Fairy Slippers

During my weekend away Barbara had a pattern and article on making Fairy slippers. They looked so beautiful that a couple of us decided to have a go at making our own pair.

Now we didn't really have the supplies but Barbara also had a beautiful piece of painted silk with some pretty shiny sparkly stitching already adde. We attached the material to a piece of red felt and then cut out the two shapes from the template to create each slipper.

I then added some shimmer from a spray made of glimmer and alcohol and attached sequins and beads to the top piece. I stitched several lines on the soles.

Finally I had to hand sew the two pieces together to make each shoe. It was very fiddly and my fingers were still feeling sore the next morning!

They are just so cute, don't you think.

Thanks for looking!

Tracey x

Book Cover

So whilst I was away at my craft weekend last week, the girls were making some book covers for diaries and note books. They had made them at our previous retreats but this was my first time taking a sewing machine and trying some sewing projects for myself. Jacqui and Jo gave me some supplies and Jacqui also lent me her sewing machine for a couple of hours so that I could have a go at using it as I was thinking of upgrading and buying the same model (which I have since done).

Jacqui walked me through the project step by step which started with a piece of felt over which I laid strips of material and ribbon until I was happy with the result (the fabric Jacqui gave me was Tim Holtz so I was in my element)!

Jacqui's sewing machine had some fancy stitches so I spent some time getting to know the machine and adding a mixture of these stitches to my material strips in order to add some interest.

Once the base layer was complete, I added some extra elements just to the front of the book cover.

When I came to stitch the top and bottom edges, I included a piece of dyed ribbon to be used a place holder for a page plus some dyed elastic ribbon to help keep the book closed.

I am so pleased with the finished book cover and my new found love of sewing! I am using the book to note down all my future sewing project ideas and supplies!

Thanks for looking!

Tracey x

Advent Calendar (number 2)

So this time last year I made myself an advent calendar using the 12x12 Kaisercraft kit as the base. Since then I've received lots of comments and decided to make a second but this time for a friend!

Again I used espresso acrylic paint dabbers, brushed corduroy distress ink, gathered twigs distress stain, but this time I chose Graphic 45 'twas The Night Before Christmas papers. I then used twine, gems, pins, tissue paper and glossy accents.

Again I am really pleased with how it's turned out and my friend was absolutely thrilled when I gave it to her tonight.

Thanks for looking!

Tracey x

A new bag

So my first sewing project of the weekend was to create a small bag which was made from a 12x12 square piece of fabric.

Barbara gave me some very pretty fabric with small toadstools on it and I used a cream piece of curtain fabric for the other side. The two pieces were pinned together inside out and stitched around the edge leaving a small space to turn the bag the right way round. I then stitched up the small hole by hand. The fabric was then folded and stitched in ways to create 5 pockets of varying sizes. I added two matching buttons and a hair band to keep the bag closed.

It was a fun project and although I didn't quite follow the pattern with the final folds, I am happy with my little bag.

Thanks for looking!

Tracey x

Christmas Bunting

Well it's been a while since my last blog and to be honest I hardly craft nowadays, but I have just been away on a crafty retreat with my friends this weekend so have a few projects to share. I absolutely love these weekends as it means that I get to craft and spend time with my creative friends at least twice a year!

This time it was suggested the I tried something different as over the last year or so a number of the group have really enjoyed creating projects with their sewing machines. Now my Sister bought me a basic machine for Christmas 2 years ago and I have to confess that it sat in the box until this September at which time I needed to alter a costume for my Spartan Beast obstacle course race.

Anyway I decided to accept the challenge and take my machine but had absolutely no supplies. I found out about a sewing shop in the Town where I work and visited to buy supplies to create some Christmas bunting, I thought this would be an easy first project. They were very helpful and I came away with the 3 items below.

It was daunting being a complete novice and I did have to ask for some guidance and the girls were great help sharing their knowledge, time and materials to help me. To make my life easier I borrowed a flag template plus pinking shears and purchased some plain material and bonderweb to go between the 2 sides of each flag.

I created 20 double-sided flags and spaced them with a 1 inch gap between each flag.

In the end I found my way and I really enjoyed creating something for my home. I have lots to learn but it looks as though I have found myself a new hobbie (that I don't have time for).

*I will insert the photo of the bunting in place once it's hanging up.*

Thanks for looking!

Tracey x