Maisy Lee Designs

Pin cushion madness.

2012-02-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Well i did mention i wanted to use up all those scrap fabrics in the last blog post. But I seem to be going a wee bit over board with the pin cushions, i do need to stop at some point, there are multiplying and taking over the house. (i have another 3 since taking the above photo)
I have had some lovely comments on Folksy about them, it's always encouraging to get good feed back about your work. Especially if your like me and tend to be over critical about your work
I think this Magic one is my favourite, well for the moment since i seem to of said that about each one i have made lol. But i just love the vibrant blue on this.

I am busy making my Folksy forum St Davids day/Welsh challenge, you will be glad to know it isn't a pin cushion, ;) but I'm not sure how to finish it, I'm not sure if I should make it into a wall hanging or frame it.

This picture was taken in December, when i was busy crafting for xmas, it makes me laugh because you can tell were i was sitting even with me out of the picture.
I like to call this my creative semi circle, which i always seem to do when i'm in a creative mood. But then out of the blue this happened...

A straight line! I have no idea where it came from, and i'm not sure i like it, i liked my semi circle it felt like i was getting a hug from my fabrics :) I wonder how i will work next time, hope fully the fabric hug will be back.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.
Love and choc chips
Donna x

For the love of Pin cushions

2012-01-31T11:26:00.000-08:00

The Love tree

I decided that this year i would try and use up all those pieces of fabric, that are too small for any one big project like bags or cushions, but are far to lovely to throw away. I have two folders full of those bits of scraps, and i decided to use them up this year by making lots of pin cushions and use them as backings for some embroidery .

The fronts are Laura Ashley linen, which had 30% off in my local shop. Let me just say "OMG it is so beautiful to work with", i have cut most of it up to use like blank pieces of paper to draw on, and then embroider over it. I am loving this way of working. It feels very free, and it's quite addictive, I've made 5 up to now and i have another 3 on the go. I think it takes me back to when i was a kid and i would sit there drawing, and imagining how my drawing would look stitched.
They All seem to be loved up, in some kind of way. Love tree, love bot, van of love, so my other side decided that sugar skulls should be next enough with the love stuff. So thats what i have been working on today.

It is also helping me use up all those little bits of DMC and Anchor threads that I've had left over from previous cross stitch projects.

                                                                          Love bot.

Love and Linen

Donna x

www.folksy.com/shops/MaisyLeeDesigns

Love sweet love

2012-01-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

The idea line seems to be all loved up at the moment. Lots of hearts, love and peace.
Yes that is P!nk on the line, i'm trying to loose weight at the moment.I lost 30 lbs last year, and i have 10 more to go. So she is there telling me "hey no chocolate bitch, if u want a fine arse like mine you better put the biscuits down." Well i suppose she would say cookies since she is an American.

I have often thought about putting stickers all over my machine, but thought at 37 i maybe i was to old, and it would look lame. Then i saw this lovely blog www.lougardiner.blogspot.com and i fell in love with her stickered machine, and her work.
So i took the plunge, and did the front all cute, and the back will be all rock and roll and skulls. I only have 2 on the back at the moment so i will show it you when i find some more stickers. i love how each time i take the cover of her, she looks so bright and cheery :)

This was my entry to the Scottish challenge over on Folksy. I loved how Scotty the van of Love turned out. Perfect for pins and needles.
I have two more van Pin cushions to get finished, the Rainbow love van, (which u can see on the idea line) and the Twirly whirly love van.
I have 4 pin cushions waiting to be stuffed and closed up, they are sat on the sofa calling me to finish them :) so i better be off.
If you have time please check out my new Folksy shop. www.folksy.com/shops/MaisyLeeDesigns

I hope your January has been jumping, May your Febuary be Fabulous.

Love and coffee
Donna @Maisy Lee designs
x x x

Bring me sunshine.

2012-01-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

There was some lovely sun light today in Devon. So i decided to get all my makes out of their little bags, and their big plastic crate. And started to take some pictures.
I think there is definitely a Little bit country and a little bit rock and roll going on in there, a clash of the egos, meeting in my crafting box. It seems the older i get the less rock chick i am.
So i made a note to buy more skull fabric A.S.A.P.

I
And that made me start working on some Valentine ideas, all involving robots. I'm sure when i saw the lack of Metal in this box i decided Robots was what it needed. So i made a pin cushion, and i am now working on a embroidered picture. I will be putting them in my new folksy shop which i am working on now. By getting all new pics, the problem was about ten minutes after i took this picture there was no sun, so all day i have been singing "bring me sunshine" while sewing Robots which shoot love rays. Lets hope tomorrow is less cloudy, or if not the next day, or the next day....

I Never wished you all Luck and love and health for 2012, and i know i am late in saying it, but i do wish all who reads love, luck and health. May your life be what it is meant to be.

Peace and choc chips
Donna x

Xmas crafting.

2011-12-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have been busy making lots of Xmas items the past few weeks. Here are a few of the things i made. I love how the Xmas house came out, and it was a bonus i that i got to use all the scraps from the Christmas bunting i made. I decided to add ribbon to the back of the frame, so that would look pretty too :) Probably a waste of money in hindsight but it is does look so pretty.

I made these little Xmas tree ornaments i have made about 5 up to now, 2 are on my Folksy shop. (Auntydotty) I am making some in red and some in navy blue. Each one is differant from next one. I think i like the look of it stiched on the 11 count Aidia since it gives them a lovely rustic look, and the twine adds to this look.


Here it is on 14 count with a Satin ribbon. And topped with a Swarovski Crystal.

Love and Tinsel
<3 Dotty x

A kind of Yay for pictures,

2011-10-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much trouble with uploading pics to my blog. Everytime i try to ipload it just times out. I can upload pictures to all other websites no problem, i have a good speed on my internet, and i have tried every thing they  mention on the help section. This has been going on for ages, and i have tried writing my blog with out pictures and well it sucks, "i totally have no flow, with out some pictures to show".

So you would probably be thinking right now that it is fixed, since well you can see a picture on my blog  :)

Well that would be wrong,  i have had to copy  the link from my folksy shop  to get a picture on here. Well thats all well and good for the things i list on there, but lots of my makes are usually for family and friends. I'm a bit gutted about it really so i am hoping it sorts itself out soon because i have no idea what to do next. 

I do bloody love this bunting though, each week that passes witout it selling, is another week with out me using it, i think i may give in next week and keep it, Argh! i'm sure i don't need another one though, erm maybe i will have a little give away then if it doesn't sell by the 1 st of November, fingers crossed either way :)

Love and pictures

Dotty x

Washing machine blues.

2011-10-12T04:29:00.000-07:00

So our washing machine started to die a few weeks ago. It kind of worked, but i couldn't let it spin properly to it's max speed, so every time it went on a spin cycle i had to jump up and go and turn it off, otherwise it would go hells bells crazy and start walking, while making a rather loud hammer drill noise. We really didn't have the spare cash. Sad state of affairs here at the moment, i suppose like a lot of other people in the U.K at the moment. So Any way back to the point, so we got the money together, and we bought a new machine and it came today :) Woohooo no more going into the kitchen 15 mins after it being on, then at 23 mins and then at 29. No more washing by hand, and well best of all no more going to the laundrette. We did it once and well let me tell you that was once to many, there are some proper weirdos in those places and thats only the people that work there ;).
But i now have a new problem, every time the machine goes to go on spin i think i have to jump up, i swear i can feel my heart beating faster, and my adrenaline kicking in everytime it starts a spin cycle. It is now on it's third cycle and i feel like i have ran a marthon, i bloody knackered and i haven't done anything. So i think thats enough washing for today i don't think my poor ticker can take it, lets hope tomorrow my mind adjusts and realises no more walking, banging making noises from hell washing machine has now left the building, and i can just relax when i stick the washing on.

Arrr off to make a cocoa i think.

Love and bubbles

Dotty x

Hocus pocus.

