19

A Winter Card

 

 

I am considering this to be a winter card as a) it is made for a winter Birthday and b) it involves the cold blue and white that are commonly associated with Winter.

 

This card is made for my dear, lovely Mummy, and I used it as an experiment for

 a) using fabric flowers (I quite like them)

b) using my new mini alphabet stamps (I quite like them)

c) drawing on a card (I quite like it!)

 

So all around, a very successful venture.

Except for the fact that the piece of cad that I used to take pictures on was cream and not white, so everything looks quite dark in these pictures. Apologies.

 

50 Things to Make

18

A Cushion

 

 

This is a cushion that I made for my sister's birthday, indeed complete with an embroidered TARDIS on the front of it. I co-ordinated the colours to match her room ( as well as, you know, TARDIS Blue) and it worked really well. It's just a simple envelope pillow in design, but then she doesn't really care about the back of it!

 

I found the pattern for the TARDIS over at the lovely people from Fandom in Stitches, and I'm so glad that they've started bringing in more embroidery projects, because paper-piecing terrifies me!!! To transfer the design, I merely pinned the paper to the top of the fabric and stitched around the lines.

 

And my sister loves it, so that's even better!

 

50 Things to Make



17

A Hat.

 

For Christmas, one of my friends expressly requested that I knitted her a green hat. With two pompoms. Daunted by this prospect, I used 9mm needles and basically knitted a rectangle with 4 rows of rib at each end, then sewed up the two sides. As far as I am aware, she is very happy with it.

 

I used 2 balls of wool for this, a green and a white, which I knitted together throughout to give the density of a chunky wool

 

Oh, and yeah - my sister made the pompoms because I am hopeless at them!!!

 

50 Things to Make

Secret Quilter (16)

I quilt.

And for some reason, I have ever posted them here. I have made a total of five quilts, of which I have three to show you.

 

  

 

This first one is actually my most recent one that I made for my sister for Christmas. It is a Cath Kidston inspired one, as she's obsessed. It's also great, as I hade loads of fabrics that matched her colour scheme. it's my most accurate quilt that I have completed to date, and she loves it.

This is my first quilt, that I made for my Mum, Christmas 2012. She was completely shocked and didn't expect it. The colours are red, with a patterned red and brown swirl fabric. It is backed with fleece and great to cuddle up with.

 



 

This last one is one I made for myself, and was made out of scraps that are used as fabric samples. It was great, as the squares were all the same size. I quilted this one by embroidering small crosses at intersections in coloured embroidery thread. It's lovely and colourful, and for that reason it will go with practically any colour scheme, which will be great for university next year (because who knows what colours the rooms will be?!?!).

 

My fabric stash is huge, but mainly consists of bits that are less than half a metre tall, and making quilts helps me to use all of these up. It's fantastic, and I hope to make many more.

 

Also, to contribute to my 50 Things to Make (which has now been extended to two years) This is counting as 'Something quilted'.



My Favourite 10: Books (15)

Now. I have a slight obsession with books. They are good. Very good.  I'm also going to count this as 'A selection of book reviews', one of the points on my 50. So, in no particular order, Here are my top ten series

Harry Potter JK Rowling
As if I needed to state the obvious. I am head over heels in love with these books and would read them over and over and over again. Lovable characters, the writing is gorgeous and a world that you can truly believe and endorse your soul and heart in, if you haven't read these, how can you understand this blog? I am a Ravenclaw, after all!

Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit JRR Tolkein
Another great classic. Some of the sentences needed reading a couple of times to focus, but it has adventure in epic proportions, loyalty, romance (I'm in love with Faramir), doom and destruction but light-heartedness too. Middle Earth is well built, and it feels like reading a history at some times (which, as a budding historian, is a high compliment)!

Hunger Games Suzanne Collins
One of those series where you just.can't.put.it.down! There are plot twists and evilness and fluffy bits too, and the writing really grabs you. It makes the reader connect with the characters. I will admit that I despise everything from page 100 onwards in Mockingjay, and I felt that the author was killing nice people off for the sake of it, but the previous two books were so horrifying and believable, it still makes my top ten.

Percy Jackson Rick Riordan
I love this writing style. If there is anyway, or any book that I would advise to learn sarcastic writing style, it is this series. I love the ancient Greek influences, the confusion of those teenage years, and the characters, again, are all so lovable. I like how the author advocates being clever, with Annabeth, and with all of the historical references, it keeps me interested.

I am Number Four Pittacus Lore
I could do without the swearing. Just saying. But, otherwise, the plot was good, the idea an interesting one and I love Six. I felt that Sarah was a bit too perfect and just wanted to punch her, but I loved the idea of what Lorien stood for and that is what keeps me interested, despite Four's arrogance.

Eragon Christopher Paolini
Murtagh. His character just kept me clinging to this series. I love him, he's so complicated and broken, he just needs exploring. The writing was very much older than it was, but the imagery was beautiful. Again, Arya was a bit too perfect, but she's an elf so that's to be expected. I felt the ending of Inheritance was a bit of an anti-climax, but I'm glad that it's been left open for a possible spin-off book/series.

