jennyflower

Beady beads

2012-01-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

I've been really lucky to be draw for Twiggy's birthday give away, she has made up a really gorgeous package which arrived today. I am always particularly pleased to receive others handmade items- the pin cushion and embroidered napkin are so sweet. I really like using padded hangers and sad though this may sound I am cheered by cleaning with pretty cloths.

With the nice smellies, the cake cases and the sweet treats this was a lovely treat for a cold Monday morning- Thanks Twiggy! xx

Here are the latest of my City and Guilds samples. I had a lovely play with various beads, sequins and other sparkly bits. These have been very useful for starting off lots of ideas and will be a great reminder of different techniques when the course is over. I am continuing to work on my experimental pieces and again stretching myself with trying some new things and following ideas wherever they may take me.

I have continued to struggle a bit with feeling a little lost and lonely into the new year, distance learning and being a part time worker has meant that I am a bit fed up with my own company- God I bore myself sometimes! Anyway Simon suggested I volunteer at the local charity shop for whom I have been making bunting. The managaress is lovely and was very keen for me to work on a Monday morning. I can honestly say I am having great fun! The shop is so friendly and well run, I am being very very good about not buying all the shop stock, I get a lot of pleasure from watching the customers finding the unexpected treasure and of course it's great that a charity is getting the benefit form peoples de-cluttering and bargain hunting and from a very selfish point of view I get the benefit of some much needed adult company!

I am still one short of my 100 followers- if anyone fancies. ;0)

How'de partners!

2012-01-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

Right then my fluffy kitsch beauties, slightly later than planned and eagerly awaited I'm sure here are the details of our swap! Because of numbers and the fact I really want to join in this won't be a straight swap. Please make contact with both your sender and recipient this week and let me know if there are any problems, I really don't want any disappointments!

Maria please send to Daisie
Daisie please send to Trash
Trash please send to Blondedesign
Blondedesign please send to......me!

Maria, I will be sending to you, I hope this is o.k with everyone. Please send before the end of the month. As you can see we are an elite little swap group, how nice!

I haven't reached 100 followers so as yet no one has the dubious pleasure of receiving the 'extra parcel'. Come on my beauties- you know you want to!!
Please note that the zebra will not be gifted but he is probably the most kitsch thing I own! xxxxx

Winter colours

2012-01-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

In the bleak mid winter? There was still plenty to see on our walk through the Salutation Garden. It's free to get in this month so we have a gorgeous garden to mooch whenever we feel like it. No need to worry about cutting back or fleecing up plants, we can just enjoy the slightly decaying beauty. I do like a bit of faded grandeur. I also managed to pick up something for the kitsch swap from the gift shop sale- result! I am glad to have had some of you sign up for the swap and giveaway, still time if you fancy it.

I am so looking forward to Sherlock Holmes this evening on telly. It is Genius. Are you watching it? I have always loved a bit of Holmes, I love it's darkness. I am leaning towards the Steampunk at the moment and the original T.V adaptations and films have a great vibe in that vain.

Anyway just wanted to share the texture of nature in our neck of the woods. Look after yourselves. xx

Kitsch blogversary swap

2012-01-06T04:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my blogversary- Four Years of rambling, four years of creating and four years of new friends and exciting contacts. It has been so much fun and a great way to collect my thoughts and kindle ideas. To celebrate I fancy a swap- do you? I fancy a kitsch swap, four items, at least one handmade, U.K only because, lets face it we're all a bit hard up for big postie bills.

Sign up please by January 14th and be ready to post by the 29th of February. Names below in the comments if you fancy it, please make sure I can reply to you and please make sure you're happy to follow it up, I don't want any swap disappointments!

Kitsch is open to personal interpretation but I reckon generally if it has a flamingo on it- or a pink kitten or a rose and some glitter you're on the right track- and if it has all of these please send to me immediately! This is meant to be a very frivolous fun swap- full of tack and charity shop treasure- let's brighten the dull days and make new friends!

As a thank you for your continued support and visits I want to make an extra kitsch parcel for one lucky (?) reader so please leave a comment simply saying 'giveaway' if you want to go into the shell encrusted bowl for that one. I will draw it when I reach 100 followers, I am only two off so this could be very quick!

Julian the shrimp and a junior knitter

2011-12-31T00:38:00.000-08:00

How was it for you then? Was the festive season all you might have wished for? I do hope so. We had a lovely family Christmas break 'up North' and are now home to chill and play with our presents. Speaking of presents do you like Julian? I knitted him from one of my goodie bag books. He was for my now absent friend Claire who seems to be developing a collection of kitsch shellfish and I can do nothing but support her. I will knit up a bit more bonkers food and review the book in good time, when everything calms down a bit more....and when I can pick up knitting needles without a certain little cutie wanting to 'help'.
Anna seems to be taking to the needles like a duck to water, which is tear jerkingly nice. Simon did point out that it wouldn't be long before she was 'better' then me which stung a bit, because I think it's true. Anyway I've been all grown up and ordered her a book for more ideas, which includes finger knitting so I've been playing with that too. Have you ever tried it? It' super easy and nice and tactile.

I realise that I have been less disciplined about blogging since the city and guilds and that there may be considerably less of you out there reading my drivel but I would really love to get back into the blogging swing with a swap. I would like to know who might be up for it. I am thinking that this will be a thrifty kitsch swap, posted in time for Valentines. Four items, one handmade, at least. A real fun one, within the U.K perhaps to keep costs low.

So who's up for it? I strongly suggest you sign up or I may just bomb you with knitted shrimp and glittery flamingos anyway- because the fun's in the giving!

Happy Xmas

2011-12-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

More toggles than Paddington's duffle coat!

2011-12-13T03:04:00.000-08:00

Toggle-tastic! Here they are in all their impractical glory. I think some of these would be fairly functional, others I can see as a notebook closure, something like that. So here's a run down; I knotted some plaited paper string at either end,
next a strip of felt wound and beaded, also a small tube of fabric, stuffed, gathered at either end and beaded.
I struggled and broke a needle making this rolled leather toggle, but I do love the texture, and the smell. I remembered making these fire lighters as a child from newspaper, this one is made in posh paper and rubbed with a gold ink pad.
I wired and beaded a bead for a very spiky toggle. I also found some narrow plastic tubing which I packed with threads and pierced. I really liked this toggle and the contrast of textures, I will definitely be returning to this idea.
Finally I went bonkers with some silk cocoon strippings. I wrapped it in ribbon, added some buttons and used scobidou to make a loop for attaching. This is deeply impractical, very frivolous, I'm not sure it's even a toggle- but I do like a little pink stupidity!

On this very theme I am planning a swap for the new year. It will be my blogversary in January and I hope to have a 'Flamingo's for February' swap. This will be a KITSCH swap. So how about it....hands up for a spot of deep winter tackiness!

A grand day out

2011-12-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

Do you like my new books- cool huh- crochet decs, knitted decs, knitted food. I am very excited about the prospect of knitting my mate Claire some shrimps- who wouldn't be?
Do you like my sparkly pink wool? It has that smell, that fresh real new wool smell. I have no idea what I will make with this wool, it doesn't matter. Do you like my lovely smooth wooden double ended needles- tell me; when did a set of double ended's become 5 needles, rather then 4 (I'm not complaining!)?

So where did I gather all this treasure? I went to London. Yep little ol' 'scared of the city' me. To be fair I did get my Mum to meet me there. Who else could I take with me for such a heady day of w-o-o-l? We wended our nervous, slightly lost, way to I knit. This is a wool shop WITH A BAR (If I swore here there would have been an 'F' in their- I don't seem to generally so feel free to insert one if you like that kind of thing). When we had got our bearings we had a tiny mooch and found a vintage shop, which was seriously lush. We found the toy exhibition at the OXO tower gallery, then headed for the Tate. Now I know lots of people head 'up to town' quite regularly but this really was a great adventure for me and Mum. So why? Well it all came about because of the lovely Mary at Search Press.
So after all out tiptoeing through the city we headed back to I Knit for 4pm when we had been invited to meet Arne and Carlos of knitted Christmas balls fame. And fame if definitely the word for it! These guys are HUGE- not literally, they are actually of a very pleasing petite stature- unlike myself who's fat grey arse draws my eye every time I look across at the picture! You may remember from my review here that I thought the guys came across as pretty darn cute- and they ARE! Hooray- for integrity- for being bloody lovely-for knitting in a shop selling cider-for knitting balls with red ribbons on to raise money for an H.I.V charity. Hooray!

I had a really really magical day all in all. I chatted to some ace people, I had my mojo topped up just by seeing the joy on peoples little faces as they clicked their sticks and relaxed. If you have the opportunity for a big exciting day out- some time for yourself, a chance to spend the day with someone you love, wherever it may be- take the chance won't you? I have realised I am not very good (read crap) at taking care of myself and doing something indulgent and brave is just the kind of thing I need to do now and again.

Massive thanks to Mary and Search Press. The books, plus one more, were in a goody bag they gave me on the night. I will review the knitting ones in time but realistically the crochet one is beyond me. Leave a comment if you're in the U.K and you'd like it. It will be first come first served.

Button it!

2011-12-02T03:17:00.000-08:00

The buttons have been signed off- yippeee! I could actually have kept on buttoning forever. I had to produce at least ten different samples- here are some of them. I started with making simple fabric covered buttons, one embroidered first. I added a chain stitch around the rim to cover over any creases.
Next I free machined a heart for a covered button ad added some beading.
My absolute favourites next. My first attempt at Dorset buttons. I don't know if it's because I'm a Dorset girl but Oh My God- how much fun are these?
I cracked out the Fimo and teeny tiny cutters for some seriously girly flowers and butterflies.
I also made some more grown up Fimo buttons, playing with texture. I also needle felted and used shrink plastic so ended up with quite a nice variety of buttony samples. I have also completed toggles which were fun too.

I am trying to get through my texture design module, I really have to force myself to do it....step by step....grit my teeth. That's what being a grown up is all about perhaps? No wonder I struggle!

I haven't just been City and Guilding day in day out though, oh no. On Wednesday I had a grand day out. it was V V special, not least because I shared it with my lovely Mum. I promise another post with all the glorious detail very soon.

This is a no smocking area.

2011-11-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

Well clearly it isn't really! I now have smocking both traditional and contemporary all ticked off. This is good huh? I liked smocking, it was fun. My traditional sample on the red and white gingham turned out very teeny tiny, I don't mind that, I can do teeny tiny. I struggle more with 'contemporary' I wonder what that means really.

I think what is required is the use of unusual materials, a different scale perhaps. This isn't a problem right? Well maybe a tiny problem- because I like tidy and neat. I like things to be practical and useful- washable, long lasting. I need a glass of red at least before I can contemplate sewing with......I don't know....entrails or something! Talking of entrails do you like my little monsters? Will had a Halloween disco to go to this year. The whole school of eight classes danced to 'Thriller' on the back playground. What a sight 200 odd zombies all twitching and writhing in the flood lights. Anna was not the only younger sibling to get a little freaked out!

I have just sent photos of buttons to my tutor to see if they pass muster- then I can show you too. I hope you are all feeling happy and chipper, and none of you got nibbled by vampires! xx

Deck the halls with balls of fair isle!

2011-10-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

‘55 Christmas Balls to Knit’ is probably the cutest Christmas knitting book…ever. Not cute little fluffy angels and snowmen cute, not that kind of cute. I mean cute as in the guys who wrote this book are just about the most charming pair ever and that shows in every stitch. I want to live next door to Arne and Carlos. I want to play in their doll house. I want to have snow ball fights with them and make them hot chocolate with marshmallows in. You get the feeling these guys are super friendly- that they’d be totally up for all sorts of old fashioned silliness, knitted and otherwise. The patterns in the book have an old fashioned kind of feel and indeed some of the fair isle designs are sourced from vintage patterns. The balls are knitted on four needles which meant that I handed the book to Mum to actually knit the balls (I am such a four needle wuss), she made these three balls. As she didn’t have any pure Nordic wool she did the first with some double knitting which was kicking about and the ball came out a little, ahem, large. She switched to 4ply and got a much more sensible sized decoration. She says the patterns actually ‘work’ really well, they’re nicely laid out and she had no problems following the charts. I really like the idea of doing these in black and a variegated sock yarn or some such-I’ll have to ask nicely, but not too much grovelling will be required I don’t think as she really enjoyed knitting up these darlings. I have also put in a request for a scarf, nice and wide and long, with balls at either end. I think that would be ‘cute’ in the most charming way ever. If you are wanting to rustle up a set of decs which reflect a kind of vintage Scandinavian feel, and who wouldn’t, this really is a lovely book. More than that if you want a peak into the whimsical world of Arne and Carlos they put a lot of themselves into this book which makes it Nice- with a capital N!

manipulation, oh manipulation, manipulation that's what you need

2011-10-24T00:58:00.000-07:00

Here are my latest efforts, and another little section ticked off on the course. I burnt my little fingers several times fiddling about and ironing the pleated samples, and almost set light to some calico trying to get a fold to stay in, but it was amazing to see the different effects achieved pretty quickly.

I absolutely loved making the rolled beads and I can certainly see myself weaving fabric again. I remember doing some manipulation for GCSE textiles and recollect enjoying it then too. I can see me going to town with colour next time but the discipline of using neutrals has been good and it has been really good to see the textures.

I have been working on smocking this week, which kept me occupied on the train journeys home. I went back for my Aunts funeral, I don't know what to say about her loss- it was sad- too soon- not fair-when someone dies in their prime it is always the same sentiment. She leaves my Uncle and two sons one of 20 and one of 23. She didn't want to leave them, and no one wanted her to go. There, I'm sure it will all soften with time- but we won't forget- she was too damn great to be forgotten.

1,1,2,3,5,8 are the magic numbers

2011-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

Gosh haven't I been quiet lately? I haven't actually been quiet, I've been yapping away nineteen to the dozen with my pals. There seem to be some pretty dark times going on around here. Some gnarly horrid stuff and some trials of modern living. The big drugs company which is sited here and at which Simon worked up until taking VR, is closing, all but completely. This has meant a stressful time for friends who are having to sell up and relocate. Thankfully they are clever people and all seem to have found alternative employment but I think the knock on effect for the local economy might be harder to recover from. It has also changed the demographic of our tiny medieval town much more in favour of the wealthy retired weekender. Anyway if am looking for silver linings it comes in the benefits f friends clear-outs. I am better off by four pieces of Thai silk and the offer of the contents of a drinks cabinet....but poorer soon by a nearby friend- at least I can drown my sorrows in style! So sorry to offload, but things change don't they and my constant refuge is in creating. The rather bright sample is for the city and guilds. It is a padded piece, sewn with lines using the twin-needle in the machine. These lines are then drawn together in a pattern to give these diamond pockets. It is referred to as mock smocking and I rather like it.
The cauliflower is really interesting, well to me anyway! I am starting to work on my experimental pieces for assessment. I bought this Romanesque cauli as I love it's texture and recognised it's structure as probably being one that fits the universal formula of natural objects. I vaguely knew that shells, snails, ammonites all obeyed the same ratio, I vaguely thought there was something about fir cones in there too. Who knew that my research would have me returning to the graph paper and lying in bed working out if numbers followed any patterns. Basically it all comes back to the Fibonacci series of numbers and the golden spiral. It started here, yesterday I was blowing my mind with talk of Fractals. I wasn't bad at maths at school and I am finding this really exciting. (I don't blame you if you unsubscribe to this blog now you know I'm a whinging geek!) I ave no idea where my other experimental pieces will take me, my Pomegranate studies are mostly historical for now, and the work on conkers perhaps Psychological about protection and concealment. All I know is that whatever school subjects my studies return me to it is very unlikely I will be suddenly all wistful for P.E!

