There is a nice pleat in the centre front and back of the bag which gives the bag more room to put things in it.
Thursday 29 April 2010
Spring Swap to Russia
There is a nice pleat in the centre front and back of the bag which gives the bag more room to put things in it.
Monday 26 April 2010
Skirting the issue 2.....
Now, I will need to confess that I actually bought this fabric last November and quickly cut it out and then...............nothing. Very naughty I know, but Christmas, kitchen, work, commissions etc just needed to be done first.
However, after the New Year I had decided to concentrate on all of my UFO's and this was one of them.
I did make a few changes. Firstly, I hate waistbands so I replaced this with navy blue bias binding to conceal the raw edge at the top of the skirt. Also by using the same skirt patterns I added a lining to the skirt just to make it a little thicker for our lovely UK weather!
I then used my overlocker foot on my machine, overlocked the hem then decided to do a double turn hem. The overlocking actually made the edge firmer and easier to get a smoother hem. Always iron the hem before stitching it. It is a lot easier and will give neater results. By using the sewing machine attachment you do not actually cut anything off.
A tip is to iron your garment at each step of making then when you get to the end it should be lovely and ready to hang up/wear.
I am really pleased with this and it does fit. Beautifully modelled by Rose of course. Next on the dress form is a blanket jacket, however marking exam coursework has to come first at the moment. I can not say that another skirt may also be in the pipeline before the summer is out!
xx
Saturday 24 April 2010
100th Follower is..............
Friday 23 April 2010
From Russia........Swap parcel
Today I shall show what she sent me and then when her parcel arrives in Moscow I shall post what I made and sent. It is taking quite a while for her parcel to arrive.
Then these lovely and colourful Russian Dolls. they are brighter that the picture shows. Sophie really liked these.
Some lovely fabric, which I will have to think about what to make from it and a postcard which I shall keep safely. On the left there is a beaded bag charm which also has a little metal owl at the end of it. Too small for my camera to put in focus I am afraid. Lovely parcel which had to travel a very long way and my first blog friend from Russia.
Many thanks for your lovely parcel Tatyana.
You brightened up my day and created a lovely start to Spring.
xx
Thursday 22 April 2010
Quilting Fun.....ssshhhhhh, it is for Christmas
Well.....in a moment of creative weakness I found myself signing up with some of the same members to create some Christmas Blocks In the Around he World Christmas. I am sooooo sorry to say the Christmas word so early in the year but we have to start making them now so that they will be ready for the festive season.
The above logo will be in the side bar with a direct link to our flickr group. We have not actually started yet but you can also see our current Quilting Bee and all of our blocks so far. Feel free to comment on any of them and say that I sent you.
Best Wishes
xx
Monday 19 April 2010
ATC Swap Challenge
Sunday 18 April 2010
Inspired by India
Much of it are off-cuts from sari's which seems a dreadful shame that they may have been cut up so I like to think they are left overs from making the sari's.
The colours are very rich with plenty of detailing and sequins.
I am not entirely sure what to do with them yet. Any ideas?
Some kind of crazey patchwork might be needed as some of the pieces are odd shapes.
I have a couple of other projects to finish, some items to list in my shops and another quilting bee block to start. However, these lovely pieces of fabric will be in my thoughts over the next few weeks.
I hope that those of you who have had little ones at home for the past 2 weeks have had a good time. we have been very lucky with the weather here in Cornwall and I really do hope it lasts a little longer.
xx
Saturday 17 April 2010
Award Time........
Friday 16 April 2010
Vroooom! Vrooom!
It took my dear hubby a while to finally book this and it did clash with my parents visiting, but it actually made it more fun as everyone was able to have a go in it. including Sophie who had never seen a car like this before. Educational bit there, did you see that coming.
Apparently this is the most popular colour combination and being a two seater (could be four but the owners were concerned that back seat passengers heads were above the windscreen) meant that having extra people around helped otherwise we would have had an issue with Sophie. Hubby drove over to his parents and his Dad was given a ride. Even our neighbour who simply came to have a quick look got whisked around some Cornish roads!
We both then drove off my ourselves. On the way back to Fowey a very large Rook shot out of a hedge and hit the car. It frightened the life out of me as there was an almighty bang, and Hubby's face fell as he thought that it would have damaged the car and kissed good bye to his £500 deposit!!
