Little steps ...

I've been trying to learn a embroidery digitising programme so that I could do applique patterns ..... finally! Ok so it's a simple shape but now I know the principles I want to have some fun designing others. I had also been meaning to use my ruffler foot on the sewing machine for ages too, I tried my new one but somehow it refused to behave and so I went back to my little Featherweight which had an original ruffler with it.

Well I struggled to get the thing on the machine, and after checking out some more detailed pics online I discovered why. Over the years it had been bent, so after a bit of tugging with the pliers on it went and of course, managed to make fabulous ruffles first time without any issues ..... Horray!

This is the result of my efforts combining both new skills!

Been busy

Yes I have been creating and making things, mainly whilst getting to know my new embroidery machine. It's a lot of fun and I have lots to learn but hopefully now that Xmas is over I can get on with my creative for profit endeavors - anyway here are some of the things I've been working on.

I ache!

Well I haven't made anything today but I did a lot of raking of leaves. I've manged to fill about 12 or 13, 55 gallon bags which is a lot, believe me! My poor elbow and wrist joints are so sore that I feel another warm shower coming on.

However as a bonus, one thing our garden does not lack is pine cones, although they are vicious ones with spiky bits but I picked up quite a few and they are destined for some holiday project or other. At the moment I'm thinking a front door wreath - burlap and perhaps painted and/or glittered pine cones.

Before that though I have a Pecan and Pumpkin cheesecake to make for Thanksgiving (can't believe it's next week!) plus some kitty kat tree ornaments for The Cat Corner's Tree of Hope which is in our local Petco store. Guess I'd better fire up the ole Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot then!

Mannequin pincushion

Well I saw these on DIY Dish and just had to have a go. Just a fat quarter of fabric, a candlestick and a mini Xmas ornament. I think I see more of these looming in my future. They'd be great to drape some necklaces on but I think they'll make pretty ornaments as well as pincushions in my craft/sewing space - when I get it ;oS

Also had a go at recycling some garden/yard flags that Debbie bought at a yard sale. I had no idea what to do with them when she brought them to me but they ended up as reusable shopper/tote bags. Recycling or upcycling, whatever, they make pretty nifty bags I think!

sharing some wise words.

I know a lot of what he had to say has been quoted recently but this particular "conversation" just really hits home for me!

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

- Steve Jobs

Little pouches

Well I've been busy with the sewing machine and must really get my tired butt to bed, but before I do, I thought I'd just make a quick post.

These are a few little pouches I made for The Cat Corner to sell at a street fair this weekend. We have three little kittens, Fang Fang, Felicity and Felicia who need eye surgery. Their eyelids didn't develop fully in the womb and so if they are to avoid serious eye issues they have to have them fixed. It's going to cost around $1500 so we're trying all we can to raise some funds for them. Let's hope that they get is quickly and that the surgery and recovery is speedy and successful. I hope they still look as cute as they do now!!

Still here!

Well as much to reassure myself as to actually inform anyone who happens across this blog ;o) I haven't stopped creating and have been trying to find little pockets of time to do so. I'm still looking forward to having some dedicated space and keep telling myself that it won't be long now. Of course other areas of the home have taken priority but hopefully the day of declaring war on the spare bedroom is not too far off.

So first up I decorate some more candles. This is definitely fun and this little batch actually went towards raffle prizes for The Cat Corner. I made more than I will share here - just don't want to bore the masses (joking of course) silly!

Then it was back to stitching. Since moving across the pond and having fabric shops more readily available, I've found my love of stitching re-emerging. I'm so glad that I was opted to take Needlecrafts as an exam subject (for which I got an A by the way!) because I know most of the basic and more advanced techniques and can read a pattern etc., not something most young women know today sadly. Just wondering why with my love of colour and needles I didn't think more seriously about getting in to fabric and design as a career. But then back in the day most of us were encouraged to go in to office work - heck I decided I'd be a Shorthand Typist before I even really understood what that was. Of course I was influenced by my teachers but also by the fact that I was one of the best at both shorthand and typing in my year. Us Leo's just hate to be average at anything we do lol. But I digress, as I often will.

There have been a few little precious lads born around me recently - and so I decided to have some fun with some babygro's or onesies as they're called this side of the pond. I think they turned out pretty cute!

Then I found a source for good natural unbleached linen which seems to have made a resurgence. I love the stuff and when it arrived I opened the box and took a great big addict like sniff. The smell took me right back to my days working at the linen factory in Sandy Row, Belfast, and walking around the factory to sort out issues and time cards for the factory workers. Ahhh the good ole days lol. Anyway, I'd been following Rashida Coleman-Hale's blog and loved the look of the Zakka (Japanese cutesy in everyday objects) style and her tutorial for a little coin purse. Given I had some colourful scraps I decided to make a couple. They are definitely cute, but next time I'll be more clued in to doing some fussy cutting to get the patterns in the right places (hence half of a cat head in the first attempts), and also use softer interfacing. Mine won't hold coins and I'm not sure that changing the interfacing will make much difference - but they will hold credit and store cards or a little needled kit.

So now will I give them away or will they go in to future shop inventory!???? Decisions, decisions. I can't wait to start experimenting more with this fabulous fabric, now wonder if I can find a good source for reasonably priced quality IRISH Linen!