Midsummer Stitches

LOVING THE JOB.........

2010-04-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Spring time and the busy journey to work........hmmm......loving my job as I make my way to work. This is a glorious time of year, with everything fresh, bluebells and blossom.....
Magnolia in full blooms...
feathery twisted willow...

The workroom in sight....

View from the workroom door... It really is lovely to have the door open, music playing as I sew...Yes I really do love my job!
I have had some lovely jobs in the last few weeks, with the spring feeling...Cath Kidston..always sooo pretty...

Contrast frill at the top...

This window was so sunny it was difficult to get a photo, but you get the general idea? Pretty?

Cath kidston with pretty pompom edging...
Another of my favourite fabric companies Deckchair stripes see their range here.
' Pretty in Pink' another lovely fabric from Deckchair stripes

Cool denim and linen stripes...
How great is this multi-coloured trim? Find the whole range here.
Decorative cushion...

For more information on prices or making up fabrics for curtains, cushions, and blinds please contact me, I would love to here from you, I send out all soft furnishings carefully packaged and ready to hang.
thanks for looking
x

Sweet Sixteen......

2010-04-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

I cant believe it.... Alice my little baby girl was sixteen on Thursday!!
We had a lovely sunny weekend in London together, just thought I would post some of her pictures.....

sitting in the sun

Lovely blue skies... walking through Notting Hill..
We couldnt resist? This antique shop Alice's on Portobello Road was just slightly older than Alice??
we did have lovely fresh strawberry crepes here too but unfortunately there werent around long enough to photo!!

Sunday morning in Kensington Gardens for coffee and pastry picnic, does life get any better?? Obviously everyones favourite... Peter Pan...

And his friends...
An old tin collage I made for Alice for her birthday, the picture is Alice at two years old... looks different but always such a treasure.

Anyway that was our weekend, so back to stitching now, hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Happy Easter All...

2010-04-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say to all you fellow bloggers and readers...
HAPPY EASTER !

Just had to add a photo of my Easter twigs and chick!
Have a great weekend all!
x

CORSAGE ADDICT.....

2010-03-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

My name is Julia..... and I am a corsage addict.............

Ok so it started eighteen months ago with one turquise corsage to go onto an evening dress........

now I have supplied shops, sold online and at local gift fairs. I have made them for weddings and by special request and I still havent tired of making them (which is very unlike me).

So I have a suitcase full.... a picnic basket full...

Bowls full...

They are on cushions and blinds...

And I now have a dress form with spaces left on it?.........

so.... I must make more....yay!
xx

Those Chickens!!

2010-03-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Cant believe we are in mid March already! We are getting a few sunny mornings now which is lovely..... soon be summer...... anyway before all that we have Easter!

So here is my offering...chickens made from my treasured vintage stash!

Some fabrics that I fancied a mix of wool tweed and vintage floral.

Attempt one....hmm to get the legs and beak in the right place....

Ok sorted...off we go.......

TWO!!

FOUR!!!!

SIX!!!!!! I have to say they are the best behaved chickens i have ever seen! If you fancy one for easter they are over in my Folksy shop.
Thanks for stopping by.

Birthday celebrations....

2010-03-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

Hello there, its been two weeks since my last post and thats because ive been having a wonderful birthday fortnight!!:-)
Yes my birthday has been and gone with much fun and merriment! Just thought I would post a couple of pictures for you to see......

Dinner in China town, couldnt resist a picture of those lanterns!
Ermmm..... the rest of the photos all seem a little blurred...hmm thankyou everyone that bought me a drink, I did have a lovely time in Strattford, London, Leicester and at home.

Just my colours

Beautiful felt cushion from my lovely and very clever Mum

Pretty as a Picture.....
Print from Sascalia on Folksy on my wish list from my sister! Thankyou
I love it ... and have just the spot for it!

Anyway back to reality I have also been busy making...

<
Vintage fabric brooches..

Vintage fabric corsages. These are available to buy in my Folksy shop.
Anyway thats all for now the sewing machine is calling.... See you soon..

Surrounded by suffolk puffs........

2010-02-20T07:04:00.000-08:00

It seems everywhere I turn just lately there are suffolk puffs, has anyone thought the same? Ive always loved using them either with a heavy fabric to give a hard structured texture or with pretty soft sheer or silk for a delicate effect.

Anyway I decided it was time to make a few........on a bag.....

I had some gorgeous french fabric in a soft green and lilac to use as the background,

some pretty silks in greens, pinks and soft purple,

and of course lots of treasured beads, buttons and ribbon...

and the finished bag....

what an enjoyable project, hmm off to do more....... watch this space.....
Enjoy the weekend
x

Absolutely 100% Calorie Free Cup Cakes.........

