Sew-eco

Sewing time

2011-02-24T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have been a busy girl, I am having a sewing frenzy!! my local market has a FAB! selection of fabrics priced at either £1 or £2 a metre. I know what you are thinking, there must be a catch right? well you are right, most of the selection are pre cut to 5mtr lengths and you have to buy the whole piece, but i'm not complaining, the fabrics are all of a very good quality and sew up a treat, on that note have a look at some of my makes....

This is my version of the Wiksten tulip skirt, I wasn't able to get hold of a copy of the Stitch magazine the pattern was in, so I had to guess. I'm pretty happy with the results.

I did contemplate making a dress with this Prince of Wales Check, but thought a skirt would be a better option, after I made the skirt I found the thrifted belt in my work shop, works a treat don't you think?

Yes I have jumped on the Simplicity 3835 craze and I'm glad I did a very comfy and easy dress to wear. I found the pattern ( like most of the ones I own) in the 40p discontinued bin in my local haberdashery store. I did a little modification on the pockets, I added a flap and fabric covered buttons in a tiny floral fabric, the main fabric a lovely grey plaid and was a freebie from a lovely lady at a car boot, well I did spend £9 on her stall for approx 20 mtrs of assorted linens and cottons.

My second attempt at the same dress, this time in a denim/chambray cotton, I decided to use contrasting red top stitching to match the red in the tartan covered buttons, the pockets are also lined in the tartan. Check out my hooped leggings, my very first home sewn pair, dead easy to make, jersey/lycra will not be safe around me again.

Bye for now

Hay

Fabric fun!!!!

2010-10-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

My colleague Sally and I had a new ~~toy~~ essential piece of studio equipment to ~~play~~ experiment with. A heat transfer press, wow! i'm very impressed. The fabric sample above with made by painting with transfer red paint onto a patterned paper bag.

This time I first transferred the design from another patterned bag then overprinted with the squiggles and hoops I hand painted onto printer paper.

The thing about transfer paints they look so dull when you paint them onto the paper, it is quite a random process until you get to know the colours, I was pleasantly surprised how well my crazy brush marks transferred.

I managed to get a second print, which I overprinted with another paper bag.

Close up

I raided the car park for leaves to use as a mask, I placed them down onto the painted paper,placed my fabric on top and pressed, after removing the leaves I was left with this.

As the leaves took on the paint, I placed them down onto the paper again, ink side up and pressed again. I like this, alot!

We had such fun and could have spent hours ~~playing~~ making essential samples, I think I may have to pop in during the Autumn break and make sure the press is working properly.

Take care.

Hay

I just luuuuurve vintage

2010-10-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Whilst out looking for an old tweed jacket and thick woolen jumper ( essential allotment attire) I came across these little beauties. Not quite sure what the cat with the pot is used for, perhaps cocktail sticks for your Christmas buffet pineapple,cheese and onion canapes?

How cute are these? Unfortunately the bears are missing from the bottom box, never mind more clothes for the kitties, check out the red checked bedding. I will be selling all these (perhaps not the picture) goodies on my new etsy shop Magpie Bazaar, well, just as soon as talktalk sorts out my email that is.

If you love vintage, retro,kitsch, textiles,linens,books,kitchenalia, well just about anything with character, pop on over. I will keep you updated when the shop opens and when new stock arrives.

Just wanted to leave you with pics of my fav summer dress destined for winter storage. I was surprised with how flattering it looks on, even with my generous hips, lol. And would you believe the fabric was a snip at £1 a yard, as I had to buy the whole 6 yards I have enough for a skirt, yay!

Flattering pleating & cute buttons

Thank you for visiting, bye for now.

Hay

Play time

2010-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

A few months ago at work my colleague Sally ran a little workshop on stump dolls. We had a FAB time creating our dolls with fabric offcuts, beads, trinkets and trimming, I wanted to share my colourful creation, 'Frida'. She was great fun to make and I went a bit wild with the addition of hooks for hands.

Hay
x

Woohoo!

2010-07-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yay! I have finally got my life back and now able to initiate my own projects rather than work to a scripted criteria. The pass 9 months have been hectic, mentally draining, educational but most of all FUN!! My last module was handed in for marking and now I'm nervously waiting for my results.
I have loads of stuff to show and tell, but first of all I will show you all what I have been up to.

I'll start off with my second Artist book, Nature against Structure, a theme I had to select myself. This is the slipcase, covered in a vintage map and a small watercolour and line drawing.
The book is an Interlocking accordion fold with additional pop-up in each fold. The front and back covers have been covered in one of my lino prints from my printmaking module.

The open book, I scanned and re sized the butterflies from one of my prints and pasted them on the folds and behind some of the pop-ups.

Close up, as you can see I created a watercolour and line drawing for the background.

This book is actually a sample book and case I made for my portfolio, I was a tad indecisive about which format would work best for my theme so I made mock-ups. This is the cover for a simple accordion fold book.

Cover off.

Open for viewing, the artwork is used for this little book (approx 4 x 3" closed) are torn remnants from one of my lino print samples.

Sample book 2, another tiny book, this cover folds in on itself like an unglued envelope.

The front cover, the lilac paper is my home marbled paper.

Open, there you have a carousel book it consists of three layers, close up it looks like a theatre set .

Sample book three, closed.

Opens out into a tunnel book.

My lino print exhibition prints, the are a set and represent 'Butterflies of the British isles'.
I didn't want to produce simple lino prints, so I created these mixed media pieces.

Hope I haven't bored you all too much, I'm just soooo! excited at the prospect of using the new skills I have learned and incorporating them into my own work., so I'd better get going.

Bye for now.

Hay

Ahhh! Ha!

2010-03-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

It's me, I'm back from the brink of madness. Sometimes I could kick myself for taking on too much. In Sept I decided to book onto a City and Guild Level 3 Creative Sketchbooks and printmaking course, It'll be great I thought, lots of lovely gluing and sticking, making pretty books, oodles of inking and printing playing with colours and gorgeous papers, time for me, out of the house and away form the boys, right? Oh my giddy aunt, yep, it is all those things but it is also rakes of notations and evaluations, late nights, memory lapses, lack of social life, the list is endless. But after all that it is worth it, I'm having a whale of a time, gluing and sticking etc........ My first modules are now up for IV-ing, wish me luck.

Other than the course I have been a mad demon on the sewing machine making home accessories for my stockist Beehive.

Bed pillow or large cushion

Howie Owlies

Cushions

Thanks for visiting

Hay

Open for Business

2009-09-25T02:45:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Magpie and Thimble is now open for business. Please pop on over for a peek at my new wares, you never know, you may be tempted :)

Making gifts is so rewarding, I made this cloth book for my neighbours baby son Jasper. It took me quite a while to make (I promised a gift back in April) just because other things took priority, so I was pretty chuffed with her response which was one of sheer joy!

Hay

Thrifting the day away!

2009-09-10T14:35:00.002-07:00

What a hoard!! And all bargins too. Mr D and I have been on a saving mission, (eco, green and financially) and to add to the money kitty we decided to sell some of our loft crap, sorry I mean quality unused items placed in our loft, lol! Now I know this defeats the object but I found this gorgeous painting with its oak frame on a neighbouring stall, I couldn't help it, it made me. It went straight up on the dining room wall.

