One, two, three, pouff(e)!

A little pictorial tale of upholstery for you today.

This started life as a much loved (I'm sure) cream- coloured pouffe but it has fallen to me to give it a new lease of life... as a dark blue-coloured pouffe.   

After taking some measurements and cutting some lengths of blue fabric, I set to work on the square cushion top.
Pretty basic stuff, really.  All that's required is two squares of fabric and four rectangle panels for the edges.  In order to keep all the seams and messiness on the inside, I halved the second square, sewed a couple of seams with some velcro attached, so that the cushion cover became an envelope-style.  Easy removal for throwing in the washing machine, if necessary.

 

The bottom half was covered in much the same way.  There are casters on the bottom so I only needed one square of fabric for the top.  The four rectangle lengths were hemmed so that they covered the casters.

And here's the finished product.  All shiny and new.

This is Tonto

He is a very obedient and well trained doggy doorstop.
He knows all the essential commands like stay...stand up straight...and will bark (very, very quietly) in response to the phrase  "don't let the door hit you on the way out, Tonto".

Tonto is a patchwork breed with fireproof polyester stuffing and a couple of bags of rice in the soles of his paws.
Luckily for Tonto, he is already destined for a new home in Edinburgh but if you would like to adopt a doggy doorstop of your very own, please get in touch.

(Apologies for the poorly lit photograph of Tonto, but I'm just heading out the door!  He's not as peely waly looking as this, and is actually a beautiful mix of reds, browns, creams etc.)

A Literal Embrace of New Technology

I have been commissioned to make a carry case for a Kindle (other e-readers are available!) and this is the result.

I opted for a kind of jewellery roll design with a button/strap finish.

There's a pocket for the Kindle to sit in but I might add a strip of elastic above this to keep it secure. 

I like this material.  It reminds me of the classic Chanel check.  (Is it Chanel I'm thinking of?  Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!!)  The grey lining is a nice match and the thin layer of foam lining in between will provide a little extra protection.

Let's start as we mean to go on

So, the new year is upon us.  The over-indulgence must end, and back to normal we return.
My Santa candle has been binned (his poor head melted) and the Christmas decorations will be shelved once again.  I say shelved, I mean shoved into the hall cupboard, not to be tidied away properly until the shame of one too many disapproving looks from the gas/electric meter reader forces me to act.
I have decided to tidy my workspace today.  I should have taken Before pictures to compare with the After but I haven't been that organised.  I only started the cleaning operation a couple of hours ago and I've already managed to stop for lunch and write this post so you can imagine the breakneck speed with which I am tackling this overhaul.  I feel like I should do something bigger like rearrange the furniture or the pictures on the wall, but even as I type, I know I'll not get that far.  Can't be faffed!
Sigh, I should probably get back to it, there is still major de-cluttering to do. 

My next task is to sit down with the calendar and plan some craft fair bookings for this year.  If anyone's out there reading this (anyone?) with advice/suggestions for fairs to look out for, let me know.

Happy New Year, I hope 2011 turns out to be a good one!

Tis the season to be jolly (roger)

I don't know about you but I've been fairly busy this festive period.

I started some part-time seasonal work a few weeks ago so haven't had much time for keeping these pages updated.  I was also commissioned to make a couple of purses, some wash bags/make-up bags, and my biggest project to date, a pirate-themed curtain for my friend's nephew.

I decided to use mainly felt for the applique and went for a simple tab top design.  What do you think?...

I'm delighted with the end result (it's certainly cheered me up to look at it while battling the dreaded lurgy).  I just hope Arran likes it.

Tis the most wonderful time of the year

This is the view from my sewing machine. 
There have been a few snowball fights already this morning as well as the creation of a couple of snow people.  (I wouldn't like to presume that they are both male.  One is wearing a beret at a rather jaunty angle).

So pretty...

And this is the view of the back garden.  I think it's safe to say that the last harvest of the year has been and gone.  Having said that, I think I may have spotted some red berries on one of the fruit bushes so there is still hope for some homemade preserves this year.

Bag Beautification

I'm trying to decide what to add to this bag to finish it.  What do you think?  Rosette, some beads or ribbon, buttons, applique?  I need another couple of days to look at it and allow inspiration to strike!