Discount Deals - Livingsocial Deal - yippee!!

Not sure if you have ever used the increasingly popular discount deal sites such as Groupon. Livingsocial or Wowcher. If so you will know how they work you purchase a voucher for a great deal at an amazing price and from, hopefully, a reputable company. Then you either redeem it for your goods or services and enjoy the moment.. The Company or merchant hopes that you are please with everything and become a return customer.

Well I am running a deal through Livingsocial. It is a beginners 2 hour knitting, crochet or sewing lesson. Knitters will learn how to cast on, knit and purl stitch to create the garter and stocking stitch pattern. then how to cast off. In the crochet lessons you will learn the essential foundation chain, double crochet and treble stitches and working in rows. I also teach left-handed students.  The sewing lesson is the Beginners Introduction to Sewing workshop, where you will learn how to sew straight and accurate seams, curve seams, pivoting, basic neckline and under-stitching.

During any of the lessons you will also benefit from loads of valuable advice, free materials and full use of tools or machines. Lesson are held on various days and times - email me for details - ellie@elliebjewels.com
If you are interested in this offer follow this link Ellie's deal

Yeah I back!

Yeah I'm back, after a long break away I've finally  from this found time and motivation to get back to my blogging. Well so much has happened in the year since I last posted that I really don't know where to start. I think the bes place is to run with this weeks events then catch up on the past as I go along.

I am currently working with Lordswood Girls School where the girls are doing textiles. they are making little felt owls and I promise to post the photos as soon as they are completed. This week I also ran two workshops for the Family Learning week at the school. On Wednesday the families made the owls and on Thursday they made jewellery, two very productive evenings.

A New Year.....2012

Firstly a big Happy New Year to everyone, I hope 2012 will be a prosperous one that brings joy and loads of happiness to everyone.

Normally during these early days in the year I would be counting the cost of my Christmas spend whilst trying to balance off the upcoming bills, however, this year is slightly different. I still have the usual bills (gas, electric need I say more) but due to my handmade Christmas gifts for the family I managed to make a big reduction in my normal Christmas spend on presents.

As a family we were able to jointly save up during the year with a saving tin which came out every fortnight. We contributed £2 each (not every fortnight but most) and on average there was only 5 of us making the regular contributions, but as the year rolled on we had 6 regular family members filling up this tin, plus generous donations at the end of the saving cycle. The tin was bashed open the first Sunday in December during our "Tin opening" celebrations to reveal that we had over £270 saved plus a further £50 in cash donations giving us £320 to cover the festive food and snacks for Christmas and the New Year. To help spread the cost for the drinks we have always agreed that everyone would bring a bottle of cans of beer. this has always worked fine with no problems. We had 18 adults and 4 children around on Christmas day dinner. For Boxing day we had around 22 adults and 6 children for dinner or snacks and then for New Year Eve we had 10 for dinner.

The reason for writing this post is to show that even in this current financial climate if your family can come together from early in the year and start saving - just a little bit each week you could feed an army as large as mine. by making most of your gifts you can please them and then you can still pay your winter bills.

Happy saving for 2012

My hand knitted cowls

I've decided that this Christmas is going to be a truly handmade Christmas for me. I have made something for each family member from slippers, to scarves, hats and now these cowls. Which I an sending to my family in Canada.

Hand knitted on 6.5mm circular needles using James Brett yarn.

Cast on 150 stitches and work 4 rows in stocking stitch then 4 rows in reverse stocking stitch. 

I knitted a total of 7 "4 row" blocks, then cast off.

Secure all ends, give it a little pull and viola your done .

I made all 3 in just under a weekend.

the pink/purple ones are for my little nieces so I reduce the stitches to 120

I nearly kept one for myself - but I can make one in the New Year.

Over the next few days I will be making my final gifts (fingers cross or its an emergency dash for late night shopping)

Handmade slippers

Last year I was given a lovely pair of slippers from Christmas from my son. Needless to say they have been well worn and I needed a new pair.  Whilst looking around the stores I decided that I would rather make a unique pair for myself.

So armed with the creative desire I measured, researched, examined, created and test a few patterns. These are the finish products.

Red velveteen fabric with a fleece lining. Faux leather soles and name on top.

Faux fur with fleece ling and faux leather soles.

I pushed the boat out a bit with this pair and made them into Mary Jane style slippers. This pair is made from 100% cotton, lined with blue anti pil fleece, fastened with a button trim velcro closing. White  faux leather soles.

www.elliebjewels.com

Vintage influenced aprons

I've often put on my little pinny when I'm in the kitchen cooking. The one I currently wear is a bit worn, even if I say so myself, but you how things are you find your favourite and get attach to it.

I decided to start making a few aprons from the stash of fabrics I have in my studio. Below is a half waist apron using the London Collection from Rose & Hubble fabric. I love the roses that, it also has a little pocket and very long tie.

Doing a search on Google I came across an image of  a vintage heart shape bib apron, so I decided to remake it with a circular skirt using a very popular cupcake fabric and this cute embroidered gingham.

The heart shape bib has a button fastening

These are available through my website Ellie B Jewels

Jewellery making workshop at The 90 Day Cafe

From Monday 20th June I will be running a series of jewellery making workshops in collaboration with  The 90 Day Cafe at their venue in The Great Western Arcade. The workshops are suitable for beginners or improver's with a different item taught each week.

The 90 Day Cafe prides itself on its breakfast sandwiches and a never-ending list of handmade cupcakes, all of which can be enjoyed whilst making your jewellery or why not stay and enjoy their healthy deli lunch menu.  

