Old vintage sewing pics on the web

If they were thrilled with this machine, I'd love to show these ladies the new Bernina 830 LOL BTW if you haven't seen it yet, the launch party presentation is well worth a look if you can find it on the web...if I remember I will put up a link sometime...it is somewhat cheesy, quite long, BUT really pulls you in, I certainly wanted one after watching it but seeing as it is £5,700 at the time of writing, I won't be getting one this side of Christmas! ( or the other side lol ).

Awww ain't they sweet!

Is this one of "The Borrowers" practicing recycling? Apparantly that is a rabbit...I thought it was a Red Setter Dog.

Ahem, apparantly not all little girls are sugar and spice!

There are some lovely "vintage" sewing pics out there on the web. I can't give you permission to use these as they are not mine.They were found at the following site...

©2000 Denise Van Patten - http://collectdolls.about.com

Realising that you have to let fabric give up it's former guise

I have a very large fabric recyling box...erm, translate as about 1/4 of the craft room. I have been playing around tonight trying to find the right fabric for a project but have got nowhere...then it struck me...the reason is that I have been looking at things thinking is this worth cutting up for said project. It's daft really as the recycled stuff is just for personal use ( gifts have the luxury of having fabric bought especially for them) so it is of no consequence really...this makes me think that I ought to have a session of cutting up old clothes etc, taking off arms and jjust making lots of large squares of fabric, then I will see it for what it now is FABRIC and not it's former self. How silly it is that the simplist of things can cause such a barrier to getting on and actually DOING stuff. Ho hum.

Rae's top

Okay I finally got around to taking a pic of Rae's top that I made...keep in mind this started out as a muslin, so there is probably quite a few stray threads etc ...but I liked the fabric so much I have made it part of my wardrobe...Next time I WILL take more care. The way I put it on the hanger makes it look a bit lop-sided but luckily that is not how it is when you wear it.

Doxie

Forgotten things in the loft

I was having a tidy in the loft the other day (translate as trying to make more room for my crafting stash and must have more fabric addiction) and I came across a couple of items I had forgotten about. The first is an old UFO ( groan!). It started life as a patchwork bag...I was never really interested in it as a bag though as the challenge was just to see if I could decipher how to make a bag in this design... once I had achieved my goal I lost interest and was on to the next thing...I am rather proud of my pink bullion roses but goodness knows what possesed me to put those hideous blue ones at the bottom for, they are just not working. I can clearly see that my patchworking skills have improved since I did this too, which is encouraging.

Mmm I think I may have uploaded this as too poor a quality to appreciate the bullions...note to self to take a close up of yellow panel at higher quality.

cheery isn't it?

The Sylvester cat was from a home-ed project...the brief was to find a picture of a famous person, copy it and then use it to make a Andy Warhol style painting. I can't remember exactly which site we got the picture from, but I do remember it was a kiddie's site with "tutorials" on how to draw well known cartoon characters. :o) Okay so ours was not a famous person but it was close enough eh?

I did come across another pic that I painted of a couple of my pets, I will keep that under wraps for now as I may make it into an embroidery design at a later date and I don't want to spoil the surprise LOL. Gee dunno when I'll have the time though.

Doxie, who achieved little in the loft that day because she was so distracted by all the interesting ( to her ) finds!

Some girliness for you

This is before it was sewn up so excuse the threads and pin!

How could any girlie not want to stitch up this gorgeous corset pattern from Rectangel? I made a little sachet with mine and filled it with lavender. HOWEVER I was so filled with euphoria and excitement at the result, that when I cut around the edge to shape it and trim the excess felt away, I ...for some reason... failed to see the very obvious ribbon I had carefully stitched on to hang it by and just cut it clean off ! I did remedy it, but what a twit LOL. I think these would be such a hit for pressies.

Be sure to check out the pics in Rectangel's vintage embroidery pattern stream they are lovely.

She's gotta be a very talented person by the look of the pics on flickr.

Doxie

sewn organiser baskets

I thought these are a nice idea...they'd look good for a home office if you co-ordinated them with the soft furnishings in the room.

Or how about these for smaller bits and bobs.

More for the to-do list :o)

Erm...I think this means I'm obsessed

...What does it mean when you wake up in the morning and your ear worm is the closing song on the Bernina presentation...It started as I got out of bed, carried on through the bubbles in my bath, drowned out the sound of electric tooth brush and it is still there now ... I just can't get it out of my head.

Could it be that the clever people at Bernina planted some sort of brainwashing technique into their podcast?...leading anyone who has seen it to break out in song with " This is your time Bernina!" at random times...what a good way of advertising that would be...I'm sure people would notice you if you did that on the tube, in the grocers or waiting in line at the bank. Let just hope that if this is the case, all the new and unwitting advertisers are wearing their best home sewn outfits or it would backfire horrendously LOL

Or perhaps I am just now officially obsessed with this sewing lark.

