The Empty Oxo Box

Craft club - Hockney inspired fabric creation

2012-02-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

Suffolk puffs, a heap of gorgeous fabric from the scrap store & a bit of inspiration from my recent visit to the Hockney exhibition at The Royal Academy has prompted the collective project for the craft club.

I was wowed by this image and so were year 7 when I showed them.

Ours may be titled

THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING IN KINGSWOOD, BRISTOL IN 2012 (TWENTY TWELVE)

The beginnings....

Some fiddling with the composition

My job is to stitch the green background fabric together and do a bit of free-machining on it.

Watch this space as the project blooms!

Alli

An Oxo box

2012-02-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

Look what a friend sent me in the post...so apt!

Facebook page for selling my goodies

2012-02-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

I've taken the plunge and created a small-key business page for the things I make @ Alli-Tillcock-Handmade. You can 'Like' the page if you would like to follow me. Alli x

Inspiration from the V&A

2012-02-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

I had the luck of visiting the V&A all on my own and felt very inspired. Here's a selection of images that inspired me. Sadly the textiles/fashion section was closed, but I found plenty to stimulate the eyes.

Don't forget to look up!

Size is not a problem

Glass

Glass sculpture

Close up of the next glass window

Cats encased in glass -
they can't kill birds in here

The jewellery section is like a cave;
dark, long and sparkly. I only got this
one shot before I was reminded not
to take any pictures in there.

A top venue for a cuppa...

Stuffing hearts at Craft club

2012-02-07T04:09:00.000-08:00

Finished hearts. Proud pupils!

The crafters, who come to the club I run at work, have been busy stitching these wonderful hearts by hand and stuffing them with lavender. It's great to see their smiling and happy faces leaving with their finished projects. Watch this space for more creations.

A handbag?!

2012-01-21T03:32:00.000-08:00

I have a lovely book, with lots of lovely, stylish bags by Amy Butler. I have a special event to go to and decided to make a bag.

First I needed to select some fabric...I couldn't resist this 'Big Bloom' fabric from local shop Poppy Patchwork

Pleating the fabric was an exercise in dodging being scalded by the iron, but the result was gorgeous.

Assembling all the pieces and the zip

My favourite bit about making a bag in when you pull the whole bag out through a small opening in the lining, termed 'The birth of a bag' by a friend. You have to have faith that you've matched everything perfectly and stitched it well...stitching faith.

Give the whole thing a big press...more scalding opportunities

Both sides of the finished bag

All it needs now is a name and an outing! Ideas on a name? Fleur? Big Bloom?!

Have a lovely weekend. Alli x

Hearts - lavender filled

2012-01-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

I admit it, I watched the re-run of a Kirsty's Homemade Christmas and stole this idea from her! K made a garland, dangling stitched and stuffed hearts (this was in the craft section, not food)

I wanted to make some hearts and use up some of the odds and ends of fabric I had from bunting projects. So I patched the fabric and fused it on some 'double-sided' Bondaweb, then cut the heart shapes out.

1) Stitch the hearts in a running stitch with a jaunty thread
2) Leave a gap so you can stuff with lavender
3) Stitch up hole
4) Use recycled ribbon (saved from packaging around fleecy pjs) and stitch a button on each side of the hearts to hold ribbon in place
5) Fuse the outer edges of the hearts together with an iron, I used 'double-sided' Bondaweb - then cut a decorative edging around the heart with pinking scissors.

A scented lush heart!

A moody, arty image of scented hearts...

Here's Kirstie's version...a real winter warmer.

Applique cushion

2012-01-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have an idea in my head of something I want to make, but I just can't find the time to get to it. That's what this project was like, but when I found the space it came together really quickly.

I had
- some Linen fabric from IKEA
- a bag of odds and ends of ribbons from one of my fav local craft shops, Creativity
- plain cushion from Primarni...
- small piece of fabric, left over from making a make-up bag and some fabric baskets from Fabric Rehab

The finished cover

I decided that the theme was flower/seed heads - the ribbons made perfect stems and I cut shapes from the fabric remnant to make the seed heads. Finally, I whizzed around it all with a secure zig zag stitch. Lush!

