FruteJuce - Handmade

Year of the Rabbit Treasury

2011-02-03T23:07:00.001Z

My Calico Rabbit has been included in this lovely year of the Rabbit treasury. I am so impressed with the cleverness of etsy folks. Lots of lovely bunnies to browse.
We have just moved into the year of the rabbit, a time for quiet after the year of the tiger. A person born in the year of the Rabbit possesses one of the most fortunate of the twelve animal signs. The Rabbit, or Hare as he is referred to in Chinese mythology, is the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the Moon. Here is the treasury on etsy.

Valentine Lavender Bags

2011-01-29T18:44:00.000Z

Thought I would share a pic of my Valentine Lavender Bags, they have made a bit of a hit in a few treasuries. Not your usual Valentine treat. I have made a couple of different ones in the same style.

Don't ya just love a bodge

2011-01-24T21:03:00.001Z

I was making a few things this evening with my sewing machine when the bulb fell out and dropped on the floor. After managing to drag it out from under the table I discovered that the filament was broken. Luckily I had a spare bulb so went to put it in my machine.
Normally quite a simple procedure, oh no, not simple at all. My machine is Pfaff select 4 and you can't remove the end where the bulb sits as it is constructed from one piece. You are meant to squash your fingers into a weird position and force it into a tiny hole and then turn it once your fingers are being cut into with the sharp edge of the casing.
It says in the manual 'simply' blah blah blah, or buy the bulb inserting tool. What I want to know is if you need one of these to put in a darn bulb why not bloody give you one with the machine!
So I went to look for one on the web and couldn't find one.
My other half started to have a look around to see if he could come up with anything suitable to make one with. The complete star came up with my new bulb inserting tool which now lives in my sewing machine tool box.
It is a lid from a rescue remedy bottle (quite fitting really!) and a latex glove screwed up inside. Works like a dream. Sorted!

Etsy Forums

2011-01-21T18:37:00.002Z

Have you heard all the buzz about the etsy forums? Tweets, facebook posts and forum posts abound!

Latest treasury

2010-11-13T12:37:00.001Z

I have decided that it may be a nice idea to show any treasuries that I am included in here. Some of them look really nice and it is a shame for them to pretty much disappear into the ether.

This treasury included my matryoshka lavender bags, thanks to vintagegirl on etsy for making it.

The Rabbit in Red

2010-11-11T16:03:00.000Z

Latest Bunny to hit the streets.

Sugar Skull Lavender Bags

2010-11-10T21:26:00.001Z

I have been busy making my latest sugar skull lavender bags, I have printed the fabric myself and it is amazing how well it comes out. I have used my normal inkjet printer to do this. I have so many other ideas up my sleeve now I have tried this.

Before those Sugar Skulls came these, but I felt I wanted to make my own from start to finish.

Must not chat too long, can you tell that I am putting off other matters that I should be dealing with.....

Summer Dress

2010-11-03T22:11:00.003Z

Yes summer dress at this time of year. You can guess that it has to be for my Mum who never does things in the way that others do.
She had her heart set on having a couple of ruched dresses and in true style wanted them made rather than bought.
So we set to and made them. I think they came out really nicely, I was pleased with the result.
Have to say that it is fiddly hand winding the bobbin with the elastic but the rest is really simple. So by the time the weather warms up she will have them ready.

Overlocker Gathering

2010-06-17T21:34:00.007+01:00

I have been trying to get gathering right on my overlocker for some time. I have searched all over the web for tutorials but non have quite done it for me, it has always ended up being clumpy with a very uneven gather. This evening I came across this blog here which gives straight forward advice on how to achieve nice gathers using an overlocker (or serger to some).
Tried it, it works. La la la!
All gathered.

Attached to straight ungathered fabric. I used black thread so that I could see how the stitches are forming.

Right side of fabric. I am all ready now to make a little dress for my granddaughter, I just have to decide which fabric I can live without in my stash to make it!

Purses

2010-03-02T14:47:00.004Z

I bought some purse frames from etsy. I was going to make some glasses cases with them as my sister needed one. Frames arrive and they are tiny, not even my thin glasses would fit through their teeny jaws! I only blame myself as the sizes were clearly stated in their listing. So they are becoming little purses instead.
I cut the fabric much larger than you normally would for purse frames of this size as I wanted them to be an exagerated. I like it, more to be made methinks!

Little Trews

2010-02-27T15:59:00.004Z

I have now finished the little trousers I have been making for the grandchildren. They fit well and look really cute.
The kids are not fussed about them but me and the Mums like them.

My Creative Space

2010-02-25T10:55:00.003Z

My creative space has been full of making these little purses with my overlocker (that's serger to some folks).
They are really pleasing to make and are great for gifts. I can see I will be stuck making these for some time!

More creative spaces over at kirsty's

Copyright Warning

2010-02-22T16:55:00.003Z

My son borrowed some Dub and Reggae records from my brother. There was some really good tunes in there, but the best bit for me had to be this copyright warning. Made me smile!

My Creative Space

2010-02-18T07:43:00.003Z

My creative space today is in a bit of a mess. Everything is up in the air, we are decorating and nothing is in it's right place. My creative space does not feel creative to me at all. It feels like something to be endured and can't wait to get to the other side of it!

The worst part is not being able to get out my machine and get on with so many projects that I have lined up. The first being some trousers that I am making for my grandchildren, I have 3 little pairs of trousers that are part way through, I am so excited about getting them finished it makes me impatient. Can you tell that I am fed up with it!!

Plus no hope of finding the camera at the mo' so found a pic of a huge bunch of roses that Will brought home from work for me. He had been asked to remove these as part of a hedge he had to take out. Too nice to chuck away!

More creative spaces over at kirsty's. Hopefully next week I will be less grumpy!

