more unfinished projects

hand appliqued leaf detail

In between burger bears, loo roll bags and cushion commissions, I have been quietly wading through my unfinished work.

There was so much more than I realised but the pile is slowly diminishing.

the finished cushion

This week I managed to complete a cushion I was trying something out on.

It’s a nice leafy fabric that is quite current in design. Although completely lovely, I don’t add twiddly bits like piping or frills to my cushions generally so they are quite simple.

leaf details highlighted

My thinking with this fabric was that I could make it slightly three dimensional by appliqueing the leaves on top of the fabric again (if that makes sense). I picked random leaves but generally with a band leaves across the middle.

ikea small worktop ironing board with folding legs

It is a lot simpler than most things I make but I like it.

The best thing about it was being able to finish it off in my new work room; the first thing to come out of there but it isn’t my first complete creation to be made in there as I have yet to find the time to do that.

ironing the finished item

Can’t wait.

at last………..

lots of lovely threads

I am sitting typing this post in my new workroom and I am sooooooo excited about it.

It is the perfect easter present to myself and tinyinc.

organised and accessible

I have ALWAYS had to set up my sewing on the dining table but now I finally have a dedicated space that doesn’t need tidying away of moving around and I am absolutely over the moon with it.

The dining table is now free and our living areas are living areas again.

Our spare bedroom, however, is now set up for me to sew and work in AND JC has a space to work in too that is all his own, opposite mine and all thanks to his DIY efforts this easter weekend.

long lost gheko pin cushion filled with sand for sharpening pins

It is a tranquil little room with a lovely silence and peace about it. The patio doors are south facing so it is flooded with sunlight when the weather is right and it also gives you access out into our garden.

I can’t wait for the first time I can work in here with the doors thrown open listening to the sound of birdsong.

We have achieved the best of both worlds with the changes to this room: we have a dedicated workroom space that keeps our flat clear of the mess of laptops and sewing but we have the facility to wheel in the sofa bed and turn it back into a bedroom when necessary.

my sewing space

We did it on quite a tight a budget although we have overspent slightly (thank goodness for the nightmare that is Ikea, however and £60 desks!!).  That said, the results are perfect for us and I am ecstatic. Wish we’d had the funds to do it a long, long time ago!!!

I now have all my sewing and making ‘things’ in one place. No more trailing from one end of the flat to the other for a piece of fabric or a certain colour of thread.  Everything has a place and everything is in it’s place.

I have unearthed some things that I forgot I had because I’ve never had the chance to use them so it was a bit like an easter egg hunt opening the boxes and organising where everything went.

my work space

My threads are all in the top drawer of the desk now and laid out so they are easy to see instead of being in a handful of different boxes, my fabrics are all neatly stashed in one cup’d (except for a few storage boxes under my desk that I need to sort through!) and I have shelves on which to display my little collection of vintage sewing stuff.

There are still a few finishing touches to make but I couldn’t be happier.

my wonderful work room

doggy neckerchiefs

max in a peach floral number

I have blogged about these doggy neckerchiefs before. I’ve made them for friends who have asked for them and I have given some as gifts, but people don’t seem to buy them.  During my days at Harringay Market, it occurred to me that the reason could be that it isn’t easy to work out what these little doggerchiefs actually are!

Hamlet modelling Agnes’s Doggerchief

Although Max goes down a treat with doggy shoppers at the market; he behaves like everyone loves him and he is always pleased to see anyone who makes eye contact with him, it’s not very fair to expect him or Hamlet to sit around modelling in the freezing conditions that we have had there JUST so that people understand what these doggerchiefs are.

doggy outline

So the solution is to have a stand in; A cardboard cut out of sorts (made of MDF to be precise).

It couldn’t have been easier:- a quick outline of a JRT (Max wriggled a bit but we managed to get him flattened out………only joking!!!! ) enlarged to about the right size, an off cut of MDF from the shed and a jig saw.

cardboard cut out

JC did the cutting for me and it is now done.

Although, I haven’t been making much lately and my pile of unfinished projects is really not getting any smaller making the cut out for the purpose of modelling the neckerchief, made me pick these out of the basket & I got them finished.

I must do some in more masculine fabrics as these all seem to be a bit more appropriate for girls but when you are working with vintage, it is hard to be sure what you will come across.

lady labrador’s neck warmer

Anyway, Agnes now has the cute daisy green, Bosley will get his blue and gingham one next time we see him and there is a labrador along with her chihuahua buddy who also have them in hertfordshire

I love this fabric!!

I love them and would put Max in a new one every day if JC didn’t think he looked ridiculous!!

the tiniest doggerchief in the world!!

Valentine Cushion

love cushion

I have finished one of my many ‘unfinished’ projects and here it is.