Worth a bunt

2011-09-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

I love the ‘Twenty to Make’ series, this is not a secret, I’ve raved about them here before. I was a tiny bit sceptical when I received this title to review. I mean bunting yawn yawn, been there done that, made metres and metres and metres……..how wrong can a girl be? ‘Twenty to Make Bunting and Pennants’ by Kate Haxell is a gem. The general instructions at the start are well written and then the journey begins from simple pinked bunting to nursery bunting stuffed with lavender= genius! As the name suggests there are twenty ideas here; really truly absolutely something for everyone. Magazines are not much shy of a fiver now so to have twenty well designed projects for £4.99 is ace value, there’s also an offer on the Search Press website, don’t blame if you get carried away! I had a go at the pleated fan bunting. It was very quick to make, light on fabric and looks so Victorian parlour. In other fabric it would look French, or Rococo, you see the list is endless. I did think at first, before a proper look that this would be a giveaway book…but no, hands off; it’s just too good to giveaway. This isn’t really a review, it’s an unreserved recommendation!

Eye eye-lets be 'avin you

2011-09-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

So everyone is back to school. Will has started at the junior school and is doing so well, he is so full of enthusiasm and curiosity- it really makes me proud. That's my job right? As a mother we are allowed to be proud yes? It seems to be proud of ourselves is unacceptable as adults- but it still makes me glow in a way nothing else can when my parents tell me I make them proud- how nice! x
The return to routine has allowed me to attempt some more City and Guilds catch up. I have now been ticked off for eyelets and cutwork. I had a nice time playing with various ideas and materials.

I also bit the bullet and had a go at space dying. The children helped and we dripped different cold water dyes onto various materials and threads. We managed not to make too much mess- though when I blew my nose later I ended up with a purple present! This was an exercise in learning a technique rather than trying to achieve a particular end product so I can use these materials for stitch samples etc. if I want to. I think I would do it again for something very special but it was a bit of a palaver. I wonder if painting with a large brush and watered down fabric paint would have had a similar effect?

Finally I also had another outing with the sketchbook and challenged myself to work with charcoal to make my marks more definite. I am pretty pleased with the outcome. The children came with me and also worked in their little sketchbooks, it was nice to see their results showing the freedom which I am trying to find. I need to do more design work for my course .....unless I can get the kids to do it!

Well hook me a corn cob!

2011-09-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

75 birds, butterflies & beautiful beasties to knit and crochet by Lesley Stanfield is full of the sublime to the knitted slug! Honestly this is a book with patterns for the world’s best nature table. The book has a nice clear techniques guide at the start, a gallery of beautifully images of the finished items, instructions split into knitting then crochet patterns and finally there are suggestions for how the little knitted what-nots can be used in a larger project. My only comment for improvement of the gallery might be a discreet ‘K’ or ‘C’ symbol so that one doesn’t get all excited at the prospect of rustling up a leaf (sorry) to find that it’s been knitted if one can’t knit very well. I myself am not a confident hooker so tried my hand at a knitted caterpillar. I found the instructions required a little care, though concentrating for the short while it took to complete the critter wasn’t too demanding.

I am not usually one for ‘sensible’ but I am struggling

to see where I might put knitted beasties to use. If you go in for novelty knitteds or cunningly crocheteds I would say this is a must for your library. At £10.99 for, well, 75 patterns I would say it’s a reasonably priced book and would be a jolly gift to while away the winter evenings looping up spring.

Little Arabella Miller

Found a furry caterpillar

First she showed it to her mother

Then her little baby brother

Both said;

'ARABELLA MILLER

TAKE AWAY YOUR CATERPILLAR!'

Bored yet?

2011-08-31T05:43:00.001-07:00

We honeymooned for two nights a week after the wedding in north Somerset at Porlock Weir. We stayed at an old hunting lodge, now Millers. It was bliss. Porlock Weir is tiny, a pub, a cafe or two, some tiny gift shops and the hotel. We didn't want for anything though. Great company, fantastic food, gorgeous Gin, who could want for more? Apart from eating well and 'enjoy
ing each others company' we spent hours playing on the beach.

Simon started by stacking stones in

to towers, the rocks were perfect for this and he made quite a few structures

which reminded us of the Easter Island statues somehow.

Next he looked out for rocks

with right angles chipped from them, he gathered four to make a square. He also made a very subtle rainbow, sequencing slightly coloured rocks. It was really funny watching Simon so engrossed, he is a scientist always reading and fascinated by new ideas and concepts

but playing with natural materials seems to be his creative calling, he enjoys the temporary nature, the hard nature of the materials the

physicality.

I tried to do some sketching, everything came out rather

weak, a reflection that I am out of practice. The pen and ink study was the last page I worked on and I am much happier with this, I think working in ink demands a braver, stronger approach. I want to use the sketches and photographs and some studies of pieces of wood and shell I bought back to form the basis of some work for my City and Guilds. So our honeymoon was short but perfect and the images we have bought back mean so much to us- we will never forget our time at Porlock Weir.

Gifts from the heart

2011-08-26T00:08:00.000-07:00

Our wedding had a lot of handmade going on. I made mine and Anna's button bouquets. Mum, Dad and the kids helped make the flowers whilst we on holiday at Haven. Gran did 'matchy matchy' whilst Anna and I went all 'clashy clashy'. It was a sod to form into a bouquet but of course it was inexpensive to make and can gather dust for the rest of our married life!
We received some really gorgeous gifts too. Gwen received a tiny little package from me when I did a Pay it Forward ages and ages ago. She felt, rather sweetly, that she wanted to pay it backwards too and these simply beautiful pillow cases arrived from the U.S. I am so touched.
Maria had made some really cute heart themed decs for me in a swap a while back. They came to the wedding and hung down the front of the tables now this one is adorning the dining room door.

Also hanging there is this delightful stitching. A good friend and good person made it for us and I shall be making sure it is displayed prominently to ensure that our anniversary is never forgotten!

Another quilty pal made me 6m of bunting for the wedding in all the wedding colours and fabrics. She made a smashing job of it and it has become the family birthday bunting to be hung over the fireplaces. You can also see a cardboard ball I made (one of four), I found the instructions through Pinterest, which I think many people have found and lost themselves in by now! I love Pinterest and have found the images there very inspiring. I have used a couple of ideas and find it a bit like pulling pages from a magazine. Who knows when these sparks of ideas will be kindled and it's lovely to see themes emerging in the images I've pinned so see a summation of what makes me tick visually. I caught some of Kirsty Allsops series being replayed a while back and though she grates a little (as she seems to think she's being thrifty spending out ££££££'s ad £££££££'s on making and doing- because it's jolly, rather than a necessity) she did do some interesting bits and bobs. She visited Cath Kidstone, now I used to really like Cath.....and then she became obligatory, ranges in Fenwicks, features in all the broadsheet colour supplements, I guess I'm perverse but the more people think something will be 'my thing' the more I kick against it. Anyway Kirsty visited Cath and it was really refreshing; her kitchen was nothing like a room set in her shop. It was sleek, she said that that was because that was what she wanted and liked and it's practical. Some kitchenware was from her product range other bits were vintage and mis matched. Her message was not to worry too much about making things 'go' together but that if you buy/collect/make what you really love then your character will show through and your house will have a cohesion based on the fact you selected an item. A decorating theme of 'Things I like'? Sounds good to me!

Gosh that got a bit waffly didn't it? Next I will share some memories and images from the honeymoon- don't worry, I'll keep it clean!

The knot is tied

2011-08-20T01:59:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago today we got hitched. Well and truly properly married, after 16 years together we know we get along just fine and our wedding day was perfect. We had a tiny ceremony with just 22 in total- but all dear family and everyone helped to celebrate and make the day what it was.

Will was our ring bearer, he and Anna stood with us for the ceremony, it was a very relaxed civil ceremony and the 'officials' were very friendly and went with the flow- which you couldn't really fight with 8 under 10's present!
Anna was my bridesmaid, the fabric she chose for her dress set the colour scheme for the wedding. Mum did a brilliant job on her frock and Will's waistcoat. They looked super cool! Dad gave me away which made me very proud- my parents are a huge part of my life and I wanted them to be a big part of my wedding day.

The whole ceremony was full of smiles and gulping back happy tears- I had waterproof mascara and a spare pair of contacts but managed to hold myself together until the reception when a sweet gesture by Mum and Dad left me sobbing like a baby! The reception was tailored to amuse both young and old with challenges, quiz and a bouncy castle. Everyone was so well behaved!
I will show you more of the handmade detail later but the dress was off the peg as I am no dress maker. It is destined to be cut up as just cleaning it would be a nightmare; that back lacing will be the tape for wedding bunting to go up on our anniversaries.

We were very lucky to receive some gorgeous hand made gifts and once again I shall get the camera out to show and tell now things are finally settling down. I hadn't realised just how much time and energy I'd been spending on organising and anticipating, far from feeling 'flat' I feel deeply content and ready for whatever the future may bring with my gorgeous husband.

Just a last little snippet from 'Don'ts for wives; 'Don't cease to be lovers because you are married. There is no need for the honeymoon to come to an end while you live'. xxx

Rainbow bright (but no gween icing!)

2011-07-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

Anna is 5. I was really chuffed with this cake it was a lemon sponge so tasted pretty darn yummy too and it was soooo easy- also brown Smarties are my favourite so you can see the added bonus for me! If you are wondering why Anna is half naked for her birthday tea it is because Daddy bought a hugely impractical and very cheap paddling pool as part of her birthday present and of course it was just about the biggest hit with the kids cavorting for hours!

Anna hasn't been the only one receiving gifts though, I took part in a 'where you live' swap organised my the fabulous antipodean. I received from Wonderwoman, which I knew would be a treat because I have been lucky enough to receive from her before. Maria went to town with hearts- and I'm so pleased she did. I have just posted a group shot here because the handmade lovelies have inspired and will form the backbone to the decorations for the wedding reception (in LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!!!!!). So there will be more pictures of Maria's handiwork but it will be taken in situ at the big event! There was a really cute tiny book enclosed in the parcel which has given me some chuckles and actually some food for thought; 'Don'ts for Wives' from 1913. I plan to quote from this regularly so here is gem no.1; 'Don't moralise by way of winning back the love that seems to be waning. Make
yourself extra charming and arrange delicious dinners which include all your husband's favourite dishes'

I sent to Jo in Tas for my part in the swap and made a parcel based on all things English, or at least what English means to me. Lots of lavender and rose fragrances here. I bought a couple of elements, the needle case from a craft fair and the bag was made by Mum from a charity shop find of some vintage embroidered napkins. I made the large lavender pillow with paper piecing and could have seen more coming up if I wasn't so damn stressed out and busy with the wedding!

Off now to make myself charming and work out what tasty morsel I can offer my fiance this evening to make sure his love doesn't wane whilst I whirl around in a frenzy of bunting,coaster,lavender sachet,knitting and cake baking!

hex-log-crazy work

2011-07-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

The time rolls along and the course tick list slowly fills up with, well ticks. This time I shall be merrily ticking off paper piecing, log cabin and crazy patchwork. I know that I would struggle with the accuracy required for 'proper' patchwork. My points just don't meet, I think it has something to do with the way I use my machine- for F=A=S=T, I zoom with little thought for accurate or even straight seams so it was nice to slow down and hand sew the papered hexagons. I was pleased that it didn't actually take forever to paper piece and that it was very mobile and pick-up and put-downable. More to come? I'm not sure, but when the need calls for it it won't be a technique I cringe at the thought of.

I think logcabin could actually be a whole life's work, fiddling around with different effects, tones, patterns scales. I don't mind the constant ironing, I like the thrifty nature of the beast- using up the odds and ends. I love that the centre square should always be red to represent the warm hearth at the heart of the log cabin.I'm not a rules kind of a girl but I like this. More to come? Surely to goodness if only to connect with my inner 'little house' dweller!

Finally I got a little crazy- his photo has come out a little sun bleached the colours are much more smoking jacket in real life, I really got caught up in the Victorian study vibe for

this and if I had had some quills or beetle's wings or those dear oriental coins with the square holes in the middle you would have seen them here- crikey a shrunken head wouldn't have gone amiss!

More to come? I actually struggled to get the base laid- I ended up with awkward gaps I had no idea how to cover. In essence the technique is p****d log cabin with 'place and turn clockwise- repeat', perhaps I had just failed to achieve the correct degree of inebriation? But I loved the decoration- the trawling of the bead box for the weird/wonderful/both. So I think yes, a little more to come- but definitely in the same vein- no pretty flowers here, I am going all out seedy opium den with this every time!

And the long absences? Well birthdays for small girls, more family sadness, more bunting for the charity shop, and much much more wedding preparation. There is so much I can't show you that I have been fiddling away at. I have made jewellery for the big day, my bouquet and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve but as Simon knows me (I was going to say inside-out=but it made me feel a bit sick!) so well I want to make sure I surprise him just a little bit on the 6th of August- if I can. (don't worry- no seedy opium den vibe on that day- think it may be a little mo

re abandoned wedding in Nanny Mcphee- but heck It's meant to be fun right?

Hard-anger

2011-06-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

I didn't twig this technique is called hardanger (hard-anger) until just a few second ago. It did make me a bit frustrated because it is a tiny bit tricky but I guess trickyfrustrated isn't such a good sewing term! In this method blocks of satin stitch (kloster blocks) are worked at intervals to enclose an area after which section of ground fabric can be removed. the remaining grid of threads can then be bound and enhanced. I am really pleased with the part worked square sample but struggled with the stepped piece.
I am loving that this is just the sort of stitching that I have seen on vintage tray cloths and thought -I wonder how the bally heck they did that- now I know, and it's cool. I think I'd like to have a play at doing something with more colour- but then again maybe I should just revel in the history if the whole thing and make a tray cloth!

