Journal Cover

I am hoping to give mostly handmade/homemade presents for Christmas this year. One of the gifts I have thought of making is a journal with a hand stitched cover. Many people I know are creative and so I thought these would be good for their notes, ideas and inspirations.

I am trying to choose a colour scheme/textures/motifs to suit the individuals for whom they are destined. Here is number one.

I have to give credit to the Lutterworth Embroiderers' Guild for being my source for a fine array of threads and fabrics, most of which I buy at their annual extravaganza.

http://branches.embroiderersguild.com/branchdetails.php?id=LEIC30 . The next extravaganza is on Sat 11th November - it really is worth a visit.

Finished article

Here is the card now in its finished state. I added a little red embriodery thread and a couple of red sequins. Also the background card helps tie it all in together.

I have also found the darning plate for my sewing machine so now hope to try a bit of freestyle machine stitching on future couching projects. I have collected various metallic threads for a Klimt inspired project. Sounds impressive anyway!

Couching

I am trying to make a birthday card for my wonderful husband. I wanted to try out some couching and decorative stitching techniques and to use a variety of scraps of ribbon, threads and beads.

Here is the result so far. Although I am pleased with each individual part of it, it does not seem to work as a whole, and I think it is because all of the colours blend into the hessian background too much. So later today I shall try to jazz it up with a few contrasting elements. I will post the results so that the comparison can be made.

Rustic Angels

Here is another of my Christmas card designs. I know it is early, but if you have to make a significant number of homemade cards, then you need to start early. I have made 4 of these angels so far.

Tie a tassel using metallic thread, then separate and tie the strands to make the body and wings. Make a small padded face, embroider face and hair details. Add beads and sequins for decoration.


Detailed instructions can be found at:


http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/projects/angels/index.html

The other reason for making these now, is I am trying to use up hoarded supplies so that I can make fresh, guilt-free purchases when I go to the embroidery and fashion show in Harrogate on the 7th October (http://http://www.ichf.co.uk/fashion/index.php.

Oh, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing is my favourite carol.

Commemoration

The past six years have seen a large number of deaths in our family, culminating this year with my maternal grandmother's death. This has saddened us all, and to help us through the process, we have decided to have a family commemoration day each year on the 1st September.

I have collected some memories of various members of the family, and we intend to use them to celebrate and commemorate the lives of those we have lost. We hope to add to this set of memories each year, ensuring those we have lost are remembered. Here are the first set of memories...

Nell Simpson who decorated her home each week it seemed, always finding something new, be it candlestick holders,curtains or a toweling bath panel. Always giving a little gift to visitors, sometimes the things she made at her craft classes. Her charity work at the Red Cross which brought her so many friends.The most with it person always keeping up with trends.

A table full of treats for high tea, and picnics on the beach unpacked from stripy shopping bags, her enormous iron framed bike. Being madly fascinated by the students who lodged with her. Drying our hair by brushing it infront of the gas fire.

Edie Stabb's afternoons spent telling us as children, about events she had attended in Ceylon so vividly told, one could almost feel the sunshine and atmosphere. Knowing I had a singer uncle who had cut records in Ceylon made me feel good, and uncle who was the Chief of Police in Ceylon and an uncle who was forever as a child through some illness. Knowing that my mum was a very important person in her family doing the family sewing, helping the children, making ginger beer and teaching sign language to other people in the family to enable them to speak to a carer in the family. A little girl adopted by her family and called Topsie, Topsie was tone deaf and droned little songs she had learned eg Row row row your boat gentle down the stream. This was not appreciated by the family at 3 am in the morning. Grandmother Mirim and Grand father Walter were rocks in the family.

Her Sunday wig and lipstick, her amazing house (High Street) full of nooks and crannies and hidden treasure troves behind the attic walls, how impressive it seemed that she had a traffic warden for a friend. Having chocolate mousse gravy because she ahd given the packets from the cupboard to play shops with, and the wrong inners had been put back into the boxes.

