Beady Bonanza

Definitely back on track with this blogging lark again.  To prove it, I have some finished pieces to show:

Firstly, this Alhambra Tiles bracelet, made from a tutorial by Callie Mitchell, The Peregrine Beader.

For this, I used some lovely Toho size 11 seeds with a hybrid Picasso finish, delicas, size 15 seeds, Swarovski chatons & 4mm bicones and Czech fire polished 4mm beads, also with a hybrid Picasso finish.  It was also my first attempt at cubic right angle weave – definitely a stitch I will do again.

Next up, is this Ruby Pools bracelet, which was my own design (A.K.A. “making it up as you go along”).

I used June’s Acorn Club beads from Oak Tree Crafts for this.  There are size 8, 11 & 15 seeds and 4 & mm Czech fire polished in it, stitched in a combination of right angle weave and peyote.  I love when these wee kits come through my door.

Next up, one I actually completed at the Bead Retreat; a Granada brooch, from Sabine Lippert’s Beaded Fantasies book.

For this one I used Swarovski pearls (in my favourite powdered almond colour), bicones and a rivoli, along with some size 15s.  I am so happy with the colourway of this one – it has a lovely vintagey feel to it.

Finally, a Monochrome Spiral bangle.  One of the very first bits of beading I did was to make one of the these, and I had always intended to go back and do another one, but never quite got around to it (until now):

For this one I used seed beads in size 6, 8, 11 (3 different colours) and 15 (2 different colours).  The only downside to this bangle has been that one of the colours of 15s is frosted and they are very brittle.  Not great when combined with a very stiff bangle, the outcome being that a few of them have snapped.  Hopefully it won’t get any worse, at the moment you can’t really see where they have gone, but definitely something to bear in mind if you are making one of these, especially if it’s for someone else.

Have lots more to share with you all, so will be back soon with another update.

Lisa xoxo

 

Fabulous Fabrics

Greetings, oodlers.  Hope this week has been good to you so far; mine has been pretty good and to top it off, I’m away for a long weekend on Friday.

I took a trip, with my good friend, Lesley, through to Mandors on Sunday.  Mandors is a fantastic fabric shop in Glasgow -  those of you who know me in person, know I’m not much of a shopper, but I could seriously spend all day in there.  I was lucky enough to have an itison voucher, which saved me some money but still spent a fair bit (and could have spent way, way more!).

Would you like to see what I got?  If not, please look away now, because I’m going to show you anyway.

First I got this gorgeous (and very expensive) wool crepe.

The photo doesn’t really do it justice.  The feel of it is amazing and I can’t wait to make my 1950s stole from Decades of Style using it.

I also got this fabulous tulle with large velvet spots and some nude lining:

This is going to end up as a party skirt (my favourite item of clothing).

What do you think of this atlas oilcloth?

I think it will make a great weekend bag.  I’ll be using the weekend bag pattern from The Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam.

Finally, some fabric for cushions:

I’m hoping these will be perfect with our sofa – they certainly seem to go well together in the photo.

So, my wallet may be lighter, but I’m really looking forward to using these fabrics to make (hopefully) wonderful creations.  The reason I am so keen to learn dressmaking is to have really well cut clothes in beautiful fabrics, not to save money.  I really want to move away from quantity and end up with a few really good quality pieces.

What skill do you want to learn in 2012, and why?

Lisa xoxo

Time for tea

I thought I’d show you this gorgeous vintage china cake stand my lovely friend, Jo, gave me for Christmas.  She made it herself and it’s so fabulous it makes me want to bake loads of cakes and scones.  In fact, I may just have to get some jam and clotted cream at the weekend and have a cream tea, using some of my loose leaf teas from Eteaket (my favourite tea shop).