My Creative Space

2010-02-06T11:51:00.006Z

If you are one of my fans on facebook or you follow me on twitter you will have seen this already (sorry), but you know how it is, I can't stop going on about it because I am so excited about having made it!

I have made a felt Apple iPod Remote Control brooch.

The scenario is that it is cold outside, you have your hat, scarf, gloves and big coat on. iPod in your pocket. You want to change track or volume or skip a track you have to take your gloves off, fish around in your pocket get it out, change track or whatever, put it back then put your gloves back on.

With the felt Apple remote control, you stick your brooch on your coat and press either the left or right side of the apple:

Play/Pause:

Single click

Next/Previous Track:

Double click

Next/Previous Album:

Triple click

Volume Up/Down:

Press and hold

I just love it and will be making more designs for my etsy, folksy and coriandr shops.

Other creative space here, go and take a look at the many creative folks taking part.

Hearts For Haiti

2010-01-21T16:18:00.003Z

We are all aware of what is going on for those folks in Haiti. We have all probably donated some money. Fantastic, I am pleased to hear that.
Now there is another way to try and raise some more funds for Haiti.
Etsy shops have united for Haiti it is called Hearts for Haiti there are lots of etsy folks that have donated items, all of the profits go to Doctors without borders. So please if you are looking for a valentine gift, or any other item for that matter please take a look in the Hearts for Haiti shop.

I found out about it from 'lil Sonny Sky blog.

I have donated the iphone cover above.

Calico Bunny Pattern

2010-01-14T09:10:00.003Z

Sheesh! It seems this is all I go on about these days, really!

But I now have a volunteer to try out the pattern for me, could do with another one if anyone is still interested.
I have spent so many hours working on this thing that I am now dreaming about it. I am not quite finished but so very nearly there, then, I promise I will shut up about it, for a little while at least.

Pattern tester for PDF Pattern for Floppy Calico Bunny

2010-01-13T14:46:00.003Z

I am in need of a little help, I don't have anyone close by that I can ask this big favour. I have nearly finished the PDF for the Floppy Calico Bunny pattern, but before I put it 'out there' I could do with someone to have a go at following my rambling instructions and basically test it out. Once tested I would need some feedback on any improvements that could be made.
If you are a softie maker and would like to have a go at it please leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Thank you

I got featured!

2010-01-04T10:35:00.003Z

Had to share the news that I have been featured on the blog 'I Love Handmade'. It is a blog run by Kev, who shares handmade products from around the world. The blog features all kinds of crafts. Well here is my baby vest that has been featured. I love that little model in the picture. My youngest grandson when he was 11 weeks old ♡

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T10:33:00.001Z

Hi all,
I would like to wish all my friends in blog land a Happy New Year.

Cot set

2009-12-19T22:52:00.004Z

Here is a cot set I have made for my granddaughter. Her Dad has made her an absolutely beautiful dolls cot. Of course she needed some bedding to go with it. It is made with an old quilt cover with some lace added, I have quilted around the sheep as I thought it would look nicer that way.

I am sure she is going to love it on Christmas morning.

Now we just need to make a childs workbench, and a replica wooden Rayburn woodburning stove, these are supposed to be finished by Christmas day. I think not somehow.

My Creative Space

2009-12-10T12:25:00.004Z

My creative space today is on Skull a day, my sugar skull adults T was featured there but I just discovered it today. Little butterflies of glee in my tummy.
Makes a change from apple brooches that I have been putting together for the last 2 weeks.

More creative spaces here.

Brooches and Magnets and Key Rings Oh My!

2009-11-24T16:55:00.002Z

I have been rather busy today making new backs for my brooches, Magnets and Key Rings. I have wanted to do this for so long as the old ones were looking a bit jaded, so took a bit of time today to rectify it. I am sure there will be changes along the way, but for now I am rather pleased with them.

My Creative Space

2009-11-19T10:38:00.004Z

This week I have been making small tote bags that will have little things appliqued onto them. I love this dotty fabric. I got around 6 mtrs for a really low price which always makes it that little bit nicer.
I have also been making key rings and brooches. These are to top up my stock for the craft fairs I have booked for the run up to Christmas.

I think I should really be sorting out things I am making for folks for Christmas, it is going to be a handmade Christmas again this year. The best way.

Lots more creative spaces over at Kootoyoo

Floppy Calico Bunny

2009-11-16T22:44:00.002Z

Another bunny finished and ready to go. I have made this one slightly larger all round, still has the floppy feel to it, not sure if I prefer the original size or not. And this one has embroidered features rather than painted ones. Time will tell.

A very kind gesture

2009-11-14T23:01:00.005Z

I had to find a new stabiliser to use inside the freemotion baby vests I make. I had tried it without and the fabric stretches which is not the best for the design. I had tried another type of iron in stabilizer but it made the vests stiff as a board!

I asked about stabilisers on The Sewing Forum , where I have picked up many helpful tips and hints. I got a few replies one of which reccommended Floriani stabilisers. I had a look and they are pretty pricey! I wondered if it was possible to buy a few little bits to see if it was in fact what I needed. Then I had a reply from Annie (another member who is always around to give a hand). She offered to send me a couple of her bits so that I could try them out.

Big thanks to Annie as it was such a kind thing to do, I found that the Floriani no show mesh fusible is 'the one'.

The pics don't show the actual Floriani fusible just part of the process.

Finished Skull T-Shirt

2009-11-06T22:29:00.002Z

Here is the finished skull T-Shirt that has gone off to it's new home. They are really pleased with it and I am as well, it took a hell of a lot of sewing but I enjoyed it.
I seem to be going through a bit of an embroidered felt phase. I have added a few little felt bird keyrings to my things for my craft stalls, still haven't taken any pictures hopefully time will allow for this soon.......