Luckily (not for the bird of course) it did not damage the car, we had to pull over and check to be sure. There was egg all over the front bumper to it looked like the Rook had just stolen an egg and was making his get away with it.
Any way, Hubby was rather crest fallen when we had to return it the following day and I have to say that having been in a Austin Healey 3000 I can see why they are so popular.
I also think that cars today may be fast and have all the latest technology but they lack a certain something that these old classic cars had by the bucket full!!
xx
Tuesday 13 April 2010
"Kelp" scarf - Version 2
Usually I only like making one or at the most two of anything like this, but I have found it quite addictive making these. since taking these pictures I have made a nice light weight cream scarf in some very soft wool. Goes with everything and still looks very summery too.
At the moment I am working on my secret project and I have got myself a little muddled with what to send where. I may have to send an email to just confirm, but I want to get the whole thing done by the end of the week as I go back to work next week and it will get very, very hectic with exams etc. So I shall come back to this project in the near future.
I have been a little busy trying to finish some projects off last week which I hope to show here over the next few days. My parents have been visiting and the lure of the sun has kept me away from the laptop, crafting and uploading pictures. Sorry, but we see it so rarely in this country and as for several days on the trot, well we are being really spoilt at the moment. So I think we are off the the garden centre and maybe the fair ground which has just arrived in town this week.
Take care
Back tomorrow
xx
Monday 12 April 2010
More Crafty Knitting..........
Again I decided to add a 100% cotton crochet flower and in the centre I crocheted a more loopy style flower and stitched them together.
This will be my Autumn/Winter hat and for once I am ahead of schedule for a change.
The tutorial for this hat is in the margin on your left. I now have my sights on another scarf. I have a couple of patterns, just need to get some wool.
So, this hat covered several 20 minutes of crafting and was also......
my April finish for OPAM 2010.
Hubby is out working tomorrow, so Sophie and I are going to have a fun day cooking, crafting and watch a bit of TV. However if the weather is good then some gardening instead. We are making a couple of little changes you see which I have yet to photograph.
xx
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Meet my New fashion Friend - ROSE
It arrived very quickly and was well packaged. It fitted together easily and is not heavy to carry at all but is very stable with a solid wooden base. The main body is good and the fabric over the top is clean and tough so will withstand pins over a long period of time. I went for the floral option as it will look attractive even when not in use. Hence the name 'ROSE' for my dress form.
It has to have a name. I took it to school for a couple of weeks, which is why I have not posted about it sooner, to see what they thought and they really enjoyed using it. So I have permission to get another with reciepts etc for the school to have and seeing the numbers for next year I may need more tha one. The numbers taking textiles next year has doubled which I am delighted and releived about because if I could not get at least 15 students then the course was not going to be allowed to run!
Rose and I are getting on really well and she has been brought home for the holidays and we have been working together these past several days. There is another story about the bag she is wearing but I shall leave that for another day. Sorry that the pictures are a little dark but the days here have been very dull indeed!
If you would like to to know more about this dress form leave a comment because I can not find the link while I am sitting here. Why does that always happen when you are typing a post?
Take care all
xx
Saturday 3 April 2010
Felty Flower Friends...........
I do need some names for these little friends. Any ideas for the flower above? I thought Flora but was not sure.
Also, is Violet too obvious? What do you think?
Any suggestions I would love to hear from you. I have several items which have been cut out ready and I have finally managed to get some more pale blue felt but I have still not been successful in getting any light brown for the bears. Must be very popular colours at the moment.
The egg cosies were fun to make again this year and I have ideas to expand these for other times of the year. Iwill have to have a little play with the ideas to see what happens.
I have lots of things planned for the next few days, including some cooking with Sophie as I think some Easter buns will be needed and I bought a new icing gun so that Sophie can have a go as she finds the piping bag a little tricky. I also want to make some more jam because I do not seem to have made any since the end of 2008! How did that happen?
I have 97 followers which I am very grateful for and I do try to reply but I find that I can not always get to you via the followers picture so if I have not gotten back to you then I am sorry but I do appreciate your interest in my blog. I think that when/if I get to 100 I shall have a little giveaway to show my appreciation.
Well, best get off and start on the list above. Hubby is putting some new tiles up in the kitchen which should finally finish it off and I have been told that it is a job for one and who am I to disagree. Can not both get in the same corner of the kitchen I suppose.
Have a very Happy Easter!
xx