On the craft front, I’m just beginning to get my motivation back after feeling poorly.  We have a craft fair on Sunday and I don’t have as much stock as I’d like, but I’m sure between Lesley, Sigrid and I, we’ll have enough stuff.  Progress with my Belle Ruffle wristwarmers has been slow – it’s definitely showing that it has been a long time since I knitted on 5 needles (I think I was 7 or 8 the one and only time I did it, and even then it may only have been 4 needles).  I’m now on “take 3″:

It was also my first time knitting on a circular needle, which took a little getting used to.  I’m now at the stage where I’m ready to transfer to my 4 needles.

On the fashion front, last week joined Polyvore – OMG what a time sapper that is, but so much fun; I am so looking forward to making new boards, hopefully with some clothes I actually own (and maybe even ones I make, once I learn how to photograph them properly for this).  I must limit my time there though, as I am looking forward to making lots of things in the next wee while.  I’m off fabric shopping next weekend, so will make something from my Sew What! Skirts book.

I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone’s crafty makes and bakes.

Speak soon

Lisa xoxo

p.s. thought I’d better put a little disclaimer here, after finding out about affiliate links.  I don’t use these – any things or places I link to are places I use, love and want to share with you all

A bit of a hiccup

Just to show not everything goes according to plan, here’s a felt brooch that didn’t quite work:

I had wanted the Sizzix Petal Power die for some time, as I’ve seen some really nice things done with it.  This is definitely not one of them.  I don’t think it’s far away from looking okay, I just need to put it together differently.  On a positive note, I do love the colour.

To make me get off my butt and start sewing, I treated to myself to Sew What! Skirts by Francesca DenHartog and Carole Ann Camp.  I love that these don’t need a pattern, just your measurements.

On the subject of sewing, I still haven’t finished the stole I was going to make about 6 months ago.  To be honest, although I really like the fabric, I don’t think I like it for the stole.  I originally wanted a very lightweight wool, but our local fabric shop didn’t have any because it was summer.  The stuff I ended up getting is quite slippery and, although it’s a lovely colour, it’s just not right (are you picking up a theme here?).  I’m thinking about taking a trip through to Mandor’s in Glasgow one Sunday in the next couple of weeks – better set my budget before I go though, as it is a fabulous shop (or was the last time I was in, which is a few years ago).

Onwards and upwards…

Lisa xoxo

Twit-twoo

Happy New Year, everyone.  Hope you all had a good one – mine was very quiet and low key but still nice.  I’m now all ready to take 2012 by the horns.

I’ve not been hugely productive so far though, with only one crafty make in 2012, although I have had orders for another 4 of these in different colours, which I’ll get done this week.

What do you think of this cute little fella?

We’re doing another craft fair next month (a retro one this time), so will definitely be taking some of these along.  I am really looking forward to it; there are quite a few things I noticed at my first fair that I should have done, but it was still a great success.  In fact I’m putting it down to beginners luck, as don’t think the future ones will be just as successful.

I’ve also been doing a bit of crocheting, which I’m pretty new to.  I originally was going to make a shrug, but it started out with a chain of 257 stitches, so I realised pretty quickly that there would be no way I’d still have 257 stitches once I did my foundation row.  I’m not yet comfortable enough with crochet to be able to count my stitches with ease and find the foundation row really difficult; I never quite know if I’m going into one chain loop or half of one loop and half of another.  Recognising my lack of experience, I’ve decided to do a scarf made of star-like flower shapes instead – is it a bit of an easy option? Why, yes it is, but easy isn’t always bad

We hosted the first wine club of 2012 on Saturday night.  It was a great success, not least because my bottle won best bottle!  For food I did home-made pizza (with the help of Eve from Cupcakes & All That), penne & Nigella’s meatballs (although I cheated and bought in the pasta), cheese & crackers and whisky mac cupcakes, from the Love Bakery book, which are exceeding scrumptious.  I have to say the Love Bakery book is my favourite cupcake book ever; I’ve made quite a few of them and they’ve all turned out fantastic.

