Tuesday Treasury - Sewing Machine

I've spent a lot of time sewing over the past few days, so I decided to pick some sewing machine themed goodies for this weeks treasury ...

  

Top Row:-

'The Singer' Ink Drawing (Print) -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/InkandStylus
Grey Felt Sewing Machine Brooch -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/foxbunting

Bottom Row:-
Vintage Sewing Machine Photo -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/MoontidePhotography
Miniature Singer Sewing Machine Necklace -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/YellowSquirrel

Bunting - Part 2

An afternoon on the sewing machine means that my bunting is finally finished! There is a long length edged with pink tape and a short length edged in white.

Just before I took this picture the clock fell on my head!

Yet again these are goodies for my daughter's room - a slight refurb' is a lot cheaper than a full makeover!

Now i've got the hang of this technique i'm planning to make some Christmas bunting for the living room, perhaps adding some surface decoration this time.

Bunting - Part 1

A couple of months ago I bought some pretty spotty, gingham and floral fabric to make some bunting. The fabric stayed in the bag for ages and then finally I made a triangle template and got it all cut out.

...And then the triangles went back in the bag for a while and I did some other bits and bobs.

I seemed to get the 'sewing up the triangles' done in a couple of evenings and then turned everything the right way round with my trusty 7mm knitting needle to hand for the pointy bits.

Today I have been attaching the tape. Everything takes me such a long time because i'm a pin, tack and machine girl (I can still see my Needlework teacher growling at people who did not)! I used all three metres of pink twill tape that I had bought, and have five 'flags' left, just enough to make a short length to go above a door.

I'll get on the machine tomorrow to finish the bunting off, but for now I think it's time to relax with a glass of wine.

Cheers to slow crafting!

Vintage Twist

I love Saturdays where I don't need to go out. I've had a lovely day sorting through my fabrics and buttons, and i've made some beaded jewellery. Unfortunately it was too dull to take photographs by the time I had finished.
I did however have chance to take some photographs of this wonderful print by Claire Barone (Vintage Twist), taken from her original painting 'Midnight Garden'. I have bought it for my daughter (part of her bedroom refurbishment).

The print is very unusual in that it is mounted on wood and embellished with beads and buttons. You can see the buttons on this detail shot of the dress.

I'm sure that my daughter will want some more things from her gorgeous shop!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/vintagetwist

I discovered this shop thanks to CraftyLittleMia's blog, she's very good at finding lovely things on Folksy. Thanks Mia x.
http://craftylittlemia.wordpress.com/
http://www.folksy.com/shops/CraftyLittleMia

Yes!

A few months ago I went on a trek to John Lewis to buy Amy Butler's Lotus Tunic pattern and some fabric ...
The fabric I got, but not the pattern! It had sold out in the store and I couldn't find it anywhere on line. I bought another pattern for an alter-neck top (which might get sewn together for next Summer)!
So I was thrilled when I spotted the Lotus Tunic pattern in House of Fraser today! Obviously I snapped it up, but then discovered that they only sell fat quarters of fabric in this branch! I'm sure I have some fabric in my stash that I could use, so i'll need to have a sort through that tomorrow.

Amy's website is worth checking out, there are some great free patterns you can download, and a fabulous inspiration section full of wonderful images.

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php

Rainy Day Bunting

So, more dreadful rain today! It's been a productive day, i've finally sewn up the 'skirt' i've been making for my daughter's dressing table, and i've made loads of bunting.
I remember rainy days like this as a child. My mum used to give us the clothes airer, a blanket and some pegs, and we would build a den in the living room. I used to let my daughter do something similar when she was small, though it usually involved a Barbie pop-up tent too!
Inspired by these memories I have produced a colour and make sheet of Rainy Day Bunting, something for the children to do during this horrid weather. They should print out on an A4 sheet if you save them first.

