In the Mood for a Mood Board

During this somewhat 'blah' stage of embroidery I currently find myself in, I have been playing about with various things to just to keep my hand in stitching and crafting in general. Not to do anything would not for me feel entirely right. 

This relaxed attitude is helping, and I do feel relatively calm about the situation I find myself in, and this weekend in particular I've been feeling pretty darn relaxed. The somewhat forced resting of my feet having had some dealing with this as originally I had hoped to get over to the Farnham Malting's monthly craft market, which has been on my list of things to do since I moved here. But my feet have been awfully swollen lately, think balloon animals and you get the picture. So lots of elevating (except now, where I appear to be sitting cross legged...oops) my legs have been the order of the day.

Bringing this eventually round to my opening title about being in the mood for a mood board.

Earlier this week, in the evenings, I had the sudden urge to rip through all the countless craft magazines I’ve collected that in reality I have either never looked back at since purchasing (sorry Mollie Makes) or have had for a while (Selvedge, Embroidery, Pretty Nostalgic). Where I have been buying lots of quilting magazines, I’ve had to make room for them, and anyway it’s good to have a clear out. I didn’t want to just sling them out, I went through them with the goal in mind to take out projects that I or my friends might want to have a go at, things that I inspired me or loved, and what might be nice to get for the flat. If anything didn’t fall into those three piles, it was to be recycled.

But then what to do with them? It would be easy to file them away for another day, but if I did that I'll just end up forgetting and just slinging them out. 

Well a nice little pile will eventually be winging its way to someone I know will appreciate the patterns, and the rest were mood board and or sketchbook material. In my study /guest bedroom I have two noticeboards one tiny and the other A1 sized. Mostly used at that the time as a bit of a dumping ground of random stuff. Things that I liked to photographs and notes. But never really referenced and rarely changed. 

So yesterday I sat on my floor, cut out the images neatly (stickler for straight lines), I placed, pinned and stuck the images onto the boards. I was focused on colour grouping, and textures..to themes. 

The smaller of the two noticeboards is by my computer, and if I flick to my immediate right I can see it. It has on it things that really in my mind at the moment, maps, quilts, bugs, flowers. Things that I feel are going to come back into my work again...not sure how or where but can feel an inkling. 

Then my massive board, which is just behind me, has larger images, work that I love, styles, finishes and techniques. 

I'm looking forward to adding to it as I go, and hopefully add things that aren't postcards and magazine images to it. Bit of real texture is what it needs. 

Now I know there are numerous ways in which you can create your own mood board, from pocket sized (sketchbooks) to digital (pinterest). Whilst I am a lover of things digital because the things you can find in mere seconds are utterly amazing, I still like immediate visual. I love coming across things either in print, stuff I've doodled and found objects. It's easy, way to easy to get overwhelmed with Pinterest, sometimes I think there is such as a thing as too much inspiration. It's time I think to get back to the basics, stumbling across one thing or a collection, that makes you mind focus. Yes, there are lots of little images on my boards, and yes I have two, but they are in away they have a connection to one another. A central theme, and even colour. 

So now that I have these boards doing what I wanted them when I first got them, I have to wonder why it took me so long to get them like they are now. 

I love them now, love looking at them.

So my questions to you are this; do you have a mood board or whatever you like to call it, what medium do you use to create it, and do you think it helps or hinders you creatively?

Thrifting, Stitching and Printing

It has been somewhat of a mixed bag this weekend, plans that I had in mind were mostly stuck to but there was times where I was very much distracted. Nicely distracted I should say.

The distraction was mainly a second hand / antiques / thrift market...Aladdin's cave, call it what you will. Its near to the flat, walked past it a few times since I moved to Farnham but never popped in, until I was somewhat full of curiosity (I blame the sunshine) yesterday that I went in on my way to get food shopping. 

Its' totally bonkers place, multiple floors, nooks and crannies, stairs leading to floors and rooms leading this way and that. It's one of those places that the first time you go in your utterly overwhelmed. Which is why by the third trip this morning, it feels so much easier to navigate and to get a grip of the layout, sort of. It is also one of those places that having an idea of what your after is rather handy.

