WOYWW #303..Leaving it until the last minute...

Hey,

Yes! It is that time of the week, when we join Julia and the gang over at her blog Stamping Ground for WOYWW.

Don't know what WOYWW is? Check it out, you'll make friends and have fun.

I am super excitable this week, as I am off to Jenn Shurkus' loft art retreat in Providence..awesome, I am literally counting the sleeps...

My desk looks like a hot mess this week, because I decided I wanted to make gifts for Jenn and her cat Mister Harley..of course nothing like leaving it until 3 days before you leave...

Sigh. Do we ever learn?

I labelled my photo as it is such a mess. I had to move Winston, as he was at risk.. I've kept my March Tag out because I am super pleased with it and I am enjoying looking at it..vain! Of course I managed to sneak in to the photo :)

Here is a card for you -

I made it for Hubby's Godparents who are coming to visit in September. The stamp is by Deep Red and was part of my Black Friday haul.

See you for a nose later.

Cx

Have machine...will quilt (part 3) - Finished Quilt 1

FINALLY!!!!!

I spent the majority of Sunday getting the quilt for my Parents finished.

It is amazing, I love it, but not enough to believe it warranted all the hard work! I believe I am going to stick to cards and clothes!

I followed this superb tutorial and there isn't really that much I would do differently.

It's far to painful to get into the detail of the pinning, the cutting, the ironing, the turning and the sheer physical pain of quilting it together...did I mention the pinning?!

Here are a few more photos that document the latter stages..including my furry helpers!

Archie helping Mummy, by sleeping on the Quilt!

The trim all pinned onto the nicely furry Quilt - thanks Archie!

Boscat and the finished Quilt...2 mins later she was on it!

If you are interested you can view the earlier stages here and here.

It has been handed over to my folks, who love it, so that almost makes it alright!

Thing is I can't quite say never again, as Quilt number 2 needs to be finished...sometime between now and retirement!

Cx

Have machine...will quilt..

Image from Kristen @ write it down.

So since I got my new machine, I have been itching to make my first BIG quilt..I have made many baby quilts, but never a bed sized one (gulp...am I mad?!)

I stumbled across a website called Missouri Star Quilt Co. Their website is gorgeous and introduced me to Moda fabrics (yums).

I have decided to be overly ambitious and make 2 quilts...one for me, one for my Mum and Dad...(once again am I mad?!). I am not completely crazy though and have decided to follow this wonderful tutorial at Write It Down...makes it all look nice and easy.

As I am being ambitious, I decided to introduce plain squares into the quilt, this makes it a bit cheaper to make.

I have settled on American Basics by Windham Fabrics -

This colourway will be the quilt for my Mum and Dad and I am going to use plain Navy squares and hopefully a spotty backing...but lets not get carried away with thinking about the backing just yet...

For my quilt I will be using Comma by Moda Fabrics and mixing it up with Silent Film solids by Kona

The main photo is of a finished quilt that I am 'roughly' aiming for and here is a photo of the pattern I have created for the quilts....an x means a patterned square and my quilts will be approx 45 x 70 inches.

I am hoping it will all go smoothly and that shortly after Christmas I will be able to show you at least 1 completed quilt.....stay tuned...

Cx

Oops!

Ha ha yesterday I mentioned my shiny new noticeboard that I made myself, but I forgot to show a photo of it (think I was tired as I worked so late the night before).

So today's main photo is my new noticeboard.

I made it by modifying a reasonably priced one (Target $12) by Board Dudes..I wanted a board that you can pin stuff on and use magnets..fussy fussy.

I used my hot glue gun (for the first time ever..) and it wasn't quite as scary as I thought it would be! I used Ikea fabric that I bought to make the lampshades for our flat in London and masking tape on the back around the edges of the fabric, to make it all tidy.

On the lovely new noticeboard you can see magnetic pots - $1.50 for 2 from Michaels - I am planning on filling them with things that I use often, but can't keep in reach due to logistics..so far I have googly eyes in the white one (Hubby's suggestion) and fabric bows in the yellow one. Also on there are x2 images I created using stencils and distress inks.

Stenciling is new for me and I am pleased at how well they have come out. Here is another one -

Love Stencil

I am going to buy some more inks tonight on my way home and have a bit more of a play...I got a big pack of stencils for free with a magazine ages ago, so I have lots of choice.

