tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13737991597769423882024-03-13T01:50:56.221+00:00Fiddly FingersFiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-493049163288695602016-08-11T22:00:00.000+01:002016-08-11T22:00:13.529+01:00Bionic Gear Bag<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsUXh4QTE2k/V6zY__PsEmI/AAAAAAAAC9c/P2KLttUqL2kR9_7nGG2A4AZoWRT34JOXwCEw/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bag with pockets" border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsUXh4QTE2k/V6zY__PsEmI/AAAAAAAAC9c/P2KLttUqL2kR9_7nGG2A4AZoWRT34JOXwCEw/s640/IMG_3932.JPG" title="Bionic Gear Bag" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been itching to make one of these for a long time now and finally got myself organised. I bought the pattern quite a while ago from <a href="http://bionicgearbag.com/" target="_blank">Sally Thompson aka Rip Stitcher</a>.<br />
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This project took me about 2 days to complete and because I was so eager to get it finished I'm afraid there are no pictures of it in the making.<br />
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This bag is kept closed by a long zip from side to side. It opens up to reveal 4 zip pockets, pouches and a useful tray to place your items in (whatever you may be using it for). <br />
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It was a bit daunting starting off but the instructions were very clear and if you followed each section carefully it soon started looking like a bag.<br />
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It was rather exciting seeing it all fall into place. The way the pockets fit together is intricately simple and so pleasing.<br />
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You can see in the above picture the tray at the front for your bits and pieces.<br />
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The tray is a bit clearer in this picture and you can see how the first pocket is a little smaller than the others.<br />
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I chose a complimentary colour for the inside of the pockets, the bindings and the inside lining of the side pieces. Look how neatly the zips fit into the pockets. It was a such a pleasure to put them in.<br />
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The long zip was a little more tricky but I probably made it difficult for myself as I padded the binding on either side to help it match in with the side bindings of the bag.<br />
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I was very pleased with the finished result and loved the effect created by the pretty fresh fabrics. If you fancy making one why not pop over and have a look at Sally's posts about it. You wont be disappointed.<br />
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<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-65531983761061172812016-06-14T20:00:00.002+01:002016-06-14T20:01:51.639+01:00Dendritic PaintingA group I belong to met today to have a try with Dendritic Painting. This is a very simple process of squashing paint between two sheets of glass, prising them apart to see the wonderful pattern they make and taking a print from them on fabric or paper. The definition of a dendrite is <br />
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a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.</div>
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a crystal or crystalline mass with a branching, tree-like structure.</div>
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I think you will be able to see, in the pictures below, why it is called 'dendritic' painting. </div>
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I'll talk you through the process to show you how we achieved our prints.</div>
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First drop small blobs of acrylic paint onto a sheet of glass</div>
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We found less was more in this instance as it produced a finer print</div>
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Next place the second sheet of glass on top of these blobs and squish down firmly.</div>
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I just love how these blobs form perfect circles!</div>
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(the oval shape is the stripe in the first picture)</div>
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To reveal the dendritic process, carefully prise the sheets of glass apart.</div>
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Just look at the beautiful patterns that form!</div>
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You are now ready to take your print. We found the first one was not always the most successful so this picture shows the second (left) and third (right) print on paper.</div>
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These are very simple prints to show how easy the process is but you can make them as complicated as you wish, mixing shapes, colours and even double printing. The ones below show some of my experiments from today.</div>
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There are many more pictures showing what the other ladies created, far too many to add to this blog post. I've made the folder available on google drive so if you click this link you should be able to see many<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8ijqxc7s3t_M2dud0t5dTZoVE0&usp=sharing" target="_blank"> more of what we created today</a>.</div>
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Have fun!</div>
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<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-14346258531040735312016-01-12T21:54:00.000+00:002016-01-12T21:54:20.889+00:00Rope Covered Knitting Needle BasketWell, first post of 2016 and half way through January already!<br />
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I belong to a group of like minded friends who meet monthly to have a go at various, usually textile related, crafts. A couple of days ago we got together to make rope covered bowls. We had great fun and all produced some very commendable results.<br />
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Everyone except me managed to finish their bowls during the day and some even made two! I wanted to make a rectangular bowl to replace this rather tatty cardboard box my knitting needles have been living in for years.</div>
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It proved to be a little larger than the bowls everyone else made so I set out to today to make sure I completed it. It's not the neatest project I've ever finished but I have to say as this was my first ever rope covered bowl I was quite pleased with the result. I learnt a lot on the way though. Mainly I would prefer to use matching thread next time and for some reason which now evades me I decided to cut the rope and start again before going up the sides. Wrong decision! Makes for a messy join. Have a look and see what you think anyway.<br />
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In the one below you can see how the contrasting thread shows up all the stitching and hence any mistakes you make! And there were a few of those! You can just see the messy join I was talking about in the bottom left hand corner.<br />
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You can't tell from the first picture but I decided to add a couple of handles just to make it easier to pick up with the knitting needles in. </div>
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Here it is with the contents fitting perfectly and it is just big enough for the long pair of large needles I have. The 'bowl' is very strong and has made a very substantial home for my needles. I am very pleased with it but will just remember to make those few adjustments next time.<br />
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I'll finish this post by showing you the beautiful bowls the other ladies made.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lady even made a placemat<br /><br />Thank you for reading, see you soon<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">x</span></td></tr>
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<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-76972016488957672802015-12-07T19:25:00.001+00:002015-12-07T19:25:38.298+00:00Christmas Angel 'Dorset Button'My <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/dorset-buttons-how-it-all-started.html">previous post</a> tells you about how I became interested in Dorset Buttons. As we are near to Christmas and I have a <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/workshops.html">Dorset Button workshop</a> coming up at my local yarn shop <a href="http://www.spinayarndevon.co.uk/">Spin A Yarn </a>on Wednesday I thought it may be a good idea to create a Dorset Button style Christmas decoration. <br />
Not as easy as it sounds!!!<br />
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A lady I met on my previous Dorset Button workshop had brought along some of those thin bracelet bangles and I thought this would be a great base for the start of a Christmas decoration. They are about 2 . 5" diameter so would be perfect used with dk cotton. This is the thread I actually used just because it was sparkly and I thought a good colour for an angel. I can remember buying it in Crete a few years back and haven't used it much since.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2SN1zcxXzM/VmXDkDs3AfI/AAAAAAAACk8/WARMoNLDlYc/s1600/Embroidery%2Bthread%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Embroidery thread for dorset buttons" border="0" height="504" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2SN1zcxXzM/VmXDkDs3AfI/AAAAAAAACk8/WARMoNLDlYc/s640/Embroidery%2Bthread%2B001.JPG" title="Madame Tricote Daphne 10" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Dorset Button 'bit' of the decoration is the angel's dress and I decided it would look pretty with some added beads. There are a few ways of doing this, but I chose to add them to the spokes which means adding them as you go.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhRz95Bre1g/VmXICO7wqxI/AAAAAAAAClI/ZT6RQOR-u6Q/s1600/angel%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Christmas angel dorset button decoration" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhRz95Bre1g/VmXICO7wqxI/AAAAAAAAClI/ZT6RQOR-u6Q/s640/angel%2Bcollage.jpg" title="Christmas dorset button" width="640" /></a><br />
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You may be wondering what the sticky tac is for? Well traditionally, Dorset buttons are created by first covering the outside ring with blanket stitch but as the ring was so pretty anyway I decided to miss this bit out. Of course, without this, it was a lot more slippery so getting the spokes to stay in place was nigh on impossible - hence the sticky tac!!! Once you start on the 'rounding' it anchors the spokes in place.<br />
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When the 'rounding' had been completed, I set about decorating my angel. I cut out hair and a face from card and gave her dangly beaded legs. The wings were a shiny fabric bonded and sandwiched<br />
between a couple of layers of organza to give them some substance. Here is the finished result.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9TCIcdU2DlQ/VmXP5XZ0MLI/AAAAAAAAClY/HCZp0OLAItE/s1600/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Dorset button Christmas decoration" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9TCIcdU2DlQ/VmXP5XZ0MLI/AAAAAAAAClY/HCZp0OLAItE/s640/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252811%2529.JPG" title="Christmas angel Dorset button" width="480" /></a><br />
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Below you can see the beaded detail of her dress,<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy4AZkQrSKA/VmXQykXO8FI/AAAAAAAAClk/gC_I18cg0V8/s1600/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Close up of beaded skirt of Dorset button Christmas angel" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy4AZkQrSKA/VmXQykXO8FI/AAAAAAAAClk/gC_I18cg0V8/s640/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252814%2529.JPG" title="Christmas Dorset button decoration" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is what she looks like from behind. You can see I attached the wings with a few stitches and the card I used even gave her a little flower in her hair.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFVdo6ti4HQ/VmXRcaYWK0I/AAAAAAAAClw/yW35CmSJRxc/s1600/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Back of Dorset Button Christmas angel" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFVdo6ti4HQ/VmXRcaYWK0I/AAAAAAAAClw/yW35CmSJRxc/s640/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%252812%2529.JPG" title="Dorset Button Christmas angel" width="480" /></a><br />
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I struggled taking photos of her as the light was fading fast but I love the way in the next photo the light casts a shadow on the wall behind her.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWJp_MOv1M4/VmXTTR-pRxI/AAAAAAAACl8/OG4yn92OiPI/s1600/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Christmas angel Dorset Button shadow on wall" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWJp_MOv1M4/VmXTTR-pRxI/AAAAAAAACl8/OG4yn92OiPI/s640/IMG_3207%2BDorset%2BButton%2BAngel%2B%25286%2529.JPG" title="Christmas angel Dorset Button" width="394" /></a><br />
