Cake

This is the cake that I made for my Nan's Birthday

I used icing tools and various shades of green icing to cover the cake in green roses.

Block

I mentioned before my trip to the library to get some sewing/ dress making/ pattern making books. So I thought I would read up and try and work on improving some of the sewing I do and how I do it and hopefully learn a few things.

I decided I was gunna make a pattern block. I have been basing my patterns so far on a basic dress pattern and adjusting it, but haven't made a block that is just right. So I thought I would do it properly and follow the instructions.

I used a standard pattern sized up to make one set of blocks, I then followed this method of measuring the body and drawing it all out. I then adjusted this one on both my model and by trying it on myself.

This is my block so far on my model. It still needs a fair bit of work, cutting etc and then drawing out onto paper.

I have been doing a lot of pinning and adjusting to try and get it just right.

I think I might test this out, once it's finished, by making a black dress for work, so watch this space.

Recipe book stand

I got a pressie the other day from my Nan- a book rest for my recipe books, so used it for the first time today.

New shoes

I bought some new shoes: flowery brogues! They were too cute, I couldn't resist!

I made Jam

We have a plum tree in our garden, it's only a little one, but the amount of plums that we get off of it is amazing!

So we stewed somefor crumbles and froze them and I also made jam. It came out well, I even had it on toast this morning.

I've been to the library

I took a trip to the library as I have a bit of time over the next few weeks and wanted to get looking at some pattern books for dressmaking. I wanted to improve my techniques a bit and so I rummaged through the library for pattern making books.

Some of these books are better than others, some are a bit old.

But I have been looking at how to make blocks, there seems to be a couple of ways to do this, either following the mathematical approach or doing it on the model. Now I am trying a few different ones, a couple of the 'make it on paper' types and also using on the model ideas.

I'll keep you posted on how it all goes. So far I have been cutting out lots of versions of paper patterns on newspaper and have made up one in fabric and am altering it on the model I haveto get it just right.

I made cake...

I saw a picture of a cake I really wanted to make a while back, I just needed an occasion to make it. So my Nan's Birthday.

This is a test run, just to check it wouldn't be a total disaster at the last minute when I didn't have a back up plan (often a problem I have!!) But it wasn't and am quite happy.

I think I'm gunna make it in shades of green, my Nan's fav colour. There'll be pics of that 2, so fingers crossed it's successful.

I also got some icing tools when I was out shopping (it is what I used to do the icing on the cake), but I also wanted to try and make some chocolate shapes (another idea that I saw recently). I just did some test runs of hearts and stars, but worked ok. Just gotta make sure I don't get too impatient and touch them before they r properly dry!

I just tried them in my cake, think they look cute, might add these to the next cup cakes I make, now there's an idea!!

A day of making

If you have been here before or are a regular reader of my blog, u'll know by now that I love to make thing. It may be clothes, jewellery, sewing or it may be food, but I love to make.

So I spent a free day making lots of things in the kitchen. I made Ice cream (mint choc chip and chocolate), lemonade and macaroons. Yummy.

Buy it here

I have just added my little owl to my Wow thank you shop, check it out here:

http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/surf-jewels/products/eco-owl/

A new little eco owl

I recently made a little owl and I am now onto my second one.

This little owl is made from recycled fabrics and scraps left over from other projects. It is then stuffed with reused fabric as well. Totally eco and great for the environment, as well as totally cute (of course).

First step was to cut out the pattern pieces. I've gone for a pink theme this time.

I then sewed the wings together, then the front to the back, I did this before the appliqué and embroidery this time. (That's my little pin cushion that my Mum made me there!!)

Here is attack of the pins!! I pinned my fabric in place. There are a lot of pins because I had to fold over all the edges on the circles (not an easy task).

So all ready to sew...

I made my own little label. I have been meaning to make a little label to go on my items for ages. I have tried free sewing on my machine, but I def need some practise. So I hand sewed this one, that way it comes out the way I want it to.

This is my little owl just before stuffing, after sewing on the eyes, beak and detail.

And this is my finished owl, leave a comment to say what you think.

Finished Office Dress

This is my finished office dress.

The top part I made from an old shirt, the bottom from a dress that I recycled. So totally eco and it came out well. Just a slight adjustment to do on the back and then I can wear it to work.

Very happy. It is nice to go from an idea/ picture of what you want to the final item.

Owl

Today I have been working on making an owl

I started off by doing some drawings of what I wanted to make and some ideas.

I then drew it out to actual size and cut it out for a template.

I then cut out the fabric pieces using the template.

This is all the pieces cut out and laid out where I want them.

Before stitching the back to the front, I sewed on all the detailed work, such as eyes, beak etc.

Then I did some sewing on my machine. This is the wing.

And I ended up with this:

Knitted jumper

I have finally finished my knitted jumper dress. I may have started it last winter, but at least it'll be ready for next winter right?!

Very happy with it. Came out well.

Office Dress

Ok, so I have made quite a few items of clothing, have followed (and not followed patterns), admittedly being more successful when I do follow patterns. But inspired by something I saw on TV and a dress I've seen on the net, I got going on making my own pattern and dress.

First step was to make a pattern. I based it vaguely on part of a dress pattern I have used before. I had a bit of inspiration and made it from newspaper, then remade it.

Then was cutting it from fabric.

I made this from a dress that was not so successful and a man's shirt that was being thrown away.

I have been doing a lot of sewing and adjusting and this is where I am at now. There is a lot of work 2 go. Pins are still holding a lot of it together and some bits just aren't right. So I'll keep you posted.

Cupcakes

I see lots of pretty cupcakes when I'm browsing around the net, so have been making a few myself.

I put some in my fav cake tin.

Yum, writing this is making me hungry, I may hav 2 go and eat one!!

Sewing Box

My Dad rescued this from a skip and I love it.

A proper old sewing box. Just had to fix some of the screws back in (with a little help from my Dad).

Now I use it for all sorts of sewing bits- ribbons, threads, buttons and bits and bobs.

Taking photos

I love taking photos and so today I nabbed my Dads SLR and ventured into the garden.

I like taking close ups, so here's a taster of what I took.

Check out my site for more pics:

http://surfjewels.000space.com

Cake bites

Ok, so I have been quite excited looking through a new blog I found- Bakerella.com It has some amazing baking on there and some lovely ideas. So today I though- y not try one of them out. So I tried my hand at making cake balls.

Now here's how they should look:

So I baked a small cake (I didn't want to make too many all at once). I used one of my fav recipes, then crumbled it in a bowl and mixed it with a chocy icing.

I then rolled this in balls and laid on a sheet, so far so good. Quite easy and smooth so far!

Then came the chocolate coating. I started off by skewering them, but I broke a few of them in half, opps. So change of plan- I decided to use a spoon instead. Had a few problems, the first ones I dipped are covered in very thick chocolate and towards the end they are very thinly coated. Think I definitely need to do some perfecting of the technique!!

These are my very messy creations!! They are currently waiting to dry.

I am sure they will be yummy anyhow!