Mabel. A restoration project!

Meet Mabel!

She's a vintage 118 year old girl. 

A Singer 28k sewing machine from 1901.

Mabel was given to my girls by their father a few years ago when he found it hiding in a very battered suitcase under a pile of junk in the loft of a property he bought. He knew I had just bought electric machines for them to start them on their sewing journey, but thought they could use this one when they stayed with him. At the time, I knew they would not be able to work a heavy vintage machine like this without lots of help and guidance but, rather than let him take it to the tip, I took it in and it has been sat on display in our dining room ever since.

Originally a hand-crank, Mabel was converted to a motorised machine by Singer at some point during the 70's.

I gingerly switched her on when I first got her and was relieved that she didn't blow up and amazed that the light still worked!

 

I knew she needed a good clean, service and oil but was wary of the motor, it made an awful noise and barely turned the flywheel so I knew something needed looking at there! All her moving parts work, nothing has seized up and she was clearly well looked after during her working life, she has a few chips and marks and isn't as shiny as she once would have been but it's nice to think that she has history.

Fast forward to now and I have decided to restore Mabel to her former pre-motor self. After researching, I have discovered that it is an easy job to remove the motor and add the hand crank handle, so after a bit of a search I have purchased a used handle from Ebay along with some bobbins as she takes the long rare type!

We named her Mabel after my Granny. I learnt to sew as a young child and was taught by both my Mum and Granny. Granny had a hand-crank Singer machine (a bit younger than this one) and that is the machine I learnt to sew on which really started my love of sewing, I can remember using it as a child when I used to stay at my grandparents during summer holidays. There is something about the oily smell of a vintage sewing machine and as soon as I opened up this machine all those lovely memories came flooding back!

                          

 


I am excited about this restoration project and look forward to sharing my progress :)

Happy sewing, Sharon

Posy Pleated Pants

I'm back with another Rebecca Page pattern make, this time it's the Posy Pleated Pants

I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely sure about this style of trouser on me but I like the long flowy look on others so decided I'd give them a try.

I decided to make the full length version with the sash and found this coffee coloured polka dot crepe viscose fabric which I thought gave them a vintage beach pyjama look....I did plan on getting some pics at the beach but the weather typically changed!

The pattern is available in ladies, child and even doll size so you can go matchy matchy all round if you wish :)

Now, I've been sewing for over 35 years and have sewn with a large variety of fabric types but crepe viscose is always a challenge for me! I wasn't surprised, the fabric wanted to misbehave right from the start so lots of weights required to hold the pattern in place while I cut and lots of clips to help stitch those seams straight!

Thankfully the pattern instructions, as always, are very clear and thorough, with pictures to help at every step so the construction was very easy.

The seams are all french seamed which gives a very neat and tidy finish on both the inside and out. The pattern comes with very clear instructions how to do a french seam if you are unsure.

If you are looking for a comfortable, wide legged, flowy trouser then go get the Posy pattern! They also have an elasticated back waist too, perfect after all that Easter chocolate.... ;)

I've got another make to share so back again very soon!

Happy sewing....

Sharon


I was kindly given this pattern for free by Rebecca Page to sew up for promotion.  The fabric, thoughts and opinions are my own.  

My first make as Brand Ambassador for Rebecca Page sewing patterns.

Just over a month ago, I got the really exciting news that I’d been accepted as a Brand Ambassador for rebecca-page.com sewing patterns. This means that I am generously provided with free sewing patterns, and then I get to sew them up, review and share the makes with you.  

This beautiful Unicorn Pillow is my first Rebecca Page make. It is a beginner level pattern and the pdf instructions are very thorough and easy to follow with clear pictures at every step.

I used purple velvet, pretty trims and ribbons to create this pillow for my purple-loving eldest daughter. I love that you can embellish the mane and unicorn horn to create your own magical look!

Better still, the pdf pattern is currently a freebie on the website, go get your copy here https://rebecca-page.com/product/unicorn-pillow-sewing-pattern/ 

I need to make another pillow now for my youngest and maybe a few ready for birthday invites from school friends, I think they would make a lovely gift!

I have several more sewing makes planned and will share them once finished.

Happy sewing

Sharon

I was kindly given this pattern for free by Rebecca Page to sew up for promotion.  The fabric, thoughts and opinions are my own. 
   

Back soon......

Well, it's been a few years since I updated my blog.....life on my own with 2 young children took over and keeping my blog updated had to take a rest...

My children are now 6 years older and almost self-sufficient ;) therefore I thought it time to resurrect my blog.

