Tree Fall

Winter Workshop

I mentioned recently that Karen and I will be running a full days workshop in December. Well we've now decided to offer two dates, which are December 9th and December 11th.

The workshops are £65 and run from 10am until 4pm. During the workshop you will have the chance to make a full sized Christmas Stocking as well as a zippered pouch. All equipment, fabrics and notions are included in the day, so you need to do no more than turn up ready to play with some gorgeous fabrics. We will also be providing a homemade lunch with tea, coffee and biscuits (and of course a few mince pies!). And as if a relaxing day spent with likeminded people, sewing and eating wasn't enough, you also get to take home a full kit to make a second zippered pouch on top of the stocking and pouch that you make on the day.

If you think that you might like to join us for the day in a lovely park side setting (and we hope you do!) then please email either Karen or myself at greycircles@hotmail.co.uk for further information or to book.

 

Full Week

 

This baby blanket is made from two of my favourite fabrics. The folksy looking heavily printed one is a Liberty tana lawn that I picked up cheap a few months back and the little headscarf print is an old Japanese fabric that I use in teeny tiny pieces so as to try and make it last forever.

The liberty print in particular is just beautiful. I've made a couple of different items with it, including a pair of newborn baby trousers. The folksy/sampler style just really appeals to me.

There's been lots going on around here in the last week or so.

After the excitement of being on tv at the beginning of the week, I visited the Knitting and Stitching Show with my mum and picked up some great wools and jerseys as well as a couple of Liberty's. And then I ended the week with teaching a Christmas stocking workshop at The Manor House Museum on Saturday which really was great fun (hello to those that came along!). I then had the chance to wander around the exhibition that includes my work and see some beautiful pieces by other artists. And then on Saturday afternoon discovered that the new copy of Ideal Home magazine is now in the shops, and it features quite a big article about our home.

 

And as if that wasn't enough, I'm lucky enough to be teaching another workshop at the Manor House Museum again this Saturday, 4th December. So if you were snowed in and couldn't make it to the last one, here's your chance to come and spend another afternoon making mini Christmas stockings and if there's time (or you're just coming back for more!) we'll be making some small patchwork cushions as well.

 

On top of all of that, I've finally started work on my new website (with the help of my ever patient ex-husband), opened a Big Cartel shop and listed some Christmas Stockings in both my Etsy and my Big Cartel shops, as well as changing the banner on my blog.

Phew.

 

 

 

 

Stocking Up.

 

These stockings are a slightly smaller version of Bella and Lily's (they have very generously sized stockings!). Making them just the right size for hanging on the bedpost for Santa to fill with toys (or even better, chocolate!).

 

 

Although Jim, Mum, Bella, Lily and I all have handmade stockings this is the first year that I've made them for the shop. In the past I've tried to match the stocking to the recipient (mum has bears, Lily has birds, Bella has pink) but obviously these had to be a little more generic. So I decided to stick to a patchwork of various prints in 2 colourways, whilst keeping the embroidered deer that appears on all my stockings.

 

I love making these and I love the fact that both the girls have handmade stockings that come out every year. Bella found hers in my studio the other day ( I had it out for inspiration) and was so excited to see it. It immediately evokes everything that Christmas is about for her and she still remembers the first year that she hung it on her bed.

 

 

We still remember it too, because it was also the year that we realised we hadn't explained that Father Christmas and filled stockings only happens once a year. So when she awoke on Boxing Day she just assumed that her stocking would once again be full of toys and chocolates! It took 3 days of morning upsets before she finally accepted that she was going to have to wait for another year, just like the rest of us!

These stockings are available in the shop, or if you're in the area you can see them up close at Presence:VIII from Saturday.

Circles Stroller Quilt

 

I've been making some new stroller quilts for a craft exhibition, 'Presence : VIII' at The Manor House Museum in Ilkely that starts this Saturday and runs through until January 9th 2011.

 

Unusually for me, I've only used two prints for the quilt. The wonderful Alexander Henry 2D Zoo and a voile that I picked up at a quilt festival earlier in the year (or possible even last year, who can keep track of these things).

