A House for a Flower Fairy - Hillarys Craft Competition 2015

As you know I love a challenge and this one was no different.  This is my entry for the Hillarys Craft Competition 2015 - you can see the details of the competition here.

I chose the lovely Rayna Apple fabric and then had a good think. I had an initial idea, based on the pattern of the fabric) but then thought of other things.  Time passed. I was going to make a bag but then I went back to my first thought which was to make a useful storage box which also doubles as a play cottage for a child (or adult).  The Flower Cottage was about to be built, or sewn in this case.

Here is what I used

You can see my sketch in the top right.  That is plastic canvas you can see. If you do not have any you could use some other hard thing such as other plastic or even cardboard (but you will not be able to wash it).  I also used my trusty sewing machine and embroidery thread for the hand sewing.

I have to be honest  - I knew what I wanted and thought I knew how to do it but I did have a few false starts along the way. But ,hey, great learning experience.

The box is made up of 5 pieces, 2 for the end doors, 2 for the walls, one for the floor. And the roof is made of of 2 pieces joined together. You will need two pieces of fabric for each piece. I sewed the pieces together first, the plastic canvas went in each 'pocket' , then I sewed all these together into the floor piece.  The roof I did cut up four pieces of fabric but it would have been easier to do two pieces to make one large rectangle and then just sew down the middle to create the two pockets for the plastic canvas.

I cut out the petals from the fabric to use as roof tiles and then hand sewed them using blanket stitch. 

 

Loops and buttons hold it in the box shape. 

On the walls I did some embroidery, and used some charms. Here is the sewing table and above on the wall, a bookshelf.

The Welcome mat to greet visitors to Flower Cottage.

 

A chair with nice pink cushion for when the fairy is tired.

 

When the box is laid out it becomes a play mat, the roof could be the garden. 

And of course you could always use it as a handy storage box.



You can use this idea for any type of play set which also doubles as a storage box to keep the pieces (as long as they are not too small) safe.  You could also make it into a sewing box with the walls being handy pincushions and scissor compartments.
It was good fun to do. I am rather happy with The Flower Cottage.

A nice bit of piccallili on my crackers.

I love piccalilli. The colour is bright and wonderful and it tastes tangy and delicious.

My mum used to make it so it has has childhood memories.

Over on flickr I saw a jar, and asked Marmalady's to reserve me some. It arrived yesterday and today I had some for my lunch.

It was lovely. Just as nice as mum's.

Visit Marmalady's shop on etsy
and folksy

Nordic Knitting Traditions – Book Review

The patterns in this beautiful book have been designed by the author Susan Anderson-Freed, based on traditional designs from places including Iceland, and Shetland, but as the author points out ‘in most cases, the original design is barely recognizable’.

 What is recognizable is the author’s love of colour, and the traditions of fair isle (and similar techniques) in creating lovely patterns.

You will find in this book hats, gloves/mittens, and socks and leg-warmers. Within these basic deigns are an array of patterns and colour combinations that are beautiful to see.

I haven’t tried any fair isle in years, but I do rather fancy the gorgeous tams and maybe a pair of mittens to match. Whilst I would not wear leg warmers with shoes, I think they would be great under a pair of roomy boots.

 

So, using the charts, and helpful tips and techniques in this book  by next Winter I may have warm and richly coloured accessories to keep me warm and smiling.

Making Daisies and Teeny Buttons

I have been busy making lots of orders, especially in my most popular design which is
Daisy

I took a little time out to use the tiniest 'o' ring that I have to make a really tiny button. You can see it here, it is the pink and white one, in comparison with the other size buttons I make.



Fiddly, but fun.  Using spring colours, at this time of year does help lift the spirit.

Beautiful Roses

Look at these lovely roses! Aren't they beautiful.  You can see more about them over here on Sarang-Craft's Blog.

I mention them not only because they are so lovely, and what a great idea it is to use them at a wedding, but also because they were made using my tutorial.  Thank you Abby for letting me share your lovely flowers.

Nicky Epstein - Knitting in Circles

I am delighted to be taking part in the Knitting in Circles Blog Tour. Do pop over to the other listed blogs (see my blog post here ) and read their Tour  blog posts. 

Knitting in Circles, is written by the knitwear designer Nicky Epstein, who also write Knitting Block by Block among others. Nicky lives in New York, but has recently crossed the Atlantic to visit the UK.