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I do hope she will give a little inspiration to those on the workshop. I will have to find a special place for her over Christmas and I wonder - do you think she could do with a name? What would you call her?Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-49721522701399966212015-11-19T20:37:00.000+00:002015-11-19T20:37:06.209+00:00Dorset Buttons - How it all started<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought handmade buttons would be an interesting accessory to any embroidered/textile item and somewhere in the back of my mind I had seen these buttons before but had no idea what they were called. So a after a short search on Google I found what I was looking for. I had no idea there was so much history behind a Dorset Button. If you'd like to read more about them, this is just one of the links I found <a href="http://www.henrysbuttons.co.uk/history.html">http://www.henrysbuttons.co.uk/history.html</a></div>
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A Dorset Button is a ring, originally cut from a horn of a Dorset Horn sheep, covered in embroidery thread. These days plastic or metal rings are the more usual choice!<br />
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I found myself a <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42688/how-to-make-dorset-buttons/page/all" target="_blank">tutorial</a> and began experimenting ...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fMnWlbedOU/UyNlk0cf9kI/AAAAAAAABm0/gZcRGOkaiGU/s1600/Dorset+Buttons+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red dorset button" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fMnWlbedOU/UyNlk0cf9kI/AAAAAAAABm0/gZcRGOkaiGU/s1600/Dorset+Buttons+(3).JPG" title="Dorset button" width="300" /></a></div>
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I started with this one above, which is a basic Crosswheel Dorset Button. I was very pleased with the result and eager to try out others. Unfortunately I couldn't find tutorials for other designs so now I had the basic idea I set about adapting this design using inspiration from other pictures I found on Google.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--B8ffNi_5gE/UyNod0IV_tI/AAAAAAAABnA/J-fmJIAICyw/s1600/Dorset+button+(5).jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow and white beaded dorset button" border="0" height="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--B8ffNi_5gE/UyNod0IV_tI/AAAAAAAABnA/J-fmJIAICyw/s1600/Dorset+button+(5).jpg.jpg" title="Beaded dorset button" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wanted to incorporate some beads, so this was my second creation. By now I was getting rather addicted to these little creations!</div>
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The rings I first used were about 3cm in diameter and about 5mm thick but I only had three of them so needed more supplies, urgently whilst I had the bug!!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cob2iUb8mIY/UyNrzwXnMdI/AAAAAAAABnM/t0cynXemAwQ/s1600/Dorset+Button+tree.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bunch of flowers dorset button " border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cob2iUb8mIY/UyNrzwXnMdI/AAAAAAAABnM/t0cynXemAwQ/s1600/Dorset+Button+tree.jpg.jpg" title="Dorset style button" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rings I found next were slightly smaller, just over 2.5cm in diameter and just under 3mm thick. I created a fan shape with this one and after weaving over the spokes stitched french knots to give a blossom tree effect. I was very pleased with how neat I managed to get the back and thought a similar design may make pretty earrings.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JagGgJIpeJI/UyNtvpnl-FI/AAAAAAAABnY/UvHffKBsG_4/s1600/Bunny+Button+(6).jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bunny rabbit easter dorset button" border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JagGgJIpeJI/UyNtvpnl-FI/AAAAAAAABnY/UvHffKBsG_4/s1600/Bunny+Button+(6).jpg.jpg" title="Dorset button" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I said these really are quite addictive so I thought I would try something a little quirkier!</div>
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As Easter is just around the corner an Easter Bunny came to mind!</div>
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Not quite your traditional Dorset Button but good fun all the same.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZdm_fnxgMM/UyN0cuvsc0I/AAAAAAAABnw/NrTIg5Zd-rU/s1600/Variegated+button+(2).jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="variegated silk thread dorset button" border="0" height="323" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZdm_fnxgMM/UyN0cuvsc0I/AAAAAAAABnw/NrTIg5Zd-rU/s1600/Variegated+button+(2).jpg.jpg" title="dorset button" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the last one I returned to a more traditional style and used a silk variegated thread</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-24231402778760077062015-09-20T17:44:00.000+01:002015-09-20T18:03:24.943+01:00Wedding Dress UpdateI will get back to posting regularly - eventually - but for now I'm afraid my daughter's wedding preparations seem to be taking over.<br />
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I did think you may want an update on the wedding dress situation though as the wedding is now only 4 weeks away. I'm afraid it's not good news - well it's not bad news but probably not what you are expecting.<br />
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You may remember I started off like this back in March - making a tuille of the bodice<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KfCHrEndWU8/Vf7K2U9kffI/AAAAAAAACjk/TdurIv1i1wY/s1600/Stitched%2Btogether%2Bin%2BCalico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KfCHrEndWU8/Vf7K2U9kffI/AAAAAAAACjk/TdurIv1i1wY/s400/Stitched%2Btogether%2Bin%2BCalico.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well that worked out fine and fitted reasonably well so it was time to make the real thing! Unfortunately this is where things started to go wrong. Due to circumstances beyond my control it took weeks and weeks to get the material ordered. I think I finally received it at the beginning of July.</div>
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I immediately started cutting out the fabric, 4 layers in total, organza, satin, lining, bodice canvas oh and a loose layer of lining to add on later.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZsHUxPhAd8/Vf7ToxyOnKI/AAAAAAAACkA/_XDAQeH8jnc/s1600/Step%2B1%2BPattern%2Bpieces%2Bcut%2Bout%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZsHUxPhAd8/Vf7ToxyOnKI/AAAAAAAACkA/_XDAQeH8jnc/s400/Step%2B1%2BPattern%2Bpieces%2Bcut%2Bout%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="353" /></a></div>
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So despite the delay, I was happy when the bodice all came together.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFGizhdrmcA/Vf7U3KcPhYI/AAAAAAAACkI/-lu4oPxSs_E/s1600/Bodice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFGizhdrmcA/Vf7U3KcPhYI/AAAAAAAACkI/-lu4oPxSs_E/s400/Bodice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next step was to begin work on the skirt and as you can see below, I had 4 layers of tulle and was then in the process of adding more gathered layers in between to give the fullness required. Me and my machine seemed to be buried in tulle!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmZEulSyFY8/Vf7RV7pxvUI/AAAAAAAACj0/jf6N9PF5XIQ/s1600/Sewing%2Bthe%2Bnet%2Bunderskirt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmZEulSyFY8/Vf7RV7pxvUI/AAAAAAAACj0/jf6N9PF5XIQ/s400/Sewing%2Bthe%2Bnet%2Bunderskirt%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The picture below shows the bodice and the skirt with just the four layers of tulle before adding any gathered layers. There was to be another 3 layers of organza and lace on top of this.</div>
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So this brings us up to about 3 weeks ago now and the need to have another fitting with my daughter. It was all arranged for the Monday, but literally 10 minutes before I was due to leave for the 2hr journey up to see her, I had a rather upsetting phone call to say her father-in-law to be had been taken seriously ill and they needed to go and see him as soon as posible. A 4hr journey for them at short notice. Perfectly understandable but another delay to the dress plans!</div>
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Ok so move on a week to the next Monday (thankfully father-in-law to be pulled through) and this time my daughter came down to us. By now we were approximately 6 weeks away from the wedding and I was starting to get a little concerned. If this fitting went OK then maybe it would just about be feasible to get it finished in time for the wedding!! But for some unknown reason the bodice needed a bit of tweaking around the bust so that night I set about the alterations. Well when I had finished the bust fitted beautifully but now the bodice wouldn't meet at the back! </div>
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Not the best photo - but you see my problem? Well by this time it was late at night and I was tired - we knew we had to think of a Plan B!</div>
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We put the dress aside and began to work out how much was left to complete, how many hours it would take and how many hours I had available to complete it. It appeared it would take me until the day of the wedding and that was if everything went according to plan - which I doubted very much!!! So an executive decision was made! We decided to STOP making the dress and go out and buy one! Well I have to say when I realised how impossible the situation had become it was a huge relief.</div>
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My daughter was with us for one more day, so first thing in the morning we made an appointment at a local bridal shop and I am very pleased to say by mid day my daughter was the proud owner of a beautiful wedding dress which fitted perfectly and needed no alterations. Totally different to the one we were making but it looked gorgeous on her and she loved it!</div>
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Now I can relax and start looking forward to the Wedding.</div>
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The only downside to this is the amount of fabric to dispose of. The tulle and the organza are not a problem I can probably use this over time but I have 6m of exquisite beaded lace which has never been touched. I am trying to sell this so if anyone thinks they can make use of it or knows of someone else who may, please direct them to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlisonWillcocks">my post on facebook </a>which will take them to the advert link. It is truly beautiful lace and would make a stunning dress.</div>
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And for those of you wondering what dress my daughter chose ... well you will have to wait just a little longer until after the big day - but I promise you, there will be photos.</div>
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Thanks for reading and please feel free to share the link if you feel it would help.</div>
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Oooh I forgot to say I will be sharing this post over at <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-33">Handmade Monday on Lucy Blossom Craft Blog.</a>Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-18347320700629900662015-08-19T15:26:00.001+01:002015-08-19T15:26:18.188+01:00D's BagLong time since I posted I'm afraid but I have been busy, converting vans, wedding dress making, kayaking and generally enjoying the summer.<br />
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I'm still unable to show you anything of the wedding dress and I'm afraid the van is a very slow project!! This is really why I haven't been posting, nothing really to show yet!<br />
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This post is simply because I needed to say too much to fit on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiddly-Fingers/351417784907415">Fiddly Fingers fb page</a>!<br />
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I wanted to share these pictures with you as they have both been made by a very dear 87 years young friend of mine and I think she has done a wonderful job.<br />
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Each week I go over to see her we have great fun talking about what we have been making and I often take over things I've been working on to show her. This has inspired her to have a go at things she would not normally have thought of. <br />
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Here is what she (D from now on) made recently.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioemPvSqCx0/VdSE6FGU5yI/AAAAAAAACiw/thLYzGhKUKU/s1600/Daphne%2527s%2BBag%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dk cotton crochet bag" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioemPvSqCx0/VdSE6FGU5yI/AAAAAAAACiw/thLYzGhKUKU/s640/Daphne%2527s%2BBag%2B%25281%2529.JPG" title="Crochet Bag" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is D's very own bag pattern. </div>