In other news it is now just EIGHT WEEKS until our wedding. Yep 56 little days. I am feeling a bit sick and I have a list as long as a chimps arm of jobs to do. But I am actually very weepy at the thought of actually marrying the man I have loved for so long.

Towing the line

2011-06-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope those of you with small members of your family have had a great half term, we did! I took some pics of our break on t'other camera which means I will have to sneak onto Simon's computer to download them and post them here, which I will try to do in the very near future. Meanwhile my City and Guilds course has seen my first unit of work passed through internal verification - what a relief. I enjoyed making lots of lovely collages= worth renewing Simon's National Geographic subscription just so I can cut them up! I enjoyed producing the odd sketch with which I was relatively happy.
I enjoyed less the annotating, labelling, titling, indexing. I don't know why, I am a fairly ordered person generally but for me somehow creating and ordering don't mix. Anyway, like I say, signed off-done!

Also signed off and done is our little garden. We are so pleased with it and when the planting takes hold it will be perfect. I made lots of lists of plants I wanted whilst watching Chelsea, but we will have to add them season by season as some are a bit special.
Here the water feature is turned off as it needs a tiny bit of sealing and needs to be dry, but it forms a sheet of water into the pond which I hope will be home to some fish in the not too distant. There is lighting along the wall for evening sitting out, plenty of seating for said sitting. I have a herb garden and a couple of spots for some Dorset sculptures. All in all well worth the mess and disruption- a bit like the kids!!

Apply yourself

2011-05-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Yep I applied myself to make sure I am keeping up with the C&G assignments this term. In between times I hope to fit in catching up with last terms! Here you can see a half worked sample on inlay applique. I drew a simple shape an used Prick and Pounce to transfer it onto two squares of felt. The pieces are then cut out swapped over and sit within each other. I secured the pieces with simple stitches and seed beads. This is another sample which I will finish when the course is over. I would also like to play with this technique in Christmas colours and maybe three colours of felt.

The rest of the module called for playing with different methods of securing edges for other applique. I have used hand stitching, machine stitching and needle turned edges.I found the needle turned curves pretty tricky, perhaps this is something you just need to practise....a lot...to get good at?

So that's applique signed off. I am now working on my 'shape' design module. I have struggled with the previous design modules- I believe I have whinged about it before! I am trying really hard to allow myself to slow down and enjoy the exercises- to let myself have chance to produce something good.Lots of my other work has come back with positive comments, all signed off, no problems. My design units have bounced and bounced- to be honest I am not good at re-doing work- it feels like a failure - I do not enjoy the highest self esteem and I take anything I perceive as criticism very hard, which of course makes any sort of course with regular feedback pretty hard. I have a day of wedding crafting with some friends to look forward to tomorrow- if Will is back at school then- we are both suffering with some horrible achy viral number - I d hope Anna and Simon escape as we are off on hols next week. Hope you are all well and happy. xxx

Feathering the nest

2011-05-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

The nest for the hen that is. I had a great opportunity to increase my kit for the Hen do at a local Brocante yesterday. Cake forks £5 for six- a present for a good pal, which I hope she will lend me back for the big day.
A bon-bon dish ready to be filled with bespoke sugar cubes- 20p
A fab shire horse cake stand just ready to take some delicious rose and pistachios meringues- £3.
A dear but very mismatched cup and saucer which may well form part of a cake stand- 10p
I also grabbed a book of tea cards on wild flowers to go to Mum, a gorgeous wooden handles screw driver to use to tighten my embroidery hoop, I get very warm feelings when I hold the handle- a happy person had this before me. Finally I succumbed to a Mappin and Webb jug. Obviously not solid silver but still very pleasantly weighty- £12. I was very pleased with my haul. Simon found an unopened Star Wars Lego set and a huge box of Scalextric so apart from the inevitable weekend squabbles this has been a very happy household indeed!

I also treated myself to the new magazine 'Mollie Makes', and I did like it, but I have to say not as much as I enjoy 'Making'. It's nice sometimes to check out the grass on the other side of the magazine fence. I did see an idea for the wedding in there which I've started work on today- 14ft of pom-pom garland should keep me busy!

Blink and you'll miss it

2011-05-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

That's what happened to April- I must have blinked! Seriously things have been hectic (I am mistress of the under-statement!). Firstly I am VERY behind with my City and Guilds work. I have however had all of my counted thread work signed off, the last being this canvas work sample taken from a collage I made for my 'colour' module. I am still enjoying the course, when I can suppress the panic.
I have a list as long as your arm of things to be done but book reviews took a massive leap up the list when this beauty dropped into my hands this morning and quite literally made me gasp. Actually Anna has mis-heard someone saying OMG, (which I HATE) and now says OMCheese, when stunned. It is infectious- so I said OMCheese while I leafed through this beauty- I want to knit it all.
I feel I need to further justify my absence- hectic just doesn't seem to express it- this is the view in my tiny back yard. We have had some building work done and now the garden is getting the treatment, I cannot recommend builders sand as a floor covering for any room in the house- but I can recommend our gardeners who are simply lovely.

I have also been trying to keep up with supplying the charity shop with bunting. I do love making it, it is a very naughty distraction.

Finally I want to show you what I made on a residential weekend organised by our Embroiderers Guild branch. I spent a weekend making this seascape with Carol Naylor. I loved it. Carol's technique is to wind a heavy thread onto the spool of the machine and work upside down to effectively couch with the machine. I am terrified of machine embroidery, actually that should read I was terrified. I seriously loved this technique and was really pleased at how well my darling machine coped. I have a much more colourful design mapped out to play with- when I get time- which I plan to cut up for a cuff and some earrings. If only there was more time! Add that the wedding is only three months away and I have decided to make myself some jewellery and bouquets for myself and Anna and I think that there may be some more 'Aprils' to come. Let's just hope I don't blink and miss the wedding!

Open the box

2011-03-29T04:41:00.000-07:00

Have you been wondering where I've been? Curious as to what I've been up to? I have been cutting up card! Yep for about a week I have folded, glued and scored....repeat.... Finally I have finished seven wedding invitations and fifty hen-do invites-phew! The invites have been made following the colour scheme of Anna's bridesmaid dress- stop cringing- it will look lovely! Each invite is slightly different but each are boxed.

Open the box to reveal the first hit of colour, lots of die cut flowers with little touches of bling. (and snotty trails of PVA but I'm hoping everyone will be polite enough not to mention them!)
Open the card to reveal the harlequin within. The card has four hidden compartments. The details of the ceremony and reception lay within the easy to find boxes. There is confetti in the top boxes- if any one can get them open! These were a total labour of love, but very satisfying to have the end result and to get them posted off today.
The fifty hen-do invites were much more simple, but all different. I hope they give a flavour of the vibe I am hoping for on the day. These have also been written and I have started to hand them out. I have spent a long time thinking about all the friends I wanted to invite, I didn't know what to do about you, my lovely blog pals. You guys have been offering friendship and support for years in some cases so I wanted to include you if I could. If you think you might fancy a trip to Kent in July for a girly day of fun please let me know, I would be delighted to send you an invite!

What you can't see, hopefully, in any of these pictures is the huge quantity of plaster dust billowing around the house at the moment, we are into our third week of building works . There will be more to show when the dust has settled! xx

Thanks

2011-03-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your supportive comments on my last post. I have been feeling a bit perkier as other parts of life fall into place and other stresses fade away. In good news; my oven is fixed! My gorgeous friend Sam has agreed to do some needle felting at my hen do. The local cinema has said they will be able to put on a matinee for my hen day, something black and white and lovely. I have got stuck into making my wedding invites and hope to rope Simon in tonight with lots of card cutting. I have finished the above sample of contemporary Assisi work. I have also finished the bag for the charity shop and they Loved it, which is very very nice. The builders will start some work at the back of our house tomorrow after us waiting over a year.

So perhaps life isn't so bad. I must go and see of I can find a lemon to knock up a sponge in my newly working oven- the lovely Alan who fixed it for me reckoned a lemon drizzle over a coffee and walnut- and who am I to argue?

Floral tribute

2011-03-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have been creating new seasonal decorations for our house for just over a year now. Just bits and bobs as I've fancied, you know how nice it feels to put the Christmas decorations up? Well I'm hoping to reflect valentines day, spring, mid-Summer and Autumn and get the same buzz. These little cotton flowers are certainly lifting my spirits at the moment. They have been knitted following a Nicky Epstein pattern and sewn onto some fine ric-rac with a button middle. The garland cost me just a couple of pound to make and has filled a few relaxing evenings.

I am glad to have been cheered because some of the sadness I mentioned in my previous post has come to it's full conclusion with the death this morning of my uncle. It is sad that he has died, but not half as sad as his illness leading to his death and the trauma caused to all concerned. I am absolutely sure he is resting easier now. There are still more sad resolutions to come, which are laying heavy on my soul, gosh that sounds melodramatic, but perhaps you know what I mean? Lets hope there are more light moments to come too- that's how life works isn't it- light and shade?

On the light side I am focusing on creating for the charity shop, they have given me a bag of proper wool jumpers which had been part felted by their previous owners and now boiled to death by me! I have been working on making one into a bag for the shop to try selling, it's all a fantastic experiment.

I have also been invited to a fancy dress birthday party. Last year I made a dress for the theme of the 1920's. This year the theme is literary figures, in the interest of feeding my dark humour I have decided to go as Miss Havisham. I have collected some clothing to alter from the charity shop- I plan to have a LOT of fun with this one, mostly to make up for the gloom of reading 'Great Expectations' to make sure I am accurate. God but Charles Dickens did write about some miserable lives, it reminds me of the more modern genre of 'tragic life stories' which I wouldn't read for 'pleasure' either!

Lastly I will be visiting Hobbycraft in the morning to get the last few bits and pieces for my wedding and hen invites which I was unable to get from my local independent.

Here I shall insert an informal enquiry. I want my hen do to be a reflection of me and as such I am hoping to do some making with my friends. Is there anyone local who might be able to offer a kind of workshop for a morning? We are in East Kent and I hope to do something like felting, cake decorating, soap making or some such. Let me know if you know of someone who might be able to help? Thanks. x

The Braid-y bunch

2011-03-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

200 Braids to Loop, Knot, Weave and Twist by Jacqui Carey is fantastic. I feel like I could almost leave this review right at this point….really what more can I say? I’ll try to tell you why, but perhaps at a very reasonable £9.99 you might just take my word for it? I have always loved ‘braiding’- plaiting anything and everything, wildly spinning pencils in synchronisation with Mum from either side of the living room to make a twisted cord and then moving to knotted friendship bracelets. There is something very exciting about changing the colour and texture of a thread by introducing it to new friends. Many a hideous yarn has found a new place in the world of the beautiful once married up to something a little more sophisticated (an analogy for real relationships?). The book breaks down into sections rather like my own journey into braiding, here are instructions for plaiting, weaving, knotting and twisting. These instructions are excellent and well illustrated, the books second section is a gallery of braids-ideas-ideas-ideas- I was positively bombarded with them as I leafed through this section. I wondered why anyone would ever buy a metre of edging off the roll ever again when here was a catalogue of the most sumptuous, just waiting to be born at ones own fair hands! I will need to look at braiding and collect some samples for my City and Guilds and I am totally confident and thrilled that this book will hold my hand all the way through. Mum has already had a play making her favourite twisted cord and laying three side by side and stitching through them from side to side- fabulous! Our only tiny criticism is that this book is a very dense square little volume and as such doesn’t stay open very happily on its own and braiding needs all your hands (and sometimes a spare!). So as I say, fantastic, genuinely, something for everyone, a book which will grow ones skills and maybe make you drool a little.....(if that’s just me, please pretend I didn’t write that).

I haven't done a book review for ages, I have another to come along in due course. Meanwhile my Easter garland is nearly finished and ready for a grand reveal. Look after yourselves, see you soon. x

Distracted by .....distractions

2011-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

that's how it goes with life. I have stuff going on at the moment, some good and exciting, some sad, some cross making. I don't feel able to share the poo stuff on a public platform so I'll just share the nice bits shall I? The exciting bits are a lot to do with our up-coming wedding. Mum zoomed down to help me choose an outfit- which I can say no more of as Simon reads my posts- and we have been to Weymouth to organise some more bits and bobs. I bought these fabulous double sided wrapping papers in Margate old town and plan to use them for my hen day invites.
Whilst in Weymouth I picked up some shoes to wear on my big day. They are a Red Herring special edition. Simon made me buy them shooting down every protest with a rather frisky glint in his eye- he did at one point ask in a sweet concerned manner 'are they comfy?' Honestly, boys just don't get it do they- or they don't care! I came home and let Mum have a look at them nestling in their bag...'slut' she said. I do believe that on my wedding day I am presenting myself to my husband and if a little touch of slut gives him a happier 'happiest day' then I am happy to oblige! Anna has picked out some fabulous fabrics for her bridesmaid dress, which has meant my colour theme is hot pink, sugar pink, warm yellow, leaf green and of course slut red! The venue for our knees up following the ceremony is a community centre where I spent a great deal of my happy childhood, it makes me well up just thinking about it- apart from the fact it's only costing £55 for the hall hire, including use of their own bouncy castle- hooray! Right enough wedding news- I'd hate to bore you all with it.

I have been working hard on my City and Guilds but the current sticking point is another design unit- the stitching relaxes me but not quite as much as the design modules tie me in knots. It's good to have a challenge though, no really, I have to hold that thought. I have treated myself to working on this sample of contemporary Assisi, using random cross stitch and a stencilled shape in the centre.

I have also been involved in great new project at our local Sue Ryder shop. They put a sign up asking for volunteer sewers so I was brave and put my hand up. It turns out the lovely manager wanted to make bunting from fabric which she would otherwise have sent for 'rag'. I have made a couple of lengths now and the fabric she is giving me is ace-some gorgeous old sheets, (made in the U.K) some old blouses and napkins and tablecloths. It makes my heart brake to know that other treasures are being sent for rag- I want it all- to up-cycle- to re-cycle- to love! I hope the project grows and grows because I have missed making things for others to enjoy- my City and Guilds is very hidden- and this 'work' and raising funds for charity is feeding my soul in a way that is very necessary right now.

They call me mellow yellow

2011-02-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

I've done a tiny spot of shopping, just tiny, I couldn't resist Karen's little booklet. This tiny tome contains images of Karen's fabulous work and some suggestions and ideas to try oneself. I bought it to add to my City and Guilds foundation folder and also because I am a huge fan of Karen's work. There are more available hot off her printer, just visit her blog for details.

