Good news always comes after bad...

There are some things that have been happening here that I have yet to share...

(more owls for next Etsy update)

Since having the bout of tonsillitis, I had started to feel like I was hitting a bad patch. My son drove a battery powered car across the top of my head, which got tangled up and pulled a large handful of hair out (yes, ouch!!), I pinched a sweet from my daughter and then thought, 'this feels harder than it should be!', to find a rather large chunk of both tooth and filling had come out (dentist for me on Wednesday!). This next one is more my own fault, but while burning the midnight oil a bit too much this week, I started to nod off and headbutted my sewing machine!

But, then the natural law of the universe steps in, and brings good things to even it all out, firstly for me, there has been world domination by way of toadstools!!, and secondly, for my husband...

Some of you who have been reading my blog for a while will know what he does, he is a portrait painter, and after being a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters for around 5 years has just been chosen to be the new President!

You may now call me Mrs President!

ps, all those signed up for the swap, you should have received an email from me yesterday, please let me know if you haven't or if there are any problems.  I will be drawing swap partners later today.

Pink kitten...

Pink cat now has a pink kitten!

(these two will be going into the Etsy shop soon)

Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far for the toadstool swap (there are nearly 50 at last count!), I will be in touch over the weekend with your swap partners details.  There is still time to sign up, the deadline isn't until Friday.  In the meantime, I've started a Flickr group if anyone would like to join (even if you are not involved in the swap, but have made a toadstool) and post images of your toadstools when they are complete.  I can't wait to see them!

Just call me 'The Bag Lady!'...

It looks like all my friends & family will be getting a bag for their birthdays this year.  I made this one last week for my friend and neighbour.  It started life as a very nice woollen Boden skirt which came from a charity shop (bargain at £4!).  There was no chance it was going to fit, it was a (UK) size 10, so I didn't mind chucking it in the washing machine to felt it. 

Rosebud decoration, courtesy of this tutorial,

It turned out rather pretty, the skirt fabric felted beautifully, and was really nice to work with, lovely and soft.  I only felted half the skirt, just in case it didn't work, but the rest will be going in the washer very soon!

Toadstools for Etsy

I really want to add some toadstools to my next range for Etsy. 'Pink' has been on hold as the fabric I have on order hasn't arrived yet, so working with what I already have in my stash, I came up with the idea of adding a butterfly.

In addition to the buttons on the top, I've embroidered seeding and some french knots,

and used part of a thrifted crochet doilie (or is it doily?, how do you spell that word?!) to add decoration to the stalk.

The butterfly is actually a brooch and is removable!

PS, Don't forget about the toadstool swap, deadline for signing up is Friday 16th May (see the previous post for details)

Toot, toot... (and a swap!)

(latest bag made from a felted jumper)

It's not often I get the opportunity to blow my own horn, but this week has been a pretty good week!  In addition to the two Anchor kits finally making it into the shops (as announced in the previous post, and I've also added the new link in the sidebar), my little toadstool has proved very popular, and has been featured on,

Plush You

Craftzine

Feeling Stitchy

Craft Juice

and a mention on a site called Tipnut, (which I haven't come across before and is worth a peek!)

(close up of thrifted pillow case lining)

and my eyepatch tutorial also got a mention on Craftzine too, wow!

(I've really changed Betz's original pattern this time round!)

All this interest has got me thinking, what about a TOADSTOOL SWAP?, using the tutorial but personalizing it as much (or as little) as you like?  

(Look, I've been tweaking around with my own pattern already!)

Lets make it official then!, if you'd like to join in, to make and receive a toadstool, send an email to, lucykatecrafts AT talktalk DOT net with the following information,

1.  name

2.  email address

3.  postal address

4.  website/blog details (if you have one)

5.  favorite colours

6.  favorite fabrics

Sign up by Friday 16th May, and I will send out your swap partners information the following Monday, toadstools will need to be made and sent by Friday 13th June, so that gives you over a month sewing time.

In the meantime, I will make up a little toadstool swap widget you can post on your blogs and also start a Flickr group.

(those who have already left a comment before I edited this post, don't worry, if I don't hear from you, I'll email you)

Happy swapping!

Toadstool tutorial (and some big news)...

