That's handy......

Do you like my new shopping bag?  I'm rather pleased with it.  Still using up all the bits and pieces of my material I seemed to have accumilated over the year since I got my sewing machine back out of the depths of my cupboard.

I've been sewing since I was about 7.  My nan bought me my first sewing machine which looked something like this

she was very keen for me to learn the art of sewing as she too was a seamstress for Burberry's.  Under her guidance I made many a dolls clothes and even made an apron and a petticoat for myself (gosh I'm showing my age now, who wears petticoats nowadays and would the youth know what one was!)  Whilst at school I was not very good at home economics so I was relegated placed into the sewing class (they informed me that I had a better chance of passing O'level textiles than cooking - what a cheek) and in these lessons was where I used my first electric sewing machine (nan wouldn't let me no where near hers). 

Oh the joy of going fast and in a straight line too.  I then started to save all my pennies for my own electric machine.

Over the next few years (the teenage years) I sort of lost interest in anything that made me been seen as anything remotely good so my pennies were spent on other things (make up, platform shoes and clothes). 

It wasn't until my nan passed away and my mum, who being a larger lady, needed some new clothes I decided to dust the machine off and make her some.  I then fell in love with sewing all over again and self taught myself a few techniques.

Inbetween then and buying my first house the only time the sewing machine made a visit out of the cupboard was to make cushions and curtains but recently I've discovered the joys once again and have been easing myself back into the sewing zone again.

So what's next?  I'm enjoying sewing my bags and patchwork quilts and cushions.  Perhaps I need to gain my confidence and buy a pattern to make something for myself again, perhaps a pencil skirt? I made one of those 25 years ago and as fashion has done a full circle they seem to be trendy again, or I could look out for a t-dress pattern and make a dress to wear whilst riding Lillibet next year.....oooh now that's a good idea :-)

Love to all.

Lynetta Xx

Sunny afternoon sewing

Having a little time to spare at the weekend I decided to get the sewing machine out to try and use some of the material I purchased back last year (remember).  I've had things on my list to make and do for quite sometime and wanted to cross at least one off this weekend.  My friend Sarah purchased a dust cover for her Kenwood Chef and so I decided to loan the cover and made a template out of cotton to use as a pattern to make the real thing.

I'm rather pleased with how it turned out and it looks fitting in my craft room (I have to keep it in the craft room as my kitchen is tiny and we do not have enough cupboard space for such a large piece of kit).  I used every little piece of the denim I owend but still have alot of the patterned cotton remaining!  I think I may just hoard that somewhere for a while as I've exhausted it's appeal for the time being but then again I could think of one more thing to make from it! 

Looking at the picture too I think it needs one more embelishment on there somewhere but cannot decide on what it needs to be....you see I'm thinking all the time :-) and talking about looking at pictures I think I need to really start using a moisturiser on my hands at a regular basis, as they say you can always tell a womens age by their hands and I'll be clocking up a milestone birthday next year!  yikes.......

Speak soon

Lynetta Xx

Circle of Friends

For the last 5 years I have run an after school club for Year 6's.  It's called 'Circle of Friends' and I help them create a memory album where each week they are shown a different technique along the lines of scrapbooking, whether this is paper piecing, stamping or doodle work.  This year (and last) the theme was cupcakes as they are all a trend at the moment.  It's great to work with a group of girls who are enthusiastic and creative and I am very happy that I am giving something back to the community and hopefully show my passion for paper and scissors.

At the end of the 6 weeks they will have a piece of artwork from other members of the club plus their own page called 'This is me'.  I always comment to the girls that in 20 years time you'll find this book amongst all the boxes in the loft and it will be a smile to your face not to mention bring back some fond memoires of being 10 years old. ( that's what I am hoping for).

Over the Easter break I then get to work collating and sticking together the books, making them a page with a group photo (so they have a piece of my artwork too) and make something special to keep the books in.

I've made 8 of these little bags (9 more to do). My little sewing machine worked it's overtime today as each bag takes on overage 15 mins to put together and that's not including the cutting out of the felt pieces.  It's all worth it in the end though, to see the smiling faces and the hugs and 'thanks' I get when I present the girls with their books is worth it no end.

Happy days.

Lynetta Xx

Woooooooooshhhh

Whoooosh, and it's gone...the week that is.  I can't believe we are already coming into the last week of January.  Other years I always thought it was a slow drudging month but man has it gone quick this year! Is it an age thing?  or is it because the weather has been so mild it really doesn't feel like winter.  Saying that I've got to be up early tomorrow to go and stand on a cold football pitch, I'll probably think twice about my post then. 

