773 - Bridesmaid Gifts

After about a year and a half of planning and talking about pretty much nothing else, our wedding is over! It's quite sad to think that's it all done, but obviously it's amazing to actually be married and not have to worry about anything wedding related anymore! Apart from thank you notes and changing my name. Eek!

Last week I gave my lovely bridesmaids a necklace with their initial on it to wear to the wedding, but as the wedding was woodland themed, I wanted to pop a little something handmade and fitting to the theme in there as well. I had a kit I received from my sister-in-law (check me!) a little while ago for making various little felt owls, so decided to make each bridesmaid an owl keyring.







They all loved them, and were very impressed I had made them myself, which is always nice to hear. Plus I still have enough left in the kit to make another two little owl cuties for another occasion!

772 - Sketch a Day 2014 Update

April 9th. Original image.

April 10th. Original image.

April 11th. Original image.

April 12th. Original image.

April 13th. Original image.

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April 15th. Original image.

771 - Embroidered brooches

It was my friend and bridesmaid Cat's birthday last month, and I decided to make a little something handmade to pop in with her main present. I found a little embroidered button kit I had got free with Mollie Makes quite some time ago, and decided to make her a little set of brooches.

The kit came with red, pink and blue thread, but I decided to use some mini patterns from Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection instead of the ones included in Mollie Makes. I settled on a little ladybird, cupcakes and toad stool.









I've made covered buttons before, but only cross stitched ones, which meant the fabric was quite thick and hard to push into place. These were a lot easier because the linen from the kit was quite thin.

I then attached some safety pins through the small holes in the back so they can be worn like brooches.

I really want to make a whole set of these for myself and replace normal buttons on a jacket or something with them. And another free kit down. Woo!

770 - Breaking Bad Cross Stitch

As this post goes up, I will be more than likely getting ready for and/or freaking out about the fact I'm getting MARRIED TODAY! Holy cow! Post-wedding I'm sure there will be lots of posts on bits and pieces about the big day, but for now, let's look at something I started a shamefully long time ago.

Ages ago on Twitter my friend Lee asked if I could make him a Breaking Bad cross stitch he had seen on the internet. I had a quick look on Etsy, and there were a few different patterns of the same quote. We decided on one from this shop (though the exact patter doesn't seem to be listed anymore. Bummer.) and I got to work.

It took me a shamefully long time to complete this. I bought the pattern in December and only finished it a few weeks ago, but I promised I would have it done for him moving back to Edinburgh, which I did. But still!

Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory. Even though I don't watch Breaking Bad myself, I love how this turned out. It's so pretty to look at.







I'm annoyed it looks a little squint when I framed it, but it appears to be the aida that's wonky and not my framing. I framed it with some lovely floral fabric to give it a granny sampler feel, despite what the quote says!

This pattern was lovely to do, even though it seemed to take forever to get the words done. No back stitch too, which is always a plus! 

769 - Sketch a Day 2014 Update

April 2nd. Original image.

April 3rd. Original image.

April 4th. Original image.

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April 8th. Original image.

768 - Three Steps to Getting Over my Sewing Machine Fear

I have a total fear of my sewing machine. It's far more prominent than my fear of knitting and my fear of cutting into fabric of any kind. But I sit down and watch The Great British Sewing Bee and wish I could knock up a pair of leggings in an hour and a half. Imagine how many leggings I could have?!?

The other day I took a little time to get to know my sewing machine and hopefully help me get over my fear of it a little.

1. Reading the manual.




This may seem super obvious but I didn't realise how helpful my manual actually is! I've read it before when I was learning to use my machine and not really looked at it since. However, I had a look through it and discovered it's full of helpful advice. It tells me things like what needles and thread to use on which fabric (I sort of just...sew), how to sew a buttonhole and the fact that I can sew with two needles and two threads at once! I didn't know this!



It's nice to know all the things my machine is actually capable of, so I shouldn't be scared of attempting it.

2. Labelling my feet!

My sewing machine came with three or four different feet attachments for different sewing tasks. I've also picked up a couple of feet that I've wanted (darning/embroidery foot) or been told I really needed (magnetic seam guide). However, most of the time I see them in my sewing machine bag and have no idea which is which. I decided to look up which was was and label them all, so it doesn't feel as stressy when I think about popping another foot on.



I used little plastic bags that spare buttons come in and labelled them with my trusty label maker.

3. Needles needles needles!

Much like buying a couple of extra feet and having the fear of using them, I bought some different needles for different needs for my sewing machine. I read in one of my sewing books that it was a good idea to have a selection of needles, so I went to Hobbycraft and just picked out a few I thought I would need. However, looking at them now, I wasn't sure exactly how to use them.

However, I looked up the brand's website (Klasse needles) and they, luckily, tell you exactly what each needle type does. So I wrote them out on little note cards, and popped them in beside my needles.



I think it's definitely a case of knowledge is power when it comes to my sewing machine. I think it knows more than I do about the whole affair and it scares me. But I totally feel like I have a better understanding of it now, so I will challenge myself to use my sewing machine more! I even have a cute pattern picked out from DIY Couture. Wish me luck!

767 - Mollie Makes DIY Fashion

I spent more time than I would like to say hunting down this Mollie Makes special DIY Fashion issue. I went to like 10 different shops before I found it, which I think is a bit ridiculous. Anyway, I finally found it in Asda.

I've never bought any of the Mollie Makes specials before, but I really liked the look of this one, because making fashion related things sounds lush, and it's always nice to do little projects to spice up your wardrobe.



It's a lovely mix of fashion inspiration, interviews with people like the lovely Twinkie Chan (who apparently is turning 38 this year?!?! What! She looks about 21!) and some crafty projects. I picked three of my favourite which I definitely want to make. I'll just add them to the ever growing list eh?




First up is this lovely double sided collar. I've wanted to make myself a collar for ages, and I keep seeing lovely patterns, but I've never gotten around to it (because of my fear of the sewing machine!). This one is basically two in one though, so I feel I should really get a move on.



Look at this back patch. I mean just look at it. I have a little cropped denim jacket I've been wanting to add a back patch to for a while, but I've never seen one I liked/could ship to the UK without spending loads of money. This one is created using one of those freehand embroidery feet for your sewing machine, which I luckily own after seeing it featured on one of Kirstie's many crafty shows. It does look quite complicated and like it would take quite a lot of my concentration, but it's so lovely.



Finally, clip on shoe bows. I really want to make some awesome things to clip on to the front of my shoes, like pom poms and bows. This makes it look super easy, I just need to get my hands on some shoe clips.

Overall, I really liked this Mollie Makes special, and it has given me my much need magazine fix after I stopped my Mollie Makes subscription last month.