Whilst we're in the midst of paint, rollers and dust (Dus is in the dusty bit, he's creating the dust, me, I'm trying to clear up the dust!) I thought I should show you some of the organising projects I've done this year that are soon to be un-done!
Before they become obsolete and I have to organise all over again in the new house (pictures coming soon, I promise).
Remember when I re-ordered my books into rainbow colour? Well they'd gotten a bit out of hand and Dus and I decided to tidy and organise them before we had to start packing. I always find that if I organise first then I usually get rid of a few boxes of junk and don't have to move it to the new house.
Before :
We went through and picked out everything to donate to charity, some things to throw away and those things that shouldn't live on these shelves and put everything else back neatly.
After: (well, after tidying but before packing)
The books on their sides are the ones that I think I might want to give to charity but am not sure about so will have to have another read to check. Suffice it to say most of these I read the first chapter and thought, I can't be bothered with this, get rid!
And because it took me so long to blog about this (well, two weeks), Dus has swept through the room in a whirlwind of packing boxes and this is what the bookcases look like now. As in RIGHT NOW!
Sad isn't it. :( I would pack the rest but boxes are in short supply and we have to move somejunk stuff important possessions into the new house to empty the boxes and re-use them. Lucky we've got a long time to move and it's only down the road and round the corner and down the next road.
Before they become obsolete and I have to organise all over again in the new house (pictures coming soon, I promise).
Remember when I re-ordered my books into rainbow colour? Well they'd gotten a bit out of hand and Dus and I decided to tidy and organise them before we had to start packing. I always find that if I organise first then I usually get rid of a few boxes of junk and don't have to move it to the new house.
Before :
We went through and picked out everything to donate to charity, some things to throw away and those things that shouldn't live on these shelves and put everything else back neatly.
After: (well, after tidying but before packing)
The books on their sides are the ones that I think I might want to give to charity but am not sure about so will have to have another read to check. Suffice it to say most of these I read the first chapter and thought, I can't be bothered with this, get rid!
And because it took me so long to blog about this (well, two weeks), Dus has swept through the room in a whirlwind of packing boxes and this is what the bookcases look like now. As in RIGHT NOW!
Sad isn't it. :( I would pack the rest but boxes are in short supply and we have to move some
Once again, another winning title!
I'm a member of a facebook group for local crafters and the subject of photographing stock came up and it inspired me to take some photos of how I prepare my stock for sale so that I can share it with you. I only photograph small items this way, you could use it for jewellery, supplies, smaller items but I guess the principle is the same for larger items.
I use a cheap point and shoot camera, my windowsill (any time of the day and weather) and PicMonkey for editing. This is really not that hard.
Note: I've edited my photos to look brighter, it really was a dull day!
Here's my set up.
I pull my voile back from the window, pull my curtain out of the way, lay a piece of fabric down (cord this time because I couldn't be bothered to iron my white cotton) and that's my set up done. As you can see it was a gloomy day, mid afternoon, raining and I didn't even bother to move my big scraps bin. (This is the bin I have for pieces too small to be considered worth keeping. It's mostly thread cuttings if I'm honest, it's hard to part with scraps!)
I bought my tripod for 69p from B&M but it's the first time I've used a tripod, usually I hold my camera. I just wanted to try it out. For 69p it's great quality!
I use either macro or super macro depending on the item, I use auto white balance (there are people unsubscribing from my feed now..auto?!), no flash and I have it on shaky hand setting. I can never seem to get them not blurred when I don't use shaky hand!
Never, ever, ever, ever use flash. Especially if you are photographing metal or gems, natural light is always better, even on a dull day.
Here's my photo straight out of the camera. I resized it but didn't edit it at all. Not bad, but could be enhanced.
I used PicMonkey to 'auto' adjust the exposure and resized to 800px on the longest size. That's it. Two clicks. Go to exposure, click auto adjust. Go to resize, resize to 800px on the longest size (it will work out the other as long as you've got keep proportions ticked) then save. Job done.
Next I sort my triglides and rings out into size and colour piles. I stock silver nickel, antique brass and gunmetal in sizes 1", 1.25", 1.5" and 2". I've also tried some triglides for thicker straps in 1.5" this time, but I'm not so keen on those. My originals look so slick!
Each buckle comes in a plastic bag, ten buckles in another plastic bag. I open them all out, make sure I've got enough to make up a set and then bag them up in sets.
