Little Lady Liberty Blog Hop

Today I'm taking part in the blog hop for Alice Caroline's new book Little Lady Liberty, a beautiful book, with over 20 things to make for little girls in adorable Liberty fabrics, for beginner and experienced sewers alike!  As a mum of two girls, what's not to love?  I'm lucky enough to have been able to interview the author herself for the blog.  You can find the other's taking part in the blog tour here  Here's what she had to say....

 

 

Hi Alice, thanks for taking part in an interview for Crafting not Cleaning.

You’re welcome, thanks for joining in 

 

Would you please describe yourself in 5 words?

Liberty fabric obsessed creative sewer 

 

How old were you when you first started sewing?

ooh I’m not sure, i remember sewing at primary school age. I’ve always loved sewing, my mum taught me and my grandmother was an avid quilter. She also did tapestry and made a crochet table cloth which took 40 years to make!

            

Do you do any other crafts - like knitting or crochet, or are you strictly a sewer?

I’m mostly a sewer although I also enjoy drawing and painting. I have dabbled with knitting, but I only knit squares! I would love to learn crochet one day but am not letting myself into another craft yet - too many unfinished sewing projects!

 

What 'top tips' can you advise all us newbie sewers out there?

Have a go! don’t be scared to make mistakes, it’s all part of the learning process - have a stitch un-picker handy!

 

I love this cushion design

 

I know from your twitter timeline that you watch the GBSB.  Who's your favourite to win this year and why?

Probably the Army Guy Neil as he took his sewing machine on tour to Bosnia!! Awesome!!

 

 

Thank you Alice for that great interview.  You can find more about Alice, her Liberty fabrics, kits and patterns over at  www.alicecaroline.co.uk and on her blog  www.alicecarolineblog.co.uk

 

My girls love this Mia doll

 

 

 

G x

Torie Jayne's Stylish Home Sewing

Stylish Home Sewing by Torie Jayne

Published by CICO Books

12th February 2015

Hardback Edition
rrp £14.99

 I am thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Torie Jayne's beautiful new book Stylish Home Sewing, alongside these other fabulous bloggers:

 

 

Torie Jayne is a successful young designer, blogger and author with a keen interest in creating beautiful accessories for the home. Her blog receives over 100,000 hits a month, and features her trademark sewing in beautiful saturated pastels, as well as baking and other crafts. Now Torie has created over 35 projects for you to make, to bring some of her style to your home.

The kitchen chapter includes table linen, a bread basket and utensil holder, while the bedroom chapter features an eye mask, make-up bag and a padded headboard. The entrance hall chapter includes useful storage projects, such as square storage boxes made from fabric plus fabric and oilcloth bags. The garden chapter showcases practical projects such as a garden kneeler with carry-handles and a polka-dot tool belt, as well as decorative bench cushions, a child's play tent and bunting.

Every project is in fresh, appealing colours, and reflects Torie's sewing expertise, as well as her eye for patterns.

 

So...the question is, does this book offer something different from the multitude of other craft books out there?  Actually I think it does which is a welcome relief from the same old, same old that is sometimes regurgitated. 

In Torie's trademark pastel shades, which is a refreshing change from the brights that many books are choosing recently, the book is sectioned into various rooms in the house -  from the entrance hall, to the bedroom, and finally ending outside in the garden, there is something to craft for every room in your home. 

Whilst some of the projects do look a little tricky initially (see the headboard above), every project is accompanied by lots of photos and clear instructions.  I think my first project might be making a wigwam for the garden this summer!

 

Thanks to CICO books for supplying these fabulous images from the book taken by Sussie Bell.  You can purchase your copy of Torie Jayne's Stylish Home Sewing now from Amazon for only £10.49!

 

 

G x

Five

Five: 150 effortless ways to eat 5+ fruit and veg a day by Rachel De Thample

Published by Ebury Press

5th February 2015

Paperback Edition

 

 



We all want tasty food that’s good for us. Key to that is ensuring we eat our daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

Most of us aren’t even getting half the fruit and veg we need in a day. In Five Rachel de Thample makes delicious food effortless, offering over 150 easy, flavoursome recipes that will boost your daily intake.

Rachel’s inspirational treasure trove includes such dishes as Fig, Almond and Orange Blossom Water Muffins, Moroccan Beetroot Soup, Wild Spring Spaghetti and Carrot Cake Scones, as well as themed and seasonal menu suggestions. Whatever you choose to eat, each dish is clearly flagged with the number of portions of fruit and veg each serving contains – some even offer a full 5 portions. So you always know you’re eating both well and happily.

