Jan May

My mind was turned towards a particular style of needlecraft today by Amazon.... and another of their crafty little sales e-mails.  They must make an absolute fortune with people like me and their "one click to buy" scam   marketing genius ..... "ooh - look at that... Half price too....  whoops... Click.... I've bought it!" For once I was good and didn't succumb.  It did get me pondering on Redwork though, and I've found some delightful festive pieces to have a look at.  I don't know what it is about Redwork I find so appealing?  The simplicity of the stitching, the naive quality, or is it just the sheer contrast of the red and white that makes it so effective?  What do you think? Anyways.....  I just know that you haven't got enough to do with the run up to Christmas.  Sew.....  I thought I would tempt you with a few designs - I've even found the source of the patterns for you.  How thoughtful am I? Pattern for sale here I love th

Tried to track this back, but original post is lost amongst scores of re-blogs - shame Whilst Pinteresting about this morning, I came across this poster - and thus - another crochet blog post is born.  I've found quite a few interesting things; now that I've pinned them down, I wonder what the chances are of finding the original source...... or maybe a pattern?  Let's have a little look: Find the pattern HERE I love the style of this hat, and the pattern was found on the first click - if only it were that easy every time!  Beanie hats and berets don't suit me at all, but caps do, and I reckon the little brim on this would make it perfectly wearable.  Checking out the pattern details on Etsy (5 dollars - PDF download), it doesn't say if its to fit an adult or child - I can only hope it's for an adult from judging the dummy head in the picture.  It's wearing lipstick......... perhaps that's a clue? Buy the pattern HERE I'm loving the shap

From Lily's Quilts (gorgeous blog) There's even a Hexalong - instructions and all! Whilst dropping hubby at work very early the other morning (I needed the car later), we were sat at traffic lights when I noticed the most amazing hexagon ceramic tiles on a building. Very arty, beautiful colours, and applied to look as though they are tumbling out of the wall - stunning. Once home and dressed..... (yes - I did go out in my jim-jams and slippers - ... it's okay no-one saw me - it was still dark), I have spent a pleasant wee while gazing adoringly at hexagons via Pinterest. Personally I've never completed anything made out of hexagons, though I've started a few. I did quite a bit of a quilt top many years ago, spending hours on it. I wonder whatever happened to that? So... one thing I know for sure - is the amount of time involved with sewing the little lovelies. Simple as they look, they sure are labour intensive. One day, I may dabble with them again

Another day, another make! This time an upcycling project, combining the old (and worn out) and the old (vintage).  Could I get to sleep last night?  Could I heck.  By half twelve I'd given up trying, and went into my sewing room to mooch about.  I couldn't machine anything, or the noise would have woken up my husband in the next room.  So I was..... basically..... faffing about.  I started picking up bits of fabric with a thought of making something else to wear on holiday.  I really didn't have a clue at this point what to do; all I knew was; that either this piece was too short, that piece wasn't wide enough or the other piece was the wrong colouring for my skin tone. After discarding everything within the reach of my desk, I moved towards my cutting table.  You need strong nerves for this at the moment!  It's part-buried under a mound of previously hacked fabric, along with bits that I have rescued from a previous life. As I picked up a ratty old pair

I'm being rather optimistic in calling this Part 1.  I may never get as far as a Part 2 ...... you never know! In a few short weeks I shall be away on my winter hols.  Sun, no sand (hate the gritty stick to everything stuff), and several gallons of alcoholic combinations a day.  Can't wait.  The only moot point is the fact that I have little in the summer clothes department.  The summer here this year was dreadful, and I never bought anything.  Therefore I'm left with a ratty selection of well worn old faithfuls, and a pile of lovely stuff that I will only be able to fit in if I shave 3 inches off each side of me (and suck my stomach in). The only answer is to make a few things.  However simple; as long as I have something to pootle about from room to pool via dining room, I will be happy.  I have no dress-making patterns whatsoever.  The thought of unfolding that infernal tissue paper and cutting out, for the end result not to fit (does it ever?) puts me off even goi

As this is my 100th post - I wanted to write a memorable post for myself.  So here is my bucket list, in no particular order.....  can I manage 100 things I would like to do?  It's going to be a jumble of thoughts, dreams and aspirations.  Whilst some are definitely doable, others most certainly aren't.  But where are we without dreams? I wonder how many of these will be shared by others? ...................... 1.  Write a book and get it published   This has been my dream for as long as I can remember.  If only I could knuckle down and write!  I've been making a start by writing articles for craft magazines, which I've thoroughly enjoyed.   One day.... when I decide on my subject; it could be sewing related, a thriller, even an erotic novel.  I know I have the imagination and the writing skills, it's just the "get down to it and concentrate" that I lack. 2. Run a sewing workshop/coffee shop   Totally pie in the sky, considering my finances, but how

"Sewing my way through life one stitch a a time"

Considering I'm the least Christmassy person I know, it's a bit of a mystery why I entered a decoration swap.  I saw it on Twitter (as you do) and thought - why not?  Today, with a name and address sitting in my inbox awaiting a delivery, I thought I'd better get cracking and make something. I'm not sure which one I'll send yet, but there's a choice of two.  The "Noel" heart above.  A red corduory heart, reverse appliqued behind a cream wool outer (I'll get rid of this huge blanket eventually!).  I've chain-stitched the wording using white Perle 12 thread.  The flowers are simply "yo-yo's" which I've stitched into the centres a few times to pull in to form petal shapes.  To hang, I've used a length of vintage brocade trim.  It's a bit big for the Christmas tree, but I think it may look rather nice on a door handle or at the window.  So..... do I send the heart?  or do I send Frosty?   Frosty is about the sam

It's been one of those days today!  You know the ones - where anything that can go wrong.... will. It's no good me writing anything, as if I do it will be very sweary.  As I type the bathroom is in an intermittent state of flood, as my resident DIY plumber attempts to mend the toilet.  I sit biting my lip, doing my best not to scream.  Rather than write a sorry tale of woe - I shall attempt to put the mood of the day in picture form..... Today wasn't even worth getting up. (Though I did traumatise a delivery man in my waking moments) I'm trying - I really am! Have you seen the size of my panties?  I mean.... have you? Makes no bloody difference As long as the toilet flushes by the end of the night, I don't care 10am?........What????? Haven't even got a bottle of wine. If I had these, they would be plastered to my forehead.

"Sewing my way through life one stitch a a time"

Finished...... at last!   Phew - as a commercial venture this is surely one big flop, simply due to the time it's taken to do all the hand-stitching.  I must have spent at least 10 hours working on this one little pillow, so I can't see myself putting it in my Folksy shop anytime soon.  I'm rather pleased with it though, even if I don't know what I'm going to do with it now! I've done another little piece of reverse applique on the back, behind a small oval panel of wool.  This time a heart to go with the theme, and I've finished off the bottom of the envelope flap with a little row of cross stitch kisses.  After so much time hand-sewing, it was a matter of moments to whizz around the outside with the sewing machine to finish it. The only place I can think suitable for it would be on the bed, and it certainly doesn't go with any of my bedding.  Oh no.....  does this mean I now have to make a quilt to match?  Sobs quietly.