2010-02-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

Well if your anything like me and your healthy eating 2010 is slightly less than planned you might like to feast your eyes on these beauties!

Some scummy ingredients.

Out of the oven and ready to be iced when cool.........

Hey Presto!! Iced and ready to go......

Couldnt resist a few more pictures.....

Hmm its going to be difficult to let them out of my sight....

But this sweet dozen are on a mission.... they are off to the annual pink wine and cup cake Valentine evening at "Frock Dress Agency" 44 High Street Enderby Leicester.
Close your eyes now if you dont want to be tempted!!!

OOO cant guarantee these are no calories but they do look too good to eat? Cakes supplied by Cakeydaze of Hinckley Leicestershire, this lady does the most amazing cakes to order!

More pretty stuff?

As I have mentioned before the Frock Dress Agency is a great place to visit with the stock changing all the time.The evening was a fun event with lots of laughter and chatting!
There are cupcakes (vintage fabric) available for sale in my Folksy shop too.

Pole Dancing with thw W.I. !!

2010-01-27T00:32:00.000-08:00

I can explain all....................
When I was told that a new Womens Institute club was forming in Leicester and asked if I would like to come along, lets just say I had my doubts.
The meetings are held on the last Monday of the month at the Long Bar in Leicester.
On the way there with a couple of friends we had no idea what to expect.
The bar is a great venue, with an intimate relaxing atmosphere.
Week one:

Belly Dancing,
here is the group, with the Proffesional belly dancer in the middle.She was amazing and very patient as we all had a go, a great workout and so much fun!
Week two:
Just before christmas, so we had a fun quiz, nibbles, pass the parcel and a bauble swap again really good fun. The girls organising this group are friendly, fun and energetic!

Week three:

Hula hoops:

This was so much fun something I havent done for sooooo many years. The girl demonstating was amazing and made it look so easy.The hoop was going in all different directions and she was dancing at the same time, very clever! I could just about keep it going around my waist for a couple of minutes!

Pole dancing

Again, the demonstator had so much grace and made it look easy, she patiently broke a routine down for everyone to have a go. Nobody could believe how hard it was....

But did we have some fun having a go!!!
For more information on this W.I. group there is a facebook group called leicester Ladies W.I. with more details of meetings and events.
February is jewllery making and March henna tattoos, so yes its a official I (along with a few friends)am now a member of the Womens Institute...... Rock On!!
xx

When I grow up I want to be a woodland fairy........

2010-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well I couldnt resist a few pictures of my daughter Jessica, she had her body and face painted today by her friend sharne,who is studying special effects and theatre makeup at Leicester College. What a talented girl...
The theme was "A woodland Fairy"

What do you think? I suppose it would take too long to get ready like this everyday!......maybe have to be just special occasions then?
Speaking of which.... I have been meaning to show a photo of these jungle shoes from the Sue Ryder upcycle competition that I managed to grab for my other daughter Alice

Gorgeous or what? This were made by PHAT GRRL have a look in her Folksy shop she has amazing things! http://www.folksy.com/shops/PhatGrrl

One more thing .... because I couldnt resist:

My jungle teapot!! again from PhatGrrl this really is great!

Who needs reality hey????

Thanks for reading my slightly looney blog today....

STITCH... STITCH... STITCH....

2010-01-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

Hi all.... well the snow is still around and the diet is still going...... ahh what can we do on these cold winter evenings whilst trying to keep away from the biscuit barrel??
STITCH... STITCH... STITCH...
I decided to bring my trusty domestic machine into the house and set up at the table,after carrying various supplies from the workshop (right at the top of the garden)I set up a new cosy corner!
Look what I did ...and not a biscuit in sight!!

Laura Ashley cushions

Anoko from Romo fabrics cushions

Patchwork cushion with vintage and Cath Kidston fabrics

Warm shades patchwork cushions

Scarlet red silk cushions with cord trim

Spring tote with Sanderson fabric

Valentine Badge

Some of these items are for sale over on FOLKSY
As you can see there is a red theme going on here..... hmm...... off to find some tuquoise next I think? Thanks for your visit
x

Im Back!!

2010-01-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
well Im back now from a lovely week in the sunshine in the Canaries :-)
We had great weather and a lovely relaxing time, but what a shock to come back to this weather brrrrrr....freeeeezing, (quite nice to crunch around the garden in the untouched snow though)
anyway I thought I would just post a few photos of the blue skies:

I love to paddle along the sea edge
A lovely quiet moment....

