Thursday 29 November 2007

Mermaid wall-hanging


Take a much loved Mermaid t-shirt which Sophie can not bear to give away and turn it into....

a wall-hanging. The dark evenings are making it tricky to take decent photos but the blue band has free- machined quilting on it and blue binding onthe outer edge. There are matching blue hanging loops at the top through which a wooden hanging rod can be passed through.
I just managed to finish this for the Recycling contest being run by nannybird, see link in margin.
I look forward to seeing all of the other entries. You can click on the link and once all of the entrys have been uploaded viewers to the blog can vote on their favourite so pop over and join in .
I have decided to hang onto this wall hanging until the last day of the school term so it will be a little pressie for Sophie to celebrate her first full school term.
It was a pleasant surprise to see comments on the blog from brand new visitors, welcome and I hope you will come back again another time.
Bye for now.

Monday 26 November 2007

First card sale on Ebay...


One of my handmade cards sold as a 'buy it now' on Ebay and until I have either fathomed out how to use E-junkie or set up my on website I shall list items on ebay. I have packaged it up nicely and I am really hopeing it does not get damaged in the post. It has Indigo Blue stickers etc on it as these handmade items are separate to other items listed. I have loads of cards, bags, book covers etc to list but I do find that aspect tedious and get distracted easily but this week I will do it even if it is just a few each evening.
My keyrings and button badges have transformed into these...

I intend to give these away with bigger orders (hopefully one day that may happen). I have already given some to friends who have had items made to find out what they thought and the feedback was positive but then they are trying to encourage me. I like the button badges and so does Sophie, who is after all my biggest fan.


I have also finished my charity squares and will send them off, I would have done more but I ran out of wool..

I really enjoyed doing these in the evening, little thought needed but doing something useful at the same time.
My exam marking is nearly done then it is report time so sewing will be confined to my sewing group on Wednesday this week and another evening presentation on Thursday... how long is it to Christmas? Getting everything done in time this year is going to be a bit tight me thinks...

More fabric book covers and fun with felt coming up..

Saturday 24 November 2007

Recycling Contest


Take a few coloured plastic bags (try to imagine the red and yellow ones) given to me by my students. Cut them up in a spiral then knit them into this..
strippy little handbag with crocheted handles. Then decorated it with a flower corsage. I have entered this into the recycle challenge organised by nannybird and if you are interested in taking part click on her link in the margin of this blog. Deadline is the 29th November.

Now that Picciolo has recieved her prize I can show how it was packaged. With tissue paper in lovely shades of blue, curley ribbon and my own stickers. I did mention in an earlier post that I wanted to follow this up with another variation for the Christmas raffle at the Embroiderers Guild branch that I am a member of. I shall not be taking jam this year..but these instead.

I changed the shape and size of the scissor case as I know that many of the members have quite small scissors. I did seem to mis-judge the positioning of the pincushion pattern on the fabric but more than made up for it with the case. I really love this fabric, it is a bit kath Kidston.

I have plans for these.. will show you tomorrow.
P.S Anyone tried using E-Junkie on their blog?
Have a cosy evening.. off to watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix..
Bye x

Thursday 22 November 2007

Party Bags and Competition Bags


This is my new entry into the U-handbag November Challenge. I used some soft furnishing fabric that I have had for far too long and decorated it with a brooch that I was given for Christmas a few years ago. Taking part in this contest does seem to be shortening the months as they whip round quick enough. I found out on the U-Handbag blog today that the new handbag patterns from Amy Butler have arrived so hopefully the Sophia bag pattern that I requested as my prize for last month will be here very soon. Oh yes.. many happy sewing hours ahead.

This photo does not do the colour any justice at all. Will have to have another go before submitting it.

I had enough fabric left over to make a little zipped coin purse with a front pocket for cards. The clip on the end enables it to...

be clipped to a 'D' ring on the inside of the bag. I also divided the internal pockets for a mobile phone and pen. I used a magnetic clip for the first time too which was easier to use than they look.
This one below looks better but not sure about the clutter in the background, but us bloggers are only interested in the bag...right?

My charity knitting is coming along well and I have nearly finished my third square.
I have exam papers to mark this weekend and yet another 5 year old party to go to.
Talking of kiddies parties what about this ..

Environmentally friendly bags. Fabric is very similar to lightweight calico. Pick a theme and draw a simple picture of that theme on the front using a black fabric pen. Piece of card inbetween.

Then ask the party guests to colour the designs in using fabric pens. They colour their own party bag and have fun at the same time. This went down very well with the parents and the girls loved it. The above bag is Sophie's which she coloured at her 5th party. Older children could draw on their own design.
I am going to start stocking these bags as they can be decorated in many ways in advance of the party and can be used for storage in a bedroom. Yes, you could make your own but not everyone has the time or a sewing machine. These can also be recycled when no longer wanted.
Once I have sorted out my shop area on here I shall be selling them here but until then I shall be listing them on Ebay. My ID is Andream 7813.
Hopefully back tomorrow.
Have a good evening.

