Candle making competition

Finally the candle making competition entries have been published on the Homecrafts blog, albeit with only a few of my makes and one of them half finshed at that!  Please go over and vote for your favourite!  You can do that here.

If you want to see all the candles I made (in there complete state!) go here.

Craft Buds Craft Book Month

 

 

 

As I've been doing my own craft book challenge for quite some time, I thought I should join in the Craft Book Month over at Craft Buds.  I had every intention of making a new project, but the month has just disappeared, however the rules state you only have to have made the project in 2012 so I'm going to submit my Zakka Style projects.

 

 

We're only allowed one entry each and I suppose this is cheating a little as I've made 18 projects out of the 24 in the book!  The actual project I'm submitting is my elephant bookmarks as I think they're so cute.

 

 

I showed each of my projects on this blog each week of the Sew Along, so I'm not going to bore you with them again, but if you do want to see them all, go here.

 

Now I just hope I can find the time to visit all of the links to the competition.  I'm writing this on Thursday as I have the day off work to wait for a man to come and fix the boiler.  I've got about a million and one things to do though and really need to get off the computer!  Biscuites for the Macmillan Coffee Morning are baked, washing is washing, kitchen is spotless...  time to sew?

 

 

 

Silver Art Clay lesson

Last Saturday I went with my mum to another craft class at The Bead Shop Nottingham.  This was the last one in the series of 4 that we booked, but the new class schedule has just come out so we're booked on another 5! 

This class was Silver Art Clay.  It's pretty much the same as PMC but shrinks at a different rate.  There are different forms of the clay - standard, slow dry, paste and syringe.  I didn't think to take photos until after the firing I'm afraid.

The pictures above are of the pieces just after they're fired, but a lot of work went into them to get to that stage.  We started with the leaf and used the paste, watered down to paint in very thin layers onto a real leaf.  After each application, we dried it using a heat gun, then added another layer.  We continued this throughout the class whenever we've finished a task, ending up with about 8 layers, the last ones being very thick.

For the pendant we were given 5g of the slow dry clay.  By slow dry, it just means that it doesn't dry within seconds, more like within minutes.  Most people made 2 or 3 pendants or charms, I only managed one as it was the most frustrating material ever!  It dried up the minute I touched it.  I finally managed to roll some out and cut out the little heart.  I gave the rest of my clay to my mum who got on really well with it.

The ring was made by rolling out a sausage of clay, then wrapping it round a mandral.  We used the syringe clay to make decorations, but I was crap at it!  I discarded it in the end and just cut out 3 flowers and stuck them on.  Before firing we had to sand down the pieces to make them nice and smooth.  My ring was actually pretty good, despite my difficulties.

After firing in the kiln, we wire brushed the pieces to remove the white covering you see in the top picture, then sanded and burnished the pieces, depending on the finish required.  For my pendant I brushed the background and sanded it slightly, then burnished and polished the raised heart for a high-shine finish. I did the same on the ring.  The leaf was brushed, then the veins burnished lightly before it was dropped into an antiquing solution.  The above picture shows it when it had just come out of the solution (which smells of rotton eggs!).

I was struggling to get a good picture of the ring, but you can see that the leaf has changed colour, it carried on doing this until it ended up a kind of grey colour.

I got some pictures in the natural light on Sunday, not great pictures, but I think they show the pieces off OK.

It's very hard to photograph a ring, it had a tendancy to roll.  I've got tiny fingers so my ring is tiny, but it doesn't fit!  It's just a little too small.  I was a bit gutted as I planned to wear it.

So, my thoughts on Silver Art Clay?  I enjoyed learning the process, but it's not for me.  It's too frustrating.  It's also really expensive, the equipment will set you back about £30, not including a kiln of course, and the clay it's sell costs a fortune.  It's probably for the best I didn't take to it!  My mum, on the other hand, loves it and has already put the starters kit on her wish list!

twisted beanie

I was recently asked to pattern test a new crochet hat pattern by the lovely Hanni at HanniCraft.  You can find her Etsy shop here.  I'm not sure if the pattern is up for sale yet, but it should be soon.  (Edited to add - you can buy the pattern on Ravelry).   Oh, it's called The Twisted Beanie. I was asked to do the testing just before my holiday, so I went to buy some yarn so I could whip one up sitting by the beach (yeah, in my dreams, I do live in England!).  The pattern called for Worsted Yarn which isn't available in this country, having checked the internet, most people said to substitute it with DK.  Hobbycraft had a sale on and I bought some Sidar Soft Spun for less than £2.  Wow, this yarn is gorgeous.  So soft, just lovely.  It was black with a sliver of silver running through.  Halfway through the pattern, I realised it was too small.  As in FAR too small.  It might even be too small for Jacob!  I didn't want it to get longer, so I abruptly finished halfway down the twisted pattern. 

