Finding my Sewjo

So these past weeks I have been awfully quiet, rarely blogging or even blog reading for that matter. Truth is I just lost the will to blog. I would think about it then just not bother. Even with a mound of things to be sharing I just didn't have the heart.

My camera is overflowing with pictures and yet hardly any have reached the blog. There are certain points where my mind gives up on itself and the will to do anything is lost. Things are left untouched and I find myself in front of the TV not really watching it. Well except on certain days when the Junior Apprentice comes on (The younger Giants friend is on there!) or George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (Such a great show amazing what you can build a house in/out of!) or the Heston's Fantastical Food (Supersized foods. Need I say more!!)

Work seems to be on my mind, in my dreams and attacking my thoughts. Does anyone else get that feeling? You're not awake but in a loose dream where you feel like you're at work though you know you're in bed?

I guess I should let you in on what I've actually been up to. The past week has been taking pictures of my hand made items for my Etsy shop! Father took most of them and I took some close-ups to show the use of the items. It was a battle to get the lighting right! Even with photo editing some came out looking really terrible!
I have more to edit but here are some trial and errors to show you

The first is natural light. The second is with bright/clarity and the last is with boost/bright/clarity

I wasn't all too happy so waited for a good day with some natural bright lighting. Sunday was that day! They looked brighter on the camera, but at least these were easier to edit!

I began to edit a few pictures with some simple touch ups. I used the colour/exposure/sharpen for these ones. Far better looking and more natural.,

I've also been making some more items to sell. I had a rummage through my pile of things that had been started and not finished from earlier on in the year as well as starting and finishing some new projects. The market stash has come in to play in a lot of these projects as I thought hey they're sitting there so why not make good use of them. So the following post contains a lot of pictures!

 I got to work on some zippered pouches using the market stash. These were leftover pieces from making some cushion covers (you'll see those later...)

I finished my Modern She made mini quilt and a fun pincushion. I didn't feel to make anything more as my partner didn't even leave one comment! I did throw in some scraps leftover from this...

I've also finally gotten round to using those HST's I had...I know one certain reader will recognise them....

Those earlier mentioned triangles, the larger ones and a few of the smaller have become cushion covers. I've finished one so far. The other is backed, pinned and ready to sew

I even finished off my rainbow inspired cushion covers, complete with labels!

I've got more things to show you soon as they just need finishing off ! 

So I'll be back...hopefully sooner than I have been returning, hope all is well with you all in blogland.

Siya'll later =D

Saturday finish up!

Well technically most of these things were finished during the week but due to awful weather and exhaustion no decent photo's were taken!
So coming in early where there was still some day light left I finished the Christmas hot pads, then pulled out my camera to take some pictures of everything finished this week!

First on the finish list is all the hexie cushion covers I started last week. That's 6 covers to add to my stock. All I can say is thank goodness for the market stash! Without those fabrics it would have been much longer before these were finished. I would also like to thank to good people who invented hemming web, making hems so much easier and neater.

Then I got all 6 hot pads finished too I made a start on those a while back and was waiting for the amazing Sarah-lou's package to come in the post. She offered to send me some insulated batting she had spare! She also sent a quilting magazine and a sweet belated birthday card!

I also with the help of Jano tried out some new stitches for some fun quilting styles! Jano QUILTING!!!

Tomorrow I hope to get the wadding cut for the table runners and work on a few other things for the shop. I found some large mailing bags at the post office the other day which are just the right size for those cushions I made! I'm sure a quilt could fit in them too.
I do so love the weekends! I can get so much done...(when not procrastinating that is!)

Siya'll  later =D

The Friday update....

I told you I'd be back today...I'm sure many didn't believe that to be true! I don't blame you...
I've had quite a few finishes this week only the weather has been so rubbish getting decent photo's has been a task and a half!

This week at work ended with relief that it's the weekend! I really feel like I'm doing the job of two people! A girl came in for an interview today. She starts next Wednesday for a two week trial. I have no idea what job role she'll be doing exactly, but I guess I'll find out then! The office is getting much colder! They need to install some heating in there, it's almost like being outside!

I'll be taking pictures tomorrow when it's in the day time. That way they might stand a chance of looking decent! I'll also have time to get a decent back drop to throw in too! The memory card for Father's camera has been ordered so soon I'll have some professional photo's to show off to the masses! I'll also be able to create some business cards! Then eventually open my Etsy shop!!

Mother has said once I get that done she'll bring some things in to work to show off on my behalf. I'll also take a few things in to work with me to see if anyone is interested.....I still won't be taking custom requests mind you!

Over the next week I'll be attaching my labels to the bigger things I've made like the cushion covers, make-up bags, pouches/purses  and the cushions themselves...I may have to order some more soon. I counted how many things I have and it came to 115!! I've made a few more things since then. I'll have to start making some more baby items soon, just little toys, burp cloths. I've got some fabrics/materials prepared it's just making them!

