Been a while

It's been a long time since my last post. My Dad was not well for some time. He went down hill at the start of the year and passed away in Feb. I've not really had much time for posting but hopefully I will be able to start doing it again.

A year past March I adopted a cat. She was 10-12 years old and I called her Mina. I only had her 7 months when we discovered she had two tumors and had to be put down. She was the perfect first cat and I still really miss her.

I now have this little monster.

 

He's called Lugosi after Bela Lugosi, the actor that played Dracula in the old Universal monster movies. He likes to sit behind my machine when I'm sewing and swipe at my hands.

 

 

 

I just finished making my first quilt. It was a memory quilt for my friends wedding which was last Saturday. Her married name is Ross and they love Star Wars, hence the name of the quilt.

 

 

They both loved it! I was so happy!

It was a logo themed wedding and each place setting at the meal had a personalised lego figure of that person. This was mine.

 

 

Perfect!

 

Anyway, I just ordered a Brother Scan n Cut. I'm so excited!

 



I've had a bit of time to do some sewing over the last week. I managed to get a curtain made to hide the recycling boxes in my kitchen. Classic Movie Monsters :)

 

And I embroidered a set of nakpins with a Shakespeare quote in the shape of a skull, which are now listed on the Etsy shop.

 

 

I've been on holiday from work for a week. I've not got as much done as I would have liked. I have an awesome new machine, a cupboard full of fabric and loads of embroidery designs and I haven't a clue what to make. I have listed a few new things on the etsy shop and relisted some expired things. I really need to advertise. This machine needs to start earning it's keep.

This is one of the things I managed to get done.

A New Baby

I've not posted for a while because I've not had much chance to do any sewing, other than a bit of work on a doll commission. I sold my Janome 11000 last week and have brought home a Janome 15000! #excited.

Today was my first day off since then and I've finally sewn something! Just a quick headband but I want to start with something simple while I figure out this beast. When I was packing up the 11000 I had a flick through the instruction book and had a few "I didn't know it did that!" moments. So I plan to know this baby inside out. I love it already!

First Post Of The Year

How can we be half way through February already?

I've been busy getting ready for doing a talk at a local Rural with my dolls. I did it on Wednesday and I was way more nervious this time than the first time I did it a few years ago. Everyone seemed interested and loved the dolls though. I managed to get a few quick snaps this time.

 

 

 

I made most of the clothes that the big Ball Jointed dolls are wearing and all the ones that are out on the table. ( I didn't make anything the blue haired one is wearing, the leapord coat or t-shirt the wine haired one has on, or any of the jeans, shoes or wigs, but I made the rest)

 

Now that this is over I should hopefully have a bit more time for sewing again, although having said that, the SECC Creative Stitches show is less than a month away, so we have to prep for that.

 

 

So, this is new

I bought a book on crochet and a hook and started to learn last sunday. A week on and I've done single stitch, double stitch and half treble. I started doing a scarf just with double stitch and I made a skull :)
I found some free patterns but I don't really understand them yet.

I've not posted in quite some time. I've not really had time for much sewing. I did do a bit of doll sewing a few months ago and made a couple of cardigans and a trial run of a dress. I've been asked to take some of my dolls to a Rural in Feb so I really need to get back to making them clothes. I got my 14th doll in August and he still hasn't been sent to get his face painted.

I did manage to embroider a Zombie Santa onto a tea towel last weekend. It's on the etsy shop now.

I've managed to get a bit of sewing done :)

 

I made a brain pin cushion to go inside my skull bowl. My sewing room decor is inspired by the name of my lable, Frankenstitchery, which in turn is inspired by Frankenstein, so this fits in nicely.

 

I spent most of yesterday working on a hoodie for work. One that doesn't have Zombies on it.

 

 

The roses on the left are a bit too close to the jaguar's head but other than that I'm really pleased with it. I also put a new sticker on my sewing machine.

 

A FLUX Capacitor is what make the Delorean travel through time in "Back To The Future". It amused me.

Sewing Bee

I've been watching "The Great British Sewing Bee", as most people interested in sewing probably have. It's been really good for us at http://sewmaterialistic.co.uk/ . The day after the first episode I sold a bias binder maker, cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter all because the woman had seen them on the show. Sold a second bias biner maker the next day too :) Nearly everyone that comes into the shop has been talking about it, though a lot of people are saying that they were disapointed that it is just dressmaking. Here's a link to episode 1 if you missed it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0165nv7

We've just got lots of new fabrics in at the shop which you can see on the shop facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SewMaterialisticAyr We've already sold out of 3 of the tiny polka dots and one of the other prints [gives Ann a wave ;) ]. Some of them are sewing prints so I made a sewing case out of a couple of them. The lining has little pins on it.

