Spring Has Sprung in the Miggy Household!! - Phone / MP3 Cases

Phone / MP3 Cases £10

 Nanny Miller twists again!!!!......After my Vintage inspired tote bag &  ipad case I thought i'd try phone/MP3 Cases and as spring is in the air I just couldn't resist brightening it up a little too :0)

I have made them to snuggly accommodate my iphone with it's express on cover so I didn't need to add any closure but that could be added for extra security.

Keep a look out for them on Debs' jewellery stall at the next Great Garnets Farmer & Craft Market  

xx

Nanny Miller's Vintage Inspiration gets a 21st Century Twist!!!

After my experimentations with some old embroidery patterns in which I made my beloved little tote bag I thought i'd try to bring a similar design skipping merrily into this century. 

I found a lovely ipad case tutorial; it was such a cute simple design and I thought I could easily adapt it..........I decided to give it a lovely vintage fabric lining, embroidered a simple design taken from my Nan's patterns, then attached my cute felt tag that I love so much :0)

To fasten they had suggested using embroidery silks & buttons so I plaited the silks and finished it by threading some toning bugle beads, the buttons were some I found in my private stash.

I'm Really pleased with how it has turned out...........Next thing i'll maybe try some alternative colours and adapt into an iphone/ipod case when I get a moment.

Let me know what you think!!! :0) xx

Recycled Paper Heart Bunting

Came across some lovely paper heart bunting on Etsy so thought i'd give it a whirl :0)

In contrast to my usual ad lib method I decided I would do some quick research into how to make the paper hearts. While I was doing this I came across this lovely blog which had a fantastic tutorial which I did read through and then proceeded to ignore, as I usually do :0)

I had an old well read book which had recently started to fall apart so thought this was a good start and also found some lovely yellow card buried in my stash.............well spring is coming, I can but dream :0)

With a few hurdles (which I am sure this tutorial would have ironed out :0') this is what I came up with. Not perfect by any means but a start :0)

Fortunately I have learnt that even though the paper & card I used was sufficient it was delicate. If I was making this for others I would be hesitant to repeat the recycled book without suggesting some type of reinforcement (but not sure if this would appear too bulky?)........... As well as this I would extend the central spine of the heart, used to thread them onto the bunting. This would enable you to directly attach the heart to the main cord which would achieve overall a cleaner finish and prevent the hearts from annoyingly spinning.

Your comments would be much appreciated :0)

To Market, To Market :0) x

After the kind offer from my friend to put some of my accessories on her craft stall, I have now labeled them up ready for sale. All excited but nervous at the same time :0?.........Unfortunately I can't join her this time as it's Brad's birthday but I will definitely try my best to tag along next month.

So if you are at Great Garnetts Farmers & Craft Market keep your eye out for my little treasures!!!!...... She did say it may be quiet this early in the year so i'm not expecting to sell much but it would be nice to hear some good feed back, fingers crossed :0) x

Please let me know what you think!!!!! :0)

Knitted Rosebud Headband

Knitted Rosebud headband stolen & modelled by Mimi - so versatile x

Cute Needle Felting Ideas

As I have mentioned before I have recently discovered needle felting. On another tempting trip to my aforementioned Craft Days at Saffron Walden I came across this needle felting kit. I had intentionally gone in just to look and maybe buy the basics if I really couldn't contain myself.

As you can see I managed to sneakily buy the starter kit, readily egged on by Mimi aka Mini Miggy, whilst Brad (my poor forgiving hubby :0) perused the shelves of the gaming shop opposite. ..........In my head this was perfect justification as he invariably ends up being talked into the latest game my No.1 son just can't live without (naturally he is a complete push over!!)

I started by taking a crash course, courtesy of youtube. This helpful lady suggested using biscuit cutters to achieve a basic shape as shown in this photo. I used an old scrap of material as a base then proceeded to perforate my finger :0) until I had filled the cutter with the pink wool. 

I then removed the heart cutter and tidied the edges up by folding them in slightly to create a cleaner shape. Basically the more you stab your work with the barbed needle the firmer the finish. I then highlighted with a little of the green to create some interest. (with hindsight I probably didn't need the scrap of material as a base but i'll know for next time)

After this I removed as much of the material as I could without damaging my heart. As you can see it came in handy when I was test running my scarf ideas.

Here is a little pumpkin that Mimi also found on youtube, which she made along side me today (with only a little help from me). I really love this and she was more than chuffed as she absolutely adores these jolly little vegetables. A future halloween project I think :0)

Whilst she did this I made this little heart which I thought would look fantastic as a pendant on a necklace. 

Thanks to a quick trip to my Jewellery Guru, Debs (who unfortunately I can't thank via a link as she is still to learn about the wonders of online selling :0) I have now learned the different ways I could achieve the desired affect. This is what she has come up with in the space of about five minutes. I also came out with a few ideas that I will pop out and buy materials for tomorrow. I'm itching to try a cute little toadstool or a strawberry on a simple silver or gold chain for that retro candy style....... I'll let you know how I get on!!

I should also add that Debs has kindly offered to try and sell these and my scarves on her craft stall. I keep talking about it but she has finally taken the bull by the horns and offered :0).....Maybe if I have some anonymous success via her I will pluck up the courage and confidence to join her next time. 

Let me know what you think and if you have any further suggestions on more ways I could use this perky little craft. 

xx