A moody Hipstamatic version!

Here's the fabric in question in another life...

Wish I could get some more of this fabric....

So, use fabric to help you create images, layer up the shapes and see what you create.

Happy creating! Alli x

New Year clear out = New Project on the horizon!

2012-01-10T04:08:00.000-08:00

We tackled the clothes lurking deep in the drawers & cupboards this weekend, the ones that your kids still try to squeeze in cos they love them so much. What to do with these garments that weigh so much in terms of their sentimentality, is the question we pondered.

'What about if I make you a quilt cover and patch in all these clothes?' I asked.

'YES!', smiled my happy daughter.

So we've gathered the garments together - they all look a bit tatty (well loved), worn out (well worn) and bit of a hotch potch! I'm planning the said project and might also have a go at transferring images onto plain fabric of daughter in the garments etc, after being inspired by the projects here at bhg.com.

Here's a sneak preview of the worn, sorry, well loved clothes! I'll keep you posted as the project, with the testing of skills, grows. Two distinct colour ways going on, so I'm going to have to be careful about how I mix them together on the final piece.

Bunting - for a dog owner!

2012-01-06T03:25:00.000-08:00

Vic's sister has a dog called Mo - he's cute (I've seen the pictures) and Vic commissioned me to make this special bunting for her sis, Sas!

I made cute felt bones to add to the doggie theme. You can see them better on the following print!

Fab doggie fabric came from two of my favourite fabric shops -

Fabric Rehab for Whiskers and Tails, Green

Whilst Fancy Moon supplied me with Park & Ride Tea, Alexander Henry.

I'm pleased with the result!

Happy Friday x

Fancy homemade labels - I like! Will have a go...

2012-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Just browsing and I found this project for DIY labels. When I find some time I'm going to try something similar. They are gorgeous and cute - bespoke labels!

Thank you Passiona Cottee for sharing this gorgeous project - follow her blog at http://lecoutureve.blogspot.com/

Happy making

Goals....hope 2012 is what you make it!

2012-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

I don't do resolutions; the past has taught me that they get broken and lead to disappointment.

Instead, I set myself a mental list of things/targets/wishes/dreams etc and I start to talk about them, investigate and invest the time and energy into making them happen. I do this whenever I feel the need for a change, when something whacks me in the face, if I feel blue or life takes a turn I wasn't expecting. Keeping some perspective all year suits me better.

I don't do personal, here on my blog, though there's lots to celebrate on that front. Creatively I've got lots to be excited about:

- theemptyoxobox has opened up my creative world and generated some conversations, creative opportunities in myself and others in this community, which I'm very excited about

- I'm making & creating whenever I can find the time

- I've been excited by the courses I've been involved in and felt challenged, particularly by 'Paint and Draw'

- I love the craft club I've started at my school, wish I'd done it years ago!

- looking forward to teaching others, in the future

One thing I am always grateful for is that my lovely mum stitches, sews, knits, crochets and paints and says 'yes' - she is my inspiration. Cheers mum x

May be your list is as long as Guthrie's.
Woody Guthrie's New Year's resolutions from the year 1942.

I like number 18, 12 and 26.

Maybe your goals come in different shapes and sizes. What ever you dream of, may it make you and yours happy and content and make the world a better place.

x

Festive feastie bits!

2011-12-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

There is a score through most of the items on the list, and these little treats, made yesterday, packaged today, have been put in with Christmas pressies! Phew!

I started making these when my friend, Sophie, gave us some one Christmas.

I've use these two recipes - Fruity Christmas biscotti from the BBC Goodfood site and the decadent chocolate one, Cherry Chocolate Biscotti, from allrecipes.co.uk.

We had to test them -
hence the gaps!

All wrapped up and ready to go!

Happy baking!

Basic printing with the kiddies!

