A Beautiful Week

Wow have we been lucky with the weather this week, have spent most of the time in the garden supervising DH, well he has to do it right and plant things where I want them. Have even ordered a metal chair for the front porch, which will make supervision of the front easier. Going to buy a couple of dutch wood boxes in green and 2 bay trees to compliment the chair and the hay basket.

Onto making this week, not so much done but have completed a birthday gift and card for later in the year. Plus made myself another overtop in a pale pink linen, ideal with white trousers for the summer. Apologies for the photo think I had the setting on close up.

Had some linen left over and something I have been wanting to do for some time is add OOAK clothing pieces to my site. This lent itself well to a shabby chic waistcoat, adding cut work designs, lace and more. Started a new section for the clothing named after my Grandmother, Amelia Rose.

Liphook Artisan Market on Saturday and quite happy with my sales. The organisers, stallholders and visitors are always so friendly. The organisers (who are also stallholders) do a fantastic job to make this event great for sellers and buyers alike. One lady does the most wonderful bakes and had to sample a cinnamon roll still warm from the oven, delicious washed down with a cup of coffee. Took a  photo of my stall, funny never the same. I do try to vary at each event hoping that way does not get stale.

Don't forget to check out the other blogs on Handmade Monday, just click the picture below

Until next week....

Positively Spring Like

Well it feels like it, have had a beautiful week although with a nip in the air but the blue skies and sunshine make me feel so much better. Woke this morning to the sound of bird song and a hint of sun, then got ruined by the rumble of tanks on the ranges. You could hear them accelerating over the hill sections. Mind you better than the Chinooks that go over the house, you sit there thinking will the house still be standing as every item including windows and bricks seems to shudder.

Have been browsing and found the colours I am going to follow on my products, always been drawn to this colour range  and think will suit the vintage styling:

Will have to change all the font colours etc but will get there, it is somewhere on my to do list, lol.

As I am making clothes for myself and planning to add one offs to my site have purchased a dress form. Wanted one on castor's and not those flimsy metal prongs that topple if knocked, finally found what I wanted ordered on Wednesday and arrived Friday, so happy with it. Has an adjustable neck as well which is so useful. 

Made a rosebud t shirt for myself, not happy with the fabric as a 4 way stretch and a real pain to stitch the neckline, must remember to read the description at some length in the future. What better way to display for a pic than on my new dress form.

On the other making front been busy catching up with all the Christmas gifts which I wanted to make for this year. I know early but find it easier to do this now in case I get busy later. Have also started a plan where by when I send a card or gift this year, make to replace for next year. One birthday at the end of February and have made the card for 2016 already. This organisation is giving me a headache, cannot believe I have all this in hand, think may have to have a lie down to recuperate.

Apart from the gift making, which cannot show atm for obvious reasons, made some Felties. This design was a first from a US lady and think they are fun for Easter. Made in polka dot felt (just head and feet) placed onto a yoyo of fabric with a brooch bar on the back. The daisy is a flower design made on my machine. Just in time for the fair next Saturday at Liphook. Got to use my yoyo maker for the first time and must admit easier to keep perfect with this Clover device.

Have joined up with Vicky at Lucy Blossom Crafts for Handmade Monday, check out all the wonderful makes from the joining bloggers

Have a good week Folks

A funny week

This last week has been odd, started off okay and did a few bits and pieces. Wednesday DH started his prep for some tests on Friday, there in lay the problem. The prep is quite intrusive and needless to say he felt sorry for himself, so I had to keep his spirits up and keep him from stewing about what they may find. Trying to be optimistic when someone has a downer is hard, just glad I am on the Anti D's or would have be nye impossible. His hospital visit went fine and apparently he is normal!!! did question the surgeon had he got that bit right, which caused some hilarity, lol.

Back to crafting a Birthday card for a friend, she will have opened by now so safe in posting. The fact that I actually remembered to photograph before posting was a miracle as normally remember when the envelope is sealed and too late.

Used 1 of the Joanna Sheen CD Roms, I love Joanna's CD's they are vintage and just up my street.

Covered some journals and had a strip of fabric left, hard to think what to do with it as though long narrow. Idea some lavender label sachets.

Almost forgot to post the journals added a couple in plain linen.

Final make of the week another t short for me in white, so useful.

Don't forget to check the other blogs on Handmade Monday

Hope to have a more normal week and achieve a lot more.

NEWS FLASH**** My embroidery machine is back, Yippee!!!! and working better than ever, not sure if I will get any more stitched today but then you never know.

Have a Happy Week Crafters

Sewing Room and more from the Rose, Linen and Lace Collection

Bought a beautiful length of fabric depicting vintage style sewing labels. Had a ponder and made into Lavender Pin Cushions/ Sachets, so pretty

the smaller labels could not be wasted and what better way to use up than turn into key rings.

These have been added to my 'Sewing Room' collection.

Back to Roses, linen and lace and this time some lavender filled dress forms, with pretty lace skirts, velvet ribbon and roses. They can be added to a door handle to scent a room and look pretty at the same time.

Final make of the week for my shop a couple of pretty stationery wallets with matching toppers printed onto fabric for the front. Contains 8 notelets and envelopes.

Another make for myself, this time an overtop with dipped hemline, large roomy pockets gathered with ties and my first t shirt with batwing sleeves. The cotton I had in my dressmaking stash for donkey's.

Have gone mad and ordered some more fabric a pretty rose print jersey for another t shirt and a pale pink linen for another over top the same as the lilac print above. Hope to get these done when they arrive but a busy week as Lee is off to the hospital again on Friday for more tests. Leaving big Sis in charge of the mutlet, that should be fun.......

Take a look at the other wonderful blogs on Handmade Monday with Vicky from Lucyblossom crafts

Roses, Linen and Lace

Love roses, linen and lace not to mention vintage style buttons and beads. As the look of my site has changed and I am going back to what I love, in particular PINK, had to think what could start off the new look incorporating roses, linen and lace, with a hint of lavender. Came up with a shabby chic pink lace cuff, my first one and very happy. These cuffs remind me of the Scarlet Pimpernel 'Sink Me' the costumes were so elegant and so much lace.

Lavender Lace Sachet

Using oatmeal linen, vintage lace trim, heart ribbon and resin roses, filled with lavender from Chateau de la Gabelle, smells delicious could be hidden in a drawer or on show on a dressing table.

Should have had a lot more makes to show but waiting for components to finish. What I should really do is plan ahead and make sure I have everything needed before I start.

Joining up this week with Handmade Monday

Have a good week and hope to see you next Sunday

Poorly Machine and a make for me

My embroidery machine finally gave up the ghost last week, collected for repair on Wednesday. Feel as if something is missing and whilst still have my sewing, embellisher, Gem and overlocker machines, they do not have the same pull. Plus had hopes to finish all the cards and Christmas gifts for family and friends by mid February. Done most but have 3 gifts and cards still to make.

Because all my makes for 2015 have been mainly for gifts cannot show on here atm (in case some peaking goes on) but did get down to making for myself. This fabric has been in my stash for I think about 25 years, if not more. Never got rid of it as love the muted shades, now been made into a baggy comfortable overtop. Squared off the bottom as did not want rounded corners and shortened the sleeves. I always push long sleeves up so better to get rid of them first. Plus the biggest thing was I used my overlocker for the first time, a dream and made in far less time than normal. Did most of the seams straight on the overlocker instead of the sewing machine.

Really enjoying the clothes sewing and now back into it plan to make at least 1 garment a month.

New overlocker previously sat on it's own table

Seam done on said overlocker, stitched and cut all in one, love it.

This post is linked with Handmade Monday with Vicky at Lucy Blossom Crafts

Hope to have more to show next week and that I have my machine back.

Second order of the year

Two orders in 1 week, the first the aprons shown on my last blog. Then an order from an old school friend (more years ago than I care to remember) for a Birthday card for a lady turned 105, how great is that. Plus a 30th wedding anniversary card and some change of address cards. The spec? Romany and Austria. I love to interpret what a customer is looking for, hopefully making a card or gift that cannot be found in any shop.

A Romany caravan with vintage wallpaper, straw hat with a teapot of flowers. Window embellished with cluney lace and opens to another Romany caravan parked up in a field.

Memory board effect with photos of Austria and a map. A beautiful country, have been myself to Kitzbuhel, St Anton, Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck to name a few. From the fabulous  Hahnenkamm to Villa Trapp and Zell am See. Well worth a visit.

Have been working hard on Birthday and Christmas gifts and cards for 2015, however my embroidery machine has decided it no longer wants to read the USB sticks, consequently I have ground to a halt. Emailed Janome and hope I hear some good news tomorrow. Depressed now and feel like throwing my rattle out of the pram. Funny had been thinking of making myself some clothes perhaps now may be the time to stop myself climbing the walls.

On top of that our Sky box is playing up and will be replaced on Thursday, then the printer has decided not to play ball, another one ordered as quite old and done us well.

This blog is in conjunction with Handmade Monday and the lovely Vicky, do stop by the other blogs for a read of what everyone is up to.

Until next week

Chief Helper when Mum is stressed