Oh the wasted plastic!
I use glassine bags and washi tape to package my strap kits in. Each bag has one triglide slider buckle and one rectangular ring. I have spare rectangular rings which are bagged separately. I use a different colour washi tape for each colour metal I have and I store them in boxes in size order.
As you can see from this photo I appear to have over-ordered on the gunmetal 1.5" sets this time. They're my favourite though it's hard to find matching magnetic snaps.
Oh yeah, and if you want to see them in the shop, click the 'My Etsy Store' tab on my top bar.
I'm a member of a facebook group for local crafters and the subject of photographing stock came up and it inspired me to take some photos of how I prepare my stock for sale so that I can share it with you. I only photograph small items this way, you could use it for jewellery, supplies, smaller items but I guess the principle is the same for larger items.
I use a cheap point and shoot camera, my windowsill (any time of the day and weather) and PicMonkey for editing. This is really not that hard.
Note: I've edited my photos to look brighter, it really was a dull day!
Here's my set up.
yes, we're moving...I'm sure you knew that by now though ;) |
I bought my tripod for 69p from B&M but it's the first time I've used a tripod, usually I hold my camera. I just wanted to try it out. For 69p it's great quality!
I use either macro or super macro depending on the item, I use auto white balance (there are people unsubscribing from my feed now..auto?!), no flash and I have it on shaky hand setting. I can never seem to get them not blurred when I don't use shaky hand!
Never, ever, ever, ever use flash. Especially if you are photographing metal or gems, natural light is always better, even on a dull day.
Here's my photo straight out of the camera. I resized it but didn't edit it at all. Not bad, but could be enhanced.
I used PicMonkey to 'auto' adjust the exposure and resized to 800px on the longest size. That's it. Two clicks. Go to exposure, click auto adjust. Go to resize, resize to 800px on the longest size (it will work out the other as long as you've got keep proportions ticked) then save. Job done.
Next I sort my triglides and rings out into size and colour piles. I stock silver nickel, antique brass and gunmetal in sizes 1", 1.25", 1.5" and 2". I've also tried some triglides for thicker straps in 1.5" this time, but I'm not so keen on those. My originals look so slick!
Each buckle comes in a plastic bag, ten buckles in another plastic bag. I open them all out, make sure I've got enough to make up a set and then bag them up in sets.
Oh the wasted plastic!
I use glassine bags and washi tape to package my strap kits in. Each bag has one triglide slider buckle and one rectangular ring. I have spare rectangular rings which are bagged separately. I use a different colour washi tape for each colour metal I have and I store them in boxes in size order.
As you can see from this photo I appear to have over-ordered on the gunmetal 1.5" sets this time. They're my favourite though it's hard to find matching magnetic snaps.
Oh yeah, and if you want to see them in the shop, click the 'My Etsy Store' tab on my top bar.
Waaaay, way, way, way back when, I tested the paper pieced sunrise clutch for Sara at Sew Sweetness. I hadn't ever done paper piecing before and it was with some trepidation that I embarked on this project. I may also have gotten on first name terms with my seam ripper, isn't that right Rip?
Anyway, once I'd worked out that I should follow the instructions and not presume I knew what I was doing after one side this is the bag I ended up with. It's really lovely, and the construction of it makes it look really professional.
I could NOT get my head around inserting that bag base but I asked my pattern testers and thanks to them (especially you Nicole, thank you) I worked it out. Sometimes I wonder if even with someone showing me, I'd get how to do things until I understand them. I blame it on lack of chocolate.
Anyway, so I used all stash fabrics (again) and it reminds me of a bruiser bar. Remember them? They've made a revival but in shiny new packaging.
Anyway. So I made it and it's lovely and all, but I don't use clutch bags so I've asked if Sara would like to give it away. So she is!
For your chance to win this clutch bag, and a copy of each of my PDF patterns, pop over to Sara's blog, Sew Sweetness and enter.
Anyway, once I'd worked out that I should follow the instructions and not presume I knew what I was doing after one side this is the bag I ended up with. It's really lovely, and the construction of it makes it look really professional.
I could NOT get my head around inserting that bag base but I asked my pattern testers and thanks to them (especially you Nicole, thank you) I worked it out. Sometimes I wonder if even with someone showing me, I'd get how to do things until I understand them. I blame it on lack of chocolate.
