Friday 17 December 2010

Bee happy ...... make a pin jar


For sale with Decorative Country Living
 I have been browsing my favourite sites again and found this at Decorative Country Living.  Unfortunately they are out of stock at the moment so I am trying to make my own with my new glue gun.

Mine so far doesn't look as good as this :( will probably need to buy one when in stock :)

Thursday 16 December 2010

Bee happy ..... make a wool bag

Wool fabric  I bought from Harrogate Knitting
and Stitching show
Hubby and I were going out for a meal the other night and I couldn't find a bag to take with me so I decided to make one and knocked it up in about an hour, I impressed myself!

After cutting out 2x black pieces for the inside and 2x grey pieces for the outside (slightly longer so I could turn over on the inside of the bag) I stitched them both together then sat the black inside the grey and stitched round the top.

I had already decided I wanted to plait the handles and secured each of these to the bag with a heart.  I then stitched a button in the middle of each heart to make the handles stronger for carrying more.

I then made the corsage by stitching several circles together with a button and pinned it to my new bag with a safety pin.

Had quite a few comments on my bag when we went out which made me happy.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Bee happy ...... keep warm with a friend

The weather is still quite cold even with no snow and the heating working, but these two know how to keep warm :)

Monday 13 December 2010

Bee happy ...... try and keep warm


Christmas present for next door
neighbour with her house name on.
 The boiler broke down in the middle of last week right in the coldest part of the snowy weather.  Husband managed to get it working again for a few hours, not sure if he kicked it or hit it with a hammer, but it worked.  Decided we needed to call in an expert when the boiler went quiet again.  Lovely boiler man came out the same day and fixed it.  After having a freezing cold house for 48 hours it's a real luxury having heat :)

While it was so cold I sat at my sewing machine for warmth and made
this cushion for my neighbour, hope she likes it.  I do, I have decided to make one for myself with our house name on.

Thursday 9 December 2010

Bee happy .... make a draught excluder

In this cold weather we realised that a mini wind tornado was coming under the garage door into the utility room.  I decided to make a draught excluder to help block the draught.  So far it is working until Coco the dog keeps dragging it all the way through the kitchen and putting it on the mat at the front door.  Maybe she can feel a bigger draught under the front door.

1.  Measure the door you want to cover and then cut out 2 pieces of fabric long enough and wide enough to fill the gap.  I cut up a cheap fleece throw from Ikea.

2.  Decide if you want a pattern or words on the front and stitch these onto the front piece.

3.  When this is done pin the 2 right sides together and sew along the 2 long lengths and one short end.  Put your arm in and turn the right way.

4.  Stuff the inside with the filling from an old pillow or old towels etc until it stands up on its own against the door and either machine or hand stitch the end closed.

5.  Place in pride of place at your intended door (or take advice from a small dog).

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Bee happy ...... make a lavender owl

1.  This owl makes a lovely Christmas gift.

2.  Cut out 2 owl shapes in chosen fabric.  When cutting make sure you do an oval shape with a cut out on top to make the ear shapes.

3.  On the front of the own cut out to semi circles for the wings and sew on.  Add buttons for eyes and nose.

4.  Place right sides together and place some ribbon for a hanging loop in side the two fabrics so the ends out sticking out of the top.  When the owl is turned the right way after sewing the sides together the ribbon will be in the correct position.

5.  Remember when sewing together leave a hole for turning the right way and filling with lavender.

6.  When you have filled your owl with lavender carefully hand stitch the hole up to keep the filling in.

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Bee happy ....... make a Christmas stocking

1. Cut out a stocking shape in newspaper when you are happy with a size and style.

2.  Cut out x2 pieces of felt or fabric for the stocking and a rectangle for a pocket if you want one.

3.  Stitch ribbon across the top of the pocket then stitch the pocket onto the front piece of your stocking.

4.  If you want a decoration piece around the top of your stocking measure the width of the top of the stocking and cut out a rectangle, cutting into it to make a pattern.  Stitch this to the top of the front of the stocking.