Cookie Monster

2009-11-05T09:18:00.001Z

Just gotta love him! 40 years of Sesame Street, one of the TV programmes I never minded my kids watching.

The Quilt Project

2009-10-24T19:30:00.002+01:00

The wonderful Quilt Project that was an idea hatched by Kirsty at Kootoyoo was launched today. I was so sorry that I couldn't be there in person and see all the wonderful squares, but Kirsty has done a stirling job with the Quilt Project Blog so we can get a good look at what everyone has done.

When I first spotted this I jumped in and said I would make a square, then a couple of days later I realised that I had to actually make a square, send it off and let it be seen next to all the lovely ones that everyone else had made. It was then that I considered telling Kirsty I couldn't do it. I had a stern word with myself and spent about 3 weeks racking my brain as to what I could put on my square.

The Quilt is now made and it is really wonderful and I am so pleased that I have been a part of it. Thank you to you all.

My Creative Space

2009-10-14T22:13:00.003+01:00

I am posting my creative space just a little early this week. Reason being is I am going to have no time to join in tomorrow and still want to be part of the fun!! I need some fun as work is so busy I just find I have no time for myself, and my 'me' time is making stuff.

The one little window within all of this I crammed in a whole bunch of things which have all only been partly done. I have an apple brooch waiting to have the back put on, a Russian Doll bag to put a label on, a couple of small skull keyrings to put together, some 'crossed' bones which look very phallic! And I have to get on with the skull T as it is an order for someone. Eeeeek! And I know the next space of time I get to myself I must get that machine out and go for it!!!

For more Creative Spaces head over to Kirsty's

My Creative Space

2009-10-08T22:32:00.006+01:00

My Creative Space has changed somewhat over the last three or four weeks. My 'real' day time job has picked up again and I have a lot more work to do right now. Which is great cos it means I get paid, as I am a freelancer no work, no pay.

So instead of making things and immersing myself in fabric and thread I am immersing myself in html and Photoshop and collecting peoples stories for a project I am working on, which I really enjoy but I had quite got used to spending lots of time making and blogging! I am sure normality will return and my workload will return to zilch!

So this is a late Creative Space today, it is 10.35 pm on Thursday and just had to spend some time making something before I go to bed! So I got out my nice threads that I got from a charity shop for around 20p. These threads are really fine, not a lot more than sewing thread. I am sure the proper crocheters amongst us will be familiar with them. My Mum used to use them to do tatting, but I have never used them before. So I got out my crochet hook that my Mum gave me about a month ago and had another go at making a flower that she taught me. I will say nothing about my efforts! But I will try to improve as and when I get the opportunity!

To see more creative spaces see here

Sugar Skull T-Shirt

2009-09-29T22:58:00.003+01:00

And here is Emma's Sugar Skull T-Shirt. I really enjoyed doing this one, I would like to get one more made before the market on Saturday. Not sure whether that will actually happen though, as I have so much on!

A Horse Tale

2009-09-28T09:42:00.004+01:00

A friend wanted to buy a sugar skull T-shirt from me but decided she wanted a larger size. She brought along her daughter who loved the style but wanted a horse instead, you know these horse mad girlies.
I thought I would give it a go, see how it worked out.

Here are the results, what do reckon? I think she will like it. Nearly finished the sugar skull one as well.

My Creative Space

2009-09-24T16:17:00.003+01:00

I am sharing my creative space with lots of lavender again. It smells lovely as I sew them and I got lots of comments about their lovely smell on the stall last week.

I am also sewing a horse Tshirt. Lots of felt and swirly stitchy mane. More about that one later.

Today my creative space has also been sorting out a tech problem at work. I run a html course on Thursday mornings. The room that I use has just updated internet explorer. This has thrown up problems with viewing and editing the source code of webpages with notepad which used to be the default source code viewer. It has been changed with the upgrade to default to word which is not what I want to be doing.
So a quick call to the IT guys who do the support only to be told that there is nothing that can be done about it. No sorry that is not the answer I was looking for...........this is where Dr Google came in. It took me a minute to Google it, a minute to ring the tech guy and explain how to change the default viewer back to notepad! Why did I have to do that, why didn't he use google? Twit!

I decided to use one of my lavender bags to relax a little instead of banging my head against the wall!

For more creative spaces, get on over to Kootoyoo

After the Event

2009-09-21T11:41:00.004+01:00

The Milton Keynes MaKe event was great! I shared a stall with Dotty's Hats and Leif Treasure Baskets. Very good company.
My stall was next to Alissa's plus-size clothes swap very nice lady and very popular event. Hope to see this again!
Which was conveniently next to the lovely cakes and biscuits! Very tasty and they had Vegan cake as well which was much appreciated by my daughter.
Lots of talented people there, I made some new contacts plus I managed to not spend too much which is very hard to do when you are faced with lovely things you want to buy and can't just walk away.

I am hoping the MaKe event will happen again......

My Creative Space

2009-09-17T14:44:00.004+01:00

I have been to visit my sister this morning who has now finished Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy and looks amazingly well. She is managing to walk around a lot more. She is so totally bored at home after being practically a workaholic we have tried to keep her busy. My Mum has taught her to crochet so the granny squares are being made at great haste.

My little project for the day has been more lavender bags. I have been using some pretty fabrics like the russian doll and sacred heart stuff. These are for the Make event (previous blog post) on Sunday.

The lavender is so strong, but it is so lovely. Each time I walk into the house we have the lovely aroma. The lavender bag experience has brought back so many childhood memories for me. My Mum used to make them, my Dad would grow the lavender, it would be dried and my Mum would make all kinds of little bags for family and friends.

See so many amazing creative spaces over here.

