Happiness is a bottomless button box

Snow is an excuse to stay in and craft!

2012-02-05T23:47:00.002Z

Not that I really need an excuse but things have been so busy recently that I leap at an opportunity to have a bit of a play.

This is the result of today on the sofa in front of the telly instead of trawling around Tescos! It is one of my new beaded buttons that I have turned into a brooch for my coat! Beaded buttons are great for all sorts of things, and I will be filmed doing something in this vein over the next few weeks I thought I had better make up some examples! (details to follow when I know more...)

So a bit of snow and my coat is ready to be festooned with a bit of sparkle!

News flash - Cold stops play!

2012-01-14T23:53:00.000Z

Well that is my excuse anyway. I came down with a stinking cold on Boxing Day and it is still lingering as a rather attractive rattling death cough! So all my plans of being busy and proactive in the New Year have been put on hold until this week! At last I took the studio out of moth balls and got to work on Monday.

My first task was to make a Valentines themed cushion that I am teaching as a "learn to sew" class on Saturday 11th of January.

I am pleased with the result - though Paul pointed out the buttons would make it uncomfortable to sleep on - I guess he is missing the point!! I think it is delightfully cheerful and look forward to teaching it!

I have also been teaching my beaded buttons this week, with the Crafty Mugwump taking part, and the ladies did a brilliant job! This is the result at the end of the day.

Linda has sent a picture of her finished button and now plans to make a seaside themed wall hanging to display it on! I am hoping she will send me a picture of that too!

Pam has shared a finished piece picture as well. As usual, her colour choices are stunning!

The ladies had a brilliant day and left with bags full of button blanks - so I hope to see lots more soon! They are on strict instructions to send me pictures because I am just too darn nosey lol!

So as the cold fades into the distance I am looking forward to a colourful and creative 2012. I hope you are too! x

Feels like Spring Time...

2011-11-30T15:50:00.001Z

.. well not quite! It may be cold and gloomy outside, and I have to switch the lights on by 2pm but there can always be a little bit of spring in my studio. So as I was finding it a miserable the other night I decided to get creative and create my own bit of sunshine!

So some felt, scraps of fabric, a few buttons and some beads and the sun came out! The quilting was fun, but it would have been easier if I had bought home any of my feet when I brought home my sewing machine but alas... so this was quilted with a zipper foot! Who knew that was even possible?

I am still on the hunt for a bee button to put at the top, so I will be paying Etsy a visit, but apart from that it is all done!

It has proved so popular that I will be teaching it in the shop on 21st January next year and hope it makes some other people remember those spring days that seem so far away!

Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

2011-11-22T20:59:00.001Z

Well it's not long now - and we are all gearing up for the onslaught! I am feeling a little festive now that I have finished my designs for the Christmas Beaded Baubles class.

I finished the black one last night whilst listening to an internet radio station that plays Christmas songs constantly, just to get me in the mood!

If you fancy coming along, just let Bee Crafty know and I will see you there!

Clearing out and clearing up!

2011-11-19T22:20:00.000Z

If you are anything like me, you probably collect scraps of fabric like it is going out of fashion! Rather than throwing them out, I have started collecting them in boxes - all colour coordinated and organised. So now I have them, and the collection is growing, the next question is what do I do with them?

Well, the answer came to me last weekend - and here it is. A bed coverlet using scraps as small as 2.5 inches and I am thrilled. The ladies in the shop liked it so much that I will be teaching it next year as a 'stash-tastic' quilt.

I like it so much because when I look at it, I can see bits of every quilt and gift I have made over the last two years, as there is a part of all of them somewhere. It shows my own quilting history.

I hope everyone has as much fun making it as I did!

Busy Busy Busy!

2011-11-14T20:41:00.001Z

Well I have been busy with work and life, but I have finally got around to making some bits and pieces. But before I share, here is a quick picture of myself, Julie & the fabulous Jennie Rayment who joined us in the shop on Friday.

She was brilliant! She said some lovely things about our little shop and enjoyed herself so much she is going to come back 3 times next year to teach some more yumminess! I really do have the best job in the world!

Well on my last post I teased you with a picture of a few bits of twisted bargello, but now we have some (almost) finished ones (just borders to go)! It took some doing but I eventually finished the twist part. I still have to choose a border but I am getting used to it before I steam into that decision! I was a bit worried that my usually bright colour palette would be too much this time... but I love it!

This one belongs to Barbara - though she blinked as I took the picture!

And this one is Jean's

Vicki had planned to finish hers too - but baby Logan arrived 3 weeks early and put paid to that!

Twisting....

2011-10-23T01:38:00.005+01:00

I know that I haven't posted in a while, but we have been so busy in the shop that there just hasn't been time to make anything, let alone blog about it. But yesterday we had Jill Adamson in the shop teaching the second part of her bargello twist quilt course and I was lucky enough to take part (while poor Julie was left to man the shop! But don't worry, the tables will soon turn....)

We had lots of fun, lots of laughs and Anita didn't let us down with her cinnamon and pecan cake (yummy!). But there was lots of concentration today, as we had to start piecing our strips together and a bargello twist is quite a challenging pattern. However, once we got started it all became clear, and, apart from the occasional 'dammit' we all ran away with it! There were 7 of us today, and here are the fabulous results....

Mine is the one with the black twist (I just HAVE to be different!) They are all brilliant and I can't wait to see what they all look like when they are finished!

I was so inspired after finally getting a chance to get sewing that I carried on once I got home! It wont be finished by next weekend... but I am determined that it wont become another UFO!

All done

2011-10-06T00:11:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post tonight as I am banjaxed after a long day followed by a visit to the cinema to catch the last installment of the Harry Potter story (such beautiful and atmospheric music!).

So my Gift of Quilts is finished, and hanging up in Bee Crafty until I post it off in a couple of weeks so at least I get to enjoy it for a while. It was great fun but I am glad it is all done! I already have the next quilt making a noise in my head so will be ready to get on with that soon. I always try to finish one before I start the next one!!!

Some help and a little excitement

2011-10-03T22:18:00.000+01:00

I have finally got the binding stitched onto the outside of my quilt for the Gift of Quilts project for the Olympics (where 500 quilts are given out to all competing countries) so I thought I would post a quick pic... but someone had other ideas!

I had to shoo her off so I could start on the finishing touches before the quilt goes off later this month. I am quite excited as all the quilts are going to be photographed and published in a commemorative book, as well as being displayed at the Stitch & Craft Show at Olympia ll, London, 15-18 March 2012. That is definitely a trip to London book!

Another item happened today when I bought this month's addition of the Embroiderers Guild Stitch magazine - one of the ladies who will be teaching in our shop has a project published! Kathleen Laurel Sage will be showing us all how to make fabulous jewellery and it is quite exciting to have a 'published' teacher pay us a visit! It's cool having a 'stitching celebrity' pay us a visit!

If anyone is interested in joining me on her class, she is teaching Machine Embroidered Jewellery at Bee Crafty on Saturday 5th November. These are the samples she sent, and I am really excited!

Well today I learned something new...

2011-09-03T21:58:00.000+01:00

It is always fabulous to learning some new, and for me it was zips! Zips scare me - or at least the idea of sewing in a zip scares me (a real fear of zips could lead to difficulties in the trouser-doing-up-department and no one wants that!). So today was brilliant for me! That is what is so great about about having your own shop - you can arrange for courses that you really want to go on!

So today was "Playing with Zips" with the lovely Kathleen Dague. I learnt how to deal with a centred zip, a concealed zip and a lapped zip! And I even know what to do with 2 more of those strange feet that came with my sewing machine - result! Kathleen provided us with practice zips and calico, as well as detailed written instructions so I am 'pretty' sure I will be able to recreate it on my own.

So we had a go with those three zips, and then used two fat quarters to make up an adorable costmetic bag using a centred zip. Here is mine...

I fell in love with the little blue butterflies, and then couldn't resist the splash of lime green. The pocket lining and inside the bag are also lime green. My mascara will be spoilt! Beware, all my friends may get one of these for Christmas!!!

The ladies on the course had a great time, and the Dundee cake went down a storm!

Delivery of loveliness

2011-08-27T13:28:00.000+01:00

I am such a lucky girl! Look what came in the post today!

The lovely Kathleen Laurel Sage is coming to teach this in our shop in November and her samples arrived today. I am so excited and can't wait to let loose with my soldering iron.

I have also been having a colour-fest! I know it needs an iron but I didnt have one while I had my camera with me!

I am planning to quilt flowers from the patterned fabric in lime green and pink in the orange strip in the middle. It may be fun, or it may be a complete disaster, but I wont know until I try. It was made from strips of 'junk' less that 2 inches wide so no great loss if it ends up in the bin!!!

Finally... a bit of sewing!

2011-08-19T22:50:00.000+01:00

Well the shop is 2 weeks old tomorrow, and I finally managed to get my sewing machine out! This is just a quick cushion cover to display one of my favourite families of fabric we have right now. It's not quite finished but we cant have everything!

This is just so delicate and calming - I love it!

The second set of pictures is in contrast to the serene nature of this one...

Those of you who read my blog when I (eventually) get around to updating it will know that my lovely Dad has redone my bathroom. His friend Rob sells tiles and gave me a fabulous discount on the slate that now adorns the walls of the afore mentioned bathroom. Well Rob and his partner have recently had a baby boy named Max. So to thank him for his kindness, and in response to the lovely things Rob said about the quilt I made my Dad, I decided Max must have a baby quilt.

So here it is!

The back and the front do not come even close to matching, but I thought that the dinosaurs would appeal as Max got a little older - and it looks like it wont show too many marks.

I do usually co-ordinate - but decided to just go with it for once and see what happens. I rather like it and I hope Max will too!

Festival of Quilts

2011-08-17T10:19:00.000+01:00

I forgot my camera when I wrote my last post, but now I have finally made it to the bottom of my FoQ shopping basket I have my hands on it again. Thanks to Julie who kindly took a picture of me quilt and sent it to me. It is nice to hear what people think of your work, especially when they are as talented as she is!

So here is me - proudly posing by my quilt, despite the fact that I hate having my photo taken!

It was a great experience having your work on display, though it was quite a trial collecting it after the show. Like many people, I had not been sent the final piece of paperwork required to collect the quilt, so after queuing in the wrong line for 30mins I was shifted to another queue in order for someone to check my id (luckily I always have my driving licence on me!), give me a receipt and then re-join the original queue. It was nearly 7 oclock by the time we got away. Next time I will get it posted!!!

The quilts were fabulous as usual - and the winners were absolutely mind blowing! As you have probably seen many pictures of these quilts I wont bore you with any more. However, this Tetris computer game inspired quilt made me smile. The picture looks a bit yellow but it is in black and white - which was what the earliest version of the game was available in.

We also met up with the fabulous Jennie Rayment who will be teaching in the shop in November. She is doing her amazing "All Squared Up" and she had a larger version on display at the show, which demonstrates what you can do with the six blocks she will be teaching.

There are still a couple of places left so if you are interested in coming along just let us know by emailing us at info(at)beeingcrafty.co.uk

All in all it was a terrific day out. The Sunday was a little calmer than I heard other days were, so it was easier to get around and look at all the loveliness on offer. I bought a few bits but will save that for another day!

Normal service soon to be resumed!

