October begins

September completed

The month has been as busy as my pages suggest and is significant in that it has seen the launch of my

Etsy shop which turns me from being retired teacher/pensioner into self-employed crafting business woman (well sort of). My work room has become a bit of a production line lately with several sewing project at various stages, but and it is a big but ... my first love is dabbling so I must build time into my days for this. Of course I am prepared to put in the hours needed at the moment to get the shop up and going, but I hope I can get the balance right. It is very flattering when your work sells and I do like doing a bit of stitchin'

October begins...

I made these pages by first dyeing them with brusho powder watercolours. Rather than cut out the squares, this time I drew them and bleached out the colour. I then drew illustrations. You may notice that the 31st artfully falls from the row like an autumn leaf - or like an erratum slip (when you realise I missed out a  square). This page fulfilled an urge to doodle - now it is back to the sewing machine! I shall find time later to catch up everyone's calendar pages on the flickr site - there are many who have managed to keep going through the month  and well worth a look - it's downhill now to the end of 2010!!

The last day of September

We had a lovely day today - a welcome break in some wretched weather this week, so I took the camera for a walk in our local park. Luton has an excellent Parks department and has several well kept parks and we our very lucky that the best is within easy walking distance from my home - so join me in Wardown Park.

It was still very wet underfoot,

Shooting into the sun.

Sat by the lake

Through the willows

Eyeing me up!

View from the bridge

That's me on the water

Time for reflection

Not the sort of Ratty you really want to see

The daisy-chain wall in front of the museum

It has taken me ALL evening to upload these photos. Some took five minutes others about 30 seconds and it made no difference what size file they were either. I even tried to create a Picasa web album (which I think I did) but I can't access it!! Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Another job or two

I've been photographing my wares today I thought that I wasn't making a very big impact with straight photographs so I thought I would give myself another couple of jobs - photographic director and stylist. I should have taken a couple of 'how I did it' pics which would have made a better tale. But never mind. First I got out my jumpers and coat and hung them on the front of the wardrobe. I set up the camera on tripod as the light was so poor I knew I would have to use a slow shutter speed.  Then I started on my scarf drawer and rediscovered  couple I had forgotten!

This is my new jumper from Monsoon - now I need to sell lots of book covers. (My sister has bought exactly the same one!) I'm having lunch with friends tomorrow and if it's chilly I can wear it, but the flower is for sale - I shall have to make myself one now.

and my coat I treated myself to last winter, which I hope I can still button up!

I love this Laura Ashley white knitted scarf but I've hardly ever used it, but now it has proved useful to set of this purse.

I thought this one might look good with denim.

More blues!

This is a beautiful two toned chiffon scarf that is rather too large to use, but I like to get it out and look at it every now and again. Do you have things like this your wardrobe!

 I'm not sure if I am ready to apply for a job as a photography stylist yet, but it was great fun and my photography course certainly helped. Next time I promise not to mention the shop!!

Sunday, Sunday

I don't want to use my blog just to plug my Etsy shop, but all of you dear friends who encouraged me have only got yourselves to blame if I keep going on about it!!  As it is a new enterprise it is dominating my waking hours at the moment. At least any of you who may be thinking of doing the same thing can share my experiences. I know I have got to put a few hours in setting things up and hopefully when I have got used to the procedures I can do this more quickly. Of course just making stuff to sell is only the start. I have spent hours looking at other posts deciding how I can make my pieces eye-catching as there are hundreds if not thousands of rivals. Here are my new book covers I have stitched this week. My first one sold immediately which was very gratifying, hopefully these will too.

I thought I would photograph them with some accessories to make the pictures more eye catching.

Now I need to start looking at magazines and catalogues for ideas for making the photographs more striking,

Now I am going to enjoy my Sunday evening watching some television with Mr T.

I hope you have a good week and I'll be back soon. 

Where does the time go?

It is Thursday already and September is more than half way through.  I don't really feel I have had time to enjoy the lovely days we have had in one of my favourite months, although yesterday, which was gorgeous I did manage to plant up lots of pots of spring bulbs. However it was a bit too hot in the greenhouse which is also our potting shed, so I had to do a bit of tidying up outside to cool off, you don't often have to say that in September. Otherwise it seems to have been a week of chores and appointments. We made a large batch of pear chutney which this year had the benefit of the addition of plums and Mr T pickled the last lot of shallots. The smell of boiling chutney still seems to be lingering even after a couple of days of having lots of windows open, but perhaps it is my imagination. I had to go to the foot clinic (I have a neuroma - an enlarged nerve - between the bones of my foot) but after a cortisone injection about three months ago I just have to wait another three months to see how it is doing).  Mr T is almost back to himself now - thank you, to all who have enquired and wished him well. However he is totally banned from doing any lifting and as I have the muscle power of limp lettuce some jobs take a long time, but we are adapting.
However sewing and drawing don't take a lot of muscle power so this is what else I have been doing.

I am thinking of making another book this time based on an honesty seed pod. I hadn't realized how many different  names there are for this popular plant, it seems to be a favourite with lots of artists and photographers as well as gardeners. If you click on the picture you can hopefully read them all.

This is my idea for the cover.

I have some blue/green two tone chiffon which is just right stitched over the pod shape. The idea needs a bit of refining but I think I'm on the right track. 

I have also been working some more paperback book covers, they should be ready for my shop in a couple of days. 

Here are my zipped purses which are not really that well finished but I have photographed them on my sewing  board. Well, it started off as an ironing pad which I made by stapling lots of wadding covered with calico onto a small pin-board from B&Q. However it was rather too padded to press anything on, but it is ideal to have on my lap when sitting in an armchair sewing. It acts like giant pin-cushion which means there is always somewhere to stick pins and needles and it is great for stitching on.

Here are the other sides of the purses - I couldn't put them in my shop but I have a couple of friends who might like them.

I've just noticed an imprint of my iron on the pad!

Now I am going to try to catch up on everyone else's posts. Writing this one has taken ages!

Take a leaf from my book

Here some pictures of my leaf book I have made - I think it has turned out quite well.

the front

the back

the inside

another view

Despite being rather fond of it I have put it up for sale on Etsy as I am not sure when I shall have time to fill it up. But if no one wants it, I am sure I shall be able to use it. However if you saw my previous post you may guess that there are some more in production.

Today I have been sewing patchwork for some new paperback book covers. I have bonded the pieces to the felt wadding and machine stitched them down. Now I can spend a few evenings doing some hand stitching which I enjoy. 

Busy busy

I have been busy again, first I will show this book cover I have made for my Etsy shop.

A friend gave me the idea as she always kept her paperbacks in a cover when she went away to stop it getting bent or marked. It was something that had never occurred to me, but there are plenty on Etsy but mainly too small for UK paperbacks.

The cover slips into the pockets and there is a ribbon book-mark stitched into the back.

It will certainly suit a chilling thriller or keep a romantic heroine warm!

I have managed to put the zips in my purses (but forgot to photograph them). They aren't really up to standard for selling, but I hope my next attempts will be. I have also been working on some special books, but I am not ready to reveal those yet, but I am going to tease with some close-up details.

I hope that has whet your appetite.