The Crafty Nomad Has Moved

The Crafty Nomad Has Moved
Click here to go to my Fabulous New Blog!

Monday, November 17, 2014

New Website and Blog

It's official: I'm moving!

I have been working on my new website for my sewing classes business and have decided to move my blog over to it too.  So if you want to keep seeing updates from me then you'll need to update your blog feed to the new address:


Would love you all to come along with me.

Just click on the logo and come and check it out.

Have a lovely day!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Think Pink Kindle Covers

Given that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month here in the UK I decided to do my bit.  So I have made 6 Think Pink Themed Kindle Covers to sell to raise some money for a Breast Cancer Research Charity.

Contact me if you would like to order one! (Number 6 is already sold!)
 Have a lovely day!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

D.I.Y Olaf Growth Chart Tutorial

So a while ago I saw this really cute image of Olaf from Frozen on the front of a kids magazine.  He was holding his head way above his body and I thought that's how most kids feel, they just want to be taller!  So I thought the image would be great on a Growth Chart.

This is what I came up with!


Materials:

Felt: Turquoise; brown; black, white sparkle and orange
A Tape measure
Some snowflake ribbon to hang it up with.

I used felt for all of it.


Cut all the pieces out.


So you get a nice little pile of felt goodies.


Position them and pin them in place.


Attach your tape measure, I cut mine so it started at 40cm I think and finished at 150cm.  I pegged this in place with the side facing up that has both inches and cm on it as there was a nice black line running down the centre that I could stitch on.  Plus a lot of people in the UK still work in imperial method of measurement.



Now stitch all your pieces in place! I found that working with larger pieces of felt was tricky and sometimes it puckered.


I then sewed another piece of turquoise felt to the back to cover the stitching and secured the ribbon in place in between.  Then I used some scalloped pinking shears to trim the edges.



I was really happy with the end result.  I made two little pegs with snowflakes and initials on so my niece and nephew can plot their heights!  Hope they like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Dare I say the 'C' Word....

Yes it is getting closer to Christmas!! So to market today I took along some sweet Christmas Stockings.  I will be listing these on Etsy.


They have a chalkcloth label on the cuff so you can write a short message or the recipient's name.  I have used a grey linen for the body of the stocking and then added a bright cuff.  I have lined them with a simple white cotton.  I love all the different Christmas fabrics that are on the market, so this way I get to showcase them against the lovely grey linen.

I'm also planning to personalise some of them with the recipient's initial on the body of the stocking using the same fabric as the cuff.  Think that will work well.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Some happy little Chicken Bunting

My sister lives near Stratford-upon-Avon (UK) and has just finished renovating a barn conversion that is to be rented out as a holiday let.  The result of all their hard work is truly stunning.  You can see it here.  If you are ever on holiday that way I heartily recommend it!! Naturally!!



On the dining table is an oilcloth tablecloth with little chickens on it.  My sister gave me the offcuts, so I made it into a string of curved bunting that I thought she could hang in the house somewhere.


It was a really narrow strip of fabric with just two rows of chickens.  So instead of doing big triangular bunting I decided to make this curved shape to get the most out of the fabric.  I was able to use every hen with very little wastage this way!


Hope she likes it!


Have a lovely day! 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Trick or Treat????

Feeling ready for Halloween yet? No me neither! But all the fabric shops seem to be full of fun Halloween fabric!

I have made a sweet little basket to collect sweets in for your keen trick or treaters!


When I made it, I thought it was a bit too big, at about 8.5 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 6 inches high.  But I was soon put right on that one!!! You need lots of room for chocolate and sweets apparently!!

Think I might be making another soon!
Fresh Poppy Design

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Puppet Theatre

Quite a while ago I saw this neat idea on-line of a Puppet Theatre that hangs from a door frame.  So quick and easy to store and tidy up taking up little room as opposed to the ones that are based around a wooden stand.

So I thought I would have a go at making one.  This is the result!


I love it.  It's such a simple idea but looks so effective.  I'm teaching this as a class over the coming weeks.  We will get it to this stage in class but then I will give ideas on how to make it more personal.  For instance you could appliqué on the words 'Puppet Theatre' or 'Name's Theatre'.  Maybe add an appliqué of the happy/sad masks.  Or a string of bunting etc.