This is a project I've been meaning to try for a while, and decided this morning to give it a go and photograph it at the same time.  So, if you'd like to make a little toadstool all of your very own, you will need...

fabric, size 10x8cm for the stalk

circle of felt, size 3cm diameter for the base

2 ovals, roughly 9cm wide by 8cm tall, one in felt, the other in fabric for the toadstool top

embroidery thread

polyfil stuffing

small smooth pebble

selection of buttons (optional)

Take the fabric rectangle, fold in half, right sides together and sew 0.5cm in from the edge, then turn the 'tube' the right way round,

turn the raw edge inwards and pop a little polyfil into the open end to help it hold it's shape,

place the felt disk over the end and oversew with the embroidery thread.

Next, remove the polyfil and replace with a small, smooth pebble wrapped in some more polyfil to weight the base.  Continue stuffing the stalk until it is full.

Now you will need the 2 ovals shapes, cut a small circle in the centre of the felt one (this is for the stalk to sit in)... 

place them together, right sides out, pin and then sew all the way round the edge in blanket stitch.

At this stage, you could add some buttons on the top for decoration.

Turn the toadstool top upside down and stuff with polyfil through the hole, careful not to overstuff as this will make it top heavy.

Place the toadstool top over the tip of the stalk, and attach by oversewing,

you can also add some extra, decorative, stitches underneath...

and voila!

Have fun!

EDIT TO POST, BIG NEWS...

The two latest craft kits I have designed for Anchor are now available to buy,

PATCHWORK ELEPHANT

PATCHWORK OWL

and all going well, and my small owl will also be available as a kit later this year!

New wips...

I have been working on another one of these bags, just got to add the rest of the decoration.  This one is a slightly different shape to the first, curved at the bottom, mainly because I was running out of the felted wool, which is a shame as I do like the mottled background with the burgundy and green flowers and leaves.

Next, will be some stock for the Etsy shop 'Pink' range, which I've started playing around with some ideas for already.  The two little green owls were given to me by my mother-in-law, sweet aren't they?

We had a great trip down to London, although it did make me realise that the last 3 years of being a stay at home mum have left me feeling a bit out of touch.  I came to two decisions on the train on my way home,

1.  I need to subscribe to Selvedge magazine to get up to speed with what's going on in textiles these days, and...

2.  I need to go clothes shopping, there are so many fashion trends that seem to have passed me by!

Thank you for all the get well wishes, they are much appreciated and I am feeling much better I'm pleased to say.  Plus, how fantastic is this?!  A lady called EmilyT left a comment on the eye patch tutorial post...

"You're going to be famous in Cuba!  In a couple weeks I'm going down with our church group, and I had been asked to bring the stick-on patches for four kids in their neighborhood. I hated to bring something that could only be used once and thrown away.

So I took your wonderful directions, translated them into Spanish, added the photos (which are really helpful) and will bring them, together with an assortment of felt and decorations. Folks can make many many of their own.  Thanks, see how your goodness spreads all over!"

Emily, if you see this (unfortunately, blogger has given me no way of contacting you), I am so pleased!, I'd love it if you were able to send me some photographs.

Right, decision time, mop kitchen floor or sew, while Luke is still asleep..., what would you do?!

Stuff...

Terrible title for a post, but I can't think of what else to put, it's been a busy week!.  The tonsillitis keeps coming back, plus I also have a heavy cold, and with it being the school holidays, potty training (which, on our second attempt, is going really well) and Mr LK away, I don't mind admitting I've been pretty knackered!  Shamefully, I didn't even get my act together to sort a wish list for Purl Patchwork while he was in New York, but luckily for me, he took matters into his own hands, and paid a visit to Kinokuniya and came away with a lovely selection of books, which I thought I'd share...

Look at those amazing crochet hooks, where on earth can I get one??!

Some lovely felted bags, I really like the handles on these two,

really nice coaster sets,

lovely corsages,

more felted bags,

and just lots and lots of inspiration in general.

A few of you have asked for tips about felting, to be honest, I'm no expert, I'm a chuck it in the washing machine and hope for the best kind of girl, and believe me, there have been a few disasters.  There was one charity shop jumper, it was really nice, tan wool, sleeveless top but it felted and shrank so much that it now looks like a comical hot water bottle cover!.  It will make a nice bag though and quite sturdy too, as it's so thick.  The best advice on felting is from Betz White and in particular this post as she gives before and after examples.

 This week is back to school, so Wednesday should, in theory, be my first proper day crafting in a while, but instead I am off to London with Mr LK for a private view of The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, at the Mall Gallery to see his work on show.  It is the first time in a long, long while I've been able to go, I've either been working myself, or looking after the children.  Now we live closer to London, it is much easier to make the trip, we're not used to going anywhere on our own though without the children, I'll have to remember that this time I don't need wet wipes and chocolate buttons in my bag!

