I signed up to the Summer 2011 Handmade Gift Exchange and exchanged a couple of emails with my partner who seems to have similar interests to me. I’ve been meaning to make something from Scandinavian Stitches for a while, the book is full of amazing projects, and I put my own spin on the birds mini art quilt. I got to use my favourite bondaweb for the bird applique (which I finally feel I’ve mastered) although missed out the quilting as I didn’t want to ruin the quilt top! I also got to try some freehand machine stitching on my…
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I’ve been on the look out for a suitable tin for my button stash. I inherited a great collection of buttons from my grandmother, the buttons survived but not her old tin. Since then they’ve been stored in various boxes and even an old sweetie jar. Along the way I’ve picked up some lovely tins: But none have been large enough, until I found this old Cadbury’s Chocolate Biscuit tin in a charity shop. I think it really complements my vintage button stash and looks great alongside all my vintage thread boxes, patterns and ric rac. I’m linking up…
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It’s that time of the month when I need to sit down and see how my Day Zero progress is going. It’s been a really busy but productive month. 14. Complete a 365 day photo challenge Our baby blog has now been updated for 14 months. It was originally started by my husband to record Edward’s first days and I wondered how we would have time to keep up with it! When my husband was hospitalised I used it as a way of making sure he didn’t miss out on how Edward was growing and I’ve managed to post every…
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I’m a bit of a hoarder, probably not surprising that I decided to become a curator. It started off with rubbers, then My Little Pony stickers, vintage postcards, and since I’ve been a grown up, fabric. My hoarding instincts got so bad I had to limit the number of fabric shops I went to, only going in if I needed something specific. However there is one exception to the current moratorium on fabric buying and that is vintage embroidered napkins and tablecloths. I can’t bear to see something that has been stitched by hand being sold for 50p so I…
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Life is busy but I am pleased that crafting and baking have been carrying on in the background as usual. At the moment I’m really enjoying cross stitch and find there’s nothing better than watching a pattern come to life over a couple of evenings. I’ve been meaning to make this little fella for a while and love the way it turned out.
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I started my blog back in 2005 and since then have used it to post about my hobbies and life. I quite like reading back through it and seeing how my interests have changed. When I started blogging I would record progress with my family history research but one day I discovered sewing and crafty blogs and never looked back. I hope my blog also reflects my personal life, when I changed from a miss to a mrs and later added the title of mummy to that of wife. I’ve been using my blog header for a while but have…
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This weeks’ bargain was purchased to complement my collection of vintage sewing supplies. This is a child’s sewing machine made by the Morthan Company of Dorset, England, 1957. Apparently in this year Vulcan registered a patent for it’s famous trio of TSMs: the Minor, the Junior and the free arm Senior, all in cast aluminium. Sadly it no longer has the box or instructions but is quite charming. Can you imagine learning how to sew on this tiny machine!?
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I’m excited as I’ve signed up for an International Craft Swap, hosted by Zoe to keep my crafting mojo going. The ‘rules’ are simple – there isn’t a price limit, or a time limit, to what you make. Make it with love and they will love it. Be as generous as you can, the point of this is to put a smile on a stranger’s face, but don’t put yourself out. Try to use materials you already have in your stash, and maybe even do a little de-stash to send to your recipient! Basically I have 6 months to create…
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It’s time to write an update on my Day Zero progress. 7. Decide whether to return to work or not Well first I decided to return, then I changed my mind. You can read the whole sorry story. 38. Do at least one geocache a month We’ve been having loads of fun out and about now the weather is getting warmer. We found a couple in Bruges as well as London and Essex. 59. Successfully grow herbs We’re also spending more time in the garden and the herbs I planted last year are well established and living!…
