Things I make!

I've always taken photos of things I've made, over the years, and seeing some of them all together here makes me realise how much I've created! 


Have a peak!

my web page

Textile Jewellery Course

I went on a textile jewellery course in Bristol last week, run by Julie Roberts (this link takes you to her courses/website) at her studio in Easton and here's what I made..

Flower brooches

Covered Button in the middle of this one

Close up

We used Suffolk Puffs to make brooches - 

layering up the fabric creates

different effects

Stitch on a button

Add some random embroidery stitches

I can now turn a length of ribbon

into a rose or two

Julie Roberts' courses  are run at her studio in Easton and she runs a variety of craft classes/day courses at The Bristol Folk House.


As a child I remember making suffolk puffs (large ones) and stitching them together to make a sausage dog draft excluder - a way of using odd fabric and keeping the drafts away - these were the days before central heating and double glazing!


There are lots of tutorials and images using suffolk Puffs online.


Here http://lifeatrosemaryhill.blogspot.com/2009/08/sewing-saturday.html they have been used to make a garland.

http://lifeatrosemaryhill.blogspot.com/2009/08/sewing-saturday.html

Here another blogger http://www.monpolkadotcheri.co.uk/2010/07/homage-to-suffolk-puff.html who shows how potty she is about these cute fabric puffs!

http://www.monpolkadotcheri.co.uk/2010/07/homage-to-suffolk-puff.html

Keeeep sewing!

Fancy Pants - make your own!

'I'll never have to buy another pair of knickers again!', I said as I arrived home after a knicker-making course at the Bristol Folk House.

My new fancy pants!

The course was led by Delia of Flo-Jo Boutique, who gave us a quick guide on how to make the fancy pants with a lovely selection of fabrics, elastic and bows to choose from. I have never used an over-locker before and it was a good chance to sew with one...quite scary!


Sarah put a fancy flower on the back of hers!

You can buy kits to make knickers from Flo-Jo's website and have a go at making your own fancy pants! Check out this video on Flo Jo's.


Flo-Jo are running two classes at the Bristol Folk House. Here are the details or follow the link to the Folk House above.

KNICKER MAKING WORKSHOP

Tutor: Delia Adey

course code:  SS35

Course begins: Wednesday 3rd August 2011  1 day course

From: 18:00 to 21:00

Fee: Full fee £17.75  /   Over 60s £16.25  /   Benefit £12.50

Open to those with basic sewing skills, this workshop will teach you everything you need to know to make a unique pair of undies. Combine cotton prints, lace trims and satin ribbon in this fun introduction to under garment making!

KNICKER MAKING WORKSHOP

Tutor: Delia Adey

course code:  SS47

Course begins: Friday 5th August 2011  1 day course

From: 10:00 to 13:00

Fee: Full fee £17.75  /   Over 60s £16.25  /   Benefit £12.50

Open to those with basic sewing skills, this workshop will teach you everything you need to know to make a unique pair of undies. Combine cotton prints, lace trims and satin ribbon in this fun introduction to under garment making!

Get sewing!

Cathedral window cushion cover - how squares make circles!

I used to make loads of patchwork using this style when I was younger and was reminded of the technique when I came across some Liberty print I'd used on a previous cathedral window project.


What I like about this patchwork is that it's all done by hand, so you can take it out with you and you don't need to have a sewing machine. I also like it that the squares you stitch together create a beautiful arrangement of circles and colour.


The coloured fabrics I used were given to me by a friend who had collected lots of samples of silk fabrics whilst hunting for furnishings for her new home. 


I have lots of craft books that I use for reference but here is the 'how to' on the net, explained very simply.


Explained very simply here at the hyena-in-petticoats blog

1) In this photo you can see how the circles are formed.

2) A close up on the stitching

3) The finished cushion

4) The colours remind me of the cover of my note book - spooky!

5) I found this photo I'd taken at Boscastle of some lobsters, caged and ready to go to the market. There's a resemblance to the cushion cover.

Buy some cheap white cotton and have a go...the results are stunning! Let me know how you get on.... x

Daisy lawn...don't pick the daisies, but feel free to chop down them dandelions!

I cut the grass today but could not mow through the clumps of daisies...so I went round them! They are such wonderful little flowers.

I'm interested to see how things grow!


I was reminded of this cute song about daisies performed by Helen McCookerybook at a Martin Stephenson gig in April
Daisy song...


I'll stitch a daisy soon.

Rosette - and the winner is.....

I picked this little gem up from a local (Bristol) designer/artist/illustrator called Helen Ward whose inspirational blog I dip into every now and again. She made this rosette into a birthday card for her daughter and created a tutorial on 'how to'. Paper rosette tutorial. Helen also makes unusual jewellery which you can see here helenwardstudio @ Not on the High Street.


I used some paper I'd picked up at a local craft shop, the sort used for scrap-booking and card making, and made two rosettes.


Here they are:

You like? Have a go...