Thursday 27 October 2011

Fabric letters galore!


It all started with a little name canvas I made for my daughter. 

Then a friend from my college days asked for one for her daughter.
That had to be larger, because I can only fit 5 letters on a small canvas!
Then another friend asked if I could do 5 canvasses, each with a letter spelling her daughter's name.
And then I got a request for a boy version, which turned out like this :)

I have 6 more name canvasses on order, which is fabulous! I have been neglecting the housework to sew, sew, sew! I have also set up a facebook page, which is where most of these orders have come from.
If you are so inclined you can like me on facebook here :)

Sunday 23 October 2011

Bunkbed bag

This is something I've been meaning to make for ages (and a girl needs a break from applique occasionally!!)
It is basically a rectangular bag, divided into two pockets and attached to the bunkbed rails with buttons on straps. This is actually the first time I did buttonholes on my sewing machine. Don't know why I thought it might be difficult...
But anyway, now Poppy has a little bunkbed bag, perfect for a bunny and and a book :)

Friday 21 October 2011

Bramley Apple Mincemeat


This is a recipe heavily adapted from one I found on t'internet.

In a large pan melt 20g butter.
Add 850g bramley apples (peeled, cored and sliced - or chopped if you want smaller apple bits.)
Add 400ml water and cook gently for about 20 minutes.

Add 450g sugar, 300g sultanas, 300g mixed fruit, 70g mixed peel, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the juice of a lemon.
Heat gently until sugar dissolves, then boil for about 20 minutes, until mixture is thick. Keep stirring!!

Stir in 2 tablespoons of sherry and pour into sterilised jars. (I got 4 jars worth.)



Thursday 20 October 2011

I like sewing cupcakes more than baking them!!

The cupcake image is just so sweet and easy to make, and I love it in this red, pink and white colourway. Good enough to eat - except the buttons might stick in your teeth!

It's Handmade Thursday today; why not take a look at some more lovely crafty stuff at www.whitelilygreen.blogspot.com.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

tea cup on canvas

More applique, this time one of my favourite things - a cup of tea :)
More fabric upcycled from my blouse, with some lovely linen cut from a man's shirt.
Very pretty and subtle, which is not generally how my work turns out!

I now have an etsy shop just here which is still rather amateur. It's still a work in progress though - I think I need a selection of interesting pieces of driftwood to photograph my items with!!

Sunday 16 October 2011

Thursday 13 October 2011

Pirate boat on canvas (can you spot a theme to these recent posts??)

This is pretty similar to a bag I made for a first birthday.
It is 20 cm square and made from scrap pieces of fabric. I rather like the flowery sea!
I'm going to put it in my etsy shop (when I get one - would like to accumulate a few more first.) I think it would make a great decoration for a little boy's bedroom.

Ooh, look, it's handmade Thursday - go check out some more handmade things!

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Cupcake on canvas

Another stitched picture mounted on canvas :)
This one is 20 cm square, and upcycled from scraps of fabric. (That floral print was my blouse!)

I am thinking about opening an etsy shop to sell these. It's a very scary thing though; I like to show off on  my blog but I am serious lacking in confidence when it comes to asking people to part with their cash.

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Car on canvas

I am experimenting with this sewn art on canvas idea, so I made this for a little boy called Oscar. His daddy likes ferraris so this is supposed to be a ferrari-esque sports car.
I used felt for the car - mainly because I didn't have any other suitable red fabrics to hand. I'm not sure that I am completely happy with how it has turned out. It is only small - a 7 x 5 inch canvas and I think that made it more difficult - less space for layers and embellishment.
I've sent it to the recipient anyway, so we will see what sort of reception my little artwork gets!

Sunday 9 October 2011

65th birthday card

For my father-in-law, continuing the current theme of all things stitched there is an appliqued "65" which is stuck to the card with the glue gun.
Then I embellished the card with some ribbons from my cardmaking stash.

Friday 7 October 2011

Finally finished some knitting..

... a little top for Poppy. 
Of course, she wouldn't put it on for a photo.
(In fact the little madam is very particular about only ever wearing leggings, and a t-shirt at the moment.
Accessorised with legwarmers and a woolly hat.)

You might think it's a rather summery knit for October, but I think it will look cute with a plain long sleeve t-shirt underneath.
(If she ever agrees to put it on.)

The yarn is Sirdar baby bamboo, colourway "Poppy" - which is why I bought it in the first place!
The pattern is a Sirdar pattern, number 1830, which I already made before when Poppy was a baby. I was rather lazy this time around and didn't bother with the lacy pattern on the top part. I think it looks fine without it.