2011-08-16T12:24:00.000+01:00

It has been all go here! The shop is now up and running and we had a brilliant opening on the 6th. The shop was packed full and buzzing which makes all the hard work worth while. I wont bore you with too many of the details because I have now opened the Bee Crafty Blog and will publish pics of the opening there in a day or so (once they all come back from our photographer!)

I have been so busy myself that I havent had much time to do much, though I did drag my tired rear end to the festival of quilts to see my own hanging up. I would show you a picture of me gurning next to it but being a numpty I left my camera at home. What a great day out that is! So much to look at and so many lovely things to buy! I may not be losing pounds, but my purse certain was!!!!

So in leiu of a quilt picture I will share one of the cake that a friend kindly made for us for our opening. There was no shortage of people keen to share it with us!

And Yes! the champagne went down a treat after closing I can tell you!

A quick update...

2011-07-29T12:15:00.000+01:00

With the shop opening a week tomorrow, you can imagine that everything is SHOP SHOP SHOP! So not much in the way of personal creativity is going on yet! However, on the shop front we have now finalised the workshop list starting in September through to December.

We have some real highlights coming up with a visit from the fabulous Jennie Rayment doing her manipulating magic with "All Squared Up" in November:

"Unique and innovative designs all created by manipulating squares in ingenious forms. Use these designs for quilt blocks, garments, home décor or where ever you wish. An excellent class for all fabric manipulators or ‘wannabees’ – no experience - just a desire to tweak and twitch a little. (All designs 5” square) "

Kathleen Laurel Sage will also be paying a visit in November doing some exciting jewellery with organza and a soldering iron!

Gina Ferrari with be teaching her ever popular "Machined Books" using machine embroidery techniques to produce these unique textured works of art.

The talented Anne Stacey will be teaching a regular monthly class for the less confident quilter based around a sampler quilt and the delightful Jill Adamson will be teaching her twisted Bargello quilt, a stunning Christmas dinner setting with crackers as well as getting us all started with some knitting classes.

So we are well on our way!

Here are some graphics of the leaflets as I cant work out how to embed a pdf into this blog. If anyone is interested in the pdf, please leave me a comment with an email addy and I will fire one off to you!

Anyway, that is probably enough now... where did I put that pricing gun?

And the fish are jumping....

2011-07-25T21:53:00.000+01:00

Paul & I took a trip to a shopping centre in Spalding the other day and we were admiring the gardens. Aren't these fish sculptures lovely! I need a couple for my garden... when I finally get a pond!!!

The countdown has begun!

2011-07-24T16:30:00.000+01:00

With less that 2 weeks to go, I am officially running around like a loony trying to get everything done!
The stock has begun to arrive and it now looks less like a shell and more like a shop! Here are a couple of sneak peeks!!!!

Obviously still a work in progress but with less than 2 weeks to go until we open it is a relief to see some stuff going in!

Also, the Bee Crafty Facebook page is up and running as we count down to our opening on 6th August.

A new (surprise) member of the family

2011-07-18T22:59:00.000+01:00

Just in case you thought my life was all work and no fun, I thought I would introduce you to the newest source of amusement in our house! If you don't like cats then I suggest you stop reading now and come back later hehe.

Meet Captain Jack Archibald Pemberton the Third!

Our neighbours found him stuck in a bush out the back of our houses on Saturday morning when they heard him crying. Poor little mite! They know I already have 2 cats so asked if I could look after this sweet little kitten until we worked out what to do with him. I couldn't refuse.... I mean.... just look at him!

So join us he did! Since he arrived there has been a bit of a Mexican stand-off interspersed with a lot of hissing but I hope that wont last for ever. Anyway, I took him to the vets to get him checked out and see if he had a chip (which he hasn't). Until then we thought he was a she, but now he is correctly labelled, and carbon dated at about 14 weeks, and now we have named him he must be staying, unless the notices I put up in the area result in his real owners coming forward. I don't hold out any hope for this though, as the circumstances he was found in suggests he may have been dumped out of a car!

But as you can see that doesn't seem to have bothered him! He got a clean bill of health and was wormed to boot!

Before you ask about the name, he is debonair and I think he looks like he is wearing a grey trench coat, hence Captain Jack (which has nothing to do with my deep love of Doctor Who, Torchwood and all things Barrowman...) and for a fella with this level of sophistication; one name was never going to be enough! He may have started off in the gutter (hedge) but he is rising to greater things lol!

Things are coming along apace!

2011-07-13T17:04:00.000+01:00

Things are moving with my new shop! Stuff is beginning to be delivered now that my lovely Dad has (almost) finished the shop fit! There is still the top for the coffee bar to arrive - but that is not coming until next week.

Today there was some excitement as we got the first of our fabric deliveries, some King Tut threads and we got around to hanging a couple of quilts.

This is one side of the workshop area....

We will be teaching the twisted Bargello on the left in September and October and probably the middle Bargello in 2012.

Then to greet you as you walk in we have one of mine - made of Moda Citrus to brighten your way!

This may become a class if enough people ask for it as well!

Well, best get back to it now! Plenty of work to do.....

Now that's a talent!

2011-07-10T12:55:00.000+01:00

A bit more of Hampton Court Palace Flower Show from Friday. One section of flower show was called the "Thailand Zone" and there was a chap sitting there carving fruit. The results were amazing! Here he is carving a melon into a bunch of roses....

In this bowl he has carved melons, carrots and a beetroot, and the parrot is the top of a pineapple!

Impressive!

A riot of colour

2011-07-09T21:54:00.001+01:00

Paul has had a couple of days off this week, and I deserved a few days break from work, so yesterday we headed to London to the wonderful Hampton Court Flower Show. Neither of us have been before, so it was a totally new experience! As it was, the sights and smells were incredible! There was so much to see so I won't bore you with ALL my photos, but I can't resist sharing a couple!

Some orchids don't quite look real...

Some of the stands were amazing - so perfect that they didnt quite look real!

Lobelia

Lavender

Gladioli

I will share a few more pics another time - don't want to overdose you on flowers!

All was lovely! A great day out, despite the rain!

Dad's 66 today!

2011-07-03T23:12:00.000+01:00

My brilliant Dad has made 66 today! It has been great to spend time with him as he worked on my lovely bathroom, and now he is about to help us fit out the new shop!

Thanks Dad

Dad and his grandchildren

the secret is out!

2011-07-02T07:00:00.003+01:00

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed some thinly veiled references to some changes coming up in my life that I couldn't really share. Well now I can reveal all! I am opening a craft supplies and workshop centre just outside Huntingdon! It has taken a lot of work and a huge amount of planning but we are finally on our way. The idea was first suggested to me by a friend in later January and here we are, 4 months later, with the keys now safely in my pocket!

Bee Crafty (hopefully) opens it's doors on 6th of August. Talk about not hanging about!

We will have a blog for the shop very soon, but until then I may share a little here!

Firstly, here is our new logo!

Isn't it just the cutest! We certainly have been running around like busy bees meeting with suppliers, yelling at BT, and learning about how you run a limited company. But it is finally coming together and the stress will all be worth it when we finally open our doors! Can't wait to start taking delivery of all our lovely stock!

We have a basic website at www.beeingcrafty.co.uk until the full website goes live just before we open!

The excitement (and fear) is rising! Bring it on!!!!

A little luxury never goes amiss....

2011-06-30T09:50:00.001+01:00

I can finally heave a sigh of relief, and indulge in a relaxing bath! We have been without the family bathroom for nearly four weeks now as Dad has been doing a complete refit for me. At least we have a en-suite so there is no issue of stinky people hanging around the house. Despite having a perfectly serviceable bathroom already, I decided that the dull room supplied with our new build home was not adequate for a modern girl's bathing needs. So after much saving and sale purchasing since Christmas, we were finally ready to go.

This is it before chaos reigned (but after I had removed the million bottles of "lady potions" that often fill our bathrooms - yes girls, you know who you are!)....

This is what we have been living with for the last 4 weeks....

Having a Dad as handy as mine is a huge bonus, though it means you can't yell at him when he leaves you over night with no hot water, lets the cat out by mistake or covers your whole house in dust! But these things are sent to try us and the benefits far outweighed the costs.

Now I have a bathing boudoir fit for the most regal of bathers! The rolltop bath was picked up during the new year sales and is fab-u-lous! I am delighted with the slate - I didn't want too much of it as it is very dark and I don't want my bathroom to feel like a crypt! You cant see the shower area on the right (because it is not quite finished) and that is slate tiled too! With the addition of underfloor heating I am one lucky girl. Paul has now been banished back to the en-suite, which has always been 'his bathroom' and I am off to enjoy the delights of my new bit of luxury with fluffy white towels and a mountain of bubbles!

Thanks Dad x

Summer's here!

2011-06-29T15:29:00.000+01:00

As the sun has come out, so do the lovely shoes!

Here is my newest and favourite pair - Summer scrumptiousness!

Inspired by the Crafty Mugwump....

2011-06-23T09:47:00.001+01:00

After reading about her 'raggy' on the website of the Crafty Mugwump at the weekend, I was inspired to share mine! I actually started this a few weeks ago after seeing her raggy in the flesh and thinking "what a clever idea"! I have been so busy over the last few weeks that there has been little real time to spend in the studio, just a stolen 20 mins here and there. So the raggy is brilliant. I get a stitching and colour fix before I head out to be super woman for a bit longer!

Here are some pictures of mine....

I have used a piece of fabric I dyed on a Ruth Issett course I took at Art & Stitch last year. The colours are honestly deeper in real life. They look a little washed out here!

A bit of machine stitching...

Here is some of the hand stitching I have added so far, in lime and orange!

I even like the back! Perhaps the next time I do this I will just go made on a piece of black cotton!

This is the original piece before I did much with it. A brightly coloured sheet with some finger drag marks in it! Was never sure what to do with it until I saw the raggy and then... off we go!

Everyone really should have a raggy!

What a delight!

2011-06-15T15:18:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was my day at Bourne Grammar School working with 17 15 year old girls who are studying GCSE textiles. Well they had a great time and so did I. It is funny how inspiring someone else can result in them inspiring you! I can away with more ideas for more classes, and plans to teach some more days at the school next term. It was great to see an institution so keen to develop the creative skills of their students, though, alas, they are not immune to cuts, and textiles seems to be an easy target "as it's only a bit of sewing!"

The two teachers I worked with, Miss Hind and Mrs Fordham, were brilliant, and seemed to enjoy the day as much as the girls. They really work hard on inspiring the creativity in the girls and we came up with a few ideas just during our tea break!

The plan for this day was that the girls would each create a panel related to the Olympics which would be sewn together at a later date. They wanted me to show the girls some other techniques, so we chose a piece which involves layering cottons and silks, securing them with stitching through organza, and then melting the top layer with a heat gun in a well ventilated room! After that they machine appliquéd Olympic symbols and added a little beading to add some 'bling'!

So after a day of fun with the best behaved teenage girls I have ever met, we came up with the following....

With the same brief they certainly came up with a lot of different results, with the torch, doves, laurel leaves and 2012! There are 18 pieces in all (some went home to be finished) and Miss Hind is going to sew them all together and mount them on canvas. I will publish that picture when it is done. I think you will, agree that they did a cracking job. Well done girls!

A trip!

