Slow Living Make it Mindful

Well I have missed a day of this challenge due to being ill this past few days, it began with awful cramps on Wednesday evening then a terrible night as it kicked in.  I believe it is food poisoning due to some mushrooms I ate, my husband did say there was an odd smell but I thought it was the lamb I was cooking for him!   Anyway here I am finally up but on the sofa with a blanket I have managed a banana and a little porridge this afternoon but my stomach does not seem impressed.

So I had to do something before I go mad with boredom so laying here typing this is about all I can manage right now.  I have decided to re-share a project I made at Christmas for today as I obviously haven't been able to create anything new, also I feel the theme of slow living demands a project that took time to create and this one fits the bill.  It is this little jacket and penguin I made as a Christmas gift, the penguin was unpicked about three times and the jacket came together over a week.  It was an enjoyable process and some things don't need to be rushed.  Sorry for repeating myself for those of you that have seen this before but maybe a few readers haven't and I did so want to complete the whole challenge.

I think the reason my little penguin took so long was that it was supposed amigurumi, it was coming out too small for my liking but maybe it was supposed to be like that.  Anyway in the end I just went ahead and made it my way, so it turned out a better size but perhaps not with the tight stitch it should have had.

Hopefully I will be able to have a go at some more of these little toys, so if anyone has any tips on making them it would be appreciated.  I think some of the online patterns don't always explain things properly especially if crochet is not your area of expertise.

I'm hoping to have a bit more energy tomorrow, or rather hoping, two nights without sleep and no food has left me washed out.  Let me know if you have posted anything to this challenge, I haven't seen anything so far from people I follow but then I didn't look at it at all yesterday so maybe I have missed some of your makes.

It is half term here ,so for any of you that are with me in that I hope you have a restful break.

My Happy Space

So today the theme for world craft week is the space where we create, I don't have a separate room for my sewing but I do use one corner of our sun room.  This tends to be the best place for me as I can be keeping an eye on whatever I am cooking (it is next to the kitchen), I can let the dogs out easily without too much interruption and I still feel somewhat sociable. My son's will sometimes come and have a quick chat while I am making as they pop in the kitchen for a snack, it works for me and the lighting is pretty good.

You may recognise this image as I also use it on my banner at the top, it does now have the upcycled sewing box in the image on the right.

I don't have a great deal of storage for fabric, just a box under the desk and some drawers in a bureau in the dining room.  This does mean that I do not really hoard fabric but I do save all the little bits from projects and they all fit nicely in a shopping bag that is also stored under the desk.

Most of my cutting is done at the dining table while I occasionally use the floor, that is not ideal though as the dogs want to be involved.  I have in fact trained the older two to stay on the sofa if I am cutting but the youngest just wants to be next to me all the time, he is getting better and will sit still now after a few prompts.

I have toyed with the idea of going up into the loft as it feels a bit of wasted space up there but then I would be tucked away from everyone.  I am not sure I would prefer that, although some of you may think that sounds like heaven.  How about you? Do you dream of a quiet nook to sew in or do you prefer to work in the middle of the house with life going on around you?

There was a skirt alteration to do this evening after work so I was actually relieved that todays theme for the challenge was an image of our craft spaces.  When I am making I like to take my time and ponder if it is something new, that is quite difficult if you only have an hour to get something made, photographed and published.  Tomorrow is my half day at work so that will free up a chunk of time for making.



Etsy shop

Inspired by Nature

Here I am with day two of world craft week and today's theme is 'Inspired by...' so I chose nature and decided to make a wreath.

 I have using recycled materials for this pretty much in the same way I made my previous crochet wreath here.  I used the plastic lid from a circular tub with a hole out, I covered it in a shredded plastic bag and then I wrapped it in hessian.  I folded the hessian under as I went along.

It is a good way to make something pretty out of leftover bits and bobs.

As you can see here it was daylight when I started this.

I had quite a lot of small bits of felt leftover from previous projects but I always keep them, just as well because they come in  handy for little flowers like these. I have only just finished this after work and making the tea so it is now 8.30.  Nothing like a challenge week to focus the creativity!  This little wreath will be a gift for my mum along with some real plants for her garden that I am going to plant for her on Friday.