2011-10-09T03:29:00.000-07:00

Here are my finished Witchy bags, I really do love these. Both fabrics were a delight to work with, they were just the right thickness for tote bags, and the quality was just lovely. The brown spotty one called "Endora's dots" is by Alexander Henry, and the name got me right away since i am huge fan of"Bewitched" and i always loved Sam's mum Endora :)Here is the inside of the bag, it is fully reversible, and i have lined the pocket with an old cord skirt from M&S which i bought and sadly never got into.
But gone are the days of buying things two sizes too small, so i will loose weight and get into them. Nope i will now only be buying clothes that fit me right there and then, even if that sizes ranges from a 10-14. I'm a 12 at the mo right bang in the middle and i'm quite happy here. But what on earth possessed me to buy a size 8, (well i do it was probably Aunt Flo visiting she's a bitch and always make me feel fat, ugly blah). So i cut up that skirt, which felt so liberating and gave it a good use, instead of dust gather in the back of the wardrobe :)

Here is the little trick or treat bag a made with the left overs from the 2 x 1/2 metres i bought. I also used a bit of the left overs in a crazy patchwork cushion front, which i am not sure if it is just a little crazy, i have hung it on the ideas line, to see if it grows on me. I will hope fully finish it before Halloween.....
One thing i don't like about the winter is my house hardly gets any light, and my photo's look far too dark, these ones look ok, but this was the second lot, the first lot were so dark couldn't use them.
I'm off now to paint the nails on the other hand, i have been painting my nails while i uploaded the pics "All fired up" By Revlon, which worked out perfect five pics for five red nails. But it takes all my concentration to paint the other hand, so bye for now before i forget, and go out with one hand painted and one plain, and yes i have done this before ;) .
Love and nail polish
Dotty x

2011-10-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

This was the mess on my idea line last Sunday. As you can see i must of been in Halloween mode. :) I know my drawings are a bit crap, but they still give me lots of ideas. Like for the first time ever i thought "erm maybe i can get some cards printed". I have some funny quotes to go with the little vampires which does need improving. And I still haven't unpicked that bloody ladybird bag, i will do though this weekend!!

I did manage to get a few things finished this week, but i need to take some new pictures, and it's so dark today i don't think i will be bale to get any good photos until it brightens up.

I ordered some lovely brown and orange fabrics, they looks so Autumnal.
I have noticed one thing i like to do is leave my fabrics clearly in eye sight so i can keep looking at them until i know what to do with them. So at the moment my new fabrics are on the floor in the living room all lined up near the sideboard, I think they will become tote bags and gift bags, but i may tackle a doll because there is one fabric which would look lovely as a dolls dress, i do have an idea about how it will look but i probably won't get round to it.

This week has been a rough one, lots of illness flying around our home at the moment, we seem to be playing chuckle brothers with a cold, "to me, to you" :P
Hopefully next week i will be able to get some things finished.

I hope your homes are full of good health,

Love and sneezes
Dotty x x

Rock chick - hippy chick

2011-10-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

This is the bag i made for my niece Sophie Lou, I love that she gets to choose between being a rock chick, or a hippy chick since this bag is fully reversible. I think the peace signs fabric would be perfect for cushion covers i must buy some more eventually.
I think i will ask my other Niece Pea pod would she like one too, or i have seen some cute scotty dog fabric that she may like.

With the remaining skull fabric i made two little Rock chick bags, i added a cute little flower buttons to one of the skulls eyes on the handles and it gives it a little quirkiness, i used this black and white pinstripe fabric as a lining, and it is also fully reversible.
I Hope your enjoying this wonderful weather we're having in OctObeR.
I do love October it's my farvourite month of the year, i'm not sure if i'm the only person looking forward to the clocks going back. I do love the dark evenings, the falling leaves, hot cocoa, and large quilts, and i am also looking forward to home mades Stews and soups.

Love and sunshine
Aunty dotty x

Maybe a Month.....

2011-09-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

So here is my desk all nice and clean. This picture was taken yesterday after about four hours of sorting through all my crafting things. Not just on, in and under my desk, but in the side board, the two wicker baskets at the side of the sofa, and the two bags with cross stitch in.
Yes i did it, i sorted it all out and it feels quite good to have a place for everything. I'm not sure how long this will last, (last time it was three weeks) I'm hoping this time at least a month lol. My hubby isn't hopeful at all he has given it a week. :P I think he may be right since it now has items on there that really shouldn't be on there, and for once there not mine. I'm thinking maybe a fresh vase of flowers to go on it when not in use, might make me keep the surfaces clean. So off to look for some flowers tomorrow i think.
And here's one on my little windows. As you can see from the candle holder with all the pencils in. I like Pencils!! :) I had a sort through my pencil box on Saturday, seriously you have no idea how many i have. If W.h smith ever closes down you know where to come.
That lovely little photo peeking out behind the Addams family card is my lovely Nanna Lee. She sadly died last year, and i have been missing her a lot lately. I miss her voice and her laugh, she knew how to have a good giggle. When i was six or seven she once taught me to do the Twist after watching "summer holiday" on the Television, she pushed the sofas back and we danced for ages. She also told me about her crush on Cliff Richard as a young girl, which made me giggle.
I really wish i had a photo of her when she was young, to share with you, she was a stunner my Nan

And this is my Nan's trifle bowl with a few of my bias bindings (and lots of fluff) in it. The bowl was on the last picture of my desk, but it had a huge pile of fabrics all over it.

I am thinking of making a Sewing machine cover, the original one is starting to look a bit worse for wear. So now I'm just on the look out for the perfect fabric, i have no idea what it is yet?

Love and fluff,
Dotty x

Warts and all!

2011-09-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

So i decided i would start taking a picture of my work space every Friday. And I will be sharing it on a Saturday. The Warts and all of it, even if it looks like complete chaos.
I wouldn't call this too messy, i know where everything is, and what pile of fabrics is going to be used. The skull bag is now all finished and is lined with a lovely hippy fabric, and sewn with a Lime green cotton around the top of the bag and the handles. I also used a lovely lime green flower button. I know it sounds a little weird lol, but it is lovely, and my Lovely niece Sophie is going to love it (well i hope so)
With the left over fabric from the half metre i bought, i made some lovely little girly pirate looking bags which hopefully will sell on Folksy but if not i will be giving them to my nieces Aleysha and Olivia for Halloween.
I have actually sat here and thought "erm i wonder if i can get away with making one for myself" Well at 37 i'm thinking maybe i'm a little to old for a skull/hippy tote bag, but i would love pulling this bag out when I'm at Tescos to pack my veggies into it. Erm.... I'm still very undecided on if i will make one or not.

And this is my ideas and inspiration washing line :) I'm going to give the desk a good clean on a Sunday and remove some things from the washing line of ideas and add new things for the week. I think i will take a picture of the desk all nice and clean on Sunday and post it so you can see how clean it can look lol.

I know some people have amazing spaces to work from, and i love having a nosey around their spaces so i thought i would share mine too. While mine isn't beautiful, it is still my little piece of what ~i love to do~.
OMG i do wish i had a whole room to myself, but there is no space in our house. So i am squeezed behind the small sofa and right next to my husbands desk in the living room.
I do have six little windows in the wall between the hall way and the living room, and it is perfect for sticking all my crap on. And it gets full of crap :) I might change that around more too, but not weekly more on a Monthly time scale.
I know it really should be kept cleaner since it's in the living room, and sometimes it really is lovely and clean. But that usually only lasts one day and then i get loads of ideas and well they have to go some where and it's usually here.
Sometimes the pile gets so high and i have to have a good ole sort out and then move them to the sideboard, which is in the living room too. I have drawers full of pieces of fabric pinned together with little notes on them, and on those little notes i have either drawn or written on them, they are just sat there waiting to become makes. Maybe one day i will catch up.

