Lady Mary of Downton

I forgot to post a photo of the Lady Mary doll I made using a pattern by Six Penny Memories. I was lucky enough to win the Emily Doll pattern on their Facebook page before Christmas and managed to get some time to stitch her up. I think she looks rather pretty in her Moda fabric dress (Joyeux Noel - Couronne) with her set of beads, hair decoration and handbag. I added a little bracelet and brooch myself. Well, she is aristocracy after all.

The pods have got me!

I came across a cute little pattern for making Sweetpea Pods by Lazy Girl Designs (bought from Sew Thankful - who also supplied a speedy dispatch and quick delivery to the UK from the US - I'm not affiliated, just appreciative of good service). They are great. Really simple to make and quick, once you've made the first one. I even discovered that by not doing the final step of stitching the corners you can make a nice little flat purse (the lime green one at the back). I may have to make a few of these for gifts and fill them with something nice like chocolates or sewing goodies.

Another of Lazy Girl Designs patterns is the Becca Bag and just as easy, if not easier to make up.

Another lot of pods by a different designer are the Storage Pods by Beth Studley. I came across this pattern on Pinterest and thought it would be great for the hooks on the back of the craft room door. I paid for the downloadable pattern but you can order a paper pattern if you prefer - I just couldn't wait for one to be delivered. Another nice little gift idea and great as a quilting project for those who want to quilt but don't need multiple bed covers, table runners or cushions. This one holds my fabric scraps at the moment but I think I will need to make more for all those little bits and pieces I have lying around.

New bracelet kits

I have added some little bracelet kits to my Etsy store this month. They are boxed kits that show you how to make fine, handmade silk bracelets with a tiny paper bead as the focus. All the materials needed are enclosed in the kit along with full instructions and both the silk cords and the paper beads are handmade by myself. I also re-listed the brightly coloured silk cord so those who don't like the black silk in the kits can buy a colour of their choice. They do make nice little gifts, either as unmade kits or as finished jewellery - and the box can be used to either store the bracelet or give it away.

Post-Christmas commission pics 4

These two guys were painted for a lady who was treating herself to paintings of her lovely bunnies. They are called Toffee and Casper. I'll let you guess which is which. Watercolour paintings, 8x6 inches.

Post-Christmas commission pics 3

Third in the line of Christmas commissions is Milly. She is a chocolate labrador belonging to my neighbours and whose daughters wanted to give them an original gift this year. Watercolour painting, 6x8 inches.

Button-a-Day for January

This year Gina-B Silkworks is taking part in a button-a-day project. A whole year of buttons. Can you imagine it? Talk about focused. Unfortunately my focus does not extend to seeing twelve months ahead but I did like the idea of making a button every day. So I have been doing the Button-a-Day for January. Below are the photos of each of the buttons - a veritable rainbow. I even had to order some new threads because I was so 'inspired'. Now I just have to find projects to add the buttons to.

Post-Christmas commission pics 2

Second of the after-Christmas commission pictures. I don't know the name of this lovely lady but she was most enjoyable to draw and I learned a few things about using coloured pencils along the way. Coloured pencil drawing, 8x11 inches.

Post-Christmas commission pics 1

The next few blog posts will be of some of the commissions I have done recently. It has been lovely to have so many people ask me to paint and draw for them and everyone loved the finished pieces.

Here is the first of the commission pictures. This is Trigger, a black labrador. Graphite drawing, 8x11 inches. Such a sweet guy.

Season's Greetings

I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last year - be it reading this blog, looking at my Facebook or Etsy pages or buying from me. Every set of eyes, enquiry or sale is greatly appreciated.

This coming year will hopefully see some changes to my work. I am not quite sure what they will be but personal changes brought about by everything from health issues to governmental rule changes mean I have to restructure my working practices. It's scary but I am hoping for better things in 2016.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, my best wishes to those who don't and a happy New Year to everyone.

Buttons and threads

The last few weeks have been filled with Christmas commissions so not much crafting for me. I will be able to show most of the commissions after Christmas but in the meantime, here are some new buttons I have been making. I was practising using different colour combinations and even added a bit of sparkle here and there.

I used DMC threads for most of my buttons so I treated myself to an early Christmas present - DMC's thread colour card. It is brilliant. When shopping online for threads it can be qute difficult to find that ideal shade. Not now. I have samples of every perle and stranded cotton thread that DMC offer and can see exactly what colour it is. Hooray! It will make thread shopping much easier in future.