What a week 4 its been

Well what a week this has been, it certainly has been a challenge this week. I started the week very inspired and motivated so thought why not do some hand sewing. I love hand sewing but it is one of those crafts you really need to have time to do and definitely the patience. So my usual put the kids to bed then get on with the crafts applied. I created some lovely items for myself and my daughter to use. But things are always too good to be true and because i started off on a good note things were bound to go wrong.

With Saturday, Sunday and Mondays crafts made i thought i was on a roll but then came Tuesday. On Tuesday i took my baby and my other half out for a lovely lunch. We had a great time, even the baby enjoyed running around and spying on other peoples plates, so when i came home i put the baby down for his afternoon nap and decided to join him. When i woke up i felt as though i had been hit by a bus. My whole body ached and i had the worse headache that i have ever experienced.

That was the beginning of my flu. As the week went on i felt progressively worse but knowing that i couldn't stop my challenge just because i was poorly i decided to opt for the good old faithful jewellery, although i did start to attempt knitting a pair of booties for my friend who has just given birth to a baby boy. Unfortunatly this knitting pattern is a little bit hard for me to understand so this is definatly an ongoing project. Think i might have to take a trip to my local wool shop to see if they can help me fathom it out.

I am now typing to you tucked up with soup, plenty of medicine, lots of water and cups of tea from my daughter. My partner has been really good too waiting on me and taking care of our little one. I am never ever poorly so this has been a real set back for me (i must be poorly because i have not even put my make up on).

So anyway back to my crafts, i hope your not disappointed with my makes this week but i have stuck to my challenge even though I'm poorly.

I hope you like each item and i will see you all next week with lots more items. I am hopefully going to start including more info and tutorials so watch this space

Thanks to all my followers for supporting me it keeps me going and motivated to carry on and i'm really SORRY for moaning.

Lots of love to you all

Sarah

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First item is a pin cushion set on top of a jar so i can store all my loose buttons in. I tend to collect lots of buttons although i don't really have any proper storage for them so this was an ideal way for me to store both my buttons and pins.

The next item i made was yet again another pin cushion but this time for my daughter. She saw mine and complained that she didn't have anywhere to store her pins, so guilt trip set in I made her this pin cushion in the shape of a raspberry.

So my next item i saw in this months addition of sew hip magazine. I love brooches and love jazzing up plain clothing with accessories. This was quite a simple item to make and only took about 40 Min's to complete. This is hand sewn so that's why it takes time but the finished result is very affective.

My next item i decided to make a pair of earrings. Women never have enough earrings and ilove earrings so i made some beautiful chandelier style earrings with green and silver beads.This necklace was made with cord for the chain and some heart beads which i have saved for a rainy day.This bracelet has got to be my favourite item this week. I made this using safety pins, beads and clear elastic. It may look complicated but the way to make this is by cutting 2 pieces of clear elastic (size of wrist) then next add onto the safety pins some small beads. You then thread 2 beads onto the elastic then thread a safety pin. Do this until all safety pins are on, then repeat on the bottom. Its a very effective design which looks expensive

This brown memory wire beaded bracelet is another beautiful design and i love working with memory wire (although it can be tough to bend). With memory wire your imagination can go into overdrive with the colour of the beads you apply. Brown is one of my favourite colours (along with green) so i decided to stick with safe this week and make something i could wear out next week when i am feeling better

Week 3

Well this week has been a strange week for crafts. I began the week by becoming hooked on knitting and crocheting (well more the knitting). So i thought 'why not have a wool week'. That was my intentions but nothing ever goes to plan. I made a few knitted items but have also just grasped the moment and made a few random items too.

Every wednesday i have my sewing class so this inspired me to sew a few items, which i was so proud of. I learnt 2 new techniques at my sewing class this week which i was so pleased at. I have been sewing on and off for over 20 years but because i am self taught i did'nt understand certain instructions. So at my sewing class this week i learnt how to applique and how to sew a zip. SIMPLE i hear you cry but i have always struggled with these and by just taking a few minutes to sit down and listen to my teacher i came away from the class with not only my new techniques but a big beaming smile on my face.

On tuesday i took a trip to the wool shop (which is so sad to be excited about) but i felt in my element. There were lots of old and young people in there all ready to hand out help and advice. Think i might go back next week with my needles and get more advice.

