Finally Finished!

Well I have finally finished my Don't Look Now - Love Birds Quilt.  This was the first time I had a go at some Raw edge Applique and while certainly time consuming I am happy with the end result.  I especially think that once quilted it will even look better. 

The border is different from the original pattern as I wanted to create more of a framed picture look to the quilt design. I decided to treat myself to having it quilted by a professional.  Now to decide where to hang it!

In my last post I showed you some Rowan cotton and Liberty fabric for a new scarf - well here it is all finished. 

And with the help of the lovely Susan I decided that I should have a go at a Granny Square Blanket - I have used Debbie Bliss Eco Baby Cotton and have enjoyed working this lovely pattern. 

Granny Square Blankets are very close to my heart - I was taught when I was a kid by my Nanna how to make these as she was a mad crocheter as well.  After she died I found it very hard to continue to make these at it had really been something we shared together.  Many, many, many years on I am loving how with each round I make I am so fondly thinking of her and all the times we would spend crocheting.

Also a special thank you to Mhairi who suggested the Crafty minx Blog - this has been so helpful especially with some good tips and demos on blocking.  Thank you for sharing.

Liberty Bliss Love

At night time I have been watching lots of trashy television series and working on my crochet.  I am getting very good at this Liberty Bliss scarf.  So far this is about as good as my crochet gets.  I am looking forward to some lessons coming up on how to make Hexagons.

This scarf was finished for my dear friend's birthday.  I love picking a Liberty Tana Lawn print first that I think suits the person I am making it for.  Then I choose the four colours to go with it. 

For this scarf I used Rowan Handknit cotton from Calico and Ivy.  One of my favourite shop here in Perth.  The cotton was delightful to work with and I am using it again in another scarf.

This scarf is for another close friend whose birthday is coming up.  This is Biggan Yarn - it is a Merino wool and much fluffier than the cotton. I bought this wool  from Tangled Yarns.  If you have not checked out this shop - you should - Kelly and her team are so inspirational and are always so helpful with my many, many crochet questions.

This wool - also the Rowan handknit cotton is currently being crocheted as we speak - will show you when it is finished.

Holiday Sewing

With some time off over Christmas and as it is school holidays I seem to have a little extra time for some sewing.  I have been taking the time to catch up on some of my own projects that have made their way to the bottom of the pile throughout the year and now I am working my way through some unfinished projects.

This is the current state of my Love Birds Quilt.  I have done all the flowers and now just the ladybirds and birds to go. 

I recently got my hands on the A+ Skirt Pattern from Make it Perfect.  I even loved the fabric so much that Toni used, I tracked down some of the same Echino and made my own.

For my special friend Claire for Christmas I made these sweet Apple Felt coasters using the Tutorial that I found here at Purl Soho. 

I have been meaning to make for ages now some new Table runners to give my kitchen a fresh look.  I changed the black and white Table runners to this Green and linen look and love how it has brightened up the bench.

And just to leave on a tease!  I have been working with these bright orange Kaffe prints on a secret project!



Kids Holiday Classes

During January, Claire and I will be running some classes to get the kids stitching, sewing and creating. If you are in Perth you can email me at tiedwitharibbon@gmail.com to book places for your children.

Monday 9th January - 10am - 11.30am

HAND SEWN FELT BIRD MOBILE

Age 7-10

$35 includes kit

Monday 9th January 12.30pm - 2.30pm

CUTE OWL SOFTIE

Age 10+

$60 includes kit

This class is not suitable for an "absolute beginner"

Monday 16th January - 10am - 11.30am

FELT HAIR CLIPS & HEADBANDS

Age 7-10

$35 includes kit

Monday 16th January 12.30pm - 2.30pm

FUNKY NOTEPAD OR DRAWING PAD COVER

Age 10+

$55 includes kit

Age 7 - 10. These classes will focus mainly on basic hand sewing skills & will give kids the

chance to play with fabric, felt, buttons & embellishments.

Ages 10+. Introducing basic machine sewing skills as well as hand sewing skills.

CLASSES ARE HELD AT THE MOUNT LAWLEY TENNIS CLUB

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED

Christmas Gift Tags - Tutorial

Appearing in the Habitat Section of today's The West Australian are my Christmas Gift Tags.  Now into December, the trees are starting to go up and with that means that presents will be wrapped and placed under the tree awaiting Christmas day.  Here are some gift tags you can quickly make using small fabric scraps, ribbons and some buttons.

