Trivial Pursuits - Mobiles

Always on the lookout for something for you to have a go at.  I seem to be on a mission to find the creativity in everyone!

Today, I happened upon some mobiles while clicking around Pinterest and just had to search out some tutorials from great bloggers to get you inspired.

If you have access to die cuts or are nifty with a pair of scissors, all you need for some of these is some colourful card, templates and something to hang them from.

           

And if you have some felt lying around, I'm sure these wouldn't be difficult to recreate too. 

I love this simple but effective mobile by Diane Bohn on her blog fromblankpages.  You can see the full tutorial here 

Or how about this adorable felt mobile by Jess? Again she has produced an easy to follow and highly illustrated tutorial which you can find here.

But if it all seems a little overwhelming, don't forget you can always buy one ready made.  There are lots out there, but since I've shown you one by Lovely Friend at the beginning of this blog, why not check out her mobiles on Etsy.  

And of course, do send us photos of your mobiles if you do have a go.  Or any of your other DIY projects too.  We'd love to see them.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Behind the Scenes - Design Challenge

If you're thinking of entering our design challenge, I thought it might help to show you how I go about creating one of my designs from concept through the finished garment.

First you need to come up with the design and draw it out.  I use simple broad strokes using a chubby felt pen such as a Sharpie (although, as you can see, mine are a cheap version - I get mine from Home Bargains for about a fifth of the price!)

I then scan it and open the image up in Photoshop where I can play around with the design to make sure it will transfer well to the software I use for embroidery.

Once I'm happy with the design, I load it onto the digitising software that goes with my embroidery machine and choose the colours I'm going to use for the different parts of the design.

It's then just a case of copying the file onto a stick and transferring it to my machine.  All that's left for me to do is to sit back and watch whilst the machine gets on with the hard work of stitching my design.

 Once completed, it's simply a case of cutting out the design to create my motif .....

... and stitching it on to whichever garment it's been made for, in this case a sleepsuit with matching cotton cap.

I hope this helps you to see the type of designs we're looking for in our challenge.  

Here's the link again to the website where you can see how to enter.  And remember ...

• Keep it simple - use broad single strokes.
• Keep to an outline and don't include shading and tonal changes.
• Try not to use too many colours - think cartoon!
• And don't forget, the design must be your own original work.

Closing date is 31st May 2014. And .... good luck.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - why not make it yourself?

You know I like to blog about other artists because of our shared passion for creating things.  But I know that within most of us there is a creative person that needs to express themselves.

And the owners of the Makery in Bath shared the same view.  They realised that not everyone had the resources to indulge their artistic bent so they set up a creative hub, where people could come and learn countless new skills as well as have lots of fun in a relaxed and welcoming space.

I’ll let them continue in their own words:

We’ve always enjoyed the sense of fulfilment from making things ourselves ... so we decided to give our comfortable, safe jobs and follow our hearts.  We spent months researching and planning and were committed to helping anyone who wants to be creative, learn to live more resourcefully and have thoroughly good fun! We believe that if you can make it yourself, you don’t need to buy it and if it’s broken you can mend it and you won’t need to replace it.  If it’s old you can reinvent it.

 As well as two fantastic shops which are akin to Aladdin’s cave and where you will lose yourself in their buttons, trimmings, fabrics, ribbons and crafting essentials, they run amazing workshops and parties.   

 So if you want something different for a hen do, kids’ party or baby shower, look no further.

 And having moved recently I’m intrigued by their courses where I can make my own roman blinds, print my own wallpaper or learn how to pipe cushions.  Where do I sign?

For more information about their shop and courses, visit their website

www.themakeryonline.co.uk

And don't forget we have our own knitting kits that you can buy too.  Click here to order one.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk 

Trivial Pursuits - embroidery with Wendy Stephenson

Another find on Facebook.  I wasn't sure whether to put this in the category Meet the Maker or Trivial Pursuits, but since she produces embroidery patterns to complement her adorable watercolours, I thought I'd include it in this section in the hope it may inspire some of you to have a go yourselves.

It was actually the sweet stitched image below that I saw first.  Made by Wendy Stephenson of snap dragon ....

.. a little further investigation unearthed more of her work including these cute little ceramic pots, cushions and other textiles.

I'm not sure if she does illustrations for childrens' books, but judging by these, she certainly could.

And so a little about the artist ...
"I love to take photographs, draw, paint, stitch and watch the clouds. If I can combine all these with a swim, then it's a day well spent. So welcome to my little studio space, and I hope you find something to make you smile!'

All images (c) Wendy Stephenson

Meet the Maker - Rhubarb and Cider

In keeping with our blog about birds, we just love these little creations by Rhubarb and Cider. 

Currently available through Facebook, these colourful handmade gifts are handstitched by Mandy and Wendy in Gargrave, N Yorkshire.

All images (c) Rhubarb and Cider

Trivial Pursuits - Building Blocks, Cornwall

If only every town had a place like this. If you fancy trying out a new craft, then surely this is the place for you.

Based in St Austell, Building Blocks caters for all ages and tastes. With such a diverse variety of workshops on offer there's bound to be something to suit everyone.

Applique, basic cross-stitch, T-shirt printing, felting, button bouquets, Waldorf story dolls and 'Getting to know your sewing machine' have all been on offer.

The venue is the brainchild of Jeni Carson and Gill Birchall whose aim is to bring beautiful handcrafted Work at Home products to the high street and provide somewhere for mums to share and build their creative skills.

The Kids' and Afternoon Craft Clubs are proving popular and it's easy to see why.  I hope the idea spreads throughout Britain.

Do you have somewhere like this near you? Let us know about it.

Meet the Maker - Elaine Hardy, Love and Buttons

Difficult to imagine that a pile of buttons could be used to create something so beautiful and delicate.  But Elaine manages it with ease,  making the most beautiful embroidered pieces which incorporate these vintage and ceramic buttons.  

She also makes the most adorable hand stitched mice and bunnies.

Elaine is mum to 2 children,a little black dog & a very large guinea pig. As well as taking commissions, she has a shop on Folksy and you can find her on Facebook too.