Of course I couldn't just walk pass these beauties, hmmm!.......... embroidered linen, what a score.

Oh! and the braids had to come home with me, they looked lonely on their own.

Next on my hit list was the local thrift store, a purse £3 lighter 2 curtain panels in my bag (these turned out to be danish) and.......

..... retro storage for my bits and bobs.

Ahhh! more jugs for flowers and homemade lemonade.

I know, I'm supposed to be getting rid of stuff, but this is nicer stuff and will never end up in the loft, or will it?

Those 4 wine glasses in the background were supposed to go to the carboot,but one was broken in the storage box, they are very pretty but not very practical, very top heavy with stems that are extremely fine,I'm just too darn clumsy to use anything so delicate.

They were bought as a wedding present 17yrs ago (flipping heck, time flies)we had an accident with the first one back then and to replace it was about £15, we couldn't justify buying a wine glass when we were living in a part gutted house,and now of course they are no longer available. Ah well! they will have to just sit there and look pretty.

Bye for now

Makeover time

2009-09-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have been in a make over mood just lately, the first victim on my hit list is the bland white fridge. My first thought was to spray it with red car paint, but that mean't I had to drag it outside and as I was in a quick fix mood that was a no go. So instead, I found these large mural stickers from the local DIY store, a pair of scissors and an hour later the job was done.
Now it stands out looking pretty, don't ya think?
Next on my list a new larder. Mr D and I found this wardrobe in a secondhand furniture warehouse, it had a bit of damage to the front, that even after repairing it was still noticable, which was a shame but that said if it was perfect it would have been more than the £40 we paid for it.
We removed the mirror and replaced it with a wooden panel, replaced the handles,(they were a bit flimsy) gave it a good sanding and painted it a shade of Eau de nil .

After the assault it looks like this............ more distressed than before I know, I promise it was the look I was going for. What d'ya think?

What do I keep in it? .............home made Jams, chutneys, relishes and pickles hmmmmm!.The inside has the original panels covered in a pretty pink cloth, I have left it for the time being, but I may rummage around Laura Ashley for some bargin £1.50 rolls of wallpaper to replace it, not sure.

Now business news, I am in the process of opening a new shop on etsy, I decided on a name change for my business because I got pretty fed up of explaining that my business name,(Cleverdicki) was a play on my surname (Dickinson) and my ability to make up new things. So any way my new name is ..................

Magpie and Thimble, I love it because it is more in keeping with my passion of sewing and collecting. I hope you'll watch this space for details of my grand opening and please pop on over for a virtual cup of tea, toast and homemade jam.

Speak to ya soon

Hay

Patriotic homemaker

2009-07-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my! I'm at it again, leaving months between post, I can't quite decide why I am not able to find time to blog more often, the will is there but just not the way. I have been a crafty girl honest. Don't believe me? well see for yourself.

My new range of Union Flag cushions, freshly delivered to beehive interiors in Non trad. colours and fabrics. How does tweed tickle your fancy?

All purty in floral pink and green

The reverse has a vintage button closure, none of the buttons match.

Ahh! doen't it look quaint in the window of the stockist?

More trad colours......

My other passion at the moment is this................

Yup! Homemade Eco washing powder, this stuff is Brill, its kind to our skin breaks down easily and I rarely need to use fabric conditioner so savings there, you don't need to use as much.......

plus it's way cheaper than buying manufactured powder. Great all round.

Creative endeavors

2009-05-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

What have I been getting up to in my absence? Well before my vacation I made this smock top in a floral poly cotton. the pattern is this Simplicity 2702, D without the tie front.

I thought this would look quite cute with a pair of shorts. I Also want to make 2 dresses in styles A/B, 1 in a chambray and 1 in a bold floral print, of course when I'll get around to it I'm not sure.

Ahhh! next comes dirty Gertie....... an experimental project I was working on for some Papier mache teaching sessions I was taking at the beginning of the year, in the end I didn't use this process, but I thought you may like her as much as I do. She is loosely based on me as a child in that she.......................... shows her knickers to the boys,

has grazed and scuffed knees and always has her shoes on the wrong feet......................

But unlike me she manages to keep her white dress clean....................................

and her pretty bow stays in her hair...............................................

I also made a impromptu bag for my holidays, based on one I saw in the Desigual range at House of Fraser. Made completely from thrifted fabrics of course, I also used an old belt for the front fastening and the top of the strap.

The main section acts as a flap and has a popper fastening for extra security, under this flap is a full width zippered pocket. On the back is a small zippered pocket for a phone and keys etc...

Just another random pic from our hols, a turtle spotted further up our beach early one morning.

Ta Ta!

2009-05-08T14:33:00.001-07:00

Oh! WOW! I'm sooooo sorry I have been neglecting you all, I'm not quite sure where the time has gone, I kept meaning to post some pics of some of the things i've been making, but could never find the right time to take pics or log on to post, I'm bad aren't I?

Now,I promise I will get around to posting some crafty pics, but for now you'll all have to bare with me while I drone on and bore you all rigid about my FAB! holiday. Just before Easter went on our first time ever BIG! trip abroad with the boys, it was a real big deal flying for the first time, plus I was going to be visiting my sister who was having her wedding ceremony in the garden of our beach rental so it was even more of a big event.

Well I survived the 24hrs of traveling (16hr flight) and BOY oh BOY was it worth it, 4weeks in Paradise hmmmmmmm! I still haven't quite got Oahu out of my system.

The boys killed some coconuts, from the palms in the garden.....................

Found some nut shells, rocks, coral and sea weed.......................

The view from our kitchen window...........................

View from the lounge, lanai, and our bedroom................................

Sunset on our beach................................

Playing around with ember sticks from the fire pit on the beach..........................

Ate out local style...........................

Did a bit of Kayaking....................................

Bet ya! didn't know I could skateboard?

In a nutshell we..............snorkeled, hiked, shopped, surfed, swam, jet skied, played, ate, drank, fished and discovered, the North Shore is a wonderful place, despite the fact our time there was very active and we were tired most nights we arrived home wanting a more active life .We stayed Waialua next to Haleiwa, the pace of life is much slower and it has a kind of behind the times feel to it, which I adored, I truly hope it stays the same for our next visit, because believe it or not we didn't get to see everything.

Hay

Here come the girls

2008-12-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a busy 3 weeks, my colleague Sally convinced me to do a craft fayre this weekend, I haven't done one for 7+ years, so I was partly excited and sceptical, the latter mainly because we were going to be in a marquee and the weather has been FREEZING!!. The morning arrived and the forecast was for rain until midday/ish, they lied, I rained all day and it was very cold, boohoo! needless to say only the customers willing to brave it were avid FoDA supporters, so things were rather quiet and we were very cold.

Mr D ( my assistant for the day) had a stinky cold and I had a sore throat so I decided not to attend today, which was a shame, Becky (the organiser ) was lovely and selected some really talented designer makers, herself included.

So I have lots of nice goodies up for grabs, group shot taken in an old suitcase.

so far I have only managed to list 2 of my new girls on folksy , Millie and Astrid.

Meet Astrid, blonde little lady with felt buns and......