Either way I am happy in my madness, I wonder what I will produce today...

Doxie who is obviously a bit doolally

A minute's silence...

Could we just take a few moments to honour my dear crafting friend who left us forever yesterday. He was a great help in many projects and no other came close. We spent many an hour in each other's company and without him my projects would not have taken on such a finished and crisp/fresh look. He could seem a bit heavy at times but I think ultimately that was where his strength was... I liked it best when he really let off steam, it was then that we did our best work together...He will be missed, and yesterday I just could not do any crafting knowing that he was not there to aid me.

Goodbye my Rowenta iron...I am sure your replacement will do it's best, but you will take some beating.

XXX

I made a bag

Ooooh I love it. I made it as part of my personal gifting drive, see this post on my blog Gift Me Happy. I found a pattern to work from on Weekend Designer. If you haven't had a look there be sure to it is so inspiring...if you see it, want it but can't afford it, Weekend Designer really puts across the fact that you CAN make it. This is just the concept I have been trying to put across to one keen little girl B I am teaching to sew, but more in the way of toys, hair bands etc. at the moment..somehow I don't usually think to "copy" clothes for myself, but why not? That said I haven't tried any of the clothes on there yet, but I sure would like to.

It's funny really, thinking of the little girl I mentioned...I think the message has got through as her Mum told me that when they were on holiday recently, she ( B ), took lots of pictures of things she liked but couldn't afford to buy so she could show me and when she got back I could show her how to make them...I haven't seen the pics yet, I am both excited to see what she has in mind but feel slight trepidation...which of course I will do my best not to show...after all you can do anything you set your mind to, right? Oh boy oh boy I hope her mentor does not fail her. :o/

Doxie :o)

YAY I did one of Rae's tops!

Okay so I did it a bit late for the Spring Top Sewalong but I did do it!

Some jungle fabric had been taunting me from the stash pile for about a year. It was one of DS's old kiddie duvet covers. It may not be the everyday look for a woman of my age but what the heck I like it! ...and I couldn't waste it on something like a laundry bag that wouldn't get to travel and see the outside world! LOL

I think it will be perfect for a day out at the zoo. I mucked up a bit on the inside of the straps...only because I had a total lapse of concentration during 2 key points... which I shall blame on dear Sharp End taking my concentration away and it being about midnight ...but thankfully it doesn't show or really matter. I just know to take extra care next time and pack in before I get tired...and yes there will be lots of next times because it is such a super adaptable pattern. Thankyou to lovely Rae for providing the pattern, she writes the instructions so well...which you can find here on our much loved SewMamaSew.

and for anyone who has not stumbled across Rae's blog yet, her clever workwomanship can be found here

Doxie who is wearing her new jungle top now!

A first for me...

This afternoon I took the family on their first "long drive" with me behind the wheel. It wasn't the nicest weather for such an outing but it was still a fun trip out. :o)

I felt such a thrill that I couldn't help myself doing a little victory song and dance in the car park at the other end. One young couple gave me a funny look LOL, but I think they realised what was going on after a while because of the "L plates". Still, I don't really worry about that kind of thing these days...at least it gave them a laugh ;o)

I managed to do a few little things that my instructor had been pushing me to do when I have been out with him... so I am hoping that he will see the difference in my confidence during my next lesson. I put my foot down on the NSL roads and resisted the temptation to slow right down at every corner LOL. One thing I did unplanned was a very sudden block change when I realised that the turning I needed was right there and not 50 yards ahead! OK I know that it is not good to do a panic mano but at least I didn't stall after the block change which I did do once in a very inappropriate place!

We stopped enroute at a nice little nursery where they have a pet's corner...I was so tempted by the little baby ratties. I am thinking life is going to be very dicey for a new reason when I have passed my test...if I go out unaccompanied there will be nobody standing there next to me saying " No, we don't really NEED another colony of pet rats!" or whatever cutsies cross my path ;o). Note to self...NEVER EVER drive along to the pet shelter.

The other day when JW came around she offered to be my accompanying driver if I wanted to go out with her and the boys and practice when Mr Doxie is not around or is busy. What a sweet friend, I think I will take her up on that. Who'd have thought that learning to drive could be such a positive experience and one which didn't involve just the family but friends as well. I am blessed. :o)

Doxie feeling quietly satisfied. :o)

New Mano...Bay parking

I had a phone call an hour and a quarter before my last driving lesson...my spirits fell when I heard my instructor's voice, not because he isn't lovely but because I was sure he was phoning to cancel...Thankfully this was not the case...but he asked if I had remembered that he had brought that day's lesson forward by an hour, YIKES!!! No I had not remembered...that meant I had 15 mins to get myself presentable. From planning on spending the next hour doing hypnosis followed by gentle reading so I could start my lesson in a chilled and calm manner, I had to change to full on panic nutter mode! Impressively I was ready in time...He teased me about only just getting up which was SO not the case... I had already done my housework and a step aerobic workout...I was just not ready for my lesson when he telephoned. I had the pleasure of pointing out that HE was the one sat there with toothpaste on his face!!!!!