Anyway, so I used all stash fabrics (again) and it reminds me of a bruiser bar. Remember them? They've made a revival but in shiny new packaging.
Anyway. So I made it and it's lovely and all, but I don't use clutch bags so I've asked if Sara would like to give it away. So she is!
For your chance to win this clutch bag, and a copy of each of my PDF patterns, pop over to Sara's blog, Sew Sweetness and enter.
Susie's started her giveaway of the satchel bag pattern,
Pop over to enter, the giveaway ends Monday 1st April
Pop over to enter, the giveaway ends Monday 1st April
Today's post will be both informative yet attractive. If you don't like pink it will just be informative.
Firstly you'll need whatever you want to hem, I had a tea dress that I made.
My tea dress was made from poly peachskin and unravelled terribly. I made it before I had my serger. Which means that these photos have been waiting to be blogged for over a year. Well done me!
The hem on my dress after I'd made it but before I hemmed it.
I chose some bias tape in a bright pink to match the flowers on the dress. And make it a bit more fun. If you're going to be doing this, I suggest making a feature of it.
Open one side of the binding and pin it all along the bottom edge, overlapping the ends. I tucked under the bottom edge so that it would be sealed when turned over.
Sew along the fold line and then I pinked the edge to get rid of any stray unravelly bits.
Turn the whole hem over and press along where you want your bottom crease. You could measure this. Wait, you should measure this. :/
Stitch along the top edge of the bias fixing it onto the wrong side of your garment/item/tea dress.
Job done, pour yourself a cup of tea and dunk a rich tea (I wanted to say hob nob but they just don't have the structural integrity).
I love the pop of colour in the hem. I don't think anyone else ever sees it but if they did they'd think it was a really cute feature!
It does create quite a deep hem so make sure you're happy with that on the right side but it encloses all the raw edges and leaves a lovely finished hem.
I use bias on sleeveless tops instead of facings, necklines, cuffs, hems, all sorts really. If it can take this kind of laziness, I'm on it.
Remember how my one goal this year is to comment more? Well it gets really, really, really, really hard to motivate myself to comment when you have your word verification on!
Please do me a favour and turn it off. Don't allow anonymous commenters and that will stop the majority of the spam, in fact it's stopped all of mine. If you still have an issue, then you can turn it back on.
I've checked and turned my verification off, please will you just take a couple of minutes and check your comments section of your settings? Pretty please? Thank you :) xx
Please do me a favour and turn it off. Don't allow anonymous commenters and that will stop the majority of the spam, in fact it's stopped all of mine. If you still have an issue, then you can turn it back on.
I've checked and turned my verification off, please will you just take a couple of minutes and check your comments section of your settings? Pretty please? Thank you :) xx
Sunday 10th March was mothering Sunday here in the UK and inspired by a gal I know, I thought I'd better make use of the lavender I cut and dried last year. Seeing as I grew the lavender in our garden, I thought it would be extra special.
Next I stitched around 3 sides and left a turning gap. Actually, that's a lie. When I got to my turning gap I backstitched then lengthened my stitch to a REAAAAALLY long stitch, stitched over the turning gap, changed back to my regular length, backstitched then carried on. But you could just stop.
Then I stuffed the pouches with some stuffing I had laying around (oh that stash, will it never end?) and poured in some of the dried lavender flowers.
It was at this point that Dus started sneezing, the window and door had to be opened and our headaches began. Don't let that put you off though, just ventilate well!
Oh yes, and then I handstitched the opening closed. Neatly because I didn't want my mother to tell me off. (Not that she would, I've given her some right junk in the past and she's always pretending it's a work of art. Thanks mum!)
Oh yes, so then I got my nice fancy fabric, cut some squares the same size as the calico, and some slightly longer. Cut the longer ones in half then did some tiny hems.
Then I laid the hemmed pieces down overlapping on top of one of the regular size pieces and stitched around all four sides. This is the same as an envelope cushion so if you think my tutorial is rubbish you can easily find someone who can teach you on a search engine. :)
I pinked the edges and clipped the corners, turned them right sides out and stuffed the smelly pouches inside.
I also made a drawstring bag for them to go into but I forgot a photo of that. It had eyelet lace to cinch the top closed.
