Reupholstered Bed Headboard

We are doing some DIY, and decided that part of redecorating my son's room meant recovering the headboard of his bed. I've not really done anything like this before, but as I used to be a teaching assistant, have had plenty of experience with a staple gun. We took off the covered buttons which matched the old headboard, but decided to pick a fabric that would contrast. We bought the fabric at Sooz Custon Clothing in Okehampton, which is the best fabric shop I have come across locally. There was an enormous selection of furnishing, dressmaking fabrics, and haberdashery, as well as some great advice about the process of covering the board. I will definitely be calling in there again.

We went for a fabric to match the look of the bedframe, which is a bit industrial looking. I've still got to fasten the frame in place, which will be a little lower and fit under the lower bar, but I think you can see that the end result looks great. To get the buttons in place I used a very long and large needle (which I found in my sewing box), which went through the holes already there in the board.

 

Batik Seaside Banner

Since my printing course finished I have been thinking of trying some batik at home. One of the ladies on the course got her husband to make her, and me!!, a wooden batik frame. Very kind.

It took me a few weeks to get organised - buying two tjantings, and also some fabric inks. I had a little of the wax anyway, which I think was my daughter's from a school project. Not quite ready to invest in a wax melting pot, so improvised with a little metal dish, some tea lights, and the kitchen laser thermometer to check I was up to the right temperature. It worked well, so I am thinking to keep going with this method, unless I can find a secondhand melting pot.

These first attempts were an experiment. The first attempt, the mackerel, I really was not certain I would be able to get the wax to the right temperature. I feel I got better as I worked down the fabric. I think I am getting steadier with the wax, and braver with my colours. I don't want to get too good with the wax, as part of the charm is the odd splash and splatter in the wrong place.

The shape of my banner was determined by the batik frame, but it meant I could work each section on a different day. The part I enjoy most is the painting with the inks. It is lovely letting the colours flow into each other. It also takes very little ink, just a few drops, so I have plenty left for other projects.

So the banner is up in my bathroom. Spent quite a while looking at frames online, but in the end I spent £2 on a ripped block picture in a charity shop. Removed the ripped picture, and fixed my printing to the frame with a staple gun. Job done!

Sewing with Handprint Fabric (and Trouser Update)

I just thought I would show you what I have made with my first piece of block printing. You can read more about the printing process here.

Despite Andy, the teacher's, adversion/phobia to mushrooms, I still am glad with this choice. I used the tutorial on the link below to make a large pencil case. It is for my daughter to store some of her sewing tools, so is on its way to London. You can't see from the photo, but it has a dark denim back, blue cotton lining and red zip. The tutorial was really helpful, showing how to insert a zip neatly in a case with a lining. 

Youtube Sewing A Sewing Life 

Last Friday we went to a local primary school, helped with some blockprinting workshops. The children worked together to make banners, with insects, leaves and flowers, which hopefully I will show you. Fun beng back in a school. Now we have the rest of the course to complete our own banners for the school. Not very happy with mine, but there is still a bit of time left to work on it.

My daughter is now at her second internship in London. With the first company, Nicholas Daley, she went to the British Fashion Awards at the Albert Hall, and wore the denim trousers I made her last summer. We laughed a lot that her "intern trousers" made it to the big time. She did say that apart from her boss Nicholas Daley they were all quite underdressed, but somewhere there is a photo of the group of colleagues on the red carpet. I would so like to see that photo. She had such a good time with Nicholas Daley, learning a lot and being given a lot of responsibility. I think she fell on her feet here, so am hoping the next internship will be just as good.

Batik Printing (A Game of Two Halves)

I'm continuing with my community printing course in Okehampton, and was looking forward to moving on to batik. The above is an exercise we did the first week. The idea was to divide the fabric, and use different techniques in each quarter. Top right - looking at how the ink and water spread, top left - printing with the wax on various objects, bottom left - using brushes, bottom right - trailing the wax with a tjanting. I have to say I didn't really enjoy this week. I'm not very steady-handed, and I didn't see how I could ever do a nice design, controlled design.