Mmmm, I'm not sure what to think of this reversing into a bay lark...I totally get why it is wrong to go in nose first, but boy oh boy is this going to take some practice. Doing it with spaces in the bays next to me was okay but I so didn't like doing it with a car next to me. When asked "What must you change when there are cars parked on both sides of your chosen bay?" I was told that the answer

"My pants!"

was not the answer he was looking for... oh well it might not have been correct but at least I made him laugh!

For anyone who hasn't learned this mano yet, the answer is "nothing".

I really wanted to abandon it when he made me reverse in with a car on my left but he kept bringing up that "trust" word again, so even though I was freaking out at how close we were to the other vehicle I went ahead and lo and behold, it all worked like magic...I just wish you could buy pocket sized Mr Patiences to keep in the glove box for times of emergency and tight squeezes.

I tried private practice with the Doxie-mobile the same night but somehow it didn't go quite so well...I kept ending up about a third of a bay to one side....still at least I was straight which is half the battle I guess. I don't know if I am turning too late or too early, ho hum I guess that is what practice is for...it probably didn't help that it was at night in a pitch black car park in the countryside and I couldn't see the bay markings that well anyway, so maybe I am being a bit hard on myself.

I had someone walk backwards into the road in front of me in this latest lesson...now that is an odd one to anticipate LOL. It was a workman...I can only assume he had ear plugs in or something...blooming daft thing to do without looking! Anyway you will be pleased to hear that he is still upright and the only thing that happened was... I stopped, Mr Patience blew the horn and told him what a twit he was, or words to that effect!

Until next time,
Doxie :o)

Doxiemobile I love you!

I LOVE, love, love my Doxiemobile! I've been out in it locally with the L plates and it is all I hoped it would be and more. Sharp End fits in the boot and is quite happy. You'd think he'd been in it a thousand times already. Even though he doesn't have the space he is used to in Mr Doxie's car he doesn't seem to mind at all. His dog guard arrived today so he can go out with us which ever car we use...and there will be room for new puppy too!

She is a delight to sit in,very comfy and still smells new, although I am sure Sharp End will soon take care of that!...She came with very low mileage which I know is genuine as I know her history. :o) With room for friends,dogs,shopping and smart enough for work what more could I want? The future is bright! I am going to have so much fun whizzing about here and there.


Doxie...nearly mobile :o)

Goodbye drug of choice

Before my driving lesson I usually pump myself full of caffeine to ensure alertness ...well this week with Mr Doxie working from home my routine was a bit different and I realised about 10 mins before Mr Patience was due to pick me up that I had not had my usual double if not triple cappuccino...there was no time to throw it down my neck at the last minute so I just had to go out without a boost of my drug of choice.

What a difference...I pulled away quicker at junctions, I did my manoeuvres with absolutely no agitation of self critism at all and was generally waaay calmer throughout the lesson. The only slightly wobbly bit was practising the "hanging off the top of the cliff" bit aka proper clutch control on a hill. Even that went a hundred times better than last week, I froze at the thought of the first attempt but with a bit of gentle talking around I did as I was told, when I was told, and it went fine from then on...it was probably helped by the fact that Mr Patience was determined not to let me off the hook and if the truth be known we spent much of the lesson driving around looking for steeper and steeper hills!

We ended the lesson with a little trip to the river(where we considered stopping at the pub and having a sit in the sunshine, it was so tempting!)...and then back via the local roundabout of doom, but in reality it wasn't really as bad as people make it out to be.

All in all it was one of the least eventful and calm lessons I've had and was told a definite " No more caffeine for you in future Missy!" If next week is just the same I will have to admit that coffee is not the friend I thought it was. Hey ho, you live and learn.

Doxie :o)

Not that sure what all the fuss is about...

Well I have now finished the Agatha Christie too. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Wodehouse. I sussed out "whodunnit" pretty early on so I just kept reading in the hope I was wrong and was going to be shocked and surprised...which I wasn't. Never mind, maybe it was a one off. I will try another one sometime but if the character building is as drawn out and tedious as in Sparkling Cyanide I won't be filling my bookshelf with any more ACs.

On my bedside table I now have "Minority Report" by Philip K. Dick. It is hard not trying to imagine the film as you are reading it, but I expect I will get over that as I get deeper into it.

It is years since I have read novels for pleasure. My bookshelves have been full of nothing but educational stuff really ever since I became a Mother and definitely a home educator. It is thoroughly pleasant going to bed reading for no reason at all, rather than reading as a precursor to lesson planning.

Doxie who will have gone through every book in the local library in a year if she carries on at this rate! ;o)

Edited to say...Minority Report turned out to be a 'short story' rather than a novel...didn't realise when I picked up the book...they did well to make a film out of such little writing...

