Secret stuff!
I haven’t talked much about the Green swap I’m doing have I, from thatlittlebitgreener blog, well, I’ve been beavering away and I’ve finished it! I was partnered with Emma which is very exciting, her blog is great and she makes and sells the most amazing bags and clutches and has just written a ‘how to’ book that looks, well, the only word is scrummy!
I remembered to take a few pictures this time, but you’ll have to wait till Emma receives it first, but the general theme was ‘green’ as in recycled/repuroposed/thrifted/enviromentally friendly so wasn’t a problem for me, I think a lot crafters are horders and recyclers, seeing new uses for old things – I just hope Emma likes what I’ve done!
Now I’ve finally set up my etsy shop, ( have you noticed the pretty cool showcase I put in the side bar – I did that!) I have a bit of time for other things, which is great timing considering my baby is going to be 7 in 3 days!
However, weeping aside it is also a good friends landmark birthday soon, if It wasn’t for Jill, Rich and I would never have a night out so she is an absolute angel in my eyes! I wanted to make her something special so I’ve found this pattern on the without seams blog for a delicate shawl, and I’ve bought the most gorgeous lace weight wool from fyberspates, hand dyed here in Wales, I’ll post a picture when I get it. I’ve never worked with such a fine wool on anything bigger than a flower so its going to be a challenge, but I’ve been wanting to have a go for ages, and what a better reason to start!
And finally a picture of my ‘baby’, who obviously got up to play when I’d put him to bed…
New Clothes
Good and bad!
I’ve finished my crocheted top taken from the lionbrand pattern ‘Sea Breeze crocheted top’. Hhmm, well, on the plus, I like it, it fits nice, its really soft, the pattern is lovely. On the minus side I look a complete muppet in it. I added a couple of flowers to the neckline to soften it a bit, but its going to take more than that…
So this
… is going to become a nice soft scarf and i’m going to undo it now because if I don’t I’ll chick out, think of all that work and put it in the back of my drawer thinking ’I'm sure I will wear it sometimes’, knowing full well I won’t but I can convince myself of most things if I try hard enough.
On the good side – I made a skirt AND IT FITS!!! It was a butterick pattern B4461 if your interested, and says in big capitals ‘FAST & EASY’. Focusing on the ‘easy’ bit I bought it, primarily after spending hours drooling over the fabrics that primrose corner has.
I put darts in and an enclosed zip, yes, really! The only thing I’m not sure about is I think I should have sewn the zip top below the seam allowance, though it didn’t say to, because its a little bulky at the top now as i had to fold that bit down and hand stitch it. There is no waistband but the waist has facing on the inside.
I apologise for the appalling photo but have you tried photographing yourself in a dusty mirror?!
And a better one
I will definitely be making more now its not so scary and I get results in a few hours too, just need some warm weather now…
Round Robin necklace swap
Well I’ve finally finished my and the final part of the swap, only a little late for which I am so sorry Kella and Victoria, but hopefully when they receive them they won’t mind!
Kellas first, if you check out Victoria’s blog you can see the stage the necklaces were when I received them. I struggled on this one, to me it seemed finished already and I really didn’t want to spoil it, so after a lot of deliberation and sketches I came up with this.
Technically its not much, but I do think it is the finishing touch and I’m pleased with it, it doesn’t detract from the stunning pendant or gorgeous beads and reflects the copper wire wrapping and the turquoise colour nicely, with just a delicate flower suspended in the middlefrom a copper coloured chain.
To make up for the ‘lack’ of additions, and the lateness, I made a matching pair of earrings, crocheted with wire just like the flower. I really hope Kella likes it!
Next up is Victoria’s. To me, with the beautifully faded ribbon, the pearls and the hints of silver it just seemed to sum up a sort of faded glory. I had a couple of ideas I tried with this one but they were all too sort of fresh. And this idea just evolved from that really.
Again I really like it, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it, and I just hope Victoria is as pleased with my additions. I also made a little pair of matching earrings using a couple of the beads I was initially going to use in the necklace as they do go well too.