2011-06-13T08:48:00.000+01:00

Here I have decided to share a couple of pictures I took on a recent trip to Easton Walled Gardens outside Grantham.

The Alliums were fabulous!

Well worth a visit!

Preparing for a challenge!

2011-06-12T21:12:00.001+01:00

After a false start earlier in the year I have finally got around to being booked to teach at Bourne Grammar school. Tuesday is the big day!

I was approached a while back by their textile department to bring a different viewpoint to their GCSE group. The brief changed a bit on the way, but we have finally got around to deciding on a piece of work based on the Olympics for the school's end of year fashion show. They have sewing machines but no embroidery feet, so the design is limited to something that can be done with a normal straight sewing foot, so I will be using the Olympic torch as an image.

So I have a group of 15 year old girls (17 in all) who I hope will enjoy doing something different.

At the moment, most of the samples are finished, and the materials packs are almost done... 18 packs of mixed silks, organza, papers, beads and a needle!

Still a few bits to finish off, and I am a little nervous at teaching such a big group of teenagers but I am sure it will all be fine in the end! I can't be any more prepared!!!

Getting the creative juices flowing!

2011-06-08T16:25:00.000+01:00

I have had a very busy few weeks, with not much going on in the studio, but sometimes all you need to get those creative juices flowing is to spend a little time in the company of another creative creature! Today I was lucky enough to spend time with such a lady - my friend Pam McDonald, otherwise known as the Crafty Mugwump. She has just joined us in blog land after following me and those blogs I follow for the last 2 years. She has only done a couple of posts so far but there will be many more to come, but I felt I had to ~~plug~~ share with you.

So this 'pop in for coffee' turned into a 5 hour session as I 'oohed' and 'aahhed' my way around her lovely home and brilliant work. She uses her own hand dyed fabric, paper, buttons, bits of sting, wood, shells, pebbles, quite frankly: anything she can lay her hands on to create works that stun me to silence (and that doesn't happen often!). I cant wait for you guys to get to see some more of her stuff as she spreads her blogging wings and shares more of her experimental work with you.

Note to all - THIS IS NOT MY WORK! This is a little taster of Pam's work, using felt and all manner of embellishments to create a work of extraordinary depth.

I took pictures of more of her work, but it is not my place to share it - I will leave it to her so keep an eye on this lady (no pressure Pam!). Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Harvey

2011-05-25T21:51:00.000+01:00

Well Harvey is now 1 year old! He is the delightful little boy belonging to my friend Danielle and you may have seen him here not long after he was born, lying on a quilt I made him.

He has grown a little since then... this is him last month looking good enough to eat!

Anyway, I decided he needed a Sarah-made gift and so I dug out the fabric left over from his quilt and made him some bunting for his bedroom. To make it unique I put his name on it!

This is my first set of bunting and it was fun to make! Here are some closeups!

I hope he likes it when I deliver it to his first birthday party on Sunday. I expect to get a cuddle for my efforts!

The reveal....

2011-05-19T10:06:00.001+01:00

The other day I gave you a little teaser on my latest project, so today I can reveal the finished object.

This is Andromeda. She is my first go at doll making and I finally finished her in the early hours of this morning - that's compulsion lol!

She has a black silk dupion body that I put together about a year ago from a pattern I saw in a magazine and I started the beading.

This was a labour of love that I picked up whenever I needed something to keep my hands busy and didn't have an ongoing project.

The skirt has been distressed with a heat gun to distress it. A girl named after a galaxy isn't going to have time to iron her frock!

Her face cause me some trouble. It didn't want to look like a 'normal' doll face as that doesn't suit the nature of her character. So I bought some air dry clay at the weekend and tried making it as 'mask'.

I popped some beads into the skin and carved in some of the finer details with a pin as it dried. I then painted it white and added the lips to give a sense of 'other worldliness' - a bit like a geisha girl face that looks unreal.

So then it was to the hair.

It couldn't just be a curly bob now could it! So out comes the textured wool and the bead box again!

So now she is finished and I have no idea what to do with her! I will have to find her somewhere to sit in the studio and she can stare down at with me those eyes...

As a first go I am delighted with the result, but now I have to find another long term UFO to fill my time! I might have a go at another doll, perhaps with a steampunk theme this time.

a little teaser!

2011-05-17T12:41:00.000+01:00

A sneak preview of a current project that I am playing around with... she just doesnt have a face yet!

This one is a real bead soup buster!

A garden transformed!

2011-05-13T22:53:00.003+01:00

I love veg gardening and I have had a little patch behind the shed since we moved in 2 years ago. However the grass between the raised beds has proved a pain to manage, and easily gets out of control as the season goes on, as you can see from these pictures taken last week...

Oh for the shame of it! So I called upon my lovely Dad and his trusty shovel to come and rescue this poor neglected space and voila! What a job he has done!

It took him two days to dig out all the grass, lay weed suppressant and cover it with bark! All I did was supply tea and biscuits, and a Cromer crab salad lunch.

I now have a nice place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and admire my growing veg!

Thanks Dad!

What is a girl to wear?

2011-05-04T13:30:00.000+01:00

That is always a toughie! Well I am invited to a party this weekend and I have bought the most divine dress (brightly coloured and covered in peacock feather motifs shown draped in the picture below) but alas could find no suitable jewellery. So never one to let a crafty opportunity go to waste, I rustled up this little number!

The dress is a strapless maxi dress (to hide all those dreadful humps and bumps) so I wanted something simple but colourful! I raided my beading stash for some blue and purple beads and knotted them onto some blue cord. Some of the beads had to be helped onto the cord with the aid of a dremel and a very small drill bit but we got there in the end!

I think the results will show off the dress to a tee!

Joining the party...

2011-04-29T22:25:00.000+01:00

As some of you may have noticed, today was the Royal Wedding here in the UK. Never one to miss out on a good old knees up, we jumped at the chance to join in with a friend's street party. "Bring a bottle and some goodies" were the only instructions, so I set to it!

As any of you who have ever seen me will probably gather, I like cake... and the best kind of cake (as far as I am concerned) is cheesecake... and for a royal wedding we need a suitably attired cheesecake!

Here it is out of the tin with a few of the others...

I should say at this point that this beast is a recipe of my own and has a lot of fat free quark, low fat cheese and fat free fromage fraise in it (with some full fat double cream to balance it out!) - so you can have 2 pieces without feeling too bad about it!

Here is another star - the Sylvanian Families Wedding couple! I thought they were adorable but they did suffer a little in the wind! We had to chase them down the street more than once!!!

Weren't we a bunch of happy campers! Spoilt for choice (there was a bbq as well but cake is faaaar more interesting!)

The weather held out and a brilliant day was had by all. I hope you enjoyed the day in your own way to.

Congrats to the happy couple!

And Thank You for an extra bank holiday ;)

New quilt finished! And I am in love with it!

2011-04-27T11:24:00.000+01:00

As the sun is shining and my Dad is round working on the garden (and therefore is a willing model) I thought I would photograph and share the quilt I finished over the weekend.

I decided not to quilt this one - instead I used some of my button collection to attached the three layers together!

I used buttons on both sides, just in case anyone gets bored with the front and decides to inspect the back!

This slightly blurry picture was taken with my phone but gives you an idea of the button selection I had to play with...

That is just the contents of 2 of my jars... it is safe to say there are a few more than that on shelves!

I forced myself to use some of my favourite bright buttons in this one, but it was so much fun to make that I don't mind! Every time I look at it, I smile - though Paul's response was "isn't it a little too.... bright?" Obviously we know there is no such thing!

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T01:28:00.000+01:00

Crikey - that would be a few calories worth of chocolate I spied outside our local garden centre....

Happy Easter!

There are some posts that need no explanation....

2011-04-22T19:55:00.001+01:00

a chance trip to a Spalding shopping centre today reward us with the following in bright sunlight and dappled shade... enjoy!

Spring inspires me!

2011-04-18T21:56:00.000+01:00

Yes indeed - the first sight of spring and I am up and ready to be creative. The old foot is a bit dodgy so I have started with a little gentle quilting!

I bought a moda solids jelly roll at the opening of Art & Stitch last week and couldnt resist having a play! I am afraid I took these pictures on my phone so they aren't the best, but I hope you get the idea!

The fabrics are so bright I went for a very simple pattern so the colours are the stars! Here I am deciding whether to go for a diagonal or random pattern....

I think I prefer the random!

Well I have a few days of 'proper' work to get on with this week, so probably wont get any further before the bank holidays, so I will share with you then!

I just wanted to share with you another picture I took on my phone yesterday, a couple of beautiful trees weighted down with blossom at Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland. Ain't nature grand?

Who... me...?

2011-04-14T10:12:00.000+01:00

So I am back in the studio... albeit with a lean to one side as the ankle slowly heals. But I have been missing my creative space so I thought I would have a potter about and get a bit of tidying done. And someone thought she would help out!

So who is that in the wool basket on the second shelf down?

Busted!

No wonder I never get any work done!!!!

Bags of fun!

2011-04-10T21:22:00.038+01:00

Once again I have got behind on the blogging. Oh dear. But I have a couple of excuses... one which is work related and I cannot share quite yet, and the other is that I have managed to injure my sewing machine driving foot! I have a swollen tendon on my right foot which has led to 2 weeks of lying down (not as much fun as it sounds....) and not much creative work being done. I have been walking with a stick which meant getting up the two flights of stairs to my studio was a definite no-no!

However, I am now on the mend, and it was the 4th birthday of my niece Kiah this weekend, so I forced myself to hobble upstairs and make her something special. Last birthday I made her a quilt, and at Christmas I finished my first attempt at a dress (which was a little big at the time but she seemed to love). So what this year? Well what does every well dressed young lady need - a handbag! But not just any bag... how about a bag with her own face on it!

I recently visited a craft show at the NEC and was given a sample of a new fabric product that allowed you to print from your printer straight onto the fabric, and simple iron it to heat fix it! No messy goo or letting things soak over night. The fabric has a paper backing and is ready to go straight into your printer. So I thought I would give it a go!

The product is called InkRedible and is due to be released later in the year, so you cant get your grubby little paws on it yet (I only managed to scrounge 2 sheets!).

I used PhotoShop to blur the background of a picture I took of Kiah at Christmas (sporting the headband I made her to go with the dress).

I then printed it onto the paper backed fabric and ironed it to heat fix it. Then I peeled of the backing and was ready to go!

I made the rest of the bag up with 5 pink fabrics (because every 4 year old with any style adores pink... apparently...).

I used the messenger style bag because it is easy to make, and easy for little hands to open (no need for zips!). So we had a large version of the picture on the front of the bag, and 3 small versions on the back.

The inside is of course pink too....

It is not truly reversible because I have used a magnetic clasp on the inside, but one can still enjoy the pink fantabulousness every time you open it!

As Kiah is only 4 and, as all little ladies must, she will soon grow, I wanted to make the length of the straps adjustable. At this point my ingenuity had deserted me, but Angela of Art & Stitch suggested the use of buttons and, voila, we have adjustable straps!

So today was the day to deliver the present. Kiah had a big party, but was allowed to open Aunty Sarah's present early because all the rest will be opened when she gets home tonight. (and I wouldn't be there!) She loved it, and much as I dislike pink, I was loathe to part with it as she is just so darn cute!