Thank you for all the lovely 'pink cat' comments, and yes, it will be part of the next Etsy shop update, so for now, back to sewing!

Pink...

Finally finished, been tricky fitting any sewing in around, one minute happily playing, the next squabbling, children.  We've spent a fair bit of time all huddled around the kitchen table, me sewing, and them either drawing or squishing playdoh!.

This is for the 'pink' catagory of the Softie Awards.  I was already contemplating pink as a theme for the next range destined for my Etsy shop, and this has cemented the idea in my head, so 'PINK' it will be!

I was also a very lucky girl this week, as I won this lovely tea cosy in a giveaway by Janet Clare, fantastic isn't it?.  I just need a tea pot!

It's also about time I responded to being tagged by Jill (who also used to be a cross stitch designer, is new to blogging and has taken to it like a duck to water) for this meme, so...

4 jobs

as a student I spent a summer doing a night shift in an embroidery factory

PA to an interior designer

Needlecraft Designer for Coats Crafts UK

am currently a stay at home mum attempting to freelance!

4 films

Star Wars (the original one)

There's something about Mary

I also love all the old Cliff Richard films, Summer Holiday in particular, I remember watching them as a child

Elizabeth (I am fascinated by all things Tudor)

4 places I've been

I'm not very well traveled, I'm more of a home bird, but have made it to Paris, Portugal (on honeymoon, it rained!), and in the UK, we visit Cornwall and the Lake District often

4 places I've lived

I was born in Lincoln

grew up in a place called Formby, Merseyside

my first house was in Bolton

then we lived in a small village in west Lancashire before moving to the east Midlands

4 tv programmes

Have to admit, we don't watch much television these days, the one programme that I do sit down to see is Lost. Also love The Office (UK version), and The IT Crowd

I think my favorite programme of all time has to be The Good Life

4 radio programmes

I don't listen to the radio much either, I do however, listen to a lot of craft podcasts, love to have them on in the background when sewing

4 favorite foods

now, this is tricky as I love my food, I love all food, it's probably easier to tell you what I don't like, rice pudding, beetroot, oranges and anything with aniseed in it!

4 places I'd rather be

There isn't really anywhere I'd rather be than where I am now, although, Mr LK is off to New York on monday, I would love to be going with him.  Maybe one day...?!

Rather than tag anyone else as I'm pretty sure this meme has pretty much done the rounds, perhaps you can give me some ideas for a New York shopping list, what should I get him to bring back for me?!

Thank you for all your well wishes, am feeling much better.  Next project is to finish off a very special 'wip' for a 'vip' (my mother-in-law!)

Sewing and shopping, shopping and sewing...

I have been out of action for a few days, a bad (and my first ever!) bout of tonsillitis added to the school holidays have led to a bit of a craft shutdown. So last night, I decided I needed something to get me back on track, so began making something to enter in the Softie Awards,

After a quick trawl through all my images on Flickr, I decided that as this cat has proved popular, (it's been favorited by 67 people!), that was the pattern I would work from, plus I have a felted jumper in a really soft pink, which I've been dying to cut into when the right project came along.  It's not finished yet, but I'm hoping to get my entry in before the weekend.

Luckily, my credit card hasn't been affected by illness, and I did start to get a few deliveries of things I ordered last week,

lovely new books and embroidery thread,

and some pattern booklets and a rather lovely Elephant kit from Sewing Stars and Wee Wonderfuls.

If that little lot doesn't inspire me to get back to crafting, I don't know what will!!

Kids play!

After a healthy start to my Etsy shop (a big thank you to those who have been brave and taken the plunge with me, I'm all sold out of owls and dogs for now, but there are some little hedgehogs available), I had to hot foot it out shopping this morning for packaging, and again this afternoon, with a rather large bag of parcels to post.  This also means a chance to go round the local charity shops.  One shop, in particular is excellent, and today was no exception.  A woolly jumper, which I've already felted in the machine, and a couple of pillow cases, which colour wise, go really well together.  I'm thinking... another felted bag and lining?!

I also bought a book on toymaking.  This is from 1979, and I was expecting it to be full of soft toy patterns, but on closer inspection, it has loads of ideas for things to do with cardboard.  With our two week holiday from school looming (I would say easter holidays, but given we've already had easter, I'm not sure what to call it!), I thought I'd share some of the ideas...

village playmat,

houses,

a skyscraper, Luke would have fun knocking that down!,

and a dolls house.

