Sunday 31 May 2009
A book for a Wedding.....
Friday 29 May 2009
New design....
It will be listed on Folksy today . I like bags that you can wear over the shoulder/ across the body because it leaves your hands free for shopping bags, hold smalls hands, clipping car seat belts and making it harder for it to be stolen!
Thursday 28 May 2009
Sophie's Wood
"This way Mummy" soon turned into, "This is steep isn't it Mummy" but we plodded on. Now we were given a basic map by the Woodland trust but we still went the wrong way, this is the correct direction, (Preferred the wrong way, it was flatter!). Anyway we carried on and it was lovely....
Bluebells everywhere!! Sophie and I both like bluebells. We timed it just right to see masses of bluebells creating a blue carpet under the trees.
We walked and walked and walked, Sophie did not complain once and was clearly determined to find the bit of wood which is now sponsored in her name. It was very endearing to see.
We then came to a bend in the line on the map which seemed to match the bend in the path we were standing on so we decided that this was the spot. Sophie got really excited and looked around....... then hubby decided that it did not match!
So please imagine me standing in a lovely wood trying in vain to explain to a 6 year old why Daddy had changed his mind! Meanwhile, said Hubby is pacing up and down counting! Eventually he stopped and announced "This is it!"
At this point I stressed the need for being sure, not changing his mind again etc etc! Sophie stood next to me and said "Is he sure this time?" Sometimes she comes with sentences that seem older than her years.
Would you believe it, this part of the wood was about the only bit that did not have any bluebells as they had already bloomed and gone. Pity.
We needed a landmark so that we could find it again so we picked this big tree standing on its own. I know it is a wood so it is not completely on its own but you know what I mean.
To celebrate and to be able to send Auntie a photo via email we asked Sophie to pose for a picture....
It was quite steep getting up to the tree and Sophie decided that next time she would not wear crocks and a skirt. Getting down was a bit trickier and seeing as it was Dad's idea for her to stand there we all decided it was up to him to help her down. Well, to see hubby struggling up and then he rather drunk looking decent was hilarious, and Sophie was laughing so much which made her wobble too.
On the way back to the car we spotted a post with a dedication as part of someone elses sponsored bit of wood. We looked into this when we got home. Guess how much it costs to have a wood post with a metal plaque on it? £2000! Nice idea, but it will have to stay as just that, an idea.
As we continued back to the car Sophie wanted to find some flowers to put in the flower press that she was given at Christmas. Here is a selection...
It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon plus a very unusual birthday present and we can go and walk there whenever we wish.
xx
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Skirting the Issue.....
I confess that I do not have any construction pictures because I made this at work. My lesson planning takes a different form to others, to make something it is easier for the students to understand if they can see what it will look like when it is finished. Also I do not have a big enough table at home for cutting out clothes.
Front View
Yes it does!! Although it may take some time to iron out that blasted crease! I really do need to get a tailors dummy of some kind. I really miss the ones we had at college.
Back View
The pattern says 2 hours on the front and it would have done if I did not have to thread up the over-locker, trace off the pattern etc. It will take the girls longer than 2 hours but not much.
I enjoyed making this so much that I have already cut out another. This time I am going to make the seam allowance a little narrower so that the over-locker can skim the edge rather than have too much left as it does make turning the hem up more bulky on the seam joins.
Fabric for skirt No. 2 also from IKEA.
There is also a shorts pattern and I have some pink gingham upstairs......I will have a think about it.
Take care.
xx
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Quilt Around the World Block 2
I have added it to the first block which was sent to me. The lady did not say if she wanted the block unattached to hers so I have stitched it but it could be unpicked if she wanted to add bands to the quilt. I have requested this as my starter block is quite "fussy" and I would like to split up the other possible floral blocks with another fabric so that each individual blocks can be seen clearly and the skill and care fully shown off. I do not think that was the original intention and it was not mine until I had finished my first block and thought Mmmmm this may need some bands in amongst it!
I have just read on the flickr group that my next block may have been posted to me this afternoon, so I may need a fabric shop this week. I shall have fun adding to my fabric and I shall take Sophie with me. She is coming to my sewing club tomorrow night and wants to make her first basic quilt for her doll.
I shall also post about my first handmade garment in, well too damn long to tell you the truth plus a second one in the pipeline, crikey a habit tis forming perhaps. Or maybe just some of that rare commodity called TIME perhaps.
Off to finish a batch of marking.
xx
Gone to a new home,,,,....
Normally the group of us that are involved have a selling price and a percentage is taken at the end, so I was a little surprised to learn that my carefully placed sticky labels would be removed so that a marked up price could be added with "proper labels" (?). Seeing as we are in a credit crunch I decided that my prices were fair any way and taking a percentage of that price would have been sufficient. It will be interesting to see what happens. If they are made too expensive I fear they will not sell at all. There are some lovely items there to look at.
I found this little basket and managed to fit 20 cards in it!
Does anyone have more experience in dealing with shops etc? Any points/tips would be much appreciated. How long should I leave it before changing the items or having them back again?
It has been a good half-term so far and tomorrow Sophie and I are off to see a friend for a cup of tea and a bit of a natter.
Take care
Bye for now.
xx
Sunday 24 May 2009
Refashion Sophie's Flowery Top...
Sophie then chose some pink bias binding which I then pinned firstly on the inside of each armhole.
Using the sewing machine, follow the crease in the binding with straight stitch. Keep the stitching in the crease of the binding so that the binding maintains an even width.
You then need to carefully fold the biding over the edge so that it fully covers the raw edge. I strongly advise that you pin this as you go so as to stop it from moving whilst sewing on the machine.
