All packed up - Boo

Seeing as we move into our new house this Wednesday I've had to pack up all my lovely new craft goodies into a boring old box.  I've been itching to try some Christmas stars as mentioned in a previous post but there is no time with all that is happening. As I've been packing up the flat I've seen things we've had for ages and thought "I could make this prettier!" Still, when we're settled I'll be let loose on the borrowed sewing machine from the in-law! Can't wait.

We had a break from packing on Friday (hubby had the day off) and we went to the Hopetoun House Christmas Market. I was a little disappointed as now I have the attitude "I can make that" to a lot of pretty goodies on sale. Still, we managed to buy a lovely wee chalkboard which we'll put up in the new kitchen.

Righto, I'll have my last nosey at other gorgeous blogs before the computer gets packed away too. (Sob sob)
x

I have blisters

Ouch.

Working on this new pillow hurts. By not having a sewing machine (yet) I've been doing it all by hand which is great practice for me. However, I have a blister on my thumb and index finger from pushing the needle through a million times and it was throbbing last night. But look at how pretty the pillow is becoming!

Beauty is pain

I've learned some lessons from stitching this together so far.
1) I forgot that the squares of the charm pack aren't equal in length - hence my squares don't all line up
2) It definitely pays to iron as you go.
3) Wear plasters!

I'm tempted to wait till I get my hands on my M-in-law's sewing machine before finishing this. I don't think my fingers have room for more blisters! Plus, I need to learn how to insert a zip which make take a few lessons.

Oh the joys of learning a new hobby!

Have pins... need pincushion

Well, as mentioned in my previous post I decided to make a quick pincushion for my brand new pins (oh the joys of being a newbie.... everything is still all shiny!)

What fun jabbing him with my pins

Continuing with the tortoise theme (my hubby sat me down and explained the difference between a turtle and a tortoise) inspired by paper-and-string I came up with this little guy in no time. Pretty much identical to the tortoise on the felt box I made the other night... only this wee guy is smiling! He obviously enjoys being stabbed with my pins.

I've now started a new project of attempting a cushion cover... making it up as I go. (Instructions? What do I want instructions for?!) It's being made from some Moda charm packs (of course) and all hand sewn as I've still to get my mitts on my mother-in-law's sewing machine. Still, I need all the practice I can get on my stitches. Still wonky... but I'll improve one day.

In the mean time... look how pretty these are: stars by Emma
I'm definitely going to attempt some of those (although ten bucks they don't end up looking that pretty!)

Something for me!

Before I started on some more Christmas stockings I decided I needed a wee box to keep all my lovely Moda charm packs in. With the usual inspiration from paper-and-string's blog I attempted a felt box with a tortoise embellishment. What fun!

Hello!

It gave me a chance to practice my stitching too... which thankfully is improving (slow and steady aye tortoise!) I loved this little guy so much I'm attempting another one on a pin cushion I need.

Baby Cube Number Two - done!

I'm well chuffed with this baby cube. It's so satisfying to have something sweet to look at after hand sewing it all. Shame I have to post it to a friend overseas who has just had a wee boy.

F for Fred

Stitching not perfect but I'm getting there!

I'm wishing now I inserted a wee bell or something that makes a rattling sound. Still, next attempt huh! (I need more friends to have babies).

As well as attempting more Christmas felt decorations for our tree I'm going to have a play with some ideas from this book I borrowed from the library yesterday. It's nice to get ideas from other sources... so many clever ladies out there with wonderful creations.

Let's hope I do them justice.

TCx

Slow and steady

Side 1

In between looking after the teething monster and packing up the house for the move in two weeks I find calm in sitting down and sewing little what-nots. This week the postman bought me stuffing (hooray!) so I can finally stop using all my cotton wool balls from the bathroom to fill my decorations with. I also got two of the Moda Charm Pack - Lollipop which I've been in love with for weeks now. My plan is (once I get better and more confident) is to attempt this project: Lollipop Quilt (Although I haven't got a clue what 'fusible webbing' means!) I think it's gorgeous... every charm pack I get makes me happy!

Side 2

With stuffing in hand I managed to finish my first baby cube (see right) but the end stitching is a bit wonky. Still, practice makes perfect... and my husband's cousin was good enough to have a baby girl the other week so my first baby cube will have an owner soon (with a note for the baby not to examine the stitching too closely).

I'm also making good progress on my friend's blue baby cube... I imagine once I get set up in the new house with a sewing machine these things will be a LOT quicker to make!

I managed to photograph my favourite xmas stocking (so far) too. I thought I'd sent it off to Mum and Dad before shooting it but hadn't sealed the package so grabbed it for a photo.

Santa stop here!

The things I get excited about now!

Baby cubes

I've taken a quick break from making felt Christmas stocking decorations (I've posted my Mum the best one yet... but forgot to take a photo!) I kept looking at the gorgeous charm pack from Moda I got this week and was itching to make something pretty with it. I ended up trying to make a baby cube from London Mummy's tutorial. However, it was all to be done by hand as I've still to get a sewing machine (or borrow one from my mother-in-law).

My first attempt at a cube

Things I have since learned from my first attempt of making a cube:
- I need to get the iron out and try and make the fabric look halfway presentable!
- I really need to get my hands on some stuffing!!!

Overall, I'm pretty chuffed with it - even though it's not completed. All I need now is for a mate to have a  baby girl and I'm set.  A friend in Australia has however had a baby boy so I started on the next pack of fabric I received. Moda Punctuation is gorgeous... I'm falling in love with all these gorgeous charm packs more and more each day.

F for Fred

I attempted to add a letter onto one side. Will keep updating progress on here.
Must. Get. Stuffing!