So sweet!  I know the photos aren't amazing, it was very hard to shoot as the yarn is glossy and light reactive, I'm pretty pleased with these "floating photos" though. 

I tried to get a close up of the colour as in the top photo it looks more silver than it actually is, the above photo is more accurate.  I emailed Hanni about the size issue and she said her other testers had used Aran weight, so back to Hobbycraft for me!  The selection of Aran was rubbish, a handful of variegated yarns basically.  I didn't want to use variegated for this project as I feel the texture would be lost in the mix of colour.  I finally found Patons Wool Blend Aran.  The wool is 63% which was a concern as this beanie is for me and I find wool very itchy, but it's not, so that's good! 

 

Here's the finished item, proudly modelled by the small globe that sits on my windowsill! 

 

I LOVE the pattern and if I can find some black aran, I'll crochet up another.  As far as my pattern testing job went, I didn't have to correct the pattern at all, it was very well written.

 

The 100 Day Hustle

Morning ladies!  I've been having a mini panic about how many WIPs I've got and what needs doing for the craft fair at the beginning of December, then I spotted the 100 Day Hustle...  I'm in!



As of last Saturday, there are only 100 days left of 2012, the idea is that we make these 100 days work for us by writing a list of what needs to be done and then checking in with a progress report November 9-11th, then post a final roundup at the end of the year.  There's a linky if you want to join and there are prizes.

So, on with the list:

1. Chair cushions for mum, not even started.  I haven't even taken the fabric out of the bag!
2. Finish the 2 tea wallets I started before Mother's Day!
3. Make a second quilt for Jacob
4. A new handbag for me.  Much as I love the one I have, I'd like one with a top zip
5. Finish the crochet toy I'm making for Jacob - no information as I don't want to spoil the surprise
6. The bathroom curtain!
7. Items for the craft fair

• Note book covers
• Purses
• Bags
• Bookmarks
• Brooches
• Jewellery
• Flowers
• Tea towels

I suspect I will add to this list over the next couple of months... I might even quantify the above Craft Fair list, but for the minute I just want to get linked up and made official so I HAVE to do it!

FSNI September results

Good morning ladies. Wow, it is COLD here today.  Our boiler broke at the beginning of "summer" and we've yet to get it fixed... I'll be doing that this week then!

I joined in with the FSNI as usual on Friday, but I think they've extended the deadline for posting til Sunday which is good.  As it's dark on a Friday night when I finish what I'm doing, then in the morning I had to go out (more about that later this week) and by the time I got home it was dark again - not idea for photos. Not that you'd ever describe my photos as ideal anyway!

So, without further ado.  I did this:

Nope, not technically sewing, but making none the less.  Two were finished completely:

The rest require more cutting out of flowers in different colours.  You can see in the top photo that I started to embroider some of them... I'm not sure it's worth it so the rest will be plain!  I still have to figure out a way of making a sturdy stem, then I'll wrap it in floral tape.  I'm hoping to sell these at the craft fair, if I don't, they'll look fab in a vase on my table!

That's all for today folks, I'll be back in the week.

Just a quickie

Hello ladies, I've just popped in quickly to tell you that I'm back safe and sound from Tunisia.  The journey home was HORRIFIC but, unfortunately, not funny at all.  As my first plane took off, I developed an awful migraine.  Cue much verystrongdrug-taking later, I staggered off the plane looking like someone who'd been sampling what they've smuggled* and so got pulled over to be searched...  I cried.  Great sobbing wails, not just a little tear on the cheek, full on Iwantmymumming.  Don't judge - she had her hands down my pants.  British pants, not American pants.  Knickers if you will.

But, on the good side of life, I won a prize in the Zakka sew along and got an honorable mention here! **  The post (the second one) talks about the lack of testing in craft books, it's a good read so go and have a look.

I also heard I won a prize on the Moda blog hop !  How exciting, so many prizes recently.  I will of course show you what I won when the prizes arrive and I have thanked the giveawayers appropriately...

