Dorset buttons

This week was the monthly free craft session at the Art Library in Leeds. Each time is a different project or technique, usually taught by one of the attendees.

For June, the crafts were Suffolk puffs and Dorset buttons. Having been a WI Member for nearly three years I have made more Suffolk puffs than I've had hot dinners (or so it seems) but I've never made a Dorset button, so I gave that a go.

It's quite simple really - you take a curtain ring or similar circle, doesn't matter whether it's wood, metal, plastic, and do a blanket stitch all the way around the edge.

You then create spokes across the circle and weave in and out like a spider web.

Here are my efforts.

The little one is a glittery thread and is simply awesome. The big one is a lovely soft tapestry wool. I left that one open as the spokes look really cool. You can use all sorts of thread, wool or even ribbon, add beads, weave in different ways etc to make lots of different effects.

Did someone say: "But you don't have enough time for ANOTHER hobby"?!

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Bag lady

Hello! Just a quickie to prove that I am still alive!

I've been working on all sorts of different bits and pieces recently, mostly little things to keep me occupied of an evening without too much thought or stress!

The patchwork bug has well and truly bitten me so I have been playing about with shapes and different fabrics.

Here are three bags for life that I decorated.



The hexagon flower is my favourite. The fabric was a bargain from Samuel Taylors in Leeds.

I had a few issues making the diamond one and it's not exactly perfect, but with the button and a few beads I think I pulled it off!

And the hexagon border one is pretty successful too I think.

These will be on sale at our next Buns & Roses craft stalls - we have two coming up and have sold quite a lot of goodies on the market stall so we're trying to restock!

I am also working on a quilt. A bit ambitious but I am using a Japanese folded patchwork technique and each piece is finished and quilted as you make it then stitched together at the end, so it's not too bad.

Other works in progress include something for my dad and step-mum for their new house and to celebrate their wedding and pieces for my embroidery certificate.

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Carr Manor Craft Fair

Sam and I had a lovely afternoon at the Carr Manor Primary School Craft Fair on Saturday, despite not selling very much.



Here's our stall, doesn't it look pretty? Sam brought the tablecloth and bunting, which is essential for any craft stall!



Here are some of mine and the Buns & Roses goodies - cards, owl bookmarks, bags for life, stitched pictures.



And here are Sam's items - her gorgeous bath products including salts, scrubs and bobmbs. Find out more about her crafty exploits on her Corsets, Crafts and Cupcakes blog.



Don't the jars look fab? Sam invested in a stash of Stampin' Up! goodies so she could make all her packaging. It looks so beautiful all together.

Today I'm at The WI office in Rodley - not on official business but just taking the opportunity to work in a different environment and see some of my best friends at the same time!

This evening I'm off to the Craft Club in Headingley to share something (as of Sunday afternoon when I scheduled this I have no idea what I will be crafting!), then it's a pretty usual week.

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Clearly For You and more business

It's still busy, busy, busy in the life of Gemma!

I was a very good girl yesterday and got a lot of work done (while also managing to watch the MotoGP, The Spy Who Loved Me and have a soak in a bubbly bath with my book for Buns & Roses WI Book Club). Productive or what?!

I needed to do this as today it was the Home Economics & Handicrafts Committee meeting at the West Yorkshire Federation of WIs. As always, we nattered and drank tea and got a lot planned. We have lots of great things to organise, including my own card making workshop next year and our slot at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate this November.

So I still could do with a few more hours in each day!

Unfortunately I've not had a lot of time to do much papercrafting recently. But I must get back on track as I have craft fairs and a market stall to prepare for!

PLEASE can I have more time?!

I do have a few photos stored up still though, so here's a card using the Clearly For You set.

This was one of my very first must-haves from the 2011 Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue as I love vintage things and the way you can mix up the different stamps within the set.



For this one, I cut out the squares and rolled half with the Sanded Wheel in Basic Grey ink to give texture and the other half I used the rectangle pattern image from Clearly For You.

I used the decorative elements in Melon Mambo and Old Olive on some of the squares, then scrunched them all up and distressed them by randomly inking in Basic Grey. Simply rubbing the ink pad gently over the card stock does the job.

This one has already come and gone as one of my fellow WI members bought it for a wedding card! I hope the happy couple liked it!

Time for another early night now so I have enough energy for all the things I have planned for tomorrow! The to do list includes work, stitching, card making ...

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Birthday surprise blog candy winner

Big thank you to everyone who left a comment for my birthday surprise blog candy draw. Indeed, thank you to everyone who has ever left me a comment. I read and appreciate every single one!

**Drumroll please**

And the winner is ...



Number 9 - Veronica.

She said:
happy blog birthday Gemma - finally found my way back to you! Hopefully Blogger and BT willing will manage to leave a comment and add your blog to my list .....

Congrats to Veronica!

Please email me at makedoandgem@googlemail.com, telling me a bit about yourself and your postal address so I can make up some goodies for you!

Thanks again for reading. Back to normal service now that I'm back in Leeds and have rejoined the 21st century, so look our for some projects over the weekend.

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All-day training with Julie's Jems

yesterday, mummy Julie held her first all-day training so I got to spend a whole day crafting and nattering with great friends! I had a fantastic time and made lots of yummy projects, as well as gathering plenty of ideas!

Here are all the beautiful swaps I received ...



And this is me crafting away with Jules, mumm Jules and Allie.



Here is one of the projects I made - a quick and easy gift bag and a matching card!



Can't wait for the next one in April.

Now, I seem to have been bitten by the scrapbooking bug, so I will be spending the afternoon trawling through photographs and playing with layouts!

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Buns & Roses WI

Here's a lovely pic of me and some of the Buns & Roses WI girls. We met up for a little tea party/photoshoot at our new venue (Leeds Deaf Social Club). We always have lots of giggles. In this photo we're laughing at Gloria's weird hand. You can find out more at www.bunsandroses.co.uk. Please do come and see us, it's always lovely to meet new people.

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