I'm really happy with the simplicity and I like the fact that the large grey circle stop the quilt from being too twee and babyish, and yet the zoo print is such fun and obviously childish.

 

I backed the quilt in a really soft flannel from Michael Miller. I actually used the flannel only because I ran out of my normal chenille, but I'm glad that I did. The flannel not only gives the quilt a bright, soft back which sits nicely with the darker front, but it also changes the drape of the quilt.

To give the stroller quilt extra warmth I've used wool quilt batting, which still allows the quilt to be cuddly and soft, but also makes it just a little bit thicker. I tend not to use batting when I'm backing the quilts with chenille, because just the two layers are thick and warm enough. But with a cotton front and flannel back I felt something extra was needed.

This quilt will be available to buy at Presence:VIII, but I'll also be putting one or two in the shop over the next couple of days.

 

Wools

This beautiful pile of knit is destined to become my next batch of snoods and arm warmers. I love all of these colours and would be happy to keep them all but I've decided to treat myself to at least a set in the olive green (2nd from the bottom) and the teal (3rd from the top).

 

 

I think that these sets are possibly the most useful thing I've ever made. My mustard snood has almost become a security blanket for me. I wear it constantly and take comfort from it when I'm in places that can make me feel a little on edge. Like this weekend, when Bella and I ended up being admitted back in to hospital because of her asthma (a second weekend in a row spent in hospital is not ideal) and I even wore the snood (as a scarf of course) in bed, because I was sleeping on a cot in a draft.

My next step is to make a smaller cowl/collar with buttons. I think that would be cool (or warm, as the case may be!).

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*Updated to add that the episode of Kirsties Homemade Home that I'm in, is on tomorrow night (Tuesday) on C4 at 8pm*

Habitat at Christmas

 

The Habitat Christmas collection is always one of my favourites. Every year I choose one new ornament for the tree (always a bird) from the collection as well as a couple of bits and pieces.

 

And this year is no exception. It's all beautiful, with lasercut natural wood trees, wreathes and tree ornaments, sleigh bell garlands and amazing cut glass baubles.

 

Pyjama Party

Bella has inherited her fathers short legs but long body, so finding clothes that fit her properly can be a little difficult. And for some reason pyjama's seem to pose a particular problem, with the trousers being too long and the tops being far too short.

I've been intending to make Bella more pairs of pj's but you know what they say about intentions...

But when I heard a couple of days ago that she would be wearing pj's to school to raise money for charity, and looked at her in her horribly baggy trousers and midrif/wrist exposing top, I knew desperate measures were needed.

I picked up the red striped fabric a couple of days ago, with the express intention of pyjama making. It's a nice light weight cotton that's perfect for pyjama's, but because Bella needed to wear them out to school I lined them (with a Heather Bailey print), to keep her warm.

I used a pattern that I bought a couple of years ago and just made two pairs and stitched them together to make the lining. It means that the seams are all hidden without any bulkiness and that they're well insulated.

For the top I used an Ottobre pattern and some medium weight red jersey that I've had for ages. It's the first time I've attempted to make a t shirt with a proper neckline etc. And as I started it at midnight, already pretty tired, I was worried that it would turn out terribly.

The actual pattern was for a dress, so I shortened it (pure guess work as Bella was fast asleep in bed) and didn't add the seam allowance. It was surprisingly quick to put together, and over all I'm happy, but next time I'll lengthen it a little and take it in a little at the bottom, so that it doesn't flair.

 

 

Bella really likes them, especially the 'B' on the front. The top isn't finished quite as well as I would like - the neckline was a bit fiddly and I'm still trying out different stitches for sewing with Jersey. But over all I think that they've turned out ok. And I'm very happy that Bella finally has a pair of pyjama's that fit her.

 

Next I want to make matching pairs for the rest of us, to wear on Christmas morning. There are those intentions again.....

Lilac

It's definitely happening you know. I'm definitely starting to like heather/lilac/purple/greyish colours.

First off there's this incredibly soft lilac tweed, that I love. The combination of the greyish lilac and the red checks really is lovely. Then there's the very slightly darker lilac knit that I bought yesterday to make a snood and arm warmer set with and that I've hugely surprised myself by wanting.

