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A Little More Etsy Shopping

31/1/2012

A few weeks ago I wrote about a fabulous Etsy shop that I had recently discovered, and I have been doing a little bit more shopping there! I love this "Keeping Sacred Time" necklace.....

.....Amanda has wire wrapped some wonderful green glass and wooden beads to create the necklace. some larger etched brass jump rings have been added through out this piece, so additional charms can be clipped on, or taken off as you might like..........

.....It comes with 5 charms to get you started, but the idea is to be able to add to this piece over time. The charms that Amanda has included are pictured here with the necklace, but you can also add your own treasures, or find more here in her Elements shop.....

.....and I couldn't resist a pair of these "Tattered" earrings too - Amanda has created this pair with a bit of recycled sari silk in a lovely sand colour - then she has wire-wrapped fun trinkets and beads on the front.....

.....I was very excited when I saw what was waiting for me when I arrived home from work today - beautifully packaged and just waiting to be unwrapped. And it looks even better in real life! The time piece has a wooden frame with a nice vintage-styled face. The charm holder can be opened and the watch or any of the charms can be taken off, or added on very easily.....

.....these earrings are really fabulous - they'll definitively be worn at the weekend - and I'm hoping to meet up with a friend for afternoon tea next week, so will wear them then too - I can't wait to show them off!
* 02/02/2012 - A quick update to my blog - I went out for a meal tonight with some colleagues from work, (it was Kirsty's leaving do) and wore my new earrings - they looked fab! Thanks for taking the photo Clare!!*

Happy Birthday Michelle

29/1/2012

My lovely neice Michelle is home with her parents for a few days - and I've been busy sewing her a little something for her birthday.
I used an assortment of cream fabrics for the bag and the lining, and marked a grid for the quilting with a Hera marker (these are by Clover - they're great as they mark an indentation on the fabric that you sew over - no nasty pencil or chalk lines that won't rub off!!).....

.....it is really easy to follow the lines, and I always use a walking foot for quilting - it stops the fabric bunching up underneath. I've used a Mettler quilting thread, shade 04, and used a slightly longer stitch than I would use for normal sewing.....

.....you may remember I made a cute makeup bag for my sister-in-law for Christmas, and appliqued a picture of her daughter, Michelle, and granddaughter Erin, onto the front of the bag. This time I rather craftily used a picture of Michelle's partner, Simon, with Erin. Again, I used the miracle sheets of fabric that you can print pictures onto.....

.....I decorated the front of the bag with some vintage lace.....

.....this was based on an AnnAKa pattern. I even used one of my printed labels as a tab. I'm so pleased with how this has turned out.....

......and here's the birthday girl, along with her daughter Erin. We had a lovely family get-together this afternoon, Happy Birthday Michelle!

My Secret Box of Treasure

24/1/2012

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When I stayed with Eva in Norway, I gave her a wooden box like this one, to keep all her embroidery threads in, to say "thank you for a wonderful holiday". I normally keep my embroidery threads in plastic storage containers, but I had always wanted a box like this myself, and when I saw a similar box on the Jaycotts website I decided I just HAD to have it.....

.....there is plenty of room for all my threads, and a drawer at the bottom is large enough for scissors and needles and thimbles and sewing hoops. Oh, and the lid has a removable section, which means I can embroider or quilt something special to insert in the lid to make this sewing box unique. Every girl needs a special box for her treasures - I love it!

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January FNSI update - Høne Pøne placemats

21/1/2012

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A few months ago I made a runner, using the Høne Pøne pattern from Myquilt. I don't like throwing scraps away, and fortunately I had enough to make some matching placemats. This fabric is "Brooklyn Heights" by Kitty Yoshida for Benartex....

.....I just needed to add some more fabric for the background and binding, and managed to whip these up in no time at all. Sewing the binding on was the perfect project for FNSI, especially as I didn't get to go out with Mr F afterall - I spent a quiet night in with my sewing machine and the TV.....

.....I based the design for the placemats on the tablerunner pattern. I just adore these appliqued birds.
*Update for Lesley - these birdies are initially fused to the placemats with steam-a-seam lite, then machine-appliqued with a blanket stitch, #25 on my bernina - hope that helps!! Oh and I added a cute little button for the eyes - I couldn't cope with applique that small!!