 In my case, at the back of mind was that I was after a small console table for the hallway. It needed to be skinny, practical and perhaps as an added bonus something I could put my own mark on it. So whilst stumbling about Bourne Mill Antiques I came across many items that would have fitted the bill but I was drawn to this little beauty, only £24! Bargain! 

Needs a damn good sand down and some attention as there are a few knocks but when the weather warms up I'll take it down to my folks to sand it down out in the garden, and gloss it...what colour you ask...hot pink. A major pop of colour in a somewhat darkish hallway.

Popping back this morning with my mum, who I knew would love the place too, saw me pick up a little glass jam pot and spoon...like you do. Goes with some other glass pieces I picked up in Boston. Oh and also my gloves, because apparently I had left those behind when nipping back for the second trip to pick up the table. I thought I was going nuts this morning trying to find my gloves.

This has got my teeth gnashing to get on with the hallway, I've had a good few months to deliberate and I think I am on the cusp of knowing what I want. Electrics are set to be sorted soon, just need to make final decision on the wall colour and gloss, then it will be the carpet. Can't wait! Determined to get all done by the Summer. 

Phew, anyway, flat bits aside I have actually been doing other things. Such as designing and making an ATC card for a swap group I joined this month. Once my swap partner receives it I will post a picture here.

I've nearly finished my placements, just finished cutting out the bias binding so now it's just a matter of sewing that on, then at last I can put away the winter themed table mat and use them, hello spring.

Oh, I nearly forgot to say that earlier this week I nipped over to the Boxpark, a pop up mall in Shoreditch, which is near to work to pick up an order from Moo.com's little store. The order was a small print run of postcards to see what the pictures of my embroidered quotes will look like in the flesh. They've not come out all too bad but a little dark, so a reprint is on order. I'm not the world's greatest photographer and sadly I just don't have the kit. 

Depending on the reprint I'll make a final call on what I will want to have printed on greetings and postcards. Which would be one of the things I wanted to get done this year, nice that I've been sticking to my plans.

That's about it really, slightly bushwhacked this week, and it will be same again this coming week. On the newsletter I mentioned the release of a new pattern on the 1st March, and I am determined to stick to the date!

What's in the Post?

I've been rather fortunate over the past couple of weeks to have oodles of yummy packages come in the post. Some of it is down to me ordering books, magazines and what not. I know I said I would talk about those books and mags, but I became rather sidetracked by the fact amongst those deliveries some rather lovely folks, that I am rather fortunate to know, have sent me some of the most wonderful sewing materials for me to play with. 

First to arrive in the post was these wonderful silk threads from the Silk Mill this came about from a discussion over on my facebook page where I was talking about Mulberry Silk was having a January sale. My friend Jen Goodwin, fellow RSN Apprentice, suggested I looked at Silk Mill, and very kindly offered to send me some of her spare skeins for me to try out. Byjove they are so utterly lush! So shiny and bright.

Almost too pretty to use, but use I will. I need to think of a project just for them. Having dug through and sorted out several boxes of materials last night...I know I have some rather lovely beads and crystals that would work well with them too. 

Several days later, Bridgeen of Cherry & Cinnamon sent me a package of fabric that she designed herself! There so ruddy awesome that they, like the threads, need a project for them or several...agh so many uses! You can check out Bridgeen's fabric designs over on Spoonflower. 

Now who doesn't love a bit of post?

Market Finds and Tutorial Design

Just a wee post today, I want to take advantage of the cooler weather today to get on with the stitching, I am way behind on a couple of projects owing to the heat (sweaty hands do not aide sewing). I didn't crack on with it first thing this morning as I nipped out with my mum to go over to Midhurst to have a mooch around the junk shops and market. There was plenty I could have brought, but I was pretty self controlled, and purchased just a couple of small items. Easier to pack! 

Double the value - cute old tin, full of buttons! Bargain for £4.50

Tiny little petite stitch brooch - £3

Naturally I didn't either of them, but I got them anyway. The brooch makes a welcome addition to my other antique and costume brooches. 

Now for those who get my monthly newsletter they will have already known that my next Honeycomb Tutorial, will be satin stitch. What they haven't seen is the design. Admittedly I had hoped to get the tutorial done by now, but life has somewhat overtaken my free time, and I have it now in place to work on post move, in a fortnight, so it will be in August (fingers crossed). I thought in the mean time I will show you what the design will look like. Okay, colours don't match my Honeycomb colour palette, I had to work with what I could lay my hands on. But you get the general gist, little satin sweets! Which means the tutorial name is going to be Satin Sweets. Don't roll your eyes! Hehehe

I hope you all enjoying your weekend, wherever you are in the world! Will be posting tomorrow about the progress of my latest embroidered quote. Bye for now!

At last!

I've finally, and I mean finally finished the pink quilt. 

You have no idea how thrilled and relieved I am that it is complete. It's been the longest project in progress I had hanging about, years in the making. That's what you get when you have it in your head that your going to hand quilt, whilst trying to do several other things as well. It certainly has been a labour of love but I don't regret the hours, and hours of time it took to get it complete. Sure there are parts of it that I am not totally thrilled about but you know what it was a learning process, I had never put together a quilt, technically I hadn't actually put the blocks together, but I have done that before, it was the actual hand quilting I had never done. I wasn't even sure or certain how you actually achieved a good finish, especially on the back (which I won't show....)

Still it's done, and it's ready to be used in the new place, which you'll be pleased hear is progressing, slow as hell but I know these things take time.

With it finished, it means I can get back to a couple of other works in progress, and really need to get finished. I don't want another wip to take years. Ha, though I say that and I just remembered there are a couple of projects that have been gathering dust for years,  a knitting project and a complex cross stitch...I am not sure I'll actually finish them. Should probably do something about that...possibly.

 

What else have I been up to this weekend? Pottering about mainly I started the buttons for the private commission did one test button to see how it would turn out and they are looking good, I couldn't stitch the others as I am low on one of the threads so I prepared the fabric and put it to one side. I could have worked on a few other things to stitch but I wasn't actually in the mood so instead I got out some paints I was given at Christmas and decided to colour some project designs. 

KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH watercolour paints. Highly recommend them. 

A good little set of great colours. Nice to use too.

Such as the one below. I almost forgot how much I love painting and I really need to get back into the swing of it. And if your looking for a good set of paints, that also don't take 

Painted it, now to decide when to stitch it.

Now I must dash as I am off to have lunch with my mum. But before I go, I thought I would leave you with a few lovely things to look at, or to do. Enjoy!

A pretty watercolour of a squirrel.

Peekaboo, I see you.

Can't turn down a slice of pie.

Want it Wednesday: Animal Obsession

I think we can safely assume that I am somewhat obsessed with anything animal related, in regards to artwork. I just keep finding the most wonderful things that I want to adorn my new flat with. The hallway is going to be adorned with animal pictures, taxidermy (real - ethically sourced, of course and faux versions), prints, etchings, and I even hope to stitch something special for the hall too.

Yeah, I know I am not in it yet! But it's nice to be dreaming about what the place is going to look like.

Grey walls, white detailing and second hand wooden furniture.

Bring it on!

Distractions, Packages and Focus

I almost forgot since the passing of little Bergamot that I had taken receipt of some rather lovely packages in the post. I have to admit that they have come as a welcome distraction. And today I actually sat down and looked at them when I got back from my appointment with the mortgage advisor (yes, things are finally starting to progress).  Another distraction came in the form of replacing bits and pieces on my mini inspiration noticeboard. It's not really been completely changed for quite some time.

Cards and interesting bits and bobs

So it had little designs that I have yet to progress, and lovely pictures I've received in the post or collected on my travels. It's been nice to do it. At some point I'll hope to have a bigger board in the new post so that I can really get somewhere with it. 

And as for the packages...

Mulberry Silks

I've not ordered them for any other purpose than I simply wanted them....Oh, and I actually wanted to see what the thickness of the threads were like to work with.

Handmade Carved Stamp 

Before Christmas I had arranged with the rather talented Memi the Rainbow to carve my bee into a stamp so that I can use it to make my own fabric labels. I love it, it's only 1.5cm in width, yes, it really is that tiny! 

