More Lettering: Life & Tana Lawn

It appears, in addition to my love for tea, bees and Liberty Tana Lawn, I have a growing fondness for stitching lettering. It's all I appear to be doodling these days, either random quotes I like or things I've come up with. Where or how far this takes me I don't rightly know, but I am liking this momentary diversion. Because, I am still not any further to completing the purchase on my first home. It's turning into a comedy at how long it's taking. That grumble aside, at least this limbo time is affording me a change in pace.

So what bunch of words have I chosen to work on at the moment, well it's something that's been muddling about in my noggin, 'Life is a Big Puddle, Jump In'. Words, that I don't often follow but one that I am paying a bit more attention too.

I've drawn out the design, chosen to use an assortment of different font styles, and colours. Really into the whole using the entire rainbow at the moment. Hey, the grey days have to be banished somehow!

Design, scaled up a smidgeon. My hedgehog pin cushion doesn't look impressed.

Currently working on the top row of letters 'LIFE', chosen to do balloon type letters in fruity colours. The string from each of the letters will link down to the second row. I will point out that working this in long and short stitch, has reminded me how rusty I am at doing it, taken me to 'f' to get back into the swing of it, and to get a smooth finish. 

Ah,....Lif...sweet...Lif.

I shall keep you all in the loop on it's progress, the aim of the coming week is to get the the first two rows complete, and to start the third row, which spells out 'BIG'. And when I am not working on that I will be planning what to do with my new stash of Liberty fabrics. I've gone on a bit of a spree to liven up the stash of Tana Lawn I already have. Some of my funky coloured ones are starting to run out so it was high time and a good excuse to buy more. It's been a combination of Ebay purchases and taking advantage of the summer sale at Liberty's in London. 2 metres for just under £25, I'll have some of that thank you very much. It will take me a long time, years even, to get through it all. 

Look at them, they are just so darn cheerful and lush! 

Before I dive off to make a cuppa and to take a break form the computer, you can see my entries for the 'Survival Arts - Bee Competition. Head over to their pinterest account to see the wonderful entries thus far, and my own (look out for Laura Mason) http://pinterest.com/survivalarts/brave-bees-art-competition/

Ring of Bees Pocket Mirror

Whilst temporarily sofa/bed bound owing to picking up some rotten cold I've at least been able to work on the next round of projects. One of which is progressing the 'Ring of Bees' pocket mirrors and pouches, from a sample to actual product. 

I've only made one pouch thus far, but have at nine in the works in various stages of completion and hopefully I will get them all completed over the coming weeks. There are two colours for the linings that people will be able to choose from, five in this rather lovely pink flowery pattern, and the other five in navy, both are new Liberty cotton fabric prints.

These pocket mirrors are once again to support the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA), £1 will be given for each one sold. The first of these lovely beauties is already for sale. 

I'll hopefully be able to work on the next thing on my list of projects (which will see the return of the paradise bird pattern) to try out at the weekend, when I am up and about.

Hopefully you are all germ free and snuggly warm.

Speeding onwards

This year is really starting to fly by. My holiday has been and gone in a blink of an eye, a year in my job has felt like only a month, and my best friend's wedding which was only last week already feels like a distant memory. And yet it's not over yet, I still have two craft shows to do. It is my plan, my intention, to get some new bits ready for it though how I am going to get it all done before the 26th is anyone's guess. I can but hope!


On top of this I have been making more Tilda bits, I know I should be concentrating on shop stock but sometimes I like to break and really I am making gifts for cherished friends and family. Oh and for the flat.....


This lovely Princess Angel is a second in a pair, you might recognise the style Tilda again, her sister went to my best mate and this one is for my little flat. 

I've made an angel goose which is going to my mum which will hopefully stop her trying to nick Calico the Angel Pig. Hopefully she will like it I wasn't too sure about the Liberty print I chose for the feet and wings?


The next gift is for my other best mate's mum  (the one that got married - Mrs M), who has been making me a tea cosy from a pattern on Raverly and in return I am making her a Tilda figure, but she doesn't know what. I shan't be saying here! It's a surprise. 