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She put it together and worked it out as she went along.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXRrH8SNrJQ/VdSGEbpEXlI/AAAAAAAACi4/Ra0I4GGyV-4/s1600/Bag%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cross stitch detail under bag flap" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXRrH8SNrJQ/VdSGEbpEXlI/AAAAAAAACi4/Ra0I4GGyV-4/s640/Bag%2B1.jpg" title="bag cross stitch surprise" width="640" /></a></div>
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D wanted the straps to be long enough to put over your shoulder and during the project she came across this pretty little butterfly she fancied cross stitching. She sewed it under the flap so it is a nice little surprise when you open up the bag.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPZMoiq5tHY/VdSHdbm84GI/AAAAAAAACjA/NtGueR9E08g/s1600/Bag%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crochet stitches used to make bag" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPZMoiq5tHY/VdSHdbm84GI/AAAAAAAACjA/NtGueR9E08g/s640/Bag%2B2.jpg" title="crochet stitches " width="640" /></a></div>
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The bag was made using dk cotton and a 3.5mm hook. Here you can see the stitches used, basket weave and bobble stitch as well as double crochet.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiQYdicEAdg/VdSIvQGuZxI/AAAAAAAACjI/YioN45cWUR8/s1600/Bag%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zip pocket in bag lining before hand stitching" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiQYdicEAdg/VdSIvQGuZxI/AAAAAAAACjI/YioN45cWUR8/s640/Bag%2B3.jpg" title="Bag lining" width="640" /></a></div>
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We decided the bag would keep it's shape better if it was lined. I made the lining (as D has no sewing machine now) but am leaving the hand sewing for my friend to complete!!</div>
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A particular request was for a zipped pocket inside - now this is only the second one I have ever done and whilst easy enough, it's more time consuming than you think and a degree in maths needed for the measurements!!</div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/525594_352795058103021_221524879_n.jpg?oh=e7255caac48237fc18f4505f95044750&oe=563B6CAB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cover picture for fiddly fingers fb page" border="0" height="248" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/525594_352795058103021_221524879_n.jpg?oh=e7255caac48237fc18f4505f95044750&oe=563B6CAB" title="Fiddly Fingers fb page" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took over a pattern for a little bag which I had used a while ago (you can see the one I made on the left of Chester on my fb cover picture above) ...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Z9S5hUWIM/VdSKyQ2LdvI/AAAAAAAACjU/4JSBNB4SuRQ/s1600/Bag%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Crochet bag with frill and internal lining" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Z9S5hUWIM/VdSKyQ2LdvI/AAAAAAAACjU/4JSBNB4SuRQ/s640/Bag%2B4.jpg" title="Crochet frill bag" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think D liked the idea of the frill on this one, so not content making the first bag just had to have a go at another!! Once again I did the lining (minus a zip pocket this time) and am leaving it for D to finish off.</div>
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I hope you like what D has made, she gets so much pleasure out of trying out things that are new to her and always makes a fantastic job of them. </div>
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She says it keeps her going!</div>
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If you would like to leave her a comment, we would both be delighted to hear from you and I'll make sure I pass them on as she doesn't have her own computer.</div>
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See you again in the "not too distant future" I hope!</div>
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Take care everyone,</div>
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Happy crafting!</div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-52072666161091246272015-05-03T17:21:00.000+01:002015-11-19T20:12:51.540+00:00Vans and ButtonsThank you for your lovely comments last week, I really do appreciate them as I'm sure all you bloggers out there do too! Things have thankfully slowed down a little this week, I have been able to start swimming again at my local outdoor pool, just 10 minutes walk away and had a bit more time to contemplate the wedding dress.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdMbMcbn1b8/VUY0BneB8CI/AAAAAAAAChk/Q493f_TYTl4/s1600/Kingsteignton%2BSwimming%2BPool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Local outdoor swimming pool" border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdMbMcbn1b8/VUY0BneB8CI/AAAAAAAAChk/Q493f_TYTl4/s1600/Kingsteignton%2BSwimming%2BPool.jpg" title="Kingsteignton Swimming Pool" width="400" /></a></div>
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The 25m pool is beautiful and feels so warm when you get in at this time of year as it's so chilly outside. It is a wonderful facility to have on the doorstep and as I usually go to an adults only session at lunchtime it's quiet too!</div>
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<b>Wedding Dress Progress</b></div>
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I have managed to devote a little more time to the wedding dress, which I am pleased to say is coming along nicely, and have now worked out the skirt and train and attached it to the bodice so am feeling a little happier. Only a total of about 5 tries!! Each 'try' meaning creating a paper pattern, sewing the calico back together (that I used previously) so it can be cut out in a different way (waste not want not!) and finally cutting it out and attaching it to the bodice (the deciding moment!). Wish I could show you pictures but I can't risk the groom catching a glimpse of it!!! </div>
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<b>Dorset Buttons</b></div>
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I have started making some different Dorset Buttons as I have a <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/workshops.html">workshop</a> coming up on Wednesday 13th May. The last workshop went really well but was only half a day and so we really only managed to get a Dorset Crosswheel button finished.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTgY02M654/VUY7Q7A0VGI/AAAAAAAACh8/FOIe94tL2kE/s1600/Dorset%2BButtons%2B(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red dorset crosswheel button" border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTgY02M654/VUY7Q7A0VGI/AAAAAAAACh8/FOIe94tL2kE/s1600/Dorset%2BButtons%2B(4).JPG" title="Dorset button" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have a complete day this time so I am trying out some alternative designs. Below is the one I have been working on this week.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mlvcWqfJ3c/VUY9lbjtZNI/AAAAAAAACiI/p1A5oYKmzCg/s1600/Daisy%2BCrosswheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dorset Button" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mlvcWqfJ3c/VUY9lbjtZNI/AAAAAAAACiI/p1A5oYKmzCg/s1600/Daisy%2BCrosswheel.jpg" title="Daisy Crosswheel Button" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here is another one I did a while ago with tiny crochet flowers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dF0NL_Lijj4/VUZAdMVceDI/AAAAAAAACiU/_q10TnhDpzk/s1600/Flower%2Bposy%2BDorset%2Bbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dorset button with crochet flowers" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dF0NL_Lijj4/VUZAdMVceDI/AAAAAAAACiU/_q10TnhDpzk/s1600/Flower%2Bposy%2BDorset%2Bbutton.jpg" title="Dorset Button posy" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll try a few more over the coming week so hopefully will be able to show you them soon.</div>
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<b>And finally!</b></div>
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A bit more progress has been made on the van conversion. All the seats are now out and the roof lining is off so we can see what we are left with. If you didn't see last week's post, here is what the <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-busy-time.html">van looked like before</a>. The roof space will need insulating and all exposed metal will need covering to prevent condensation when we are sleeping in there. Now is also the time to decide whether we add wiring for lighting or just use portable battery powered lamps! The jury is out on this one for the time being (I need to work on Mr FF to persuade him it may be worthwhile!).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfSWydOjSzU/VUZDLllNUuI/AAAAAAAACig/9LAJDAq2fxQ/s1600/Removal%2Bof%2Broof%2Blining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Conversion of van to camper van" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfSWydOjSzU/VUZDLllNUuI/AAAAAAAACig/9LAJDAq2fxQ/s1600/Removal%2Bof%2Broof%2Blining.jpg" title="Van conversion" width="640" /></a></div>
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Side panels are next to come off but we've had a look behind them and it all looks very similar to the roof. May as well leave them on until we're ready to do the insulation.</div>
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I do hope the weather has been reasonably kind to you all over the bank holiday (those in the UK anyway!) and you have been able to get out and about. I shall look forward to finding out what you have been up to over at <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-15">Lucy Blossom Crafts on Handmade Monday</a>.</div>
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See you there!</div>
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Take care!</div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-2487458797321791172015-04-26T19:25:00.000+01:002015-04-26T19:37:36.465+01:00A busy time!We have been rather busy over the last few weeks with one thing and another. It may well become a little quieter on the blog front during the next few months as last week we bought a minibus to convert into a camper van and also ordered a couple of kayaks too, so lots to do and lots to think about and hopefully lots of fun coming up!<br />
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We have spent this weekend removing seats! <br />
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If anyone is interested these seats will be for sale very soon and are all in excellent condition.<br />
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You will be glad to know that Giraffe No. 2 has now been finished!<br />
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And here he is waiting to be packaged up for his journey to his new home.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrVWjSzY0Qk/VT0psKkFtjI/AAAAAAAAChU/60hqQis1_Vc/s1600/Giraffe%2BNo2%2B(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrVWjSzY0Qk/VT0psKkFtjI/AAAAAAAAChU/60hqQis1_Vc/s1600/Giraffe%2BNo2%2B(8).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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In the top right hand corner of this picture you can just see a small pile of wedding invitations, another project that has been taking up my time recently!</div>
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And finally - wedding dress progress. It is progressing rather slowly at the moment, just trying to get the skirt bit right. I think I am on version 3 as we speak :) It's proving a bit of a challenge, but once this is sorted the rest will be a doddle!!!!!</div>
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I'm afraid I haven't been doing much blog hopping recently, with so many deadlines to meet I've just been concentrating on the most necessary project before moving on to the next. This week I'll try to pop over to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-14">Handmade Monday</a> and visit a few more of you if I can.</div>
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Thanks for reading</div>
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Have a good week!</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-34724163806211330952015-04-12T18:20:00.000+01:002015-04-12T18:20:38.235+01:00Birthday WeekendJust a quick post from me this week as very little in the way of crafting to show you. <br />
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Wedding Dress Project is progressing nicely, skirt now attached, just needs a little tweeking :)<br />
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Those of you who follow me on fb will already know I am making a stripey crochet giraffe for a little girls 2nd birthday. So far I have completed 2 arms and 2 legs!!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2FGr5nLR6E/VSqd7DwRCWI/AAAAAAAACfA/y4ldSbb0g7Q/s1600/Giraffe%2Bno.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2FGr5nLR6E/VSqd7DwRCWI/AAAAAAAACfA/y4ldSbb0g7Q/s1600/Giraffe%2Bno.2.JPG" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have been up to our daughter's this weekend together with our eldest daughter for my birthday treat. We had a wonderful meal in an Indian Restaurant <a href="http://www.bhoomi.co.uk/">Bhoomi</a>.<br />
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Here is my starter of mushrooms - so tasty<br />
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Salmon for mains with snow peas, asparagus and various other green veg. Just delicious. And an amazing chocolate moose for desert.</div>
