Chaffinch Birdseeker Hat

Another image heavy post I'm afraid, I used to split the WIP and make up but I got so carried away with making this that I just kept stitching until it was done. If you are on Instagram that's where I tend to post my making photos if you want to get an early peak of things.

Well this fella is a chaffinch, he is stitched with his hair feathered in full bright May coloured bloom. He is a celebratory Hen hat and the wedding day is in May. The bride to be loves trimmings and buttons so I indulged with buttons a plenty and threaded ribbon through cotton lace. All hand stitched onto a felt teardrop fascinator. I'll hopefully add a photo of the bride to be wearing it once I get it. Now I'm totally hooked on bird headwear and am already making myself a small bird - can you guess what kind?

On a separate note this Thursday is the London showcase of the #imapiece installation. Pop along! I can't wait to see them all in the real and meet everyone.

GBSB Giveaway winner

As promised I've randomly picked the winner of the Crafty Blog Tour giveaway. The winner is Cherry Twist! If you could contact me (sami@teasemade.com) with your postal details I'll get the book in the post to you. I do enjoy looking at Patrick Grant but I much prefer the cover design underneath, sorry guys!

Thank you so much for all your entries, I really enjoyed reading your GSBS comments. It made me happy to give the book away even though I did really want to keep it. Enjoy your sewing and the rest of the series!

The Great British Sewing Bee - Crafty Blog Tour Giveaway

Last week twitter was all in a frenzy with the airing of the first episode of The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2, the quest to find Britain’s best amateur sewer. The first sewing programme of its kind on the BBC, following in the footsteps of The Great British Bake Off. I’m not very good at watching stressful under pressure programmes and usually I find craft TV programmes can be far too twee. However, I actually quite liked it. There is no way I could ever work under such pressure on TV and I can’t imagine why anyone would want to, but I enjoyed stitching and watching the drama unfold. It is much more amusing watching TV with twitter commentary, try it if you haven't already.

This week as part of Crafty magazine’s blog tour, I’m reviewing the book that accompanies the series, there are also some chances to win it. The Great British Sewing Bee book will be reviewed all week, so do pop by all the various blogs to meet them and see what they all think.

This book is a hefty hardback at 250 pages, it is split into the usual sections. Starting to sew – which is all the basics of material to stocking of your sewing box, with a bit of interesting sewing bee history thrown in. Basic sewing skills - covers work stations, order of work and photo step-by-step sewing skills. The Projects – the projects are from the series, I already recognise the simple drawstring bag, Stuarts patterned summer dress, the pencil skirt, and the blouse with the added collar. There is one printed pattern included otherwise all the patterns can be enlarged directly from the book or downloaded from links given. There are 28 projects ranging from challenging dresses to the more simple floor cushion.

For my review I thought I’d focus on the Basic sewing skills section as that is the kind of geekiness that always makes me happy every time, no matter how many sewing books I own! For me layout and design are really important in a book, in the sewing skills section it really works. The images convey the text meaning clearly using different coloured threads (ooooh the excitement), hand placement, props, it all gets a big thumbs up from me. I even found some tips that I had not come across before which was really refreshing. I also liked how it gave options for finishing a seam, not everyone would have access to certain machinery. 

If you would like the opportunity to win this copy of The Great British Sewing Bee then leave a comment below. For another chance to win follow Teasemade on FB or Twitter (let me know). Giveaway winner will be announced on Monday 15th April, picked at random.

Crafty Magazine is also giving away a book so pop along there! Tomorrow the 10th - Lucy Davidson at Peas and Needles

11th - handmadejane.blogspot.co.uk

12th - didyoumakethat.wordpress.com 
           Is having a fab giveaway of gorgeous gingham and the GBSB book!

13th - myhappysewingplace.com

14th - houseofpinheiro.blogspot.co.uk 


THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, THANKYOU.

Kingfisher Birdseeker WIP

 

Some work in progress images a Kingfisher that I have been working on. Lots of images for this post, from blackwork pattern stitches, applique and the pre-framed Lady Kingfisher birdseeker.

Felicite Liberty Tana Lawn

Pre-applique before I add the beak.

Easter Sale

To wish you all a very Happy Easter, there is a sale in my Esty shop for the long lazy weekend ahead. To grab yourself 20% off, use EASTER20 at the checkout.