So Happy Birthday beautiful!

Today was a good day!

2011-03-24T21:17:00.000Z

Oh excitement upon excitement! Regular readers may remember that an age ago I entered one of my beaded necklaces in The Fire Mountain Gems Beading contest and made it through to the final.

Well they emailed me today to let me know that I am now a featured artist on their website. How exciting!

So that news, along with the sunshine and a few spare minutes to spend in the garden, has made today a good day!

Hope yours was too!

Not remotely related to textiles...

2011-03-22T13:30:00.001Z

but I thought I would share it with you anyway.
A friend has just published her first book as an ebook on Amazon.

It is called "Fate and a Glass half Full" by Sarah Trude and is a mixture of poetry & prose detailing her fight with breast cancer and all those other battles life hurls at us when we least need it. Not the most cheerful of topics you may think, but it made me laugh out loud in places! And not only is it a good read, 50% of the net profits go to Breast Cancer research so is surely worth the £3.45 price tag!

Good luck Sarah

Spring has sprung!

2011-03-17T11:35:00.000Z

I don't care that it is foggy as I look out of the window, or that I had to turn on the electric blanket last night to defrost my toes... Spring is on its way!

My front garden says so!

It may not look like much against the bark... but them's tulips!

... but the best bit is the Azalea!

What a cracker!

So it may still be a little cold out there... but change is in the air!

A new find...

2011-03-15T22:13:00.001Z

I hate basting! I find it tedious and it makes my fingers sore, but it is a necessary evil if I want to quilt. Or so I thought!

When making my quilt "my log cabin has a swimming pool", I used 505 spray glue instead of basting, and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with the results.

I did the back layer first, and I would have found it easier if I had taped the layer to the floor first in order to stop it moving too much as I positioned the wadding on top. However, I learnt my lesson and taped the top layer down, and that made it so much easier! I supported the quilting with a quilting safety pin in the centre of each block, just to be on the safe side, but I didn't appear to need it! I had heard that the result is not permanent, but didn't know how long it would last... so I was a little concerned. However, it took me 6 weeks to complete the quilting, and it was still stuck firmly in place once I had finished!

So now I have used it again for my mammoth sofa quilt! This 90x100 inch quilt is the largest I have attempted yet, and it made the old muscles ache to get it quilted. But now it is done!

After filling the washing machine to bursting so I could wash out the 505 glue, it is now proudly in situ with the two matching cushions. I am delighted! So if you pop around for a cup of coffee over the next week or so you will have to sit on the floor until the novelty has worn off!

The colours are nothing like my usual choice, but the space is a little big for a riot of colour. They are muted tones, but I love the detail.

My favourite square has these fabulous autumnal trees on it. I have kept the quilting very simple to suit the style of the fabric, with variegated threads in straight lines down the quilt.

Now I am going to take a little break before I start the next one (slightly smaller at 90x90 inches) for the other sofa! At least one of them is now safe from kitty molestation!

So what's next?

2011-03-06T00:04:00.000Z

Well it has been another busy week in the Jackson/Payne household but I have made a start on yet another quilt designed to protect the sofas from little kitten claws! This requires 2 quilts, one of 90x100 inches and one 90 x 90. Now THAT is a lot of quilting!

Well I have made a start on the largest, and the top is almost finished. I have finished one of the cushions
that goes with it too. This will give you a taster of how the 'bigun' is going to look....

I will share more when I have more!

Entering the Festival of Quilts

2011-03-04T17:08:00.000Z

I was thinking that I might enter "My log cabin has a swimming pool" into the Festival of Quilts. I haven't entered anything before, and I am not sure which of the following two categories this quilt should fall in!

The pattern is traditional (log cabin) but it is wonky... and uses what I would consider to be contemporary fabrics... so errrr..... So contemporary?

These are the two categories:

1) Contemporary Quilts

For quilts made from ideas derived from the traditions of quilt-making, but given a new approach. Use of original designs and contemporary fabrics, using any technique or combination of techniques, to include quilting (hand, machine or combination).

2) Traditional Quilts

For quilts using a traditional design or pattern. Quilts may be wholecloth, pieced and quilted, appliqué and quilted, or a combination of piecing, appliqué and quilting. Quilting may be hand, machine or a combination.

Any suggestions welcome!

Quilt pics of "my log cabin has a swimming pool"

2011-02-26T17:04:00.000Z

As mentioned in yesterday's post, I didn't want to publish pics of the finished quilt until Paul had seen it, as it didn't seem very fair. Well he has it now and he delighted!

I called the quilt "My log cabin has a swimming pool" because of the central square is usually red to represent the 'hearth' in the centre of the home. Paul wanted blue - and so my log cabin has a pool in the centre of the home instead!

I really enjoyed the wonky log cabin, and the zigzag is definitely striking!

I don't know if you can see from this picture, but I chose to quilt the squares in a spiral pattern running from the blue central block out to the edge of each log cabin.

I used a variegated grey thread because I wanted it to be quite subtle. I thought it worked well with the circles on the back of the quilt too...

So the finished piece is 70x60 inches - which is more than big enough to keep Paul's tootsies warm while he plays on his PS3! If he can eject Maisy from under it first ;)

A finished Quilt - despite 'help'!

2011-02-25T17:04:00.000Z

Well Paul's quilt is finally finished after I spent last night hand stitching the binding on. Paul wont see the finished item until tonight so I will share pics tomorrow... but here is a sneak peak of the back. Isn't it fabulous? It was in the bargain bin of a fabric warehouse in Leicester, and I decided that it was just perfect!

However, it is not so easy to finish a quilt when someone else is just too interested!

"Whatcha doin mam?"

"I am helping with the binding..."

"And this quilt is just too comfortable for words!"

I eventually had too 'see her off' for her own safety (and so I could get finished), and she sulked outside the studio for the rest of the day!

A little bit of beading....

2011-02-20T14:41:00.000Z

Has it really been a month since my last post? Oh dear, it has.... Well it has been another busy month with work from many sources (which is always good news - but doesn't leave much time for being creative!)

But here are some projects that I have managed to 'fit in' over the last few weeks....

Carnival - I made this during the weekend because the weather has been so cold and miserable and I felt my soul needed a little colour!

They are peyote stitch beads using my favourite delica beads and are simple but effective, and add a bit of colour to any outfit!

Beaded Baby - I made this little love last Sunday while Paul was poorly in bed so I didn't feel guilty about locking myself away in my studio and watching Tom Baker episodes of Dr Who all day!

I used one of my face beads that has been hanging around my stash for ages, and a little lucite flower as my basis. She is worked in a mixture of different shaped beads couched onto a felt back. I think she will become a brooch, or maybe an embellishment on a bag. For me, the fun was in the making on this one!

So there we are, a bit of a catch up... I will not leave it so long before the next post ;)

A gift we can keep...

2011-01-20T17:12:00.000Z

Well I have taken a bit of a break from blogging since the advent blog but more out of necessity rather than choice. One commission completed during the first week of January was not to be blogged about at the request of the client so there was nothing to share that week. Once that was out of the way I started on Paul's quilt - at last... a gift we can keep in the house! I have collecting fabrics for this one for ages. I wanted to do a wonky log cabin in black and whites - and this is the work in progress.

Each square trims to 12 inches and the finished piece is going to be 6 squares by 5 squares - so big for a lap quilt. But he wants to be able to bundle up in it so who am I to argue!

Here are some close ups of some of the squares. I chose the turquoise centre - Paul wanted a dark blue but I thought it would get lost and so over ruled him! When he asked 'whatever happened to the customer always being right', I pointed out that the designer knows best! Well I let him chose the zigzag layout!

So all 30 squares are completed, they just need to be stitched together, basted and quilted! Easy peasy!

What to do...?

2011-01-18T21:03:00.000Z

Well today was one of those days! I had to stay in today and wait for various delivery men and I couldn't risk missing the door bell by working my studio on the top floor. So I had two options - 1) fire up the computer in the office and complete my tax return, or 2) sit in the living room all day beading and watching back to back episodes of Midsummer Murders. Guess which option won - well there are 2 weeks left before my tax has to be completed.....

So I spent a few happy hours with Barnaby and made myself a necklace into the bargain! Result!!! The necklace is a red and black seed bead nett with a ceramic donut held in place with an even weave peyote stitch bail and fringe.

Now that is more fun that a tax return eh?

some news....

2011-01-12T23:26:00.000Z

Just a quick post to share some news I had today (because I HAVE to tell someone!). Before Christmas I invited the daughter of a friend to spend a day with me in my studio to make herself something. She made a great book cover and I passed on all the comments left by my lovely readers! (She was over the moon at what you guys said so many thanks!). Well the upshot is that she showed the finished book to her textile teacher at school - who now wants me to go in for half a day and teach her students how to do the same! Amazing! I had to say 'yes'! Well I can't say any more yet as we haven't confirmed dates etc but I am so excited! 2011 is starting well!

Some more gifts to share - Necklace gifts

2011-01-06T10:30:00.010Z

This year I made some jewellery gifts for friends.

I have a necklace that my friend Sarah always admires (and tries to steal) so I decided to make her one with a matching bracelet. I finished it back in November and put it 'somewhere safe' only to forget where that was. As the time to deliver the present drew nearer I turned the house upside down but to no avail! It had gone. So there was nothing for it but to get busy and spend the next three evenings making another one! FI finished just in time - and as I went into my studio to wrap the second version, what did I spy but the original! In a place I had already searched! How is that possible? Oh well - I have packaged up the original and will think of something to do with the second edition. I bet if I hadn't made it I would never have found the first one again - so it must be a lucky necklace!!!

This necklace is for my friend Jules and is made of hematite (a form of iron oxide). It is said to be a good healing and grounding stone, it strengthens the body and improve resistance to life's stresses. Inside each ring I have threaded a sparkly 4mm clear pearl for a bit of added bling!

This one was a commission and was the first one to use the hematite rings. Unfortunately I had to photograph it at night as I went up to the wire in terms of deadline, so the colour is a little off. And you don't really appreciate the sparkly quality of the swarovski crystals!

All three gifts were received in good grace and I hope they will all wear them with pride! I bought some clear plastic bags (designed for card making) to put them in - I hope it makes them look a little more professional (and it keeps all the bits together....!).

BTW - let me know what you feel about the new page design! I felt like I wanted to inject some colour to this drab January but am not sure if it is 'too much'!

And the winner is....

2011-01-05T21:08:00.000Z

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner for my give away, but things have been a little busy around here for the past few days! However, everyone who commented up until midnight on the 1st of January went into a hat, and a winner has been drawn!

Congratulations Lyn Armstrong over at Stitch and Bake.

She wins the bundle of purple and blue goodies from my studio! Hopeful she will make something truly scrumptious with it!

Welcoming 2011 and sharing Kiah's dress

2011-01-01T12:52:00.000Z

Well now ALL of the gifts have been boxed, wrapped, unwrapped and (hopefully) enjoyed so I am able to start 2011 by sharing them with you. Here is a dress I made for my 3 year old niece Kiah.

This is my first foray into dress making and I was delighted with the results:

The dress is a little too big but should fit her by the summer - and this is her modelling it on Boxing Day when my family gets together to exchange our gifts.

I made her a matching headband which did fit perfectly! She looks adorable!