Frank Stabb who always gave the girls some money to buy a gift when we visited. The dolls house and desk that he gave to them. He thought on each child equally. Days spent at the sale room or in his shop on High Road West, walking about with care as there was so much stuff in the shop. Recanting twentyfive year old Port for him, he gave us a bottle it was wonderful.

His Morris Minor called Art, listening to Radio Caroline in the mornings, his big bars of milk chocolate that he would share with us, finding out how much he wanted someone in the family to be a nurse.

Maureen Teece, who had a leatherette pinifore dress made for her niece when she was two, making her a swinger. When she presented a wonderful Wendy House to the girls. Like her mother she was offered managerial positions which she was not able to persue. She did successfully run her own salon.

An introduction to 'exotic' chalet life, sorting the hair rollers into the right sections of the trolley in her hair salon.

The time she and Roy Teece sold every thing they owned to start up a Smithy, Roys trade, and the disappointment when following an injury to his hand they had to close the Smithy. Roy giving us a tune or two on his organ he was so musical. He loved company and to discuss cars and curent events with the males in the family. Roy helping Michael to construct an electric guitar the wood was oak and it was very heavy.

Beryl West who used to look after anyone in need, the tea parties at her house on Douglas Avenue when there was always a kettle on the simmer on the fire. Family always came first with Beryl. Parties for the grown ups too many of them.

Mending daisies for me when I pulled their heads off, her glamourous sun bathing on sunloungers. Being scared of the fact that they had foxes in their back garden at Douglas Avenue.

Alan West who loved children and gave love openly. He also put a bet on any horse who's name was in the family. He never told us if he won though.

Always cheerful and cuddly, taking us to the waterstand at the caravan site, never understanding why we had to wait to go to the beach. Going to the family day at the sugar factory.

We would also like to remember Ted Browne, Margaret Browne, John Browne, Paddy Mahon, Dan Egan, Molly Egan, Bridie Kenna and Martin Gleeson.

When my husband and I married in June 2000, all of these people, save Frank and Ted were with us. We are so sad to have lost them, but also so glad to have them in our hearts and our memories.

Family fun

Generally, 'making moments' are a communal thing in our house, so hot on the heals of my last post showing my card making efforts, here are those of my little boy. Usually, if I am honest, his efforts put mine to shame (and this is no exception)... so I hope you enjoy:

(i) Valentines day (foam hearts and glitter on an aperture card)
(ii) Robot (an early representational piece!)















(iii) Snowman (cork and potato print with glitter and toothpick accessories!)
(iv) Guiding Star (taking advantage of his love of cutting things up into tiny pieces and then rearranging them, (in this case last year's Christmas cards) - OK I had influence over the shape they were glued into but even so....)

Wrapped around your finger

It has been a difficult couple of weeks in our household with illness and unfortunately death striking across the family. There have been a lot of emotions flowing which I hope to capture in some form as gifts of condolence and comfort to my nearest and dearest. These items hopefully will show here before too long, but in the mean time, here are some cards I made in more quiet times.














The first is one (green and gold on cream background) is called frosty lawn, which was made by cutting up strips of fancy fabric, and knitting them in randomly with a rather nice green speckled yarn.

Next is starry night (on blue background), which was a lovely petrol blue mix yarn of very varied texture (can't you tell I am not very good at this by how poor my descriptions are!) Just straight knitted into a largish sample, then sewn onto a backing cloth, chopped up, glued down and star shaped embelishments added.

Finally (stripey on black background) is a yarn wrapping technique using my extensive "neutral tone" (no... not beige!) stash, which I have rather grandly called 'Snow on the Charnwood Hills'. Of the three I like this best, followed by frosty lawn.

Anyway, they have started my homemade christmas card collection (not bad for August!).

Baubles, bangles and beads

Here is an update on the plaster of paris and chocolate tray project...

My boy and I filled the tray with the plaster, left it overnight to set, then the next day we turned them out and sprayed them gold.
Then the fun really began as we pulled out our mighty selection of glitter, sequins, stickers and beads. I think they look pretty good, and will definitely grace our home at Christmas time.

