Applique Handprints

I actually saw this idea on pinterest, and have been wanting to do it for some while and this last couple of months I have had the best excuse. In March it was my Mum's birthday and in April it was my Mother in Law's birthday.  This was the perfect idea as a gift to them from the kids.  I framed these in embroidery hoops and it is the first time that I have done this and I am quite impressed with the results.

The first set were done back in March and I've been wanting to show them off ever since!!  .

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The first two were left with bare frames and the date etc written on, whereas for the second lot I covered the hoops in ribbon. I can't decide which is my favourite way but they both look quite nice. 

Handmade iPad Case

My Uncle turned 40 this month, I'm sure he won't mind me sharing that with you...hmm..anyway..I knew that my Aunt was trying to raise funds from friends and family to get him an iPad so I thought I would make him a case for it. Now this is trickier than it originally sounds because my Aunt is actually a very accomplished seamstress. So my Uncle is going to be used to sewn products actually looking quite good and without the dodgy stitching that normally accompanies my attempts. So I thought for once I would actually follow a tutorial properly instead of trying to do my own thing and I am really proud of the results:

 Unfortunately I haven't got an iPad to model this case, so the photos of it are of it empty. However I have been assured that this is the right size and fits well!

 The lining is red felt and the stitching has come out really neatly.  I have slowed down with the machine and it is turning out a lot more even and straight.

I did originally have a different button and ribbon but unfortunately the dog got hold of them and they are no more.  Luckily I had these in my stash that really suited the fabric.
Also my Uncle is (possibly)and even bigger Terry Pratchett fan than I am and after racking my brains I finally managed to find the perfect quote for the case...

The tutorial that I followed was one that I found at The Cottage Home.  It is a really easy tutorial to follow and has a photo for each stage. Also she has managed to get the tone of the tutorial just right - it gives all the information you need for each step without sounding patronizing.  Also the tutorial works for laptops and tablets as it gives you directions to figure out the dimensions that you need for your case to fit your item.
So Thank You Cottage Mama!

Assignments and Threads

I have been quietly beavering away at the moment. I have my first TMA (tutor marked assessment) due in next week which although I have prepared for is not even near written yet. And although I freak out about these every time I actually quite enjoy writing them. I know I'm weird but I have always enjoyed essay writing. I just don't like the fact that someone is going to read and mark them. Unfortunately I don't think they can just take my word for it that I have written an essay that explains all the elements of the argument succinctly and informatively...no I can't see them taking to that one.

However I have still managed to find time to do a bit of cross stitch on my Charity Quilt Block where I have very frustratingly just ran out of the top background colour and NOWHERE in town sells DMC threads!  Oh well - looks like a trip to Hobbycraft is in order...what a shame.
However whiles't searching for my threads I happened across the DMC website where you can sign up to the DMC club...where you can get free charts and tips!!Wahoo. So amongst other things I now have ANOTHER outlet for procrastination!!!

Handmade Dog Bed

For quite some time now the hubby has been wanting a nice big beanbag that he can use to sit comfortably near the telly when playing on the xbox etc. Well anything that would be suitable is ridiculously expensive and in the past month we've had Chrimbo and a Fifth birthday. So it's just not on the cards at the moment. Well he had a rare two day weekend last week and found he didn't quite know what to do with a Sunday, so started to search the net for something that he could do/make...and found this
 
Pillow Chair from Old T-Shirts - CRAFT Video by makemagazine
Well as you can imagine he was a very happy bunny. We didn't have old T-Shirts to spare but we did have spare fabric that wasn't set to be used for anything in particular. So the four of us set out the fabric and cut out the shapes and my gorgeous other half decided he'd have a go with the sewing machine...

I am very impressed! He needed a bit of help with the bobbin but was quite happy once he got going.  Well we stuffed it with an old duvet and old sheets all stripped, but it still wasn't big enough, so we found up old cushions that have been lying around for a while, still not big enough....we filled it with stuffing left in my stash and a bag of "beanbagballs" and it still wasn't big enough to actually sit comfortably on...or so we thought...