Colour them in, add glitter and collage bits, or paint. Then cut them out and fold them in half along the dotted lines. Sort out some string or yarn and attach the bunting flags, putting them over the string, adding glue and pressing them 'shut'.
Now you can drape them over your rainy day den.

Altered Book Swap - Part 6

Just a very quick update, because it's a long time since i've talked about this project. My final book altering is done, I haven't altered the whole book, but i've done the ideas I intended to.
This one has taken a long time. I completely lost my book-altering 'mojo', and on occasions it has had to take second (third or fourth) place to other projects.
I suppose the difficulty is that you have to work on the book in a relatively short space of time. I keep a sketchbook and know that it can take me anything from 6 months to 2 years to fill one depending on the thickness and format, and you also have an 'audience' for what you put in the book, as oppose to a sketchbook being very personal.
Anyway, it's parcelled up ... yes - I would do this sort of challenge again ... and no - no pictures until it arrives at it's destination!
I will write two more altered book posts, one to show you what i've done with this final book and one to show off my own book when it returns.

Tuesday Treasury - In the kitchen

Leading on from my Great British Book of Baking review at the weekend, I have a mini-treasury of lovely kitchen things. I've tried to include things that are useful, that way you can convince yourselves that there is a valid reason for having a browse!

Top Row:-
Pair of Printed Porcelain Bowls, imagine these filled with scoops of pastel-coloured icecream -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/pennyspoonerceramics
'How To Boil An Egg' Tea Towel, to use or decorate a wall -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/YouSayThatYouLoveMe

Bottom Row:-
Pastel Blue oil decanter, I do actually need a new one of these, the spout had gone missing on mine! -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/jmlpottery
Spatula Spurtle, a traditional tool for stirring porridge, such a good idea, I usually end up using a spoon to stir then a spatula to serve -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/CheshireWoodware

I was a teenage vampire ...

Well, not strictly true, but it explains some of my latest purchases ...
They weren't actually for me, but for my daughter who is a massive Twilight fan, or 'Twihard'. I'm quite impressed that she does venture onto Folksy looking for Twilight and vampire related goodies, so I decided to treat her to a couple of things ...

One Stop Pamper makes amazing candles, they smell gorgeous! I buy them on a regular basis and want to try every aroma! One of the candles is called 'Bite Me'. It's red and smells quite sweet and fruity. I bought a votive for my daughter to try, now she wants one of the large jar candles in this scent.

You can now buy a 'Werewolf' votive with a masculine cedar aroma too.

http://onestoppampershop.co.uk/

I like buying stained glass pieces, Diomo Glass makes lots of little glass animal sun catchers, so being cheeky I asked her if she could make a vampire bat. And she did, and it is magnificent! My daughter was so happy because this one was a total surprise being a custom order.

Diomo Glass is now making small vampire bats, perfect for hanging in the window at Halloween.

http://www.folksy.com/shops/DiomoGlass


I'm quite proud of my daughter for wanting to buy handmade goods. Teenagers are surrounded by so much commercialism, and they're our next generation of Folksy buyers ... and makers - i'm working on that bit!

The Great British Book of Baking

After watching The Great British Bake Off last week I decided to invest in the series book. I don't know how many cookery books I own, there are too many, but I really felt that I needed one with basic baking skills in it! When you bought a new cooker years ago you used to get a baking book with it! My mum still has her Cannon cookery book, and still uses it!

The first surprise about this book is the book underneath the dust jacket, how lovely is that?

The photography is lovely, pictures of each recipe and images from around the country.It really is designed to become an heirloom book. There are chapters on biscuits, bread, tarts, pies, cakes, puddings and pastries.

Some of the recipes are traditional, some are recipes devised by the contestants taking part in the bake-off. I do like some of the regional specialities - Yorkshire Pink Champagne Rhubarb Cheesecake, Stargazy Pie from Mousehole, Welsh Bara Brith and Scottish Oatcakes.