It hangs from a dowel suspended across two hooks placed on either side of the door.

Thanks for stopping by!

Skip To My Lou

Friday, September 5, 2014

Cupcake Oven Mitt

OK so I had seen a couple of cupcake oven mitt patterns on the market but to be honest I wanted one that covered the thumb as well as the fingers and both the ones I had seen only covered the fingers. 

So I decided to have a go and draft my own pattern.  I've made a couple of these as the first one (Strawberry fabric below) I wasn't keen on the shape of my 'frosting'! So I tweaked it and now love it!  Plus it's super cute in the pink apples fabric!

Cupcake Oven Mitt / Hot Plate Grabber!

The first attempt!

I'm running this as a class over the next few weeks, but wondered if anyone would be interesting in buying a PDF pattern if I were to make it available?
Fresh Poppy Design Skip To My Lou

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Quilts for Charity

I have just started to realise just how many crafty people there are living locally to me! Yay!  One of them is a lady called Tamara McDonald who makes wonderful quilts to sell for charity.  She is currently selling two, a masculine and a feminine.  All profits raised from this will go towards a children's cancer charity, in this case it will be the Piam Brown ward at Southampton general, UK. 

So I just wanted to share them on here in case anyone who reads this would like to go and buy them!

Tamara McDonald Feminine Charity Quilt

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unique-handmade-patchwork-quilt-beautiful-quality-/321501820293?
Tamara McDonald Masculine Charity Quilt

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely day!

Fresh Poppy Design

Monday, August 25, 2014

Handy little Pocket Bag

Made this cute little bag today for a class this week.  The class is for Mothers and Daughters (or any combination of adult and child really!)  I'm hoping it is straightforward enough for them but also with interesting features.


I've used webbing for the handles to keep things simple. But added a pocket for interest.  They will also be learning how to make a lined bag.
Fresh Poppy Design

Friday, August 8, 2014

Festival of Quilts

All I can say is WOW!  This was my first time at a big quilting event and to say I was overwhelmed would be a massive understatement.  Not only by the sheer volume of fabric stores offering their wares but also to the amazing talent on show with all the amazing quilts on display.  Wasn't sure if I was allowed to take pictures but everyone seemed to be clicking away! So here are some of my favourites.

This has to be my absolute favourite of the whole day:

I loved all that wonderful colour and idea behind the quilt, especially having been the outsider living in different countries for 10 years of my life.  Loved the way it was quilted too.


Then in stark contrast is this wonderful piece of art, by Susan Chapman.  I totally love the simplicity of the design work. 


Loved her style so much I bought one of her postcards!


 Loved the miniatures section too.  I'm afraid my photos are a bit blurry through! Girls and their shoes eh?



Thought my daughter would love this one!  War Horses by Emily Booth.


 It became apparent to me that I am not really drawn to traditional quilts, love something a bit different.  Check out this wonderful bench!


And this amazing piece was teeny tiny bits of fabric sewn in place


This had the most amazing quilting on it as can be seen more clearly in the close up.



And this one was amazing too!


This final one got awarded Best in Show.  I loved the design and how it reminded me of how Japanese kimonos are displayed.  Amazing work.



 And now onto the purchases.  As I said it was a bit overwhelming to see so much fabric in one place! I could have spent so much more than I did, but apart from the odd indulgence, most of what I bought was bought with either class or market ideas in mind! So quite restrained I thought!!  I have photographed it with the card of the shop I bought it from.  Think my favourite shop for the selection of unusual fabrics has to be The Eternal Maker.  So pleased to hear it isn't that far from me! Might have to pay them a visit soon.
The Eternal Maker

Simply Solids

Creative Grids


Favourite Fabrics

Sorry can't remember where these were from!

Lady Sew and Sew

Fiddlesticks Fabrics

Funky Needlework

The Fat Quarters
Harry & Floss (not actually at the show but near to my sister's house!)

If you are going have a great time.  I will definitely be going back next year.  Maybe for 2 days!