MaKe Event Milton Keynes

2009-09-15T11:49:00.003+01:00

I will be at the Milton Keynes MaKe event on Sunday sharing a stall with two other lovely ladies. So if you are in the area, drop by, say hi.

My little Surprise

2009-09-04T15:53:00.005+01:00

I had been moaning, yet again, to my long suffering other half that I couldn't use my cone threads as they get caught up in my machine and drive me wild with broken thread, catching etc...
In the middle of one of these rants he got up and disappeared into the garden and came back in ten minutes later with this little beauty! Well that is an exaggeration as beauty it is not! But what it is is a fantastic thing that means I can now use my cones without spending dosh on a purpose made one. He even wrote in red pen "Willy's patented thread holder" and a cross where to stand my cone. He is so helpful!

My Creative Space

2009-09-03T13:27:00.006+01:00

I have some poly cotton here that I have only used a little bit of. My daughter has asked me to make her some little drawstring bags for her latest venture, more about that another time! I put together 8 little bags for her. It was really nice to be making something really simple and straightforward so that I didn't have to concentrate the whole time, plus sitting there with the tip of my tongue sticking out as I concentrate is not a good look! And it is always nice to make things for our kids isn't it.
To see other Creative Spaces go over to Kirsty's and take a look.

Time for a lovely cup of tea!

2009-09-02T15:39:00.003+01:00

I made my brother a nice cup of tea last week, he had just come round for a chat, he got to the bottom of his cup and look what he found! He was not that impressed. I don't mind spiders personally but don't really want them hanging around in the bottom of our cups! Was that one lump or two?

My Creative Space

2009-08-27T09:25:00.009+01:00

My Blog Avatar
Turned into a line drawing and traced onto tracing paper (I didn't need to do this stage but wanted to see how it would look)

Then traced onto stabilizer
Pinned to fabric
Sew, sew, sew
and here is the finished piece.

My Creative space has picture overload this week! I was up at the crack of dawn finishing off my piece for The Quilt Project. It is now finished and all that is left is to parcel it up and send it off to Kootoyoo in fact where you can see many more creative spaces.

The Tree

2009-08-21T09:25:00.002+01:00

I was trying to take a picture of two of my grandchildren next to that tree they are standing next to. It was so difficult! It was like trying to keep ants on a sixpence! Right ones there, go and get the other, right first one has run off, OK get that one sorted now go get the other and so on. Will ran around for five minutes and this is the best shot I got! It gave us a laugh anyway.
This tree is down by the local river. My Dads ashes are under that tree. We planted it as a little sapling in 2000 after his cremation. It was his favourite spot where he used to walk his dog so we thought it would be appropriate as he spent so much time there.
I rang the Parks Trust who look after that part of the river and surrounding land to see what they had to say about me planting a tree with my dads ashes underneath, I was prepared to do it anyway, I just preferred to do it the right way if possible, I can be a little headstrong.
I was pleasantly surprised when they said that it was fine, they would buy the tree as they were repopulating that area anyway and they even sent someone down earlier to dig the hole.
We (me and Will, my three children and my brother, his wife and son) arrived with our ashes and the guy who prepared the hole disappeared for a bit to leave us to it. We put his ashes in and put some nasturtiums in the hole as well. Each of our children put some soil in the hole and the guy came and filled it in properly and put up a support for the little tree. The only thing they asked was that we have no plaque or flowers there, this was what I wanted anyway so was fine by me.
We then spent a bit of time by the river with the children, it meant so much more to me than the service we had at the crematorium. This was my real goodbye to my Dad.

My Creative Space

2009-08-20T14:33:00.003+01:00

My Creative Space today is all about The Quilt Project. I have made my design and got my red thread. I am not sharing the design yet because I have made so many and changed my mind so many times now!
I have not made anything else at all since I received my calico square, this is going round in my mind so much I have no space for anything else. I want it in the post and safely in Kirsty's hands!

My Creative Space today has also had a lot of "Oh my god my little baby boy is going to University"! He got his Alevel results today and he got good enough grades to go to his first choice of Uni for his first choice of course. Good Lad!
See more creative spaces here.

Butterfly

2009-08-14T08:38:00.002+01:00

I found this butterfly today dead on my windowsill. It is so lovely it didn't deserve to be thrown away so thought I would share.

The Ikea fabric trip

2009-08-13T21:59:00.003+01:00

Here is the fabric I chose for the curtains in my newly decorated bedroom. I was so pleased to see that they had lots of new lines of fabrics and my fave happened to be the cheaper ones!
Then when I thought we were done I spotted the next fabric. There was one small piece of it left. Just enough to do the windows in my front door in fact, so that had to come home with me as well!

My Creative Space

2009-08-13T15:37:00.003+01:00

My creative space today consists of Ikea shopping for curtains for our newly decorated bedroom. I had originally wanted new cupboards and shelving but money, alas, dictates that this is not possible so it is curtains to hide the shelves behind.
I haven't been to Ikea for such a long time I have no idea what fabric lines they have in at the moment. I hope I am pleasantly surprised!

More (real) creative spaces here.

Summer Butterflies

2009-08-08T12:18:00.002+01:00

Hooray for my felt being back where it belongs. To celebrate I made a Summer Butterfly bodysuit.
I loved making that, I think I will have to do a little more applique.
This is the first lovely weekend we have had weather wise and we are decorating the bedroom. Not just a quickie paint job either, sanding the floor redoing the ceiling and all fun (not!) things like that. It will be great when it is done though!

