Discovering Treasured Old Beauties....

Hello my lovelies!

Hoping you all enjoyed a beautiful weekend with your loved ones?

I've enjoyed browsing through my collection of old beauties this weekend...

I managed to have a full day to myself yesterday sharing time with our treasured friends simply chilling....something quite rare when you work for yourself!

So these beauties were my evening reading whilst listening to a little Sunday evening Jazz.

I've been collecting old books for many years...old cookery or needlework ones are my favourites.

I also love leafing through the old pages of house managements!

Don't they hold a whole host of secrets and advice that is amazing?

And yet with a huge tone of simplicity underlining each project.

Reading through them reminded me of how talented our Grandmothers were...

I know that being thrifty and creating designs as we would now say, was through sheer necessity in some cases and but I do think we don't often give them credit for being so clever!

Could you return from a day's work and whip up a dress for the Saturday Pictures simply because you fancied a new outfit?

Or could you knit yourself a new top for your hubby's next dinner date with the boss???

It sounds bizarre to say that these days doesn't it when you can shop online and order a whole wardrobe at the click of a button but our Mums & GrandMums had to be very resourceful with very little and yet I do think they maybe appreciated things a little more than we do these days....

We live in such a throw-away society nowadays that we don't think twice to treat ourselves to a new top or dress for any occasion (unless your name is Tilly Rose of course!)

My Fen roots have made me what I am today and my Mum and Nan taught me to be particularly thrifty with everything.

Don't get me wrong I'm not tight with my pennies but it takes alot for me to be wasteful for the sheer hell of it.

Everything had to earn it's place in our home growing up...something I have obviously carried on into my own home.

I often smile when I hear the words "considered purchase" when on air because my mum would consider everything a considered purchase whether that be a safety pin to a new sofa!

I love this quote above and think it says SO much...

Looking through my treasured books yesterday I realised just how much bounty sits there undiscovered by our present generations simply because projects are hidden away in a fusty old book which would need to be opened and be discovered....

I love nothing more than sitting on a pile of books (not literally you understand although it has been known!) and chilling out in my PJ's to discover a good story, new craft project or even unveil a new recipe for tomorrow's evening meal!

I wonder if our future generations will ever feel the same?

Will we only craft through our apps on our phones?

how sad would that be?

No more treasured time with friends sharing skills together....

So in my own little crusade of one, I will endeavor to continue my quest of persuading people 

'to give it a go' simply by taking inspiration from the past and preserving the old ways

albeit from a fusty old paperback or other....

Will you join me and pass on the message for me please my lovelies?

Tilly

x x x 

Inspired by Seaside Photographs - FREE TUTORIAL

Hello my lovelies!

At this time of year I know many of you will be like me, returning from your summer holidays with loads of seaside smiles and a host of ideas which hopefully will give you some inspiration for your next sewing or mixed media project...

As a textile artist I am continually being asked how and where do I get my inspiration

for my own designs?

Mother Nature always provides me with such gems and is my greatest source of inspiration.

It doesn't matter where you are visiting or for how long. 

Each region will have it's own special sights, sounds, smells and treats.

For me, Cornwall always delights.

I love visiting and soak up every little jewel I come across.

I carry my camera with me where ever I go and photograph snippets of my day using my lens as my creative eye.

I thought it would be a nice idea to give you all some tips and ideas as to how you too can get started using a photograph as your inspiration source and capture those treasured memories.

Inspired by Seaside Photographs -Tutorial

So where to begin....

First, what project do you have in mind?

Collage

Cushion

Notebook Cover

Special Bunting

Whatever the project, using a favourite pic can always help you to get started...

So, how?

If you are not reproducing an exact copy of a snapshot how can you use it for inspiration?

Here are some tips that hopefully will help to give you some basic ideas....

You may want to draw out your design copying the photo to help with dimensions or scale. To do this simply print off your photograph and use either tracing paper or greaseproof paper to out line the main elements.

Don't be afraid to exaggerate the details. remember it is your design. there are no rules!

Also don't worry if your dimensions don't match exactly... 

Try and create a mood board for your project. I know many of you may say why bother if it is only for a cushion but believe me it is definitely worth it!

I love collating loads of ideas from alsorts of resources...

Attach them to an old picture frame, write them down in a book or simply doodle on scraps of paper that you have to hand.

Believe me when I say they will all come be handy to refer back to.

Use your photographs to help with colour schemes...

They will give you an idea of how to blend colours for backgrounds or individual elements of your overall design.

You may be using various fabrics to build up your design or colouring them in with free motion embroidery, or perhaps you want to make your design to have a 3D effect?

Of course you need to think about adding textures and patterns...

maybe to represent shells, rocks, beach huts, rocks etc

Don't forget to add in those extra special details that will make your designs more individual...

All those little memories you have can be added into your designs...

And talking of textures....

use Mother Natures box of jewels to help you decide what elements you may want to stitch, crochet, embroider or sew on as embellishments...

I hope this quick tutorial has helped to get you inspired to give it a go...

Just remember it really doesn't matter what your design is going to be.... it may be a cushion cover that you want to use applique on or you may decided to have a go at a mixed media collage.

Start small and then run with your ideas...

We are all creative in some way or another.

As so many people have asked about designs and ideas I have decided that I am soon going to be selling my own inspiration kits via my blog.

I will also be offering online tutorials alongside them with ideas for your projects.

I would love to know your thoughts on this, so if you have five mins do please drop me a message at the end of this post or an email to  tillyrose10@gmail.com 

You can also find me via my Facebook page 

In the meantime Happy Stitching my lovelies!

Enjoy your weekend...

Tilly 

xxx 

Keeping me on my toes!

How was your week my lovelies?

Since braving it five years ago and becoming self employed I never know what life entails...

I feel I have the luckiest job on the earth...

I can sew, crochet, knit, patchwork and craft to my heart's content 

all under the umbrella of 'work'

BUT....

it always keeps me on my toes!

Since becoming a Craft Demonstrator with Create & Craft TV last year,

I have had to delve into the depths of my grey cells to create

inspirational ideas for everyone to have a go with all the gorgeous goodies being sold on each show....

Do I enjoy it?

Oh boy yes indeedy!!!

I'm lovin it :)

I'm loving being able to inspire others to have a go...

I still feel like a rabbit in the headlights on each and every show and haven't quite got my head around that side of things but am absolutely taken with being encased with such creativity

I'm well known for my day dreaming glazed look whilst thinking of projects for each show

and I have hand written notes all over the house...

Never knowing whether I am going to be doing a patchwork show or crochet, or embroidery...

I am such a busy bee simply having to buzz into action and crafting in a frenzy (often at midnight when the rest of the world is resting!)

The world of TV is really not as glamorous as you think it is!

It's quite common to catch me working in my little cabin at the bottom of my garden in my PJ's at some unearthly hour in the morning listening to the birds gossiping all around me.

My darling hubby is so used to seeing me covered in cotton snippets attaching itself to every outfit I wear or pieces of wool hanging from my sleeve these days I'm sure he thinks it's part of each outfit I wear!

And yet I am still smiling... it makes my heart sing and my creative soul is soothed for another day

This week?

Well it has been all about Grannies, ripped paper strips, embroidery floss tangles,

needle felted blunders, miles of bunting and Redwork...

Try and pick the bones out of that lot if you will!

As I say...it keeps me on my toes!

Happy Weekend Wishes!

Tilly 

x x x