patchwork mania

I love flea markets.  that's partly because I love old things, and partly because you don't spend a lot of money and have a nice afternoon.

When I see old dressmakers items, old odds and ends, pieces of lace or threads turned yellow by the years, I really can't resist.
The box I keep these things in is starting to pile over, so I really needed a project where I could use some of these.  and in a magazine I noticed a small patchwork with a lot of left overs and ribbons that would be just perfect for my stash.

The most fun was actually sorting out the fabrics and the ribbons, choosing the perfect position for the old buttons and nicnacs, arranging and rearranging.

and then finally putting it all together, embroiding a little, adding a piece of felt, and here it is, my finished object.

I choose 'Chic et pas Cher' because that is the name of my sewing club. It's an old expression meaning  something 'chic' but not expensive.  And that's exactely what it is.  Nice, but not expensive !

knitted toys - christian the lion

During summer, there are lots of garage sales and open air flea markets in my little part of the world. I like to walk around, finding old stuff thinking 'oh yes, my mum had one like those' or didn't granma have a vase like that ? Sometimes you find objects that are mysterious, and I love to listen to the explications and stories behind. 
I don't spend a lot of money, and enjoy a sunny afternoon among crazy stuff.  I had to promise my husband that I would not (NOT) buy any wool,  but he never mentionned knitted toys. When I come across knitted toys, preferably old ones that have been used, I find them irrisitable. 

So, when Karin (my bear making friend) asked me if I was interested in an old lion, only one reply was possible : Yes !  As I already have an old lion walking about the place, another one sure was welcome.

She offered me the most gorgeous knitted toy ever.  I've been looking at it for some days now, with a huge smile on my face.  The thing has a positive feel about it, it's soft, the colours are soooo 70ies, and I love the way his manes are crocheted around his head, and that long tail with a funny tassel.
I have named him Christian as a tribute to the real 'Christian the Lion'.

( If you don't know him, check out his story here on Youtube !)

fimo necklace

I was leafing through a new book at the bookstore, and found the picture of a fimo doll, made into a necklace.  She's so cute, I couldn't wait to get home and make one for me.

fimo combined with beads

she's got a funny face

I used old lace to press a pattern on the dress

I kinda liked using fimo and beads, it's nice to combine and makes the whole thing more playful.
The little shoes and the handbag are super cute.  She's hanging on a leather string, that runs through her head.

This is my prototype, I'm quite pleased with it.  A second one is nearly finished, I used a bit more colour.  Pics are following soon.

a flax hat

I have made a hat, in the style of the 1920ies.  

Ready for Ascot !

it is a good fit, but will I dare to wear it ?

 
It is made of flax and cotton, a very easy technique involving a balloon and wallpaperglue.

just a plain balloon coverd with fabric

and lots of glue

the next layer is flax fibers

When it is dry, it is a firm base that you can cut, trim and pimp with anything you like....
You can also add lace, buttons, feathers, and go all the way.  With a hat like that, you are definately ready for the horseraces at Ascot....
I doubt if I will ever wear it....  but it was great fun making it!  I really liked to work with the material, and the creativity involved.   Anyway, it's just a first try-out, I'm sure I will explore this technique a bit further during the hext holidays.

This one was an example our teacher Charlotte brought along, a gorgeous piece of headware ! 

Charlotte of Charlepeau was the teacher, and she makes all sorts of lovely hats.  Check out her website here. 

And here you see a few of the hats that were made by the other girls in this workshop...

tilda geese

For my Easter decoration, this year I made some Tilda geese.  I love the little pattern, very easy to make.

I also added some little ... hmm... what do you call this ? .... little ears ?  They seem to belong to a little bunny don't they ?  I used some left over fabric so they match the geese.

recycle art

something I made with small objects from the flea market :

I don't know the word in English for this.  It's something you can use to put small chocolates, or cupcakes on. It's nice to present your little teabiscuits on, when you have friends over for tea or coffee. I find it has a lot of cosiness and a romantic shine.

I made it with old plates, saucers and glasses.  I glued everything together with an invisible 2-component glue. 
The yellow one with little romantic flowers is for myself.  The blue one is for my sister, she has white and blue dishes, it will match nicely.

I think it's a nice gift, and doesn't cost much (about 6 euros for the 2) and it gives me the good feeling of using old pieces to create something pretty. 

knitted easter bunny

Just a quick knit, a lovely easter bunny pattern I couldn't resist...

A little bit of wool

changed into this litttle fellow

I have no feet....

I'm stuck on this glass

Under my purple belly there is an egg

I keep it warm for breakfast

Introducing Polly

Hello, My name is Polly. 

I enjoy sitting around the house, looking at the people around me.  I'm rather quiet, but I have a very soft character.  How do you like my dress ?  My matching shoes are very comfortable too.  Perhaps I will go shopping for a new dress in another colour soon.  And I need some underwear... I have a twin sister who is a model.  Her pictures are in a knitting book.

I love flowers !

More knitting stuff...

The little book from Libelle with its many patterns has inspired me !  I have knitted the teddybear (you saw in an earlier post) and now I have knitted this....

What will this become ?     Hazve a little patience with me.  I will post it soon....

spring is in the air

I have seen the sun !  I have felt her warmth (from behind a glass window because there is still a cold wind) - but I can tell : there is definately some spring in the air.  So I have made some new stuff, with the new season in my mind. 

At breakfast we like a boiled egg.  But the eggs need a little jacket filled with soft fiberfill to keep them warm.  And to avoid any mistakes, I personalised them with some embroidery.  This is what I made :

embroidered with a cup of coffee and an egg

embroidered with a coffeepot and a coffeecup

knitting a teddy bear

This is the worst periode of the year to me.  Those long, last days of winter, still cold and wet, and I'm craving for a bit of sunshine.  And just like every year around this periode, I've been ill.  That little influenza virus has made me stay in bed with a bad fever.  I'm better now, but still feel as if my batteries need recharging badly.  Unfortunately the doctor didn't prescribe me a fortnight of sunshine on Tenerife.    I know it's wishful thinking, but don't you wish that he could ? 
Anyway, the world doesn't stop turning because I'm ill, and I've spent quite some time reading all your blogs and the lovely projects you all made have really cheered me up.
I haven't been doing much, just a couple of small knitting projects to use up some stash.  
Here they are :

Am I a snowman or a snow bird ? 

I'm not quite sure.  But I am cute !

I found a pattern for a knitted teddybear

Yes, I can stand up !

I'm a nice fellow, with a friendly face and easy to make !