Jubilations Twice

I have had a very busy week.  I have been to not one but two Cath Kidston Workshop's to embroider a Jubilee hankie.  There is a funny story behind the reason for attending twice other than me being greedy.  When the Cath brochure dropped on my door mat a month or two ago the workshops were advertised.  Wowzer I thought that looks super.  Grabbed my phone and got through and booked four tickets.  One for me, one for Louise and my eldest two girls.  Belle is not normally interested in things stitchy so I thought she wouldn't be bothered.  I was very pleased to say the least.  I didn't ask Louise as I thought the delay in making a phone call etc would maybe result in not getting a place.  Later that day I received a message from Louise saying that I must keep a date free as she had booked me on a workshop at Cath Kidston.  We had both booked for each other almost at the same time but for different locations.  I decided that I would still go twice and it meant Belle had a place too.  How was it.  Brilliant.  When I went with Lou is was a big class and was quite noisy but in a good way, we laughed a lot and I even began to snort a little which is never good.  Why, the lovely lady next to me was sewing with so much vigour that every time she pulled the needle through the fabric she almost had my eye out.  She was completely unaware and I found it hilarious and kept sniggering to Lou who kept telling me to shush.  Anyhow we both had a good old stitch, chattered, ate cupcakes, drank tea and had a mooch around the store. 

Nellie has almost finished.

The second workshop was quite different but still brill.  The shop was smaller so less participants.  The girl's and I managed to sit around one table with a huge pile of cakes in the middle.  Each table had their own stitching tutor which worked out really well.  Nellie and I are quite competent so Betty and Belle got her attention.  Betty stitched and so did Belle!!! and they loved it.  I was so proud and pleased that they had stitched especially Belle as she is a creative girl but not normally in a stitchy way.  Quite often she becomes frustrated with sewing but with the patience of Jessica our lovely tutor there she was back stitching, satin stitching and french knots.  Nellie said to her in a joking way 'welcome to the family' it was really funny.

In our goodie bag we got the specially transfer printed hankie/scarf, the threads, a hoop and instructions.  We also got 15% discount on goods purchased on the night and a raffle ticket.

Belle won the raffle on our night out.  She was so busy stitching she was oblivious bless her.  We had to shout out.  She won a union flag zip purse, soldier badge and crown badge.  She was very pleased and we grizzled a bit - in a funny kind way. 

I bought the soldier skirt it was the last one in the shop and I will now be twins with Lou as she bought one too.

Betty treated herself too.

We had a really lovely family stitching session and the girl's were very grateful for me taking them to stitch, going out for pizza and generally spending quality time together. 

Jubilations.

Have a good one.





Name Badge

I am working with Louise tomorrow.  It is Open Studio day at Welbeck and I am being a helpful assistant.  I thought I would make myself a name badge so I can remind myself who I am.  Here it is.  It is all hand stitched and I have enjoyed making it amongst the chaos of my home.  Boy oh boy do I need to get stuck into cleaning sorting mode I just can't.  Anyhow here it is - Miss Debs is Louise's pet name for me and it makes me laugh.

Louise's studio hopeandelvis.com is open from 10 am to 4 pm.  There are free activities on offer for both children and adults so if you fancy a day out where you browse around and have a sit, stitch and a natter then come along.  I will be the one wearing the above.  Lol.

Round and Round

Yesterday I nipped across to see Louise at the Studio.  I haven't been far the last few days as I have had a stinky cold.  Actually we all have.  K started the day he broke up from school in typical teacher style.  Well all term - feeling yukky for half term hols.  Never mind we are all on the mend and looking forward to going to Cornwall at the weekend.  We are all going including Betty's BF Antanon and Dyl the dog.  Yeah we can't wait.  Anyhow I have digressed I nipped to see Louise for a natter, a cuppa and a spot of sewing.  We decided that I would have a bash at the Roundie cushion from the Liberty Sewing Book.  Because Lou likes me (haha) she let me look in her precious stash of fabrics from THE BACK ROOM.  This is Louise's inner sanctum where she keeps all her treasures and her own works of art.  I/We chose some vintage eiderdown fabrics and a splash of vintage Sanderson fabric.  I followed the instructions in the book very carefully.  I am rubbish at following precise instructions and tend to rush in but not this time.  I read carefully and measured carefully.  The cover was too big and too full.  I took out a couple of sections from the cushion and reduced the length of the strips by 10cm.  Now I do know that I am not alone in this because the lovely Mandy had previously made the roundie and found it worked up too big for the size of cushion pad recommended. Boo Mr Liberty check out your patterns please.  This wasn't the first pattern I have made up recently to find a few anomalies I made the Cathedral Window Cushion from the CK book and found a few flaws although when it was finished it was really petty albeit mega time consuming.  .Anyhow I was delighted with the finished roundie and was positively giddy when it was all stuffed and primped and preened and buttoned.  Want to see.  Ok.

swoon

so pretty.  vintage eidy, sandersons and vyella

what a little cutie a roundie pin cushion

Ah roundie love.

