Crafty old thing

Smocket

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:19:00 +0000

I can finally post pictures of the little apron that I made for Lizzy. She has been reluctant to wear it (ungrateful madam) so I have been unable to take piccies until now. I managed to get a few photos before she realised what I was doing before she lay on the floor having a 'diva' moment. She's 2 on Monday and you sure can tell!

I got the pattern via Kristy and couldn't wait to get started on one. It was quick and easy to make but the finished product was sadly too small for my little girl so I have resized the pattern and just need to find time to make another. Here is the original one though, made with pretty kitten fabric and vintage polka dot so that it is totally reversible. It went down very well at her playgroup where all the mums asked if I could make them one and Alfie wants one in cowboy fabric. I can tell that I will be making a few!

New chair

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 21:14:00 +0000

I bought a vintage typist chair that had been recovered in vintage fabric last September. I love it and sit on it every day to work on my computer. The fabric was gorgeous but not very hardwearing so slowly it has worn out and then with a little help from a certain young lady (aka Miss Lizzy) the fabric had become quite torn and tattered. So, I decided to recover it in some more vintage fabric. When I bought it it looked like this

I recovered it in a 1950's Sanderson fabric in my favourite pink with beautiful roses on. The fabric is called 'Petosia' and now the chair looks like this

Here is where I sit to post my blog and answer my emails. I think the chair is more 'me' now and I love it. It's a suitable chair for a fabricaholic like myself don't you think?!

My website

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:39:00 +0000

My website has gone live at last, please have a look when you get a chance and let me know what you think. I need feedback!

A crafty old day

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:28:00 +0000

Baby it's cold outside. I love this weather, crisp, cold days with bright blue skies and sunshine. Perfect weather for staying at home next to the aga and sewing. I have had a couple of projects in mind for ages. I didn't like my bathroom curtains. They are quite nice and beautifully made from Jane Churchill floral fabric but they just didn't look right in the bathroom. I bought some gorgeous blue polka dot fabric way back in summer and decided that this would make the perfect pair of curtains. I love them. They look fresh and cheerful. A bit of springtime in my bathroom!

I also had a soft blanket that I bought from a charity shop for 99p in a lovely deep raspberry colour the same colour as our sitting room sofas. I added some Cath Kidston Rose Paisley fabric to make a gorgeous throw and snuggly blanket for those cold winter evenings.

Fabric box

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:53:00 +0000

It's been ages since I made anything. Christmas sort of took over any creating time I had. I was itching to get on with something. When I put the Christmas decorations away I discovered a box I had from last year that contained my favourite perfume (Stella by Stella McCartney). It was a beautiful box and I was just using it to put some hooks for Christmas decorations in. What a waste I thought, it needs to be covered, looked at, used daily. So, I found some 1940's fabric and with the help of a glue gun turned this.......

into this.

A lovely 1940's style box for putting my jewellery in.

Woollen trees

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:26:00 +0000

When a girl has umpteen presents to wrap, Christmas cards to write, a swap parcel to pack, Christmas decorations to put up, a website to complete and fabrics to sort out for this week's sales, what does she do? Well, she makes a trio of soft woollen trees of course. Beaded with tiny beads that catch the light and sparkle.

Have a go at some yourself, they are such fun to make. The pattern can be found here courtesy of the lovely Stephanie.

Christmas Crafts

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:39:00 +0000

It's been a long time since I posted anything here, not because I haven't been making, just because most of the things I have been making are for Christmas presents and I am worried that certain naughty people might look when they have been told not to (you know who you are!). But hey, I want to share with you, so here goes.

I have made some little tweed robins, stuffed with cloves for a festive aroma. These can be hung on the tree or just hung around the house. They are not obviously Christmassy either so they can be left up all year.

I have also made some lavender cats from wool and felt.

Inspired by my own cat, Fifi, who doesn't seem too impressed. This is not unusual for her. She likes to sit on her two floral cushions, (like the princess and the pea), on the dresser in the kitchen and look down her nose at her sister, Bella, and brother, Hebe who are lesser cats than she!