Enjoy your chocolatetastic time, I hope the visiting Easter Bunny is a cute one!!

Teasemade Feature : Liberty Craft Blog

A rather bright birdtastic interview and feature of my work over on the Liberty Craft Blog, I'm super pleased to have been asked, they were lovely to work with. It's all true of course, I'm totally addicted to liberty print - like I needed to confess that to you. Not to spoil it too much for you but it mentions the #imapiece project and me being sentimental about my first ever Liberty print, *wells up at the thought.*

Source: liberty.co.uk via Liberty on Pinterest

Image From Liberty Craft Blog

Bewick's Swan Brooch on Woolf -Lib Lifestyle fabric 

(my favourite, swoonworthy print, I'd totally love my chair made from this print.)

Kingfisher on Garnett - Lib Lifestyle fabric

The main blog is worth a follow as is has tutorial craft projects infused with Liberty Lifestyle print, behind the Liberty Lifestyle goings on, craft news, guest posts and reviews from the likes of Perri Lewis. And if that's not enough for your crafting Liberty print-addict-self follow them on Pinterest - Twitter - Facebook.

#imapiece Jigsaw Puzzle images Part 2

I completed 3 more jigsaw pieces for the wonderful #imapiece project that was showcased on the 1st of this month. It was a rush to get them to the exhibition as they were being photographed by Liberty Lifestyle craft blog, but more about that excitement later. The many jigsaw pieces will now be shown about the UK.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my tropical Rufous collared Kingfisher is a Rolling Stones lyric, well he pairs up with this jigsaw piece, which was made for my MP. The second part of the Jigsaw Puzzle lyric, stitched with a European Kingfisher - like the link? Stitched on Herbert Lifestyle print.

 

 

European kingfisher WIP - Phoebe Liberty print tana lawn.

This jigsaw piece is a rather special one, made with words by Stuart Bird, a wordsmith (with a rather good name) who works with children at Surbiton High school. They combined poetry and textiles to produce 33 #imapiece jigsaw pieces for the installation with Y7 pupils. I love that so many young people from all over got involved in the project, excellent.

 

 Stitched on Leonard Liberty Lifestyle

 Stitched on Garnett Liberty Lifestyle

Here are the Crafty Avengers (Deadly Knitshade, Mr X, Sarah Crobett & Hilary Pullen) on the Save The Children #imapiece opening night, they did sterling work as did all the craftivists involved making the 600+ pieces, wow! I can't wait to see it when it comes to London. To keep an eye on local events check out Craftivist Collective.

 

Miniature Brass Birdseekers

 

As an extra special treat (for the birds), I've framed up some Liberty print Birdseekers in miniature brass frames, just one of each for now and a one off small trinket brass box for Mr Woodpecker. They really are quite adorable in the real, they remind me of old fashioned miniature portraits.

Bewick's Swan Birdseeker WIP & A Crafty Read

I've been working on a few things lately that I've not quite got around to blogging about, so expect a visual array of treats to come your way shortly. Starting with this fella. A Bewick's Swan, also known as a Tundra Swan. They are smaller and chunkier than other swans, to me they look like geese with swan masks on, and I do love a bit of costume! They come to visit us in the UK for the Winter only and individuals can be identified year after year by their beaks, which I love. Slimbridge in Gloucestershire is a popular holiday destination for them. I know, I'm sorry, I can't help but imagine bird migration like 1950's Butlin's type holidays.

Anyway, the fabric is pretty isn't it? I totally adore this colour way of Poppy and daisy Liberty tana Lawn.

What I'm reading... This online taster landed in my inbox, a sample of Crafty Magazine the actual magazine is out at the end of the month. It will have articles from my stitchy faves Mr X and Sarah Corbett the Craftivist, so I'll be looking forward to reading that. Pop the kettle on and have a read (click sample link). 

www.craftymag.com

Firecrest Birdseeker Brooch Liberty Print

I'm terribly naughty, the Liberty print Birdseeker gang weren't quite complete and they were complaining that they were a little sunshine lonely. So I've stitched up Master Firecrest onto 'Nina' and now they won't keep quiet! I've also given Master Blackbird a springtime orange beak at his request, oh the demands, I don't get a moments rest!!