Recently, I moved into a new flat. It has meant that I’ve got a pile of picture frames waiting to be put somewhere on the wall. This weekend, I started resolving this. Here’s a few points I have learned from this experience.
Meet my most recent random purchase! To be honest, I’ve been keeping a lookout for a spinning wheel for well over a year, but as I’ve never used one, didn’t want to cough up too much money on a brand new one. (more…)
Many people find it hard to listen to themselves on a recording and I definitely fit into that category! Unfortunately, I was never any good at acting at school, and even when I worked in a call centre, my supervisor used to mark my calls down for being flat! It used to be awful listening back to calls with customers, but at least there were no graphics to accompany the awkward voice.
Youtube is a different matter! While I’m intrigued by the background elements – setting up the microphone, lighting, focusing the camera… I try to avoid talking or appearing on it. However, I’ve reached a point where a few busy projects have come to an end and my partner is nudging me in the direction of video. (more…)
Sometimes, I get home and sewing is the last thing on my mind. I'm still struggling to unwind from the day's activities, I know I have day-to-day tasks in the periphery of my mind, calling for my attention, and my energy levels are usually right down. My initial thoughts are to resist the chores, eventually do them and then go to bed zombified! However, I know that my hobbies are important to me. in the past, I've come straight home from work wolfed down dinner and then sat obediently with my knitting project for a good few hours before opting…
For the last few weeks, I have been going to some dressmaking classes nearby. I thought it might be useful for learning how to adjust and adapt patterns, as this is something I don’t do very much of. (more…)
Recently I attended a day workshop on how to build your own frames. It’s not something that is necessarily feasible for me at the moment, but it’s definitely something I would like to try in the future. (more…)
Here is my first make as part of project #sewmystyle The first pattern was toaster sweater 2 by Sew House Seven. This is not a pattern I would automatically choose myself. However, the whole point of completing this challenge is to move out of my comfort zone! I chose a red jersey fabric from a local haberdashery. This fabric was sturdy, which works well to maintain the neck collar. The instructions are detailed well. I used the pdf version to save money and found that using a guillotine sped along the cut and stick stage! Another new product I tested…
For the last two years, I have been going to evening classes to learn more about the challenging skill of ceramics. Ceramics does not come easily to me, but perhaps this is why I'm drawn to it. I struggle to roll out coils for hand building with any consistency, my slabs seem to come out lopsided even when I use guides, I glaze unevenly which causes crazing, and I grapple with the wheel on most occasions. But there is something so absorbing in the processes involved in ceramics, and when one item comes out better than expected among the multitude…
I mentioned in my post on the stitching, sewing and hobbycrafts show about my purchases for block printing and I thought I'd review the tools purchased. I bought two blocks from The arty crafty place stall at the show. Also, I picked up some leaf shapes from another stall which I felt could be used for block printing. I didn't buy the tempting starter kit, as I felt i had enough tools at home. I have fabric paints which I was inspired to buy from taking a textiles class last spring, and I have tray from a lino printing kit.…