Millie, she has a painted side parted bob. I also need to list my beautiful Angels.. What a serene looking group, don't you think?

Just for show!

2008-11-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

I have (for the moment ) found a new obsession....................screen printing. Not using the college facilities, no, no, no that would be too easy. I have been on a mission to produce crisp prints at home using an inkjet printer, a scanner, cheap acetate, diazo emulsion and an outdoor pir light and would you believe it I managed to create this...........................
...bird screen print on linen, I am pretty chuffed with my results and it was very easy.
The Marsh Tit is a line drawing from my most recent artwork .
The next stage was to make it into a cushion for a friend, so with the addition of fabric from Ikea,vintage buttons and a doilly and hey presto! I must admit I was really tempted to keep it.
I will be printing some more little birds for a bunch of cushions to go into the shop, so watch this space if you want to get your hands on one.

"Hello"

2008-11-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

I'm back in the land of craft! I've not been any where mind you, just an unplanned hiatus, I (like many of you) have had a lot of stuff buzzing around my tiny head.
Several serious and non serious list later, I finally got around to some creating. These cute little brooches are vintage embroidered table runners surrounded by crochet embroidery thread baskets.
These padded brooches were an attempt to use up some of my small scrappy bits, which I can't bear to throw away.

These guys are not so padded and use less fabric.

Brighton, Treats and New Skills

2008-08-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Mr D and I finally managed to get down to Brighton on Tuesday, we gave up waiting for the weather to pick up, we had to pre book our (bargain £12.50 each return) train tickets and the forecast weather had been so unpredictable we took a chance, which turned out to be an overcast but warm one.

We had a nice enough day, but I do think you need the SUN to shine when you're in Brighton, especially when you're wandering around The Lanes with all the wonderful bistros, wine bars and cafes. Anyhoo I managed a few purchases, the vintage Kokeshi dolls, from a brick a brack store.

And some cards, that are destined to be framed.

I really like these monochrome cards, they are prints taken from a printed cloth. I think they are going to find a place in my workroom. Talking about workrooms, I have been having a great time printing my own papers, destined for gift wraps and Journal covers.

Part of the reason for creating my own printed papers was to continue on from a brilliant bookbinding workshop lead by Janine Pope. The first half of the day was spent printing our own papers, cutting and folding folios and assembling sections. After lunch we assembled our books/journals.

The front cover, is suede offcuts and one of my printed papers.

The inside pages, which are made up of printed papers, watercolour papers, old envelopes, sketching paper, pockets, peep holes and what ever else I could lay my eager hands on.

I know what you're thinking, the women's obsessed with circles, just to prove you wrong, here's some squares.

The back cover

Ooops! time for bed, good night all.

Ahhh! craft time

2008-08-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Remember I told you about my Raku session I had coming up? well it rained, no actually it was grey, stormy looking and p***ing it down, but the tutors went ahead, yay!. All the glazing was done in the barn exhibition gallery (no exhibition was on at the time) and when it was relatively dry and quite bizarrely sunny we ventured out to load the kilns.

Some of my work ended up cracking and some I wasn't so happy with the outcomes, so they were discarded, this Raku firing can be a bit hit and miss.

The tall Hoopla vase and the Turquoise and copper bowls I am most pleased with and I am hoping to concentrate on producing ranges of dishes and vases with the same patterns to sell, off course they cannot be identical, as they say in the Raku world 'you can make a sister but not a twin' .

Now I have been working on a secret project which has involved me picking up my paint brushes again, but I have reached a bit of a standstill with the weather being so dark and glum, I prefer to paint in natural daylight and the room I have been using can be a bit the dark , so I have been twiddling my thumbs a bit, Monday I colleague invited me to a Pop-up bookmaking workshop.

Needless to say I said YES PLEASE!!!!

Resulting in the creation of................................

The Circus! pop-up book. The front has been covered using used envelopes and collaged with vintage music sheets/books.

Two of the cut work pop-up pages, also made using vintage song sheets/books.

A folded page book.......

blank waiting for some artwork perhaps?

It was FAB! it was lead by Lizanne Van Essen, first of all she showed us some basic pop-up cutting then some pop-up folds, then we were left to cut, fold and glue to our hearts content.As you can see from above I even made covers for the pages (more pics on my flickr) I knew I'd enjoy it. So much so in fact I continued into the evening cutting into used envelopes I raided from around the house.

Are creative people naturally obsessive when it comes to crafts?

Bye for now

The visit

2008-08-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

Things have been a bit manic around here, All those decorating jobs that we started last month had to be finished.

You see my little sis was visiting us in the UK for her annual hols all the way from, of all places gorgeous Hawaii.

She has brought her two boys Devon and Davis and her lovely future mom in-law Kay. Its been a FUN! couple of weeks so much so I'm not looking forward to waving goodbye this Sunday. I have really missed her being around, because not only is she my sister she was also my shopping/clubbing (well, socializing)/creativity sharing, buddy, also the boys have been getting on like they have never been apart, I'ts really great to see.

That said her being so far away is the reason I started a blog, plus her impending arrival made us get our butts into gear and finish decorating the bathroom and boy what a difference the soft green on the walls, the wood and cane accessories have made, the room feels warm and welcoming, the original wall colour was stone/putty and it always felt cold, brrrr!

Needless to say not much designing/making has been going on, however things are in the pipeline starting with a Raku firing workshop I have booked onto next week. I have only attended one before and I am hooked. To the point where I'm going to make my own Raku kiln in the garden, hey, you would too, it is that addictive .

All these pieces were fired in a Raku kiln, I particularly like the dish below ( now SOLD, woohoo!) the picture doesn't do it justice, the brown band is actually copper in colour and the turquoise is really rich, I'm not sure whats up with the quality of the pics, you'll find more from the firing on my flickr.

Harvesting, Homebaking and Professional Development

2008-07-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Mostly I've been down t'lottment picking cabbages,broadbeans (and yep this is yummy), stawberries (too sweet to last in our house), potatoes and these............................. which I turned into Plot 19 jam which was dying to be dolloped on some homemade scones and clotted cream, and it was delish! even if I have to say so myself.

Gotta go, I have to iron my fuzzy hair flat because I'm off to this wonderful place for a spot off PD.
See ya
x

Cosy Feet

2008-06-10T09:17:00.001-07:00

Finally I have managed to finish some goodies for the shop. Hopefully they will be in there by tomorrow evening. As you can see they are groovy slippers for all you gals that think all footwear should be stylish, even the humble slipper. Anyhoo here is the first number down the Runway...........

is Urban girl is a UK 71/2 - 8 her measurements are 27cm long and 10cm at the widest part of her suede sole. She is dressed casually in dark denim and red and white heart cotton and sports a rather cute handmade shrinky heart button on the side.

Second down the runway is Prairie Girl, she is a UK 5-51/2 her measurements are 24 1/2cm long and 81/2cm at the widest part of her suede sole. She is dressed in a pretty red floral needle cord and red and white gingham and sports a rather dandy blue polka dot bow on the strap.

Lastly we have Country Chic, she is a UK 5-51/2 her measurements are 24 1/2cm long and 81/2cm at the widest part of her suede sole. She is dressed in a Pink, Cream and Green checked upholstery cotton and Green floral, she sports a cute grosgrain bow and vintage green button on the upper.

