Vintage Sarah

Now that the hectic last week of school is behind me, I've had a chance today to catch up on blogland. Not alot of sewing done this week but all the pressies are in , just need wrapping and then its time to relax.  Christmas Eve will find me in the kitchen listening to carols on Classic F.M. and making stuffing, bread sauce and more mince pies.
I'd like to just tell you about a giveaway I've entered at Sew me. To celebrate Sarah's blogiversary she is giving away some delicious vintage fabric.

sewmeblog.blogspot.co.uk

The title doesn't imply Sarah is old, just the fabric is old style. Thought I better make that clear as Sarah may never speak to me again.

This will probably be my last blog before christmas, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

           Love    Ruth xo

Birthdays, Buttons and Brooches.

This week I celebrated my birthday with the three people I love most in the whole wide world. My husband and two daughters.
I don't know if it's because my birthday is so close to Christmas and therefore an expensive time of the year or I'm getting older and birthdays just remind me how old I'm getting that I don't really enjoy them. Anyway, my husband  took myself and the girls out for a lovely meal. We intended on going to Nandos but ended up at Avoca where we had a lovely time sitting in a beautifully vintage atmosphere where the food was delicious.
Sorry no photos though.

This week we finished our last class of the year where we had been making buttons and brooches.
This was a really great class, learning some finishing techniques . The first class was like going back to school and playing with fimo. However, I loved this class and have put fimo on my xmas list.

Some of the fimo buttons.


Next we made Suffolk Puffs and filled it with toy stuffing.



It took more stuffing than I thought . It makes a nice brooch, don't you think?



Appliqued brooches finished of with some of my fimo buttons.

 

This week we finished of the course with these brooches, perfect for decorating bags or pouches.

 

I made these candy stick mice to give as wee gifts to my class at school. I got the idea from a Prima Christmas magazine.
Great for hanging on the tree.
With only a week before school finishes, this should be a fun week at school!
Watching a nativity play, kids performing one on Tuesday and Wednesday , party's and topping it off with the pantomime on Friday. ( Oh yes it is )
Roll on Friday.

                      Ruth xo

Stockings Galore

Couldn't think of an imaginative title for this blog .
Anyway, I decided it was time to renew the girls stockings and as Peter and I didn't have any, make some for us. So since August ( yes that's when I started Christmas sewing) I have been sewing stockings.

Once again sorry for the photo, photograpy is not my strength. Hope you manage to see the stockings. I loved making these and they look great hanging above the fire place, waiting to be filled

Whilst I was off from work a few weeks ago suffering from vertigo I took to doing some blog hopping and discovered Sew wonderful life. There I discovered some lovely minature stocking bunting. The pattern is available on Punkinpatterns.
This afternoon I decided to have a go at making them.

The wee stockings measure approx 4-5"

 

I cut the backing out in this lovely sparkly felt.

 

Sewed the two pieces together and Bob's your uncle ,lovely stocking bunting.

Hope your Christmas preparations are going well.

 Love
          Ruth xo

Sweetie Love

One of the tricky things about learning new skills is being able to continue at home and make things on your own without the support of your class mates or your teacher.
This was my challenge this weekend when my eldest daughter requested a LOVE cushion for her youth leader who is having to give up her role as leader due to health problems.

So away we went to my favourite fabric shop and together we chose some lovely polka dots and floral fabrics.

I'm not really very good at selecting fabrics and matching colours and patterns, but with the help of the assisstant and another customer we came up with the above combination.

As I had only made the cushion once, I was a little nervous if I could repeat the mitred corners again.
I shouldn't have worried too much because Judith's instructions were as always clear and precise.

Sweetie Love.

Love the back.

It's amazing how different something can turn out depending on your colours, pattern and fabric.

I have called this one Sweetie Love.

I absolutely love it and hope the recipient will enjoy it as much as I did making it. 

 

I still have one more cushion to do before Christmas. Those of you who know me well will know what colour  I intend to do it in, but I wonder if you can guess what I will call it.

No prizes, just a bit of fun.

Hope you've had a sweet weekend.

Love Ruth xo

Funky Love

A couple of weeks ago we finished our Applique class.
You may get bored with me saying how much I love learning new skills, I get so excited! For me that is the main reason  for attending class. Judith always knows when I'm enjoying a particular class, as she hears squeals of delight coming from my direction.
This class was no different, especially when it came to the mitred corners in this cushion.
The joy when I actually follow the instructions and it works!!!!!!!
The needlecord I had stashed away since my Dutch days. I knew it would come in handy sometime.(Apart from making a skirt too).
The letters were scraps(soul blossoms) I had left from another cushion I had made.

Funky Love


 

The back



 

I'm trying to source some red needlecord so I can make one for Abi.
Hope you are having a great Thursday.
                           Ruth xo

Big Kiss

Suffering from vertigo as I am at the moment, means that I am able to catch up with some sewing and work my way througth my list of stuff to do. It takes me all morning to get up and regain my balance , so since I can't drive , I can't work either.
Bad time of the year to take off I know, what with nativity plays and excitement of christmas building, so I certainly don't want to add to the stress of  a staff member fainting and going dizzy.
Anyway, since we are still in Novenber, I thought yesterday I would have a go at the big kiss for Bee Blessed.

Big fat sloppy kiss.

I really enjoyed this block. It got me thinking it was time I got busy doing Rebekah's memory quilt.
So when I have finished with Christmassy things, that is what I will do.
         Kisses
           Ruth xo

Aran finish

Two years ago I started knitting myself an aran cardigan.

I was determined that I would get it finished before the year was out.

Everything else has been put to the side in order for me to focus on the grand finish.

Last week, I am proud to say I actually finished it.( yippee)

I am for the most part really pleased with it, but am a little disappointed on the length.

It could do to be a little bit longer but I have to say it will be nice and cuddly warm during these cold winter  months.

Not the best photo, but you get the idea.

 

In detail.


 

There is something very satifying about making your own things.
Now onto my next item, something for my youngest daughter. Mind you, it will be a simple , straight forward stocking stitch jumper.

Hope you are keeping warm.
                 Love
                       Ruth xo