Sewing Machine Appliqué

Posted on 22 February, 2015 by patchworkfairy

Not done a lot this week so thought I’d show you how I used the digital download of a sewing machine which I bought from Wendy’s Handmade Harbour a few months ago! I made two sewing machine appliqué for two machines.

Embellishing Machine

I had great fun copying the images onto felt then sewing on the little details using some of the array of stitches which normally I never use! The little patchwork quilts are made from Liberty Tana Lawn scraps!

Sewing machine cover

so that’s it for now – over to Handmade Monday to see what’s going on in the crafting world!

Simply Crochet Poncho!

Posted on 15 February, 2015 by patchworkfairy

Well firstly let me say thank you to all those who commented last week – it was really interesting to read different views and I now have a couple of courses to investigate which is good as I love studying!! I’ve managed a bit more on my Simply Crochet poncho but that’s about all this week.

However, this week I have learnt that I will be going into hospital for two lots of injections – facet joint and nerve root. I will be sedated so won’t know about them thank goodness and although initially I could be in more pain, within two weeks I could be ok and able to walk and drive again! I do miss driving – especially to fabric and wool shops and cafes!! I also miss being able to walk upright and like a normal person and for more than a few minutes! Never thought the day would come when I was looking forward to injections!!!

So this week craft wise I have done a bit more on my Simply Crochet Cowl Neck Poncho and now need to decide what the next few colours should be as there are only about 6 – 8 rows left to do!!

Poncho – not sure about the grassy green wool?

also I’m not sure whether to add another pink row or leave it as just a pop of one? Any suggestions gratefully received!

Now over to Handmade Monday Linky Party again!

Penrose Tiling!

Posted on 25 January, 2015 by patchworkfairy

Penrose tiling – what on earth has that got to do with crafting you may ask?! Well DH recently bought me a quilting book called Geometrical Quilts by Pat Store which is full of quilts all based on – you guessed it! – geometrical patterns! They are all beautiful but some are more complicated to make than others. So while I am going to my weekly patchwork class but not able to carry heavy things like a cutting board and templates etc, I thought I would try one of the quilts which is based on English Paper Piecing (EPP) method.

My choice was the Penrose Tiling quilt – the book describes this as “two differently shaped diamonds (36 and 72 degrees) to make tesselating shapes based on a regular pentagon or decadon which do not otherwise tessellate” [Storey In practice this has meant drawing lots of paper diamonds and covering them with fabric in the traditional EPP technique

cutting out paper diamonds and covering them with fabric

covering the paper shapes

Of course before I started I had to choose my fabrics and plan out which colours would go where in the design. I chose a fat quarter pack of various shades of purple as well as the lovely green batik fabric from my stash! I chose these as there is a photograph in the book of a quilt which I really liked and so I have based my design on this.

arranging the shapes to build up the layers

trying to get the pattern right!

It’s quite hard working out how all the diamonds fit together and deciding which fabric to use for each round of shapes. At each round I have to keep trying out the pattern!

arranging all the layers

So although this Penrose tiling is quite complicated and tiring it is a good project for when you can’t walk/carry/machine sew any much at all. (Boo sciatica – how I loathe thee!) This as far as I have got at the moment but I really hope to show you the progress to a mini quilt over the next couple of weeks!

Now I am going to link up with Handmade Monday as usual but over on it’s new home at Lucy Blossom Crafts Thank you to Vicky for taking over the hosting!

Granny Squares and Ponchos!

Posted on 18 January, 2015 by patchworkfairy

In keeping with new year and new resolutions/ways of working etc I am trying to finish all my WiPs before I start anything else! This was been going well as I have finished my small granny square blanket and am getting well on the way with my Simply Crochet Poncho! However today I have had great news!!!! News I have been hoping for but trying not to get too fixated. ….. So … Well – after two grandsons I am now going to get a granddaughter!