Our friendly dove that visited every morning for any left over crumbs
Lovely sunny colours...

some pictures for future inspiration......

And finally my last indulgences before my new years diet.........

I know... I know... but its a must before the diet? Im going to be soooo good!! :-)
Anyway im looking forward to starting work on Monday I have a lovely curtain job to start the year and cant wait to get stitching!
All the best and Keep warm!

2009-12-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

Well........ erm....Ive had lots of lovely time off over Christmas, its been great ive:
Eaten way tooooo much
Drank way tooooo much
Caught upwith lots of lovely friends and family and had a really great time!
Now then its time to bring in the new year YAY!! I love it all those positive wishes and resolutions.
As I was marking dates on the new callender from the old one it struck me what a great year this was, I had loads of fun trips and days out along with some great jobs with lovely customers!
This was my first year as a sole trader and its been amazing (thankyou again to my friends and family for your support)
Anyway HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone be HAPPY!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hooray I made it!!

2009-12-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

Well....hi all ...here I am its the 19th December and I have had my first day off!! Yippee I have finished handsewing everybodies curtains, blinds and other soft furnishings, finished a run of very enjoyable craft fairs and am here to tell the tale!

Now its time for merryment last minute enbroidered napkins and cranberry wreaths!

For all my lovely friends and family that are a constant support especially at this busy time of year thank you sooo much!

Craft Fair....

2009-11-23T03:29:00.000-08:00

Is it Monday already? The weekends just fly by at this time of year dont they? Saturday was busy boxing things up ready for the early start on Sunday ....AHHHH I know, but I was told it is possibly to get out of bed early on a Sunday too, if you really want to....and we did so Alice and I were on our way to the craft fair at what seemed very early in the morning.

We set our stall out in plenty of time and here are some photos...

Alice behind our stall.

Peg ladies sitting at the front, birds and chickens brooding along the back and everything else inbetween.

It was great to meet some other Folksy sellers....

Andrea Berry (Polka) www.folksy.com/shops/polka

Susan (Talulahblue) www.folksy.com/shops/talulahblue

Neil slightly camera shy? (Woody) www.folksy.com/shops/woodjewellery

It was an enjoyable day, and we will look forward to the next one.

Count down to Leicester Craft Fair!

2009-11-18T14:55:00.001-08:00

The Parklands craft fair is at Oadby Leicester on Sunday 22nd November 10.30-3.30
Im really looking forward to it and to meeting fellow online sellers from Folksy! I have my youngest daughter coming to help me so we can take it in turns to have a look around too! There are to be fifty stalls so it should be a great event! Please pop along and see us if you are in the area?
Ive set up my trusty old paste table in the workroom just to see how much stock I can fit onto it and thought I would post my show of organisation?

Some other pieces I have just finished for the fair....

Hopefully I will get chance to take some more picture at the fair on Sunday and will keep you posted :-)

Treasures from the Cotswolds

2009-11-17T01:40:00.000-08:00

We had a gorgeous day wandering around Broadway last weekend, the sun was shining and it was a lovely crisp day.....

Obviously we had to have a poke around the antiques shops before we could go home.....

Pretty cups and saucers ready to be made into candles, a few tins....irresistable?

The real treasure...... I know....I know... did I need any more old buttons and brooches?

YES!! I have a large collection now, aswell as bottle tops and other shiny objects just waiting to be recycled into something else.... happy days....

Must get back to work now and come back to the buttons soon

Welcome to my Workroom!

2009-11-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Ok so I had a mad tidy up this weekend in the workroom, you know the kind I mean, you carefully fold all the treasured pieces of fabric, making a mental note of what you will use them for in future projects? Sort out buttons,beads ribbons etc all though I have to say I tend to give up with the ribbon before reaching the end of the unraveling pile!(thats another set of photos)!!
So before starting work on Monday I thought id take a few photos of my tidy...ish workroom.....

the entrance and the sun is shining! this decking is a lovely sun trap in the summer...

The cutting tables and eight Roman blinds hanging ready to be put onto tracks.

View from my workroom window,

More piles of fabric stashed, this is my cosy corner for handsewing.....my favourite!

More silks folded and placed into apple crates ready for future projects.

so what do you think? Tidy...ish?? Thanks for looking.

Singing ByeBye Blackbird.....

2009-10-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

Ok im being silly I know but, I have just parceled up four of my birds, Romeo being one of my all time favourites was amongst them. So I thought Id take a few last pictures before they all fly the nest! They are all going to the same destination with mother Henny Penny firmly in charge! You would think it would get easier to let them go after so many wouldnt you? Safe trip birdies.......