I love the fabrics which I bought just for this project at the Festival of quilts in the summer. I got the pattern at the same time and I am pleased to say that it was simple enough to follow for a novice like me. I even managed to make my first ever button holes! The buttons are covered with the fabric used in the skirt so it looks super cute!

Just a quick reminder that there is still time to comment and be added to my giveaway!

Happy New Year everyone

2010-12-31T17:12:00.000Z

I felt I should give you a break after the advent blog but I just wanted to drop in and wish you a Happy New Year! So as the door closes on 2010 and we head into 2011 I feel the need to take stock!

2010 has been the most creatively satisfying year of my life. I have produced more (and better quality) work than ever before and I really feel that my art is developing in new and exciting directions. I have made new friends who have such great talents and have kindly passed on some of their knowledge to me. I have even given up the stressful old job and hope to spend more time in 2011 being creative!

My family has also grown in 2010 - with the addition of Misty the invisible cat and Maisy the worrisome kitten (though she has got into the spirit!!!)

So I am not going to make any resolutions this year - apart from trying to make the most of it! I never manage to keep any of the others anyway.

One project I will be starting on soon is my Gift of Quilts for the Olympics in 2012 which I am quite excited about being involved with. I am quilt number 398 and they are still looking for volunteers if anyone is interested!!!

Before I head off to a friend's house for a few drinkies I just want to wish you all the best for the season, and remind you that my giveaway is still open until the end of tomorrow!

Day Twenty Five and an Advent blog give away

2010-12-25T09:45:00.000Z

Well I made it all the way through - a blog post every day until Christmas Day! Congrats to all those others who kept it up too. It was more of a challenge than I expected, especially as I couldn't share everything I had made in case the recipients had read it! Pics will now follow over the next few days as all orders/gifts have been safely delivered.

And to say thank you for sticking with my (sometimes inane) ramblings, I have decided to give a Christmas give away. I have been through the studio packing together some little bits of treasure as an inspiration pack. I have chosen two of my favourite colour ways - purple and turquoise and you can see some of the items below:

These include beads in a tiny kilner jar, various pieces of wool, cotton, silk fabric, silk rods and cocoons, some small cabochons and a small piece of worked felt.

All you have to do is leave a comment between now and New Years Eve for one entry, or blog about this give away for a second entry. I don't mind which post you comment on, and if you link through please do make sure you leave a comment so I can add you to the 'hat' twice! If you win I would love to see what you make!

The draw will take place on New Years Day.

So all there is to say now is Merry Christmas to you all, and may you have the season you wish for, wherever you and your loved ones may be!

Day Twenty Four and another gift delivered

2010-12-24T23:37:00.000Z

Well I had a fab day at Art & Stich yesterday and I got Kiah's dress finished (well I did the final florishes one I got home). I even mastered button holes on my machine which is something I have not tried before! I will share pics of the finished article after it has been unwrapped!

But until then, here is a gift I made for my friend Vicki who alos stitches, and who joined me at the shop yesterday for sewing and gossip!

Vicki says I am a 'colour whore' because I am attracted to anything bright - so I have decided to award that title to my new range of boxes and receptacles in her honour!

It is 4 inches by 9 inches - so big enough to hide some pens in!

I used my new labels to finish it off!

She seemed pleased!

Day Twenty Three - and some final finishes....

2010-12-23T08:43:00.002Z

Today will be a a social stitching day at art & stitch when I hope to get Kiah's Christmas dress finished. But until then, here is a box I have made for her brother James, who is 6. His room is always untidy (being a 6 year old boy) so I thought I would give him some incentive to put stuff away... in his very own box! I found this fabulous fabric with tools all over it at A$S and appliquéd his name on two of the sides!

I think I may have to make another one in the new year....

At least she seems to be enjoying the season, though maybe it is getting a little tiring now!

Day twenty two - and the end is in sight!

2010-12-22T10:29:00.002Z

So the countdown is getting shorter and only a couple more sleeps to go. The tree is (barely) dressed (due to kitten related issues), presents are wrapped, the shopping is done, and the gifts are done.... well... almost!

But at least another one is finished. My brother's girlfriend is always going on about how much she likes my elephants! So this year I have made her one! Her bedroom is purple and silver - hence the theme.

The silver was quite hard to work with but we live and learn!!!!

Day Twenty One and an afternoon with Peppa Pig

2010-12-21T23:26:00.000Z

My niece Kiah is 3 and she lurrrrrvs Peppa Pig. I mean... she is mad about the little lady. So for part of her birthday box we caught the train to London to pay a visit to see Peppa in person! Now I dont have any little bundles of joy myself (well apart from the kittens) and this is the first time we have been out together unsupervised by an adult! So who knows what was going to happen!

Well as it turned out she was a little angel! We got the colouring book out on the 1 hr train ride down to London, and she was so good on the tube, chatting away the whole time.

The show was brilliant - with lots of opportunity to sing along and dance about. Kiah (and I) had a fabulous time. She was having such fun I almost had a tearful moment as she sang happy birthday to Peppa Pig. And then they made it snow at the end.... well!

The only downside was when I managed to lose the train ticket when we went to the loo, but Kiah thought it was hilarious when we ran down the platform to find the lost ticket. We made the train in time and collapsed in our seats laughing! Just like funny Aunty Sarah!!!

What a brilliant way to spend the day! I dropped her off at home at about 7pm and I think we will both sleep well tonight!

Thanks to my baby brother Tim for letting me take her all the way to London on our own, and for letting me publish this pic of us both! I hope today is a day she will remember for many many years to come!

Day Twenty and a gift delivered

2010-12-20T21:42:00.000Z

This gift is for Ella, the 12 year old daughter of my best friend Sarah. She is fascinated by my studio and always wants to play! So I suggested that her gift this year would be a 'makey day' in my studio. And that day was today.

So Ella arrived this morning and we decided to make a book - and didnt she do a good job!

She layered scraps of silk and the foil bits of quality street wrappers (yes we did eat a few but hey - it is Christmas!) onto pelmet vilene and covered it with a fine man-made fabric. She stitched it all down with an underwater theme - you may be able to see the cute little red turtle near the bottom of the book. You wouldnt guess that this was the first time she had used a sewing machine with an embroidery foot!

She then burnt away some of the man-made fabric to show the scraps underneath. We finished the cover with a button clasp and a beaded tie.

And she is, justifiably proud of a days work well done!

She said she cant wait to show her art teacher when she gets back to school in the new year. I think the teacher should be impressed! I certainly was! Ella worked from 10.30am to 7pm with a short break for lunch. It just goes to show what kids can do when they are having fun!

Day Nineteen and it's been a busy day

2010-12-19T11:30:00.000Z

I have spent most of today in the living room wrapping gifts! Nearly all the home made gifts are finished (well almost finished!). So now the tree is up, the gifts resting underneath it, and the only thing left to do is get out the Christmas dollshouse. I built this two years ago and it spends the other 11 and 1/2 months of the year packed away. It is not a whole house - just a house box, but it has a lit tree and gifts for the family who have just popped out of the room.

Here is a video of it that I recorded after I first made it.

Day eighteen - and my other kitty house guest

2010-12-18T09:54:00.002Z

Those of you who read my blog will know that I have a very naughty kitten called Maisy who came to live with us in the summer. You may not know that we have another resident who joined us almost a year ago. After the sad and rather sudden loss of our cat Millie who came to us from Wood Green Animal Shelter, we paid another visit to that brilliant cat home to find another treasure. And we found Misty. She is a rare treasure, but has had such a rough time in the past that she was too shy to settle in a previous home. We brought her to our house as we are suckers for a sob story! And here is a rare photo of her!

I say rare because even after nearly a year the best we can hope for is that she occasionally ventures out of her basket. Since we got the kitten she has been better, especially because if she doesn't come out for her tea Maisy eats it in a flash!

However I can count how many times in the last year she has left the kitchen on one hand. She once came into the living room and sat on a cushion for about 3 minutes - it was really exciting and has not yet (unfortunately) been repeated. Maybe she will never get any better than this, and we will be living with an invisible cat for years to come, but as long as she seems happy we will keep on feeding and attempting to stroke her! After all Maisy is really enough trouble for two cats :)

Day Seventeen - And Santa came early

2010-12-17T22:54:00.000Z

In our family we are quite a practical bunch, and we like to give practical presents at Christmas. When my Dad asked me what I would like this year I knew exactly what I wanted - and yesterday it arrived! 32 feet of shelves! Yes my dear Dad is a handy chap and he came over and spent the day putting up my new shelves in my studio including 8 feet in the studio en-suite (how posh is that - my sewing machine has it's own loo!!!).

Here are the shelves partly filled already!

And additional space in the loo:

Isn't that brilliant? I am so spoilt! I have so much stuff that I forget I own because it is tucked away in a draw and I never get to see it. Now I just need a few more clear boxes and I am away! Tidy-tastic!! Though this is the other (yet to be tidied) side of the loo....

I am sure there is a tonne of UFOs in that little lot some where! Maybe I will get through it before the new year!!!

Day Sixteen - and some more folding!

2010-12-16T09:13:00.000Z

Well I have been busy in the studio over the past couple of days finishing christmas presents and a commission, but unfortunately I can't share until after they have been delivered.

So here is another tutorial from my YouTube Channel - Origami instructions on how to fold a box in 3 parts. These can be scaled up to make bigger boxes as an alternative to wrapping!

The base:

The dividers:

The lid:

I hope this acts as inspiration to use up some of that left over wrapping paper ;)

Day Fifteen and another order completed!

2010-12-15T11:50:00.003Z

Now the delivery has been made and the gift presented I can share a couple of (dark) pics of my latest elephant.

It was ordered for a second wedding anniversary gift which just happens to be cotton, and it is for a man so I used some 'butch' colours rather than my usual colour explosion!

I am particularly pleased with how his ears turned out because I have used some heavier weight interfacing and it really makes them stand out. He could probably fly with them ears!!!!

I also got to use my new labels for the first time, but it is tucked behind his ear and I forgot to take a pic before I sent him on his way!

I have one more elephant order to complete before Christmas - in purple, which is my favourite colour! It is beginning to become a problem that I am making things for orders, and then I don't want to part with them! I suppose I will just have to get used to it!!!

Day Fourteen - Christmas Baubles

2010-12-14T22:50:00.000Z

I made these baubles after a class at Art & Stitch with Ann Stacey a couple of years ago. They are so simple and fun to make, using scraps of fabric and polystyrene balls.

They look rather professional don't they! At least when Maisy knocks them off the tree they bounce!!!

Day Thirteen and the tree is trimmed... with more than just decorations!

2010-12-13T09:38:00.007Z

Well the tree is trimmed, the lights are hung and we are ready for Christmas... but what is that in the tree? It seems to be wobbling - what could that be about half way up?

Could that be a Maisy kitten hanging upside down INSIDE the tree? Just below the second row of tinsel! I think it might be!

Uh oh - busted!

Might as well enjoy myself while I am here! Mmmm pine needles!

I think Christmas is going to be fun! Shame mummy won't let me in the living room on my own! I wonder why?!?

Day Twelve - Contemporary Embroidery and a litle something for me!

2010-12-12T11:36:00.000Z

I follow a lot of blogs and I like to treat myself to something nice from one of them every now and again. And as it is Christmas I thought now is the time... and Karen at Contemporary Embroidery was having a sale in her Etsy shop.

