Patchwork Paradise

Lampshade Tutorial - Simple And Complete

2013-05-17T13:31:00.003-07:00

This is a complete guide to covering your lampshade.

Step 1: You need 100cm x 50cm of fabric for a 19 Centimetre Depth Shade. You also need a pair of scissors, an old lampshade, Silicon Spray Adhesive Glue (The stuff the use to lay carpets with, make sure non flammable) a Large piece of cardboard to protect your house, a Pen and a tape measure.

Step 2: Lay your fabric down flat, Pattern to the floor. Take your lampshade drum and place it in the left hand corner Inch from the edge leaving a seam allowance. Your drum should have a joining strip use that as a guide.

Step 3: See the Joining Strip that is what I'm going to use as a guide, place your pen below your shade and slowly roll your shade and at the same time mark all along the bottom, This is how you get that fabric to fit perfect your potentially awkward shaped shade.

Step 4: Once you have rolled it all the way to the join (or when you have rolled a full 360 degrees add an extra 2 centimetres as a seam allowance) Do the same for the top of the lampshade all the way back to the start. Just do it slow and steady and remember your lines don't need to be perfect.

Step 5: It should look something like this in the picture, just to double check you have made it the right length measure your drum from top to bottom and then place that against your outline of your fabric (so basically my drum measures 19cm top to bottom and the lines I have drawn pictured here are 19cm's apart) when you have done this, take your tape measure or as a rough guide, add 2cm extra to your drawn pattern on your fabric, this again allows for seam allowances to make it nice and neat. Now You Can Cut Out.

Step 6: Take your lampshade the spray adhesive and the box. Place your hand in the centre of the lampshade, else this could be messy, use the box under the lampshade to catch any stray glue instead of your carpet. Spray evenly your adhesive glue using your hand to turn the lampshade as you go. Once the entire drum is covered place stood up on your box.

Step 7: The clock is ticking now, place your cut out fabric pattern down and spray the entire piece evenly from left to right.

Step 8: You have a couple of minutes to get this right and it's a little fiddly, as the glue sets, I find the best thing to do, is with your sticky piece hold each end out and place lightly around your lampshade. Then use your hands to stretch the entire piece of fabric out and even a cloth to get rid of any bubbles. The easiest fabric to use is Cotton Duck, Cottons tend to be a lot more fiddly but you will get there, you can lift and replace, lift and replace as you work your way around.

Step 9: Once you've got it how you like it, with the remaining piece of fabric your going to turn it into a seam.

Step 10: With your adhesive spray or a glue gun. Spray just underneath the seam and push down to hold in place, use a towel to flatten out firmly.

Step 11: Tidy up time, with your spray adhesive, lightly spray under all the extra fabric hanging over the edge and fold it over the lampshade, the next picture shows you what it will look like as you go.

Step 12: Keep folding all the seams and spraying underneath as you go. Sometimes this can be a bit fiddly, I do find it easier to use a glue gun but not everyone has one of these, so for now we will use this method.

Step 13: Your nearly there, do the same for the top of the lampshade, folding and spraying the adhesive as you go. Allow to dry for at least an Hour before using.

You should now have a complete lampshade. yum JUST LIKE THE PICTURE! Maybe A Slightly Different Fabric :) x

Busy mitts with technology

2012-12-29T07:11:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted but here are som of the things I have been making recently, Christmas is a very busy time of the year despite the weather you,d think you would have plenty of time to sew but it is not the case at the moment. I've been making ipad covers, iMac covers and sewing machine covers. Embracing new technology in full crafty know how, what a lovely mix. X

Another Stunning Day at the Office!

2012-10-23T14:48:00.001-07:00

Look at what arrived today! A whole stash of delectable fabrics! It'll be a struggle to part with these, I'm sure. I'll have to make a cushion in every fabric by the end of the week, or I might just pop. You want to peak? I know you do.

Heres a little snippet of my new arrivals. You can purchase all of these at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Patchwork-Paradise

I've put them on a special 24 hour listing! Grab a bargain. Happy Stitching x

Tampering with Tapestry!

2012-10-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

I've been at my machine today, a colleague asked me to turn her tapestry into a cushion. So here's what I came up with, I wasn't overly keen on the tapestry and felt it lacked a little life but now it's had a face lift it looks tempting enough to put on my sofa, although I am sure she'd want it back! I've used Tilda Molly Blue and Inca Blue fabrics for this cushion, which I sell in my shop. You only need a very small piece of something gorgeous to turn it into something worthy of a place in your home. Have a good day and happy stitching. x

A little update and welcome to Patchwork Paradise!

