Craftgang Baby...

Hey,

So I promised you I would tell you all about my weekend!

One of the Craftgang (Tiff) was having a baby shower over the weekend and I thought it was on Sunday. So I spent Saturday morning frantically finishing off her baby quilt....

After it was finished, I patted myself on the back and got my clothes ready for the shower on Sunday.

I noticed that my phone was going nuts and it was the Craftgang asking me where I was..yep, totes got my dates wrong and the baby shower was on Saturday!!

Cue, me getting washed, dressed, make-up on, gift wrapped and in a taxi in 15 mins flat!

I am so glad I checked my phone and made it in time for at least part of it...

Then we all wake up on Sunday morning to the news that Baby Sophia made her entrance into the world at approx 8am on Sunday morning LOL!!! I am guessing she 'saw' all the beautiful clothing she had to wear and decided to get on with it!

So on Sunday I made the new baby card - which is the main photo today. I decided to do something a bit different and broke out my Silhouette Portrait and used a Lori Whitlock Elephant card template.

It was so much fun to make. You cut the card blank, the x2 elephants and the trunk hearts and ears. Super easy to assemble and I added brads for the eyes. The papers I used are by American Crafts and I have had them for years and only used 1 sheet!! I also used a purple cardstock for the card blank, ears and hearts, because Tiff loves purple.

So that was my Saturday and Sunday was spent at my desk pretty much going 'what happened yesterday?' LOL.

Cx

Happy Birthday Die..

Hey,

Happy Friday.

I made today's cards right at the start of my 'enforced hiatus', but never got round to posting them.

I loved the Happy Birthday circle die by MFT, I thought it would be super versatile.

I cut a bunch of them in white, so that I could colour them anyway I wanted.

For the main card, I took a die-cut white panel (Stitched Wonky dies by MFT) and stamped just a section of the Unity Stamp Co. Star background stamp. I coloured the HB circle using Picked Raspberry distress ink and a paintbrush. I thought it would be fun to use the Reverse Confetti Alligator here and I think the end result is a fun card that would be suitable for any age.

With the next card I used the same technique for the HB circle, but with Broken China ink. I hadn't used the awesome Reverse Confetti scalloped die yet, so I thought it would work really well here and I added a MFT Hippo.

Both cards are a bit different but I think they both work for all genders / ages.

Have a great weekend, I will be finishing the baby quilt tomorrow for the baby shower on Sunday..why have I left it to the last minute!! Tonight is date night with Hubby..yummy prime rib, here I come!

Cx

Graphic Baby Quilt...

Hey,

So far I have been to the gym twice this week and my butt has been kicked - BIG TIME!!

Anyway, remember how I can actually sew and make things other than cards?

One of my London based work colleagues has been a great friend to me since I started my job and when I heard that He and his wife were expecting I thought it would be nice to make a baby quilt for them.

Jim is a designer...so this means he is fussy, he had seen my quilt (FYI, still not 'quilted') and told me that he wanted something similar.

So I hunted for a Moda charm pack that was girly, but graphic. I decided to add pink and grey solid squares because the prints are quite full on.

The backing I found in my fave quilt store in NYC, it was on mega sale and was a lucky find as it is normally $29 a yard - NO!

This quilt came together in 4hrs - honest from start to finish, I had planned to do it over the course of 2 days, but once I got into my groove I just kept going.

There was a small panic (aka hissy fit) when I realised I didn't have any binding for the edge of the quilt. A massive hunt through my sewing boxes ensued and I found an ancient reel of pink spotty binding (from Amsterdam), which meant the swearing could be now kept to a minimum.

Here are the work in progress / finished shots that I shared on Instagram over the course of the day I was sewing the quilt...with a lot of moaning as I loathe and detest pinning...

The creative process + my beloved Sewing Machine

This was the first time I abandoned my usual method of adding the trim and I am glad that I did, I think my improvised method was much neater and quicker.

I am still in shock at how easy this was, it's a record for me and I am SO happy with the end result, as were Jim and his wife.

See I do, do other things with my time ;)

Cx

Cake and quilts...

Hey,

Hope you all had a great weekend.

I thought today I would share a card I made using some of my colouring from The Daily Marker colouring challenge last month.

It's been a 'let's eat cake' kind of weekend..we went to afternoon tea at a friend's house to meet her new Daughter - who is GORGEOUS!!

