diy blanket stitch detail for cushions

I have been admiring cushions with blanket stitch detail in the stores recently.  So when I came across my old velvet cushions in the cupboard I knew I had to give them a quick update.  Blanket stitch is really easy to do, even if you have never sewn before, follow my quick lessons below and you will be adding stitch detail to everything in no time.

You will need: 

• an embroidery needle
• wool in a contrasting colour
• old or new cushion cover with closure in middle of back
• each cushion took me an hour or so in front of the tv

You cannot do this edge detail in a cushion that has the closure in the edge seam or you will be sewing it closed permanently.

Blanket stitch in 4 easy steps:

• Start stitching by putting needle through the side seam from the inside of the cushion (I forgot to photograph this step)
• photo 1 - do first stitch a centimetre down from the edge, and a centimetre from the point where the wool is coming through the seam.  I used the edge of the seam as a guide, stitching just below it so that the fabric wasn't to thick to push the needle through.
• photo 2 - pull the needle through making sure that it goes through the loop of the remaining wool so that you will 'catch' the wool to create the blanket stitch detail.  See how the needle is on top of the remaining wool in both 1 and 2
• photo 3 - pull the wool through making sure you have caught the remaining wool.  With your left hand pull the wool across to the left, it makes the stitch cleaner.
• photo 4 - once the stitch is complete keep the tension in the wool with your left hand as you begin the next stitch.

Its a lovely way to add colour subtly to a room and works especially well where the colour of the wool and cushion fabric have a big contrast.  I love the idea of grey cushions with a very bright blanket stitch detail.

These cushions are going to go on the girls beds in the cottage, nice and cuddly and so much prettier than they were.

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#craftparty...Recapture: bring new meaning to old photographs

Every year Etsy throws a global craft party and we all get to be a part of it.  This year on the 6th June people all over the world will be reinventing old photographs in their own crafty way.  The same day I heard about the party my cousin sent me so great old photo's she found, it was mean to be.  I am taking inspirations from these amazing embroidered photography artworks.

Jose Romussi

Shaun Kardinal reinvents vintage postcards

 Fab diy for your own project by Brigitte, and an embroidered map for sale on Etsy

If you need inspiration browse the Etsy party board, packed with gorgeous supplies for your own party and photo project, you can even buy old photo's here.

I will be using some of these old beauties, a teeny me with my lovely uncle and his dog, and my beloved granny as a young woman, and experimenting with some embroidery silks and wool.  I have some ideas on how to make easy to do and easy to use in your own project.
Pop back on the 6th to see my photo recapture ideas and share yours with me at #craftparty on social media.  Take it offline and find a craft party being hosted near you, there are tons all over the world, or host one yourself.  Make sure you join in, even if its just commenting on the ones you like!!

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Collaboration, pushing your creative boundaries to success

Two lessons I am taking from Alt Summit are: 
- having guts to take risks pays off, and 
- design collaboration pushes your creative boundaries and can produce great results.

This struck a chord with me specifically because in the the last month I had two unexpected design successes.  Both came from collaborations (from Alt Summit related contacts) and both were out of my comfort zone, both meant I had to take a chance and face possible rejection.

The first came out of a collaboration with Ashley Pahl, a wonderful blogger I met during an Alt Summit online lecture.  Ashley needed submissions for her ezine, Snowed In and I worked on a few ideas.  One was an embroidery DIY, I haven't done embroidery for years but I saw something quite basic in a high end children's design store and thought I could improve on it.
Not only did Ashley accept the DIY for her magazine, but a few weeks ago my embroidery was picked up by Apartment Therapy!  In the blog world this is big!  I still can't quite believe it so I included a screen print just to make sure!!

The second collaboration came out of a competition run for 2013 Alt Summit SLC attendees by fashionABLE.  FashionABLE is an inspiring organisation.  A grassroots business creating a sustainable business in Ethiopia, empowering vulnerable women, helping them create new lives for themselves and their families.  They weave and sell beautiful scarves and when you buy a scarf you are not making a donation, you are buying a desirable item and giving the woman who made it hope, a future, a purpose, dignity.  Touchingly each scarf has a handwritten note from its creator, telling you simply what they are ABLE to do because you made this purchase.  As I said before, very inspiring, go and have a look for yourself.
The fashionABLE challenge was to design a scarf, the best designs to be woven in Ethiopia, presented at Alt SLC, and voted on by attendees.  The winning scarf to be made for Mothers Day.
I was inspired by the Africa I love, sketched madly at 3 in the morning and sent off multiple designs, and I was totally honoured to discover that two of my designs were not only created but chosen for the top four.  The top two below are mine.

Ultimately neither won the contest (the beautiful black and white was the champion) but it was exhilarating to have something go from my imagination to reality.  I really do feel I won the jackpot anyway.  And there is a good chance the yellow design, called "A Prayer for Rain" will be made this year, I will certainly let you know!!  Thats me below modelling them at Alt!

Hopefully the true winners will be the women whose lives and families are being changed forever.    And I hope it is not the last time I collaborate with the fashionABLE organisation.

For me taking the plunge, pushing my creative limits, risking rejection, its been very worthwhile.  I look forward to future collaborations, meeting incredible people who are taking on the world, to working on projects that will make me grow, its just a part of this wonderful journey that blogging is taking me on.

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i've gone global baby...emroidery diy published in "Snowed In"

Snowed In Magazine published its debut issue today and I am very proud to be a contributor!  This free online magazine is the creation of Ashley Pahl of She Makes a Home.   
I designed and made the embroidery below with a full DIY especially for this issue and was delighted when it was accepted.  Also look out for my mulled wine and fresh apple and rocket salad recipes.  If you are planning to cook my busy mum's pork belly this is the salad I serve with it.

I have had a quick read and Snowed In is full of craft, recipes and tutorials, gift ideas. A sneak peek of my mulled wine below, well worth curling up on the couch for a leisurely browse, I am planning a proper read later tonight.

Gift ideas for big and small and a hair tutorial (all images from Snowed In)

Ok now go and read it and let me know what you think!!  And pop in and tell Ashley too, I am sure she would love to know.

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