I am a new fan...

of PG Wodehouse...well that is not exactly true, I have always enjoyed the televised series of "Jeeves and Wooster" and I've appreciated the few plays I have seen but I had never read one of his books until now. Over the last week I have been going to bed with "Leave it to Psmith" which is part of the Blandings series and can't wait to get my hands on another one. It is not often I read fiction these days and I certainly don't usually finish a book in less than a week of bedtimes so I guess I am hooked. the man is a genius...there was not one page that failed to hold my interest...he was obviously a great people/relationship watcher and translates his observations to the page with perfection. His use of language is a delight and oddly does not seem old fashioned...you just feel you are taking a glimpse into another world.

The same day I bought Wodehouse I got an Agatha Christie too, I have only read one AC and that was years ago so I am going to discipline myself to read that before I rush into my next visit to Blandings castle.

My first real driving manoeuvre

Today he had me doing 3 point turns ( although apparently that isn't the correct name for that manoeuvre???? )The roads were quieter being a bank holiday weekend and everything went really well. Every body's garden walls are still intact and so are my nerves. My instructor did a lot of humming of Beatles tunes today...I am assuming that means he is fairly relaxed with my driving style at the mo. We also did a little mystery tour of some new roads which ended up in a drive by of a famous person's house about whom we both had a story to tell...thus leading to some hilarity and jokes which nearly finished me off. It is good to wear waterproof mascara when learning to drive, if I had been sporting the Alice Cooper look when I got out of the car I am sure people would think I had been crying for every other reason than laughing LOL.

I LOVE driving. It gives me a real high. Thankfully I don't have to wait long until my next lesson.

Doxie

modifying skirts

I thought I was done with the sewing lark for a while but when I was going through my wardrobe to get rid of even more clothes I found 3 skirts which I won't be wearing as they are, but I just love the colours and prints...So.. hey ho, it seems I am doomed to sew.

One is a skirt I made a year or so ago that started life as a pair of jeans but it was really an experiment and is a little too Boho for my liking so I will probably shorten it and make it into a fiesta style skirt.

The other two are skirts I bought for my holiday but wouldn't wear here so they have served their purpose and need attacking and made into something more suitable for our up and coming Autumn. They are identical in colour but different weight fabrics so I am not sure how exactly I will morph them into one but I enjoy a challenge.

Will take photos of the before and after. :o)

Doxie

Ruffled Tote bag update

I have had so many people asking me about my ruffled tote bag when I have been out and about with it shopping. It is a real thrill to say I made it myself. :o) It is standing up to everyday usage really well...and boy do I cram a shopping bag full! Did I already tell you this I wonder? Oh well I am too tired to check through my posts tonight so forgive me if I am repeating myself.

Things are quite busy here at the mo so I am not getting as many hours in craft wise as I would like, but am doing my little charity project when I have spare time in the evenings. I forgot just how much you can get done if you do just a little every night...I also forgot how quickly a trick marker fades which is helping me keep on a track a bit LOL.

For X-stitchers and back stitchers: alphabet generator

This site here has a great tool for stitching words and phrases in X-stitch. Play around with it a bit first and you will soon get the hang of it. Have a look under tools and the alphabet generator.

Doxie still avoiding real work but designing some charity stuff instead so doesn't feel so guilty about it at the mo! I am busy, honest!

free pattern finds

A handy knitted bag from I live on a Farm link here



Really cute bear to make here



A knitted goldfish pattern...YES you read that correctly LOL find it here. It is the lady's first go at writing her own pattern... well done to her, it is brill.



Some very different vintage patterns here

Doxie

Using other people's pics in your blog

Some good info on creative commons licenses and how you can use other peoples pics in your blog can be found here on this edublog page.

Distracted

I have a million and one things to do and a deadline to meet but I am so distracted by all things embroidery at the moment. I have so many projects whizzing around in my head. The above picture is part of an embroidery I added to a gift for a neighbour last week. I am working on the assumption that if you get these distractions out of your system by giving in to them you can then get back on track and give your work 100% attention...does it really work like that?

What is your biggest distraction and what should ( ahem ) you be doing instead at the moment?

Doxie giving in to girly whims.

A couple of things I'm working on

Trying my hand at upcycling...

This is a dress I bought at full price a couple of years ago and never wore because it is the most hideous cut you have ever seen. I suppose I should have taken a photo of my body in it so you could see what I mean... but believe me, I can't think of any shape fat or thin that could wear it...so I have taken the halter part off and will try and save the rest by making a top or shortie Summer dress.

The boob part was way too sloppy...if you had been the size to fit it, the under-boob band would not have fitted and below that band you would have had to had a pot belly to make the stomach area have any shape at all and not just hang like a shapeless baggy rag...so it isn't suitable in my opinion for a stick or a tree trunk or even a preggie lady.