Anyway, my mother seemed pleased with them, so now she'll have lavender scented drawers. Until they lose their scent and I have to make some more smelly pouches :)
First I hunted in the scrap bin for some calico and cut it into 12 pieces. I know it looks like there's only 6 here, it's because the fabric was folded and I was lazy so I just cut it into 6 folded pieces. :)
Next I stitched around 3 sides and left a turning gap. Actually, that's a lie. When I got to my turning gap I backstitched then lengthened my stitch to a REAAAAALLY long stitch, stitched over the turning gap, changed back to my regular length, backstitched then carried on. But you could just stop.
Then I stuffed the pouches with some stuffing I had laying around (oh that stash, will it never end?) and poured in some of the dried lavender flowers.
It was at this point that Dus started sneezing, the window and door had to be opened and our headaches began. Don't let that put you off though, just ventilate well!
Oh yes, and then I handstitched the opening closed. Neatly because I didn't want my mother to tell me off. (Not that she would, I've given her some right junk in the past and she's always pretending it's a work of art. Thanks mum!)
Oh yes, so then I got my nice fancy fabric, cut some squares the same size as the calico, and some slightly longer. Cut the longer ones in half then did some tiny hems.
Then I laid the hemmed pieces down overlapping on top of one of the regular size pieces and stitched around all four sides. This is the same as an envelope cushion so if you think my tutorial is rubbish you can easily find someone who can teach you on a search engine. :)
I pinked the edges and clipped the corners, turned them right sides out and stuffed the smelly pouches inside.
Fiona's baaaaaaaack!
Actually, I feel a bit bad now because Sara genuinely made a mistake and called me Fiona on the last pattern. This time I sent her my photos labelled Fiona1, Fiona2 etc making the most of my pattern testing alter ego and when I read her launch post realised there actually IS a Fiona testing for her. So now we have to think up another name for my pattern testing alter-ego. What about Queen Sissy-pants?
Anyway, I'm guessing you'll want to see the dude of it now then? Dus had nicknamed this bag 'The Massovional' because it's so big. Seriously, it's giant. I could fit a small child in here. (I don't have a small child fortunately, they would probably be taken off me).
I used some leftover vintage red chambray (remember my dress?), some leftover harris tweedy fabric (polyester though, not proper tweed), black cotton and red piping. ALL FROM STASH! Yeah baby! I'm doing really well with de-stashing this year. Well, I feel like I am but then I go to the cupboard and there's still piles of it!
I used a long metal open ended zip that I had in my stash (yay for stash!) and it may have been because it was so chunky, but I really struggled to sew up the sides close enough so just hand finished the small openings at the ends of the zip. I suspect if you follow the actual material's list you might find you don't struggle because you'll have the zip that was recommended, not a really fat chunky metal zip :)
I had to stuff this bag full of bubblewrap for the photos. So much so that now we have none left for packing :)
You can buy the pattern for this bag, the Massovional in Sara's pattern shop. Be aware though that she has it listed as Aeroplane bag. I think she's missed a trick with the naming of this one ;)
Actually, I feel a bit bad now because Sara genuinely made a mistake and called me Fiona on the last pattern. This time I sent her my photos labelled Fiona1, Fiona2 etc making the most of my pattern testing alter ego and when I read her launch post realised there actually IS a Fiona testing for her. So now we have to think up another name for my pattern testing alter-ego. What about Queen Sissy-pants?
Anyway, I'm guessing you'll want to see the dude of it now then? Dus had nicknamed this bag 'The Massovional' because it's so big. Seriously, it's giant. I could fit a small child in here. (I don't have a small child fortunately, they would probably be taken off me).
I used some leftover vintage red chambray (remember my dress?), some leftover harris tweedy fabric (polyester though, not proper tweed), black cotton and red piping. ALL FROM STASH! Yeah baby! I'm doing really well with de-stashing this year. Well, I feel like I am but then I go to the cupboard and there's still piles of it!
I used a long metal open ended zip that I had in my stash (yay for stash!) and it may have been because it was so chunky, but I really struggled to sew up the sides close enough so just hand finished the small openings at the ends of the zip. I suspect if you follow the actual material's list you might find you don't struggle because you'll have the zip that was recommended, not a really fat chunky metal zip :)
I had to stuff this bag full of bubblewrap for the photos. So much so that now we have none left for packing :)
You can buy the pattern for this bag, the Massovional in Sara's pattern shop. Be aware though that she has it listed as Aeroplane bag. I think she's missed a trick with the naming of this one ;)