More pics here and they'll be up in the shop tomorrow and they are $40 + p&p or £20
+ p&p for all you UK peeps.

Thanks for taking the time to look! gotta go I've got pottery tonight and I need to research turning plates on a wheel.

Bye

Well I know he's better because...

2008-06-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

he is back to his usual self, this is a typical conversation with Oli my 15 yr old:

Oli: "Mum, I'm going round Matts, have you seen my jeans belt?"

ME: "Ur, why would I have seen your belt? sigh!, I saw the new ones I brought you on your bedroom floor"

Oli: " I don't want those ones, I want my jeans one"

Me: "Hang on a minute are those jeans from the ironing pile?, take them off you can't go out like that you look a right scruff"

Oli:"yeh! I can, they look ok, anyway I haven't got any other jeans and I'm gonna be late"

Me: "Oh I think they do, get the ironing board out and i'll iron them for you"

Oli: "Aargh, I haven't got time"

Me: "Well put it his way, no irony trousers, no going outy, your choice"

The slave equipment is reluctantly set up.

Oli: "I'm going to be late"

Me: "I'll be minutes, anyway what time are you supposed to be there"

Oli: "I dunno"

Me: "Aaaargh"!!

PS I'm feeling much better too, no sign of the Quinsy.

Thank you!!

2008-05-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

to all you lovely peeps who crossed their fingers and wished the evil Glandular Fever away, because I haven't been infected, too 'old' apparently, it's a teen thing. Thant said I don't think you where crossing your fingers hard enough because this morning Gorgeous Doc James announced I have chronic Pharyngitis and he's a bit concerned because one side of my throat is so bad he is concerned the penicillin may not work and I could end up with Quinsy. Did you check the link out? well all I can say is there is no way that is going to happen, this lurghie's days are numbered.
X

BAD BAD MAY!

2008-05-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well I became another year older on 21st May and decided to forget about getting older and concentrate on getting fitter and hopefully losing a couple of stones in the process, however, things have gone from bad to worse, let me enlighten you ( I'd go and get a cup of tea and get comfy if I were you).
Son no. 2 (Oli ) was feeling unwell with a sore throat, high temperature, lethargy (although I wouldn't have noticed this ailment unless he told me, lol) and swollen glands in his neck, groin and armpits and what's the diagnosis?..............Glandular Fever...yup! the kissing disease, caught by ingesting saliva from a infected person, that said he probably got it from sharing his drink. He has to take it easy and avoid contact sports because his spleen is delicate and could rupture, so as you can imagine he has been very unwell and could be for another few weeks or even months, my poor baby, how to embarrass your (nearly) 15year old son ha!ha!
As for me, as I type I have the most horrendous sore throat, swollen neck glands and I must admit to feeling more than a bit under the weather. I DO NOT WANT GLANDULAR FEVER!!!! Hey, if I shout it may not happen. I wouldn't mind if I caught it snogging Johnny Depp, at least I'd have that memory to hang on to, right?
So I am calling a war with my throat and fighting back with my essential oils. I've made myself an antibacterial mouth spray and a Niaouli and honey linctus in a bid to exorcise the evil bacteria, wish me luck!
Now I did manage to get a bit of sewing done during the brief week of full health and I hope to get the into my shop soon, can you guess what they are?

Speak to you soon
x

What a month!

2008-05-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Boy, have I had an eventful month!! As you know we went on a weeks holiday, which was nice and restful for me and Mr D, the boys had a fun time, so much so I now have to find a local Archery club, they have caught the bows and arrows bug.

Anyway, I had just a slight tooth ache towards the end of our week, which is nothing unusual for me as I have a sinus close to my tooth root and this occasionally causes a tooth ache sensation. However when it got to the point when I was climbing the wall I decided a trip to the dentist needed to be booked. He peered and poked and x-rayed and announced I had an abscess, (with no swelling present I hoped it would be nipped in the bud) so I cheerfully left the surgery with a weeks worth of Antibiotics. Aaaaaaargh!!! how wrong can you be? the pain was horrendous (can't think of a more painful word) night and day, on and on, then just to add insult to injury my face swelled up like a hamster storing food.

Now you'd think this would be the end of my misery wouldn't you? well no it wasn't, in an attempt to console No1.Son (who had earlier had a barney with his girlfriend) he accidentally clubbed me across the forehead with a lump of tree (don't ask), so then I had a nice bloody (no I'm not swearing, I mean the red stuff) graze above one of my eyebrows.

What pain is worse a £75 extraction (as tooth is too near a sinus and it could cause future problems) or a £600 root canal and crown, I choose the first option and had the work done 2 weeks ago, but it is still giving me problems because I apparently have 'dry socket' (Google it if you've never heard of it) so I am sitting here still in pain, Oh! and just to round things of nicely AUNTIE IRMA is visiting and I'm feeling more like this:

On a high note I must give a belated THANK YOU! to Katy, we arranged a swap and her parcel arrived 2wks ago and brought a smile (well I would have if I could have) to my face.

Hello Tallulah! and check out those lovely fabrics, gorgeous.

Time for a break!

2008-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Just look at this wonderful swap parcel I received from Kristy, isn't it fab! lots of vintage goodness. I have got plans already for the fabric.

Tomorrow (Monday) we are taking a break from the usual life as we know it and taking ourselves off to Somerset for the week.

Notice I said taking a break I was very careful not to say rest, because as all you keepers of little people ( believe me even at 10,14 & 16 they do not change) know you it's almost impossible have rest, peace and quite on holiday, especially in the evenings cue our plan for the week and before you ask we don't have a drink problem, bad weather and bored children leads to cabin fever.

Step 1 To face the day first drink enough (one glass should suffice) scrumpy (wine for the lady, scrumpy smells yukky) to induce that 'everything is funny', "lalalala I can't hear you", "I feel so relaxed", "we have the most wonderful children in the world", frame of mind.

Step 2 Take them for a hike/ramble.

Step 3 Next take them to the fun pool watch them (from the spectators pit) try to compete with each other in trying to see how many times they can go down the fun slide for an hour and a half.

Step 4 Feed them stodgy sleep inducing food (no sugary fizzy pops or caffine allowed), finish them off with hot chocolates.

Step 5 Ahhh! evenings to ourselves.

Well I can dream can't I. Is it illegal to give your children sleeping tablets lol

Wish me luck! speak to you in a weeks time.

Little characters

2008-03-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Well the first batch of Koachi critters are ready to be sent over to my shop, they should be there by later tonight. I decided to use soft stretchy fabrics for their bodies and in doing so they have ended up with slightly different waistlines.

For instance meet Celia, she is a delicate cute little thing, she likes a nice tea party with china cups and saucers, aah! butter wouldn't melt.

Then there was Libby, do not make the mistake of calling her Elizabeth, Eating chocolate and climbing trees (pref. at the same time) are her hobbies.

Now what can I say about Hector! Cuddly, lovable and cheeky, but just be warned, keep your pantry door locked!

There is someone missing from the group, Hamish! just as soon as I can catch him he will also be up for adoption in the shop. a word of warning first though he is a mischievous thing and likes nothing more than taking pictures with your camera, so keep it out of reach.