2011-12-19T02:48:00.000-08:00

Looking at the growing pile of saved polystyrene bases reminded me how much pizza we had eaten and also the need to use the bases for basic printing. Here's what we produced:

You need block print ink and at least 2 rollers -
one for ink and one dry for pressing the image onto paper

Our original designs drawn onto polystyrene squares
from pizza bases

Drying results

Hettie's disco dancing snowman

Rachel's snowy cat

Me flowers

We were inspired by these pictures and this link.

Next year I plan to print and make my Christmas cards...bit late now!

A good place to buy the ink, roller and paper is Artrageous in Bristol. Have fun....x

Finished and framed

2011-12-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

Flowers or birds?

2011-12-14T04:46:00.000-08:00

I found this link to a beautiful felt flower ages ago and have just got round to making it. The link to this lovely project is here at the Megan Reardon tutorial, or link to her blog Not Martha

Extra tips are:

1) Stitch each petal rather than gluing, less fiddly & saves time
2) Rather than glue the main disc to the card, sew a running stitch around the edge of the disc and then pull tight to fix it over the card backing. See pic below...

I'm going to experiment with other colours and shapes and I'll let you know how things go...

Happy stitching
Alli
x

Greeting for Christmastide - old plum!

2011-12-14T02:40:00.000-08:00

While you are writing, making (!?), opening or displaying your Christmas cards have a look at these postcard christmas cards from the early 1900s.

Ringing in the New Year! Religious images...

I think this angel is a bit scary!

Is that a scythe hanging behind the mirror?

'Youtube' were not the first to adore tiny cats! Love the pun, 'feline'!

This is my message to you all!

So, I'm going to echo Elsie and say that I wish you all 'luck and pleasure this Christmas. Mind what you get up to.' Love Alli xx

Kid Christmas Craft - pecking birds!

2011-12-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, whilst on a trip to the local museum, my daughter made one of these pecking bird, moving toys. Cute, eh?

I think they are cute and wanted to share the activity with the craft club I run at my school.Here's a template and instructions on how to assemble your birds.

Here are some images of the birds that my club members started... work in progress, plenty of feathers and googly eyes in use!

Text & word inspired bird...

Collage dotty bird...we think it looks like
The Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle inspired

Love birds...

Shake your tail feather...

The sparkly legs will have to go or
the birds won't move!

Simplicity...

Love birds, gone crazy with love!

Block Printing on fabric: Weeks 2,3 & 4

2011-11-25T01:28:00.000-08:00

I've really enjoyed my birthday present - a block printing on fabric course at the creative Spike Print Studios, Bristol. Here's what I got up to:

I rushed this owl and when I looked back at him I saw that there was lots missing, so I went back and cut him again during week 2.

No feathers and no wings!

Week 3, I really had to sort this weird bird out...more cutting!

A Van Gogh sky..

I included a sponged on background..

The lino cut..

I used him to make a T-towel..

Then in the final week I decided that I had to simplify my motif. So in a 2 minute window before I left work to head for the course, I googled some feather images and came up with a peacock feather design.

First prints

Getting better...

This fancy pattern is on a t-towel

This pattern is printed on a bag..spooky zebra eyes?

Paint and draw 10: Face..smiling Moss

2011-11-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

It was all about drawing today and putting together all the skills - sketching, shading, proportions, guessing, rubbing out!

I chose a smiling Kate Moss. I found it difficult getting the mouth and teeth right but I've got a picture of the original and may work on this image to finish it or start all over again...

That's the 10 week course over until January - when I'm hoping to go back and improve my work, technique. I can highly recommend Will's classes (click on Will's name for the link) - really relaxed and enjoyable. Call him and join one of the classes or look for something where you are!

Paint and Draw 9: Life drawing

2011-11-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Tackling a real model, rather than drawing an image from a picture, was todays challenge. Will gave us a quick demo on how to start and use the measuring skills we were taught right at the beginning of the 10 week course.

We had about 50 minutes for the first image. During a break I walked around to look at our drawings and I liked the subtle changes in perspectives of the individual drawings and how the images took you on a 360 image of the model.

The rest of the session was spent doing quick 5 minutes drawings. I really enjoyed this and liked the idea that keeping your pencil on the paper helps with the flow...