Love and choc chips
Dotty x

And one for the metal heads

2011-09-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

I bought this burnt wood picture frame from the pound shop. I thought wow what a bargain, and it will be perfect for the idea i had for this Slayer cross stitch (for all those none metal heads out there, Slayer are a thrash metal band)
Well let me just say i will never buy a frame from the pound shop again, (that being said i have another 2 black frames i got from there and am now worried they will be just as crap) i removed the glass to polish it up, and well i could not get the glass back in the frame since the frame is slightly crooked, i'm sure you can see the crookedness in the photo, the thickness of the backing board is far to thick to put a cross stitch picture into and well the frame basically sucks, and the burnt wood got all over my stitching and i had to rewash it twice. I know you can't expect much for a pound but i suppose i did expect to be able to use it as a frame, damn it.
Now i'm wondering if i should make it into a pin cushion i'm sure there is a sewing mad, metal head out there just looking for a place to rest their pins.
Not sure this would sell over on Folksy would it be considered adult content because of the swearing lol. I must look into it.

So yesterday I decided i am going to finish two cross stitch pictures i started ages ago, my lovely santa i started last year, and a Sausage dog for my sister inlaw. I will also make a few Halloween themed bags after i finish my nieces bag today.
I have been ill all week and it feels like i have lost far to many days, i have done nothing crafty all week besides unpick some of the sausage dog.
I can't believe it's Thursday already, being ill just wipes day out of your life.

Heres to good health and happiness.
Love and choc chips
<3 Dotty x

Home sweet home

2011-09-17T06:10:00.001-07:00

I have made a few cross stitch samplers this year, a lot of them saying home sweet home :)
I suppose i'm my happiest at home, and there is no place i would rather be and this reflects in a lot of the things i make. A made a few pin cushions a while back all based on being home.
I have an amazing veiw over Torquay were i can see lots and lots of houses all pilled in on top of each other. I often sit here looking out of my window at all those homes and wonder if all those people are glad to be home, what was there day like, and would "home sweet home" mean anything to them at all. I hope so, i really think home should be the best place to be. But i think one of my fav samplers is the one i mad for Mothers day back in March, which i forgot to show on here. I actually managed to sell this one to a friend.
I still have the blue and red home sweet home samplers, i'm actually thinking of keeping them if they don't sell soon. The more i look at them, the more i want to keep them lol.

Love n choc chips
Dotty x

I just wanted to add, can you see the reflection of my little pinky pointing up in the air, while taking the picture of the mum sweet mum sampler, seriously what a nerd.

A little Halloween. In September :)

2011-09-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

It was one of those horrid wet weekends in Devon, rain, cloudy windy then sunny and then it started all over again. So Saturday and Sunday were stay at home days and i decided to watch "Hocus pocus" and "Practical Magic" my two favourite Witch films.
I wanted the inspiration for some Halloween crafting, and i came up with these two trick or treat bags and some halloween bunting.

I really love this fabric and this is the last piece :( i have looked every where for it, but it is a few years old and has been sat in my fabric stash for about two years. I am truly sad to see it go it is so bloody cute.I am also down to my last metre and a half of this witch fabric, I think i will make some tote bags and more little trick or treat bags and say good bye to it for ever maybe another bunting. I am how ever looking forward to some new fabrics that are coming in the post, both of these are from "Fabric inspirations" i love their fabrics, i usually spend far to much time on there looking at Fabrics, my fav section is the little floral section so many pretty prints.The skull one will be for my nieces school book bag, and well i really love the witch fabric i'm thinking of making a veggie bag for myself which can pulled out every October. :)

Hope your September is being good to you x

Where did the mojo go?

2011-08-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

So on the make departments at the begining of last month i did something we all dread, i absolutely ruined it in the last five Min's.
I finally found a frame for this cherry cross stitch picture i had intended to give it away to my lovely dear Aunty, and then i went and put a nice burn mark on it :( i still framed it and it is now has pride and place in a very dark corner in the hall way :) Here it is before the burn mark <3 My son said the burn looks like the shadow of a table and looks like it should be there but i'm sure he was just trying to cheer me up lol
I also had a wonderful idea to do a picture and well that went totally wrong too, and there will be no pics of that becasue well it was a totally botched job. And the list of mistakes went on and on atleast another six or seven items got botched up. So i decided to take a weeks break obvioulsy my crafting mojo had left the building.

But i am so glad to say that this past week or two i finally have found my mojo.
So here are a few of the things i did manage to finish and not screw up :P x xx x

I am messing about with pin cushions but trying to make them a little arty, i'm not sure my drawing skills could really be called art, but i am loving how some of these are turning out, this is my fav one upto now xSee that tiny little patch, i loved that fabric so much because of it's cuteness, i was not willing to let any go to waste , so i cut it as thrifty as possible and used the tiny amount i had left to embelish this bag.
I made two of these crayon rolls, one for my nephew and one for my little cousin.

I am now hoping that my Crafting Mojo will stay put and not disapear on me ever again <3
Here's to the return of mojo.
And speaking of Mojo, I really do wish the "Power puff girls" were back on the telly. Mojo jojo has to be my fav cartoon villian ever! :P

Carry on Crafting.

2011-07-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

So I opened up a folksy shop, and while i'm not expecting to make a fortune from the things I craft, it would be nice to be able to make enough money to "Carry on Crafting"
Like a lot of people in the U.k at the moment, our belts are tight. And with that being the case I seem to be getting very guilty lately about the cost of crafting because i'm sure that money could be spent else where that is more productive to our family.... My husband wanted me to add "yes like more sausages and bacon there can never be enough sauages and bacon" typical man answer.

But you've already guessed what comes next ;) I decided it keeps me sane, and well i'm sure my sanity is very important to my family, even more so than sausage and bacon. :P
I did how ever decided i will be cutting back on some things, no more magazines, unless they are really needed ( And wouldn't you know it there is about 3 i want and i only decided this on Monday)Also No more buying fabric until i utilse my fabric stash and get it down to atleast half of what it is now. And since i bought a lot of buttons last week, no more buttons for atleast 2 months (removes sweat from brow,) I'm sure i will be ok.

So i'm feeling a bit nervous about the Folksy store i kind of feel like i am putting my makes in the big ole wild world, and maybe thats where they will stay with no one to take them home. But hopefully eyes crossed ,' ) my makes will find a good homes.
I bet you didn't see him hiding in the first pic did you? Maybe the crafting isn't keeping me sane, who the hell hides Legomen in flowers when their mother inlaw is coming to stay for a week.

So i hope you are all able to Carry on Crafting .
Love Aunty Dotty <3

Tea or coffee.

2011-07-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

If i were going to have a cuppa it would be full of coffee, i don't like tea at all. So why did i cross stitch a mouse pouring a cup of tea, you may ask?
Well it is because of that gorgeous tea pot he is pouring the tea from. It has taken me ages to frame this little guy, i cut the fabric far to small and then went on the hunt for a frame size that had to be perfect. I repainted this one that i found in a charity shop, and i super glued the little rose charms to it.

The "Ooh fancy a cuppa" has been listed on my Folksy shop, "Auntydotty"
x

Blooming marvelous

2011-06-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'm totally in love with all things floral, the dress i have on, floral,
The coffee mug I'm having hot chocolate out of, floral (it's a bit chilly for June here in Ole Blighty today, hence the hot chocolate and not ice cream in June)
It seems that there are never enough cushions with flowers on , and floral looks good on cakes too.
But I am espicially in love with the floral on my Nans cake plate, plus i'm sure it was her plate that made my home made baking skills look much better than they are <3 x x x

Front or back?

2011-06-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

I Have been busy making lots of things over the past few months. Here is one of the cushions i made, i love this fabric by Clarke and Clarke, it comes in Pink, cream, blue, and the green pictured above. I actually made a few different ones but won't over load the Internet with pics of the same cushion in loads of different colours :P
But it did get me wondering do you have your cushions with the buttons to the front or to the back?.... Me i like them showing, i love to see buttons shining at me when i sit down.

