How to Make A Bolster Cushion - Quick and Easy

Despite my busy schedule, I have managed to do my first tutorial for you on how to make a lovely bolster cushions. They are absolutely fabulous and increasingly popular. I hope you like it and it makes sense. I don't have a brilliant camera, so I've had to make do with so so pictures.

WHAT YOU NEED:

Sewing Machine
Fabric
Thread
Ribbon
Tape Measure
Pins

To start with decide the width you want your cushion to measure, mine is just under a metre in length each fabric piece has a 25cm width. Then take your various fabrics and measure 55cm's in length as shown.

I had 4 pieces measuring 55 x 25cm. Line up your fabrics in the order you want them to appear on your cushion and then sew a straight stitch for each length of fabric making sure that the pieces are back to back (as shown below)

Make sure you repeat the instructions for all your pieces of fabric depending on how much you want for your cushion. 

After you have joined all your fabric together, on each end fold the fabric over by 1.5cm and straight stitch with your sewing machine from top to the bottom.

Next: fold your fabric so that it is inside out and straight stitch the entire length of the fabric. Turn your fabric right side out and you should have a nice long tube.

Next: squeeze one end of your fabric to form a neat flower as picture below and pin into place. Hand sew this so that it holds. 

Next time to stuff. This is awkward due to the shape. Try to give the stuffing a real good beating before sealing and roll your bolster cushion like a rolling pin. Don't be afraid to beat it senseless to get it just how you want it. A tip is to take stuffing and place it where you can see there are gaps in your cushions to fill it properly. It should look something like this.

With the other end of the fabric repeat the method as above. Make another flower and pin and sew into place.

Give your cushion a good wack! Finally as a finishing touch I put some coordinating ribbon on the ends of my cushion and I am very happy with the results. I hope yours turns out nicely. I'm not very good with instructions but I thought I'd have a go. Hope you like it.

 

Recently.........

I've been super busy the last week, I finished 4 x 12 hours shifts in a row on Wednesday and today I am test running my first day as a domiciliary carer, which is very exciting. I also have been practicing my crochet, because frankly, I crochet like a small child. So here's how it's going, my tension is getting better but their is no way I can crochet to size yet.

I also have this cute little cross stitched butterfly to show you, I think it's beautiful and it only took  me 4 hours. I got it free with CrossStitcher magazine. Also some more news, I was thrilled to be contact by The World of Cross Stitch to feature in letters page and I also won a prize, I've got to wait till the 20th June though, boohoo. I'm to excited. x

Quilting Temptation and Shoe Creations

I tried my hand at quilting yesterday and made this scrummy Cushion. I used Cath Kidstons Fabric and a felt square to make the heart in the centre. I've never used my machine before to applique something, so I decided to applique the heart to my cushion. I think the results came out surprisingly scrumptious. As this is a first attempt in many things, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I also whipped up the 9 square patchwork cushion with the free fabric from the Sew magazine this month. I am gradually getting a very tasty, comfy cushion sofa.

I've started a little unexpected project. I wanted to try to spice up my shoes. I've got a couple of pairs that are in need of love. Here's how it's going so far. I've got a fabulous idea to also make an oversize red bow and to attach this to the front of each shoe. I need to find the right needle, strong enough to stitch through the shoe. x

Fashion Passion (Desigual, Irregular Choice and Ness)

Everyone who has met me knows that I am a saucy eccentric dresser. I don't do normal! The bigger and brighter the better. I went out yesterday wearing this tangtastic outfit and felt that it was good enough to show off to you. A lot of people lack the courage in wearing bright and bold colours but I want people to be inspired to get out their tangerines and strawberries and spread a little colour and happiness in the world. I often get compliments that my dress sense lights up the room and brings a cheery smile to a gloomy world. Perhaps my outfits aren't to every ones taste but they suit me and my personality, which is what matters the most. I dress according to who I am, not according to what is in fashion, which is so over-rated. What's new in Vogue is next months history and for a normal everyday woman, you just can't afford to keep up with Fashion, so forget them and create your own.