I bought a few French craft mags at CDG airport, this was before the searching incident... I'll show you soon.  I know you're not supposed to have a post without a photo, but I've never stuck to the rules.

Don't forget that tonight is FNSI with Bobbi and Heidi, Heidi has the sign ups this week.  Am I right in thinking we get until Sunday night to post our results?  Did I just make that up?

 

*No smuggling occured during my trip to Tunisia, at least not by me or anyone I know.  I did return with rather a lot of chocolate and a packet with 7 Marlboro Lights in it, but I'm pretty sure that's legal.

 

** It's not really honorable.  It's just a mention but I'm excited about it anyway!

 

Monster bibs

Bonjour mes amis!  All being well, this post should go live just as I arrive at Tunis airport for my return journey.  Just think, I could be arguing with the natives, dropping food, falling over, any number of things right now!  Small incident at breakfast this morning where the waiter caught me stiring my coffee with my fork, but nothing too exciting this trip I'm afraid.

The hotel disco next door continues... oh no hang on, I'm getting this all wrong.  I'm publishing this post tomorrow, which is today, so the waiter saw me yesterday, if he'd seen me today, your today, I'd have to have  crystal ball to know that I was going to/had done it.  Confusing?

Anyway, enough of my nonsense.  I'm here to show you something I made.  I used this tutorial at Stubbornly Crafty to make these unbelievably cute (if I do say so myself) bibs.

He he, aren't they lovely!  I was originally going to do both in that spotty fabric on the left.  I read the instructions - cut out my two 12.5 x 10 pieces...  then realised I'd cut them 10 x 10.  What a prat.  I didn't have enough left to make two more, so I just substituted a different fabric and used the Amy Butler leftovers from my Stem Messenger bag on the bottoms.

Oh, no, I can't see all my photos again!  OK, bit of (probably not very successful?) guesswork.  I think the photo above shows the left hand bib up close.  I used that Heat and Bond that I'd bought by accident, that stuff that gums up my needle?  I took a chance and didn't sew the parts on, by all reports, it sticks even after washing and as these are for my lovely Jacob, if the eyes and teeth fall off, I can sew them on again.

Aha, this one I can see.  See how carefully I've balanced those snaps in place?  How much do I hate &*^% snaps!  I couldn't get the damn things to set.  Why, why, why??  I have the correct tool and everything!

Ah, now that appears to be a close up of the one on the left, so the other was a close up of the one on the right!  Oh, and the photo above where I waffled about snaps, I was showing you the back - the last bit of white flannel that I bought ages ago and have no idea where from!

Hmm... what was this photo about?  Oh yes, I put the snap on upside down!  Good thing I've also put the other snap on incorrectly, now I can have matching holes when I tear the damn things out and sew on velcro instead!

I'm thinking of starting a club, anyone want to join the Snaps are the Work of the Devil club?

Wig Jig class

Bonjour!  I am in Tunisia.  I arrived last night and I was so disappointed.   Not one bad thing happened to me.  I know that's supposed to be good, but being the eternal optimist, I was hoping for a whole host of disasters so I could put them into a post for your entertainment.  Unfortunately, not even dinner was funny.  There was the late night disco at the hotel, playing the likes of Agado and Music Man.  Non-UK readers, I'm not sure if you get those references.  Google it.

I took some pictures from the workshop me and my mum went to last Thursday at the Bead Shop Nottingham.   This class was on the wig jig.  I can't see the pictures in this post - I imported them before I came away.  Please let me know if you can or can't see them, it might just be me!  I've been into Photobucket and can't see any photos... hoping it's just me.

Right, so now I get to try to remember what's in the pictures to write about them!  I believe the picture above is of a bracelet.  We used the wigjig and 0.8mm wire to create the 4-leaf clover shape.  This was then just used as an ordinary component.

One of these photos shows the components next to a ruler, they're really quite diddy, but it wasn't that fiddly at all.

I've also taken photos of a pair of earrings with a green bead attached.  This was the first item we made and a variation on the 4 leaf clover.

The other pair of earrings uses a celtic design to create the lovely pattern.  After creating the patterns by wrapping them round pegs on the jig, we had to squeeze them with nylon jawed pliers.  Clearly I'm very heavy handed as I broke more than a few!

I really enjoyed this technique and think there is no end to the possibilities.  Unfortunately, the wig jig itself isn't cheap.  I've put it on my wish list!