So knowing that, I decided that my next piece was not going to be controlled. Haven't made that decision I had a great time. I told my husband it was echinacea flowers in a rain shower, and his reaction was "looks more like a blizzard". Still didn't really enjoy applying the wax, but there was something lovely about painting on the inks and letting the colours merge. A lovely lady on the course has got her husband to make her and me adjustable batik frames, so I think you may be going to see some more batik here.

So having learned all the techniques we are now moving on to the community part of the course. Two of us are going into a local primary school with the teacher, to help with some block printing workshops. We are all also moving on to combine some of the techniques we have learned, and each make a banner for the school based on the local park. So there will be more printing coming ... 

Printing Course

 

Over the last few weeks I have been going to a community printing course run by West Devon Arts. We have been working with stencils, and the above were my first attempts at screenprints onto fabric. We did a bit of practice on paper. I was very happy with these, and am now thinking of a sewing project to use them, so you may well see them again.

Another week was printing from handmade blocks. Because of the snow and a cold I missed this session, but Andy the teacher gave me a link to a video and the materials to have a go at home. In some ways I enjoyed this technique more, as the results look more handmade. Also no tricky cutting with a craft knife, but simply scissors and scoring the patterns into the foam with a pen. The blocks were made from sheets of craft foam, and really the only other thing needed is the printing medium to mix with the paint. So I ordered these and plan to do some more prints on fabric at home.

 

This week we are going to do batik, which is something I have always wanted to have a go at. The community part of the course is that some of us will then go into a primary school, to help Andy do some printing workshops with the children in a few weeks time.

Linoprint Christmas Cards

It has become my habit to linoprint my Christmas cards for my friends and family. This year some of them were of the "Nearly Home Trees" which are a distinctive clump of beech trees, that can be seen on the A30 just before the border with Cornwall. For anyone who lives where I live they really are a sign that you are nearly home, and we still play the game of who can spot them first.

At first I did not like my prints, as it does look like a steady rain is falling behind the trees, but perhaps for Cornwall that is fairly realistic. Below is a photo of the actual trees that I took a few years ago. I need to try and do more linoprinting, as it is really fun, and I will try and work on my accuracy of the cutting, and not snudging the prints, both of which I find difficult.

More Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I promisied a second post with more willow and tissue lanterns. The one above in my son's anomalocaris. It really is a thing of beauty, and so much work. And although the Dickensian Evening Parade in Tavistock was cancelled because of the bad weather, it is now hung from my ceiling as part of our Christmas decorations. The second photo is rather out of focus, but shows its rather interesting mouth.

 

In fact the best place to hang it without blocking our route through the house is right behind my computer chair, which is making me feel a little bit threatened. 

 

And below are some of the other wonderful lanterns which were on display in the Guildhall in Tavistock, and the angel which we came across in the church. As I said there was a right old mixture. It was a shame that the Guildhall display was without the lights switched on, which is how they look best.

 

Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I've been posting with hints of willow and tissue lanterns for quite a while, and last Friday was meant to be the reveal, as part of procession at the Tavistock Dickensian Evening. Mixed feelings when the procession, and in fact most of the outdoor parts of the evening, was cancelled. Very disappointing, as that was what we had been working towards, but it would equally have been very upsetting to have seen the lanterns ruined in the rain, and possibly not to have much of an audience.

So at last I can show you my Barn Owl. Yes, I know, I am quite keen on owls.

The lanterns are going to be on display in Tavistock Guildhall this week, and will no doubt be part of our Christmas decorations at home. And as this is an annual event, perhaps if we look after them, they will be part of next year's parade. 

Planning to take some photos of the other lanterns later in the week. I would say that my barn owl was one of the least ambitious. Can't wait to see them all displayed. I will also post a photo of my son's lantern, which he was up finishing so late into the night, that it was actually the morning.

It was one of the best courses I have done with West Devon Arts. I really did not envisage that making the lanterns would more than fill up the 8 sessions, so much so that I think everyone had to do some at home. I think it was so good because we were all working towards an event, and somehow sitting around one table seemed to lead to more chat.

Mosaic and Willow

I don't seem to have posted very much crafty on here recently. I am at the sewing up stage of my husband's jumper, so there will be something crafty soon. But I have been crafting, and I just thought I would update you on what I (and my son) have been up to.

