tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39556650524129353982024-03-13T20:04:36.814+00:00Stars and Buttons<i>My musings on making things</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-77630973757599827012015-05-11T15:39:00.001+01:002015-05-11T15:39:32.410+01:00Keep on blogging: More craft tutorials coming soon Since the arrival of my little boy, we've moved house and I've gone back to a pretty demanding job 4 days a week, which means that sadly time for crafting has almost entirely disappeared. I thought things would be so different when we moved as I even have a tiny room that is, in theory, a dedicated craft room. But the reality is that it is often full of junk from the rest of the house and I underestimated how much the child/my day job would eat into any 'extra' time I had.<br />
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<a href="http://westessexmums.co.uk/"><img alt="Little boy in bluebell wood in Wanstead Park" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RH7MuMGrVo/VVC-55MnscI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KJArL18yVqw/s1600/finley%2Bbluebell546.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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As you'll have noticed, I haven't blogged here for a very long time. I figured that now my life is about getting out and about with my Little One I should blog about that instead. Since moving to Woodford, I found it difficult to know where to go with a little person, so I recently set up a blog about exploring my new local area to help provide a resource for other local families in West Essex. It's called <a href="http://westessexmums.co.uk/">West Essex Mums</a> and is still in its infancy but feel to pop over and <a href="http://westessexmums.co.uk/">say hello</a> or come and say hi on <a href="https://twitter.com/WestEssexMums">Twitter @WestEssexMums</a>.<br />
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I had been thinking that I should streamline my digital channels as I was feeling guilty for my inactivity here on <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/">Stars and Buttons</a>. I came back to this blog to write a holding post while I figured out what to do - I don't really want to give this up, as it feels like admitting there is no space in my life for crafting at the moment and that makes me sad. And then I discovered something pretty amazing. While I've been busy trying to build up readers on my new blog this one has been gaining thousands of visitors every month! This not only makes me very happy but has inspired me to think about crafting again, maybe I could find time to make all those things I want to and post some more craft tutorials.<br />
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So thank you readers, I'm inspired all over again and I'm already making plans of things to make and new blogs posts I can write. I'll be back soon with some design inspiration and craft tutorials.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-84388218311988092892014-10-04T12:28:00.000+01:002014-10-04T12:34:25.167+01:00How to make an easy, hand-sewn make up bag<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I get the urge to make something but then the idea of getting out the sewing machine (which invariably involves moving lots of clutter that has gathered around it) feels too much like hard work. And I just want to do something while sitting on the sofa with a glass of wine. This is the perfect project for that, or if you're just starting out or trying sewing again after a break this will take a few hours and be very satisfying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I used this project at an <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/helping-hens-to-be-crafty.html">alternative, craft hen party</a> that you can read about in <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/helping-hens-to-be-crafty.html">this blog post</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoQLQmoefVM/VC_VhQKgSxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/PJfR2RnNidI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-04%2Bat%2B12.09.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="hand sewn make up bag" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoQLQmoefVM/VC_VhQKgSxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/PJfR2RnNidI/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-04%2Bat%2B12.09.14.png" height="235" title="hand sewn make up bag" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This make up bag uses just two basic stitches - the <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/basic-hand-sewing-stitches.html">back stitch</a> and the <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/basic-hand-sewing-stitches.html">running stitch</a>. If you're not sure how to do this have a look at my <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/basic-hand-sewing-stitches.html">basic stitches blog post</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To make your make up bag you will need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<ul><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZtsr-BdRaU/VC_LojzvOtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/Ghtv4hj6oto/s1600/make%2Bup%2Bbag%2Bmaterials%2Bneeded.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZtsr-BdRaU/VC_LojzvOtI/AAAAAAAAAgo/Ghtv4hj6oto/s1600/make%2Bup%2Bbag%2Bmaterials%2Bneeded.png" height="150" width="200" /></span></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cotton thread</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A needle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pins</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Zip (any size, this will determine the size of your bag)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lining fabric</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Outer fabric</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Scissors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ruler, paper and pen</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FIRST STEPS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5EALCWiPxI/VC_TopYSJLI/AAAAAAAAAh0/68lEo9ADtHc/s1600/first%2Bsteps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5EALCWiPxI/VC_TopYSJLI/AAAAAAAAAh0/68lEo9ADtHc/s1600/first%2Bsteps.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Pick
the fabric for the outside of your make-up bag, some lining fabric and a zip</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Use
your zip to create your pattern – simply make the length of your bag as long as
your zip and as wide as you want</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Mark
out the measurements on a piece of paper or card and use this to cut out your
fabric</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">CUTTING YOUR FABRIC</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xc6LXcP3MTw/VC_U_eZRejI/AAAAAAAAAiI/B6OOa1a8Ttc/s1600/cuttingyourfabric.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xc6LXcP3MTw/VC_U_eZRejI/AAAAAAAAAiI/B6OOa1a8Ttc/s1600/cuttingyourfabric.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For a
10 inch zip, I created a template 10 ½ inches long and 6 inches wide</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Place
the template over your fabric and either pin in place or draw around it</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cut
out two pieces of your outer fabric and two pieces of your lining fabric</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FIXING THE ZIP</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nqIoHhVAz0/VC_VADhtqHI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/FE8LtYiiQSs/s1600/fixing%2Bthe%2Bzip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nqIoHhVAz0/VC_VADhtqHI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/FE8LtYiiQSs/s1600/fixing%2Bthe%2Bzip.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lay
zip across your fabric and trim any extra edges</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Open
your zip about half way</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Take
one piece of your outer fabric and place it down right side up</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lay
the zip on the top edge with the pull side facing down onto the right side</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPd96FBDlMA/VC_VB1CRWwI/AAAAAAAAAio/fsfL2y0Zqvg/s1600/fixing%2Bthe%2Bzip2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPd96FBDlMA/VC_VB1CRWwI/AAAAAAAAAio/fsfL2y0Zqvg/s1600/fixing%2Bthe%2Bzip2.png" height="176" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none;"> the lining fabric on top of the