Right, I'm going to read some blogs and then try and find some food.  Not sure whether to brave one of the hotel restaurants or not.  I don't like the idea of going out for food alone as this place is absolutely teeming with tourists.  I much prefer it when I have the place to myself in the off-season.  The service is much better then too.  If you think I'm crazy for not being outside, it's been scorching all day and I've been in a hot building, I came back to the hotel and it's decidedly chilly out there!  I was going to go for a swim... don't fancy the idea of going outside in my cossie!

Giveaway win

Hello ladies, just a quick post as I've got to go and pack!  I found out on Friday that my boss wanted me to go to Tunisia... today.  Then all that stuff kicked off with the video and the riots and all that and the Tunisians only went and stormed the embassy in Tunis!  I've been told to check the Government Advice website before I go to bed and I can only go if they say I can.  Currently they're saying I can, so please behave tonight Tunisians, I really fancy some lovely North African sun!
 
I won't be absent from the blog, I've got a few things lined up to talk about so you'll have to put up with my inane waffling from another part of the world!
 
Anyway, I came on the computer to tell you about a giveaway I won!  The lovely Debra from Needle d took part in the Back to School Blog Hop and I was lucky enough to win!  Want to see?
 
 

 
Two sewing books that I don't already have in my massive stash. 

 
And 7 half yard cuts of Sugar and Spice by The Painted Fish for Riley Blake.  Seven!  I was blown away by this, I LOVE this line of fabric and now it's mine!

I did, of course, email Debra to say thank you, I think you all know how I feel about that, but I wanted to say it again here.  Thanks Debra, you're so generous!

Edited to add: I've just remembered my last journey to Tunisia, please all keep your fingers crossed that this journey goes a little better.  The air steward will thank you. 

Zakka Style Week 24 - Nesting Boxes - post 2

This, ladies and gentlemen, is my last Zakka post.  It's a pretty long one too, hope you don't get too bored...  I've already written about my own version of the nesting boxes which are week 24's project, but I mentioned I'd also made a box the same as the instructions in the book, so I'm showing you that today.  If you want to see the other boxes made for the sew along, the linky post is here, and this week's host can be found here.

Before I go further, I just wanted to say something about my last post.  I think I was a bit vague with my comments on my photographs.  What I was trying to say is that in general, my photos are a bit crap.  I've mentioned a couple of times that I'm trying to improve them and what I was trying to say was that the photos in the last post were a big improvement, except the one of the materials which was appalling.

Here's a progress shot of my two pieces of patchwork, just to prove I really did make two boxes!

I struggled FMQing those flowers, mine are pretty rubbish.  I also had no idea what to do with the ends.  For my version it was easy, I tied them in pairs and the ends were hidden by the lining.  For this version I had to sew each and every one in, and there were loads!

Here's a close up of my appliqué work.  I like these leaves and the way they're constructed which makes them 3d.

The box above is my version with the far to big faux lining!  Below is my box construction using the instructions in the book.  Too much hand sewing for my liking!

Having said that, I much prefer the finish.  Look how sturdy it looks... even without the quilted base. 

I would have loved to have made a set of 3 nesting boxes as in the project, but I just didn't have time.  The hand sewing alone took me two evenings (I don't slow THAT slowly, I just don't have very long evenings!).  Thinking about it, I could have made my version smaller or bigger so I would have had a set of 2...

See the inner quilting?

And here they are side by side.  Oh, I haven't mentioned the fabrics.  I bought them from a little shop in Hay On Wye which we visited for our first wedding anniversary (and our honeymoon, thanks to that damn volcano!).

See how well they stack.  Hmmm.  And now for a little retrospective of the last 24 weeks.  I joined in with 18 of the projects, of those only one was late, the elephant bookmarks.  I don't think I've done bad, and I've certainly had my money's worth.  Here's a little look back:

Week 1, the zig zag tote

 

Week 2, the house pouch

Week 3, pincushion

 

 

Week 4, sewing kit

Week 5, pencil case

Week 6, quilt block magnets

 

Week 9, messenger bag

 

Week 10, travel organiser

 

Week 13, patchwork potholders

 

Week 15, elephant bookmark

Week 17, linen pouch

Week 18, bread basket

 

Week 19, cookie mix

 

Week 20, pocket pillow case

 

 

Week 21, picture frame

 

Week 22, pleated coin purse

 

Week 23, memo board

 

Week 24, nesting boxes

Overall, I've really enjoyed this sew along, there have been challenges and new techniques.  I'm going to feel a bit lost without the weekly project!