Felt Art

Check out these amazing works with felt found on etsy:

From Umecrafts:

From Mixko (loving that lamp!)

and from Dreamalittle7:

You really can make whatever you imagine.

Someone gave me

This handmade quilt. Remember my Grandparent quilting team I mentioned a few days ago? Here is some of their handiwork. It was dragged out of the cupboard today because I thought i'd be clever last night and wash Ellie's floor rug so that it was slobber and germ free this morning. Clever me. Why is it that when I wash at night I always forget to hang it out? It happens so often that I am starting to worry about myself. Anyhow, this beauty is out to play today as a result. I'm now off to re-rinse and hang out the other one. Sigh.

Mr Postman delivery: Buttons!

Yesterday the Postman delivered my lovely purchase from Buttons by Lou Lou with lots of goodies inside. I love them! (can you tell I like red?) Some I will keep, some will be gifts...you never know who will be a lucky one :o) The firefly brooch is out of its packet because it has already been worn (and i love it Lou - thanks!).

This giant paperclip is staying with me. I am going to use it either in a cookbook, or perhaps in my bedside magazine - I always forget where i'm up to!

If you fancy some buttons, head on over to Buttons by Lou Lou where you'll find lots more.

Gotta run now - have a sickly bub to settle :o(

Pillow talk part 1

Today I completed Amy Butler's Hourglass Pillow using her free online pattern. It was fun to do, and I'd make it again I think. I chose a couple of blue fabrics - a Japanese indigo print cotton, and a plain blue cotton with a small dot detail. Here it is from the front and the rear:

Things I didn't enjoy about making this pillow (not much!):

1. Finding the 38mm Buttons to cover. Not readily available from the shops I visit! I had resigned myself to a smaller button, when I found one accidentally in my local Janome retailer yesterday.

[Getting the button tight and in the right place was a little fiddly, but I don't think I could say it was something I didn't like doing.]

Things I enjoyed about making this pillow:

1. Making the patchwork top

2. Covering the buttons (I'd never had a need to do this before and it was very satifying to have a perfect little circle of fabric at the end)

Things i'd do differently:

1. I don't think you need to have as wide a gap that is called for in the pattern when inserting the pillow infill. It meant that nearly the whole side needed to be hand sewn, and I think I would prefer a smaller gap, a tighter fit and less handsewing to make the edge look a little neater. You can always roll the cushion infill to get it in.

2. Next time I think I would prefer to use 2 strong coordinating patterns. I'm not convinced about my block colour with the Japanese Print yet. I had nothing else at the time, so this will do, and the overall effect in the loungeroom is the main thing. It's growing on me.

3. Perhaps cover the back in the printed fabric. The reason I say this is I love the indigo print the more I look at it!

Other notes:

1. When it says you need a doll needle (huge needle for making dolls, bears, upholstery) to thread the button, make sure you use one. I am SO glad that I didn't try and cut that corner as I was only just able to get it through with the one I had. Couldn't imagine doing it with a smaller needle.

Well, even if no one else likes it Ellie certainly gave it her seal of approval by giving it a bash and a chew!

If you haven't seen Amy Butler's Hourglass pillow pattern before, it's available online here.

Shape by Miller Goodman

Our dear friends Greg and Cat have recently been to the UK and Morocco on a long holiday. As they missed Christmas with us, we all received some lovely gifts when they arrived home!

Here is the gift Ellie received. It's a melamine plate from the Tate Gallery ( oh how I want to go back!) and is designed by Miller Goodman. The plate's artwork is from their childrens book Shape, which after seeing this, I investigated online and would now love to buy for Ellie. It seems to be a lovely interactive book introducing children to the world of shape! You can read and see more of the book here, and purchase from Australian online bookstore store here. I'm sure Amazon has it too.

And what did I get? A Harrods tote of course!! Yippee!!!

Grosgrain Giveaways

Do you read Grosgrain? If not, check it out. A great read, and very inspiring to be adventurous with your sewing machine! Grosgrain gives me confidence that if I put my mind to it, I can! There are several giveaways going on at the moment that are really fantastic. My personal favourite is The Conservatory Overcoat (what a fantastic colour!!) but don't forget the fabulous Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt - perfect for any little twirling princess, and would look great in a photoshoot. Head on over and check it out if you get a chance.

(image from www.grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com )

Medicine for Monday-itis

How could you be sad it's Monday when you look at this little darling? I discovered her in the Luvly Gurumi collection whilst (yet again) browsing on etsy over the weekend. Check out more of her brothers and sisters here and even more really cute images here.

I'm working busily this week on the production front - can't tell you much because it's a surprise for one of my readers, but stay tuned and all will be revealed in a week or so. Off to buy some supplies today.