These days I have returned to my first love of sewing. I have been sewing for almost 40 years since I was a young child and over the years it has always been one of my many creative interests! I still have too many creative hobbies but sewing is now my focus.

I love to create clothes for my children and myself and know that they will fit, be unique and are made to last! I love how proud my children are to show off their mama-made things and both girls have a keen interest in sewing too ❤

I hope to share a make here at least monthly but if life gets in the way that's ok :)

Back with my latest make soon....

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #104 Paper piecing

Happy Monday everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Viv, who has chosen the theme 'Paper Piecing'

Viv would like to see something paper pieced on your project. You could, for example, paper piece a flower, part of your image such as a character's clothing, you could even paper piece an animal image for a funky look.. I am sure you can think of other ideas! 

Please ensure that your creation has paper piecing on it in order to qualify for the winner or top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by 

SATURATED CANARY

with two of their fabulous digis

and also by
WOODWARE

So, here is my Design Team inspiration for the challenge:

I have paper-pieced a hedgehog using the Docrafts Woodland Friends die, cutting the parts out from different coloured paper and then layering them up to make the cute little creature. I have had this die for years and this is the first time I have used it!

The background was made by running a Darice embossing folder through my Big Shot and then inking over with Walnut Stain distress ink. 

That's all for now,please pop over to the challenge blog and take a peek at the fab work my my fellow teamies. 

Back again soon x

Challenge 103 at Crafty Cardmakers - Monochromatic Purple

Happy Monday everyone, hope you all survived the storm last night with no major damage. We were all prepared here after all the warnings but thankfully not even a fence panel down.....will take a stroll down to the beach later and see how the sea is looking today.

Anyway, down to business...

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Fiona, who has chosen the theme of Purple. 

As purple is Fiona's favourite colour, she would like to see cards/projects that are all or mostly purple. Hair/skin colours are also allowed.

Please ensure that your creation is only in shades of purple plus hair and skin colours in order to qualify for the winner or top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

DI'S DIGISTAMPS
with a $10 GIFT VOUCHER

and 

HOBBY ART

with this fabulous prize:-

A beautiful sheet of clear stamps

and a gorgeous wood mounted stamp

Here's my creation:

I've used a Marianne to cut the fan from deep purple card and a pale lilac pearlescent paper. The tassle and flower were coloured purple using alcohol ink. Purple gems add a hint of sparkle. This is not my usual type of creation so it made a change to do this - the die was bought completely on impulse and now I have to come up with other ways of using it to justify my moment of madness!!! It looks pretty sitting on the shelf in my craft room though....

Now,why not head over to the Challenge blog and admire the fab work of my teamies....and of course please play along yourself! The challenge runs for the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for looking everyone, hopefully back soon - my broadband has been misbehaving over several weeks now but seems to have sorted itself so hopefully normal service can resume! 

Sharon xx

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #102 Shabby Chic

Hi everyone

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by BettyC, who has chosen the theme 'Shabby Chic'

BettyC would like to see any creation, scrapbook page, altered art, card that is 'shabby chic'

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

 MILK COFFEE DIGITAL STAMPS

WITH A PRIZE OF 5 DIGIS FROM THEIR STORE

And also by

SIR STAMPALOT

with this fabulous prize:-

Here is my take on the challenge:

I have used Marianne dies to cut the birdcage, bird and the pretty corner in the background paper. The card base and birdcage were cut from kraft card then smooshed over with Picket Fence Distress Stains. The bird is cut from a scrap of canvas and painted cream. A pretty muted background paper, bow, pearls, flowers and a key charm painted over with the Distress Stains completes the vintage shabby chic look. The lovely sentiment makes this a perfect New Home card for my good friend Sue.

Now please head on over to the challenge blog and admire the fab work of my teamies. The challenge runs for the next 2 weeks so why not take part?

That's all for now

Thanks for looking

Sharon xx

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #100 - Winged things

Happy Monday everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.

We would like to see Winged Things. Something with wings as a major focal point. Not a tiny butterly charm, or a small bee in the corner of an image, the wings need to be obviously part of the focal point. Fairies, angels, LARGE butterflies, birds etc. would qualify. Please check out the team for inspiration.

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED

We are sponsored by 
CRAFTS AND ME

with three digis of the winner's choice from their great range

AND ALSO BY

WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION

With a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

 

www.woodware.co.uk.

Here's my inspiration:

I've die-cut my base card using a Go Create die, used a Crafts Too butterfly embossing folder and inked over with Distress Ink. I've used stickles glitter to highlight the embossed design. A die-cut sentiment and butterflies cut using Marianne dies in teal card completes this simple card.

