Sharing ideas and inspiration over a lovely cup of tea!

That's what I did today - and it was lovely!
I met up with my friend Catherine from Red Daisy, catching up on our crafting ventures and sharing lots of ideas plus being amazed by her enviable craft room and the lovely hand made chickens!
Thanks for a lovely day!

And just because I can't post without a picture here are some of my lovely, and yes pink gerberas.




P.S Thanks for all the lovely kind words about the sewing box makeover!

Presenting the new restyled - refashioned sewing box!

Well it's finished - and I'm really pleased with it!
It may not be to every ones taste but it needed to have a little bit of pink in there somewhere!


After taking it apart completely, sanding it down, priming it, spray painting it, trying to put it back together in one go and then lining the compartment it was all worth it. It's been a learning curve!
This is also the first time that I've used spray paint - I'm normally a paint and paint brush kind of girl but now I'm a total convert and can see an addiction forming!
It's definitely worth paying the extra for the can of primer but the UK weather does not help when you're trying to spray paint and the wind is blowing and it's threatening rain!!
Now all I need to do is fill it with all my sewing bits and bobs!


Photos are not of great quality as it is so dull here at the moment! More photos over on flickr!

Finding a treasure!

I've wanted something for a long time.
I'd been busy looking but no luck.
Then I could not believe my eyes when I came across one a few weeks ago!
My lovely new sewing box!


I had been searching for one of these for a while. I have lots and lots of storage boxes for all my crafting items, but I just wanted one of these and when I went into a Charity shop and spied this I could not believe my eyes. I looked at it first glance and thought it was in fairly good condition but needed a little bit of work, so I carried on around the shop. BUT THEN someone else started looking at it, feeling slightly nauseous, heart pounding I rushed over and picked it up quickly! (Lesson learned in Charity shops if you see something you like don't be indecisive like me - pick it up straight away!)
Now it did not have a price on it so I went to ask and thought if they ask some stupid price then I'll keep on looking. But no can you guess how much?
£3!!!
Yes £3 - can you believe it!
So I'm busy fixing it up, its a little bit rickety and needs some TLC and I hope to have it finished by tonight - so photos tomorrow!

Over printing

I did not get as much time as I would have liked over printing onto fabric and seeing what great effects it can lead to - this was my problem as once I had completed a first print that I really liked I did not want to change it!!

I did however overprint onto the piece that had the join lines. I tore up strips of paper as a kind of stencil and placed these randomly on the fabric and then printed over the top. I am really pleased with the results and now just need to get some inspiration and ideas as to what to do with the fabric!
Any thoughts?

Screen printing update

Just after Christmas I started an evening class exploring a range of textile printing methods. Now I did say that I would post about this regularly but that never happened!
So a bit of a catch up....
This was my second attempt at printing on a large scale. I seem to enjoy printing on metres of fabric rather than just a small square!!
I learnt my lesson the first time around when I used a small screen and got join lines on the fabric.


So after rethinking my design, cutting loads more paper stencils, getting organised and hey presto - I was really happy with how this turned out in terms of the design and the colour!





Lots more tomorrow!

Rewind

Over the past few months everything has been a little hectic and now the hols are here I feel that I can rewind and catch up!
Today was jobs around the house (not too exciting but it is pouring with rain outside!)

There are lots of things planned, an every growing "to do" list and several things to post about that happened months ago. So to start....

*Introducing a new blog*
When I started this blog it was a way to connect with other like minded people whether that be related to sewing, baking or home decor. It was another means of inspiration directing me towards beautiful blogs and links that have been great inspiration some what like an online resource journal. Sometimes I'm good at blogging other times I'm not - that's life!
One of my initial concerns was that no one would find my blog, and what do I really have to say that's interesting! Well there were no worries there - I have had great emails from people all over the world telling me about what they do, where to buy things, links to great tutorials and even fabric swaps!
So to all you newbies out there don't worry and to help out a fellow friend I would like to introduce a new blog RED DAISY. Red Daisy has just started and there are already great photos of screen printing, handmade items and some new fabric flowers so please pop on over and check it out!

Yay! The hols are here!!

Today is the first day of the school holidays! For any other teachers out there this is bliss!
Friday felt a bit like the fab advert for Mastercard - just love it!