My Creative Space

2009-08-06T09:58:00.003+01:00

My creative space has been returned to harmony! If you read this post here, you will understand how sad I have been about losing some of my things. But during the week I received a parcel. And in it all of my lovely things I left behind in the cupboard whilst on holiday.
The thing that I am most pleased about is my lovely tin that my Dad gave me so many years ago. If he were alive now he would have told me not to be so daft and it was only an old tin, but so many memories are attached to the small amount of things I have left of his that I couldn't bear to lose that little tin. It is great to have all the other stuff back as well but all of those could be replaced.
So big love to everyone that was involved in finding my stuff and getting it back to me. Thank you so much, so my creative space today will involve lots of going through it all again and being happy!

For creative spaces get on over to Kirsty's.

Cupcakes, Cocktails and Cross Stitch

2009-08-01T23:17:00.008+01:00

I went along to this event today. It was such good fun. We were greeted at the door by girls dressed in vintage outfits handing out free delicious cupcakes and Vodka Jello (£1).

The cocktail bar was selling such cocktails as the shoreditch sunrise, which went down well, although I had a tap water as usual.

Lots of cross stitchers, I forgot to take a picture of the table selling all the goodies and the tray of cross stitching kits.

And in that last picture just look! Three men doing cross stitch. There were around 6 or 7 guys I saw there taking part and it was just so nice. The venue was great, it had a roof garden with barbeque, bands playing in the basement and it was just an all round relaxed place. I want to host one now.

My Creative Space

2009-07-30T17:08:00.005+01:00

My Creative space today is filled with laptop bag making. It is a belated Birthday pressie for a friend. It is made from an Ikea quilt cover (new) that someone no longer wanted, even though they had never used it! Strange concept, why buy it in the first place.

Other Creative Spaces over at Kirsty's.

The Stitch Project

2009-07-28T17:40:00.004+01:00

I have decided to take part in The Stitch Project. I just thought it would be fun to add my little square to the final piece. I chose some Hi Vis fabric with some equally bright thread. My first idea was to do this ipod screen but the required dimensions made the text too small to read properly when stitched. So Settled on this one instead. I enjoyed it and would like to take part in something similar soon.

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-07-24T15:43:00.002+01:00

Today we have TomatoTea's shop. It is full of fun purses, handknit and crochet and lovely yarn. She has 10% off till the end of July for her yarn so go and check it out.
But I just couldn't help showing a pic of the delightful furry hood crochet pattern, which incidentally is only £2.00 a bargain and cute!

I Made This

2009-07-24T15:04:00.003+01:00

I chose to feature this skirt as my 'I made this' post as it is special. My sister is just finishing her first week of Chemotherapy and is poorly. I am sending my best vibes out to her to help her through this. X

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-07-22T19:14:00.002+01:00

Ruby Spirit Designs has some truly lovely jewllery in her shop. I love the dragonfly necklace pictured above. I also really love the Rainbow Pins she makes as well. She also makes earrings, bracelets and rings. Check her out, it is well worth the look.

Featured!

2009-07-21T10:32:00.002+01:00

I have been featured on Bambino Goodies website. A sweet review and rated as a 'hot buy'. I am very chuffed!

I am a complete fool!

2009-07-19T23:24:00.004+01:00

I am hating writing this blog post as it is annoying the hell out of me and making me sad at the same time. It has taken me a few days to write it.

I left a full carrier bag of my craft items in a cupboard whilst on holiday, I didn't remember till I got home. What a total idiot! I have never done anything like this before and I seriously can't get over it. The reason I am really sad is that one of the things in there was an old tin that my Dad gave me years ago before he died. None of the things are worth anything to anyone else, but they are mine and I would love them back.

So I now have absolutely no embroidery threads, no felt at all, no magnets, no embroidery needles, no embroidery scissors, no lovely pencil case with my 'best' stationery, no journal with ideas and sketches and no lovely old tin that my Dad gave me.

The picture above is one taken some time ago for the 'My Creative Space' meme.

I rang the manager at the holiday place to see if the cleaners had found it and they hadn't (some cleaners huh!) I then asked them if they could knock on the door and ask the new tenants if they could get it out of the cupboard and they were unwilling to do that for me.

I hate it!!! Now I have to put it behind me :(

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-07-17T19:26:00.004+01:00

Todays featured shop is Heart and Soil baskets which is run by Hen. She has a selection of really beautiful hand made baskets in her shop that just have to be checked out! Hand made basket ware fits in with any kind of decor and has a timeless quality to it. What is also fab about her baskets is that they are made using traditional techniques and managed willow.

Holidays!

2009-07-12T12:02:00.002+01:00

Here is a snapshot of the Great British Holiday. I am in Woolacombe in Devon which has a 4 mile (just under) beach of lovely soft sand. As you can see it isn't raining :)

I love holiday! Back to normal service next week.

My Sun Hat

2009-07-05T21:15:00.003+01:00

At last I got the opportunity to make myself a sun hat. We are going on holiday tomorrow and my usual one was looking a bit tired. It has a few more mistakes than the one I made for my Mum as I was running out of time, and fast! But I am working on getting my pattern perfect. It just needs a bit more tweaking.

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-07-03T16:24:00.003+01:00

Today's featured Coriandr shop is lej jewellery and is run by Joanne. I really love her bead necklaces she does have a nice selection of blue beads which I love. She also has some little piggy earrings but I do love the photo frame book mark pictured above.

Joanne will create custom orders in different colours or sizes which is always good so
go and take a look at her Coriandr shop:

Finished Sunhat

2009-07-02T17:06:00.001+01:00

And here is the sunhat I made for my Mum being modeled by my neighbor.

My Creative Space

2009-07-02T11:11:00.007+01:00

My Creative Space this week is all about a sun hat for my lovely Mum. I had wanted to make one for myself and told her about it, she said she didn't have one and how she would love me to make her one, the rest, as they say, is history.
Making the pattern was so fiddly and it has to be absolutely perfect or it doesn't work, it was a bit of a nightmare! So much more fiddly than making the pattern for the Calico Bunny even.
I loved sewing the brim, that was my fav part, and the little fella in the last picture was my buddy! I will post a pic of it when it is finished. I am hoping to get my sun hat made before we go away in a couple of days, not sure if that will happen!!

