something (a little) different...

... Oh I'm just working away on next week's craft and I'm so pleased with it that I had to give a little sneak preview.

I'm adapting an online tutorial for turning tiles into coasters, by using some glass coasters, paper and fabric - and so far I've got three sets of coasters that I just love.

I thought it was time for something a little different - but then I couldn't help but use the same aztec inspired turquoise and black fabric that I used in one of my coffee cup cozies



Just a few coats of krylon and some felt bottoms and these babies will be ready to go!

Auctions under way...

All the coffee cozy sleeves I posted about yesterday are up on ebay and the auctions have kicked off! Please have a look at the four sets of sleeves and spread the word.

I've also re-listed the mug rugs from last week as they didn't get any bids... but I will keep, keep, keep on making and selling until I have raised as much as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Some fun and exciting work is underway, including some guest bloggers as well as a mini-silent craft auction event coming up at a Bristol Market in March... so stay tuned as the 52 weeks continue on.

Craft #3: Coffee Cozy - reusable coffee sleeves

More and more I've been seeing these little coffee sleeves and 'mug hugs' popping up - and working out a design of my own has been on my 'to-do' list.

I've seen a range of different cozies and designs out there, which wrap around your coffee cup and close with buttons or velcro or different functions and notions, but I wanted to do something which replicated the simple one-size-fits-all cardboard sleeve you get in Starbucks or Caffe Nero.

I took my inspiration from a number of different tutorials, including this lovely one by Skip to my Lou but came up with my own template and design for sewing the patchwork piece into a sleeve.

The first thing I did was pick up a few cardboard coffee sleeves and then used them to create a template, which was the intended size and shape of my sleeve, with a 1/4 inch seam added. After preparing a front and back piece for the sleeve, I sewed them together leaving one side un-sewn for turning out - much like the Skip to my Lou tutorial.

To finish the project, instead of sewing a finishing seam around the entire project, I started sewing along the 'wrong end' (ie. the end which I left un-sewn, for turning out and the end which is folded under where the sleeve overlaps) and continued to sew along the perimeter until I was a few inches away from the 'right end' (the piece which shows when it is overlapped).


When I reached the other end of the sleeve, I looped the 'wrong end' (where I started) sewing back under the 'right end' so that I was sewing over both pieces and my original line of sewing was hidden.


Then, following the edge of the sleeve I simply finished sewing the perimeter until I got back to where I started, and backstitched it at the edge where the overlapped pieces meet.


After tying my loose ends and trimming, I'm finished with a coffee cup sleeve that is just like the cardboard ones you pick up in the shops.



I also did a tweed/wool version as I thought the fabric would suit the project.


All in all, I did four sets of two coffee cozies, all of which will be listed on Ebay tomorrow, with auctions ending this Sunday. I'll update this post with links to the auctions as soon as they are listed.

Resolved to Sew (and craft!) for 2012

I'm sure it's obvious to my followers what my main new year's resolution for 2012 is... obviously it's to live up to the 52-week craft challenge that I've set out for myself... by sewing (or crafting) something new every week.

While my first two projects have been made at the sewing machine, there are lots of different crafts on their way as well including handmade bath and body products, paper craft, maybe even some baking (if I can work out the logistics?).

So when veryberryhandmade.co.uk/ asked me about being 'Resolved to Sew 2012' it made me think about my broader sewing resolutions.

1. Complete my 52-week challenge
2. Make more, give more. (Make more gifts for friends and family and give for the sake of giving).
3. Learn to work with curves (I currently have not yet explored the world of curved patchwork, and I need to work up the courage to try).

Very Berry are giving away heaps of beautiful fabrics from U.K. shops - and if you have a few resolutions of your own, you can share them and get yourself in the running to win something yourself.

If you have any advice or know any tutorials for attempting curved patchwork, then please share here! I could use some advice/encouragement to help prepare me to get over that hurdle!