So what did I do today?
Ummmmmmmm......
I went into work to sort out cupboards!
Lots of non work related things planned though!

Not long to go!!

Sorry for the absence around here!
School summer holidays are in 2 weeks and it's all a little manic around here at the moment. Plus the weather has been boiling in the UK over the last week that it was too hot to do anything!
I will probably be missing in action for the next couple of weeks and then should get back to some normality!
I have so many lovely fabrics and lots of projects that I want to get done over the summer hols!
Talking of lovely fabrics - look at this lot!!




This was my lovely giveaway parcel that I received from Pink Penguin!!
If you have not discovered this fab site you must pop on over and visit and say I sent you!!
Have fun for now!

Did the weekend just pass by?

Blimey - not sure where that weekend went, but it went!

I meant to post the results of the giveaway on Friday but was away from computer so did not get around to it!
Anyway the winner is ~


** Vanessa **

Congratulations! The apron and a few other goodies will be on the way to you!

** GIVEAWAY **

It's been a manic weekend here, but the exhibition was fab! So much to tell and see, but I'll leave that for another day as I said I would launch the giveaway on Sunday and it's late, very late it's nearly Monday!!

The lucky winner will win this ~



A reversible apron (using Lotta Jansdotters pattern from her Simple Sewing book) plus a few extra goodies! Sorry they are not the best pictures and the reverse of the apron is the same fabric as the front pocket.

So if you fancy winning just leave a comment, yes that's all no hard questions to answer or puzzles to solve! (and yes lurkers come out of the dark and say Hi)

International readers welcome, one entry per person, please make sure there is some way I can contact you via your comment, and remember tell your friends, become a follower to this blog, add a link from your site - the more the merrier!!

Giveaway comments will be open until Friday 19th June at midnight and then I will use the random number generator thingy to choose a winner.
Good Luck ~ Pink Stitches

Lucky Lady!

Sorry for my minor absence, I've been busy opening some wonderful swap parcels!
I feel so lucky!
First this lovely lot arrived on Monday ~


and then this fab lot arrived today ~


These are both part of "A little fabric, a little chocolate" swap over on Flickr.
I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of people, and I love receiving items that I know I can not find anywhere over here in the UK. Thank you so much ladies!

So to return this generosity I will be launching a giveaway on Sunday! Why Sunday I hear you ask - It will be launched on Sunday as over the next few days I am trying to get all my Textiles printing stuff ready for the mini exhibition! (Not panicking yet, but will be at midnight on Friday!)
So here is a sneak peek - in fact it is quite a large peek! So if you fancy taking part in the giveaway pop back on Sunday for the launch!!


Have fun for now and see you in a few days!

Scented sewing!?

Yep you read right! These may have been around for ages but I only just came across them at my local Hobbycraft!
Cotton Embroidery floss that when you sew release a scent! Unfortunately modern computer technology does not yet allow for scratch and sniff but I tell you they smell great! I purchased the vanilla, but there were loads including rose, lavender, almond, orange, apple, lemon and even chocolate!
Somehow I see it as the crafty girls alternative to Willy Wonka's lickable wallpaper!



(By the way the background fabric is one of my own designs from my printing class!)

Great find, and you'll be helping others too!

After a visit to Help the Aged charity shop today I came across a new range of products they are stocking called the "Well" range. I spotted these lovely cushions. What really caught my attention was the fab and different fringe, out of a range of fabrics and colours.


Photo is taken from their website, which does not show the fringe too closely.
(Sorry was chicken again to take photos whilst in a shop!)

"The cushion's fringes are made our of scrap material from the garment industry in Delhi, India. The producers of these cushions employ over 50 people to make them, and the workers enjoy fair trade conditions, and a share of the producer's profits. This product is part of Help the Aged's brand new ethical and environmentally friendly 'well' range".
(Taken from Help the Aged website)

I'll be popping back soon to see if they have a pink one in stock!

A girl can never be too organised!

When I'm at work in my little office/computer room/sewing room/spare room I like to have everything on hand and in its place. It also needs to look nice as well!
So out with the ugly box and in with these ~


3 little pink plant pots at a bargain price!
(You can also spy my slight addiction to Post it notes!)

Cute trend for the Summer

Reading through the newspaper yesterday came across an article on a big trend for the Summer ~ Lace and Ruffles! Thinking this would be a fairly easy way to reinvent some old tops or charity shop finds. Here are a couple of my favourites available in the shops now:

Love this cute top from Warehouse ~


(image from Warehouse.co.uk)

Pretty little top from Top Shop ~


(image from TopShop.co.uk)

Take care for now and thanks for the lovely emails about my screen printing experience!

x Pink Stitches x

Marvellous Monday!

My week got off to a great start when I received an email this morning from Ayumills at Pink Penguin saying I had won her giveaway!!
If you have not discovered her blog you must pop on over - her work is fabulous. She has great ideas, tutorials and uses the most wonderful fabrics and I am going to own my own little piece!!
If you have discovered me via her blog - Hello!

Update on my Textiles Printing class:
Sadly my class has finished :o( but it was so much fun and I've already signed up for next term!
The nervous bit now is putting together some of my work for an exhibition. It's a great idea - all the evening class courses put together an exhibition of their work for the public. I have so many samples and so many ideas I just need to get going as it is in two weeks time!
I have also taken loads of photos and will now get round to sharing them with you all.
This was my first attempt at screen printing on a large scale but using a small screen (I have now learnt my lesson - see last photo!)

Getting organised - a key lesson I have learned!


My lovely printing ink ~


Laying out my stencils onto a crisp white piece of cotton ~


Getting ready to go mad with the squeegee!


Moving along the fabric ~


The end result! I love the colour and the design but because I used a small screen I got lines in between print! My recent attempts have been much better.



Hope you've all had a lovely sunny filled day - thanks for stopping by!
If you like what you see come and be a follower now I've added that button thingy down on the right hand side. I'll be having my own giveaway soon as well!

Paper + Stitch = luvly goodies!

A couple of posts ago I mentioned a little new project - well here it is!
A part of my May "A little fabric, a little chocolate swap" over on Flickr I wanted to include a little handmade item that was not fabric based. So 15 minutes and voila!
Quick and easy project:
1. Cut out a nice shiny piece of card for the cover.
2. Cut out a range of fab colours in paper slightly smaller in size than the cover.
3. Stitch down the spine (I used the sewing machine for this)
4. Fold nice and flat.
5. Stamp a cute little cupcake design on the front!

In addition to the note books I also made some blank note cards to send away as well.
I definitely think there will be more of these!

Addiction!

I have a slight problem!
Yep just down there on the bottom right hand side (keep going it's quite near the bottom!).

My blog addiction!

I just can't help myself looking through all the loveliness!
So prising myself away for a few minutes I have finally got round to updating my lovely links list!
So if you're on there - keep up the fab work and if you're not, say hello as I've probably just not stumbled across you yet!

x Pink Stitches x

Sunshine memories

It's a lovely long weekend and it's also been a beautiful sunny day.
This evening I decided to sort through all my photos stored on my computer that I forget about, when I came across these little handmade lovelies taken in the sunshine a couple of years ago! I must start making a few more of these.

New project!

I had so much fun making these... but I can not tell you what they are yet as they are part of my "A little fabric, a little chocolate" swap parcel and until my swap partner receives them they are a secret! But I'll definitely be making more.

A sneak peek!


Swap parcel all packed up and ready to go!

Yummy!

Need I say more!?


Sadly this is not home made - a little stop at M&S on the way home.

Secret snapping!

I managed to get some quick photos of these in Selfridges. Why do I always feel so guilty when taking photos in shops?
Aren't they lovely!

So much fun!

Yep - that's what I've been having Thursday nights since the start of the year. I signed up for a Textiles evening class at my local University and it's fab!

I'm trained partly in Textiles and even teach Textiles but it is so much fun learning new techniques and having a bit of me time to play around and get creative!

So over the next few weeks I'll show you what I've been up to. To start here was my first attempt at screen printing with hand made paper stencils. Not too bad and I've got better, more ideas and not afraid to get messy!

My mess!


Hand drawn design paper stencil - this was tricky cutting out!


Screen printing in progress!


The end sample result!