I've been working on some hot-pads this week I have 3 finished so far just got the other 3 to make...then the table runners to finish....must remember to cut the wadding!! I also want to make a few mug warmers as my tea gets awfully cold so quickly! I'll whip one up this weekend to bring to work too, as my office is freezing food doesn't stay hot for long.
I'll also be buying a thermos flask so I don't have to leave my desk to grab lunch! I think soup will be high on my menu...I'll have to bring in some bread too...or make some....Can regular food go in a thermos? (I'll have to do some research!)

For the new year I may just whip up some more table runners. I've used some simple methods to make a few Christmas ones and they came together quickly...all but the backing! I've had fun trying some new quilting/stitches with Jano, which I also need to get decent photo's of. They came out way too bright due to the actual light being on and you couldn't see the quilting decently!

I'm going to make some more zippered pouches up soon as I have a feeling they may sell quickly. I have a few ideas in mind already...
I want to get some more cushion covers made too ready for the new year..I'll have to dig out the rest of the market stash and possibly get father to do some cutting for me.....(he is always asking......) (Which reminds me I must get some new blades!)

I'm also going to look out for any Fairs coming up so I can test the market as they say....

Well I've gone on long enough!

Siya'll Later =D

So many pins so little time!

Work was a little less crazy today...though there was far more going through the warehouse to locate some solutions we had on order to go out! It's like a maze!  The guys are too funny. There was a box marked do not open or move, so the guys were all like "what if somethings been put inside the box and when we open it we get attacked!" I looked at them with that 'Yeah riiiighhhht' expression.

Back home was more relaxing in front of the TV....had I have gone online I would have seen that the deadline for the pin to win! had been changed to today!! By the time I got online I had an hour to get 30 pins!.....I didn't make it! I was 26 away....
Oh well I guess I'll have to buy myself the bundle like I was planning too..This price is cheaper than all others I've seen as well, so even better! A few other fabrics may just sneak in....

I made an attempt on some gift bags and totally made the biggest error! I know what I did wrong, but at the time it was too late to fix it! Good thing it was just the off cuts..

I then sewed together the strips I'd cut from my Christmas prints....Not too sure what this will end up as yet, I may make another with this same pattern, and try out the pouch thingy again...

Have started sketching up label designs using the trusty power point,.....

Then realised I probably won't be making that many quilts so I have to change some of the wording   any suggestions, maybe just my shop name, blog and a few care symbols? I thought making quilts was hard, but designing a label!!! Give me the quilt! 

I'm working out pricing and trying to make a few more things. It's just when I get in from work I am so tired! I may use some of my upholstery weight fabric as backing for my things, like the cushion covers. 

I may go with a theme to the items in my shop to make it a little more unique,  I'll see how it goes...I have some idea's in mind, just gotta sketch things out....and see if it's cost effective too....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

The weekend roundup...

After completely forgetting to post yesterday and then getting so engrossed in a movie after blog reading.....Real Steel. You HAVE to watch it! It's a great movie with just the right amount of every good movie element to mark it as a 10/10! Plus Hugh Jackman is in it! Need I say more.....

Earlier yesterday afternoon Mother and I went to my Besties as she was hosting a Macmillan coffee morning. For the past two weeks she bought in cakes and such to raise more donations for the cause. I helped out on Friday and gave her some cookies and cake to share out. Mother and I ate a lot of cake and bought a lot back home with us too....Most of them are gone now......

I also got on with sewing the Christmas table runner tops. I went with 1 of each design in the end

I got the hot pad tops sewn up too

Just need to pull out a print for the backing of these. I'll have to see which one I have the most of.

Today I did an inventory of all the things I've made to sell in my future Etsy shop (still need to work on those labels!) and saw that I haven't made many actual cushion covers! So I pulled out the solid strips I'd for sashing, to make up some cushion covers.

This should roughly be a 20" cushion cover once the back is sewn onto it. I'll make up 3 more perhaps in different styles, using the solids. 

I'll also pull out my rainbow charms and make up a few cushion covers with those too. As well as those triangular prints to make up some covers. 

 Then I decided to join the 2nd round of the Modern She Made Swap this time round the theme is triangles. My partner was very specific and said she liked orange and grey together and would like a mini quilt. So I went through all my scraps to pull out pieces big enough to make a triangular mini. I made a template from news paper and sewed the pieces together until the strips were long enough to cover the template.
They are 3" by various widths I used some linen in there as I don't have a grey solid.

I had to swap some pieces around and add on some extra pieces to make them long enough after they had been sewn together. I just have to cut the final shape then work on the backing. That might just be one solid colour in a nice dark shade. Then I'll double up the batting and hand quilt it. I need to make up some binding..... The finished size should be 14" tip to bottom x 22" along the base. This may be an early finish! The deadline is mid November! So I can make some fun goodies to go with it too.

I noticed I really need some more orange and grey prints in my stash! It was a struggle to find those grey prints. Pink Castle here I come!.....

Siya'll tomorrow =D

FMQ take two!

Another day of labels, but at least there was less than yesterday! That was insane, so many kept on being added to the pile. Today as well as the labels I had to deal with phone calls. There was this one lady shouting down the phone at me...some people can be so impatient!  What did I ever do to them (well besides answer the phone....)
I learnt a few more things today and will gradually be taught how to do some of the other tasks there.

