Sewing and Hobbycrafts NEC Birmingham - Part Two

As well as the shopping mentioned in the earlier post, I had plenty of time to stop and talk to all sorts of interesting people. From chatting in the queue for coffee with the guys at Kismet Creations to admiring Jane Davies dolls.



I've always had a soft spot for any form of ethnic/folk embroidery so these really caught my eye.
When bloggers get together, they shop!! I was delighted to meet up with Maggie (identified by that marvelous black and white bag) who blogs as Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese As you can see, Maggie is holding some packets of the wonderful mother of pearl buttons that were for sale at a bargain price. ( I so much hate having my photo taken!!!)


This little lady came from Rarelizzie who was demonstrating friendly plastic in the hobbycraft hall, I have know Liz for several years although our paths have not crossed recently so it was great to catch up on the gossip and see her new techniques especially the one she calls ooze which I am sue will turn up on her blog or website very soon if its not already there.

Take it further challenge (March)

legless!!!

Sewing for Pleasure - Part One-Retail therapy

Yes, I know, I promised to try and use my stash this year, not increase it but it was a day out and it's not all for me, honest.............................




Ok, card making supplies and magazines for my mum, the beads and mother of pearl buttons were real bargains at 3 bags for £1. The heat gun was essential as I have burnt out the last one, everything else is useful play stuff. No prizes for guessing what I'm doing this weekend.

Take it further challenge (March)

Unfortunately I missed stitched up tonight due to working late and also having to get up earlier tomorrow to get the train to Birmingham, still I'm sure the girls won't be too upset and I'll be there next week, needles sharpened.

Anyway here is the latest progress on TIF March, just starting to make the wings on soluble paper. This project seems to evolve with every step so I'm not really sure where it will end up.

Bedtime reading

This is my current bedtime reading material, printed in 1948, copyright 1915 wonderful snapshot of quilting in America around the turn of the last century ( and colour illustrations) Absolute bargain at £1.99 from local charity shop.

Sutton on Sea Beach Huts

After the racing on Sunday, we went done to Sutton on Sea and had a walk along the prom looking at the beach huts. I can remember my parents hiring a hut at Colwyn Bay in Wales when we were young and I got into heaps of trouble for leaving a bucket of snails and crabs in there. The next morning we found the the snails had escaped and were everywhere.

Sewing and Hobbycrafts NEC Birmingham

Just a quickie, is anyone else going on Thursday?

Mablethorpe Sand Racing

It was the last sand racing fixture at Mablethorpe yesterday so we made the trek over to meet up with friend and also try out my big digital camera. I had a slight accident with the camera last week, I dropped it on the floor!! now it feels different when I use it so will maybe thinking about getting a new one especially since I have had this one for at least 3 years so really is getting a bit ancient.





The Race season has now closed until October and the beach will return to the day trippers and donkeys on Sunday mornings.

Take it further challenge (March)

First attempt at fairy body, painted cotton, sort of better than I first expected, will have to think on it before going further at the moment.

Memories of Italy

I've just spent the last hour or so scanning photos for Biker Ted who is busy blogging about out motorcycle adventures round Europe. As I was looking through the photos, I came across these taken on the Italian islands of Murano and Burano. The top one looks just like a painting!

Warm memories on a chilly day here in the UK

Take it further challenge (March)

Here is the fairy cut directly from the photo

and this is a slightly diferent interpretation

Now to think about technique, no idea how to make it 3d as yet as I have only ever made simply dolls from felt. I've thought about wrapping a clothes peg or simply cutting out two doll shapes and stitching together. The wings can be machine embroidery with fabric snips and possibly wire to give some support.

Anyway, off to stitched up tonight with a bag of washers from Anna to play with.

Take it further challenge (March)

Do you ever notice the little things, the small moments, the details in life? This months challenge is to do just that, pay attention to the tiny details.................

So I looked at some photos of Butterflies, thinking details of patterns on wings, heads, eyes

When I spotted this one, I hope I'm not the only one who can see the fairy in the detail of the wings. Click to enlarge and look closer.
This is what I saw.

Maybe I've found my design inspiration for the March Challenge.

British Wildlife Rescue Centre

We had to go over towards Stafford yesterday to collect new silencers for the Suzuki ( nice shiny chrome ones) and called in at Amerton Farm and Craft Centre on the way back to visit the British Wildlife Rescue Centre. Fortunately I had my small camera on me as some of these are so cute.

all together now, aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh..................

Wonderful Women on the Blog Award

Calamity Jane has passed this award to her most wanted list and I would like to pass it on to my favourite bloggers. Ladies, you are listed in my fav blogs list......... Biker Ted, I don't think you qualify for this one......sorry :)

Take it further challenge (March)

OK, here we go with the March Take it Further Challenge:


Do you ever notice the little things, the small moments, the details in life? This months challenge is to do just that, pay attention to the tiny details. Sometimes the small things become emblematic for something larger. That is it! I am going to keep it brief.

As usual we can play with the concept, the colour suggestions or both.

I think I am going to have a hunt through my photos first as I enjoy taking close ups, well as close as my camera will allow.