Reuse - create another invite...

2011-11-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

I've found a way to reuse an image that I made for a party invite. You can see the previous creation here: Felt invite.

I've used it again...

I'm pleased with it....

Crafty Olympics!

2011-11-15T22:40:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist sharing this gallery from yesterday's Guardian.

Knitted Olympic stars - in pictures

A new knitting book gets into the London 2012 spirit with patterns for the most celebrated Olympians of all time. But how closely do the knitted characters resemble the real sporting heroes? Rachel Dixon finds out

Knitlympics by Carol Meldrum is published by Collins & Brown. Buy it from the Guardian Bookshop for £6.39.

Rachel Dixon
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 15 November 2011 09.00 GMT

Still trying to get my head around the idea of a knitted swimming figure....!

Paint and draw : Lesson 8 Acrylic - colour colOUR COLOUR!

2011-11-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

Mixing colours can be tricky! We worked on mixing acrylics and blending the paint today - first job...an onion and the shadow!

Task 2 - playing with brush strokes, blobbing, splodging and just going for it. I was a bit nervous and couldn't get into it, but a push from Will and I started to enjoy myself.

You get the idea!

Block printing on Fabric 1..an early birthday present

2011-11-04T05:07:00.000-07:00

For my birthday present this year I wanted to go on this course and I managed to get a place. There are 6 of us on the course so plenty of time to talk through ideas and explore techniques.

The tutor Jacqui at Spike Print Studio has a good background in textile design and printing and is friendly, inspiring & supportive.

My lino cutting skills from the workshop at The Folk House came in handy as we use lino to cut our designs. We cut away and had a go at printing a sample.

Needless to say...I loved it! My mind bubbles with all the possibilities....

Paint and Draw lesson 7 - Acrylic!

2011-11-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to my class today - some sad news put me in a weird place. I did venture out and got into the flow of the lesson.

It was all about mixing colours and understanding how to make a range of colours from 7 colours on the pallet - warm red, cool red, warm blue, cold blue, warm yellow, cool yellow and white. Will gave us three different demos and tasks today to help build up our skills at mixing....blimey, it's hard!

Here's my attempt at creating a range of colours and understanding how I got there...I do like a blue/ green range.

Next it was our task to create skin tones and our very own tone! We drew around our hands and played...well one member of the class said that mine looked like a 'Gaga hand'...not my best attempt. Just as Will pulled us together for the final demo I'd cracked the skin tone I wanted! I had another go....

Looks like I've been having fun with lipstick at the Rimmel counter

That's better - no more Gaga hand!

The pale circle of colour is from my attempt to create paint to match with a section from a painting - you can't see the painting, but you can see my attempts to match the colours. I'm looking forward to next week when we can apply what we've learnt to a picture. I feel like we learn quite a lot in a short space of time.

Share your crafts - Stitch 'n' 'Craft'

2011-10-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

A few years ago a group of us got together and created a stitching group with a difference - we wanted to share our crafts and teach each other something new - so we did! I don't have many pics, but I'll share what I have.

The idea: we took it in turns to teach a craft to the others and here's what we did.

Felting
Jules taught us felting - we made flower brooches and felt pods or 'dust-catchers' as Jules called them. There's something physically satisfying about layering up the fibres, combining colours and agitating the wool to create 3D structures. We liked it.

Reverse applique

I taught everyone how to create pictures using felt and the reverse applique technique - design an image, layer up felt, stitch on a design and then cut away the felt to reveal the felt in the colours you've chosen for your design. Lovely results!

Natural beauty products

Paula treated us all to an evening of making beauty products using ideas from Neals' Yard book,

Neal's Yard Remedies Recipes for Natural Beauty (Neals Yard Remedies)

We made a room spritzer, face masks, a range of bath salts and foot scrub. Packaged in a bag they make a lovely gift!

Silk Painting

Sue taught us silk painting...really lovely.

The Cute Book

We also had a go at making some softies from this fab book - The Cute Book.

