Jan May

A vision in Teal - front view Towards the end of February I saw a competition advertised on Twitter by Hillarys Blinds .  I can't remember the exact wording, but it was along the lines of "would you like to receive some material and enter our competition?" Of course I would! After sending an e-mail, I was delighted to hear I'd been chosen to take part.  I was able to pick from 3 fabrics.  I opted for the peacock print as I adore teal.  About a week later I received a packet from Hillarys containing a metre of my chosen material.  I wish I could get the colours to come out properly.  I don't think any of the photos I've taken do the fabric justice.  The background is a light cream, with the branches and blossom in subtle shades of brown and pale yellows.  Sitting on the branches across the fabric are a selection of beautiful peacocks.  In shades of teal, they are quite wonderful. A Vision in Teal - back view My ...

by Jo Hill textiles My goodness!  I can't believe how long it is since I wrote a blog post.  Where did the year go? Hopefully, I am back!  I've had months of trying to sort out my arthritis, and get pain management in place that works.  Plus my sewing room has had a big sort out.  So.... I haven't made anything for a long, long time.  I have however, been Pinning tremendously - and have tons of ideas brewing. What will 2014 bring I wonder?  What will the next craze be?  Owls are so passé..... I'm thinking the next big thing will be hares.  Probably due to the John Lewis advert, but I'm noticing a marked increase in the number of Hare items Pinned.  So, as a way of getting back into the blogosphere - let's have a little look at some of my favourites. I love this first picture by Jo Hill.  I think it is charming.  Do pop along and look at her website, as there are a whole host of wonderful makes - all for sale. ...

I've got there in the end!  One puffy pillow already for the bed.   The puffs were easy to do - and a good trial run for my next project of a bed runner to match.  I actually think the pillow would look better if it was all puffs, but hey - ho - you make and learn. Here's what I did...... Fabrics collected together.  The finished pillow is 14 inches square.  Allowing 1/4 inch seams - I cut the centre embroidery at 7.5 inches. Then 12 different squares of 5 inches each (top) 12 squares of 4 inches (back) cut from old white shirt.    There's no need to tack.  Though pins are a must. Begin by folding each top square in half (wrong sides together) and run over with an iron at the edges.     Match up the corners with a backing square.    Pinch fold in centre, and fold down flat against the backing square.  Pin in place, and continue around, bending each fold the same way.     All squares pinned, placed, and ready to se...

Some of you may have already seen the beginnings of my latest project.  Woohoo - I've finished the stitching!  Next step is to make it the centre of a pillow for the bed - I've picked out the fabrics, but yet to decide what I'm doing with them.  So then...... my little bird...... How has he turned out?... The inspiration  - Matthew Williamson bedding     Initial sketch - the Sharpies crept blinking into the light gasping for breath, so long is it since they've been allowed freedom.    Simple outline drawn lightly onto fabric using a very hard (4H) sharp pencil. Not much added at this point, as don't want to risk the pencil lines smudging the fabric.    Threads and fabric palette chosen : The fabrics aren't a range, they're all picked at random from my stash. The thread used throughout are colours in Perle 12 - love stitching with this thread, so much easier than fiddling about with 2 strands of emb...

Happy New Year everyone! Oh my goodness - I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged.  Darned house move - it hasn't half stopped my craftiness in it's tracks.  Good news though - I'm now moved, and very nearly sorted.  Best of all - my sewing room is up and running - and mine, all mine! Yesterday was the first time I have had time to call my own.  I stood in the middle of my sewing room wondering what to do.  I've pulled out a selection of fabrics to make a bed-runner to match my new bedding.  But... before I started cutting into it, I noticed one of the birds on the pillowcase.  So.... instead I have started a stitchery.  I can't call it embroidery - as it is nothing like!  Embroidery needs to be neat and precise.  I have neither the time nor patience required.  I am to embroidery what a 5 year old with a packet of crayons is to Fine Art.  Still - I like to dabble. I've sketched the bird lightly onto pla...

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 on...

I can hardly believe a whole month has passed since my last creative post. Doesn't time fly!   I haven't been sat on my backside doing nothing (the whole time).  Aside from moving house, and getting hubby settled into his new work-away apartment - I have done a little bit of sewing. Another bag!  (Like I need one).  I just enjoy making them, and I love the style of this one. If you've been following my blog for a while, you may recognise the shape.  It's yet another version of my Sophie bag (for which I have been meaning to produce the pattern - like - forever).  It's such a nice bag to carry around.  Light, roomy and comfortable, in a slightly squishy, holds it's shape well sort of way. It was supposed to be a quick, run it up in an evening make.  Ha ha ha. I can cut out all the pieces from memory, so that didn't take long.  Putting the fabrics together however, took ages - for the simple reason I have far too much to c...