The patterns of garments and accessories in Knitting in Circles  are lovely and there is a great range from pieces you can knit with just one circle to the amazing many-disced Circle Sampler Afghan. I love the Hoopla Bag and Eternity dress is so beautiful. 

The beauty of Knitting in Circles is that the vast majority is the circles themselves - all arranged gloriously by pattern and type. Nicky takes you from the basic circle shaping to lacing, and on to ruffles, and petals and much more. Thereby giving you a reference book that will allow your circular creativity to escalate in a circumrotatory fashion.  Think of all the wonderful things you can create. 



Nicky was kind enough to answer some questions (asked by my wonderful readers) :-


One problem that faces a lot of small business is copyright issues.  Have you had any problems with people copying your work and do you have any specific thought about it?

I deal with it on a daily basis, and it makes me feel very sad that someone has to copy my work. The idea of asking permission and given book credit has been lost along the way. Recently a person won a design contest with a prestigious craft company with an exact copy of design of mine that had been published years ago. A few fans of mine recognized contacted the craft company and it was awkward for them. But as they say on the New York subway “If you see something…say something”. Thankfully, publishers are becoming more vigilant and cracking down on the offenders.

How do you start your designs and what inspires you?  Do you start with the yarn, or a particular stitch you fancy using, or do you sketch?

I get my inspiration from everywhere and everything, depending on my mood, and I like to start with a sketch so that I remember the inspiration. But, I am often inspired by a great yarn or a unusual stitch pattern. The process varies from project to project.

Do you ever look at something you have knitted, and wonder how you did it?

Yes! Overwork sometimes dulls my memory and it’s frustrating. But that’s when I consult my own books. After all I’m very close to the person that wrote them.

How many people try out your patterns for you before they are published?

Me, my knitters, my instruction writer for format, my proof readers, and the publisher’s proof readers. My husband would be on the list if he could knit!

Do you find any differences in designing for particular markets, for instance the UK and the U.S.A?

Not really…I try to design for everyone regardless of culture. Even though I know a certain piece might not be made by everyone, I want people to say “Wow!” or “How did she do that!”

Thank you Nicky for your great answers which will be pertinent to crafters everywhere.

Nicky will be appearing on QVC tomorrow October 10th,  and then will be on the GMC stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show from the 11th - 14th to sign copies of Knitting in Circles and run Make & Takes.

If you cannot make it you can always visit her website at www.nickyepstein.com. 

Tomorrow's Blog Tour stop will be at by ConnieLene Johnston at http://www.connielene.com/category/connieleneknits-blog/

Knitting in Circles can be purchased from http://www.thegmcgroup.com/.

But for you lucky readers, I am giving away a copy of Knitting in Circles. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The winning number, which will be randomly COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Honing My Craft

What an interesting word 'Honing' is.  Is sounds odd as it rolls on your tongue.

'Hone' means 'sharpen on a whetstone' - so it means giving a sharp edge to a tool.   My tool, I suppose, is my needle and my fingers. And if I 'give them a fine edge' it means I am making my skills better and better.

I was looking at my flickr page, this morning. I have a set 'Dorset buttons' and there right at the bottom is one of the first buttons I ever made.  Here it is:

It is off-centre and the stitches are wonky.  Compare it with these which are the same size, more or less:

and these which are much smaller:

I am getting better. I am honing my skills, sharpening the old metaphorical tool on the old metaphorical whetstone.

It is good to look back and then look forward.

Cut Out and Keep from Homecrafts

I am really happy to host this fun 'Cut out & Keep' from Homecrafts. Lots of lovely things to make. What shall we try first?

Blueberry and Spider

I made a couple of hair snaps today.  The first was this pair of Blueberry and White. Such a lovely fresh combination.

The next hair snap was this Halloween inspired Spider on a Pumpkin.  Last year I made a smaller version for the bobby pins that I also have in stock.  But I thought it would work better on a larger button.  I added a pair of red eyes too.

Both are available now in my etsy shop. 

Button Hair Snap Mosiac

I made this mosaic in Big Huge Labs, they have some great things to play with so pop along and have a look.

This is an example of some of the custom colour Dorset Button Hair snaps that I have made for people.  People ask for a colour, or colours, and I have fun looking for them, make a button, show them the finished button usually on flickr, and then when they are happy I made up the hair snaps.

So if you are thinking of getting your own hair snaps from me, then this is a good idea of the colours you can use. Of course as I use, Anchor or DMC thread, there are hundreds of colours you can choose from.

You can order from me here via etsy   or via folksy 

What's is going on at your library?