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We rounded off the weekend with a stroll around a very pretty village and cake and coffee in a pretty little cafe. Look at the cakes we chose. They were delicious<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten free fig cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit scone with jam and cream</td></tr>
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It looks like all I've done this weekend is eat but I can assure you it wasn't really like that :) </div>
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Thank you for reading, hopefully I shall have more to show you next week. </div>
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See you over at <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-12-meet-a-member">Handmade Monday</a></div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-54786685818496236452015-03-29T17:40:00.001+01:002015-03-29T17:40:27.184+01:00Patchwork and QuiltingDid you all remember to move your clocks on an hour this morning? It was a bit of a shock when we woke up at 10am!! but at least it was a Sunday! <br />
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Thank you for all your comments last week I have replied to each of them and found them all hugely interesting to read.<br />
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As usual a busy week again but this week saw the last of my patchwork and quilting workshops so I thought I would share my creations with you.<br />
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I didn't really want to make a quilt but fancied doing something a little smaller. I started off with the idea of making 6 placemats in 10 weeks - one a week and 4 weeks to tie up loose ends, or so I thought. Well 10 weeks later I have made 3 and even those aren't completely finished!! Never mind you win some you loose some!<br />
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This is my first mat and is the only one I finished completely. I used Japanese Folded patchwork for this one and joined each square with hand stitching. Not as easy as it first appeared, because of the bias on the circles of fabric, they seem to develop a mind of their own when you are stitching them and I didn't have a walking foot at this stage either!<br />
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Is there a foot on your machine you wouldn't be without and why do you find it so useful?<br />
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My second project is Somerset Patchwork. As you can see I only completed 3 squares and need another 3 to complete the placemat in the same 3 x 2 configuration as the first mat. These are all hand sewn using small rectangles folded into triangles. I really enjoyed making these although they are quite time consuming and use a lot of material. I haven't really fathomed out how to join them together yet and have even thought I may make them into individual coasters instead!!<br />
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As you can see, on my third project, I still have the border to turn to the back and stitch in place. This was one of those times when the project evolved as I went along. I planned to do a tumbling blocks design and had seen a 'quick' way of doing it on line, but this didn't work out and I was left with lots of strips of fabric sewn together. I cut them into diamonds and this was the result, which I am rather pleased with as it turned out completely different to what I had in mind.<br />
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Once again, my final mat is still unfinished. I knew once the course ended I would struggle to complete it if I was part way through a design. I was using a Seminole patchwork design and originally I had planned to make a different strip for the centre but I ran out of time. Don't look too closely you can see a few mistakes in this one as I rushed to finish it!!<br />
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I have enjoyed this course but I'm not sure patchwork and quilting is for me! I like the patchwork bit best but get very irritated if I can't get the design accurate. The quilting bit doesn't float my boat either. I need to master my free machine embroidery but find it very difficult to slow my 38 yr old Frister Rossman machine down - it's all in the foot control you see!!!<br />
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Just a quick update on the Wedding Dress progress. For one reason or another it's been on and off over the last few weeks but we have now decided we are definitely making. I am making a mock up in calico first, the pictures above being of the bodice and now I am working on the skirt. Can't tell you too much just in case the groom to be is reading!!!<br />
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Off over to Handmade Monday now hosted by <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog">Lucy Blossom Crafts</a>. I always look forward to this link party as it is such a friendly community. </div>
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Hope to see you there x</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-9458045162300358872015-03-22T17:17:00.003+00:002015-03-26T23:01:54.770+00:00Sophie's Universe CAL and a Spot of Bird WatchingI do hope you have all had a good week, don't they just fly by? I have had a lovely time, a session of reflexology - very enjoyable, coffee and lunch out with friends and a mooch around <a href="http://www.totnesinformation.co.uk/">Totnes</a> - also very enjoyable and sandwiched in between ..... my quilting workshop (more about that next week) and some crochet, a visit by my eldest daughter and her boyfriend and some more meeting up with friends this weekend. <br />
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Unfortunately, the crochet workshop I talked about <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/just-very-short-post-from-me-this-week.html">last week</a> didn't go ahead although I was not totally surprised. Beginners is very popular but not so much the 'Follow On'. I think maybe I need to create a theme for the day so people have a definite idea of what they are <strike>letting themselves in for</strike> going to be doing! What would you like to make if you had just learnt crochet and wanted to move on a little further? All suggestions gratefully received.<br />
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As you may have heard me mention in a <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/patchwork-crochet-and-sweet-wrappers.html">previous post</a> back in February, I have been joining in with a CAL over at <a href="http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/">Look At What I Made</a> so I thought I would give you an update on how I've got on so far. I have a small confession though - that is to say I am running about 5 weeks behind!!! It's getting bigger and bigger and bigger and taking me much longer to do each round. It's about 4ft square already! I am still enjoying it though and am really pleased with the way it's turning out especially as all the yarn was free so it's not costing me a penny :)<br />
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It's been a beautiful sunny day here in Devon but very chilly. We thought we would pop out for a breath of fresh air and go and watch the birds from the bird hide up in Yarner Woods. Unfortunately not all the close up photos of the birds came out particularly well but I managed to capture a few.<br />
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Can you spot anything in the picture below?</div>
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If you look closely, you can just pick out a tiny little mouse.</div>
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What a cutie! He was busy picking up all the seeds the birds had dropped.</div>
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Here is another visitor beneath the bird feeders</div>
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He was so alert</div>
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and a couple more clearing up the seed crumbs</div>
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Just before you return to the car park you come across this lovely pond</div>
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on which we saw three of these strange looking ducks</div>
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But aren't they beautiful?</div>
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He almost looks like he's been carved out of wood and painted!</div>
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I do hope you have all had an enjoyable time this week. I'm popping over to<a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog"> Lucy Blossom Crafts</a> now to join in with <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-9-meet-a-member">Handmade Monday</a> so I can find out what everyone has been up to. I'm also looking forward to joining in with <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/03/26/happy-friday-number-12/">Happy Friday</a> over on <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/">Planet Penny's blog</a>.</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-55776962475961682192015-03-15T18:18:00.000+00:002015-03-15T18:19:27.759+00:00Crochet SquaresJust a very short post from me this week I'm afraid. I started making my daughter's Wedding Dress today but I can't tell you much about it or show you any photos as we don't want her OH to see it before the big day! I have to make a calico tuille first to get the fit right, which is what I have been doing today. So far so good :)<br />
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We bought a new 'toy' this week! A replacement pressure washer to clean patios and also clean the rendering. There was an argument as to who would have a go first - like a couple of kids we were!!! See the difference it makes to the patio. It is great fun and very satisfying :)<br />
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Crochet wise this week I have been working out a few squares for a Follow On Crochet workshop I am running next weekend. I'm not too hopeful it will go ahead though as of the middle of last week there was only 1 person booked in!! I know people leave it to the last minute to book but I still don't think we'll get enough by next week for it to run. Have a look at the squares anyway.<br />
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I love this fun popcorn square</div>
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This shows various ways of doing simple spike stitch</div>
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And this square uses a lot of loooong stitches</div>
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And a pretty flower square!</div>
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Before popping over to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-8">Handmade Monday at Lucy Blossom Crafts </a>I'll leave you with a picture of my pretty Mother's Day cards from my daughters. I wanted to remember my Mum also, who passed away 22 years ago, so I lit a candle for her to make sure she was part of the celebrations too. </div>
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I hope you have all enjoyed your Mother's Day :)</div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-65502861637635141162015-03-08T19:22:00.000+00:002015-03-08T19:24:05.992+00:00Textile Play DayWhere has this last week gone? It doesn't seem two minutes since I was linking up to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-7">Handmade Monday</a> last week.<br />
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Isn't it lovely to see the sunshine? I do hope you have managed to get out and about this week and enjoyed a little of it too. I love Spring time, always so much hope and anticipation for the year ahead.<br />
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We had a wonderful walk along Dawlish Warren beach and nature reserve yesterday<br />
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The water in this picture was gradually running down the beach towards the sea. No idea where it was coming from!</div>
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Here we are playing around with our shadows!</div>
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Looking back towards the nature reserve from the Exmouth end of the beach.</div>
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Today we have been out in the garden having a really good tidy up. I was so pleased to be out there, as this time last year I was not well enough. It was interesting to see two year's growth on some of the plants I was cutting back!</div>
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Ok now on to the title of the post ......</div>
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Last week our Textile group met up for another Play Day. There are about 9 of us and we do something different each time and take turns to hold it at a different house each time. Synthetic fabrics and soldering irons were the order of the day. Have a look at these pictures to see how we got on.</div>
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All set up and ready to go. </div>
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Notice the essential items, cup of tea and plate of biscuits!! </div>
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Making marks with the soldering iron</div>