Please head on over to the challenge now to see the work of my fabulous team-mates.

Thanks for looking, back soon.

Sharon x

Butterfly greetings

Hi all

Today I'd like to share a couple of cards I have made recently:

The first card is made with a kraft base die cut using a Go Kreate die. The background was embossed with a folder and highlighted with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. The butterfly was cut using the lovely Cheery Lyn die.

The next card was a slight variation using the same dies as above plus the lovely doily border die. I coloured the ribbon to match using the distress ink.

As I mentioned in a previous post, August and September are very busy birthday months in my family and so there will be more posts to follow shortly....!

Thanks for looking, happy crafting! xx

Lily's 5th birthday card

Evening all

Just a quick post tonight to show the card I made for my eldest daughter's 5th birthday a few weeks ago.

The lovely image is another from Wee Stamps - I just love these cute designs and they are perfect for my little girls cards. This image came free with a magazine along with the sentiment. I coloured the fairy with ProMarkers - she had to be a blondie just like my Lily - and added stickles to her wings. I painted a chipboard '5' white and covered this with stickles also. Flowers, pearls and a bow complete the pretty girlie look.

Lily loved her card and as she opened it she said 'You made my card Mummy didn't you? It's beautiful!'.... I so love that she appreciates my creativity and am so happy that both my girls love crafting too....chips off the old block!!

Thanks for looking, back soon

Sharon xx

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #98 Fun in the Sun

Happy Monday everyone!

Phew not sure where the last 3 weeks have gone - I am lucky enough to work termtime only which means I get the lovely long break to spend all summer with my little ones, it's going far too quickly though......

So, welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Lin, who has chosen the theme Fun in The Sun

In the hopes of encouraging the sun to shine for longer than 5 minutes, Lin would like to see something relating to the summer fun, so that might be holiday related, or something in the garden, basically something you might do outdoors when the sun is shining that's fun, clean and legal!!

 

Please ensure your card meets the required element to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by 

SATURATED CANARY

with

2 of their gorgeous digis
  

and
SIR STAMPALOT
 with this fabulous prize:-

Here's my DT card for the challenge:

I have used the 'Winnie Goes Camping' image from our fab sponsor Saturated Canary, (love, love, love the fab work of Krista Smith!!) coloured with ProMarkers and edges distressed with Pumice Stone and Iced Spruce Distress Inks. The backing paper is from MME's Quite Contrary paper pad. I gathered some cotton lace to make the flower, added a brad, stamped 'sweet' and die cut the '16'. A perfect card for my niece - their family caravan is kept at a campsite in a nearby village and they quite often stay there at weekends during the summer season for fun in the sun (or rain!!) so that was my inspiration for this card!

Now, pop along to the challenge to see the creations of my fab team mates and why not take part yourself?

Happy crafting everyone........I have lots of cards to make for birthdays over the coming months including a very special little girl of mine who will be 5 a week today so I'd better go tidy my craft room!

Back again soon

Sharon xx

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #97 - 1 2 3

Happy Monday everyone!

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Elaine who has chosen the theme '1,2,3'

Elaine would like to see projects along the theme of 1,2,3 - 1 image, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments

Please ensure your project has the required elements in the required quantities to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by 

 THE PAPER SHELTER

with a $20 gift certificate for their fabulous store

and 

WOODWARE CRAFT COLLECTION 
With a prize of £12.00 to spend at your favourite Woodware Stockist, either in store or on line.

www.woodware.co.uk.

So, onto my interpretation of the challenge:

I have used a gorgeous Wee Stamps image coloured with Promarkers and 2 background papers from the MME Quite Contrary set. The stamp came free with a recent copy of Papercraft Essentials magazine and the papers were another fab freebie from Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine. I just love Wee Stamp images so couldn't wait to colour this one up to match the lovely background papers. My 3 embellishments are: pearls, flowers and a bow. I used an X-cut punch to cut the scallop edge along the border to match the spellbinders scallop circle. The flowers were die cut using a Marianne die and given some shape and dimension using a shaping tool. A kraft card base set the colours off beautifully.

Now head on over to the challenge to see the fabulous work of my teamies and please join in yourselves!

Thanks for looking!

Back soon

Sharon x

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #96 - Birthday

Hiya everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Lin, who has chosen the theme of 'Birthday'.

As it's our birthday, 4 years since our very first article was published and Crafty Cardmakers was born, Lin would like to see your birthday creations to celebrate our birthday. 

Please ensure your project meets the birthday challenge theme in order to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot.

