Not much to show this week. I am trying to finish some little projects and have brought a bag on them on holiday in the hope there will be some sewing time. At last years’ Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally I bought a fat quarter of a fab print by Echino Ni-Co called Camera in turquoise. It features a vintage 35mm camera in repeat and I thought I might make something for my husband who loves taking photographs. That never happened when I realised a fat quarter wouldn’t be enough to wrap around a lens, let alone his…
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You may remember I wrote about a workshop I attended run by Julie Arkell. She’s an inspiring woman and I really enjoyed the opportunity to listen to her talking about her work and what inspires her. Well I never showed you what I made. First up is a Second World War-style brooch, made from cardboard and tapestry wool, and finished off with embroidered leaves and felt flowers. It was actually surprisingly simple to make, using scraps of fabric and wool on a cardboard base. I’ve been busy collecting old embroidery threads whenever I see them in charity shops so I…
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I’m not quite sure what made me buy these. I have a thing for souvenirs of London and thought they were kind of kitsch. There was a set of four on a shelf, featuring a view of Leicester Square, Soho Square, Sloane Square and Berkeley Square. I’m a proud Londoner and knew I wanted the Leicester Square and Soho Square tins. Pre-children I had a pretty good social life and loved going out in the West End. Charity shop guilt kicked in though. How could I leave two tins on the shelf when they were clearly part of a set?…
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I wanted to make a simple comforter for Little Sis and it has taken me a couple of weeks but I’ve done it! It took me a while to increase my fabric stash as when I went to pick out some rainbow fabrics I realised I had lots of prints and patterns but hardly any block colours, not that I ever need an excuse to buy more fabrics! Rainbow hexies for a small person I love my English Paper Piecing and stuck to the traditional method – cutting out paper templates and making up hexies in the colours of the…
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Life has been chugging on as usual except for some very exciting days out. Over the last few weeks we’ve had fun at the Rainbow Park on the Southbank, a Day out with Thomas, a Christening, watching the Torch Relay and a trip to Legoland. We’re all feeling quite tired and we still have a trip to the Olympics to look forward to at the weekend. The children are great (despite runny noses and bottoms). The toddler has been weaned off his dummy surprisingly easily. One night we said his dummy wouldn’t be around the next day, the next day…
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On the 19 September 2010 I started a Day Zero list: a place to record your goals, discover new challenges, and gain motivation to achieve them. I have a list of 100 things I want to do over 1001 days. The list is due to be competed by 16 June 2013. I’ve started writing my Day Zero updates every other month as my progress seems to be slowing down somewhat. 39. See Keane play live I was really lucky to get tickets to see Keane play live at the o2 Academy in Brixton. I love Keane and they’re the only…
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I’ve seen a couple of cross stitch pendants and thought they looked fun to stitch. The only place I could find them was from the workroom, a Canadian sewing shop, so I duly ordered a couple and waited for them to arrive. I was really pleased with the laser cut cross stitch pendants, both wooden, one with a scalloped edge and one circular, which measure just over 2″. I wanted to stitch something to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee so I found some free Jubilee motifs from CrossStitcher. The motifs included a union flag (which I stitched for the God…
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A while ago I was contacted about becoming a product tester for Dunelm Mill, the home wares and interiors company with stores across the UK. There are two stores within easy reach of where we live in London but you can also see their extensive range online and there really is something for everyone! They sent me a couple of items to review and I love both of them. Firstly, a craft book from the very talented Melly & Me: Sewn Toy Tales. Based on an Australian blog I’ve read for years, this book contains 12 fun characters to make…
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You may remember last year I attended the Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally where I picked up some lovely fabric to make a crawling blanket for my second child. I didn’t know if the bump would be a boy or girl so I tried to pick neutral fabrics. I couldn’t resist london scene by etsuko furuya which literally leaped at me as I passed a stand selling fabric. As well as the main fabric I bought a lime fabric to back the blanket and purple to bind it together. The fabric is gorgeous! It features well-known London landmarks…