So now it’s pink pink pink all the way! Pink Quilt! Pink Blankets Pink Dresses! I won’t make everything in pink as my daughter is not a pink fiend at all but it will be so nice to make some things in pinks and purples and flowers and hearts!

Here is my Granny Square blanket – it is now going to be a pram blanket!

Half completed poncho!

And here is where I am up to with my Simply Crochet Poncho – the cowl neck is quite loose which is what I wanted and the length is now the finished length according to the pattern but I am going to make it longer. I hope to be able to show the finished item by next week! Just need to decide on the remaining colours! So that leaves me with the difficult path of finishing off the poncho before crocheting a little baby dress! Will I manage it? No idea – but next week I should have something done to show anyway

Over now to Handmade Monday and it’s quite sad as I have just read that it will be the last one! I have enjoyed being part of this and will miss it! Hope to see some of you around in blogland though!

Winter Sparkle ATC swap!

Posted on 7 January, 2015 by patchworkfairy

Happy New Year!

I’m starting this year with a post about the Winter Sparkle ATC swap which I took part in towards the end of last year! These Artist Trading Cards (ATC) swaps are organised by another Ali – over at VeryBerryhandmade. The theme was Winter Sparkle and we had to design the ATC to a standard size 2.5 x 3.5 inches and it had to be predominantly textile.

It it took me ages to decide what to make ! Part of the problem was my ongoing sciatica which is very painful and makes standing and moving difficult and the necessary drugs which tend to dampen down the creative processes! Eventually as the posting deadline loomed I was forced to actually start work as I couldn’t bear the thought of some poor person waiting for her mystery packet which then never arrived!

My favourite background for these cards is one of my lovely 100% wool felt bought from Wonderwool last year – it makes a pleasing firm background and the edges don’t fray so no need for fiddly binding!

After much deliberation around the sparkle aspect I suddenly thought of how the roads look at this time of year – all the houses lit up with twinkly lights! Our family doesn’t go in for dressing up our own houses that much but we really enjoy travelling round our area to where there are roads and cul-de-sacs with several houses which are completely bonkers over the top with lights and figures etc! Using these for inspiration I began sewing on my little houses from scraps in my stash. I used my textile iridescent paint for the night sky. I love how it looks clear in the tube but becomes twinkly and sparkly on dark fabrics! Finally I used silver embroidery thread to look like rope lights on the house roofs and to make a couple of stars by using just one strand of the thread.

Sparkly Mid Winter Madness!

So that’s my Winter Sparkle ATC. My partner sent me a lovely thank you email so I think she liked it!

If you fancy joining in one then take a look at the Very Berry blog and have a look at all the amazing cards created. Also the next swap will be in February so keep a look out!

Sewing Charm Jewelery!

Posted on 8 December, 2014 by patchworkfairy

It’s a funny time of year – we’ve talking about and planning for it for ages and now it’s finnaly almost here it seems to be a surprise! Or is that just me?!!

Not had much time to write again today with all that’s is going on – so many presents to make and buy as well as food to plan but I have had time to make some new jewelery for my folksy shop. As a sewing enthusiast I have been thinking of gifts which would appeal to people like me – hence my new sewing charm Jewelery – earrings and also bookmarks!

Bookmarks!

Tape measure and scissors sewing charms

it was a nice change to make jewellery again but for the main part I am working on finishing presents in fabric and wool! I am looking forward to the new year and not having the pressure that accompanies this time of year although I do love the build up with all the fairy lights on the houses and all the shops looking so festive!

Hope eveyone one is enjoying the build up too! Hopping over to Handmade Monday now to see what’s new!