Sunday 18 November 2007

Knitting and Moo Cards


This weekend I have been knitting 8 inch x 8 inch red squares for The Childrens Society. This year their Big Stitch involves creating the largest Christmas Stocking and all of the knitters getting sponsored. Hopefully they will also break the Guinness World Record and raise lots of money to help give children their childhood back.
If you are interested in getting involved click on the link.
www.childrenssociety.org.uk/get+involved/The+Big+Stitch or by calling 0845 600 8585.

I have come across several events like this over the year and as part of my job often get info sent to me. So I am going to set up a section in my margin for charity events as and when I find out about them.

Saturday afternoon saw the arrival of these cutes little Moo Cards:

I have been thinking about getting these for sometime but after having read a posting on Craftboom which is a sister blog of U-Handbag, click on the U-Handbag button for the link, I decided to get some. It is a pity that I had already posted Picciolo's parcel as I would have liked to have popped one in, never mind.. This cute little sample sticker book was also sent which is very tempting, isn't it? (Somehow I managed to drag AND copy this photo..opps, I actually recieved one set of stickers, not two..)


These MOO Cards now completes my packaging, coupled with designed and handmade items, all I need to do now is decide whether to use Ebay, Etsy or try E-Junkie to sell my work or a combination of all three.
I would also like to try more craft fairs, even though these can be rather hit and miss in terms of success. Does anyone now of any that take place in Cornwall?

My new bag for the Nov/Dec U-Hand bag Challenge is under way:
I need to stiffen the base and so bought some plastic grid for this very job, but the instructions are clearly talking about something else which can be stitched through. My plastic definately can not be stitched through, will have to solve that one somehow.. Will let you know how it goes. The pincushion and armchair bag is coming along nicely and I should hopefully have something to show you soon.
I have a very very busy week at work again so posting may be erratic but please keep coming to look.
Anyone tried the fleece juggle balls yet? I will have the flowery fleece example shown in the post available for sale, probably on Ebay until I have something else sorted out. My ID is Andream 7813 if you want to have a look.

Have a great week whatever you are doing...be back about Wednesday I think.
Take care...
:)

Friday 16 November 2007

Children in Need,a cuddle and some crafting...


Tonight Sophie and I are going to watch Children in Need tonight in our PJ's sat on the sofa with a fleece blanket have a cuddle and watch the fun on the television. Previous years she has not been able to stay awake long enough but '"now I'm five I can stay up can't I mummy?" Hence an earlier blog on a Friday night.
This week has been chaos so blogging has had to take a back seat.

The craft evening on Wednesday was unfortunately rather a quiet affair but a few items sold and I chatted to some people that I had not seen in ages. Plans for next year are being discussed and possibly a few changes will be made. Sophie's very first Parent's Evening was a success and that she likes to make things was brought up. Guess who she takes after in this area? A sore throat and a head that resembles a hang-over ( I should be so lucky) has been the order of the week so I am relieved that it is the weekend.

However, there is often a silver lining on the horizon because when I got home today I found a lovely email from Picciolo and I recieved a very nice blog from a lady in America who invited me to take a look at a competition on recycling an item into another product. She has said that I can put a link here directly to the competition rules etc.
http://nannybird.blogspot.com/2007/11/100th-post-contest.html

I shall certainly give it a go. Her blog is fun to read and what I really liked was that she found me via a comment I had left elsewhere and decided to visit a new blog for the first time, and it is that kind of friendliness that made me set up a blog in the first place.

The speed at which time is slipping by has meant that my mystery pic was not followed up ( tut, tut).

These are close up shots of an organiser which hangs over the arm of your chair. Just need to find the full size pic.. hold on I will be back in a mo...

Found them...
This is a prototype of an integrated pincushion and bag which can go on or over the arm of a chair. I have made it so that it can be folded up and taken to classes or workshops. I have seen some that that have a rigid bag opening but I would find that a bit annoying. I am developing this idea further and I have started to make it. I would then like to list some on by ebay section and hopefully on this blog via E-junkie once I have figured out how to do it. I read the blurb yesterday but another go is required I think. I also have a party bag idea, so if you would like an environmentally friendly party bag and activity rolled into one the bag item is in the pipeline which I will post over the weekend and I hope to stock some of those too. I tried it out at Sophie's party and it went down well with both the children and the parents.

Has anyone had a go at the juggle balls yet? Please let me now if you have. I have just made a set for Sophie as a stocking filler.

Here is a fleece version...

Cut out and match up your 6 squares, but this time put the wrong sides of the fabric together and stitch on the outside using straight stitch.

Using a pair of pinking shears go around the three stitched edges.
Next, fill the juggle ball with beanie filling and stitch the opening shut as shown in the last tutorial. This time you do not need to turn in any raw edges and once sewn the edge can be pinked with the pinking shears to match the other seams. Easy.
These could also be made by hand using embroidery thread and blanket stitch set close together. Just check that the beanie filling can not escape.
Well I had better go and catch up with Pudsey.
Enjoy the evening.

