Christmas Cards for a commission

 A friend asked me to make two Christmas Cards for a first Christmas

 A Grandparent card for first Christmas

 An Easel card.  Father Christmas coloured with copics

 Christmas Dance card for Niece's first Christmas

 She is coloured with Derwent Coloursoft, copic glitter pens,

 Papers are by Stampin Up

 Matching boxes for each of the cards.

Punches are by Martha Stewart and Stampin Up



Art to Heart Sew Necessary Pincushion and Santa thread catcher

This is my pincushion and santa threadcatcher bag for my daughter's Godmum who does loads of hand-sewing and quilting for other people so I decided to make something useful that she would love.  I intend to make and decorate an acid free box to match so that it will stay in the same condition for years and can be handed down.

I managed to find a UK supplier for the Just Pins holiday collection to go into the box along with a small pair of scissors so that it is complete.  I think he is adorable though (even with his L'Oreal blusher - cos he is worth it :))



Joel Dewberry Summer Meadow Double Quilt

Since being on crutches I have managed to get loads of quilting and handmade items done in time for Christmas. 



Newest Member of the family

Meet Bruar, my daughter's highland pony.  He is absolutely gorgeous and so reliable, trustworthy and happy.  He is enjoying a quiet life just hacking out with us.



New Tilda Studio Book

Thought I would share my newest purchase.  A beautiful new book by Tilda with all sorts of ideas in - all in gorgeous co-ordinating fabrics.  I can't wait to get started on some new bits and pieces for Christmas presents.



Hamlet to Hollywood

Hamlet to Hollywood

Barley Hall

York

Kiera Knightley's costume from the film 'The Duchess'

What you don't see from the picture is she is so tiny - not a big dress at all.

Cate Blanchett's costume from 'Elizabeth'  This dress was absolutely stunning and the back even moreso.

Well known for Harry Potter but did you know that he was David Copperfield :)

Alan Rickman in Sweeney Todd and the costume above that was on display.  The craftsmanship was fabulous on these outfits - just wished I could do something like that.

Claire Bloom as Queen Mary in 'The King's Speech'.  I haven't seen the film but I recognised whose costume this was - it was absolutely perfect in every way. 

I will post some more photographs from the exhibition but if you get the chance to go to York before the end of September I would definitely put this on your to do list - just a small exhibition but there was so much to see and read and a great display of books from the Victoria & Albert Museum all about costume making.



Ladies Day Carlisle Races 1st August 2011

Thought I would share the photographs of my gorgeous daughter and one of her friends before they head off to the Races at Carlisle for the day.



Great Nephew

Me and hubby have quite a large family between us and there have been no babies for 11 years.  Then we were told that my pageboy from 22 years ago is going to be a dad with his partner Kayleigh.  This morning at 3.16 a.m. baby Rio was born after a very long three day labour and a difficult delivery.  Weighing in at 8lb 8ozs and with very long legs - he is absolutely beautiful.  Above is a photo of Rio when he was ten minutes old.  I can't believe how awake he looks. He is doing really well along with his Mum who is shattered.  Congratulations to all our families and cheers to the next generation :)

Tim Holtz Configurations Box

This is what we started on at scrapbook club today - a Tim Holtz A4 size configurations box. 

To complete the box we needed some Claudine Hellmuth Silicone Glue - brilliant stuff - going to try it on some fabric when I get a chance.

These are the foundations feet that you fix to the bottom of the box once completed

Tissue Tape - brilliant idea - self-adhesive tissue tape that you apply to the edges of the box and the inside boxes.  Very easy to use and I have loads left after completing my first box.

I chose the crystal handle with the brass inner - have already fixed it to my box. 

I chose the K&Co Isabella range of papers to use for the outer and inner boxes.  It is a lovely colour range of golds, reds and creams. 

I will post pictures of the completed box once I have filled it with all my goodies - just to say though - my theme was ever changing - from my Father-in-law, about my family, my hobbies, dolls house so you will have to wait and see what I went with - look out for more pictures next week.

Super Amanda Smocking Pleater

I have waited years to get my hands on one of these - it is going to make my life alot easier - I always sent my fabric away to be pleated but can now do it myself.  New set of needles already put on the pleater but going to put some wax paper through (taking the needles out first of course) just to see if I can give it a smoother finish.

I am hoping that my projects will look even more professional now - having the pleater and the embroidery machine is a real bonus. 