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Here we are busily working away.</div>
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These are all the bits and pieces we produced during the day.</div>
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All joined together using the soldering iron. Not a stitch in sight!</div>
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Very detailed butterflies and some pretty flowers</div>
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This last picture is a small piece of my own work. I made stripes of blue and gold first and cut across them to create little squares. I then joined them back together alternately to make the check pattern. It is no more than 4" square. So very satisfying :)</div>
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Thank you to all the ladies who took part in the Textile Play Day</div>
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Have a good week everyone!</div>
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See you soon</div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-6732293600031999222015-03-01T18:46:00.001+00:002015-03-05T21:33:57.368+00:00Jumbo Crochet WorkshopWell, it's been another busy week, but if you ask me what I've done I couldn't really tell you! All I know is I had no spare time! Thank you for taking time to leave your comments on my <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/dorset-weekend.html">previous post</a>. They made me smile. It appears most of you would be happy to sleep in a four poster bed, although there are just a few of us odd bods out there!! <br />
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I suppose I did fit in rather a lot really when I think about it. I went swimming nearly everyday as I'm trying to build my fitness up after <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-cancer-interlude.html">being ill last year</a> and it helps to retain the range of movement in my surgery side. Of course we have my youngest daughter's wedding in October so I want to keep in trim and look my best for that too! I had a couple of 'coffees' with friends, went to my patchwork and quilting workshop and met up with my SIL to get organised for our Textile play day next week (more on that next week)<br />
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and finally </div>
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last Wednesday I tutored a </div>
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Jumbo Crochet Basket Workshop </div>
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at a wonderful local yarn shop called <a href="http://www.spinayarndevon.co.uk/">Spin A Yarn</a>.</div>
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It is always a pleasure to do a workshop at Spin A Yarn. People are so friendly and the lunches are just gorgeous. We had four ladies this time, who kindly gave me permission to post a photo of them and their creations. And wonderful they were too!<br />
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This lady was having a whale of a time. She wanted to make a roll over top but loved the shape so much, just decided to carry on going! We suggested she make a snake to poke out of the top as it looked very much like a snake charmers basket :)</div>
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Time for a nibble. Not only were we supplied with lunch we also had a tea time treat :)</div>
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Nothing like a good cuppa to keep you on track!</div>
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This lovely lady is lucky enough to run <a href="http://www.strawberryfayre.co.uk/">Strawberry Fayre Fabrics and Quilt Supplies</a> on line. She was able to bring with her many strips of brightly coloured waste fabric which she incorporated with yarn to make this fantastically fun basket.</div>
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Below are the finished baskets</div>
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The snake charmers basket!</div>
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A slip stitched edge on this one to create a solid rim.</div>
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It isn't too obvious in this picture, but you may just be able to pick out some handles!</div>
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And finally a perfect place to keep all those balls of yarn you have in your stash.</div>
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We all had such fun and all the ladies were so pleased with what they had achieved - rightly so I may add! It is very rewarding from a tutors point of view when participants leave having got so much enjoyment out of their accomplishment.</div>
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This is a great way to use up your stash of yarns. How do you use up your left over yarn?</div>
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-6-meet-a-member">Handmade Monday</a> over at Lucy Blossom Crafts and am wondering what everyone else has been up to this week? I'm very much looking forward to finding out :)<br />
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I will also be linking up with <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/03/05/happy-friday-number-9/">Happy Friday over at Planet Penny</a>. This workshop made me very happy and I think you can tell from the pictures that it made the ladies who took part very happy too. So, double whammy this week I think:)</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-16136217619323655852015-02-22T16:18:00.000+00:002015-02-26T19:20:47.317+00:00Dorset WeekendThank you all for your brilliant comments on <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/what-week.html" target="_blank">last week's post</a>. I don't think this week has been quite so hectic although we have been away for a few days this weekend. I think the post title rather gives the destination away, don't you?<br />
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We stayed in this lovely <a href="http://www.theoldrectorybandb.co.uk/" target="_blank">B & B</a> just outside Dorchester in a small village called Winterbourne Steepleton. At first we were upgraded to a beautiful room with a four poster bed. Now I'm not keen on four poster beds, never slept in one mind, but just don't fancy it. A bit claustrophobic for my liking. But, as I didn't want to make a fuss I thought I would at least have a look <a href="http://www.theoldrectorybandb.co.uk/images/new/dorchester-bedroom.jpg" target="_blank">at the room</a> after all the lady had been very kind to upgrade us. Well you probably all think I'm completely potty!! It was a stunning room, beautifully decorated with comfy chairs too, but I kept looking at this bed thinking there's no way I can sleep in that. My husband even tried to get me to 'try it out'. Not what you're thinking!!! But there was no way it was going to happen and after about 10 minutes of uming and ahing (as I didn't want to make a fuss) we had to ask to be moved to the room we had <a href="http://www.theoldrectorybandb.co.uk/images/new/sherborne-bedroom.jpg" target="_blank">originally booked</a> which is also a lovely room, very cosy, just not quite so big as the other. That suited me fine though! How relieved did I feel that night sleeping in a normal bed :) </div>
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Do you think I was completely mad? </div>
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How do you feel about sleeping in a four poster bed?</div>
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We were planning a couple of walks over the weekend and were very lucky with the weather as on Thursday when we arrived it was tipping down and didn't stop all day. Friday was a lot better, no rain at all, a little dull but we could cope with that. We stopped off briefly to see Hardy's Monument</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.3999996185303px; text-align: start;">It was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Amongst other things, Hardy became famous as it was in his arms that Nelson died, saying the immortal words 'Kiss me Hardy'. </span></div>
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Here is a view from the monument </div>
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After this brief visit we made our way to Abbotsbury for the start of our first walk.</div>
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Here we are half way up the first hill, looking back towards Abbotsbury </div>
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with Chesil Beach in the background</div>
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I took loads of photos but added just a few<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8ijqxc7s3t_bGpiVVNvV3UwWXM&usp=sharing" target="_blank"> more photographs here</a>. The beach you will see in these photos is Chesil Beach.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.8012809753418px; line-height: 17.9217929840088px; text-align: start;">Chesil Beach is 18 miles (28 kilometres) long and, on average, 160 metres wide and rises to 12 metres in height. It is a pebble beach connecting Portland to Abbotsbury </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.8012809753418px; line-height: 17.9217929840088px; text-align: start;">and then continuing north-westwards to West Bay near Bridport. </span><br />
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On Saturday we had an equally stunning walk from Lulworth Cove,<br />
past Durdle Door to White Nothe (Whitenose). <br />
We took the coast path from Lulworth Cove and returned by the higher path on the ridge. We were luckier with the weather today and had quite a bit of sunshine and also a hail storm!<br />
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Look at these wonderful views.<br />
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Lulworth Cove<br />
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Durdle Door<br />
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Durdle Door Arch<br />
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We had just walked down the hill opposite and were half way up this one!<br />
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Looking across to Portland<br />
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Looking down the coast towards Weymouth<br />
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And on the return journey, the hail storm!<br />
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I could go on and on. I took over 100 photos. I just couldn't resist them.<br />
I wont bore you with any more though.<br />
I'm off over to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-5">Handmade Monday</a> now<br />
to have a mooch around.<br />
Thanks for reading and I'll see you there<br />
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PS. As I was so happy with these photographs and the beautiful views whilst on our walks I am going to link up to <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/02/26/happy-friday-number-8/">Planet Penny for Happy Friday No.8</a><br />
I wonder what has made you happy this week?<br />
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-17109299234845909372015-02-15T18:04:00.000+00:002015-02-15T18:30:40.053+00:00What a week!Well what a week this seems to have been! It began last weekend with my trip to Manchester to stay with my friend and a visit to the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show.<br />
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Before I go any further though I would like to thank you all for your comments on last week's post. I really enjoyed reading them but unfortunately I had no time to reply to them and very little time to comment on any of your blogs. I managed a quick visit to a few of you to keep up with what had been going on but that is all I'm afraid. The heat gun I used is a craft one very similar to one like <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-heat-tool/567263-1000?gclid=Cj0KEQiApIGnBRCFx-idn7-E2Y8BEiQAc6fQbFIGEySs9fma_n_bNI3szN4Y4zFZoS4rSPfS9N7JBaUaAtBU8P8HAQ" target="_blank">this</a>.<br />
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I had a brilliant time with my friend. We talked non stop all weekend, much of it about sewing and crafts. I arrived on the Thursday and our evening's entertainment was watching the first of The Great British Sewing Bee. Couldn't have been better timing. Like minded friend to catch up with, bottle of fizzy and the Sewing Bee. Perfect evening :)<br />
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On Friday we visited the show but I have to say I was a little disappointed. I usually go to the one in Exeter, near where I live, but thought the Manchester one would be bigger and better, hence the weekend away. Unfortunately it was almost identical! So, although we enjoyed ourselves it was a bit of a let down.<br />
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We went for a Snowdrop walk in the gardens of <a href="http://www.rodehall.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rode Hall</a> on Saturday. They had a farmers market and we bought some wonderful cheese to have with crackers and wine for tea.<br />
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That's me on the left!</div>
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A few snowdrops out, but it's still early days</div>
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So white against the dark soil</div>