zip, to create a zip sandwich</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">If using </span><span style="color: black;">patterned lining fabric make sure it is
right side down</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none;"> pin it together so it doesn’t move
around while you’re sewing</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ6IVBhgldQ/VC_VE4To_sI/AAAAAAAAAjc/LAuryeZa6Ls/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ6IVBhgldQ/VC_VE4To_sI/AAAAAAAAAjc/LAuryeZa6Ls/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip1.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sew
the sandwich together using backstitch about ¼ inch from the top of the fabric. (If you're not sure how, find out <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/basic-hand-sewing-stitches.html">how to sew a backstitch</a> here.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When
you have finished tie a knot and cut off excess thread</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Turn
it over with the right side of the outer fabric facing up and the zip the right
way round</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To
sew the next side put the lining down right side up and place the zipped
section on top with the zip along the top</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Put
the outer fabric on top of the zip, wrong side up to form another sandwich</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pin</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none;"> it all together and sew it like
the other side</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">The</span><span style="color: black;"> fabric might look like it doesn’t match
up but remember your zip is open</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qW9T5Ox9yi8/VC_VD1XCILI/AAAAAAAAAjI/s3Oeu4o99ww/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qW9T5Ox9yi8/VC_VD1XCILI/AAAAAAAAAjI/s3Oeu4o99ww/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip%2B5.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pin
it all together and sew it like the other side</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The
fabric might look like it doesn’t match up but remember your zip is open</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eGL88LbVXQ/VC_VEN2pq_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/WfjMQvLlX9U/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip%2B6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eGL88LbVXQ/VC_VEN2pq_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/WfjMQvLlX9U/s1600/sewing%2Byour%2Bzip%2B6.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keep
your zip open about half way so that you can turn your purse inside out</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SEWING THE EDGES</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ITN4vojDPk/VC_VChCCQOI/AAAAAAAAAi0/O9mA_oKM-8M/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ITN4vojDPk/VC_VChCCQOI/AAAAAAAAAi0/O9mA_oKM-8M/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges1.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now
you’re going to sew it all together</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Your
two lining pieces should be together and touching each other and your two outer
pieces should be together as well</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13k1Tgem4W4/VC_VDc6I8rI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/beBGGhTAAnA/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13k1Tgem4W4/VC_VDc6I8rI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/beBGGhTAAnA/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges2.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pin
everything down, as you’re pinning try to push the outside seam toward the
lining so that when you’re done it will lie properly</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbF0NZ22oCE/VC_VC3eLuBI/AAAAAAAAAi8/ljme_fUjmho/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BbF0NZ22oCE/VC_VC3eLuBI/AAAAAAAAAi8/ljme_fUjmho/s1600/sewing%2Bthe%2Bedges%2B3.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sew
all around the edges with backstitch leaving an opening at the bottom of the
lining to ensure that you can turn the bag (about 3 ½ inches will be enough)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One
thread will not be enough you’ll have to rethread a few times on the way round</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">TURNING THE BAG</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVy64u0u43E/VC_VGvaOSEI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6PCC4TVzhRM/s1600/turning%2Bthe%2Bbag1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVy64u0u43E/VC_VGvaOSEI/AAAAAAAAAj4/6PCC4TVzhRM/s1600/turning%2Bthe%2Bbag1.png" height="176" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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When you have finished turn the bag inside out. A chopstick is a useful way to push the corners out.</div>
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Sew up the opening with whip stitch. (If you're not sure how, find out <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/basic-hand-sewing-stitches.html">how to sew a whip stitch</a> here.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCB2elLrep4/VC_VG2AIAHI/AAAAAAAAAj8/8DTmQiFczVI/s1600/turning%2Bthe%2Bbag2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCB2elLrep4/VC_VG2AIAHI/AAAAAAAAAj8/8DTmQiFczVI/s1600/turning%2Bthe%2Bbag2.png" height="176" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FINISHING THE BAG</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Push
the lining back into the bag </span><span style="color: black;">and you’re finished!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-84582608229258905362014-10-04T11:41:00.001+01:002014-10-04T11:43:09.314+01:00Basic hand sewing stitches<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I ran a <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/helping-hens-to-be-crafty.html">sewing workshop at a hen party</a>, I realised that people are often quite scared of sewing. It really is quite easy and like most things just a matter of practice. With hand sewing, you can sew while you're relaxing doing something else like listening to music or watching TV, so I'd recommend it as a way to get started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So here are a couple of stitches to try and I'll be posting a simple tutorial on how to use these two to make a simple make-up bag. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.38in;">First thread your needle with double
thread and knot the end.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">BACKSTITCH</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUMq9S3WA5s/VC_N3spZ-hI/AAAAAAAAAg8/2DtTj_XfqWQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-04%2Bat%2B11.34.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUMq9S3WA5s/VC_N3spZ-hI/AAAAAAAAAg8/2DtTj_XfqWQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-04%2Bat%2B11.34.55.png" height="173" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span style="color: black;">Working
from right to left, come up at A</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span style="color: black;">Take
a small backward stitch, go down at B and come up at C</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span style="color: black;">Move
the needle forward beneath the material & come up one stitch length ahead</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">•<span style="color: black;">Try
to keep your stitches even</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.56in;">•</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.56in;">Tie a
knot at the end</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It will look like this on the right side</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.38in;">…and like this on the</span><span style="text-indent: -0.38in;"> reverse</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-indent: -0.56in;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">WHIP STITCH</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">•</span><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">Pull
the needle through at A</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">•</span><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">Push
it back through the other side of the fabric at B and through both pieces of
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">•</span><span style="text-indent: -0.56in;">Pull
