Pouffe!

This week I turned my hand to some sewing. After purchasing a new sofa, we needed somewhere to put our feet up after a long day. So I researched some footstools and pouffes and came across this pattern which was so easy to make. I purchased my fabric from Ikea, a great linen/cotton mix in a stone colour with amazing boat sketches on it. But next I might make a floral number.

To make it you need:
* for the main fabric, use a piece of hard wearing a durable fabric (or just pretty, this is a replaceable cover)
* for base fabric, use a strong calico
* for lining fabric, use a piece of lightweight cotton fabric or calico, make it lighter than the outer layer so it doesn't show through
* pattern paper
* 40cm (16inch) zip
* polystyrene beads
* some kind of funnel
* sewing machine and cottons

What you need to do:
1. Using the pattern paper, draw out a circle with a diameter of 42cm. You will also need a rectangle sized 90 x 136cm (36 x 53 1/2inches).

2. Using your pattern, take your circle and cut out one circle in your main fabric, two in your base fabric, and two in your liner fabric. Then using the rectangle cut out one of each of the main fabric and lining fabric.

3. Making the base: take your two circles in the base fabric and your zip. Fold each circle in half down the middle and pin the folded edge to the long edge of the zip. Then machine stitch around 3mm from the zip teeth to fix the zip to the fabric.

4. Side pieces: taking the rectangle, put the two short sides right side together and pin. Then, with the sewing machine, stitch together leaving a 1cm seam allowance. Do this for both the lining and the main fabric.

5. Stitching the top pieces to the side piece: with the fabric inside out pin the top to the side all the way around leaving a 1cm seam allowance. When this is done, machine sew along the pin line and if needed make some tiny pleats along the way.

6. Do as above for the base too. There will be more fabric on the base as there is a zip in the centre so it may take a little more work when pinning to get the circle in the correct location.

7. Making the liner: machine stitch the top and bottom to the side pieces as in number 5, but with one circle leave a 15cm gap un-stitched.

8. When all sewing is done turn all the pieces the right side out. Put the liner into the cover piece (makes life much easier later on!) then take your beans and without getting them in every nook and crevice in the room get them into the lining. When the lining is as full as it can get stop filling and sew up the hole in the liner. Zip up the base of the bean bag and turn the right side up.

I then suggest that you make a cup of tea, put on a film and then put your feet up!

Alternatives
Other things you can do is make the bean bag any size, bigger or smaller, taller or shorter. Mine is just the right size for me to put my feet up at the sofa, but a child would probably find it a little tall. You could put handles or a pocket on the outside of it to keep remote controls or toys in it. But what I like about this is that if the bag splits, your not going to get a snow scene on the living room floor! The liner keeps it contained, and if you get bored you can make a new cover! Fabulous!

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Bloglovin

Recently I signed up to Bloglovin to fulfil all my blog following needs. I read so many and this really does help me to keep updated! But the best thing is that you can all follow me on there too! :D
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Thank you for your continuing interest! X

Crochet Basket

Recently I have been noticing that there have been some crochet containers and boxes popping up in the shops. For example these, these or these, which are all a bit boring and quite expensive. So when I have a gap in my new bookcase to fill, and could do with some kind of basket to put my current project in, what more can I do but make my own basket?!

So I went to my inspiration finder (Pinterest) and found a gorgeous basket pattern. I love the colours with the ombre effect! But I decided to go for a simple black and white colour scheme. I used Patons Fab Big yarns and size 10 crochet hook for my basket. It is brilliant! I am hooked and I am going to make lots of them, maybe even a big one to put me in! Woo!

What would you keep in your basket? X

Bows

Who doesn't love bows? Boys maybe?! But bows make me smile :D
So I have found such a simple pattern to make crochet bows in whatever size you want. I am going to make millions and have them everywhere! Hair clips, shoe decorations, brooches, the ideas are endless!

So to make, you need:
* Scraps of yarn, the thicker the yarn the bigger the bow
* Hook to match the size of the yarn

To make:
1. Make a magic circle.
2. Chain 3, 2dc into circle, chain 3 and slip stitch into circle. Repeat again 1 more time.
3. Tie off the yarn and pull the magic circle tightly closed. Use the end yarns to wrap around the middle of the bow.

That's it. So pretty!

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Spring Daffodils

Spring is officially here!!! So looking out of my window this morning and seeing a couple of inches of snow I got a bit depressed. Where's the sunshine?!

I am going to have to make my own aren't I?! Recently life has got a little hectic and I have not had much chance to pick up some yarn and a hook; but now I have found a reason. A friend of mine does a lot of work for Marie Curie cancer care, both fund raising and volunteering. I decided to make her a beautiful Daffodil brooch to help her stand out from the crowd.

It was so easy to make, and turned out to around 8cm wide. I got the pattern from this lovely lady here and, although she doesn't charge for the pattern she asks for a donation if you use it. I would say to do it, if not to her then to Marie Curie cancer care.

Lets just hope that this brings a little bit of sunshine to some peoples lives, both through fund raising and just because they are pretty :)

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Mothers Day

Today is Mother's Day! A day in which people celebrate their Mothers. Why not?! I know that mine is such an important person in my life, she is my best friend, my councillor, my stylist, and my teacher. Without my mum I would not be where I am today!

So, today me and my man took our mums out to a new (to us) place in Birmingham. It is an amazing little place called The Lost and Found. The concept originated from an explorer and professor from the Victorian era called Hettie G. Watson. She travelled the world finding new and different variations of botanics. She kept these in her little hideaway which is why the Lost and Found is tucked away and inside is a magical botanical library. There are different areas to this place and because of this it doesn't feel like your all on top of each other, the atmosphere is great, the food was amazing and the mums felt like they were being treated to a lovely day!

Okay, as usual I got a bit snap happy. So here is some pictures of the food...

The Burger

The Cannelloni

The Roast Chicken

I suggest that if you are near Birmingham, you try here. You will need to book, but it is most certainly worth it! 

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Take Care

This song was played to me by someone I care for greatly. This has been a very tough year for me and this song makes me know that he cares for me. I insist that you play this to someone important to you too, so that they know. X

Bettys

After having a beautiful weekend away with some old friends, and my lovely mother in Harrogate, I am currently munching away on some Macaroons and Moroccan Mint Tea which I purchased from Bettys tea room in Harrogate. Bettys is a famous tea room, they originated in Harrogate but have three others in the Yorkshire area. The first one opened in 1919 by a Swiss man, he combined the mouth-watering confectionery with the warmth and hospitality of Great Britain. Even today it still has the same silver service, great tea and beautiful food. (Smoked salmon, scrambled egg and English muffins are yum!) I would say that if you ever visit Yorkshire, you must go, and if you go early you can avoid the queues.

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