Too late!

Gettin down and dirty

2008-03-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Once a week since January I have been getting down and dirty and these sessions have been lasting for 2 hours at a time, the euphoric feeling I get most weeks is something I look forward to, now Tuesdays have a special meaning to me. The anticipation gets too much sometimes and I spend most of the weekend on a complete high!! Ooooo! I'm getting collywobbles thinking about it now. I seem to spend my spare time looking for techniques on Google, you tube, books, etc. yup I'm a dirty, dirty girl and you know? I don't think I can stop.................................stop throwing on the wheel that is! look what I threw on my first attempt...................bowls!!! everyone needs bowls right, I so glad they didn't turn out like ash trays.

2 weeks later I am playing with shapes.......................These vessels have been covered in slip.

5 weeks later we have a fruit bowl yay! The other week i found myself looking on ebay for secondhand electric wheels, the little voice in my head was saying buy it....buy it... but I was strong and booked a weeks holiday instead, well at least everyone can enjoy the holiday, right?

At last the designs (well three of them) that have been swimming around my head for the last 6 months have come to life. So now available in my shop are Matryoshka doorstops perfect for holding that door open while you're carrying a tray of tea and cakes................

next is a cutie coin purses for all that loose change...............

and of course every girl loves a cosmetic bag.

All in all I am pleased with how they have turned out, I have four Koachis' to list, yes they now have a species name , a made up from other animals names, can you guess which ones. I also have some owl doorstops and market bags cut out waiting to be assembled, I am hoping to get those made up over Easter, oh and make a nice scarf for my mum for her birthday on Sunday. I'd better get going then.... speak to you soon x

Been busy doing................

2008-03-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

things. Such as gifts for Annette the mega helpful, lovely temp, who , sadly came to the end of her contract...boohoo! she kept me sane for the last 5 months so I'll expect to slowly go over the edge in the coming weeks, twitch, twitch!! Any way gift no. 1 is a cotton and tweed scarf.

Gift no.2 is a card I made featuring one of my new doodle characters Gertie, today she is Gertie Clover and wanted to wish Annette goodluck in her new job. I have been working on Gertie over the last several weeks, I am pleased with how she turned out.

And for my last flurrie of creativity I organised an ATC swap at work, the theme was flora and fauna. I'm not sure if you can see the paint effect in the backgrounds, I totally got into the zone and painted, layered, stamped and ripped with wild abandon.

I must admit the first two are pretty obvious, (can you guess which two) I always find when I start a new project I get better as I go along, tell me i'm normal, well ok! that may be difficult for you to confirm, but at least tell me I'm not alone.

All the names went into the ............................

2008-03-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

cosmetic bag.

And selected at random by Tyler and the winner is.....................

Congatulations Celeste, drop me a line to let me know your address and Ruby will be winging her way to you.

2nd Blogversary Giveaway!!

2008-02-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yup! it's true it my 2nd blogversary, well with Blogger that is. Anyway to celebrate and to thank all you kind readers, I thought I would have my first giveaway (as mentioned in my last post).

Now Ruby is a quiet little lady would love to find a home where she will be loved and cared for, If you think you can give Ruby a happy home and family life please leave a comment and the name of the winner will be picked from a hat, or it may have to be a bucket (scraped of the debris of course) from the bottom of the garden and no! this is not just my way of getting you to comment, honest. lol

Well I've deliberated and cogitated and.........

2008-02-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

decided I can't be ars** to move to typepad or wordpress or any other blog hosting service for that matter, plus if I said too many eggs in one basket i'm sure all you readers know what I mean, I think the phrase 'going off at a tangent' was made for me .
The problem with me is I love to hear other peoples opinions about my creations, especially as my main critic/fan/artistic creator and taste twin, my sister, has been 20hrs away residing in Hawaii for the last 7 years (wow has it been that long?) , actually sis thats no excuse, why aren't you leaving comments?
OK ,so now I am happy with my home here at blogger lets get down to business. Two swap packages have been sent off today, these are the tease pictures, I wonder if you two gals can guess which are yours?

Remember Alfie? well he had a brother Harvey (now with his new owner) and sisters........

........Flossie ( she also has a new home), and.....................................

....Ruby, who sadly wasn't adopted . If I have tempted you with Ruby please watch this space next week, I feel a giveaway coming on.

Well, it's nearly the end of the week and my (no longer little) darlings go back to school next week, ahh! peace at last!! And not before time, son no.2 has taken root on a chair in front the TV with a gaming controller in his hand. I suppose i'd better go and vacumn the cobwebs off and make sure he still has use of his legs, arms, mouth, although I wouldn't notice a difference with the latter, he already lost the power of articulate speech several years ago, we just get various tones of grunting, reminds me of when he was a toddler learning to speak lol.

And just in case you are wondering we have well gone past the "It's not fair", "your not my parents", " you can't make me do it" and the 'I can and will annoy everyone hyperactive tazmian devil' and the best of all 'listen to the variety of noises I can make with my mouth, armpits, hands etc', stages. A mothers love has no bounds.

Quite bizzarely he is 'gifted' one of the family, Ahh well, thing can only get better......please say it's so!

Should I stay or should I go?

2008-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

I have been having a bit of a dilemma just of late with regards to blogging, should I jump ship or stay?
Now I know I have a few regular readers who tend to post comments, which I am totally grateful for,( its great to get feedback from someone other than my hubby and boys) however I recently checked my stats I have a lot more visitors than I thought.
So it got me thinking, as there has been a bit of an exodus from Blogger just lately I wondered if there was a problem with other non Blogger users leaving comments? Can anyone shed some light?

Now for some creative shenanigans. A work colleague had a baby boy 2 weeks ago, of course I had to make something for the little lamb. After several pages of sketching, chopping and frenzied sewing, I would like to introduce to you ....Alfie

Lovingly made from thrift ed materials, I wouldn't mind a pair of PJs from that brushed cotton, hmmm! nice and soft. We sent him of with his introduction card tied on so he doesn't loose it. We really wanted him to stay but he needs to be around other toys, as his adoption certificate says, "I simply love to sit with other toys and watch the world go by"

A shrinky tag completes the parcel. Bye Bye Alfie!

On a much cheerful go and have a look at this cheeky little man http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ALIL7T764&feature=related that baby's got talent, what a little actor .LOL!

Heads up!!

2008-01-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

During the Christmas holidays I started a new project. Here's part of the production line, not sure if it is a bit freaky having a tray of heads?

The ladies looking very coy!

More pics once they're complete. x

Goodbye 2007

2008-01-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

Down came the tree and garland with its twinkling lights, down came the string of birds that watched over the festive cooking.

Down came the wall of snowflakes and the fairy lights.....................
that lit the soft trees and Scandinavian houses.

Away with the bell trimmed tree and the white felt place mats and.....................

My favorite red felt garland which I was tempted to keep up, wouldn't you?

just look how lovely it is............ It was absolute steal at £3 per length, every time I look at it I have to smile, so I wanted to leave it up until I found................................................

These two fab mats. This one is a large place mat, just look at the detail, it makes me feel quite summery, I restricted myself to three, although I am now thinking I should have got some more as It would look pretty cool framed.