This is a close up of the binding on the edge of the flowery top. Matching thread goes a long way to keep everything looking neat and it hides any wobbly sewing.
With the left over sleeve bits I made a scrunchie.
I read in a newspaper that on BBC 2nd June there will be a series starting called Mary, Queen of Charity shops programme. The same lady did a programme a short while ago on how small fashion shops could increase their business by making some sounds changes to their shops and stock. Thought this might be interesting and might pick up a few ideas.
Been a glorious sunny day today with deep blue skies so we have been at the beach today.
More of the same tomorrow we hope.xx
Saturday 23 May 2009
A stitch in Time....
If I remember rightly, I had to use a set list of stitches with as wide range of threads as I had or could find. I can not remember if there was a theme but I do remember favouring flowers for many of my samples if I could. I do have the original booklet in the attic somewhere.
I have to admit that it was not put into a frame until about a month ago that this was actually put into a frame. Shame on me, but I was not sure what to do with it as wall space is limited in this house. However, since the attic conversion I now have another staircase with additional wall space!! Yippee. So at last I have the time to position and hang this piece of work to its full advantage. I was going to take it to my friend's shop but frankly I like it too much so it is going to stay here. I shall show you what I eventually took tomorrow.
It is lovely weather here so I shall bye for now as the BBQ is pretty much ready. Lovely salad and yummy sausages etc.
Take care.
xx
Friday 22 May 2009
Card Capers and Tea Shops.....
Some of these cards are also going to go so that there will be about 20 cards in total....
Some bright butterflies.
Funky flowers...
Stylish in silver.
Pink! Pink! Pink!
Feathers and leaves..
I hope that you all have a great weekend and that the weather is kind to you. Many thanks for all of the books suggestions as there is a good book shop near where my Sister-in-law lives so i shall take the list of titles with me. Please do keep adding your favourite reads so that everyone else can also get new titles to look out for.
I am now off to make an Excel stock list to take with me tomorrow.
xx
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Book Worm..
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Wet Washing Day Solution....
You know what........ it worked!!!
Despite the rain all of the washing dried that day and was then put away!
Give it a try, if nothing else it will give the neighbours something to talk about.
It made me smile!!
xx
Monday 18 May 2009
Giveaway Winners are.....
So I deleted those who did not want to enter and checked for duplicates etc, the first winner found by the Number Picker is...
If the winners could please email me their addresses then I shall pop your prizes in the post asap.
Congratulations to you both!
I shall be running another giveaway later in the Summer. Not for any particular reason, just because I wished I had last Summer and didn't and I just feel like it!
Only a quick post tonight as I have some preparation to do for my course Moderator is coming in on Friday to look at all of my students work.
Sunday 17 May 2009
My Quilt Around the World Block...
I then wrapped it up in this pretty tissue paper that I bought from Woolworths, how Sophie and I miss that shop for all sorts of toys and stationary etc.
The sleep-over and party went really well and I think that we shall be seeing more of Rachel now that her first time away from home over night was so much fun! So I had much of the day to myself, so all the ironing is done for the week, all marking is up to date, tidied my bit of the sewing office, and did a little sewing and lots of cutting out for my sewing session on Wednesday evening.
I opened an Artfire shop during the Easter Holidays and I have been making some items to go in there. The shop only has four things in it but I have had quite a few views already.
Well, enjoy the week and I shall post the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow evening.
Take care
xx
Saturday 16 May 2009
Giveaway deadline 17th May..
Sophie has a better social life than me or Hubby!! Being an only child though we do realise that getting lonely can happen that we must make opportunities for her to socialise outside of school.
Eurovision Song Contest tonight, anyone going to watch it? I think we should stop entering and use the money for something else because it has become such a political farce, but I shall probably still watch it and hope that a miracle happens if only for the sake of the brave young singer who is going to put her all into her performance for the UK.
I have sent my first quilt block to Maria (Wonderwoman) and I shall upload it today but I have other things that need photographing too. I can hear my washing pile calling to me so I had better be off.
Enjoy the day.
xx
Friday 15 May 2009
Pincushion Blue
I decided to keep the Cupcake version. Sorry folks! Will make another soon. Quick post tonight as I want to catch up with some of your work.
Thursday 14 May 2009
Re-fashioned jeans for Sophie....
I then checked the length so that I cut the other leg exactly the same. Make sure that you are 90 degrees with the trouser leg itself when cutting rather than levelling it with your eye/view as there should be a slight angle upwards at the side. Otherwise the inside leg will be shorter than the outside leg side and it will not be right when it is worn. Hope that makes sense. See picture above.
Then carefully fold over about 1cm and then fold over again. It is not necessary to fold it any wider and it will only shorten the length. Pop some pins in so as to keep the hem in place when stitching on the sewing machine.
If you can, remove the front section of your sewing machine so that you can put the trouser leg over the free arm section. If the trousers are very small and will not fit over then you might be just as well to hand stitch this bit. I used a slightly bigger straight stitch so that it could cope better with the thickness of the denim.
Try to use as closer a matching thread as you can. Give the hems a good press. Then...hey presto
....jeans with a new lease of life.
My main point with this post is that if you have any kiddie cloths that they have out grown then have a go at altering them, what have you got to lose? Any mistakes with a T-shirt means that you end up with a new duster. So have a go all it takes is a bit or planning BEFORE you fetch the scissors and then having a go. You do not need to have a sewing machine, in fact sometimes hand stitching is better, especially with stretchy fabrics. Let me know how you get on.