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Sunday 29 December 2013

Christmas present

Well I didn't manage to make very many presents this year, but the ones I did get finished were well received.   Inspired by some lovely decoupaged clothes hangers I spotted on Folksy (which sadly don't seem to be available any more), I used Annie Sloan's famous Chalk Paint to brighten up the wooden hangers I picked up at a boot sale a few months ago, and added some little lavender filled hearts.  I prefer the flowery ones over the hearts, but the set of 3 go quite well together I think. 
Next was my first ever attempt at an apron - I have been meaning to make some for myself forever and just haven't quite gotten around to it.  This one was from Butterick 5125, but as you can see I used some contrasting fabrics and a pocket instead of a bow.  In the first picture you can see the adorable little vintage Bissel carpet sweeper which my Mum gave me for Christmas as a present for Dolly - can't wait to see it in situ!  I was surprised at how long the apron took to make, but I suppose I didn't pick the very simplest pattern - I like the frills and edging though.
Lastly there was this funny little reversible sunhat, made from this Betz White pattern - a lesson in attention to detail if ever there was one; I sort of ignored the crucial little bit on the download that told me to check my printer was true to the sizing on the pattern, so unfortunately it came out way too small for its intended recipient!  All is not lost though - my lovely neighbour Marjorie is both petite and elegant and makes the hat look rather stylish, so it found a good home after all.
So now it's back to a final push to get the everlasting-quilt finished.  I am ITCHING to finish it as I have promised myself I will not start on anything new until it's done.  Patience never was my strong point, but I will persevere.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Hidden talents

In this busy busy life we all seem to lead, it seems ever more challenging to find time to sit and stare, or pick up a needle and thread, or put pen to paper.  On the other hand, we have a world of loveliness at our finger tips, awash with beautiful creations on Pinterest, blogs, Tumblr - easy then to think 'I don't have time for that' or 'I couldn't do anything as clever as that'.  Well if you can find a few moments and a drop of self belief, you may pleasantly suprise yourself.  I am so impressed with this beautiful picture my daughter produced right out of nowhere, having not done anything at all artistic since her school days.  I think it is perfectly charming, and can't wait to see what comes next!  Inspiration, I think, for us all.

Monday 2 December 2013

Cheeky chalk paint

I love this stuff - no surface prep required, slap it on and play around to your heart's content.  
Secret Christmas present goings on aside, the main event was the refurbishment of a chair that had spent several wet winters under my Ma's oak tree - my lovely husband firmed it up with a spot of glue on its aching joints and then it was on with the paint, waxed up and re-seated - and now I have the perfect chair for my crafty corner.  Very happy!  And rather comfy too.

Saturday 2 November 2013

Boot sale bargains and projects on the go

I don't think I have ever known a summer whizz by so quickly - but I just managed to get to the last local boot sale and snap up a few bargains ...
... some for me and some for upcycling into beautiful (in spirit if not in appearance) Christmas presents.  The tortoise now lives in his own special corner of the garden, the candelabra is polished and glam, the cardigan now my very favourite peice of clothing.  Which leaves the wooden hangers (watch this space), flower press (ditto) and knitting needles which I am ITCHING to pick up - but am committed to first completing the never-ending quilt, which, by the way, has been progressing quite well, just miles of endless border to finish stitching.

Last but not least, a teeny tiny little salt and pepper set for my dear little caravan (currently holed up ready for her beauty sleep over the winter, waiting patiently to be beautified in the Nova Scotian spring sunshine).  She's just a perfect excuse to buy anthing small / colorful / quirky / vintage.  I adore her. And one day she will be dressed to the nines and receiving admiring glances as we travel the Maritimes selling my crafty wares.  One day.  Just you wait and see.




Monday 22 July 2013

Crafty Corner

Not so much as a stitch on my (everlasting) quilt for months now, but I have been a wee bit busy moving house and trying to tame the new garden.  We moved from the countryside to the outskirts of a city, to be closer to the now-teenage step children for a few years - perhaps not quite so pretty but this house has SPACE - so much that I now have a) almost all of my fabric stash in one place and b) a lovely little corner where I have commandeered an old desk to store all my kit.  I know the summer will whizz on by so am looking forward very much to rainy days while the garden sleeps and my trusty sewing machine creaks back to life - happy crafty days to come.

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Blue Peter stylie

With birthdays inconveniently placed in the post-Christmas-austerity period, I thought I'd try a bit of paper collage instead of the fabric I usually go for - I sort of like the result but as I'm not very neat it's a bit Blue Peter-ish I think.  I need to invest in some thicker card as a base as it goes a bit wonky when the glue hits it. But quite pretty nonetheless, so not a total disaster.  The enevelopes were another story: when will I learn that a little time spent measuring and planning  properly makes a world of difference?  I still kid myself I have an eye for a straight line - apparently not, but with a good slap of glue they made their way through the post safely enough.