An Ode to Scissors

I’m in love with my scissors! They’re not just any old scissors, they’re the love of my life!

A couple of months ago I decided I needed a new pair of dressmaking shears. I’d been using the ones I’d got from Ikea which were brilliant when they were new but when you use them for cutting your hair and as a poking device their useful life slowly ebbs away. I did a bit of research mainly on Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing as that lady definitely knows what she’s talking about when it comes to dressmaking. She had recommended Kai or Gingher scissors. I added Merchant & Mills scissors to the list as they were made of classic Sheffield steel and manufactured in UK. As I was going to the Stitching Show at Ali Pali I was sure I’d find at least one of these 3 brands there.

For such a big show there weren’t that many haberdashery shops exhibiting. Up and down all the aisles I went getting little filips of joy when I spotted their scissor sections. Only to get disappointed when the only ones I could find were those dreadful ones with the orange plastic handles. They were everywhere in their nasty plastic bubble wrapping. What I couldn’t understand was there were so many people buying lovely (and expensive) fabrics, then cutting them out with any old pair of scissors. Why weren’t there people at the stands loudly demanding better quality scissors!!!!!!

Anyway I’d given up on my hunt having resigned myself to an internet purchase. After a consolation coffee and huge sticky creamy bun (I needed a lot of consoling) I headed for the exit. I was almost outside when I noticed a small room to my left which seemed to have a lot of people in it. Off I went to have a look and found it to contain mainly college and dressmaking school exhibitors. I turned round to go out when I glanced down an aisle and saw at the end……wait for it……… a pair of these!!!




I pounced straight away. It was sheer joy to hold these beautiful scissors, the craftmanship just amazing. These are scissors that will outlast me, my children, my children’s children etc etc. I was one happy bunny on the shuttle bus back to the tube. Probably not the best thing to be doing, sitting on the top deck of a bus waving 10” steel shears around but I was happy. and I still am, they are an absolute joy to use and they have turned fabric cutting from a pain to an experience the equivalent of demolishing a plate of cupcakes!

Embroidering a Celtic design on my Singer Futura XL400

Sláinte
Linda xxx

Pattern weights the frugal way!

There are many tutorials on the net for making your own pattern weights. This one is one of my favourites. I was tempted to make my own but instead I’ve been using these.

I pick them up in charity shops for between 50p and £1.50 and I’m sure I could get them even cheaper at jumble and car boot sales (note to self – add to my wish list for when car boot sales start up again in the Spring). The round ones all have a green felt backing so there are no rough edges to tear the pattern tissue.
Actually I could see myself becoming a bit of a collector of these things. I had a bit of a trawl around Google and I would definitely like to get my paws on these two!


They are really pretty.
I was going to post a video of my embroidery machine Helena (my machines have names – my vintage Singer is called Persephone) working her way around my latest creation for Valentine’s day, but by the time I remembered she had finished. Never mind. I will video the Celtic design I’ll be sewing tomorrow.
Sláinte,
Linda xx

Finally……

We’ve arrived in 2013, it’s stopped raining and the sun’s come out and there are blue skies! I can see loads of happy dog walkers on the Downs. I’m taking that as a good omen for the year ahead.
It’s amazing that even in the deepest, darkest depths of winter you can go out and still find colour in gardens and hedgerows. I found this lonely pink rose bravely blooming it’s little heart out this morning. I wanted to photograph it so it’s efforts would be rewarded by being on the ‘net for all the world to see!

Even more colour around……

Purple Hebe flower.

Red berries for the birds
And waiting in the wings for their turn to bloom


Even the trees are still colourful and interesting


And finally my favourite winter flower the Hellebore……

Indoors I’m working on a lovely black glitter scarf for myself, the pattern was generously provided by this lady

And Dalek bibs and knitted tea cosies seem to be very popular in my Etsy shop right now. My embroidery machine is whirring away and my knitting needles are clacking!!
Until tomorrow,  Linda xx

New Year Restitutions

I never make resolutions, I make restitutions! I reckon that resolutions are really made to fix up what’s not gone right in the previous year. So what are my Restitutions for 2013. Well here they are and as they say on Strictly they are  in no particular order………….

Travel more but not necessarily to foreign exotic climbs. I’d quite like to become a tourist in my own country or even county. When I’m out driving about I pass so many interesting looking places that beg to be explored. I usually think when I’m passing, “I must go there one day” but by the time I’ve got home and parked the car I’ve forgotten where it is I’d like to visit. I suppose the best thing to do would be to get out a tourist map of the county and also a local history book from the library and to plan a diary of visits to the quirky, the beautiful and the historical places all around me.

Take the guitar down from the wall and get strumming. I’ll never be the next Clapton but I would like to learn a tune or two to delight and amaze at parties.

Finish off all my UFOs (unfinished objects) that are currently languishing in drawers, backs of cupboards and tops of wardrobes. I could restock Hobbycraft single handed!

Get to know my beautiful embroidery machine inside out and be able to rethread my overlocker/serger blindfolded and with one arm tied behind my back. It took me a whole evening to work out how to thread it when I first got it. I’d like to improve on that.

And skills, need to practice my crochet, sewing and writing skills. They say it takes an amount 10,000 hours to achieve Master status at something.

So in 2013 if I never slept or ate I would be able to get 8,760 hours under my belt. So I could almost reach Master level, I would be knackered but what the hell. Must put a few large jars of strong coffee on my shopping list for next time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! XXX

Winter Sale

My winter sale has started in my shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalMoonCat

 

Winter Walkies

Thought I'd unchain myself from the craft room and get a bit of fresh air. I love going round the local RSPB reserve, a lovely walk and they do a cracking cuppa in their cafe.
A really misty murky day but loads of birds to be seen. Caught a glimpse of a Jay and a Green Woodpecker. It was just a glimpse as they are fast little bu**ers. Mind you I did get a few shots around the reserve

There weren't that many other walkers around, probably about half a dozen. However I did have some company for part of my walk in the form of a herd of deer. I swear they were following me, but trying to look inconspicuous at the same time. I was taking a picture of some red leaves, finished and looked back along the path to see a queue of deer waiting to jump a fence into the next field. I have never seen deer jumping fences, fantastic to watch. As I only had my 50mm lens with me It would have been a bit optimistic to think I could get a decent pic of them. But sometimes you just have to press the button anyway!

Betcha when I go back with a long lens they'll be nowhere to be found!!!

Waiting for the Doctor

Apologies for long absence.  I've been busy creating lovely new bags and purses for the shop . I've invested in a new embroidery sewing machine and I'm having fun experimenting with many new designs.

Also I've finally found Doctor Who's T.A.R.D.I.S. It's quite coincidental or maybe not that the new series of Doctor Who will air on Saturday 1st September with Asylum Of The Daleks
I'm off now to have a look inside and I may be some time or I might be back yesterday!