Blanket Making and Fingerless Gloves

Posted on 26 October, 2014 by patchworkfairy

Well as it has turned out I am not doing the Liverpool fair I thought I’d b etter get my items on my Folksy shop! Gosh it’s a lot of work! First trying to set up a bright space for taking the pics, editing them. then writing all the product details up, measuring the items etc! I’ve only managed to add a couple of new one so far! It’s not doing my ~~tennis~~ crochet elbow any good either 🙁 I couldn’t mange to write a post last week ‘cos my arm is so sore, but on the bright side, my sciatica has finally gone 🙂

I did manage to make myself another pair of fingerless gloves/arm warmers!

pink, purple, teal and green crocheted fingerless gloves

Fingerless Gloves / Arm Warmers

I am hoping my arm improves soon though as I was so taken with the warm autumnal colours in the Attic 24 Cosy Blanket I ordered the pack! It arrived in a couple of days in a lovely organza bag and I can’t wait to start it. As yet I am not sure whether to make the actual Cosy Blanket which Lucy is doing as a CAL from next week, or whether to finally make the ‘As we go stripey blanket’ by Not Your Average Crochet which lots of people were making a few months ago?

Wool Warehouse delivery in Organza bag!

Woolly Goodness!

Hopefully by next week I will have made a start one way or the other! Now over to Handmade Monday!

Review of Crafty What Nots!

Posted on 12 October, 2014 by patchworkfairy

A couple of week’s ago I had a very exciting delivery in the post!

Crafty What Nots Box arrives!

I love getting parcels and this one contained completely unknown items which made it all the more exciting! It was lovely opening it up and seeing a hint of the contents through the opaque white tissue paper!

inside all wrapped up!

This is ‘Floral Pavillion’ sample of a Crafty What Nots box of craft goodies from www.jennysis.com!

Here are the contents!

beautifully packaged craft items

Opened out!

craft bits and bobs

There were floral cut outs, buttons, coloured twine, sticky pads, some butterfly embellishments, two little magnets, two coloured chalky ink pads, a flower stencil, not to mentions some very nice paper and card stock!!

floral and vintage themed papers and cardstock

The selection contained paper and card of different thicknesses and finish – I especially like the textured vintage florals!

All this had been sent to me by Jenny for me to review as part of her new business venture Crafty What Nots!

Included were some white ready folded card to make into greetings cards or anything else which you might dream up!

pristine white card stock, prettily packaged

Within the box Jenny sends some detailed instructions on how to make your own sweet little cardboard handbag!

detailed instructions

and also some suggestions for other projects!

project ideas using the contents from the box

I haven’t used all the craft items yet but I did try out the chalky ink pads as the Peony and Blue colours really appealed to me. I used these and some of the floral shaped embellishments to make two cards! Jenny supplies little sticky foam pads so making the cards was easy!

first attempt at cards

I thought the plant card would just need a ‘happy birthday’ stamp at the side to finish it off but I haven’t got one of my own so will sort through the Craftseller free papers and I am sure I will find something!

I also made myself a little floral storage box!

I have to say I really had fun making these things and I still have a lot of the content to continue creating pretty things. The contents inside the delivery box were presented beautifully and all of the items were useful as well as attractive. Even the ribbons and twine used to tie the items together could be used in a project.

Jenny sends out these boxes on request and the one I received, contains around £20 of retail price craft items but would only cost you £12.50 plus £2.50 p&p.

There are discounts available if you order more than one at a time, and each has different themes. – see Jenny’s website for more information!

I think these boxes would make a very exciting gift to send to a crafty friend or family member. Imagine being off sick, laid up in bed and receiving one of these instead of flowers!! There are all sorts of occasions when these boxes would be fun to receive – including treating yourself!!

Well I hope you enjoyed the peak into the box! I’m now going to link up with Handmade Monday and see what else is going on in the crafty world! x

Outlander Style Arm Warmers/Fingerless Gloves!

Posted on 28 September, 2014 by patchworkfairy

So, firstly let me apologise if you haven’t heard of Outlander! Fans of Outlander will enjoy looking at/talking about anything remotely Outlander related, but for the rest of you, well – what you are about to see are just crochet arm warmers. But, these are not just any arm warmers though, these are Outlander Style Arm Warmers / Fingerless Gloves!!