I am conscious that I have been spending a lot of time here lately showing off lovely gifts that people have sent me and just to prove that I'm not all take, take, take I wanted to show you what I made for my Mum. When we went to stay in the summer Mum and I agreed on a little swap with a September deadline and we bought two 'bit bags' from a local fabric shop full of some lovely and some truly hideous snippets- the challenge was to use these bags to make something for each other. I backed a large lavender pad with some deck-chair striped fabric. I used image transfer paper through the printer and ironed on. Although it is slightly plastic in texture it was good fun to use and I felt very brave doing it.
There was also a square of batic style print in the pack to which I added some more charm squares and some felt applique. I got the design from a book I reviewed here a while ago. I'm not sure what this panel 'is', I think it should probably up on a wall or door because the felt emblem is quite fat.
This little heart bag allowed me to use the cord and a piece of placticised fabric from the bag- It's hideous- but I felt it important to give mum a laugh..... before she could toss it on the fire!!
Lastly I made a postcard on the embellisher to use the very bright orange net and some snippets from the other projects. It was a very enjoyable challenge, but Mum wouldn't open her parcel....or perhaps I should say couldn't. Mum hadn't been very happy with her attempts and didn't want to send them, so wouldn't open mine. Christmas came and went and it wasn't until her birthday a few days ago that she bit the bullet and opened her parcel. I feel really bad that I jollied her into agreeing to the swap. It did remind me that swapping can be full of angst and worry, but much like the rest of life I think you have to do some things which make you feel uncomfortable sometimes, it builds confidence, I think. Do you agree? What have you done lately which made your tummy wobble? (other than running up the stairs- if you are built anything like me!)

Flower garden

2011-02-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

So Wipso won my 300 post give away- and I received a thank you in return which totally overwhelmed me! Really I am still feeling very winterish and a parcel filled with treasures such as these was more than enough to paint a grin on my chops which comes a gain each time I look at the treasure!

I cannot believe how tiny and perfect this little be-ribboned bear is- she's darling!

The poppy picture- made with an embellishing machine (genius) has gone straight on the dining room wall and is my direct line of sight as I sit and listen to the kids complain about what I've cooked for them- so it is where it is needed most ;0)

I must have a go at this seared ribbon technique- it is so damn pretty! These colours are perfect for me, in fact I am considering it as one of the wedding colours.

The gifts were beautifully wrapped and came accompanied by this amazing card, I'll be looking for a frame for it, and another piece of wall where I can see it when I need it most....perhaps by the school shoes-or the toothbrushes!!!

Thanks so much Wipso, I am truly spoiled by your kindness- but I can't say 'you shouldn't have' because really- I'm very glad you did!

strike a pose

2011-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

Figure Poses for Fashion Illustrators by Sha Tahmasebi comes packing 250 templates to be combined to come up with an endless of designs. The book has outlines of various figures but also has a DVD from which these figures can be printed or ‘dressed’ on-screen. The book explains the proportions used for the figures in fashion designs and does also give templates for plus-sized women, which is really nice.

There is a large selection of garments which can also be traced, printed or worked on-screen, the style of these are named and explained which would allow a student to really pick up the ‘lingo’. There are also accessories to choose from all topped of with guidance on how best to represent different fabrics and which art materials to use in the designs.

I know how popular those fashion wheels were when I was young and this is a super-duper grown up version of those. I printed off a set of the larger model figures myself and sketched out some wedding outfit designs and it certainly helped me to eliminate some combinations and it was really good fun!

This book is perfect for anyone studying textiles at any level. At £14.99 I think it represents good value for money. I will be handing my copy on to a young lady of exquisite style who has begun her textiles GCSE…but I’ll be keeping the larger model template sheets for next time I fancy a bit of gentle fashion designing myself!

Dutch treats

2011-02-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

When I opened my give away here I got some comments from people I'd never 'met' before which is really nice. One of those comments was from someone in Holland who told me about her nations favourite biscuits. Then she offered to send me some! I couldn't turn down such a generous offer so we agreed on a little swap. Well I sent a little swap Maryvonne sent me LOADS!

I not only received Stroopwafels, which will be eaten warm with ice creams, but a darling zip up bag with a cute toadstool zip hanger. Maryvonne doesn't have a blog but is obviously such a talented crafter- look at my gorgeous floral pins! (I wore one to the pub last night which kept my spirits high as I paid over £4 for a pint!!!!)

There was so much edible treasure- the kids went loony! Simon can't keep his sticky mitts off the butter waffle boiled sweets and Will was made up with the chocolate sprinkles- weirdly we had bought him some back when we visited last year and they have nearly run out. We have agreed that we'd like to do another swap in the summer- I can't wait!

I did send some treasure in my parcel including a little felt mouse Not one shown here but one in purple and grey- these mice come from the Stitched Toys book I received for Christmas and went together really nicely. I did notice too late how important it is to get the ears in the same position each side; hence the side ways-on pose!

Stump up for a golden treasure!

2011-01-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Stumpwork and Goldwork Embroidery by Jane Nicholson is a beautiful book. This hardback is rich and opulent. The layout somehow manages to be spacious whilst still packed with sketches and references to the artist’s source material. Jane Nicholson has studied Turkish, Syrian and Persian tiles as her design source for the book. The book breaks down into four sections with groups of designs. I love that there are suggestions for making the designs up into various items such as mounting work into a box or sewing it into a needle case. The designs also vary in size so you can build confidence and practice techniques before tackling one of the really stunning larger pieces.

Instructions are given and are very clear and well illustrated the author does refer readers to other embroidery books for the basics so I would say this book is definitely aimed at the more experienced embroiderer. The work is very precise and meticulous so would suit the stitcher who enjoys following a pattern to the last detail- but boy would the results be worth it! I have often been tempted to buy goldwork threads to feed my inner magpie but don’t often use them. Here the work is framed by elaborate combinations of these threads, beads and the couching over with coloured silks, to great effect. I also love how little blossoms are formed with beads and did have a little play with this myself. This is certainly a technique I will use again.

At £29.99 this book is not a ‘buy on a whim’ sort of title, but I think if you want to further your skills in stumpwork and goldwork it will certainly be a ‘bought and never regretted’.

I'm sorry to give you two reviews in a row. I think the fact I'm apologising for this probably gives an insight into my current state of mind. Like so many it seems, I am finding the winter blues a particularly deep hue this year. Lets keep our fingers crossed for an early spring and some sunnier more vacuous posts!!

I wanna be your dowg

2011-01-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

Fashion Dog is a book with 30 designs of outfits and accessories for the most pampered pooch. Designs are made with a range of knitting, sewing and crochet. They are sized for smaller dogs but there is a section suggesting how to scale up the patterns, though of course collar dangles are suitable for any sized pet. I usually try to make something from each book I review but this book had me stumped- draw a deep breath- I’m not really an animal lover- (I’m not keen on babies either)- there I’ve said- bye bye readership. I’m not totally hard hearted or anything, I’m just not great with things that are dependant on me for care. I am entirely comfortable with wild animals, but I couldn’t really knit leg warmers for a wolf! When I took a closer look at the patterns I realised one thing; this is not a book for people who love there dogs and want to have a go at making something for them…..rather this is a book for someone who LOVES there dog, adores fashion and is an experienced stitcher/knitter/crocheter. This is not to say that the instructions aren’t clear- they seem full enough- though I haven’t tried them, it is just that they are expressed in a way that might be foreign to a new crafter. In the accessories section the crochet is given as a written instruction, not as a diagram. Knitting is shown as a chart rather than in long hand. As I say if you are fabulously stylish, in love with your canine and adept with the needles you’ll really like this well presented book, it is a pooch Marie Claire.

I am offering this book up for any such dog lover- who's still talking to me!

Run run as fast as you can!

2011-01-17T03:56:00.000-08:00

It may seem that this blog has become all about biscuits- that would be no bad thing huh?- but it's just coincidence! This little chap was made at school by Anna. The idea is that he can travel off, run away, to explore and send a postcard back to the school. This term the children are looking at fairy tales- and this way they can use the Gingerbread man to bring in a little geography. So if you have small children, or not, and live somewhere other than Kent in the U.K I wonder if you'd be willing to receive this little guy in the post and in return send a postcard to my daughters school? Please leave a comment if you think you can help.
I also wanted to share my latest sample for City and Guilds. I did a sketch of a shell and have part worked it as a black work design. I transferred the image using tissue paper which was a new technique for me. I wasn't expecting to enjoy black work particularly, but Loved it! I do like the back of the work, less neat! I needed to leave this part worked for assessment but look forward to coming back to it at a later date. I am now working on fabric manipulation which I am enjoying slightly less, I think this is because I needed to work in neutrals and you know what I'm like- I need a little colour in my life!

Hob nob-ing

2011-01-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

And the Hob Nob has it! Well done Wipso. Thank you all so much for entering. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering more about you all and your biscuit tendencies.

Fabric flowers

2011-01-12T06:30:00.001-08:00

Colliery Days is a Canny Keepsakes production containing stitched projects inspired by the history of the North of England. There are more than twenty of these projects, split into chapters depending on where they would be used in the home; they range from tea cosies to bedspreads so there’s plenty for everyone. The projects in the book have been made up in traditional fabric which gives them a really vintage country feel. The page layouts have a similar feel; the instructions are interspersed with snippets and historical anecdotes and recipes. The book has a whole lot of character which is very charming, browsing through i

t is a pleasure. Anna and I had a go at making the flower corsages. These were good fun and are very straightforward. We chose different colour scheme which gave different looks to the finished items. When it came to followin

g the instructions I found the page layouts a little distracting, the photographs of the finished items are very large which is helpful, but I can’t help wondering if this is at the cost of larger print in the instructions. All in all the book has a nice feel, very homely. I would say it would be most suitable for a traditional stitcher, there’s nothing very cutting edge here but lots to build skills and confidence, whilst also being nice to mooch over with a cup of coffee.

Can you guess who's flower is who's? I practically begged Anna to leave out that navy petal but she stood firm and damn her her flower is so much more interesting than mine! We decided we would make one in the wedding colours (whatever the hell they might be!) for her to have on a band around her head. Don't forget the give away I won't draw until Sunday so still plenty of time!

Family assortment

2011-01-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much you mad bunch of biscuits- I am having a ball reading all your comments. I haven't had a ginger nut, or a malted milk or a custard cream enter- and if you think that could be you please leave a comment on the post below saying why and you'll be in with a chance of winning the give away- prize to be tailored to the winner. I am prepared to send to cookie munchers in any part of the world!
So further again to yesterdays post here are the fabrics which Tom selected for his quillow. I need a bit more though. My stash is full of pretty prints so if you have some fat quarters in your stash which you think would go in with this and you'd be prepared to swap please leave a comment. If you could tell me how many fat quarters you'd like to swap and what sort of colours or themes you are yearning for I'll mail you a picture of what I have for your approval. I'd like just 100% cotton fabrics- if that doesn't sound too fussy- and of course would supply the same! Thanks in advance. xxx

300th post giveaway

2011-01-08T10:16:00.001-08:00

Yep 300 posts- 300! That's quite a lot isn't it? About one hundred posts a year- around two a week- that's like a proper bloggy habit! Anyway it must be time for a giveaway! I won't say what the prize will be- because I want to make it special for the winner- who ever they may be. To enter please leave a comment, tell me something, tell me if you were a biscuit what sort of biscuit you would be and why. I am, for example, quite clearly a Bourbon. I'm a bit traditional, a bit common, I am possibly a little more than a boring rich tea but have no delusions that I am some fancy chocolate coated beauty from a Fox's selection tin. I am also quite especially nice when dipped in hot chocolate (get the picture?). I will randomly pick a winner next Sunday the 16th, please make sure I can contact you through your comment, or I will have to pick someone else- and that kind of hard-ball policy really doesn't come easy to a 'Bourbon'.So, as you may have gathered with my deep knowledge of biscuits there is only one sort of diet going on around here! I have seen lots of bloggers talking about the need for economy in these hard times and that has hit the stash... Cut to Pieces is offering an incentive for two months with no fabric purchases, I won't make any promises- because the minute I do I will want to do the opposite. I had been thinking though that if I am to make a quilt for my dear brother, which I very much want to do I will need to buy some fabric...but no wait perhaps there's another way? How would any of you feel about a fat quarter for fat quarter swap- I have lots of pretty florals and some novelty fabrics and Tom wants blues, green and brown geometrics. I will post a picture of the fabrics which Tom picked from my stash and perhaps you guys could tell me if you have anything which might fit which you'd be prepared to swap. There's no hurry so it could be all 2nd class post, but I think U.K only- otherwise it might defeat the object of the exercise! Cool- so come on biscuits- dunk yourselves in the giveaway-and help me celebrate 300 posts of waffle!

simply re(a)d

2011-01-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

I have added four new books to my library this festive season. Two were gifts from friends and two were gifts from me, a trip to Waterstones cafe before Christmas was indeed expensive! I treated myself to this amazing art book 'Radical lace and subversive knitting'. I think you could probably put 'subversive' on most things and increase their appeal to me! It is a really inspirational book- lots of amazing, rather than practical uses of 'knitted' textile.
I was also tempted beyond resistance by this amigurumi book 'Super Cute'. I have never played with cute crochet so it remains to be seen how successful this will be. I think this will be one to take on holiday with a few balls of wool and plenty of time.

My best friend from back home treated me to 'Stitched Toys'. Naturally Jen will need to be the first recipient of a little felt mouse! I think there are lots of basic patterns in here which can be embroidered and embellished to make them little works of textile art more than just toys for little on

es. The same goes for 'Wee Wonderfuls', this was from my Sister-in-law-to-be who I now would appreciate this book herself. All in all a strong feeling of cute, I always find it fascinating how gifts given reflect how people see you, and how some gifts are really given for the giver- (e.g underwear from partners!) So what did your Christmas gifts tell you about how people see you? Were your gifts frivolous, practical, saucy? Do tell!

For Auld Lang Syne

2011-01-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Happy new year one and all! What a gorgeously hectic festive season it has been. We have had family staying and spent time with great friends. We have eaten, drunk, watched a tiny bit of telly and played masses of board games. The house got to a level of tidiness which I had previously thought impossible- and is fast returning to it's 'natural state'. I have made soup, disastrous Brandy butter and thanked the great god Waitrose for providing a stress free cooking experience of Christmas Eve and day.

I had hoped to show you pictures of Dad's finished Quillow, and the Baktus and necklace I made for Mum- but I was a dumb ass and didn't photograph them before wrapping them. Both my folks seemed really chuffed with their gifts and my big brother even said he'd like a quillow too, so he has chosen some fabric from my stash to give me a clue as to colour direction. I was lucky to have some lovely gifts which will fuel the crafting fires into 2011; some books, wool and threads etc. I know with the City and Guilds rolling on I shall never be short of inspiration. The course has definitely affected my blogging habits- I just seem to be pouring all my energies into it, which I hope you don't mind- I shall endeavour to keep things ticking along here.