So, if you have a skill, why not teach it to others and learn something new from them!

Happy creating! Alli :-)

Paint and Draw lesson 6 (I missed 5!) Watercolour

2011-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

I didn't feel that connected with watercolours today - I'll persevere with it!

At first we had to get the paint 'wet' enough and play with the paint. So we did...

Then we experimented with wetting the paper, adding colours, highlights and then using pastels to create mixed media pieces.

I like what happened here when I scanned the image - I took the image out before it was scanned, quickly shoved it back and then moved it! Weird result!

Lino Printing

2011-10-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

...is fun! Get on a course and have a go. I did my course at the Folk House Bristol. I've bought materials to use with the family at home. I'm addicted...

Here's what I made..

Lots and lots...print and play.

Final black layer on larger print..

All three layers

Just 2 layers

Having a play...

The lino in the final stages...a thing of worked beauty

I found this great tutorial on lino printing here..Folksy by Zebedee

Paint and Draw lesson 4

2011-10-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

Pastels and lovely smudgy oil pastels...

I couldn't fit the portrait in the scanner, so here's just a section.

A bit of a Barbie doll!

The apples were another quick 10 minute draw - there is something good about drawing under pressure!

Free machine embroidery...the designing stage!

2011-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

I've been on the Free Machine Embroidery course at the Bristol Folk House brushing up on techniques and using new skills. We now have 3 weeks to plan and complete an individual project so I thought I'd get the planning done at home so I can concentrate on techniques and working out a way to complete my design - I've gone for a Mad Hatter's cake. Looks OK on paper, but will it transfer onto fabric? We'll see. I'll post pics of my work in progress...as it progresses.

Session 1...the basic shape comes
to life

Spent a bit more time on my project - a grand way to spend a Friday evening.

Fab Fabric shop in Bath.

2011-10-02T02:28:00.000-07:00

Found a lovely fabric shop in Bath, Green Street, and enjoyed chatting with the owner who comes from a line of fabric shop owners. There was a touching photo of his mother a friend standing outside their store in St Pauls, Bristol, 'The Nylon Shop'. Good to chat fabrics with someone who knows their stuff!

This tiny print reminds me of a liberty print from the 80s.
It will be perfect for tiny fabric flowers.

We all need to have something dotty in our lives...

The green in this is refreshing...

Pretty pattern....

Victoria Chalmers...brilliant artist friend.

2011-09-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

Vic posted one of her latest pieces on Facebook the other day and prompted me to share her brilliant work with you all. You can see some of Vic's work on her website. I'm not an art critic & don't speak the art speak - but I know what I like, and I like and am inspired by Vic's work.

Paint and draw: Lesson 3

2011-09-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

New week and new materials - hello charcoal & pastels! I was very nervous about attempting a face...phew! Done!

The pepper took me 5 mins and I'm much happier with it than the face.

Paint and draw...weekend work.

2011-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Something new to distract me. Just to check I can still draw! I feel very comfortable with a pencil...

Paint and Draw 2

2011-09-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

It's week 2 of the lessons and today Will talked about free-drawing but using measuring devices to sketch out your drawing, using a piece of paper and your pencil. We looked at artists who use the dot and carry method to construct their work.

For our first drawing we had to place our image upside down just to change how we looked at it and challenge the way we see things. A link to Will's classes is here.

Produced in less than 2 hours...I feel there is a fruity thing going on here!

Message in a fabric basket...

2011-09-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's Freshers' Week next week and 'freshers' have been making their way around the UK this weekend. A really exciting time, but one of mixed emotions for all concerned.

I managed to see Bee before she was driven away from Bristol today and give her my 'message in a fabric basket'. The basket will be collapsible storage for her knick-knacks and a little reminder from us...I'm so soppy and sentimental!

They'll have the time of their lives....

A Perfect Paint Palette

2011-09-16T05:32:00.000-07:00

A gorgeous range of colours here, ready to inspire!

Paint and Draw - lesson 1

2011-09-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

A lack of drawing experience led me to enrol on a 10 week beginners course led by Will Stevens, details of his courses are here on the Paint and Draw website.