There will be some serious thinking about what to make for tomorrows challenge as I have a dress to take up for a colleague after work too.  Maybe something I can do sat in a chair in the living room.

Make it Mindful

I only just found this out but it is world craft week, is anyone else joining in with this?  My make was a quick coaster this evening as it was all I had time for after tea, I really enjoyed it though and I think I will make a full set of little elephant coasters.  Note to self though, do not try to bind the rest with the floaty fabric it is just not the thing, but it was just the right theme so that was why I chose it.  There is a theme for each day and today is make it with colour, that was why I did an Indian elephant.  If you want to join in here is the link world craft week.

Also this week I have made another bag with the santoro fabric that was left, some more faux leather and a charity shop bag.  I love this bag too!   It is very difficult listing things for my Etsy shop because I always want to keep them but if I always do that I will just become a hoarder  so I must be a bit ruthless.  My mum said if it doesn't sell in a month it is a sign to keep it, so maybe I will go with that plan.

The wardrobe gap filling has started, I  made a black t-shirt but being me I couldn't just leave it there and I found a bit of black broderie anglaise and added a panel to the front to jazz it up a bit.  Well it is still a black t-shirt so I did  what I set out to do.  I used to the top of a dress pattern for this make, I just made it longer.  I tried it on and made adjustments where required, it worked out really well.

This is the dress pattern I used.

I made some bias binding using some black cotton scraps I had left, I get the idea a bias binding tool would be good for this as I have a habit of catching my fingers with the iron, I think the tool probably prevents this from happening.

Let me know if you are joining in with the craft week, I hope to be back each day this week with something new.

Etsy shop

Early Summer Sewing

Well, call me optimistic but I have made a start on my summer sewing already and I know we are nowhere near.  Oh well we can dream, and to kick off my summer wardrobe I have made a lovely floaty sun dress.  I know there are gaps in my current wardrobe that probably need filling first but when you get sent this gorgeous fabric what can you do?  This dress is going to be a favourite I feel, the full post will be shared later on Minerva crafts but for now I thought I would share a peek.

I love this fabric and it also comes in a black design, needless to say I had to make a little lining for the bottom half or otherwise it may have felt like I wasn't wearing very much!  The plan was nip outside for some photographs in this but it started to rain and the wind was blowing all afternoon, I don't think they would have made  good images.

There are a couple of pieces of jersey sitting on my sewing table waiting to be made into t-shirts, it is a quick job but I have not decided on the style yet.  The plan is to make both a little different if only in terms of sleeve length and neckline.  These will be wardrobe gap filling projects as  I keep pulling out a patterned skirt and thinking I need more plain tops.  I did mention this last year and then what did I go and do?  I bought patterned fabric and made tops that I now wear with jeans!

During the week I have been flicking through some sewing magazines that a friend gave me a while ago, this has provided me with a couple more online fabric shops that I didn't know of and a couple of new blogs to read.  I have also been making a note of different styles I like in them so I can copy, I don't always use patterns so sometimes it is just a case of having an image to go on.  One dress in particular caught my eye and I had just bought a £5 duvet cover from the charity shop with more or less the same colours and a very similar print.  So that is one plan for recycling that item.

Later today I have a jumpsuit to modify the shoulders on for someone, this is to make it look  little more dressy and my son has informed me that his pockets have gone through on some of his jeans so they need repairing (or rather remaking!)  I think I'll have a walk with the dogs before I start.


Etsy Shop

March Inspiration

It is finally looking a bit brighter morning and evening and my creativity seems to have woke up a little.  The weather is all over the place  but at least it's light so I don't feel like I'm venturing to and from work in the middle of the night (dramatic I know but I loath short days), daylight does wonders for the mood.   I made another bag last week inspired by all the gorgeous daffodils that are everywhere, a few recycled bits and pieces and a repurposed strap from another bag that is no longer used.  The idea for this bag has been in my head for a while but it was the daffodils that finally brought it together in my head I think.

 I have added it to my Etsy shop I will put the link at the bottom from now on as I don't quite know how to add it at the side!  If it doesn't sell after a few months I will have it, it cheers me up.  The problem with that is I often think that so I would never want to part with anything.
There may be other bags along this nature theme as I really enjoyed stitching the design on this one, it is also a great way to showcase lovely bits of fabric you have leftover.

