Good Morning - Peanut Butter and Jam

I know that peanut butter and jam (jelly) is pretty old hat but I've only recently tried it.  It doesn't sound like it should work but...it just does, especially with a nice hot cuppa!

 

 

Happy Halloween by the way!

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#Monday Moodboard.....Toy Box Raid

Happy Monday everyone!  Hello and welcome to my new followers too, thank you so much for following. Xx

A quirky yet comical collection for this weeks moodboard...they make me smile, I hope you like them too!

Have a fantastic week.

Lou x

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#Quick Crafty Makes 1 - Typography

Quick crafty makes...what's that all about?  Well, I will be posting speedy makes that take under 2 hours to create and achieve a respectable, if not wonderful outcome.  This idea came about due to my lack of time, I'm a working mum who tends to be rushing around most of the time.  I'm sure this sounds familiar to most parents who work and have a family.

Luckily I work part time but I still have to manage the house, school runs, nursery etc etc, don't get me wrong I'm not complaining I'm just busy!  The only time I get to apply myself totally is when my baby has his nap time which last about 2 hours, I can whip out my scissors, pins, sewing machine etc and get stuck in. (See my previous post for more on this).

The technique used is free-motion machine embroidery, this is where you essentially draw using the thread on your sewing machine.  It's a really easy technique you just need to have your machine set up properly.  Click on the link below for a great website with more info on this.

Nells Embroidery - how to set up your machine

You will need:

A sewing machine capable of free motion sewing

An embroidery hoop

A selection of different colour threads

A sturdy fabric (light weight fabrics such as chiffon might be problematic)

A pencil for marking out your design

If possible get all your equipment ready in advance so you can optimise the time available for actually sewing.

1. On your computer select a letter and font, print this out to the size you require, the bigger the letter the longer it may take.

2. There are two approaches to step 2 I've tried both.

a. Pin your print out to your chosen fabric then place both in the embroidery hoop.

b. Using a pencil lightly trace your font on to your fabric, this is less bulky and in my opinion gives a better result.

3. Ensure your fabric is nice and taught in the embroidery hoop, when tapped the fabric should sound like a dull drum.

4. You can now begin to free-motion sew your design on to the fabric.  Don't worry too much about your sewing being ultra neat, this technique is supposed to be a bit haphazard.  It's up to you how much density your design has, the more you sew the denser the design will be.

NB: if you are sewing over a paper template you will need remove the paper at this point, try to remove as much as you can.  I know some people like to leave parts of the paper on their design to add texture.  If you like the way this looks go for it.

5. Once you are happy with your outline you can now add some colour or maybe not, it's up to you.

6. Finally, press and trim off any loose threads (if you want leave some threads there to add further interest to your design then do).

And...voila you are done!

I love this technique, I did have some problems initially with tension and my needle broke a few times but I did manage to do a whole letter in under 2 hours.

If you decide to give this a go I'd love to hear how you get on.

Lou x

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Future Posts Brainstorm...#Blog School Homework

Well week 2 of blog school has arrived and this weeks homework is to brainstorm ideas for future posts.  Normally I carry post ideas around in my head, but being more organised and planning my posts sounds like a good way forward.
 

I like my posts to document what I've been up to, things I like and want to share with others.  I also like to share things that make me smile or laugh.  I've kept this in mind when brainstorming my ideas. So check out the list below and let me know what you think...

#1 Monday Moodboard

This is sort of happening already, I take lots of photos and save them for future posts, I try to photograph things that have a common theme whether it be colours, textures, shapes or subject.  I then put them into a weekly moodboard.  I thought 'Monday Moodboard' would be a nice way to start the week...giving people a little bit of visual inspiration.

::rag doll moodboard::

 

#2 Surreptitious Shoe

This is a bit of a silly idea...but I do quite like it.  The idea came to me one day when I was in a lesson with my students demonstrating the Instagram app.  I inadvertently took some pics of their shoes.  I quite liked the way they looked.  This made me think that I'd quite like to surreptitiously take pictures of people's shoes and then post them just for the hell of it.  I've seen other blogs that do similar things and this idea appeals to my daft sense of humour.  I'd love it if one day I stumbled across a blog that had posted my shoes on it...it would feel like a badge of honour (well to me anyway, but I am easily pleased).


 

::surreptitious shoe pic::

 

#3 Quick Crafty Makes

This is an idea that stems from a practical problem that I face whenever I want to undertake a craft project.  My little boy is only 22 months old, he is such a beauty, but very inquisitive and wants to be involved in everything I do, which normally I love.  However when I'm using my sewing machine, fabric scissors, pins, needles etc it is not safe for him to be involved.  Therefore I have to wait until his nap time before I can undertake any craft based project. This led to the idea of  'Quick Crafty Makes', these are makes that can be pretty much made in 2 hours or less, 2 hours because this is how long my baby's nap time lasts.  I have few ideas in the pipe line so watch this space.