Liberty Fabric

This was part of my subscription order of Mollie Makes, I only tend to use Liberty Tana Lawn, so having a normal weight cotton fabric is a little different, not sure at this point in time what I'll use it for. I'll keep them safe till inspiration strikes. I would say another quilt but until I finish the one I am working on I am not going down that path for some time. Ha.

Finally I also ordered some new crystals for silk collars, but they aren't photographing well enough to show you all, so you'll have to keep an eye out for future silk collars to get an idea. Like today for instance, I hope to have one special collar completed today. 

Finding it rather had to get my stitching mojo on post Christmas. Perhaps when I get the store open again, which will be later today, it will help me with my focus....

Here's hoping!

Commission Time Makes for Dull Posting

There was me thinking that this month was going to be, following the craftshow, rather quiet. Ha, perhaps not. I have several commissions to work on and another agreed on today. All of which I am rather looking forward to working on, although technically I am working on one at the moment and I am loving it. I have a collar, various buttons to embroidered and monogram, decoration and a wedding gift to sort out. Just as well I have a long weekend coming up and I have eased back on the making stock.

I shall hopefully have some progress shots to show this weekend. Lord knows it would be good to show you lot what I am talking about, being a secret squirrel certainly can make for dull reading!

So following that I thought I would end on one of my recent faves on Etsy:

Red White Blue Airmail Stripes Gift Wrap Kit / Address Labels / Washi Tape / Eiffel Tower Postmark Kraft Round Stickers / Baker's Twine - Once Upon Supplies

I am a sucker for stationery...

Want it Wednesday: Puzzler

Just a mini showcase this week of puzzles. I happened to spend some of my time over the weekend completing a puzzle that I had knocking about for years, not sure why I decided it was the best use of my time? But I have to admit. I do love a puzzle. So here are a few puzzles I have come across, handmade naturally...

Waldorf-Wooden PUZZLE ME- Toddler Puzzler - applenamos

UNION JACK 110 PIECE A4 SIZE JIGSAW PUZZLE STOCKING FILLER - STACKSJIGSAWPUZZLESANDPICS

Happy Birthday postage stamp puzzle 24 pieces - Scrollwoodshop

Want it Wednesday: Share a Pot

There is nothing better than a pot of tea when you have friends round. I regularly get my hand-crafted teapot out (much loved gift from a dear friend) to indulge in my favourite drink of choice, tea.  Here are a wee selection of some of my favourite pots you can buy...and if you haven't the room for a teapot then why not a print?

If you have a favourite teapot why not show yours off, leave me a comment!

White Lace Hand Painted Teapot by Dprintsclayful

Handpainted Teapot by RoomforEmptiness

Teapots Art Print by lauraamiss

Raw Chocolate Teapot by clamlab

Want it Wednesday: A little bit more Organised

This is a very simple Want it Wednesday. I've been uber forgetful of late and this has meant so many birthday cards have been neglected to be popped into the postbox, despite having the cards ready to post. So next year I am aiming to be more on the ball - fingers crossed! I think this friendly calendar will do the job nicely!

Birthday Calendar by Zubinski

What have you been uber forgetful about lately?

And the winner is...

And the winner of my little competition is number 11...

The Sewing Croft

Who'd call her pet Bumble Bee...Buzby.

Congratulations!

If you ping me a message via Etsy, with your details and I'll pop it into the post to you.

Don't worry if you missed out this time, there will be more mini competitions in the future!

Also, this week, don't forget to get the issue 3 of & Stitches magazine... someone you know might be in it, undertaking a challenge *coughmecough*

Want it Wednesday - ARGHCHOOOOO

That pretty much sums up my Wednesday, high pollen count strikes me down just as I head home from work. Thankfully I always carry tissues or a handkerchief with me, sniffing is in my top ten of things that irritate me.

So I have to say this little lot is not only useful, but amusing in some instances too. Go on, dab your eyes or blow your nose.

 Kate Moss Embroidered Handkerchief - Maxemilia

Personally have no objection to rubbing my snot on her face...

