March 26, 2008

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.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm just starting to look at card making (too many kids birthday parties and expensive cards and basic frugality are driving me to it!) so I'd love the Princess card, can you put my name in the hat for the draw?

I have a Pfaff Hobby, still just a basic model, but I'd love to have the all singing all dancing Bernina 440 QE some day!

Unknown said...

ooooooohhhhh, I'd like either!!!!

And I am also in the market for a new machine - mine is old, thrifted, a bit rubbish and making the bang bang bang sound too! (she has served me well, but I think it's time for an upgrade to something that cost me some real money, not just £20 worth of fabric as a thank you prezzie to a friend!)

Annie B said...

i like the prince - despite having two daughters I'd never get away with anything to do with princesses or pink...both concepts just make them laugh loudly and scornfully...

I have an entry level janome from John Lewis - I'm not a great sewer so don't need anything fancy, I really like it and it puts up with a novice like me in charge, doing all sorts of awful things to it so it must be ok!

Amy said...

Oh I have just the little girl for the princess!
Oh I wish I could help you out but my machine is kind of old so I would doubt that it is up to par these days! Good luck in your search!

Miaou said...

Oooh, which to choose, which to choose ... I have two boys and two girls ... I'll take whatever you have most of!

My sewing machine is also a)old b)thrifted and c)on its last legs! However I LOVE it and would want to get something similar (it's a Brother VX611 and I bet they don't make them any more!)

monda-loves said...

well i've never done stump work (?) so count me in, i'd be happy to have either.

My poor 20 year old bernina doesn't really sound very happy either at the moment (maybe becuase it heard me saying that I want a new one!). I might have to treat it to a service

Monda
x

Sara said...

hi! those look like fun cards! i have two beautiful nieces, and would LOVe to make them the princess card!

i inherited a beautiful Bernina from my mom five years ago, and I have become SUPER-SPOILED by it. It sews like a dream. I know they are not cheap, but if I ever had to replace it, I would get another Bernina in a heartbeat. good luck with your machine decision!

Anonymous said...

OOOooh oooh me me...I want to be a princess!!

Sam Gillespie said...

I'd love a princess kit for Emma :)

& my machines are janome - love them. x
There have been a few threads recently on the CF about sewing machines.

Leah said...

I've never tried stumpwork - if I'm honest I don't even know what it is(!!) - but I'm willing to give it a go.

Perhaps the winners could complete them and we all then see pics.

I have a prince and a princess at home so either is fine with me.

I have a Brother XL5020 (plus a XL5010 as a spare I've never used). Though I would like one of those all singing and dancing combined embroidery and sewing machines!!

Apryl said...

that looks a bit difficult for my lack of ability, but very cute kits none the less. good luch to everyone!

and I really haven't got a clue about sewing machines, i know nothing about them... aside from the fact that I know of two people who have had thier machines spontaniously combust... ;o)

x vInTaGe VioLeT x said...

oohhh - i love these kits - used to order them for the shop i worked in before ds came along!!! i'd better ask for a prince as dd is a bit old for pink princesses now :0( .

i use an oldish singer which i inherited from dp's step-grandmother[along with all her habidashery :0)] which is not much help to you getting a new machine!! but it's loads better than any other machine i've used and doesn't make me too cross or sweary!!!
x vInTaGe VioLeT x

Kitty said...

Like Monda, I don't know what stump work entails, but would love to learn, so put my name in the hat. And I don't mind either card.

I 'drive' a Toyota at the moment - pretty basic and it is quite 'clunky' on the ears, but it does the job and - touch wood - is very reliable.

One day I would love a Bernina.

x

greetingarts said...

Oooh, both of my girls (who have birthdays coming up!) would love the princess one, and I just happened to reserve a book at the library about stumpwork. What a neat coincidence.

I use a new-ish Singer, which is fine for what I do, but for my next machine I'll look for something with a needle down function. There are actually a few sites out there with sewing machine comparisons, you might want to do some research to find something that fits *your* particular sewing needs. Quilting, embroidery, garment sewing, whatever... Good luck, it can be such an investment, can't it?

Andrea said...

Those are so sweet. I really love the little princess one. Are you going to be selling these in the future. You should but here's to winning one for now.

Michael House said...

Gorgeous kits, how clever to design them! I also would love either, maybe the Prince if I have to choose?!

Joanne said...

No embroidery for me - not my thing :)

As for machines, I've been looking into it myself since my Brother is making weird noises yet again. I also feel the need for something fancier, with a top loading bobbin, buttonholes, needle down, powerful motor, controllable speed... I've narrowed it down to a Janome Jubilee 85. Everyone I know who has a Janome raves about them, and I can't afford a Bernina, and this model seems to have a lot of bang for the buck. Although it's still a tidy amount of buck so I hope I save enough before the brother pops.

Mrs Moog said...

Ooh I love the princessy one and no a little pink person who would love it to!

I have a very basic and noisy Toyota that sews nicely and a new (but budget end) Stitchmaster that does fancy stitches and sews beautifully but cost relatively little.

xx

Unknown said...

I drive a Husqvarna Viking Huskystar C20 Sewing Machine and I think it's a great little machine.

It's been reliable and easy to use.

I too haven't a clue what stumpwork is so please put me in the hat for the Princess.
x

saraeden said...