 

::crafty makes, machine embroidery::

#4 Innovative Lesson Outcomes

I teach at my local college, I specialise in fashion design (pattern cutting, sewing, illustration, design, print etc) but teach across other subjects as well.  I love teaching and although I'm the teacher my students teach me something new everyday!  They help to keep me up to date with new ideas, trends and technology.  It was my students who got me into blogging!  At the moment I am teaching drawing and mark making techniques and we are achieving some great outcomes.  I would like to share some of these ideas and techniques on my blog, hopefully they will inspire others too.


 

::illuminated pin prick drawing::

 

#5 App Review

I did an app review on my Tumblr a while back, this would be a quick easy post for a blog.  I download new apps regularly and think a thorough review outlining pros and cons would be good to share. Sometimes the reviews on the App Store are vague and brief, a more detailed (but not exhaustive) review would be something I'd appreciate so maybe others would too?
 

::app attack...hipstamatic::

Well that concludes my brainstorm, I'd love to know what you think, brutal honesty is always appreciated.  I'll keep posting my baking, book reviews, craft activities and day to day potterings as usual and I'll enjoy adding some/all of the above post ideas.

Oh and by the way, take a peek at Pip Lincolnes blog school...it's cool, wicked and bad (in a good way)!
 

Have a great week...Lou xx

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#Monday Moodboard Rust

Thought this was fitting for autumn.  Have a great week.

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Blogs I Love...#Blog School Homework

Part one of Pip Lincolnes Blog School homework, write a post about your favourite blogs....here goes!


Below is a list of blogs that I dip in and out of on a regular basis, I follow these because they are engaging both visually and in terms of content.  Click on the links to have a look, they really are good!

Attic24 - recommended by a friend, this is a great crochet blog with great easy to follow tutorials, one of the first blogs I ever followed.  I have learnt loads from this blog!

Bloesem - a much loved and well known blog, great for inspiration.  Great moodboards, design, interiors, craft.....it has the lot.

Shopping Lives - the author of this blog left a comment on one of my posts and thus began my fascination with this simple and quietly beautiful blog.  A log of found shopping lists giving us an insight in to people's lives and grocery shopping needs.

Meet Me At Mikes - what's not to love, an inspired lifestyle blog that I first discovered through Mollie Makes magazine.  Beautifully thought out, great content with friendly and approachable writing.

Wild Olive - I've only been following this blog a couple of weeks but love the range of craft projects and the all round friendly feel from its author.

A Beautiful Mess - a great lifestyle blog that is visually brilliant, great for inspiration.

Craft Blog UK - another blog I've recently discovered, packed full of blogging tips, great for learning the ropes and technical info.

Greedy For Colour - the clue is in the title, visually gorgeous posts.  A lovely insight into the authors crafting activities.

Quiltish - a lifestyle blog that is packed full of great ideas, covers craft, motherhood and design.


I'd love to know what you think, as ever feel free to leave your comments.

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Pumpkins.....look at these beauties!

Freshly picked from the allotment in time for Halloween, such gorgeous colours.  Watch this space for our Halloween carvings.  Any recipe suggestions will be much appreciated.

 

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Gathered by Mollie Makes

The much anticipated interactive digital craft magazine 'Gathered' is now available to download for iPad users.  I downloaded my copy today and have been really impressed, it is beautifully designed and very user friendly with lots of exciting features.  Stand out articles for me are the inspiring interview with Meredith Crawford who talks about discovering her love of blogging, a lovely article about old skool typewriters and a great downloadable Liberty print to jazz up your iPad wallpaper.

There is also a step by step 'how to' tutorial on how to make some super cute needle felt acorns as well as how to customise your clothing using stencils and fabric paint.

Additional features include music, videos and book reviews....it seems they have thought of everything!  Oh and you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook too.

They are so confident you will like it he first issue is free, what's not to love?

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First Day at School.....Blog School!!

If you are an aspiring blogger or an existing blogger and want to improve your blogging skills (like me!) then check out Pip Lincolnes blog school.  Pip is the creator of Meet Me At Mikes and as well as being a fantastic blogger she has written some great books too.  The blog school is every Thursday and will be covering all aspects of blogging with a supporting Facebook page and printables to boot!

What's not to like?