A mohair corsage and an alpaca and silk corsage. Not sure if I like it with or without leaves. I tried to crochet some leaves with no success so opted for the felt ones. If anyone has a pattern for crochet or knitted leaves do let me know.

I love making things at this time of year. It is so nice to sit in the kitchen in the evenings with the Aga on, watching 'I'm a celebrity' and sipping mulled wine. Ahhhhhhh happy days

Another Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:55:00 +0000

Here's another bag WIP. It's still a work in progress because I have yet to decide where to put the little corsages, how many to have and whether or not to add any other embellishments.

I have made this one from thrifted, unused tweed bought at the bootsale last Sunday and lined with a 1950's cotton, finished off with a vintage button. I used an interfacing with this one to give it more body. It worked well, It's less floppy than the other one.

WIP Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:34:00 +0000

Hooray I'm on time this week!

I am making bags for Christmas presents again. This time I am making tweed and wool shoulder bags from a pattern downloaded from this clever lady. I have almost finished one, apart from the decoration which I feel needs a little something else. This one is made from some thrifted grey wool suiting material and some vintage blue and black polka dot cotton, finished off with a vintage tweed button.

This pile of fabric is for the next one, watch this space ............

Alfie and Lizzy dolls

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:14:00 +0000

Well here they are. I did finish them on Saturday before going out to a dinner party, but the faces had to wait until Monday as I was too fragile to sew on Sunday (memo to self: don't drink again, ever!)

Hillary is a very talented woman and she has this knack of making everything look very easy. Let me tell you, they were not! I'm sure you're not supposed to spend the whole time swearing under your breath while you make toys for children. Don't look too close. My toy making days may be over just as soon as they began but, having said that, the lovely little Japanese craft book I received this morning may change my mind (see my other blog)

WIP Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 10:48:00 +0000

Yes I know I'm a day late but yesterday was a busy one for me and my priority yesterday was to get my swap parcel out as it was already late!

So here is my work in progress, 2 Make-Along dolls Archie and Olive, or in our house Alfie and Lizzy, all cut out and ready to sew. I hope to have these finished by the end of the day (ok maybe not the faces we have a dinner party later). I'll report back.

Textile Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:03:00 +0000

I had a wonderful day today. I left the family in bed and drove down at 6.30am to Honiton to the Textile Fair mentioned by Niki on her blog. It was a beautiful morning. I watched the sun come up, the mist rise from the ground as the earth gently warmed up in the morning sun and drove along the most beautiful countryside feeling glad that I live here in Devon. I am normally making toast, changing nappies, ironing uniform, shouting at everyone to get ready and trying to get myself dressed at that time in the morning so I felt as though I were playing hooky! I arrived at Honiton in plenty of time to buy as a trader and get to have first look at the goodies in store. The first person I saw as I walked through the door was Niki. I instantly recognised her and we introduced ourselves and had a hug. She had a beautiful stall but was still setting up so I wandered off for a bit before coming back to by some gorgeous French vintage fabric from her. Well it was a small hall but there was a wealth of goodies there. I bought loads, spent lots of money, and came away with bags laden. I met some really lovely stall holders and made some great contacts in the textile (small) world.

After I had bought loads of fabrics there I visited the many antiques and charity shops that run up and down the High Street. The charity shops were hopeless but the antique centres were great and I bought a few more fabrics, curtains and a lovely wooden airer for displaying fabrics. I had a nice lunch of scrambled eggs with tomatoes and basil in with chunky granary toast before venturing home. All in all a very pleasant way to spend a Tuesday!

Just a few photos of what I purchased. I adore the Cath Kidston slippers in the top left hand corner. Brand new but at a fraction of the cost and adorning my feet as I type, ahhhhh bliss!

Fabrics, applique and sublime stitches

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:34:00 +0000

I love reading Kristy's blog. I find her post inspirational at times but sometimes it is just expensive! You see she puts beautiful purchases on her blog and they are always just the thing I was looking for. She could be my personal shopper, our tastes are so similar! So when I saw her pile of lovely fabrics from Hancocks of Paducah I had to follow the link and there I found these lovelies.

For days now I have been trying to show you my applique and embroidery projects but Blogger has been playing up for me and wouldn't let me post pictures. Until now.......