 

 

I've been using The Sewing Bee as motivation to do some hand sewing while watching tv at night. This is the applique on the project I'm doing just now.

 

"Can you guess who it is yet?"



I've umm'd and ahh'd about the fabric for him. I started with grey patterned fabric and was going to stitch in black. Then thought, well, he really should be black, so changed it to a black patterned fabric, then a different black patterned fabric, then plain black. Now I'm thinking maybe I should do him in leatherette. I'm hoping to finish it before the end of the serise.





 

I also embroidered this polo shirt recently with a tiny zombie :)



Checking In 3 Months Later

It's been nearly 3 months since my last post. I haven't updated mainly because I haven't really had chance to get any sewing done. I made a pair of spats for a friend, but not much else. I've been distracted with work and family stuff and watching a cartoon about a Metal band on dvd  >.>

I've nearly finished a project I started working on as a sample for a class. After explaining the difference between Machine Embroidery and Free Motion Embroidery the ladies in my class asked if they could try some FME. I searched the internet for ideas for a project and found 'Girl on a tree swing' by Aneela Hoey http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/2010/01/raw-edge-applique-tutorial.html My ladies have long finished their's but here is mine so far

I want to add some flowers in the grass and the tree. The shop is going to have a stand at the Creative Stitches show at the SECC later this week so it's going to be framed and displayed as an idea for what to do with the scap bags we have for sale.

One of my New Years Resolutions was to go and see more stuff live. So I have tickets for a Romeo and Juliet ballet and T-rextasy (T-rex tribute band. I've seen them twice before and they are really good) at the newly re-opend local theatre and tickes for one of my favourite bands, a Hair Metal band from Sweden, in Newcastle as they are not coming to Scotland.

I am also trying to get back into the doll hobby. I'm going to order a new 1/3 scale Ball Jointed Doll before the company discontinue the sculpt I want, and I want to work on my 1/6th scales (Barbie sized), but I'll try and keep this as a sewing blog and not over do the doll stuff here :)

A Crafty Weekend

I've not blogged for a while. I've been busy though. I was at the SECC hobby and craft show with work at the end of October. It was really good. Managed not to buy anything too!
I was off work most of last week. I hurt my back and could hardly walk and was sick with the pain. Was back in on Friday and now it's my weekend off. I've been busy. I'm spending the weekend crafting :) I was at the post office before breakfast to send my little zombie bunny plushie off to the US, then I made a coin purse and listed it on etsy, sewed a Christmas tree ready to stuff later while watching tv, did some prep for a hand embroidery project and glued together some Christmas light bunting I had cut out while I was off work and fed up.
I got some awesome fabric....again. More zombies, pin-up girls......the usual XD

Here's the purse I made today.

 

It's not all zombies :)

I really need to work on the flat some more and get some pictures up on the wall. I have bought a frame for one, so that's something.

Anyway, There will be more crafting tomorrow :)

All Moved In

I've been in my flat for a month now. It's going well so far. I still have a lot to do. Got to get through some boxes and black bags. Quite a few actually  >.>
I even attempted cooking! I don't cook...well, more don't know how. I made a stir fry, but when I switched to ring on the electricity went off. Once I figured out how to put it back on I went back to the cooker, which was left by the pervious owners, and put the ring back on, the same thing happend. It's just the one ring that does it, so that's not so bad.
I still need to build my TV unit but my last few days off have been spent working on a commission for the shop as I can't get peace to do it there. That and when the guy first came in last month he said he wasn't in a hurry for it and then when he came in last week he said he wanted it for a rally this weekend  ¬_¬ . I also need to finish painting one bit of wall in the sewing room. I have a little bit left but it's not going to be enough for the last coat so I need to get a small tin mixed.
The shop is going to the craft fair at the SECC in Glasgow this week so it's super busy just now, especially with Halloween coming up. Oh, and my boyfriend and I split up about 2 weeks before I moved into the flat but we're still friends.
So, that's where I am just now. I want to start sewing stuff for the flat to make it a bit more homey but I have so much other stuff to do just now. It will be a slow but I'll get there.

Not long to go!