I bought this top in a charity shop, it says Next Woman inside. It was way too big and a very chunky unflattering cut around the top...I am wondering if Next Woman is a maternity range as it said size 12 but was way bigger than a standard 12 in my opinion. I bought it with the view of chopping it around a bit, at £1.99 I thought it was a gamble I could afford to loose as the fabric is rather yummy and could easily be made into something else, especially as it is lined too.

My enthusiasm could wane a bit seeing as the weather is due to take a turn this week, but as long as I get to wear them at some point over the Summer I will be happy.

Doxie

Invasion of the ladybirds

Look out! Here they come

I am sure they are plotting something

... as long as it has nothing to do with my newly planted roses I don't mind...unless it is eating aphids and then they are welcome! I think the one below is the leader.

.

I haven't put flowers and leaves on them all yet as I want to get some different coloured felt so I can make them all a little bit individual. I did one thing differently to the instructions; I did chain stitch in black thread around the bottom of the ladybird instead of just a long stitch as I couldn't get the long stitch to behave and stay where I wanted it to. For details of the instructions look at the link in my previous post.

I know which homes these are going to and I think I will be making some more...they are a fairly portable project... you could easily sit in the car and do these ( not when you are driving of course! lol ) or have a go at some in your lunch hour at work.

VerybigJen came up trumps with these. :o) Thankyou.

Doxie

The Postman arrived

Look at what the postman brought me today!

A pintucking foot...The only thing is I haven't bought the twin needles I need to use it yet...still I guess that gives me time to find a nice project to try it out on.

Ooooh I am so excited!

Any nice ideas for pintucking out there?

Doxie, a needle short of a pintuck!

Emery Board keepers

I have made a few for myself, they are such a good idea...they stop things from getting scratched up AND you can find them easily in your bag. I am sure friends would appreciate one as a little token gift. :o) I plan to make half a dozen tonight to put in my "gifts in waiting" basket.You can find instructions on this site, but you don't really need a pattern a such.

Doxie

Anti-Jeremy Top for Hagatha

My dear friend Hagatha had an operation a few weeks ago and really needs to wear floaty tops for now and probably a few months more. I bought her a top a few weeks ago but MIL insisted that it was very me...which was weird as I never wear mauve. Anyway I gave in and tried the top on and I am glad and sad to say that it has become one of my favourites...well you guessed...when I saw Hagatha she shrieked

"I love that top, where d'ya get it? "

All us Doxies just fell about laughing at this and I of course, instantly felt guilty and had to fess up! Mind you, she bought me a beautiful zip up jacket at Christmas which never made it under my Christmas Tree, but looks great on her! ;o)

Anyway the anti-Jeremy bit is to hide Jeremy ...which is the name her daughter gave to her condition ( yes nous sommes slightly unhinged here but it was nicer than having to use the medical term ).

Since making one of Rae's tops the other day for myself I could see it would be a perfect disguise for Jeremy so it looks like that is going to be quite high on my list of to-dos. I am not sure how well it will work out taking measurements over the phone though...Our families are on a day out together over the weekend so maybe I should take my tape measure and just ignore the strange looks I get in public as I take her bust and hip measurements LOL.

Doxie.

Ruffled Tote bag

Weekend Designer has the most gorgeous bag on her site ( I am assuming the author is a she , I read the profile and it doesn't say). Check it out here . Be sure to also check the archives on that site, there is some great stuff to inspire you.I'm sure we all know a girly that would have a fit of frilly vapours if they received something like that as a gift!! That's if you could ever bring yourself to give it away. :o)Ohhhh I wish I lived right next to a fabric shop AND it was open late, I want to make one NOW!Doxie ( off to rumage through my fabric stash )

Edited to say, Don is a guy :) ...sorry I assumed wrongly, I was thinking Donna, silly me!

Visit Pink Penguin: that girl has talent!

This looks like a pretty little thing to give as a gift...I am thinking you could fill it with goodies you made in the same fabric as the basket, how cute would that be?



Also from the same site Pink Penquin is this smashing tutorial on making a pencil/pen case. I don't think I am going to have many problems deciding on what to make for birthday and holiday gifts this year. :o)

Waiting for the postman

Oooohhh I am so excited, Mr Doxie has just ordered me something ...I'll keep you in suspense, but needless to say it is to do with sewing.

I really need to finish off some dinner mats and start thinking about what my theme will be for next month...Having a theme seems to be the only way I can avoid UFOs...I tend to have crazes on things for a few weeks...if I don't get things finished whilst I am fired up, some other shiny thing catches my eye and barges the now old obsession out of the way and takes over.

I really need to upload my latest pics too, I guess I have been too busy actually sewing to spend much time playing with anything remotely techno just lately.

Doxie sewing with her ear to the door

Starting a button jar

My best friend and mentor Tonie always had button jars in her sideboard cupboard. I can remember playing with them when I was young, enjoying sorting them out, like with like. I have just realised that it is something that I really need and lets face it we should have in these days of it being PC and necessary to recycle. I am not really sure what I have been doing with odd buttons up until now...I think they are mostly scattered in clothes drawers and bits and bobs boxes. I have been known to buy second hand items just for the buttons in the past but because I have never had a dedicated place for them they are not in regular view and thus have never been put to use.



