Robotic Cookie - Jewellery with personality

I think I am really going to enjoy blogging, currently working on another bag tutorial, I will post it up as soon as its completed. Tweeking a pattern I found on the internet to make a few custom changes and upcycling a shirt I found in a charity shop to make the prototype. Upcycling, isn't that a fantastic word.

Well any-who while I busy myself playing with the bag I wanted to share another blog that I follow,  RoboticCookie is a blog by a geeky jewellery designer, her designs are both cute and on-trend and just that bit different.

Robotic Cookie - Work in progress

I am also  immensely proud of all of her designs, Robotic Cookie just happens to be my daughter. From items inspired by popular shows like Game of Thrones, Dr Who and Sailor Moon through to cute icelolly and doughnut earrings, her pieces allow you to add that touch of individuality to an outfit.

Robotic Cookie - Beach huts 

With Christmas now on the horizon why not try and buy gifts this year that are handmade, made in the UK and unique. I know that's my plan this year. In fact as I love beach huts so much I am commissioning her to make me some beach hut Christmas tree decorations to add to my tree this year. 

What do you think? 

Nat x

Sport Cartoon Decoupage Numbers

Cartoon Decoupage Tutorial

If you read my earlier blog, you will know that I am starting a room makeover for my stepson Ryan. His list was quite long and slightly challenging, but I do love a challenge. He wants the shirts of his two favourite footballers on his wall, Messi and Pele. Even as someone that does not follow football, I realised that replica shirts would be very expensive and as my budget for the makeover is pretty small, I decided I needed to improvise. I plan to draw the outline of the shirt on the wall and use covered cardboard for the player's numbers. Both players wear number ten, not sure yet how I will do the player's names but sure I will think of something. 

I got the numbers after a trip to my local  Hobbycraft ,at only £2 each,I thought they were very reasonable. I also picked up to some Mod Podge and a brush. Well with numbers, glue and brush all I needed to get started was some football magazines. Thankfully he has a big drawer full of Match magazines, so armed with a pile of last years editions I was ready to get started. Below is my go at a tutorial to show you what to do:

1. First grab yourself a tray or cover your table with a cloth or some paper.
2. Go through your magazines and cut out the images you want to use, the more the better as you can pick and choose which you want to  use where.

   

   My number ready to be decoupaged

3. Once you have a piece selected for use cover it with Mod Podge and place it on your number. If the area has any curves I found it better to cut the pieces into thin strips. That way you don't get any creases or wrinkles. 
4. if your number has a middle, as with my zero, I found it easier to cover the inside first.

   

   Starting to stick my pieces on - I realised it was better to do the edges first after I took this picture

5. Once this done, then cover the outer edge.
6. The last step is to cover the centre sections front and back. Make sure to let some of your pieces go over to the side to let the deign flow.
7. Once you have covered the whole area feel free to go over the design with a layer of Mod Podge to seal it.



The finished number - not bad for a first attempt

8. All that is left is to stand back and admire your handiwork.

I love the look of this so much, I think i may have to decoupage his bed and skirting board

Number ten ready to go on the wall

Well I hope this has shown you how easy and inexpensive it is to do some decoupage yourself. I'd love for you to share your ideas and projects with me.

Autumn weekends - perfect for projects

The start of the football season in our house means one thing, Saturday afternoons without the boys. An afternoon of peace and quiet and time to get my sewing machine out or partake in some crafts.
Already I have become quite excited and have my to do list ready. My 9 year old stepson's bedroom is in desperate need of a makeover  and as he is sport mad, the theme he has asked for is no surprise.

Ryan's wishlist

Also on my list is a decoupage project to makeover my under sink cupboard in the bathroom, I also want to make some little lavender teabags and try my hand at making handbags.

Lavender Teabag Sachets by PatchworkPottery on Flickr

It certainly looks like my weekends are going to be pretty busy for the next few months. Who knows I may even try and make some gifts for Christmas. 

Well no time to lose... best get to it..

Boho bag tutorial .. my first bag

I have been looking a bags on Pinterest for forever, well today I decided to have a go at making one.

I looked at all the different ones on my "things to make board" and decided on the Boho bag. I had a fat quarter with butterflies on it, not quite enough to make the bag so had a rummage in my bag of old clothes. I had an old Oasis zebra print wrap dress and a pair of black linen trousers. The dress had a small stain on it, so couldn't be sold and the trousers had faded slightly, but both were ideal for using for my first bag project.

I couldn't find a PDF pattern for the bag, lots of links promised them but on clicking I couldn't find them. I found one site All About You ,which had a diagram I was able to follow and make my own pattern. Below is my tutorial for how I made my bag.

I cut out my pattern using A4 paper and washi tape

1.  Cut your pattern out, i used plain paper but you could use newspaper or old wallpaper.
2. 1 cm seam allowances are included in the dimensions, I think the straps could be slightly longer but that's just my preference. 
3. As I wanted to use my fat quarter for part of the bag, I cut this out first. I had to piece it on the handle, you cant see it on the finished article. I also had enough fabric left to add a pocket (you can always leave this out).
4. If using one fabric for your outside and one for your lining use the pattern and cut two on the fold for each. Cut one base in each fabric too.
5. Now all you need to do is stitch it together.
6. It will make for a neat finish if you iron your seams open after every section is completed.
7. Stitch in this order. Side seams, then top curved edges.
8. Turn right sides out and press, I then top stitched along the curved edge.
9. Tack or pin along the bottom edge and also pin or tack the two base pieces together. If I make this again I would overlock or zigzag around the base to make it neat before stitching it to the rest of the bag.
10. Sew the base in so seam allowance is on the inside.
11. And voila your bag is complete, all that is left to do is tie the straps.

My finished bag

My old trousers and dress transformed

Well what do you think? Do you agree these type of bags are better with slightly longer straps?
Just in case you can't see the measurements from the photo, they are:
73 cm long on fold;25 cm side edges; 20 cm bottom; base 35 cm x 10 cm

Why I love bunting

For as long as I can remember I have loved bunting. When I think about the street parties as a child to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, straight away I see the yards and yards and cheery triangles of fabric, blowing in the breeze and I am taken back to a carefree time.
Three years ago I moved into a 1930's bungalow and started the task of adding my own style to it. The mood board for my kitchen was totally designed around some red spotty teapot fabric.

Red spotty teapot bunting in my kitchen

And yes you have guessed it, the first thing I made was bunting. The bunting then dictated my colour theme, style and I even ended up printing my own roman blinds, with spotty teapots( after watching Kirsty Allsop on TV).

Bunting and my hand printed blind

It wasn't long before the bunting spread to my conservatory, I even made special Christmas bunting for it, and it's still up now!

bunting image found on Pinterest

I could go on making bunting for every room, but I would like to try and make a range of bunting themed home items. Cushions, cards the choice is endless. What do you think? do you love bunting as much as me?

Hopefully my blog will allow me to document my successes and the things I learn along the way.

Nat x