the needle through at C and repeat</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-67369656037281353122014-06-27T22:36:00.001+01:002014-06-27T22:39:21.552+01:00Lampshade Making Workshop at Creative Biscuit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSOEJB62Ujs/U63brL23EPI/AAAAAAAAAf0/uADK3UoN0iI/s1600/20140619_215325-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="handmade lampshades from lampshade making workshop" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSOEJB62Ujs/U63brL23EPI/AAAAAAAAAf0/uADK3UoN0iI/s1600/20140619_215325-2.jpg" height="300" title="handmade lampshades from lampshade making workshop" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love doing workshops. Not only do you get to learn a new skill but it means that I actually have time in my diary dedicated to making something. It's all too easy to let it slip down the to-do list at home. A friend introduced me to <a href="http://www.creativebiscuit.co.uk/">Creative Biscuit</a> in South Woodford, a lovely crafting cafe that serves great tea and cake where you can paint ceramics which also runs some brilliant workshops. So last Thursday night, after a few glasses of wine nearby, a friend and I went along to the Lampshade Making Workshop to join three other girls and the super nice teacher Karen who also owns the shop. It was very friendly and informal; we were offered tea or coffee when we arrived and two of the girls were drinking Prosecco that they'd brought with them so I knew I was in the right place!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOgZ1yElwrQ/U63bpt1sicI/AAAAAAAAAfs/o_yUEEXsNUM/s1600/20140619_202631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="attaching fabric to plastic to make a lampshade" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOgZ1yElwrQ/U63bpt1sicI/AAAAAAAAAfs/o_yUEEXsNUM/s1600/20140619_202631.jpg" height="320" title="attaching fabric to plastic to make a lampshade" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPnPWdQNHSk/U63bl4_Tu6I/AAAAAAAAAfk/QuAraaRAsQQ/s1600/20140619_195053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lampshade making kit at Creative Biscuit workshop" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPnPWdQNHSk/U63bl4_Tu6I/AAAAAAAAAfk/QuAraaRAsQQ/s1600/20140619_195053.jpg" height="320" title="lampshade making kit at Creative Biscuit workshop" width="240" /></a></div>
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We started off with a lampshade making kit each and initially I think we were all wondering how we'd manage to make lampshades that would look as professional as Karen's. But the good news is that it was incredibly easy. It is a little bit fiddly in parts and you can definitely do with another pair of hands for some of the steps but the end result is well worth it. Everyone's material looked lovely once it had been stuck to the backing and we were all very pleased with our final lampshades.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTyM8S_yL-Q/U63bu-OUQEI/AAAAAAAAAgA/b0ps9SkxWaI/s1600/20140619_215504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="handmade lampshade made with Michael Miller Retro Rocket Rascals " border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTyM8S_yL-Q/U63bu-OUQEI/AAAAAAAAAgA/b0ps9SkxWaI/s1600/20140619_215504.jpg" height="400" title="handmade lampshade made with Michael Miller Retro Rocket Rascals " width="300" /></a></div>
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I chose to make one for my little man's bedroom. It's surprisingly difficult to get an interesting, stylish lampshade that isn't too babyish, too twee or just too expensive. I used the <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/retro-rocket-rascals.html">Michael Miller Retro Rocket Rascals</a> fabric that I have used in the past to make lots of bibs and baby gifts for <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/">Stars and Buttons</a>. I'm really happy with the way it turned out and it was a really enjoyable way to spend the evening; making something in a relaxed atmosphere while catching up with a friend. You can buy lampshade making kits online and you could probably find some instructions online too but I think that you can't beat having someone experienced to show you their own little tricks and shortcuts.<br />
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The owner Karen told us that she is planning some more workshops at <a href="http://www.creativebiscuit.co.uk/">Creative Biscuit</a> in the future so I'll be keeping an eye on the website for the next set of dates - past classes have included wooden jewellery making, screen printing, vintage tea cup candle making and embroidery.<br />
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Visit the <a href="http://www.creativebiscuit.co.uk/">Creative Biscuit website</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-56701807405244131832014-06-06T18:24:00.001+01:002014-06-27T22:39:50.839+01:00Happy Birthday to the little man<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_dcA-jlR4mI/U5H5M_9n0zI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Z683SIOrwak/s640/blogger-image--458235710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_dcA-jlR4mI/U5H5M_9n0zI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Z683SIOrwak/s640/blogger-image--458235710.jpg" /></a>I know everyone says it, but I really can't believe how quickly the last year has gone. We've been celebrating the first birthday and yet again we've been overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends.</div>
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I am also breathing a sigh of relief, as to be quite honest, I wasn't sure how this whole motherhood thing would pan out. The good news is it's totally awesome and we are lucky to have a happy, smiley little boy who makes us laugh every day. The second best thing is that when people say things like "you will never be the same again once you're a <i>mother" </i>I've discovered this is mostly bullshit. I was pretty damn happy with who I was before so this kind of worried me. Turns out that after you emerge from the crazed, sleep-deprived fog of those first few months you're just you, but with the added bonus of a cool little person. Life goes on, you can have fun, go out for drinks, return to work - you just need good childcare and a partner who understands your need to go out and be you again. I know I'm very lucky, so this week I'm celebrating that as much as anything else.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-81395335899084718732014-05-20T15:36:00.003+01:002014-05-20T15:36:41.225+01:00SHOP: Space EC1There are so many wonderful independent shops stocking up-and-coming designers that I've decided to spotlight some of my favourites. When you're in a rush it can be all too easy to fall back on that well-known online retail giant to buy last minute presents, but recently I decided to make a concerted effort to avoid doing that and buy from independent and local shops instead. After all, they will only survive if we support them. I'm planning on making this a regular feature so if you know of a great independent shop that deserves featuring just let me know.<br />
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I'm about to leave my day job to start with a new company in a different part of London and I've been making the most of my last few weeks in Farringdon and Clerkenwell (where my current office is based) to visit the local shops, cafes and pubs for the last time.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGbikjasG8c/U3tk9xHmOgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bwUd6vJtPag/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Space Shop front on Exmouth Market" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGbikjasG8c/U3tk9xHmOgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bwUd6vJtPag/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG" height="320" title="Space shop front " width="315" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/">Space</a> is a really sweet little shop on <a href="http://www.exmouth-market.com/">Exmouth Market</a>, an area that has been growing in popularity as a foodie destination in recent years but also has a handful of great independent retailers. If you do visit, the fabulous tapas bar <a href="http://morito.co.uk/">Morito</a>, sister to the more famous <a href="http://www.moro.co.uk/">Moro</a>, is definitely worth a visit as the food and wine is delicious. Anyway, back to <a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/">Space</a>, it stocks all manner of useful and unusual present ideas and lots of lovely things you'll be tempted to gift yourself as well. There is lots of luscious stationary including <a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/shop/stationery/stormy-weather-notebook-set">Sparrow & Wolf notebooks</a>, some highly covetable <a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/shop/jewellery?page=2">jewellery</a>, unique greeting cards as well as home ware, kids toys and books.<br />