Harley the dog had other ideas though. It is just right for him. He's getting quite a big old boy now and his last dog bed got eaten (what can I say he is a very dumb dog). But he has calmed down (a bit) now and is very happy with this. Also this saved us spending a fortune on a dog bed as everything used was just lying around the house unused. 
The plan is to get some proper bean bag filling (enough to actually fill a beanbag) and try to duplicate this but larger at some point. 
All in all though, I thought this was how a Sunday should be spent - making stuff as a family!

Handmade PE Kit Bag

When my darling daughter started school last year I made sure she went in with a Handmade PE Kit bag.  She was and still is smitten with it.  Well since then she has made "Very Very Best Friends EVER" and bless them they are convinced that they want to be twins. (I caught madam with my makeup trying to make herself more like her friend, so they could be twins!!!) So I thought for her friends Birthday I would make her a PE Kit bag so they could both have their handmade bags together. 

Unfortunately I didn't have any more princess fabric, but I did have this gorgeous strawberry print in my stash - and just enough for a bag.  I know the cross stitching on the front is a bit twee - but they're 5 and they love all things dainty so I hope it will go down well.

It also means I've had my poor neglected sewing machine out for the first time this year.  I am slowly attempting to organize my craft stuff so hopefully it will be easier to get to it all and be used a bit more often.  Unfortunately I don't have anywhere that I can claim solely as my craft area, but the dining room table will do the job 'till we win the lottery ; )

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Middle Earth

I haven't done much 'embroidery' before, a few little things but nothing large scale, as I cross-stitch mostly.  So as usual I am jumping in the deep end and I am going to embroider a map of 'Middle Earth' from The Lord of The Rings.

So far I have found the map I want to use:

And started to transfer it across to some linen:

Which is more difficult than it sounds.  Even with the help of my Aunt's light box (Thank You) it is quite tricky to get the detail.  I have enlarged the original map about 300% but to get all the names in is going to be interesting, as this is quite a detailed version of 'Middle Earth'.
  Although it is not all across on to linen yet, I have stitched a few words so that I can get an idea of how it is going to look:

I've tried a few different sized words just to get a feel for the different texts and am quite happy with these so far.  I am particularly happy with the 'Sea of Rhun' as I think I managed the curls on the letters quite nicely. 
 The larger writing is going to be slightly more difficult, as it is a lot thicker that the small writing.  At the moment my plan is to stitch across the letters so that I can get the right width throughout.
Also I am still undecided as to how I am going to stitch the mountains:

Since they are shaded I want to make sure that I get the feel of them right.  However at the end of the day, "my" map does not have to look exactly like the original, but I am extremely excited about this project, as I am hoping that when it is done it will look quite stunning on the wall.  

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Learning to Sew, Part Two.

Continuing on from Learning to Sew, from last week, I will be reviewing another book that has helped me learn to sew.

This time I am going to look at another popular book:  Sewing for Dummies.  This is another good book that has helped me out quite a lot.  If you are familiar with the "For Dummies" range, then you will recognize the layout of the book, which can be quite helpful.  At the beginning of the book you have a handy "cheat sheet" which includes references such as a needle size chart, with what fabrics are best for different sized needles. And a yardage conversion table, for changing what yardage of fabric you need depending on the width of fabric. (This is a lot less scary than it sounds at first.)

Sewing For Dummies also has useful icons throughout the book, with tips and reminders, as well as warnings.

This is a book that if you wanted to, you could read from front to back.  But if you just wanted to look up a certain technique or look for a few hints and tips on a certain process, you can certainly dip in and out of it with ease.  This is the primary book I used when I first started to learn to sew, however it can be a bit intimidating as it does look a lot like a text book:

If you have just started, and have tried a few things, then I would say that the last chapter (The Part of Tens) is a definite must read! Ten Tips for Mixing Patterns, Ten Mistakes Beginners Often Make and Ten Sewing Fundamentals to Remember.  I should probably have listened to the advice given here about not attempting a project beyond your skill level.  I spent ten months avoiding my sewing machine because the first item of clothing I tried (a SHIRT!) had got me very confused and feeling a bit useless! 
This does have some projects included, but they are a bit old fashioned for me.  But if you do like the projects then that is an added bonus.

