July was the month of....

.... cardmaking.

I love making cards, when I get into a mood, I can produce up to 10 a day!

 

Making cards is a way of expressing myself as well, and at the same time I can make someone smile:)

So here are few ones created last months for various occasions:

 

Father's day. I find it quite difficult to make more "masculine" cards, not that much exciting man stuff out there, I tell you!

 

Those two have been made by Elli and Lilli for granddad, I'm glad they got my crafty bug at only 7!

 

Always very difficult to make a card when you have to express your sorrow. Don't want it to be too funky but not too sad either. Hopefully it put a smile on the face of the person who received it.

So R.I.P little Emilie, we will always remember you.

 

And a few just in case and because I just fancied making them:)Lots of birthdays to come as well.

Ola

Lost and found

Last week I was thinking about my lace and how I put it all aside. Shame, but I really don't have the time to do it all. And than I thought of a certain piece of work I created a while ago (must be 3 years now!) so I went to look for it but it was nowhere to be found. I thought it was time to frame it and put it on the wall.

 

Today I had a visit from my mother-in-law with a package under her arm. It was a gift for me and Rob for our 3rd wedding anniversary and a card.

 

I went to unwrap it and it was....

My two lace dragons that I though were lost! It turns out I gave them to Jan to use in one of her lace exhibitions and we both forgot. Clearing her studio, Jan came across some threads sticking out of the folder and there they were:) So she framed them and gave it to us. How thoughtful.

 

I love my mum-in-law.

 

Here is one more with flash, you might be able to see the wonderful threads I used.

 

 

xx

Surprise

Well I never! Here is what arrived today by courier:

These flowers are from Rob for our wedding aniversary:)

And handmade card:)

 



Just to point out how wonderful this is let me tell you, Rob is in England and I'm visiting my mum in Poland. Can't believe he did it!

 

xx

Seventh Heaven: Playing with crayons:)

Seventh Heaven: Playing with crayons:): This little wall hanging was made using..... crayons! Yes, all you do is draw your chosen picture on a piece of linen, put it between two pi...

So after 16 months it's finished:

 

I'm really proud of it:) And it's one of my favourite craft projects ever!

 



I loved everything: drawing, colouring in...

 ..... sewing the beads on....

... and using metallic threads to make some elements to stand out.

Really happy with end effect:)

xx

Bit of poetry

Today I would like to share this poem with you. It really made me think.

Poetry: Dreamer: Every night you go to bed, The crazy draeams are in your head. A night out or a crazy day, A murder or a death you say. Somtimes you re...

xx

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day gift:

This is a lovely set, made with real petals inside the glass. How thoughtful:) Well done Rob. Perfect gift for a crafty mum.

 

This day made me realise I really am a Mum! I was so focused on nappy changing,washing, ironing and feeding that I forgot that being mum is so much more.

 

For me it is when Iza smiles back at me, when she reaches her hands towards me, when she falls asleep in my arms or when we play on the floor, just fooling around.

 

But most of all when I look in her eyes and I see so much love there that it takes my breath away.

 

What is being mum for you guys?

 

xx

Many meetings

Week 2 of our holiday and so much happened.
Saturday 25th I have spent at my bridesmaid's wedding, the bride looked stunning in her unusual dress:

And than there was so many old friends to talk to:

 

My poor baby was in a shock I think! We had so many visitors, I don't think she knew there are so many people in this world:) She has coped with it all very well.

Here she is with granny.

And here with my cousin:

 

The weather is not spoiling us unfortunately! It's about 20 degrees and lots of rain, we even had a real thunderstorm last evening. Luckily Iza hasn't noticed!

 

Love seeing everyone but miss Robert very much!

 

xx

Remember this?

Today just two pictures as I'm desperately trying to pack myself and Iza for our holiday, 20 kg, hm...

 

Remember this quilt? I made it a while ago and was wondering what to do about the size as it was not big enough. Got some gorgeous fabric last year at Malvern and instead just looking at it, I actually used it:

And Mandala garden finished. I have started today a second version of it and I think the colour I'm using might surprise the designer:)

So this is it, no sewing or crafting for 3 weeks now. How come my 6 months old baby has more clothes than I do???

See you

xxx

Owl obsession

I have a little obsession: owls.

