Jan May

Today's Christmas decoration is a little snowman.  I've had the "Crafting Christmas Gifts" book by Tilda for a long time, and have never made anything from it.  It's very simple to do, and I'm now tempted to do the larger ones as shown on the cover of the book. Mine's just a little baby.  I made mine in white felt, and it works. As it is tiny, the thick felt was a bit tricky to turn.  Still quick to do, though in retrospect it would have been easier to use an ordinary cotton or linen.  No idea what I shall do with this one.  If I add a hanger for the tree it will look like he's been lynched.  Perhaps do another two and stick them in those tiny ceramic pots to go on a shelf? I can't share the pattern for this little make, as it's not my own.  Even if you're not a Tilda fan (like what I am), if you love all things Christmas, you will adore this book.  It's quite an old book now, but if you haven't come across it, all the mak

Another day, another decoration.   This time a cheery gingham tree.... complete with felt heart, ric-rac hanger and star button topper.   I like the way this has turned out, but it took a lot longer than yesterday's Shabby Heart decoration.  In fact, and bearing in mind it's the same size - it took as long to make one of these as all of the others. Do I want to make another 5 of them?  erm..... don't know!  It may be a one off.   Despite being fiddly, it was still an easy make.   Fancy making one of your own?  Here's what to do.... You'll need a small scrap of check fabric.  I've used (yet again) a piece cut from a sleeve of one of hubby's old shirts.  It's a brushed cotton, and extremely well washed. I drew a vague looking Christmas tree on a piece of card, and used it as my template.  Folding my fabric with right sides together, I drew around the template to give me my sewing line.  I then machined all the way around using a small

I'm determined to make some Christmas decorations this year.  Now..... I'm the least Christmassy person I know, but this year we are likely to be in a new home, in a new part of the Country (note to self) so I AM GOING TO MAKE AN EFFORT! I'm thinking a shabby country theme, with a hint of red and blue.  I've started off by making some tinkly little tree hearts.  I'm rather pleased with how they've turned out. So simple to make - only takes scraps - and you can run one up in 5 minutes.  Promise.  I timed myself, and though it took me over a minute and a half to thread the ribbon through the tinkerbell, the rest is a whizz. Now.....  I know that nearly everyone who reads this will see instantly how to make them.  But.... just in case you are new to sewing.... this is what I did..... Start off by drawing a heart on a piece of card to make a template.   You will need 4 squares of fabric for each heart, so simply lay heart on top and cut a rough square. 

Oh my goodness - it's been so long since I blogged! A combination of things...... moving house, hubby working away and so living in limbo between two parts of the country..... and suffering badly with arthritis (to the point where I've had to give in and buy a walking stick).  I just haven't had the oomph to do any sewing.  I have dragged out some crochet I last touched about 5 years ago - a blanket I will probably be the rest of my life making- or a proper granny at the very least by the time it's finished. Yesterday, I finally did a bit of sewing.  Very simple, very quick, and a bit quirky.  I've made a scarf that I can definitely describe as boho.... here modelled by Skinny Bitch. Grabbing three different fabrics, I simply cut long narrow triangles of different sizes and whizzed them together.  No hems, no pinning (no idea what I was doing really until it was finished) - but the end result is my sort of weirdness and I'm rather pleased wi

Sometimes the simplest things really are the best aren't they?  Saw this image on Pinterest (where else!) and wondered why this hasn't been adopted en-mass as a way of storing threads of all sorts.  So easy to wind around and secure the ends.  I'm already thinking embroidery threads and narrow ribbons. Tracked the original source down to the Cozy Homemaking blog - where I may now be lost for some time. (Re the blog, I seem to have been lost for some weeks - a combination of summer, circumstance and illness.  Where does time go?)

I did say I'd share my DIY disaster with you...... Brace yourselves - you may need sunglasses: Snort!  When I started the makeover I can assure you this wasn't my intention.  I had a 70's dressing table that was a nice shape, but a vile wood.  I thought I would transform it by painting it fuchsia to match my bedroom.  10 hours later (2 coats undercoat, 3 topcoat) it was looking good.  Until the top coat starting to flake off before my eyes.  I could have cried - indeed I think I did. Since then it's been sitting in the bedroom annoying me.  It's too heavy to lift out on my own, and anyways I've nothing else to replace it with.  The thought of starting to paint it again doesn't bear thinking about.  So in a DIY frenzy, I attacked it with wire wool. I think I got a bit carried away!  The result is something that gives a whole new meaning to shabby chic.  However, at least it looks intentional and boldly scruffy.  Anyone that dares to question my

Butterfly Effect by cajame    Messing about with Polyvore again This could be my perfect evening outfit, should I win the lottery - total cost of over £1500!!!  Yikes.