The Shoes - Irregular Choice Flik Flaks
The Dress - Desigual
The Jacket - Ness
The Bracelet - Made by Me :) x

Stitched for Love

I got a couple of scrummy pictures for you. The first is a project I started in January and I've just finished it off today. It was a gift for my husbands wedding Anniversary, instead of a traditional card. I made it with gorgeous Cath Kidston Strawberry Fabric and Laura Ashley Gingham. Super Scrummy, it's become more of a gift for me as it adorns my sofa. Love it.

Next: I had a wonderful package in the post today. I bought what I would define as perfect fabric, which includes some Tanya Whelan, Tilda and Amy Butlers scrummy designs. Which ones your favourite? Can you match designs to the designers. x

I've got Mollie Makes Madness

I just picked up the new Mollie Makes magazine, and I was thoroughly happy with the cute little pooches on the front. I just adore them. I have all the wonderful magazines except Issue 1 and 3 :(
These are proving to be crazily expensive to purchase and I can't really afford to spend 30£ on one of these magazines. If you haven't been introduced to Mollie Makes, you are truely missing out. Here's a little glimpse of their gorgeous goodness so far. If you just love what you see you can find out more here ---------------> http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/

Oh and if their are any issues 1 and 3 out their that are reasonable, please contact me I would love a copy. x

Coton De Tulear cross Yorkshire Terrier (6 Months Old)

My family have been baby sitting this cute little baby dog (called Maxwell) and I've fallen utterly in love with him. I just had to go see him and love him. His fur is so soft it's like baby hair and he is so tiny, honestly the cutest dog ever. Pictures just not do him justice and he is so affectionate. My hubby has said I can have one when we move to a bigger house as we live in a flat now, so it wouldn't be fair to have pets who have no Garden. If you have never felt or seen this dog breed, then you haven't discovered the cutest and softest pups on the planet! He's a real life Teddy bear. x

Cushion Mad with Tanya Whelan Scrummy Fabric

I am falling in love with my sewing machine! Finally. My second cushion creation and this ones gorgeous purely because the fabric is like candy to a baby, for me that is. I also am enjoying making my Ribbon Flower Corsages as just a little extra sparkle for my tasty sofa treats. I need more ideas to pop into my head and I wish to get to grips with using an embroidery foot on my sewing machine, so I can freestyle sew! I'm so envious of those who can do it. Any tips? x

Scottie Dog Cushion

I've had a number of issues with my sewing machine recently and have been frightened of using it. So frightened that I have been hand sewing everything for the past year! My hubby and me sat about the task to figure out what was going wrong with it and alas it works better than it did. He even bought me a book for me to understand how to use my sewing machine better. I am really very awful at it and find it a very frightening machine.

So after twiddling, fiddling and threading, this is what I set about making. I had no real plan but to simply get to grips with my machine again. Which worked a treat and in the process I made an uber cute Patchwork cushion, with one little cute scottie dog and a pretty ribbon accessory. I think it looks lovely as an end result and considering it was just a mash up, it turned out rather well. Yippee!


Oh and a lovely tip to make the ribbon accessory! Take 5 - 8 lengths of ribbon (Dependant on thickness) all the same size and fold them over (So that the joins meet in the middle underneath), take one pin and prop your 1st folded ribbon on to your pin (Neat Side Up), repeat with the rest and adjust the angles according to how you want (Like a rotary clock). Once you have all your ribbons in position, place a button on top and sew together! :)

Work Work Work! Followed by a little Cake!

I have had literally no time to do anything this last week, I've been working most Nights. So I thought I'd post a stunning Chocolate Cupcake Recipe I used for my wedding. These are absolutely divine!

The recipe is as follows:

Should make between 10 and 15
130g Good Quality Dark Choc
80g Unsalted Butter
175g Soft Brown Sugar
3 medium eggs
185g Plain flour
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Bicarbonate soda
200ml Semi Skimmed Milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 Table spoons cocoa powder

1. Cream the sugar and butter together
2. Add the eggs, vanilla essence and melted Chocolate. (You can do this in a bowl, heated over water)
3. Mix ingredients together
4. Gradually add in the Flour, cocoa powder, Baking Powder, and Bicarb and stir.
5. Gradually add the milk to the mixture!
6. Now all you need is your bun cases.
7. Bake in the oven at 180* for roughly about 20-25mins depending on your oven. Allow to cool for an hour before icing. 

Choc Buttercream

170g Chocolate (Dark)
200g Butter
250g Icing Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extra

1. Cream the Butter
2. Sift the icing sugar into the butter
3. Melt the chocolate and add gradually to the mixture, ensuring it isn't to hot.
4. Finally add the vanilla :) 
5. Mix together! :) 

Getting Organised and the winner is!

So recently, I have been gathering more and more crafty bits and I know for a fact I am spoilt rotten by my other half. So in return it is our anniversary coming up at the end of February and I have bought him a lovely stack of presents and it's so hard not to give them to him but I must wait. Anyway, so as I have got so many goodies and such a little house it was time to be proactive and make crafty storage. So here it is.

My Bead Storage System! :) I love Crystals

 My Scrummy Papers and Stamps, which I still haven't used! I have tons.

 Cross Stitch Chart Storage by Alphabet and Theme :) x

Scrummy Fimo in a Box 

Oh and my pretty magazine holder! Love it. I need more space it's crammed.

As, there were only 2 entries to my competition, I've decided both of them will receive 2 kits each. Shame really, I thought it was a lovely prize. Oh well, I'll do a competition at the beginning of each month. Maybe I'll find something more to the liking of people. x

Cross Stitch Giveaway :)

I thought I would do a little giveaway on my blog today! :)

The winner will receive
1x Magnetic Beefeater Cross Stitch Kit
1x Festive Tag Cross Stitch Kit
1x Reindeer Cake Banner Cross Stitch Kit

All you have to do is sign up as a follower on my blog and tell me what you think the best Cross Stitch Kit is available to buy today, I will look through all the selections and the one I choose to make will automatically win the prize. :) I'll PM the winner for their postage address.

The charts are all inside the magazines, which I don't wish to cut up, but they are available on the Cross Stitcher website.  You may wish to make your own little ideas up :) Have fun though :)

Closing Date is Monday 6th February at Midnight :) x

Creature comforts - Adorable Bracelet

This is just to cute for words. I got back from work this morning, I'm shattered and thought I'd post my little creation. It has a baby turtle, pig, mouse, duck and rabbit. All super adorable. I hope you do like this, took me a while to make. I've never been very good at making animals but the results are lovely. :)

Enjoy my little farmhouse friends, oh and how cute is that rainbow swirl bead! X

Chocolate Madness Bracelet & Earrings

Last night I spent all night dreaming in chocolate and decided to make a bracelet full of many chocolate treats! A girl just loves chocolates, so why would a girl not want one. I work in a Severe Learning Disability home and I have donated 1 chocolate bracelet, 1 Cake Bracelet, 1 Breakfast bracelet and one set of earrings to the hard working individuals their who try to make a difference in peoples lives. If you'd like your very own chocolate bracelet, you can purchase one from http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/robertandjenny/m.html :) x

 

My husband tells me I'm to generous and I keep giving a way my jewellery, rather than attempting to sell it. Which is really what I would like to do in the future, that definitely seems a long way off, if I carry on giving my goodies away. LOL. Ah well I can't help it. I think it comes as a real surprise to people when they receive something for nothing. I often want to donate a lot of goodies to the people in my care but such is life they would try to eat them, so for now I give them tasty treats (real ones), pretty magazines and my free range services setting about to repair all their teddy bears and belongings should they get ruined. Bless their hearts, God willing, I pray they one day get better but I know this may never happen, so for now I do everything I can to make there lives as fulfilling as possible. x