Autumn Days....I Mustn't Forget

 

Autumn days when the grass is jewelled....

 

The grass today was a bed of Autumn leaves following the winds.

 

..and the silk inside a chestnut shell.

Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled,

All these things I love so well.

So I mustn't forget...

 

The last two days have given me time to myself; time to reflect and time to look ahead.

I blew the dust of the sewing machine and dug into the depths of this blog for some sewing and craft ideas. I spent some time reading through past posts, and with a change in blog name, have noticed a shift in focus - I miss my sewing and craft, and I miss the writing.

I mustn't forget that I love these things.

   

Having finally stepped out into the world of photography beyond my mobile phone camera I wanted to personalise my prized possession. I made a camera strap cover for a blogging friend back in 2012 and posted a basic 'how to' here - which I am glad to say I managed to adapt to make it fit for me.

My girl wanted to do some crafty bits with me too last night so we scrolled through my craft blog posts and found the fabric flowers. She wants to use them to make her own fabric bookmarks for her teachers for Christmas. Again, looking back on the blog we found the perfect tutorial for those!

 

So, some good can be found in looking back and there is nothing wrong with repeating some things.

But now I am going to look forward - do those things again that I used to love, find some time to sew and create, find some time to write.

 

x x x



Fishbone Bookmarks {#pinaddicts April}

Hey all. I hope you are having a lovely Easter weekend and you have seen some sunshine. We've been having a bit of a lazy school holiday here but I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I have managed to pay some attention to the blog and have got the sewing machine out again. The two have been combined for this month's #pinaddicts challenge.

Fishbone Bookmarks!

I have been desperately trying to read more books lately and occasionally have more than one on the go. I hate turning down corners of pages so thought I would make some more bookmarks.

I made these ones here for a previous challenge if you want to take a peek.

I pinned this image to my #pinaddicts board on Pinterest but the image didn't link to any tutorial so I went about having a go making them from scratch.

Here's how I did it.

#pinaddicts challenge no. 9 - Fabric Bookmarks

It's the beginning of the month so it's time to link up to the Pinaddicts Challenge!

The #pinaddicts challenge works as follows:

Pin to your #pinaddicts board on Pinterest.

Choose something to make for the challenge.

In your post put the original image with original links.

Post your fantastic effort at recreating.

Link up and go and check out the other #pinaddicts at the NEW SITE!

 

My last blog post showed my Shabby Chic Rosette Flowers ...

...and today I'm going to show you what I used them for.

Here's my inspirational pin!

From www.tipjunkie.com

 

I used my flowers and a tutorial from the above to create my own bookmarks.

Here's my tutorial:

First cut out fabric pieces for each bookmark you wish to make measuring 4" x 8" and back each piece with slightly smaller interfacing:

 

Fold the fabric right sides together...

 

...and sew along one short side and the unfolded long side:

 

Turn the right way out, fold the opening in and iron flat:

 

Sew round each of the four sides:

 

 

Attach the flowers with fabric glue and you're done!

 

x x x

 

September Update

It's been an emotional month and it isn't over yet.

I turned 36 which means a few more lines and roots needing attention more often.

It was a lovely day although I was still feeling emotional with my Dad passing away only a few days before...

....and Alban starting school *big sniffs*

The good thing about birthdays though is the pressies. I'm still a big kid when it comes to that part.

My sewing machine got an upgrade - I have passed my little pink starter machine onto Edith to make way for this baby...

The amount of features and knobs freaked me out a bit so I warmed up with something I knew I could make using a tried and tested pattern...

I can relax in the Autumn evenings with my current favourite DVD...

But only if I've been good and had some kind of workout....

I've started running again and have been inspired by Spikes and Heels' #OperationHideous. A great gallery of post workout pics. Like Bangs and a Bun says "Look good on rest days."

Oh, and we've acquired a piano from my school - no one can actually play in the house but it's handy for putting flowers on!

x x x

Posted with Blogsy

Saturday Sewing

I have made it to the sewing machine - again. This must be some kind of weekly record for me.

I printed off my own blog cards last week having decided I needed to save some pennies for some wine at next weekend's BritMums Live. A wise decision me thinks. I'm not sure who I will hand them out to but I have them now should some social media guru want to work with me.

I sat and made this case for them today.

And as I was feeling generous I made the kiddies a sunglasses case each and a wireless mouse pouch - don't ask - for them to give to their Dad tomorrow for Father's Day.

Everything was based on the tutorial here with measurements adjusted accordingly.

And as for that cake?! The recipe is coming tomorrow!

x x x

Catch up: sewing and cake!

It's been a bit of a bad week and general all round diet fail. I blame the husband for turning 34 and picking chocolate fudge as his birthday cake choice.

It is a little known fact that I bake the best chocolate fudge cake.

I really should share the recipe with you all.

Here's a teaser though...

I also got round to making a flower to finish off the camera strap cover for Kerry @thelovebump.

Am still hoping it all fits!

 I somehow managed to get back to the sewing machine today. I found this tutorial from Fabric and Flowers and promptly got on to eBay to order some clasps. They arrived yesterday and today I made myself this...

I love bracelets in all their different forms and having a fabric one is a little bit different.

I already have an order from Edith for one!

In other news I'm looking forward to working on the revamped #pinaddicts challenge with Kerry and co.

If you aren't already doing so, follow us on Twitter @pinaddictsuk.

Have a good rest of the week people!

x x x

Rainy Day Sewing - Camera Strap Cover

It's the last day of the holidays and the rain is falling - again.

Somehow the children managed to play quietly while I got out the sewing machine.

Thank goodness for Lego!

I wanted to have a go at making a camera strap cover as soon as Kerry @TheLoveBump mentioned that she was looking for one.

I really hope it fits.

I really, really, hope she likes it!

Here's how I did it based on the tutorial here.

I know that Kerry loves owls and I had some offcuts in my sewing box left over from my fabric storage boxes.

Using these offcuts I thought I would go for a patchwork approach to the strap cover.

I sewed together the squares like so...

...cut out two 27" x 2.75" strips...

...sewed the strips right side together and pressed, ironed on some fusible interfacing and then folded the ends over and stitched.

Then I sewed the edges with the right sides together.

At this point you can judge the size you need with your camera strap.

I aimed to make the strap cover just over 2" wide.

Next, the fiddly bit, turn the strap cover the right way out and press...

...and here's how it looks on my handbag strap!

I hope you have all survived the wet half term and are looking forward to a rest when the kids return to school.

I know I am!

x x x

#pinaddicts challenge no. 4 - Fabric Storage Boxes

I cannot believe it is month 4 of the #pinaddicts challenge already and May sees the lovely But Why Mummy, Why?  hosting the linky.

The #pinaddicts challenge works as follows:

Pin to your #pinaddicts board on Pinterest.

Choose something to make for the challenge.

In your post put the original image with original links.

Post your fantastic effort at recreating.

Link up and go and check out the other #pinaddicts!

 

#pinaddicts challenge no.4 - Fabric Storage Box

 

This month I was influenced by the following pin to make some small storage boxes and tidy up my shelves.

 

http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/tutorial-fabric-scrap-basket.html

 

The above link has a detailed tutorial.

 

But here's how I did mine!

 

I am now planning to make a cuboid shaped box for keys and work lanyards to be chucked into by the front door.

What do you think?

x x x