I've spent most of the morning putting up pictures, wandering around the place armed with hammer and nails.  I think I have a bit of a thing going on where pictures are concerned, as I have absolutely loads.  No particular style - as long as I like it.  I am left with two looking for a residence now - which is a huge improvement on the mahoosive pile I was staring at earlier. What with that, and the washing just about up straight and nearly dry - I think I may have excelled myself today. With a cuppa to keep me company, I've spent a happy hour in the world of Polyvore    This has to be the equivalent of colouring in for grown-ups.  I've had great fun putting my "style board" together. This is of course the style I would like had I..... a) the figure   b) the bank balance  and c) a big toe that would let my feet bend into heels.  I can at least manage the make-up, though it's probably far too young for me.  No-ones started pointing at me in the stree

Phoebe My baby - a real life teddy bear Quite possibly the scruffiest Bichon on the planet   Buster The bane of my life Sole purpose in life to fart himself (and everyone else) to sleep Jasmine Darling girl Currently doing her best to decimate the mouse population   Izzy Scruffy, tiny sweetheart My Sister-in-laws dog.  Bat like ears!     Barley The in-laws old-timer Adorable, utterly adorable   Mimi The in-laws latest family member - 8 weeks old Unable to keep her eyes open after running around with the gang   Benji My father-in-laws shadow Incredibly fond of sitting on your head

It's so easy to do! Word Art pictures seem to be taking over this season.  Everywhere is stocking them.  And for quite a while it's been really bugging me.....   How on earth do you do them? I've found a few different apps, but nothing has been quite what I wanted.  Today I've found it! Prepare to be lost in the world of TAGXEDO   - where you can make up a word picture out of just about anything.    There are a host of shapes to choose from, or you can upload your own.  You can even do words.  With a wide choice of text and a host of colour templates to pick from - you may be lost some time!  If you don't want a shape, you can have a word "cloud".  By jiggling around with the controls, you can totally change the appearance.  I have been lost there for most of the afternoon. Best of all, as you create a picture you are happy with you can save as a jpg image in a variety of sizes - even big enough to print on an enormous canvas.  (I have plans!)

What can you do on a Sunday afternoon when it's chucking it down?  Aren't you just sick of it? Yesterday I went for a wander around Dunelm.  I never come out of there with nothing (I think it's impossible), and this time was no exception.  I found some clip frames at rock bottom prices, and a few cushions that were just too nice to leave behind.  So, last evening was spent adding a bit of decoration to my bedroom. The wall behind the bed is painted in Crown Euphoria.  It's the most wonderful warm and vibrant shade of cerise.  I love it.  It was the second colour I tried.  The first shade was a deep plum, which although it was a great shade, it made the room seem really cold.  The window faces west, and so doesn't get a great deal of sunlight.  It needs all the help it can get to zing it up.  This pink certainly does that! The bedding was another bargain buy yesterday.  £11 for a king size set - how could I not?  I love the mix of red and h

This is fabulous - found on Pinterest, but sadly it doesn't link back After doodling with thread last night, I'm thinking embroidery today.  I love embroidery, though I don't have much patience.  I really must start on a project.  Here's a few that have caught my eye....   These little brooches are darling.  Come across these from the LiliPopo blog.  Must explore what over little lovelies are there. Fabulous detail on the corner of this blanket, and relatively simple and quick to do.  Love it.  By Green Kitchen on Flickr. What a charming hoop picture.  Very modern.  From the Feeling Stitchy blog. Loving this little house by House Wren Studio   The roof is such a great way of showcasing different embroidery stitches. This beautiful butterfly.  Isn't it stunning?  It's from the  Crazy Quilting International blog, and I absolutely adore it.   I'll end today's post with one of my own designs.  Very simple stitchin