I also have a wee decoration that I want to make for my part of the stall at the craft show that utilises a wee metal bucket (got to stop saying wee) that made up the wedding favours for my friend's wedding. It's perfect for me to make a tiny Christmas tree, Tilda has a design which I think would work perfectly, just need to decide on my fabrics, Liberty it is but not sure on the colour yet. 


In this mess somewhere is the gift for my friend, and bits I am making for the show! What you crafty folks up to? And are you coming to Guildford Craftacular? 

In Pieces...

So with another commission done and dusted I've reverted back to working on some new content for the store, the Etsy one, I'm still getting used to Wow Thank You store, the set-up and layout. With the new items I have gone back to raiding my pretty stashes of fabric and bits n pieces to make a couple of squeezie purses and new clocks. Nothing like playing about to get the creative juices flowing. 


Yesterday I made a clock which was fun to do, and I was so pleased with the outcome. The idea had come to me the other week when I was working on the Pirate clock for my friend. It was basically very thin stripes of various Liberty tana lawn prints stitched together to create a new sort of fabric. It was quite a fiddly operation, but you know me I like to work small and I don't shy away from a challenge. I bonderwebbed the back of each strip applied to a plain white linen and stabbed stitched down each strip, it took a little while, but once you get into it soon gets done. 

I have an idea for another one and will probably work on that one after I have finished my latest project, or knowing me will start it regardless. Anyway, the outcome as you can see is really cute. I stitched very tiny shell buttons to indicate the hours, where I used batting underneath to give it more definition, I just want to prod it. It's now available to buy just click here. 

Now the other project I am working on and soon after I finish this blog post will get right back to it, is a quilted squeezable purse. See the progress:

So this morning I decided to play, I don't often do samples because I am usually the sort to get an idea and just get on it, but this morning I thought no, lets do some playing about with the fabric I want to use. The above image is the result of me using different thickness of threads, colours. Originally I was going to do a series of maze like squares (can't think of the word for it) but then as I started to just do running stitches I ended up doing neatly spaced out straight rows, you can see that result at the bottom corner. With that sample done, I decided it was time to crack on. Here we are stitched in black machine thread for four rows, then in nice scarlet red for one. It will keep me quiet.

What projects are you working on? Show me some links to it! I love looking at pretty things.

Super Coasters

Everything these days is super-sized, and whilst most of it is stomach churning this little or should I say large beauty is super-sized for a purpose. It has enough space for your mug and a stack of biscuits (well I can never just have one) and it's also gone a bit patriotic with an England style flag design, using iconic Liberty Print fabric.


Now listed at my Etsy store! $12.50USD

Roses Duo - Lavender T-Bags

Must admit it's nice getting back into the rhythm of working on small projects. I feel more alive at the moment even if I am stuck in a rut with my actual job, with my knee sorted I just feel I can just get back on track. So in between getting myself out of my boring job, because it is just that, I shall get back to making items, it's my motiviation and keeps me ticking along, also stops me from just taking a seat back and coast.

Just to remind you that if you check my previous blog post there is still time to enter my competition to win a special needlecase, so if you haven't already taken part do take part!. 

 Some silly things that made me smile yesterday got a new cartridge for a pen I've had for ages, and god it feels good to use it again, helped me to sketch a new design. I've come over a bit patriotic lately, and I've combined my love of Blightly (with all of its faults) with a pratical item. Can't wait to make it this afternoon.

COME ON ENGLAND

Both items are now listed in my Etsy store!

Roses Duo Lavender Sachet T-Bags $12.00

& Beaded Cover/Coaster $12.00 each.

Today I will be mainly.....

Resting my knee, icing it and generally not being an idiot when it comes to over doing it. It's amazing how much you rely on the old knees to move the way you want them too. Anyway, I have two weeks pretty much to get it back up to speed again. Whilst that's going on, I've actually found the enthusiasm and the inspiration to work on a few new pieces/ideas...

First up with have a multi-purpose item, which I don't really know what the correct name to call it, you can use it as a coaster but you can also use it to cover your drink. The reason I did this is because I often have a glass a water on my bedside table, and if you really need a drink in a night you always get that lovely layer of dust, or worse a fly in it.

The other item is mainly for the cuteness factor, and also because I have a load of lavender and muslin knocking about so here is the Lavender Tea Bag sachet. It's cute isn't it! It's just the right size that you can pop into a draw. I'll be working on a few more today I think, as it's something I can easily do whilst resting my knee. I also going to have a little array of different colours as I have a whole massive stash of Liberty Tana Lawn. Now to decide whether to sell them individually or in a group? What would you buy? Or would that be dependent on the cost? Was thinking about £4.50 each? 

This is what I listed yesterday to Etsy, but forgot to mention here...the Little House Picture is completed! I'm so pleased with it and now I sort of know what I want to do with the other two little patches.

This is what I was working on last night but like a muppet now found out that I stitched it on the wrong side....ah well. Hahaha

I Love Tea

And even more so when feeling rotten.

Rustled up today and listed on Etsy:

$4.50

Free domestic shipping

Button Fest!

SOLD

I have a few more to make, rather enjoying using up my fabric bits and pieces that I can't bear to part with, whilst I consider working on a new mini quilt (sent images of my recently finished one off to Liberty, eek) and another commission. Both sets are available in my Etsy Store, and UK buyers take note free shipping!

OH, and yes I forgot about my Folksy store still free UK and International shipping till this Sunday

How to Make a Day Better

Had disappointing news? I have, could say a double whammy, but you know worse things in life, well that's what I keep thinking. Here's how I sort of got over it this morning:

1. Had a lovely conversation with a dear friend, a sibling and my mum
2. Encouraging messages from other friends and family
3. Made some mini scones, because the best things in life come in small packages, just remember diamond rings after all come in small boxes. At least scones however are edible.
4. Think f*** this and get on with some projects for you
5. Made some fabric buttons, some for a dress, and some to sell and feel pleased that they come out lovely.
6. Ate chocolate

I can now say I feel a bit better, sure it stinks, I got turned down for two jobs from the same company, which was a bit of a kick in the teeth got great feedback but I've had that before great feedback but never an offer. (On a side note if anyone needs a qualified secretary with a wicked sense of humour and can sew send me a note)

Buttons for my Summer Dress

Buttons available for purchase from my Etsy Store

Picture Postie

A small post, only in the writing sense, just to say I've finished my mini quilt project, and would love now to have a bit of feedback. I keep wondering if there is more I should do to it, add more tana lawn, more actual quilt stitches? Just before I decide to send the images off to Liberty.


Thoughts appreciated.


Ps. you can see larger images of these on my Flickr account.

What a Week!

It might not have gotten on top of all the sewing projects I totally wanted to crack on with,....(SORRY JENNY! Lunch bag will be made soon x) However I have a good reason for having a busy week, I've been sorting out my work life, and pent most of the week preparing for an interview, and then got the call back yesterday that meant I have a second interview next week. So more worrying and preparing. So fingers crossed for that.


However, I've managed a wee bit of stitching, the mini quilt as it helps to relax of an evening, and is easier to pick up and put down. Love to know what you think of it? I'm getting towards the point where I need to stop with the quilting and consider working on the binding. Otherwise I'll never get it finished in time.

And to finish look at this totally cute box, I had to get it and I might have to consider getting one or two more in a different colour.

Unplanned Happy Mess

Funny I actually had a plan today. It was stitching, but I had planned making bits and bobs for the shop that I have been musing about for the past week or so, a couple of tissue holders featuring that cute little tree I did on one of my mini clocks, and another clock design. However, I picked up a bit of fabric, and a funny thing happened, I did something totally different. I have been doing it all afternoon. Now I don't normally get involved with competitions as most of the time it comes down to just that a lack of time or a lack of inspiration. On this occasion it was just something I sort of must have kept at the back of my mind about taking part, or just seemed to remember reading it, which was a competition that Liberty is running celebrating quilts. Now I am not a quilter, I dabble, and still am making a baby quilt, must get the wadding for that. I also don't do big projects, space and the love of working on small scale generally stops me from doing that. However, I want to have a go at least attempting to do something for this competition, and whether or not I actually finish it on time or even decide to enter the final project remains to be seen. However this is what I have got up to so far. 

What do you think?