Recent makes

Had a few months of on/off creativity, alongside some trouble with my hands/arms- thus very difficult to actually make anything, but I have achieved a few things, different to my usual crafts - as always forever trying new things!

Hooks - I brought plain wooden hooks and turned them into this...

I used paint, stamps and cuttings from an old Narnia book I had. I will be glad when the bedroom's ready and I can hang it up!!




Quilted Cushion Cover - this is my second quilted cushion cover, made with Downton Abbey fabrics. This will be proudly on display in my bedroom, my first blue themed cushion is downstairs, alongside another cover I made at a Guthrie&Ghani workshop.

Patchwork Blanket - I will be moving on from quilted cushion covers to create a full quilt, as an 'in-between' step, I had a go at making a patchwork blanket. I cut all the squares from scraps of unused fabric and pre-cut squares, after sewing them all together I attached to a fleece.

 

As a first attempt at anything like this, particularly on this scale, I felt I did well and the colours are very cheerful. It's not perfect- mainly the squares ended up various sizes...but I will learn from this and remember for the next one I try! Still to finish the edging yet.



Hand Painted Photo Frame - I brought this as a plain white frame, then painted very carefully the roses red! I think it looks really effective - can't wait to hang it up!

 

 

 

 

Downton In Fabric!

After a visit to the Malvern quilt show I came across some fabric I had been waiting to buy online, but it was there and so I brought a little (I still need to get a few more fabrics from this range...)

Downton Abbey Fabrics are here and the ideas are flowing, it's just getting the time...

So far I have made a clam purse - all for myself (for once), this was the first time I had made a clam shell, following a guide I managed to put it together, although sewing all the final pieces together was tricky once they started to curve.

Clam Shell Purse

 

The finished clam shell

I used the main Downton Abbey themed fabric for the centre

I used Lady Edith themed fabric on the outside, mostly the fabrics styled on her are light colours including peach and greens.

My next project... a Downton Abbey Quilted Cushion Cover

I have gone for shades of blue and green for this one, there's a mixture of fabrics based on Lady Mary, Edith and Sybil

 

 

 

 

 I would have tried a full size quilt cover which I saw a kit for at Malvern, but for a beginner it was too much, plus at £45 would be breaking the bank right now, can't justify that, knowing it will probably sit in the pile of 'to do' crafts. I have ideas for a few items to make & sell too...just got to find time and get on with it!!





The fabrics all have lovely designs and colours, I want to get a few more of The Dowagers fabrics which are much darker, purples and black patterns.

So my decision to 'use what craft items I have already got' is going out the window, I now have new ideas which require purchasing new craft bits...think I must have a clear out!!

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.

Crafty Delights

Some lovely items I recently purchased as gifts & something for myself from some talented crafters.

Miss Bohemia

Alice in Wonderland Mug - came with matching coaster

 

I asked for this picture especially - matches my shop name!

Miss Bohemia also makes some great jewellery which I've previously brought.

 

 

 

Mel's Creations

 

I fell in love with this fabric and thought about buying some to make my own items, but that's on the 'wish list' no time for that now! So I asked Mel to make this bag as a gift and the one below for me. Reminds me of summer holidays with my grandparents in Frinton!!

I also got a tardis fabric purse for a gift, forgot to take a photo, but look at Mel's stuff and you'll see loads there!

 

Jewellery Frame Tutorial

Over the glorious sunny past few days I have actually managed to make a few things - firstly a jewellery frame.


I had seen a similar idea on pinterest and had thought about making one myself, but I hadn't got round to it. Then after I had made some Alice in Wonderland themed drawer handles for my sister's mini set of drawers (we couldn't use them on the drawers as she had just brought and fitted some handles) we settled on creating this jewellery holder.

Items: handles (you could always upcycle old ones you have or find)
a photo frame
fabric for backing
ribbons/lace etc
glue
staple gun

Start with a photo frame, the drawer knobs I had already created so these were simply glued on in position to hang jewellery from. You could make you own knobs too, or if you come across a handle or hook (check charity shops & car boots) they can look decorative too.

I made the handles by covering them with old book pages - I went with an old copy of Alice in Wonderland. I then painted round the bottoms of the handles to cover areas that are harder to cover in paper. They were all coated in pva glue to give it a protective cover.

Choose a fabric for your centre piece - we went with a red polka dot fabric brought from Guthrie & Ghani. Measure the back of your frame against the fabric, cut to size ensuring you can fold over onto the back of the frame.

Measure the fabric to ensure you don't have too much or too little of an overlap.

Cut to desired width - with this frame there were hooks that spin round to clip the back into the frame so I had to ensure they would move over the fabric.

Use a staple gun to fix the fabric in place, where you can try not to let the staple go all the way through to the fabric, but fold the edges down. As you move round the frame this becomes harder, but remember you can always hide the staples if they are visible on the other side with various embellishments at the end.

Keep checking & measuring each side as you go round.

Once complete fit the frame back together to ensure it all looks and fits ok.

Choose ribbons,  laces & trimmings to decorate your frame. These will hold light jewellery such as earrings which can be hooked over the top edge of the trimming. Play around with it first so you know how many trimmings you want and in what order.

The trimmings are all glued to the back of the frame, again ensure this won't affect how you put the frame together. If you find the trimmings are not quite strong enough to hold jewellery items that's ok, it will always make a lovely decorative piece & you have handles / hooks around the frame for other items.

The back of the frame isn't going to be seen, but if you were wanting to tidy it up you could cover the whole piece with something like felt to hide the ends - this may mean you will have to completely seal your frame. Once each trimming has been secured you can tidy the corners of the fabric by carefully folding inwards and gluing in place.

Volia! Finished frame - being picky I think my lace is a little wonky, but overall I'm happy and it'll be great for hanging necklaces & bracelets & earrings, as well as being a decorative piece.

 

 

If anyone has a go at this or has done something similar I'd love to hear from you!!

 

The frame in use! Sorry for picture quality - my phone's not great for photos.

 

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!)