Lou x

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Wet Play Time...Rainy Day's

Do you remember wet play times at school?  The teachers got out all the special toys and somehow staying in seemed exciting and fun.  Looks like its gonna be wet play time today, it's a bit rainy out there.  Whatever the weathers like where you are I hope you have a lovely day!

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Hearts & Anchors - Homemade Draught Excluder

 

 

 

 

I thought it was about time I put another sewing project on my blog (it is called Make Do SEW after all).  The nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder, a draught excluder is the perfect mini project.  I added some freehand machine embroidery and reverse applique inspired by Poppy Treffys work, see the link for the website below.

 

Machine embroidery is so easy, if your machine has the capacity to do a darn stitch and you can lower the feed dog then you do can freehand machine embroidery.  You will need an embroidery hoop and it is better to have good quality thread and a loose tension setting on your sewing machine.

 

You may want to sketch up some rough designs, I prefer to just see what happens and not plan too much!!

 

Poppy Treffy

 

 

See my step by step instructions below.

 

Step 1: Measure the width of your door and decide the depth you want for your draught excluder.  Multiply the depth by 2, add on a 1cm seam allowance all the way around the pattern for the finished size needed.  For the optional hanging loop, again work out the dimensions you want and add 1 cm seam allowance all the way around.

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Cut out the motif shape you want to the size and number you require.



 

 

Step 3:  Pin your motif on to your base fabric, the right side of the motif fabric should be facing down.

 

 

 

Step 4: Place your embroidery hoop over the motif and tighten the screw to secure.  You will need to pull the base fabric so there is no slack in the fabric within the hoop.  You will know the tension is correct when you tap the fabric and is sounds like a dull drum.

 

 

 

Step 5: Stitch the motif to the base fabric, don't worry about neatness, the more haphazard the better.  Sew around the motif until you get the density of stitching you want.

 

::sew until you get the density of stitch you want::

 

::sew your motif as many times as needed::

 

 

 

Step 6:  Taking great care not to cut the motif fabric, cut away the base fabric from the inside of the embroidery stitching to reveal the right side of the base fabric underneath.

 

 

 

Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have added the desired amount of motifs.

 

 

Step 7:  For the freehand machine embroidery motif place your embroidery hoop on the fabric in the required location and start to sew your design, as in step 5 don't worry about being too neat and add as much embroidery you want until you get the density of stitch you like.

 

 

::sew until you get the required density of stitch::

 

::see finished reverse applique and machine embroidery below::

 

 

Step 8: Fold the fabric for the hanging loop in half longways and sew 1cm in from the edge, turn this through so the seam is on the inside.  You can do this by using a safety pin, it is easier if you trim the 1cm seam allowance to about 0.5mm.  Once turned through ensure the seam runs down the middle and press.  This seam will go on the inside once made up so it wont be seen.

 

 

::1cm seam allowance::

 

::trim seam allowance down to 0.5mm, turn through and press with seam running down the centre on the loop::

 

 

 

Step 9:  Fold your draught excluder fabric in half longways ensuring the right sides are together and pin, add the hanging loop in the desired location and sew a 1cm seam (the loop should be on the inside with a small overhang on the outside to be secured in place when sewn).  Ensure you leave the end without the loop unsewn so you can turn the fabric through to the right side and stuff.

 

 

 ::right sides together::

 

 

 ::add hanging loop to required end::

 

 

 ::turn through and stuff::

 

 

 

Step 10:  Tuck in the raw edges and pin to create a neat end, slip stitch the edges together if you want an unseen stitch or top stitch on the machine if you don't mind a visible sewn edge.

 

 

::click on the link to see a good slip stitch tutorial, how to slip stitch::

The finished product!!!

I've kept my design simple however buttons, ribbons, ricrack and other types of embellishment can be added too.

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Colour Moodboard - kids stuff

Another Moodboard on a Monday! Think a pattern might be developing here. This time rainbow colours, hope you like. Watch out for next Mondays Moodboard.

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The Art of Needlecraft - a great crafters book

I bought this book from EBay, I love books especially secondhand ones.  This book is a great snapshot into needlecraft from a 1930's perspective, the approach to each project is very thorough and a wide range of techniques are covered.  I especially like the simplicity of the illustration on the front cover, this is a lovely book to dip in and out of, a great addition to any crafters library.

 

 

 

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Flensted Mobiles

Flensted Mobiles are a Danish company that have been around since 1954, they have a massive range to choose from and are reasonably priced.  Each mobile is handmade by local people and are perfectly balanced and designed to move delicately.  Flensted have not licensed their products to any big companies such as Disney, so every design is an original to the company.  I've bought Flensted mobiles for both of my children and they love them, Check out their designs at Flensted Mobiles 

 

 

 

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