Looking through the book reminded me of two blog posts I lurked on earlier this week.  This one from Udder on making little houses, and this from Tiny Happy, with a fab idea for drawing a whole town, for a train track.

Before I finish and on the subject of kids, I must tell you about Lucy's patching.  She was seen at the hospital last week, her weak eye has improved and is working almost as well as the other, so no more patching (for now, anyway), she has been discharged and can now go to a normal optician.  Thank you to all the people who have contacted me about the eye patch tutorial.  I'm so glad to hear that it has been helpful, and can assure you, that patching does indeed work magic!

To celebrate, she asked that I post a picture of the tie dyed cushion she made at Saturday Art Club, it's even got little beads she's made sewn on.  Given this blog actually does have her name on it, she thinks of it as hers now!

and the winners are...

courtesy of an online random number generator, are...

number 13, which is Kitty, 

and number 21, which is French Knots.

So, ladies, if you would kindly email me your addresses, I will take a trip down to the post office later this week.  As neither of you has expressed a preference as to which one you'd like, I'll wrap them up, and then write the addresses on, so it will be a surprise to all!

(I must, must, must, also sort out my 'PIF' gifts too, I haven't forgotten!)

Oh, and by the way...

'FARM'

has arrived in the Etsy shop

(and no, this is not an April fool joke, I promise!)

Tidying up...

I've been having a bit of a tidy round in my sewing room, and it occurred to me that there are too many things collecting dust...

I designed these two stumpwork greetings card kits a few years ago now, each one includes all the thread, fabric and instructions to complete and mount the embroidered portrait, and I'm going to give them away.  Leave a comment and let me know which you would like, the prince or the princess, and I'll draw two winners on sunday.

And again, just for fun, can you also let me know what sewing machine you use or recommend?.  My machine is going bang, bang, bang, instead of sew, sew, sew, I think I may be in the market for a new one!

PS, You may (or may not!) have noticed over the last few weeks there have been a few changes to my blog layout and colours.  I've started learning a bit about how web sites are put together and how 'html' code works, it's very confusing at first but is gradually all starting to make sense.  For anyone with a Blogger blog, try this site for ideas and ways you can personalise a basic minima blog template.

I think I need some chocolate...

After reading this post on 'Pretty Little Things' blog yesterday, I guess it's only a matter of time until we all face similar issues.  Within the design industry, copying and copyright is an issue all designers are wary of.

(don't panic, they now have wings!)

Creative inspiration and ideas come from what we see around us every day, internet, books, magazines, cards, etc, but the key to making it your own, is to apply a design process to those initial ideas. I myself, take inspiration from my fellow craft bloggers, but always credit and link to, where that initial idea came from.  I feel sad when others don't.

This post has been edited, the matter is moved on from, but the subject, does still remain relevant.  Right, that finished, enough said, I am off for that chocolate, happy easter!

On my desk on wednesday...

...there are some new bits & bobs which will be soon available on Etsy.  Anyone else who makes things to sell will know what a learning curve it can all be, even with over 11 years experience as an in-house designer, there has still been a lot of trial and error, not to mention fitting crafting in around children wanting feeding, drinks, clean clothes and broken toy cars mending!

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the felt bag, my mum hasn't seen it yet, it was her birthday yesterday but I have kept hold of it for now as she is coming for a visit with us over easter weekend.

Have a good easter, I will be back next week, no doubt, a little spottier/heavier, from eating far too much chocolate, yum!

Mum, don't peak!

It's my Mum's birthday soon, and after the cushion I made for christmas went down so well, it has been difficult to know how to top that, until I spotted this tutorial on Betz White's blog.  So, after felting a wool cardigan, I set about making one of those lovely bags.

(front)

I've adapted it slightly by completely changing the colours, adding a lining, blanket stitch decoration to the edges, and a press stud flap for security.

(back)

Am very pleased with the result, and will simply have to make another!

(close up detail)

Thank you Betz for such an inspiring project idea!

Well now, down to the real business, this morning, there were 85 comments (sorry to those who were too late), after knocking it down to 84, as one person had commented twice, the winner, courtesy of an online random number generator, is...

49

which is Louise of LuluLollylegs!

Congratulations Louise, if you email me with your address, I'll get Rosie and a few added extras in the post.  Thank you to everyone who joined in and played along, some weird flavours of crisps there, salt & vinegar is most definitely quite a popular choice, gave me the munchies reading all the comments!

Giveaway time!