This is a wonderfully inspiring book encouraging us to get as many of our 5 a day into our system as possible, but in newer ways then we probably do at present - or at least for me that is true.  Divided into Breakfast, Lunch, Fast and Feast, Rachel covers every possible meal, including a section dedicated to feeding children too. 

There is also a list of what makes up one portion of fruit and/or veg so you can actually see what you need to be having, because, to be honest, I had no idea how many strawberries or carrots made up my 1 a day (and if you are wondering too, it's 5 strawberries and 1 medium, or 2 small carrots)! 

I'm such a picky eater, with very few vegetables in my diet, but I am determined to eat more of them and I think that Five is probably one of the books that is going to help me on my way!


G x



A bit more knitting

I've been knitting a bit more than usual recently (though not this past week and a half as I'm teaching full-time for the next few weeks which leaves me so tired I'm no good for anything).  I decided that I'd like to make a hat for my friend's baby girl and because there was a lovely one in the More Last Minute Knitted Gifts book, I thought I'd give that a go. 

Nope, sorry, just don't understand them old instructions one little bit so it was back to the drawing board.  I flicked around on Ravelry and there I saw a gorgeous hat called Twiglet Pixie by Robyn Devine and that was it - sorted. 

I went onto her website for the pattern and then found one called Midtown Ribbed Pixie which looked a little more suited to the winter weather.  It took me a couple of hours to knit up in cream aran and I'd quite happy with it.

My friend's baby wasn't quite so keen but I'm hoping that's because she was feeling under the weather when we popped it upon her tiny head!  I'm now about to begin another for her from one of my Debbie Bliss books - the pompon beret!

I've also started a second blanket, this time for my yoga class.  The only problem being that my class is on a Tuesday morning and I've already missed 2 of the sessions I've paid for by having to work, and as I'm scheduled to be there for a few more weeks there won't be much yoga of my 10 week block remaining!  I decided that I'd do a simple garter stitch stripe pattern on circular needles, and due to my incompetence, have started using the wool I bought for my Tiny Owl Knits cowl.  I didn't realise until I'd finished it that I bought 6x100g balls of wool and not 6x50g balls of wool, hence the enormous amount left over!  I've since bought two more colours to add to the mix, a purple shade, and a dark grey though I may need more if it doesn't knit up big enough with what I've got here.

 

Now, mentioning blankets, I wanted to share this recent purchase with you, as I love it and think some of you might love it too.  Rachelle of Ted & Agnes fame posted  a photo on Instagram the other week of a blanket she had just purchased - a pure wool tartan one.  Oooh I thought, nice, I'll check out the website, thinking full well that it would be out of my price range - we are trying to be sensible this month!

A quick trip over to The Future Kept and I discovered that not only did the said blanket come in a fab range of colours but was also a mere £17!!!!!  These blankets are made in England and are 100% recycled from the remnants of other wool blankets so each one is unique.  I couldn't believed what value that was, so I ordered one pronto. 

I chose this Mountain colourway as the plan is for it to live in Enid caravan as it's perfect for snuggling under when we go away.  At the moment it's on the sofa and is a popular choice with everyone here.  Come to think of it, I think my mum is after one too!  If you don't want a blanket/throw/rug thing then do pop on over to their website anyway as they have lots of beautiful things on there.

G x

Hooked! blog hop

The fabulous folk over at Stitch Craft Create asked me very kindly if I would be interested in taking part in another blog hop.  I happily said yes, and I have to say, when I saw the list for the other bloggers involved, I did a little big squeal to see that my name was among them.  The blog hop is for a new crochet book called Hooked! 

Hooked! 40 whimsical crochet motifs from weird to wonderful by Michelle, Cecile & Sylvie Delprat

Published by David & Charles

27th March 2015

Paperback edition

 

Hooked! is the work of mother and daughters combo Michelle, Cecile and Sylvie Delprat.  It contains 40 different motif ideas that can then be used to embellish all manner of other crafty projects.  There are already a vast number of crochet books out there, and it has to be said, that at times, they do seem to show the same projects again and again and again. 

Flowers that will never wilt and die

 

This is not the case with Hooked! The concept of writing a book containing only motifs is one I've not come across before, and whilst I've not had time to hook anything up yet, I'm excited to have a go at these projects.  The biggest dilemma I have is - which project to hook up first?!

There are flowers, hearts, and even gingerbread men to have a go at making, and then the ideas for using them are endless...keyrings, bunting, to embellish bags, clothes, the list can go on!

