A sewing first!

I got a new sewing machine which arrived Friday so I have been having a little play.  Haven't used a sewing machine in over 20 years so any seasoned sewers look away now!
This is my first effort made of calico -cheap to practise on - I got the tutorial from here mine is a lot plainer as I didn't want to spoil any lovely fabric.

I ironed some wonder web on to the fabric and die cut the flowers using the fun flower die and ironed them on to my bag.  If I make this bag again I will do this before I sew the pocket on then I can edge it with zig zag stitch for a more professional look, although the flowers will stay on without this if you are reluctant to pick up a needle.  There's a lot of room for improvement but not bad for a first atempt and perfecr for Jessica's book bag as her uniform is red.

Scallop envelope die needle case

I've been full of cold for over a week now but managed to do a little bit of crafting today.  I've been having a little play with my dies and felt and came up with this little needle case, not what I set out to make!

 I cut the scallope envelope out of purple felt and made 2 little pages from pink felt, very similar to melon mambo. I sewed the melon mambo ribbon around the middle of theoutside of the envelope, it was easy to sew as the ribbon has little holes all away along. I sewed the little pages inside, one went right across the middle, sewed into the side flaps and one was sewn just into one side so it will lift up to get to the page underneath.

I sewed some velcro in for the closure.  To decorate the front flap I die cut a pink felt flower using the funflower die and sewed it on with some more ribbon to hang at the back of it and a  button on the front.  There are a lot of improvements I can make but I'm pleased with my first attempt and it does the job of keeping my deedles safe.

Stampin' Up do Fabric!

One of the new products we have in our catalogue this year is fabric, it is beautiful and co-ordinates beautifully with our stamps and papers. I did not buy any but it is now on my, (rather large) wish list because I got some in my training on saturday, (yes we had to take a needle and thread!) and saw some fantastic ideas from other demonstrators, thanks Sally-Jo, Gemma and Jane.
We made two broaches using the flirtatious fabric and some scallop dot ribbon, these are dead easy and I can see me making lots of them!

When I got home I just had to have a play, after watching strictly come dancing of course. I had some pink felt in my stash that matched beautifully so I unpicked one of the broaches, I had sewn the fastener on backwards anyway and this is what I came up with.

I used my big shot and the fun flowers die and swapped the button for an antique brad, (they are gorgeous) and changed it into a key ring/bag charm.

Here they are together.

Top Note box

I had a lovely day yesterday, I drove all the way to Nottinghamshire to join Victoria and her team for a training day on workshops.  I learned a lot, so watch this space. I met some lovely ladies, thank you all for the swaps and thank you Nicola for the lovely chocolate cake, it was huge and delicous, lactose and soya free and I'm sure she said calorie free, but maybe that was wishful thinking. 
One of the things we learned, demonstrated by the lovely Tracy,  was this great little box made using the top note die.

This is easy to make and makes a lovely little gift box, we used the Fun flower die on the top and embossed one of the layers to add some texture. I love this die, my wish list just gets longer!  We used the springtime vintage designer papers which I love and it co-ordinates perfectly with the rose red and crumb cake card. If you would like to learn how to make this box why not book a workshop and I will demonstrate it for you.