Well, better dash and start 2012 as I mean to go on, by spending more time making and less procrastinating

Toodles

Lisa xoxo

November?

..how on earth did that happen?  One minute it felt like I had just returned from holiday, then I blinked and it’s November.

Since my last post, I haven’t done much crafty stuff, but do have a head full of plans – just lacking some motivation.

One thing I did have a go at was making my own sweeties. I had treated myself to Home-Made Sweet Shop by Claire Ptak.  I made the salted caramel chocolates and adapted the peanut butter fudge (although I think next time I’ll put even more peanut butter in it, as I adore peanut butter).  The book as fantastic – I can see me making quite a few things from it.  I especially love that it’s aimed at the UK market, so all the ingredients are easily obtainable.

I also may have mentioned this before, but I am determined to get to grips with bead embroidery this year.  Dimensional Bead Embroidery by the wonderful Jamie Cloud Eakin is a brilliant book, with really well-written instructions.  It follows on nicely from Beading with Cabochons.

I’m really keen to learn to make my own clothes, so much so that I have visions of myself in glorious party frocks, designed, cut and sewn by me.  I think reality may not be simple – so far I have only got as far as acquiring The Party Dress by Simon Henry, The Vogue Book of Sewing edited by Crystal McDonald , and Advanced Pattern-Drafting for Fashion by Teresa Gilewska I still need to get my hands on a copy of the basic one!)

I have so much to learn!!

Finally, in keep with the festivities this year, here’s Stu and I with a couple of friends at a Hallowe’en party last weekend – I’m Liza Minnelli.

Hopefully November won’t fly by as quickly as October did.

Until next time…

Lisa xoxo

 

Off the Cuff

I made this beaded Rosette Cuff to wear to the wedding of my lovely friends, Jo & Richard, last weekend.

I made the base of the cuff using Miyuki Delica beads and the rosette using Size 11 Seed Beads, also from Miyuki.  I love beads with a matte finish.  The cuff was then placed over a blank and backed with ultrasuede.  I’m really pleased with this one, and I’m to write a tutorial for it, although I may refine the rosette a bit – watch this space.

On other matters, work behind the scene on my forthcoming website is going along slowly but surely.  I’m also working on a project for this month’s Operation Tackle That Bead Stash, in red, aqua and white.

I’ve also finally cut out the stole I was supposed to be making months ago – to be honest pinning and cutting it was a total pain, as the fabric I used was a bit on the slithery side.  Need to get it put together and sewn up – will definitely do some of it one night this week.  Not even started on my duct tape dress form, but have roped in the lovely Lesley, who has agreed to mummify me in tape, when we both have a bit of spare time!

Also, I’m long overdue a craft book post, so check back shortly to see what I’ve added to my library recently.  Until then…

Before I Went Away

I’ve been quite quiet lately, but do have an excuse; I’ve just come back from a couple of weeks in Spain (which was fabulous – I love Spain) and was mega busy finishing a couple of jewellery pieces (and doing the day job) before I went.

Firstly I made this Laura McCabe bracelet as a raffle prize for The Little Lucy Flynn Fund Elvis Tribute night.

I also made this Blue Russian bracelet for me.  I used cobalt and gunmetal seedies and gorgeous lampies given to me by Helen at LaLa Lampwork.  The bracelet is done in Russian Spiral stitch, with the toggle and clasp in Peyote.

I also had to treat myself to a new camera before I left, as my old point and shoot had broken (I was planning on getting one at some point this year or early next year, but timing-wise – if not money-wise – a few days before the holiday was a perfect time.  I ended up with this Nikon D3000.  I think the next book in my basket will be the “For Dummies” book for it.  It’s my first DSLR and I’m so glad I started off with an entry level one, as I think it will be quite a steep learning curve coming from a point and shoot.

I also treated myself to a couple of books from The Book Depository.  I’m really loving this site, as they seem to be able to get some books prior to their UK publication date.  I got Classical Elegance by Maggie Meister and Bead & Button Magazine’s Your Seed Bead Style.

