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!

 

 

 

 

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!

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!!

Sewing Class

 

I booked tickets for this class back in June, finally October came and we went to Guthrie & Ghani for a beginners class in cushion cover making.

In case you didn't know, I ended up going to this class after seeing The Great British Sewing Bee and finding that there was a local haberdashery shop doing some craft workshops. I hadn't been to one before, and although I had dug out the old Singer sewing machine and tried a few bits, I hadn't made anything on the sewing machine since school. I have done some hand sewing, but going to the class made me want to get the machine back out! Shame it only has two stitches - forward and reverse... mind you people made great things with two stitches, so I should try, and then ask Father Christmas for a modern machine!!!

Nice environment to learn in - bright and airy- liking the bunting too!

10 people in a class, so you have enough 1 to 1 time from the tutor

 

So, it was an envelope cushion cover we made, using a pattern, cutting your fabric and using the machine to sew it together and create button holes. Once you got into the swing of it, it was fun, although once or twice you look round to see what others are doing!

After I finished the cover, knowing how to follow a pattern and take the right steps it's quite addictive and seeing so many crafters make such lovely things, I hope I can add more fabric items to my online collection. Also having just moved house it opens up a lot of opportunities for me to make all sorts! As well as having discovered some lovely fabrics...I wanted to order some more online, but I held off for the moment!!





Envelope Cushion Cover - Button side up!



                        

I was pleased with my cushion cover, just need a better cushion pad!


 

Another hand made cushion cover (knitted) - a house warming gift.

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!)