Learning to Sew

Since I am still very much a novice on the sewing front, I thought I would write a few posts on what has helped me learn the basics.  There are many courses out there that you can take, but if like me you don't have the time it IS possible to learn at home.  You don't always get it right and I wouldn't advice using expensive fabrics at first, but it is an amazing feeling to be able to say " I made that!".  In fact before you sew anything, I would advice to simply practice sewing straight lines on scrap fabric.  I know this may sound ridiculous, but it is one of the most important things to learn and you will get your first wobbly lines out of the way before attempting to make something.    
Being a bookworm I find books an extremely useful way to learn, so I'm going to review the books that helped me to learn how to sew, so you can choose the right one for you.
Me and My Sewing Machine: A Beginner's Guide 
by Kate Haxell

This is my favorite of the books that I used, as it is slightly different from most sewing guides out there.  This is written on a more personal level and gives you what you need to learn how to sew, not how to become an expert, which can be quite off putting.  

This book is set out to invite you in.  It is not intimidating and has step by step instructions with photos at each and every step. She starts by introducing you to your sewing machine and goes through the basic techniques that you are likely to come across when learning how to sew, from sewing a straight line to sewing in darts. 
 There is then seven projects for you to sew, with handy references to the pages where the techniques are explained.  I must admit that I haven't actually used the projects at the back of the book (although I do keep meaning to sew this cute bag).
Kate's tone is friendly throughout, yet gives all the detail that you would need in a way that is easy to understand.
If you are looking for more in depth techniques such as couture or how to fit patterns, this is not the book for you, but if you are a complete beginner, looking to learn how to do the fundamentals, this book is extremely helpful.

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P.E Kit Bag...

...or keypit bag according to my four year old. Bless!
Simply a little drawstring bag ready for the start of school.

I looked at the bags available for school and really really do not like them! So used some material I've had sitting in the stash for a while. 

My daughter is absolutely smitten with it and even the teachers have commented on the idea of a "homemade" bag for school.  It is times like this that I am proud that I can use a sewing machine, even for a simple project or for mending etc.  

Attempting A Simple Dress....

I have been attempting to learn to sew (amongst other things) and with the help of my very patient Aunt I am also learning the correct way of doing things - For example, I found myself ironing pattern pieces last night, which sounds far too much like housework for my liking.
Despite this I have all my fabric cut out, shoulder seams stitched and pressed open and the skirt mostly assembled.  Before I can do much more I need to get some interfacing but I am happy with the way it is looking so far.

Long Suffering Sewing Machine finally being used

Apparently you need a tidy and organized work space....

....hmmm well I may need a little work on that.

The pattern on the left is the one I am attempting in this gorgeous fabric...

...Chosen by madam herself! Very good taste!

Sock Animals: Unicorn

After the sock animal Zebra was such a hit, we made madam a sock unicorn, working along the same lines.  As for the button and sock choice, that is all down to her. At 4 years old pink and purple are always nearby.

Sock animals have gone down very well in our household.  Although there isn't a huge amount that the kids can do, they really enjoy watching a pair of socks turn into a cuddly toy.  

Simply Homemade

I don't normally buy magazines and I must admit I saw the freebie first rather than the magazine...

Although this is not the most exciting of things it is a crafters ruler, which aren't cheap and as I have recently shown an interest in quilting, this would be particularly useful...then I saw the magazine...

This is only the 7th issue, but it is a brilliant idea, it has a section for jewellery making, paper crafts, knitting and sewing! What's not to love??? Hopefully my anti-biotics will kick in soon and I might even be up to making some of the lovely ideas rather than just looking at them...

Cushion Covers

With some material that has been sitting in my stash for ages, we finally have some new cushion covers...

...Simples

Sock Zebra

A busy afternoon was had by all yesterday as we all pitched in to make this beauty.

Sock Zebra

Sock Zebra

Sock Zebra

Sock Zebra

This was a kit sent up by Nanny Daphodill a month or so back that has been sat on our pile of stuff do to.  Well since it is the summer hols here and we have the extra helping hands of Nanny Daphodill herself for a few weeks we set to work.  Both the kids thoroughly enjoyed stuffing the various parts and are now out to buy some new socks to make my little madam a sock unicorn ( there will be pictures to follow )  

We have kept the instructions as really all you need is a pair of socks and some buttons as I always have an abundance of needles and thread.

If wanted I will happily do a tutorial for this if people out there want it.