My modern twinset was featured on Minerva crafts here a couple of days ago, I did intend to share that on the day but I had wrote down the 13th for some dizzy reason.  Here is a reminder anyway the full post is available by  following the link above.

The top has had lots of wear already not so much the jacket so I have a feeling the top is going to fade much quicker.

I finally found a fiction book I am enjoying at the moment in fact it is almost finished, it is called The Wonder by Emma Donoghue.  It is historical and I am finding I enjoy that particular kind of fiction more.  I picked it up because I liked the cover as they say you shouldn't but this time it paid off.

I have had a bit of a run of starting books that had a lot of hype or good reviews and they have been terrible, so it does make you wonder how some books get so much attention.  Although I have put quite a few on order at the library so let's hope they are worth a look.


Etsy shop

A Quick Sweater

In my quest to add more tops and everyday wearable items to my wardrobe I ordered this knit fabric from Minerva a couple of weeks ago.  It is a good weight, not too heavy but just right for this time of year when it is still cold but you don't want a really thick jumper on.   I decided to use a favourite long sleeved top of mine that I made last year, I know it fits well I made the pattern for it and it gets a lot of wear.

Working again  with just the one metre I had to get creative with the sleeves to have the pattern in the right direction.  This time I chose to do a deep cuff otherwise there wasn't enough fabric to make the sleeves long enough.

This worked well I think and at least these little setbacks force me to add a bit of detail here and there where otherwise it might not have happened.  I also wanted to add some interest at the neck, I have done this detail before on a black top.  I cut the neck round then made a slit, after that I added binding and hemmed it, finally fishing the effect by hand gathering it down to create a slightly rouched effect.

I am not about to stitch over there I just rested the needle there a moment to get an image for you.

The colours are nice and bright and it is comfortable to wear, I do feel I have to force myself to make practical items even though I need them.  It just always seems to me that dresses are more fun especially the impractical ones, but then they sit in the wardrobe waiting for a rare night out!

There is a definite need for some more plain black tops to go with the colourful skirts I have made, or navy perhaps, it is just a case of buying the plain fabric because it is not very exciting.  Maybe if I can find some with a texture on it will inspire me a bit more.

I have decided to give Etsy another go, I had a few bags packed away that I had made a while ago and I intend to add to that each week.  I got quite excited because I listed last weekend and got a sale on Monday evening.  They are a modest sum which doesn't really reflect the time spent but it is always nice to see that people want the things you make. Here is a link if anyone would like a peek, my etsy shop 

A Flamingo Makeover

Last week I was wondering what to do with the fabulous flamingo wrapping paper that I bought from Wenthworth garden centre. A few ideas came to mind like notebooks and storage boxes but I still felt it needed to be on display as it is too pretty to hide in a cupboard. Julie at  My Threadbare Life suggested putting it in a frame, that is also a good idea but then I spotted one of my sewing boxes that was looking a bit tired.  I had painted the vintage box when it was given to me some years ago but it was starting to get a bit faded and scuffed.  It is one the boxes I use for some of my cottons and many of you may have one the same.

Here it is with its new flamingo cover...

I started off cutting out all the pieces by carefully laying the paper on then making a little fold where I needed to cut.  Originally I started out with some very sticky glue that was not a good idea and just made a mess, a trusty glue stick from Asda worked much better I just made sure I put plenty on.  It could really do with a clear coat of varnish now but I haven't any at the moment.  All the ones I have seen in the shops have a slight yellow tinge to them and I don't want that.  Any ideas would be welcome.

When I had placed all my paper pieces there was still a little bit of cream paint showing around the edges of the drawers.  Luckily I had a little pale green paint leftover from when I did the makeover on my hall cupboard here Retro cupboard makeover, it was a little pale for this so I added a little dark green from my son's paints he had when he was younger.  I kept the little box of paints and brushes  as I knew they would come in useful and they often do!

This has given it a new lease of life and the wrapping paper was only £2.49, there were so many lovely designs I will have to keep them in mind for any future makeovers.  There is still a small amount of paper left so maybe it will go around a pencil pot or something like that.

Here it is before I started with my  original paint job, it has many more years of life left in it.  I think the old lady who originally owned it would be pleased to see it is still being put to good use.

Etsy Shop