Its not very often I take out my watercolour pencils these days, as I usually have to contend with little fingers messing around with what I’m trying to do….. tonight I had an hour to myself and did this somewhat pensive fairy. I was inspired by visiting Ayelet’s blog some time ago to take out my pencils again, although the mushroom / toadstool thing is a coincidence as I sketched a rough picture ages ago.
Look what I won!
This lovely apron on the Mia Henry blog giveaway, it just arrived yesterday and I must say it is beautifully crafted, the photo I have here does it no justice whatsoever. The apron looks quite comical on my 33 week pregnant frame (that is to say – I’m HUGE!) but I can still do up the ties at the back. Go and check out Rachelle’s blog and shop, she has some really cute things for sale.
Thankyou Rachelle!
The winner of the giveaway is…..
Deliciousdesignz!
Got some sewing done today :)
A new cushion for the Madeit shop.
Some flared pants from Kaufman cord fabric, which you can find at the Crafty Mamas shop.Last chance to enter the giveaway, I’ll be posting the winner tomorrow.
Free embroidery design and tute!
Here is the design for you, I tried making a pdf for easy printing, but my technological un – savvy brain wouldn’t comply, so what you can do is right click on the image, save it in a folder, then print it out to transfer to your fabric. Please let me know if it doesn’t work!
This design can be done entirely in stem stitch, so its easy for beginners. Just ensure when you’re going around tight curves to vary your stitch length to very small.
Use whatever fabric you like, I used homespun just because I like it.
Before you start stitching, shade in the areas you want coloured with a coloured pencil or I used my watercolour pencils. You can see in the picture below the areas I’ve shaded. You can always shade more when you’re done stitching, but go lightly to begin with and layer it. Back your fabric with fusible Pellon before you start stitching.
Stem stitch around the mushroom top and spots in red. Do the same around all the outlines, using my pictures as a guide. You can be adventurous with your colours.
Continue outline stitching and don’t forget the details on the butterfly’s body and wings.
Here is my finished stitchery, I did some extra pencil shading when I finished stitching (blue for the sky, green and brown for the ground. I then sewed on a fabric border, backed it with some wadding and put it in a frame without the back on.
You don’t have to frame yours, it could go on a cushion etc. but keep in mind it can’t be laundered due to the pencil!
Voila! A cute and quaint stitchery!
Please respect my creativity by only using this image and instructions for personal enjoyment.
I’d love to see pictures of your stitchery when you’re done and receive some feedback on the instructions.
Getting ready for a little one
I finished knitting up this little hat for the impending arrival lastnight, it turned out beautifully and increased my knitting confidence substantially. Its supposed to be in gender neutral colours, as we don’t know the sex of the baby, but I think it looks a little boyish. We shall see….
Today I got a parcel of exciting fabric from the Crafty Mamas Shop.
I’ll be making pants and a top for one of the girls (the tomboy!) so I have another weekend project to add to the list.
The giveaway is still on, but not for long!
New cushion
I just love these Tanya Whelan fabrics, so pretty and feminine yet striking. I’m going to make a bunch like this when I overhall our bedding. This one is in my Madeit store now.
Don’t forget the spotty tote giveaway ends this weekend.
Hope you have a terrific day!
I love Autumn!
The little african violets that frazzle and seemingly die over summer have once again returned with their lush growth and vibrant purple flowers. I’ve spent the morning outdoors raking up the chookyard and laying down fresh straw. We had rain (hooray!) yesterday and lastnight, so the garden is a welcome sight this morning. I had to tell the boy to leave his bookwork and come out into the sun before it disappeared. He willingly obliged and is still out there now. Husband will be pleased to see a wheelbarrow load of compost fodder when he gets home from work.
This striped lily is so pretty, I’m not sure what its called.Yesterday I finally got around to visiting Stitchery Blue in Williamstown – wow, what a beautiful shop! I think the owner and I share the same taste, I just wanted to buy everything. I was very restrained however, and bought a pattern for some baby/children’s hats and a couple of balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I can honestly say I have never used a finer yarn, I feel like knitting just so I can touch it!
Although the shop is pricey, the staff were very friendly and helpful, it has a great, bustling atmosphere and there was a steady stream of customers. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area.
Buttons!
I love buttons, which is a bit strange as I’ve hardly ever used them in projects. I’m doing a bit of research into making my own (I love little painted ceramic ones) which has opened up a whole new world of the buttonmaking community. I always have a chuckle when I hear people talking about the “forgotten arts” – there is no such thing. There are so many devotees and artists for any craft you can think of, its a great thing the craft community is so alive worldwide.
Anyway, I found a few buttonmakers I like:
Cute, aren’t they?
The best of both worlds
I love sewing soft furnishings, I love sewing dolls – so I combined the two! The doll is 6 inches tall and is designed to slip into the pocket (a place to rest at night and a place to not get lost!)I had fun making this, its in the Etsy shop now.
Must remind you about the giveaway, there aren’t many entries there yet, and it finishes at the end of the month.
Still haven’t started those pants for dd yet, at least I’ve drafted the pattern! I have a tendency to work on the “fun” things before the “necessary things”! I’m quite sure I’m not the only one?