I adored the ‘love’ cushions that I made for friends & colleagues wedding gifts and while I was designing them, I had looked at different colours and combinations before settling on the cream ones.

Anyway, whilst trying to find the right combination for the presents, I had prepared one cushion in cream with red letters. It wasn’t subtle enough for a wedding gift but I did think it might make a nice valentine gift for someone.

red needle cord letters

The letters are in red needle cord and although it is quite simple, I really like the effect. I love red.

I am definitely going to make more of these and I have some more ideas for a similar cushion with button/beads and other decoration added to the letters or I might try the letters in patchwork or multi colours.

I still have lots of unfinished things and I must get on with those first.

So, for now though, this one is finished and in perfect time for Valentine’s Day!

a knitting (or crochet) bag

front pocket

I have long been a fan of the pillow case for keeping sewing, knitting and crocheting clean. I also use them as general bags for sewing etc especially if I have to take them anywhere.

They serve a purpose but the are not perfect. Often too big for the content and not easy to carry.

needle and pattern pockets

So it got me thinking, why buy something and why ‘make do’ when I can make exactly what I want?

front of bag

So here is a my new crochet bag for when I am working at my occasional stall at Harringay Market. It is made in the fabric to match the basket cover I made and am using to carry my cash tin, pins, pegs, bunjies, note book etc etc to the market.

back pockets

It will be getting some use when we are there again on the 3rd of February.

pockets

But to be honest, my crochet bag was a bit of a dry run in order to perfect the detail and design. It had been inspired by my lovely friend V. V creates wonderful jewellery, amazing food stuff and dips her toe very successfully into sewing, knitting and all things crafty.  When V and I did the last stall together at Harringay Market, we got 5 mins to sit and make. At the time V’s was knitting an absolutely lovely grey silky knit for a friend’s baby which was being transported in her large basket along with a bunch of other stuff. I knwo she takes great care with delicate things but it got me thinking.

basket with new cover

So with her birthday in January (like my very own) and knowing that she would

a) knit something again now the baby is here and the gift completed

inside pockets for needles, patterns and scissors

b) loves hand made things

my crochet wool ready for the off

and

c) since I was happy with what was needed for her knitting bag now I had tried it out for my own crocheting.

loaded

I made a knitting bag for the lovely wooly wonders that she quietly produces.

The principle is the same for each. Pockets on the inside sized specifically for scissors, pattern and needles. Pockets on the outside for spare wool, clips and anything else that might be needed and handles.

pockets

What I realised from my first attempt that I will use for my crochet is that a silky fabric lining would make it so much easier to get things in and out of the bag. V has a very pretty matching silky lining and pockets that I think makes it look quite sweet.

It has been received well and I very much look forward to seeing the next gorgeous make that V will go onto.

The featherweight Singer 221K

isn’t she lovely?

This is a little out of sequence after posting about new year resolutions but I had to tell you about one of my christmas presents……….

I got a new sewing machine to add to my little ‘collection’.

My very lovely husband, JC was at a car boot sale in late September and rang me to say that he had found this lovely small black singer sewing machine and was I interested?

the singer badge

It was only the singer 221k featherweight that they were offering but by the time he had sent me photos to be sure it was a good decision to buy it, the lady had taken it away to research it a little as she suspected the interest meant it was more valuable than she originally thought.

the motor and belt

JC had enough sense to leave the lady his number and took a call from her some weeks later to say she would sell it if he was still interested.  Off he went to meet said lady in the empty car park of where the car boot sale usually takes place armed with strict instructions to keep his phone on him in case he was bundled into her car boot and whisked away never to be seen again!

There was no need to be concerned. He eventually he returned and I could not have been more delighted to see him and he had the machine!

with the sewing flap down and ready for use

When you start searching for details on these little machines, you find that they have lots of fans and lots of pages and you tube videos dedicated to them.

top tension

Mine doesn’t seem to have the 221k badge on it but everything else is right and I loved finding out why there is a clip on the box lid and how it should be stored. The serial number starts with EH so I now know that it was made in 1951 and is definitely the 221k and not the 221.

foot pedal clipped into lid

The cable on the machine has been replaced with a new white one instead of the thread covered black original but it works and it is generally a thing of great beauty.

The original oil tin, instruction manual, sewing feet, attachments, carry case and key come complete with it and after a little clean up and a little machine oil, it works perfectly. It has signs of use from it’s previous life but that is to be expected and the scratches take nothing from it’s appeal.