I managed to get a little sewing in last night.  It's my mum's birthday next week and she wanted a green apron.  I've had the material since before christmas as I was going to make it for a Christmas present however I didn't have the time to complete it with all the other activities I had going on.  Good thing her birhtday is in January so she will not have to wait too long.  I'm not that enthralled with the apron, she wanted a green one , but oh dear  it looks more like an army uniform than a pretty apron. 

I have tried to girly it up with a contrasting pocket (as seen above) but it's just not working and looks a bit odd so back to the drawing board on this one.  I've really not got the enthusiasm to complete it as it is so drab, but needs must and that's to please the recipient and not me.  I'm wondering if anyone else feels like this when making something for a present? that's if it don't appeal to you you've not got the interest to finish it - answers on a postcard please.  Oh well, I'm so sure she will be pleased with it so I'm holding onto that thought for now.

OK back to the sewing machine.  Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

Little things that cheer me up

Why is it that the little things really cheer me up?  I was lucky enough to stumble across this little project on t'internt a while ago and thought it was really lovely.  As I am a skin flint (or thrifty not too sure what you would describe me as!) I downloaded a font called Cross Stitch so I could get the pattern to try my hand at this little piece of homemade goodness.  I think it has turned out really well and was chuffed to finish it within a couple of hours, good going for me!  I'm a little undecided where to hang it, perhaps in my tent? or how about making it into a medalion for my new addition to the house Dave...........

Isn't he the most cutest adorable door stop you have ever seen, he puts a smile on my face everytime I walk through the door.  Jack named him Dave the Doorman, it's a tradition in the family to name any nik naks or fun items around the house, I'll introduce you to a few more at some point.

Two more lie in's before I go back to work after the half term break, roll on Christmas.

Have a great weekend. 

Lynetta Xx

WIP

Finally, one of the WIP (Works in Progress) finally finished.  This is my first attempt at patchwork, not perfect by any standard but I am chuffed to bits with it.  If you recognise the fabric it's from when I bought too much for my bunting back in the summer.  I still have so much left over and I'm continually thinking of ways to use it up. So to date I have made bunting, a cushion, peg bag and now the quilt.  I backed the quilt with a lovely £4 Primarni throw so it's lovely and snuggly and I will be using it for a lap blanket when camping.  Ohh I'm going to look all glam.

I'm now thinking of making a tea cosy but I really cannot start another project without finishing some of the WIP first, I'm a one for doing that, not too sure if it's boredom or that I take on too large of tasks to finish quickly but I've always been like it since a child. Speaking of which I found this photo of me at 15 (circa 1978) , yikes I do look young and innocent, ha ha ha. and check out the eye liner, used to take me ages to get it just right!

Well I'm off to make the tea and bake a cake (I've still not baked since my disaster and as I've committed with my Thought on Thursday I think I better get a move on) see you soon.

Lynetta

Quick Stitch!!!

I've always wanted a posh peg bag but the price tags are just too big for my little purse so having scoured the internent (yet again) for inspiration my trusty Brother sewing machine managed to whip up this little gem one morning, and on the plus side it has used up more of the material I purchased a few weeks ago.  I am really chuffed with my bag and looking to making one or two for christmas presents.  Do you think people would mind having a hand made present or do you think they would think it's naff?  I know I would be happy but then I love all things hand made but for some people I just don't know?  mmmm will have to think this through a little more.

And just so you can see my bag up close and personal here's a up close and personal shot. (I love the fact I've never made thse flowers before and with a great tutorial that I found on t'internet I was rather pleased with the result).  Now back to sewing the patchwork quilt which I initially bought the fabric for.  I'm nearly there and will do a ta dah reveal once finished.

Catch you soon.

Lynetta

Stitch and Bitch!

Itchy hand syndrome? Tense nervous twitch? Well why not try a hobby you've not visited for 15 years.  So with this in mind out comes the sewing machine and the thinking cap.

I have always wanted a tradtitional row of bunting, so with my Pic (Partner in crime) Sarah off we trot to Reading to visit a fabric shop. 1 1/2 hours later with huge smiles on our faces we have chosen our material and head back to get started.  We had a lovely afternoon and evening cutting and sewing with the end result more than I could of imagined.

We both had a good giggle at the amount of fabric we had remaining, and to think when we were in the shop we were both worrying we may not have enough, ha ha ha.....

So what to do with the remaining metres? - no joke we bought far too much - and as the bunting will be used to go over my tent I decided to make a patchwork cushion to match.  My first attempt at patchwork and chuffed to bits :-)

and if anyone is interested you can get a great tutorial for log cabin patchwork HERE! 

BTW, still have so much material left and will now be making a patchwork throw to keep me warm too.  Oooh I'm going to look all posh around the campsite now.  Watch this space.

TTFN :-)  Lynetta