It's been a while...

Look what DS and DD did!

We've been in the braided suede phase for a few weeks now. Mostly making bracelets but I ended up with a few strips with colours that didn't quite go together. T'was only when I chanced upon a pack of large bells at Daiso that I decided to make these. I simply thread 2 strips through the bell's hole and did a 4-way round braid.

DS and DD came home one day and while waiting to get in, went on a challenge - to get the bell as high as it would go by hitting the bell so that the strap would wrap round and round.

DS started with the rightmost 2 - his first try was very good and his second was just a bit longer.

DD started from the middle and worked left.

First try :-(

Second try was worse :-(

Third try was ... well, as you can see, she won!

LOL!

ps: I've not been updating the blog diligently :-( There're lots more pics on Facebook for recent activities. Check them out!

Clearance sale now on on Facebook

I'll be taking on something new from next year for 3 years. It's something I've been looking forward to though I'm still waiting for final confirmation that it's on. It's going to take up most of my time so I'll have less time to craft :-(

I'll still craft though, but I won't be taking any more customised orders.

I'm clearing on-hand stock now on Facebook, selling some items almost at cost.

Check them out!

Colour combinations

I didn't think these would go together but these 2 colours were what DD requested. Six braided green and brown. After braiding it like that (3 consecutive green, 3 consecutive brown), it seems quite pleasant. I might try another that is green, brown alternates. I might try an 8-braid, or a 10? I think it's the same method as the 6. I'll need to find the corresponding ribbon ends first though.

 

Remember the top-most gift bag? I used it for the tutorial. Made some more out of Christmas colours. 

Would you have guessed that all these came from a single piece of cloth? It's those 'cheater' patchwork types. The sizes are just nice for these 27mm buttons. Dual loops elastic hair ties.

I just remembered that I'm supposed to update the Pre-Christmas Sale 2012 page with these than post here.

Oh well.

Have a blessed day!

Go green this Christmas

Go green this Christmas and make your own gift bag rather than use wrapping paper that will be ripped and thrown away.

Anyway, if you haven't noticed how I make stuff by now, I'm winging this. That's why there are no specific measurements. This also means that you can make it any size you like as long as you know the ratios and what to look out for.

Material

• 4 pieces of fabric - outer (1pc), lining (pc), top (2pcs) - the outer and lining are large rectangles, twice the size of your final bag when you fold breadthwise, meaning breadth meets breadth and length is halved. The top parts are as long as when the outer is folded half, as wide as 4 times the cords / ribbons you're going to use. Please remember to include sufficient allowance for sewing.
• cord or ribbon for drawstring top
• bells, charms (optional)
• label (optional)

Method

1. Prepare the materials above
2. Fold in the breadths of the top pieces and sew near the edge. This is so that the ends won't fray. See yellow arrow.
3. Take the lining and fold half breadthwise (breadth meets breadth) and crease it along the length. See red arrow. Fold both top pieces into half lengthwise (length meets length) and place them along the edge of the lining, one on each side of the half where you just creased. All frayed edges need to be aligned.
4. Place the outer piece on top so that you have a sandwich. Bottom - lining, middle - top piece folded half lengthwise, top - outer piece. Sew along the frayed edge of this 'sandwich'.
5. Open the 'sandwich' and top-stitch near the edge. See red arrow. You may wish to add a label at this time.
6. If you want squared off corners, open them up and fold them 45-degrees across. Think tetra packs or milk cartons. Same concept. Trim off the excess. See red arrow.
7. Fold the whole thing such that the outer is folded half on itself, and ditto the lining. Sew round the 3 edges. Remember to leave an opening for turning. Trim the part where the outer and lining meets. See red arrow.
8. Turn it proper way out and sew the hole closed. Cut 2 pieces of cord or ribbon. These will be longer than the length of the outer or lining. Thread one through one of the top pieces and out  the other and knot it. Thread the other through the other end and knot it. Add charms or bells, if you like.

Have fun!

Bee very happy :-)

DD's newest pouch and it's not green, LOL!

She asked for a pouch that's the size of the dinner plate. We just had dinner then so DS glady obliged and washed and dried one plate for me so I could use it as a template. 

Bee-themed jelly roll strips and fully lined and bound with linen.

These pouches are a fair bit of work but I like the results. :-)

Have a blessed day!

Happy National Day

Here are some pics of what I've been making recently. 

Byzantine bookmarks with anodized aluminium rings and charms.

 

 Antique bronze bookmarks - Full Persian on the left and Byzantine on the right.

For the most important book in the world :-) 

These Byzantine star keychains remind me of the song that goes like...

There are five stars arising out of the stormy sea...

Happy National Day!