Lesson 1 was about using a grid to draw an image and using shading. Here's what I produced - I'm really pleased with myself and look forward to improving and learning new techniques.

We also looked at how artists use other techniques to help get down the basics of a drawing down on paper - projections, camera obscura and photographs. Briefly also looked at examples of photorealism.

Watch this space...

Bunting and Pennant creation..'Penning'

2011-09-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

Flora loves horses! As her birthday got nearer so my hunt for 'horse' fabric failed. The farmyard fabric was too young and nothing else would do, so I used my bunting skills and applique techniques to make Flora 'Penning', pennant style bunting.

What do you think?
She loves it!

Roald Dahl Day 2011

2011-09-13T03:58:00.000-07:00

It's Roald Dahl Day today and I've made my daughter some monkey ears for the occasion! She' going to be a monkey for the day...what's new!

Happy Dahl day...

Roald Dahl website

Thank you White Stuff...my thoughts exactly!

2011-09-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

'Nanny knit bonnets'...upcycled!

2011-09-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

My mum knits just about anything and when my kids were born she produced fantastic 'nanny knits'. We've kept lots of the bits and pieces and my daughter uses the tiny clothes with her dolls.

A few weeks ago I found these two lucky soft toys snuggled up in these knitted baby bonnets, dangling from her desk lamp!

The toys in question had been rescued from freezing conditions in the North Pole and were placed in the hammocks to warm them up quickly. The game continues....

The joy of play....

Liberty...oven glove tutorial - lush!

2011-09-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Liberty, of London, have created some fab tutorials on You Tube and I love this oven glove one.

If only you could make one in 6 mins 24 secs!

Tutorial here

Back to school...BIG school cards....

2011-09-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Going off to secondary school is a big move...

Here are the cards I sent to my nephew and a neighbour.

I used the free machine embroidery foot on the
sewing machine to stitch my message!

A private joke...meant to show me calling Lauren with
a raised voice...

Good luck to you and yours in this new school term, may they blossom and grow!

Horses

2011-08-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Spent some time with neighbours today making these...obviously I also made some.

We enjoyed making up the names...

My top tips:
1) Print the template directly onto card rather than getting kids to draw around the template.
2) Use thin card as kids can not always get a neat edge when cutting thick card.
3) Use colourful, glossy magazines.
4) Have a work board/ plate to keep all the parts of the horse on the table and avoid the pieces getting scooped up in the scrap paper.Otherwise you'll have some wonky horses!

Stampede - DIY horse project!

2011-08-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

If it rains this bank holiday - maybe you could make a family of these equestrian beauties!

http://tenderfooting.blogspot.com/2011/08/tenderfoots-half-birthday.html

http://annwood.net/blog/category/horses/

Hop over to the blog of Tenderfoot to get further ideas! They also have a fab website, Tenderfoot.

Happy hols...

Alli
:-)

Make a Pennant for 2012!

2011-08-26T04:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know that we are hosting the Olympic Games in London in 2012?! Excited? I am....

I spoke with an aunt today who told me about this project, making pennants to give to each competitor in the London Olympics 2012. Quilts 4 London Olympics 2012.

I got together my daughter and 2 neighbours and here's what we made.

At the website you will find guidance and a range of template shapes to download. We designed our flags and then used felt to make them. I did the machine sewing!

Rachel loves horses...neeeigh.

Lauren made a lucky clover...

A fruity image..

A Bristolian phrase...

Check out the gallery here: Pennant contributions

Now all we need to do is upload them onto the website and send them off!

You gonna have a go?

Crochet ambitions!

2011-08-25T01:26:00.000-07:00

Ever since I've seen these crochet flowers in Mollie Makes I've wanted to make them.

Here's the spread in the mag:

Unfortunately I can't crochet.

Fortunately my mother can - and when she came to visit this week she taught me 'how to' crochet! She's the sort of person who has crochet hooks in her hand bag and always has a knitted or crochet project on the go.(You can see where I get it from!)

