Little Red Flower

I knitted a large flower for a brooch, using Rowan Big Wool Tuft. I really enjoyed it. I then felted it using very hot water, soap, and a good battering in my bathroom.

So much did I enjoy it that I wanted to make another flower. However, this time I'll try smaller, thought I. I ended up using red embroidery cotton as a yarn and darning needles to knit with. It turned out rather well. You can see it in etsy at the link above and also on my flickr page. But I have posted a photo here as well.

In the middle is an antique 19th century glass button. On the back is sewn a silver plated brooch back.

I am really quite happy with it.

Serendipity

I have changed my working hours so that I am no longer working 37.5 hours a week. Instead I am now working 30 hours in 3 days. So although it means long days at least I will be at home more.

So now I can get creative - designing and making.

Last night I was sewing a card wallett and realised that I had made it too small. SO suddenly I thought - 'a cuff'. I tried it and yes it would work. I think it turned out quite well.

Needle Felting.

I had heard of needle felting but did not know how it was different to normal felting.
I found this great tutorial http://allbuttonedup.wordpress.com/2006/12/02/needle-felting-a-tutorial/#comment-8604. Check it out.
I did my first bit of felting today. On Monday we went to Winchester and I went to a great craft shop there - Creative Crafts. The staff were lovely and one fantastic girl told me how to felt.
I bought some merino tops (wool that is not spun). I laid it down into three layers. Poured hot water and soap onto it and basically bashed it one the floor several times. Rinsed it and yes! it stayed together. Admittedly it is not the best felt ever but I can improve it. I had great fun and it is a good way to get all you frustrations out of your system.
Needle felt is different in that it does not use water. A special type of needle does all the work.

Purple Knight and Green Moss

I have put two things for sale in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5289522

I made the little Green Moss card wallett as I felt the need to make something and it was fun to make and quite simple.

Yesterday evening I knitted the Purple Knight purse. I made up the pattern by myself and I think it is quite effective. I love knitting again and will make some more but I am waiting for some yarn to come from ebay.

I am also waiting for some fabric that I bought from fellow etsyers. Due to the strikes it still has not arrived. I hope that it does as I am worried it might get lost in the post.

More on Etsy.

I spent some time on Etsy today. I am amazed at all the gorgeous things out there. I do plan to start selling but I am still designing my bags.

Here is a photo of Little M that I took one day when we were looking at my growing fabric collection.

I love reading the Etsy forums and having a look at the sellers' items. This also leads to looking at their blogs. One I visited recently is http://tadahpdx.blogspot.com/ and I hope the lady will not mind me mentioning it.

Nothing new made...

...but lots of ideas.
I have been working in my new job and when I am not at work I am asleep (or almost). However I have spent a lot of today looking at etsy. My little princess has been playing with the cat and her (the princess's not the cat's) Prince so I have had time to potter about on the Internet.
I want to make her a pair of princess slippers with sequins and things but so far have not found a pattern. I think I might just sit down and invent my own pattern.
My mum gave me some fabric and I am going to make myself a bag. I bought stiff interfacing which I will use as I want it to be a clutch bag/purse.
As I have not made anything or even started on anything I have no photos but as soon as I have done or started a project I will keep you posted.

Patchwork Throw

I found some fabric I had stored away in my wardrobe. It is perfect for my current needs. I have decided to start making a patchwork throw for our couch. It will be handmade i.e no sewing machine (but of course I might change my mind!). I was going to do octagons as I have an octagon template but decided it was too hard so it is nice easy squares for me.

I have posted photos of the very beginning and hopefully you will be able to see the progress week by week. This was a few days ago and already I am a little further on.

My mum has given me some lovely remnants that she bought from Allders (when they existed). They are going to be made into something sumptuous.

Also I went to a shop that sells curtain material and bought lots of remnants for a very good price.

So I have a very nice stash of fabric but I still want to buy some fat squares from Etsy. Lovely Japanese material.