Flowers sewn onto a scarf

 

I thought the photography was very clear throughout the book, showing ever little stitch used in each project, and the instructions looked easy to follow too.  I've not worked with a teeny tiny hook before, but if you used a larger one you would just get bigger motifs, so the ability to adapt the projects easily is there too.

There is a chance for you to win a copy of the book, plus a hook and six balls of Stylecraft wool by just by following this link and popping on over to the Stitch Craft Create site.

The competition closes on 28th February so pop on over and have a go.  I know lots of you who can hook a motif or two!

G x

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Published by STC Craft

13th September 2011

Hardback Edition

 

 

This is the follow up book to the highly successful Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson, of The Purl Bee, and in my opinion its so much better than the first book.  There are 30 projects in this book, and they are divided into time slots - less than 2 hours, 2-4 hours, 4-6 hours, 6-8 hours, and more than 8 hours.  I don't know if having a time indicator is a good thing or not, for how long one takes to knit is obviously individual but I think it helps to give an idea of how long it may take to achieve a finished article.

 

 

There are lots of projects I want to make from this book, and some do use dpns so it's a good opportunity to continue trying to learn how to use them successfully this year.  I love these lavender filled pyramid bags to keep your drawer smelling gorgeous, and I certainly know someone who wants a pixie hat for themselves!

 

 

I thought I'd have a go at learning something new, so I made the linen-stitch bookmark from the under 2 hours section.  I'd never tried linen-stitch before so it was good to try something different, and as usual, you tube came to the rescue with a great video to show me what to do.  I bought some 4ply wool as stated in the book but I wasn't happy with how it was looking so I changed to a dk variegated wool and the results were much more pleasing.  I also used more stitches than stated as I thought it looked a little narrow once I'd cast on.  My youngest daughter liked mine so much she asked for one too, so I made a second, this time two stitches narrower than mine, but two stitches wider than stated in the book.  I think they look fantastic!

 

 

 

G x









Creative Craft with Kids

Creative Craft with Kids by Jane Foster

Published by Pavillion

22nd January 2015

Hardback Edition

 



I have been very lucky indeed to have been sent a copy of Jane Foster's new book Creative Craft with Kids and it is lovely!  Moving away from the traditional sense of a craft book, this one is an actual board book which I think is lovely.  It's tiny in comparison to the others on my shelf but I think that as it's aimed at crafting with, and for children, that this makes it an ideal size.

As well as 15 projects to get stuck into, the book also features Jane, who she is and what she likes.  I liked this personal touch and it was nice to learn more about her as an artist and person that just have pages of projects one after the other.

The book is divided into two sections - No Sew and Simple Sewing.  There are ideas to make things from items you might already have in the house, such as domino pictures and puzzle magnets, alongside making cushion covers and throws for a much loved room.

My girlies and I decided that we would tackle the hand-drawn toys project.  I bought some stuffing, fabric pens and white poly/cotton fabric and we were ready to begin.  Firstly the girls drew their designs onto white paper and then traced them onto the fabric.  We cut out two images, pinned together and then I sewed them on my machine before stuffing and stitching them together.  They love what they have created and I know that we will be making lots more of these - especially as I bought a metre of fabric, and it cost less than £3.

Here's what they created:

The 6 year old made a bat called Batty

The 8 year old made a bear called Holly

 

Happy Crafting!

 

G x

 

Another WIP bites the dust!

So the plan is to try and finish some of those pesky wips that are still lying around, gathering dust, and feeling unloved.

This weekend I decided that it was time for my Tiny Owl Knits Ships and Seaside cowl to become a wearable garment instead of being bunched up in a bag waiting to be worn.
 

The problem that I had was that to finish off the cowl I needed to master Kitchener stitch.  Despite looking everywhere I could, I just couldn't get to grips with it and that is why I abandoned the cowl.  This weekend I thought stuff it, I'd frog it my way and get it finished.  So instead of being joined the correct way, I simply cast off both ends separately and ta-dah it's complete!

The difference between mine and the original is that my stripes go in the opposite direction, but I think that's a minor difference.  I wore it today to walk the dogs with my pale pink duffle coat.  It's very snuggly.  I used James C Brett Aztec Aran with alpaca which I haven't used before, but it knits up nicely and comes in some lovely muted shades.

 

The pattern isn't in the Tiny Owl Knits book, but you can buy it from Stephanie's website or on Ravelry if you fancy having a go yourself.

 

I'm now trying to finish my odds-and-ends crochet blanket, using, yes you guessed it, my odds and ends of wool that no longer have a specified purpose.  I'm currently on row 31 but need to get to about 60 (thanks Gran Plumley for that target) so just over half way now.  For updates, see Instagram!!!!


