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