I didn't find it easy at first and I joked with my mum & kept asking her if I was ready to 'go for' the flowers yet...she laughed (in a kind way, of course).

She taught me basic stitches and I'm very proud of what I've produced.

I can crochet....squares.....I made these!

Mum quickly twirled and whirled...

Whilst I was 'learning' mum whizzed up some flowers.

I now have my own crochet hooks. I need to set myself the challenge now to make some flowers - I'll post my efforts as and when!

Wish me luck! 'Chain...single...treble..'

Carrot Chutney...addictive M&S sarnies!

2011-08-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's got a fridge life of one week...it'll be eaten by then!

A few weeks ago, whilst on our holiday, my son broke his arm (boo) and he spent 3 nights in hospital (they were all very lovely). He's recovered well, but I've been left with an addiction to carrot chutney with Wensleydale Cheese! Why?

The hospital was near a Marks & Spencer store and they make a delicious sandwich - Wensleydale Cheese and Caramelised Carrot Chutney. To have a break,(no pun intended), I'd pop over to the store to get my lunch and a microwave dinner!

There's even a Facebook page for this sarnie!

Today I found a recipe for a carrot chutney and made some. It's delicious....now where's the cheese?

A recipe I found :

This will make one 8oz jar of chutney!

3 medium sized carrots (grated)

2tbsp olive oil

1 pinch salt

6 dessert spoons caster sugar

100 mls white wine vinegar

50 mls water

1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan over a low heat.

2. Add grated carrot to the pan and cook slowly until soft. Add pinch salt

3. Add sugar mix until disolved

4. Pour in vinegar and water

5. Bring mixture to the boil and cook quickly until all liquid has been absorbed

6. Pour into a sterilised jar and leave to cool (to sterilise an 8oz jar, pre heat oven to 150 degrees celcius, wash jar in soapy water and rinse, place jar and lid in heated oven for 15mins)

Once opened will keep in the fridge for up to one week.

Hope you like it!

Yoltan comment 17 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=218360,

Enjoy....

Home library - book plates

2011-08-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy day in Bristol today and I've got a great activity to use with your kids. These Book plates http://www.myhomelibrary.org/bookplates.html have been created by illustrators & artists to print and use at home, school etc. These plates may be freely copied for all except commercial purposes.

There are lots of other book related activities & tips on this site. Explore!

Here are some of my favourites:

Always need an opportunity to speak
in my highlands accent!
By Mairi Hedderwick

By Quentin Blake

A very passionate reader!
By Raymond Briggs

Lots in colour too..twit-twoooo!
By Valerie Greeley

Enjoy! x

Chic on a Shoestring - a silk-scarf top

2011-08-15T03:20:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane is an inspirational 'writer, style expert and craft addict' who shared one of her projects from her book Chic Shoestring: Simple-vintage-style-accessories in the issue 4 of Mollie Makes.

Here's the project:

Scarf 1

Amaryllis?

Scarf 2

Abstract blocks

My finished top - will look great with linen shorts or on a slimmer me!

Inspired my Musicians Fabric - Ornithology A Tana Lawn by Edwyn Collins

2011-08-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Edwyn Collins (from Orange Juice) designed this fabric for Liberty.

"In 2005 Edwyn suffered a severe cerebral haemorrhage that he took six months to recover from. As part of his rehabilitation he drew a bird a day, each of which has been used by the Liberty Fabrics Team in this remarkable print. The design created pays homage to Collins’ dedication, like a sketchbook on fabric complete with names of birds and dates when they were drawn."

There is something very humbling about this print.

Personalised bunting...busy, busy, busy...

2011-08-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a bit of bunting - these ones have been made personal by adding names...

Kerry Tremlett - printer & friend

2011-07-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Kerry makes fantastic prints - take a look at her website to see her work. http://www.kerrytremlett.co.uk/

Aunties Auricula

Camelia Jug

Flowers

Party Animal

Twitter

Holidays projects have started....

2011-07-25T00:43:00.000-07:00

Sal's birthday was in June, she'll be pleased that her birthday present is now ready. She choose the fabric so it makes it very personal.