And the Winner is.....

It is five past midnight so this will be quick with a longer post at a more socialable hour. (What was I thinking when I said midnight)

The winner is Picciolo. Congratulations...

Could you please email me your postal address and I will try and post it on Saturday.

Back this evening...I'm off for my very much needed beauty sleep.

Sunday 11 November 2007

100th Hit Post Draw.


The 100th Hit Post Draw.
Today the counter hit 100!!!!

All you need to do is leave a comment saying what you like to make and why. All names will be put in a bowl and I will ask Sophie to do the draw.

You have until Midnight on 15th November.

(I had to extend the time as I am taking part in a Craft Fair Evening which does not finish until quite late. last minute invitation. Luckily I have some items to take.)
Results posted on 16th November.

I really look forward to your comments and a nice way to perhaps swap ideas.
If you have a blog or website feel free to post that link with your comment if you wish.

To see prize scroll down to previous post.
Good luck.

Saturday 10 November 2007

The counter hits a 100.....

Would you like to win this...
Scissors not included( they are not very good so honestly you would not want them, modeling purposes only).

I have been very heartened to see that the hit counter has been a little busier lately and so I have had a little idea.
When it changes to a 100 hits, I am going to write a special post to mark the event.
Anyone who places a comment on that post stating what they like making the most and why, will be put into a pot and a name will be pulled out.
I made these earlier in the week with some lovely flowery fabric.

The pincushion is an idea that has been very popular lately and the scissor case is intended to stop the points from causing any damage to WIP's in your workbox. There is a loop of ribbon which passes between the handles to hold the scissors in place. You could fit in two small scissors easily.

The deadline for comments will be 6pm on 15th November.
I look forward to reading your comments.

Juggle Ball Tutorial

At last my first tutorial. Many of you may have made Juggle Balls before but this is a simple method that youngsters can tackle. It does not take very much fabric and there is an alternative fabric which I will explain another time. So here goes..


Cut a paper pattern or card template with the measurements shown.


Cut out 6 squares using the pattern. I have used two fabrics to make it easier to see what is happening but you can use any combination. I am using a lightweight cotton.


Match right sides together and pin on three sides.
Stitch around each set of squares on three side. Reverse stitching at the beginning and end does help when matching up the opening later.


Next carefully clip the corners and turn each juggle ball round the correct way so that the right side of the fabric is showing. Iron if needed.


Then carefully fill each juggle bag approx 3/4 full with beanie filling. An alternative could be dried rice or lentils but be careful not to allow them to get wet as they will go mouldy.


The next stage is the bit where they change from a rectangular bag to a triangular one. Hold the filled juggle bag so that the seam is facing you. Fold in the raw edges about 1cm and match up the two seams. Put in a pin vertically, this will make it easier to take out later. Then..


This will then make it easier to tuck in 1cm and place in two more pins so that the top edge is neatened and pinned together.


Then, making sure that all of the beanie filling is out of the way, carefully tip the juggle bag on its side and stitch across the top. Take the pins out before you get to them (this is why they are put in vertically) . You could hand stitch the opening shut, but this way is stronger and quicker.


Repeat this with the other two juggle bags and you should end up with the above. The triangular shape makes it easier to catch the juggle bag, especially for smaller hands.



Next time will be an alternative fabric.
Hope this works for you. Please ask any questions if anything is not clear and I hope that you like my very first tutorial.
The next one will be a little harder.
Got to go and make a fabric party bag for tomorrow.
Bye for now.

Thursday 8 November 2007

Wow.. what a week...


Started the week by handing over Kirsty's quilt and surprise cushion in the privacy of her office as the middle of the staff room did not seem right. Kirsty seemed very pleased with it and I hope it will be nice to snuggle under during the long winter evenings watching a DVD. Enough room for two as well...
Then I found out I have gone up to the next pay level at work and that it is going to be back dated to September.
Yesterday I logged on to http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/ discover that my bag
is one of three winners for the October Amy Butler Pattern Challenge. (scroll down a bit to find bag post). Well I was like a cat that got the cream and was so chuffed that I nearly forgot to make a 50th card for a colleague at work so I end up staying up until gone midnight finishing it.
I am lucky enough to choose another pattern as my prize and choosing which one took AGES to make.

Today has gone well and tomorrow it is Sophie's 5th Birthday so a party is to be staged on at the weekend.
As for my tutorial well I went and left it at work yesterday so only had half of it here but I am going to post it this weekend.
I have also had fun developing these little prams which may progress into an order in the New Year. They will certainly be adapted to make a small range of cards and I like bits of each so a few more combinations have yet to be made.
I have an idea for the person who is the 100th hit on this blog, more on than later.
Enjoy the evening.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...