I also decided to start blogging more and reading more bloggs too, i have no idea why i stopped, but i am starting a fresh and am loving catching up with all the bloggs i use to follow.

~Much love Dotty about~

Reasons for not finishing Santa this year.

2011-01-31T15:05:00.001-08:00

I never did get the Santa Cross stitch finished in time for Xmas last year. But i did manage to make lots of other things, to be honest i just kept getting distracted. I really should concentrate on one thing at a time, but I'm not sure i can do it. :)
Here are some of the things i did manage to get finished.

The bird was a little birthday gift for my lovely sister in law, the chart was from cross sticher magazine.

The monsters was also a chart from Cross stitcher magazine, and i decided to make the little matching softie to make a little birthday package for my Nephew. Who was seven just before Xmas.

The cushion was another birthday gift for my friend. I also made her the red one, which you can only see the corner of in this picture but i'm sure i have another pic of a cushion i made with this fabric on here some where. I have no idea why i didn't take more pics. Maybe i did take some and then deleted the others, because it's winter and my camera sucks so most of the pictures i take these days are just a little gloomy. And have to delete most of them.

I haven't updated in while but i hope to be updating more often again. <3

Back to the sewing machine and blogging.

2010-09-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have just started cross stitching a Santa, i have no idea if he will be finished in time for xmas but I'm hoping so, and trying to work on him as much as i can.
I haven't had much flair for sewing the past few weeks, i have hardly done anything creative. But i am finally coming out of that slump, and have started sewing a few bags which i'm trying to get finished by Friday, fingers crossed :)
I will be using this fabric for two of the bags, (this was a bag i made a few months back for my niece) the purple doens't really show up to well with my camera, but it such a lovely bright purple.

So i have a few Cross stitching and craft ideas to keep busy when those colder days and nights start to roll in. It's amazing how two weeks makes such a differance in temperature, i can see my scarves having to come out of the wardrobe soon :) Plus i am hoping to get back into blogging and will be back looking at bloggs for far to long. I don't seem to nosey around as much i use too, So off to find fabric candy and lovely makes to stare at.
x

2010-07-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

I seem to just be plodding along with my crafting at the moment. Just doing bits and bobs here and there. I am working on two cross stitch projects, one of which i started over 12 months ago, i am so close to finishing it :) It was originally suppose to be for my husbands birthday present, then for his Xmas present, and now it will be "OMG i have finished it present".
But here are some pics of things i actually did get finished :)

Summer stitching.

2010-06-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

I loved stitching this for my little Neice Aleysha. It came together so quickly, it only took abobut four days, the chart was in Junes "cross stitcher" i changed the wings and added the name myself because i wanted to personalise it for her. because it came together so quickly I know this will be one of those last minute present ideas. (well if i remember four days before)

I also tried to make a russian doll, but she looks rather sad, i have al ist of mistakes,
she is too small,
her apron is to big,
i'm not happy with the face
i'm not sure if that swirl on the side of her face looks like a growth
And her rightside is rather wonky
but still my hubby loved her and asked could he keep it. (i think he likes odd things, well he did marry me ;) )
So i think i need much more practise in the doll making depratment.

It's beautiful here today so i'm to sit in the back garden eat a cheese an pickle sandwhich and do some cross stitching :) x

2010-05-31T04:04:00.000-07:00

Well i haven't blogged in such along time. I have been making lots and lots. But i haven't posted any pics for ages.
Where to start i have made pinnys, bags, bunting, started practising my embroidery stitches. My Chain stitch needs much practise. :)
I made two of theses ittle yellow pinny's for my niece's

I also made these cute little bags, i just loved this fabric, it was that piece of fabric that finally got me sewing again after a very long time off.

2010-03-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to framing this cross stitch. I was supose to be a Xmas present for my friends daughter, but i could not find a frame in time and in the end i had to sand and paint an old frame i had. I hate those akward sized pictures you know the ones that you finish and then find out there is no standard frame to fit.
I am making this again for my little niece Lily, i can already say i am a little sick of sewing those little L's ;)
But i am so in love with this alpabet i think i may sew the whole alphabet and frame it as a gift for my niece.

2010-02-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

This months edition of Cross stitcher magazine came with this oh so cute Kokeshi doll kit.
I am sewing it again right away for my niece, this one was for my sister.
I'ts one of those patterns which you can mess about with, the one i'm sewing now instead of the flowers on the body of the dress i added three butterflies.

Shoe bag :)

2010-01-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

I bought my niece a lovely pair of Pink polka dot pumps, they were so cute so i made her this bag to keep them safe. :)

At the moment i am working on a dolly sized quilt to get me back into to crafting after the few weeks i have had off, due to bad health.
I loved the button combination on this, i think i am getting the hang of finishing my projects better. :)

I have seen the most delightful colouring book in Past times, it has to be the most perfect for templets for stitching, but it is £4 now i know that isn't a lot of money, but it seems so exspensive for a COLOURING book, and i am not sure i can bring myself to buy it lol. So i keep going in there to see if it has been reduced. I may just have to hold my breathe.... and spend four pounds on the most exspensive colouring book i have ever seen. : )

A few xmas things

2009-12-31T14:32:00.001-08:00

Here are a few pics of the things i made this year for xmas.
These gift bags had a xmas pinny, bunting and cookie cutters in them. It's a shame i forgot to take a pic of the contents before posting them :)

A xmas patchwork tote bag, sorry the pic is a bit blurry, it is so hard taking pictures in the Winter light.

I made myself some xmas cushion covers. I did want to make myself a quilt but i left it to late so i will have to make one next year :)I made a most of my Xmas cards this year and here is a pic of some of them, i didn't take pics of all of them.It seems i didn't take pics of a lot of the things i made, and gave away as pressies, which is probably a good thing since i'm not sure i could of fitted any more pics into one post. :)

I hope everyone had a lovely Xmas and that your New years is a great one!
x

Xmas bunting.

2009-11-23T06:07:00.001-08:00

Have you ever made something that you just loved and was so easy to make. And then decide everyone else would like one too. So then you tell your mum, your mother inlaw, sis inlaw x 2, sister, and a friend you will them all one for xmas? And then feel over whelmed you have to get them all made lol
Well i had that when i made my xmas bunting. I just love how it looks, sadly the picture doesn't do them justice. But they really are so Christmassy.

I also made some Xmas pinny's, and a wine bottle cover. I am also thinking of making some felt Xmas trees for some friends, but not to sure if i will get the time in so we shall have to see.

Dragonfly.

2009-09-28T02:48:00.001-07:00

This was the present for my lovely friend Kaz and her new hubby for their wedding present. I had to pull two late nights working until one in the morning, and then one until two in the morning this week. I am totally pooped out!
I was so glad to get it finished in time though and that they got to take it home with them. I was even more happy with her face when she saw it, i knew right away she loved it. (And I really thought i might have to send them home with a frame and then me send on the cross stitch at a later date.)
I really did love it so much the colours are so much more beautiful than in the photo, and i loved it so much myself that i did consider keeping it and maybe making an excuse, but i couldn't do it, and i love her and i knew she would love it.
The thing is i don't think i can ever stitch it again, it really is one of those peices you can only do once. It was such a ball ache so to speak, yes i know i have none but you can imagine the hard work i mean by that saying :P But i will keep the chart just incase in another ten years i forget what a pain in the arse it was to do, kind of like child birth i suppose. ;)

New cushions.

2009-09-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

I made these cushions a few weeks ago. I fell in love with the fabric because it reminds me so much of Autumn. I think the red cushion is my fav, but i am quite surprised most people seem to like the leaf one the best.