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I bought some lovely children's books and I couldn't resist this retro <a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/shop/fisher-price-classic-record-player">Fisher-Price Classic Record Player</a> for our little boy's 1st birthday. His dad remembers playing with this toy the first time round and is hoping it will distract the little one from touching the real vinyl records in the house - we'll see!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrNVCyLj8PA/U3tk-OKLv2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/BLueiyakWDk/s1600/recordplayer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fisher-Price Classic Music Box Record Player in packaging on Space shop shelf" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrNVCyLj8PA/U3tk-OKLv2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/BLueiyakWDk/s1600/recordplayer.JPG" height="320" title="Fisher-Price Classic Music Box Record Player" width="264" /></a></div>
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And I've got my eye on these <a href="http://www.mengsel.com/collections/kitchen/mugs">Mengsel Whale & Sea mugs</a> and plates from the <a href="http://www.mengsel.com/search?q=abode">Abode collection</a>:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04lZnM23wL4/U3tk_3CaWEI/AAAAAAAAAe0/MfhIE5kaIs8/s1600/shopdisplay2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mengsel Whale & Sea mugs and plates from Abode collection on Space shop shelf" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04lZnM23wL4/U3tk_3CaWEI/AAAAAAAAAe0/MfhIE5kaIs8/s1600/shopdisplay2.JPG" height="320" title="Mengsel Whale & Sea mugs and plates from Abode collection" width="239" /></a></div>
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You can find Space at 25 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4QL.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Apercu Regular', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span>If you can't make it to the shop in person, you can buy lots of their stock online at the <a href="http://www.ifounditinspace.com/">I Found It In Space website</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-67438800065506332372014-05-01T10:47:00.000+01:002014-05-01T10:48:10.774+01:00The homemade cot bumper is finally completeThere will come a time when your small baby that once slept placidly starts moving around in their cot. Hitting their arms, legs and then probably their head on the bars - often at the same time. This can be a bit frightening so you'll want to rush out immediately and buy them a cot bumper. Then maybe, like me, you will stand in the shop looking at them thinking 'how much?' before spluttering 'but it's just a big rectangle of material'!!! I also didn't like most of the designs which were all pretty twee and certainly not worth over £40. Hopefully, you will then head home and run one up on your sewing machine. Sadly for my son, I bought the materials then moved house, dealt with Christmas, didn't unpack the sewing machine, <insert more excuses here> and so the poor boy continued to bump his head as he wriggled around at night.<br />
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But lucky boy, I have now finally made him a cot bumper. So when he wedges himself in horizontally to the end of the cot he should no longer have bar marks! He likes to hit it enthusiastically before he goes to sleep which I think must mean that he likes it. It is actually incredibly easy and just needs some large pieces of material and wadding. I'm sure there may be 'proper' patterns online but I couldn't be bothered to hunt one down and just decided to make my own based on the material I had. I will post a full tutorial on here soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-26278467713524729832014-04-22T14:12:00.001+01:002014-04-28T16:11:18.223+01:00Easter treatsAt a <a href="http://www.countrylivingfair.com/spring/">Spring fair</a> a while ago, I did the usual trick of finding lots of lovely things for myself rather than buying the presents for others that I'd told myself would justify the visit. I'm a sucker for beautiful handmade ceramics and couldn't resist this porcelain bowl by <a href="http://www.sarahfieldceramics.com/">Sarah Field Ceramics</a>. It's perfect for mini eggs, although they didn't last too long!<br />
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The great thing about buying at fairs is getting to meet the producers and having a chat about their work.<br />
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I also bought these really sweet little Easter decorations too to hang on some willow branches.<br />
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I had planned to take some artfully shot images of them adorning the Easter table but to be honest we were so busy this weekend we never quite got around to having a sit down Easter feast. Next year, I'm planning on a proper roast with Easter decorations and all the trimmings so they will have to wait until then for a starring role.<br />
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You can learn more about <a href="http://www.sarahfieldceramics.com/">Sarah Field's</a> hand thrown porcelain on her <a href="http://www.sarahfieldceramics.com/">website</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-18328351755889497402014-04-07T22:11:00.000+01:002014-04-07T22:15:51.664+01:00Nursery decor from A-Z <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt5QB8KUXpg/U0MR9Sbu2VI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/l9m5Crb4h3s/s1600/alphabet+on+wall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alphabet cards by Nursery Names pegged to nursery wall" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kt5QB8KUXpg/U0MR9Sbu2VI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/l9m5Crb4h3s/s1600/alphabet+on+wall.png" height="400" title="Nursery Names alphabet cards" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alphabet cards on Finley's wall</td></tr>
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It's hard to believe it was almost a year ago that I went to the <a href="http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/pick-me-up-2014">Pick Me Up</a> contemporary graphic arts festival at London's <a href="http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/">Somerset House</a>. I had meant to blog about it at the time, but being pregnant and constantly tired I never quite got round to it. It was so inspiring and the sort of exhibition where I would genuinely love to own the art so I'm planning to go again this year, and I <i>will</i> post about it this time round.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Personalised prints being created by Nursery Names at Pick Me Up 2013</td></tr>
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One of the surprising things was how child friendly it was - it's funny how you start to look at things with a different perspective. We were there early on a Saturday morning and not only were there lots of parents with little ones (a revelation: so this is what you do when you're not hungover and up at the crack of dawn), but there were printing workshops and creative spaces where older kids could get involved in creative projects too. There were also quite a few artists creating work aimed at children and the stuff that really caught my eye was by <a href="http://nurserynames.co.uk/">Nursery Names</a>. In their own words it's a "<span class="st">customisable alphabet print project founded by London based graphic artist & art director Emily Forgot". They were creating personalised prints on site, or you could buy individual letter prints or alphabet prints. But I went for the beautiful sets of alphabet cards. I love the quirky illustrations and the fact that they are fun without being too twee.</span><br />