Breadmaking is thoroughly explained, as are a variety of pastry making techniques. I like that there are a mixture of sweet and savoury recipes, so many books are all about cupcakes, don't get me wrong, I love cupcakes, but I also like pasties!
So do I recommend this book? Yes, I've yet to make something (was going to make Cornish Fairings today, but I didn't have any mixed peel!), but I can see that I will use it a lot.

The Great British Book of Baking - Published by Michael Joseph Books.
Original photographs by Mark Read.

Now Open!

I have not listed anything in my Folksy shop for a good while, but after a busy week making, and a busy morning taking photos and listing, I can now declare it open again!

At the moment there are just items of jewellery, but I have some hand-felted brooches that just need the backs sewing on so they should be listed soon.

My doodling over the Summer, together with some positive comments from other people has encouraged me to do some mini-illustrations, so those should be listed early next month.

Please feel free to have a look at what's going on there so far, and if there's something you like, but the size or colour isn't quite right, let me know - I do custom makes too!
http://www.folksy.com/shops/GiddyStuff

Chunky

I love chunky knitting yarn. It always looks so inviting, and your knitting grows so quickly.
I'm starting to add to my yarn stash at the moment and i'm also on the look out for things I can knit on those long winter nights - no chunky yarn yet!
I've been into Birmingham today and i've spotted a couple of things that i'd like to try and knit - why pay a fortune for something you can knit in an evening?
This chunky snood is by Miso and I spotted it in Republic. I like the design, but i'm not sure about the colour. I've never produced something circular without a pattern before, so any advice would be welcome!

Miso Chunky Cable Snood
Photograph from Republic website

My daughter loves these bears hats from River Island. This one even has eye-holes!!

Chunky Panda Beanie
Photograph from River Island website

So it looks like I need to invest in some chunky circular needles, I don't think any of my current knit pro ones are thick enough, and obviously some chunky yarn ... mmmm ... probably green.

Tweaking

A very short blog post today ...
As the more observant of you will spot, I've been tweaking my blog - tidying up the right hand column, and smartening up my banner and profile avatar. Nothing else about this blog has or will change, and I'll still be blogging 365!

The 'Giddything' - with new curves!!

I've done a similar thing with my Folksy shop, which is looking a bit sad at the moment. I have made quite a few new pieces in the last couple of weeks, so will be listing these new items very soon.
My next job is to finish building the front page of my website, this has been on hold for a while, but I haven't forgotten about it and hope to re-launch it in the near future ...

Mexican Bake

A thifty mid-week recipe today. It's the school holidays, my purse appears to be 'leaking', and I do not want to compost forgotten vegetables anymore! This recipe is chilli with a twist, it uses all the leftover veg up, and the topping should attract the little ones, and hopefully they'll eat the good bit inside too.

You will need ...

• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 100g Pancetta (cubed) - you can leave this out and add some smoked paprika when you add the chilli powder instead.
• 1 onion (or leek), chopped.
• A selection of chopped veg - peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, sorry looking tomatoes, this is a great recipe for using a glut of veg from the garden.
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes.
• 400g tin kidney beads, drained and rinsed.
• 1 tablespoon of chilli powder (not pure chilli!!!!!).
• Red wine vinegar (optional).
• Tortilla chips, plain or slightly salted (Cheesey Doritos do not work for this!)
• 100g grated cheddar cheese.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, and fry the pancetta for 3 minutes (if you are using it). Then cook the onion or leek until soft. Add about half the chilli powder (and paprika to taste if you are using it), and stir.
2. Add the vegetables and cook for 4 minutes. If using the red wine vinegar add a glug when the veg is cooked to 'rescue' any chilli or flavours stuck to the pan - don't add too much!
3. Add the tomatoes, two-thirds of the kidney beans and the rest of the chilli powder. Simmer for 15 mins, adding salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pour chilli mixture into a deep dish and add a layer of tortilla chips. Sprinkle with cheese and a few kidney beans, add more tortilla chips and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese and kidney beans.
5. Place the dish under the grill for about 10 mins, until cheese is melted.
6. Serve with salad, sour cream and any leftover tortilla chips.

