Embroidery on the machine

So after our new addition, (more on that another time), I decided to try and make something with a bit of pink in it. The bedding set and rug we bought has butterflies on it so I was pleased to find a butterfly already programmed into the machine. 

Machine in action.

 My husband was impressed how relatively easy it is to use and programme.

The finished product.

It is not on the best material as I used a muslin cloth which I had to hand but I was still really pleased with the result. Next step to try using a two colour pattern. 

Watch this space. . . 

Caught up in the excitement

After finishing the boys picture project I decided it was time to turn on my Christmas present. 

It is so pretty!

 I had been procrastinating a little as it looked a bit complicated and I wasn't sure what to make with it.

Slightly wonky crayon roll

I settled on a crayon roll just to test out the basic sewing and to practise bobbin winding and threading.

I was happy with the way it came out, but didn't get it quite straight. I was too eager and used the foot free button push sewing. Works well but I pushed the speed slider a little high for the material and it went a bit skew-if. It is for my nephews birthday. He is going to be 3 he really wont mind the wobble.

So many stitch functions!

Then this evening I decided to try some other functions. How great is this. I can also embroider but the people in the shop have offered to show me how when I have had the baby. I am most definitely taking them up on that.

The end result of my play was that the crayon roll now has my nephews name on the outer edge where you'll see it when it is all rolled up.

So that's another new make all finished and I can't wait to play some more!

What did you receive for Christmas? Have you been making things already this year?

1st make of 2013 and upcoming plans

When #1 son was little I made a collage/memory picture and we hung it in his room. This became a bit travel weary as I had made it from a cheap chipboard frame and a bit of card as that was what I had at the time. So a few months ago I re-did it in a sturdy frame with a few embellishments. 

I have been procrastinating and procrastinating over #2's frame but last night I sent hubby up the steps to find a good scan photo in the box and any other useful items and I picked out a couple of photos. Then I spent a happy hour or so this morning finally creating his frame.

I was led to this burst of enthusiasm as we decided that the boys needed shelves in their room. Specifically Lego display shelves. I already had 6 single shelves tucked up in the attic as we were reluctant to make too many holes in the walls when we first took over this quarter. (If any of you have had brushes with the military you will be familiar with the march in march out process). But you can't spend your life not doing things because of where you are living. So we took the boys to the local Hornbach, (B&Q style shop), and let them choose some coloured paint. Hubby sprayed 3 with a few coats and last night we put them up. The wall just needed the final picture to look like a boys room.

We haven't taken our Christmas decorations down as you can see. 

I am a stickler for tradition and in our house as children it was tradition to wait until the kings came before clearing up. As I only have a week and a half left of pregnancy and hubby goes back to work on Monday we have agreed to take them down on Sunday.

I wasn't quite up to scratch last year with my 'Make a Month' pledge. And I hadn't got the hang of remembering to post the pictures in the group Flicker account so this year I am going to take it on as a personal challenge instead of trying to keep up with everyone else. I do have various things planned but I also know from past experience that a new baby throws things out of sync rather.

I look forward to seeing you makes for this year.

Fiona @ Christals Creations