Day 38 - Scraps and Thread

Evening!! Well, the weather held up for the majority of the day, and I was able to get into the garden for a couple of hours to tidy up my pots, and clear away a few leaves. For the rest of the time, I've been sewing away, making a few things. But, I realised that, while I am now more organised with places for my fabric, scissors etc (see yesterday's post), I am still ending up in a mess during the process of sewing. 

And that's when it occurred to me that what I need is a thread tidy to hang on the edge of my desk. That way, I can put all my little scraps of material and ends of threads into it, instead of attaching them to me and dropping them throughout the rest of the house.

Due to other things that I needed to do this afternoon, I have only got as far as selecting fabric.

I have to confess that this has all come out of one of my drawers of fabric. I have two drawers with large pieces of fabric, and 7 big Kilner type jars with fat quarters, and reasonable size scraps in.  The stripy fabric will be the outside, the lighter one will be the lining, and the dark one will provide a contrast band around the top. The pattern I've found also includes a pincushion - so I think that will be the stripe on top, and the dark on the bottom.

Will hopefully have time to make this tomorrow. If so, I'll share it with you tomorrow evening. 

Cxxx

Day 37 - A Little More Storage!!

Evening. What horrible weather today - although I think we've got off lightly compared to some. Ventured into town this morning for a little shopping, and while my husband disappeared into Halfords, I went into The Works to see what crafting goodies that they had - you never know what little gems you may find in there.

And today, I was not disappointed. I found these little foldaway storage baskets - and they seemed perfect for me to use when I am sewing. 

The larger one was £4 - and is perfect for the fabric/wadding for my current projects along with the books that I am working from, and my small square quilting ruler. It sits comfortable at the side of my desk - just within reach. The little one (£2) fits on my desk, holding my fabric scissors - and the lace and binding I am currently using. I've since added a little stitch ripper into the empty pocket of the smaller one, and my quilting pencils in the pocket of the larger one to keep my rotary cutter company!!

All in all, a very good purchase. And they do them in a couple of other different designs too, if you don't like the neutral beige.

Back tomorrow,

Cxxxxx

Day 36 - A little sparkle!

Evening!! I have been busy crafting nearly all day - had a deadline and wanted to get everything in the post before the weekend. And, as ever, it's all secret, so I can't share with you. I did, however, get one thing done today that I can share.

I've been meaning to do a colour chart for my Spectrum Sparkle pens - and just never got round to it. But I was watching Sheena on Create and Craft this afternoon, and it reminded me that I hadn't yet got it done. So, after visiting the post office, I sat down at the computer, made a chart, printed it - and then settled down to colour it in.

Sparkle is notoriously difficult to photograph, but I'm really please with how this came out. And I love the pens - such a gorgeous range of colours. And the clear is just perfect for adding that sparkly to touch to almost anything!! Now, I really hate using glitter as the mess just does my head - so I very rarely use the stuff. In the past I've used the Luminarte Silks Clear Glaze when I've wanted a bit of shimmer - but these are really sparkly - without the mess!! Which means I can now add sparkle without having to deal with the mess!! Brilliant!!

Cxxx  

Day 35 - A Sad Day!

Evening!! Today has been a sad and somewhat difficult day. A year ago today, my Dad passed away after losing his battle with cancer. I spent part of the day with my Mum and sister - and the rest of the day I have been working on the project I started yesterday - the one I shared as yesterday's photo of the day.

Well, here it is. The finished project.

It something I've had in mind to do for a while, but just never got round to doing it. The frame was among my Dad's things when we sorted them out. He was Iifelong Cherries (Bournemouth) football fan - and years ago, my cousin had made him a joke certificate as "Man Utd's No 1 fan.  

So, the transformation of the frame began yesterday with sanding and undercoating with gesso. Today, I mixed more white gesso, with DoCrafts Artiste Sea Spray Acrylic Paint and Pearl Medium, and painted the frame again. The inside mount was cream, so that was painted with a mixture of white gesso, Pearl Medium and a very small amount of black gesso.

I then used First Edition Deco Mache paper (Monochrome Floral) with Mod Podge, and decorated two of the corners of the frame.

I repeated this on the inside mount.

Using a HOTP free magazine stamp set (the one that came with the feather die and stamp), I stamped little swirls and slodges over the frame and mount with Dove Grey Stazon.

I then went onto Serif Craft Artist, and used the "Divine Thoughts" digi kit to create the layout. The metallic heart buttons are from a massive bag I found in a charity shop.

Not much more to be said really. Back tomorrow.

Cxxxx 

Day 34 - Not much to see!!

Evening. I've had a busy day again. Bit of running first thing this morning, then crafting for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, most of what I have been doing is secret, so I can't share any of that.

However, I have started a project today, that I am hoping to complete tomorrow. It doesn't look much, as I've only got as far as working on the frame.

All I've done so far, is to rub down the frame to remove the varnish, and have painted it with 3 coats of white gesso.

Hopefully, I will continue with this tomorrow. 

Cxxxx

Day 33 - Happy New Home!

Evening all. So, just a quick post tonight. This is another card from last year that I never got around to sharing - a New Home card for my brother- and sister-in-law! 

It's a little A6 make, made from navy blue and cream card with a Kanban house topper and sentiment. 

Back tomorrow,

Cxxx 

Day 32 - A Country Life Easel Card

Evening!! Has been a busy one today - including a 5 mile run - but finally have time to sit and blog. Tonight I have my last make from the gorgeous Morgan Fitzsimons "A Country Life" CD. For this one I used one of the Card Companions, and made a Circle Easel Card.

I used Sheena Stamping card for the base, printed with matching papers from the CD. I added extra layers to the main image, as well as the one I used for the stopper! It doesn't show on the picture, but the flowers are sprayed with Pearl Diamond Spray and Sparkle.

Back tomorrow,

Cxxx