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We enjoyed a lovely lunch in a nearby pub and ended up having a mooch around a wonderful fabric shop in Macclesfield called <a href="http://www.quiltingbox.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Quilting Box</a>. It looks tiny from the front but it was bursting at the seams with fantastic fabrics.</div>
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Sunday we set off for IKEA. Took a slightly scenic route there - a cross between my lack of knowledge of the area and some dodgy written instructions, but it was far more fun this way, and I got to see a bit of the snow (we hadn't had any in Devon). For anyone who is interested IKEA do Bomull fabric which is a nice soft calico and at only £2 per metre it is great to use for making up dress making patterns to get the fit right before cutting out in your chosen fabric. </div>
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And as all good things have to come to an end, it was back home on the Monday, BUT not before one last special happening of the weekend!! Wait for it ....... our youngest daughter and her boyfriend got engaged and announced they were getting married in October this year. As you can imagine this was just the icing on the cake. </div>
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We are all very pleased for them both and excited about the wedding preparations too.</div>
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Even when I returned home the week still remained busy. I was able to return to my swimming as I had been unable to go for nearly 3 weeks previously because our local swimming pool had been closed as someone had apparently 'pulled the plug out'. Don't laugh, that was the explanation that was given!!!</div>
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I had a couple of lunch dates with more friends and managed to squeeze in an extra quilting session (as I missed out on the week before). I'll bring you up to date on the quilting another time. We caught up with friends we hadn't seen for a fair few months on Friday lunchtime and our eldest daughter and her boyfriend came home and held her birthday get together here on the Friday evening (11 of them, 5 boys cooking homemade burgers in my kitchen!!!!! I have to admit, they did do the washing up though!).</div>
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We finished off this hectic week with my husband cooking a valentine's meal for us and two of our friends last night. He made a very tasty meal and put a lot of thought into the presentation. We had garlic mushrooms to start with cute little heart shaped toasts and for dessert he cut the crepes into heart shapes and made spun sugar hearts to decorate the ice cream, all topped with cointreau. Awww :) Unfortunately I was so 'caught up in the moment' and so eager to tuck in, I completely forgot to take photos!!!! </div>
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Phew! I am hoping to have a much quieter week next week</div>
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(although secretly I have really enjoyed it</div>
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but shhhhh ... don't tell anyone)</div>
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I'll leave you now with a short video of something that happened to me, completely out of the blue this afternoon. After a walk with friends we met another couple who are motorbike mad (well he is anyway!). He's been promising me a ride on the back of his motorbike for a while now and today it happened. Here's the video to prove it!</div>
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Sorry, don't know how to rotate the video so you'll need to rotate your pc or perhaps yourself!!!! Hope it works - never uploaded a video before!</div>
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Ok I'm going to link up to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-4-the-circus-comes-to-town" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a> now and as as this has made me very happy I will shall link up with Planet Penny's Happy Friday at the end of the week too. Look forward to catching up with you all. </div>
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Have a great week</div>
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x</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-29094544490679036392015-02-08T17:48:00.001+00:002015-02-08T17:53:41.666+00:00Tutorial - Sweet Wrapper TextilesAs I am not here this weekend (I'm up in Manchester for a girlie weekend and a visit to the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts show) I thought I would share this Sweet Wrapper Textile tutorial that I promised you recently, which I prepared earlier!! (In true Blue Peter style!)<br />
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Last week I shared a picture of<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/sweet-wrapper-textiles.html" target="_blank"> a needle case and a case for my glasses</a> that I had made from sweet wrappers. I was asked if I could share how I made these and also was asked by a friend if I could make a needle case for her.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Wrapper Needle Case Tutorial</span></b></div>
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To make this you will need ...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfltKr4W24Y/VNJ-CRnBt9I/AAAAAAAACOE/0K9WbUNPeJY/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfltKr4W24Y/VNJ-CRnBt9I/AAAAAAAACOE/0K9WbUNPeJY/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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a piece of felt/velvet, sweet wrappers, bondaweb, coloured thread </div>
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and a piece of sheer fabric the same size as the felt/velvet</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUHa8iuy6Sk/VNKAfWoqhFI/AAAAAAAACOg/k7Ra798-gGA/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUHa8iuy6Sk/VNKAfWoqhFI/AAAAAAAACOg/k7Ra798-gGA/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Place the bondaweb, rough side down, paper side up, on top of your felt/velvet</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TA82O4tGxh4/VNKAdPW1n7I/AAAAAAAACOY/qrOpY7d-jJA/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TA82O4tGxh4/VNKAdPW1n7I/AAAAAAAACOY/qrOpY7d-jJA/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Using a hot iron and protecting your ironing board from the sticky stuff iron over the bondaweb to glue into place</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTkCecK3Szk/VNKCTan2UiI/AAAAAAAACO4/8S9wN4gm_ew/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTkCecK3Szk/VNKCTan2UiI/AAAAAAAACO4/8S9wN4gm_ew/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Peel the paper away leaving the glue attached to the felt/velvet</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCuDhhH7zBM/VNKC0p78qmI/AAAAAAAACPA/4K-iB6ocylc/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCuDhhH7zBM/VNKC0p78qmI/AAAAAAAACPA/4K-iB6ocylc/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lay the sweet wrappers on top of the glued fabric in any </div>
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design you like, it doesn't even matter if you leave a few gaps</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3zO6j8ou1s/VNKDsfMvldI/AAAAAAAACPI/xdN7qKdtFE0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3zO6j8ou1s/VNKDsfMvldI/AAAAAAAACPI/xdN7qKdtFE0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B8.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></a></div>
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When you have completely covered the fabric in sweet wrappers</div>
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carefully lay the sheer fabric over the top</div>
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Place a sheet of baking parchment or other non stick paper over the sheer fabric and iron to secure the sweet wrappers. The sheer fabric will stick in a few places which will help to keep it in place when you start stitching</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yW4dwwEy6Cc/VNKFL9wjExI/AAAAAAAACPc/m6AAjBbW94A/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yW4dwwEy6Cc/VNKFL9wjExI/AAAAAAAACPc/m6AAjBbW94A/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B10.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now you can start free machining the sheer fabric, sweet wrapper and felt/velvet layers together</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfr9B_WuATQ/VNKGBAWc4FI/AAAAAAAACPk/MsBcP0FQH_I/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfr9B_WuATQ/VNKGBAWc4FI/AAAAAAAACPk/MsBcP0FQH_I/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B11.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here you can see how the stitching looks both on</div>
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the front and on the reverse</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFsNcft-avA/VNKGju3xbbI/AAAAAAAACPs/0QBzAPxJRj4/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFsNcft-avA/VNKGju3xbbI/AAAAAAAACPs/0QBzAPxJRj4/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's at this stage you need to think about what you want on the inside. My friend asked for a couple of pockets to keep threads in and a couple of 'pages' for needles. After stitching these in place you are then ready for the fun bit</div>
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Using a heat gun carefully melt back the sheer fabric. It will only burn back as far as the nearest stitching. You can see this beginning to happen in the top half of the picture above.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyfL1nd2b7g/VNKI3HyzXyI/AAAAAAAACQM/UVe3tLWCdP0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyfL1nd2b7g/VNKI3HyzXyI/AAAAAAAACQM/UVe3tLWCdP0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B18.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the completed piece of sweet wrapper 'fabric'</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMIsAxyjOg4/VNKJTr0wdQI/AAAAAAAACQU/qiEELfNZWD0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMIsAxyjOg4/VNKJTr0wdQI/AAAAAAAACQU/qiEELfNZWD0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B19.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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To finish off the edges I chose to zig zag over two strands of a bright orange cord. Measure around the edge of the fabric allowing for a loop to use as a fastening later and double the measurement</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yqbPV436MY/VNKKb7LuFsI/AAAAAAAACQg/t5zp2FH50yY/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yqbPV436MY/VNKKb7LuFsI/AAAAAAAACQg/t5zp2FH50yY/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase%2B20.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Zig zag around the edge being sure to go over the cord whilst securing</div>
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it to the fabric - et voila!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSdlhUDxpbA/VNJ-xtcGxzI/AAAAAAAACOM/HxfSQ3I7Dr0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSdlhUDxpbA/VNJ-xtcGxzI/AAAAAAAACOM/HxfSQ3I7Dr0/s1600/Sweet%2BWrapper%2BNeedle%2BCase.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add a bright button and you have completed</div>
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the Sweet Wrapper Needle Case.</div>
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Have fun!</div>
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See you over on <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-3" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a></div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-23861690790631220892015-02-03T16:23:00.000+00:002015-02-03T16:29:29.795+00:00Chester the cat Stash Buster!I have just come across the <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/february-stash-link-party-and-your.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+LindasCraftycorner+(Linda%27s+Craftycorner)" target="_blank">February Stash Link Party</a> over at <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Linda's Crafty Corner </a>and was wondering what I could enter. I often find you never quite have the correct colours to match or contrast or the right yarn, to use up your stash so the stash just seems to get bigger and bigger!! Do you feel the same?<br />
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Well I do hope the stash buster I'm going to show you will solve all your problems in one go!! Let me introduce you to <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/chester-extreme-crochet-cat.html" target="_blank">Chester</a> the cat. I made him about 3 years ago now and he is very much part of the family.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWL3Rnh7Rgo/T4n08mVpeII/AAAAAAAAAbg/D4MRWQl3_3I/s1600/Introduction%2Bto%2BCrochet%2Bworkshop%2BCWVH%2BApril%2B14th%2B2012%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWL3Rnh7Rgo/T4n08mVpeII/AAAAAAAAAbg/D4MRWQl3_3I/s1600/Introduction%2Bto%2BCrochet%2Bworkshop%2BCWVH%2BApril%2B14th%2B2012%2B%282%29.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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He is made using Axminster carpet yarn which I salvaged from a weaver. Once the cones of yarn have been used they cannot be put on the loom again as there is never enough yarn left to complete another carpet so they get discarded. They are perfect for doing Jumbo Crochet but as you can imagine I have a lot left in my stash too!! Click on <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/chester-extreme-crochet-cat.html" target="_blank">Chester's</a> name and you will be able to read all about how I made him and what started the idea off. I used 5 strands of yarn at a time, using grey as the base and every time I ran out of a colour I just added a different one!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqY4k3USUo/T29oVbZLiBI/AAAAAAAAAYc/reXVQhq9sXQ/s1600/IMG_5336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqY4k3USUo/T29oVbZLiBI/AAAAAAAAAYc/reXVQhq9sXQ/s1600/IMG_5336.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/chester-goes-topless.html" target="_blank">Chester Goes Topless!</a></div>