And this is a coaster size mat, which I have three of and I will definitely frame.

Well we had a wonderful Christmas day just my family unit, as a matter of fact it was the first Christmas in about 7 years it has just been Mr D and I and the boys. We (as in me) didn't rush around like headless chickens and get stressy, I didn't leave the stuffing in the oven and find it later on when warming up sausage rolls, I didn't have to get the odour police in because I had overcooked the brussel sprouts, No! all went smoothly and we had a great family day.

I would like to wish you all Happy New Year and hope you have the Best Year Yet!!!

Ta ta! for now.

Tis the season to be jolly!!

2007-12-16T10:22:00.000-08:00

Oh my! how long has it been since my last post? too long I think. I have not spent the time procrastinating honestly!! We have had illness and recuperation in the Dickinson household not to mention the making of stock for a local Interior design shop and to take into work. Some of you may have seen my Matryoshka softies, which have undergone a transformation.....

I also made these mini versions, which have been selling like the proverbial 'hot cakes'..

Take a closer peek!!

Bit late (for all you non UK bloggers) I know, but If I have any left over I can post them up for sale on my blog on Tuesday and post them out first class in time for Christmas. Please leave a comment if you are interested. Merry Christmas to one and all,ta ta! for now.

xxx

A grin bigger than a cheshire cats!

2007-10-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

During the half term hols we decided to have a day out in Cambridge, I was a bit disappointed things have certainly changed since my last visit 18yrs ago, also I was starting to go into withdrawal at the lack of bargains. Then my mince pies (eyes to all you not versed in rhyming slang) clapped on this little lot......................................

Well I very nearly had a fit when I saw the price, £15 the lot, yup the whole caboodle, now you know why I had a grin as big as a Cheshire cat!

I have a terrible memory for birthdays, so when my friend rang me on Thursday to invite me over for a 'bit of a do' on Saturday for her 40th,I had to scramble around to make her some homemade goodness.

A scarf to keep her neck from weathering, I mean keep her neck warm.

Simple floral doodle art.

Yeh I know I said I was going to stop, but it made me do it! They're just so addictive.

And finally the card, I think these doodles are going to be addictive as well. Sorry about the uninspiring picture, I was still making the gift bag and gluing in the card insert minutes before I left the house.

Ta ta for now!

It's not contagious, I think?

2007-10-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

I finally got rid of the germs I had been harbouring, however while I was laid up and feeling extremely sorry for myself I somehow managed to succumb to an extremely contagious itis.

The symptoms manifested themselves after a sketchbook, a drawing pen and the latest Habitat catalogue were left beside the bed. And what was this highly contagious oops! sorry, non contagious itis?.............................doodleitis...... and boy has it got me bad!! See here's the evidence!

and here! I just couldn't help myself, I may have to seek professional help, what do ya think?

Still, it did inspire me to get creating, and just to prove it, here are some scarves I dropped off to a local interior design/gift shop.

Ooops lost my rosette making ability.

Ahh bit better.

That's more like it.

Oh and remember those mystery objects from my Sept 21st post? , ta! da! my new tags, what d'ya think?
Oh! and meet the girls all lined up for a mug shot. And I am happy to say several sets have been ordered for the interior shop. I shall also be adding them to my range, but I just need to do a bit of tweaking here and there first.

Better go, I need to finish off another doodle, last one, honest and I will seek help I promise.. he he.

The Lurghie

2007-10-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Yup! I have contracted the dreaded lurghie thats doing the rounds. I need to get rid of it pretty quick as I'm of to The Stitcing and Knitting Show at Ally Pally on Friday and everyone knows you need a clear head to indulge in a shopping spree!

Well I'm off to my warm bed so i'll leave you with a funny video I have just found, yeah I know you are not supposed to laugh at foul mouthed toddlers but I couldn't help it.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74

Sorry! brain ain't working you'll have to make do with the link!

It's treat time, without the trick!

2007-10-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

Now, I find Nigella extremely irritating to watch, however, I noticed via other blogs she has some delicious recipes so I persevered this week and watched. I had to sit through her chomping noodles on a bus, sipping pea soup in the park, on a bus, and in a taxi, whilst managing to look smug!! Then finally came this gem! Hokey Pokey! My kids L-O-V-E! Honeycomb so I just had to try it out. 'Golly gosh batman' it's deeeelish! I think this is going to have to be a regular sweet treat.

I have been trying out more soft dolls, this time with grown ups in mind, I'd like to introduce Mabel, she is a bit of a deep thinker and likes to lie on the grass staring at the clouds.

This is Etta, I'm not sure why she is looking so angry, but she likes to boss Mabel about.

..........and now for the Thrift News! A rather cute wooden kittty baby toy was discovered lost and needing a new home, a kind couple stepped in and adopted him (for a princely some of £2), he is now enjoying the company of his two momeji step sisters.

..This has to be the bargain of the century, it cost just £1.

In its own case, which need a little bit of TLC, perhaps re-coverd ala Pixiegenne styley!

If you have keen eyesight you UK watchers may have noticed it isn't a QWERTY keyboard, I have managed to find out it is an Italian model, Ah well! it'll make it more challenging for my brain, which is a good thing right?

It's ECO baby, yeah!

2007-09-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

A work colleage had a beautiful baby girl Mia, just in time for one of my new 'Baby Goes Eco' range. Snip snip, chop chop, sew sew! the end result!

A retro dress, bib and new shooos!

I am knocked out about how they have turned out, the dress top was a t-shirt and the skirt a pillowcase and as for the shoes, I made three mock ups before this final pair and I am chuffed with the end result.

Soft and snuggly is how I would describe the reverse side of the bib and if the thrifted t-shirt I used would have fitted me (would have just about got my head in it) it would be on my back right now.

Say "hello" to Flo, she is my first soft doll for babies and tots. I will be adding her as part of my new range in varying sizes. My inspiration for her came from soft doll skittles from an old 60s soft toy book, my matryoshka dolls and from this wonderfully talented blogger.

A cheeky butt shot.

What do we have here?

2007-09-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I took along some samples of my wares to the interior design shop and she has ordered some of my current bags and a selection from my new range including my butterfly collages. As promised here are sneaky peeks of some of my new range.

I have loved doing the hand stitching.

can you guess what it is yet?

What can these be?

Oooops! we are still in L-O-V-E

2007-09-16T00:43:00.000-07:00

I don't quite know how, but Mr D and I forgot our Wedding Anniversary on the 31st August! How the heck did that happen? We have been married for 17 years, however we have been together as a couple for 22 years and we have always celebrated in some way, even if it was just a card or a small gift or even a meal by candlelight at home while the boys watched a movie in another room.

I just cannot believe I forgot, I only remembered two days ago. Does that mean we are no longer in love? or are we turning into an old forgetful couple?

So I would just like to say to Mr D, I DO LOVE YOU, even after 17 years of your: leaving shoes and smelly socks in the lounge, buying me flowers from the petrol station, asking me where things are, even the tools in your shed.Yeah I still love you Mr D xxxxxx

So now that's over, I'll bid you all a goodbye, I'm off to drag the old man round a car boot. Ta! Ta!

Thrifty goodness!