How are your wips coming along?!


G x

Bird Spotting

Today we spent an hour looking out of our windows bird spotting.  We don't usually do this, especially not for a whole 60 minutes but we had agreed to take part in the Big Garden Bird Watch for the RSPB.

 

If you fancy taking part, I think you can still register to enter as it goes on until tomorrow.  You can find out more by clicking this link.

Amazingly, and rather annoyingly, our hour proved to be very quiet in the garden.  We usually see loads of birds, and of lots of different species, however today they decided they weren't going to visit us!

What's the betting that tomorrow we see loads?!

G x

Sorting those wips

Is it just me, or do your wips laugh at you from a corner, taunting you about how you haven't, and will never finish them off?!

Well I'm determined to get to task with some of them this year, no matter how much they laugh at me.

Last week I finished my Fiona Goble capelet from this book.

You can also find the pattern in Mollie Makes issue 44.

 

 

Today I decided to make an effort to finish my cardigan.  This one, started last year, more than once.

I finally finished off the final sleeve today, whilst watching The Haunting of Radcliffe House.  However, having stitched the raglan and the ribbing for the neckline, something isn't right, I think something is upside down, or the wrong way around, or just plain wrong.  Tomorrow, after yoga, when I am calm and serene, I will unpick and have another bash at it.  It's like interfacing, I always sew that on wrong the first time no matter how many times I look at it!

So, one down, one almost done.  I'm feeling better already.  So much so, that I've treated myself to some new shoes!  I'm hoping they will be as perfect as my Camper boots are.  Do you know I've worn them virtually every day since they arrived.  I love them to bits.  Anyway, the naughty Pixie over at the Crafty Nook is responsible for this purchase too.  She has some blue ones, I went for red, but it's okay, because they are in the sale and that doesn't count, right?!

 

 



G x

Thrifty Jan Blog Hop

Back in December I was asked if I would take part in a blog hop for a digital crafty magazine/blog called Stitch Craft Create and of course I said yes!  The magazine is available online, and has 15 different ideas in it, from making a tin can lamp, to hooking a fab stripe cushion. 

I decided to try out the idea of making a winter body scrub from the magazine for this blog post.  The ingredients were easy to get hold of, I had everything already in the cupboard except for sea salt which was soooo cheap in the supermarket I couldn't believe it.

First was the infusing of the herbs into the oil which takes an hour but as you don't have to do anything to it during that time, I carried on with other jobs while it was heating.  I decided to use rosemary and lavender as that is what I had to hand.  I added fresh rosemary and some dried lavender to the oil, and at the end of the whole process, added some drops of lavender oil to the jar.

Next came the separation of the herbs from the oil.  I didn't have any muslin to hand so I used a dishcloth (clean) which worked equally as well.  Then I added the oil to the salt.  You actually only need a small amount of the oil and I was concerned that I had actually added too much as my mixture was quite yellow looking.  It does say keep the oil for another time, but I don't have anywhere to store it so it had to go!

Ta-dah, one winter body scrub made.  The question now is, does it actually work?!  I suffer from keratosis pilaris, which means basically I have bumpy skin on my arms and legs and have used lots of different exfoliating products all of my life - this would be the test for my winter body scrub. 

Do you know what - it bloomin well works a treat!  My skin is super soft due to the oil in the product, and smooth for the first time in years due to the sea salt.  Hubby also says the bathroom smells fab due to the herbs in the product, so it's a full on win-win situation here.  I only made one jar, so halved the ingredients and all in all it cost less than £1 for me to make as I only had to buy the sea salt.  I wholeheartedly recommend you go and make some yourself now!

Lucky old blog readers that you are, you can download a copy of Stitch Craft Create for FREE right here using the discount code SCCFREE.

You can also see who else is taking part in the blog hop by clicking on this link and see what other crafty people have been making too.

As an added bonus, cause I'm nice like that, if you visit here you can download a free upcycling book as well!  Aren't you glad you dropped on by?!

And that's it!  Thank you to Rosie for asking me to take part, it's been great fun and I hope you all enjoy your copy of the magazine too!

G x

Inner peace and stretching

Okay so the plan is, in 40 30 minutes I will be going back to my first yoga class in 8 years!!!

Where has the time gone?  I used to love my yoga, it certainly does my body the world of good, and my mind too.   I'm still full of cold though so it might be a strain!

I'm certainly a lot stiffer than I used to be so no idea how I'm going to get on but let's see - I'll let you know....!

G x