New Treasures...

I found these at our local flea market today - very happy with my finds!

WIP

Not quite what I had in mind for my next project but ill take any inspiration at the mo!

You know You've Lost Your Crafting Mojo When.....

* The house is tidy.... well tidier and there is the faint whiff of Eau De Bleach permeating around the house.

*Along with the said whiff there is what seems to be the smell of freshly cooked food - not only have you cooked a meal from scratch you have actually had time to go to a shop and buy it the ingredients. Takeaway leaflets are stuffed firmly back in the thingy-me-bob drawer.

* The tumble dryer is lying silent - no need to dash about drying clothes, you have all the time in the world to hang out clothes on the line.

* The kids suddenly shine and sparkle and are wearing freshly pressed clothes not just whatever is dragged out of the wash basket that morning.

* Bills are paid on time because you havent lost the paperwork under a mountain of crafty supplies.

* You are leaving the house!!!! My god there are actual real people out there...

Its a brave new non crafting world and I hate it!...

Hydrangea Mixed Media Tutorial

Using simple techniques make a unique mixed media piece of art for your home.

You will need:

Old or damaged book (I used Sense and Sensibility)

Pencil

Embroidery Hoop (size optional but I used 6.5 inch diameter)

Suitable fabric (I used a linen style cotton)

Paintbrush

Mediera Silk Thread 1003 

Watercolour Paint - Vermilion and Phthalocyanine Blue

Needle and Scissors

Backing material - cardboard or backing felt

1) Draw and cut petal shapes. Start with around 40 petal but you may need more or less for different sized hoops.

2) Paint one side of each petal individually. I would recommend two light coats of colour and fade the colour towards the tip of the petal.

3) Using one strand of embroidery thread stitch the petal detailing. They can all vary in design and they don't need to be perfectly stitched. Note that I have folded each petal slightly to create a better 3d effect.

4) Arrange four petals onto your fabric and stitch into place. 

5) Keep layering flowers until you have covered your fabric or are happy with how it looks - you can add more or less to suit your own taste.

6) Finish off the back with either backing felt or do as I have done and slot in a piece of cardboard. If you prefer you can cover the cardboard in decorative paper but I liked how this looked so left it plain.

7) Attach a piece of ribbon or string to the top of the hoop and hang proudly in your home.

If you have any questions I am always available contact me at a.warburton1983@ntlworld(dot)com

Please do recreate this for personal use or for gifts only and try experimenting with different shapes and colours. I would also love to see any works created from this tutorial.

Fox Doorstop

Fox Doorstop, a photo by Handmade and Heritage on Flickr.

This fox was made using my own pattern and all thrifted materials (bar the wadding and rice).

I got my mum who is a far superior sewer to do the main body and ears. I think next time I will add all the appliqué to the the fabric before sewing him up. I might also add some more facial features.

Dear Mr/Mrs Craft Fair Organiser...

Dear Mr/Mrs Craft Fair Organiser,

When I sign up to do a craft fair and hand over £40 of my hard earned money, spend weeks working on stock, neglect my family, faff over display ideas, spend late nights wondering and hoping to at least make my pitch back please do tell me of the following before I sign on the dotted line...

Tell me about the lack of actual craft sellers, sure food producers should count but do we need more than actual crafters??? Tell me about the franchise jewellery sellers offering to print in silver the foot print of your lickle cherub? Tell me about the nail artists and henna artists and the fake hair extensions. Tell me also about the tombola that if rumours are to be true - you pocket the cash. Also tell me about the sellers that buy their 'fashion jewellery' from China or Taiwan who then go on to sell it for such a pittance that it makes my own stuff look over priced and stupid.

You don't however need to tell me about the dirty looks I received today at using *strike me down now*... vintage or thrifted or *shudders* DOILIES in my work. Or that the only other credible crafter came over looked my stall up and down with a look you wouldn't give a dog if it had shit on your shag pile.

So thank you for such a wonderful day... the £12.50 I made and then spent on putting fluids back into my body (its a sauna in a marquee) was worth it all. No need to panic about paying for the wedding hun ive got it covered....

Oh and I get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Kind Regards
Soon to be Ex Crafter

P.S A couple of lovely ladies were very kind to me today in case they ever read this you two were the only thing stopping me from crying right there in the middle of the marquee.

Being a Bumpkin - And I Love It!!!!

Ok so today has been a hectic day. I went to town this morning for a mooch around the shops and one of my thrifty buys was this funky apron.

This afternoon between the school run I made this bag. Its slightly bigger than normal as I like larger ones to carry the heavier items and the extra wide strap provides extra support.

I've also had what is supposed to be elderflower cordial brewing for a few days and today was bottling time. I have not tasted it yet I figured that it must be tested in a relaxing sun lounger with a drink in one hand and crafty magazine in the other (sew eco if you are wondering what magazine).

I then dragged my not so 'countrified' other half out to help clean the coop. The chickens have been turned a lovely lavender colour courtesy of their delousing treatment. They were ever so camera shy and slightly irate with me hence the lack of cute purple chicken images. And finally after I concluded that my tatties were not going to be the mother of all potatoes I cut my losses and pulled them... Small but perfectly formed I think!