On a brighter note I have some more shelf space for new birdie creations im thinking owls aswell perhaps?

Romeo...
> Henny penny...
Winter Tweed Duck
Vintage Birdie
The Crew... have fun

Pom Pom.

2009-10-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the chaise is finished, so whats next? well as I was putting the left over trim away I came across these lovely ones....

Im a sucker for a bit of pom pom trim...

So I decided to use the lovely turquoise trim on a cushion I had in mind, the trim colour is rainforest, I really enjoyed using some recycled denim shirts and cherished bits of cotton and of course my delightful pom pom!

Hey Presto.!!

Thanks for the shirt donation Mum x

An applause please?

2009-10-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

Well.....the day has come to unveil a piece of furniture that has taken me eight years!!!!!!

yes its a record, I was given this chaise by a lovely friend about eight years ago it was in their garage, so I gave it a new home, in my workshop under the cutting table!!! It was cosy and happy until one day I decided it was time..... out it came and hey presto!!!! Yippee its now living in the house with us!!!

so a round of applause please for the grand entrance of the chaise.....Thanks Fay, my lovely friend xx

A couple of cushions to finish:

Stratford

2009-10-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Stratford is one of my favourite places to wander around, last weekend was a lovely sunny day so off we went .......there was a food festival on (fatal) ...after sampling lots of gorgeous foods we came a cross these interesting characters!!

This one is here evertime? Hes great??

Couldnt resist one of the Christmas shop I know its only OCTOBER! But its lovely?

Discovered a Great New Shop!! FROCK Dress Agency...

2009-09-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Stumbled on a lovely shop, Frock dress agency, for designer and high street ladies wear and accessories.
44 High Street Enderby Leicester, situated at the top of Enderby opposite the New Inn pub.This is a lovely part of the village with lots of pretty old properties,the hill must do you some good if coming on foot too!!??!!
The shop is lovely and spacious and the owner is very friendly and helpful, gorgeous boots, hats, dresses, jewellery its lovely...

Inside its full of exciting finds

I was delighted when the owner asked if I would like to sell some of my craft things there......so out came my Nanas picnic basket...

I selected a some of my little treasures(they are to me)and filled up the basket!

It really is worth a visit the opening hours are Thurs 11am- 7pm Fri 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-3pm
Telephone number 0116 2864501

Gorgeous September weather

2009-09-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds, lovely browsing around shops and Lunch outside! Gorgeous day!

birdies wedding!

2009-09-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hey it seems such a long time since I posted on here! I honestly have been doing lots of lovely things but keep forgetting my camera! (I know I know)..... anyway had some fun today so thought I would tell all....
My lovely friend came to see me wanting some little gifts, one in particular to take on a hen party holiday next week....... we found the hen...ish, but Clare came up with the idea to make her a bride birdie so.... she is now wearing a very fetching veil and is off to sunny Spain next week on a Hen party!!
Wishing the bride all the best.

2009-07-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
have a look at these pictures of jeans upcycled into bags...Had to bribe the kids to model them for me! will be running this as a workshop in September so get saving your old jeans, any will do just denim denim denim!

2009-07-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

found this fab website it supplies fabric and lovely colourful trims,they also do gifts, thought you might be interested? The website is www.deckchairstripes.com
I paid £15.00 and received this pretty sack full of gorgeous fabric samples from the range. the fabrics are either deckchair canvas 45cms wide or furnishing fabric 150cms wide,my client chose bowling a lovely vibrant narrow stripe.
The finished cushion for garden seat,client was thrilled and I was pleased to find such a helpful stockist with lovely quality fabric.

2009-07-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just had a lesson on the computer, and now I can upload pictures of my favourite folksy finds!

From left to right, gummy bears - Nifty Thrifty, canary bird pendant - Glue+Glitter, beatious one off hanging jewelled lantern - TheXShop, vintage stamp ring - Maisie Lou

folksy

2009-07-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

I love Folksy there is always loads of lovely things to choose from. last night i was reading Nifty-thrifty blog and she loved this poster..........I got carried away and got one too!!! thanks for sharing. buy one from aardvarkonsea at Folksy

2009-07-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show my sunny day peg fairies!

2009-06-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

The completed room was lovely and reminded me of a sunny childhood... reading comics and making petal perfume...lovely.

sunshine blind

2009-06-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hi
Yesterday was such a lovely day......I had completed a pretty Cath Kidston patchwork Roman blind.... the sun was shining, after hanging the blind I took some photos, as it was soooo pretty thought you might like a look?

2009-06-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

Another lovely day in the Garden, making corsages, couldnt resist a picture of a corsage plant!!