Final photo for today shows the noticeboard in relation to my desk - sorry the photo is a bit dark.

Noticeboard - in situ

Cx

Let there be light

Since the flat got a makeover, I have been looking for the perfect lampshades for the bedroom and the hallway.

Everything I liked was too expensive - £45 upwards - eek! So I decided that I'd make my own. After trawling the internet I came up with a couple of options of how to do this, my favourite one came from BHG.

I made my parents take me to Ikea to buy inexpensive plain lampshades and I got the fabric there too, I like Ikea fabric, as it's a bit funky and not too expensive.

2 lampshades and 2 metres of fabric cost me £31, which I think is pretty good.

To make both lampshades it took about an hour and I only made 2 mistakes!!

Essentially, all you are doing is recovering a lampshade, so you could buy a second hand lampshade or recover an existing one. Just make sure that the lampshade doesn't have a strong pattern that will show through.

Birdie Lampshade for the Hallway

My 2 mistakes were actually really dumb ones to make, but you live and learn right? Mistake number one - I didn't check how the lampshades would hang from the light fitting I just assumed, so the birdie lampshade for the hallway has the pattern upside down! Hubby assures me that only I will notice this. Not convinced, but it's a sweet thing to say. Mistake number two - I didn't place my pattern to the edge of the fabric when I was cutting the grey flowered one (today's main photo) for the bedroom, so had to use ribbon to hide the joins. I actually think that this mistake has enhanced the lampshade.

I decided not to put a trim round the edges of the lampshades and if you decide to do it this way, you have to trim the edges really neatly, fortunately I have the most lethal dressmaking scissors, which help keep things neat.

I want to make lots of them now, as it was a super easy and fun project. My Dad thinks I am mad and must have better things to do with my time. Ha ha, that's crafters for you.

Cx

Happy New Year!

A bit late!

It all got a bit hectic in my world after the HamnMule website launch. Moving office, Christmas, Vegas - quite a lot going on. Hence the lack of blogging.

Hubby and I enjoyed our holibobs in Vegas, but we were glad to come home and get some rest!!

But you'll be glad to know that I have been crafting away quite merrily and got lots of lovely goodies to play with for Christmas and I have bought a few things in the January sales for myself. I also managed to acquire a fair amount of craft booty from Michael's in Vegas. We are off to NYC this year and I can't wait to hit the Michael's there!

Anyway I thought I would make my first post of 2012 about my gorgeous nephew Otis. I decided to make him an advent calendar for 2012 and beyond. He was too young this year to get any joy out of it, so it seemed like a great thing to make for him this year.

I decided I would leave this until the last minute, as I bought a kit to cheat a bit, but that turned out to be a big mistake. The kit wasn't as complete as I had thought, so I had to trawl craft stores and sites the week before Christmas looking for self-adhesive felt shapes and numbers! Fortunately I had a fair few and MM on Christmas Eve delivered what I needed to finish it. Cue frantic sewing before dinner and the traditional trip to the Pub to see the MM Posse! Nightmare. However I must say I am really chuffed with the outcome!

Here a few pics (sorry some of them are not great) to show the process (note I changed the way the name tab was made). Once again, I am really pleased with the end result, but I doubt I will make another one in a hurry :)

I'll be back tomorrow with some Valentine's cards that I have made - some today and some yesterday when I had a craft afternoon with my craft buddy JT. More about that tomorrow and JT's new blog.

Cx

Yum! Sunday Dinner!

Yes, I love Sunday dinner! Hubby and I had roast beef and it was delicious!

Aside from consuming dinner (and working), I put the finishing touches to the Valentine's cards and decided I would post my card for the following 2 challenges -

Do You Stack Up - #4 Patterned Paper
Corrosive Challenges - #100 Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

I like this card because it's really simple and has special meaning as my friend Lianne is moving to Dubai and she gave me some buttons that she had and couldn't take with her, so I re-used her re-cycled buttons, sweet! I think Lianne would be pleased at how I have used the button.
The striped paper is by American Crafts and the blue embossed spotty paper is by coredinations, which I embossed using a Cuttlebug folder (in my Textured Impressions Embosser). The birthday stamp was free and I used Navy Hobbycraft ink. The blue corrugated card flower is by Craft Essentials and they come in 3 colours.