Kite Flying

2009-06-30T10:48:00.005+01:00

We decided to go kite flying at Dunstable Downs as this is one of the things my sister loves to do, I don't mean kite flying as in a £2 kite from the local shop I mean kite flying as in she owns around 15 kites in varying sizes going up to about 10 feet across, stunt kites and trick kites.
She is starting her Chemotherapy in a short while and we are doing as much as possible as a family before it starts as it is going to be hard going for her.
We had a fantastic day out with practically the whole family. We all took a picnic to share and my brother took his tilly stove so that we had hot drinks all day. The weather was kind to us even though a humongous dark cloud came over and threatened storms before we left, we had no rain. There is nothing nicer than being surrounded by lovely family. My 3 grandchildren were there which makes everything great!
The picture of all of the little kites was a guy near us who had this long string of home made kites, he has over 150 of them but he was flying 130 of them that day.

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-06-29T16:35:00.002+01:00

Today's featured shop is CeeGee Jewellery Design, you'll find sterling silver jewellery, handcrafted in Cheshire. All jewellery is delivered in a gift box or velvet gift pouch. I really liked the earrings in the picture with their cute pink flowers. Go and take a look at her shop and see for yourself.

Finished Purses

2009-06-26T20:50:00.005+01:00

Here are the finished purses, 25 of the little blighters. Phew! I went just a little overboard, there are one or two that still need poppers cos I ran out.
That was fun!

My Creative Space

2009-06-25T08:27:00.005+01:00

My Creative Space is a couple of days kinda thing this week. First off I have a bunch of purses that I have cut out and will be sewing up today. I have tidied out my pink boxes and moved stuff around in them so that I have some space. Because my work space is my dining table it gets really boring moving stuff from my shelf in the cupboard out to the dining room so I need it to be as organised as possible. Hence pink boxes, well they didn't have to be pink but it helps!

Lastly the picture of the crazyness in that cupboard is my sons shelf where he kept all his stuff for his A levels. Now they are over I have made him vacate that space so that I can have it for my newly sorted pink boxes. Hurrah! A little more shelf space for me to clutter up!

For more creative spaces get on over to kirsty's.

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-06-24T13:09:00.000+01:00

Todays featured Coriandr shop is Snapdragon Beads. My most fav thing in the shop is this hair clip pictured above. The colours are just so juicy! Alice also makes brooches, earings and pendants as well. Check out Snapdragon Beads.

Featured Coriander Shop

2009-06-22T17:12:00.005+01:00

Todays shop I find very interesting as I had never heard of this before finding them on Coriandr. MyFuroshiki sells fabric that you use to wrap gifts or to make a bag that you can retie to make a different shape when desired. How great is that, eco gift wrapping and a new bag a day if you want! Check out their shop and see the fun fabric prints they have on offer.

My Creative Space

2009-06-18T21:46:00.004+01:00

My Creative Space today is neither here nor there. Firstly I received a lovely bunch of roses from my (not so) young man. He didn't buy them as he doesn't believe in buying flowers he got them from a job he was working on and had to cut them all down. So a lovely bunch found there way to me, I love them so got to arrange them in my lovely blue vase, very creative!

And I am also working on making a pattern for a little gadget case for my new toy which was also a present from my (not so) young man. It is absolutely fantastic, it is a freeloader which is a solar powered charger which can charge all hand held gadgets like ipods and phones etc... and I am a gadget geek so it is perfect for me. Thank you to my man for my lovely presents. I am so lucky.

To see other fantastic creative spaces get on over to kirsty's

Cress Growing

2009-06-17T14:17:00.002+01:00

Well look at those lovely seeds. I got the grandchildren to plant some cress seeds in napkins inside coconut halves a couple of days ago, today already they are fine sprouts. I really loved doing it but I think they were a little nonplussed by it, they kind of just did it cos I suggested it. They will be back in a couple of days and can inspect their handywork.
I remember doing this when I was little, I loved it.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-06-15T10:15:00.000+01:00

Todays featured shop is debselliman who makes beautiful dichroic glass jewelry. She also makes tote bags and other jewelry items. Go take a look.... very nice!

The Birthday weekend

2009-06-14T19:51:00.002+01:00

My grand-daughter is such a lucky girl, she had a perfect birthday weekend. It was her birthday on Thursday, me and grandpa and other family members took her pressies over to her. On friday she had a little party for all her baby friends, then on Saturday it was all other members of the family and close friends to party. We were so lucky that the sun shone on all days! Amazing!

She had a fab time and loved tasting the gorgeous cake that her mummy made, didn't it look fab as well, clever girl.

My Creative Space

2009-06-11T23:56:00.008+01:00

There is 3 mins of Thursday left, I think I can finally add my creative space today. I have had a crazy 3 days and I am dog tired but I love this meme and I will play!

My creative space today has been making things for my grand-daughters first birthday, happy birthday my little sweetness, I have made her a painting apron and a party dress which she will wear on Friday. The dress has a pink underskirt with netting, it is cute.

I don't know why but I asked my partner to hold the dress for me on the bamboo pole so I could take a picture and he did that! So I thought I would share his sillyness.

This dress has caused me an anxious couple of days but now it is done I really like it, my daughter loves it and my grand-daughter couldn't care less, she will spill food all down it like it was her PJ's, perhaps in years to come she will look back at photos and like it.

To see other much more organised and earlier posted creative spaces take a look here.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-06-11T23:07:00.000+01:00

Todays featured shop is Mrs Toad. She makes felt goodies and jewelry. As you can see she pays attention to detail and embellishes her felt items with beads. Very sweet. Take a look at her shop here.