I'm quite keen on this plaster modeling as an activity for children now. There is stirring and pouring to do, then the waiting (good discipline for them!), then pressing out from the moulds, and then the final decoration. I think we might be making a series of bespoke fridge magnets next!

Summertime blues

I have a young son who started school this year - this is our first summer holiday period, and I am really enjoying having him back at home every day. I know it is sometimes difficult to keep children entertained during the very long summer break, but so far we have not had any difficulties.

This is our next project...


I love this photo because it makes a very mundane item into something very interesting. This is the tray from a box of chocolates. They were very nice chocolates :-) and the tray reflects their quality in that it is much more sculpted and robust than the normal cellophane trays you get. So apart from photographing it, we plan to fill it with plaster of Paris, turn out the individual pieces, file them, spray them gold then decorate them with sequins and beads and use them as Christmas decorations. (Yes, I know it is only August, but actually everyone I take into my confidence and tell that I am already hatching Christmas plans then confesses to me that they are doing the same thing!).

I imagine that will keep a small boy entertained for most of an afternoon. Watch this space for the results!

Dressed for bed!

The home makeover shows always make a big thing about dressing a bed, and it is true that when they have finished with their mountains of cushions and swathes of beautiful fabrics, the beds and bedrooms always look wonderful.

Well, here is my attempt at dressing the bed in our guest room. The oversized cushion is made from the detachable arm cushions from an old settee. The fabric was given to me by my Mum. I made an envelope type flap for the closure. This is secured by some large wooden beads (rescued from one of those bead car seats) and some nylon cord made into loops (yes I do find it difficult to throw things away as I always have a suspicion that they will come in handy one day!). It is really lovely to sit up in bed leaning against this big cushion while reading.

The tulips beside the bed are silk flowers again given to me by my Mum. Every couple of months I drop some essential oil (currently frescia) into the centre of each tulip, then when the sun hits them they release a lovely scent into the room.

I keep meaning to find a band of blue material (perhaps petersham band perhaps?) to sew onto the bed cover, but I have not got it together to that extent yet! Anyway, I was very pleased with this little sewing project for the home.

Tagged people

At last... here are the 5 people I have tagged. I wish them luck...

Gabriella
Lisa
Chrysti
Jane
Amul

Fantasy tag list

OK, I did the real tag list (see below). But then, I finished putting my little boy to bed, got supper ready for my husband coming home from another week working away from home, and I got to thinking about my fantasy tag list. So here is my top fantasy item from each category (tagged people still to come tomorrow):

Handbag: Passport
Purse: A love letter
Fridge: Champagne or Apsparagus (or both!)
Wardrobe: An original beaded 1920s dress (and the figure to wear it!)
Car: luggage packed for a trip on the Orient Express or Trans Siberian Railway
Desk: A letter annoucing a mega payrise

"So I awoke, and behold it was a dream!".

Tagged (for my sins!)

I have been tagged by goodkharmabunny. This lead to yet another frantic Internet search to find out what it means! On my way I finally understood what a "meme" is thanks to the Pariah. This Blogging "ritual" is as strange as any, and with all its own jargon set to confuse us poor simple souls!

Anyway, on to the point - the tag.... It follows a standard format, so anyone tagged by me, now has to provide answers to the following questions:

Name 5 things always found in your:

Handbag/purse:
Shopping list
Money/credit card
Pen & Paper
Gooey lollipop for emergency situations with my little boy
Toy car or motorbike (for the same reason)




Purse/wallet:
Coins (usually small denomination!)
Toy library membership card
County library membership card
Receipts
Business cards (well, you never know...)



Fridge:
Opened bottle of dry white wine (unoaked)!
Mature cheddar cheese (or if I am lucky goats cheese)
Tomatoes
Selection of seasonal veg from my local organic farm or the farmer's market
Full fat milk for my little boy




Wardrobe/closet:
Pile of gardening/work clothes (on the floor)
My two pairs of ultra sexy shoes, protected in their boxes
My latest going out outfit (not worn enough) - currently black bootleg trousers and a black embroidered chiffon tunic top( - very 70s!)
Long skirts (ankle length - it's supposed to leave things to the imagination!)
Tailored blouses/ladies shirts - I am beyond tee-shirt days!