I have not failed to notice that I now have only 24 hours until my 3rd blog anniversary and three posts until my 300th post. I will be having a giveaway- naturally. More thoughts on that to follow.

For now I shall leave you to contemplate the gentle river flowing off into the future, who knows where we shall be carried- (should be a laugh though!)

Our house

2010-12-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

I have to share this amazing dolls house with you, go HERE for details. It has been hand made by my friends Dad. I love it and I only wish I had some cash to treat us. I would love to furnish this beauty and can see a Coraline like character living here. Suzy makes the most amazing Polymer figures so you can really see that she has inherited her Dads talent It really does run in the blood I'm sure. x

Me and my shadow

2010-12-05T03:49:00.000-08:00

Here are my latest samples for my City and Guilds. I can honestly say that I would never have tried shadow work off my own bat. It's not that I don't like it, but you know how you stick to the things you know well? Anyway I started with the daisy in traditional shadow work. The petals and centre are worked by appliqueing another fabric to the reverse of the design and the leaves with a closed herringbone stitch. It was so enjoyable and the very fine cotton fabric came from a blouse I bought over ten years ago and couldn't bear to throw away! It needs a good damp stretch before it goes for assessment. Next I had a go at a more modern take, I made a large paper cut from a heavy Indian paper. I sewed this to some voile, this was also very enjoyable, I do like sewing with paper and plan to use some folded paper in my blanket stitch exploration. Finally I had to do battle with my nemesis of Bondaweb. I cut some bondawebbed paisley shapes and applied these to a space dyed base. I topped this off with wadding and a layer of very sparkly shot organza-(might it be called crystal organza?). I quilted around the shapes and within them and then cut back the organza to give a variety of surfaces. I added a sprinkling of Indian cup sequins and feel it could take even more.

I am waiting to hear if I have done enough to have shadow work signed off, but to be honest if I need to do some more samples it won't be a hardship and I wouldn't even mind if I needed to break out the 'web of doom' again!

Other crafting is progressing well- a Christmas present should be finished in time and I have sewn a Christmas garland this very morning. I am at the slightly excited- slightly more panicky stage of Christmas preparation, I need to cross off a few more jobs from the 'to-do' list before I can get properly wibbly and tearful about the whole festive affair- but don't worry, it will happen! xx

Have yours-elf a merry little Christmas

2010-11-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

I'm still here, in case you were wondering. I'm still beavering away on the City and Guilds, a tiny bit behind due to going to town on a shadow applique sample- but that has got to be the best reason for getting behind- getting totally caught up in it all. I have also been feeling a little festive. We had the Sandwich Christmas carnival last night. The school joined in and it was a really lovely evening. This year was a walking procession lit by lanterns, torches and various novelty wands/torches etc. The atmosphere was great and although it was very cold I managed to get four layers on each child under their costumes so although they looked a bit porky no one froze. We popped in to the off licence on the way home for a bottle of restorative for the grown ups and a sweet treat for the elf and the fairy. Anna chose peanut M&M's, I was a bit surprised as we haven't had them before but all became clear when she whispered, 'because they're the ones that talk'. If you've seen the adverts you'll know what she means. She wasn't too disappointed when they didn't chat to her, thank goodness, though if they had it might have freaked her out a bit!
Today we have been to a local garden centre where we chatted with Santa for a while, had a romp on the soft play/sipped Elderflower fizzy stuff (guess who did which!) and looked for some new Christmas decorations. We are having a particularly exciting Christmas this year as my family are coming for the first time 'en masse' and we want to make the house look really nice. I was really disappointed by the selection though. Everything was very co-ordinated and samey. I wanted something to hang from the ceiling and possibly a garland for the fireplace, but I refuse to pay £30 for a bit of plastic tree....(I am now officially my own mother!). I couldn't put my finger on why I was getting grumpier and grumpier trying to find something when I realised that at the back of y mind was that nagging voice..'Jenny, Jenny, you know you can make something much nicer than this Jenny'. So whilst the kids finished getting punched by other children, which seems to be the true point of soft play areas (don't worry they so enjoy being outraged it does count as fun!) I mooched off to the 'Works' which has a concession in the store and bought the worlds cheapest felt and some little bells to make my own garland. I thought I'd seen the idea on Bugs and fishes but can't find it there now, but it's worth popping over for other cool festive ideas!

Gosh I have waffled on haven't I? I think I've been missing this blogging lark!

Look after yourselves all- keep warm and happy! xx

Al these things that I've done

2010-11-14T03:42:00.000-08:00

I just had a quick glance back over my recent posts and have realised I haven't shown you any of my City and Guilds 'work' for ages- how very remiss of me! I have been keeping up the pace with some traditional pattern darning, and some contemporary which I will show next time.

I have used the machine in ways I never dreamed possible to applique a large area with fabric snippets. I hate Bondaweb so the realisation that I could still achieve a quick and free background into which I could stitch and embellish was really liberating!

I also completed an exercise sewing lines of long stitches across a piece of fabric then having fun weaving between and around them. What a quick and even decorative edging this would make to a cuff or around the hem of some trousers for Anna!

I showed you some samples of running stitch last time, but was challenged by one of my tutors to really let loose and allow my stitching to distort the fabric. I have made a tiny Kantha before but wanted this to be even more extreme so worked from all angles. I have so many ideas I'd like to pursue, and it's good to keep the momentum going. This week I am playing with shadow work, and completing some more design exercises on line. I am also mucking about with blanket stitch to try to get some more interesting samples together.

Oooo look, I've just scrolled down and found this little photo of some Assisi work- sort of reverse cross stitch- filling in the negative space. Honestly I have produced so many samples in just a few short weeks- goodness knows how much will have by the time assessment comes around! Still I am keeping it all neatly filled- and am looking forward to utilising it in some practical way when it's all finished with

Devil inside, devil inside, every single one of us has a devil inside

2010-11-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

The mistake which could not be rescued on the back of my mohair lacy shrug? The devil himself must have done it.
The gorgeous new shoes....the devil made me do it.

She may not be a lady- but she's all woman.

2010-11-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

So here's the doll- do you see what I mean about her face being a bit too subtle? Although the photo perhaps doesn't do her complete justice? Anyway, she was a joy to make, the book does have a doll with boobs and I do think future dolls will have a pair! The hands have pipe-cleaner stuffed fingers so she can be 'posed'. I really enjoyed using little bits of treasure to make her, snippets of ribbon, beads and tiny bells. She really looks little an Autumnal girl to me- perhaps a snow fairy should be next as the book has instructions for making the most beautiful wings.
Anyway this dolly has left the building as I made her as part of my swap with Maria, I do hope they get on well!

I am continuing to be adsorbed by my City and Guilds and will show what I've been up to next post.

Got myself a crying, talking, sleeping, walking living doll

2010-10-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls by Jan Horrox contains fully illustrated step-by-step instructions for making three different cloth dolls. Each doll is also shown in two different colour ways to demonstrate the variety possible from the basic patterns. I made the simplest doll, her face is flat, rather than sculpted and her hands are ‘mittens’ without separate fingers. There is plenty of advice on suitable fabric, thread and stuffing, so I felt well supported even though this was my first doll. I drew my face with fine line permanent pens a white gel pen and some watercolour pencils. I think my dolls features were a little too fine, the ones shown in the book are much more exaggerated. The dolls take only small pieces of fabric so I used some precious scraps for the body and legs. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the doll went together, her arms and hips are button jointed so that she can sit and wave! The dolls skirt is made of layers of sheer fabric and this was really good fun, building up colours and textures. The best bit had to be adding the hair, which really gave the doll her character, and allowed me to go to town with all the mad novelty yarns in the stash.

I didn’t have any specialist doll making equipment apart from a very long needle and although I have no doubt that some long tweezers would have made life easier I can’t say that anything was much of a struggle with just a usual sewing kit.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this doll, so this is another book with which I will not part! I can see myself using further dolls and making them in all sorts of weird and wonderful characters. I would definitely make the facial features more prominent in future, to balance up all the extravagance elsewhere!

I'll show my efforts next post!

Hope you are all well and having a good weekend. x

Wonder woman!

2010-10-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

A sneaky swap, just between friends, just for fun. Maria very kindly offered when I was having my 'what am I for?' wobble. I'm really glad I couldn't resist! Maria sent all manner of sweet stuff; a pot of cute buttons, a piece of amazing pink fabric and a roll of spotty ribbon which the camera went all wonky on so remains a secret, this most amazing heart hanging, so cute,
a very smooth and special angel, some ticking type ribbon, very swish and these dear chicken egg cosies. The children often have eggy in an egg cup so these will become a regular fixture on our table I'm sure.

the parcel was wrapped in this holographic, iridescent film which I have quickly ferreted away before any sticky fingers got to it. I'm sure I will use it in my course, but if not it brings back happy memories of 1980's Sindy outfits! A big thanks to Maria, I have enjoyed this swap so much and even more now my parcel is here and is so ace! I am now to make the decision as to where my hearts hanging should go so that it can cheer me up on a daily basis.

Half term has now officially begun so look after yourselves! xx

It's all right- babies coming back

2010-10-21T00:02:00.001-07:00

The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion by Yvette Stanton is the sequel to the left handed version. I am right handed but have a copy of the left hand edition which I have previously reviewed here. These books are exceptionally clear in their directions and stitches are shown worked in all sorts of different ways and in sample to really give inspiration for their use. I am finding

this book invaluable in my City and Guilds stitch samples. I have already got a few stitch dictionaries in my library, including the classics, but this is my first choice now as it is so bright and light

and well indexed. I would highly recommend this for other students and teachers. Both the right and left handed embroiderer’s companions are superb.

The samples pictures are those which I've completed for my running stitch exploration, showing traditional use and more free use. I have masses of these samples to complete for all variety of stitches so I can see my copy of this book getting well thumbed over the next few months!

S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G we're shopping

2010-10-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

Despite finding the Knitting and Stitching show slightly less ace than in the past I still managed to buy some bits and bobs (!). Thanks to Mum and Dad for some spending money and to Simon for letting me do my own Christmas shopping! First shown buttons from Textile Garden. More exciting than a sweet shop!

Then I visited a lady specialising in sequins for Sari silk and...well sequins...lush!
I got a bargain bag from Oliver Twists which contains some opulent velvet and some new (to me) fibrous stringy stuff.
I also got some coloured pencil roving to have a go at some wild Italian corded quilting.
This is my purchase in response to the challenge to make the best use of a pound. These little squares are printed and are the zingiest colours.
I also bought a thread inspiration pack from Thredfairy who I have bought from on E-bay many times,the cocoons were from Steff Francis but I like the colours together.
Steff Francis also provided the opportunity to make up another inspiration pack based on some space dyes cotton felt. I added beads from another stall.
More cotton felt awaiting a quilting experiment and some sari yarn from the sequin lady which just matches beautifully!
I bought equipment too- pens and pipe cleaners for doll making and some transfer paints.
Finally I couldn't resist some £2 a metre cotton fabric. So the shopping was tempting enough, not too much which I hadn't seen before. I found it all a bit crammed n and again have resolved next year I will try to get to Harrogate instead. I had a task also to speak and to take notes from the showcase stands, this was a real challenge. Luckily the first lady I spoke too was very lovely and chatted about her work, I asked if I could take some photos and bought some of her postcards. Unfortunately as I progressed to other stands the reaction was very mixed. Some exhibitors were friendly and charming and gorgeous but others were very shirty and stand offish. I can only assume that as it was Sunday they had show fatigue, or that they had had some terrible experiences with visitors in the past. It was strange though that some people weren't selling postcards, had no handouts and didn't allow photography. I can't imagine that lots of visitors take a pocket stuffed with cash to buy art, perhaps I'm wrong, but how are visitors supposed to remember who's progress they want to watch, who they might want to have as speakers at their guild, who they might want to buy from in the future? Perhaps I am missing the point- but I do remember Harrogate being a darn sight friendlier.

Sorry rant over, I did get some amazing inspiration and see the work of some fabulous artists. I have already used some of my purchases in my course work- more of that soon. Hope you are all well and happy. xx

A rush of blood to the head

2010-10-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have been consumed by the course. I actually had to force myself to stop for lunch today- unheard of! Last weeks task was to produce samples of traditional quilting, finished and unfinished. I used some traditional patterns and followed instructions to return to good quilting habits- I tacked rather than safety pinned my layers and worked in a hoop rather than in the hand. I was really pleased with the result I will definitely be 'hooping' more in the future!

I also had to produce a sample using Trapunto and Italian corded quilting. I used a complex Celtic knot work pattern and it was quite time consuming to sew the channels for the wool. but I think if this was stretched properly it would look pretty ace. I also really like the back where the little loops of quilting wool show every inch or less. I have so many ideas about further samples, but to be honest doing these three took nearly a week! I did manage to get my first stitch samples done. Here is traditional running stitch. I will be working on a contemporary sample when I next get chance!

I am now working on some design tasks- all about line. I must admit to this terrifying me. I don't really know why but now I have got stuck in I cannot tear myself away.

I have some treasure from the knitting and stitching show to share next post, if I can put my pencils down for long enough!

yo-yo ninja girls

2010-10-08T23:47:00.000-07:00

Yo-Yo Quilting contains 27 projects which contain yo-yo’s or ‘Suffolk puffs’. There are instructions and templates for making these gathered circles and for joining them, Then the book starts on the projects each page is in colour with large photographs and step-by-step instructions. The majority of projects have a seasonal feel with Christmas decorations, place mats and characters. There are also ideas for home, quilts and more toys. I am a bit of a yo-yo fan and have the clover templates to make sewing them super easy, I had a go at making a yo-yo Christmas tree decoration which came together well. There are a good few other ideas in the book which I would have a bash at, I like the idea of making a quilt incorporating yo-yos and the yo-yo noughts and crosses board might be handy to keep in the car for travel play. There were some projects which appealed less, I am not a big fan of yo-yo legged toys, but I think that might just be down to the scary clown I had as a child! If you are already a yo-yo fan this book might allow you to stretch their application, if you are new to the technique I would have a flick through the book first to make sure there’s enough that appeals before you jump in but then at £6.99 it’s not too much of a risk.

I am offering the book as a give away to the first commenter who fancies it.

I will be posting very soon with photos of my first samples for my City and Guilds which I am totally absorbed by. It literally is my first thought in the morning and last thing at night. It has kept me going through a pretty grim week, for which I am very grateful. I will also need to show you the treasure I bring back from Ally Pally (just to cleanse my soul-you know how it is!?)

Ladies in red

2010-10-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get along to last months guild meeting, which is a crying shame. It was the branches' ruby anniversary and there was dressing up and cake and all sorts of fun and games. I also didn't get to see my lovely friend Sylvia who sent this fabulous bag for me. I gave Sylvia the dress I'd made for a friends 20's/30's fancy dress party, I thought it might be useful because she makes costumes for the local players and indeed Sylvia tells me that it was useful in a recent production, I honestly didn't expect a pressie, so it was a lovely surprise to have this handed on to me.

