Turning my hand to anything crafty

Having started being craft from a very early age on a miniature (child's) singer hand sewing machine, I soon discovered that not only did I enjoy it, I wasn't too bad at it.

From being very young I would give my self 'project', making sure I finished them. I once made my self slippers out of wool that I knitted my self then cutting and sewing into a slipper shape. As you can imagine, they didn't last long but this never disheartened me to begin something new.

Over the years I have learned and honed a few different skill such as painting/sketching (a passion I don't get enough time for these days) knitting, the obligatory sewing, felting, curtain making (which I love, it feels like a huge finished canvas on a window!) and the many different craft we all do with our kids with card, paper, string-anything that comes to hand for that...there are to many to mention.

I love the idea that through my workshops, I'm passing on old and sometimes forgotten skills to others.
And when I hear someone say "I wish I could sew", I want to say so ardently that they can, that we all learn, through trial and error...and we're back to those wool slippers again!

A self confessed hoarder of sewing things....

I always have been-I always will be someone who gets such a thrill from fabrics, sewing notions and buttons!
I can't help it-I see something I like, be it buttons from a junk shop, a box of old threads wound onto manufactures cards of a bag of unknown fabrics.
In the last few weeks I have been sorting out old bags and boxes and discovered things i made as a child.
I found an old needle book with cut out flowers from fabric that was an old and well loved duvet and a half made garment of liberty fabric, cut out for someone much slimmer (I don't think I'll be that girl again!)
I also found a pin cushion that I cut out of some Victorian linen and remember getting scolded for the 'crime', but I still have it and have started to use it again, so it was worth the scolding.

My one love of hoarding is buttons and Victorian adornments, and rather than keeping them to my self, I use them in my work-so that others may love them too.
I very pleased that my children also love collecting. My son Reuben likes his collections displayed in an organized and tidy fashion-like mother like son!

Upcycling my junk shop furniture

Over the years I have bought lots of junk shop or antique furniture.
I come from a thrifty family who if you needed a chair, a wardrobe etc, you didn't go any buy new, you went to an auction house. And I spent many an hour watching my dad or my beloved uncle Arthur woodworking on such project in their workshops/garage.

I have purchased a few pieces over the last few years/months that I didn't find the time to renovate but it's one hobby I love-so I'm setting aside a few hours a week to re-new something old and beautiful.

I bought a chair from a junk shop the other day, Georgian I've been told with a beautiful bow back. It it's now stripped down and very naked all ready for me to cut the wooden supports next weekend.
And of course it will need upholstering, well a friend recently gave me some stunning curtain fabric that was left over-so I'll be using that! Sustainability in the making!

Canceled workshop next week

I know it will be a disappointment but the workshop at Cafe Create held next Friday is cancelled as I've been asked to attend at the Macmillan big coffee morning on Friday morning. It was something I couldn't turn down especially as i have has cancer with in my own family, its a very important cause for me to support especially as I volunteer for Macmillan in Darlington.
I'm sure you understand.
I'm lookin forward to the next focused workshop making phone of gadget cases.

Vintage shopping bags

I've been making shopping bags this week with found, vintage and reusable fabrics.
One of the old table clothes, probably from the 1960's is so adorable that is was truly painful to make the first cut. But when I had made it up in to four shopping bags, that look terrific if I do say so my self, I knew I had made the right decision.

Agatha and me

As a maker of all things beautiful, it can be a solitary business. But I do have one constant happy companion that is always around. She is not known for her advice or inspiration but her undivided attention and devotion is always welcomed.
Agatha is my kitty cat. I was there when she was born and when there's no distraction such as food or toys she follows me every where I go throughout the house, sitting at my desk where I work and talking to me on regular intervals.

She now copies the other kitty cats by sitting when asked, for her treats or dinner and is nearly on the way to rolling over on command too!
The 5am "I love you, I need you cuddles" can be a teeny weeny bit frustrating but I always give in to her. I adore my loyal friend!

Fridays workshop

Today's workshop is a choice of different sewing projects.
After a wonderful session with such creative ladies, I'm looking forward to today!
More later with photos of the lovely creative ladies (and gents)!

Felting workshop

Today was the first of many workshops at Cafe Create in Darlington.
All those that attended enjoyed making a piece of 'wet' felt.
From learning the stages needed to create a little piece of surface pattern art work, the ladies used Marino wool felt 'tops' to create there own personal deisign.
Joanne Land made a cup of coffee design and plans to continue with wet felting, to make a Cafe Create sign.
Whist demonstrating, I too made a felt image of a cup cake and once it's dry I'll add the decoration to make it yuuummmyy!
It was lovely to meet new people in a creative environment with like minded people-a great session!

Autumn is here!

Walking home this afternoon and I saw a group of leaves that had begun to turn.
Autumn is my favorite season and I love to look out for the first leaf that has begun to change in colour.
I love everything about autumn-the smells, the warm wind and the beautiful colours that nature throws our way.
And as such I was smiling on my walk at the slender of it all!

Amazing day!!

I had a wonderful day at the Darlington People's Market that takes place every first Sunday of the month. There are some incredibly talented people out there!
I was helped out by my wonderful helper and long suffering husband Karl who did an amazing job.
I'm so pleased with how I did, pleased with all the feedback and touched by the information and help everyone gave me.
A truly wonderful day!
And when I get to the computer, photos will follow, but first I really need a cuppa!

Three bouquets

It's autumn and the colours outdoors are changing into a stunning browns, yellows and reds but indoors I am still enjoying beautiful bright flowers through out my house. I love smaller displays, so I can enjoy them for all their beauty.