2012-10-18T05:20:00.004-07:00

It's been a while since I have had time to catch up with you all but here is a quick update. The last couple of months have been manic, working, working and well more working. I've been setting up my only little business and it's finally hit off the ground and I'm very proud to announce, I have opened a shop where we specialise in smaller pieces of fabric for patchwork and small home furnishings. We stock a lovely range of fabrics from Michael Miller to Tilda and even a little bit of Cath Kidston. Although busy I have managed to finish a couple of stitching projects and here they are for you all to see:

I've had a real passion for making lampshades recently and this one I sewn by hand, I simply love it for it's vintage but retro style.

I've finished my Emily Peacock Cross Stitch and I'm very happy with it, it's looking rather beautiful next to my handmade bunny, given to me as a gift from my little sister.

I've even tried more modern lampshades, added a bit of Ric Rac and walla! The lampshade looks simply gorgeous, best part is, you can use absolutely any fabric you love, to customise it to suit your home.

So I've been very busy. :)

My little fabric store is called Patchwork Paradise and you can find some lovely fabric bargains and advice from me when ever you need it.

http://stores.ebay.ie/Patchwork-Paradise

Some of the beautiful fabrics me and my husband stock are shown below. :) Happy Stitching to you all.

How to Make A Bolster Cushion - Quick and Easy

2012-05-10T09:54:00.002-07:00

Despite my busy schedule, I have managed to do my first tutorial for you on how to make a lovely bolster cushions. They are absolutely fabulous and increasingly popular. I hope you like it and it makes sense. I don't have a brilliant camera, so I've had to make do with so so pictures.

WHAT YOU NEED:

Sewing Machine
Fabric
Thread
Ribbon
Tape Measure
Pins

To start with decide the width you want your cushion to measure, mine is just under a metre in length each fabric piece has a 25cm width. Then take your various fabrics and measure 55cm's in length as shown.

I had 4 pieces measuring 55 x 25cm. Line up your fabrics in the order you want them to appear on your cushion and then sew a straight stitch for each length of fabric making sure that the pieces are back to back (as shown below)

Make sure you repeat the instructions for all your pieces of fabric depending on how much you want for your cushion.

After you have joined all your fabric together, on each end fold the fabric over by 1.5cm and straight stitch with your sewing machine from top to the bottom.

Next: fold your fabric so that it is inside out and straight stitch the entire length of the fabric. Turn your fabric right side out and you should have a nice long tube.

Next: squeeze one end of your fabric to form a neat flower as picture below and pin into place. Hand sew this so that it holds.

Next time to stuff. This is awkward due to the shape. Try to give the stuffing a real good beating before sealing and roll your bolster cushion like a rolling pin. Don't be afraid to beat it senseless to get it just how you want it. A tip is to take stuffing and place it where you can see there are gaps in your cushions to fill it properly. It should look something like this.

With the other end of the fabric repeat the method as above. Make another flower and pin and sew into place.

Give your cushion a good wack! Finally as a finishing touch I put some coordinating ribbon on the ends of my cushion and I am very happy with the results. I hope yours turns out nicely. I'm not very good with instructions but I thought I'd have a go. Hope you like it.

Recently.........

2012-05-04T08:02:00.001-07:00

I've been super busy the last week, I finished 4 x 12 hours shifts in a row on Wednesday and today I am test running my first day as a domiciliary carer, which is very exciting. I also have been practicing my crochet, because frankly, I crochet like a small child. So here's how it's going, my tension is getting better but their is no way I can crochet to size yet.

I also have this cute little cross stitched butterfly to show you, I think it's beautiful and it only took me 4 hours. I got it free with CrossStitcher magazine. Also some more news, I was thrilled to be contact by The World of Cross Stitch to feature in letters page and I also won a prize, I've got to wait till the 20th June though, boohoo. I'm to excited. x

Quilting Temptation and Shoe Creations

2012-04-26T05:23:00.001-07:00

I tried my hand at quilting yesterday and made this scrummy Cushion. I used Cath Kidstons Fabric and a felt square to make the heart in the centre. I've never used my machine before to applique something, so I decided to applique the heart to my cushion. I think the results came out surprisingly scrumptious. As this is a first attempt in many things, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I also whipped up the 9 square patchwork cushion with the free fabric from the Sew magazine this month. I am gradually getting a very tasty, comfy cushion sofa.

