Saturday, 23 February 2013

A little bit of thriftiness

I have been sewing on this and that the past few weeks, and trying to get a bit of freshening up done. I love to spruce things up, but I enjoy even more going through my stash of materials and changing cushions, cloths and throws to say hello to Spring. Sort of reminds me of little mole in Wind In The Willows, by Kenneth Grahame one of my favourite books as a child, still is now come to think of it!





A couple of cushions for the sofa, the main fabric bought from  a local fabric store www.abakhan.co.uk  was originally made up as a table cloth, then transformed into these covers with the help of fabric I already had. 

I then put to good use some shirts that were no longer being worn into a tablecloth, leaving on buttons and pockets as decorative features.


On a country ramble signs of  Spring on the way,






Here are some images of a quilt first shown being pieced together in an earlier post that I have just finished, which will be on its' way to Australia shortly. This was sold through hastings-crystal.co.uk






These pieces of fabric below are  a mixture of pinks, blues and peaches with added darker tones which will be made up into a square shape, machine pieced and handquilted. Not sure about the borders yet. 



Great excitement as I have been lucky enough to secure a  place on a seminar in July by Kaffe Fassett, http://kaffefassett.com/Home.html organised by the people at Toft thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/Article_Pages_AboutToft.aspx 
Quilts and wool what a glorious combination!

I have been reading posts on http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/ so many busy creative people! So please take a look at all the activities going on.
Wendy x 
P.S.

A big thank you to all my followers, and visitors to my blog, and of course I love to read  your comments.  
Posted by AliceAndFlorence at 06:26

32 comments:

  1. Crafted by Carly23 February 2013 at 12:16

    I LOVE those first flowers of springtime! They're so welcome!!!
    The seminar sounds VERY exciting!
    Carly
    x

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 01:53

      I know! I have always admired Kaffee Fassetts' work. His use of colour is simply beautiful.
      Wendy x

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  2. sweetbriardreams23 February 2013 at 13:40

    I love the cushions for the sofa, what an individual design. Congratulations on securing a place at the seminar. Take care. Chel x

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 01:55

      Thank you. It's great when you can put fabrics new and older together. I love to experiment and see what happens!
      Wendy x

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  3. Unknown24 February 2013 at 01:10

    hello..I saw a man in the farm shop the other day who looked just like Moley!! bless loved the wind in the willows...love all your pretty makes, I like to have a good spring clean and change things around, it feels good xx :-)

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 02:03

      I have to admit to seeing passing resemblances to certain characters on my travels!
      Will be placing out more pieces for the quilt I mentioned above some time today whilst listening to the radio, bliss!
      Wendy x

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  4. Highland Monkey's24 February 2013 at 11:06

    Gorgeous quilts and love the hand embroidered hearts. We don't have daffs out yet but they are so jolly and bright just what we need. Jealous of your seminar hope you take lots of notes and photos so we can pretend we were there as well!!

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 12:17

      I shall do my best. Must remember to take enough batteries for actually taking photos! I will be posting about it that's for sure.
      Wendy x

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  5. Anonymous24 February 2013 at 12:00

    I really love the idea of swapping cushions and throws in the spring - I just haven't got the storage or even things. Maybe one day. I was a bit unsure about your re-cycled table cloth until I saw it. It sets off your daffs beautifully and the buttons are a quirky detail. Hope you have a good week :)

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 12:19

      Thank you. I just like the different ways fabrics around the home can be used. Have a good week too.
      Wendy x

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  6. Anonymous24 February 2013 at 12:09

    Lucky you, going to that workshop. Sounds like heaven - wool & quilts in one day! Love your quilty delights!

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 12:22

      Thanks. Some of my favourite things, I tend to sew during daylight hours when I can, and knit or crochet in the evenings.
      Wendy x

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  7. Wendy24 February 2013 at 12:29

    Wow, the Kaffe Fassett workshop sounds very exciting! I imagine it will be very motivational,too. I'm officially very envious - I love his work.

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 12:50

      Yes I am rather thrilled. His work is so special. I love looking at the photos in his books for inspiration.
      Wendy x

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  8. Fiddly Fingers24 February 2013 at 12:29

    Some lovely fabrics and photos in this post and lucky you going to a Kaffe Fassett Seminar :)

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    1. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 12:53

      Thanks. I'm really looking forward to it. Will probably travel down the day before. Have a wander round and maybe even visit a fabric shop, or make a thrifty find!
      Wendy x

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  9. Ginx Craft24 February 2013 at 13:40

    How exciting about the Kaffe Fassett. I love the house fabric. My husband has just sorted out his clothes cupboard, and I have stashed away some of his shirts, which I could not bear to take to the clothes recyling. You may have given me some inspiration.

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  10. AliceAndFlorence24 February 2013 at 13:52

    You can never have too many shirts. One of Kaffees' quilts is based on shirting fabrics. The house fabric is called St Ives, quite a coincidence considering I am a huge fan of Cornwall.
    Wendy x

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  11. Free Spirit Designs24 February 2013 at 15:14

    Oooh i love that cushion and your gorgeous upcycled Spring table cloth! Its so lovely to freshen you decor for the new season isn't it :)

    your quilt is gorgeous too, so many lovely fabrics! x

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 00:41

      Thanks. I am on the lookout to add a bit of vintage fabric to the next quilt, a good excuse for a thrifty wander!
      Wendy x

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  12. CatkinJane24 February 2013 at 23:25

    I'm another lover of Wind in the Willows and love the idea of your re-makes - so nice to look at something anew!

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 01:02

      I love the idea of different kinds of homes and drawings of them,lots of circles and curves. Eg Hobbit homes, or up the far away tree, bits of gingham curtains blowing in the breeze; and sea side cottages such as the ones in the illustrations of The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber, and illustrated by Nicolas Bayley. There is a lovely page where Mowza the cat is perched on a hexi cushion, and I just want to be there!
      Wendy x

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  13. Christmas Pie Crafts25 February 2013 at 01:54

    So many lovely makes, so many lovely fabrics. Also love Wind in the Willows - such a fun story. Also love the various interpretations on film and television. Hope you have a good week.

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 05:07

      Thank you. I like to read modern fiction, but also love going back to more traditional stories. Jut posted another quilt, and in the midst of designing another. I love deciding how to work on a piece, and how it's going to appear.
      Wendy x

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  14. Sue25 February 2013 at 04:17

    Know just what you mean about WInd in the Willows!
    Love the individuality of the quilting.. Sue

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 05:10

      Thanks! I tend to find it comes easier to me to work in traditional ways, whilst also exploring using different fabrics and colours together.
      Wendy x

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  15. Anonymous25 February 2013 at 12:06

    The tablecloth made from shirts is genius - I love it. The colours are fab too! I have also made a note of your fabric shop's website - it looks like one that I need to investigate a bit more. xx

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 13:07

      Thankyou. Abakhan is great for pottering around in. Some of the fabric is on the roll, and others by weight. One of the places I go to quite often.
      Wendy x

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  16. Gertie25 February 2013 at 13:01

    Lucky you going to a Kaffe Fassett seminar. I've been a fan of his for many years. Thought the shirt tablecloth was a great idea.

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    1. AliceAndFlorence25 February 2013 at 13:10

      So looking forward to going...I like the idea of using fabrics one way, then giving them a new lease of life as something different!
      Wendy x

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  17. Ali26 February 2013 at 01:18

    The cushions look lovely, great fabric. Isn't it wonderful to see spring finally appearing? Your quilts are beautiful. Just out of interest how long does it take to make one? It's not something I'd ever contemplate doing. Hope you have another inspirational week.
    Ali x

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  18. AliceAndFlorence26 February 2013 at 13:25

    Regarding quilt making time, it all depends on whether it's a single block pattern, eg squares, or something with more complex shapes would take longer. There's more cutting and sewing. Then again there's a time difference with hand or machine quilting, how close or apart the quilting is done. But I love doing it, hand quilting is so relaxing to do.
    Maybe one day you'll give it a go!
    Wendy x

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