Car:
Map of the British Isles
First Aid kit
CDs (Currently Scissor Sisters and Arctic Monkeys)
Suntan cream (min factor 30)
Water


Desk:
Photos not yet put in albums
Cup of tea (maybe hot maybe cold!)
Spare toner cartridge
Notes/references for my latest project
Pile of bills



Five people to be tagged coming tomorrow when I have collected their URLs!

Forever my baby

After my little boy was born, I eventually got around to putting away the baby clothes. However I found that there were some I just could not put into the suitcase in the attic. These were mostly the items I had chosen to bring him home from hospital in, but also a couple of items given by friends.

As my baby grew and became a toddler, it was lovely to see these little scraps of cloth and remember how small he had been. I hit upon an idea that made it possible to have these clothes out and be able to fondly remember them every day - I made them into a "rag doll".

The head is a large polystyrene ball covered in flesh coloured felt, the body is simply the baby grow, with gloves sewn to the cuffs to make hands, and booties to the legs to make feet. The babygrow was stuffed with fibre filling, and all openings were stitched closed. The outer garments were then put on the "baby", and his first little shoes finished off the ensemble to give a life sized, 3D reminder of my baby. I deliberately kept the features very simple.

This really is a simple way of making rag dolls, and providing them with removable clothing.

Obviously, having had a little boy, I don't have much call for making dolls or dolls clothes. But a few weeks ago, I came to the rescue of a Barbie doll in distress. I am a volunteer at our local toy library (http://www.natll.org.uk/). We had a Barbie play set and doll donated. It was a beautiful airline set, and I think Barbie was supposed to be the stewardess. However, despite an enviable selection of luggage, poor Barbie had no clothes. It was felt that the set could not be loaned out either a) with no doll, and especially b) with a doll who had no clothes. Any way a few snippets of printed material, some elastic and a piece of ribbon meant I was able to provide Barbie with a sun dress. A very basic little outfit, but it did the job. I really enjoyed making it, and am now on tailoring duties for any dolls who need a new wardrobe at the toy library!

Empty nest

The blackbirds have successfully flown. They left our garden a week ago, but hung around in the surrouding trees for a couple of days. They have doubled in size and now have most of their adult plumage and also their tail feathers. Since we came back from our holiday, the bigger of the two has been seen feeding on the ground, accompanied by the ever vigilant parent. The smaller has been seen scuttling in the undergrowth. It is so lovely to see them around, and to know that there is a good chance one of them will nest in our garden next year.

I feel very privileged to have been so closely involved with them. It made me notice a lot more about our garden, and also blackbird behaviour.

Here are two pictures that evoke memories of my time as part guardian of the chicks. The first is a courgette flower, which reminds me of the hungry beaks of blackbird chicks held open for food.

The second is evidence of the blackbirds availaing themselves of our cherries.

Blackbird singing....

A departure from craft posts, but for the last 3 days my caged minutes have been taken up with little critters. We have blackbirds nest twice a year in our honeysuckle, and this time the chicks decided to leave the nest early. Barely able to stand let alone fly, they landed on our patio on Saturday morning, and we have been looking after them ever since.

The parents are still feeding them, but this is a big cat community (no, not big-cat!) - so we are on constant look out. We have put out water, and fruit, and the parent birds (mostly the male) are doing a great job of clearing our garden of insects in their quest to feed the hungry birds. My just planted out stocks have taken a battering, though. They were grown in, and planted out in peat pots, and the adult birds have managed to root out two whilst searching for worms. Each night, after the parents have gone to roost, we herd them to safety behind a big plant pot, and block each side so cats cannot get them, then one of us is up at 4:30 to make sure they can get out before the parents are back to feed them.