I really did enjoy joining in with this, Its made me think in different ways and I’ve helped make a couple of necklaces that I’d never have thought of before and it has added greatly to my ideas pile. So a huge thanks to Kella for organising this – I hope your pleased girls!
Update: Kella really likes her necklace and has posted a gorgeous picture of her wearing it on her blog which I’ve pinched as it looks so good, whatdo you think?
New bags and a clever box
Last week I was trying to figure out a better way to present some of creations at craftfairs. While browing flickr I saw a lady who had converted a large box into a sort of carry case cum display and it got me thinking.
Isn’t it fab! I bought this box, full of old starched collars years and years ago because, well, its gorgeous isn’t it, the history behind it, who was Mr and who starched his collars? But it got to the point when I thought I really can’t just look at it anymore and as much as it hurt to mark it, I did it and I’m really pleased with it!
And some photos of my new bags. I love making these, it’s my own pattern too. I spend far too long matching bits of fabric together (and yes, its craft neutral, all are from my stash or charity shop finds, actually, apart from the magnetic clasps uh oh!) and them embellishing them with bits of ribbon, crochet or buttons. I think they would be perfect for a summer wedding and will be going in my new etsy shop soon!
Tourchon Clutch
Dottie Clutch
Lily Clutch
Cherry Clutch
And finally Buttonista Clutch.
Right, I’m off to play with my fabrics again!
Beads and Beyond latest
The latest issue of Beads and Beyond is out
They requested something beach themed, so I spent ages looking through the Bijoux Beads website drooling over, well, everything really. They also wanted something simple, so I came up with ‘Dominican Dreams’.
There is also as always, lots of other fab projects particually Shanghai Lights by Anita Mistry. Its beadstitching which I’ve never done but I really want to have a go, the pendants are really gorgeous, very Victorian, vintage looking.
Well, back to craft fair preparation
Jane x
ATC, round robin and other stuff
I’ve been a bit amiss from my posts, I have a craft fair this Saturday at Cowbridge so I’ve been madly trying to make some summer type things, as I’ve only previously had stalls in the winter and as much as I’m proud of my scarves and gloves and despite the cold, I don’t think they will go down too well! So to make this post not too picture heavy I’ll show my new ideas for cards/bags/childrens bits/jewellery later.
But some exciting news, I’ve been sent my latest ATC from the wonderful Kella who actually set this great project up
Its based on ‘Golden’ by Jill Scott. Kella has such lovely reasons for using this and sent me the lyrics too, beautifully written and if you pop over to her blog she has a link to it being sung.
I do love this atc, as all the best things are it is uncomplicated, though as we all know to achieve that can be extremely complicated! It conveys the message perfectly and goes great in my growing collection!
The round robin comes to me for the conclusion. Dun dun DUN! I don’t feel any pressure at all not to ruin them, no, I don’t, I really don’t…um…honestly…
I have an inkling of an idea but I’m not going to rush it (sorry Kella and Victoria) as I really want to finish them off with the care in which they have imbued on them already, however mine is finished! As I started it, Kella added to it and Victoria finished it. Isn’t it glorious!
If you check out Kellas and Victorias blogs you can see which bits they added. This was such a great idea, I’d never have spent so much time making myself something for a start, and I would never have thought of adding the sections that have been. I really like the inclusion of the yarn from Kella and that handmade wooden bead that Victoria made is fantastic. And you know what, I got a couple of little extras too, a lovely pair of earrings off Victoria that match my new necklace and a fab pendant off Kella make from a cornflower air dry recipe – no – me neither, I’m going to have to find out too! No piccies of this yet as I’m going to make it into another necklace for me.
I’ll leave you with a little idea of what I’ve been working on
Jane
x
I’ve been featured!
Just a quicky today, a little brag and a nice piccie!
I’ve been featured over on Popular Crafts website, Its a great site, full of tips and tutorials covering almost all aspects of craft. They’ve choosen one of my necklaces for their ’Popular Crafts - buys vintage style’. Its among some gorgeous items so I’m really chuffed to be included!
My Christmas cactus has decided to flower, not over Christmas but nevermind, the Spring seems to have given it a wakeup call! But it was worth the wait, isn’t it gorgeous?