I gave in to the Twilight craze that is sweeping the world, i bought the first three books last week. And i have to honestly say they are BrIlLiAnT! I find myself going to bed earlier and earlier each night so i can get enough reading time in :) I have no idea why, but i love reading in bed and if i try to read during the day i just can't keep my concentration, probably because my eyes wonder around and find things to do.
Is it sad or to geeky that i am planning our anniversary Night in November around the release of the New moon film?

Halloween : )

2009-09-26T04:49:00.000-07:00

I love halloween fabrics they are so much fun. I loved this fabric when i saw it, which i actually bought way back in Febuary, and it was a bargain back then because it was no where near Halloween.
So i have been making up some little trick or treat bags. And i sold my first bag ever :) (it was to a friend so she got a free hug too. Plus she wanted me to make another one so i sold my first two bags really :))
Here is the inside so when Halloween is over it can still be used.I need to update more often i have loads of finished projects to share. Sadly i forgot to take pictures of some of them.

2009-08-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure what to do with this little chap.
Not sure if he should become a bag front, a cushion or maybe just framed.
this was a free chart from "cross stitcher" mag from a few months ago.

The dragonfly x stitch i'm working on at the moment is puzzling me, the colours just don't seem to match up to the picture which was a free chart from years ago, ( i did begin to wonder if thread companies ever change the colours around)
I am just hoping it's one of those pieces that just pop when the backstitch is done. Plus it's a gift for a friend so if it doesn't come together i will be a bit stuck for a pressie to give her.

Lots of pinny's

2009-08-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

I made a pinny for each of my friends i meet up with every month fro a coffee morning. I made seven all together, but three of them were the same, besides different buttons. It was hard to choose a favourite but i think number one and two were the hardest to give away :)

Pinny 1

Pinny 2

Pinny 3

Pinny 4

I am now busy working n a Tiffany inspired cross stitch for my friend, it is 8 x 8 inches, but it is solid stitching with in those 8x8 no gaps what so ever, i have to try and get it finished by the end of the month. so i am now watching all my fav Movies every night and cross stitching for a few hours while watching. Last night was "practical magic! One of my top five films :)

Aarrr.

2009-07-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

I think this has to be one of my favourite projects up to now. I saw the little Pirate cross stitch in cross stitcher magazine and knew it was destined to be a cushion.
I made this for my nephew for his birthday, i really did not want to give it away lol. I hope he likes it.

I think i will get some more pirate fabric and make him a kids size quilt for Xmas. Yes probably to early to be thinking of Xmas but i am so crap with deadlines i should probably start now :)

x

Patchwork cushion.

2009-07-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

I had lots of little scrap pieces left over and decided to put them to good use. I made this cushion cover for my Niece. the seams are a little wobbly, but hopefully at age 8 she won't notice ;)
At the moment i am working on a cushion for my Nephew, and i am on the hunt for a cross stitch wedding sampler for my Friend. I just can't seem to find one she would really love. It's a good job i am giving it her later on in the year and i am in no rush to finish it.

Sunshine and aprons.

2009-07-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

I am loving this glorious sunshine. I don't think i can remember the last time Our English weather was so sunny for more than 3 days ;) (ok yesterday was foggy and rainy, but before that it was sunny for 5 days Woohoo! And i'm hoping we will get 5 more.

I have managed to get some crafting time in, i made this apron for my friend. When she came to my house she loved my pink washing up bowl and sink drainer so much, that she went and bought her own. So now she has a pink pinny to match. :)

I also made my hubby an apron, but it got used as soon i had finished making it and is now in the wash. Because it got full of his yummy cooking. (so i don't have a picture of it.) I will try and get a pic when it's dry.
His only request keep it plain, i am sure he thought it would end up with love hearts and flowers embroidered on it lol. but instead i kept restraint and just added a pirate pocket.

2009-07-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

There was a free little chart book in July's issues of "the world of cross stitching" it has 50 card designs in it. there are some gorgeous designs in there, and i can see myself re stitching some of the designs over again.
This one is for my friend, and i am going to make my nephew a very cute pirate one for his birthday next week. The Children's birthday section is so cute!

I also made my friend a Pink apron for her birthday, i really must remember to take a pic of it tomorrow before i give it to her.

2009-06-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

I seem to go through phases of either cross stitching all the time or using my machine all the time.
At the moment it's cross stitching, i made this card for my Mum's birthday. And i am working on a Pirate birthday card from my Nephew, and i am also working on a lovely "tatty ted" chart from June's issue of "The world of cross stitching" the little mouse card from the last post was also in the June issue.

Cross stitch.

2009-06-12T05:01:00.000-07:00

I just love the warmer weather :) Even though the days are longer, they seem to go by so quickly.
I became a bit of a face book addict lately, there are lots of good crafting groups on there, and i can sit there for far to long looking at other peoples makes, while lots of mine are not getting finished ;)
But here are two things i did manage finish last week. It wasn't until i finished the birthday card that i realised i may like cross stitching mice, (i think this may be numer five upto now) which is odd because I REALLY do not like real mice, because there tails freak me out.

Baby blanket.

2009-05-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the baby quilt i was working on. But i'm not sure it should be called a quilt because it is one whole piece of fabric.
I embroidered around parts of the pattern, (which you can't really see on the photo's.) i added some ric rac on the front, and some ribbon on the back.
Also i am glad i was giving this away and i had a dead line to work too, or otherwise i am sure i would of put it in the box and not finished it. I am not 100% happy with the end result, mainly the binding because my hand sewing is still rather shoddy. And looking at it i think i should of gone for a wider binding. Plus there are atleast two wonky lines ;)
But hey i have to start some where and i am still happy with it :) I am just hoping my friend will like it, and she won't spot the mistakes :)

the front.

the back

All ready and waiting to give to my friend and her little baby girl.

2009-05-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

I never did get around to finishing the first quilt i started. Here it is, i got it out of the box yesterday to try and get it finished finally. Well it seems when i started this quilt, i had no idea how to line up the seams :) I am tempted to unpick it all, but it seems a shame to do so since this was first one i should probably finish it warts and all. But i'm not sure i can finish it with all the wonky seams. So looks like i may be thinking more about this quilt than actually getting it done :)
I was going to add red love heart buttons to the polka dot squares, and add some embroidery to it. Maybe if i add all that the seams won't look to wonky ;)

Last week i managed to find some scrap bags for sale at one of the local fabric shops. I was so pleased with them, i really wish i had more of the white floral fabric, because it is gorgeous. While none of the pieces are big enough on there own, they are perfect for little purses, or as patches for pillows or quilts.
I have an idea to make a quilt out of all black and white fabrics, so i may keep them for that. But who knows when they will call out to me with a purpose.

2009-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Birthday cake is so yummy!!
Today is my birthday i am now 35, i'm not sure if i am middle aged or not. Im sure if i live to 70 then i AM middle aged, but if i live to 90 then i'm a few years off yet :) so i'm going for 90 because being middle aged seems a little scarey ;)

I didn't get any crafting stuff for my b.day, i decided to spend it on clothing and shoes :) they were needed and not wanted. I am finding fashion very odd these days, either to old or to young, i hope to find better clothes for my personality soon hopefully.
My parents have sent me some money for my birthday which will arrive tomorrow so i still could spend some thing on crafting :) (well i know for sure i'm buying fabric, i'm just allowing myself to think i may spend it on something other than more buttons or fabric lol)

Speaking of crafting i think my machine needs to go back to the shop. It is totally refusing to play, and i am so happy i got the extended guarantee.
Peace out x x

2009-04-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

I bought this cute yellow fabric the other day.
It was such a bargain, it was only 89p per metre. :) I have no idea what it will be used for, but it was just to cute, and far to cheap not to get some.

I also made this softie for my nephew , let me just say it was the perfect gift for a five year old boy. He thought it was so funny, and he was quite impressed that i had made it :) the look of astonishment in his eyes was so cute, i'm thankful he doesn't know how quick and easy it was to make. It is from the softies book by Teresa Laskey

I named him Henry the turd!

Woohooo!