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<span class="st">I had originally planned to frame the whole set but after struggling home from Ikea with a giant picture frame and trying to arrange them in it, they still didn't look right. Luckily, as I was looking back at my <a href="http://gb.pinterest.com/starsandbuttons/stylish-nurseries/">children's nursery Pinterest board</a> for inspiration, I looked again at a nursery that had used <a href="http://gb.pinterest.com/pin/213780313533915250/">traditional twine to peg alphabet cards to the wall</a>. I decided this would be perfect and would make a different yet stylish way to display the cards. I'm really pleased with how they look and now just need to get a few more prints up in Finley's room so it starts to look a bit cosier. I'm also booked in for a lampshade making course at a l<a href="http://www.creativebiscuit.co.uk/">ocal creative cafe</a> in June so I can make him an original lamp shade - decent kids ones are surprisingly hard to find.</span><br />
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<span class="st">The alphabet card sets or personalised prints would make a brilliant birthday or christening present for little ones and they come in a variety of colour ways. You can find out more at the <a href="http://nurserynames.co.uk/">Nursery Names website</a>. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-67287897990948466022013-12-31T07:51:00.001+00:002014-04-07T21:27:07.115+01:00Blogging resolutions<div>
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It's been a very hectic couple of months; moving, decorating, cramming in the Christmas shopping, unpacking boxes, cleaning and hosting Christmas for all the family. And juggling all that with our lovely little man who is now seven months old and growing up far too fast for my liking.<br />
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After being crammed into a temporary one bedroom flat with a growing mountain of baby stuff, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">wonderful news is that we are in our lovely new house. We're feeling properly grown up with a garden complete with a shed and everything! </span></div>
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After a hectic few months, the last visitors left yesterday so we finally had a chance to sit back with a glass of wine, look around our new home and appreciate how lucky we are. </div>
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There's still plenty to do though, as my study/craft room needs decorating and seems to have been designated as the junk room and is stuffed full of boxes. When it is cleared and the sewing machine gets unpacked I'll start some new projects and write some tutorials.</div>
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My resolutions for 2014 are all about positivity rather than denial, so here's to a productive and creative year with lots of making and blogging.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-44247835538176907912013-10-06T21:15:00.001+01:002013-10-06T21:15:33.970+01:00Wood Street MarketOne of the reasons I love London, is that even after living here for over 13 years, I'm still always discovering new places. Since moving to our temporary flat in Leytonstone, we've been able to explore lots of new spots further east and this is one of my favourite finds. It was actually the boyfriend who discovered it in his never-ending quest for more vinyl after a tip off. And after he disappeared there for hours at a time, he finally told me that the market also had vintage furniture and clothes. I'm not sure why he didn't tell me that sooner!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ufBaVSjCs/UlG_EQMZeuI/AAAAAAAAAW8/crrMklR8JdU/s1600/exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Exterior shot of Wood Street Market signage" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ufBaVSjCs/UlG_EQMZeuI/AAAAAAAAAW8/crrMklR8JdU/s320/exterior.jpg" title="Wood Street Market signage" width="239" /></a></div>
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Anyway, Wood Street Market is right next to Wood Street overground in the Walthamstow postcode but only a 5 minute drive from Leytonstone. And it is totally worth the trip. It's just off a totally unassuming high street and inside is a maze of antique, vintage and independent shops. Aside from loads of vinyl record dealers, you can also find vintage dresses, jewellery, furniture and also shops selling hand made soap and even a small liquer shop called Mother's Ruin.<br />
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I have a thing about buying old chairs, so it was only because we still haven't moved house that I was able to resist the beautifully restored chairs on offer from The Chair Man. You can even watch him at work in his workshop.</div>
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I've made a mental note to come back to Wood Street Market next time I need to find a nice frock for a wedding, as the lovely lady at Gigi's Dressing Room was helping a customer into a gorgeous vintage dress and even does the alterations.</div>
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<br />I'm not sure if Wood Street Market is open every day during the week but it is certainly open on Saturdays and on Sundays there is even a little pop up coffee shop on site too.<br />
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The Wood Street Market website seems to be broken at the moment but I will add a link once it is back up and running.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-42326395802920619332013-07-19T08:59:00.001+01:002013-07-19T08:59:07.371+01:00Our Little Man Has ArrivedThe reason for the radio silence on the blog....<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZf333Rag-Q/UejxyP3u2LI/AAAAAAAAAWg/6bQGbrJjjew/s640/blogger-image--1503648584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZf333Rag-Q/UejxyP3u2LI/AAAAAAAAAWg/6bQGbrJjjew/s640/blogger-image--1503648584.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>Our beautiful boy Finley Milo arrived on 31st May. We've made it out of those hazy first few weeks and are now enjoying getting out and about in the sunshine. </div><div><br></div><div>I still have lots of posts I was meant to write up while I was pregnant, including a tutorial for this blanket I made that you can see in the photo. All to follow, maybe once this sunny weather is over! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-89500763818492851112013-05-16T17:19:00.001+01:002013-05-16T17:19:25.598+01:00Moving EastWe've finally sold our flat in Broadway market and are in the process of buying an actual, grown up three bedroom house! We need the space not only for the impending arrival but hopefully there'll be more room to set up the sewing machine as well as more space for the boy's ever-expanding record and guitar collection.<br />
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With only a week to go until the bump's due date I've got lots of outstanding blog posts to write, including a baby blanket tutorial which I will publish soon. But in the meantime, I thought I'd share a few images of our new neighbourhood. We're staying in a flat in Leytonstone until the sale of our house gets sorted and like lots of people I had no idea how lovely the parks and 'countryside' is around here.<br />
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Wanstead Park is just down the road, has lots of lakes and a brilliant kiosk that sells home made cake and tea in proper mugs that you can enjoy while watching the ducks. The bluebells also happen to be out at the moment and they look and smell totally amazing.<br />
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And nearby in the other direction is Hollow Ponds, which also make you feel like you are out in the country rather than in a park just outside of central London. We're already getting excited about bringing the little one here for walks once he finally arrives.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivInMvrSFrA/UZUGhAFqBaI/AAAAAAAAAWM/1wLzD5vDmIk/s1600/Hollow+ponds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hollow Ponds Leyton & Leytonstone" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivInMvrSFrA/UZUGhAFqBaI/AAAAAAAAAWM/1wLzD5vDmIk/s400/Hollow+ponds.jpg" title="Hollow Ponds Leyton & Leytonstone" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-50038056166222116972013-04-02T21:42:00.001+01:002013-04-02T21:43:50.561+01:00Hemingway Design at John Lewis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew7whWhysXs/UVs40GwUHyI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Z_ts8VHCBMw/s1600/hemingway+sew+vanity+case.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hemingway Design vanity case with Art Deco inspired design" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew7whWhysXs/UVs40GwUHyI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Z_ts8VHCBMw/s320/hemingway+sew+vanity+case.jpg" title="Hemingway Design Vanity Case" width="320" /></a></div>
We've
been spending quite a bit of time in the John Lewis baby department
recently, but I managed to sneak off to the haberdashery department.