Triskellion  Will Peterson
Slightly Sci-fi but I love the hints of history within it, although it does scare me that one of the characters is called Rachel. The first book was good, but the subsequent two were thrilling, and made me cry. Also, unlike some series, the ending left me satisfied.

Dragonskin slippers Jessica Day George
I like this one for its sewing, its dragons, and oddly, its love story. Creel is not the typical person you would expect to fall for a Prince, and while it is simplistic in its nature, the whole series was interesting and made me smile. And it had sewing in it, so I would recommend for crafting fans of children's literature.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Stephen Chbosky
I fell in love with this book very quickly as I read it at a difficult time in my life and felt that I could connect with the troubled characters. I will say though that I took a different route to sorting out my problems than they did! But the structure of the writing and its simplicity makes it beautiful and heart-wrenching all at the same time, and the ending left tears falling down my face. The character remains broken, less so, but you finally realise why.

Runemarks Joanne Harris
I was beginning to feel that the mythology 'thing' had been overdone, but then I met these two books, based in Norse mythology and fell for it. They took me time to read over my exams, but it was worth it. The plot was complex and the Characters were so colourful and ever-changing that it kept me so interested and focused on the stories. I do think, however, that Loki and Maddy's relationship was left too unexplored.

They're all so gorgeous.

14

A Scarf

 

Or rather, scarves...

 

This is an amazing type of wool, it's all loopy and creates this great ruffle effect. I can also pick it up quite cheaply, as I know a place where I can buy the balls for £2. Marvellous! I am a frugal present giver, as one of these is perfect for a gift, and I feel satisfied in giving them. They look so much more difficult than they are, and can be knotted in a night.

 

The blue one is my favourite, although, the pink one is ideal for a girly girl.

 

Do you have any cheap and easy crafts to use as gifts?

 

50 Things to make



13

A Summer Card

 

 

Aren't they pretty!

 

I was looking for inspiration for a Birthday card, found these strawberry felt stickers and it just felt perfect! They're so cute and the embossed frame makes it even more tactile than just the felt on its own!

 

There's not really much to be said about a tutorial - I just arranged the stickers within a frame and added a sentiment, but I like the simplicity of it.

 

50 Things to make



12

A Pin Board

 

 

Equipment:

An old corkboard

Fabric large enough to cover the corkboard

Ideally a staple gun, but if like me you are without, I found that drawing pins work well too

 

 

1) First, cut the fabric so that there is at least a 10cm border around each edge of the corkboard

2) Lay the fabric right side down, and the cork board on top. Fold the middles of each side flap in and pin in place.

3) Check that fabric is taught across the front

 

4) Fold the corners as you would if wrapping a present and pin in place also.

5) Check everything is pinned and the fabric won't move, and if you can, STAPLE!

 

And.... Voila!

Look! Neat Corners!

 

I wanted to make a pin board cover that would match my room more than an ugly brown ick thing. All you need to do now is stick pins with important things in (or lists. Lots of lists) and off you go!

 

Or you could just leave it plain if you are especially in love with the pattern of fabric that you used.

 

50 Things to Make

11

A Christmas Card

I probably should have added it to my 50 list last week with the spotty gingerbread, but I prefer this one more, so I'm glad I didn't. The design is so girly and pretty. I think I know who I want to give it to too.

The colours are muted traditional colours which are unusual for me, but I like it. And the ribbons and handmade paper add a texture to it that is

This is also going to be linked to the Winter Wonderland Challenge 'Christmas Presents'. I find it a very inspirational site, as I'm still a rather basic card maker. Their cards are always so gorgeous. Something to aspire to perhaps?



10

A History Essay Competition.

Back in March, I entered the Vellacott History Prize, with the title 'History is not an Art, it is a Science. Discuss'. I didn't win anything, but was congratulated on the high standard of my writing. Other people had higher standards, so mine was probably middling. But I feel proud having entered it, and having at least one of the Cambridge professors read my work.

The title also connected with me personally, as for my AS subjects,I study both Art and Physics, as well as with my History, so I felt that this essay and research was ideal to help me 'join-the dots'. I am proud of what I've done.

Here is an extract  of my Art section, as I think it will be more appreciated than me waffling about statistical nonsense.

"History, as with art, will also potentially be judged on its merits by the accepted values and beliefs of the time in which it is appreciated, and will go through cyclic fluctuations as to whether it is valued or, alternatively, disliked. History is unlike science in that it has always existed, and events of the past will not change, making it similar to art. Pieces exist and will be respected, much as with historical events, but that does not necessarily mean that they will be liked. It could then be argued that the main aim of the basic study of History is the appreciation of the past, and not necessarily the dissection nor the understanding of the causation. By appreciating the subject at its foundations, the subject entails the curiosity towards the past and to enjoy its discovery. Also, History is far easier to simplify in order to be understood by the general masses - such as with the television series Horrible Histories, which is targeted at younger audiences; than science is, and History can be made increasingly complex for those who wish. The same occurs with the understanding of art. At a basic level it can be valued for its aesthetics, but can be intricately uncovered into a far more complex work. Science is either intricately complex, or does not contain all of the facts. It is limited where History is not."