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Chester has had lots of adventures so if you would like to read about what he gets up to click on any of the links in this post or just type Chester into the search box at the top on the left hand side.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwx4FJgdqCk/T4MXUPngUYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/peiJdO4gL04/s1600/Give%2Bit%2Ba%2Bgood%2Bmix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwx4FJgdqCk/T4MXUPngUYI/AAAAAAAAAaU/peiJdO4gL04/s1600/Give%2Bit%2Ba%2Bgood%2Bmix.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/big-chef-little-chef-birthday-surprise.html" target="_blank">A Birthday Surprise for Mum!</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbsJtnqUxlw/UFWyWEbGh0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/N--wlxSStK8/s1600/IMG_6270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbsJtnqUxlw/UFWyWEbGh0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/N--wlxSStK8/s1600/IMG_6270.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/chester-crochet-cat-and-taffy-crochet.html" target="_blank">Ooops! Chester's friend Taffy is joining in now. What mischief have they been up to?</a></div>
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It's about time these two little mischief makers had another adventure. Can you think of anything they may like to try?</div>
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Thank you for reading and I hope this post has given you an idea of<br />
what you could do with your stash!!</div>
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That's if you have any left, of course, after entering the <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/february-stash-link-party-and-your.html" target="_blank">February Stash Link Party</a>!</div>
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Bye from me<br />
and bye from Chester too!</div>
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x</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-92137941541995749792015-02-01T20:12:00.001+00:002015-02-01T20:12:14.029+00:00Patchwork, Crochet and Sweet Wrappers!I have so much on the go at the moment I don't know which to tackle next!<br />
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Last week's patchwork and quilting group saw the completion of my first place mat (1st of 6!) below. This is called Japanese Folded patchwork. Not my favourite! Too much room for error for my liking because of the bias of the fabric. It took a bit of keeping square!<br />
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I then moved on to Somerset Patchwork. This I enjoyed and found it very therapeutic albeit time consuming. Lots of little rectangles, folded into triangles and sewn on by hand. This is about the same size as one of the squares above (4"). Only another 5 to go to finish place mat number 2! Tumbling blocks for number 3 but no pictures as yet!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6nnSWioYmk/VM56LFnX-mI/AAAAAAAACMs/6IWUpVXdTzI/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6nnSWioYmk/VM56LFnX-mI/AAAAAAAACMs/6IWUpVXdTzI/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have also been following a CAL over at <a href="http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/" target="_blank">Look At What I Made</a> called <a href="http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/sophies-universe-cal-2015/sophies-universe-cal-2015-information/" target="_blank">Sophie's Universe</a>. But first I would like to show you another pattern from Dedri called <a href="http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/free-crochet-patterns/sophies-garden-large-crochet-square-photo-tutorial/" target="_blank">Sophie's Garden</a>. I absolutely loved this one and learnt a tremendous amount from completing it. It is about 2ft across.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn3YY7p44_Q/VM59ofjLZaI/AAAAAAAACNA/0-KLM5rtwhY/s1600/Sophie's%2BGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn3YY7p44_Q/VM59ofjLZaI/AAAAAAAACNA/0-KLM5rtwhY/s1600/Sophie's%2BGarden.jpg" height="588" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now Sophie's Universe starts out life very similarly to Sophie's Garden but it will eventually grow into a blanket about 6ft square. You can see below how far I've got so far. This is already measuring 22". I love them, so colourful and so interesting to do. As soon as I've finished writing this post I'm off to start on Part 4. Very excited!! Sad or what?<br />
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Another lovely day I had this week was making 'fabric' from sweet wrappers. A group of like minded friends get together about once every month to play with textiles of some kind. Last week we had a go at textile art using sheer fabrics, felt and sweet wrappers. I made one piece of 'fabric' out of which I was able to make a case for my glasses and a needle case. We had great fun. I have had a request from an elderly lady, I help out, for a needle case. When I start making it I promise I will write a little tutorial to explain how I did it. Watch this space!<br />
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And to cap it all, I tutored an <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/workshops.html" target="_blank">Introduction to Crochet</a> workshop today! Loads of concentration, but great fun had by all.<br />
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Next week I am travelling up to Manchester for a girlie weekend with my friend. I shall arrive on Thursday evening which is fantastic timing as it is the start of the Great British Sewing Bee !! yay :) Fizzy plonk, girlie chats and The Sewing Bee. Can't think of much better! We are then going to the <a href="http://www.stitchandhobby.co.uk/manchester/spring/" target="_blank">Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show</a> at Event City in Manchester. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Right now I'm joining in with <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-2" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a> and then going to carry on with Part 4 of the crochet along! </div>
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Have a good week everyone!</div>
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x</div>
Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-15037224853452652112015-01-29T21:09:00.000+00:002015-01-29T21:10:52.930+00:00Sweet Wrapper TextilesWhere do these weeks go? I can't believe it's time for <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/01/29/happy-friday-number-4/" target="_blank">Planet Penny's Happy Friday </a>again already!<br />
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We had our first Sunday roast for a while this week and whilst doing the potatoes this made me and my hubby smile. We couldn't possibly roast this one! Maybe we should save it until St Valentine's Day?<br />
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I had a really enjoyable day today. A group of friends got together at our house for a 'textile' day. There were 9 of us in all making 'fabric' out of sweet wrappers, felt or velvet and sheer fabrics. One big mistake I made was not taking any photos throughout the day!! Doh! We were so engrossed in what we were doing, it completely slipped my mind! So I'm afraid I only managed to take some photos of my finished project to show you.<br />
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I was really pleased with the way these turned out - a case for my glasses and a needle case which I have been meaning to make for ages - and the fact I managed to finish them both. I just love the bright colours. <br />
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Looking forward to seeing what made you happy this week :)<br />
<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-53055540378463559252015-01-25T18:22:00.000+00:002015-01-25T18:22:00.077+00:00Remembering Taffy's visit to the DentistIt's a pleasure to be linking up to <a href="http://www.lucyblossomcrafts.co.uk/blog/handmade-monday-1" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a> again this week at it's new home with Lucy Blossom Crafts. Wendy from <a href="http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/where-is-handmade-monday.html" target="_blank">Handmade Harbour</a> has done a fantastic job of hosting 200 Handmade Mondays and I wish her well with her choice to concentrate on her illustrations. I would also like to thank Vicky of Lucy Blossom Crafts for taking over this very friendly and welcoming link party and am sure it will continue to be a great success.<br />
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This week we had a visit to the dentist :( Only a check up, but never my favourite place to go! I remembered some time ago on a previous visit we took Taffy with us for his first check up. Who is Taffy I hear you ask? Now, followers of my blog from the beginning will know the answer to this, but for those of you who wonder what on earth I'm talking about, <a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/taffy-and-crochet-cat.html" target="_blank">take a peek at this post</a> and all will be revealed.<br />
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Have you had any 'interesting' trips to the dentist recently? </div>
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Here's how Taffy got on.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px;">Poor Taffy! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px;">This was his first ever visit and he was a little anxious to say the least! But, do not despair, everything went well!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4SMM_9w84w/T1psZNuNAxI/AAAAAAAAAS8/SxQSCQ1swf8/s1600/Taffy%2Bat%2Bthe%2BDentist%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4SMM_9w84w/T1psZNuNAxI/AAAAAAAAAS8/SxQSCQ1swf8/s1600/Taffy%2Bat%2Bthe%2BDentist%2B%282%29.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px; text-align: center;">This is our fantastic dentist, we have known him for many years now (longer than I care to calculate!) so I knew Taffy would be in good hands.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px; text-align: center;">He soon put Taffy at ease.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: 'Crafty Girls'; font-size: 17.8199996948242px; line-height: 27.7200031280518px; text-align: center;">Can you see how relaxed Taffy looks?</span><br />
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Open wide Taffy!</div>
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"Everything looks fine" said the dentist. "See you again in 6 months"</div>
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"Phew" said Taffy!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVO5IwCb5GE/T1pvWk9v9dI/AAAAAAAAATU/XFsZg0YY1_E/s1600/Taffy%2Bat%2Bthe%2BDentist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVO5IwCb5GE/T1pvWk9v9dI/AAAAAAAAATU/XFsZg0YY1_E/s1600/Taffy%2Bat%2Bthe%2BDentist.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Taffy is looking very pleased with himself now! The dentist gave him a sticker for being such a good teddy!</div>
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I think this may have been a first for the dentist, as well as Taffy!</div>
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What do you think?</div>
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Hope you have enjoyed reading about Taffy. </div>
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He has got up to all sorts of mischief on his adventures. </div>
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If you would like to see any of the others </div>
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type 'Taffy' into the search box which is just below the picture of me </div>
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on the left hand side of my blog, </div>
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and take your pick!</div>
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Looking forward to catching up with you all and meeting any new bloggers, over at Handmade Monday, see you soon :)</div>
<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-90899821571427000532015-01-22T17:46:00.000+00:002015-01-22T17:47:20.581+00:00Patchwork Placemat on Happy FridayI have been following <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/" target="_blank">Planet Penny</a> now for quite a while and just love the wonderful colours she uses in her patterns, so much so, that I had to buy a pack of <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/gallery/planet-penny-direct-sales/" target="_blank">Planet Penny Cotton</a>. I'll show you a few of the items I used it for a bit later.<br />