With the impending house move and new arrival, I haven't had much time
for crafting recently so I was looking for inspiration. And I couldn't
help admiring this lovely collection by <a href="http://www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hemingway Design</a>
for John Lewis. Inspired by Art Deco motifs and shapes, the whole
collection is lovely, I especially like the vanity cases which would
make a very stylish place to stash your craft stuff. They'd be equally
lovely as vanity cases in the old fashioned sense too, to carry around
make up or as an overnight bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jju6HI6XIh8/UVs_YWTIcDI/AAAAAAAAAVk/5viyTnujZDc/s1600/hemingway+range.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hemingway Design range, vanity cases and tins" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jju6HI6XIh8/UVs_YWTIcDI/AAAAAAAAAVk/5viyTnujZDc/s320/hemingway+range.jpg" title="Hemingway Design range" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEQaILtYyGA/UVs4mqS87vI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fDMd3R0p9dM/s1600/hemingway+pattern+purses.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hemingway tins and purses with vintage sewing patterns" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEQaILtYyGA/UVs4mqS87vI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fDMd3R0p9dM/s320/hemingway+pattern+purses.jpg" title="Hemingway tins and purses" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tins and purses with designs inspired by vintage sewing patterns.<a href="http://www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk/" target="_blank"><br />
</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Hemingway Design</a>
is run by Wayne and Gerardine design who designed under the Red or Dead
label in the 90s and who have since worked on a fascinating variety of
projects ever since, on everything from wall tiles to the first vintage
festival at London's Southbank. (You can read more about the <a href="http://www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk/about/history" target="_blank">Hemingway Design history on their website</a>.) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz2yuMb5sVs/UVs5vR4k-2I/AAAAAAAAAVU/5eXRT9t7WyA/s1600/hemingwaynotebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hemingway Design notebook with Art Deco inspired print" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz2yuMb5sVs/UVs5vR4k-2I/AAAAAAAAAVU/5eXRT9t7WyA/s320/hemingwaynotebook.jpg" title="Hemingway Design notebook" width="239" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBxmFKOQmxw/UVs54KHx0mI/AAAAAAAAAVc/o2YMwu8Veuc/s1600/hemingway+tins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hemingway Design buttons, pins and needles metal tins" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBxmFKOQmxw/UVs54KHx0mI/AAAAAAAAAVc/o2YMwu8Veuc/s320/hemingway+tins.jpg" title="Hemingway Design tins" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the simple button, pin and needle tins are stylish with a simple Art Deco font.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's
so nice to see some craft accessories that aren't the usual twee floral
patterns that seem to be everywhere trying to emulate the Cath Kidston
aesthetic. You can buy the collection online at the the <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/search/hemingway-design/hemingway+design=brand/pg-view-all" target="_blank">John Lewis website</a>.<br />
<br />
. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-89329477744461199852013-01-27T19:26:00.000+00:002013-01-27T19:27:08.958+00:00Fabric Haul from the Middle EastOver Christmas, I was lucky enough to go to Oman in the Middle East to visit my parents. Apart from the weather and good food, a big bonus are the material shops full of unusual prints that you can't get over here. I stocked up on fabric so I can start making some new designs and also try out making new things for my little bump. In the excitement of a whole shop full of material and preparing myself for some haggling, I stupidly forgot to take some photos inside the shop. Maybe next time. For now, here's a little look at a few of the new styles I bought.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrJOCFka--Q/UQV-BwQNKcI/AAAAAAAAAT8/hy-mPd36W9Q/s1600/chicken+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green material with yellow chickens" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrJOCFka--Q/UQV-BwQNKcI/AAAAAAAAAT8/hy-mPd36W9Q/s320/chicken+fabric.jpg" title="Green chicken material" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkiL8xjOIlQ/UQV-JOyBLwI/AAAAAAAAAUE/128OZK2svE8/s1600/coffee+cup+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multicoloured vintage and retro coffee and tea pot print material " border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkiL8xjOIlQ/UQV-JOyBLwI/AAAAAAAAAUE/128OZK2svE8/s320/coffee+cup+fabric.jpg" title="Retro Coffee material" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzaDBkHEaek/UQV-RwCB5SI/AAAAAAAAAUM/a4_C3ObzGKM/s1600/sweet+material.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pink, red and blue sweet print material with blue pattern" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzaDBkHEaek/UQV-RwCB5SI/AAAAAAAAAUM/a4_C3ObzGKM/s320/sweet+material.jpg" title="Sweet material" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-78936076721061276792013-01-20T22:29:00.001+00:002013-01-23T21:56:04.885+00:00Baby EssentialsI can't quite believe it but I am already almost 6 months pregnant. So far we haven't really got anything sorted, as we're planning on moving house before the baby is born and we don't want to fill our flat with things when we're having viewings.<br />
<br />
Luckily, my ever stylish friend Amber who writes the <a href="http://theatreoffashion.co.uk/">Theatre of Fashion blog</a> bought our son his first tuxedo...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c85GKekp74g/UPxuC080t1I/AAAAAAAAATc/LIwtBmMvh5k/s1600/tuxedo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black and white babygrow novelty tuxedo with bow tie" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c85GKekp74g/UPxuC080t1I/AAAAAAAAATc/LIwtBmMvh5k/s320/tuxedo.jpg" height="320" title="Baby tuxedo" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And Daddy-to-be bought him a Moustache dummy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyCyjKoUvvQ/UPxui3H64EI/AAAAAAAAATo/bPHv7-g95Ig/s1600/tash+dummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moustache pacifier plastic baby dummy" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyCyjKoUvvQ/UPxui3H64EI/AAAAAAAAATo/bPHv7-g95Ig/s320/tash+dummy.jpg" height="320" title="Moustache Pacifier" width="239" /></a></div>
And that's pretty much all we've got so far but surely that's all the Spring/Summer 13 essentials sorted?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-40656900235605107792013-01-13T22:17:00.002+00:002013-01-23T21:58:35.601+00:00Upcycle Those Christmas CardsIf you haven't quite got round to recycling your pile of Christmas cards, why not upcycle them instead? I know that this is a bit late and most people took their decorations down last weekend, but even if you've already thrown away your cards, this is a great way to create your own gift tags during the rest of the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oc85FBv0qFo/UPMtybf_tCI/AAAAAAAAASg/wSfzuxMdhoU/s1600/punch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Label shaped punch used to recycle christmas cards" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oc85FBv0qFo/UPMtybf_tCI/AAAAAAAAASg/wSfzuxMdhoU/s320/punch1.jpg" height="239" title="Label punch" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love old fashioned, brown luggage/postage labels and already use them in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/starsandbuttons">my bib</a> packaging, so I loved the idea of this label shaped punch when I read about it on the <a href="http://offbeatandinspired.com/2012/12/02/diy-cereal-box-gift-tags/">Offbeat & Inspired blog</a> back in December. I immediately bought one online from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003DKN1NM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00">Amazon</a> and intended to use it to make some homemade labels for Christmas. Sadly I didn't actually get it until after Christmas, but when I was taking down all my Christmas cards last week I was thinking what a shame it was to throw them away when I remembered the punch. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4281mCr-KDM/UPMwI4acT1I/AAAAAAAAAS0/rvuEvUhIpV8/s1600/punch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas gift tags made from various recycled Christmas cards" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4281mCr-KDM/UPMwI4acT1I/AAAAAAAAAS0/rvuEvUhIpV8/s320/punch2.jpg" height="239" title="Gift tags" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's so simple to use and strangely addictive, you find yourself wanting to punch label shapes out of everything! Now I have lots of labels ready for next year which I've packed away with the ribbons and Christmas wrapping paper. As it will be the first Christmas with a new baby, I think I'll be very glad that I was so organised!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u2sRDIqLQE/UPMwn_WPtfI/AAAAAAAAAS8/RGbQ_tcdclA/s1600/punch3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="brown and white christmas gift tag made from recycled christmas card" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u2sRDIqLQE/UPMwn_WPtfI/AAAAAAAAAS8/RGbQ_tcdclA/s320/punch3.jpg" height="239" title="Upcycled Christmas card" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I do intend to use it all year round to make pretty home made tags, like the ones made out of cereal boxes that <a href="http://offbeatandinspired.com/2012/12/02/diy-cereal-box-gift-tags/">Offbeat & Inspired</a> originally blogged about that inspired me in the first place! Have a look at <a href="http://offbeatandinspired.com/2012/12/02/diy-cereal-box-gift-tags/">Sarah & Tiffany's beautiful tags here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-35158294046698347832012-12-10T21:07:00.000+00:002013-01-23T21:59:28.563+00:00New CushionsBack in the summer, I made a cushion for a friend with some lovely African style material that she picked up in Ridley Road market in East London. Luckily, she liked it so much she asked me to make another one for her. I really like this material, I must get up to Ridley Road myself in the new year and get some for myself!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8g9lAYa0-k/UMZNzDf-YsI/AAAAAAAAASA/pbl9Rblbz0M/s1600/cushion_amber2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Handmade cushion made with African tribal print material from Ridley Road Market" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8g9lAYa0-k/UMZNzDf-YsI/AAAAAAAAASA/pbl9Rblbz0M/s320/cushion_amber2.jpg" height="320" title="African Print cushion" width="320" /></a></div>
You can find out how to make this cushion by reading my <a href="http://starsandbuttons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/how-to-make-easy-peasy-envelope-cushion.html">Easy Peasy Envelope Cushion Cover tutorial</a>.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-63657100702852490032012-12-03T10:21:00.003+00:002013-01-23T22:00:17.178+00:00Exciting news!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNuRcWi4lkU/ULx9GGk_RKI/AAAAAAAAARg/GmaGKfM2m9w/s1600/baby+on+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby on board badge for London underground" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TNuRcWi4lkU/ULx9GGk_RKI/AAAAAAAAARg/GmaGKfM2m9w/s320/baby+on+board.jpg" height="320" title="Baby on board badge" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As you can see, we're going to be expecting a little one in 2013. This should mean that I always have a willing model on hand to try showcase my designs and try out some new products. Although, whether I'll have any time for crafting remains to be seen!<br />
<br />
I've already started lusting over lots of gorgeous baby products, so I will have a go at making some new things and will post some tutorials and inspiration along the way.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-34170335576635011602012-12-03T00:03:00.003+00:002013-01-23T22:02:18.250+00:00Homemade Christmas CardsNow it is December, it's officially OK to start getting excited about Christmas - yay! After a failed attempt to buy some 'nice' cards for my close family that didn't cost about a fiver (when did cards get so pricey?), I decided to make my own. Here are my first attempts:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84wQ_o9Lobw/ULvpnxC57-I/AAAAAAAAARE/EWVc1M1Vfn4/s1600/button+tree+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade christmas card made with coloured recycled buttons sewn onto card" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84wQ_o9Lobw/ULvpnxC57-I/AAAAAAAAARE/EWVc1M1Vfn4/s320/button+tree+card.jpg" height="320" title="Home made button Christmas cards" width="239" /></a></div>
To create something similar, lay out your buttons on a different card or blank piece of paper and then gradually sew the buttons on the card you're going to use in sequence - easy! I used double thread and taped down the knotted ends on the inside so that they don't come loose. And I even added a little bell on the top for that Christmas sound effect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmA0sxBXeY4/ULvrAIQk8EI/AAAAAAAAARM/Ul8I7IiiPFE/s1600/stocking+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="handmade christmas card with red felt stocking and white buttons" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmA0sxBXeY4/ULvrAIQk8EI/AAAAAAAAARM/Ul8I7IiiPFE/s320/stocking+card.jpg" height="320" title="Handmade stocking christmas card" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For my second design, I cut out some mini stockings out of red felt, attached a bit of silver ribbon to the top and then secured them to the card by sewing on the buttons. I've left spaces on both to sew on people's names and I think next time I might
sew the stockings on the card with a blanket stitch and even fill them with
little presents.<br />
<br />
With some Christmas carols on and festive biscuits to nibble on, making these was surprisingly therapeutic so hopefully I'll have time to make some more and maybe get a bit more adventurous with my designs. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-11686664333465870492012-10-26T19:13:00.002+01:002013-01-23T22:03:14.948+00:00A Fine FoxThe boy and I managed to escape to the country last week for a few days in beautiful Devon. We were absurdly lucky with the weather with lots of sunshine which is highly unseasonal for October.<br />
<br />
On the way back, we stopped off for a night in Wiltshire with the lovely <a href="http://robinandmould.blogspot.com/">Robin and Mould</a> to meet the gorgeous new addition to the family, their beautiful daughter Edie.<br />
<br />
And they gave me a belated birthday present which is such a cute idea that I wanted to share it. It's a teatowel that is also a Sew Your Own Fox!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G707398cNBM/UIfYg_jQ3NI/AAAAAAAAAQI/n1t-NONRbt8/s1600/fox+teatowel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mibo sew your own fox tea towel" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G707398cNBM/UIfYg_jQ3NI/AAAAAAAAAQI/n1t-NONRbt8/s1600/fox+teatowel.jpg" height="298" title="Mibo sew your own fox" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It comes complete with instructions to cut out and sew your fox and they even have a video online at <a href="http://www.mibo.co.uk./">www.mibo.co.uk.</a> They also have sew your own owls, lions and squirrel tea towels. Now I just have to work out if I want to keep it as a teatowel or cut it up. Think the temptation to sew it will win.<br />
<br />
I liked it so much that I've since been lusting after all kinds of lovely stuff on the <a href="http://www.mibo.co.uk/">Mibo website</a>. They are a small UK company based in Hove in Sussex and they make all kinds of things from paper animals to adorable printed T shirts. I'm already planning to get organised and buy some Christmas pressies from the site.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mibo.co.uk/">Mibo website</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-63807435355230542452012-10-24T12:25:00.004+01:002013-01-23T22:04:08.533+00:00Enjoying AutumnAutumn is one of my favourite times of the year. You can't beat a walk in the woods as the leaves change colour, ending up in a warm country pub.<br />
<br />
And you get mushrooms and amazing toadstools like these! They make me think of children's books when there is usually some sort of fairy or woodland creature who lives under the red and white roof.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcwONu_pkrY/UIfQBHT9E8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/SiQEtJhxCXA/s1600/toadstool+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red and white toadstool taken in autumn woodland" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcwONu_pkrY/UIfQBHT9E8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/SiQEtJhxCXA/s1600/toadstool+.jpg" height="640" title="Toadstool" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-75867619044525776112012-10-04T16:32:00.000+01:002013-01-23T22:07:35.343+00:00Orla Kiely Excitement Overload<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
