Crafts I've seen

A selection of images from craft shows I've been to lately, some unusual and inspiring stuff - if only I had the time/skills to make them!

Les Miserables - the costumes

Knitted & Crochet garden

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

This was a giant dragon! Couldn't get a full size photo of him, must have taken ages...

Mythology

Love the pegasus

A little bit of magic!

Clever way to use up fabric scraps, since I'm doing various patchwork at the moment might be able to incorporate this!

There was a display of vintage hats and accessories, I'm slowly getting a hat collection but would love a 1920s hat to add to it, trouble is they don't often fit! My only vintage hat is a 1960s one, most of the others are hand made, but I've yet to make one myself!

Changes & New Creations

A lot's been going on, new house - bit of a project, work, new crafts, a sewing class and Shakespeare Richard II...so it's all go!

Many things in the house need sorting (not least to say a new kitchen!) All in good time...I keep telling myself, got to watch the ££ it's a busy and costly time of the year!

We 'inherited' some chickens, who desperately needed looking after, that's an ongoing project and the garden seems to have been a dumping ground, so more clearing and sorting there, just want the worst done before the really cold weather sets in!

Potential for a decent garden - just get rid of the 'dump' at the bottom, sort the chicken's pen, sort the hedges and tree, get some more light in, get up the paving slabs, demolish old shed, build new larger shed, get a veg patch in, flowers etc...this may take a while!

I have had a little 'me' time in between, so my sister and I attended a lovely sewing class at Guthrie & Ghani in Moseley. See more here.
I also was fortunate enough to get tickets for Stratford to see Richard II with David Tennant- we had excellent seats, so close. The play was very good and had light hearted comedy moments, and parts of the play are relevant to today, so Shakespeare was well ahead of his time, that or the problems of then are still with us today!

I have been crafting I can, which isn't often enough and sometimes I'm too tired to craft- which isn't on! Anyway I have agreed to make a few items for The Donkey Sanctuary, a lovely charity looking after neglected/abandoned Donkeys I hope to make a few items for them, it's just fitting it in around my crafting too!

Crochet - as well as various donkey themed items, I have been working on some cute crochet creations including owls and robins. 

Felt - again I have been making donkey items as well as some robins here, which I hope to make into brooches/decorations/hair clips...hopefully in time for Christmas!

Lavender scented donkey sachets - typically my felt robins have gone walkies, I can't remember where I put them!

I have also got some background projects I have been working on, including some bouquets I hope to finally put together, it's all a bit experimental, but involves crochet, beads, buttons, vintage pearls and various bits and bobs. I would love to get something finished this year, but with robins in need of making and turning to Christmas - hand made decorations...who knows if I'll have time!

I'm also considering a craft swap...may be join one or organise myself? I'd like to, but it all boils down to time - if only we had more of it!!

Crochet Flowers

Vintage bead earrings

Shells - making into Angel Wings & Butterflies

Headband - button centre

Crochet Owls

Been trying out some simple crochet patterns just to build up my skills and keep in the loop of making. I have found 2 patterns for owls which I think I've done ok with, here's one of them.




I'm trying a few new things using this pattern as a starting point and I'm hoping in a few months to have a bunch of new items to list on etsy. I say a few months as I'm meant to be moving and I have half my stuff packed away so I may well need to dig out some bits at some point, but I'm doing some trial and error bits at the moment.

I'm also trying out some sewing projects... both with vintage fabrics I have collected over the years and also some felt creations. Hopefully I'll keep on top of my various crafts - I tend to move between a few crafts, dependant on mood and unfortunately reoccurring RSI so some days I really shouldn't be on the computer or doing certain crafts is a pain - literally!

I'm also hoping to get to a few antique fairs/car boots (before they finish for the year) and see if I can find some bargains - not just for me, but things I can upcycle.

I want to be more creative and do more crafting, but little is getting done now, hopefully I'll be back on track soon - I did start practicing my drawing again, I'd love to be able to produce something like a painting, but I need more practice! I can do the painting part, not so much the drawing!!

Oh and my other interest I'm trying to fit in - cooking. Season for harvesting and foraging is beginning - here I was making just a simple Gooseberry crumble.

Craft & Craft Space

I'm taking part in this years Blogger Party with My Desert Cottage it's the first time I have and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's blogs, getting inspiration and hopefully meeting new people from around the world.

My 'creative space' is in quite some turmoil at the moment - I was meant to move and then things fell through so I'm in limbo (I hate it) so I have photos of my stuff all over the place - and the current 'craft space' is the coffee table in the living room - which annoyingly I have to tidy up before I go out... so I will be most interested in seeing other peoples space to get ideas for WHEN I FINALLY move.


My crafts
You will notice I do a wide variety of crafts and I'm always seeing new ideas to try, my list of crafting so far extends to:
Crochet, Knitting, Jewellery Making, Scrapbooks, Glass Painting, Sewing, Painting, Cross Stitch, Paper Crafts...



Knitting & Crochet - wool: technically my sisters stash (plus inherited wool!) but we share where we can.

Wool and bits stored in wicker baskets...we also have wool under the bed, in the loft and in a drawer!