I bought a pile of cheap plain long sleeved t shirts for Lizzy and, with a little fabric, appliqued them with some cute Boden kittens and Cath Kidston strawberries to jazz them up a little.

Then, after reading this fabulous book, I decided to have a go at embroidering a couple.

I tried a cute cupcake

and a scottie dog.

They were fun and easy to do but I would recommend embroidering onto some cotton fabric first and then applique onto the t shirt as it is harder to keep the shape of the image when you embroider directly onto jersey fabric. You can also hide the underside, which can feel uncomfortable on young skin.

Vintage French Buttons

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 14:41:00 +0000

A recent ebay purchase. Some delightful French vintage buttons. Just look at that naughty duck's face, isn't he funny? I am thinking of making another naive applique and featuring him somewhere. I love it that inspiration for a whole piece can be found from a simple button.

Janet Bolton weekend at the Cowslip Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 21:57:00 +0000

Just a few photos from the weekend. The farmhouse is in the most beautiful setting with a lovely view of the castle at Launceston across the fields. The weather was so hot so we all sat outside to have our lunch.

The lovely workshop where you are asked constantly if you would like a cappuccino and slice of cake while you sew (oh utter bliss).

This is Janet giving my mother-in-law, Di, some advice.

Some of Janet's sublime pieces of work. I love her new wallhangings using Hungarian linen panels stitched with tiny pieces of feedsacks and fabrics from the 1930's and 40's.

Here is Janet with our pieces pinned to the wall behind her.

And finally, the shop, crammed full with scrummy fabrics and things that just have to come home with me!

Work in Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:07:00 +0000

I had a wonderful weekend and have some great photos to show. Sadly no time just now as I have to get my house back in order! Here to give you a quick glimpse at what I have been up to is the work in progress, not yet stitched down and still at planning stage. I will show the finished article but there is still much to do before I can call it finished.

This picture is of my youngest daughter Lizzy and I on the beach. Lizzy is pointing to a kite that has come free from it's string. My last work with Janet was this showing my 2 eldest children on the beach flying kites. Lizzy wasn't born when I did this picture so I though she needed one of her own. They should look good together as part of a series.

Applique again

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 08:41:00 +0000

This weekend I am going to attend a two day workshop with Janet Bolton at the Cowslip Workshops in Launceston. Yes you heard me correctly, TWO DAYS!!!!! This is the first course I have attended since Lizzy was born 18 months ago and I am practically champing at the bit I can tell you. I have this deep need to be sewing and feel like a 'smoker without cigarettes' when I cannot be creative. I am not sure what my picture will be this time but I am very much inspired by this vintage applique book I purchased recently. Published in 1966, the applique is so 'now' and contemporary. Just look at those birds aren't they cute? I shall get back to you and let you know what I have created next week.

Beautiful Button Swap

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 08:03:00 +0000

Just before I went away I received a lovely parcel from Lettuce. We had arranged a vintage button swap. Her package arrived, I made myself a cup of tea, sat down and slowly opened it. The buttons inside were delicious. An array of colours and textures. I could see that these had been picked out carefully and that I had been sent some of her very favourites. It was such a generous selection. I love each and every one of them. Every time I thought I had chosen a favourite I would find another beautiful button. She sent glass (of which I have very few actually), wood, shell, bakelite and ceramic buttons as well as some vintage good old plastic buttons. Thank you so much Lettuce. I shall treasure these.

Corsages

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:00:00 +0000

I bought a corsage kit in the January sale in Accessorize. I wasn't keen on the fabrics and notions that came with it but using the instructions and pattern and my own fabric and vintage buttons I created these two.

They are very easy to make, being a series of circles, but are so pretty when made up. I just need some nice silk chiffons now (like I don't have enough fabric already!)

Another wonderful swap

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:54:00 +0000

After my blog about buttons, Penny asked me if I wanted to swap some with her. I love the jewellery that she and her son Toby make so I jumped at the chance. They sent me this beautiful bracelet that first appeared on their blog and now belongs on my wrist! Many thanks you two, I love it.

