A special cushion

Here's a little project I have been working on.

It is for my special friend Shirley who wanted a gift for her sister - I know shirley, but I don't know Angela, so I had to make something reserved, quiet and tasteful! It was a lovely commission to work on, mainly because Shirley just said 'do your thing'

So I hope Angela likes! Their wedding anniversary is not until August (how organized is Shirley!)

It's funny

It's funny that when I make something all I see is all 'the faults' but put them away for a while and I look at them with fresh eyes and wonder - how could I be bothered to spend all that time making that? and even I am surprised at my own patience and you know what - I actually like it now.

Tonight I have been sorting all my pictures on my computer, which have been filled under anything, hidden away, so if I need a picture I can never find it. So I have filled and sorted and binned lots and lots of images, so I now know where everything is (ahhem!)

Whilst doing this huge job I found some pictures of these pin cushions I made (to go on your wrist) and I sold them at my first few fairs (at stupidly cheap prices) as I thought they were silly. Looking back now I think they were cute, and I wish I had kept one for myself.

I just never appreciate anything until it's gone . . .

folksy friday - 'Milk'

Okay, so I have been thinking of rice pudding, on and off for nearly a week - but as per usual, when tea time comes around I forget about rice pudding altogether and I haven't made any yet. So no rice pudding this week - 

But next week when we are hit by blizzards, snow storms (and people unable to get to work!) I will remember my pudding and I WILL MAKE ONE. Meanwhile I did look for artistic impressions of rice pudding, but strangely enough I could not find any - so milk it is - and they are fantastic:

Firstly how about this lovely picture 

by: mrseliotbooks

It is so pretty and so modern - I love it! 

How brilliant is this! It is perfect - the colours, the fabrics and the beautiful embroidery!

by: DearEmma

It is about time I bought myself a little necklace - this one is lovely!

by: CreamTeaJewellery 

And - surely any kid would get a bath with these milk soaps around (well, maybe my two soap dodgers would just keep them and not use them.) Fantastic!

by: WeaveGotKnits

Love the shop name too.

Folksy Friday - 'Blue'

I haven't made a Folksy Friday before, but looking at others and having a look at Folksy and its 'Modern' New Look I thought I would pick a few of my favourite blue finds. Blue because it's January, I'm feeling a little sad and blue because it is hard at the moment (never watch the news) 

But remember we are British and we are resilient!

So, after that, this is my first choice (above) 

a beautiful lino print of a beautiful part of old blighty (Cornwall)

shop: FionaCarver

And how British is this! And how amazing too! and it's just one of the many tea cosy by Cherry Bee

(and this is a more simple design too!)

shop: CherryBee

A bit of a bargain find - so pretty and practical too Perfect for your country cottage 

(or my semi detached 80's house!)

shop: Ooohbetty

I absolutely love this headband - so individual. Brilliant, beautiful pieces.

shop: CharlotteAlexandra

Really pretty, neat and understated - lots of lovely retro screen prints and cushions too.

shop: 35flower

It's just so hard!

I was trying to be clever, I thought I could do it - What was I thinking! Something was bound to go wrong. It most certainly did - With a new blog design (sort of) a clean up for 2012, I became so confused with blogger, trying out new templates (and trying to put in other peoples templates from their blogs) I really, really stuffed it up.

So here I am about 5 hours down the line and I have managed to add a new background, tweak bits and bobs and add a new header - but there were tears, one great panic and screams of NO, NO, NO. Things just have to get better!

Happy 2012!!

Cute cushion

Lately I have been making cushions!

This is the first one I have made, a special, personalized cushion and I'm now making one which features a mouse with balloons (and I have another mouse in teacup up my sleeve)

I know I can make cushions but I still find them a bit of a challenge, mainly because you have to make them to fit a particular size cushion pad, so you have to concentrate when you are cutting out!

I am also making quite a few cats for a new shop which has opened in Barnard Castle. Helen makes her own cards, pictures, jewellery and fantastic cake stands, which can be seen here

www.lovethreadbear.bigcartel.com

She has now opened a shop in her home town of Barnard Castle and has sold a couple of my retro cats, so I'm busy making a few more for her. I haven't met Helen yet - (we talk through email) but I already think she's smashing, and I wish her tons of luck!

Doorstops

Here's a new doorstop I designed and made a few months ago, a friend wanted me to make one, so this was my initial design which I quite like because it is so lovely and big. My friend picked the second design I did (I'll post this soon)

I have now made two boat door stops and a rabbit doorstop and still do not own one myself. I think this is because I do not really understand why they have to be so decorative because I'd use any old thing as a doorstop and then display the posh doorstop on my mantlepiece!

I have lots of things to do at the moment (and not just the washing, ironing, washing up, etc etc) but instead of doing the really important things on my list (making more cats) I'm messing about taking photos - I'll be in a flap soon and be staying up till 3 in the morning sewing. Is that just me?