Phil the Pheasant

My big brother's 60th birthday - what to get for a present...?  I was perusing the lovely homewares in John Lewis when I spotted this - gorgeous.  But maybe I could make something...? Decided to try my hand at something pheasant-themed - a bit dubious whether my rough and ready applique methods (pins / a spot of glue / machine zig-zag) would meet the challenge, but apart from the much-too-big feet which were hastily disguised, I quite liked the result.  Enough to wrap it up and give it to my brother anyway.  It reminds me of the beautiful cottage we used to live in - we had a pheasant that would eat out of our hands, and also a characterful neighbour called Phil, so it seemed appropriate.  Not sure my brother will call him that or anything else, but I hope he's a comfy armchair companion.

 

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.

Back to business

Well here we are very nearly in a new year after a busy happy Christmas with my lovely family and a rather long break from making anything at all - I seemed to spend way too much time browsing at Christmas fairs and not enough time at the sewing machine.  I'm ashamed to say that I made only one present this year - a cushion for my very dear niece Kate's new bedroom in her lovely country farmhouse.  It's a bit wonky - I had forgotten the perils of stitiching on crushed velvet, it has a life of its own, but I hope she'll be happy with it.

I did do a little festive baking with the delightful mini cake tins that I got for my birthday and although my icing-all-over made them a bit too sweet, the edible glitter and fresh cranberries made them look very pretty.

My most pleasing Christmas creativity was inspired by Country Living magazine and was much enjoyed by the local wildlife - I'm going to plant it in the garden and do this every year!

Now I'm brimming with ideas for things to make in the new year, which is a pretty good plan as I have a) no money and b) cupboards bursting with fabric just begging to be used.  Back to business with a vengeance!

3 down, quite a lot to go

So - having promised myself I wouldn't buy a stitch more fabric until I had made a considerable dent in the stash I already have and don't have room for, I now have three quite pretty cushions but only one old table cloth used up; it's gonna take a while.  And somehow, my stash has mysteriously grown over the weekend - ah yes, that'd be due to a very happy Saturday morning at the antiques fair, where I found some lovely red velvet and the assortment of goodies below. I'm particularly pleased with the teacake stand which polished up quite well, and the album of little photos; it seems so sad that they've been abandoned, but I'll breath a second life into them somehow.  Couldn't afford any of the gorgeous old blankets I saw, but did manage a handful of scraps which should stitch up nicely into something... meanwhile, they've been added to the stash.

Fly away little bird

I was very flattered to be asked by one of my daughter's friends to make a little bird for a birthday present, so I used the basic pattern from a previous card/decoupage affair, stuffed him with lavender and added little twiggy feet and a sparkly eye.  The result was this characterful little chap who made me smile; I made a little decoupage box, tucked him up in tissue and posted him on his way.  Yesterday I was delighted to recive a shiny thank you card which included what I believe is my very first customer testimonial: "Wow, this is so unique and pretty" ... "Vicky Myatt, satisfied customer".   Most encouraging.

I'm dreaming of springtime

I thought I would have a bash at some springtime / Easter type decorations so tried out these little fellas - both need a bit more patience and a bit less slapdash, but I'm going to persevere. I thought the metal sheet ones would at the very least be good as bird scarers for those soon-to-be growing seedlings in the garden, and maybe the answer to another little problem I have with birds flying slap bang into my greenhouse windows; so there's potential for these to look pretty and save a few cases of avian concussion along the way.  Speaking of the greenhouse (or 'conservatory' as I am fond of calling it), there will be a challenge for me this year - grow plants or accessorise with crafty concoctions - which will prevail?  There's just not enough time in my day.