The case is no bigger than a record case for LPs (showing my age now!). It is tiny and incredibly light so it is easy to see how successful it would have been as a travel machine. It would certainly be a lot easier to transport than any of my other machines.

all neatly stashed in the carry box

Sewing with it is a dream; it is quiet and smooth and because it is so compact, it feels neat and tidy working at it. I’m quite taken and can’t wait to really get into using it.

spool loader

I now have 4 old sewing machines (this one, the singer 320k, the singer 401 and a frisster and rossman cub 7. The Cub 7 was my first and only sewing machine until recent years) the singer 320k and now this wonderful little singer 221k are my absolute favourites. I am delighted with this brilliant and gorgeous christmas gift!

the decorative end plate

I can’t tell you how impressed I am too that JC even noticed it when he found at the car boot sale it let alone managed to get his grubby little mits on it for me for christmas.

Yey, Merry Christmas me and thank you JC!

New year Resolutions

sorting out projects that need finishing

I’m not big on new year resolutions but I do try to make a few:-

So:-

1   have a good sort and clear out (ouch!!)

2   detox again (did it in November and it was amazing)

3   stop spending and start saving (LOL now that I have just finished all my internet shopping!!)

4   list all the wonderful things that happen in 2013 (great idea from little room of rachell)

5   finish ALL the projects I have started

So, resolution number 5 – projects;

I have had to resign myself to having a restless creativity that means I flit from project to project and will always have a few on the go at one time.

I’m very focused when I am working but need the challenge of variety to keep my attention. It is the same in my job as a designer project manager.

I always have a million ideas going around in my head and committed to my sketch book, some become real, some get started but falter and but some are simply condemned to my eternal ‘to do’ list because I don’t have the time to realise every idea.

I have a written list (I love a good list) and I have an actual list (that takes the form of a basket that is full of part finished work).

At any one time, I will be working on 2 or 3 different things anyway. It isn’t as random as it sounds. I work a bit like a production line, albeit a production line of completely individual things. For example, I cut lots of things out at the same time, I do lots of machine sewing at the same time, I do lots of applique at the same time and generally add my labels to all of the finished items at the same time.

There is an efficiency in there somewhere, I’d like to think.

I do tend, however, to lay some of these many projects aside. The reasons could be any of a number – I’m not happy with how it is progressing, I have run out of time, I have run out of interest for it, I am bored with doing the same thing over and over, I’m not sure it is right etc etc etc.  Most of them are eventually revisited with a fresh enthusiasm, and although some seem to remain unfinished for an eternity, I do get there.

A busy 2011 & 2012 has meant that ALL the things that I set out to complete previously (I have said this before) are still waiting to be done!

So on new years day, I went through them all and have transferred them from the ‘to do’ basket into my ‘doing’ work bag so that I WILL work my way through them and get them finished.

valentine bunting

There is bunting for valentines day.

lavendar cushions

There are lavendar cushions for valentines day.

patchwork

Patchwork for blankets and cushions.

dog neck ties

Dog neck ties, aprons, cushions, bunting, jungle chums blanket, patchwork blanket, bags and food savers to name but a few.

I completed one of the handy shopper bags and a dog neck tie this week and I prepared some of the applique for bunting and cushions that I wanted to do. They will keep me busy during the dark wet evenings before the weather changes.

When they are all finished, they will help swell the stock in my internet folksy shop and my facebook shop back to where is was previously and I will take some of them to Harringay Market when I am next able to do it on the 3rd of February.

I expect to be ticking them off my list over the next few weeks before adding a few new ones (of course)!

winter fair

stall at the winter fayre

I did two markets this weekend and I’m home now and starting to feel the tiredness creeping in but they have been fun, especially today.

robin & rose candles

Yesterday I had a stall at the north london rudolph steiner school’s winter fayre in Hornsey. The school hall was decorated with garlands and wreaths and Christmas candles which made it look very festive. I sat working at my stall while the mum’s, dad’s and school kids had their lunches, listened to singing, a violin piece, the raffle results and story telling.

tiny 4-ply granny squares on the life saving hottie

It was very busy considering just how incredibly grim and wet the weather was outside. It was absolutely freezing in the hall and were it not for my wonderful friend V coming to my rescue with a hot water bottle full of lovely hot water and wrapped in one of my very own Hot Water Bottle Covers that she owns, I would have suffered.  It really saved the day and meant that my fingers could move again and I was able to get on with a bit of crochetting while I was watching the performances.

I did get the chance to buy a present from Joanna who was doing pottery and came across Maggie of  Robin & Rose who sell the most delicious candles

I had been commissioned to make some bunting for a lady that came to the Harringay Market on the 11th November and so was able to hand it over at the winter fayre and she was very happy with it, I’m pleased to say.

Today, I was back at the Harringay Market in the sunshine and wind (we did have to chase a few things across the playground!!).  A lovely day of catching up with V between chats to customers and other stall holders.

gazebo at Harringay Market

V brought her knitting project and I even got a bit more crocheting done for the tiny granny squares but not much. Today was a busy and social day and great fun because of it.

a blustery view of our stall today

We really enjoyed ourselves today and although there were less visitors to the market today than a few weeks ago, the atmosphere was lovely.

mini granny squares

V mentioned that there is a real sense of community at the market and it is so true.  If you take the time to get chatting to the other stall holders, they are, without exception, lovely and there are some fascinating characters with great back stories.

the cheese stall. yum

My aim is not only to sell all my makes here but to also eat from every single supplier at the market; be it a sandwich, a cake or a coffee and I’ve made a pretty heartfelt attempt at it so far.

I’ve enjoyed Burger Bear’s juicy burgers

the very lovely Silvia and Ritchie

Silmar’s Taste’s incredible Natas

the bell and brisket – salt beef on a rye bagel.. Wow

the bell and brisket‘s amazing salt beef sandwich on a rye bagel

bread etcetera

Batch Bakery‘s Salt Caramel Chocolate Brownie, Marsh Produce‘s chicken and leek pie, or Il Baretto Coffee House’s creamy latte. It’s a big job and it can’t be done in one visit (I hasten to add that this list was consumed over a number of visits and take away!!!) so I will clearly have to keep going back with my stall.

cookie decorating

moroccan crafts

life and cacao – I will be enjoying their 70% with orange when I have my next coffee

storybook pictures

So my next batch of lovely eating will be the 9th December.  Come and see for yourself but please stop by tinyinc’s stall and say hello!

harringay market

a tinyinc teacosy

Myself and V (by appointment) took the plunge and had a stall at Harringay Market on Falkland’s Road this weekend.

I have just returned from it and what a lovely day it has been.

all set up and ready for action

The weather was in our favour and our pitch at the market was bathed in lovely autumn sunshine for much of the afternoon.

bunting galore

There was a healthy mix of sales, commission and lots of interest in all of our things.

heart cushion and snuggle blanket

Some customers are coming back to us in 2 weeks when we do it again in the lead up to Christmas, others are going to be in touch and some need me to make a few more things in readiness for our next pitch.

cable cushions and aprons

The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed, there was lots of chatting and a real sense of community as you discover that lots of the visitors really do only live around the corner.

hot water bottle covers

Jessica, who is the inspired organiser of the market is ever present and clearly loves what she does.  Her husband and 16 year old JRT are regular features and the JRT, Joris, keeps everyone in order!

baby bunting

It was cold and I am now quite worn out and happy to be in the warm but it has been great fun and I’m already looking forward to next time!

applique cushions

Come along on the 25th November 2012, it’s a lovely way to spend an hour on a Sunday afternoon; you can get some christmas shopping done, have your lunch and get your groceries for the coming week!  All in one spot!

a gorgeous piece from by appointment

try ‘the lord rupert’ on rye!! DEE licious!!

super salami, my husband’s absolute favourite

the nicest natas

double deckers

£10 deck chairs

A few weeks ago JC managed to pick up these 2 deck chairs for £10 at the local car boot sale. He left them with the seller for collection at the end and was pleased to hear that his decision to buy them had been sound as he could have sold them 10 times over and for 3 times as much.

I was delighted with them. They are perfect for a bit of R&R in our garden when the hammock isn’t quite the ticket but they need some work as the fabric is cute but cheap and mildew marked.

I have searched for similar on the internet and the prices vary vastly from £50 each to a whopping £130 each. £10 seems more than reasonable.

Even Max likes them

Because they need new canvas I was handed the perfect opportunity to go shopping on a web site I have had bookmarked for ages. It’s called  deck chair stripes which does exactly what it says in the title and what a lovely selection of things made of deck chair stripes it is too.

They sell deck chairs, director’s chairs, aprons, tea towels, bags, upholstery fabric, cushions, oilcloth, vintage canvas (I could go on further) & trimmings that all match each other so you can go stripes mad.

climbing canvas

They sell the deckchair canvas by the meter or they sell a pre-measured deck chair canvas at full price with the second 1/2 price which makes a great deal for 2. It only cost me £23 including postage to cover both of our car boot finds.

Our selection to recover our bargain deckchairs was ‘climbing‘. It is teaming with lots of vibrant colours, it will go with anything and is perfect for cheering up any garden.

It came within a few days of the order being placed and some complimentary sweets!

sweets

We have finally had the time to put the new canvases on. Since I already had the upholstery tacks they weren’t to buy and so no added expense.

canvas going on

JC fixed the canvases onto the frames on his workbench. It was quite tricky but we got there in the end. We might get a few extra upholstery nails to add to the fixings

one chair completed

The deck chair canvas meterage was just over what was needed for the chairs so I fashioned a small head cushion for each out of the spare just to add a bit of extra luxury. Bonus!

bonus cushion

£33.00 and a bit of effort for a couple of thrifty beauties doesn’t seem so bad. We love them and I just wish the sun would stay out long enough for us to give them a test drive.

I think I might have to invest in some more canvas to make a bag or cushion or something!

the finished pair