Spaces are limited so book early click here

Daisy Chain anklet

With Spring with us and Summer will soon be here it's so beautiful to see so many flowers blooming. I thought I would makes these lovely delicate daisy chain anklets so you can feel the Springtime as you walk.

These are made with seed beads that are clustered together to form a fuller chain, made in the traditional daisy colours and in other shades.

This one is the single daisy chain with vine (modelled by Eve)

Egg Cosy for Easter or breakfast.

With Easter fast approaching I thought I would give all my nieces & nephews a little cream egg in an egg cup with its own egg cosy.  Well that was the initial idea, since that first thought I have made so many variations from crochet to stitched ones. Here are a few of them:

A few crochet ones  - I got carried away with these as they are so quick to make. I've made them in all colours and sizes.

Traditional shape, cone shape and the lillte caps (which I love)

All the fabric cosies are lightly padded and fully lined.

Tissue box covers

I've always liked the idea of the tissue box covers so decided to make my own. I wanted my pattern to be an "all in one" without the seams around the top. I also wanted to use the curtain eyelets as the dispensing opening for the tissues. I also wanted the covers to be reversible.
These are my makes:

Crochet Ear Warmer Headbands

So I made the sausage dog draught excluder to keep you room warm. I hae also been busy making these lovely crocheted ear warmers/headbands to keep your cold of your ears.

These are really warm and very cosy to wear. I will be making them in a variety of colours and wool. http://www.elliebjewels.com/

Sausage Dog draught excluder

To help cut the chills in the home I made this sausage dog draught excluder (he is so cute) that will make any room look great.

I created my own pattern and after a few adaptions this is the finish product. Yesterday some of the ladies on my Tuesday sewing class made their own.

I will be selling these on my website in a variety of  fabrics and once I've written the make up instructions I will also be selling the pattern.

Craft Fairs

I've got a very busy weekend with two craft fairs booked. 

• Saturday 27th - The Moseley Exchange .
• Sunday 28th - Highbury Hall, also in Moseley.

I've got quiet a bit to sell including jewellery, bags, Scottie dogs, handbag shape doorstops, handbag shape cushions, scarves,  and a little bit more.

Door stops or cushions

Pocket tissue covers

Spotty Scottie

African print Scottie - small dog

More Scottie Dogs - Tuesday sewing class

As my regular Tuesday evening ladies turn up for their weekly sewing class there was cries of delight when they saw the few Scotties I had made. It didn't take very long before a couple of them decided they wanted to make their own.

This lovely black one was made by Eve, she also made it a removable tartan dog coat and will also have a little bell. Eve will be creating a range of coats so you can dress your dog up.

Antje had just recently purchased this herringbone fabric which she used some off to make her dog. The ribbon dog collar also features a little bell.

Finally I made this little tartan one - makes me want to eat Walkers shortbread biscuits.

Group photo - we will be name all the dogs. The tartan one will be called Quincy.

Finally this beautiful flower was made by Elaine sing 100% dupion silk.

Don't forget to add your comments I would love to know what you think of their work.

Scottie Dogs and Swarovski

In the search to create some wonderful gifts for the upcoming Christmas fairs I decided to make these little Scottie dogs.

My favourite is the little ruby one which is made from 100% dupion silk and has got Swarovski crystals for the eyes. Sporting a wonderful dog collar made from Swarovski crystals and a Swarovski heart. This will make a wonderful gift for that special somone.

To be honest I love them all it will be hard to part with them.

Spiral scarf

I have been very busy recently crocheting and made these fabulous spiral crochet scarves in a variety of yarns.

You can purchase them from my website click here they will make a great Christmas present.

Let me know what you think.........

New Studio - new workshops

I've finally moved into my new studio workroom, and I've already delivered 2 workshops. Brand new offices in a great location just above The Zen Shop,
Digbeth Court
2nd Floor
162 - 164 High Street Deritend
Digbeth
Birmingham
B12 0LD

The move was very exhausting and to top things the lifts was not working and I'm on the 2nd floor :(. Luckily I had great help with all the heavy stuff. It stills need a bit of fine tuning and rearranging but I will get there in time.

The workshops that I ran was an all day jewellery making for beginners, where I covered all the basic techniques needed to create beaded jewellery. This includes making the loops on headpins, opening and closing jump rings, crimping, right angle weave (crossover weave). We then put these into real jewellery and made a beaded charm bracelet, a necklace, a bracelet, earrings plus we did a few little takeaway samples and an elasticated bracelet plus more.

The other workshop was the Basic Sewing for beginners - covering how to thread up your sewing machine, how to wind a bobbin, how to sew a straight line. Then after choosing their fabric they learnt a little on how to lay it out and to cut out a little shopping tote bag using dressmakers shears. The techniques used to sew the bag was pressing, sewing french seams and very important how to sew with pins in the fabric. Again a very successful workshop and lovely bags made.

Other workshops for this week includes the following:

• Complete Dressmaking Course
• Crochet for beginners
• Wired rings
• 3 week jewellery making course
• Saturday 11th a Chain Maille workshop

If you would like to attend any of my workshops please visit my website http://www.elliebjewels.com/  If you would like me run a particular workshop just drop me an email ellieb_jewels@hotmail.co.uk

Psychedelic fabric - make up bag

I was doing my normal little bit of fabric shopping when I spotted this alluring psychedelic fabric and thought how nice it would look made up as a bag. As this is something I do so often I now only buy the minimum that I need to do a sample test, then if I like it I go back and buy more.

This is my sample bag - little make up bag or just a small handy bag.

I will be using the fabric for a few other little designs.

Thank you

Ellie