2009-03-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

YEAH! The machine is cooperating, i am so pleased, the only thing is i'm not sure what the problem was or how i fixed it. Oh well the good thing is it works! :)

I had to unpick 4 hours of hand sewing on the quilt i was making, i realised the wadding was way to thick for a baby quilt, why i decided to sew it first and then realise it was to thick is beyond me.

This has been the week of bad crafting, nearly everything i did this week to do with crafting went wrong lol. I am hoping next week will be so much better :) :) :)

I'm going to try and get a pinny made for my driving instructor for thursday, and get the quilt finished for Friday, lets hope all goes well!

Argh!!

2009-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well it seems my sewing machine is being a proper pain in the arse!
the bottom thread, sews well for about 2-3 inches and then decides to loop and knot. I have cleaned it, changed the needle, rewound the bobbin, and checked the tension. Yet it still keeps happening.
any advice for why it still could be happening would be appreciated :)

Just my luck i finally start getting back in the flow of sewing, and my machine is being temperamental.

2009-03-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

I bought this lovely fabric which is perfect for the Spring, I will be making lots of bags, and a pinny for my nan.

I am making a quilt for my friends baby girl Holly. I am hand stitching around parts of the pattern on the front of the quilt, and will leave the back un-quilted, but it will have ribbon and a few patch work pieces on it. All in pink and reds of course :)
I am how ever very nervous about attaching the binding, i have never done binding before and i am worried about the quality of how it will turn out.
I think there should be some kind of service for people who can't attach binding but who love t quilt!!! ;)

I hope every one is enjoying the Spring, x x x

New Fabric.

2009-03-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

I bought this lovely Pink polka dot fabric. It is so bright and cheery :)
Not sure how i'm going to use it yet, i have a few ideas for some denim and fabric bags because i have two pairs of jeans that cannot be saved. So i may use some for that, or i may use it to back a quilt i want to make for my friends little girl.

The evenings are getting lighter, it gets dark around 6:00 now and i am loving it. :) Can't wait for the Summer this year, i usually am a total Winter babe, but this year i am so over the cold and dark nights, and am looking forward to the Spring and summer. Walks on the beach, ice creams by the seaside, and visits from family members. Yum i can smell the fish and chips already!

2009-03-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't been to well lately, and haven't really been up to much crafting. I have been looking at lots of blogs, looking at far to many fabric sites and reading my craft books, and magazines over and over again~
I finally sat down to the machine last week, and i made this bag from scraps of material i had left over from other projects.
I think i will keep this one for myself, since i need a new bag to keep my hair products in. Plus i'm sure it's far to bright for anyone i know besides me lol.

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-01-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

I love this blouse it is pretty.
The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Softies :)

2009-01-13T03:41:00.000-08:00

With all good intentions i really do want to start my pile of unfinished projects ;) but for some reason it's just not happening.
Instead i am making softies from the Softie book, i made another Dress pin cushion, and this cute little love robot :)
Ok his eyes are a little crooked but i think that makes him even cuter. And then i noticed his little control panel is very crooked, and this is the result of craftin wiht a glass of wine by your side ;)

First make of 2009.

2009-01-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

So I didn't stick with plan of no new makes until my pile of U.F.P is gone. :) Instead i went ahead and made this from the book "softies" (Therese Laskey)
In the book it was hung on a little coat hanger, but i didn't have any wire to make one, so instead i made mine into a little pin cushion. I think I'm going to make a few of these and give them to friends as little gifts i think the variations are limitless they could be made so many different ways. I think next time though i will need to sew around the inlay of spotty fabric (or buy better fabric glue).
I also thought i could appliqué them onto bags, and the odd cushion front. :)
Also i think making all those Xmas booties, has finally made me very happy with my blanket stitch WOoohooo!

2009-01-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

I have not made anything for about 3 weeks now. I feel I need to get back at my machine soon. :)
But here are some things I made before Xmas, I know it's been and gone.

I made this cushion case for my little niece.

I also made this door hanger for her room!

I came up with a nifty idea for empty Ferrero Roche tubs, they are now sat on top on my desk with my cotton spools in, they are really handy because you can see what colours you have without routing through a box or drawer. I think how ever i could do with one more tub ;) but maybe thats because i want more choccies.

I also have a nice little pile of unfinished projects which i must get finished this month. And i refuse to start anything else until they are finished.

2009

2009-01-01T09:13:00.001-08:00

Happy New year, :) Best of wishes for the year ahead!

New bag.

2008-12-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

I made this bag for my Nan for Xmas.
I found the fabric on Ebay it was quite cheap only £1.79 for a fq.
I should of bought more than one piece though, because now i want this fabric for myself and the shop i bought it from has sold out.

This is the inside of the bag, i put this little section in on one side, and on the otherside i put a pocket for her to put her knitting patterns in.
I hope she likes it, because i'm not sure if it's to young for her :)

This is the pocket on the otherside, it is so hard to take pics of the inside of pockets. But i loved how the black polka dot fabric looked, and the picture just doesn't show how good it looked against the red fabric.

2008-12-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

I made some more Xmas ornaments. I made these for my sis inlaw, but i'm not sure i want to let the tree go.
Speaking of the tree i got the idea from "b&q" (a d.i.y store which also sells xmas stuff this time of year) they had some thing very simular, and i thought "hey i can make those" so i came home and i did make one of those! :)

I also thought i would post a photo of my russian doll set, i have had this for 7 years now. And i also thought i would post a pic of the tin my hubby bought me a few weeks ago. I have also seen this tin in green, and i think my son will be getting that one for me, for Xmas. :)
This one is going to be the new home for my buttons.

Books.

2008-12-04T05:44:00.001-08:00

I recently recieved my first two crafting books
"the crafters companion" by Anna Torborg
And "softies" By Therese Laskey.
I love them both, and while i haven't made anything from them yet, (i'm waiting until January so i can get all the Xmas stitching out of the way) i can sit there for far to long looking at the pictures, and get totally carried away by them, thinking i must buy more fabric, and buttons, and ribbons and felt.... I am spoilt for choice as what to make. And not sure which book i will use first.

I hope everyone is enjoying this time of year and not gettting to stressed out trying to finish thier Xmas gifts off. x x

2008-11-27T10:27:00.001-08:00

Here is the bag i made for my Sister. I used the pattern out of Octobers issue off "sew hip"
It is reversible :) and tiny. But the ideal size for her make up.
It was so quick and easy to make, that i can see myself using this pattern over and over again!

I think it would be perfect with a hard base so it can stand up on it's own, and next time i may add ties to the top so it can be closed securely.

I can't wait to get the new issue tomorrow.

Hearts

2008-11-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

I have started a little bag for my sister, and hopefully i should get it finished tomorrow.

I also bought a piece of fabric which reminded me of a friend, but i'm not sure what to make with it. Maybe a half pinny, or maybe a little bag, but i'm not sure mums have use for little bags, so i may have to think of s omething else.
Oh i also finished a scarf this week, i made it for a friend but now it's done i'm not sure if she will like the colours since i have used a bright purple mixed with a rainbow effect wool. (or maybe i'm making excuses not to give it away so i can keep it myself. ;))

I hope every one is Enjoying November, and your not to stressed about next month already ;)
x x x

2008-11-15T07:03:00.001-08:00

Here are all the Xmas booties i made. I just need to find some tiny little pegs, and some natural twine to hang them now.
I will make another one next year, and probably compare my stitches, and laugh how messy it was this year. :)

I am also going to make some felt Xmas puddings to hang on the tree. And i will also be making some love hearts, i'm not sure love hearts are Christmassy, but hey i love Xmas so i think they fit in some where! :)

2008-11-13T03:16:00.000-08:00

I made a little apron for my niece for Christmas. She is only two, when i made her sister one she wanted to wear it all the time.
I hope it fits her, because because she doesn't live near me, so i can't check until i send it to her.