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Etsy shopping

20/1/2012

Whilst blog-hopping the other day, I read a post from Janelle Wind all about inspiration - and so of course I couldn't resist a little peek at this fab necklace that was for sale in an Etsy shop - and before I knew it I'd clicked on the purchase button! Sorry Janelle, but there are LOTS of other beautiful jewellry pieces for sale in Amanda's Etsy shop. Meanwhile this beautiful "Dictionary Definition Charm Necklace" is coming to live with me.....

.....so imagine my excitement when I got home this evening to find this had arrived in the post - this is absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to wear it tomorrow. Amanda has taken a glass cabochon, set in a wonderful brass bezel setting and hung the pendant from 20" of antiqued brass finish chain. Each piece is unique - the dictionary pieces are taken from actual vintage dictionary pages! It is truely beautiful - thank you so much Amanda - I might have to visit your Etsy shop again soon!

January FNSI

19/1/2012

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Friday January 20th is the date for the next Friday Night Sew-In - hop over here to sign up. I've been very organised this month and I've got my project all ready for Friday evening! I might not have time to sew much as I'm off out for a meal with Mr F, but will blog some pictures tomorrow of my latest project!

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Red Pepper Quilts

18/1/2012

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For a long time I've been an admirer and follower of Rita, of Red Pepper Quilt fame, and today I've bought yet another of her quilt patterns - A Quilter's Palette. It is so easy to down load them - and you don't have to wait for the postman :)
Her quilts are stunning, and hopefully I'll soon be able to re-create one of her designs.

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A swap from Oz

15/1/2012

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A few weeks ago I was chatting on FB to Gail Pan, and she very kindly offered to send me a surprise in the post, and in return I would send her a small toilettry bag - made with some of Lynette Anderson's gorgeous Secret Garden fabric. I was thrilled when these two patterns arrived. Firstly there was the Forget-me-Not sewing pocket, and secondly the Cottage in Bloom wallhanging - and as if I wasn't spoiled enough, she had also very kindly sent me this beautiful Cottage Garden thread - it is absolutley gorgeous!! It has been hand dyed, and I am just thrilled with these. Thank you so much Gail - I'm a very happy girl!.....

.....anyway, here is the bag I made for Gail. Firstly, here it is in progress, using the Secret Garden fabric. I bought the lace trimming from a vintage market and it blends really well with these fabrics.....

.....I added a pocket to the inside of the bag, oh and I also remembered to sew in one of my new labels - just incase she forgets who has made it for her hehehe!!.....

.....and here is the finished bag - I really hope Gail likes this as much as I liked the parcel from her! I've got a few secret goodies to add in with this too, but I won't show you those as I don't want to spoil the surprise incase she is taking a crafty peek on my blog!!

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Flowerdale

15/1/2012

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This gorgeous pattern, Flowerdale, is by Australian quilt designer Gail Pan and it really is absolutely lovely. I ordered mine from Sarah, at Quilt Fabric Delights, in Australia, and just look at the fabrics in this kit - they are Blueberry Crumbcake, by Blackbird Designs for Moda - aren't they just yummy? This is a large project that will keep me busy for a long time, so I'll keep you posted with regular updates of my progress. I'm just going to put my feet up, have a cuppa and browse the pattern for now - oh and admire these fabrics for a little bit longer before I start cutting them up.

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She's leaving home.....

13/1/2012

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My eldest daughter has left home today, and is moving in with her boyfriend for a few months. I am so proud of the confident young woman she has become - and I am so proud to be her mum. She has sorted herself out with a job, and I know her boyfriend will look after her, but it was so hard this evening waving her off at the station. She was so excited to be off, full of hopes and dreams, and I know that part of being a good parent is giving your children the wings to fly, but it hurt so much watching her take another step into her future. I'm going to miss her so much, and can't wait for her to come back home in the summer before she then heads off to university!

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<<Previous

A Little More Etsy Shopping

Happy Birthday Michelle

My Secret Box of Treasure

January FNSI update - Høne Pøne placemats

Etsy shopping

January FNSI

Red Pepper Quilts

A swap from Oz

Flowerdale

She's leaving home.....

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