So I thought it would be rude not to buy something!

I settled on a piece called Grandmas Sunday Linen in her signature white on white and it is delightful!

It is 25cm square and exquisite! Constructed from vintage cotton cloth this piece is heavily embellished with hand stitch and is designed to be very reminiscent of the domestic linen your grandmother may have owned this piece (though probably not mine!) I love the fact that I can own a unique piece of art which has been created with love and a generous spirit by someone sitting in a room anywhere in the world - and blogland brings it to my door!

I am delighted and will have to find somewhere special to display it!

Day Eleven - and who's a naughty kitty!

2010-12-11T10:54:00.001Z

Well Maisy is always up to something, and no exception this morning!

Look what she did to my plum loaf overnight!

Who knew she even liked plum bread!!! She totally destroyed a mince pie that I found strewn all over the kitchen floor - I think she likes Christmas.

Safe to say she was no where to be seen when I came down in the morning! Safely secreted under the sofa!

Day Ten - Keep on blogging

2010-12-10T10:54:00.000Z

Well I have made it to double figures - Yay!

It it the lovely Paul's birthday today and we both have the day off so this post is going to be a short one!

There are a few of us still in the running with Gina's Advent Blog so do pop over and take a look at them. If you are joining in let me know and I'll add you to my list.

This has been very therapeutic for me - and has made me make time in my day to blog. When you sit alone late at night writing your blog posts it can be hard to imagine people all over the world reading the thoughts as they tumble out of your head! But it seems that people do - and they leave comments (sometimes). I am a terrible lurker - following lots of blogs and not commenting on them very often. Well that is going to be one of my New Years resolutions (perhaps one I will manage to keep) - is to comment more frequently and let the blogger know that I am there... and listening! So to all those fabulous bloggers out there - who I follow and don't always speak to - I raise a virtual glass to you and thank you for making my day a little brighter!

Pic courtesy of wikipedia - not me :)

Day Nine - guests this Christmas

2010-12-09T10:27:00.001Z

Today I thought I would introduce you to a couple of guests that my Mum sent over to stay with us last year and who have settled in nicely!

Aren't they fabulous! She made them from a pattern she saw in an old magazine she has had for ages. The bodies are made from a 'suede-y' coat she found in a charity shop so they feel lovely and soft. The hats are from some old fleeces and the 'fur' trimmings are recycled from an old winter jacket. She is so clever!!!

I love them and they always make me smile! They will be watching the festivities from the sofa again this year!

Day Eight - giving a little back at Christmas

2010-12-08T09:17:00.008Z

So far so good - I have managed to make it to day 8!

I thought today I would share with you some ideas for Christmas gifts once we have run out of time to make some!!!

Not everyone appreciates a charity Christmas gift so you want to make sure you send them to people who wont be offended. Paul says that if I give a charity gift I am really giving myself the gift of 'smugness' and not giving the recipient the choice, but I disagree. There are people in my circle (friends, family, work colleagues etc.) who have everything they need! If they want something, they buy it! So what better gift to give them than something that helps out another who is less fortunate!

I like to choose a gift that relates to the interests of the recipient, i.e my mother is a stitcher and I have sent her sewing machine to India (obviously not her ACTUAL machine - that is more likely to make her grumpy!!!). I have also sent a gift to train a woman tailoring skills so she can start her own business as well as sewing kits to schools all on Mum's behalf.

My stepfather keeps bees and chickens, so in the past I have sent some hives, some chicks and a coop to Zimbabwe.

There are three sources I have used, but there are plenty others!

Samaritans Purse

World Vision

Oxfam

So maybe I have given myself a gift - and my Mum and Stepfather - but we know that we have changed the life of someone, somewhere in the world, and that will always bring a smile to my face!

Day Seven - Steampunk box

2010-12-07T10:57:00.048Z

This is a great project to get the kids involved in because it is so simple and so effective!

Following on from my post yesterday about how to make the purple fabric box, this one is a paper box and uses a very similar method of construction, i.e - using the same six square pattern as yesterdays post only this time I have drawn it onto card.

Don't make the card too thick or you will have trouble folding it together at the end. Remember to cut out your card a little larger than the finished box needs to be in order to ensure you cover right up to the edges.

To decorate your box collect together appropriate pieces of paper. They could be scraps of tissue paper, wrapping paper (for a Christmas themed box) or images printed from the internet (non-copywrited ones of course). For my box I have printed out some Leonardo Di Vinci drawings to go with my steampunk theme.

Tear up the pieces of paper and glue them onto your card using an appropriate glue. I used PVA diluted to a single cream consistency to hold it all down. Cover the whole of the card base with paper and leave to dry.

Depending on your choice of paper and how thin your glue is, the paper may ruckle as it dries. If this happens don't worry - a quick run over with the iron should sort it out - and if not just think of it as part of the eclectic charm of your box. The trouble is often deciding when to stop!

Once the card is dry, cut it to size and add any additional embellishments you like. I used a text stamp and some gold paint to add another dimension to the paper and then I glued on some clockwork cogs to echo the images on the paper.

To put the box together use a hole punch to make holes in the corners and put ties through these wholes using something appropriate to your theme. I used wire but you could use wool or ribbon or anything else that you have lying around.

You can use the same method to fasten the lid too - I threaded wire through two holes on the lid and looped it around a watch winder that I had glued onto the front of the box.

Now sit back and admire your handiwork, and work out who deserves their Christmas gift delivered in such a treasure!

Please do comment with a link if you make any of these - I would love to see them and will share them on a later post.

Day Six and look what I made!!!

2010-12-06T11:50:00.000Z

Well day 6 is here and I thought I would share with you two things I made over the weekend. These boxes were intended to hold Christmas gifts as an alternative to wrapping paper, but I am so pleased with them I may have to keep them!

The purple box is 4 inches square and the 'steampunk' box is 3 inches square.

Here is how to make a fabric box (the purple one):

The pattern is a very simple 6 square configuration making sure all the squares are the same size so they fit together as a cube. Each square needs to be 4 inches square to make a 4 inch square box. I drew mine onto pelmet vilene and left about 1/2 inch all the way round so I could ensure that my materials went over the edges. You can leave a little flap on the square on the right of this picture (which will become the lid) to secure the box lid if you wish.

Then gather together your materials. You can use anything you have handy, including paper, silk, cotton, velvet, wool and anything else you have lying around. This is a great way of using up all those little scraps we end up with! Use a sewing machine stitch everything down any way you like. I kept some areas 'straight' so that when I put the box together I would have some horizontal areas, but just go with your gut! Then stitch over the top of the whole piece with contrasting threads in a pattern. I used circles, but you could use wavy lines, or flowers or anything that takes your fancy. The idea is to draw the whole thing together.

Then trim the box back to size and iron a lining material onto the back using bondaweb. I used some purple silk dupion to tie in with the outside but you can use anything you have to match or contrast the outside design.

Zigzag stitch around the whole thing to secure the backing and strengthen the edges.

Then use a slip or ladder stitch to hold the edges of the box together. I ironed the folds before I sewed it together to get a good fold, but you will need to be careful here if you have used fabrics or embellishments that don't like the iron. If this is the case, work the folds with your fingers, or you could run a line of running stitch along the crease to make it fold more easily.

Secure your box anyway you choose. I used a piece of wool that I had zigzag stitched over to make a crod, and then sewed a button onto the front of the box to loop it around.

Well there we are - I think that is probably enough for today. I will share the instructions for the smaller box tomorrow.

Day Five and a tutorial

2010-12-05T17:27:00.000Z

I thought that I would share a couple of Christmas tutorials that I posted on YouTube before I started this blog. This is the first and has to be one of my favourites - how to fold an origami Santa!

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without one :)

Apologies for the fuzziness but my camera is great for stills, but not so hot on video!

If you can't view it, here is the link.

Day Four - Christmas Stockings!

2010-12-04T11:37:00.001Z

Just a quick one for day 4 - I have just finished the Christmas stockings for my nieces Kiah (3), Jade (8) and my nephew James (6). I thought that this year I would get them some little gifts (including some Christmas decorations with their names one them which are too cute!!!) and make them something to put them in.

These are from some fabric panels I bought in Leicester recently and I have simply quilted around the images and added some sequins for a bit of sparkle, Not difficult, but actually more time consuming than I expected as they took 2 whole days to make all three. I have also stitched their names into them to stop the kids fighting over who's is who's!!!

I hope they like them!

Day Three - cooking frenzy

2010-12-03T10:37:00.000Z

I think I am a good cook - and I make a mean casserole, but I can't seem to crack bread! And as I should be working on the proposal for my thesis which is due in next weekend so yesterday I thought I would have a go at bread. (talk about work avoidance!!!)

The first batch didn't make it to the photo stage as the little buns would be more suitable as cannon balls! But I persevered and the result is a passable loaf of wholemeal bread.

But what good is bread without something to dunk it in... so enter the sausage and potato casserole!

Steamy!!!
And a quick shot before Paul dived in and demolished it... (he was hungry!!!)

Talk about a winter warmer!!!
And as the oven was already hot I thought I would finish it off with some fairy cakes!

Because there is always room for sprinkles!!!

Day Two - more treasure

2010-12-02T11:06:00.000Z

So I left you with the image of Vicki and myself 'whoring it' (otherwise known as shopping!) around the knitting and stitching show in snowy Harrogate! Two days is definitely a better option than trying to cover it all in a single day.The first day was exhausting so we started Sunday gently with a course. I did a gold work course with Tracey Franklin - (which I can't photograph as I can't seem to find it today!!!) . I did one of hers sessions a few years ago and enjoyed it just as much this time - whilst adding a few new gold work stitches to my 'bow'.

Vicki did a bag class with Sally Holman which she enjoyed - even though it was hand stitching which V has no patience for!

There was (of course) more shopping to be done.

I had a voucher from Art Van Go I paid a visit to their stand. I was looking for some aluminium because I need to make some dog tags for a commission (more about that in another blog!). I couldn't lay my hands on any, and ended up being swayed with some copper shim and some netting. I have NO idea what I will do with them but that is half the fun of these shows!!!

This didn't cover the value of my voucher so I picked up a couple of books including one from the fabulous Ruth Issett She was there demonstrating and remembered me from the dying weekend we had a tArt & Stitch earlier in the year. I had been particularly taken with the Markal sticks and have since purchased a set, so the book will be a valuable source of inspiration. I got the other book for Paul as he likes playing around with photos (he takes great pictures) and I thought it would be nice for him to see how he could use them in a different way (it isn't aimed at textile people!)

I also picked up a few kits:

The one on the left is an origami kit for making a Christmas ball which I am quite keen to have a go at! The pattern in the middle is a plan for next Christmas - it was so charming and a bargain at only £6. I can see elements of it being used for all sorts of things! The final kit is a Japanese tote bag kit for my friend's daughter who is keen to get making - so a perfect start! One Christmas gift down... plenty more to go!

So all in all the weekend was a success. The journey home was a nightmare as the weather had taken a turn for the worst and it took us an hour to cover the first 9 miles as we skated sideways down the A1, but it cleared up about 20 miles south of Harrogate and we got home in one piece!

See you tomorrow for day 3 of the advent blog!