I get the keys to the new flat on Friday and I still have so much packing to do. The last few weeks have been stressfull with a lot going on at home, plus my boyfriend and I split up. We're still friends.....Well, we'll see how that goes.

My phone died last month and I've been using my old one. I miss it, so I've been doing a bit of online window shopping and tried out a Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy S3 in a shop. I'm smitted with the Note <3 I'm keeping an eye on ebay to see if I can get a nearly new one at a good price.

As you may have guessed, I've not really had time to do much sewing what with getting ready to move house. I have some white paint for the candy pink bedroom, soon to be sewing room, but I don't think it will be enough. I also need to get the coloured paint. I've got Friday to paint after I get the keys, not sure what time yet, then Sunday. I'm working Saturday as I have 3 classes on and I move on the Monday. My mum is going to give me a hand packing some stuff up tomorrow so hopefully we'll get a lot done.

Packing up

I'm busy packing boxes just now. I get the keys to the new flat in less than 3 weeks, so I've not had much time for sewing. I was going to leave my sewing stuff till the end but I guess I'm not really going to get chance to use it between now and then, although I do need to embroider a towel for someones birthday. Note to self: buy towel.

My friend loved the TARDIS purse I made for her :)

Better get back to the boxes.

I have news......

I'm finally moving into a place of my own! I should get the keys 5 weeks on Friday. It won't come soon enough! It's an upstairs 4 in a block flat wit 2 bedrooms. You know what that means? SEWING ROOM!!! :)  The young couple that have it just now have done a lot of work to it and it's lovely. They have a 4 year old little girl and her room is currenly candy pink. It will be the sewing room, so it's not staying candy pink, but that's all I'll need to do.

In other news, I have most of the Frankenstitchery stuff back up on Etsy. The guy that had the shop they were in has had to close for a bit but he's going to let me know when he gets a new place.

My friend is turning 30 at the weekend. She loves Dr Who so I bought some Tardis fabric and made her this purse to go with her present.

Oh and I got tickets for the band I wanted to go see in Glasgow :)

Been a while

Not had chance to post in ages. I've been really busy with stuff. The Etsy shop was going quite well but I recently deactivated a lot of the listings in order to put it for sale in a local fashion boutique. So we will see how that goes. I need to get some more stuff made up for Etsy though.

I saw some friends last weekend for the first time this year. We danced to 80's rock at Maggie May's in Glasgow then went to see Rock of Ages at the cinema the next day. LOVED IT!!!! I've been listening to Hair Metal ever since and randomly found some really good bands on youtube, then within two days I bought a couple of their CD's and some stuff off iTunes. I never splurge that much on music in such a short space of time XD   One of the bands is from Finland and will be doing a gig in Glasgow in October. Really hope I can go see them.

Not much else been happening. Will try not to leave it so long till my next post.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

The Frankenstitchery Etsy shop is now open!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/frankenstitchery

Use the coupon code LAUNCH10 to get 10% untill noon tomorrow (UK time)

Don't forget to hit the follow button for updates on Twitter

Na na na na na na na na.........

BATMAAAN!

Got some new fabric through the week. I can't wait to cut into this lot!

I'm off work this week. Hope my new purse fames arrive soon. It's been three weeks since I ordered them. They shouldn't be too far off. Haven't received the book I won yet either.

Going to launch Frankenstitchery in a couple of days, so keep your eye peeled for that!

Iris

I collect Asian Ball Jointed Dolls. I have done since 2005. It was a natural progression from the collectors Barbies and other fashion dolls I have. In August 2010 I received a doll with an Asian face sculpt. I named her Iris and started drafting a pattern for a Chinese dress which I have been working on it on and off ever since. It's just about finished. I just need to sew the studs on the back.

I was planning on making her a wardrobe full of Chinese dresses in defferent colours but I don't think that will happen, though there is a lovely green Chinese satin in the shop...........

Drac in the Bag

So this is the bag I finished off on Tuesday

I started off another one today. When I went to put the frame on I realised it's the last one of this type I have. I've got some coming form China (same as above but with loops for a strap) but they won't be here for a while. I guess I can still make the bags up so they're ready and waiting when the frames get here. It's either that or I do some pattern construction for the different frames I have [groan].

As tomorrow is Easter Monday I have an unexpected day off work, so I will be trying to finish off some doll sewing that I have been meaning to do for ages. There's a doll meet in Glasgow next week so it would be good to have it done for that.

Oh! I won a book! I left a comment on the Mollie Makes site and won one of the giveaways  :)