How's your free motion stitching going?

no secret to it all, but if you practice, you'll get much better!

have fun,  carole :))

Are we ready? Then let's do it!

OK, easy as!
So now I want you to go off and practice. Write words on your fabric and free motion over them until your fabric is covered in writing.

Leave a comment to let us know how you've got on, and we can all come and visit you to see your homework!

On the weekend I'll post another exercise.
Have fun,
Carole :))

Free motion sewing lesson no.1- Getting ready to stitch

The batting is a piece left over from a quilt I made. It is a polyester/cotton mix and I'm only using it because it is a scrap. There are cheaper types of batting available, so if you are going to buy a small amount to use for practising on, then the plain polyester types are the cheapest.

OK, any questions so far?
Well then I shall see you back here tomorrow!
Carole :)

Welcome to my sewing room....

.... or what I call the equivalent to a man cave!

Are you ready for the challenge??

Carole :))

stitching of an evening...

...working on the class sample, in front of a fire, 

with Downton Abbey on tv, 

and a nice cup of tea.

Could I want for anything more?

Carole :)

How have you changed?

Today it's raining, very cold and grey and I've just finished doing my tax return. It wasn't good news.

 (photo from my very first month of posting)

And then as I was lighting the fire I was thinking about my blog and how long I've been blogging. It seems that Facebook has had quite an impact on the way and frequency of blogging lately. 

Out of curiosity I decided to go back in time and see what my blog posts were like when I first started blogging and just how much they've changed compared to my posts now.

I found lots of enthusiasm and lots of lovely artwork from friends all around the globe. 

I also thought I wrote a lot more than I do today. I wonder if that's a reflection on the fact I'm always running out of time?

I also think that my focus has changed a lot during the four years I've had a blog presence, when I first starting blogging I used to participate in loads of swaps, but now I've found I enjoy teaching, I love meeting people and as I watch my students finishing their amazing journals I realise how exciting it is to  share the fun of helping students make a special piece of art.
I think my art journey has become more focused. I think there are going to be some exciting projects ahead.

But maybe sometimes we all need to step backwards so that we can move forwards?

How have you as a blogger and artist changed from when you first starting blogging?

Hope you've all had a fantastic week,
Carole :)

i don't mean to scare you but.....

my next online class is going to require some LOTS of free motion stitching

feed dogs down

and going for it

do you think you're ready for the challenge?

Carole ;)

it's winter....

every year i look forward to winter,

wearing my pretty scarves,

sitting in front of a fire at night reading a book,

having a legitimate excuse to stay inside and stitch while it rains outside

and i enjoy the smell of freshly baked bread as it cooks.

this will be eaten with my lamb and beer casserole. :)

the recipe is very simple and is a river cottage recipe (i love hugh fearnley-whittingstall's cooking)

sift 500gms plain flour and 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl and stir in 1 tsp fine salt. 

make a well in the centre and add in approx 400ml of buttermilk, stirring as you go, if you need you can add a tablesp of milk to help bring the mix together, it should form a soft dough, 'just this side of sticky'

tip it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly for about 1 min. it doesn't need to be smooth and elastic like normal bread. 

working quickly is good, you want to get the dough into the oven while the buttermilk is working with the bicarb of soda. 

transfer the dough to a floured tray, dust it with flour and with a sharp knife cut a cross on the top of the dough. this allows the dough to expand.

bake in a pre-heated oven 200 degrees celsius for 40 - 45 mins until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. 

if you want a crunchy crust cool on a wire rack, if not, cover while it cools. 

nice eaten while warm, or left overs make great toast!

let me know how you get on!

have fun,

carole :)

Some exciting news!

Are you looking for something different?
Want an exciting new class to join during Autumn and Winter?
Lots of on-line fun? 


I'm working on a new class!

here's a sneak peek....

It's called...

'The Road to my House'

and are we going to have fun or what!!

Do you think you're ready for the challenge? 


Don't forget to check back here for more updates as they're posted.

Carole :)