Since August we have been helping each week with a community project to restore the mosaic that hangs in Tavistock Pannier Market. We go once a week, and there are others on different days, all co-ordinated and organised by Andy Cairns. It has been such a big project, as each piece of the mosaic has been traced, and then every piece has to be removed, cleaned of the old grout/glue/wooden backing, and then glued back in the right place. If anything is broken, than a new piece is made. So as you can see, it is not quite done, but I think next week we will be grouting.

The mosaic was originally erected in 2006 on the outside of the Tavistock Pannier Market after being designed by artist Emma Spring. The mosaic features locations of archaeological and industrial, commercial buildings and schools sites that have existed since the 1830s.

Our other weekly activity has beenworking on our willow and tissue lanterns for the Dickensian evening. The course is over, but we still have access to the studio to finish them. I am keeping mine a secret, but my son's anomalocaris is coming along. We brought him home today, so he can start working on the colour. Got quite a lot of stares as we came out the building. I am still keeping my lantern a secret.

Lantern Teaser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my son and I are going to a willow and tissue lantern making course, and our final pieces will be in a Christmas Lantern Procession in Tavistock. 

Although it is an eight week course we only have two more weeks to go, so my son brought his project home, and did a bit of construction in the kitchen. Both are lanterns are going to be animals - mine fairly conventional, and his less so. Anyone who knows him might be able to guess! This is the willow stage, and the next bit is to attach lights and make the tissue covering.

Apologies for terrible photos in my kitchen. If anyone can correctly name the creature I will be very impressed.

Willow and Tissue Lanterns

I have been learning a new craft over the last few weeks, at a weekly willow and tissue lantern making course. My son has also been going, and his is the lantern above. Mine is below, and is meant to represent the weather/seasons. These were our learning lanterns, as they were really done so we could practice the techniques.

I got a little bit carried away with the tissue decorations, which was partly a delaying tactic, before moving on to our individual projects. These bigger lanterns will be in the Dickensian Parade in Tavistock in December. Nearly all of the group are making animals of various sizes. So eventually I'll be posting some more pictures of these.

 

 

Tartan Dressing Gown

Busy sewing a dressing gown again. It does seem that this is the only thing that I sew, but it does mean I have had very good value from this pattern.

 

But this time the pressure was on, as my daughter asked me to make a dressing gown for her friend, as a birthday gift. Both girls are studying fashion at Brighton, so I felt that I should do my best job. 

Actually having said that, with sewing I always try to do my best with each part, however long that takes, as in the end you have a better finished garment. It is one of the two things that worry me with "The Sewing Bee". Firstly have they neatened their seams? And secondly the thought of sewing with a time pressure would be horrendous. It will take as long as it takes. But anyway for this version I did most of the seams as French seams, handmade the binding, as well as a handsewing the hem. Oh dear, I do sound grumpy.

Here is me doing a part way try on, and below is the birthday girl in the finished garment. She looks happy!

Forgot to say that I bought the brushed cotton online from Dalston Mill, as I couldn't find the right thing locally, and was very pleased with it.

Wire Art (Part One)

Following on from our linoprinting course, my son and I signed up for a short wire art course. Some of my London friends said there would be nothing to do in the country, and I would say they are wrong, as there seems just as much, although perhaps you have to hunt a bit harder.

We started off learning different techniques to shape the wire. We used pliers, and were also taught how to shape the wire around other forms. Then we were taught some different ways to join the wire, and the piece below is really all my learning pieces joined together. I was quite pleased when it was held up to the class, and the word "Picasso-like" was used!

That week we then all went on to work on flowers. Mine on the left is meant to be a poppy seedhead, and my son's is more cowslip. He had the inspired idea for twisting the wire at the base to make a stand, which most of the class then copied.

The following week we moved on to other projects, although still guided by the teacher. My son and I both decided to make a fish, and in this project a 2-dimensional fish was made, and then built outwards to make him 3-D.

Below is my son's fish, who is now hanging in the kitchen under a trailing plant. Mine is not quite as good, but you can see the edge of his fin.

Next we were allowed to move onto our own projects, and although the course is now finished, I still have to add legs to my creature. My son has gone for something very ambitious, which I am really hoping he will finish so I can show you in a few weeks.