The lovely lady who usually gives me a lift to the meetings very kindly took along my entries into a competition which was being run, again to celebrate 40 years of our branch. The brief was to make a fabric postcard and/or a 'small object'. I made both. The entries were voted on by fellow members and I was lucky enough to win this fabulous book for my fabric postcard;

I made a biscornu as my small item. I have seen these intriguing little cushions around and about in various magazines etc. and fancied having a go. They are simply two identical sized squares which are sewn corner to mid-side to offset the shape and make a kind of humbug. They are really cute! The Floss Box has a tutorial patterns for sale and loads of free patterns to choose from.
I added beads to mine and could see it being used a diddy pin cushion. I hadn't done any cross-stitch for ages and it was nice to do some again- only one error- can you spot it?
The fabric postcard hasn't photographed very well but it is a felt base- put through the embellishing machine with a layer of red organza. I added flower cup red sequins, secured with french knots in a variegated stranded cotton and a scattering of chain stitch leaves as a foil to all the red. Edging it in green on the machine did cost me a needle when going over a sequin but it was worth it as I'm really pleased with the rich design. It has come out quite crunchy but if I was planning an extravagant wedding wouldn't a bodice in this look ace......but lets not get carried away!
Talking of getting carried away is anyone visiting the knitting and stitching show next week? I am going up on Sunday.

I have a list of little tasks to complete as part of my City and Guilds studies which began this week. My little fuzzy head is buzzing with ideas and when Simon has finished lesson planning at the dining room table I am all over that baby quilting away and sampling to my hearts content!

tea for two

2010-09-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

Knitted Mug Hugs by Val Pierce is another title in the 20 to make series so again is available at £4.99. As the title suggests there are twenty patterns here to make mug hugs, (think a mini tea cosy type affair to keep your drink warm) all are knitted with various embellishments and are shown in different colour ways to give more ideas. I must admit to being a little sceptical about the practical application of a mug hug, although I remember the early days of having children when a ‘hot drink’ was always enjoyed cold some time after I intended to drink it! I think what is nice about this book is that it would introduce a range of knitting techniques to a new knitter; cable, fair isle, i-cords, appliqué and gives an opportunity to make something cute with very little yarn needed, in super quick time. Maybe an older child would enjoy making them as gifts for Christmas? I also like the fact that one could make good use of all the cute novelty buttons that accumulate. There is no reason why these patterns couldn’t be knitted shorter as cool cuffs or wider and with more buttons as cafetiere cosies. I had a go at knitting a Fair Isle heart mug hug and found that the chart and number of stitches in the pattern didn’t match. This wasn’t a problem once I’d realised but it might really throw a new knitter. My tension was shot as I was using wools of a slightly different weight and was watching Diagnosis Murder but the hug did come out at a size to fit most mugs in the cupboard. I can’t see all my mugs wearing hugs anytime soon, but I can see this book does have a lot to offer and again at a really good price.

Lets get together, come on come on, let's get together

2010-09-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

I am a bit excited about next October, I like the look of next October, next October is something to look forward to which is always nice isn't it? I like very much having something to look forward to- don't you? Would you like to be a bit excited about next October? Do you think maybe you could pack up some bits and bobs and converge on the Midlands for a super-fun meet up type affair? Cool! Pop over to Trashys blog; http://trashaloucan.blogspot.com/ and let her know, because she's planning this shin-dig and it would be good for her to know now who else is excited about then...if you see what I mean. Ace. xxx

(the picture was taken last October in Dorset, nice huh- October's kind of cool every year it seems!)

Ebony and Ivory

2010-09-24T01:59:00.000-07:00

So you have seen the fabulous goodies which I was sent for Trashy's 'As you Like it' swap and now I shall show you what I sent. I was so fortunate to be sending to Lilly Pilly who had chosen three sets of very inspiring themes; black and white, birds of a feather and Sweet and Sour.

(I know I didn't deserve Jo as a partner after the horrid combo of words I gave to my poor partner!) Anyway having not long completed a bird swap I focused on the black and white element. Jo is a fabulous stitcher so I tried to make things using other techniques. I visited a bead shop and made this oh so simple necklace and then on to the wool shop for some yarn to make a scarf.

Now I really like to support local businesses so I did buy local but was a bit out off when I asked if they kept 'Flirt' and was told that they did keep a few budget yarns and that they were just down 'by the door'. I don't really call Flirt a budget yarn it is over £3 for 50g and is made from natural fibres. Anyway I did make a purchase but then went online to my good pals at Stash and made a much bigger and altogether more satisfying purchase from them! So the scarf has a base of Flirt in black, I crocheted a lovely Louisa Harding flecked grey into that and then added a soft mohair edging- (yarn pinched from Mum's stash!) I made a matching brooch and embellished it with lots of little treasures.

I found some black and white fabric with matching bird panels at another local store so managed to nod to the bird theme and finally visited Paperchase and my friend who is a Phoenix trader for the fourth little parcel. I did put some sour Haribo in as well so covered all three themes.

This was another really enjoyable swap to make, I really liked the themes and working in monochrome.

I am trying to wean myself off the swaps but have now finished a parcel for my Mum and have one other lovely lass to make a parcel for...... I just don't think I can resist them!

Sweet dreams are made of these

2010-09-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Sweet Memories by Brenda Karon Shade is an Australian published title distributed in this country by Search. It is indeed a very sweet book with three very special projects. There are instructions and patterns for making a quilt, cushion and rag doll and at £18.99 this might not seem the best value, but these are no ordinary projects. If you have see the Australian embroidery magazine ‘Inspirations’ you may have some idea of what I mean. The quilt incorporates more techniques than you might usually use in a decade of projects. There is smocking, shadow work, pin tucking, appliqué, piecing, quilting, gathering and the finest embroidery. The instructions for everything are crystal clear and illustrated with copious detailed photos and diagrams. The cushion is similar in it’s design but on a smaller scale so may be a sensible start before the whole quilt is undertaken. The rag doll is a more classic project and has the most beautiful dress.

These three projects are a total labour of love and I can’t see how they would fail to become heir looms. I wonder how long such delicate and subtle items would last in the bedroom of your average little girl, they look too special to be laid out to the ravages of chocolate biscuits, sparkly nail varnish and felt tips. Perhaps Australian girls are a bit ‘sweeter’ than those I know and love.

Deep purple

2010-09-20T03:15:00.000-07:00

Celtic Jewellery by Amanda Walker, is the latest in the brilliantly priced (£4.99) Twenty-to-make series. It has a huge range of techniques and ideas there are lots of interesting knotted pieces, bag dangles and some really different paper ear rings. I had a go at knotting a bracelet and really liked the design. I wouldn’t say it felt a massively Celtic book, I think if you used more oriental beads for example you could completely change the feel of a design. As I say though there are massive of techniques here, and none of the designs list huge quantities of expensive beads. This would be a perfect book for anyone wanting to dip their toe into jewellery making, wanting to extend their skills or wanting a gift for a younger crafter. At £4.99 this book is the same price as some beading magazines and you get a lot more ideas, no adverts, and a really neat little tome to come back to time and again if you are stuck for ideas- perfect!

Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she felt the same

2010-09-19T02:24:00.000-07:00

Firstly THANK YOU, thank you for all your gentle words and reassurances. I have been much comforted in the knowledge that all mothers seem to stand on a bed of shifting sand. I want to feel like a powerful force, a mother, a divine feminine goddess. So I have decided that the only way to acheive this higher level of exsistence is to hang out with other Mamas and eat cake, drink beer and chat for a while. Then it will be home for some sewing, some playing and some painting of nails. How does that sound? I am going to nurture myself for a while. Also the wedding venue we had booked (if you can call a registry office for half an hour a venue) is being closed next summer so I need to do some research into possible plan B's.

Anyway as well as all the lovely messages and the pleasure of perusing buffet menus I have also had the great heart warming pleasure of receiving a parcel from Run Mama Run. This swap about was organised by Trashy, who, for some unknown reason, I always manage to say something dumb infront of. I do have dippy tendencies but I grasped totally the wrong end of the stick with this swap and somehow managed to give Clara the task of making me a parcel based on; flip flops

, fruit, shrews and Venice. Really, don't ask!

I can't believe that Clara managed it! She really covered every angle, there was an art print a Venetian mask, flip flop frame and key ring, a flip flop patchwork pattern, fruity scented stickers and some simply gorgeous squares of batik fabric of 'Venetian' pattern. It was so cheering to get such fun treasure and I have already used some of the fabric for another project I'm working on. A big thank to Clara and Trashy. I will show next time what I sent to my partner, who gave me some much more sensible words, thank goodness, but I'm sure karma will get me back at some point! Meanwhile I shall continue with project goddess and knit whilst watching Brambly Hedge with the kids!

All in all it's just another brick in the wall

2010-09-15T00:17:00.001-07:00

Hi, and welcome to my picture-less post, the computer to which the decent camera downloads is having a new fan fitted, and frankly I think I could do with going in the shop too. This having Anna starting school lark has really thrown me a curve ball and I don't know why.....well actually I know exactly why but that makes it even worse. For the last seven years I have been a Mum, I have worked two days a week throughout but essentially I have been caring for my children, holding their little hands through those early days and now I feel redundant. I didn't exactly have a career before but I guess I was always thinking in the back of my mind that the most important job of having children was yet to come, and now, what's next? It could be a really exciting time, the course, a little more freedom, but for now it just all seems a little empty. I have no idea how to define myself, the fact that I make things has always been so important to me but now even that seems hollow, though it is keeping my sane at the moment (I think). The silliest bit is that Anna is only at school for two and a half hours a day at the moment so the best/worst is very much still to come. I don't want to fill my three days with coffee and chats, shopping and housework. I can do a bit of those things but it isn't enough and I'm not sure I really value what the City and Guilds might do for me, I'm not sure I value myself enough. The other thing that scares me is that the course is distance learning, so it won't get me any contact, any reason to slap a grin on my face and look cheery, which I reckon is the first step to feeling that way. I'm not sure I have ever written quite such a heart on my sleeve type post before but I am hiding at the moment and I really don't want to shut the door completely, I like to think that the world is counting to ten and will come to find me in just a minute.

We don't need no education

2010-09-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

Well clearly they do- Will in particular could do with a term at finishing school as his table manners leave a little to be desired!

Anyway school will have two of the clan to deal with from today and they are most in danger from being killed by kindness where Anna is concerned. She is very excited and I think Will will really enjoy having her at school with him. I'm not sure how I feel about it all yet, I am certainly looking forward to having five minutes to myself, but when I have to wave my tiny tot off and see her all grown up in the huge classroom.......well I'm not making any promises.

Simply red

2010-09-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd pop in to let you know I'm still here, Anna is starting school in the morning so will be about more once I've got my head around that. I also wanted to share an image of this fabulous necklace I bought from Folksy. I will be going back to Green River Studio for more gifts, this came so quickly and beautifully wrapped, thank you Corrina, my sister-in-law is very pleased with it.

What's in you head, in your head, zombie, zombie, zombie?

2010-09-03T01:54:00.000-07:00

Zombie Felties by Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate can be bought here at £8.99. I’m telling you this straight away because I know when you have seen our Zombies you will want to buy the book and make some of your own. I received this book whilst my brother and my sister-in-law were staying with us which was handy because it meant we could spend two very enjoyable evenings ‘doing makeys’. Nila has made softies before and Tom has had a little go but Tom counted himself a novice. Zombie softies has 16 designs from which to choose, Tom and I made a two skull zombie, but Nila had a go at the three skull design (difficulty levels start at one skull and go right up to four). The patterns are ready to trace or copy at full size which was nice. Some pieces are teeny tiny so used up some of my silly-small scraps of felt. There are very good instructions for all the techniques and stitches you need at the front of the book and there are brilliant diagrams with very specific directions for each zombie, right down to how many strands of embroidery cotton to use. You do need a good selection of beads, buttons, threads, felt, and other miscellaneous haberdashery, we ended up with nearly all my boxes of treasure out on the table, but it was nice to be creative and use up some precious bits. The zombies are tiny and bits of the process were very fiddly but they are totally ace, so that makes up for any earlier extreme concentration in their construction!

Tom, the novice, enjoyed making his zombie and with a little help and advice he was very capable. I think the book would be a fun project for a sewer wanting to work with some funky young types, even if they had never sewn before but if you were giving it as a gift into a non- sewing household it is worth putting in some supplies as if you were buying everything you needed from the instructions it would soon add up.

I really liked this book and I really like my zombie, the book is going from here to Tom and Nila’s so more horrific(ally cute) undead can be unleashed upon the world.

I must also just mention that these zombies are not suitable for small children, due to little bits.

A mouse lived in a windmill

2010-08-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

I have lots of pretty photos of Amsterdam......on the other computer so here are the really important bits= the tiny amount of stash shopping I managed. The shop from which I bought these treasures was down the road from the Museum of Amsterdam and opposite a tram 5 stop. It was packed with all things fairytale and kitsch. I also found two quilt fabric shops not far from the station and a bead shop in the Jordaan district- unfortunately all were closed on Sunday and Monday. Never mind I am sure we will be back. Because Amsterdam is LUSH. We had such a perfect time, we ate well, drank well, heard some great music and generally mooched and pootled around the city.

We particularly enjoyed looking for Hoffs which are small gardens shared by a number of houses or flats and often behind a closed door in a wall between buildings.
It was in one of these tiny, serene, peaceful, magical little places that Simon asked me to marry him. I said yes, I've been waiting to say yes for fifteen years, so I didn't need a second thought. Mum and Dad were in on the secret and had been for weeks-so there part in it was giving the children a lovely holiday whilst we enjoyed the rare and precious chance to be simply together.
This morning we found a ring in the jewellers a few yards from our home. This ring picked me, it made me shake and my stomach lurch when I put it on, though I wouldn't have picked it out in a million years the ring wanted me. It is second hand and I get very good feeling from it, like it wants to see another wedding and long marriage. It has Rubys in too, which are my birth stone, I feel like a very lucky person, blessed by the love of a good man and the support of a kind family.
Here are Simon and I about to set of yesterday to the wedding of some good friends. We had a brilliant tine, and I managed not to cry the whole day.