I've started a little unexpected project. I wanted to try to spice up my shoes. I've got a couple of pairs that are in need of love. Here's how it's going so far. I've got a fabulous idea to also make an oversize red bow and to attach this to the front of each shoe. I need to find the right needle, strong enough to stitch through the shoe. x

Fashion Passion (Desigual, Irregular Choice and Ness)

2012-04-20T14:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone who has met me knows that I am a saucy eccentric dresser. I don't do normal! The bigger and brighter the better. I went out yesterday wearing this tangtastic outfit and felt that it was good enough to show off to you. A lot of people lack the courage in wearing bright and bold colours but I want people to be inspired to get out their tangerines and strawberries and spread a little colour and happiness in the world. I often get compliments that my dress sense lights up the room and brings a cheery smile to a gloomy world. Perhaps my outfits aren't to every ones taste but they suit me and my personality, which is what matters the most. I dress according to who I am, not according to what is in fashion, which is so over-rated. What's new in Vogue is next months history and for a normal everyday woman, you just can't afford to keep up with Fashion, so forget them and create your own.

The Shoes - Irregular Choice Flik Flaks
The Dress - Desigual
The Jacket - Ness
The Bracelet - Made by Me :) x

Stitched for Love

2012-04-19T06:31:00.001-07:00

I got a couple of scrummy pictures for you. The first is a project I started in January and I've just finished it off today. It was a gift for my husbands wedding Anniversary, instead of a traditional card. I made it with gorgeous Cath Kidston Strawberry Fabric and Laura Ashley Gingham. Super Scrummy, it's become more of a gift for me as it adorns my sofa. Love it.

Next: I had a wonderful package in the post today. I bought what I would define as perfect fabric, which includes some Tanya Whelan, Tilda and Amy Butlers scrummy designs. Which ones your favourite? Can you match designs to the designers. x

I've got Mollie Makes Madness

2012-04-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

I just picked up the new Mollie Makes magazine, and I was thoroughly happy with the cute little pooches on the front. I just adore them. I have all the wonderful magazines except Issue 1 and 3 :(
These are proving to be crazily expensive to purchase and I can't really afford to spend 30£ on one of these magazines. If you haven't been introduced to Mollie Makes, you are truely missing out. Here's a little glimpse of their gorgeous goodness so far. If you just love what you see you can find out more here ---------------> http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/

Oh and if their are any issues 1 and 3 out their that are reasonable, please contact me I would love a copy. x

Coton De Tulear cross Yorkshire Terrier (6 Months Old)

2012-04-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

My family have been baby sitting this cute little baby dog (called Maxwell) and I've fallen utterly in love with him. I just had to go see him and love him. His fur is so soft it's like baby hair and he is so tiny, honestly the cutest dog ever. Pictures just not do him justice and he is so affectionate. My hubby has said I can have one when we move to a bigger house as we live in a flat now, so it wouldn't be fair to have pets who have no Garden. If you have never felt or seen this dog breed, then you haven't discovered the cutest and softest pups on the planet! He's a real life Teddy bear. x

Cushion Mad with Tanya Whelan Scrummy Fabric

2012-04-13T03:11:00.002-07:00

I am falling in love with my sewing machine! Finally. My second cushion creation and this ones gorgeous purely because the fabric is like candy to a baby, for me that is. I also am enjoying making my Ribbon Flower Corsages as just a little extra sparkle for my tasty sofa treats. I need more ideas to pop into my head and I wish to get to grips with using an embroidery foot on my sewing machine, so I can freestyle sew! I'm so envious of those who can do it. Any tips? x

Scottie Dog Cushion

2012-04-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

I've had a number of issues with my sewing machine recently and have been frightened of using it. So frightened that I have been hand sewing everything for the past year! My hubby and me sat about the task to figure out what was going wrong with it and alas it works better than it did. He even bought me a book for me to understand how to use my sewing machine better. I am really very awful at it and find it a very frightening machine.

So after twiddling, fiddling and threading, this is what I set about making. I had no real plan but to simply get to grips with my machine again. Which worked a treat and in the process I made an uber cute Patchwork cushion, with one little cute scottie dog and a pretty ribbon accessory. I think it looks lovely as an end result and considering it was just a mash up, it turned out rather well. Yippee!