I'm starting one today...of course I will have to complicate matters and decorate it in some way LOL. :o)



Doxie (who is now thinking she should start practising button holes on the machine.)

If you love Pincushions ...

...then you just HAVE to look at this. I am sure I could feel my heart fluttering with excitement when I was viewing this page. At last an attractive way to recycle bottle tops ( See there was a reason for keeping a bag with 3000 of the things under the stairs ( joking )... There is a book, yippee!



I have my own little squadron of ladybugs in production on the table as I type. Look out ! There is going to be an invasion...if you know me and you sew it is quite likely you now know what you are getting for Christmas LOL.



Doxie who is enjoying the quiet pace of hand sewing

Guide to smocking on Tipnut

If smocking is on your to-do list check out Tipnut's guide, it looks very clear. :o)

Doxie

One UFO down

Yesterday I finished an embroidery I had been doing since September ( okay I don't like to rush things lol ) for a friend...but it will be going to a different friend. I had started it for a surprise for "X" but sadly her circumstances have changed and I know the subject matter will make her sad now if she looked at it, and she certainly wouldn't want that reminder in her home ...BUT it was out on the side the other day when another friend came in who absolutely fell in love with it, infact she went nuts over it LOL. So my UFO which thought it had no destination is going to a new home this week!

Doxie with one UFO less in the fleet!

One lady's junk is another lady's treasure!

One of my friends has been having a major clearout ( she is having her entire house decorated in the space of about a week! ). She knocked my door the other day with a bag full of embroidery and sewing patterns, she was almost apologetic... she said she didn't want to clutter up my house but couldn't bring herself to throw them away without offering them to me first! To say I was thrilled is an understatement...it was like having a birthday! The only problem is I want to do almost every project there is in that bag...My to-do list has just got longer! Thank you lovely friend, you have made me very happy! :o)

Doxie

I Love the rain

When life gives you rain, sew!

The weather is terrible here today, strong wind and heavy rain. I don't look at it as a bad thing though, it just means I can do some guilt free crafting! The housework is done so what else is a girl to do? I think I will make a start on some birthday pressies and surprises for various friends.

Bring on the rain, thunder and lightning ( just spare me a power cut as I really would like to use the sewing machine today ).

Doxie in her element, not braving the elements!

Cleaning and oiling the machine.

I did my main machine today. How often do you all clean and oil your sewing machines? The instruction manual says do it frequently...what is frequently?... once a month, every 10 times, every 50 times you use it? I'd be interested to know what others think.

Cheers,

Doxie

what do you do with x stitch cards

My sister has the patience to do lovely X-stitch cards and I alyays keep them. I was wondering what other people do with these after the occassion passes.

Rest assured if you have ever given me one, I have NEVER thrown it away.

Here is an example of what I did with one she made for DS's b'day one year.

sewing gauge V tape measure

I have had a pair of thrifted trousers in the wardrobe for a few months now, waiting to be turned up. I despise taking up trousers. Recently I bought a sewing gauge so am keen to see if this makes it a more pleasureable job.

Please imagine the delights of muzak playing gently in the background whilst I whizz off and do the deed!
back....Williams on the packaging. It is in a red and grey packet with the wording " Sewing Gauge, ideal for marking seam allowance." It has a ref no: CWH8.

10/10 the sewing gauge wins over the tape measure.

Doxie the pleased. :o)

Translating non fabric designs to fabric

I thought you might like a look at one of my recent challenges. Something for Mr Doxie and learn a new process. I wanted to see if I could turn a design from a non-fabric material into an image on fabric...this would also be a lesson to myself in how to use bondaweb. :o)

Whilst looking for something suitable to translate into an applique I found one of Mr Doxie's old key rings ( see below ). He LOVED LOVED LOVED this keyring's little devil. This really fired me up as I usually do more feminine stuff. BTW if anyone knows where we can buy another one of these ( it broke after much use ) please let me know as this was his favourite and the shop has since closed...There was no name on it when I looked, or if it was once there it has worn off...it is made of rubbery type stuff.

If I am making something for just us I like the challenge of recycling so this was a good excuse to dive into the used clothes pile.

Next came the drawing.

The plan was for this little devil to feature on a dinner mat. I thought the devil on the left and then "Dad's Hot Stuff" embroidered next to it would look fun.

Next came the Bondaweb. Amazingly it was the first time I had used this product.

