Easter School Holidays

Usually around now I’d be posting a Silent Sunday image but this week, as we’ve just reached the end of our two week Easter Holidays, I thought I’d share some of the images I took over the last couple of weeks.

We had a lovely school break, so many activities that I either didn’t get to photograph or are unable to share here.

I may even be looking forward to to the summer holidays now

Easter Fun

Silent Sunday

 

Some New Stash

Time to share some stash purchases with you.  These didn’t all happen at the same time.  Some came from the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show at Olympia, some from my quilt group & some from a quilt shop in Lewes, not far from Brighton.

Decopatch Papers

A lovely selection of Decopatch papers.  I recently blogged about the twins & I doing some Decopatch.  I really enjoyed it & they did too, so when I saw the papers on offer I just had to get me some

Christmas Cross Stitch Charts

A couple of new Christmas Cross Stitch Charts, most of you who know me will know that I LOVE Christmas.  I love Christmas cross stitch designs so these are just another two to add to my to-do list.

Canvas Embroidery

This is something I wanted for a while.  It’s a canvas embroidery kit from West End Embroidery.  It’s one of those things that I look at every time I see them at an exhibition.  I usually have specific money for specific purchases but when visiting the show at Olympia this March I had some un-allocated spending money so it was time to make a purchase.  I look forward to working on this.  No idea when or how long it’ll take but I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable.

Fabric

Last up is some Moda fabrics.  These include a charm pack of Indigo Crossing & mini charm packs of Indigo Crossing, Noteworthy, Old Glory Gatherings & 2 x Ticklish.  I have no idea what to do with them but aren’t they cute????  I can see a bit (?) of an obsession coming on with those mini charms!!!

Oh yeah & I bought a pack of needles… yawn!

Happy Stitching

WIP Wednesday

No update on my Tula Pink sampler this week.  Having a fabric issue so I’m just waiting on some to arrive.

This week I’ve been working on some Pin Cushions.  These have been made from scraps using fabrics from Love Fabric.  They still need to be filled & have a button sewn on but they are very pretty.

Pin Cushions

Next is something I started playing with last night.  I’ve recently been sent a Cricut Mini & in learning how to use it I quickly worked out it would cut perfect hexagons for me  I cut some last night & quickly used my 2.5 inch square fabric stash to see how they fit.  I think you’ll agree it’s perfect.  Not quite sure what I’m going to do with these, maybe a quilt, maybe cushions…. who knows.

Hexagons

Once I’ve mastered the art of the Cricut Mini, I’ll be back to tell you all about it…. that’s if I can get away from using it for my hexagons

If you get chance, pop over to Freshly Pieced blog for a bit of WIP Wednesday, you’ll see some lovely project in progress here.

Happy Stitching

 

Decopatch-ing with the Twins.

Back in February I was lucky enough to get up close & personal with a guy from Hobbycraft that was demonstrating Decopatch.  I’ve seen & known about Decopatch for years but never actually had a go.  It looked pretty easy so I tried it out & guess what?? It was pretty easy.

My First Decopatch

Next up, I thought i’d test & see just how easy it really is by introducing it to the twins.  They are almost 5 years old & like me, have never used Decopatch before this.

We gathered supplies:
Papier Mache Boxes
Decopatch papers
Decopatch brushes
Small bowl
PVA Glue

Gathering Supplies

I already had the papier mache boxes.  The papers I picked up from Hobbycraft along with the brushes.  I am thinking that any brush would do but most of ours are covered in paint so some new ones especially for the project was nice. The papers we cut into strips & then into little squares.  The small bowl was one of the twins old feeding bowls from their weaning stages (aaahhhhhhh).  With the glue I decided to use some PVA with a bit of water added to turn it more in to a glue/glaze. Decopatch do have their own range of glues that vary from a normal glue/glaze to a waterproof glaze that is fine to use on items kept outside.

The Sticky Part

Next came the fun part….. the easy part…..the sticky part

Here I give you the three easy steps that I gave the twins.

1. Paint on some glue
2. Stick on some paper
3. Use the brush to smooth over the top of the paper

That’s about it really.  The papers that Decopatch use are much stronger than tissue paper so can easily withstand a brush being reapplied over the top to spread the glue & ease the paper into corners & over edges etc.  You just keep going until your item, in our case a Papier Mache box, is covered & then you leave to dry.

The Boys Box

The Girls Box

The finished results were similar for both the twins.  Not all areas were covered successfully & not all papers were stuck down all over but both were really pleased with their results.  He uses his to keep little Fireman Sam men in & she uses her to keep magnets for her reward chart in.  For a first attempt I thought they did brilliantly.

We have more projects lined up to do with decopatch.  The twins are constantly asking for more so I may be forced into shopping for more papers

Just in case you were wondering….. I did a box at the same time.  So far I don’t have a use for mine so it’s sitting on my desk waiting for inspiration.

All Our Boxes

Happy patching

Silent Sunday

 

 

 

WIP Wednesday – Tula Pink Sampler

Woohoo… doing a happy dance over here

I’ve just completed the last two blocks in my Tula Pink quilt….. I’m very excited.  I do still have connecting blocks & borders to do but I’m sooooooo pleased to have the sampler blocks done.

Tula Pink Sampler Block 11
54-40 or Fight

Tula Pink Sampler Block 12
Split Palm Leaf

 

Why not pop over to Freshly Pieced to check out some other WIP Wednesdays, there are lots of lovely fabric feasts for the eye.

Happy stitching