Wednesday 30 November 2011

November Solids-Only Tote Challenge Entry

Yes, I will say it....better late than never....
My tote for the Solids Only Tote Challenge for the month of November is finished! And I managed to get a couple of -quite attrocious-  pictures, before the light disappeared, to prove it....





It's not exactly what I had in mind when I started, but I almost always let the bag take me where it will, whether it's sketched on paper or not.



A close-up of the appliqued leaves.



I'll get some new pictures as soon as I can.



But you get the idea....





Linked to:


DIY - Easy Lavender-filled Christmas Tree Brooch Tutorial





I remember seeing my first little Christmas Tree Brooch on the internet a couple of years ago. To someone who adores Christmas the way I do it was the prettiest little thing imaginable....



Here's my version of it. A very simple version for even an absolute beginner to ace.



Here goes:




1. Play around with the shape you want your tree to have. When you're happy with it cut out a stencil that you will use if making more than one.
 Trace as many little trees as you want onto your fabric. I'm using a very thick velour-like material that doesn't fray but felt would also be great. Basicaly any material that doesn't fray can be used for the top of the trees.




2. Then cut your trees out.





3. Put them onto the backing fabric -I chose a thick, dark denim- and sew the trees on it with some space in-between.




4. Then cut them out.
In the picture you can see I've left some denim edges peek out. The idea was to have them fray gently and work as an extra pop, to emphasize the shape of the tree. However, this didn't go according to plan as the denim had other ideas and frayed terribly, so after step 6 you will not see it any more as I cut all the denim edges of and I'm much happier with the original tree shape, unadorned and uncluttered.
If you decide you like the edges keep them, if not cut the two sides clean (and perhaps leave some extra fabric at the bottom to make step 6 easier).



5. Stuff them with lavender -or even stuffing if you don't like lavender or you just don't have any close at hand.
Use the best, freshest lavender you can find so that the revitalizing smell and all it's therapeutic properties follow you around all day.



6. Sew the bottom closed.
Make sure you start your stitching about an inch on the one side and take it all the way to the other side and about another inch up that side. You don't want the stitches to come undone and have all that lovely lavender spill out.



This is what the tree looks like after I cut of the denim edges.



7. Attach pin back of your choice.
The Lavender-filled Christmas Tree Brooch is now ready to wear!
Or to give.
I've made quite a few of these that I plan to give out as little Christmas gifts this year.
I've also put a couple in the shop.




Linked to:

Monday 28 November 2011

Monday Moodboard - Winter Browns







Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day. Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.

Friday 25 November 2011

My Creative Space - Wristlet Pouches

Amongst a million other things that seem to be on my worktable, I finally made my first ever pouches!


They've been on my list of things to do for ever....




So it was fortuitous that someone ordered one and of course I got carried away and got to make more.



Maybe you noticed the heart stolen from the Lavender-filled Heart Brooch.



They were lots of fun to make and I'll definately be making more when this Christmas rush is over and I have the time to breathe...




The litttle handles were actualy cut up from hanles I had made for the kid's Duck Bags a while ago.



This one is mine and as large as a pencil case but I use it for the little bag I carry around when I don't want to carry a bag. I put my keys, purse and mobile in it and I'm good to go. The handle makes it extremely practical as it dangles on your wrist and you have free hands!
 I've also made a smaller one I use as a mini make-up case in my bag.



And this one is the same size made to the specifications of my sister who -I'm happy to say- adored them on sight.....


Linked to:

Wednesday 23 November 2011

New Kid's HeadWear On The Block

Maria aka Sidirom produces the most beautifuly created items made of yarn. Meticulous and in the most surprising colours, her creations show a lot of Maria's own personality.



Babiekins on-line magazine recognized her quiet yet powerful style and had this spectacular pom-pom headpiece star in one of their prettiest ever shoots.



Now Maria has turned her hand to  hats and hairpieces for boys and girls and here are just two of  the wonderful things she makes.



She's also having a give-away this week over at KaNiMa blog, in a quest to name the little  ball of yarn featured in the pictures of the new line.



All the details are HERE.


Tuesday 22 November 2011

Tickle Me Tuesdays - Mellow

Ah, at last, a Tickle Me Tuesday post!
In a very mellow yellow and brown mood today, these are some of the things that I've been admiring lately....



1.Made by Agah fabric doll. Isn't she wonderful?!






I haven't tried it yet but it looks perfect for the cold winter nights already upon us.



4.Laura Galic long wool jacket with those wonderfully dramatic ruffles around the collar.



5. Ordinary Mommy felt circle necklace in all sorts of pretty yellows.




For more Tickle me Tueday posts or for a chance to play along visit  Yes, Teacher!

Monday 21 November 2011

Monday MoodBoard - Heavenly Blues




Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day. Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Nautical Circle Brooch - Newly Listed


I don't know why these seem a bit Christmas-y to me.....



Maybe it's the red and white.


Or the snow-flakey stitching on this one.


Or maybe it's because I'm feeling the Christmas spirit early this year.


It is, after all,  the most wonderful  time of the year...just like the song says.



In any case, I've got my own set of these and they've been my sole choice of accessory lately.


The pictured set is now listed in the shop.


Thursday 17 November 2011

I spy....Grosgrain Handmade Holiday Guide

Grosgrain has put together a wonderful handmade gift guide for 2011 -with a twist. Not only do you go there for inspiration, you can also link up your own handmade goodies to inspire others.



I picked just three of the  wonderful links you can browse through to be inspired.











Sugar Scrubs




For the rest you'll have to go to: Grosgrain Handmade Gift Guide 2011.


Monday 14 November 2011

Monday Moodboard - Baby It's Cold Outside






Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day. Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.



Friday 11 November 2011

I spy.....The Solids-Only Tote Challenge

Ricka and Keren of Ricocet and Away and Sew la Vie respectively have organised a bag-making challenge for the month of  November.




Of course, any -good- excuse to make a bag will do, so I jumped right in.
The rules are simple enough and explained in detail in the Solids-Only Tote Challenge Homepage. 
It finishes on the 30th of November, so there's still time to join in.


Thursday 10 November 2011

My Creative Space - Autumn Colours


These are an order I had for a set of three mini organza flowers in fall colours.


I had to include one in this golden colour which I used in my last Creative Spaces post for the first time -and just loved.




Then I made this khaki one. If you look closely, there's no real organza in it, that is, not the plain kind, so I was worried about it not fitting in with the rest. But it actualy did and it's now one of my favourites. (Yes, I realise that I say that about every one of them....)




And then came this gentle little taupe flower which is  quite subtle but it doesn't go unnoticed. The taupe organza used has quite an amazing shimer in real life.





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Monday 7 November 2011

Monday Moodboard - Lilac And Green

An all-time favourite combination in some of my favourite etsy items:






Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day. Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.
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