Has it really been 7 years?!

 When I first started this blog, I had great ideas and plans, but I'm lazy and trying to keep it going was beyond my capabilities. 

My brain is constantly flitting from one place to the next and never settling on any one thing. 

Over the last few years, I've tried to slow down and pace myself, and in some ways it has helped. I work part-time in a local card and gift shop, which is regular work, albeit only 2 or 3 afternoons per week. I take my grandchildren to school most mornings and have them for an hour or so before we have to leave. During term time, I've also started tutoring at a local college, where I teach sewing and sewing techniques. 

I'm still crafting and creating, but it's on my terms and I do what inspires me. Recently I've not really been inspired, but have been collecting books and things that make me happy.

Over the next few days, I'm going to be sharing some inspiration and ideas that have finally gotten me excited about art and crafting.

For now I'll say bye and get on with cleaning my dumping ground of a studio. Maybe the thought of having to clean it is why I've not been inspired, who knows...

Good morning!

None sewing related - just a quick update of my week.

It's been a funny old week. My friends from Yorkshire have been staying with us and I've been going with them to look at houses as they are thinking of moving up to this area.

We looked at three houses all within, or around Banff and although very similar prices, they were very different.

The first one was in Banff itself and not overly big, but was fine enough for what my friends wanted. However, it did need a lot of work and there was a lot of damp in both downstairs room. Due to the age of the house, I would imagine that it would only need re-pointing and new plaster board put up, but it would be a major job.

House two was in Gardenstown and was a semi-detached cottage near the kirk. This had previously been used as a holiday let and the decoration was basic, but it was livable. The big decider for me was the kitchen which was quite long, but looked out over the bay. The view was breathtaking and if I was looking for a wee holiday home, then this would be it. However, for day to day living I found it too small and too restrictive.

House number three was my dream house and if I had the money, I would buy this in a heartbeat and move there. You would certainly get your money's worth. On entering the house, we turned left and entered the door in front of us. This took us in to the living room, which was bright and airy, but was perfectly decorated. From the living room was access to a large double bedroom, small single bedroom and the kitchen. Some work was needed in the kitchen to bring I up to scratch but it was usable. heading towards the back door was the bathroom, which was bright and airy. the back door lead to the lower garden, a shared close and a good sized storage shed.
Back through the living room and up the stairs.
Here you find another living room, this time with open stonework and a beautiful arched area with a window overlooking the garden.

There was also a wee snug, two further bedrooms and a lovely kitchen with wood burning range. There was also another toilet and a separate shower room. Another outside door lead out to a small decked BBQ area and the rest of the garden. Once at the top of the garden, you have beautiful views out to sea. Back in the house and the stairs continued to an upper lever with another bedroom which would make an ideal workroom/guest bedroom. From the roadside, this is a house, you would walk past and probably not look at, but once inside it was amazing. You could even let the ground floor and live in the two upper floors.

My only hope is that my friends sell their house quickly and that house number three is still up for sale.

Well that's me for today, but will be back soon.

An interesting question!

One of my friends asked an interesting question about my blog the other day and it got me thinking.

Her question was - What do I want to get from my blog?

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about it and my off the cuff answer was that I wanted it to be an extension of my Facebook page and a place where people can find handy sewing hints and tips.

To date, this is only my third post and I haven't really done much to encourage people to come and browse, so I'm here to tell you that I will be adding more links, tips, and playing around with the layout over the next few days. If you've been here before, you will notice that I've already started doing this and have added a few links down the right hand side of the page. I'm still not sure about the background, but it is decidedly nicer than the bright pink I originally had.

Well that's all for today, but feel free to comment and let me know what you would like to see here.

Trying out my overlocker

Since it arrived last week, my overlocker (Bert) has been languishing unloved in the cupboard of my new desk. It isn't that I didn't like him or anything, I just have had a chance to do anything other than switch him on, practice rethreading and put him away.
Today, however I've decided to take him out and let him show me what he can do. I had half an hour between my friend Diane leaving and the hubster coming home for lunch, so it had to be a quick and easy project. In fact, I managed two wee projects.

Project 1 - iPad case
Outer - Linen look cotton
Inner - Velvet  

With right sides together, sew one lining and one outer piece together along short edge. Repeat this with the other two pieces.

Leaving a gap for turning in the lining fabric sew the two pieces together as in photo.




 Turn right side out and sew up the gap in the lining.
Push the lining inside and you have a lovely sleeve for your iPad.

Project 2 - Thread Catcher

Hello

Welcome to my new blog......

We are already one month in to 2016 and I have to admit that it's been a slow start.

After the mania that was the months preceding Christmas, I've lost all impetus. Or should I say I had until last week when I received a new over locker and desk.

I have spent the days since then trying to organise my not too small stash and sort out some papercrafting items to sell. I have far too many things and not enough storage. With any luck I'll be sorted by the weekend and I can start sharing more of my work with you.

For now, here's a wee look at a YouTube video called Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 by Made to Sew