Appliqued Cards

I'd wanted to try to make an appliqued card for a while but for some reason had always put it to the back of my 'project to do list'. I think I'd overcomplicated it in my mind. I made this card rather by accident I must admit. Having completed sewing a bag for a friend's birthday I realised I hadn't  actually got a card for her! As I had my sewing machine out and a selection of fabrics I quickly whipped up this.

When I said I quickly made this, I mean less than five minutes. And that is from the first thought to the finished product. I just used the regular foot on my machine, possibly not as easy as a free hand foot but I don't have one of those..yet. 

Going back to my favourite nature theme I cut out a random petal heart shape for the flower and just made it up as I went along. I think sometimes the most simplistic images, which are a little rough round the edges are the most effective. One thing I did find really helpful was a little pritt stick for the fabric to just hold it in place whilst I sewed along the edges, a wet glue would have soaked through, I just needed to tack it.  The little bee adds a cutesy touch. I did colour some stripes on the bee with a gold pen.

Now I know how simple it is I will be making lots more of these! I'm thinking maybe collections of cards. Different flowers, seasons, even insects?! I used this as a birthday card but it could be used for any occasion. Has anybody else in blogworld tried this charming past time?

The Queen's Jubilee

So, ever since Wills & Kate got hitched last year I have been a massive fan of our royal family. Living in a small English village in the middle of the countryside I have realised the importance of community. Also, living 30 minutes away from London, I do feel rather attached to The City. Together with some close neighbours we are holding a jubilee street party, only as you can only close side streets and culdesac, we are holding the party in our front garden which is huge and has views of our 900 year old church. Quite astmospheric.

Planning is already under way since it's only about 6 weeks away. I thought I would show you some jubilee inspiration that I have found around the web as I did my own party research. Are you celebrating the jubilee?

 

 

I'm thinking vintage garden party with the odd union jack themed accessory! Keeping it tasteful rather than garish! The picture on the bottom is the road I live on. If you look closely you will see the house beyond the tudor houses with a brick wall, that's mine! All photo credits are listed below. I'd love to hear if and how you will be spending the jubilee weekend!


Picture credits: http://vintageamethyst.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/royal-wedding-decor-ideas.html, http://roomenvy.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/garden-ideas-pretty-pastels/, http://www.teacupsandtiaras.co.uk/littlevintageteaparty.html, http://zinawright.typepad.com/messyart/party-ideas/page/2/, http://www.dovetail-design.co.uk/vintage_tea_party,http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1281365

Ribbons, Trims and Projects on the Go

So I've generally been a bit caught up in life recently - who hasn't?! I've been busy buying, planning and making though so not all has been lost! I seem to have a little issue though with buying ribbons and trims. I buy them because I love them but yet nothing much seems to happen with them and I take them out only to admire them! It's a good job the husband is neither interested or even pretends to care at my shopping habits! Hooray for that.

I just thought I'd show you a selection of my favourite bits. Some jubilee themed from my Lovely Mama, some sparkley and some just because. If anybody has any suggestions on what I could do with them, I'd love to hear them! I've also started Quilt Number Two.

Just thought you could see a work in progress. I've sewn roughly half the rows for the quilt. I did have the other half neatly arranged in order to be sewn but my darling child thought it would be fun to have a sort of confetti-throwing-but-really-using-quilting-squares play session. Still, at least he felt involved. Or something.

I've mentioned before that something which always inspired me is nature. I love bring the outdoors, in. A couple of summers ago I found some flat pebbles at the beach. They were fairly unremarkable as far as pebbles go but they stacked on top of each other really nicely. I carefully selected a few that decreased in size and took them home. I thought it would be a bit lovely to pretty them up a little so I decopatched them!

 It's a lovely activity to do with children too and toddlers love to stack them up different ways.

So, that's a little bit of what I've been doing just quietly getting on with.