Louise and I proclaimed it to be a success.  Lou made the baby one to match. 

So if you are going to have a go at the roundie and want to use the cushion pad recommended I would make the strips 45 cm long and not 55 cm.  I also took out some of the width from the fabric as it seemed too full and didn't show off the fabric so well but I suppose this is personal preference. Have a go though its great fun and I can honestly say it did take a little while to get it just right and I didn't think I was going to like it much but I did I was positively giddy. By the way I made my own inner.  Two circles of lining fabric with a gusset to give the cushion depth (which I think is essential) quickly whizzed together and stuffed with light poly filling.  I find a cheap way to buy stuffing is to buy the cheapest bed pillows from Ikea.  Its light and fluffy and cheap as chips - about £1.75.

If you would like to have a go at making whether you are a proficient maker or someone who has never used a machine before do pop along to the Studio and have a go - I promise you will love it.  Louise is a very friendly talented lady who has everything you could ask for at hand and guess what, more often than not, I am there too and I make a mean cup of tea! I'm not bad on the old sewing machine either.

Hope to see you soon!

Oh and if there happens to be anyone out there that would like me to test their patterns then let me know - I love a challenge!

A New Coat

Not for me though.  A new coat for Dyl.  Next week we are off to Cornwall and when we go in Autumn Dyl comes with us. As he recently had a good hair cut - read short back and sides, I thought he might get a little chilly.  I did search the net for a crochet coat and I found a great one but when I looked through my ample stash there was nothing either inspiring or in the correct weight.  So I made him one.  I did this over two days whilst there were quiet moments at the workshop.  I draughed the pattern myself and guessed the size.  Basically it was sort of a large bib shaped piece of cloth - a wool knit from Louise's ample stash lined in black cord.  I sewed the two shapes together leaving a gap to turn through.  I ladder stitched the edges closed and then hand stitched a red running stitch around the edges for decoration - this can't be seen on the outside but looks good on the inside.  Actually it is reversible.  I then found some nice elastic and joined the front together and put an elastic band for under Dyl's tummy.  Voila one nice snug doggy coat.  He has worn it around the garden and whilst playing ball and it stayed in place so I think it's good to go.  Want a look.  Here he is the handsome boy.

Ah Mummy no photo's thank you.

Got a sneeky one whilst he wasn't looking

Very dapper.

A Perfect Day

Ahh I have had such a lovely, lovely day today at WORK.  Don't gasp I am fortunate to work, occasionally ,with my friend and very talented textile artist Louise Presley who is the proprietor of hopeandelvis.com.  Today was a tweed bag workshop where you take a man's tweed jacket and with a little bit of magic, a few tweeks, a little imagination, vintage buttons, ribbons, lace etc you end up with a fabulous TA DAH moment when you have made a bag - all by your own (as one little one once said to me whilst working at my proper job as a Nursery Nurse).  Today was a little different for me though as I met a bloggy friend who I have been wanting to meet for a looooooong time (actually there were several bloggers there and it was a pleasure to meet them all).  But today I met Diane. We had good fun having a chat 'in real life' I wasn't surprised when we got on and had a good old natter about this and that.  I also met Diane's friend Nic who was equally lovely and chatty and good fun.  What a small world it is Diane know's someone I worked with in a school and Nic knows friends of mine that I have known for years, she lived close by them when she was little.  Spooky.  I also met Wend of tickingstripes.blogspot.com and Lyn of everdaylife.blogspot.com - nice to meet you ladies. 

I didn't take any photo's of today's makes but Louise will be posting photos on her facebook page which you can access via her website - you don't have to have a facebook account to take a peek. 

What I did take photos of though was this.

A present from Diane.  An unexpected lovely present - just because.

Want to see what was in it?

Lots

A very pretty heart

A floral corsage with tiny beads in the middle - hands off Belle - she has already eyed it up saying it would look pretty on her hair.  It would look pretty but IT'S MINE.

Mermaid glass and sea worn pebbles and china.  Beautiful - also eyed up by Belle.

Beautiful dingle dangle ear-rings.

I also received a lollypop and some beauty products.

How very generous - thank you very much indeed.

I also received a little gift from K.  Another just because.  Want to see?

A newshiny thimble with a twist.

It's for a giant - lol.

Next to a regular sized one.  It made me laugh a lot - it is Pewter and Made in Sheffield - I like it lots.