This is where I say always go with your gut feeling and have confidence. I followed the instructions to a T...but it didn't feel right and I pondered on marking it up as a mirror image...but on double checking and checking the Bondaweb instructions again, I saw no mention of this, so I just went ahead...and yes it turned out that I should have done a mirror/reverse image...but luckily it did not make a big difference to the design...although it was a little exasperating when it came to the eyes ( I had to re-cut them ). It is not a bad thing though, it was a learning experience and something I will remember next and every time from now on!! :o)

The mouth worried me a bit. the blue outline was cut as just that, an outline. I thought if I attatched a solid piece under the white cotton I used for the mouth it would be a nightmare trying to embroider the teeth through that many layers of fabric. Thankfully going slow I managed to position it all okay and everything fitted with none of the under fabric showing through between the blue lips and the white material.

Well, I had given myself 2 tasks, make something for Mr Doxie and learn something new. I reckon it turned out pretty well. I not only learnt how to use the Bondaweb but also how to break an image into layers...he is made out of t-shirt material. I am not sure how that will fair with repeated washing when adhered to a dinner mat. I think that I would have to finish the edges in zig zag or button hole stitch to stop fraying, but I don't know if that would spoil the crispness and clean cut look of the image.

The only thing is... Mr Doxie decided that the little devil might be wasted on a dinner mat and suggested to wait a bit and maybe put him on a cushion or something...we shall see.

I will say that I am a real fan of Bondaweb now and have already used it a few times since...infact I feel a slight obsession looming on the horizon. I can't believe I hadn't tried it before... if you haven't, go for it, we've really been missing out. The posibilities are endless. I think it would be great fun applying favourite characters for your children on their bags or t-shirts. One assumes if it is for personal use and no money is being made that it is fine...In my case it was definitely educational! :o) I think I will have the confidence to start working on my own designs now that I have learnt about layering and the order that you would have to apply the layers...it will be fun making up designs with that process in mind. :o) ...On that point I want to make clear just in case it wasn't at the beginning of this post that I am not the artist who created this devil image and do not want to or plan to take any credit for the image itself...this was purely for personal use as an education for myself...

Try something new today.

Doxie :o)

Charity Shop Treasure

Look at what I found in the charity shop the other day!

It is just perfect for one of the little girls I am teaching to sew. She was using an empty icecream tub to keep her current projects in...adequate for the smaller projects but not exactly pretty.



As if that wasn't a good enough find in itself, it was full of embroidery thread. They are not a brand I am familiar with so I won't be using them for main projects, but they will certainly be good enough for practice pieces and experiments and little bits for myself!




Sometimes the sun really does shine on you!!! :o)

Doxie the happy!

First time using Bondaweb

Remember a few post ago, when I set about to do Five Fabulous Friday Makes? Well this is one of the projects from that day. It was the first time I had used Bondaweb, and as a result fell in love with the stuff. Note to loved ones at birthday time you can't go wrong with giving me a packet of this stuff!!!!!

Anyway I digress...

I wanted to do something for Mr Doxie, one just because I did, and two, to show him that there is a point to all this curious crafting stuff that goes on at every given spare minute.

A few years ago Mr Doxie bought a keyring which turned into his favourite. Sadly it broke after much use. Anyway he kept hold of the main part in the hope that he would get around to mending it. I found it in the drawer that Friday and set that as my first challenge of the day.

A few cut up t-shirts later and you can see the result in the photos. It was going to go on a dinner mat, but I feel it may be a bit of a waste so it will probably end up on a mean looking cushion.

Making Open Top Bags Secure

My lovely friend Hagetha gave me this bag last Summer. It is not homemade, it says "EAST additions" on the label inside. I thought I would show you the top as I think it is a great way to make those pretty Summer time bags more secure. I didn't do this to this bag myself, it was bought as you see it in the photos. If you added one of those plastic toggles with an internal spring to the drawstring it would be even better.

I haven't tried converting any of my own bags as yet, but I am thinking that all you would need would be a long rectangle of fabric measuring the same as the circumference of the top of the bag, remembering seam allowances. Make the fabric into a tube by sewing the short ends together Attach one side/edge of the tube to the top of the bag on the inside, and hem the now top part leaving a casing for the drawstrings. thread some co-ordinating drawstrings through with toggles and you're done.

I'm thinking it might make the trip to the beach or wherever a little more pleasant... being able to take your prettier bags with you in the knowledge that it would be a lot harder for someone to take your wallet than with an open tote, or less likely for you to drop your best sunglasses out of it, whilst gaily swirling your bag around your head in a carefree manner ( or whatever it is we are doing when we loose stuff LOL ).

I will add that the way I staged the bag for the photos was just to try and show you how it was probably made in terms of the top, and that the drawstrings are not so obvious when you are carrying it around...they do not look untidy in real life. :o)

:o)

Doxie :o)

Action Man Balaclava

Today I realised one of my failings as a Mother...I was reminded that I never did get around to making a balaclava for DS's action man toy!

So to make up for this unforgiveable misdemeanor I shall offer my thoughts on how to make one for all the other little boys out there that are suffering because their Mother's are too sidetracked or busy to invest a few minutes making action man's head that little bit warmer.

