the heart, making sure the stitches go through all layers.

4. Sew around the outer edges of the splat and the round splash piece.

5. Fold the long side piece in half lengthwise and sew down the centre.

6. Open out the two long edges to form the sides of the biscuit.

7. Pin one long edge of the side piece to the edge of the top of your biscuit.

8. Sew all the way around the top.

9. Stuff your biscuit, making sure you fill the edges and corners. Don't fill it so full that it bulges!

10. Pin the bottom piece to the bottom edge of the jammie dodger and sew.


Ouissi Gresty is the author of Felt Biscuits (How2Crafts, £6.95) and blogs at britishcreamtea.blogspot.com.

More Give aways!

Hello lovely readers,

  Rachel and I are really pleased with the running of the swap. Many of you have already received your parcels but some have a little longer way to go due to location distances. If you have received your pincushion, would be great if you could share it on the our Flickr group. 

We have seen some amazing stuff and will be showcasing it on the pincushion swap parade later this month.

If you received your pincushion and blogged about it, why don't you add your blog post on our link party, here.

You probably wondering what other lovely giveaway we have in store and who have won the iPad cover. 

For some reason it wasn't very clear last week that the post was a giveaway as I got some enquired by email and on Facebook. 

For that reason, we are going to extend the closing day and continue running the iPad cover giveaway in parallel with todays pincushion ring. 

For the IPAD cover picture and the lovely Sponsor that made it.{here}

Extended closing date:17 june. Same rules apply.

To win, comment here what is your favourite iPad function. Apps, Ibooks, Games.. etc

Comment will be carried over, but do comment on this post to have a chance of winning today's prize!

Want to meet our sponsor for the pincushion ring?

Firstly, let me write... I have always been an entrepreneur, ALWAYS! As a small child I took my artwork to my mom and dad’s places of work and sold them to their coworkers (not because they were amazing or anything, but the people appreciated my verve, I guess) I had lemonade stands constantly, sold do-dads in front of our house, had yard sales etc. My grandmother started me sewing small things as early as 5 and by 8 I could use her sewing machine, carefully since it was a treadle and required coordination. Then in my teens I had become a very proficient seamstress. I made most of my clothing and soon was doing it for friends or teaching them to sew. My mom had an outdoor outfitter company making custom clothing for dog mushers, and I soon found myself designing and making items for Iditarod mushers. My specialty was harnesses and dog booties for every condition of snow and ice. I made thousands upon thousands of them and had quite the living as a junior and senior in high school. :) Once in college I floundered from biology to writing and from college sports to finally deciding that I was an artist at my core, so why fight it... I set out to get a BFA in sculpture. After finishing my four years, I was on my way to get a Masters in Industrial Design but let life sidetrack me with travel and a husband. It was the best distraction I could have ever been given!

As for pin cushions, whats not to LOVE? I have a small collection of interesting ones and am always looking at them on etsy, in antique stores and I love to make them. At present I make 5 different ones for my stores, but my favorite to use is the thumb ring version. It’s efficient and CUTE!The Bee Wise line has about 65 items and that includes the patterns for most of what I make to sell. I love to make new ideas, hence the growing line of handmade things that all started with a reusable grocery bag. 

You can find me:

www.beewisegoods.com

icraftatbeewisebags.blogspot.com/ 

Eligibility:

Open internationally

Open to all

Closing date is Sunday 17 June GMT London 8pm.

The winner must contact us directly to claim the prize within one week. 

The winner will be announced on May 19 th 2012.

Not obliged to follow my blog but It would make me really happy if you did.

To enter :

Post us a comment telling us which of the pincushion rings would like to win.

Extra entries:

Go to Rachel's blog and comment your answer there too.

 

Good Luck.

A little bit of crafty cutness.

I'm not always the best at making loveliness for my nearest and dearest, but I did manage a little but of cuteness for Arthur's 3rd birthday this week. I used up fabric from my winter trousers!

   

I hope to share this with Linda, Justine, Susan, and Elizabeth on their link days, and as Elizabeth's is the Thread, which includes what your reading I would like to say I have started a great new book

Company of Liars  

Mommy's nap time, pin cushion tutorial.

Hi everyone! I'm Emily from Mommy's Nap Time. I'm married and a stay at home mom to a crazy preschooler. I work part time at an awesome used book store, and I love to read nearly as much as I love to sew! 

I love tiny piecing, paper piecing, precision, free piecing, Harry Potter, and all things made with Anna Maria Horner fabric. I'm from the Chicagoland area where I'm really loving my Chicago Modern Quilt Guild!

Most of my pincushions. It's obvious which one I use all the time!

I've been sewing since I was a kid, and received my very first sewing machine at the age of 11. That adds up to almost 20 years of sewing! I started quilting about four years ago when my daughter was born, and I haven't stopped since.  

The first pincushion I ever made. It measures about 2.5" square!

A few months after I started quilting I started joining flickr swaps. And one of them was the Scrappy Pincushion Swap (check it out for a TON of great pincushion inspiration!). Since then I've acquired quite a few pincushions. And I've even posted a tutorial for my own! 

The tutorial is very very simple, uses even the teensiest scraps (my favorite!), and is the cutest thing to happen to scissors in a long time!

Click here to sew along! 

If you do make a teeny pincushion using this tutorial I'd love to see it! Please go on and join my (brand new) flickr group and share what you've made! 

Obligatory photo of my favorite pincushion. Inherited from my grandma.

Jubilee fun.

I have to say I always get totally swept away with all the fun! What a wonderful excuse for a get together, food, fiends, new friends, lots of chat, and lots of tea. Sounds like the perfect afternoon for me!

So our little village arranges as a part of the big lunch, held at our rather cute village hall, decked out in bunting galore.

So after setting up the hall I had a total Cinderella moment and thought 'I don't have anything to wear!' So grabbed fabric stash and the easiest dress pattern I could find Vouge8645. And what a dream, in complete whip it up style I didn't line it or have the pockets. But I did end up with a fun little number that took an hour and a half from start to finish.

oh and do you like my bunting? pre printed flags which I made little points and put together. Cool Britannia!

So I hope you have had a little fun this weekend, or a little sewing time. I would just like to say say 'Well done Queenie' Although I'm not a strong royalist I do think she is a strong and inspirational woman. And we can never have enough of them!

Scissor Case Tutorial

I think everyone is loving all these pin cushions and needle cases, but this is a little chance for something extra. scissor case, very simple, no sewing machine needed.

You will need : paper, pen, scissors, felt, embroidery thread, decoration (optional)

1. Draw around you pair of scissors.

2. fold your pattern in half  and cut, this will make it symmetrical.

3. Place the large pattern onto the paper and draw around as shown, this will create the pattern for the front case.

4. Cut your felt using your patterns, two of each size.

5. On One of the case fronts, you may decorated as you wish.

6. place both case fronts together (optional : you can also place the pattern in the middle like a sand which to give it a little more ridgedness )

7. Start blanket stitch across the top of the front

8. When you reach the end, add the back pattern to the front, then blanket stitch around the rest of the case. 

And finished!

As you can see I chose vintage buttons as they match my needle case

Also white felt to match the inside of my needle case.