Screen Printed Handkerchiefs "You Make Me Sick" Hankie Series set of all 4, one of each germ/organism - Urban Bird & Co

Germtastic

Belly Bands for Custom Printed Handkerchiefs - Benign Objects

Sucker for nice packaging

Want it Wednesday: Buzzy Times

Following on from my announcement on Sunday, exciting times are ahead, I feel the need to share a lot of very lovely bee related products. I love and adore bees, and where possible I like to support them (I have even been known to do International Bee Rescue, style missions). Wasps on the other hand, I run a mile.

Update: Funny thing happened on the way home from work I ended up rescuing a rather large bumble bee from the path, can't stand to see it squished. So scooped it up on my credit card (weirdly seemed happy to be saved) and popped it on a nearby bush. I hope it's okay.

Bee Bookplates - Printable PDF - AliceCantrell

Bee Rubber Stamp - norajane

Embroidered Bee Hive on Linen Brooch - mariadownunder

Hive Honey Set - biodidactic

Lavender Dryer Sachets - gardenmis

Mason Bee House - beeandbees

Bee's World Crewel Embroidery Kit - Theflossbox

That's it for this buzzing round of Want it Wednesday, don't forget I have a competition running so take a look and take part Competition Time.

Sunday I will be blogging about my adventures in the next chapter, and of the slow steady change to Mason Bee.

New Products and Stuff

There are times when I have to admit the title of my blog posts are bloody stupid, or plain boring. I never know whether to be witty, or just state the obvious. I suppose with today's I am being a little flippant. Stuff covers everything and well I suppose today is a day about stuff. Anyway, aside from that little quandary I've been tinkering away with the new mini line for my shop and well that's about it if I have to be honest. Well aside from stuff.

Taking my images I got them turned into tiny little pocket mirrors and they arrived during the week. I could easily sell as is, but well that's not very me, where is the touch of the handmade where is well me in it. So I've been making tiny little pouches to go with them. The main bit of its done, I am now sewing them up into recognisable shapes and attaching press fasteners, the latter aspect is going to get old fast and has already been relegated to a job I can do on the train. Probably until I lose the first press stud in transit then it will probably be an at home only job. These are just little ways of being able to take home some of my pieces which generally speaking aren't very portable, namely the clocks. In time there will be further designs made, and some perhaps even specifically for the mirrors, but for the moment in time I had three designs printed:

In person, if I do say so myself they are very cute, especially with the pouches. It will be a bit of a random affair as to which pouch goes with what mirror but that suits my style fine. And each fabric is essentially left overs from previous projects. Nothing, especially not fabric, goes to waste. Part from scrappy bit of thread, knotted threads drive me potty, and life is too short to try and untangle them.

Each mirror is £5.50 each, and as I said comes with a handmade little pouch, might also notice I've had some new labels made up, partly because well it was time for a change and well they look so much nicer than the old lot.

So onto the stuff, I am musing on new pattern ideas, more intriquete ones to sell, time I also got the next free pattern example stitched up. And more interesting to you lot is that I will be doing a bit of a competition with the first pattern. This weeks Want it Wednesday will be temporarily replaced with 'You Will Want this Wednesday'. So keep eyes peeled for that folks! All I will say if you've downloaded the little planet pattern then you'll want to come back.

Anyway, time to get back to stitching pouches, drawing, and listening to TED Talks.

Want it Wednesday - Stop Collaborate and Listen...

No not going to burst out into song, though I bet you start humming. Anyway, this week post is dedicated to collaborations between artists/craftspersons. Reason for this, goes without saying really, is down to my own recent collaboration with Heidi Burton, which resulted in five rather beautiful clocks that I am so proud about that I was fit to burst yesterday listing them. I hope you have seen them but to remind you, just head over to my etsy store to have a look at them in more detail:

And this weeks selection:

Whats for Lunch - Zach Trover for Tinymeat

Framed pretty bunny brooch - Collaboration with Made By White - LisaManuels

Mae Lee Ann Ring- in collaboration with Keiko Lynn - LiamofYork

The Sweet Life-Photo Locket Necklace Collaboration with Susannah Tucker - HeartworksByLori

See you at the weekend

x

p.s. have you tried my lovely free pattern yet? If you have I would love to see it, I may very well surprise someone with a little something. Just simply post a picture in the Flickr Group, and become a crafty fellow