Knitting and Stitching Show - of snow and treasure and 'One' advent blogging!

2010-12-01T12:00:00.001Z

Well Gina has come up with the idea of an advent blog - 1 post a day until Christmas and I think it is a great idea, so I thought I would have a go! So here is my first post!

Any of my British readers will now that we have been experiencing some early snow over the past week, but we are made of sterner stuff than to allow a bit of 'weather' to get between us and some shopping! So the valiant Vicki and myself packed up the MX5 (I had already added new batteries to the torch in the boot, packed a quilt, water and emergency chocs) and headed north to Harrogate. All was fine until we came off the A1 and a vindictive SatNav sent us onto some B (and C and possibly D roads) but traction control and ABS kept us on the road and out of some very snowy (but attractive) ditches! So we made it in one piece and the hotel looked like a Christmas card in the snow! Magic.

So we made it there and then it was time to shop - and I HAVE to share my treasures with you!

The background piece is the pith from the underneath side of tree bark and has a wonderful texture. I have no idea what I am going to do with it! I couldn't resist another piece of hand dyed velvet, and now I have a few I might actually do something with them, instead of keeping them in the studio because they are 'to beautiful to use' - a problem I know I am not alone in suffering! I also picked up some unusual beads including the lava cubes in the top left - simply because they are fab! The other beads were just so cheap that it would have been rude to ignore them!

I couldn't resist the 2ft long piece of purple scrim in the background here, and there were some lovely tiny sequins that strangely found their way into my basket. Some how I ended up with some buttons too - which will probably end up as elephant eyes.I couldn't resist (notice a pattern here???) the wool - because, as Vicki loudly pointed out, I am in fact a colour whore! Give me anything brightly coloured and I am immediately lusting after it!! There are also some scraps of leather and some wire for me to play with 'one day'!

Well that is enough for today, I will regale you with tales of the rest of the shopping (and the weekend) tomorrow!

so much to do... and Maisy making trouble!

2010-11-24T12:47:00.001Z

Well it has been three weeks since my last post and that is because I have been busy busy busy! I have two pieces of statistics coursework due on Sunday for my MSc and I am away for the weekend at the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate for the weekend. So I have been working like madeto get them done and handed in before I leave. One is done and the other one is .. well... started! I never was very good at stats!

So there has not been much in the way of creativity going on lately - even with Christmas looming! However, I got a magazine recently with fabric bug brooches in and I decided to have a play with the idea using needle felting. So when I wasn't reading about p-values or undertaking Chi-tests (don't ask) I had a little go.

And here is my first attempt.

He has a needle sculpted body which is hand stitched with tiny sequins so he sparkles like a real beetle, and dyed pipe cleaner legs.

I have stitched felt on the bottom to make sure the legs dont come adrift!
The pipe cleaner legs give him an authentic looking insect bounce, which confused someone!

Maisy is not quite sure what to make of it!!

But she still tries to see if she can eat it!

The beetle looks fabulous on a jacket and I think I may make a few more for unusual Xmas gifts (once the essays are out of the way!). It could make a nice class for needle felting beginners!

Steampunk

2010-11-02T22:52:00.002Z

Well I can't resist playing around with something a little different. And the latest thing to catch my eye has been Steampunk. For those of you who haven't heard of it, wikipedia describes steampunk as the product of a world where steam power is widely used (i.e Victorian Britain) but introduces elements of science fiction and fantasy - or how our world might have looked if Charles Babbage had actually built his Difference Engine in the 1840's. It draws on the writing of Jules Verne and H.G Wells to create a world that might have been!

This has a definite appeal, with the blending of sexy Victoriana and hard elements like watch pieces into a steampunk style. The clothing can be amazing!

For example, this fabulous Victorian Leather Dress Coat available on Etsy from ImperoLondon. The genre involves clothes, artifacts, music and for me it is all about the jewellery!

London Particulars (again on Etsy) have this splendid example, a necklace incorporating a vintage watch movement with Light Blue Sapphire Swarovski Crystals. How imaginative!

For me it is about the mixing of materials and styles into something fresh and unexpected. I have always been attracted the mechanical, and I admit to having a small collection of clockwork toys and the odd vintage compass and telescope lying around the house. So this blended approach appeals to me and this steampunk Ring from Antige is a perfect example.

At first glance it looks interesting, but not extraordinary, until you realise it is set on a watch face. Groovey or what!!!! It seems to be 'the in thing' at the moment - even BeadStyle Magazine have got in on the act with the November issue and a steampunk special (though it is a much more feminine and less industrial approach that the above examples).

So as I love a good looking band waggon to jump on, I have been on the hunt for watch parts - visiting local junk shops, charity shops and anywhere else I can think of but sadly no joy! People seem to throw old watches out and so I had to resort to buying some bits and bobs! This is what you get for $18 on ebay (and they are TINY!)

I am still keeping an eye out for old watches/watch faces so if anyone knows any good sources I haven't tried I would love a tip! Just leave me a comment and I will be your friend forever :)

While I was looking for watch parts, I came across the etsy shop of Porkchop and couldn't resist a purchase! Now I have a collection of wooden keys and other oddities! Oh the randomness!

I am keen to integrate them into some of my jewellery, and possibly some wall hangings too. I will just have to see where the mood takes me! I love a challenge - now I just need some time to settle down and play!!!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T19:38:00.000Z

Well I know we dont make such a big deal about Halloween as the Americans, but the kids around where I live seem to love it, and I can't blame them. How often are you allowed to dress up and shout 'bo' at strangers?

So to get into the spirit of things I carved up one of the unripened pumpkins from the garden and popped him in the window (sorry about the quality of the photo but it was getting dark.)

As a result we do not have a scrap of chocolate left in the house (much to Paul's dismay) and a slightly freaked out Maisy kitten with the constant doorbell ringing! But we do have a lot of cheerful children in the area!And they all looked so cute!!!!

Well I am in a cheerful mood myself because my new labels arrived yesterday and I love them!

I can't wait to make something to sew one into! I am away most of this week working so it will probably be the weekend at the earliest, but rest assured I will share when the moment arrives!

Happy Halloween mwha haa haaa ha haaaaaaa

Finally getting something done!

2010-10-27T18:46:00.003+01:00

Well it has been another very busy week. Despite giving up the day job last week I have been run ragged since then with contracting work for my old company and an old acquaintance who needed an extra body. So not much time for being creative! I know it is the plan but there are still bills to be paid so I will take the work where I can get it!

So there was not a great deal of creative work done lately. I have finished a jewellery commission for a Christmas gift, but I can't share it here as the recipient sometimes visits :) . I have another order for a necklace and earrings along the same vein so will share after Christmas.

I am also work in a silk appliquéd wall hanging which is in it's very early stages and will share when there is more to see.

So what exactly am I going to share?

Last week I went to my local Sue Ryder shop and picked up a few pure wool jumpers:

I popped them in the washing machine on a boil wash and then into a hot tumbledryer to felt them. Then I could cut them and make flowers and my mobile phone holders:

I have sold a couple of them already!

More dolls that I didnt make!

2010-10-26T10:47:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I shared the work of Lesley O'Brien who makes dolls in Tewkesbury. Well ,she read my blog and left a comment:

"I am Lesley O'Brien and I made this doll. I am one of those peculiar 'crafty' people who love to make things for people who love them. This piece took about 15 hours to make as the embroidery and bead work took hours! I sell to people to appreciate my work, not for profit! So glad she has found a lovely home. I am at The Bay Tree, 78 Church Street (advertising!) Tewkesbury if anyone interested in crafts cares to pop in, I have loads of stuff to show you."

As one who appreciates hand made items I couldn't resist at return visit when I worked in Tewkesbury again. This time I met Lesley, and came home with the wonderful piece I have christened Lady Cate. Isn't she fabulous!

The detail this lady puts into her dolls is amazing! She even has a moist looking little nose!

Here is a doll I bought about 6 months ago at a craft fair. I am afraid I can't find the makers details, but she was another find! So introduing Jolene - she has a raunchy soul!!

And here is my space badger! This was an inside joke between the lovely Paul and myself when we were first together, and my Mum made the character come to life!

Obviously no self respecting space badger would be seen without his weapon and his breathing apparatus!

She did a lovely job didn't she!

Maisy will get everywhere!

2010-10-12T17:38:00.000+01:00

What is that I spy in the washing machine with my woollen blanket?

oh, best not put it on a spin cycle quite yet then!

I was so distracted that I put the blanket on too hot and shrank it! But that is better than shrinking the kitty!

A very busy start to my 'new life'... a birthday and getting all 'earth mothery'!!

2010-10-11T18:07:00.001+01:00

So how did I start my new life? Well with a long birthday weekend for a start!

On Thursday I went to see the gorgeous John Barrowman at the Cambridge Corn Exchange with my friend Vicki, and we couldn't resist falling even more in love with him (if that is even possible).

Then on Friday the lovely Paul took the day off work and we went to London. Lunch in Covent Garden, a bit of shopping and a visit to the Natural History Museum was a day well spent. I love Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop in Covent Garden which is a complete treasury of gorgeousness, and I came away with a tiny mechanical songbird in a cage - Maisy is really not sure about it :)

Paul made me a birthday card with our cats on it - how cute!

On Saturday night we had a lovely meal out at Loch Fyne in Elton for my birthday. That's me on the left, my best friend Erms in the middle and the gorgeous Paul on the right! We didn't get to bed until 4am - what rebels we still are!!!

So after all of that carousing I felt the need on Sunday to get out in the garden and harvest the rest of my veg. This parsnip fella made me laugh - but I do have the sense of humour of a 5 year old :)

I read Gina's blog and she is always making some fabulous from her garden produce so I thought I would have a go. As usual, I decided to do it my way rather than follow a recipe - all I know is it needs vinegar and sugar, then loads of lovely 'stuff' - which you cook for a few hours and I keep my fingers crossed. I did look up about sterilising the jars so no one should get food poisoning :)

So we went from this...

to this...

To this...

It tastes lovely (if I say so myself)! And the only thing I didn't grow was the tin of tomatoes I added to bulk it up a bit! Not bad for someone who was never at home to look after the veg plot! Next year will be even better!

But I did actually manage to spend some time in the studio on Sunday night and made a mobile phone holder for my new HTC Desire.

I am definitely going through a purple phase!

So there ends a busy weekend - I hope you made it to the end of the post :)

Change your life

2010-10-10T19:51:00.001+01:00

If you follow my blog you will probably know that I have one of those jobs that takes up way more of your life than it should. I work long hours and drive a mental amount of miles (sometimes 2 or 3 thousand miles a month) with nights away from my lovely Paul spent alone in hotel rooms. But this has all changed. I have decided that it is time to break free from my usual grind and see if I can let my creative bird fly!

Before this I was barely surviving creatively but had money in the bank. I have decided that this really is the wrong way around and so I plan to see if I can make enough money to survive financially whilst adding something more to my emotional life. Giving up a well paid regular job is scary - and some may say irresponsible, but I need to spend more time living! I turned 38 yesterday, and I feel that I need to make a change before the big four-O looms large. My husband died suddenly when I was 30 and he was only 34, so I am fully aware of how short life can be. I can't imaging that I would look back on my life from my deathbed and say 'I wish I had worked longer hours!'