These were hidden away, but now on display - vintage bone knitting & crochet needles & a wool winder

On display too, lovely colourful vintage needles - I'd like to think I'll never need to buy knitting needles again!

Crochet bits & bobs - I think nearly every drawer on this Victorian dresser is full of crafts!

Mabel Lucie Attwell

Sewing- I use to sew a few years back, then got caught up with other crafts, just doing bits here & there, but now I would like to do more, so I have the basic sewing machine which I've just been doing small items on, but I still do hand sewing.

I'm hoping to do more when I can, it's just finding the time & space!

An old chocolate box holds various small sewing, knitting & crochet accessories

Mabel Lucie Attwell

Once I get more into sewing, I'm wondering if I'll find this machine too basic, hopefully not for what I'll start with but if I do get into it you never know...

Recycled jar with added pincushion, filled with basic sewing kit

Pincushion made with left over vintage fabric & button centre

Books- oh so many crafty books! Probably a lot of ideas never put into action - sometimes it's nice just to read and admire (and you never know when an idea might come in handy- birthdays, Christmas!)

There are of course more books than this & also not forgetting folders of patterns, we have a large collection of vintage patterns inherited from my mom - the challenge now is deciding what to keep & learning to adapt vintage patterns for modern day use, although some are just nice to look at or things you wouldn't make nowadays!

DVDs- I don't really go for craft dvds, but Kirstie's Handmade Britain and other craft shows were great, in fact even put my name on a list for next year craft competitons at a local show - it could be anything from food, drinks to cross stitch or sewing in these compeitions...we'll see what the categories are for next year, but scary going up against other fabulous crafters and having your work critiqued!!!

Items round the home - just a few items I handmade / upcycled, now living around the house.

 Hand painted glass items - I have various bottles, jars & vases I have decorated

 This little mouse is filled with various herbs to deter moths. I have lots & lots of handmade lavender, hop, rose and anti moth sachets in amongst my clothes, wool & stuffed toys! It's a great way to deter bugs & keep things smelling fresh.

 I have made a mixture of scented & unscented sachets which I'll hopefully get around to listing on my esty shop soon. It's also a great way to use any scraps of fabric you have left over, or to practise new knitting or crochet stitches.

Right: hearts made with vintage French toile fabric.





Other items I have darted about the place are photo frames, a mirror, handmade flowers, various jewellery & hair accessories. I can't post it all, but when I'm setting up in my new house I'll take on board other tips/ideas I've seen and post again.

Speaking of ideas, I'll finish with a few works in progress / ideas I want to find time for!



Repainting this chest which was in the bathroom, it had a cork top which I removed, I'm planning to add a fabric cushion top so that you could sit on the chest. I'm also debating about any other decoration on the outside.

I plan to fill the chest with fabrics & wool - will have to make sure I make some more scented sachets to keep pesky moths away!

Other projects I have ongoing include making cushion covers, a skirt & I'd love to make a simple 1920s style dress. Big project I've yet to start with my sister is a patchwork quilt - if all goes well most likely be making two! There's a long list I'm sure in my craft ideas note book, as well as doing more on my family history research...if I could afford not to work full time I might just be able to get all this done!!! Wishful thinking....


I am also keen to do a craft swap or any sort of craft event  - not done one for a while, so if you have one planned let me know (although I might have to wait until I move, so anything planned for the Autumn should be ok!)

Preparations Continue

Well time is escaping me...as usual, and I have decided to have a simple Jubilee celebration...well I have a few foody bits to make, but hopefully nothing complicated, although I just saw another pudding dish I might make (if I have enough strawberries!)

Here's a little peak of some decorations I will be using, handmade (though not all by me.)

 These various items will adorn the flat for the Jubilee and I may well make some more, I have  various ribbons and fabrics around, if I get time I'll see what I can some up with, alongside some lovely food (fingers crossed.)

As well as food and deco, entertainment is important, so yes tv events, possible local park (if weather holds up) but also at home I'm thinking British music and film...so I have a list of possibles:

Take That, Oasis, Blur, Muse, classic rock, 60's - Cliff, Tom Jones etc

The King's Speech, Four Weddings, probably some drama/comedy too, can't beat Only Fools..oh the list goes on!

Newbie

Just starting out with blogging, hoping I can regularly update here, but life has a tendency to get in the way- I will try!

I have set up this blog mainly to talk about my love of crafts- I have two online shops:
http://www.folksy.com/shops/cheshirecat
 and http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDarlingBudsOfMay?ref=pr_shop

I love making crafts when I get time and I like trying new crafts. I make jewellery, accessories, hand painted glass items, various fimo creations as well as knitting, crochet, card making etc.
I hope to learn more crafts and become better with the crafts I already enjoy- I'm thinking about doing a silver making course, it would be great to make your own designs and I have seen so many beautiful creations. Any tips or advice on silver making appreciated!

I also spend my time working as an aromatherapist. I like making oil blends and natural beauty products and I hope I will be able to make some more scented sachets from home grown plants! If you are interested in aromatherapy please see my website:

www.beautiful-serenity.co.uk