Great Swap

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:27:00 +0000

After my last post about buttons, Maxine from Noodles and Doodles asked if I wanted to swap. I thought this was a lovely idea so I sent her a box of buttons and in return I got a gorgeous purse that she made from wool and sock monkey fabric, a huge bar of chocolate and some cute erasers in the shape of ice lollies. I am going to use my purse to hold my notebook and pen which always gets lost at the bottom of my bag. You can buy one of her lovely purses as well as her lovely corsages, of which I am also a lucky owner, in her etsy shop.

Fabric finds

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 10:07:00 +0000

It is funny how sometimes you seem to find treasures in 'themes' as Kristy said in her blog about her gorgeous button find. This week has been a huge fabric finding week for me. I haven't posted all the photos as it went on and on. I found a huge pile of vintage linen, some vintage Sanderson fabrics, some velvet ribbon, some rick rack braid and these beauties:

Some beautiful Edinburgh Weavers chintz

A pile of retro cottons

Some retro kids fabric

Some adorable 1950's kittens curtains

A Boden girls skirt that I have decided to wear as a strapless smock top

An original 1960's smock top that is sooooo Orla Kiely and proves that there is nothing new under the sun!

A Ralph Lauren cowboy shirt that I am undecided whether to cut or keep (answers on a postcard please)

A bag of vintage cottons in the most gorgeous colours (and all for 50p)

Some old Bondaweb. Just look at that crafty chick on the front!

A pile of old wool and silk crepe sample pieces that a lady ran out of the shop to thrust into my hand. 'These are for you', she said, 'I have had them for ages and knew just the person who would like them, here you can have them'. How sweet was that?

And finally, I know they aren't fabrics but I just had to show you, a selection of unused 1950's colouring and magic painting books. The dog one is especially cute as he comes with his own paintbrush held between his teeth!

Buttons galore!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:58:00 +0000

I was inspired to post some pictures of my buttons after reading Kristy's blog. I have spent some time this week sorting out my fabric room after another huge delivery of vintage French fabrics arrived. Once I had those safely put away I sorted out my own fabrics and buttons. On Sunday I bought some wonderful heavy duty metal catering shelves from the boot sale and put them together to hold the fabrics I use most in my own projects. I also sorted some of my vintage buttons into the little drawers I bought the other week.

There are still many of them to sort through and they are usually kept in my old sweet jars. Although they look pretty it can be hard to find the right set of buttons for a project.

I have many many buttons, some kept in tins,

and buckles too

Here are my metal shelves with the fabric stacked neatly where I can pick it out easily.

Some of my pinks and blues

Polka dots and vintage needlecords

More vintage fabrics

Eiderdowns, destined for sale on ebay this autumn

Curtains, also for ebay

and lastly, some of my vintage quilts

Kitty cats

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:37:00 +0000

Well it started off with one and has now become an addiction. We have caught the Wee Wonderfuls bug in this house. Jasmine has been quite ill with tonsilitis and so, after getting the lovely put-together book from the talented Hillary in the post that morning, we decided to spend the day together (Jazz in her PJ's) making something. It is the loveliest little book, so easy to follow, and the end product is a Wee Wonderful kitty, bunny or bear. I made the red polka dot kitty, she of the red shoe, (Bella) and Jasmine made the strawberry kitty (Fifi).

Then last night Jasmine had the urge to make another for her granny (Grumpy Old Woman) and Alfie wanted me to make him a boy one so two more kitties were made, one in retro colours to suit Grumpy Old Woman's interior

and a cowboy fabric one for Alfie. I need to design some little cowboy boots to go with his bandana.

I tell you, these little kitties are a joy to make and everyone will be getting one for Xmas whether they like it or not!!

Delicious Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 11:31:00 +0000

I got some delicious fabric through the post today that I bought from Louise at Louise Loves. I have been buying from Louise for years now, firstly on ebay and then from her gorgeous website. Now you can read all about her in her blog.

I adore this old vintage pink eiderdown style fabric and have a little cushion in mind for this piece, using the leftovers for quilting. It came beautifully wrapped in tissue paper with ribbon and a little string of buttons. It's that sort of attention to detail that makes me want to go back for more!