Oh and a lovely tip to make the ribbon accessory! Take 5 - 8 lengths of ribbon (Dependant on thickness) all the same size and fold them over (So that the joins meet in the middle underneath), take one pin and prop your 1st folded ribbon on to your pin (Neat Side Up), repeat with the rest and adjust the angles according to how you want (Like a rotary clock). Once you have all your ribbons in position, place a button on top and sew together! :)

Work Work Work! Followed by a little Cake!

2012-02-17T09:28:00.004-08:00

I have had literally no time to do anything this last week, I've been working most Nights. So I thought I'd post a stunning Chocolate Cupcake Recipe I used for my wedding. These are absolutely divine!

The recipe is as follows:

Should make between 10 and 15
130g Good Quality Dark Choc
80g Unsalted Butter
175g Soft Brown Sugar
3 medium eggs
185g Plain flour
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Bicarbonate soda
200ml Semi Skimmed Milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 Table spoons cocoa powder

Cream the sugar and butter together
Add the eggs, vanilla essence and melted Chocolate. (You can do this in a bowl, heated over water)
Mix ingredients together
Gradually add in the Flour, cocoa powder, Baking Powder, and Bicarb and stir.
Gradually add the milk to the mixture!
Now all you need is your bun cases.
Bake in the oven at 180* for roughly about 20-25mins depending on your oven. Allow to cool for an hour before icing.

Choc Buttercream

170g Chocolate (Dark)
200g Butter
250g Icing Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extra

Cream the Butter
Sift the icing sugar into the butter
Melt the chocolate and add gradually to the mixture, ensuring it isn't to hot.
Finally add the vanilla :)
Mix together! :)

Getting Organised and the winner is!

2012-02-07T07:17:00.000-08:00

So recently, I have been gathering more and more crafty bits and I know for a fact I am spoilt rotten by my other half. So in return it is our anniversary coming up at the end of February and I have bought him a lovely stack of presents and it's so hard not to give them to him but I must wait. Anyway, so as I have got so many goodies and such a little house it was time to be proactive and make crafty storage. So here it is.

My Bead Storage System! :) I love Crystals

My Scrummy Papers and Stamps, which I still haven't used! I have tons.

Cross Stitch Chart Storage by Alphabet and Theme :) x

Scrummy Fimo in a Box

Oh and my pretty magazine holder! Love it. I need more space it's crammed.

As, there were only 2 entries to my competition, I've decided both of them will receive 2 kits each. Shame really, I thought it was a lovely prize. Oh well, I'll do a competition at the beginning of each month. Maybe I'll find something more to the liking of people. x

Cross Stitch Giveaway :)

2012-02-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

I thought I would do a little giveaway on my blog today! :)

The winner will receive
1x Magnetic Beefeater Cross Stitch Kit
1x Festive Tag Cross Stitch Kit
1x Reindeer Cake Banner Cross Stitch Kit

All you have to do is sign up as a follower on my blog and tell me what you think the best Cross Stitch Kit is available to buy today, I will look through all the selections and the one I choose to make will automatically win the prize. :) I'll PM the winner for their postage address.

The charts are all inside the magazines, which I don't wish to cut up, but they are available on the Cross Stitcher website. You may wish to make your own little ideas up :) Have fun though :)

Closing Date is Monday 6th February at Midnight :) x

Creature comforts - Adorable Bracelet

2012-01-28T00:36:00.000-08:00

This is just to cute for words. I got back from work this morning, I'm shattered and thought I'd post my little creation. It has a baby turtle, pig, mouse, duck and rabbit. All super adorable. I hope you do like this, took me a while to make. I've never been very good at making animals but the results are lovely. :)

Enjoy my little farmhouse friends, oh and how cute is that rainbow swirl bead! X

Chocolate Madness Bracelet & Earrings

2012-01-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last night I spent all night dreaming in chocolate and decided to make a bracelet full of many chocolate treats! A girl just loves chocolates, so why would a girl not want one. I work in a Severe Learning Disability home and I have donated 1 chocolate bracelet, 1 Cake Bracelet, 1 Breakfast bracelet and one set of earrings to the hard working individuals their who try to make a difference in peoples lives. If you'd like your very own chocolate bracelet, you can purchase one from http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/robertandjenny/m.html :) x