5.  Place the two stocking pieces right sides together and stitch around the edges, folding the top over to make a secure seam.  When you get to the top attach a hanging loop as you sew to the top.

6.  Turn inside out so the stocking the right way.  Decorate with any buttons.

Monday 29 November 2010

Knitting and stitching show - Harrogate

I went to the Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate, Yorkshire on Sunday with my lovely neighbour.  We braved the snow, ice and -10.5 temperatures to get there.

It was great!  Full of gorgeous fabrics, crafts, ribbons, buttons etc, we both spent loads but came back very happy with hands full of bags.  Can't wait to start making things with my purchases now.

Bought some grey and black wool fabric and am intending to make a scarf with it like a Mulberry one I have seen on-line.  It won't be exactly the same as I will be adding my own twist as usual to it.

Friday 26 November 2010

Bee happy ....... make a corsage

These make great gifts for yourself or others.

1.  Decide whether you want your shape as a circle, strips or a flower.

2.  For a circle, cut out 4 circles getting smaller in size in different fabrics with similar colours.  Place them on top of each other and secure the fabrics together in the centre with a button.  Cut out small triangles around the edges of each circle, staggered.  To enable you to pin to clothes, bags etc use a safety pin on the reverse.


3.  For a flower corsage, as with the circles, cut out 4 or 5 flower shapes in contrasting fabrics in different sizes.  To add ribbon cut some in different colours and lengths and then sandwich between the middle of the flowers.  These will be secured when you attach the ribbon in the centre on the front.  Again, use a safety pin on the reverse.

4.  For strips, cut 6 or 7 strips of fabric, you could use crimping shears for a different edge, and place on top of each other to make a circle.  You may have to trim the ends when finished so the circle is neat.  Sew a button in the centre again to secure all pieces of fabric and a safety pin on the reverse.

Thursday 25 November 2010

Bee happy ....... make star decorations

1.  Cut 2 star shapes out of felt in any colour, I have used red and white for one and snowflake design for another.

2.  Using a sewing machine or hand stitching, stitch around the side and when you get to the top of the star slip in a loop of ribbon for hanging and carrying on sewing.

3.  To decorate, add buttons or bells.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Bee happy ..... make a felt holly decoration

This is such an easy decoration to make and doesn't take very long at all.  No machine stitching necessary.

1.  Draw a simple holly leaf shape on paper and when you are happy with it cut it out and use it for a pattern.

2.  Pin the pattern on green felt (I got mine from Dunelm but Hobbycraft sells it as well) and cut out 3 leaves.

3. Cut out a cluster of berries in red felt.

4.  Find a piece of ribbon to use for hanging.

5.  Place the 3 leaves on top of each other, place the ribbon on top of the leaves then place the berries on top.  Using red cotton stitch them all together to hold in place.

 Finished and ready to hang on the tree.

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Bee happy ....... make cinnamon stick decorations for Christmas

It's really easy to make this cute and scented decoration for your Christmas tree.

1. Get 3 cinnamon sticks and put in a pile.

2. Get some pretty ribbon that goes with your Christmas colour scheme and wrap around the 3 sticks, tie in a bow or knot to secure.

3. Take a second piece of ribbon, same or matching and thread a bead or small bell onto the ribbon.  Thread this ribbon under the tied bow. I bought my bells from Paperchase.

4. Make sure the ribbon is equal in length and tie a knot at the ends to secure.

5. The decoration is ready for hanging.

Monday 22 November 2010

Whoop whoop new blog!

Just finished setting up my new blog, am impressed I have managed it all on my own.

Have been busy buying Christmas presents at the moment and have already started wrapping them, I am so organised.  Amazon and Ebay have been useful for present buying this year.

Have also been making gifts as well now I have finished sewing blinds for my new summer house in the garden.  Bags, cushions, lavender bags and fabric hearts have all been crafted, as well as cinnamon stick and felt Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree.

The colour and theme for this years Christmas in my house is red, white and vintage, using gingham and spots ribbons with brown and red wrapping paper.  Even the dogs are getting their own red felt stockings with their initials on them I am making.

I have my working area now all set and ready to go.