Birthday Gifts

Yesterday was my Mother's birthday and as we usually do, we all went over after school for supper and to give presents.

I don't know whether anyone else has parents like mine, but they are very difficult to buy for. They have everything they need, and if they needed anything they would go out and buy it for themselves. Which makes it not so good for buying gifts for them.

My Mother had admired my doorstop - which was made to stop the 1960s fully glazed doors from smashing into the wall everytime Arthur crashes through them. And I was lucky enough to buy a bundle off upholstery and curtain fabric a few weeks ago. A quick rifle through the bundle and I found the perfect fabric.


It is a very heavy weight chenille and I did wonder whether my sewing machine would be able to cope with four layers of it - but it did. Filled with several kilograms of sand - very heavy.


I was brave enough to go to the boot sale this weekend and whilst pickings were very slim, I did manage to find this pedestal (?) which I thought would be perfect for display. It is not finished yet, as I undercoated and then just about managed to scrape enough paint from the bottom of the Farrow & Ball tin to paint it. A little distressing is on the cards and then I think it will be finished.

The other present was made during my pottery and ceramics class - which I just love. It was made using a mould and terracotta clay. My mother loves her garden and I thought this would look charming propped up against a wall or peeping out from some flowers.



Thankfully she loved them all!

Something to Show for It

Do I have something to show for my time away from the computer - well, Yes I do! Bet you thought I had been slacking! Well, admittedly, there was a little of that. But there has been some sewing as well.

These lovelies are the first things to have been finished. They are made entirely from felted wool that has been recycled.


Each corsage has a vintage button in the centre as an embellishment. This means that although I may have made a few of each colourway, each brooch in unique. The only new item on it, is the brooch back. I just love these and they are more heavy weight than normal corsages which means they are perfect for coats and jackets.

I have ventured into new fields and tried something different with my next items. I have loved the idea of making jewellery and have been wanting to have a go for some time. I am really pleased with the earrings and they will be making their way into Christmas stockings and gifts.


There are three designs - I thought I would keep it simple!


This is my first attempt at jewellery and I would appreciate some feedback as to whether I've got it right.


Any suggestions would be appreciated.



And lastly, not a new item but I haven't made them for some time. Greetings cards : both birthday and Christmas.


Each card is made with a detachable badge - this can then be worn after the event. It would lok great pinned to a bag or coat.


Enough of my rambling - here's the last photo of the Christmas cards


Now that was a long post!

Small but Perfectly Formed

Not talking about me here, but bunting. Although I do like the larger flags that are usually associated with bunting, I thought that smaller ones would be more suited to inside use. After all what little summer we have had, has been and gone.


So to try and prolong summer I have raided my quilting cotton stash and made up some bunting in smaller, more appropriate prints. And just in case you don't want to keep the bunting up all the time, a handy drawstring bag to store it in when it isn't being used. After all no one wants grubby bunting.


And because once I started I just couldn't stop, I have added an applique detail made using vintage fabric and a mother of pearl button.


As the bunting is slightly smaller than usual it's perfect to hang up inside the house - mine is hanging on my dresser permanently. The drawstring bag means it also makes a ready wrapped gift.


And just in case you may have missed the hint, it's on sale here!

Bits and Pieces

Not a very inspired title for this post - but it sums up just how things are are the moment. Flitting about (sewing wise) all over the place and only a few things to show for it.


I am rather fickle with my pincushions and regularly make new ones that are flavour of the month until I get fed up with them. After seeing these felted pincushions on Betz White's blog, I was thrilled to discover her book in the local library. How could I not check it out?


Out came the box with all the felted sweaters in and I finally finished choosing the wool and made two pincushions. One for me and one for a friend Jo.

I have decided to learn some new skills this year and with that in mind, have signed up for dressmaking classes. As I am able to use a sewing machine, I have been told to sign up for the Improvers Class - am now having serious doubts about my ability. Making bags/pincushions/cushions etc, no problem. But clothes?


So it was with the course in mind that I bought this piece of vintage fabric on my charity shop trawls. What is it destined for? Not entirely sure at this point in time. But maybe a duster jacket. I think I am going to have to see how the dressmaking course pans out!

And also on my travels I found this hand knitted lion.


How could I leave him there? He is destined as a gift for a friend who has had a baby. I thought the little lion with a small tote bag and maybe a book. Which means another one to add to my To Do List.

Bags of fun

Well, better late than never I say. Remember the bags I posted about a long time ago when (a) I was still with Typepad, (b) still had a working digital camera and (c) didn't have a dodgy Internet connection? No? Well, I have vaugue recollections.

But I did managed to get outside inbetween showers and photograph them. Here they are:

Remember summer? Well it may well have passed us by, but it is here in all it's full glory on this charming linen bag.

SOLD - THANKS!

This bag certainly is zingy


I just couldn't resist putting this gorgeous vintage embroidery panel together with vintage velvet


I think the floral bag with the detachable corsage is my favourite and unfortunately I only had enough fabric for one bag

SOLD - THANKS!

The penultimate bag is this sweet (couldn't resist that!) bag made using vintage liquorice allsorts fabric

And lastly a darling little bag, made using vintage fabric that I have hoarded for at least 4 years.

And because I wasn't quite as daring as I hoped, but still daring enough to try out something new, they are all up for sale here!