My husband tells me I'm to generous and I keep giving a way my jewellery, rather than attempting to sell it. Which is really what I would like to do in the future, that definitely seems a long way off, if I carry on giving my goodies away. LOL. Ah well I can't help it. I think it comes as a real surprise to people when they receive something for nothing. I often want to donate a lot of goodies to the people in my care but such is life they would try to eat them, so for now I give them tasty treats (real ones), pretty magazines and my free range services setting about to repair all their teddy bears and belongings should they get ruined. Bless their hearts, God willing, I pray they one day get better but I know this may never happen, so for now I do everything I can to make there lives as fulfilling as possible. x

Doggy Wog Door Stop

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

I absolutely adore dogs, I'm also not allowed on as I live in a flat. :(

So I make do with my friendly doggy door stops dotted around the house, I have quite a few. After my Aunty came to stay she saw my doggies, and fell in love with one, so I had to make it for her.

So this is super cute Charlie, Ralph the other dog is very jealous of his new friend! Pictures don't do him justice, I'll be honest. x

Liquorice Pendant

2012-01-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

I have slept in til 3pm today as I have a nasty headache and have tried to get rid of it. :(

Its always hard to be creative when your under the weather, so I just went and made something very simple today. I detest Liquorice Alsorts but suffice to say they are just to good to pass up an opportunity to make something sweet as they do look divine as Jewellery.

I have just made this liquorice pendant, necklace not pictured in tow yet. I am thinking of making many mini liquorices to make up the chain. We'll see how it goes, as for now, I'm logging off. xx

Blanket converted to cushion

2012-01-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, so a couple of days ago I showed you all a picture of my crochet patchwork blanket in progress, I randomly decided to turn it into a cushion and make a little mouse to sit on top of it and sniff some flowers. I do want to make a crochet blanket, I just felt I wanted a slight different colour arrangement. So, here it is. What do you think? x

My tension is not great, this is the first thing I've ever made since learning to crochet last month. Not to bad for a beginner but there is alot of room for improvement. x

Scrumptious Polymer Clay Breakfast

2012-01-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

Last Night I set about creating a new bracelet out of Polymer Clay, this one is themed around what people may have for breakfast. I personally think this is one tasty bracelet. This little bracelet is now going on sale at Etsy, along with my fruit tart earrings. I've never sold anything before, so I'm going to give it ago. I'll let the pictures do the talking!

2012-01-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

Not much to add today, other than I'm poorly with the sniffles and need a strong spicy curry to knock it in to the 6th century. Cough Cough! I was reminiscing over some old crafts I use to do, I use to make these snazzy bookmarks out of cereal boxes and odds & ends of fabric. I think they are awesomely cute, I gave them all away, so I think perhaps I will whip up a few more! They are so easy to make, why don't you have a go! All you need is some cardboard, scrap ribbon and fabric and maybe a few buttons of your own choice.

Lemon Meringue Pie!

2012-01-20T06:35:00.000-08:00

Okay so today is a poorly day, I feel abit run down, working nights get's the best of me. I decided to cheer myself up with a sweet treat, homemade lemon meringue pie. Nummy, and this recipe is divine it's made the good old fashioned way. Except I cheated to whisk my meringues.

For the Pastry:
8 oz Plain Flour
4oz Unsalted Butter/Lard
Pinch of Salt
2oz Icing Sugar
4-6 Tablespoons of water, or until good non sticky consistency

1) Flour, salt and Icing sugar in bowl add the butter and make into fine breadcrumbs.
2) Add water gradually till non sticky pasty consistency.
3) Leave in fridge for 30 mins
4) Bake for 10 mins before putting your filling in

Filling
2 Lemon Rinds
2 Juice of Lemon
1 1/4 cup of water
175g Caster Sugar
2oz butter
3 Egg Yolks
50g Cornflour

1) Bring to the boil the lemon rinds, water, sugar and cornflour till thickened.
2) Once thickened take of heat and gradually stir in Lemon, Egg Yolks and Butter
3) Bring back to a very low heat, gas mark 1 or 2, and it's ready to fill your pastry

Meringue
3 Egg Whites Whisk Eggs till stiff peaks
75g Sugar add half after whisking eggs and gently beat in remaining
Bake the pie at 190 or gas mark 5 or 6 for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top!

My Pictures aren't great but I'm telling you this is a super tasty pie!