2007-09-07T12:29:00.001-07:00

Just a quickie thrift haul post today, I've got tons of things on my 'to do' list all because of an errand.
I popped into town last week on a mission to find old tatty door hooks so I can take photos of my bags hanging against a flat wall. Well I started with the charity shops but drew a big fat blank, however strolling pass the window of the towns interior design/lush home accessories store,

I noticed they had some shabby chic style ones. Well, what was I to do but pop in for a browse (for the first time ever, it always looked to chic for my purse strings) and to ask if they could order anything more tatty than shabby.

So in her efforts to try to source the sort of thing I wanted, she asked the purpose and when I told her what I did and showed her my bag ( I always use/wear my own creations) she practically begged me to bring some stock in for her to sell in her most gorgeous shop.

Well I was on cloud 9, and hence I am working on (designs going back a year or two) a new range. So as you can imagine I am a bit busy just now, so I'll keep you updated with my new range, ta ta for now.

PRESERVE FABRIC BUTTERFLIES

2007-08-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Not many people know this but I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to butterflies, Yeh! I know they are pretty and look delicate when they flutter about, however have you ever seen one close up? eeeeeek! They are pretty scary with their hairy, and I mean HAIRY!!!! ugly bodies....and... the colours on their wings come off if touched, not to mention the fluttering...shudder!!!

Anyway I decided as a therapy I would make a specimen box to show my favorite fabrics and despite the fact I hate the blighters I do love their varying wing shapes and felt they would work, I hope you all agree.

YOU WILL NEED

3D Frame

Ruler + Quilters rule

Stiffy (fabric stiffener)

3D Foam Pads

Fabric Scraps

Pencil

Scalpel

Glue Brush

Paper scissors + Small Fabric Scissors

Butterfly pictures

Tracing paper (optional)

+

Wax Paper, Mountboard or Thick Card in your chosed background colour.

Photocopy your selected butterflies, you can trace or draw freehand, (depends if your lazy like me) then cut them out.

Cut your butterflies in half, you will see why later.

The fun but difficult task of selecting your fabrics, blues and greens are my weapons of choice. I did use scraps honest,I only used these larger pieces for the benefit of the photo.

Place a butterfly on the fold (right sides together) of fabric and using a pencil draw around the edge, now pin to secure together as it makes it easier to cut out. Remember to cut along the inside edge as the pencil marks will show through once you have coated them with the Stiffy.

All nicely cut out.

(Optional) Using some old card or several cereal boxes make up an angled former, this is for your butterflies to rest on so they will have a 'lively' look, the angle is up to you, I think mine is about 45deg. The length depends on the size of your butterflies.

Tape your wax paper over your former and onto the table, (see below) then tape the whole lot down to stop it from moving. Using the centre groove as a placement guide for the body, place a butterfly onto the wax paper and give it a generous coating of Stiffy, remove any residue. Repeat with the rest.

All done and waiting to dry.

Cut a piece of card or mount the same size as the frame backing board. Now you need to mark out your mount points by arranging your butterflies, I was happy with the centres 3" apart, I first found the centre point of the card and worked from there. Sorry the quality of this picture isn't the best.

If your foam 3d pads are not high enough you may want to double them up as I have.

Once your buterflies have fully dried, carefully peel them off the wax paper, you may need to trim any frayed edges, peel of the papers of the 3d foam and stick the butterflies in place. Your mounted butterflies should look something like this.

That's it, time to frame up, now stand back and admire your collection.

If you are hoping to make your own collection, let me know as I'm thinking of creating a flickr group so we can share our creations, please leave a comment.

Distraction

2007-08-22T05:36:00.001-07:00

Supposed to be working on another tutorial for using up all those fabric scraps you can't bear to part with. But I'm getting a bit distracted by...............................................

watercolours, I'm taking the blob it on approach.

Promise I will get the tut. done soon, I'm just waiting for some decent light around here. Rumour has it its going to be brighter on Friday, I won't hold my breath.

Right must get on.... now where's that paint brush, I mean fabric scraps.

New togs

2007-08-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

Well we're off tomorrow for another camping holiday, this time we're heading to Derbyshire and get this, we are going to be walking, oh yes! I have the hiking/walking bug, doing it all proper this time I've got myself some walking boots, a snazzy waterproof crag hoppers jacket and a walking pole, so I'm all kitted out, let me at them hills.

But before I go I would like to leave you with some pics of a couple of items I have made for the trip. ~First one up is this number, which is a copy of my most fave dress, you know the the first item of clothing you get out every summer cos it fits like a glove and can be dressed up of down.

Hmmm! its looking pretty flat and shapeless in this picture.

Ahhhh! that's better, can't wait to wear it. Now for the close up.

You can tell I'm not to happy with this top, I like the style, just not the choice of fabric.
That's all folks, see ya when I get back!

Oh! nearly forgot, the latest thrift haul.

We're back!

2007-07-31T09:04:00.001-07:00

Phew! what a week, glad to be back due to the lack of dry weather, however not so glad we didn't get to see much of Wales! We had a great pitch though with FAB! views,

Gorgeous, a lovely sight first thing in the morning on the way back from the showers. Across the fields we had a daily evening show from a pair of Red kites looking for their next meal. At the first sign of a dry day we decided to go for an hour and a half walk to New Quay, its supposed to be a fairly easy walk with stunning views.

The walkers getting ready to set off full of excitement .

One field later we look back at the pretty scenery, this is great, I really think I can get into this, hmmm gets me thinking about booking a walking holiday .

Of course a trip to Wales wouldn't be complete without encountering sheep! Bit of a poser this one.

What are Ewe looking at?

I think they were glad to see the back of the boys after their terrible sheep impressions.
The views are still keeping us going, how picturesque are those hillside cottages, worth the slippery woodland we are currently negotiating. Oh I feel so energetic, so...... happy! So.....

........OK! You can strike happy and energetic, I've changed my mind, I'm well and truly KNACKERED!!!, we have been walking for an hour and three quarters (remember this was an hour and a half walk) I don't want to sound whingey but this is the third LARGE!! steep hill we have climbed, the previous two being slippery and muddy. Did I mention we are now walking along the cliff top via more muddy, wet and rocky paths, my arms have been scratched by brambles and gorse and just look at my shoes!.
They are walking footwear, honest, this is turning out to be more of a HIKE! Oh! and we have just found out we have another hour and a half at least to go!! I'm not a lightweight honest!

Oooooooh! just how high are we? I want my mummy!!

Stunning but scary at the same time, no not me, the view.

Nearly two hours later with my sore hips and ankles and feeling totally exhausted, the boys with muddy shoes and legs and us all looking like poor relatives , we arrive at this view....................I've forgotten the walk already.

Ahhhhh! beautiful, now for some therapy........

Yum! locally caught fish with a pile of chips, with full tums we went onto the beach to cool our feet and found this hilarious rock...........

SAUCY!!!!!!

Bye for now and thanks for reading, I have some holiday thrift finds to show later this week.

Break time!

2007-07-20T01:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all, just a quick post to say I'll be away for a much needed break until the 31st July, bye for now I'm outta here x.

Things to make me happy!

2007-07-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share with you all some things that are making me happy at the moment.