They are beautifully ungainly, with big wide mouths, and curious eyes. They hop all over our patio and are getting more adventurous each day. We have 12 steps up from out patio to our main garden - this morning one was half way up the steps. Soon they will be ready to fledge for real - their tail feathers are just starting to grow. I think I will miss them.

Tonight as I type I can hear their chirps and cheeps. A lovely backdrop to the end of a lovely day. Another excuse for a small piece of verse, this time from Joseph Addison: "I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs."

I was also caught by this one by Wallace Stevens (13 ways of looking at a blackbird): "I do not know which to prefer, The beauty of inflections Or the beauty of innuendoes, The blackbird whistling Or just after."

This Old House

I live in a very old house. Knowledgeable folk suggest it dates from about 1720. This old house has very old doors, and these old doors create some mighty drafts.

As the purpose of this blog is to help me remember what I spend my caged minutes on, I would like to wax lyrical about door curtains. Since I got my sewing machine 2 years ago, I have managed to make 5 door curtains to help keep the house snug and warm in the winter. It's a very ordinary pass time, but one with practical purpose and benefits that I see and feel every day, so I feel I should be justifiably proud of these door curtains.

Most of the door curtains are made from old window curtains. Inevitably they are too short, so I have to join them, which I do with a kind of decorative pleat. It is a big heavy job, especially as I line some with a second layer of curtain material, and in one case an old wool blanket. Here is my favourite fabric that I have used for a door curtain. I estimate it takes 3 hours from start to finish to make a door curtain, so in all that accounts for 900 caged minutes spent on this little enterprise.

I couldn't finish without a poem about curtains... (this blog is also rekindling my love of poetry). This is by William Cowper:

Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,
And, while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy column, and the cups,
That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome peaceful ev'ning in.

Where did you get that hat?

Goodkharmabunny loaned me her knifty knitter, and it all went fuzzy from then on. It's not sophisticated, it's not difficult, but it is fun (and very quick!). The knifty knitter is a round loom. You wind the yarn into a double layer of "stitches", pull the bottom one over the top and away you go.

A hat craze struck. There were not enough caged minutes in a day! It started with a very special hat for my 4 year old. He loves bright colours, chose the yarn himself, and even helped me make the pom-pom. The tassel was supposed to be part of an "either or" conversation, but he insisted on both! On the day it was completed he wore it from 8:00am until bedtime!

Then things started to become serious!!

There were hats for girls... (oh no, that pink thing again!)







There were hats for football fans... (guess the team?)





And other members of the family did not escape either ... (does making one for myself make this craze seem any the less desperate?). The knifty knitter has now been returned, but no prizes for guessing what Father Christmas will be bringing to me and mine this year!

To finish off, I have to say that when I was thinking of a title for this post, I came across this quote from my poetic hero Louis MacNeice (see "about this blog") "Sit on your arse for fifty years and hang your hat on a pension". I'm not sure a cottage industry based on kniftily knitted hats would do much to fund my pension, but it is a thought!

Handbags and Glad Rags

Last night a new handbag was born. I have to admit I have rather a thing for handbags. This one is the first I have made, and I am rather pleased with the results.

The body is knitted on a "nifty knitter" round loom using Elle Plume (purple rhapsody), it is lined using some pink satin, and the handle is woven on weaving sticks from some linen yarn (hand dyed by goodkharmabunny).

Obviously my previous comment about not working with pinks was a great piece of self delusion!

It is a very tense moment when you make your first post to your first blog! Given the stated purpose of this blog, I feel as though I should post something about a completed item, something from the past, something I have actually DONE! However, I have no photos (yet) of any of those things, and so I shall start this blog with my current piece of inspiration.

This is a photo that I took at Jersey zoo, and then modified in PhotoShop (my first go at doing such a thing). It was originally flamingos, and I hope that the essence remains, and that it has been overlayed with some of the characteristics of Dali's floppy watches. This is now the starting point for a textile collage that I want to do. A challenge as I don't usually work with pinks!