Phew long post.  Going to sign off now as I am about to drop.  Since I got in I have put away lots of ironing, changed the bed, washed pots and made a crumble so I am now fit for nothing.  Have to be up early tomorrow - 10 hour shift to do at Nursery.  Double phew.  Night Night.



Just for Jane

Phew long time no blog.  Just to let you know I am still here and having a quick look around blogland.  I have been a busy bee.  I have worked more hours doing my supply Nursery Nursing since I started in September.  I really thought it would have gone quiet towards the end of the school year but it hasn't.  Good for the old bank balance but not leaving much time to do blogging, crafting, meeting friends, going to the studio etc.  I have also struggled as we have laptop failure in the house.  Betty's is in need of repair and so is Nell's.  K has his work one so I can only get online in the evening when he has finished his 'busy jobs'.  Camera leads are hiding hence the lack of photos.  Phew.  K cannot wait until next Friday and I hear him going downstairs in the morning doing a big 'out loud' countdown to himself - six to do was his countdown this morning.  He loves being a teacher but has been so busy he is really ready for his break.  Belle is off on summer camp with her school the day after she breaks up so we have also been to meetings, getting together all the requirements of a teenage girl who is off on a great two week trip.  She is really excited.  She will be travelling down to the coast, then driving through France with an overnight stop then on to the Italian coast.  She will visit Venice during the week and will be camping right next to the beach.  After a week she is moving on to Interlaken, Switzerland for a further week before the long drive back.  It is her second time on the trip so she is really looking forward to it.  She cannot wait for the bread, cheese and milk in Switzerland and the clean fresh air as she says it is AMAZING.  Lucky girl.   Wish I could go.  We did give her a fright one day when we said we were going.  That her Head Teacher had been in touch as they needed extra help and with her Dad being a teacher and me being a NN, CRB checked and First Aid qualified we had been asked to support.  Ha Ha.  How mean. 

I have not been able to settle into doing very much making.  I started to knit a cardi then got bored, have done a little tapestry from CK Stitch book and haven't made them into brooches, a little hand quilting and a little crocheting but nothing much and nothing that is really catching my attention.  Hopefully I will regain my crafting mojo over the next 6 weeks and settle down to something productive.  Well I am going to go now am already in bed tucked up well - I haven't told it I love it yet - but I will. 

Just so you know this post is Just for Jane (and everyone else too).  Jane is a dear friend of mine and she likes to take a peek at my blog and she commented on my last post that I hadn't blogged for over a week - so here you are Janey this one is for you.  Hope you had a good holiday will catch up next week. 

Good night.

Anybody had any trouble leaving comments?  I seem to be struggling at the moment it keeps asking me to sign into blogger, which I am, then it doesn't let me comment.  Also my followers have been missing for a while and I can't find them any which way.  Maybe Blogger is mardy because I haven't been very productive. 

Good night - for sure this time.

Never too old for Play Doh

We have had a chilled out weekend. We did eat sweets, chocolate and watch a DVD (actually I slept through it, it is the standing joke in our house).  I am often asked 'What DVD do  you want to fall to sleep to mum'.  Oh it was a lovely sleep, about an hour and a half sprawled on the settee with my blanket and pooch.  Very cosy.  The girls have kept themselves amused.  I have made a new top and been to the car boot. I had the pattern and fabric already all I need was a bit of time and a little sewing mojo.  It all came together well and I am really pleased with the result.  It fits too which is a bonus.  I made a mock up of this top before and I couldn't even get it on so it's pleasing that I made it and it fits.  I have lost a stone  at fat club and am feeling much better.

I got the fabric from Fabrics

 Galore at the NEC in March I love that stall and wish I could visit their London shop someday.

What do you think?  I'd love to know.

The girls have also been having a fun creative time.  With a Play Doh set.  Yep nearly 17 and 14 and they are playing with a Hello Kitty Deluxe Set I got at a car boot a few weeks ago for 50p.  I bought it for Betty who is 21 and adores everything Hello Kitty and yes she has played with it but not as much as Nellie and Belle.  They are sat right now chatting and making cakes, umpalumpas, sweets and rose gardens.  They keep shouting mummy look at this, mummy look at mine - they have not called me mummy for a long time and actually its quite endearing.  I took some sneaky photos - here they are.

A flump

Hellooooo  Kittyyyyyyyy

Nellie's cake

It was tiny

Want a slice

Teeny tiny

Little things make us happy.  K had a good time and enjoyed telling me about going in Alfie's Vintage Market etc.  He thought I was a little fed up when he got back.  Well I said I would have liked to have known you had got there ok, thought you might have checked we were all ok. Oh I have only just got my phone out of my bag.  Oh dear.

Got some goodies at the car boot will share another day.

If you are reading Janey it is hot hot HOT here and the mossies are biting but only Belle.

