Jan May

Spring may not have sprung in quite the way we would expect - but I do seem to have shrugged myself out of my sewing hibernation.  Goodness me - since coming back from holiday I have been in a stupor.  Haven't been able to apply myself at all.  However, my neighbour telling me her foster-child has a birthday soon has got my creative cap on.  With a blue and red bedroom to match in with, I've rummaged through my fabric stash and run up this little pillow. With the exception of the 14" Ikea pillow inside, the outer is up-cycled.  The red fabrics were cut from pretty dresses I have found at car boot sales for next to nothing (I set my buying limit at £2 - but will only spend this if the dress contains a lot of fabric - more usually 50p or £1), and the denim and check background were once my husband's shirts. You can find such great detailing on girl's dresses.  I loved the beautiful embroidered hem to this dress.  It's been perfect to make the b...

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 c...

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...

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.

I've been a busy little bee today.  Even the arrival of the second issue of Mollie Makes didn't deter me for too long.  (okay it did really, but let's pretend shall we!).  For a while I've been working on my Little Tweethearts Sew Simple collection.  I have several projects all mapped out, it has been making them up that has slowed me down. I've only gone and finished one! May I introduce my first ever kit........ (drum roll please) Little Tweetheart Doodle Keepsake I'm so pleased to be showing you this.... that I'm also going to offer my first ever giveaway too! A complete kit to make your very own tweetheart.   Kit Includes Everything you need to make the heart (you only need add stuffing) Fabric Threads Buttons (including 2 of my Cajame ceramics) Vintage Lace Vintage crocheted doily Part of the Little Tweethearts Sew Simple Collection Pretty Portable Projects - Ready to Go Hand sew your own special Keepsake Full instructions will help you co...