My solution is...

1)Get an old man's glove ( that is a glove that is old, not a glove taken from an old man )

2) chop the end off one of the fingers or the thumb.I reckon 1 1/2 " would do it.

3) Stretch it over action man's bonce, mark out where his face is. Cut out that piece of fabric.

4) Pop it on action man to check he can see out okay. If he is pleased with the result take it off and use buttonhole stitch to neaten the cut edges and stop his lovely new head gear from fraying. Voila, RESULT!

I'd love to know if you tried it and if it worked.

All the best,

Doxie :o)

Buttonhole stitch by hand V machine zigzag

At the moment I am finishing off yet another dinner mat. I am working on the edge of a piece of applique with a lengthy perimeter. I have discovered that doing buttonhole stitch by hand is far superior in it's finish ( looks wise ) than doing a quickie zigzag on the machine. I know that sometimes you just NEED to get the machine out for speed, but IMHO it always seems to give the same 80's look...and if you do wander off the line, Oh all that unpicking!

I am not in a rush to get my dinner mat finished so why not take a few evenings calmly stitching around the edge? I am finding it quite therapeutic, and I am sure it will last just as well when it comes to washing the finished item. Somehow the edge seems more defined, I am really liking the look and somehow feel more in touch with the piece than if it was just run up on the machine in an evening...it feels more like a piece of artwork than a household item in the making.

What is your preference machine or hand?

Happy stitching wherever you are.

Doxie :o)

"Think it, Do it" kinda day.

How often do you think

"Oh wouldn't it be nice to make..."

and then let it go from your mind, or think it'll take too long...Well today I am trying to make it a "Think it, do it!" kind of day.

From my previous post you will have seen that dinner mats are flavour of the month, well today I was looking at the Cherry Blossom wishing it would last all year not just a couple of weeks in the Spring. It is such an optimistic sight, full of promise and cheerfulness. Then it struck me, I can have it all year, I shall put it on a dinner mat!

All it takes is a few sketches and a bit of colouring in and you have a pattern, throw in some bondaweb and you are away! Sometimes I think it really does take longer talking/thinking about something than actually doing it.

Are there any little projects you have been pondering on lately that you could whip up in a morning or two? I'd love to hear about them.

Have a good day where ever you are,

Doxie :o)

Why I love the feminine arts and vintage style :1

My passions are embroidery and sewing. I do dabble in knitting and crochet too.

I have been pondering as to why I like the Vintage style so much ( read as 1940s/50s ) It certainly isn't because I am a dedicated follower of fashion. I have always liked what we used to refer to as old fashioned...for me it is a fluke that my likes are now in fashion, but when the current trend for vintage fades I shall stick with the style, thus returning to being old fashioned and quite quite content.

I think reason number one is that it calls back to a time when things were not mass produced in the manner they are today. Things were scarce anyway and if you wanted it, you made it. Life was simpler in so many ways, and yes I acknowledge harder too but society had their priorities in the right place.

Handmade items about the home brought respect and value. If you had seen Mother/sister/Auntie or whoever stitching for many hours you are going to respect the work that went into that tablecloth and be just that little bit more careful to not slop a cup of tea over it. If you can't just pop out and buy another one willy nilly, the item, rightly so commands more respect and goes up in value.

I guess with the present economic situation ( eek , I was hoping to never have to refer to that in my posts! ) those values will come back...whilst it may be for not very nice reasons, to return to that way of thinking can only be a good thing, for both society and the planet don't you agree?

Doxie

Beautiful dress pillowcases

I thought you might like to see these beautiful dress pillowcases I bought second hand. I haven't washed them yet so I'm sure you'll forgive me for not ironing them for the picture.

I so wish that you could also buy the history that goes with them. I wonder where they were made? They have an oriental feel to them. I like to think that a sailor brought them home for his wife from his overseas travels... Or perhaps somebody enjoyed their travels so much, they just had to find a pattern to stitch that would remind them every day of a culture they had the pleasure to dip their toe into. Either way, they are beautifully worked as you can hopefully see from the closeups.

Doxie.

Marvellous Monday

The start of a new and exciting week. I am planning on making this "Spring Clean Week". The weather is certainly being compliant, sunny, fresh and warm enough to throw all the windows open.

I have turned the bedroom inside out this morning. The only bad bit was getting the make-up marks off the window sill. Luckily for me we have our storage sorted really well in there. Most of it was custom made (by the talented Mr Doxie) with ease of access in mind...so it is just a case of dragging stuff out, hoovering behind and putting bits back. To my absolute delight I found no evidence of spiders or moths so I guess that means my maintenance routines through the year are working well. Apart from the window sill I only have 4 flat surfaces in there, all are in constant use so nothing really gets the chance to sit and stay for long, they just needed a quick dust, wax and polish. Later in the week I shall take the curtains down, give them a launder and "voila" it will be finished in there.