These two pictures make me a very very very happy mummy and BIG time proud, my eldest all dressed up for his prom. A budding James Bond I think, but then I am a bit biased.

sniff! sniff! I feel rather emotional.
Something that definitely does not make me happy is when my tumble dryer decides to burn(broken drive belt) my favourite Egyptian cotton bedding, boooo! hoooo! But it makes me happy to replace them with these hmmmmmm!

The spotty pillowcases, I also have the fitted sheet to match, the paisley in the background is a flat sheet. Check out the gorgeous woven bands how lush are they?

The quilt cover, has a slightly bohemian edge which I just LOVE! I nearly did a back flip when I saw them.

The picture that sold the range to me, hmm! I wonder where I can get that bed from? and that chair, the fabric the bag is made out of is gorgeous as well.

A while back when on a grocery trip I bought a copy of the supermarkets food magazine, you know the sort that's supposed to make you buy more food, sorry I mean the sort that inspires you to make wonderful new concoctions, well anyhow I have only just managed to find time to flick through it, and WOW! I was completely distracted by these wonderful illustrations!

Aren't they great?

I haven't forgotten its a food magazine and of course its packed full of gorgeous recipes, too many to show, but I would just like to leave you with this, yummy picture, the real thing is going to find its way into my tum this weekend.

Followed closely by this hmmmmmm!

My mouth is watering!

Glazed over with pride!

2007-06-29T03:19:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this little guy?

Here he is all dressed in a fine coat of green glaze!

I am really pleased with how he turned out, so much so, I am going to make a few more in varying sizes.

Here is another visual treat for you all, gorgeous lemon biscuits. At the college we have been setting up our annual Art & Design exhibition and its obligatory to have a coffee (I'm a tea drinker) break at the nearest Costa coffee, while queuing I was admiring the various cakes and cookies, suddenly I heard angels! my heart thumped and my mouth watered when I clapped my beadies on a large plate of Lemon Linzers, and boy! where the gorgeous! I couldn't stop thinking about them, so I made my versions. Dead simple too, shortbread cut into circles, dab a small amount of lemon curd, plonk on the top (minus its centre) dollop another spoon of lemon curd in the centre, hmmmmmmm! delish.

SHOP UPDATE

I shall be updating my shop with these goodies over the weekend.

The first of many

2007-06-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well here it is my first tutorial, phew! it turned out to be quite an epic, although this is the condensed version so please be gentle with me if you spot any mistakes ( i think more sewing action photos would enhance it a bit more?). One thing I have learnt whilst working on this particular tutorial is that it is much easier to instruct verbally person to person than it is via written form (now I know why all instruction manuals are as beefy as War & Peace). Anyhoo I hope you don't have any problems and find it all pretty straight forward. ENJOY!

Fold-away Tote

This roomy strong shopping tote folds into its own pocket. The pocket is a decent size so you can use it while you are shopping, but you can make it as deep as you like. Because the bag has been made using French seams it is very strong so you can make it out of your favourite lightweight fabric to make it even more compact.

You will need:
Fabric
Interfacing (lightweight)2 Buttons

Just in case my pics are not clear enough the measurements are as folls:

(To work in inches divide measurements by 2.54)

Pockets: 18 x 17cms cut 2, add interfacing to one side as shown.

Flaps: 16.5 x 9.5cms cut 2, add interfacing to one side as shown.

Facing: 83.5 x 7 cms, cut 1

Handles: 12 x 45cm cut 2, add interfacings 5 x 45cm as shown.

You can adjust the length, as I have 'Andre the Giant' length arms I like my handles short.

The bag measures 44 x 43cm you also need to cut out a 5cm x 5cm square from the bottom corners of the bag.

Handle

With handle pieces right sides together fold in half lengthways and stitch 1cm seam. Trim seam allowance turn right side out and press seam flat. Topstitch down both long edges. With tailors chalk measure and mark a guide line 2cm from raw edges Pic 6 top and bottom on one side (wrong side) of each handle.

Flap

With right sides together stitch pocket flaps together with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a gap along the top edge for turning. Trim allowance clip corners and curves Pic 3

Turn and press. Top stitch opening edge of flap, find centre and using button as a guide mark the button hole, stitch. Pic 4

Pocket

With right sides together stitch pockets together leaving a gap along the bottom edge for turning, trim seam allowances and clip corners Pic 3 (see above). Turn right side out and press, then top stitch along the top of the pocket. Pic 4 (see above)

Attaching pocket and Flap
Find the centre of the top edges of the pocket and bag front, matching centres (approx half way up) pin pocket to the bag and double stitch enclosing the turning gap but leaving the top over stitched edge open. Pin flap above pocket Pic 5 and double stitch along the top edge enclosing the open gap.

Attaching the handles

For front and back of bag, place handles 3cm either side of centre and lining up the chalk marks with the top edge of the bag Pic 6

For the front, make sure the handles are just inside the outside edge of the pocket Pic 7, Zigzag stitch in place along the top edge of the bag.

Sewing bag together with French seams

With wrong sides together stitch a 5mm seam down both sides and along the bottom edge Pic 8, Press seams to one side, turn right side out and enclosing the raw edges and press seams again, the right sides of your bag should be together. Now stitch down both sides and the bottom edge again encasing raw edges Pic 8 If you are using a very lightweight fabric I suggest stitching again. Press bottom seam to one side and pin in place.

Gusset
With wrong sides together match bottom/side French seams Pic 9 (watch your seams are not overlapping and are laying in opposite directions)

Stitch a 5mm seam straight across Pic10.

turn press and stitch again enclosing raw edges. Pic11

Facing
Using a 1cm seam allowance stitch short edges of facing together. Press a 1.5cm hem to the wrong side along one edge Pic 12
With the bag and facing right sides together and matching the facing seam to one of the side seams on the bag pin then stitch 1cm from raw edge, it might be a good idea to double stitch here. Press seam open now fold facing to the inside of the bag (wrong sides together) pin in place. Stitch along the top edge of the bag then stitch facing to the bag sewing close to the edge of the facing, stitch another row inside the first. Pic13

Finishing touches
Locate handles inside facing and on the outside stitch a V or X for added strength. Using buttonhole as a guide mark button placement on the outside of pocket only and sew on button. Now FOLD BAG (see below) with the bag in its pocket mark the second button placement, sew button in place.

And there you have it!

Folding your fab! new tote

New Home

2007-06-01T02:33:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to my new home! a new blog and a fresh start.

Q: Why Sew-eco?

A:Well Sew-eco is the name I use for my recycling sewing workshops and as I use mainly vintage and thrifted fabrics and notions for my own sewing endeavours the name seemed very apt, plus there is only so many names I can remember.

Q: What are you going to post about?

A: Ah! this is the fun bit, this little ole blog is going to be a hub of activity, i shall be posting tutorials on recycling thrifted fabrics, bedding etc. into fab new items. Reconstructing and revamping clothing. Also I will be keeping you updated with new cleverdicki items before they go into my shop plus I shall still be showing you my crafty/cooking endeavours, so there will be plenty of action.

Q: How often are you going to be posting?

A: General and shop update post will be twice weekly, tutorials will be fortnightly.

So there you have it, any questions? please ask, thank you for visiting and don't for get to say hello.