Back at home I chilled out a bit deciding what to actually make next. I remembered my pile of triangular scraps so pulled those out to use. I also grabbed some scrap fabric to use with them, I made a quilt sandwich pillowcase style first....need to turn it right side out....

The thread in the picture is more red than orange.....

I gave Jano a good dusting as he was starting to sound funny....a strange clicking from under the plate, I took it apart to check, but the clicking is still there? Maybe he needs to be properly serviced, but I have no idea how much that'll cost.....I'm not even sure they make the model anymore for me to get parts if they are needed. I can't afford a new machine right now so I hope it's nothing too serious if he does need fixing.

Then I decided to give the FMQ another go just making some random lines. The fabric actually moves this time!

I'll have to work out how to make actual patterns, this was just to get the rhythm of moving the fabric. some stitches were so tiny! I'll watch a few tutorials and read up a few guides to improve my skills. Then I might just be able to tackle those two quilts I have laying in wait.

Siya'll tomorrow =D

August review!!

I still can't get over how quickly last month went. I mean seriously why is this year going by so quickly! Last month I got a lot of random projects done. As well as some cooking, some movie watching, some London Eye going on, the odd trips to the cinema, Volunteering (which I now realise is what took up my sewing time! FOOL!), a few swap goodies and giveaways. Plus a present for Mother.

Those purses from yesterday that I had a problem with the zippers. They are fully functionable, they can still open and close, the purse can still be used for a number of things as seen in the 3rd picture, Do I sell them still as they are? thoughts please....

 I then got on with the not so mammoth task of cutting my beloved fabrics

Then sketching out a design for the quilt I plan to make...this is not finished yet....

As well as making up my own paper pieced blocks from patterns slightly smaller/larger than the size I've made them to (8" x 9") I'll get those sewn up tomorrow

This month has started well already.  A new project. A new job starting Monday....which will sadly effect my sewing time, but I should still get things done during the 'free hours' if I plan my time accordingly. Tis the Younger Giant's birthday this month.....I think a large pillow for his bed lounging is in order!....I should probably make the Older Giant one too....

Tonight I'm linking up with 

Siya'll tomorrow =D

Spare Change anyone?.....Plus Exciting news!!

I'm joking really....I'm sure the shipping for some loose change will be more than the change is worth!
So this morning I was taking no distractions! I got up and pulled out my sewing things straight away! Taking a few pictures of some finished up things from yesterday

Finished project for the Modern Scrappy Bits Swap

Then I pinned the zippers to the coin purses started earlier in the week

Then went off to start my usual day routine. Moving quickly so I could come back to sew those purses and get them finished.

There was a casualty when sewing these purses! They broke 2 of my needles..one old one and a new one! I was not amused...a few short words were said before these went safely into the bin.

The ends of the culprits!!

The finished articles all nicely pressed....which may have been a bad idea

They were a pain to stuff the lining inside....my zippers also didn't turn out the way I hoped. I'll take a picture tomorrow in the morning (these were taken this evening with the light on)

I'm not sure if I'll sell them as you'll see tomorrow the zips aren't as they should be and I don't really expect anyone to buy them as they are. It's too late to do anything else with them now......The insides are fine it's just those darned zips!!!

At least they are done now! 

OHHHHH I have some exciting news. My BFF called me today and said there is a JOB going at her workplace!! We were on the phone for ages talking as she was filling me in on like all the details of the company! I start on MONDAY!! for a week trial, then we'll see what happens from there. She said it's covering maternity leave so it'll maybe only be for a year, (unless the lady doesn't return to work after said time) but it's still something for the time being! It's a data entry job for a company that deals with electrical goods so maybe I can get some discount on some appliances we need...like a new cooker!! plus a hoover! 

So I'll be down to sewing in the spare hours I get and at the weekends. I'll still be opening my Etsy shop, just maybe a bit later than planned.....I still need to order labels and sort pricing so the possible end of September to start of October....

Tonight I'm linking up with 

Show off Friday- Pieceful Life

TGIFF-Missy Mac Creations

Siya'll tomorrow =D

20 finishes!!

I'm so happy they are all done I love the way they look all stacked to one corner of my room! I must confess I really don't want to see them go. They are so gorgeous sitting there full of colour! I really will need to make up some for myself, like soon..maybe this weekend...I have some sashing left over.... The buttons though so tricky to put in I sprained my arm doing so!

Mind you the sprain did not stop me making up some scrappy log cabin blocks ready to be turned into coin purses. They have since been ironed I just need to trim them down.

I pulled out the odd scraps of Liberty prints I have to make up some more scrappy blocks too. I have 10 underway to make 5 purses

The Younger Giant assisted me in making dinner. Meat feast (ham, pepperoni and a burger fried and cut to pieces, then fried again) pizzas with pineapple. The corner with no pineapple is for the Older giant.....

This pizza is mine with my lactofree cheese which can be found in UK Tesco and Asda

Tonight I'm linking up with

• Pieceful life : Show off Friday
• Richard and Tanya quilts: link a finish Friday
• [Amy's]Crafty Shenanigans: TGIFF

Siya'll tomorrow =D