More Trouser Art

Just recently I actually got around to making some more decorative patches, specifically for my elder sister who loved the one I made for my daughter’s trousers last year. The timing worked well as not only does she now have holes in her trouser, but I managed to get them ready for the new school term – my sister is a teacher who loves her job, but gets end of the holiday blues, so she got these with instructions not to open them until the last day of the holidays.

I actually forgot to photograph these at the time, but conveniently she had them with her when she stopped by for birthday-ness at our Mum’s house last week so I attached and photographed them there (in good light!).

Technically this was quite an interesting project as I wanted each patch to be different from the others, but still very Cathy. The daisy was fiddly, but basically a reworking of the one I made for Piper’s trousers last year. The blue patch was very simple, but so satisfying and possibly my favourite. The orange and  yellow was a bit of a departure in style, as it came from a piece of flimsy printed fabric which I reinforced with calico. It then needed brightening up as it had black outline, so I hand-stitched satin stitches all around the edge and inner boundary to match the heart of the flower, and made the stem green. Time consuming but also satisfying.
Lots more projects coming up over the next couple of months, so hopefully I’ll have time to blog about them too.

Oops!

Somehow another month has passed without me reporting in on anything, not even domestic activities. It was sunny, then it rained a lot so we haven’t really done anything. Apart from housework, which I don’t routinely photograph.
However, the last week has been a little busier with two birthdays to present make for. The first of these was my Mum’s, and as  part of my goal to make her all the things she likes I made her the Reversible Shoulder Bag, Mark II.

The same weekend a friend celebrated his 40th birthday and his wife organised a Christmas themed party for him. We weren’t able to attend (celebrating with Mum!) but I did send them a pair of Christmas Stockings (it seemed appropriate).

They were made completely out of things I already had in my cupboard (thereby justifying my hoarding) and came together relatively easily – especially after I realised I could hide a multitude of sins with ribbon!
Now I need to have a go at personalising the ones my mum made for my children last Christmas (when I ran out of time on Christmas Eve).

They are breeding!

Sort of accidentally acquired another vintage sewing machine.
It won’t be staying… I kind of wanted the cabinet it came in, but since then have found an even better one so the plan is to tidy it all up (treat the woodworm!!) and then sell it on again. It is a lovely little machine though – a 3/4 size machine, very similar to my Singer 201K, as you can see – and now that I have cleaned everything it runs beautifully.
Ah, well.

Regular service has been interrupted…

By Spring!

The garden is looking lovely and I didn’t have to do anything to it  - apart from mow the lawn.







And wash the children at the end of the day.

My Hero!

A couple of weeks ago the children went to a fancy dress birthday party – Pirates, Princesses and Super Heroes. The girls were easy – out came the rainbow tutus again, but Matthew wanted to be a super hero.

After discussion we agreed that a superhero needs a cape, a mask, and a t-shirt with the superhero motif on it (and no, Matthew did not use the word “motif). His choice of colours was – conveniently – pale blue with red accents. So I found a pale blue sheet in my stash, and a matching t-shirt in his “nearly too small” pile of t-shirts. One red scarf, and some bits of felt later and I was in business.








The silver lightning bolts and the power cuffs were an extra bonus which he loved.
Of course the lesson I have learned over the years is that costumes have to be wearable in the same way as everyday clothes. If it gets too hot, or gets in the way of playing it comes off! (as did the mask and power cuffs during the party). The t-shirt and short cape stayed on all day though until we got to the play park on the way home; then it got in the way on the climbing frame and roundabout.
Having had some difficulty finding good guidance online (Mum to the rescue again) I might just try my hand at writing a tutorial on this. You know, when I get a moment.

Baby Bunting

Literally – each flag is 7cm high.



We have a new arrival at church, so we made some personalised tiny bunting for her. I might try offering this in my shop too. Just about to make a few changes there and list/relist some more items.

Laundry Day

Well, isn’t every day! But today I managed to get a batch out to dry on the washing line – the first time this year!
Little things make me happy.