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED

We are sponsored by 
DI'S DIGISTAMPS

with a $10 GIFT VOUCHER

and also by

HOBBY ART

with this fabulous prize:-

 

Here's my inspiration for the challenge:

I've used the lovely Orchid Decoupage Stamp set from Imagination Crafts. I've coloured with ProMarkers and decoupaged the 3 orchid flowers and leaves using silicone glue. The background is inked over with Distress Inks and a Sakura sparkly glaze pen used to highlight the background. The swirly leaves stamp that comes with the set was stamped around the edge of the Kraft card base using Versamark ink to give a watermark effect. 

Please head over to the challenge to see what my lovely team mates have created and why not have a go yourself?

Thanks for looking, back soon.

Sharon x

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #94 - Steampunk

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Julie who has chosen the theme 'Steampunk'

If you need an idea of what Steampunk is we have a definition here

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

DI'S DIGISTAMPS

 with a

$10 GIFT VOUCHER

and

 THE STAMPMAN

We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are ofering the winner a £10 voucher for their store, you can spend this online, or if you're lucky enough to see them at a show!  They have a ton of items in store, enough to tickle any crafty taste bud.

So, onto my interpretation of the theme:

I have to confess I struggled with this theme, the whole Steampunk imagery is not my thing and so I decided to take one of the elements of Steampunk - the cog/gear and put a girlie pink twist on it! I took inspiration from a sketch at CAS Colours and Sketches, masked a cross shape on the base card and stamped a cog in first, second and third generation stamping to cover the unmasked area. I die cut a butterfly and embossed using a cog embossing folder, this was inked over in the same pink as the stamped background. A simple sentiment and metal cogs completed this clean and simple card.....another challenge for me!!

Please take a look at the Challenge blog and admire the work of my fellow team-mates.

That's all for now, I'll be back soon x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:

CAS Colours and Sketches - Challenge #29

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 93 - Father's Day

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Feebsy, who has chosen the theme of a  'Father's Day'

As it's Father's Day here in the UK on 16th of June Feebsy would  like to see anything you've created for or have been inspired to make by an important male figure in your life. It could be anything from a card, a scrapbook page, a knitted scarf or a piece of altered art. It does not have to be specifically for Father's Day ( I don't want you spoiling a surprise for anyone) but let us know the inspiration behind your work. 

Please ensure you let us know the inspiration behind your work to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot.

  PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED

We are sponsored by 

THE PAPER SHELTER

with a $20 gift certificate for their fabulous store


And also by

Woodware Craft Collection

with a £12 voucher to be spent at one of their Retailers.

So, onto my creation:

This was quite a bittersweet challenge for me. My parents divorced when I was very young and so I have grown up without knowing my father. My Grandad was the main ‘father figure’ in my life until he sadly passed away 20 years ago. He was a real character and we spent every weekend with him and my Granny out and about in his old Morris Minor car! Happy memories inspired me to print a lovely old photo of myself (aged 2) and my Grandad onto some canvas and make into a wallhanging. I distressed the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink and added a wooden tag sentiment and bow. 

Now, head on over to the challenge and take a look at the fab inspiration of my fellow team-mates.

That's all for today, back again soon

Sharon x

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #92 - Tri-shutter card with a stamped image

Hi everyone

Sorry this post is a little late but Blogger seems to have been misbehaving over last day or so and wouldn't let me upload the photos for this post!

Anyway, better late than never....

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Annette, who has chosen the theme of a  'Tri-shutter Card' 

Annette would like to see a tri-shutter card with a stamped image, either digital or rubber, with an added twist of using the colours Blue, Yellow and Green.

Please ensure your card includes a stamped image, digi or rubber to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot, whether you add the twist or not is up to you. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE DELETED

We are sponsored by  

DI'S DIGI DOWNLOADS

with a $10 gift voucher

And also by

HOBBY ART

with this fabulous prize:-

Anna's Collection Oriental and a Colorbox Chalk Queue.

So, onto my card for the challenge:

Making the card base was a challenge for me alone....I had to search the internet to find out what a Tri-shutter card was!!! I made it using yellow pearlescent card and matted blue linen card with a green patterned paper from my stash on the segments. The stamped image is the lovely Hydrangea clear stamp from Inkyliscious stamped in Agean blue and Tea Leaves ink pads - I brushed over the image with a dampbrush to pull some colour into the image and lose the stark white. A few gems and a ribbon complete my card.

Don't forget to pop along to the Challenge and see the fab inspiration from my fellow team-mates. Whilst you're there, why not have a go yourself - this challenge runs for 1 week instead of the usual 2.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything goes - with a handmade bow

Make it Monday - Anything goes

That's all for now, back again soon

Sharon x