Bags and Books

Last night was Book Club night.  Guess what - we talked about the book for almost 10 minutes.  A record I believe.  I was most proud as I had chosen the last book - The Crimson Petal and The White - the general consensus was good/very good.  Did I read it? urm no I failed to buy enough copies and have not got around to getting one.   S is lending me hers when she has finished.  The book this time is Water for Elephants but unfortunately the online delivery had not arrived so we have to wait a few more days.  Will have  a large pile of books to read.  Good stuff.  Book Club is always such fun we really do have a laugh and giggle and last night I had my first slice of CAKE in 8 weeks.  Oh my goodness it was absolutely delicious SM who hosted the party is a fabulous maker of cakes.  Chocolate with delicious chocolate butter cream icing.  Heaven in your gob as we say in our house.

Now to the bag part of my post.  Two weeks ago I made myself two new holiday bags.  I spied a tablecloth in a second hand shop and when I discovered it  had pictures of places of Cornwall on it I was tres excite.  I loved the colour combination and when Louise asked if I would like to have a sewing day on a workshop I grabbed the chance and off I went to make a new holiday bag.  Not many sleeps and then we will be on our way to Cornwall.  We  love it and can't wait for the break.  We stay on a caravan site in a static caravan.  The site is very quiet and peaceful and we have been a fair few times so it is a little like home from home.  The nearest town is Helson but we are only a stones throw from St Ives, St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Falmouth etc.  Bliss.  Here are the bags I made to take with me.

A small handbag and a larger over the shoulder number

Oh how I love St Ives

I was very pleased with the results

Inside details

St Michael's Mount

Front view

Inside pocket

The Island at Newquay - many happy teenage holidays spent in Newquay - we used to get burnt to a crisp as was the fashion in those days - the redder the better - if only we had known - I am much more careful now!

I thoroughly enjoyed making these bags.  The patterns where in Louise's extensive pattern collection the fabric from my stash.  One holiday tablecloth, an old thrifted linen tea towel (the stripy yellow, orange and blue fabric), Laura Ashley vintage blue fabric, old sheet for lining and some East of India spotty ribbon.  

When my Mum saw it she loved it so much I made her one too

Truro Cathedral

Falmouth

Stripy ribbon - I did a button tab for Mum to make it a little more secure

So Diane if you see a bag like this whilst you are in Cornwall it will be ME.  

Chill out and Relax

Much chilling out and relaxing has taken place in our humble abode.  We have had three days at home.  This is perhaps normal for some - it is for me  - but not for K.  He gets cabin fever and wants to go out and about but because the weather has been so nice and the footy was on the radio we have  all been at home. All five of us plus Dyl and it has been most enjoyable.  Stitching in the garden, sewing a few seeds, baking and general relaxing.   Bliss. I have taken a few photos so I will share the photos and not do many words as I have just pinched Nellie's laptop (she's sleeping) and Lewis  has just started on the telly and I am going to attempt to watch it.  I don't watch that much telly I don't concentrate too well.  Here's some photos from over the weekend.

My Easter bits on the fire place - the blue raddit (the girl's called them that when they were little) is a new one

My twiggy tree with birds, eggs and cotton bobbins - because. Do you like K's tea pot - one of his  charity shop finds.  My blue birds (that are pink and blue) cushion one of my recent makes.

Raddit girls - I love these and have them out even when its not Easter.

Birdy pattern from Spool

K and I went on a lovely walk to our local woods. I took lots of photos so will post them another day.  Going to Antiques Fair tomorrow at Doncaster Racecourse they are normally good ones so might get a bargain.  Hope you have all had a good holiday weekend.

Hop Little Bunnies

Had a great day today went to a children's easter workshop at Hope and Elvis.  LSJ and nephew Harry went along too.  H had great fun and was really into his making.  He drove the sewing machine whilst I moved the fabric and we made a great team.  Here's what he created.

An Easter Bunny Bag to hold his Easter eggs.

He decided the bunny needed a carrot

This is EB he is a cool Easter Bunny wearing a jacket and shorts and very super sun glasses a joint effort between H and Aunty Deb.

Even LSJ (Little Sister J) that's my little sister H's mummy got in on the sewing act (SURPRISE) as I introduced her to Louise she stated 'i'm not like Deb you know I don't make things' but she did and she even had a tussle with H about the spotty red button as she wanted to use it on her rabbit.  See there must be a button loving gene in there somewhere.  Here's a little snippet of LSJ's rabbit and an action shot of her sewing.

Look an action shot 

The precious red spotty button - Louise remembered that it was from a pair of her grand-daughters jeans.  He was a cute rabbit and she did finish him.

We had great fun as did all the other children and grownup's who all secretly enjoyed it just as much as the children.  Well done Louise another fab workshop.