A design for life

2010-08-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

The great big book of designs is HUGE. Really, this book is weighty and dense and fantastic it has 3000 line drawings, 3000 images with nice thick lines, for photocopying or tracing. It is made up from smaller similar books covering; Aboriginal, Art Nouveau, Aztec, Celtic, Floral, Folk Art, Garden, Native American, Persian, Roman, Tudor and Viking designs…..phew, that is a lot of designs. That’s a lot of inspiration, a lot of embroideries, a fair few cards, a good selection of stained glass pieces there are just so many applications for these beauties! Do you know the best bit though (apart from the fact that this book is only £14.99)? The best bit for me is that this book can sit happily on my shelf acting as a source book for me, an occasional photocopy colouring book for Anna and when Will comes home with his first dreaded school project and I am going to be armed and ready with fantastic images for him to use. I can’t think of many people who wouldn’t benefit from having access to this book; teachers, crafts people, needle workers….it’s just ace!

(in case you were wondering- I'm keeping this one!)

You spin me right round baby

2010-08-11T09:39:00.001-07:00

Get Spun. The step-by-step guide to spinning art yarns by Symeon North

is a bright and beautiful book with the most amazing ‘art yarns’. These yarns range from adding textures to a hand spun with slubs and wraps of other fibres to spinning with fabric and plastic. But this isn’t just a show off book, where you peep through the window at what the author has created and shut the book with a sigh a you realise the results are unobtainable for mere mortals. No- this book has all the technical information you need for playing around with your own yarn, everything from dying, carding and blending to tying in metal elements. I really really wish I had a spinning wheel and could have a play. The author does say that others have reported that results are obtainable using just a spindle but she says she is unwilling to comment herself as this isn’t the technique she used herself. This is a lush book, I would love to get my fingers on the yarns pictured, I think it would be a brilliant book for a spinner who has neglected their wheel and needs a new burst of inspiration.

As I don't have a spinning wheel, this book s taunting me so I am passing it on. Leave a comment telling me if you'd like your name in the hat and I'll pull and post before the end of the month. xxx

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

2010-08-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

My parcel has landed, in Florida, and now Clare has seen what I sent her I can show you too! Mum and Dad gave me some gorgeous draw liners for my birthday which came in this fantastic rococo box. It just seemed perfect to pack the bird themed goodies in here.
Clare used to live in the U.K so I made sure there was some Cadbury's treasure in the box, and as Clare is a paper crafter I found some rubber stamp with birds and some little printed tags. I thought long and hard about what bird themed item to make and lay in bed one Sunday morning flicking through my memories of what I had seen on Clare's blog. There had been bright colours and reference to a collection of crosses on her wall.

By the time I had had my shower I was ready to draft my first ever mini-quilt. I used some 2" squares of fabric to build a cross and background, then I appliqued flowers, leaves and birds and did a little light embellishment. I quilted with very big stitches and a thread with some metallic to represent light shining from the cross. I loved working to this scale and really loved playing Sherlock to find clues as to what might appeal to Clare.

On another issue if anyone has any recommendations as to what a foot loose young couple might get up to in Amsterdam I'd be glad for any advice.....otherwise it might be all books, galleries, beer and .........well, we can't have that now can we? ;)

Build a little birdhouse in my soul

2010-08-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

I got some post this week, and it's absolutely amazing! Clare has put her heart and soul into this baby. This was a bird swap organised by Noodlebubble, isn't it nice when people organise swaps? I know from personal experience that it isn't always straight forward. So I'm doubly grateful to these lovely ladies because this bird house is a total treasure.
Clare has glued and painted and glittered and embellished to make this house truly from HER and for ME if that makes sense?

Something else which is lovely about this gift is that when I took it out in the back yard to photograph it I found the cameras macro setting. There isn't much to snap in our little patch, but I will definitely be exploring this facility in the local gardens. I used to use an old 35mm SLR to rattle of the odd reel of real close ups, I even had some of Dads old macro rings to play with. I have missed the patterns and textures that I was able to record in this way, in general I like producing all over compositions rather than creating a landscape or picture and I'm hoping that this function will lead me back in this direction.

Hopefully I'll be able to show you the package I sent Clare soon, she's on holiday but I'm really excited about her receiving her parcel- it's the lovely anticipation of swapping! xxx

chin chinery, chin chinery, chin chin cheroooo

2010-07-25T00:11:00.000-07:00

I finally used some of my strokey wool stash and made a Baktus! I won a give away a while back from Tiny White Daisies which amazingly included FOUR balls of Noro and some very lovely wooden needles. I wasn't sure what special thing to make with them until I started seeing Baktus scarves appearing on other blogs. These scarves are increased along one edge until you get to 'the middle' (half way through your yarn) and then decreased. They can be worn in all sorts of ways and obviously how big they come out depends on the quantity of yarn and tension. I used a pattern from Flickr to make this and it has a very simple lacy pattern. Because Noro is quite knobbly the edges came out less crisp than the Flickr example so I added a simple three row crochet edging to neaten it.

I also made a simple crochet brooch to match and fasten the brooch in the collar position. I sill have two balls of Noro left and think that a clutch may be in order. I am also making another Baktus as a gift and plan to thread through the eyelets with fabric strips and edge with twinkling beads. I must take a moment to apologise for the intrusion in these pictures of several random chins. Lord alone knows where they came from- although I suspect they are made entirely from Cider and cake. xx

The fairytale of

2010-07-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sandwich. So here is the work of the lovely friend who reviewed the polymer book for me. Suz also has a face book page for her Little Kooky creations. Suz has been a total reminder for me of the 'not judging a book lesson'. I have been standing in the playground with Suz for a year and a half thinking how intimidatingly well turned out she is, how she would definitely think I was a total scuzz and complete nutter. Now we know each other better that is, of course, what she thinks- it's what I am- But I don't have to be ashamed because now I know that Suz makes stuff too, that she get's 'it', the whole making thing.
You just never know do you, what those play ground Mums get up to behind closed doors! Maybe they're making pixies......

Just wanna be- your little (clay) teddy bear

2010-07-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have totally cheated with reviewing this book as I asked a good friend who works with Polymer clay to do it for me!

'20 Polymer Clay Bears

This is just the perfect little book to bring out on rainy days, packed full of delightful little bears for every occasion from Valentine bears to Indian bears, there’s even a gypsy bear complete with earrings and a crystal ball! From the moment you open the book you feel compelled to try the projects which are all very well explained and have simple step by step instructions, Simple enough for beginners yet interesting enough to keep someone with a little more experience happy. The projects are not too time consuming which is also a plus if you want to try them with Children, my five year old fell in love with the baby bear and just had to make it that very moment! So if you’re looking for little projects to dip in an out of this book is a winner.'

So Suz liked it- which is ace. My next post will show some of Suz's work and links to her facebook page- (I'm putting this in a separate post to avoid Polymer confusion!)

Thank you for being a friend

2010-07-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

I got a parcel! I got a friendship swap parcel from Tia and it's lovely.Not that I'm bragging you understand...just chuffed. I have worn my band to work to perk me up on a day when I thought I might need a reminder of friendship and it did work, making me glow a bit when I looked at it. I have also added some of the beads to some bunting for my niece. I haven't decided what treasure I shall allow to grace my gorgeous tortoise case yet- it'll have to be special and clean!

I used the sweeties shortly after opening the parcel to bribe the kid into submission giving me time to look through all the charm squares- (the owls are my bestest). The little butterfly notebook looks like it belongs in the handbag of a highly organised young woman, which is a shame because it's going to live in mine- which might help become more like that young woman (or it will give the kids something to play noughts and crosses in in cafes when I have been a rubbish Mum again and failed to provide any other entertainment). Thank you Tia, thanks for taking part and thanks for my heart lifting parcel.

Everyday, everyday, everyday I read the book

2010-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed my mammoth hair clip making session and have already sold four pairs to a lovely lady at work. I have tried to make some in the local school colours for the fair but mostly I enjoyed matching felt thread and buttons.

The other goodies shown are birthday gifts I was lucky enough to receive. My sister in law made the fabulous button choker and the purse and brooch are from Ness. I am thrilled with my stack of books and I am really looking forward to doing some more patchwork and quilting, I am definitely an enthusiastic amateur! I am a little more experienced in the demanding and skilled field of shoe collecting. These are Oxygen shoes, in London style bought from E-bay- God I love these shoes.
I apologise about the lack of links- I should be putting dinner in the oven- but I figure every one's too hot to eat anyway....right?

Hi-ho!

2010-07-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

It has been too long since I had a good old session making 'fings' pretty, colourful, cute, frivolous 'fings'. So, I'm having a play, soon I shall be able to show you what I've come up with from these piles of hair clips and ties- it's like felt alchemy!

I have managed to find time to play with the sari ribbon I was kindly sent recently and made this bright and summery brooch. I also received a couple of lovely packages which have kept the inspiration for a little frippery bowling along. Lisa from Noodle bubble very sweetly sent me some buttons, and I am having a really cool time making something for my partner in her bird swap. I also got all choked when I received this ATC as a random act of kindness from a lovely Embroiderers Guild friend. I do hope that I will soon be able to direct you to the makers blog. So more crafting soon, I've missed the makey feeling and with some amazing books which I received for my birthday I am certainly not running out of ideas.

From cheeky monkey...to cheekier monkey!

2010-06-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem long ago that I was holding a very tiny Anna in my arms and thanking fate for giving me such a perfect baby girl. Anna is always so cheerful but also as an innate sense of mischief and fun. From early on I learnt to listen out for the silence- a sure sign that she would be getting herself in a right pickle!
Well here is Anna on Saturday morning- my big beautiful four year old! Big piles of presents, mostly craft equipment, lots of Hello Kitty- lots of excitement! We had a family day on Saturday and a tea of pizza and cake- Anna's choice. I made chocolate fridge cake as I find my kids never eat sponge. Anna is looking concerned as a was sparkler in the pile of cake has snapped and is drooping onto the precious cake. We had a Hello Kitty party on Sunday with five little friends. We did try to play some party games but the children were so much happier doing the craft activities which I'd prepared. It was the most relaxed party I have ever hosted. I am sure this is in part down to having my diamond parents around helping out, but also due to the children really enjoying making and doing. How cool is that?

I did make a traditional sponge for the party, I bought an inexpensive Hello Kitty toy for the top which Anna could play with after the event. I decided to put her in a garden with some flowers and yes....the obligatory green icing!!! I have always enjoyed spending time with Anna an as she grows that pleasure just grows and grows.

Outstanding

2010-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am very conscious that this blog has been a little neglected of late. I wonder if it is simply a reflection on how much making I am doing at the moment, on how much 'space' there has been for fun. It should all get a little easier from here on in. After a pretty tense year starting with Simon taking voluntary redundancy, he has now been officially assessed as on 'outstanding' teacher and he can now look forward to his N.Q.T (newly qualified teacher) year at the school in which he has done his training. I am so bloody proud, I'm not sure I can express here in words just how bloody proud. I know a few of you are teachers yourselves and will know just what a huge amount of work is involved in being a teacher. Simon has spent every Sunday writing lesson plans and working on his portfolio of evidence. Recently it has been Saturdays too. I would say he also works five out of seven evenings and is still at it when I go to bed. This has not been an easy year for anyone in the house, but honestly I take my hat off to anyone who teaches, I know things will get marginally easier next year, but still this job is no easy ride. (nice for this to be recognised with a three year pay freeze, but I know we are by no means alone in feeling this particular pinch!)

WELL DONE SIMON- YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

Hey Babe

2010-06-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

‘Babes in the Wool’ is by Fiona McDonald, she of the Knitted Aliens, and is just as fun and quirky. These projects demand a little more time to complete but again work simply on plain knit and purl stitches and simple increase and decreases. There are patterns for nine ‘babes’ based on three basic body shapes. They vary slightly in complexity and in size. There are also a huge variety of outfits which will fit any of the dolls- to a more modest or racier degree! I knitted the medium sized doll for Anna’s birthday who came out very leggy, but with a very nicely shaped body, even if I do say so myself. These dolls have exaggerated features which mean they all come out different and with very distinct personalities. The eyes are painted with acrylic paint onto felt and I have to say I love this technique; honestly watch this space for more variations on this theme. I hooked the hair for my babe and am pleased with how sultry she looks, these dolls would certainly be suitable as gifts for older girls, and as exaggerated caricatures of friends- I really want to make a wild one with tattoos and piercings!

The body is strengthened with cardboard which means that you couldn’t throw dolly in the wash if she met with a messy disaster, so maybe not suitable for a very little girl. I have knitted two outfits so far and have found that the fit depends greatly on how well stuffed your babe is- I cast on some extra stitches for shoes as my doll has big feet! I also found that there aren’t quantity requirements for all garments and I started the coat with one 50g ball of wool and had to frog it as it was clearly going to take another. Also the pictures in the book show the dolls standing- which with long stuffed legs they don’t. I wonder if a child who chose a doll from the book would be disappointed by this? All in all babe is a success. I had great fun making her, and Anna has been carting her around by her leg, which is nice. I am handing the book on to Mum so she can post little outfits when she fancies a quick project to make a little treat for Anna. The book is £9.99 but the dolls wouldn’t cost more than a few pounds to make and with a small stash of wool possibly not even that. There would be time to make a babe and a whole fantastic wardrobe for a little girl before Christmas, and for those of you to whom, like me, these things matter, the babes do come with a pattern for bra and pants!

We have had such an exciting week, and I'll be posting an update in the next day or so- cake and all!

Power Cables

2010-06-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

Power Cables by Lily M Chin is a brilliantly titled and humouresly written book to extend a knitters skills into the territory of cabling. The book is laid out in lessons to build skills and explain the authors charting method, it also includes projects to utilise these skills. Lily recommends that even if you have cabled before that you complete lesson one to get to grips with her charting technique. I took this book on holiday with Mum too, so she was the first one to get a proper look, she was immediately grabbing her needles to try the double sided cable and got in a right pickle- lots of tooth sucking and muttering. It would have been a bit mean spirited of me to take any pleasure in the super knitters’ struggles, so I rescued Mum and pointed out the bit about reading the first chapter! After this Mum was away and was soon dangling a very delicate piece of double sided cable under my nose. The patterns in the book have a lovely contemporary feel and include bag, hat, jumpers, men’s garments and the most amazing shrug/wrap construction. The writing style is really very sweet with useful little tips about keeping track of right and wrong side rows using peanut and plain M&M’s. I reviewed a basic cabling book a while back and I’d want to work through some projects in there first before moving onto this book, just to get my confidence. With fifteen projects and many more ideas I think the book is good value at £17.99. I certainly would have looked at it as a Christmas present for Mum- although if she had never read chapter one, she might not have thanked me!

Cute as two buttons

2010-06-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

If anyone out there was considering a thesis along the lines of 'The compulsive collection of small bright shiny objects and it's genetic link' I think we have all the research material you need right here in this house. We regularly visit a shop in town which sells both small toys and buttons- my two have started to realise that if they pester me for toys the get nothing, but ask for buttons? Its a different story. Actually perhaps it's a learnt behaviour. They now have enough buttons to warrant some proper storage so we made and decorated some button boxes.