Serves 2 - 3, depending on how hungry you are!

Tuesday Treasury - Back to School

Some people have two weeks left, others have three, then it's back to school! So this weeks treasury is a collection of school goodies to make your back to school shopping more fun ...

Top Row:-

Red Lambswool Pencil Scarf -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/saracarr
Camo Cameleon drawstring PE bag,check out the shop for lots of useful back to school things -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/Minxtures

Bottom Row:-

Owl pencil case -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/needlesandbuttons
Hand bound screen printed notebooks, I want every design -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/lovelittle

Golden Clematis

Sorry, but another plant photo today! I'm looking at this one with a designer/crafter's eye. I was walking past a wall in Shrewsbury today, when I saw this amazing plant tumbling over the top! I had no idea what it was, but took a photo because it really is quite splendid!

I can see all sorts of ideas for fancy yarn and embroidery, perhaps even jewellery. This plant was demanding to be different!

When I got home I looked on the internet and found out that it is a golden clematis (Clematis tangutica). You can just see a couple of the yellow flowers, the white strands are the seed heads. They remind me of Animal from the Muppets a little bit ...

Wild Things

A gap in the rain has allowed me to have a walk in the garden today. There are shallots ready for harvesting, my leeks are starting to look like mini-leeks rather than spring onions, and there are flowers on my chilli plants. The lawn is looking a bit straggly, but on the plus side there are tomatoes starting to ripen.
The vast amount of rain means I have not been weeding and tending to my plants, so the wild things have been taking over, along with the calendulas!

I'm not sure what everything is, but they add a bit of colour to the beds where I haven't been able to plant things so i'm not complaining. And obviously those brambles will be very popular next month, pie or crumble?

Doodle Schmoodle - Days 13 - 16

Some more doodles today, slowly getting there, although i'll still be doodling after the 30 days of the challenge are up!


Day 13 - Speech Bubbles

Lots of fish, all saying 'BOB', it's what fish do. I put both eyes on one side of the head, hoping they would look like fishy versions of the 'Giddything', but I think they look like Homer Simpson! A big thank you to Matt Groening!

Day 14 - Postcard

I always tell people about the weather on postcards, and I enjoyed drawing the stamp.

Day 15 - Aliens

Little green teacups rather than little green men!

Day 16 - Wine

Can you tell I like red rather than white? I love drawing out lettering.

Brown

It's been rather a grim week as far as the weather is concerned. Not a chance of packing a picnic and heading off for the day, so i've been getting a lot of making done ... with Autumn in mind! I've used up most of the Autumn coloured beads that I had in my stash, so need to order more ...

On the advice of seventyseventyone design's blog, i'll be using the Pantone Colour Trend Forcast to help me select the colours, so as well as the staple warm browns, burnt oranges and rich reds, i'll be throwing in some greys, pinks and yellows.
You can download the colour trend brochure for free from the pantone website :-
http://www.pantone.com/
And look at seventyseventyone design's fab blog at:-
http://seventyseventyone.blogspot.com/

Doodle Schmoodle - Days 9 - 12

I'm slowly catching up with the Doodle Schmoodle challenge, so here is my latest installment ...

Day 9 - If I Where An Animal

If I was an octopus I could really multi-task! It took me ages to decide which animal I wanted to be.

Day 10 - Cartoon Strip

More like an instruction leaflet really, but if you follow the instructions you can make a rosette brooch.

Day 11 - Today I ...

Not really a doodle, but I enjoyed doing all the little blue dots. And yes this is the blue bag I made a couple of weeks ago.

Day 12 - Flowers

I did this one on the train, the time flew, and the lady sitting opposite said she liked it, so I was really happy.

I've nearly caught up now, so i'll be blogging about some more doodles soon.