lovely handy pegs

Continuing the handmade present theme for 2010, i've decorated this everyday household item with some bright fun papers to create a upbeat and hopefully useful gift. A handy pack of 8 pegs all covered in a different papers, wrapped in celophane and tied with natural threads and a heart stamped gift tag who wouldn't love these? Cute and useful!

precious treasure

I felt like Amelie Poulain when my friend gave me this box on wednesday, what was going to be inside? The most delightful treasure, like a window looking back on my friends childhood I was transported back to her first sewing class, she was 10 again and stitching her green needle case catching buses home from school and making dresses for her dolls.

I loved the tin, it depicts the most beautiful snowy scene and evokes so much joy. I found it difficult recently standing in all the ice and snow we've had in trousers let alone the crinoline dresses the ladies are wearing.

Oh what a discovery! Fabric (pale blue), instructions from a doll's dress pattern. A pre-printed fabric doily ready to be stitched, lace ends, two balls of wool (pink and turquoise).


Carefully unpacking the sewing box I discovered that it had been carefully lined, such painstaking care had been taken. It was delightful, all the little bits and pieces from unfinished projects. Odd end of embroidery threads, the smallest piece of red ribbon... could it be a sash for a dolls dress?

Pins, needles, buttons (four, unmatching), beads (two, yellow), a fantastic vintage tape measure in a gorgeous retractable red case (once brand new), pencil (still sharp), dress poppers, reel of elastic, half a reel of blue thread and three thimbles (all decreasing in size).

I have been imagining all of the possible projects that could have been made with this sewing kit, perhaps I could have a go at finishing some of them, or be inspired by the potential that's still waiting to be used.

daily patterns

I love these pebbles which have been pressed into the paths at a local garden, the patterns which they make are just lovely and remind me of handstitched quilts and textiles. Simply beautiful.

i heart buttons

Todays project, whilst stuck at home by the snow, has been to finish this rather fetching heart button badge. Made from felt, vintage buttons, it has a simple pin on the back for a fastening and is stuffed with whatever i could lay my hands on. Its a little on the large size but can easily be passed off as a statement piece! Fab.

challenge one for twenty ten

I like challenges so here's one for twenty ten: inspired by the credit crunch state of my bank balance this year i'm going to see how many presents I can make myself. Personally I love handmade gifts and I reckon that, with a little organisation and astute planning I can make the majority of birthday and anniversary gifts. I will give myself a 'phone-a-freind' clause, which is if I can't make what I want to give and can find someone who can, then i'll still be supporting the art and crafts industry. Yay me.
To start the year off above are a couple of lovely handmade envelopes which happen to be environmentally friendly, recycled and 100% good for the planet as well as my piggy bank.
Wrapped up in packs of 6 with some natural thread, these are a practical yet fun gift to give, perhaps give a small book of stamps with them to any impoverished students.

mmm, cupcakes

My sweet tooth has inspired the making of these rather cute badges. They look great all layed out like this together. Pretty.