Handmade Monday #120

What a beautiful week weather wise, okay was a bit nippy at times but when the sun came out quite hot. Spent most of the week helping DH in the garden, still a work in progress but certainly a lot tidier than it was. I hate it when a garden has been put to bed for the winter and always looks so sorry for itself coming into Spring.

Still a lot of work to do, need to find some small trees for the new grey pots down the side of the path. some spring and summer colour and the front needs some attending to. Will get there eventually then sit back in the summer with a glass of Pims and enjoy time in the garden.

Shiloh wanted to help with the weeding! sadly he cannot differentiate between a weed and a prized plant, so has to be kept behind bars until we can watch everything he is up to. He will be 8 in June not sure where these years have gone but he is still as mad as a box of frogs. Our vet reckons he may calm down by the time he is 10! Our last one was still bonkers at 15.5.

On the creating front, shut my website early as has not been showing all week due to an unsecure server. All loading onto Folksy gradually and had an Etsy sale the dragon reading pillow.

Have been knitting and sewing a pair of baby trousers made from a vintage hand embroidered table cloth. The leftovers made into lavender hearts.

Stitched up the colour panel cardigan.

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Have a wonderful week

Vintage collection 2016

Still making but have now launched my new products for 2016 on my website. The latest makes a gift wrap bag including tags, string, brown paper and fabric flower toppers. The tags are prety enough to replace a card

A lace patterned knitted scarf, with added embellishments of a diamante pin and a cameo and butterfly pin with faux silk ribbon. These scarfs are decorative rather than for warmth. Have enough wool to knit another the same design, then will move onto something different.

Currently working on a selection of Swarovski earrings Enjoying making them but not going to be cheap as plan to start with 12 designs, stock including the display pair 6 of each, eek!!!!! My sister has offered to give selling them a go, fingers crossed.

This year I am giving a final push to make this business work. At the end of 2016? well will have to do some soul searching. I say this every year and every year my passion for making drives me but tbh after running a business on and off for 37 years think it may get to crunch time. I know we all do it spend money on new ideas and directions but comes a time when you have to step back and be sensible and say 'enough is enough'. The vintage style is my way of going out possibly with a bang.

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My machines were calling

Okay I had said was not going to make anything until next year but after the Home and Vintage fair last week felt inspired, plus my machines were sitting looking so lonely and just called to be plugged in. A vintage inspired make, these lavender sachets are done in white linen and silk, the cutwork design is done on my embroidery machine. The cut areas can be left open but I thought a touch of shell pink silk looked so vintage in styling.

A stitch artist sent me another cutwork design and decided to add both green and pink to this one, a bit fiddly but got there in the end.

When clearing MIL's home there were a pile of vintage linens that I just had to keep. Made some lavender sachets from the hankies. The buttons were also in various tins belonging to MIL and know some came from her Mother, so quite old. That was the time when all shirts and tops were never thrown out without taking off the buttons first.

My sewing room smells delicious with the french lavender from the Chateau de la Gabelle, Provence. Must order another kg as think going to be using this a lot.

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If only this rain would go away and we could go back to the crisp but sunny Autumn days of long ago. I love the colours of Autumn but sadly with this murk and mist not seeing much of it.

A Beautiful Week

Wow the weather the last few days has been perfect, no rain, sunshine and warmer. Been trying to make the most of it, Shiloh has had so many walks back up to the 3 a day which is good for him and us.

Been making this week orders of 7 scissor keepers, Union Jack keyring, Telephone Box keyring and 2 quilt blocks depicting tumbling books. Then had to work on some Christmas as my next fair is now only 2 weeks away. love this Vintage Reindeer design, stitched onto a cream embossed fabric, lined with cotton with a trim of fur at the top. Cream and gold ribbon for hanging finishes them off. Only done 3 so far, will use up the rest of the fabric and unsure whether another 2 or 3 to be done.

These are not large stockings but I think a perfect size at 13" tall. Plan to release all Christmas gifts onto my website on the 5th October.

That has been it for this week, not that much to show hope to improve next week.

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Fingers crossed the weather is kind to us all this week, think rain is so lat season, lol

ACEO's and ATC's

Most of us have heard about ATC's but I have gone down the ACEO and Inchie route. What is the difference? ATC's are not meant to be sold, they are generally swapped or given away and originate from the original baseball trading cards in the US which must measure exactly 2.5" X 3.5".

The ACEO was started by M.Vänçi Stirnemann to sell mini works of art. ACEO = Art Card Edition Originals. ACEO's are made with the intention of selling.

My first set of ACEO's are called 'Wings of Time'

To make I printed out a design onto inkjet cotton, zig zagged into place on a piece of felt, then added embellishments. This is a great way to use up all those bits kept 'Just in case'. Each piece of art has been mounted and stitched onto a piece of card measuring 2.5" X 3.5" and bears a label with the details of the collection and reference number. I have loved making these and already have several more sets planned.

Not much else from me this week, this dull weather has put me in book reading mode curled up on the sofa. In other words a bout of the lazies, lol

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Heirloom roses and a machine holiday

What wonderful weather we have had the last few days, time to appreciate the garden and sit and while away a couple of hours reading under the roses. Our climbing roses are covered in buds with a few early blooms, delightful scent emanates from them, along with the wisteria. Nature is so wonderful and never ceases to amaze me how viola's and Pansy's can be so stunning with their cheerful faces and vibrant colour ranges. Lilac's covered in bumble bees and butterflies. Birds still hanging from the feeders around our garden, think they are a tad lazy as should be more food for them around but no! they find it easier to descend on our offerings.

My embroidery machine is going in for an annual service, it is used rather a lot and really does deserve a break, although will be sorely missed. This will not stop me sewing as do have my ordinary machines and already planning a new style handbag, made in a Paris print with ruffles.

Heirloom Roses Needle Cases

I love this design, so elegant and vintage perfect for anyone that stitches or just to keep the repair kit handy.

The photograph has been staged again, I love staging and when looking through catalogues for myself like to see staged photos rather than a plain white light tent background. The staging draws me in to a life style that I would aspire to. Does take a bit longer but I have my props handy just have to select head outside onto the terrace, nothing better than natural daylight, stage and snap. Still have a lot of photos to retake for my website but that will come in time, maybe my self imposed holiday from my machine would be an ideal time to start.

Lot's of planning the next 2 weeks, notebooks (yes they are new) handy and ready to be filled with sketches, photos, words, swatches and more.

Have a good week and enjoy the summer while it lasts.

Show and Tell Monday

I love making Bespoke creations, sitting down with a client, hearing their dream of a special gift or card, turning the dream into a reality and seeing their faces when the gift is finished.

This week has been no exception, although for a family friend,
I always add a bit of love to my creations.

A special gift for a lady who will be 90 in July.

What can you give a delightful 90 year old lady? I decided to make a rose patterned apron with complimenting check pockets. Brenda is active at her church, helping with the morning coffee and lunches, so felt this would suit a lady always ready with a smile.



Her card is machine embroidered with a butterfly and rose theme



Don't forget I can make most gifts or cards that are stitched,
just use the bespoke service on my website.

Two sites I would like to flag this week as well worth a visit: