Minerva Crafts
Showing posts with label Minerva Crafts. Show all posts
diy project life notebook and a kitty needleminder
I've made a couple of little things involving thread and fabric, though there's no difficult sewing involved!
The first is these little notebooks made from Project Life journaling cards. They end up 4 x 3" a perfect size to fit in my organiser / planner and handy to have just to scribble down ideas. I will be using them to keep my sewing and quilting project ideas in!
They were very simple, take one Project Life card (or piece of card that's 6 x 4") and fold in half. I then folded up some regular A4 printer paper and used a ruler to rip it into pieces that measure approx 3.75 x 5.75", I like those torn edges but you could cut the paper if you prefer. I used 10 pieces of paper in each notebook. Fold the paper in half and place inside the card. Using a strong needle, pierce through the card and paper - once in the middle, then make two holes above and below. Take some thread (I used perle), thread your needle making a small knot at one end and stitch through the centre. Stitch through the next hole and then through the one above, you are making a figure of eight essentially... come back through the holes until you are at the centre and then do the same thing on the other side. Once you are back though the centre, make a knot and snip off any extra thread. I decided to clip the corners because they were poking out a bit, you could use a punch or fingernail clippers to make the corners rounded if you prefer.
I decided to embellish them with some cute stickers!
Next I made a needle minder, I have been wanting to make one for ages! I bought some magnets (these are the perfect stength) and a self covered brass button (perfect size for the fussy cut fabric I used):
I popped out the little wire doodad, stretched the fabric over the front, pushing it into the grippers and smoothing the edges then pushed the back on.
I found the most perfect fabric, from Hello Petal by Aneela Hoey because hello?! that's my name printed right there!! :)
It was such a simple make and took about two minutes to do. Blob of super glue to stick one of the magnets on the back and done! I need to be getting back to some embroidery and cross stitching so I can use this baby.
I recently got a haul of zips, some felt and some cute twine from Rickety Rose Crafts - great selection and excellent prices - this should keep me going for a little while (though I might need more peach, pale green and gold zips because I love them so!)
Wishing you all a happy weekend and do pop back Monday because there's a giveaway brewing ;)
Linking up:
love the improvements at Minerva Crafts
Minerva Crafts have been hard at work updating their website, considering the thousands of products they stock that is no small feat! I spend a lot of time on websites, checking out products, searching for items and of course the odd bit of shopping ;)
I am so impressed with the upgrades they've made, it really is easy to find what you need and to browse through all the different craft categories. The search box is excellent and actually does find what you're looking for, perfect when you are in a hurry!
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Of course they have a brilliant Quilting section, with great brands and everything you could possibly need. You can see what's new and also search by price, very handy.
And let's not forget the fabric... loads of it...
Fabulous basics like Klona cotton, which is 54" wide and only £7.99 per metre.
They have Camelot Design Studio, Rowan and many more great designers and prints.
You can see all the quilting fabrics here, they also have a huge selection of dressmaking fabric and more. Don't forget the sale section!
Minerva Crafts have categorised all the sewing patterns so if you love dressmaking it is simple to find what you want and they have an amazing choice from all the big brands and the best independent labels:
Another fun addition is the gift cards, you can now customise a gift card and have it sent to the recipient on the day of your choice! Such a great idea and perfect for the forgetful amongst us (or our hubbies!!)
Grab a cuppa, head over to Minerva Crafts and check out their huge range for yourself!
what a crazy day
I was working today and that was the only shop I entered, it was all very sensible because our sale isn't until January. Today is that day of amazing discounts and sales in lots of shops but it seems people go a little bonkers... apparently in Manchester a television fell on a lady's head and people have actually been hitting each other, or so I heard on the news. Obviously that is extreme behaviour but I do like a saving too, so online shopping is my way to avoid that craziness. I may have partaken in a few purchases today ;)
If you've been shopping today, online or in real life, I would love to hear what you bought... yeah, I'm nosy like that!
Here are some fabulous deals from my sponsors...
The Fat Quarter Shop have 25% off and the discount is automatic, hurry it ends Saturday! They have such a huge range so now is the time to stock up on the things you need and the things you want.
Minerva Crafts have 80% off a range of haberdashery and crafting goodies; including yarn, buttons, bias tape, cutting mats and much more. This is a 'while stocks last' rather than a black Friday promotion but there are so many bargains I thought I would point it out and they also have sale fabrics too!
And right now there's a brilliant 30% off at Pink Castle Fabrics using the code BLACKFRIDAY30, valid through Monday. I love the Japanese fabrics they stock and couldn't resist some Lecien and Yuwa!
So did you bag yourself any fabric?
FAL Quarter 4 to avoid the sorrow
Ok so I'm not in a good place right now. At all. It's all too personal and private but I'm working through it. It's hard to find motivation for anything but I am clinging to this hobby with all my might because I can't stop now and I honestly don't know how bad it would be without having creativity in my life. I may go a bit quiet or I may pour myself into making, I'm not sure what I will do. So with that said I'm putting my big girl knickers on (à la Moira) and writing my Q4 FAL list. What with my doomful mood most of this is just copied from Q3. I hope that's allowed!
I have managed to finish my le challenge make and will be posting about that on Tuesday - there's still time to finish making something with the theme Mix if you'd like to join in and link up!
So here's my Quarter 4 list...
#1 - Hand quilt Vintage quilt - I haven't done as much of this as I should and this needs to be a priority since it's a commission. Hand quilting feels so therapeutic to me that I know it will be good for me to work on.
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#2 - Flowering Lone Star - top done, needs quilting.
#3 - Two pillowcase dresses - these ones are for my girls using pretty Essentials by Pat Bravo prints. - This will probably run into next years list!!
#4 - Skirt - I got this bargain fabric from Minerva Crafts and am going to attempt to make myself a skirt! They have lots of clearance sale fabrics, great for dressmaking and most under £3 a metre. - I really should make myself something, my wardrobe is sad!!
#5 - Scottie Dogs - using more mini charms - these might make fun Christmas pressies for the kids!
#6 - Japanese x and + Quilt - using Arizona by April Rhodes because I love it! Nearly finished hand quilting and the binding is ready to go.
#7 - Liberty hexies - for f***s sake.
#8 - Butterfly Quilt - The top is all done and I'm excited to hand quilt this but it's unlikely it'll get done this year realistically.
#9 - Star flower quilt - whatever... ran out of wadding... more excuses... languishing. Same old, same old.
#10 - A commissioned baby memory quilt. It's all arranged but I've yet to collect the fabric so I will just use a picture of my babies for now
I'm probably going to kick myself for not putting other things on the list that I need to do but right now that's enough.
Oh and huge apologies for not replying to emails, I'm afraid it's been pushed down the list of priorities. I promise I'm usually way more positive and hope to return to form soon, thanks for bearing with me.
Linking up with the Finish Along:
Minerva Crafts Meet Up
On Saturday I had a much needed day out on my own and headed to the Minerva Crafts Meet Up day. Minerva Crafts is based in Darwen, Lancashire and it's huge!! They sponsor my blog and I've ordered online but this is the first time I actually visited the craft centre and I was surprised at how big it is. Stocked with everything a crafter could need for all different types of crafts.
Of course I found myself in the newly created 'quilters corner' - ok I made that up but it's a neat corner near the front of the shop with gorgeous fabric and notions for quilting. They created this cool wall of cubby holes for fat quarters!
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It was fun wandering around and just taking everything in. I love clover notions and found these fun trimmings - lace, pom poms and spikes!!
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There was every kind of thread, a great selection of perle and I just captured the fun neon embroidery threads. They stock way more than I took pictures of; lots of knitting, crochet and paper crafts too! It was hard to photograph but there are bolts and bolts of loads of different kinds of fabrics. On the day there was a competition for people to wear their hand made garments and we were given a free tote bag with stickers in to stick on our favourite makes!
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There was lots of demonstrations going on - button covering, dress making, quilting and bags to name a few. I do love those decorative zips.
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If you're ever in that neck of the woods it is definitely worth a visit and you probably could spend all day there easily! It was a lot of fun and the shop is extremely welcoming, a family run business with knowledgeable and friendly staff.
If you can't visit in person then definitely take a look at the website and at the moment they are having a sale with 20% off selected fabric!
This was the first time they've run this event but it was so well organised and it was really busy so I do hope they make it an annual meet up!
it had to be done
I just couldn't leave work this week without some Meadow by Leah Duncan, Art Gallery Fabrics. I got some Sprinkled Morning and Valley of Azure for my rose star quilt - her prints have the best names! I also picked up some hand quilting thread and between needles for quilting the vintage quilt. One of the best things (of many) about Patchfinders is that we cut fabric as small as 10cm x width of fabric and can go up in 5cm increments. It's so perfect for English Paper Piecing or any project when you need only a small amount of fabric. Obviously I only needed a little but I got 1/4m of each anyway! I really want to make a Staple Dress and I'm thinking of getting Geos Deep Marina because I love that print but am nervous it will be too bold - your thoughts please?
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Yesterday I went to the Minerva Crafts Meet Up day (more about that tomorrow) and I couldn't resist getting these cute FQs - I think I was in a girly mood!
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Clockwise from top left: Cute kitten - kittens, fruit and bees oh my!; Happy Mochi Yum Yum by Monica Solorio-Snow, Lecien; Russian Dolls; American Country Collection, Lecien.
As I'm writing there's still about 12 hours left for you to link up any projects that fit the theme 'Charity' over at le challenge. Any finished craft projects or quilt tops can be linked and anyone can join in! There's a prize from the Fat Quarter Shop for one random winner. You can find out all about le challenge here.
And we've just announced the next challenge theme... SMALL. So if you missed the last link this should be a pretty easy theme to create something and link up with us on 15th July!
It's 18 years today since the bombing of Manchester city centre. No one was killed but I was working there that day (Saturday job, I was 16) and it was a horrendous experience. So grateful and thankful it wasn't worse and I'm very proud of my wonderful city!
Oh and Happy Father's Day!
two flowers, one head injury and a crafty day out
I managed to finish machine sewing the first English Country Garden Block. I love it and am looking forward to doing the next two I've downloaded.
I've also completed the last appliqué block for my daughters butterfly quilt, it will be set on point with the other three blocks. This one is a free pattern from McCall's Quilting website.
I had planned to try and lay out all the butterflies and flowers and take a quick picture to show you but then I got a call from school...
Mr Bump here ran into a table and cut his head open. The first aider did a great job with the bandage. I am sparing you the picture of the A&E staff glueing the gash, which I took so he can show his class on Monday!
Having kids is traumatic and exhausting (and wonderful obviously)! Luckily I am taking a little break and going to the Minerva Crafts Meet-Up on 14th June, so that gives me something to look forward to!
A whole day filled with workshops, guest speakers, lovely people and prizes, held in a fabulous craft shop? Yes please!
The event is at the Minerva Craft Centre in Darwen, Lancashire. If you're nearby or fancy a fun day trip then come along. It's right next to Darwen train station and there's free parking if you choose to drive. I can't wait!
Linking up:
tmi
I have a little finish today but I'm warning you that with it comes a tale of the reality of motherhood that might be too much information.
I made a zip bag for my girls to keep their hair clips and bobbles in. It seemed totally appropriate to make it using bow tie quilt blocks. The tutorial I used has three useful sizes for this block and each block I made is 3".
The back uses more of some sweet butterfly fabric that Sheila kindly sent me, the inside is lined with a sweet gauze fabric and the zip was won in a giveaway (ages ago!) from Hadley. To give the bag a little bit of structure I used some budget heavyweight interfacing - I've used this in a few projects and while it doesn't bond as well as more expensive brand products it is just fine for this sort of thing and a great price. I also used it when I made clutch bags and it worked nicely to add support.
And why the need for a little bag? Well I was using one of those free make up bags to store their hair accessories but since a stomach bug has swept through my house there was an incident. The little one was happily carrying the bag around and then out of nowhere vomited on it, in it... just all over it. Once she was cleaned and happy I had to debate whether to just throw it all out but I couldn't bring myself to waste all those lovely hair clips (nevermind the fact I'd bought a load of new clips just the other day!). So I washed the contents of her stomach off them, left them to dry and ditched the bag. The clips were saved and a new bag was constructed. Told you it was too much information.
On to nicer things.
I've started working on last months English Country Garden BOM. I need to find time in the day when the little one is napping and not vomiting so I can concentrate and attempt to use monofilament thread - I daren't try in bad evening light.
I also need to decide what project I will be making/finishing for next weeks link up at le challenge. The link opens on the 15th May (actually the 14th to give time for the world to enter!) and the theme is 'nature'.
If you've finished anything recently that fits the theme remember to join us for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!
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