So back to the crafts, each one has been made with total determination this week and due to the fact that i am a new knitter i am quite proud of myself.

First item, day 1 i decided to knit my little one a teddy. He LOVED it and now carrys this everywhere with him (BLESS)

Second item i knit a scarf, again for my little boy. It certainly keeps him warm and was knit with thick chunky wool using a basic garter stitch and finished with blue ribbon on the ends.

Adventurous now on day three i decided to knit abag. Well tell a small lie, i began knitting another scarf and got a little fed up with it because it was plain and boring so i decided to turn it into a bag

Day 4 and i wanted to make something different so i opted for a cluster ring. This was just for me to give me that BLING feeling!!!!

Day 5 and i attended my sewing class so what better than to show you my finished makeup bag with applique and a zip teehee

Day 6 i made a lovely owl. This was such a simple pattern, followed from sewhip magazine. At the moment i'm not sure who i will give this one too as all my children love it. mmmmmmmm maybe i will keep it until the next birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 7 i thought i would end week 3 on a wool one, so i knit a case for my phone. I have been meaning to go out and buy a case but why buy one when i can make one. I think that will have to be my motto, why buy what i can make

Week two

So here we are on week two and I'm still LOVING making crafts. This week has been interesting because i have had to organise myself (which is something I'm not fab at doing even though i have 5 kids). I have decided that each week i will try (i say try because i know what I'm like) to plan what crafts i am going to make for the week ahead. This way i can make sure i have enough stock in and i can make sure i know how much time because during the week the kids all have have after school clubs etc. So anyway back to the crafts, i have signed myself up to a sewing class which lasts for 6 weeks although the tutor has said she keeps it going so we just pay every 6 weeks for the classes. The first class was on Wednesday and i LOVED it. I met like minded people and because i took my eldest daughter we got to spend quality time together as well as being able to bounce ideas off each other and make lots of pretty things. This week i made a bag, something i have wanted to do because the pattern for this bag looked more complicated than the bag i made last week. In fact the bag was simple to make i just needed to break it down into steps. Having a qualified teacher to show me how to make the bag step by step helped me such a lot and inspired me to come home and make something else the following day. I am really looking forward to my class next week and i really want to attend other classes now for other crafts.

This week i have made a mixture although my specialities are definitely sewing and jewellery (well i wouldn't say specialities, more like i feel comfortable making). I really need to expand my horizons and venture out into other crafts which i am not so sure about or not as confident with.

This week i also had a slight blow because the doctor called and explained that i need to see a Rheumatologist due to what my x-ray and blood tests show before Christmas. I am feeling positive about this because after speaking to some fab people on the craft forum they have helped me to understand that its not the end of the world and i will still be able to carry on crafting.

So anyway lets get on with showing my crafts.

Day 8 i decided to make a necklace, rose necklace out of polymere clay. This was quite easy to make but it just took some time. I'm really pleased with the out come. I plaited the cord for the chain part to coordinate it with the rose






Day 9 i made a beaded Bracelet. I wrapped wire around the memory wire to keep the beads in place.

Day 10 i crocheted a headband. Took me a few hours to complete and the compliment came from my eldest who said she will wear it for college.

Day 11 i choose to make a wire ring. I love wrapping wire so became creative and was really pleased with the outcome. I added a few beads on for that little bling

Day 12 i used my (not so fab) crocheting skills and attempted to make a bracelet again. I added on a few beads and a clasp. Not too bad although this one is definatly a skill i will be working on.

Day 13 i went to sewing class and made a fold over bag. Really love this bag and will definatly be using this on a daily basis.

So whats the point of having a bag without having a matching purse so day 14 thats what i made. This was so simple (even though i have always thought it looked complecated. I used a basic pattern shown by my sewing teacher and oooo lala a purse is formed.

My first 7 days

So here goes my first 7 items as promised on day number 7. hat a week its been and although i have lots of fun i have found that i really need to organise my time to complete my items. I must say though i have had a busy week because it was back to school and also my baby boys first birthday. One of the items (well 2 actually) were for my little boy and i was so excited that i made them. During this week i have learnt that i need to plan in advance what i will make so i have not only the idea but the equipment and materials to make my craft items with.

