New term

Tonight the new term of my Textiles evening class started!

First session - using procion dyes to create a background fabric that can then be over printed. I enjoyed this and did start over printing some small wooden block designs.


Very different direction from my screen printing last term - although I still love this!

Biscuit heaven (Seriously!!)

My first and (so far) only visit to Australia was a couple of years and it was one of the best holidays of my life to date!


Upon discovering all the delights of Oz I also discovered what is now my favourite biscuit!! Although it is really difficult to buy these in many places in the UK.
So when a friend came back from Australia last week and bought me these - well what can I say, apart from YUMMY!!!

Snow, rain, fog

Just thought this place needed a little brightening up today!
It has got really cold again and from having snow to a slushy mess followed by rain and then fog - and guess what now!? Maybe even more snow!


It really is not the weather for taking great photos - so a couple from the archives when it was sunny around here!
Enjoy!!

So yesterday I found out I had been given the Sunshine award from Bluebell at Bluebell and Rosie.

The award is given to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blogworld!
So following the rules and sharing some of the lovely blogs that I read daily (although I am a bit of a lurker!!) I am passing the award onto these lovely 12 bloggers!
Some I have been a long time follower, others are fairly new to me so go check them out!
In no particular order:

Sew love to sew
Thea + Sami
Pink Penguin
Just a Girl
Hopfaldera
Cluck Cluck Sew
Buebau
That's my story
Just original
Little musings
Blueberry Park
Lazy Dynamics

Sunshine Award !!

Just checking my lovely emails and comments and to my surprise Bluebell at Bluebell and Rosie has given me a sunshine award!! Thank you so much!


That cheered me up! It is so nice to hear from people that read my blog and to know that there are people out there that are in fact reading my blog, and that the time it even takes me to think of a title to each post is not all for nothing!!

The conditions when accepting this award are as follows -

* Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
* Link the nominees within your post.
* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I'm busy getting ready for work tomorrow so I will be back then with my nominees!!

Printing

At my evening class in addition to my screen printing on fabric I also managed to squeeze in some lino/block/screen printing but this time on paper!

Remember this hand made pillow:


Here is my same design but screen printed onto paper:


Several lino blocks that I carved away at:



To produce prints on paper:


Now I need to think about how I am going to frame them!

Delish!

Always seen lots of things about Cornbread, never tasted it before but made some today and it is lovely!!
Really easy to make and I added a few chilli flakes to spice it up a bit. If anyone wants the recipe let me know and I'll add a post!

Finished project (+ bit of a tutorial)!!

Yay - It's very unusual that I get any crafting done during the week due to the day job, but managed to start a little project last night and finished it tonight! (Hence dark photos!)

This is one of the projects in "Simply handmade". I'm really pleased with how it turned out, put my own little twist on it and can see many more of these being made, and have a little idea on how I'm going to put them into good use!

Be prepared for lots of photos!

Here are my instructions that hopefully make some sort of sense!
1. I started with a 12" x 12" double side piece of light card.



2. Faintly draw out the scoring and cutting lines. (Sides 3 1/4", Centre 5 1/2", top tab 1", bottom tab 3/4")


3. Cut out corners and cut tabs at the top and bottom.


4. Score along the lines and fold.


5. Place a strip of double sided tape along the sides of the envelope and press together firmly.


6. Place a strip of double sided tape along the bottom tab and press in place.


7. Now choose a lovely button to form the fastening!


8. Carefully press a split pin into the middle of the top tab. Don't have it too tight/flat against the card otherwise the thread will not go around it!


9. Press the split pin out flat.


10. Thread the embroidery floss through the holes in the button, tie a knot in the end.


11. Attach a glue dot or a sticky fix to the back of the button.


12. Press the button firmly in place on the envelope.


13. Voila the fastening is complete!


Hey presto - a cute little envelope for secret little goodies!




Phew! Hopefully you kept up with that and I didn't bore you to death!
Love to know of any envelopes being made out there!

It's been a tad chilly around here!

Icicles from last week when it was freezing!
Still cold tonight been busy trying out one of the projects from Simply Handmade magazine. Hopefully show and tell tomorrow!

Fabric stash

Last week's sum's :~
Snow day + computer + too many hours browsing the Internet = purchases of lovely new fabric!!

Introducing my new little fabric stash! I find it difficult buying fabric over the Internet as I like to touch and see the fabric in person but I am limited to decent fabric shops around here so this is my only way of getting some of the lovely fabrics out there!
Hope to use some of these at the weekend!








Updated: Hi, for those of you who have emailed or commented the fabrics are from Fabric Rehab! (UK based online shop)