Saturday 27 April 2013

Sewing: fabric on sale

Like the majority of people, I'm always on the lookout for a bargain in everything, but more so when it comes to fabric.  I understand that "you get what you pay for" and I'm usually fine with that.  I'm still in an early phase of sewing, so I prefer to ruin cheap fabric rather than cry over a torn expensive one.

My Laura Ashley finds
But every now and then, I do want to feel the quality of expensive fabric - it feels better, it sews better, it looks better...  How to accomodate this need?  by looking for sales or rollends.  The price may still be a little higher than the "cheap" fabrics but they do just fine for small projects.

These are Laura Ashley fabrics that I managed to pick up -- all that is left now is to transform them into cushion covers. Stay tuned!

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Knitting: ribbon-tied needle roll, part 1

I like keeping busy and just enjoy multitasking.  When I watch TV, for example, I want to be knitting something so as to fill in the boring scenes and the ad breaks.  The pattern should not be so difficult of course so that I have to count every stitch:  I want to be able to knit a look once, skip twice pattern.

This is one such pattern, which I found in the first issue of Debbie Bliss magazine (btw, great variety of projects for all levels) and it should at some point become a knitting needle roll.  I've inherited my mother's and grandmother's needles, so the total number is fairly big -- I had to have somewhere to stash them all!!!


the original and the "copy"


I'm using Schachenmayr yarn in Boston Fashion and I just can't get enough of the combinations of colour:  just look at how cute it already looks!

Friday 19 April 2013

Cross-stitching: new arrivals

This is a cute little story:  I have nothing hanging on the wall above my bed.   I've been contemplating what could go there for quite some time now, as a. I'm on the minimalist side as regards a bedroom (for the time being, there is nothing hanging anywhere in that room) and b. it has to be something different.  I like playing with alternative ideas as to the art (because it will be art, of whichever type).  

my cross-stitch arrivals...
The idea came to use a Japanese kimono and stretch it over a camvas as a screen, a painting in its own rights.  Off I started looking for kimonos, with a twist:  it had to have a nice, impressive scene depicted on it.  That scene would be the subject of the artwork, or so I thought.

My endeavours in the kimono search were fruitless (or if you like everything was beyond my budget).  And here come my second best solutions:  cross-stitch frames depicting kimonos depicting nice scenes.  What do you think?  I was thrilled when I received my order with two kimonos, and then, if I like and still want, a little mischievous cat...

When I'll stitch them you ask?  most probably on the weekends and the summer holidays...


Tuesday 16 April 2013

My first challenge and my first refashioning project

I have my first challenge!  Even though I've only started in crafts, I'm looking forward to being a part of the MMM13, or commonly known as the "Me Made May '13".  Here's my pledge:



 'I, Patty @ Crafts Everywhere! sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear  a self-made garment/outfit on the weekends of May 2013'


So, come back to this site to see what I'll come up with during the month of May!  Excellent initiative by Zoe @ SoZoWhatDoYouKnow, thank you for accepting even a novice like myself!



On other news, I refashioned my first jewerly project!!!

I received these exquisite earrings:



unfortunately, they are a bit too much for my taste.  I prefer smaller, more discreet earrings that can go from work to party.  My solution:  break them up!  I used pliers to open up the jump ring connecting the upper to the lower part of the earring and then added a new jump ring with a rose gold hook.  Et Voilà!  I'm now in possession of two pairs of earrings, both beautiful :




Very simple refashioning, I agree, but it's the baby steps that will get me to greater things!  ;-)

Friday 12 April 2013

Sewing Patterns - paper or digital?

I started sewing some 20-odd years ago, and have only recently taken up this hobby again.  How many things have changed in the meantime!  How many extra buttons are now in the sewing machines that make sewing so much more enjoyable!

And the patterns:  how interesting that we get to have our very own patterns, printed at home, thus saving primarily on postage.  I remember finding some exquisite patterns in American sites, only to realise that shipping charges to Europe would triple the original price...

So, off to my first such purchase:  for a novice like myself, I rather liked the fact that Sewing Patterns has an extensive collection from all major (and other) makes.  I immediately ordered a nice little bunch of patterns, and off I went to print...

what am I supposed to do again?

Ahem... it  does look weird.  My logical mind tries to explain that if I were to cut a usual pattern sheet from a magazine, it would look exactly the same, still it takes a while to sink in...

What I liked:  the fact that I can have a pattern instantly!  If ever I find myself in a pattern drama (...), I know I can have something within 5 minutes!  Plus, the print is much larger, there are far fewer lines, making the project easier to trace and cut!

aahhh.... now I get it!
What I'm not sure about:  the file is available for one year, and I can print it up to 3 times.  Of course, this is more than I'll ever need, still the fact that there is a limit suddenly made me think again.  Some of my (postal) patterns lie there for several years before I decide I want to use one of them.  Now, I'm "obliged" to print almost immediately, lest I forget... OK, I'm exaggerating, but there is some food for thought!

Will I switch to digital patterns?  For the time being, I think I'll stick to the original pattern sheets, in their little envelope.  I like the idea that all information is kept in one place, waiting for me to pick it up!  On the other hand, I'll continue experimenting with the digital ones, just to make myself accustomed to this new technique - plus, there are several free patterns to be had (I'm making this top pretty soon!).  It reminds me of when e-books started...

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Let me in!

Yet one more blogger in the wonderful world of crafts, I know.  But I blame Tilly, Karen and Jane most of all for this intrusion:  I was lying sick for over 3 days, not having the energy to do anything, when I started devouring their blogs - and I found myself in this pretty world, where creativity, self-respect, respect for others and the environment mingled and also produced some great results - be it in sewing, knitting, crocheting, jewerly making or whatever else takes one's fancy!

I want in - I've been doing all these crafts at some point in my life, only to push them back in my mind, claiming that my life now was "complicated".  Yes, our lives are complicated, which is exactly why we need to keep sane!  Plus, the energy we derive from our accomplishments only pushes us to even greater things - and making our lives oh so beautiful in the meantime...

so, without further ado -  welcome to my crafts blog!