It started two years ago when I bought my first blackwork piece to stitch. It happened to be an owl:

And than decided to add some fabric around as patchwork is my first big love:)

 

Some time after that I made this little wall hanging for one of my workshops at the shop:

And for my birthday last year I received this lovely little purse, I guess the word was spreading

I am into owls:)

 

 

And this is what I got for my baby girl: little tinker dolly with squeaking device.

It makes Iza giggle loads.

 

Yesterday I have just gone out for a walk and went into my local sewing shop.

Ooops, I should have not done that:

 

 

And Iza's top has got an owl on it as well:) She looks quite pleased about it:)

 

 I saw some lovely fabric in one of the shops and that might be my next purchase:)

Sewing is on the cards when I get back from my holiday.

xxx

 

Relaxing times:)

Now that my baby sleeps from 8pm till 8am (I know, I can't believe it myself) and the days are longer, I can actually do some needlework without disturbing her.

Today I'm sharing with you two projects: both are blackwork samples.

First one is called Mandala Garden and it was designed by my friend Kirstyanne. She has been doing cross stitch for many years and she has recently designed a lot of very cool patterns. This is however her attempt on blackwork and may I say very good one.

The work is in progress and lack of small beads has been solved by using golden metallic thread. There are 4 more squares to stitch and as Kirsty tells me I'm the first person to stitch this pattern.

There are some really cute cupcake and owl samplers she designed and when I get back from my holiday, I will be getting both:) It's time to take my cross stitch skills onto next level.

You can view Kirsty's designs on her website:

www.kirstyskrossstitch.co.uk

 And this one is by X Calibre Designs and it was a bit of a challenge but I love it! It's amazing how one thread can end up being something so pretty.

Next project? A quilt called "Izabela's Dreams"

xxx

UFO's

As promised I'm posting a proof that I have been busy!

First of all little heart wall hanging:

This has heart block in it but can't be seen cos I decided to stitch lots of pink buttons on the edges. Than tried to go inside with pretty stitch but that didn't quite work:) Will practise that!

First attempt on cross stitch:) I know they Christmas ones but designs are so cute I couldn't resist. Plan is to put them in cushion cover, luckily I have some Xmas fabric left over:)

 

And now my biggest blackwork challenge finished! This took many hours of frustration but also joy and I'm very pleased with it.

Added some fabric and going to have it a cushion. Well actually it's b-day present for my mum.

And this is last year's Malvern bargain! Gorgeous jelly roll that was around £28!!! Not sure what to do with it yet:)

I'm still here:)

Good day to you all,

 

I can't believe how time goes! Good news is I managed to persuade hubby that Tuesdays should be my crafty days; so he is now looking after Iza every Tuesday while I stitch, sew or make cards:)

 

I got bit sad news as well, we are now officially a gaming shop (which isn't bad in itself) as the crafts didn't sell:( I was and I'm still heartbroken about it but we had to make a decision either to change or to close down. Not sure why that happened, I thought crafts were big these days but perhaps not in Salisbury. Never mind, life goes on:)

 

 

Here is my little girl at 5 months:

 

On the positive sides of things: I joined gym, eeeek! Well, it's time to get fit again:) So swimming everyday, zumba once a week and body balance class once a week (that's taichi, yoga and pilates in one - ouch!)

I will have to soon post some pictures of what I've been making or no one of you will believe me that I actually do something other than being a Mum (which I love).

xxx
Ola

Bit of stitching

Here is my latest achievement. I did it while I was pregnant and now it's been framed as well.

This was biggest challenge so far but I'm really pleased with it.

 

Unfortunately I don't have much time now to do sewing, lace has been put away as well, cardmaking is postponed. I even don't make cards for family now, I'm so fascinated about my baby, just watch her all the time in case I miss something:)

 

Till next time.

 

xx

Wow!!!

 So Happy New Year everyone!

Yes I'm still alive:) And happy to announce safe arrival of my daughter:

 

Izabela Faith Gardiner was born on 22nd of November 2012 at 6.38pm at Salisbury District Hospital.

 

 

And here she is now at 10 weeks: 

 

 

As you can imagine I have not done much crafting or sewing but I'm not complaining! It's been an overwhelming journey and I'm still at cloud nr 9 about having my girl.

 

Anyway, how is everyone?

 

 xx

Ola