stitchcraftsew

Friday, 12 July 2013

shopping: best buys this week

Lots of exciting bargain buys on-line this week, bright plastic wine glasses from Rockett St George, perfect for your picnic basket on these sunny weekends. Pretty Zara Home, Cut Glass Jars, which would look amazing on a vintage dressing table and much much more..... also my Matalan Neon trim cushions (from last weeks shopping feature) arrived yesterday so will be tweeting a pic asap....

large multi-coloured wine glasses - Rockett St George £12.99 for set of 3

Cut Glass Jars - Zara Home - £8.99

Dot Pop Dinner Plate - Anthropologie - £16.00

Coral Crochet Bath Mar - Matalan - £5.00

Metal File Holder, pink - Fab - £15.00 (also available in orange, red, green blue & yellow)

shopping links

Large plastic wine glasses

http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/set-of-3-large-multi-coloured-plastic-wine-glasses-5557-p.asp

Cut Glass Jars

http://www.zarahome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/zarahomegb/en/zarahomegb/371501/1847666/Cut%2BJar

Dot Pop Dinner Plate

http://www.anthropologie.eu/en/uk/dinner-plates/dot-pop-dinner-plate/invt/7544601990001/?htxt=TGjr7GxmvCtoEkKRFR5dfJZFoVhELwHGAJLDnLejTcbV8UBcPkcExikdyOszXghqUgVPcruI%2BlKe%0A6tf7no232w%3D%3D

Coral Crochet Bath Mat

http://www.matalan.co.uk/homeware/home-highlights/-5-home-event/s2522752/crochet-bath-mat-approx-78cm-x-51cm

Metal File Holder

http://eu.fab.com/sale/8966/product/175311/?ref=browse&pos=23

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

day trip to Broadstairs

Seeings as we are in the middle of a "heat-wave" or as other countries call it "summer" myself and my friend Michelle decided to pack our beach bags this sunday and head down to the coast, Broadstairs to be precise!! Packed like sardines on the train, I arrived to beautiful clear blue skies, the sound of seaguls and the amazing aroma of fresh fish and chips, what could be better!!???

First stop The Old Bake House for a lovely cup of coffee, served in vintage cups and saucers and a fresh pastry, delicious and value for money!! It is tucked away just off the main road to the beach, so keep an eye out for it!

Then we hit the beach for a few hours soaking up the sunshine, we even dipped our toes into the sea, but it was bloody freezing!!

We then went for a wander and found some brilliant vintage buys on the bric-a-brac stools, I bagged myself a beautiful cross stitch table cloth and some retro prints and postcards!! I also found these very sweet little tins, I especially liked the marmite one, you either love it or hate it....

Michelle tried to get me to taste the local delicacies of welks & vinegar and crayfish but I couldn't quit muster up the courage to try them and stuck with the fish & chips! DELICIOUS!!

I really would recommend a day trip to the seaside, Broadstairs is quaint and there are lots of things to see and do, especially when the sun is out to play!

Links

http://old-bake-house.bakers.shopping.broadstairs.tel/

Saturday, 6 July 2013

buy a friend a gift

product: mini glass school milk bottle

Last week it was one of my best friends' birthday, she is very crafty and creative and so I wanted to get her something other than a Boots giftcard or a bottle of fizz, and so i stumbled across this website - www.notonthehighstreet.com 2 hours later, whilst on an extended lunchbreak at work, woopsy I spotted these dinky mini glass school milk bottles, by Ella James, I knew these were exactly what I was looking for.

And here is how they look, how cute!!???

Friday, 5 July 2013

project: button tea cosy

It was my little sister Katy's 28th birthday last week and I took her to see the amazing LIMBO show at Wonderground on the Southbank in London, it was brilliant, a high octane, breathtaking, circus / musical extravaganza, I would highly recommend it. However I still wanted to give her something on her birthday, she has the Cath Kidston Polka dot tea set, so I thought she might like a matching tea cosy. I have already made this tea cosy for myself with cross-stitch polka dots instead of buttons and everyone says how lovely it is, will post some photos later. She absolutely loved it and I think it looks really kitsch!! Please let me know if you give it a go!

project length:

3-4 hours

tools & materials:

scissors
sewing machine
pins
needle & thread
coloured thread or fine wool
paper pattern (template A - download at end)
11 count Ecru tapestry material (35 x 45cm)
backing fabric (my choice - Cath Kidston Breakfast pattern)
wadding - 4oz is sufficient
pompom trimming
assorted buttons
lining fabric (any cheap cotton fabric will be fine, I used a white cotton pillowcase)

method:

1. Cut 1 x template A in both the tapestry material and the backing fabric. (template taken from the Cath Kidston Stitch book)

2. Cut 2 x template A in both the wadding and lining fabric
3. Press / Iron all pieces.
4. Sew buttons onto the tapestry fabric in a random pattern, leave at least a 4cm border round all edges.

5. Right sides facing, pin tapestry and backing together and sew round the rounded edge with 2cm seam allowance, trim back to 0.5cm
6. With right sides facing still, press 2.5cm bottom hem edge
7. Sew 2 x lining pieces together, rounded edge only 2.5cm seam allowance and trim back to 0.5cm
8. Sew 2 x wadding pieces together, rounded edge only 2.5cm seam allowance and trim back to 0.5cm
9. Insert wadding into cosy and then lining, tuck into hem of main body, sew bottom seam

10. Pin on pop-pom trimming along bottom edge covering seam and hand stitch with matching thread et voila!!!

downloads:

shopping links:

Cath Kidston "stitch" book -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cath-Kidston-Stitch/dp/1844008738

mixed buttons -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260832422297?var=560043534146&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

wadding -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170564175852?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Tapestry fabric - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BMFOUZS/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cath Kidston backing fabric -

https://www.cathkidston.co.uk/searchadv.aspx?SearchTerm=fabric

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281121576876?var=580203522155&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Pom-pom trimming -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEDIUM-POM-POM-TRIM-10mm-Bobbles-18mm-Wide-1-METRE-Excellent-Quality-Fringe-/330944460983?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&var=&hash=item4d0dd3b8b7

Thursday, 4 July 2013

shopping: best buys this week

Look at all these lovely bits I have spotted this week, having just moved into my very own little flat, I am always on the look out for quirky, fun and interesting accessories, enjoy!!! The "Chirpy" Espresso set was a moving in gift from my best friend Sarah, cant wait to make some mini chocolate mousse desserts in them!