I also must remember to use the view screen on the camera, my photo's are so bad i seem to leave bits out all the time lol. (i'm secretly hoping tha i can get a new camera with better pixels next year for my birthday) Not that a better camera will make me a btter photographer i probably will always be crap :)

Has anyone bought the first issue of "Sew hip"? I did, and i love it :) There is cute kitty in there i'm going to make once i have finished the rest of my Xmas gifts. There is also a very cute bag pattern which i will use to make my sisters bag for her birthday in Febuary. I can't wait until i can get started on some of the projects in there.

Another Grey rainy, rainy day today. I think i will make scones with Clotted cream and Jam to
remind me of the Summer :)

2008-11-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't done much crafting lately. October was a bad month health wise so i didn't do any crafting at all.
But I hoping November will be a better month, and at least i have completed one thing this month :)
I made this cushion for my Niece for Xmas, i will make another one to match as well.

This is the back. I love how the gingham ribbon look against the red polka dots :)

I have also nearly finished my Merry Xmas sign. just the "a" and the "s" to complete.
I also need to make a little pinny for my two year old niece.
And i really want to make my son some Cushions for his room from his old fmaily guy t shirts.

Birdhouse.

2008-10-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

I have finally finished the bird house :)
I think a white frame will be perfect, or maybe a black frame, i'm not sure which will make the colours pop more!
This chart was from "the world of cross stitching" Or maybe it was "cross sticher" magazine, from about 4 years ago. I have a folder of charts which i have cut out and collected from magazines, that i will finish one day!
One down only around another 50 charts to go :) :) :)

I am busy making xmas booties, i have nearly finished, i think i will get some tiny little clothes pegs and hang them on some string or ribbon when i put them up in December.

I think i'm going to start a little X stitch chart this time round, because i have a few things i would like to get finished.

First's

2008-10-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

My first little booty for the Merry xmas sign i am making.
My blanket stich is finally getting neater, but still isn't as polished as i would like.

My first little wall hanging for my kitchen. I think my lettering needs work, but i also think the scruffiness of the writing adds to the appeal ;)

I have nearly finished my birdhouse cross stitch, i have about an hour of stitching left. It has taken me ages..................It isn't because the design is hard, or even that big, but more of a it has so many colour changes, and thats why it seems to of taken me for ever.
Once this is finished, i'm going to start a kit my husband bought me for my birthday 4 years ago :) lol That i begged for, and which was the most exspensive kit i have ever had, and yet it hasn't been stitched yet. So i will be starting it tomorrow night, i have already sorted out the threads.

A Little bag, and an Apron

2008-09-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

I made this little bag for my neice who is two. I made it a lot smaller than the ones i usually make, obviously her little hands didn't need a book size bag. I actually might make a few bags this size, they are so small and cute.

Here is close up of the fabric, i love the glittery bits running though it. :) I will be sad when i run out of this material.

I also made this apron for my friends grandson. I love Donald duck :) I have had this material for ages!! I am glad to finally put it to use.

I have also been making little felt Xmas decorations, i am making a Merry xmas sign, i have made the M and the E upto now, only another seven to go :) they are all little socks and are white felt with red stitching.

Sunny September.

2008-09-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so beautiful here lately, we have had the chance to get in a few beach days! I found lots of lovely shells on this beach. It was a glorious day. I love living near the sea it is so refreshing to walk on the beach.
We also obviously had to have ice cream, since the beach and ice cream go hand in hand, don't they? I had mint choc chip my fav :)

We also got some new bedroom wardrobes and chest of drawers which were flat packed, they were fun to put up ;) but i now have a place to hang my clothes.
My bedroom now looks like a bedroom, i have sorted out my desk yet again, i really need to learn to put my crafting things in the right place, since i have to clean it up atleast once a month ;) (i know not good)
But i also bought myself some wicker baskets to put all my material and bits in, (which were a bargain from Morrison, £9 for three) i am also going to buy myself a pinboard to keep those scrap bits and peices that seem to get every where. Now to keep it all clean!
And i must say it never gets dirty just untidy ;)

Publish Post

Bags.

2008-09-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the bag i finished last night. This was my first attempt at a bag with sides, and a bottom (ok too many silly jokes about bums popped into my head then ;)) the outside of the bag turn out OK, but i made a big mess of the lining, i cut it too short compaired to the outer bag, and as a result the lining is about 1, 1/2 inches shorter so the bag doesn't seem to lie right. But this was my first attempt at this style of bag, plus i wasn't working from a pattern just from my head. So i'm still really pleased with the out come.
One thing i learned while making this is preparation is vital, but i do hate preparing things I'm more of lets just get to it and hope for the best. Which i know i can't do if i want to be able to sell my bags eventually. (oh i also realised dotty fabric isn't the easiest fabric to take pics of)
I hope eveyrone is having a SUPER September!

Busy bee, and back to dots : )

2008-09-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

I have been busy trying to get a cross stitch finished, but in the process i seem to have started two new projects. :)
I did how ever manage to finish a small project, which is a little pin cushion head, which will be named "polly pin head" I made her for a friend but she is one of those first makes which your never to sure if they're good enough to give away as a present or not. (i'm also not sure if i like her mouth or not)
I am also trying to make a new bag, which is made from an idea in my head and i'm not really sure how or if it will come together.
Oh and last night in bed i decided to start a little embroidery project lol.
I have an idea over load at the moment and i'm trying not to start to many things.
I also decided i didn't like the pink blog layout, who would of believed it.

2008-09-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the scarf i knitted, it is the longest one i have knitted.
I still need work on my stitches though, i do lines and lines of perfect stitches , and then for some odd reason the tension goes all over the place. I suppose this is only the third thing i have knitted so hopefully it will get neater with time. ;)
I am now waiting for cold enough weather so i can wear it. :)

And here is my happy face, purple makes me happy! :)

In the Pink.

2008-09-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

I decided to change the colour lay out for a few weeks, i do wish they had a pink spotty lay out, but instead plain pink will just have to do :)
Here is the Cross stitch that came free with last months issue of "Cross stitcher" magazine. I'm not sure what to do with it, either make it into a cushion, or bag, or just simpley frame it.
They have all the Cristmas cross stitch magazines out already. Not sure i want to go there lol.

I can also now cross stitch with out getting pains in my eyes, since i finally went to the opticians and i have new purple glasses :)

Dotty about rainbows!

2008-09-03T02:58:00.001-07:00

This is the bag for my niece Sophie! She chose the material herself. I love how bright and cheerful it is. I'm having a hard time giving this one away!!
I made her a llittle name tag to go with it! And Embroidered her intials onto the bag, i also as added a few buttons. The green buttons were once on my p.j's but i thought they would look better on the bag :)
(oh at this point i had not sewn the handles on, so they will be straight when i sew them ;))

Autumn

2008-08-30T03:38:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to the darker nights, the crisp evenings, hot chocolate with whipped cream, homemade soups with crusty bread, and my winter woolies coming out of the wardrobe. I do love the Autumn and Winter :) I even like the rain as long as we get a few dry days inbetween :) Plus it is the best time of year to sit indoors and willow away the evenings stitching.
Since Mondays is a new month, i am going to try and do something crafty everyday. No matter how small it is. I hardly crafted at all this month, due to visitors and health, but i plan on making September a stitchy, crafty, knitty month ;)
X X X

Wandering Waif Collection GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-08-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Wandering Waif Collection GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!
This is the cutest outfit i have seen in such along time!

Buttons :)

2008-08-27T12:55:00.001-07:00

Did i mention i have a love of buttons. I bought some bright Orange polka dot ones the other day from the market. But i also have found i have a bad habbit of buying things with lovely buttons on just to cut off.
Let me explain, i saw some knickers on offer, i did not need new undies but they did how ever have lovely blue star buttons on :) Well at 50P a pair, i got three new buttons and another pair of undies ;)
And i think my hubby is scared of buying any item of clothing with any where near decent buttons on, since i also cut them recentley of my p.j's, my shirt, and a very old jacket :)
Erm i think i may have to go to "buttons anonymous group"

Polka dots

2008-08-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

I just bought two lovely polka dot fabrics. One bright blue and one bright yellow.
The yellow one will line a bag i'm making for my niece, but i'm not sure what i will use the blue one for yet, but they are both so bright i love them both!! :) And can't wait to use them.