50 Things 

9

Something from an Alternate fandom

Aah, Doctor Who, how I do love thee....

 

 

This is a sleep mask that I made, which I embroidered with the phrase 'Don't Blink',  I really hope that there aren't any Weeping Angels around though, they're terrifying!

 

I also thought I'd do a few progress shots, as I haven't made anything in a while, and I wanted to make the most of it!

 

First I drew around one of my existing eye masks, and cut the template out of paper. I seem to be rather unlucky with the masks I use - the elastic always breaks, so perhaps if I can make them, it would be cheaper all around!

 

I then cut out, using the above template, 2 patterned cotton pieces for the front and back, and a fleecey one for the middle, so it doesn't let light in.

 

I then embroidered the front...

 

And promptly started sewing it all together. So much so that I forgot to take a picture of attaching the elastic. Basically, i measured the elastic around my ears, cut it and then attached it my sewing it into the seem as I sandwiched the fleece in the middle.

Turn it all out, hand stitch it closed, and tada!

But Matt Smith is leaving! *tears*

Night Night!

50 Things to Make

8

A Birthday Card

 

 

I love Winnie the Pooh. Always have, and probably, always will. I made this for my friend's birthday and when asked by my mother 'Are you sure she likes Winnie the Pooh', I answered pointedly, 'if she doesn't, she should have latched on by now that I do.'

 

Plus... HOW CUTE IS IT?!?!

 

Equipment:

A stamp ( I've had this one for years, and am seriously in love with it)

White Card

Coloured card scrap

Brown ink pad

Colouring Pencils

Foam Pads

Gingham Ribbon

Glue

 

1) Ink up the stamp and print a clear image onto a sheet of white card. Trim the image and round the corners.

2) Highlight areas with colouring pencils, such as Pooh, or Piglet, or Christopher Robin's shirt.

3) Cut a rectangle slightly larger than the image and round corners also.

4) Layer the two pieces of card using foam pads, slightly off centre

5) Fold an A5 white card blank, and hold horizontally. Glue the gingham ribbon a third in from the right hand side

6) Attach the stamped image and smile.

 

All together now 'awwwwwww!'

Why don't people send me nice birthday cards like this? I usually get ones with shoes and handbags on them. I am not impressed.

50 Things to Make

7

Something Harry Potter

Thou eyes doth not deceive you: that is indeed a Knitted Snape Cushion.

Creepy, isn't it?! Ah well, 'twas knitted for my best friend's Birthday, so I hope she liked it. I finished it back in February and have been dying to share it ever since - I feel I do not do enough Potterness here any more, but oh well.

Pattern came from here, and was simplified down to only three colours by me. I don't think the work suffered much in doing so.

50 Things to make

6

Something Knitted
 



Knitted, completed and left in loving hands 'up North'.

A little Cafetière cover, knitted in pastel blue and green, on 4mm needles, from the book '20 to Make: Knitted Mug Hugs'. I love these books, as the projects are so simple and easy, and I'd recommend them for any beginners, and more advanced knitters for simple projects.

 

Amazon

The projects range in difficulties - from simple purl and knit stitched ones, to cables, fair isle, knitted motifs -they're all so lovely! And can be knitted in an afternoon. I particularly like the bunting one, which I may make for myself at some point. They'd also make great gifts, if attached to a specific mug also, so are a cheap option also, if you find a nice one in a second hand shop.

 

I would say though, that some doctoring may have to be done in order to get the 'Hugs' to fit the right sized mugs - five repeats were recommended, yet here it was only necessary to do three. They knit up in two ways - one starts with the button band and works horizontally,the other works from the bottom up and adds a button band. I would recommend the former for the first time, as you can cater the length to a specific size of mug by just missing out a few repeats.

I lie.....Two Knitted Things!

A Mug cosy which turned out to be far too big for most of the mugs that have ever existed, so is currently being modelled by a glass. Another example of where the patterns didn't work out quite to a suitable size

 

50 Things to Make

5

A decoration.

 

 

This is a long awaited post of some goodies I made for my Mum for Mother's Day. Inspired by this post on HelloLidy, my mum is the most avid tea drinker I know. Left to her own devices, she would drink at least two cups an hour, if not more! Therefore, it was a fitting Idea.

 

I altered the instructions slightly, to make a neater representation - when following instructions, I tend to make a variation if I can think of one. For each tea bag, I used a star-shaped hole punch to cut a pair of shapes from different papers, and sandwiched the loose ends of a piece of folded thread between them. At the folded end, I tapered it to a point and threaded it through a large eyed needle. This i then sewed through the top of the tea bag, removed the needle and threaded the paper end through the loop.

Sounds complicated? It's not. It's just like adding the fringing to the end of a scarf, or that tassel onto a bookmark... You know the ones I mean.

 

I packaged these in a glass jar, with a few fake flowers poking out of the top. Mum was most pleased, but perhaps that had more to do with the poster of Daniel Craig I gave her? Never mind...

 

50 Things to Make