Jan May

I'm in a creative mood today, and just made this super quick bracelet for my daughter.  So easy, and sew simple to whip up, I thought you might like to make one for yourself.  Wouldn't they make great presents for young girls?  Sophie has already asked me if I will make some for her to give her friends for Christmas.  It will take no time at all to make, and the cost is next to nothing.  Sophie's young hand modelling her bracelet  Requirments Strip of 100% cotton for your bracelet.   The width of your strip needs to be half an inch wider than your piece of elastic.  I used 3/4 inch elastic, so cut my fabric strip 1 1/4 inch wide.  The length of the strip needs to be able to wrap around your wrist twice. Elastic .  Whatever width you require.  I suggest a wider piece will work better.  Allow enough elastic to sit comfortably on your wrist, plus two inches. Trimmings.   Whatever takes your fancy.  I've...

I'm delighted to be have an article in the Autumn issue of Creative Crafting Magazine - Open publication - Free publishing - More art I'm so pleased with how it looks.  I can't wait to start writing a new article for the Christmas issue.

Introducing my latest creation - The Pin Master Always trying to grab a pin when you're sewing?  Never got them close to hand when you need one? Grab yourself the latest sewing accessory and never be looking for a pin again! Designed to wear comfortably as a watch, the Pin Master can be customised for each wearer.  With a choice of fabric colours, the dial reads "Time To Sew".  With pins for watch hands, pretty little buttons, and dinky scissors marking the second hand; this is my latest unique Cajame creation. I've designed and printed the fabric for the dial myself.  The dial is backed by 100% wool felt which has been appliqued onto the cotton "watch" body by blanket stitch.  The back of the "watch" features my own Cajame tag-line - "Sewing my way through life one stitch at a time". With a pretty little crystal (okay it's plastic!) button in lieu of the winder - this is a charming little pin cushion, b...

It's getting towards that time of year again! find the tutorial for this bow - HERE As much as I try to pretend it's not happening, the dreaded C word is starting to crop up more and more.  The shops are already stocking cards and chocolates.  I find myself pushing my trolley past those aisles with a certain quickness to my step.  The past few years I've begun to dread Christmas more and more.  The sheer commercialness of it all totally depresses me.  What happened to the Christmas of my childhood?  Carol singers and candle-light.  The nativity play when we could all have a good snigger at the crappy home-made costumes, and the child (usually one of mine) who said something wholly inappropriate half way through.  It's not that long ago - but already things have changed.  Nowadays the costumes are available to purchase from every supermarket.  Where's the fun in that?  Who wants to see a cloned Nativity?   Pe...

Gosh - I didn't realise how long it's been between blog posts.  Doesn't time fly when you're piddling about doing nothing?  All I seem to want to do at the moment is sleep. When I'm awake, all I can think about is going back to bed.  I've even fallen asleep on the sofa a couple of times, which isn't like me at all.  Wouldn't mind so much if I looked better for it....... so much for beauty sleep! In between my slumbering, I have at least managed to make something in the last week.  I've been doodling away in threads to make this cute piece of art.  I started off by sketching a dog outline in pencil onto slubby cotton, and then working it in back stitch using a black Perle 12 thread.  I've added a bit of interest using running stitch, and filled in the eyes with a satin stitch. Once I'd finished the dog itself, I was at a bit of a loss what to do next.  I decided to add a little colour using three threads which complimented each other...

Last night I attended a sewing class run by Liz at the T hreads Haberdashery & Workshops in Hayle, Cornwall.  I hadn't been before, but had seen the classes advertised via Twitter.  I haven't sewn a zip into anything in years, so when an evening class popped up featuring a pillow with invisible zip and piping, I thought it sounded perfect and signed up straight away. Now I don't know about you, but I always feel really nervous going along to somewhere I haven't been before.  I come across as a really outgoing person, but I'm not at all.  I am quite shy, and don't cope with new situations very well.  A lot of the time I more or less force myself to go along to things, otherwise I would end up a hermit and never leave the house. Hayle is about 20 miles from my home, and we set off with plenty of time to spare.  Hubby was driving me as he had things to do to fill up his time whilst the class was on.  An accident on the by-pass had me panicking...