About Me

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I currently live in Birmingham and come from Solihull. I have a love of all things crafty, developed from my mom's love of crafts as I was growing up. I currently work in marketing, but I'm a qualified Aromatherapist, and use to be self employed alongside a day job, might one day return to that. I try to fit in crafts when I can, I wish I had more time and money to spend on it! I enjoy researching my family history and finding out about the past. It can get frustrating, but is really rewarding when you have a break through! I hope to meet people with similar interests as me and swap advice/stories.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Make Do and Create Part 2

Well as part of my last blog I did agree to challenge myself to use some of the craft supplies I already have, and I made a few things and have a few in the pipe line!


From this....
To this!!! A lavender and hop scented doormouse! I made several of these for Christmas gifts and still had the fabrics left over (velveteen) so I made another one and plan to make more using the vintage fabric scraps I have left. I have several scattered around my bedroom, very handy and the hops are from last years crop- home grown in my parents garden!

These lovely birds are also scented, I used the felt I had brought about a month ago and then the larger bird has vintage fabric for its wings. The eyes ar glass pearls (part of my never ending bead collection.)
These can by hung up in your wardrobe or around the house for decoration- not decided whether to sell these or keep them!

This next creation is partly new,  have been making stud earrings and hair clips recently and after hunting through my button jar I found these pink flower buttons and thought they'd make great earrings, simple but fun and a lovely colour. I will be listing this in my shop when I get time! I have also made some lovely vintage accessories (see my etsy shop.)



Now I do plan to make more and use what I have...however the NEC craft show is approaching so I know I will be buying bits (making a list) but I will try to incorporate items I have already. So this challenge is on going and I will be 'destashing' so please keep an eye out for any bits you think you might be able to make use of!

Thursday 15 March 2012

Make Do and Create

Well it's one of those things you always say 'I'll use up what I have first' and then you go and buy yet more craft bits! Now I can't promise I won't be buying more, but I plan to use some of this craft stash to create and may be sell on my supplies that I have just never touched!

I was encouraged when I saw http://deezkatz.blogspot.com/2012/03/ideas.html blog about having so many ideas, loving lots of crafts and yet not getting around to using all those craft bits and bobs we all build up. Funnily I am in the middle of organising myself- I even brought some storage boxes:

One box is half organised with fabric/sewing bits, the other is yet to be looked at!  (bad photos due to my camera battery dying!)

Here's a few of the bits I still need to sort. My jewellery box...lots of beads!

More jewellery- some vintage pieces in there somewhere!

Originally all my craft bits fitted into this one cupboard...not anymore!!

So I do plan to work my way through creating with the items I already have and really looking at what bits I honestly think I won't use so I'll be looking to sell them on so keep an eye out for beads, fabrics, embellishments, possibly paints/glass paints and more!!

Tuesday 6 March 2012

What treasures are in your loft?

Big clear out back home- everything from the loft is out and it's time to sort, so I did a little last weekend (still much to do.)

Amongst everything I found this:

 It use to be my moms and now I have it here with me! I've seen several people use it to display crafts, whether online or at shows. I did keep an eye out for one in the charity shops and antiques but it was either none or expensive, and yet low and behold there was one in the loft all this time!!









The case has been kept very well. My mom thinks it was a beauty travel case, she remembers it vaguely (it still has 2 unused bottles in it.) So now all I need to decide is what will I do with it (oh and where will I store it?)


It's also exciting to think what else will be discovered in the loft??? Maybe you should check yours!

Thursday 1 March 2012

Sewing Projects

My new years resolution was to sew more and so far it's the one resolution I have stuck to!!

I don't have a sewing machine, so it is all hand sewen, fine for some things, but larger projects I will have to use my moms (at least I can see if I'm any good with them before I buy one...I've done odd projects and textiles at school...need to get back into it.)

I made various items and I have plans for more but here is my latest project from vintage tolie fabric:


 Hand sewn purse, lined and padded -
I measured the fabric and cut some lining and wadding to pad it.
I folded over the vintage fabric edges and tacked down to avoid fraying.
I then attached the outer fabric, lining and wadding- inside out, hand sewn together, I then turned out the fabrics and sewed along the top (think I just need to iron it a little at the top.)


I used poppers as a seal, I thought about using vintage buttons but these seemed to work better.


Back of the purse                                                                   
I have some of this fabric left and some other french vintage fabric, thinking to make some purses (similar to this) and some mini purses for my shop- what do you think? What do I need to improve? (I know there's something.) 

                                                       Another project I have done is egg cosy again with vintage fabric- looks good with the vintage accessories -  will be listed soon.

           

Any avid sewers out there...tips/advice/comments always welcome!