Burns Night Bear

The Bear Maker has been at it again and last month Bear got a new outfit as a birthday present of a new sweater, tartan troosers and Tam O'Shanter. As he was caught up with Christmas festivities he decided to keep his new outfit for a special occasion - and what better time than Burns Night. Though I think he would also look quite natty on the golf course too. The outfit came with a special Doggerel provided by the bear maker:

 Doggerel for a Bear

Here is a present for one's birthday bear

two new kits for him to wear.

(The first was requested by his mistress

to make him look like Father Christmas.)

Apply to his face and secure with elastic;

the change to his face will be fantastic.

The second outfit will change the  bear

into an ursine with look of a laird.

The kit should be fine for Hogmanay

and see him through to New Year's Day

for striding out across the moor,

or playing golf and shouting "fore".

But, whatever he decides to do

his sartorial elegance will be on view.

Personally I think that is ace* but if you prefer I'll leave you with a link to the Bard's words.

(*Mum's poems written whilst tootling down the A21 always did my sister proud.)

Origami Jewellery

I should have been making curtains but instead decided to investigate one of my Christmas presents more thoroughly. Origami Jewellery by Ayako Brodek.Most of this has been completed whilst chilling out at the end of the day in front of the TV.  I started with this brooch:

I then decided to go from something relatively easy rated piece to something more difficult, this pine cone bead necklace:

This proved to be more repetitive than difficult. This balloon bead necklace proved to be more fiddly:

Finally, this brooch was quicker to make, though required a little bit more judgement:

I had most of the supplies in my large stash of stuff, but found a supplier of lovely washi paper in the UK at Roze flowers. The book mentioned using a one part epoxy resin glue, after some researching on the internet I found one brand to use is E6000 glue. This also appears to be the jewellery makers glue of choice so got this and the bead caps for the balloon necklace on Ebay, but found that the seller had their own online store at madcowbeads.com.

p.s. the glue is kinda smelly and is probably not a good idea to be used round kiddiwinks

What I sewed for Christmas

Just a quick post Christmas report on a few things I put together for the present splurge that occurred.

Somebody really, really, really wanted vouchers (honest!), so I thought it would be nice to have a little holder for them:

I thought the little holder needed a little bag to go with it.

This was created using my overlocker - it took more time to cut out than it did to sew.  As I was having fun on it I whipped up a couple of these for my sister.

As I had the fabric out I returned to the sewing machine and made another pair of oven gloves, this time for G.

(Unfortunately I forgot to photograph Mr. T's awesome apron - if I do say so myself)

I then went into production overdrive and made these ever useful* box bags - which contained an emergency "Pub in a Bag" kit for Dads and BiLs stuck in the house with too many kids.  (Although swap the beer for a miniature bottle of Gin and a slimline tonic, the pork scratchings for some olives and you have an emergency "Bar in a Bag" for the Mums and Sisters)

*useful because they take CDs (some people still use and accumulate them), gadgets, cables and random bits and bobs.

I may have sewn some voile panels for a bay window but they are not that interesting, nor are they easy to photograph.  I will leave you with a revisit to a more interesting "net curtain"

That is the end of the end of holidays report.

A summer wrap in winter

I had an old copy of Sew Hip and had been meaning to try out the Möbius wrap project.

Whilst shopping I couldn't resist the rich jewel tones of the Kaffe Fassett so "whipped" this up last weekend. I didn't have quite enough strips to make the longer length I wanted so augmented with toning fabric from my local fabric shop. Happily they had a few bolts of Kaffe Fassett prints in the shop which fitted in just fine.

This is me using it as a scarf - the main way I have been wearing it.

If the cold weather carries on for much longer though I may have to consider swapping it for one of my velvet creations, but now I come to think of it maybe its time for a new velvet wrap......

I know what I said...

...but if you are mentioning the-x-word and looking for things to do with little hands before you-know-when-mas then you shouldn't miss this online magazine

I might use my not so little hands for some of the projects....

Non-Christmas sewing

In purchasing something Christmas related the other day, I got sidetracked by a yummy strip roll pack of Kaffe Fassett fabrics in jewel tones on the same site. So instead of stirring things up for Christmas* this weekend I have pootled about making something for myself. Its not quite finished yet but here is a sneak peek:

Just realised I am talking about Christmas - which is a bit early for me. Now I am not going to mention it until well after the first week of December.
(*pudding & mincemeat already made - last year!)

A lovely Handm@de day

Yesterday, I finally did something I have been meaning to do - go to a Handm@de craft fair.  I am so lucky to be near the one in Winchester and it was great to see such a range of designer/makers.

I had been a long time admirer of Turned Light's beautiful lampwork beads and pendants and was delighted to get to chat to Kathryn and purchase some of her wares. I conceded that I was never going to get around to making something for someone(who should have had been given something for her birthday years ago) so paid a visit to Raspberry.

I was really impressed with some of the lovely silver jewellery for sale, from both Daiychain Jewellery and Quercus Silver. One of the most original vendors who I will need to visit in the New Year (once I have bought the right dress) is Soobird - who makes the most amazing and inventive fascinators.  Other people exhibiting who caught my eye were Smashing Chintz, Esther Coombs, Glowbox, Grey Duckling & Lucy Gilchrist.