I managed to FINALLY finish her baby quilt -

I choose the Parisian Pooch fabric, because my friend and her Husband are big fans of Paris and I like all the baby quilts to have a touch of the parents incorporated.

Finishing this quilt gave me a new found love for my amazing sewing machine and it's super fast speed - meaning I got this bad boy done in under 3hrs...

This was an adventure for me, as I used flannel for the first time, it's a beast to sew, but gives superb results..

Back to my card :) The stamp is a freebie from a UK magazine, I love it, so pretty and versatile. I die-cut it using my new Gina Marie stitched scallop dies and the sentiment is by Simon Says Stamp and Hero Arts for Stamptember 2014. The best bit for me is the ancient paper from a dodgy craft expo that JT and I attended way back in 2012, it came in a huge pack and I am still working my way through it.

I am happy with the finished card and the baby quilt..

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

WOYWW #245....aaaaaaaaaaaargh

Honestly!

Do you ever get the feeling that you have bitten off more than you can chew?!

Well before I get into that, let's talk about WOYWW shall we..WOYWW is where us crazy crafters link up via our wonderful hostess Julia's blog Stamping Ground..we nose at desks, make friends and share our brand of crazy. Join in why don't you!

My desk / craft space is mental right now...you can see my plastic box of Papermania paper flowers - there are 2 pink ones on my desk, a stack of digi stamps and papers and glitterglue left over from some stuff I have been making, a heart punch and some remnants from the heart punching, my new purple pencil, my glasses, zebra print scissors (by Fiskars), my mouse and a big stack of goodies that arrived from JT tonight with a VDay card from her - love JT, she rocks.

The ongoing quilt project (aka #wtfwasIthinking) is gathering pace, as I am now actually doing the quilting part and I HATE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! Ha ha sorry to all you quilters out there but I am SO not cut out to be a quilter, such a shame, as it would seem I can make pretty quilts.

I am midway through making a top..it's simple, but I lost focus....

Top that I am working on

I have a million cards to finish kicking around all over the place and there are lots of yummy challenges I want to enter - aaaaaaaaaaaargh!

My new job is super busy and very rewarding, so now because I need a break when I get home, I am joining the cats and becoming a late night crafter..

Despite all the moaning I am rather happy right now!

Thrilled to be going home in 2 short weeks and (sorry Julia) I got a free room in AC, so Hubby and I are popping there for a quick weekend beforehand!

So thrilled that I made you lovely WOYWWers this beauty...a little Valentine's card from me to you

Valentine's Card for the WOYWW Posse

Big fat kisses to you all (see told you I was happy).

Cx

Have machine...will quilt (part 2)

Hey,

Hope you all had a nice weekend..Hubby and I managed to catch a bit of a cold on Friday, so spent the weekend napping, watching films and doing very little. We ventured out for Brunch on Sunday with JT's folks and I hit the sewing room, but that was the extent of our weekend!

I gave you a sneak preview of my pattern and the squares I had chosen last year.

I have made dozens of baby quilts, but using a very easy and 'non' quilt like method.

As I mentioned last year, I am quite fortunate that the lovely Kristin at Write it Down created a wonderful tutorial which I am semi following..semi because I am adding 2.5 inch strips around my squares. I am modifying it in this way, as I want them to be bigger, but the charm packs are quite expensive..

Today's main photo is of one of the completed quilt tops..

I am SO pleased...they are perfect and it has all been very easy to do..the pinning and ironing is TEDIOUS, but the end result is worth it.

Here are a few more photos of both quilt tops.

Blue quilt top - just needs one more set of strips

Grey quilt top - in progress, you can see one strip pinned to the top and the next 3 sewn together and ironed ready to add

Grey quilt top - this is a close-up, so you can see the detail of the strips

See I do make things other than cards :)

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

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge Blog DT Call

One of the things I would like to do the most is be part of a DT for a Challenge blog...

Loves Rubber Stamps are looking for new members for their DT and so today's post is me applying for one of the positions and explaining why I would like to be part of the team.

I love to make things - especially cards, over the last year or so I have become more adept at using stamps both rubber and digital.

I get a lot of joy out of making beautiful things for people and it is most rewarding when I send something to a friend or family member and they contact me to say how delighted they are with the item.

Moving to NYC this year means that I don't have as many friends and I no longer sell cards, so I have all this lovely spare craft time on my hands..what a perfect time to be part of a DT!

Also my beloved Craft Buddy JT, gave me a great pep talk and made me realise that I should try, even if I don't get picked.

