Hearts

Thursday 27 March 2014



Handmade by me!


I was feeling quite proud of myself last week that I seemed to have stepped up the old blogging a bit and then Mothers Day threw me a curve ball on Monday. A seemingly harmless chat in the school playground resulted in me spending the last few nights sewing 21 of these padded heart thingies to be sold at the Mother's Day afternoon tea which is being held tomorrow at school. The children can bring in £1 to buy their mums a present and they will also be serving us drinks and biscuits. So not much blogging going on chez Sue's but lots of sewing of padded hearts instead.

I confess, I've never made one of these things before and now look - I've made 21 of them! By the way, I didn't pick the colour scheme - I was handed purple and pink gingham fabric and a bag of stuffing and off I went. Didn't I do well? Feel free to clap.

A couple of things I learnt along the way - I can't machine stitch round a curve so I had to do a lot of hand sewing to get them just so. And another thing is - a chopstick is good after you've sewed up the hearts to prod out the edges. Not too sharp so it won't go through your seams - just incase you come over all Sewing Bee.

And because we had no lavender to put inside them, I popped them all in a bag overnight with a Jo Malone drawer liner sachet to fragrance them a little. Ingenious! I do hope the mums like Lime Basil & Mandarin! 

And because I've been pottering away at home, this is what I've been pottering around in ....



Tesco shell top, Uniqlo cashmere cardigan, Zara scarf, Zara jeans, Costco/Kirkland Uggy Boots


I broke out the Tesco ivory shell top today (first time) but I couldn't ditch the grey habit and went with the old faithful Uniqlo grey cardi. This cardi is a hardworking piece and credit to it, it doesn't pill. I pulled on a few other cardigans to try but somehow this one just feels right when I pull it on. And an old Zara scarf which is a bit of a favourite. I had my friend L2 come round the other day and offloaded about ten scarves on to her and she enquired about this one. Not on your nelly, mate. And did anyone notice anything about my Uggy slippers? The old grey ones have been officially ditched and binned. They gave me 18 months good service of pretty constant wear with a slight reprieve in the summer but I had to finally call time on them. But no fear - I had my backups ready and waiting in chocolate brown suede. 

School run time meant the slippers were swapped for black ballet pumps - can't beat a pair of ballet pumps for ease and quickness and the old Mango jacket was dug out.


Matalan Ballet Pumps, Mango Coat/Jacket


So just a quick post to keep me ticking over and to show you my lovely hearts - can you tell I'm rather proud of my efforts?

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Last Note :

  • The Jo Malone Scent sachets are currently Blackberry & Bay. Mine are circa 2012 which were Lime Basil and Mandarin. 




41 comments

  1. pretty good effort sue! they came out so nice. i think you have a knack for these things, with making jewellery and all.. :) i would have hung on to that scarf too. actually have something really similar from jasper conran i picked up for $5 at a garage sale, love yours!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. I love crafty things but I hate baking. Can't bake, won't bake except for the foolproof brownies that I do. I've used the same brownie recipe for 10 years and it's never let me down ... which is more than can be said for the Waitrose banana loaf I once attempted which came out a brick.

      And $5 for a Jasper Conran scarf - go you!

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  2. You are so crafty Sue! Love the hearts, they look superb! What a lovely idea for a gift and how amazing are you for making 21 since Monday!

    Love your pottering outfit too....laid back chic! Gorgeous! xx

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    1. Normally, I'm more slobsville than that but the Tesco top was really nice to wear actually and still looked pristine at the end of the day. The only concern is that dye usually transfers a little from your jeans to the underneath of the top where it rubs. But at least it's underneath!

      And I think I did surprise myself with the hearts having never made them before. It took me an age to master the first one but then I stepped up the factory process and off we went. But I don't want to see another heart for a little while ... not till at least Christmas.

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  3. Sue they are gorgeous! Put them in your shop, they will fly! x

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    1. Natalie - I'm all sewed out on the hearts front! They're not my kind of thing but nice to make for a cause. I have some Liberty fabric of my own - I might make myself a pin cushion when I can muster up the energy again. Besides, I have no wadding left - I handed all the leftovers back as if to say "There you go, thank you very much, me done!".

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    2. Well if you ever feel the need again, I'm sure they will sell well! Light weight little gifts to send in the post along with your bracelets! Off to give my Mother in law her's today! x

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  4. I think your wasted love, you should be selling these hearts along with your bracelets, you obviously have a knack for these things, they look so professional and pretty x

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    1. I secretly rather enjoyed sewing them. I love getting lost in doing stuff like this but after a while the carnage that ensues gets the better of me. I can't do everything neatly, I have everything strewn all over the table, ribbons, thread, fabric, all manner of things.

      I might have another go at some time in some less pinky purple shades. I need a new pin cushion.

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  5. Check you out! Sewing up a storm! Awesome. And happy mother's day by the way! In the states it's still a few months off, I can never keep track of all these holidays that shift around the world. Oh and I already told you this, but I do love that scarf on you.

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. Well you don't know whether you can do these things till you try. You're a bit nifty with the old needle and thread too aren't you? Rustling up clutch bags!

      And thank you about Mothers Day. It's only since I started blogging that I realised that Mothers Day is not the same date around the world.

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  6. Love the hearts Sue & agree with others that you should sell them in your shop. Also loving that Zara scarf & can see why you hung onto it!
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

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    1. It's one of my favourites. It's the one I dithered and dithered over at the time because it was Zara's more pricey ones some years back and now it seems like nothing compared to some of the prices they charge these days. There was a time when £25 was top price for a scarf at Zara and now they quite often reach £50 for the ones I like. It's always the way.

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  7. The layering sequence of shots was my favorite. Do you know if the hearts sold well?

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    1. Well when I went past the table where they were being sold, there were lots of goodies on the table still and all but three had been sold at that point and there was still some time to go so on the whole, I don't think they did bad. And yes, I'm blowing my own trumpet :o)

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  8. I am seriously impressed with the sewing. Well done you. I think your' pottering attire is perfect. x

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    1. Thank you Helen! I think I surprised myself too. For a first attempt, I don't think they were too shoddy!

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  9. You are such a clever Bunny! The hearts look fab & I'd of been one happy Mama to have been given one of those! Ax

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    1. Aww thanks Andrea. I have to say I would have laughed if George had picked one and bought me it for Mothers Day.

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  10. Sue you are clever, they are absolutely beautiful and look very professional...no doubt down to the chopstick genius! I love your outfit, particularly the scarf. Xx

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    1. Thank you!

      I think it was all down to the chopstick technique! A genius moment ... because I didn't have the obligatory knitting tool well known for this practice!

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  11. I don't know how you do it, Sue. My worst nightmare is someone asking me to do anything DIY. Or stupid dress up days in school which drives me wild because I can't make anything to save my life.

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    1. Oh costumes is a different thing altogether - that one I hate with a vengeance and I'm so glad that for World Book day this year, we got away with just taking in a favourite book to school - or rather the boys did!

      Anyway, you can cook and you can take good pics!

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  12. oh the hearts are so lovely, you seem to have such skill with making things, such intricate little details - I am pathetically no use at all with anything remotely 3D. You ought to add these to your store:)

    I didn't recall you having the Mango coat - I loved it so much and it didn't suit me.
    It's a tad warmer today though! We need to swap the Uggs for sandals! Or at least soon. I just want the luxury of not having to wear socks.

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    1. Thanks Louise about the hearts. I really enjoyed making them actually and I'd like to experiment a little with different fabrics now - I usually prefer to work with a more neutral palate so these pinks and purples challenged my eyes a little. But pretty for presents. And talking of intricate details - get you with your artwork. I'm still hankering after your Black Cherry Limited Edition print but they sold out a long time ago. If you ever do a reissue - please let me know!

      And I got the Mango coat when it first came out - wore it lots in 2012, less in 2013 and just realised that it hadn't seen the light of day for some time (blame the weather) so dragged it back out again. I know that you let yours go after you didn't get on with it but you have a lovely grey Toast blazer/jacket which is much nicer. I'd rather have that :o)

      And yes - I'm chomping at the bit to get the toes out!

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  13. Clever you!! The hearts are so pretty...what a lovely idea for Mother's day! I used to love sewing & doing embroidery/knitting etc when I was younger (taught by my lovely Nan), but life got in the way & I just got out of the habit, but I am now determined to teach my little girl! Also loving your Mango coat! x

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    1. My sisters sewed and knitted and crocheted when I was little. I learnt to knit and crochet from age 7 or 8 and remember being a total weirdo crocheting in the school dinner queue (like you do). I do think the crafts seem to be a bit of a dying skill which no longer seem to get passed on and it does seem such a shame - I only picked up on the sewing recently as I have so many alterations to do and it was starting to cost me a fortune. I pretty much make it up as I go along. But do try to teach your little girl - even if only to sew on buttons - it all counts!

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  14. Clapping at your sewing talents from Norway! Love the scarf too, It makes me realise I do not own one that has thast much block colour with that shade of brown - now I'll be on the look out:)

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    1. My scarves are getting plainer and plainer hence the fact that I offloaded a whole load on to my scarf loving friend. And I felt a sigh of relief when they'd gone - they didn't take up much room but it was good to clear out. And this is a surprisingly neutral scarf or rather I just wear it with anything - florals,checks, spots - you name it, I've clashed it!

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  15. Well done. I wish I knew how to sew, alas I don't. It's on my list of things to learn though. And, happy Mother's Day, Sue. I hope you're enjoying it.

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    1. I had a good Mother's Day actually. I had a lovely meal cooked for me in the evening and I had a pretty chilled out day. All good.

      And sewing isn't that hard - it's the baking I can't do!

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  16. Super, super cute! What a yummy mummy you are!

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    1. Hi Josie - I've just been to see your blog and you're a crafty mummy aren't you? And you are seriously good at this kind of stuff! Makes my hearts look like childs play in comparison :o)

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  17. Check u out little miss crafty, my mum is super crafty so I've never had to learn - I just give her the ideas and she does them, it works perfectly!! Love that scarf, it's great for pulling an outfit together!

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    1. Aren't you the lucky one. My mum wasn't a sewer but my sisters were and one in particular made me all my dresses when I was a child. I still remember one particular dress she made - it's lovely how these things stick in your head. Anyway, ask your mum for a quick lesson - you never know - it might unleash a sewing monster.

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  18. *Bows respectfully* Hell would freeze over and many, many pigs would take to the skies and fly before I could even begin to create something as gorgeous as those. I don't even sew on buttons. I am pathetic. And hugely impressed by your creations!

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    1. Oh Helen - if your life depended on it or a big event, I bet you'd take to needle and thread if you had to. If I can do it - you can!

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  19. Love them, clever, clever you..and 21 of them that is a fair amount of sewing! I am very impressed! Looking effortlessly stylish as always xx

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    1. Yep 21 of them. Thankfully the material ran out or else I might still be sewing. My mission was to use up the fabric and thankfully that meant 21 hearts and no more! All done and dusted now and the machine has been put away.

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  20. Is there NO END to your talents? Those little hearts are so cute! Get them on your shop and sell them!
    I love your style so much, you look really good in all your outfits

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    1. Fiona - there are so many people selling lovely things like this already - much nicer ones and more professional - I think I will leave them to it. Besides you didn't see the carnage when I was making these did you? Even I was glad to tidy it all away at the end. I am a very messy worker.

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Susie So So