Is is worth checking out what is happening at your library as there may be something crafty going on.

I went to a free Beadmaking taster course this morning at my local library.  The beads that we made were paper ones which you make by rolling the paper round a kebab stick and gluing.  I have done this before, but the lovely lady had lots of examples where the basic paper beads are embellished with fabric and yarn.  So we all had a play.

Beads drying on the stick.  The white thread will come off when the beads are dry.

It really was great fun.  I am so used to crafting in my room, all alone that it was a wonderful change to sit with others.  We didn't chat lots but we did talk about crafts we did, and we could have a good look at each others' beads.

The are lots of lovely tutorials on the Internet showing how to make the paper beads, but I might do my own and pop it on my blog.

The Second in my new range..Shades of Purple Hoop Necklace

The other day I showed you the Patriotic necklace (see this post).  This time I have a Shades of Purple one, on a 18" Sterling Silver chain..

Available in my etsy shop here.

It is the second in my new range and it is a range that doesn't really have a name.  My new range of...?  I have been saying 'Hoop Necklaces' but if you have a better suggestion then please let me know.

I have also listed the buttons I showed you a while ago. This is a set of 3 but if you want more or less then let me know.  Available here.

The First in My New Range

I am rather excited to show you the first in my new range of necklaces.

They are all on silver chains (marked 925). This one is on 18" but I can order different lengths.  The hoops are handmade by me, using the technique from my dorset buttons.  I can use so many different colours that it will be a joy to make more.  So if you want to order one in your favourite colour, then please let me know.

I will be producing the hoops separately as well, so you can add to your necklace later one.

Available in my etsy shop , or you can contact me direct on bigbluebed@live.com. 

I Love Handmade and Here's Why....

I love buying handmade as you know there is so much thought and effort that has gone into it and often you will have something that is unique.

I also like making things by hand as I can put love into it.  Here is an example of the Snowy costume I made for my daughter, (who is 8 years old amd mad about Tintin and his dog Snowy). I made this for her school's World Book Day.

She is holding a little dog she has had since small who she adores, and what is that round his neck?  It is a scarf, handmade by my daughter.  This is her very first knitting and I am so proud.

I hope that I pass on the love of handmade to her, the next generation, so she can own items crafted with care, and also make own own unique items, made with love. 

Coming on to Rain or Rain Clearing?

Here are some views of the sky which will no doubt be familiar to those of you who are in the UK right now. 

These photos were taken yesterday evening but it is sky I have seen a lot recently.  That is unless the sky is grey all over and there is rain pouring from it.

Inspired by the colours, I have made a set of buttons, or at least I have made 3 of them so far.  These are them. I have altered the background colour slightly as it was coming up blue (for some reason the light is so bad at the moment!) but these are the colours of the buttons. Grey, blue, white.  Sometimes there is more blue sky, sometimes more white cloud, and sometimes more grey cloud. Rain clearing or coming on to rain?

My Fascinator

I had a lovely time at my niece's wedding this Saturday. She looked beautiful, the groom very handsome and everyone had a great time.

I was a bit unsure what to wear in my hair, and had a look at fascinators in the shops and I quite liked the look of them and the feeling of instant glamour that they gave one.  But I was a bit short on funds and I also wanted to try to make myself something.  

So I popped into Fabricland and bought some dark reddish little flowers, and some beads, and also a white rose which I didn't use.  I glued the beads into the middle of the red flowers. 

Do you remember the regency costume my clever sister made for herself?  Well, she had bought a hat from a charity shop, and had to cut off half the brim. Ever resourceful she put it aside, thinking it could be used for something.  Luckily she remembered it and gave it to me.

So I had some different elements to sue in my fascinator and I just played a bit and finally over the course of 3 days came up with this.

Luckily I had a stock of large hair clips.

I wanted to show you the fascinator on so took this photo of myself at the wedding. Forgive the glum expression!

Job done, and I was very happy with the result.  So next time I go to a wedding, which actually is in October, I shall consider making myself another creation.

My Buttons in Use - Regency Dress

I told you a few posts ago, about how I rarely have photos of my buttons on garments, and that my sister was making a dress for a fancy dress party and had commissioned some buttons from me.

Well, as promised here are the photos.

The back of the dress showing the buttons.

3 Green Dorset buttons on the back of the Regency Dress

My sister in her bonnet which is so lovely I wanted to show you all.

I am very proud of my sister as she made a lovely outfit.  I will have to get a photo of the whole thing to show you.