My 3 favourite projects are -

• The Union Jack quilt I made for my friend in the Greek Cypriot flag colours to celebrate the Mother's heritage - not a card, but still a project..

Union Jack Quilt

• This card with stamped Foxes, such a fun stamp..so many possibilities and it has such a contemporary expensive feel to it, that it made me proud of me! 

Foxy Card

• The strange and wonderful Hello Tree! Stamping can bring to life all of my crazy doodles...

Hello Tree

I hope I make the team, but if not, it's been fun looking through all my projects and choosing my fave things.

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.

I'm so proud!

As you may have gathered it's all been a little bit busy in my world, but I am back (for now) I really need to find more hours in the day!

Anyway, I am totally made up right now, as I pinned the Union Jack quilt together and it looks amazing - today's pics are the ones I took before it was sewn together - I just need to add the bias tape and then voila! it is complete. I'll show you more pics when it is finished later in the week.

The apron's went down well at the Christening on Sunday and I was really pleased with how they came out - however my photos are pretty rubbish (boo!) and I'll have to wait for my friends to send me a pic to show you. I do however have pics of the babygrow that I made for Beatrice who was being Christened (tomorrow!).

It's now only 3 days to the craft market and I am packed and ready, can't stop making things though and so the craft table is full of extra bits and bobs that I considering taking - I wonder if I have too much stuff, but I think more is better than not enough!

So I'll see you tomorrow - enjoy the quilt - I've written out the steps and will scan it all in tomorrow, ready for posting with the final pic, so that you can make your own quilt.

Cx

Not enough hours in the day!

Hello!

Sorry for the absence, last week was properly mental - what with Hubby's birthday (= drunken affair), work and craft fair activities - I really didn't know if I was coming or going.

Anyway, I am a tad sad today, as I only had one entry to my competition - RHR you win the pincushion, please email me your colour choice! No matter - it's all a learning curve and I will just have to figure out how to promote myself better!

So I had a nice busy crafting weekend - I made one of the aprons ready for Sunday's Christening BBQ. I am so pleased with it, I got the pattern from Taly's Creations - she kindly let me mention her here. I hope you can make use of her really straightforward tutorial and make your own apron. I will take a pic and show you my ones - but need to take the pic during the day, they come out much better that way!

Union Jack quilt has hit a pause - due to the flannel I ordered being incorrect! I am feeling very calm about the craft market, scarves are nearly finished, cards are finished, brooches are finished, make-up bags will be complete, once the replacement zipper foot arrives (I left it out and the cats swiped it), starting baby-grows tonight, so it's all going well!

I usually get a bit excited about craft fairs and next weekend is no exception to this! I think it is going to be a good opportunity for me and my little business, I hope it works out well and that my friends are happy for me to keep crashing with them, so I can become a regular at the market.

It's my sister-in-law's birthday tomorrow and my Ma's on Sunday, so I have been making little treats for them over the last week or so and now have a little pile of pretty things to wrap, which is nice.

I need to update my craft picture stash - so I was a bit stumped about what I should have as today's pic, then I realised I could show you the pattern for the Union Jack - so that is what today's pic is!

Enjoy!

Cx

Let the madness commence

Wow! It's been a really busy week, unfortunately a bit too busy! So I didn't get to blog much this week!

As predicted I have gone into full panic about being ready for the craft fair - it's my first time at this particular fair and I want to make a good impression!

I have cut all the fabric for the purses/make-up bags and most of the scarves.

I still have to finish the baby quilt and the aprons I am making for a BBQ Christening, so I am a tad stressed right now, but secretly (or not so) loving it! The craft room looks like a week long party has been going on in there and I really need to get back to being my normal tidy self (well in the craft room I am).

I have mainly spent this weekend crafting and it's been fun! Hubby has been indulging in one of his hobbies, so we've been playing music and having shouted conversations from room to room!

I have sewn all the scarves together - including two I am making as gifts, I have started putting the make-up bags together now and will finish these Mon/Tues. I will be doing the finishing later on in the week or over the weekend, as it's Hubby's birthday on Weds.

Today's pic shows some of the cards I made this weekend, I have been experimenting with stamping and watercolour pencils! I am pretty pleased with the results.

I was very happy on Saturday to discover there is a new craft shop in Croydon, I picked up lots of sale items and I am busy trying them out, I've also been working with free stamps and papers from a craft magazine.

Anyway this has been an epic post - I'll be back to normal after this week, work will have calmed down a bit then!

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