was actually quite a few weeks ago now when I walked past the Uniqlo window and
did a double take. Was it… could it be… Orla Kiely prints in Uniqlo? Why hadn’t
I heard about this? I raced in, convincing myself that the stuff would probably
all be really expensive but I was wrong. Not only was there a whole range of
scarves, dresses, jumpers and tops in the instantly recognisable print but they
started at under £10!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e9mmVGgdtc/UG2pxkpaj3I/AAAAAAAAAO8/Q4ZfyP_jZVM/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Orla Kiely top with multicolour car print from Uniqlo" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e9mmVGgdtc/UG2pxkpaj3I/AAAAAAAAAO8/Q4ZfyP_jZVM/s320/t-shirt.jpg" height="320" title="Orla Kiely top" width="238" /></a></div>
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So
I guess I’d better get this out of the way early, I went a bit nuts. I bought a
hoodie (so nice, so soft, so cheap!), a top and LOADS of scarves. Admittedly I
justified the huge initial outlay (credit card) as most of the scarves were
gifts (October and November are busy birthday months) but obviously I bought
plenty for myself. And I figure I can always sell them on eBay where the
scarves alone are currently selling for twice the original price.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyqkrfjppJU/UG2qi9fFrWI/AAAAAAAAAPI/0ui6-cSJqKg/s1600/brown+scrarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Orla Kiely multistem print scarf from Uniqlo" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyqkrfjppJU/UG2qi9fFrWI/AAAAAAAAAPI/0ui6-cSJqKg/s320/brown+scrarf.jpg" height="320" title="Orla Kiely Scarf" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of
course, I’m sure I’ll find it hard to actually part with any extra stuff and
I’m already thinking about crafting projects that I can make with the lovely
soft scarves. A skirt or dress for a toddler would look cute but can I part
with them…?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgWL0O76aNA/UG2rNVOon2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nXJhwX_c3aA/s1600/hoodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Orla Kiely multicolour print hoody jumper from Uniqlo" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgWL0O76aNA/UG2rNVOon2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nXJhwX_c3aA/s320/hoodie.jpg" height="320" title="Orla Kiely hoody " width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzVpC_wI8wY/UG2rkXt34ZI/AAAAAAAAAPY/3phMxgyZiUk/s1600/stem_multicolour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Orla Kiely scarf with multistem print from Uniqlo" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzVpC_wI8wY/UG2rkXt34ZI/AAAAAAAAAPY/3phMxgyZiUk/s320/stem_multicolour.jpg" height="320" title="Orla Kiely scarf" width="239" /></a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-22985328801687981272012-09-01T22:02:00.000+01:002013-01-23T22:13:03.288+00:00Helping hens to be craftyA few weeks ago, I ran my first craft workshop at a hen party which was great fun. The lovely bride Hannah is a keen crafter herself, so her sister and bridesmaid organised a relaxed afternoon of tea, cakes and crafting at her house before the ladies headed out on the town.<br />
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As most of the hens were crafting novices, I needed something that they could sew by hand and decided on a zip up make-up bag. The finished bag looks professional, so I think it is really satisfying to make and is also useful which is important for converting newbies to crafting!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE8937fZAHA/UEJ4f7Bd8HI/AAAAAAAAAOk/YwsItnek9uo/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hand sewn zip purse or make up bag with floral pattern and pink polka dot lining" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE8937fZAHA/UEJ4f7Bd8HI/AAAAAAAAAOk/YwsItnek9uo/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" height="300" title="Zip purse" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I arrived to set up, I was pleased to see that the cake stands and containers that I'd chosen to display the materials fitted in very well with the vintage, tea party theme that the bridesmaids had gone for.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJoImtbPy5g/UEJtx42SPMI/AAAAAAAAAMg/AmKhh_LQTZc/s1600/table+instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Table set up for sewing workshop at the hen party with material and zip options" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJoImtbPy5g/UEJtx42SPMI/AAAAAAAAAMg/AmKhh_LQTZc/s320/table+instagram.jpg" height="320" title="Table for workshop" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set up and ready to start</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGcfmNydzww/UEJt7PetTTI/AAAAAAAAAMo/cWjX5x_IRUU/s1600/cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="delicious homemade cakes on vintage cake stands made by the bridesmaid for the hen party" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGcfmNydzww/UEJt7PetTTI/AAAAAAAAAMo/cWjX5x_IRUU/s320/cakes.jpg" height="239" title="Cake spread" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yummy cakes provided for afternoon tea</td></tr>
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After the hens arrived and had a chat over tea and cake, they came up to choose their material and I showed them how to do the first few steps in small batches. Over the next few hours the ladies set about sewing while catching up and nibbling on more tea and cake. The best bit was seeing how genuinely chuffed the hens were with their make-up bags when they had finished.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6nuxCFL9Pk/UEJxWW5pnQI/AAAAAAAAANI/U5P0m-C5qbo/s1600/hannah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r6nuxCFL9Pk/UEJxWW5pnQI/AAAAAAAAANI/U5P0m-C5qbo/s200/hannah2.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful bride-to-be Hannah</td></tr>
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I also learnt a few crucial things:<br />
<br />
1. Running a workshop means that you will be so focused that you will forget to take any photos once things are under way. So apologies for the lack of action shots - here are a few that the bridesmaid kindly forwarded on to me. The main thing I forgot to get pictures of were the completed bags which all looked great. So you'll just have to trust me on that one until I can get hold of some photos.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEEV-TlH0dY/UEJ0vYtzHMI/AAAAAAAAANg/CWL1N4hSrW4/s1600/girls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="hens sewing purses during the craft workshop" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEEV-TlH0dY/UEJ0vYtzHMI/AAAAAAAAANg/CWL1N4hSrW4/s200/girls2.jpg" height="160" title="" width="200" /></a>2. Beginners are nervous to start with and so sew relatively slowly. Sounds obvious I know and although I sort of knew that this would be the case, I think next time I would get the hens to make something a bit smaller.<br />
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3. Crafting workshops are fun! I had a great time and realised that my experience of running workshops in my day job meant that I really enjoyed the whole afternoon and wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be. I would definitely be up for running more and now I'm thinking about a whole host of options and I have lots of ideas for other things to make at hen parties, or even birthdays and kid's parties.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955665052412935398.post-32814114404567717852012-07-15T14:27:00.000+01:002012-07-15T14:27:07.697+01:00Happy Birthday HollyMy goddaughter and very first <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/starsandbuttons">Stars and Buttons</a> model celebrated her 2nd birthday this week. Cue usual laments about how quickly time flies/they grow up etc.<br />
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I think she's getting even cuter, even if I am a bit biaised. Now I need to start working on some more toddler outfits...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EksgEM_zJj0/UALD85dMh2I/AAAAAAAAAMI/wtvKDP2pY4A/s1600/holly2_ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EksgEM_zJj0/UALD85dMh2I/AAAAAAAAAMI/wtvKDP2pY4A/s320/holly2_ad.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17808099748509288831noreply@blogger.com0