I knew this day was coming. If I could grow to love yellow and orange with such abandon then I knew that I would one day also grow to love that other outcast colour of lilac/mauve/purple.

For these toddler trousers I've teamed the tweed (which is so soft and I know I keep saying that, but it's just SO soft) with a really beautiful grey flannel.

Neither of the fabrics are heavy, so although the trousers are super warm, they won't weigh anyone down or hinder crawling or walking in any way.

Because I liked the combination of the lilac and red so much I decided to add a little liberty deer in red to the hemline. I also wanted to off set the heavy, rather sensible image that tweed has, with the use of a flouncy flowery fawn.

Whilst I'm truly hoping that there won't come a time when I think its a good idea to paint my walls lilac (I did plenty of that in the 90's), I am quite happy to appreciate the gentle beauty of lilac, moss greens and greys (with a little teal thrown in). As will soon be evidenced by the new snood sets that will be uploaded to the shop any day now.

Stocking and Making

  

I can't believe that it's already almost Christmas, this year has just gone by so quickly. But I have to say that I'm really excited about the festivities this year. These days I'm a huge fan of anything that injects a bit of fantasy and fun in to our every day lives. That and the fact that this will be the first proper Christmas for Lily and she is going to freak!

I've made these mini stockings for a Christmas exhibition, but they are also one of the projects that I'll be teaching during a workshop that I'm teaching at The Manor House Museum on Saturday, November 27th.

 

 

The workshop is from 12 - 2pm and is free to anyone that wants to join in. I'll be providing some great Pfaff sewing machines to have a go on, as well as all the materials you'll need to make a mini patchwork stocking or a small patchwork cushion that you can take home with you and there will even be a special little section for children to make their own paper stockings.

 

 

The workshop is part of the opening day of the Presence VIII exhibition, which is the Museum's annual contemporary arts and craft show that runs from Sat 27th November until Sunday 9th January. And features the work of lots wonderful designer makers from Yorkshire and beyond. All of which is for sale, so if you're looking for some extra special Christmas gifts this year, this is the show for you.

 

 

As well as teaching the workshop, I'll also be around for most of the day if anyone just wants to come and say hello. Which would be lovely.

 

Winter Woollen Squirrels

 

 

I had a proper post planned to introduce you to my new Winter Woollen Squirrels last week, but instead of finishing off some exhibition pieces and putting Squirrels in the shop, I found myself being admitted to hospital.

 

 

 

I was admitted after an ear infection decided to get a little nasty and turned in to cellulitis and so I ended up spending a couple of days on iv antibiotics to bring it under control. I'm back home now though and although I'm still in bed and on enough meds to have me rattling for the next year (which Jim is very carefully administering) I'm definitely on the mend. At it's worst though, I was pretty much deaf and I have to say that I caught a scary glimpse of just how isolating that is. There was very little I could do, with no tv, not being able to listen to music or the radio and finding it almost impossible to hold a conversation. On my second day in hospital I asked Jim and the girls to only come for a brief visit, because although I was lonely, I actually found it easier to be on my own, rather than trying to understand what everyone was saying. Scary stuff and I'm hugely relieved that there is no damage to my hearing and that it's already back to normal.

 

 

 

It was such lousy timing though and I'm sitting here in bed now trying not to panic about how much I need to catch up on and whether I can meet some important deadlines. Which is one of the downsides to working for yourself, there just isn't anyone to pick up the slack.

In the meantime though I thought I'd put this bedrest to good use and show you my new Winter Woollen Squirrels.

They are all made from the loveliest pure wool tweeds and plaids in gorgeous lilacs, greens and blues.

 

 

I started making these silhouette squirrels a few years ago out of linen, but have been wanting to make a winter version for a while.

I'm completely in love with plaid at the moment and have bought a stack of it to also make cushions and baby trousers, but I really love the way that it has given the squirrels a completely different personality to my previous linen ones. And the fact that it's made them so cuddly - as demonstrated when Lily ran in to my studio, grabbed them all, shouted 'Yay!' and ran off with them!

These four are in the shop now, and another four are off to Hartlepool as part of a Christmas exhibition.