Here are the templates for the cards - you will need to click on and print out the template sheet below

Plum Pudding Gift Tags

You will need:

White card
20cm red ribbon
Brown fabric
White fabric
Green fabric
Red button
Pudding template

1.       Cut out the card to make a 10.5cm x 7.5cm rectangle.  Punch a hole in the top and cut of the top corners 2cm down from the top.

2.       Trace the Pudding onto brown fabric, the sauce onto white fabric and the holly leaf onto green fabric and cut out.  Place the pudding in the centre of the tag and using a small stitch on your sewing machine (1.5), sew around the outside of the Pudding. Place the sauce on the top and sew around the outside of it.  Place the holly leaf into position and sew around the outside.

3.       Place your red button into position and sew into place.

4.       Tie your red ribbon through the hole in the top.

Christmas Tree Gift Tag

You will need:

White card
20cm red ribbon
Green fabric
Star button
Christmas tree template                                                           

1.       Cut out the card to make a 10.5cm x 7.5cm rectangle.  Punch a hole in the top and cut of the top corners 2cm down from the top.

2.       Trace the Christmas tree onto green fabric and cut out.  Place the Christmas tree in the centre of the tag and using a small stitch on your sewing machine (1.5), sew around the outside of the Christmas Tree.

3.       Place your star button into position and sew into place.    

4.    Tie your ribbon through the hole in the top.

Present Gift Tags

You will need:

White card

20cm red ribbon

Red fabric

30cm patterned ribbon for bow

Craft glue

Present template

1.       Cut out the card to make a 10.5cm x 7.5cm rectangle.  Punch a hole in the top and cut of the top corners 2cm down from the top.

2.       Trace the present onto red fabric and cut out.  Place a piece of the patterned ribbon down the centre of the present and sew into place. 

3.       Place the present in the centre of the tag and using a small stitch on your sewing machine (1.5), sew around the outside of the present.

4.       Make a bow with the patterned ribbon and glue into position on top of your present.

5.       Tie your red ribbon through the hole in the top.

Some secret projects - shhh!

There is lots going on behind closed doors here at the moment.  Just some teasing sneak peaks for you for some things that I can't reveal just yet!

But here is a pic I can show you - these cuties - all ready for Perth Upmarket - Sunday November 27th at UWA.

And of course if you can't make it I have some all ready here in my Etsy Shop.

Snowman Tutorial

If you are a reader of my Facebook Page then you will know that this week has been a BIG week for me - lots of exciting things have happened with the highlight definately being my felt Snowmen on the cover of Tickle the Imagination.  They are also included as a tutorial inside the e-magazine.  On a personal level - my eldest daughter won the Junior Girl Champion at the Inter School Athletics Carnival so there has been alot of celebrating going on in this household.

I wanted to share with you on my Blog the tutorial for my Snowmen so here it is - would love for you to share your photos on my Facebook page if you make any.

What you will need 

white felt

red felt

orange felt

red ribbon

white, red and orange cotton thread

black embroidery thread

button

2 black brads

2 pink brads

toy filling

Step 1 - Print and cut out paper pattern and pin onto felt.  Cut 2 Faces from the white felt.  Cut 2 Hats from the red felt and cut 1 Nose from the orange felt.

Step 2 - Using a pencil mark the position of the eyes and mouth. Push through black Brads for the eyes.  Using the black embroidery thread Back stitch the mouth and then push through pink Brads into the corner of his smile.

Step 3 - Using the orange cotton thread sew on the Snowman’s nose using a Running stitch.

Step 4 - Using the red cotton thread sew the Snowman’s hat into position along the bottom of the hat only using a Running stitch.

Step 5 - Repeat for the back of the Snowman.

Step 6 - Fold the ribbon in half and sew it into position in the middle of the Snowman back piece.

Step 7 - place your Snowman front and Snowman back together with the right sides facing outwards.  Using red cotton thread sew around the top of your Snowman’s Hat through both layers using a Running stitch.

Step 8 - Using white cotton thread sew around your Snowman’s Face through both layers using a Running stitch.  Stop about 2cm before the Hat and stuff your Snowman with your Toy filling.

Step 9 - Stitch your Snowman closed.

Would love to hear your thoughts on my tutorial and I hope these will keep you busy in the lead up to Christmas.

NOTE : These Snowmen are intended as decorations only.  They are not a toy or suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.

Tutorial not for commercial use!

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