Etsy Sale

2009-06-09T23:04:00.005+01:00

I have just had my second sale on etsy, I sold one of the chainsaw onesies, it was bought for a little boy nicknamed chainsaw, sweet!

Here it is all parceled up and ready to go into it's outer packaging. I don't suppose a little baby boy is going to be too concerned about his vest being wrapped in pink tissue paper, it is all I use!

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-06-09T08:30:00.004+01:00

Todays Coriandr featured shop is NicsKnots. She makes lovely 'lucy' bags, Knitting needle rolls and drawstring bags using pretty cotton fabrics. Check out her shop here.

Handmade me by my Mum and Dad

2009-06-07T22:31:00.003+01:00

Here is a picture of me when I was around 6. Can you see that dress I am wearing with those crazy keys all over it (you could hardly miss it!), well that is one of the handmade creations that my Mum made for me. I wore all handmade clothes apart from pants, vests and socks when I was young cos my Mum sewed dresses and knitted cardigans and crocheted hats for us. My Mum and Dad made everything they could when I was young as we didn't have much money. My Mum used to go to jumble sales, before it was a trendy thing, I can still remember being in a small queue to get in and hiding behind her in case anyone from school saw me.
She used to buy any fabric and woollen items she could get her hands on. The fabric was turned into dresses and skirts and the woollys were pulled back to reknit into cardigans.
Of all the items she made for me that key dress was the bane of my life. My brother and sister used to take the mick out of me something rotten about that dress and this photo that my brother found in his old photo box brought back all of those memories. But you know what, I don't care about it anymore, I am proud of my Mum and Dad and all of the fantastic things they made by crocheting, knitting, sewing and knocking things up out of wood. I was a very lucky little girl.
Sorry about the photo, I was too lazy to get out the scanner so just took a photo of it.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-06-06T11:54:00.005+01:00

Todays featured shop is Creativesque. She makes papergoods that are very sweet! So if you need a bookmark, tags or notecards check out her shop here.

Sewing Machine Meme

2009-06-05T09:11:00.003+01:00

Sew, Mama Sew is hosting sewing machine month, hopefully this will be of use to someone wanting info on what machine to buy when looking around.

What brand and model do you have?
Pfaff Select 4

How long have you had it?
Year

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
(GBP) £420
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
clothing, handbags, softies, all kinds of fabric and some plastic.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew maybe 4 times a week at least for around 3 hours or more each time

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
No name for my beauty but I love it, I am really pleased with it but took an absolute age looking around for what I wanted. When my Mum first saw it in action she was swooning over it!

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
It is quite a basic machine (mechanical) but I love the IDT (walking foot) that is built in as I use some quite thick fabrics. And it has a needle threader that is fab!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
No

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
No all those stories are about my old machines.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
I would recommend as it is a sturdy machine and is pretty quiet, it plods through the difficult things I ask of it.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
You obviously have to consider how much you have to spend. But think about features you would really like and look around for one that has most of if not all of them.

Do you have a dream machine?
Yes I would love to have back my old singer treadle machine I got from the local newspaper sale for £5, 23 years ago, I rue the day I got rid of it. And my real dream machine would be mine but would include choice of where the needle stops (eg up or down) and a drop in bobbin.

My Creative Space

2009-06-04T09:19:00.007+01:00

Edited to add photos of the dress for my little lovely. I am really pleased with how it came out, I can't wait to try it on her. Sweet!

My Creative Space today consists of 3 bags of fabric that I have been given. I have the blue floral which is for a dress for one of my little lovelies that I will make today. The other fabric is all satins and what I call 'slippy' fabric. It will be useful for bag lining etc. but never in a month of Sundays could I make that many bags! I didn't have the energy to take some of it out to photograph yet, but I may update later in the day.

For more inspiring creative spaces get on over here.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-06-02T11:05:00.005+01:00

Today my featured seller is Pirate Pixie Crew.
Take a look at her shop here. Lynne makes lovely woollen items, some with a cute pirate twist. Eye patches (of course) Swag bags and delicious hats. Lynne has 10% off until June 30th so share the love!

At last a Peony

2009-06-01T22:26:00.003+01:00

My Peony that I planted around 6 years ago has finally flowered. I can't actually believe it. I had in fact given up on it so I was really surprised to see the bud forming on it a couple of weeks ago, and here it is and it really was worth waiting for.

The Special Skirt

2009-05-31T11:29:00.008+01:00

Yesterday I tackled something I had never tackled before. You can see there is a tale coming can't you!
I attempted making a skirt, not such a big deal you say, well I did it using a pattern, a real pattern bought from a shop, not one made from newspaper by me which I usually use.

All I can say is there was so much reading to do, if I wanted to read i'd get a book! Little symbols to understand, what! I didn't want a lesson in decoding! Anyway suffice to say that everything that could go wrong did, so lots of sewing and unpicking and resewing went on.

As you can see the skirt is nearly done. Just (just she says!) got to fit the zip, side seam, waist band and hem it up. Adventures will be had today!

This skirt is a special skirt. You know it is really nice fabric, we can see that but that is not what makes it special. My sister who has cancer, you may remember this post, doesn't 'do' skirts is going into hospital tomorrow to have a colostomy operation. This will mean her wearing a stoma bag which will be difficult at first with trousers till she can get used to it.

She wanted to have a nice skirt for when she comes out of hospital so I am trying to get it done so that she has it there ready for her. She loves it so far and I really want to get it right cos it's special.

MK Etsy meet up

2009-05-28T14:15:00.006+01:00

The MK Etsy meet up happened last night, it was great! There was spugmeistress, MrXStitch and myself of course. We talked for hours about local groups, about crafting and how we are going to be setting up our own ninja style, hit squad, bad boy/girl crafting set, more of that to come later.

