Tiny Happy Bag

I found this great shoulder bag tutorial at tinyhappy here.

I used some purple upholstery fabric that I bought years ago - can't remember why I bought it. The lining is a 70's printed cotton in lime and turquise flowers that Cully's mum gave me. Not difficult, great result- try the tutorial!

Now I am going to use the same instructions, but draw an adjusted pattern to make something similar the bag on the bed in the 6th picture here.

Daft Wool Brooch

Thrifted boiled wool - made for my sister-in-law who is supposed to making me one too.

Slither The Bottle Cap Snake

Another project on the list to tick off.

We used: over 150 bottle caps (saved over a couple of years or more) a jig made by Cully for punching holes, some string, paper clay that I've had unopended for years, some acrylic paint and acrylic medium for varnish. The girl is pretty proud of this one.

Uncoiled, Slither is about 3 ft long.

Embroidery Workshop

This is a couching sampler I made in a workshop held in Julia Tristan's studio in Durham. I was lucky enough to win a workshop day in a prize draw and I picked a Contempory Hand Stitch class. It was such a fun and relaxing day with a great bunch of embroiderers -and Julia who lead a the stitch exploration so expertly!

Some of these little pieces ended up more appliqued than couched, but I am pleased with the composition and fun feel of the piece. I am itching to do more - maybe large scale...

Patchwork Bag

A handsewn bag that I have been working on this autumn. Some of the felt patches were purchased at The Wool Clip in the Lake District and the Amy Butler fabric lining I ordered from GetKnitted here in the UK. The muted colours are a bit of a departure for me - I like them.

Stripey

Lots of catching up to do after the summer. Over the next few days I'll update with some images of things we have been up to and some of the things I've made (even some new collages!) Here is the first image - Georgia and me under the stripey crochet banket I made earlier this year. Warm and soft and over-the-top colourful. I am making a felt bag for myself at the moment with a much more subdued colourway - I'm trying to finish by the end of the weekend, so will post a photo then. You can just catch sight of it behind our heads.

Felted Handbags

Here are some photos of felted sweater handbags that I have made - the photos of the cream bag are by a woman called Corinne Lewis who is a local photographer - the blue bag is her payment for taking some shots of the stuff Caroline and I make.

Sew What!

I made a skirt today! This is the first garment that I have ever made (except for a couple of knitted sweaters and an apron for my neice). I am so delighted. I love wearing skirts. This was made by using the directions in here. Its the best how-to book on sewing I have purchased since it told me exactly how to draft a pattern to fit me and how to make it up. It even has a freakin zipper in! The fabric I used is a bit stiff so doesn't drape as well as a softer cotton, but I have some Amy Butler fabric waiting in the wings....hooray for me, my sewing machine and that fab book...and the fabric only cost £2.

Wash Day Blues - or rather reds

This is a peg bag that I hand sewed the other day. The fabric is part of two thrifted skirts from the charity shop down the street. Over the next couple of days I will post some of my other thrifted treasures.

Colour, Colour, Colour

Lots of colour in our house at the moment. Especially since I started the crocheted blanket. I was going to do a ripple one like everyone else seems to be doing - see: http://neisripplealong.blogspot.com . So I bought a great book called Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton which shows patterns for knitting and crocheting ripples. But, true to form, I decided not to ripple - I just really like a straight line. I'm loving putting the colours together and changing after 4 rows. I am also using merino, cashmere, and silk blend wool which feels so lovely (should I mention again that I hate acrylic yarn? It squeaks and makes me feel weird like nails down a blackboard.) Crochet is my number one stress buster and always makes me think of my cousin Sharon who's work is of the highest quality.

The pom poms and beads are garlands Georgia and I made for her birthday party. We'll be able to use them every year. Very bright and pretty.

Can you tell which are the real daffodils and which are the ones we made in the birthday present photo?

The bracelet was my mother's day present. I've always wanted one of these, and could have made one myself, but I'm glad I waited for one that was made with LOVE from my very own five year old.

The sunset was the other evening at the end of our street.

Apple Green

Latest scallop scarf on the go- this one for me because the colour is so juicy.

Caroline and I have just had confirmation that we can have a craft stall a the Cluny Market in April! http://www.myspace.com/theclunymarket

Panic - deep breath - get sewing! YAY!

Blue Kangaroo

It is national book week next week and Georgia gets to dress up like a book character on Friday. So I thought... what will be easy (i.e. how to spend no money). I have convinced her to be Lily from a lovely book that we have read since she was a baby: It Was You, Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chicester Clark. Georgia can wear her normal clothes which are bright and colourful with a big ribbon in her hair. I didn't figure in the kangaroo at first, but here he is in all his handmade wonky felt glory. Lots of fun to make.

Buttons

My sister sent me bags of buttons that our mother collected over the years. This makes so very happy. I've been saving buttons forever and it is nice to have that little connection with Mama. I'll be very selective about using them, but can't wait to find projects for them.

Thanks, Sonya!

Lucy the Sock Creature

Arms didn't seem necessary.

Stripey Cushion

I crocheted these stripes on our holiday with the intention of making a long thin cushion. I used a cotton/silk mixed yarn because I'm a snob and HATE acrylic yarn. Im pleased how it turned out. First of all I have just learned to crochet - this is just double stitch (single stitch in N. America??) with an old pair of jean legs for the backing- envelope style. The stuffing is part of an unwanted pillow case stuffed with strips of old t-shirts and pairless socks. I really like recycling stuff. I got the idea from my mother who used to cut up old panty hose and tights to make stuffing. My favourite pillow when I was a child was stuffed like this and was the most comfortable pillow ever. I'm not great at sewing, but the crochet front was hand stitched to the denim which was surprisingly easy to do with a tapestry needle. I deliberately didn't over stuff it. ( I have a thing about denim as you can see from the slip cover on the chair. It is so hard wearing and fades beautifully. There once was a "joke" on Friends where Phoebe had an idea about making denim furniture and all the others laughed....what is so funny about that? huh?)