Hello.....anyone there?

 My little blog has laid dormant for getting on 7 years!! I recently added to my ‘Books I’ve Read’ page, on here, and noticed on one of the posts that it’s almost the 15th anniversary of getting my Shed (of Raglan Thread Shed); so it seems fitting to add a post. I don’t imagine any of my previous followers are still around but you never know. I’m not even sure that anyone follows blogs these days!

The changes and events that have taken place over that time (in my life and in the world in general) have been unprecedented. In the UK we’ve had Brexit, financial and political turmoil, and numerous, so-called, once-in-a-lifetime weather events. Globally, there have been wars, the pandemic, terrorism, growing intolerance and climate devastation. On a personal level there’ve been marriages, births, deaths and health issues. 

But…….this is a craft blog, so that’s enough seriousness. I just wanted to acknowledge what a long time it’s been, and how much crazy stuff has happened. I’m still crafting, although in a more limited way these days.

Here’s a brief overview of the sorts of things I’ve been making: 

Tea-towel bucket hats proved very popular, especially the Welsh ones (when I could source them).

I love to sew using old linens, and this tablecloth top was a favourite that recently sold from my Etsy shop (I was sorry to have to forego my Folksy shop and defect to Etsy, but Folksy just wasn’t working for me).

My most recent popular product has been personalised newborn cardigans. 

Well, I'll leave it at that for now and see you next time. Maybe in another 7 years, but I hope not. 

Bye for now

Teresa x

Softies!

I've been wanting to give soft toy making a try for quite a while. So, it seemed appropriate (in accordance with my upcycling ethos) to try memory, or keepsake, bears. It wouldn't be viable to use recycled fabrics in general toy-making, due to the CE testing process that I would have to put them through, and keepsake items don't have to comply with those regulations.

Having not sewn any toys before, I headed to the charity shops to find some baby clothes that I could practice with, and came back with 3 items. I also bought safety eyes and stuffing (there are some things you can't compromise on!).

Armed with a free, downloaded pattern from Funky Friends Factory I set to work, and this is the result.

I learnt a lot from the process about how, in general, toys are put together, how to insert the eyes and whether or not to use interfacing.  I will do all those things differently next time. And I have the baby clothes from the charity shop ready and waiting. I want to try a different pattern next time, so I need to choose that, and get some different interfacing, first.

In the meantime, I'm still working on other projects in the background. This is a toddlers version of the Baa-ble hat I showed last time, that I had a request for. It turned out so cute - I love it!

And.............I've had it on my bucket list for so long, to make a pair of socks, so I'm happy to say that I have almost completed 1 sock! I'll cast on the second one as soon as it's finished so it doesn't get left on the Work-in-progress pile for months until I forget how I did it.

I've also been working on finishing a long-term WIP so will hopefully have something to show next time!

Bye for now
Teresa x