Summer Mushroom Dressing Gown

Whenever The Great British Sewing Bee comes around I marvel at the contestants talents and nerve, and remember that I can sew, but just haven't done it for a while. All the finalists were great this year, although my favourite didn't win, I think because she just missed the brief on the final garment.

I bought the material for this dressing gown several years ago, and have finally got around to making it. I guess it is a bit unusual for a dressing gown, but I really liked it. There is a little bit left over, and I am trying to work out a good purpose for it.

I have used the same pattern that I used to make a winter dressing gown for Mr Ginx a few years ago, and now my daughter is saying she might like one, so I really will have got my  value out of this pattern

 

 

Ginx Woolly Linx Party September

Thank you for linking all your wonderful projects to the August Ginx Woolly Linx Party.

I loved looking at Sandra of Hakelfieber Austria's Big Food. This links to the Pear Pattern, but there are so many other wonderful fruit. I like the little worm popping out the the apple.

Maya of Little Treasures has designed this Lillah Ruffled Top. So pretty, there is someone in the next room who would love one of these.

Lovely to hear from Inekedc Blog, who has crochet herself, feeding the farmyard animals. It reminded me of my red-haired granny who had chickens. I remember it well, as I was quite scared of them.

And finally Alexandra of EyeLoveKnots, has reviewed a pattern for a Hatching Hamster. This is a really fun idea for a toy, which hatches out of its own egg. 

Thank you to everyone for sharing your projects. I look forward to seeing what you are working on in September.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Ginx Woolly Linx Party August

 

I seem to have been very distracted this month, and somehow have posted nothing since the last link party. That has not happened for a long time, but I will be showing you something I made for a customer on Etsy for a birthday, and did not want to possibly spoil the surprise. I also am very busy gardening, and will post about my little vegetable plot soon too.

July seems to have been nearly all about animals.

Tonna of Sew Crafty Crochet has made a cute bee for a friend, and it has been hanging out with her morning glory and sunflower on her porch.

I love seeing handknit socks, and Carolyn of Flickensalat has been taking part in a sock challenge. Hard to know which ones to pick, but I liked the subtle grey of this wool.

Liz's daughter, of Howling at the Moon, wanted to give her teachers crochet versions of their own dogs. What a thoughtful gift, they really must have been delighted with this.

And finally Eli of Ovillo de Eli has made a little swallow, and also shows the photos of the real birds that inspired her.

So please link up to show me what you have been working on in August. I hope you might have had the chance to get away somewhere, and craft in a different location. That is quite difficult at the moment.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

 

 

Eggstreme Sports

Once again it is time for the school Easter Egg competition. I think my daughter has done rather well this year. This is all her own work, and the only part I have had is providing stuff, as well as my husband doing a dash into town to look for quail's eggs, as the normal eggs wouldn't fit in the canoe.

Still no knitting you will notice. There is some on the way. 
 

Corky the Giraffe

My daughter has a bit of a craze on giraffes. Hence the giraffe onesie and numerous other giraffe stuff. So I thought you might like to see this giraffe that she has made. 

The giraffe is made from corks (can't think how those got into the house!), a drawing pin, glue and a marker pen. You also need a craft knife to cut the cork, and wire cutters to cut the wire. So this giraffe although very simple to make would need an adult to supervise.

As she is old enough to do these things herself, and I had no hand in the giraffe-making, I am going to hand over to her to explain how to make a Corky Giraffe.

Step 1. First, I went and used a knife in the kitchen to cut a cork into pieces for the feet, head, horns and ears (you should ask someone to help you or you may get into trouble). Also keep one whole cork for the body.

Step 2. Then I got some thick black wire and cut four bits the same length and one longer one.

Step 3. Using pointed pliers, I made holes and put the wire in them to make my basic giraffe. To make sure the wire stayed in place I put some glue on it.

Step 4. To make the face I put a drawing pin in him to be a nose - I let it not go the whole way in so it sticks out a bit. And stuck the horns and ears on.

Step 5. Then I used a sharpie to draw on the eyes and a tiny mouth.

Step 6. I let him dry for a few hours and then he was done!