I was attempting to make a bag like one I'd seen on this blog u-handbag

But ended up making one like this - with a flower brooch that can be taken off, worn else where or leant to a friend!

A nice shopper...ready for filling!

Can you spot the heavily disguised flower?

The all important key hook - you want them handy!

First workshop....the results are in. What d'ya think?

2011-07-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

These felt collage pictures were created by some creative 9 year olds - they let me add the free stitching to their pictures.

Next time I'll teach them how to use the machine!

I'm inspired by their work and the careful compositions of the scenes. They have given me some ideas...watch this space.

Molly's jolly bunny..we forgot
to stick his tail on for the photo!

Nixon rocket, lost in Space!

A teddy bear picnic..

Alaska goes for a walk...

Cat on the prowl at night...

More rockets into space...

Gorgeous Bunting....

2011-07-18T02:57:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous community bunting in place!

Lucky & happy...

Exhibition...missed it, but still gives you something to think about..

2011-07-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

Last year my mother told me about a museum in London called The Foundling Museum and about an exhibition called Threads of Feeling. Here's an article about it from The Independent.

The babies who were abandoned at Thomas Coram's foundling hospital were registered with the mother's anonymity secured. The mothers left an identifying token, with the view that she might come back for the child. She left buttons, ribbon or a swatch of fabric.

The exhibition made available some of these swatches of fabric & documents created as the child was handed over.

You can see lots of photos of the exhibition via google images.

They are touching and poignant.

Also have a peak at the images/ comments in this bloghttp://www.somedaylondon.com/

Celebration Bunting...it worked!

2011-07-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

So, we had a little party to celebrate being together for 20 years and each guest had to decorate a single white bunting flag (provided by me) and bring it along, or send it if they couldn't make it.

The idea was that I was going to sew it together during the party and put it up! But I got chatting etc so only just put it together today. Not sure where we're going to put it yet...but I'm really pleased with how it turned out! What a creative lot x

The Flags....

Commission - Felt square for a baby quilt!

2011-07-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

I made this for a friend - it is joining other squares and forming part of a new baby quilt. It's travelling allllll the way to Australia!

Bon voyage!

Inexpertly framed...but you get the idea!

Arts and the NHS...

2011-07-14T03:39:00.000-07:00

All around us there are people creating.

On my way to Physio at my local hospital I've walked past a set of amazing black and white photographs and today I stopped and read about the project and the text that goes with the image, the person and how they feel about their job and their hospital. I was moved and remember what an amazing, caring job people do in the NHS.

Follow this link to look at more images & listen to the stories.
In Whom We Trust

Fab courses at the Bristol Folk House...be inspired!

2011-07-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

Hidden at the bottom of the eclectic Park Street in Bristol is the wonderful Folk House, a fantastic community space for workshops & courses - it also hosts live music & has a fab cafe.

Tomorrow, they publish to the general public their courses which are reasonably priced and well led. I've booked myself on to a few today ( for £10 a year you can join as a co-op member, supporting the venue and you get priority booking of the courses for a day - worth it as many courses fill up quickly.)

So - make some fancy pants, stitch 'n' sew, make a hulla hoop or learn to relax!

Fuzzy felt mania....

2011-07-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well, the invite attracted lots of attention yesterday and we've been busy. My neighbour (aged 8) and daughter (aged 9) created their own felt pictures yesterday and then I stitched around them with the free embroidery foot on the sewing machine - it's like sketching, an imprecise technique where you let the machine do the walking! Good fun...

H went for a night scene..unstitched here

The stars are out...

I whizzed over it with the sewing machine...

An intergalactic scene...

R went for an underwater scene...

Here's what it looked like after the stitching was added..

Wobbly jelly fish...

Of course I had to get in on the action...H had thought about creating a tree-house scene and I used her idea.

Whole scene..

The canopy - leaf detail

Crocodile hiding in the trunk..why not when an elephant & a giraffe are playing in the tree-house!

These pictures bring 'Fuzzy Felts' to another level!