I am going to draft my own pattern for my first make I think so that it is totally down to me from start to finish.  Wish me luck - its been a while since I did the course but having done a Viking Tunic and trousers for re-enactment that have stood up to a number of battles has given me the confidence to give it another go.

First machine embroidery

This is my first attempt at machine embroidery on my Brother Innovis 1200 - it is wonderful - but I did choose a simple design to start with. 

I can see me using this design quite alot on girls dresses.

Leek, Mushroom, Gruyere and Blue Stilton Quiche

Ingredients:-

Cooked savoury pastry case

3 leeks cleaned and sliced

250g chestnut mushrooms sliced

25g butter

salt and pepper

284ml double cream

2 eggs

100g gruyere cheese grated

50g blue stilton crumbled

Method:-

Melt the butter in a large pan and add the leeks, cook for 10 minutes without browning.

Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper, cook for a further five minutes.

Combine the double cream and two eggs.

Take the leek mixture off the heat and add half of the gruyere cheese, the cream/egg mixture and pour half of the mixture into the pastry case.

Place the rest of the cheese on top and then put the remaining leek mixture into the pastry case.

Cook in the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown on Gas Mark 6

Enjoy with new potatoes and beetroot salad

Brother Innov 1200 Sewing/Embroidery machine

This little beauty is on its way to my home - can't wait (usual impatient woman!!!)

Look at all the extras.  This was a bargain - thank you for my darling hubby - cupcakes will be done - I promise :)



Rosebud Dress

I made this dress for my friend's six week old grand-daughter.

It is 100% cotton heirloom made dress with french seams, shadow embroidery, bullion roses

  detached chain stitch and french knots

The cuffs on the sleeves have bullion rosebuds

This is a copy of the card that I put with the dress which has the techniques used and the laundry instructions and storage instructions

 

The box is also handmade with acid free cardstock, acid free tissue paper.

I used the Cricut cartridge Songbird for the title across the box.



New Book and New Class

This is my latest book - Country Bumpkin's A-Z of Stumpwork Embroidery

I have always loved the look of the embroidery but thought it looked really difficult.

Our quilting teacher has decided to run a new class from September - teaching stumpwork - unfortunately I won't be in a position to go as it is an evening class.  However I decided that I would get the book and see if it was possible to teach myself with the occasional help from Jill.

The embroidery that this process uses give absolutely outstanding results - I can't wait to get started.





Time and the need for more of it!!

Just dropping by to say that I am still about - got my salad quilt in Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow Berry collection all stitched up - photo later - just waiting for the wadding to arrive but will probably be a couple of weeks as it is from America.

Still loaded with cold and really struggling to concentrate and find the right words - was at craft club today but really think I should have stayed at home.  Never mind - will know next time when I am not well to just stay in bed.

Went to see the new Johnny Depp On Stranger Tides film yesterday with James and Borge.  Nearly fell asleep for the first 45 minutes but then the action kicked in and it was good.  Didn't get home until late which is unusual for me - then paid for that with a bad night and a bad day.

Going to try and get stuck into some serious crafting with help from darling daughter as she finishes school very soon so plenty of time on her hands for revision and a little Mother/Daughter time - don't get enough of that so I can see pedicures, swimming and crafting on the Horizon.

Will catch up again soon with pictures of my quilt. 

Loaded, Absolutely loaded

The teens have started their exams this week, last week they were both off because they were loaded with a horrid cold.  They are fine now and into school but Borge and me are fully loaded with one rotten stinking hell of a cold that we can't seem to shake - since Friday - fine one minute - down and out the next.  Nothing getting done - I can't even get out of bed today - feel that lousy - Borge is having to work as he is about to move jobs so needs to be in.  I feel wretched - no crafting, no baking, no cleaning and all the housework is just backing up.  Totally fed up.  Sorry I haven't been about much this week - once I feel better I will make up for it. :)

Heirloom Sewing A to Z

New book for my Heirloom Sewing



This is a brilliant reference guide.

Loads of great photographs and well written tutorials with clear instructions.

I am sure they would be great added to any collection and useful too, of course :)

Raspberry & White Chocolate Cupcakes

These beauties are on their way to Grimsby - Raspberry and White chocolate cupcakes - to celebrate my SIL's 47th Birthday and BIL's 60th Birthday

They are as delicious as they look with lots of raspberries in the buttercream icing and white chocolate tucked between the sponge and buttercream