Lianne also gave me some offcuts of fabric and I am going to make a mobile for Lucy & Stu's new baby, using them.

I've also finished the diary cover, so I'll post pics of that later on in the week.

Cx

Sew Beautiful!

Hello!

Diary Cover - from Tokyo Textiles

So despite the rather cardmaking heavy focus of my blog, it does not mean I have by any means stopped sewing.

My wedding planner Marie - who has become a very good friend, has asked me to make her a diary cover. I jumped at the opportunity to try something new and to use some great fabrics from my stash. Marie is quite a girly girl, so I have trawled through my fabrics, trying to find something to suit her and I have 2 choices, so I have decided to make two covers and let her choose! Did I mention that she kindly offered to pay me. I haven't declined the offer of payment, instead I told her to decide what she thinks it's worth and gave her a price range - I think this is a good idea.

So making a diary cover is pretty straightforward, but I do not like to waste fabric, so decided to hunt for a tutorial and came across this one on Tokyo Textiles I am already a fan of their fabrics, which they sell online - their current site is a pilot to see what people want - great idea, I should totally try this with my things! Because I am already a fan, I was delighted to find a tutorial on their site.

In honour of both Marie and Tokyo Textiles, today's pic is the finished diary cover from the tutorial, I should have mine to show you in a couple of days.

I didn't win the DYSU Challenge 1 - but I don't mind, my time will come and I was inspired by their challenge blog to enter a challenge so that's pretty cool. Also I really loved looking at the other entries - people are very talented, I have much to learn.

On a final note for this week, Hubby and I are very excited as my Dad is coming to lay the new floor in our bedroom tomorrow - which means we will soon be dust / cat hair free under our bed, as we are laying a laminate floor. Yipee!

Have a good weekend, I'll be back on Monday (maybe Tuesday).

Cx

Which way round does it go?!

So as I mentioned yesterday I have been exploring new things to make.

I've always liked to sew, but have been pretty useless at using patterns, until I got a copy of Sew Magazine - which I now subscribe too.

Not only do they give you a free pattern, but the instructions are really really clear.

I've had quite a few successes this year with their patterns - I made 2 beautiful tops and have modified the pattern to make a longer tunic style version - check me out!

Because of this success, I thought for Christmas it would be nice to try out a new tote bag pattern, it's working really well and I think they will be a hit!

I love Simplicity patterns, they are simple! I have a couple of new ones that I am going to try out over the Christmas break, as they are for dresses and you need a bit more time than I have right now. Also as I mentioned before I don't find sewing that relaxing, so it will be nice to sew when I have oodles of time.

Today's picture is of one of the patterns that I will be trying to make - a touch more advanced than usual, but I am getting braver and braver - especially now that I understand how to use patterns. I really want dress B, that is soooo going to become a wardrobe staple (if I get it right!). Dress b also looks like something I am coverting on the M&S website, so if I can make it for less than the 39.99 they want, I will be dead chuffed!

Making clothes is something I would love to do more, but it does require a bit more time than I generally have. I remember a really good piece of advice about not starting too many projects at once, as you can get overwhelmed with all the 'work in progress'.

The other good thing about using patterns is that you don't get so much waste, as you know exactly how much fabric you need. I have some really beautiful fabrics, that I am going to use to make the Cynthia Rowley dress b.

I love fabric so much and one of my favourite places is Gaga Fabrics, check out their store - their stuff is AMAZING! They sell Robert Kaufman fabric, Japanese imports, Amy Butler patterns (my summer tops were an Amy Butler pattern) and lots more. They aren't the cheapest, but price is not always the key - their range is so great and their shop is really easy to use and these things often make me happier than a bargain (geek).

Cx

p.s a final shout out to Pam from Chicks of a Feather, her blog has been my solace for such a long time, it fills me with joy to know that she reads mine and likes it!

November Craft Fairs

So November is going to be a busy one for me - first my friend's Mum is hosting a mini craft fair at her house (with me as the only seller), then I go on the photography course that Hubby bought me for my birthday, then on the 21st and the 28th I am doing 2 more craft fairs!

I really enjoy craft fairs, I like talking to people and it makes me feel so chuffed when people compliment me on my items - it's a lot of work to create enough stuff to sell, so it's nice to get positive feedback.

