rubykittyruby

An embroidered fabric cuff is an easy project, and doesn't require any fancy stitches or expensive purchases.  If you're a seasoned crafter you're likely to have the materials already to hand, and possibly the only thing you might buy is a hair band.  But more of that later.   Let's start with the previouis fabric cuff I made.  (On the right in the photo above.)  I was pretty pleased with it, but decided it was too wide (though very good for keeping your wrist warm on a cold day!).  I learned a few things from making my cuff, mainly forget any notion of minimalism.  This cuff works best when you go heavily on the embellishments.  You've a small area to stitch on, so don't skimp on making the most of it.   I made a second version (above left), and here are the instructions if you want to make something similar.   You need to gather together:  2 pieces of felt, measurements discussed below, but mine were 8 inches x 1 ...

  It's been a funny few days.  I must've eaten something that disagreed with me on Sunday as I've felt under the weather for days, and been moping around with a face like a wet weekend.  I've done a bit of stitching here and there, working on these two pieces of needlepoint.  Both destined to end up as spectacle cases and, when I eventually finish 'em, go in my Etsy shop.  Speaking of which, I've been making another embroidered fabric cuff, this one narrower than the previous effort.  The idea being to make a kit to go in the shop, all you need to make a cuff including embroidery thread, beads, sequins and so on.  I've assembled the packs, but now have to write out the instructions, which for me is the tricky part.  Writing clear, straightforward instructions that are easily understood is a skill in itself.  I really enjoyed selecting the material to go in the kits, and it was the ideal occupation for someone who didn't want to move far off t...

My smartphone's working again!  Repaired.  New SIM card inserted.  Scratch on the screen but we'll ignore that.  Honestly, I really don't want to become someone who's wedded to their phone, but it's sooo handy.  Checking the weather report before you head outdoors (hello Storm Isha), doing a quick bit of online banking, seeing if your bus in running on time, taking photos of a pretty view or something you're making or doing.  Everyday life is perfectly possible without a smartphone, but the truth is everylife's simply easier with one.   Anyway, let's show you what I've been up to.  Friday was fun as I'd signed up for a two hour lino cutting class.  As with the session I went to last year, this was at Leeds Art Gallery, and loosely themed around 'fantasy', with special regard to Angela Carter and her re-telling of traditional folk and fairy tales.   We'd to draw an image of our choice, so I went for a wolf running through a snow...