button necklace 2

I spotted these gorgeous buttons on ebay and just had to have them - I didn't know what I was going to do with them but I HAD to have them! (Do you get like that or is it just me?). Anyway, after making Bethany's button necklace, I thought I'd have a go at making one for myself. I chose 7 buttons, which was very tricky let me tell you; they are all so lovely. I just threaded a large needle with some gorgeous organza ribbon and started threading it through the holes; with the four hole buttons I did it twice in a x - I always stitch 4 hole buttons that way. When I finished I attached a clasp and there we have it!

button necklace

It's been a rainy dull day here so to keep Bethany & I busy I pulled out my button tin. She loves looking at all the colours and picking out her favourites. She asked me if we could make a necklace so I thought I'd give it a go. These are the buttons Beth picked out - interesting mix eh?

As I was making the necklace for a child, I decided to use shirring elastic threaded on a large needle. I've never made a necklace before so I was kind of making it up as I went along. I stitched through each set of holes twice to make sure the buttons were secure. At the end I went through the first button again to finish the circle.

Bethany just had to have the big doggy button on the necklace so I put it in the centre. She was pretty pleased with it as you can see. I think I need one now (minus the dog) ...

kid's embroidered drawing

Bethany, my 3 year old daughter drew this lovely picture of herself with me & daddy (the big one with the hairy chest!) the other day; it was so cute and funny I wanted to find a way to preserve it so I thought I'd have a go at digitising it into a machine embroidery design. First I had to scan it in, then I used "Digitize n Stitch" by Amazing Designs to convert it into a machine embroidery design. Finally I stitched it out on my Husqvarna QD2 using bright pink embroidery thread on cream cotton fabric. Now, I just need to find a frame to put it in but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Me thinks the rest of the family might be getting embroidered Bethany portraits for Christmas!

thanks mum...

My lovely mum rarely goes anywhere without bringing me something back, even to the supermarket. When she took my daughter shopping on Wednesday whilst I was working this is the present she bought me - isn't it great?! It makes me smile everytime I look at it. Even my husband thought it was funny. Thanks mum...

Loads of jobs to do today, but I couldn't let the day pass without a little bit of craftiness.

I've had these lovely red photo frames for ages and the edges have started to chip slightly so I started off (with a little help from my girl) by covering the chips with nail varnish. I bought the feather butterflies from Poundland - I didn't have a use for them at the time but couldn't resist the gorgeous colours. I stuck them on a angles with some tacky glue and job done!

Love Stitched Giveaway from Little Miss Momma

Take a look at this fab giveaway on Love Stitched from Little Miss Momma. Two fantastic blogs and some gorgeous rings & hairslides. I love the Victoria Chrysanthemum Statement Ring with Dangling Heart Charm. So cute.

(Image from Little Miss Momma)

Sewing: Heirloom Cut Chenille Baby Blanket

(photo from Aesthetic Nest)

Take a look at this blanket on the latest blog I've discovered Aesthetic Nest - what a clever idea and the colours are great. Bethany would love this. Another project for my "to do" list!

Sewing: Heirloom Cut Chenille Baby Blanket

Thread Storage

I am addicted to buying embroidery thread but storing it has been a problem...until this display stand was donated to me.

Grey does nothing for me, so I gave it a couple of coats of magnolia gloss. I bought some wooden dowel rods from my local DIY shop and cut them at various lengths to accommodate the different size spools. I painted them too and knocked them into the holes, playing around with how close I placed them together. Then I prettied the stand up with some bits from my scrapbooking stash. I am so chuffed with the result; I even have a place to store my hoops and ribbons!

Oh and I nearly forgot, I had to add some embroidery somewhere so I stitched the "Keep Calm and Sew Stuff" design from Urban Threads and mounted it onto some thick cardboard. I love it love it love it!

Re-purposed Jewellery Board

Ok, so it turns out that I am really bad at posting. This doesn't come as a great surprise to me as I am always full of good intentions that don't last. But I have read so many great blogs lately it has prompted me to have another go.

So this is what I have been working on lately; a new place to store my ever increasing collection of jewellery. I aquired a couple of peg boards from a shop that was closing down. I knew they would come in useful for something someday!

I started by painting it with cream coloured gloss. Then I raided my stash of scrapbook paper and choose come pretty flowers to cut out. I applied them with Mod Podge (my first time trying this product and I think its great!). Finally I gave it a de-stressed look by using sandpaper around the edges of the board and voila! I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Now I can see all my pretty necklaces in one place. Next I need one for my hats and bags!