Hi

Wow I cannot believe it has been so long since I have blogged! Time has flown... and I've been rather busy!
Busy with boring stuff though not fun stuff like crocheting, knitting, sewing and basically a good ol' faff around! I have started new treatment (medically obviously) and have been to the hospital a few times since I left the tea room.

Anyway I have since got a unit in Elsecar Heritage Centre. The shop is called All Makers Together, which sells other people handmade items! It is a shop that is growing and has now enabled me to get my crafting mojo back! It admittedly disappeared for a bit but has now returned.

I am organising a charity event with my twin sister, Sarah and my Mum, Ann. My Mum and daughter will be running a tea room and I will be holding my own stall selling my handmade items. We will be having other stall holders too selling various items. There is a charge on the door, which is £1 for adults. A raffle ticket will be given, where we have some fantastic prizes that have been donated by lots of generous people and companies. All proceeds from raffle tickets and entry will be donated to Sheffield Helipad Appeal.

Before this exciting event I am running a dressmaker's workshop in the local library. I am excited to share my passion in encouraging people to make their own clothes. In this workshop students will be taught how to measure themselves, adapt a pattern to fit, pin pattern to fabric and how to make pleats/darts etc. Basically basic dressmaking skills!!
Further details can be found on my website www.marielizabeth.co.uk

I have also been busy making plans on running crafting parties for any celebrations. Enjoying scrumptious cream tea (as made by my Mum, Ann) and sewing! Sewing projects can be either shopping bag, cushion cover or make up bag! Perfect for baby showers, hen parties, birthday's or just a get together.

Happy New Year

It's been a bit hectic over the past few weeks. I managed to sew a dress (New Look 6123) and jacket (New Look 6028).

I am rather pleased with how my dress turned out. I wore the outfit for a wedding. 

The jacket is part of the "easy range" and was very easy to follow. The pattern sizes do not need adjusting but I found the arms were too wide. The dress was not from the easy range but was very easy to follow. The dress style was elegant and I will be making more in this style. I will be trying the  cross over top. I would recommend both these patterns. 

I have bought the Great British Sewing Bee Sew Your Own Wardrobe. A real bargain from WH Smiths at £6!  I am already excited at making a start using these patterns but first I need to do a few other projects first......

Let me know if you have worked with some good patterns that you would recommend or bad patterns that you would advise to avoid. Make a comment in the comments below for other readers to see. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thought I would share my pattern for the Christmas stocking for those people who don't have access to iBooks. Click on the link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0iAiWySNST_M1laWFpFdkRROFk/view?usp=sharing

I have sewing workshop booked for next year. Reversible shopping bag and sew a skirt! I am excited to teach a bit of dress making skills and have thoroughly enjoyed getting my New Look patterns out and expanding my wardrobe with the clothes I have made myself! 

Click on the link below for more details of my sewing workshop!

 www.marielizabeth.co.uk

My new pattern have arrived that my other half want me to make for him. Burda style 6993 I am slightly nervous as I have never made any time of clothing for anybody else.... will keep you updated!

It's nearly Christmas!

I had my last crafting class (for this year) last night and enjoyed teaching my students how to make a reversible sack. These patterns can also be adapted to make laundry bags,  cosmetic bags or even a wine bag as a gift! I have recently published a step-by-step guide on how to make a Christmas stocking, which can be found on the following link https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1064137630.

The last few months I have been busy building a stock of handmade christmas decorations and gifts to sell and now having a rest from all these Christmassy I have taken to dressmaking. I have nearly finished a lovely dress I am making for a wedding and will be starting on this jacket. I am using New Look patterns and will review once I have finished. The dress pattern is New Look 6123 and the jacket is New Look 6028.

Another Christmas craft!

I am so pleased with how my last workshop went that I have organised another one before Christmas. This time a lined Christmas sack!

The workshop includes all materials to complete the product! A total of 2 metre fabric... It's a big sack! 

Great thing is skills learned from this workshop can be transferred into making little make up bags or big laundry bags! The workshop is suitable for beginners!

I am also excited to be "planning" next year workshops. Just after Christmas I will be running a "handbag" workshop and a "skirt" one. The skirt pattern I will be asking you to bring along a "new look" pattern. Currently there is a sale on at

http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/new-look-patterns/?limit=all#.VlYsgYTPyvM 

Not sure how long the deal is on for so be quick!

Crochet mandalas

I love anything colourful. I especially love these mandala's. They are great they have a multi-purpose function! They can protect my tables when I have a vase of flowers to show off. They can add a bit of colour to a wall. They can be made with any colour and any size. I love these mandala's, what do you think?

I am selling these in my Folksy shop please visit
https://folksy.com/items/6761543-Crochet-mandala

Hi

Hi everyone.
I am sorry for the lack of posts in recent time. Since I have left Marie's Tea Room I have been immensely busy! Had my first crafting workshop yesterday and loved every minute of it.. hope that the girls who attended did also!
We munched on homemade mince pies and got to work with sewing Christmas decorations. Everyone made a hanging stocking, a hanging Christmas tree and a cushion cover. Each cushion cover was made differently. I have booked another date before Christmas.

When I got home I had an early Christmas present waiting for me (from my boyfriend) ... a new sewing machine! It a Janome sewist 525s. I had a little "play" with it last night before I dashed out. Secretly I know I am going to love it. My old sewing machine was not that old but I picked a rubbish machine. The cotton kept breaking and it took me ages to sew my projects. Apparently my new machine is used on the Great British Sewing Bee...

Anyway I have to go but I will be back soon.