Cross Stitch'n the Days Away

So as I mentioned in my previous post - I have started Cross Stitchin. Well I say started - thats an understatement!! I 'Started' months ago - technically this wasnt finished in 2012 but I have stiched the year now and theres no going back!!

My friend at work so kindly taught me how to Cross Stitch, Id seen some examples from Victoria at LilyLovesLola, shes fab at them, and totally my style! 

I started off with a small silhouette of a lady, but she went a bit wrong and looks like she had a beard!

Anyway for my next one I decided to try something more lengthy. Here is what I Chose and my progress so far :)

(Threads given to me by my friend - Thank you!)

Hope you like - I need to get into gear and finish it before 2014!! :) 

Love Lil xx

I like this.

I have not blogged in ages. I have become a blog-phobe. Well from my own anyway.

Although i read blogs everyday, I sort of took an unexpected break from it all last year. So too with my sewing and photo taking. No particular reason why - But now im back!

Im still buying lots of lovely things - admiring lots of images - thinking of new ideas, I just havent shared them for a while.

So to start me back off...a nice easy break in post if you like..I thought i'd share with you my ever expanding heart wall...

As you may or may not know this has been an aim of mine for a few years now, every christmas and birthday my mum adds to it (thank you) and every time im taken with a new heart in a shop i will 'treat' myself. I dont see me ever getting bored of these :)

Nice to be back <3

Lil xx

Business Cards

As my mind turns to Craft Shows, I decided to create some of my own business cards.

I love the design, mainly because i could use it on postcards, patchworks, woven labels, stickers or anything! And they were so easy to design. With a little help from photoshop!

Oh..I have been seriously slacking in the Blogger department, I am going to have a bit of a giveaway to make up for this :)

Love Lil xx

Boxy Bag..

Today i made a boxy bag. Im very pleased with my first attempt!

You are meant to use interfacing to make it firmer, but i made it with a thicker cotton on the outside...next time i'll try the interfacing!

What do you think? I think a duo fabric outer would look cute :)

Love Lil x

5 Cushions a day keeps the doctor away...

Here are some of my favourite cushions at the moment..love all the colours and stripes! The union jack one was my inspiration for one i attempted in the previous post!

Im going to attempt the top one first, its lush!!

Which ones do you like the most?

Love Lil x

Long Overdue..

This post is long overdue..as the title says!

My laptop has been broken for a while now and funding issues meant a fix had to wait! I now have it back and so im back to my blog!

Heres some things i've been up to in the past few weeks...

1. Making Union Jack Cushion.

I joined in the Great British spectacle that was the Royal Wedding, and my offering was this cushion. Pretty and now is pride of place in my Mini Cooper :) How very British of me.

2. Making Beds.

Well, Duvet Covers to be precise :) This colourful creation cost roughly £8 to make and was lots of fun. I suggest everyone make their own duvet! :) And matching Cushions ;)

3. Exploring New Cushions.

Some beauties I have found recently...

4. Last but not least..Owl cushions!

My sister loves these, so ive decided to make her one for her graduation in July.

Heres some inspiring ones ive found so far...







Its good to be back! Hopefully it wont be too long until my next post!

Love Lil xx

New Year, New machine :)

My new sewing machine..Toyota FSL 18. I needed a faster mahine for my needs. I will probably sell my old John Lewis mini one.

I love this machine, its sooo fast, has pink on it, and was only £115!

I also picked up this Sewing accessories travel case (both from argos). This was £25 i think.

Its got 5 plastic boxes inside, all with small sections. Perfect for storing threads, buttons, ribbons, bobbins...the list goes on! I have filled three boxes already!

Its also got fab side compartments and a zip compartment, where i store scissors and larger items.

I love it...and its lilac which makes it even lovelier :)

My mum got me these cute embroidery scissors for my birthday in December. So handy for cutting sewing machine threads, and generally just super cute :)

Patchwork Blanket

My first project of the year was a patchwork blanket..not quite a quilt...but big enough to snuggle under :)

Here is the process in pictures...

Cut out 150 squares of around 15cm by 15cm. (I used about 15 different fabrics)

End up with a pile like this...

Lay the squares out in a favoured pattern..I tried to mix and match the colours so it was varied...

Find a backing fabric...I used this fleece which was a bargain at £2 from tesco, and fitted my needs perfectly!

Sew strips of squares, then sew the strips together...I prefer the not so perfect look, so none of my squares match up perfectly...

And here is the finished blanket! Its so cosy with the fleece on the back, and super colourful!

My next mission is a full sized double quilt...In fact im starting this weekend :)

p.s I havent been around much lately, My laptops broken so its hard to get on and post! :)

Hot Water Bottle Cover Tutorial

Remember that kilt i bought in a charity shop a few months back for £1? There i was, sat thinking about what to make next...and so here it is...padded quilt hot water bottle cover :)

You will need:

Outer Fabric (Kilt)
Padding/wadding - very cheap from john lewis or fabric shops!
Inner/Lining Fabric (Strawberry)
Thread (try and make this the same colour as your outer fabric!
Bias Binding - not much, about 50cm!
Greaseproof/tracing paper.
Sewing machine optional, but a lot faster with one!!

Lets Get Started!!...

First, draw around your hot water bottle, leaving a 2cm gap round the edge all the way round.

Do this onto greaseproof/tracing paper as it is easy to work with.

Pin this to your fabric and cut out one whole one, a small half for the top and a larger bottom half, so that when placed on top of the whole one, they overlap.

Next place your cut out sides onto the wadding and cut out - leaving a gap of about an inch all the way round. Do this for all three pieces.

Next do the same with the lining/inner fabric. In the end you should have a sandwich seen below.



Pin this sandwich together and then carefully sew together.

Bias bind together the two straight edges from the broken half.

Lay the whole piece, right side up, and place the smaller piece on top right side down. then the larger broken piece also right side down. So that when all turned inside out, the outer fabric only is showing.

Sew round all edges carefully, The machine will go through this as its all thin fabric!

Turn inside out and voila!!

I know mines not perfect, but its my first attempt and i love it!...

Another christmas present in the bag!!

Lil x