The picture today is the poster for the fair on the 28th November in Leicester, I am looking forward to that one a lot, as I will be heading to Melton Mowbray on the Friday night, so we can spend the weekend with my in-laws and Hubby's godmother - we haven't seen them in forever, so it will be nice to catch-up before a big day of selling!

I realised the other day that whilst it is nice to specialise in certain craft items, it's always nice to mix it up a bit and I have used Christmas as the perfect opportunity to try out new things and test my skills.

I have made paperweights using the stones I brought back from the beach in Cornwall, they are gorgeous - I must take a picture for you. I enjoyed making these, quick, easy and the results far outweigh the effort required! I have loved making the felt decorations, but I haven't loved painting the wooden ones, so I don't think I'll be doing that again.

All the Christmas crafting has also given me an excuse to buy new tools and I did finally buy a Sizzix Texture Boutique, which I love - it's so easy to use and you can use Cuttlebug embossing folders too - just check the size, as the Texture Boutique has a smaller apperture!

I am going to attempt not to spend any money in November on my stash, but I'm not sure if I can actually manage this! In my lunch hour today, I went to the art supply shop and spent £6 - no will power! I can't resist craft stuff!

Cx

Busy Busy Busy!

Hello there!

Well it's all been hectic in my world, Hubby and I have been doing way too much socialising!

I delivered the Union Jack baby quilt I made for my friend's baby Daughter - it looked amazing, they loved it, so all the nerves and hard work was worth it.

Also, as I previously mentioned I have started the Christmas Crafts, so I have been busy cutting templates for the things I want to make, making cards, priming the wooden Christmas decorations, buying paint and surprisingly taking orders for Christmas. So the 150 cards I have already made are effectively sold, which is amazing and really satisfying, but means I have to up my productivity - I forsee quite a few late nights ahead!

I have also been looking at purchasing a Sizzix Texture Boutique - I like the idea of embossing and like the look of the Cuttlebugs, but as I have a Slice, this seems an expensive purchase just for embossing. I am going to sleep on it and probably buy it tomorrow.

Hubby and I are on mini holibobs to Amsterdam this weekend, which will be fun as usual - today's pic was taken on our last trip, I hope to take a few more pics this weekend. It's tricky when you have been to a place quite a lot, you need to be careful not to take photos of the same old same old.

I am also happy that we are going back to Amsterdam, as I can visit my fave shop Hema, which stocks some amazing craft things, so I intend to make a few purchases to add to my stash. There is also a Monday morning textile market - which is really amazing. Not sure Hubby is down with the textile market, but I am sure I can deposit him somewhere with a book and coffee!

Following on from the Berkhamsted Craft Market, I have been working on my presentation for the Christmas Fair in Leicester. I have purchased a couple of stands to display my products better and I have also bought some really beautiful boxes for my brooches. I am also planning to take a mini Christmas tree + lights to display the Christmas decorations.

Anyway that's it from me for now, I will be back next week to show you my Amsterdam purchases.

Gifts For Babies. A Tutorial.

I like making gifts for babies and one of my favourite things to make are babygrows.

Well it's a bit of a cheat really, as I don't actually make the babygrow, but I buy good quality ones in packs.

I have found that the parents love receiving personalised gifts, so I use the Slice (there are lots of fun tutorials on the Slice site) to cut the initial of the baby - as shown here in today's pic - B for Beatrice.

It's really easy to do -

1. Choose your fabric (needs to be lightweight if you are using the Slice to cut)
2. Iron on some fusible web (Making Memories do their own, but a decent lightweight fusible web will do), but leave the backing sheet on
3. Choose your initial / shape and either draw onto the fabric and cut out, or use your Slice to do this
4. Remove your initial / shape from the fabric and peel off the backing and iron onto the babygrow
5. Then using a decorative stitch on your machine, sew around the shape
6. Give the babygrow one last iron, iron on your nametab and the babygrow is complete.

Really easy to do - a good tip is to wash the babygrow and the fabric, so they don't shrink later. Also you can always embellish the design further - especially if you use a shape, I often sew a button or a ribbon bow, but becareful to make sure that these are affixed really well, we don't want babies pulling them off and swallowing them!

Have a good day.

Cx

Cards are king!