Well, also on the subject of sharing, I do think it is about time for another blog giveaway, don't you?

Anyone remember Rosie?

I've been looking through my blog archives and decided that I'm going to give Rosie away (plus some extra surprise bits & bobs), as a blogging birthday gift.  Lucykate Crafts is one year old on Sunday 9th March, so leave a comment between now and then, and I'll announce a winner on Monday, and just for fun, when you leave a comment, tell me what your favorite flavour of crisps (or 'chips' if you're from the USA) are... mine is salt & vinegar, and I eat far to many!

Remember, you've got to be in it, to win it!

Sharing...

As a parent, sharing is a quality I try to bestow within both my children.  Being able to share, is a valuable quality for a child to have, and thankfully, reduces the amount of squabbling as a result.  I love watching my two play together, even when it does come as a result of bellowing at them, 'No, they are not all yours, share please!'.

(charity shop buys from the weekend)

How much you are willing to share is a topic I'm sure all bloggers will have thought about.  I am in awe of how generous some can be with how much of their home, work, family and life they are willing to expose online, and sometimes wish that I was more comfortable with being more open myself.  I am, however, more guarded when it comes to my nearest and dearest, mainly down to the fact that it is here for anyone to see, the world wide web is exactly that, world wide.  It would be lovely to assume everyone who visits, reads, comments or links to this blog is a crafter, but I know that is not always the case and it would be naive to think so. 

 

For those bloggers who don't already have one, I would suggest adding some sort of a sitemeter, it can be quite an eye opener to see where your blog traffic is actually coming from, and who, where and what it is linking back to.

(two kittens in their finished cushions)

So, while you may not see many corners of my home (it's a mess), pictures of my children (they are lovely, but they pick their noses), and what we're having for dinner (pot noodle doesn't photograph well anyway!), but what you will see is a glimpse of someone who, after spending over 11 years working full time within the restraints of the UK textile industry, is currently lucky enough to be spending some time at home with little ones, and having lots of fun.  Making things with fabric and felt, aiming to build some kind of a small business out of it, whilst enjoying sharing this new found freedom with all of you!.

(more charity shop buys from the weekend)

Kittens in the making...

Today's wip,

...after last night's rumblings, I feel compelled to have a peaceful day crafting. Lucy is at school, Luke is at nursery, Mr LK is out, and I'm sewing whilst listening to this.

Thank you so much for all your lovely, encouraging comments on the craft kits and eye patch tutorial, it has been a real boost reading them and visiting all of your blogs. A couple of announcements may be in order, firstly, a few of you have asked about my Etsy shop. The plan is to open that at the beginning of April, seems to make sense for it to be at the start of the new financial year. The first update will be a small selection of 3D fabric & felt animals, and some cushion covers, I have a long term plan for this whole venture..., I will keep you posted on that!.

Also, look out for another blog giveaway, my one year 'blogaversary' is on the 9th of March, so come back then for the chance of another freebie!

In the meantime, have a happy Mother's day!

Eye patch tutorial

My daughter is the unfortunate owner of very poor eyesight and also a squint, both are corrected by wearing glasses, which she has done, with very little complaining, since the age of 18 months old (proud Mummy moment!).  In addition to all this, we are exercising her weaker eye (the left one), with 2 hours of patching a day.  The sticky patches the hospital gave us were, to be honest, useless, and kept peeling off, but why use something like that, when Mum can make one of these... a cute, pink eye patch, out of felt.

I decided to post this as a full tutorial, so many craft bloggers have children, I figured there will be others out there who may find this useful.

You will need - light pink felt, dark pink felt, yellow felt, black felt, a button, embroidery thread, pins, a needle, and a pair of scissors, and of course, ...some glasses!

Print out the templates so that the basic eye patch shape is roughly 7 x 10 cm, and the flower is 5 cm wide.

Cut the patch template, making the 3 slits as indicated.  Fold over, as below, and sew (I have done this on the machine, but you could stitch it by hand)

Pin together the 2 edges of the center slit, trapping the folded over arm holder loop in between, and sew.

Trim off any excess felt from the inner seams and turn the patch the right way round.  Try it on the glasses for size, and also trim the outside edges if needed (probably a good idea at this stage to get the person who will be wearing the patch to try it on to check the fit)

Pin the lense sleeve into position,

and sew.

Repeat the basic patch shape in black felt, remember to sew it the reverse way round this time, as the 2 need to fit together with all seams on the inside.  Trim any excess off the black and blanket stitch both pieces together, all the way round the edge.