Very lame this week

Sorry, things have got a bit hectic this last week so the camera has been resigned to the corner of the room. I've done loads of Christmassy stuff lately but I'm still not really feeling in the spirit of things. Maybe once I get the central heating on things will change. 

There's still so much I want to make, not just for work but for presents for family. I've decided that I really shouldn't buy anything else until I've used at least 10% of my stash so the bank account will be safe till at least May time!

Check out the latest issue of Sew magazine www.sewmag.co.uk to see the embroidered jewellery I've made plus a cute Tilda laptop satchel. I'm going to adapt these ideas to make vintage style covered hardbacked notebooks with strappy closures.

Next issue of Crafts Beautiful www.crafts-beautiful.com has got more Tilda in it, this time their Winter Bird range. 

I love Tone Finnanger's designs, she is a genius!










 

 

There's also a mini cakestand and cupcake pots made from polymer clay to display on your dressing table. 

The full instructions for both these projects (and some more stunning photography) are in the forthcoming December issue of Crafts Beautiful.

It makes me laugh, every time I make something it's become the norm for my daughter to ask,

'Who's that for? 
Is it for Aceville? 
Oh good, that's mine afterwards then!' 

No wonder there's no room to move in her bedroom!

c

x

More stuff

Hey hey, less than a week this time, must be something wrong with me! These last few days I've mostly been sewing Christmassy stuff for Sew magazine.... and of course I've ordered some more fabric because I'm in such short supply! Get it before the price of cotton goes up too much, that's my excuse!

I've also been playing around with some jewellery products for a forthcoming video demo. It's still 2 weeks away but I know that when the time comes I'll be woefully unprepared and all my fingernails will break the night before. If you're interested have a look on youtube for The Crafts Channel and I'll be there in all my glory!

It was only the other day that I actually saw one of my demos with the sound on. I tend not to watch them too much (as the camera adds ten pounds that I can ill afford), and I'm stunned at how noticeable my lisp is. Why has no-one ever told me this?

Anyway, I digress, here are some bits for your delectation!

The lighting's a bit rubbish on this but I've stained the brass leaf with Copic markers in a graduating tint from left to right. The butterfly charm and flattened beadcap are attached with a rivet and the various holes have been made in the shape with a really handy little punch/setter from Palmer Metals. 

Again, the lighting's lousy but it's late and I can't be bothered to get up and take the picture somewhere else!

The diamante centre of the pendant is black Crystal Clay set into a shallow oval bezel and then embedded with pointy back chatons in a symmetrical pattern. Once all the crystals were in place I dusted over the whole thing with some coppery mica powder using a small paintbrush.

The key is from Tierracast and the bezel was from, you guessed it, ebay!

Finally a big thankyou to Karen at Fiddlesticks Fabrics who very kindly let me keep the accidentally sent fabric. Should have mentioned her the oher week when I posted a pic of the brightly coloured quilt as most the fabric for that one came from her.  

Right, that's all folks.

C

x

another week, more projects

So here we are again, another week's shot past with nothing posted. 

What a surprise!

But in fairness to myself I have been busy making polymer clay cupcakes, furry handwarmers, birthday cards, Easter chickens and other peculiar stuff for the time of year. I keep forgetting to take pictures before I bring the stuff into work so you can get a sneak preview so instead I've dug out a project that appeared recently in Sew magazine. Full instructions for this are on their website 

http://www.sewmag.co.uk/index.php/sewing_projects/view/perfect_pouch/ is the link for this little number.

It's great as a quick pressie for a favourite niece and I used cotton print fabric from Fabric Rehab.

I've also been messing around with Sizzix dies to create applique projects (again, the handwarmer that's set to appear in Sew's December issue)

You do tend to get into the mindset that diecutters are just for cardstock but if you back your fabric with a fusible webbing the shapes are brilliant for stitched projects.

Here's a funky bird cushion that I appliqued and then quilted before making up.

I couldn't tell you fabric used but i know there's a bit of Tilda in there and some random polka dots that i've acquired over the years!

Must....stop....buying......fabric.....

At least until next week.