Well, Saturday's craft market went well, it started really slow and I was a bit worried, but it came good in the end.

The best thing about the market was learning so much! I have a few things to work on  -

• my display - needs to be a bit more professional, I need to buy racks for the cards and something to display the brooches and scarves better
• my table covering - I think it needs to be a really beautiful piece of fabric or a really bold colour and I should have a Christmassy one
• sewing - so I've mastered the brooches and scarves, now it's time to look at cushions and other soft furnishings

There are a few other things for me to consider, but those are the main ones.

Today's pic is of one of the cards I sold. On Saturday cards were the big sellers. I didn't expect that and I am really chuffed to bits. I think the 3 for £5 deal on the cards really works. Also, I got lots of compliments about my card designs and some great feedback on what people are looking for. This is really helpful, as I often work a bit 'blind' to what people might need, I mean I have a loose idea, but it's nice to have that cemented and to have new things to consider.

All in all, it was well worth it - I got to hang with my friends and their baby, met some cool people at the craft market, sold some of my stock, made some money and learnt some stuff.

Now, it's time to sit down and plan for the Leicester Christmas Market at the end of November.

Cool!

Cx

I love scarves!

Hello!

Hope it's hot enough for you - it's very hot here in London. I am going to spend the day loafing around in my Ma's garden, awaiting the return of hubby from Cornwall.

Scarves are of the items that I make and sell lots of. They are quite straight forward to make and I like to experiment with different types of fabric.

Both my Ma and my Mother-in-Law, like scarves make out of jersey!

I on the otherhand, quite like satins and chiffons - today's pic is me wearing one of my own creations made from a really beautiful super shiny satin.

Everywhere I go, I always keep my eyes peeled for a couple of metres of fabric that will make nice scarves, I restrict myself to 2-3 scarves per piece of fabric, depending on the size of the fabric. I do this, because then the scarves become 'limited editions', which lots of people like. I also restrict myself, as my fabric 'stash' is fast outgrowing my storage system and I am sure hubby is going to start selling it on eBay if I buy too much more!

I will post a couple of pictures next week of 2 of my friends wearing their fave scarves that they have purchased from me, it's really nice to see people in my creations.

I love to give scarves as gifts, but this Christmas I think I'm going to have to come up with another gift idea for the ladies, as most of my friends and family are proud owners of several of my scarves!

Cx

July is gonna be busy!

So I am back from my holibobs in Cornwall, brief but fun!

I took some awesome pics whilst away and once I have sorted them out, I'll post a few up for you to see.

I've suddenly realised that July is going to be a busy month, as I am doing a craft fair on 7th Aug (hence today's pic) and I had a quick peek through my stock and realised that I need to get myself behind my sewing machine for about 2 weeks!! Oops!

No matter, I love to sew and I have spent tonight cutting out pieces for scarves and make-up bags, I've finished a whole batch of brooches and so I'm feeling pretty relaxed about it all. However I always say that, then 2 days before the fair (much to my Hubby's dismay) I panic that I don't have enough stock and stay up for 2 nights straight sewing my socks off!

Do you remember in my first post, I mentioned that I am making a Union Jack baby quilt? Well I started cutting the fabric tonight and it looks yummy, I am very excited. I'll take some pics, once the pieces are all cut out, so you can follow it's progress.

I guess I should say goodnight as it's the wrong side of midnight and I have a day job to do!

Cx

Weddings, Fabric and Baby Quilts

Hello!

I am very excited about my first post on my shiny new blog.

I spent the weekend at a lovely country Wedding in Leicestershire, which gave me the opportunity to indulge my love of fabric with a small trip to the fabric stalls at the market.

If you have never been to Leicester market, I really would advise that you try to at some point, the fabric stalls are great and the stall holders are really knowledgeable and helpful, but the fresh produce sold in the market is great too.

Anyway, I had a perfectly valid reason for visiting the market, as I am about to start making a baby quilt for a friend. He has made a special request for a quilt that has the Union Jack on it, but in the Cypriot flag colours (white, olive and orange), to reflect the new arrival's heritage! It's a bit of a departure for me, but I think it should come out quite well and I will post pics when it's complete.

The pic here (which is not great I'm afraid, but I'm working on that!) is of a quilt that I made earlier in the year.

Cx