I'm sure most of you have made these type of boxes before, folded up from two squares of card. Both mine managed to do some of the folding themselves and did the sticking and decorating with very little input. I had bought a pack of sticky foam flowers in the Dunelm Mill sale (very dangerous-approach with caution) and after we had used them to decorate the boxes we used my box to store the rest.

I would like it noted by the blogging Gods that I have shown pictures here demonstrating the tip of a dinning room after a weekend. Please don't be too shocked!

I hope you are all enjoying the end of a very relaxing weekend.

My vintage Mum

2010-06-11T02:08:00.000-07:00

A while back I reviewed this Rowan book here, it is full of vintage knits and I put it aside ready to show Mum the wonder knitter. When I saw her on holiday she had already made this dear little jumper with a lacy shell pattern. She did say it was the sort of pattern you needed to give your full attention to but I think it's come out really well. I can see this is a black sparkly yarn for a bit of glam but Mum used a neutral colour for the summer. The yarn was a sort of crepe so showed the pattern well, plus it was part of a large quantity of wool that Mum had been given when a friend de-stashed so effectively free. Mum did have a look for some linen trousers but hates paying silly money for clothes so I suggested she made herself some (perhaps a pay-back from a childhood of visiting cool clothes shops only to have Mum say 'how much???? I could make it for less than that!!!= which of course is now just the sort of thing that I say- it's in the genes!!). Anyway Mum looked out a linen table cloth she had made and used a few times and rustled up some trousers, she even embroidered the back pockets...with her initials. Mum has stacks of cool jewellery and bags so I know she'll wear her free vintage jumper and table cloth trousers with panache and style that you couldn't get from a top fashion house.

It's life Jim...

2010-06-09T02:40:00.000-07:00

Knitted Aliens

by Fiona

McDonald is part of Search Press’ “20 to make” series. These are small books and are priced at £4.99 but are packed with ideas. I have knitted two of these alien whilst on holiday and Mum made another two. The patterns include only basic knit,

purl and basic increasing and

decreasing. They would make them a brilliant project for a new knitter with some help making up. Will (6) particularly enjoyed adding the decorations to the knitted bodies,

and both he and Anna chose the wool. It was a great way to use up little ends and some of the novelty wool I can’t resist but wouldn’t necessarily want to wear! Sometimes the fancy wool made bits come up bigger then expected but I think that’s definitely the fun of these, each one comes out with their own

personality. As the name suggest there are twenty patterns in this book, giving lots of potential for a whole planet of daft aliens. Due to the size of the book it was sometimes difficult to knit and keep the pages open, especially if you need to keep a count of the short rows, which you would need to do with the fluffier wool. I can see this book coming out over and over again as the kids grow up and are able to complete more of the stages themselves. I can also see no reason why these aliens couldn’t be stuffed with lavender and live in an underwear drawer or be threaded onto a bag dangle. One nice thing is that the models in the photos are not so perfect that you feel your own efforts would be a poor comparison, they give you a very reasonable expectation that every single alien you make will come out totally bonkers!

Fun and games

2010-06-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

I have just posted off an envelope to (lovely) Pip for a cool little project type thingamy- if you feel like joining in why not swing by her blog and take a peek?

If after filling an envelope you are still at a loose end you could have a mooch at the latest edition of the UK handmade on line 'zine.

Still feeling fidgety? Let me know and I can pair you up with another drifter for the friendship band swap.

If you are still bored then I can suggest some colouring or that you tidy your room. (Yep I am now a Mum through and through!)

Holiday!

2010-06-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

Didn't we have a lovely time the week we went to Bognor? Yes we did-it was ace! We stayed at Church Farm, a Haven caravan park, Mum and Dad came along (to wash up) to join in the fun. We had the beach within walking distance, beautiful Chichester a short drive off and a pool and entertainment on site. There was an excellent pub nearby at Pagham, 'The Lamb', we had a very special anniversary meal (15 years) and drove through a cloud of bats on the way home. We collected shells and made a mermaid installation, played Nerf guns, ate chocolate and generally had such an ace time that we've booked again for next year!

We did particularly enjoy visiting the Swallow Bakery in Chichester. There were cupcakes and ice creams galore, gifts and sundaes we visited twice in four days and worryingly they also offer mail order! Here we can see evidence of the high cocoa content in their ice cream- enough to send a 3 year old all wide eyed and loopy!! Just a few more pics for the next post, I took some knitting along so I'll show you our new friends soon!

Wild boys swap

2010-05-29T00:40:00.000-07:00

Am I regressing do you think? I mean how '80s does this look?! This is my second band from the book and required a little more concentration but still came together quickly. This will be my band for a pal which I'll send out as well as my swap package. I have a couple of names for the swap (see below for details), but the more the merrier and who wouldn't want to get a piece of this retro action. The swap is open to boys too- so if you fancy rocking the Morten look......ahhhaaaa happy days!

Friendship band swap

2010-05-26T04:41:00.000-07:00

How to make Friendship Bracelets by Veronique Follet is a re-issued title from Search Press. Knotted friendship bracelets have such a universal and timeless appeal I can see how such a

title bears re-issuing. The diagrams in the book are very clear and require no more equipment than some thread and a safety pin. Once the basic two knots are mastered the book is full of pattern variations along a theme- some designs appear really quite complex. I have been working on the most basic design and am really pleased with the result, once the first row has been knotted there is a nice rhythm and the band grows at a satisfying pace. Because this is a re-issue some of the

original photographs now look a little dated but at £7.99 this is a good value title and would mean you could make up a really lovely gift with the book and threads for around £10. I can also see this being useful for a summer holiday diversion. I will certainly be making more bands for my daughter’s birthday party bags. I also hope to explore some of the more elaborate designs in a thicker thread for use as belts or bag straps. I think there’s a lot of potential here and as well as making some friendship bands for various pals and relatives I look forward to seeing how far I can push the technique, and also look forward to bringing the book out again in a couple of years when my children will be able to master the knots for themselves.

Here is my first completed band. So what do you reckon to a swap then? Just a small swap, leave a comment and I'll give you a name and address to send a friendship band to- you can put in some other tiny treats if you like but I'd suggest we keep this small- like a tiny jiffy bag swap. I'd also like to suggest, and this is entirely up to you, that you make up two parcels and send the second to a friend who you think might like a little gesture- a tiny R.A.K for someone. You can blog it if you like and tell a tale of friendship along the way. You don't need to buy this book to make a band, I'm sure there are on line tutorials, or library books etc. But if you feel like making something a bit different then the book does have some excellent ideas. Leave a comment by the end of Sunday and I'll send names out when I get back from holiday around the 5th of June. Parcels to go by the end of June and as the packages should be pretty small I'll make it an international swap

Coo-eee I'm back

2010-05-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well the computer is back and I can return to my little on line world- what a relief! I have been up to all sorts, firstly I couldn't resist making up some more little hair accessories- honestly Anna and I will have to start sporting elaborate high piled up dos to get all the hair clips I've made a regular outing!

I wasn't completely undisciplined though and did do some more work on the quilt, I have no idea how my maths will work out for this one, I seem to have a million triangles and no fabric left for the other blocks, I'm sure it will all come out in the wash.

Finally I put together a mobile from the felt balls and dreads I made on my day course, I added some felt shapes, beads and bells. I really like this and if I was still selling I might have been tempted to make more. Who knows though, maybe I will get chance to make another as part of my City and Guilds course. I'm seeing little embroidered origami shapes and all sorts!

I have received a big box of books to review from Search so will start doing a regular Wednesday review again, friendship bracelets will be first. I did wonder whether people might be up for a friendship bracelet swap? Something very simple and inexpensive to post but something to remind us of our on line pals? Let me know what you think.

It's lovely to be back. xxx

Quickie

2010-05-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, just a naughty picture-less quickie to let you know that I have snuck onto Simon's work computer as ours is in having some work done. I will be back soon with any luck! Also to let you know that my City and Guilds application has been accepted so once I find the money it's all go for September- yipppeeee!!!!

Dancing queen

2010-05-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Look at this little picture of poise and grace, do you think maybe I should have signed her up for disco rather than ballet? Anna did love her first ballet class and if they'll let her go again I think it will become a regular Saturday morning bit of mischief.

There hasn't been much sewing happening this week as I was baking for a MS cake break. I managed to make meringues, choc fridge cake, toffee brownies, cookies, fairy cakes, strawberry cheesecake muffins and teeny tiny cream tea tarts, a lovely friend made lemon sponge and Dutch apple cake. Lots of tea was drunk and obviously lots of cake eaten and over £100 raised! I am really pleased with the total and enjoyed the excuse to make large quantities of C-A-K-E
Back to the needle and thread now, at least I might have an excuse soon to knit a little cross over cardigan!

Looming large

2010-05-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

I am returning once again to the task of clearing the workroom and am looking on a Tuesday at clearing 'stock'. I bought these looms for running brooch making evenings. I have kept some as I really enjoyed doing these but have some that could do with finding a new home. I am offering them including U.K p&p at £5. Please leave a comment if you are interested. These can be used to make flower brooches- which have always been a good seller for me, or used as a kind of french knitter to make a thin tube for scarves etc.

Speaking of flower brooches I can't wait to try making one with this fantastic sparkly tape sent to me by Jenny. She was sweet enough to send me some of her fantastic hand made sewing accessories and the lovely ruffle brooch as a thank you for some books I sent for her husband. The quality of her construction is really stunning and the the little cushion now resides on my sewing machine as a very handy pin cushion, the brooch is on my jacket, the sewing book has however been ear marked by Anna- (can you see her tiny fingers!?). I think it's lovely that she has her own needles and pins and she has tucked some her favourite buttons in the pockets inside. I think my stash my deplete faster than expected with my little Magpie around!

What 'o!

2010-05-02T00:27:00.000-07:00

Well hello chaps and hope this Sunday sees you in spiffing form. Last night was chocks away for the 20's/30's birthday bash and the outing for 'the dress'. Simon was Wing Commander Lewis and sported a fake moustache with style, his uniform was bought from E-bay and he did look rather fetching!

I managed to finish the dress and bag in time and then moved to plans for my hair. After much fiddling about I dashed to the hairdressers on Friday and asked them to take 4" off to give me a bob and Simon dyed it jet black for me. I can't see me wearing the dress again but it was an interesting exercise and the party was a really good night. There were lots of very glamorous flappers and a few gangsters all enjoying playing cocktail, I can't imagine the party household will be stirring for another few hours.

Vintage Knits

2010-04-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Vintage Knits is a Rowan title which I knew I wanted to own from the moment I saw a picture of the cover. I have always liked the ‘feel’ of the Rowan publications, the styling is nice, whenever I have pushed the boat out to buy Rowan yarn I have enjoyed working with it. There are 30+ patterns in this book, and as the name suggests they all have a vintage feel. There are some designs for the boys in some ace Kaffe fair isle, some pretty fitted cardigans, longer line jackets, a little scarflet, even some crochet. I think there is probably something for everyone and any age. These are classic garment shapes, I know sometimes Rowan yarn is of an idiosyncratic gauge and it can take some work to find a suitable substitute yarn but I think that if a more contemporary feel is required knitting these in a brighter colour or something a bit sparkly would extend their appeal. The book is very nicely laid out, with lots of gorgeous images, and I think is very good value at £14.99. As it contains designs from eight designers it gives a variety of style which I do think makes for an exciting and appealing selection. Watch this space for how I get on with a teal mohair cardigan- I have never before knitted a garment for myself which I have been prepared to wear in polite company so this is a test indeed!

Thought for the day

2010-04-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole soul into it - every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." John D. Rockefeller III

Pretty distractions

2010-04-23T23:54:00.000-07:00

I still have five serious things to clear from my list. I have booked a table at the school May fair to clear some stock and after that the remainder will be going to a charity shop. Unfortunately I haven't made any progress on the others as I am still burning the midnight oil doing battle with the dress! The party is next weekend though so not for much longer- and then it's back to the grindstone. I am finding my head has been seriously turned by the goings on at the Embroiderers guild residential weekend. There was a lovely lady on the weekend who does a lot of beading at classes but doesn't wear her creations. She really kindly gave me this lovely necklace as a gift and it is really sweet, a pretty colour, a nice length. I have ordered more Delicas to make Mum a necklace for Christmas and yesterday got down my beading file for inspiration- big mistake- I really want to make some more jewellery- it hurts!

There are always two tutors at the residential, one for the 'good girls' the hand sewers- and one for the 'naughty girls' the machiners. This year the naughty girls had the pleasure of Angie Hughes company. They did some amazing things with velvet, bleach, transfoils, sequins, the work just glowed and they had such a fun time. I snook in and did some shopping on the last day buying Angie's book which is full of ideas for mixed media, a real departure for me, but I am determined to try some ideas from the book, she is such a good gentle teacher I feel safe following her guidance. I also bought these fabulous buttons which Angie had made from some of her samples. These have called other fabric to them and are evolving into hair accessories. I have really missed the instant hit of playing colours against each other and rustling up tiny bundles of clash. I need to get those five done so I can really let loose and play again.

Magnificent Mittens

2010-04-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

Magnificent Mittens and Socks- you’re not kidding! These are awesome! The mittens, oh how I love mittens, are styled like gauntlets leaving loads of potential for colour, pattern, flamboyance, fun! There are lots of possible combinations to make something really personalised and I love the way Anna Zilboorg the author, challenges that mittens have to match each other-even more potential for quirks. I cannot claim that I have grabbed for my double ended pins, I am not an experienced enough knitter on those- but I did reach immediately for the phone to call Mum and tell her to make sure she packs hers next time she comes to stay because I have to have a ‘pair’ of these beauties. There are very clear instructions at the beginning of the book and I wonder if I could manage it if I had a pot of tea, good light, radio 6 and a quiet house, if there is one thing that would persuade me to give knitting with double pins a serious go, these absolutely fantastic mittens would be it.

I also need to mention that Simon asked if boys could wear them-well yes, of course, but the socks are also pretty special- especially as they are adapted from the mitten patterns, I mean how cool is that? Also the very practical Anna, no really, the flair for design and colour is clearly based on an understanding of the need for cosy paws, is very clear about what materials and tension to use so that the extremities will be kept snug even when wet.

G- that is one swell cardi!

2010-04-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been showing you much of my makey activity lately have I? I thought you'd perhaps like to laugh at the cardi-the guaranteed no chance of losing your child patent pending-cardi. I had made this for Anna but my tension was all wrong so it got inflicted on the poor unsuspecting G. My Mum dropped it round for me and apparently when shown the garment G asked to 'put it away'! Later I received a text to say that she had now fallen asleep in it- I put it down to the emotional trauma. She wears it well though and I promise G that my next hand made for you will be a bit more class and a little less clash!

Thanks to my pal Jen for supplying this photo of her dear little girl.