Outlander is the title of a series of books by Diana Gabaldon, of which the first UK edition was called Crosstitch, while in the US it was called Outlander. However the use of that name has now widened to encompass the whole 9 book series and the recent US made TV series. There are worldwide Outlander fans – the books have been going for over 20 years – they are big long stories and each is a satisfyingly very good read. I never re-read any books, yet I am currently re-reading the whole Outlander series and enjoying it as much as the first time.

I won’t describe the story except to say it starts in 1940s Scotland and moves into 1743 Scotland. It is a story of an amazing relationship and is packed with Scottish and US history. It is not a ‘romance’ novel nor a ‘science fiction novel’ although it includes love, passion and time travel! So if you feel like a good read for the autumn and winter you could actually have it downloaded from Amazon onto your Kindle or E reader app in seconds! If you do try it I’d love to hear how you found it. One thing I would say is, don’t join the FB groups or any of the other Outlander groups until you’ve read at least the first book or you’re bound to read spoilers.

And now for the actual handmade crafty bit of the post! In the mini-series which started 8 week’s ago in US some of the female characters in 1743 Scottish Highlands have been seen wearing arm warmers and cowls to keep out the Scottish chill – hence the book fans are making/buying these with gusto! Here are mine – made from appropriately named Highland Tweed yarn!

Outlander-style arm warmers!

Mine are based on the pattern from Hopeful Honey although I have altered her pattern somewhat, to make my own version.

using fingerless gloves holding red flowers

fingerless gloves – hold things easily whilst keeping warm!

I love wearing these type of gloves as they make it so easy to pick things up when you’re busy, whilst still keeping warm. I can’t wait for it to get a teeny bit more autumnal so I can wear my new outlander style arm warmer/fingerless gloves!

Now I’m off to Handmade harbour and later I’ll be starting to crochet my chocolate brown Claire-style cowl in highlander chunky yarn!!

Japanese Flower Scarf

Posted on 21 September, 2014 by patchworkfairy

It all started when I wanted to make something special for my mum’s 85th birthday but couldn’t do much in the sewing room! Searching on the internet for ‘pretty’ things to make I became obsessed with the pictures of Japanese flower motifs in crochet. However, try as I might I could not find any instructions on how to make the delicate circular motifs I could view in blogs galore and as finished scarves! It seems I am a bit late to the party as these were all the thing back in 2011 and some originate from a motif contained in a book which is in Japanese and which I noticed some people had purchased back then, only to be very disappointed not being able to translate it! Asking around on facebook I was directed to some blogs with tutorials for variations on a flower motif but none really seemed just right. I knew I wanted to make a Japanese Flower Scarf, and it had to match the one I had designed in my head!

After a long time researching online when I could have actually crocheted a complete plain scarf to stretch over the Mersey, I found a diagram on this blog which for the first time in my life I could follow!! Using the Mohair wool I bought recently from Abakhan –

I started to make the circular motifs and this was the result –

motif with a touch of pink

Motif in three autumn colours

Soon (well not that soon) I had these –

Six crochet motifs in Japanese flower style

All the motifs!

These are made in single strand mohair and are very delicate. They are really pretty, but too fragile to be a scarf so I decided to make a sort of mesh upon which I could place them. I made up a rectangle shape in a lacy chain stitch using three colours together for strength –

lacy chain stitch mesh

I then started to sew on the motifs along the length of the scarf –

I made variations of the mohair colours and placed them so that no too adjacent centres or outsides were the same colour

flower motifs on the scarf

Here it is completely finished!

Finished Japanese Flower Scarf

Sadly I forgot to get one of mum wearing it as we were out in a restaurant and the moment just didn’t arise! Hopefully I will take one soon and amend the blog! It’s a lovely scarf to make – if you don’t mind the colour changes you can make all sorts of variations or if you prefer single coloured ones in different colours. Anyway, I am sure I will amend the design slightly as I repeat it, as I’d quite like one myself and they will make beautifully unique gifts for Chr…..s (arrgh!) or for any occasion!

Wonder what’s going on at Handmade Monday?