My house becomes empty on Tuesday no more visitors for a year :) i cannot wait to get back to my sewing machine, and cross stitch.

The summer!

2008-08-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Last week the inlaws were visiting, my m.i.l and s.i.l and neice and nephew.
The weather was just awful, they only has two sunny days. But we still had a good time.
But no time for being crafty last week, or the week ahead because my sister is coming to stay :)

I am how ever trying to get a little bit of knitting in, i bought some lovely purple wool which i am making a super long scarve with, it is just knit stitch since i can't really do much more at the moment.

I hope we get some sunny weather next week or my neices and nephews will go stir crazy staying inside, there is only so much glitter and glue one child can take! :)

I hope where ever you are your getting some sun atleast! x

2008-08-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

2008-08-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the bag i finished, which i decided to call
"dotty about sweets" ;)
I love the tiny red heart buttons, i bought 30 of these, and i can see them all getting used up pretty quickly!

Here is the pcoket on the inside of the bag, i really like how hte inside of the bag looks so i will be making more polka dot bags with reallt bright pockeys on. :)

Old projects again.

2008-08-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I know it's cheating posting pics of old projects i have finished, but i have actually finished two things only to realise i have no batteries for the camera ;) to take pics of them Doh!!

This is in the hall way next to the sunflower picture in the last post. :)

This one i did for the lovely lady who made me my beautiful quilt for my birthday.I loved making this one because it was so cute and had minimum back stitch in it ;)

Old projects.

2008-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

I have still not finished a project yet, i keep getting distracted. so i thought i would post s few pics of the ones i did actually get finished :) Here are a few Cross stitch pics i have done for family and friends.
this is what i did for my mum a few Xmas's ago. I can't remember if it was 2 or maybe 3 years ago now.

This is one i did for my mother inalw the same xmas, i was very busy that year :)

this one i actually made for myself, and is hung in the hallway as you open the fron door.

2008-07-24T06:38:00.001-07:00

I haven't had much craft time the past few days. We had my sister and niece visiting for a week last week.
I bought a cross stitch mgazine today the first one in about 3 years, since i have a huge folder of "i want to stitch projects" in, and didn't really want to be spending money on more magazines :)
But today i caved, i bought this months crossSticher magazine, there is a cute mouse pic, fairy cake pic, and the free little kit you get with it. So three more to add to my folder :)
I am such a boob, i started a new bag, and i thought i had two spools of green well i didn't and half way though the project i have ran out of green cotton, i'm not sure if i will be able to match it up since the shop i bought it from is now closed :(
I have so many unfinished projects my desk is a bit over whelmed.
I really need to not be starting a project again, but the free kit is so cute. ;)

2008-07-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

I forgot to show my Xmas cross stitch i finished a few weeks ago, no it wasn't early, but terribly late :) But no one needs to know that i suppose.
I'm not sure if i will frame it or make it into a cushion, i suppose framing it keeps it safe for years to come, but i do like the idea of making it into a cushion. Not sure what i will do yet.

A good tip do not Cross stitch and have a glass of wine, you only need to unpick your work the next day ;)

2008-07-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

I also made a pin cushion! I just love this purple felt i can't wait to buy some more. :)

And i finished my Cross stich for the kitchen, yet again it is not a stanard size i was so convinced i had a frame that would fit, but when i tried to frame it, it just didn't look right. So it will go in the bag of unframed projects for now.

And this is My practise embroidery, i made a terrible boo boo with this. I drew on the material with pencil, and it will not come off, i have washed it once so i'm hoping another wash may work. My hubby said he can't notice it much, but i know it's there so it bugs me. I will still make a cushion out of it for my bed though, no one else will see it except me, (oh and who ever reads this ;)) my sitching needs a lot of work, so expect lots of practise items first.

2008-07-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

I made my first house :) with felt of course!
It was a bit awkard to put together since i did it off my own head and cut the body of the house bigger than the roof. So i had to cut the top of the house a bit thinner. But i am still happy with it :)

2008-07-05T08:53:00.001-07:00

My first ever softie. I really need to practise my blanket stitch, at the moment it is very messy.
I bought lots more felt this week so i think i will be making lots more softies and hopefully they will get better with time. :)

This weekend i will hopefully get my Cross stitch finished, and my embroidered hippy picture.

2008-07-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have finally found a picture frame for these Cross stitch pics, i did over 4 years ago. Yep 4 years to find a frame Lol. I actually have a bag full of pics i need framing. I'm glad i have finally found a shop that sell frames in all differant shapes and sizes that doesn't charge a small fortune in the process. So now my bag full of pics can now begin to get up on the wall. :)

2008-07-01T02:36:00.000-07:00

I'm busy trying to get a cross stitch finished, hence the no posting for a few days :)
I have nearly finished, but i don't seem to have enough green cotton so i'm off today to buy some more.
I also bought the first few peices of material for my very first quilt. Which i won't be starting until a few weeks. I am absolutley crap at cutting, seriously i think i may need two lots of material one to mess up with the cutting and one set that i finally cut straight enough to use in a quilt. I'm going to have a black, white and red theme.
Oh i also found a little bargain in W.h smith, red and white polka dot pencils for 12P as my sis inlaw would say. "Ohhhh bargain, or what"
I also seem to have cut my fingers 3 times i'm not sure how, i only noticed them when i cleaned the kitchen yesterday ouch they hurt when they went in the water. Which was good because i got he son to wash the pots that night. :)

2008-06-21T02:04:00.000-07:00

I made this cushion for the sofa, I wanted something bright and cheerful. :)
I cannot draw so i went for a kiddie style pic because that is all i can manage lol.
And as you may of noticed the polka dot material returns, this is one of the reasons i named my blogg Dotty about sewing, i think i use dotty material in nearly all my projects :)

2008-06-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

This is the best birthday present i received this year. An amazing lady called Kathy made it. She makes the most amazing quilts, and i still cannot believe i own one of her quilts. Those bits of threads on it are from my cross stitch project, i didn't notice them on it until i resized the pic :)

2008-06-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

I made this bag and purse for my neice Paige. I sent it off today.
I am going to make my other Neice Sophie the same bag, but i am looking for a pale blue polka dot meterial to line it next time.

2008-06-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

I made the hubby (well he was the excuse ;)) rock cakes yesterday, there was no nutmeg left so i used cinnamon instead, they tasted ok, but i missed the taste of nutmeg :)

2008-06-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

The sunset was lovely the other night. :)
I love the veiws from our living room window.
Today i'm making scones, with fresh cream and Strawberry jam.
My neice is off on holiday next week so i need to get her bag finished before Tuesday to send off to her.
I am addicted to looking at craft journals/blogs .

Beach bags.

2008-06-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

I made this beach bag for my neice, and i fell in love with the material. So i just ordered some more from ebay. So i can make another two. :) I also made her a matching purse but i forgot to take pics.

2008-06-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

It felt quite funny Cross stitching a scarf. :) I love the colours in this pic. This took me so long to finish i kept picking it up and then getting distracted by something else.

2008-06-12T01:55:00.000-07:00

This first blog post is all about me :)
I like to keep my hands busy and out of trouble. So i Cross stitch, i knit scarves, yep i can only knit in a straight line at the moment. ;) i also have a sewing machine which i use to make things for my neices and nephews on. I love to make bag bags, purses, p.j cases, cross stitching them pictures, and i am going to try my first quilt once the Autumn comes.
I also love baking cup cakes are my fav, but like everyone this makes my waist expand, so i'm trying not to bake for a while.