Folksy, Sue Ryder and Upcycle Christmas

I was in a mad rush last week. As usual I had left things to the last minute to make my entry for the competition.

It had to be something from a charity shop that you upcycled.

I went to my local Sue Ryder shop and got a huge quilt/duvet cover. I loved the fabric and wanted to use as much of it as possible so I designed a skirt. Lacking a dressmakers dummy, I made it round me which was fun.

The skirt was made in time for the deadline and the results are out. The standard was really high and I think everyone did brilliantly.

All the entries are now on ebay and any money raised will go to Sue Ryder. So do have a good long look here.

And although I did not win I am rather pleased with myself at even attempting something and now I want to make more clothes so I am hunting for a very cheap adjustable dressmakers dummy.

There is still a prize for 'The Folksy User's Winner' so basically people on folksy get to vote for their favourite by marking the item as a favourite. So if you are on folksy and like my skirt then please favourite it - deadline is Thursday at 8pm. But have a look at all the other entries as they are all wonderful.

My skirt at folksy

My skirt on ebay

All the entries on folksy

All the entries on ebay

Serendipity this way comes...

As you know I make Dorset buttons, and also Dorset button hair snaps. I was playing around with the idea of making a pendant necklace and so had bought some thin ribbon to use.

Well, as often is the case...what I made is not what I planned. I still haven't made the pendant but made another hair snap. However, I am so pleased with the outcome.

Where I would normally use embroidery thread, I used the ribbon and wrapped this around the plastic ring. And the front of the ribbon hair snap, is what is usually on the back of the thread hair snaps. Confusing? I hope not.

The button on the back is also a new idea. I had used a small fabric flower but found, on the ones I made for my daughter, that after a while it looked a bit scruffy. The buttons look pretty and work well.

New Belt

I made this belt before Christmas but found it difficult, with my old camera, to get a good photograph of it.

Using the camera my lovely brother gave me, I think my photos are improving.

The belt was made with a length of braid from Liberty's that I bought some years ago. And I matched it with a vintage buckle. I am pleased with it and as I now have some lovely buckles and braids, I will make more belts.

NiftyKnits

I love knitting and do make a few presents and also sell knitted items in my etsy and folksy shops. However, I am no good at knitting small complicated pieces. But I know someone who is!

NiftyKnits is a talented knitter and you can see some of her wonderful creations in her etsy and folksy shops.

She is deservedly becoming known in the Morris Dancing world for her wonderful Morris Dancers.

And one of her newest and cutest creations are the meerkats.

But as Nifty herself says 'You name it, I'll knit it...' and she also does crochet. So check out this NiftyKnits wonderful charming shop today.

It is Tea Time

Have you ever been taken aback by the sheer genius of someone? Well, I have just recently.

Sit down make yourself a nice pot if tea and have a lovely cake. Because I would like to introduce you to a fellow seller on etsy and folksy, the wonderful genius that is British Cream Tea.

British Cream Tea is a talented crafts person who makes the most wonderful and stunningly realistic felt sculptures. They are so realistic that every time I look at her shop, I salivate!

My poor partner has to put up with me gasping – ‘and she has made this, look, look!’ every few seconds.

When I get some me money I am going to buy myself a stick of rock with Southsea running though it, and maybe one day a whole plate full of cream cakes.

The most recent cake is this cream slice. Isn’t it fantastic? The crisp pastry is just waiting to be bit into, and the cream ooze out.

So go one, visit British Cream Tea at her folksy or etsy shop, you will not be disappointed.

Dorset Buttons

I have been making these wonderful Dorset Buttons. I know I am in the wrong county, but Dorset isn't too far away!!
They are great fun to make and I am having a lovely time choosing colours.
Avaialable to buy from etsy and folksy.