Sparkly Shoes

Leading up to tomorrows handmade Monday i have decided today to promote a new friend that i have made on the craft forum, of which i am an active member.
About a month ago Krysia (Aka SparklyShoes) put a post on her blog titled Make Do and Mend demonstrating how she had patched up an old pair of jeans with some lovely star patches cut by her "bigshot" machine

Curious to find out more about this machine i got intouch with Krysia.
She told me it was a magical machine! A pasta type machine with a handle that you turn. You get 2 perspex flat things with it, add a die (which is your shape cutter), add your fabric and turn the handle and hey presto the machine cuts out these lovely shapes!
Still curious i asked Krysia if she would cut out some designs for me if i sent her some felt.
Below is a small selection of what she returned to me.
I love them!
Not wanting to waste them i am taking my time deciding what to use them on but if you pop by again tomorrow i may just show you where i have used my first flower!

Krysia makes "Unique Handmade Accessories For Your Littlies And You"

She can be found on Folksy http://www.folksy.com/shops/kryshees and also has a lovely blog if you fancy taking a look http://kryshees.blogspot.com/

Below is just a small sample of what you can find in her folksy shop

GREEN HIPPO TOY BASKET/BABY HAMPER

SPRING GREEN SPOTTY & CORD PATCHWORK BLANKET

RETRO FLOWERS CHANGEMAT/PLAY BLANKET

Thanks for popping by.

Until next time

xxx

And The Theme Is Red!

A belated Happy New Year to you all.
I had hoped to be back here sooner after the festive season but unfortunately my "proper job" has been keeping me rather busy and away from creating.
But today i am back and have decided that this week will be dedicated to the colour red as that seems to be the colour that surrounds me at this present time.

I've been thinking a lot about valentines and mothers day gifts at the moment. I've never really targetted events before in my designs but feel that maybe this is the year to start.
Firstly i've been working on some photo frames. I worked my design in patchwork first and then proceeded to glue the fabric to the frame.
My second attempt i added padding between the frame and material which i think worked a lot better.
Before i can put these for sale tho i need to work on the reverse of the frame as it looks slightly messy at the moment!
For mothers day especially i've been working on this decorative cushion in my spare time this week and finally put the finishing touches to it at 2am this morning!!!
This is the first time i have done applique but i'm pleased with how the letters have come out.
Ive also never done patchwork on a machine before either and have always used the traditional method of wrapping squares of fabric around cardboard templates and handsewing each square together.


Also targetted at mothers day is this red pen/pencil case which can be personalised to suit the individual.

Making an appearance also this week in my red theme is this white and red spotted felt mobile phone case which is brilliant for protecting your phone and also so much easier to search for in your handbag!

Once again i can personalise these on my excellent Janome sewing machine.

Well that's all of MY makes but i'd love to show off the cushion that my sister made for me this christmas. I was so shocked when she said she had made it. I love it! Trouble is i now want 3 more!!

And finally to end this post i want to share with you one of my favourite ornaments. Despite it being rather christmasy i have it on display all year round because it's too lovely to be packed away.

Until next time

xxx