I’ll be back soon to bore you with some holiday snaps and give an update on my next projects.

Lisa xoxo

Tea & (cup)cakes

We went through to Edinburgh for the afternoon on Saturday, as we were going to grab a burger  plus rum & coke ice cream float at 99 Hanover Street for a late lunch.  We got a fab deal on Groupon and the burgers were superb (I got a Godfather & Stu had a Moroccan) and, although I was expecting the place to be more restauranty than pubby, I’d definitely go back again.

We decided to go for a cuppa (and comfort break!) not long after we first arrived and happened upon Eteaket in Frederick Street.  I had never heard of it before, and have to admit I’m not the world’s greatest tea lover (I know realise that’s probably because I chuck a bag in a cup and leave it until it’s so stewed I need to add a little milk {not a milk lover either}, but really really enjoyed the tea here.  In fact, before we left, we bought a tea strainer and 2 tubs of tea – if you’re ever in Edinburgh, you should drop in and peruse their tea menu.

I’ve been hankering after a large star piping nozzle for ages and didn’t ever seem to get around to getting one, so nipped into Lakeland and got these.  This set is great value at £11.99.  I bought disposable bags for mine, as they’re just so much easier to use the deal with than the washable type.

In honour of Saturday, I decided to make afternoon tea for Sunday dinner.  Got my adored Love Bakery cupcake book out and opted for the Peruvian Bear Cupcakes (named after everyone’s favourite behatted and duffle-coated bear).  They’re basically a chocolate cupcake filled with bitter marmalade and topped with chocolate buttercream.

I didn’t actually feel like one of these on Sunday (I’m not the greatest chocolate cake fan, so really have to be in the mood for it), but tried one when I got home tonight (purely in the interests of quality control, of course {plus I had no dinner last night, so been a bit peckish today).  Was very nice – not too chocolately, perhaps because it was made with cocoa, not chocolate.

Last night we went to see Peter Kay on the Tour that Doesn’t Tour Tour at the SECC.  Was fantastic, he was definitely on top form.  SECC car park was up to its usual shambolic standards as well – took us over an hour to get out of the damn thing!  Didn’t waste a great night though.

Will be back with some beady stuff in the next couple of days.

Lisa xoxo

Spring into a new week

Spring has finally sprung here in not so sunny Scotland.  Have been busy on a few things this week; I’m quite enjoying working on a few things at the same time – means I can do whatever I’m in the mood for.  All are works in progress with the exception of the card.

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, so I made this card for my gorgeous Mum.

I kept it simple, mainly because my family tend to like simple cards.  Papers are Invest, Season and  Steel from BasicGrey’s Infuse range.  Dies are Sizzix Designer Bookplates and Flower with Vine & Leaves.  Word is stamped on with clear letter stamps.  Edges inked with a Cat’s Eye Chalk Ink Pad in soft olive.

I’ve also been working on this bracelet to compliment the Vineyard necklace I have from Laura McCabe’s book, Creating Crystal Jewelery with Swaovski.

I’ve used Swarovski Crystallized Elements rivolis in  Siam, Swarovski pearls in almond, with Miyuki delicas and seed beads in gold, bronze and red.

Next up is an attempt at chain mail.

This is from Chained by Rebeca Mojica.  I used aluminium jump rings.  Would love to try this in silver, gold or some other nice metal, but aluminium’s cheap and I am very inexperienced when it comes to chain mail.  The only thing I’ve made before was a Byzantine bracelet.

Finally I have a polymer clay pod pendant.  I’m a bit disappointed in this one – it’s fatter than I intended and I’m not sure the surface effect has worked.  Also you can’t really see the under colour through the holes.  It’s the first time I’ve done a hollow bead though, so hopefully it wall all be part of the learning process.

I will be back with more soon.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo