Jet Designs - Crafts & Books

Four down Five to go

I made two more blocks for my table top runner - I am going to try and do two a night on the nights that I don't make beads.  Tonight was not a beading night - It is soooooo cold here and the thought of going down to the laundrio (studio in the laundry) was totally unbearable - bring on Summer!

So here is four - another five to go!

I may need some bloggy help once I get to the sashing and construction stage - so all be warned, I am slowly building myself up to the idea.

I would also like to give you the link to Rachel's Blog  - she is the designer of the project I am attempting, she was kind enough to leave a comment on my first two blocks.

Table Top Runner

What am I doing to myself?

Another project! - I am itching to do some sewing and found a really simple (I hope so) table runner come lap quilt that I am going to attempt to complete.

I have a stash of 5" charm squares that have been sitting in the draw for far far far too long - and I have decided that before I go and spend money on fabric and I going to use what I have! -

I found this tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop blog - I am yet to have a good look at their site, not game to at the moment, in case I find something else that I want to create.

I have never backed a quilt or sashed a quilt so this is going to be a huge learning curve for me.  Given the fact that I haven't outlayed money on new fabric, I am quite at ease using the charm squares that I have in the draw and happy to experiment with them.  If it all goes pear shaped I might make them into cushion tops or placemats.  But I will have a really good try.

I whipped the first two of nine squares up earlier tonight.  I didn't give much thought to the layout of the charms as I didn't want to get bogged down in decisions, I just wanted to get sewing.  I hope the randomness of the layout all fits together at the end.  Bold and retro!

Winner for Clucky

Thanks to all who commented on the clucky post - she has been very popular in store with everyone asking for the pattern.

The winner of the pattern from a number in a hat - goes to Johanna - please email me your details so that I can send the pattern on to you.

Did you know that the Finders Keepers Markets ( extremely popular in Sydney) are coming to Brisbane at the end of Oct - It will be held at the Old Museum at Herston - I will let you know a bit more about them in the coming week - I will be putting in my submission to have a stall with my lampwork beads and jewellery.  This market is a true artisan market will all goods being produced by the artist themselves.  Great time to shop for Christmas presents I say - original , one of a kind, arts and crafts.

Can't Post with out a photo - this is the new tree that I have on my wall at the shop with a few stray kittens in the branches - we will be selling these lovely wall decals very soon - custom made by myself and one a my friends husbands! - Look out they are all the rage - they will also be available on the website soon.

 

A Clucky Brood & Pattern Giveaway

I finished a project! - I am so excited with myself.  I was determined to finish a project within a week and I have done it.

I completed one of the new patterns from Melly & me - Clucky.  By leaving a comment on this post you will go into the draw to win the pattern so you can add to the hen house as well.

I thought I would also add a photo of my space I work from at home. I just wish I had time to organise it better, but I can't complain as it is all my own space and I rarely have to compete for it.

I have alot of new Melly & me patterns in store - so visit my website to check out some of the new designs.

Anna Maria Horner hits Jet!

Don't worry I'm sure she is alright! - Just me playing on words

I now have in stock the new Anna Maria Horner Sewing pattern - YUMMY!

In the same box arrived the new Amy Bulter Software CD - Can't wait to have time to play with this one as well

So if you are after modern sewing patterns be sure to check my online store out. Please support your Australian retailers as we would really like to stay around for you all!

Cheers and happy sewing

In the next blog I will show you my progess on Clucky - on of the new Melly & me patterns - very very cute!

Fabric Buttons and Yo Yo's for Jewellery

A couple of days ago I received my fabric pack from Kimono House - I am part of the Fabric Club and we are sent swatches of fabric that is new to the store.  I often wonder what to do with small pieces of fabric since I don't do a lot of quilting.  The jewellery designer came out in me today and a couple of ideas popped into my head.

I have used some the the fabric to make small yo yo's with the help of a clover yo yo maker and also some extra large self covering metal buttons.

I am attaching jump rings (sewn on) to the yo yos so that I can attach them to the jewellery design - not to sure yet what I will do - but it is a start.

I also made a yo yo flower and attached one of my handcrafted lampwork beads for the centre - the colours just went together so well I couldn't resist.  The button and the beaded flower will become the focals of my design.

I just loved the sample of fabric that had the bird on it - I think I must buy some more of this one it is so cute.

Three New Yummy Patterns

Today I received three patterns that I have not had in stock before - they are a bit on the same wave length as the Amy Butler patterns - but I really like them - they have a bit of a different twist and also show ways of changing them up.

These have already been uploaded to my website for sale and Skirt and Tunic patterns are $21.95 and the bag pattern is $17.95

Juliet Tunic

Francesca Skirt

Carmen Convertible Bag - OOOH I like this one!!

Couldn't help myself - I was on a roll!

Well I finished my beads in record time, so my mind started to wandered to the almost completed bag.  It was 8.00p.m. so I thought to myself there is nothing that I really want to watch on TV, so why not finish it.  So I drove down to our shop and picked up some magnetic clasps and headed back home. Lucky for me we only live a short distance from work.

Here is the finished bag ( haven't hand sewn the lining opening yet :P) In front is another coin purse I made from Nikki's patterns this one in the 90 cm coin purse.  Since I made a pretty good job on this pattern out of the Japanese Mag I am going to attempt another tomorrow (maybe).

I think I should learn the Japanese Language

When I was in Melbourne last month I visited Kanga Kanga (Japanese magazine store).  I spent a fair bit of time there flicking through the craft magazines.  The guy who runs it was so lovely - he pulled me up a chair and found all the mags that he thought I would be interested in  I just wish I could actually read them - but I had to look at the pictures and pick the ones with the best diagrams.

Today I decided to tackle a handbag pattern from the Cotton Time mag that I bought.

 

I really don't like that materials or lace in the picture but I liked the shape of it.

Reading back to front and trying to work out which pattern is for what bag - has taken me ages - thank god for the diagrams. I think there is about 12 patterns all printed on one page!!

 

So I have started cutting out and sewing some sections up - I took it for granted that I would have to add seam allowances (wasn't totally sure) but I did and it seems to be working out.  I am using a stash of Heather Bailey fabric that I bought some time ago. - I haven't got any magnetic buttons at home so I can't go to much further -  I really don't want to go down to my shop to get them. So I will go as far as I can, which is probably a good thing, as I have 3 custom bead orders that were supposed to be made by tomorrow and I haven't even started them yet - that will be tonight's assignment.

Anyway back to the family - Ella has just jumped on Jim and hit him somewhere unexpected so there is a bit of swearing and crying happening at the moment, I better go sort it out! :P

Give me coins so I can fill my purse!

Tonight - I made a coin purse - pattern from Nikki - I have these patterns in store now in kit form if you want to make one as well.

This was my first attempt at a coin purse with lining and boxed corners - I was afraid - but oh my god - what a fantastic pattern writer Nikki is - If you haven't sewn much - this girls patterns are for you - I am a basic sewer - straight lines , buttonholes, some darts - thats about it - so I was worried that I would start it and it never be finished and hidden in a drawer with other crafty mishaps - No NO No.  It was well explained, great photos and diagrams and a breeze to do.  I achieved this in about an hour and a half - amazing for me - and it will only get faster with the more I do - 

Hats off to Nikki - for being a true professional at what she does.

If you are looking for Nikki's patterns - I have a great range on our website and in our store