I also decided that i need to expand my knowledge of craft items so i have booked to start a 6 week sewing course starting next week. I am so looking forward to attending this and can't wait to begin producing items from my classes. I have so many ideas in my head so i need to start making notes and researching how to guides. I also really quite fancy trying to crochet and knit some items but i know these will take a lot longer than just a day so my plan with this is to begin but to only spend a small amount of time each day on each item so i don't waste my other time. With such a big family to take care of this certainly has been a challenge for the first week but i know with my time management and focus i will be able to do this. I am also hoping that when my girls need presents for parties etc i can help out by creating a lovely bespoke item for each person.

My speciality has got to be jewellery because this is something i love making and although i can make items i still have such a lot to learn, same as the sewing. I also intend to make lots of different items over the year which i have NO idea how to make now and have had no experience of making before.

So here goes, day number 1. My first item was a rag doll for my beautiful baby boy. This was something that i have really fancied making for a while but not got round to doing, so Sarah style i grabbed a pen and piece of paper and drew an outline of a doll then cut it out. I then put over some plain material and there i had my base. I also decided that because it was for my little boy i would sew on the eyes, nose and mouth and personalise it by sewing on his name on the back.

The second day i thought it was only right to clothe the doll so i made a hat and a dressing gown (or dress as my 7 year old informed me). Personally i think that the doll looks like a pontipine or whatenger from in the night garden but that's just my way of looking at it. Anyway its in blue so acceptable for a boy.

Day 3 i decided that i would make an item of jewellery, and this would be a bracelet. I love working with wire so sat around for an hour or so thinking about different ways to make it than thought why not twist wire. I love making swirls with wire it looks so beautiful so elegant and once you know what you are doing is quite easy to manipulate. So here is item number 3

Day number 4 it was only appropriate that i make a pair of matching earrings to look beautiful with the bracelet. So here is item number 4

Day number 5 i thought i would stay on the jewellery theme and make a simple brooch using my sewing skills. This is very simple to make and a very pretty accessory to complete a simple outfit.I finished it off by sewing on a button to look like the middle of a flower.

Day number 6 i was feeling a little adventurous so decided on another brooch but this time with beads and wire. This brooch was quite fiddly and took some time to make (hence i was up till nearly midnight finishing it, but finish it i would). This took a lot of winding wire around and back through the beads. It is quite big so i think this will be an item i will wear on a coat, a nice going out type coat.

My final day 7 (well not final but final for this post) i thought i would attempt to make a simple tote bag to store my (or some of my craft items in) This was a simple bag with which i didn't use a pattern but simply folded and doubled the material over to make it look the same on the inside as out (reversible too). I love this bag although next time i think i will make it a little bit wider and bigger. But this is what this challenge is all about, learning and expanding my knowledge.

So the thought for the week. Learn to follow patterns and to manage my time.

Let me know what you think, i hope you like the items ans i am pleased with them all for my first week. I now need to go away and plan for the week ahead so lots of love and happy reading

Sarah

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SO Excited!!!!!

This is my 2nd blog and for some reason everytime i try to edit it i loose all my work. AAAARRRRRGGGGGG. So now i am frustrated. All i was going to blog was that i have made a start and now on day 2 i am really getting into the swing of my crafting. But for some stupid reason the blog doesnt like me and i keep deleting everything i write. So here we go AGAIN. This time i will keep it short and just quickly explain why i am blogging so soon. I want to thank my new followers and to let you all know that i have just completed my 2nd item. This is really a lovely item because it is special. Yesterday i made a BOY rag doll for my little baby boy who will be 1 on Tuesday. Today i have completed the clothes. I have had no training in anything that i make (so far) although i intend on attending some course this year. My partner wasn't impressed about the present i made my little one but that is just a man thing and he thinks i should have made a knitted football or car.
I just wanted to give a quick blog(and this one will be because this is my 3rd attempt, already lost 2 drafts) because i wanted to let everyone know how happy i am to have this challenge in my life. Not only does it give me something to aim for it opens my mind to lots of new ideas and creations.
I will be updating in a few day with my first lot of pictures so watch this space
Lots of love for now
Sarah
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