Tuesday 29 May 2012

Floral book plates




Thought I would give you a close up of the little wall art that you may have spotted in this post. 

My Husband and I love books, old nature ones in particular.  We have a largish collect of old books displayed in a number of places around the house.  I stumbled across this beautiful book of wild flowers in our local vintage book shop and just fell in love with the plates.   The flowers are so detailed and pretty I just had to have them displayed.  
But you know how things go:
1 - Couldn't bring myself to cut up the book!
2 - Would like to display all of the plates in frames.
3 - Framing them all would cost loads, and I would have to do it in one go.

Then I saw the book sitting on my shelf and realised that I never get to see these gorgeous pictures and that is just a crime!  So I did it. I tore the pages out carefully, and used my seam ripper to cut the cotton binding so they all came out great after that.  The I just put them up with blutack!   

I love it! Husband loves it.  In fact he thinks it looks good without the frames and said "why didn't I do it sooner".  Just what I was thinking  :)

Have a great week!

Saturday 26 May 2012

Etsy Favourites



Mooshy belly bunny  - Holly at chezbeeperbebe, lots of cute ideas and patterns.
White rabbit embroidery pattern set - Mollie at Wild olive, she taught me how to embroider.
Cute crochet baby booties - Tara at Easymakesmehappy, lovely patterns great to learn to crochet with.
Burlap basket pattern - Maya at Mayamade, great for repurposing inspiration. Has a new book out!
Mallory cowl knitting pattern - Shannon at luvinthemommyhood, bet you know her already, fab blog!


I like to check in on lots of different blogs.  I first started searching through blogs a couple of years ago for tutorials and inspiration to help me get started at making things.  Then you kind of get hooked and start to feel like you get to know the people behind them a little more, and then it's not just about crafting but about other peoples lives.  There are a lot of really nice people out there that give so much on their blog. Ideas, tutorials, advice, and inspiration.  Many have shops or use their blog as a way to make a living.  Either way, what I have got from them, personally, in terms of learning new skills, and them giving me confidence in my creativity,  I couldn't put a price on it.  So I often like to purchase a little something that they make or provide.  whether it a pattern or an item.  I suppose it is just a way that I can show my gratitude for all the lovely things that they have given to me over the years for free.  So there is my Etsy Favourites from the shops of some of my favourite bloggers!

And, no I have not been endorsed by any one of them to promote their site or shop.  In fact I am pretty sure that none of them know who the heck I am! being just a small fry -  shame I would love to be friends with them all! :(

I also have many more favourite blogs that don't have Etsy shops and I am planning on posting about why I love them so much.  I would love to do one of those interview things with some of them...how do you get to do that?  Anyone know?  Let me know? 

Thursday 24 May 2012

New project bag!




Managed to make a couple of project bags this week.  I have been meaning to do this for ages to try to organise my projects.  I always seem to have so many things on the go at one time and they all just get stuffed into the same bag!   Anyway I feel much more organised, I have a bag for my tapestry draught excluder (that is taking me ages to do!), one for my current cross stitch project, and another for my mums crochet shawl.  Problem is I keep thinking of new projects to do!  (and I haven't even mentioned the patchwork quilt that I need to finish that is on my desk.  Eeek!)

Do you always start what you finish? or do you keep juggling many projects?  Any tips on how you manage them all?


Tuesday 22 May 2012

Crochet lampshade


Whilst being ill with bad cold etc for the last week or more, I still wanted make something but didn't want the effort of having to concentrate.  This is where crochet comes in.  I hadn't done any crocheting since before christmas. After the rubbish cowl I had been attempting to make for myself, see this post, I had been put off!  Not by crochet itself but in my ability to adapt to make my own design for my needs.

However the best thing about crocheting is that it works up fast.  I love instant gratification.  It also doesn't take much concentration, so it is easy on the brain, and eyes.  So I went for it.  I frogged my rubbish cowl, and used the beautiful Rowan Cocoon wool to make this lampshade cover for our bedroom.



The light was bad, so please excuse the pictures.  It looks so much better up. See...


I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I adapted this pattern which is a beautiful shawl, to make the shade, working in the round and just basically winging it.  I am so pleased with the results.  I might actually get round to making a tutorial one day!  I will definitely make another one, probably in a brighter coloured yarn for the lounge.
I am hooked on crochet once more. In fact I have started a shawl for my mum as her birthday gift.  It's going to be quite big so it will take some time!

What projects are you doing?  Did you have a good weekend?

Thursday 17 May 2012

Finishing your embroidery - quick tutorial.

   
 




I am really loving these little cross stitch patterns!  I have purchased the PDF patterns from andwabisabi a cute Etsy shop that I cannot stop browsing!  Find it here.
I also decided to finish the back without using my glue gun.  I find it so messy and often get it stuck all over my work.  Here is how I do it:

- Cut out a circle of using the inside of the outer ring as a guide. 
- Place this on the back of your stitching.
- Put fabric glue on the outer edge of the inner ring, and place this on top of the felt and stitching.
- Put fabric glue of the inside edge of the outer ring.
- Carefully turn your piece over and line up the outer and inner rings, with your work sandwiched    between.
- Screw the fastener as tight as it will go.  I use a hair clip to finish tightening!
- As you have used fabric glue you can spend a little time lining the piece and the rings up. 
- Trim the excess fabric with scissors close to the edge of the rings.

 I always found that I didn't have enough time to line the piece up properly with a glue gun as it always set too quickly so making a fabric glue sandwich works much better for me!

Let me know your best ways to finish a piece.  I would love to hear your ideas.  Leave a message in the comments box :)






Monday 14 May 2012

World zone

Finally finished a little gift for hubby. Should look good in his new office!

Saturday 12 May 2012

Work in progress

I am currently working on a tapestry piece inspired by the designs in Cath Kidstons book Stitch. It is full of lovely pieces for tapestry or cross stitch. I am adapting the rug pattern for a smaller project using the stitch techniques that she describes. I am also cheating by using wool from my stash instead of tapestry wool.

It is working well so far but I am going to have to have a break from it as I have 3 classes worth of exam papers to mark!

Etsy Favourites




Alice in Wonderland book phone charger
Embroidered Union Jack hoop art
Vintage typewriter - 1950's
Laundry time postcard
Spring 'hello sunshine' stationary set

The collection of postcards are really sweet. They would look great framed around the kitchen!

Tuesday 8 May 2012

A little tapestry


My first attempt at tapestry. So much easier on the eyes when working in the evening!
I have no idea what I am going to do with this piece. Pincushion ?

Saturday 5 May 2012

Etsy Favourites.


From left to right:

Beautiful crochet rug from recycled materials,
Amazing Birdhouse wallpaper,
Quote on wooden block,
Hairbands or bracelets,
Cross stitch deer - I buy most of my patterns from here, they are so sweet!

I will certainly be purchasing some of those sweet little hairbands.  I always wear them around my wrist and get marks, so these soft things are perfect and in such sweet colours!