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.
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| Wool and bits stored in wicker baskets...we also have wool under the bed, in the loft and in a drawer! |
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| These were hidden away, but now on display - vintage bone knitting & crochet needles & a wool winder |
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| On display too, lovely colourful vintage needles - I'd like to think I'll never need to buy knitting needles again! |
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| Crochet bits & bobs - I think nearly every drawer on this Victorian dresser is full of crafts! |
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| 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!
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| An old chocolate box holds various small sewing, knitting & crochet accessories |
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| Mabel Lucie Attwell |
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| 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... |
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| Recycled jar with added pincushion, filled with basic sewing kit |
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| 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!)
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| 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!
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| 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. |
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| 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!)
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.