They brought along a couple of bits that they had made so we could have a photograph, sorry it's a bit dark but if I used flash it washed it out.

Mr X Stitch brought along some copies of the local craft matters mag which is fab and news of a contemporary craft show happening in September at Madcap Theatre in Milton Keynes.

It was a great evening and we are on the lookout for you local crafters, just cos they say your paranoid doesn't mean your not being watched!

My Creative Space

2009-05-28T11:14:00.003+01:00

Today my creative space is a sea of Felt and Embroidery threads. I am making more fridge magnets and I am going to make some felt creatures which are the same as the fridge magnets but with suckers instead. Mmmm lovely felt in lots of different colours yum!

For more creative spaces go and take a looksie over here.

Labels - Woohoo!

2009-05-27T12:49:00.003+01:00

At last my labels have arrived I have been waiting for them forever! Well around 3 weeks at any rate. When I ordered them the blue looked more like the blue in my banner but hey I still think they are cute!

Sorry about the poorly lit picture it is a very dark and rainy day here in the UK today!

Yumski Fabric

2009-05-27T11:05:00.004+01:00

I have had an enquiry about a custom purse on etsy so I took a few pictures of some of my fabric so that she could choose. They look so nice I thought I would share the pics here.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-05-27T10:40:00.005+01:00

Coriandr featured shop today is Kitty Ballistic (fab name for a start!). Kitty Ballistic makes felt items and jewelery. Here are a few things from her shop that I like. Go take a look for yourself here.

It's Tuesday and I can't wait...

2009-05-26T13:59:00.005+01:00

...till tomorrow eve when a group of local etsy'ers are meeting up at my house. How exciting is that! I will blog about it after the event as well. To take a look at a few folks who will be here look on etsy on 'shop local' and search for 'Milton Keynes'. Above I have shown a couple of pics from Milton Keynes etsians stores.
If you want to take part in 'It's Tuesday' comment over here.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-05-25T20:50:00.005+01:00

My next featured Coriandr shop is Julie Mills Design. Julie makes things like purses, scarfs and a few other little bits, I like the sweet little purses particularly, birds are featured quite a lot, which can't be a bad thing. She not only makes her own items she prints the fabric as well. See what you think, take a look here.

Little Brown Owl

2009-05-25T18:05:00.003+01:00

This is the latest in my Little fridge magnet collection. I got the urge to make a little brown owl and thought he would be nice as a fridge magnet. So here he is. I am quite pleased with how he turned out.

Sunday Stash #3

2009-05-24T15:02:00.005+01:00

Hello my friends, have a good day! I set my heart on having this piece of fabric as soon as I saw it. I love those cute mushrooms and fawns (they are just out of shot, they are very shy you know!).
To see other delicious fabrics get on over here.

Featured Coriandr Shop

2009-05-23T20:03:00.008+01:00

I have decided to have something new on my blog. It is going to be a very small feature on a Coriandr shop. Coriandr is a relatively new UK based site for handmade, vintage and supplies. It is a great little community and I want to share the love. This may happen often or maybe not. We will see, but lets see who is first.

OK BlueFishHandmade has some fabbo stuff in her shop. I have chosen a couple of items that I really like but it is worth going on over and taking a look as there is much more on offer. She even does knicky knacks!

Finished Frame Bag

2009-05-22T14:54:00.004+01:00

Well this is the finished result. It looks ok at first glance but has a couple of little bits that I will do different next time. It is a little wonky and the open sides of the bag come down a little further than the bag frame. But all things considered not bad at all as I didn't get glue anywhere else other than where it was meant to be.

Featured on Mr X Stitch

2009-05-21T21:47:00.003+01:00

I have been featured on Mr X Stitches blog. He showcases a new embroiderer or stitchist each week and this Thursday it is my turn! He has shown a few pics of my Onesies which amazingly look so much better on his blog.
Take a look at some of the other stitchists he features, some are not for the faint hearted, but all of them are really fantastic. Thank you Mr X Stitch, go take a look.

My Creative Space

2009-05-21T10:22:00.003+01:00

My creative space today was in fact started yesterday to be continued today. I am so excited and scared because it is the first time I have attempted a frame bag. The bit I am most worried about is the glueing side of things. I am bound to get glue everywhere except where it is needed! It is already a little wonky but I will be able to use it myself. It is lovely fabric so that is good enough! Who cares about a little wonky with handmade?

For more fabbo creative spaces looksie here Where this meme has gone crazy!!!

Paper Shoes

2009-05-19T00:25:00.003+01:00

Well paper shoe actually. It is amazing how inspiring boredom can be isn't it. I had nothing to do earlier after spending all day fulfilling the orders I had from the FruteJuce party, there was some paper knocking around on the table so I was fiddling around with it. It ended up being this little paper shoe that I quite like for some reason.

Sunday Stash #2

2009-05-17T14:08:00.003+01:00

Here is my latest piece of fabric, I know it is very popular but it is mine, all mine!! I am planning to make a little bag for my Sister with it. She will love it.

To see more fantastic stash's get on over here.

The Frutejuce Party

2009-05-16T00:20:00.003+01:00

Hi, If any of you get the chance to take your things to a selling party go for it. I got 4 sales and 5 orders. Well worth doing. The girls selling jewellery did well but the Body Shop lady didn't make many sales at all.

New Grandchild

2009-05-15T23:04:00.004+01:00

Hi all, as some of you may have noticed from my profile I have been expecting a new grandchild. Well the little chap was born today and all is well. He weighs 8lb.7oz. I haven't slept for 2 days as my daughter in law was in slow labour at first but in the end she had a home birth, no drugs or any intervention. Perfect textbook birth. Welcome to the world little boy with no name.