So the immediate plan is to do some contracting for the old day job a couple of days a week to keep the wolf from the door, and do some craft fairs coming up to Christmas to try to make some pin money, so if anyone knows of any good ones around Peterborough/Cambridge area over the next few months then please do sing out! I am also going to be working on some more courses in beading to deliver anywhere that will have me. So watch this space and let's see how we roll!

Look what I found...

2010-10-07T01:25:00.000+01:00

I was working in Tewkesbury last week and as usual took a wander during my lunch break. I happened across a little shop on the hight street called The Bay Tree where I couldn't resist the most beautiful doll.

I have named her Tatania after the queen of the fairies because she just has that 'otherworldly' vibe!

This was hand made by the lady who owns the shop. She wasn't there that day so I chatted to her sister. The shocking thing for me was that this exquisite hand made doll was for sale for only £30. It makes you wonder how someone makes a living out of what she does. Obviously the fact that she has a shop that sells lots of other lovely items must help, but still!

Another Day, another course...

2010-10-03T20:59:00.000+01:00

I cannot resist the opportunity to have a go at a new skill, especially one that I can blend in with the other textile work I do. So when I saw Creative BumbleBee at Sandringham a few weeks ago was holding another course in Leicester, I just had to sign up. I have done needle felting and had a play with merino wool in the embellisher, as well as producing a disastrous welt felted scarf that stands up on it's own, but the opportunity to learn from a master was too good a chance to miss (even if it does mean getting up at an ungodly hour on a Sunday!)

So last Sunday I got up early and packed up the MX5 and headed over to Leicester to do the Handbag and Flower Corsage course with Maria.

It was a brilliant day spent with some great women, and I learnt so much. One thing that I really appreciated was that we created a finished piece on the day, rather than a collection of samples or something I have to finish at home.

So we made a bag and a corsage. I chose purple and lime green as my two colours and they just popped!

I made my corsage so that I could attach it to the bag and wear them together, or take it off and pin it to my favourite coat.

So here is my bag with the corsage attached...

Here is the inside which I did in lime with little purple dots on it.

This is a closeup of the corsage on it's own.

It was a great day and Maria was a great teacher - very patient and full of useful tips... and she makes the most amazing cakes which she bought along for us to share.

It seems that I am not the only one who likes my bag...

I have had to hide it!

My Win from KS Jewellery Designs

2010-09-28T18:21:00.001+01:00

Last week I posted about my blog win - I won a $30 voucher to spend in KS Jeweller etsy shop. Here is one of the pics from her website to give you an idea of the stuff she does. If you are after something fabulous in silver then swing by her shop!

I chose a pair of silver earrings from her shop and they duly arrived on Saturday. They are fabulous and I thought I would share a pic of them.

I am afraid the picture is not exactly top quality because I was photographing my own ear with my phone! But you get the idea!

Playing with Digital Images

2010-09-23T21:32:00.000+01:00

Julie over at Mixed Media shared some digital images that she had manipulated using a tutorial called
Textured Edges for Photos by Linda Matthews, and I was inspired to have a go.

At the Festival Quilt earlier this year I signed up for the Computer Textile Design Group and so this has pushed me to actually make a start!

This is my first effort based on a picture I have already posted of a seedhead from my Mum's garden:

And here is another that I experimented with where I used a blank sheet and simply applied some Photoshop settings to it (not using a start image)

Might have to use this one for something! It should certainly stand out!!!

l am a winner...

2010-09-21T20:08:00.001+01:00

I was delighted to find out today that not only have I done a giveaway this month, but I have won one too!

I follow a lot of blogs, and sometimes search through their blog reading list to see if they are following anything I would enjoy. This can lead to me losing hours in blog land. On one such foray I found the gorgeous silver jewellery of the talented Kristin of KS Jewellery. Last week she was doing a giveaway where you could win a $30 voucher to spend in her etsy shop. And lucky me! I won!

So i have just visited her etsy shop and picked some delicate little silver earrings.

I will post a pic once they arrive!

It wasn't me...

2010-09-14T19:33:00.001+01:00

I have just heard a crash, band and a wallop from the bathroom so I went running to find out what damage had befallen whoever was creating such a din... and there in the hallway I found the culprit!

Guess who had discovered the toilet roll!!!

Doesn't she look innocent!!!

Giveaway won and a day well spent

2010-09-12T19:40:00.001+01:00

Here is a quick pic of a book I made yesterday, with some of the scraps of silk I had lying around the studio. We had enough sun this morning to take a quick pic so here it is!

The colours are lovely and I am really pleased with the overall effect. I hope to do a craft fair in the near future and these books will probably be an element of the stock.

Today has been a good day too. As it happened I had plans to spend today with a friend but as she was unable to make it I dragged the gorgeous Paul over to Sandringham to the Game and Country Show. Bless him - he has a tough life! I drove all the way with the roof of my MX5 down and his forehead has gone pink... but I bought him an ostrich burger and that seemed to appease him nicely!!!

Anyway, the fair was a great day out and the craft village was worth a visit; which is something we cant always say about craft fairs these days! As it happened I bumped into fellow blogger Maria of Creative Bumblebee, which has to be one of my favourite reads! She was marvellous and the stand looked great laden with treasures galore!

I recounted my tales of scarf felting woe and, once she had stopped laughing, she suggested I come on one of her day courses. I (of course) readily agreed, never one to disappoint a fellow crafter and I have signed up for a class to make a bag and corsage on Sunday 26th September. I can't wait. I hope the felted flowers will be a suitable addition to the mixed media jewellery and other items I am currently working on (more to be shared another day). So in 2 weeks I will head off to Leicester with my pack lunch and a towel (As Ford Prefect pointed out "If you're going to survive out there, you've really got to know where your towel is."). Apparently we need two so I will be extra prepared!!!!

And now the results of the Giveaway

All of the names are popped in a bowl!

They were mixed by the gorgeous Paul and he selected one.

And the winner is....

Jan! Congratulations. Morris the elephant will be winging his way to you as soon as you send me your address and I can hop down the post office. Let me know which buttons you would like too. email me at sezpayne@hotmail.com with your contact details!

Erosion Bundle - finally finished

2010-09-08T23:24:00.000+01:00

It has taken some time but I finally got my erosion bundle finished! I admit to finding it a bit of a struggle because it was just too pink! I don't do pink!!! As a result the contents of the bundle sat lonely and abandoned in the corner of my studio for weeks. But eventually I gave and took up the challenge to embrace my inner girl!

So pink reigns free!

I decided to make it into a book, and fill the pages with pink girly gorgeousness!! This is a departure for me as I have only ever made book covers for pre-bought book!

So here we go. This is the front cover - with paper and fabric machine quilted and a flower made from the pink calico. I painted some more calico with blue and purple just to tone down the pink and balance out the colours and used them to represent to the leaves - bits of this fabric was used elsewhere in the book. It was important that the pink did not become too sugary so I used purple, blue and reds in there too!

For this one I used sheet music printed from my pc onto paper and painted (including a song appropriately called 'The Coal Black Rose). I wrote the quote onto some of the pink calico using a fabric pen:

This page was fun! One of the images of the rose is printed onto paper and stitched, and the other (faded) image behind it is printed onto the fabric using an ink transferring technique which didn't seem to work as well as I hoped, but together the two images work well.

this page used more the other bundle of dyed calico and paper which I cut into strips after I had stitched into it. The circles are stitched onto some of the bundled paper with increased tension on the bottom thread making it pull tight and giving a slight domed effect on the paper:

The little flower is made form a piece of lace in the bundle that didn't really change too much, so I helped it out with some fabric paint!

The next page is my favourite, which of course includes some buttons! How could I make something without buttons!!! I made a little trapunto Makintosh style rose in some gorgeous red silk and popped it all on a piece of delicious purple silk that has been sitting in my scrap box for ever. I love the vibrancy of the result!

The next page is a little more delicate with some more rose motif srepeated from the photo, as a machine embroidered piece and in cord stuck to paper in a rose design.

This page uses some of the bundled calico which is stitched into and then added some embellishments from my bead soup!

Here I played with some of the bundled paper and some fabric from my stash repeating the fabric motif in pencil straight on the page.

Here I used some of the bundle paper as a background and repeated the 'leaves' from the front cover.

For this page I played with some crayons to mirror the torn paper edge and I again used the leave motif.

I used the more of the papers from the bundle to do a 'double page spread' to which I glued some buttons and some mica for added 'sparkle':

I also used some of the handmade paper that took some of the rust from the metal elements I included in the bundle, as well as some of the copper wire.

Here I used the last of the paper as a background with some threads and bits and bobs stitched into some needled felt. The little thing that looks like a bit of dried up orange is in fact a piece of brown felt stitched and then melted to within an inch of destruction!

And finally... The back - here I played with fabrics and paper bits left over because I hate to waste anything! I repeated the leaf and circle motifs used elsewhere in the book to tie it all together.

I have held the whole thing together with rivets (making the lovely Paul come running up the stairs thinking someone was being murdered as I merrily hammered away!)

This project was a challenge as pink is not something that usually inspires me and forced me to work outside my comfort zone. Creating a book also took a lot longer than I expected as well, but it gave me the chance to play around with lots of different techniques and ideas without having to worry about producing something others would want to look at/ receive as a gift or buy! This in itself was quite liberating and I would definitely give it another go next year!

So for now I have embraced the girl in me, and let her be pretty in pink!

Don't forget to sign up for my 100th anniversary posting giveaway if you haven't already!

A quick Catchup and my 100th post Giveaway

2010-09-07T14:25:00.000+01:00

Well it has been well over a month since my last post and that is very naughty of me! However it has been a very busy time, with work stuff, a bout of sickness and just general life getting in the way.

There hasn't been a huge amount of creative work going on in that time. I have been working on my erosion bundle project (more of that in a later post) and a few other little bits of jewellery, but apart from that the studio has been under-utilised. However that is about to change (I hope). I went to the Festival of Quilts a few weeks ago - once on Saturday with my friend Julie and once on Sunday with another friend Vicky. As usual I have come home all inspired and ready to have a go at a new project! I also bought an embellishing machine - I simply couldn't resist! Now I can't wait to get to grips with it and make some lovely new fabric to stitch into!

This is also my 100th blog post and my how time has flown! So in the tradition of bloggers (and to make up for my absence) I am doing a giveaway!

Trying to decide what to give away has been a bit of a struggle, because I wanted it to be indicative of what I do... but I seem to do so many different things that choosing 1 things is the difficulty! So I am going to give away a couple of things...

The winner will get to choose one of my elephants and I will be adding a selection of my beloved buttons (some from my jars and a set of silk or cotton covered ones I have made myself). I will also add some items from my bead soup in the hope that the winner will make some fabulous and post pics for me to enjoy!!!

So to be entered into the draw, leave a comment to entered once, become a follower (or already be a follower) to get a second entry and post about my giveaway to get a third entry for three chances to win! Of course let me know if you are linking through to my site so I can give you credit.

So these are the prizes with the winner to be drawn on Sunday 12th September. Please state in your comment which elephant and set of buttons you would like.

This is Monika in pinks and greens:

This is the vibrant Morris in yellow, orange and blue:

This is the demure Georgette in pinks tones:

The button choices are cotton cats or lambs, or the purple silk ones: