Winter Craft Fayre

So this is what I've been busying myself with at the moment... Alongside tackling knitted sock patterns and watching Adventure Time!

Autumn sewing events

Well, it's getting to that time of year when the nights are drawing in and I'm thinking of ways to get out there and get out of the house before it's gloomy and all that you can do to keep your spirits up is to drink hot chocolate under a cosy quilt, in front of a log fire and get ready for Christmas!

Here's an event that I'm particularly excited about for Crafter/Bloggers in Birmingham (UK) ...

Sew Brum Blogger Meet Up - Saturday 31st October 2015

http://englishgirlathome.com/sewbrum/ 

New craft workshops

I'm excited to say that I'm using the studio at Martineau Gardens, as part of Tiger Skins of Sunlight, to hold knitting and craft workshops. All the information is on my Events page.

To book a place, please email: alexlaight@hotmail.co.uk

/// Mixed media bug-making 10:00 - 12:00 (with TSOS) /// Wed 15 July /// £3 

Art studio at Martineau Gardens, B5 7UG

/// Drop-in knitting 13:00 - 15:00 (with TSOS) /// Wed 15 July /// £2

It's a bit early but I have green wool so I will be focusing on "Knitivity" - Community project to make some simple knitted squares for a knitted Christmas Tree 2015. 

Come. I have spare knitting needles and wool!

Art studio at Martineau Gardens, B5 7UG

/// Knitting on 4 needles: Making tubes 10:00 - 12:00 (with TSOS) /// Thu 16 July /// £6

Art studio at Martineau Gardens, B5 7UG

/// Fair Isle Knitting workshop: Learn to make your own Fair Isle designs for a mug warmer 10:00 - 12:00 (with TSOS) Tue 25 August /// 5 places @£10 per session

Art studio at Martineau Gardens, B5 7UG

/// Fair Isle Knitting workshop: Make a Fair Isle mug warmer (potentially with your own designs) 10:00 - 12:00 (with TSOS) Thu 27 August /// 5 places @£10 per session

Art studio at Martineau Gardens, B5 7UG

Fair isle knitting

So this afternoon I started a new fair isle knitting pattern I made up with some lovely grey and mustard yellow wool. Just simple fingerless gloves, but I love playing with fair isle patterns so I might try and make some more exciting designs to play about with this week!

Juggling pyramids and other things

Well the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful... Sorry! With this weather, though, it feels like it's nearly Christmas!

I've been catching up with a bunch of UFOs (unfinished objects) and I think it's going well.

 

- I've been sewing up a tote bag with a Hot Hot Heat (videos) gig shirt logo I've had since 2004. I added fringing I bought last year and it makes it look quite BoHo.

 

 

- Yesterday I prepared a square of camp blanket to show my Scouts how to sew their names, sew on a badge, do blanket stitch, and maybe how to do a surgical suture on some wool cloth (if we have time!). I had thought of doing it with real pig flesh but then my common sense kicked in saying, "that's horrendous."

 

- I also (wow) found the foot for my sewing machine, FINALLY! My sewing room is so much like a lumber room, 'thing wanted always buried.'

 

- I am so excited to be using my Tweed, which was destined to be a quilt (but hey, destinies change), which I've sewn into some pyramid-shaped juggling balls and they look fab!

 

 

 

- Check out this knife sheath I have made too! My first foray into leatherwork but I think it's quite snazzy. It's great for my antler-handled work knife from Big Beynon's Blacksmithing 

 

 

Tonight I'm going to give my waistcoat a go and see if I can't finish that then sew up some mini wallhangings to paint, for work. I'm still working on some slings but I'm not too sure about how the pouches will work: Sigh. Woven or just sewing plaits together or maybe leather? So that's a good challenge and I'll figure it out! 

 

At least I have ticked quite a lot off the to-do list; I even managed to go to the cinema this week. Check me out!

 

Enjoy your projects whatever they may be! Always excited to hear what you are all working on too :)

St. Clement's quilt - That niggling project

My unfinished object. I also have a waistcoat which is unfinished but I'm going swimming with the Scouts tonight so it'll have to wait 'til Sunday! Please enjoy these pictures of my progress. They're laughing at me. It's so close! 

Winter partlet continued

Despite some personal frustration over switching to autopilot, and sewing the wrong part of the partlet to the wrong part of the partlet, whilst working on the train (which I thought was a very efficient use of my time on the way to brunch)...

... I am now using my winter partlet as a break from the frightening issue of actually quilting my Orange quilt! It's taken me so much to get there and I don't want to ruin it. I think I'll sit down tomorrow night and tack it all up. No sense in rushing it.

So my winter partlet is all pinned up, I've read the Tudor tailor for guidance, not really that helpful, but at least there was a picture. We'll see how that goes... 

I need to make some nice ties to go in there before I sew up the sides too... Hmm... Not too keen on making ties - it's a bit fiddly - I can make big ties though, therefore less fiddly. Hmm... Ooh! Ooh! I can use my bright blue wool and some white linen I have left over. Ok, procrastination over, I'd better get onto doing my handstitching before bedtime! Here are a couple of pics.

N.b. Pincushion is definitely not an authentic Tudor one! ;)

Night!

She's back!

She's purring like a dream. I don't want to jinx it too badly just yet, though, but my sewing machine is back from the lovely people at Frank Nutt (Birmingham) and I will be hiding away in my sewing room for most of the rest of today.

From my sewing room, door everyone else will just be hearing the whispered mutterings under my breath and the light whirring of my little Brother making a delightful orange quilt. Finally all the component parts are together, they just need a bit of sewing.

... Mwah ha ha ha! ...

Late night sewing tip

The sewing machine shop informed me that you have to change your sewing machine needle every 8 hours. As someone who has not changed their sewing machine needle in as many years, that is a good tip and potentially why my sewing machine has decided to give up the ghost (that might be putting it a smidge melodramatically): pure neglect. 

A needle only costs a couple of pounds, so it's nothing major and, if you think about it, 8 hours probably doesn't equate to too much packed-in sewing time. I'll probably just start changing the needle 4 times a year and flout the rules until I become a millionaire, preferably through crafting genius. Looking at prices for new sewing machines, however, really makes you appreciate what you borrow from your mum for an extended period of time, and sometimes let her use!

And on that bombshell. night night!

Tiny hamster quilt + Buffy = smiley face

Does exactly what it says on the tin :)

Tiny hamster quilt (crochet) 

Using 2.0mm crochet hook

Embroidery thread

26 stitches across with changing colours.

I'm making it as long as I'd like for a tiny hamster.

Although I have now opened a long stream of Buffy YouTube videos, I must go to sleep. Such a good accompaniment to craft, though. The script is amazing!

**Oh, this video might be a Buffy season 2/1 spoiler.**

Exploring Martineau Gardens in Edgbaston

My sister, my niece and I discovered a beautiful trail through the woods at Martineau Gardens last week. We tramped along the woodchip path and found Mister Fox's lair, Mister Badger's den and to be honest I'm not sure what Mister Toad was living in but it was woven in willow. I have a feeling they have something Wind in the Willows-themed going on in the Summer but we didn't have too much time to do that what with all the exploring. The garden has lots of open spaces for kids to run around in and a wild flower meadow which will look amazing in the Spring! By the time we got to my car my niece was definitely ready for an afternoon nap!

One of the volunteers working to keep the gardens tidy showed us the snowdrops that had just started blooming in the wood. A sign that Spring is nearly here. I think I need an opportunity to get my hammock out. It's been far too cold for far too long, although it does mean an excuse for hot chocolate and knitting which I love!

So much work goes into keeping this idyll running. It costs £250 a day to keep it going with no government funding (so donations and volunteers are key) but the core team that work there are dedicated and they have loads of great events which keep the public coming back for more! They have a Bat Walk, a Honey Show, a Storytelling Festival, they did Tai Chi classes last year, they sell their own jams and honey and have a great Art collective, (Tiger Skins of Sunlight) which is in the studio for the Summer - lovely, friendly artists making excellent art and planning loads of brilliant arts/crafts workshops for February Half Term as well.

I can't wait to go back with my picnic rug in Spring!

Token Valentine's Day heart

If I had my sewing machine (my one true love, which is at the "garage") this would be beautifully and tightly machine-sewn... and finished. But don't cry for me Argentina! They're getting the parts in next week, by which time hearts will be redundant and I'll have to think of something else to make but, live for the challenge!

Sewing machine breakdown

I have to edit one of my free workshops a bit because I can't take my sewing machine now as it's broken. Hmm... Well, we can sew and handstitch hems which is fine but I would've liked to do some simple threading of a sewing machine too. 

Not to worry but I'm apparently getting to that point in my life where I feel that I need a courtesy sewing machine more than a courtesy car. Surely this is strange but we've developed a bond and I need it to finish my quilt. Thank goodness I have my handstitching to do for my historical garments to keep me occupied!

So I'm off to the shops to get some lovely people to give my sewing machine a service and see if it can be fixed. Otherwise you may be seeing a lot of sewing machine reviews and decision-making on this blog!

I just typed in "Singer" into Google expecting sewing machines to come up but it's just lots of pictures of Adele. We crafters must be alternative.

Beautiful Singer sewing machine - I've already got one this old that is working anyway

Sewing machine - This would be nice with less pink but look at all those potential stitch styles!

Brother sewing machine - Or I could just stick to what I know.

The sewing machine hasn't even broken down yet and I should repair it but a gal can dream!

This is just a Tribute - to my disappearing blog post re: Applique banner

Blogger app just deleted the post I just wrote so I'll leave it 'til the morn to remember what eloquence was portrayed in this space just moments ago! I was having a bit of a crisis anyway as my machine had completely eaten my fabric. Humph. I don't know who was more tired, me or the machine, but one of us definitely had to stop sewing!

The (very eloquent I might add) blog post definitely had something to do with applique... Anyway, here we go...

This is an applique banner I'm making for my friend who has just moved into a new workspace! I thought I'd customise a little strip quilt I've been working on and give it a new lease of life (as it hadn't quite developed into a project by that point)) by making it into a colourful and decorative banner for her which can be hung (from tabs) on the wall.

My work in progress. Reckons it's looking pretty cool. It's quite patterny. If I were to do another applique letters project I'd probably choose a block colour for the background to make more of a contrast - so that those letters REALLY stick out. (I wanted to use the pig material, though, and this is the last of it as I've had it for a couple of years just looking pretty. I might look for more farm-related fabrics in the future too.)

I realised, too late in the cutting stage, why I had originally wanted to use the squares material (other than it being really colourful) .... 

because applique-ing curves is so hard on a machine!

- but I have my walking foot now so maybe it will be easier. I only have a couple of letters left to do but it's always worth having a play. 

  

Shame

Just feeling the shame of not having looked inside my sewing machine (ok, so it's my mom's and I've stolen it for my own personal use; well, she said I could have it so I suppose I have simply commandeered it; but we're getting off-topic!) for years! 

My sewing machine is so dusty! It feels a little bit harsh to be taking the poor thing apart in the name of science! As long as it goes back together in the end it'll be fine, though. This picture shows cotton getting stuck in the below-deck part of the sewing machine.

Mum's insight

Why is it always after your mom says, "isn't that sewing machine due for an MOT? (hilarious concept but let's go with it)" that the needle falls out of the space where the needle lives, your fixed needle gets jammed, and your overlocking goes squiffy. Whether it's me or the machine that's tired, it's time for bed!

N.b. If the needle drops out on you, just poke the needle back in the hole and screw the little screw so the needle stays in place. Similar trick - but a different screw (you'll be needing a penny for that) for when the machine foot drops off! No drama. Check out this post 

Workshop research

I'm really excited about the craft workshop I am running on Sunday. Although I am completely organised for what we will do at my Knit your own blanket square workshop, I always like to trawl the internet for a bit of extra insight about how it might go. I'm always finding great ideas for future workshops on Pinterest or by discussing ideas with friends!

If you're thinking of organising a craft workshop in your area, here is a useful link I found on Folksy - 3 Tips for running your own craft workshop.

I might test the knitting workshop on my dad. Always a useful guinea pig. I've also seen a Batman knitted square pattern that I'd like to try out before the weekend! I made my brother-in-law some Iron Man gloves recently and they seemed to go down well! I'm thinking for the next fingerless gloves I make I'll add fleece!

Knitted blanket squares

Sewing together some knitted blanket squares in preparation for Sunday's craft workshop at Cherry Reds in Birmingham! 

I have been perfecting my sewing-together-blanket-squares techniques too. I think people with lots of different levels might turn up, so I'm thinking I might bring some extra wool in case anyone wants to do different colours but we'll see how it goes!

http://instagram.com/p/ypkBytxDi1/

Crafting boxes for my Crafters

As I am doing some craft workshops and was finding that I was developing a bit of a storage issue, I decided to make some craft boxes so that I could keep certain tools & materials prepped and ready to go, for my workshops. I thought I'd show you how to make one because it is so simple and they look quite pretty in the end. 

It's also a good promotional tool because it is something tangible, aesthetically pleasing, practical (it carries their "make") and it has my details on it so the craft workshopper or their friends might share it online or contact me, having seen my details.  

These boxes also work as yarn boxes if you make a big hole in one end (although you might as well just use a square tissue box if you are going to do that!). 

What you'll need to make one

Cardboard boxes (size - 6" x 4" x 4") at 25p each

Sellotape

Scissors

PVA glue (not essential)

2 x Loom band elastic (I think I own a gazillion!)

Funky self-adhesive fabric tape (dependent on size of box)

2 x split pins

A small piece of paper with your logo or name on (this is where you'll use the PVA)

Cardboard boxes from the internet - I sellotaped the bottom to keep it enclosed

We're basically wrapping sticky fabric tape around a box. To start, I made up the flatpack box and sellotaped the bottom so it would be sturdy.

I then measured the cardboard boxes, making sure that where the fabric would be, on the top of the box, would match and be level all along. So, I measured to the middle of the box and drew a pencil line so I would know where to put the fabric tape to make it look good. 

I started by matching up the fabric tape on the top of the box, wrapping it all along the pencil line and then cutting it off so that it went over the end about 1cm, so that the edge looked clean.

I love the look of the top. I will put split pins either side of the flaps and attach a loom band elastic across them to secure the flaps and keep the crafty things in.  

Beautiful floral self-adhesive tape (1.5mm)

Right, once I did all this to 10 boxes I got out the PVA and a paintbrush, having printed off my logo and details, and stuck them to the end of the box. 

///I am waiting on an order of split pins so that I can do the finishing touches. I still have until next weekend though so I've got a bit of time until then///

Knit your own Blanket Square workshop

Knit your own Blanket Square is a great introduction to knitting on a small scale. You'll learn to knit a small square and learn how to attach different sample squares together! 
Meet a group of lovely people at Cherry Reds cafe and bar (89-90 John Bright St, Birmingham, UK) for a friendly and accessible workshop.

Do book your tickets in advance as only 10 places are available.

Follow this link for ticket options
For more info see the Monster Eyes Events Facebook page