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So when I realised she was setting up <a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/01/22/happy-friday-no-3/" target="_blank">Happy Friday</a>, I was delighted to take part. I couldn't think of what I would include to start with but reading a few of the other bloggers posts I soon realised I was looking for something far too complicated and hadn't noticed the simple things around me.<br />
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I noticed from our lounge window this morning how beautiful the sky was.<br />
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This made me feel happy!</div>
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I have recently joined a patchwork and quilting group and have set myself the task of completing 6 placemats, each one a different design but using the same colours. We meet on a Friday so this week's is (thankfully!) completed ready to start another.</div>
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I did not enjoy making this one, it was so difficult to keep everything lined up and wrinkle free so it made me extremely happy </div>
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when I finally finished it and it didn't look quite as bad as I thought it would!!</div>
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I'll leave you now with pictures of a few of the items I made with Planet Penny Cotton.</div>
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<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/yarndale-inspired-mandala.html" target="_blank">My Yarndale inspired Mandala</a></div>
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<a href="http://fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/camera-case-in-crete.html" target="_blank">Camera Case</a></div>
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A Giraffe for my daughter (who's 24 I might add!!)</div>
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<a href="http://planetpenny.co.uk/2015/01/22/happy-friday-no-3/" target="_blank">Happy Friday Everyone</a></div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-22660561886280250412015-01-18T18:12:00.000+00:002015-01-18T18:12:05.890+00:00Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 2I'm so glad you all liked the jewellery rolls. They are one of those items you wouldn't think you need but once you've had one, taking jewellery with you when travelling becomes so much easier and I am definitely tempted to take more than I need now. Just <i>in case</i> you understand!! <br />
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I very much enjoyed reading all your comments on <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/quilted-jewellery-roll-how-to.html" target="_blank">Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 1</a> and if any of you do have a go I would love to see your pictures. If you find anything doesn't make sense please feel free to contact me and I'll see if I can help - but I'm no expert by any means!<br />
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Ok lets continue now with<br />
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You have completed your 'fabric' for the front of your jewellery roll and now you will need to quilt it. Place the fabric on a piece of wadding just a little larger than the fabric. The definition of quilting is: <i>the sewing of two or more layers of fabric together to make a thicker padded material </i>and that's exactly what you will do next. I chose to 'stitch in the ditch' - sew in the seams really - along the edges of the larger squares. I used a pale grey thread so it didn't show up too much. You could sew around the little squares if you feel so inclined depending on the look you prefer.</div>
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Now we are ready to construct the inside. I chose two zipped pockets, loops for necklaces or bracelets and a small pocket for bits and pieces in the centre.</div>
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To make the pockets I measured the jewellery roll and decided exactly where I wanted the zips to go. I then cut 3 pieces of material, one large for the centre and two smaller ones for the outside allowing 1/2" for my seams. I placed the zips in the seams and pinned a small pocket in the centre. I then hand stitched the pocket in place, just to make it look a little more decorative (see yellow arrow on picture below). When this is completed cut another piece of fabric to the same size and place it right side up below the piece with the zips in. Stitch from edge to edge, parallel to the zips,</div>
in the correct place to create the size of pockets you require (see the black arrows below - you can just pick out the stitching).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXoZ6ZxsJac/VLgUdDtl55I/AAAAAAAACJ0/ITbJ-Mmj9Bs/s1600/IMG_0819%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXoZ6ZxsJac/VLgUdDtl55I/AAAAAAAACJ0/ITbJ-Mmj9Bs/s1600/IMG_0819%2B(1).jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a><br />
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Nearly there! Place the pockets you have just made and the 'fabric' with the hearts on, wrong sides together. I found this next bit rather tricky! Square everything up and trim to the correct size. As the old saying goes <i>measure twice, cut once! </i>If adding loops, pin these in place now. Picture below shows them with the binding in place but you get the idea. At this stage <b>don't forget to add ribbons for tying roll together.</b><br />
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Finally, cut a strip of fabric 2" wide, long enough to go around all 4 edges of your jewellery roll. You can join this if you need to. Fold in half and place raw edges together on the right side, stitch 1/4" from the raw edge. Turn smooth edge over to the inside and hand sew in place. You can see both front and back of the binding in the picture below.<br />
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Now sit back and admire your work :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zgGade9Po4/VLgk2ryAUKI/AAAAAAAACKY/X3tLdtaHVUg/s1600/IMG_0813%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zgGade9Po4/VLgk2ryAUKI/AAAAAAAACKY/X3tLdtaHVUg/s1600/IMG_0813%2B(1).jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
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Please forgive me, I haven't gone into great detail explaining how to 'Stitch in the Ditch' and binding your work as there are numerous videos on Youtube showing you how.</div>
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I hope this may have given you the inspiration to have a go. This was only my third patchwork project so you can see you don't need a lot of knowledge to achieve.</div>
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I'll leave you now with a couple of pictures of my first two projects.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ols22SPnxF4/VLgrGs6kUaI/AAAAAAAACKo/VF3-2OCj5Ik/s1600/Tulip%2Bcushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ols22SPnxF4/VLgrGs6kUaI/AAAAAAAACKo/VF3-2OCj5Ik/s1600/Tulip%2Bcushion.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First project - Tulip cushion</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1g17rbfbfY/VLgrnl2ExFI/AAAAAAAACKw/t2MrBd8nCF8/s1600/Bag%2BBlocks%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1g17rbfbfY/VLgrnl2ExFI/AAAAAAAACKw/t2MrBd8nCF8/s1600/Bag%2BBlocks%2Bblog.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QINpYo3EQeE/VLgrtQOX5GI/AAAAAAAACK4/LMapUXjsCFA/s1600/Bag%2Bblocks%2Bblog%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QINpYo3EQeE/VLgrtQOX5GI/AAAAAAAACK4/LMapUXjsCFA/s1600/Bag%2Bblocks%2Bblog%2B1.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocks from my second project which I made into a bag<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy sewing!</span></td></tr>
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See you all over on <a href="http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/handmade-monday-200.html" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a></div>
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Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373799159776942388.post-62430730108121027952015-01-07T19:37:00.000+00:002015-01-15T18:27:11.187+00:00Quilted Jewellery Roll "How To" Part 1Well "Hello" everyone. It is lovely to have <a href="http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/handmade-monday-199.html" target="_blank">Handmade Monday</a> back and I do hope you all enjoyed and have recovered from the Christmas festivities.<br />
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Here as promised is my "How To" for the quilted <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/hello-2015-hello-jewellery-rolls.html" target="_blank">jewellery rolls</a> I made my daughters for Christmas. If you haven't read <a href="http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/hello-2015-hello-jewellery-rolls.html" target="_blank">my previous post</a> it may help to give it a quick view so you know what all this is about. You'll be glad to know my cold has cleared up and 2015 is back on schedule!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jewellery Roll "How To"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Part 1</span></div>
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Below is what your finished 'fabric' will look like. </div>
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You will have</div>
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2 full 9 square patches in the centre </div>
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6 triangles made of 6 squares around the edges</div>
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4 corner triangles made of 4 squares in each corner. </div>
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In total you will need about 74 of the tiny squares (perhaps a few extra in case you make a mistake!). You will also need 6 plain pale squares for the hearts. </div>
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The finished size is about 11" or 12" x 7" or 8" depending on how accurate you are! </div>
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When working with tiny squares like these there is plenty of opportunity for error, believe me!</div>
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Cut into 1.5" strips and then cut those strips into 1.5" squares. I can't remember how many I cut but if you aim on about 9 x 1.5" squares of each colour you can use any left over to chop up for the hearts.<br />
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Now to start sewing! Use 1/4" seams throughout. Begin with the 9 square, squares and stitch 3 squares together to make 1 strip. Make the other two 3 square strips. Then stitch the 3, 3 square strips together, side by side, matching up the seams carefully! Press, then you have completed your first patchwork square! Only another XX to go! Complete the others in the same way and then you will be ready for the next stage.<br />
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At this point you will need to cut 6 plain pale 3.5" squares. Lay all your squares and triangles out like this. <br />
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Now join into strips like you did before (see the arrows) the squares will just be slightly larger this time. Then join the strips together, side by side, being particularly careful to match up all the seams. Don't forget to add the last 2 corner triangles! Press neatly, admire your work .... and breathe :) <br />
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You should have something which resembles this. Each tiny square will measure 1" or just under (told you it was difficult to be accurate!) and each plain square will be 3" or under.<br />
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Ok - you still with me?<br />
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<b>Good, let's make the hearts :)</b><br />
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I'm afraid I lack a few pictures of this bit! But it should be a doddle for you clever crafters out there. First you will need to draw a heart to fit the blank squares. When you are happy with the shape draw this onto bondaweb (other gluey stuff does exist!). Cut out and place in the centre of the blank square, ironing into place (don't forget to protect your iron from the sticky stuff). <br />
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At this stage it may help to stitch around the outline of the heart as it can be a bit difficult to see. I also backed it with a little stitch and tear to give it a bit of strength. Next you will need a selection of teeny weeny chopped up bits from all 9 choices of fabric. Sprinkle these so they completely cover the heart and over the edges (now you can see why it's difficult to see). Protecting your iron again, iron over the itty bitty bits until they are stuck in place. Now stitch around the outline of the heart and free machine all over until they are well and truly fixed in place. You can do this as much or as little as you wish. Finally trim off any excess little pieces. Give yourself a pat on the back and ..... complete the other 5!!<br />
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Phew! I think that is enough to take in for one session, it will take quite a while to get this far so next week I will post Part 2 which will explain the quilting bit and how to make the pockets for the inside.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy sewing!</span></div>
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<br />Fiddly Fingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336807917360708621noreply@blogger.com11