Suffolk puffs on my jeans

I'm very much a jeans and t shirt kind of gal.  So recently, when both my favourite jeans (my 50p skinny jeans from a jumble and a pair of flares that I've had for ever) developed a few rips and holes, I was not a happy bunny.

I hate patching jeans.  In fact, I can't do it properly and it never lasts. But I'd seen this lovely hexagon flower patch here and was very tempted to try something like it:

Source

The only thing was that the big flower hexagon thing wouldn't have worked very well on the numerous little rips on my flared jeans.

I'd seen suffolk puffs being used to embellish cushion covers, bags and even tops but never jeans.  So I thought I'd give it a go.

Lots of instructions everywhere on the net and they are super-easy to do.  Super-easy is always good in my book.

I sewed them on the offending holes and rips and voila!

 

 

Little Miss J and P could not take a decent shot of my backside - too much camera shake (I can't think why):

This is best of a bad bunch

 

A less scarey shot of  my behind

 

Not sure how long they'll keep further rips and holes at bay but I think they look cute.  Practicality was never my strong point......  xx

It's curtains for my vintage linens

I've been collecting embroidered tray cloths for a while now.  The plan was to make a patchwork cushion cover with them a la Cath Kidston:

Only I realised I had far too many for one little cushion.  I even had two embroidered tablecloths to play with.  I never used the tablecloths, pretty though they were.  I'm far too much of a domestic slattern to spend time ironing the buggers.

Sooooooooooo, I laid out all the cloths, pinned them together in a pleasing stylee and sewed them up.

Lo and behold I've only gone and made a curtain panel:

Mr Fusspot J and P complained that it was a bit dark with the panel closed:

So I found a bit of lace, tied it like so

and voila! Let there be light (sort of):

Little Miss J and P thinks it looks "odd".  There's nothing like your beloved family to poo-poo one's creative leanings.....

Oh well, perhaps a holiday might put the J and Ps in a better mood.  Yes, we're off to Holland to camp for a few days and then we'll visit our friends in the south.  Yay.  Cannot wait.  See you anon. xx

Not feeling the love

You know how it is when you're making something (hark at me pretending to be some sort of arty, crafty, makey person) and then part way through, you look at it and you realise that you just don't feel the love? 

This was how I felt with my latest patchwork project (I know, I'm patchwork obsessed, I can't help it):  a patchwork blanket for a friend of mine. 

Only I can't show you my beautifully styled photos *er hem* because my darling daughter deleted ALL the photos on MY camera.  Every. Single.  Last.  One. Of.  Them.   Deleted them to make room for some half-witted video she made with friends.  I'm a bit cross.

And my friend has swanned off home with the blankie, as she is most entitled to do, and I've got nothing to show you all (Mr J and P is saying that he bets that there's a collective sigh of relief across blogland.  Rude). 

I was going to tell you that I was not feeling the love for the blankie but then once I'd put on the plain light blue backing, which was formerly a duvet cover, the whole thing came together and it looked really rather good and I did feel the love for it (which is something I'm not feeling, at this moment, for Little Miss and Mr J and P.......). 

It's great when it all goes well for you in the end........  How unlike the pompom wreath that I made many moons ago which I found recently - discarded and gathering dust under the bed.  Dear readers, it was not my finest hour.

Recognise it?  Yep, it's my header.

I'd almost nearly finished the thing before abandoning it in disgust.

I can't decide what I dislike about it most.  The colour combo is bleurgh, the pompoms are not the best *shudder*.   What the heck was I thinking of?  No, I am most definitely not feeling the love.

I am, however, feeling the love, big time,  for these beautiful cards that Kylie made and sent to little old me:.

 

She made them from pages from an old Ladybird book. Isn't she clever?


I love the stitched border:

The Queen of teatowels also sent me this very regal looking tt.

Thank you so much, Kylie.

 

Have you ever made anything that you instantly thought "What the heck was I thinking of?".  Do tell - you know you want to.

 

Big love. xx

 

50 shades of patchwork: yes it's the vintage sheet patchwork duvet cover ta- dah

Well, hello dear readers, I've only gone and finished my vintage sheet patchwork duvet cover.  I know!  I'm feeling very pleased with myself.



Even my wonky and odd looking crocheted cushions look ok next to the duvet cover



It was a pleasure to do actually. 

Cutting out the squares - took ages though. 

Deciding which square should go with what was the best bit.  I'm thinking that you can't go wrong with a vintage sheet; they just look so fabulous together.

It was a bit unwieldy to work with at times.  After all, it is a kingsize duvet, so lots of material to grapple with.  I got there in the end though.

This is the other side - a whole pristine vintage sheet.

I love my patchwork duvet cover lots and lots.

I purposely nip into the bedroom at every opportunity just to gaze at it in wonder........

Sometimes, I find myself caressing each and every square and, believe you me, that takes a long old while......

And the patchwork doesn't stop there!  I'm already cutting up squares for my next patchwork project plus I just whipped up this patchwork little number (literally) for a Little Miss' birthday:

 

I'm a patchwork making crazy thing.  Or maybe just crazy.......xx

Vintage sheets

Contrary to popular opinion (well, popular opinion in my house anyway), I have not been spending my time stroking my little collection of vintage sheets.
 

  Nor have I been inhaling their newly washed aroma of sheer loveliness.

 

Nor burying my head in them, emitting frenzied yelps of joy.

 Nor have I been whispering sweet nothings to them. You know how you do?

 

You see, dear readers, I've been busy cutting them.

 Into squares.

To make a patchwork duvet cover.

Evidence:

Snippings.  I almost can't bear to throw them away.  What am I like!

Actual squares:

 This beauty is going to be the backing:

Only another 60 squares to go *gulp*.

See you in a while....xxx

My Patchwork Prowess knows no bounds

Oops I did it again.  As our Britney once said.

Yes, dear readers, I'm turning into a patchwork-making mad thing. (See my previous post for my first foray into patchworking).

Now look what I've done.

It's a patchwork bath mat:

I backed it with an old towel which you can just see peeping out of the sides:

Red pompom trimming.  Squeal.

Picture after picture of it:

Will it never end......

In the (doctored) words of the New Seekers circa some time in the 70s:

I'd like to build the world a home
And furnish it with patchwork.......
Grow apples trees and honey bees and snow white turtle doves....

Imagine how glorious that would be.  Lots and lots of patchwork.  Everywhere.

Patchwork (and lego) walls:

Patchwork chairs:

Patchwork floors:

Patchwork mirrors:

Patchwork tea cosies:

Patchwork pumpkins.
Er wait.  Did I just say patchwork pumpkins?
Yes I did.

Every home should have one.

OK.  OK.  Enough already.  I need to lie down in a darkened room....

TTFN. xx