My new logo!

Super excited!!! Don't you love my brand new logo! I'm totally in love with it myself! She is so noble looking... busy but relaxed! A little hectic perhaps, lots on the go... but it all seems pretty balanced to me! Totally in tune with the way I like to work. And I love what she's done with the simple style and clean lines. It amazes me how Natashia can take a vague idea in my head and turn it into something brilliant! So glad that I asked her... http://smeedesigns.com/ is my favourite applique designers... her patterns are just beautifully made... wait until I review her newest one soon... you'll be blown away! Now I can't wait to use this logo and get some designs of my own in print! Next goal...

Woolly Wednesday

Found in the local op-shop... how could I resist a photo!?

Welcome to 2013!

This year I've decided to embark on a (probably rather necessary!) personal challenge... finish 52 UFOs... and start as few new projects as I can possibly manage! 52 UFOs you ask!?!?!? Is that even possible!? Well... I might have a wee bit of a problem with starting things... and a bit of a bigger problem with finishing things! I'm probably hyperactive or something (undiagnosed naturally!) or maybe just over enthusiastic! I do get most of my projects finished eventually... just it's getting to the point of totally ridiculous... and I can hardly walk around my studio as it is... so to keep myself accountable I'll be posting pictures of all 52... starting today... Apologies I still need to work on perfecting my photos!

1. Rainbow scarf (8ply mohair) Free pattern... dead easy... super quick... http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jennifers-scarf Taken me about 2 years to finish!

2. Purple and green wide rib scarf (Cleckheaton Tapestry) Pattern from "Handknits to Wrap and Adorn" by Cleckheaton. Taken me about a year to finish! Don't much like rib. It seemed to go on... and on... and on...!!!

 

3. Hot water bottle cover for DD2... who is super excited... Pattern from "Handknits to Wrap and Adorn" by Cleckheaton. The whole family has one now! Taken me a few months to finish (just now that winter is over!)

4. Chevron scarf (Noro Kureyon). Totally LOVED knitting this scarf! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-scarf-10 Might be a teensy bit addicted to the colour changes in Noro! Divine pattern... lightly felted it when finished and couldn't be happier!

5. Purple and red quilt! This is probably my oldest UFO! It's about 15 years in the making! It's from a Patchwork and Quilting magazine from way back when it started (1996 annual)... Judy Hooworth... called Skewed Squares... always loved her use of colour! Still love this quilt... and the crazy quilting on it! Can't tell you how relieved I am to get this finished at last!

6. ABCs of Parenting by Lizzie Kate... started this about 6 months ago and ALMOST finished it within a month... but got distracted just before I finished!!! A common problem!!! lol! Now to get it to the framer!

7. Welcome home cross-stitch... another oldie... started this sometime pre 2000... was never really happy with the colours... so different from the original photo... not probably a design I'd pick these days... and the variety of colours in the garden beds almost made me insane! Another one off to the framers!

8. Long overdue ironing board re-cover! Found myself unthinkingly ripping it apart to make a pattern about 11pm the other night... probably the slowest start but the quickest finish! Not that my husband even noticed when he came to iron his shirt and found I'd done one for him!!! Men!
 

9. Uber quilt festival quilt... made from scraps! Want to make one of your own? I was going gung-go until the last 2 blocks... they took me a year! lol! http://bluenickelstudios.com/?p=3183

 

So... that's my progress so far! Tracking pretty nicely!

Woolly Wednesday

Star Wars and knitting go hand in hand in our household!

(Sorry I have no idea where this image originally came from... please let me know if you do!)

Woolly Wednesday!

My first tutorial. Your first bag...

Well, I've decided it's finally time to bite the bullet and post a tutorial! So, I'm starting simple! Feel free to offer constructive feedback for next time! I'm starting with a very simple bag I designed for some young girls that came to my house and wanted to learn to sew! This is a great beginners project but of course anyone can make it! It's a very handy bag and my daughter (10) uses hers all the time! Enjoy...!

Materials:
* 40cm x 115cm drill or similar heavy-weight material ( this is your main colour for outside and inside of your bag) (corduroy, velvet, upholstery fabric etc)
* 50cm x 115cm denim or similar heavy-weight material in contrast colour (this is your outside, pockets and handle colour) or 1metre fabric if you don't want a join in your handles
* thread to match

Cut 3 pieces of your main fabric 13" across and 15" high

Cut 1 piece of your denim 13" across and 15" high

 

Overlock one side of front to contrast and set aside

Cut 2 denim pocket patches 5" across and 7 1/2" high

 Overlock or zig-zag edges of pockets

Turn top of pocket over approx 1" and sew down sides approx 1/4" in (just on inside of overlocked edge)

Turn top right side and press, fold up corners into triangles, press seams using overlocked edge as a guide

Sew top of pocket to seal in edges, pin pocket to front of bag, approximately 1" in from sewn join, sew down close to side and bottom edges

Make 2nd pocket as above (omitting corners if desired) and sew to middle (or as desired) or one inner bag piece

Sew 2nd side of front pieces together to make a tube, then turn until pocket is approximately centred on front and sew bottom seam as shown

Place both inside pieces right sides facing and overlock down side, along bottom, up second side, turn pieces right side out and check you're satisfied. Have a little break if you need one!

Cut 2 straps 4" x 36" (or join two pieces together to make roughly that size, preferably using a diagonal join)

 Fold your straps lengthwise and press, fold both sides in to the middle.

Top stitch both sides close to edges to seal

Attach your handles to outside of bag approximately 2" in from sides, making sure you don't twist them. 

Sew them down approx 3/4" from edge

 Turn inside of bag inside out, place outside of bag into it lining up side seams and raw top edge. Make sure the side of the lining with the pocket is on the opposite side to the pocket on the front of the bag.

Pin in place to hold together ensuring handles are not caught in, and leaving gap for turning (I left a gap between the handles)

Sew around top edge approx 1" from top, leaving gap for turning

Pull bag through opening (grab the handles!)

When your bag is fully turned you can then push the inside back into the outside the right way!

Press top edge ensuring the inside lining does not show on the front, taking special care at the opening.

Top stitch edge of bag close to edge, ensuring you seal both sides of the turning opening together.

Stitch a second row of stitching another 1/4" down.

Press your bag!

 

Front!

 Back!

Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting! This is a very simple bag so I'm happy for you to link it on your blog, or make to sell, as long as you reference me as the designer! I'd love to see any you make so please post in my flickr group which you can find at http://www.flickr.com/groups/thecraftycamel/ Hopefully this will be the first of many tutorials... come again!