Health benefits of Sewing By Terry's Fabrics

I have been contacted by Terry's Fabrics with this really informative blog post about sewing. for me it is all true and can quite easily loose myself, forgetting worries etc when immersed in a sewing project. I think the same can be said for all craft or any hobby as gives you time to focus on a creative pursuit. For me it is sewing all the way and a passion.

Health Benefits of Sewing

Clinical studies are now revealing that sewing, along with other crafting type hobbies are actually good for us.
According to Robert H. Reiner, Ph.D, of the Department of Psychiatry at New York University Medical Centre, "The importance of a hobby or creative pursuit cannot be over-emphasized. If we don't allow our bodies to rest from the pressures of everyday life, we are placing ourselves at risk for heart disease or other illnesses. Creative activities and hobbies — like sewing — can help a person focus on something productive and get away from their worries for a while."
As a result, we've put together this infographic demonstrating the points that Dr Reiner is talking about. We'll cover how sewing can help the brain by lowering the risk of dementia, give someone relief from back pain or indigestion, improve their hand-eye coordination and even lower a person's heart rate and blood pressure.
So take a look and discover how sewing can keep you healthy!

House Mouse and too hot

Got our car back all repaired, valeted and an excellent job, so happy. Bought a beautiful David Austin Rose and pot as a gift for our terrace.

Crafting front, well? made a set of house mouse cards and sent off to a friend for her opinion. Unsure whether to sell individually or as a set in 3's or 6's.

The verdict is back: Suggestion sell the cards for £1.80 each, 3 for £5.00 and 5 for £7.50. I think this is a good idea and better than a full set. My friend and her DH thought leaving blank was better as that way can be used for any occasion. The kissing mice, top right, could be for a wedding, engagement or anniversary. Christine is now going to be my Chief Reviewer as know she will give me an honest answer plus she understands the work that goes into handmade but can also see from a buyers point of view. Her DH is a wildlife photographer and sells his prints as mounted pictures and cards, again he has invaluable advice for me.

As you can see not done much on the crafting front at all, mainly because unable to access Selling Preferences on Paypal since the 13th. Cannot add, amend or delete products, they do not know what has happened but they had scheduled maintenance on the 14th? To me does not take an idiot to work out when it all went wrong. At this rate will have to look for an alternative, have looked at Nochex but just not sure as to be unknown. I do not want to pay large amounts each month or year as may not get the money back.

Oh boy has it been hot this week, well for 2 days, asthma bad and got hardly any sleep. Tuesday night because of the heat and Wednesday night a helicopter was going round and round for an hour with search lights, this was about midnight 'til 1am. Now I know a lot of you may like the heat but just no good for me, chest tightens and start to panic which makes me hotter. Went to Austria on holiday years ago and although as hot never had a problem as the air was pure and clean.

Well that is it for me this week, did say not done much at all. check out the other blogs at Lucy Blossom Crafts

Painting, painting and more painting

Quite happy not to see another tin of paint for some time, the stairs took an age mainly because 3 walls go up the full height of the house, not an easy task. Could not leave Lee on his own as would have meant climbing down the ladder to reload the roller. Still, now done, he started on the landing now which is on terra firma and I am free to do what I like, hence sewing.


Rolled Shopping Bags

This weeks makes? had rolls of fabric which I got as a win in a competition a few years back and never used. Decided to make some shopping bags which roll up for convenience, popped in a handbag just in case.

Wanted some feedback and made 1 for a friend along with a set of 4 cards which I have added to my website, for her to test and let me know what she thinks.


Boutonnieres 

Have a lot of old buttons both from my Mum and MIL, thought would use some to make boutonnieres wrapped in a faux silk ribbon, with added ribbon and lace. I love old buttons and can remember going through my Grandmother's tins when young. A treasure trove of tiny prettiness.

Roses Grow On You

This saying takes me back to the old 'Roses chocolate'' adverts with Norman Vaughan, they don't make them like they used to, lol

Back to crafting bought 2 fat quarters of this pretty fabric made into a couple of frame bags. The silver tone roses, not even sure where I got them from or when, just add something as an embellishment. Used up the scraps into a set of rose potpourri sachets. Still have a fat quarter to use but atm undecided.

Check out the other blogs at Handmade Monday

Until next week enjoy the summer

Vintage Baby and Fripperies

I subscribe to a new US magazine called Classic Sewing, mainly children but also weddings. Some wonderful project ideas and all classic styling.

BABY BONNET

This week made the linen hankie baby bonnet. Only problem I did not have a linen hankie so decided to make my own. You have to pull a warp and weft thread from all 4 sides, cut along these which gives a perfect square. Then pull out approx 4/5 threads about an inch in round all 4 sides. Fold the outer edges over twice and hand hemstitch round. Although this takes some time the result is so pretty and very peaceful to sit and hand sew. Once done the bonnet can be made with embellishments of your choice. I chose ivory lace round the front with lace hearts and organza ribbon for the ties.

Did not have a baby to model on so my silk flowers had to do. I loved making this and will certainly be making some more. Also think they would fit into my stall at the Home and Vintage shows.

This idea is a Victorian one and used to be given to a baby on their Christening, then when they got married they undid the stitches and had a keepsake hankie. I made mine with sturdy stitches so not an option and adding the lace to the front also puts paid to that idea but a good one.

Millifiori Pendant Necklaces

Some hand embroidered Millifiori pendants, found the hand embroidery very relaxing

Sold 3 within minutes of posting to my website, so happy.

Boho Style Bag

This is a new embroidery design and thought would look good in single colour embroidery, using a Paris print fabric. Adding the chain makes the bag special.

Fair props and display

Following on from the baby bonnet above finally made a sort of hat stand for displaying. Made from a kitchen roll holder, painted with Annie Sloan paint, half a 5" ball of polystyrene covered with fabric and lace added. Got the idea off Pinterest. Cost about £3.00 including the paint. Just goes to show how every day objects can be improved for craft displays.

Another display item, this time a towel rail (did have 3 various height bars but took out two of them). Bought years ago for £2.99 and have been using but without the paint or hooks and think looks much better painted than left as wood. Can use just with the hooks or add my pink wire heart.

As you can see I have found my desk in the workroom/stockroom. Still in the throws of a big sort out. All the surplus 'stuff' has been moved to the garden room, which now looks like a tip but this has given me room to work. Currently have the props and stock mixed together but want to separate and have to the two large shelves for stock with the smaller shelves for props. Finally when all done will do a stock take and make sure items are in the correct numbered boxes. Seem to spend a lot of time searching for items that the fairies have moved around, lol.

Got to decide with all the items I do not want do I put on ebay, facebook, table top or boot sale. Must admit not happy with boot sales as hate the way the gather round the car when you are trying to unpack. Doing this on my own makes it harder.

Notice Board

Treated myself to a noticeboard for my sewing room, from Crafty Little Me Crafts, so pretty but as soon as I unwrapped Lee whisked it away to put by for Christmas, so my treat has to wait.

Check out the other blog at Handmade Monday

That is it for this week, have fun