I have two machines ones a very old Jones cost me 10 pounds and has just had a new motor which cost me 42pounds
( my pound sign isnt working ) it was the best money i have ever spent and my other machine is a Brother does some fancy stitches but chews up some fabrics !! Not much help am i !!!!

Sara x

French Knots said...

I got a Janome for Christmas and I'm pretty pleased with it, I think I'm still getting used to things like it taking an extra stitch before reversing whereas I had my old one for so long it was like an extension of me and so I didn't need to think - if you see what I mean! Anyway happy with all the fancy stitches I can do now and still need to work out what some of my extra gizmos do.

Laura said...

Thanks for the blog tip off, I'm always looking for ways to make mine a bit more personal and maybe this would help.
What a kind giveaway, I would love the princess one and i would pass it on to my little cousin, who is recovering from an op on her leg. I am working on Yibble land for her:)

Anonymous said...

The princess one would be fabulous.

I use a Brother Disney edition with a bit of embroidery capability. I like it but it doesn't seem to take standard bobbins so I'm stuck with only the four it came with until I order more online.

Jenny said...

Stumpwork sounds fun so please put me in for the Princess one.

I have a lovely vintage Singer hand crank sewing machine. It's definitely not flashy but it is reliable!

jillytacy said...

The kits are very cute. I have a daughter so I'd say princess. Really she's not into Disney princesses like other girls her age, but that's fine with me.
As for a sewing machine I have a Janome and love it! Really I'm a hobby sewer not a professional so I don't know if my advice helps. But I have no complaints about my machine and love the service from the shop I bought it from! Good luck finding a new machine! There is nothing worse than a clunking machine it just makes your sewing tasks frustrating!

Blossom said...

I drive a Brother ATM.....the sewing machine that is.LOL
I also have a Janome......

I would like a princess one!!!

Mytutorlist.com said...

How cool of you to have a little giveaway on your blog! I like the prince one best (although I never win contests).

Thanks for sharing that link. I would like to experiment with altering my blog too.

Monkee Maker said...

I have quite an old Brother VX1095, which has twelve different stitches. So far I've used precisely .... one of them ....

Still, I am more of a knittist than a sewist, in my defence.

Good luck with your dilema.

:)

iSew said...

I have an older PFAFF Tiptronic 6270 and a newish Creative 2144. I'm a big fan of the PFAFF's though I'm totally unimpressed with the embroidery software. It's true rubbish!

sara said...

I would love the princess card for my neice.
I love your creations.

Anja said...

Princess of course :o)

Thank you fot that link - my housband is so eager to do something with my blog, but doesn't know how :o)

Best wishes

scj said...

Hi,

I have a Janome basic model from John Lewis which works well but you probably need something a little more sophisicated for all your wonderful sewing!

If I should happen to win one of those lovely kits, I would love the princess one please.

Sheila

Mary said...

I hope I get to have a chance to work on the princess card and actually make something instead of just living vicariously by reading your blog!! Hope you choose me!!

IdaDown said...

Re: HTML

I find the easiest way to do colour etc is to do what I want in Frontpage and then paste the code into the page I want. Saves having to write out the script all the time.

GL with Sewing Machine. I hand sew everything...

Anonymous said...

I love the kits! I have had my Janome for about 3 years and love it and was very well priced. I would certainly recomend them and also Bernina as they are true workroom machines.

Anonymous said...

I love the kits! I have had my Janome for about 3 years and love it and was very well priced. I would certainly recomend them and also Bernina as they are true workroom machines.

Spooky said...

Oooh I have similar kits, leaf designs! Did you design those too?
Not a clue about sewing machines mine is gathering dust!

Lucykate Crafts... said...

spooky - i know the kits you mean, i didn't design those, one of the other designers did, but they are all from the same range!

Anonymous said...

i have 3 little princes, so i would love the prince card.

my first sewing maching could not be repaired. :o( so, my mom sent home her old singer for me to use, probably a better machine than the one i had, but ya know how it is, ya like what ya learned on the best!

please include me in your draw and thanks from a little old town in sd - usa!

Anonymous said...

Best Owls on the web Lucykate ;-)
My sewing machine is a New Home it's basic, but good. I don't even think they make them anymore though!!!
I'm in a quandry I have 2 princesses and my friend's prince is due a birthday. mmm. prince?

dottycookie said...

I'd love the princess one and so would my smalls!

I have a Husqvarna Viking which replaced an ancient Singer and is my pride and joy. Very basic inbuilt embroidery stitches but absolutely lovely for free maching which is more my thing anyway ...

Unknown said...

Yeah ... for the Husky. As I said before I love mine.

Rebecca said...

ooh they're both gorgeous. Lovely designs. I like the princess one :D And I am totally in love with my Husqvana - I bought it second hand about 14 years ago and I've been in love with it everytime I use it - it's brilliant! Love your blog too - lovely crafty things :)

:o) Rachel said...

Oooh, I hope I am not too late (as I am posting this on Sunday!)

I would love the princess one!! Thank you for sharing!

:o) Rachel
trulyrich7@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I hope I'll be in time - I actually know a little girl who I think is a princess so this would be ideal for her.

I have an old frister rossman machine which only does straight and zig zag stitch but I love it; I also use a very old Naumann hand-machine. I like simple and old.