Whats on our desks - April

 

Another look at our desks this month and a little behind the scenes action.  So, lets take a look at what's been on our desks this month.

H - I thought I would do a little behind the scenes shot for this month including some air dry clay that I have been enjoying using.  Sometimes I find it easier to have everything set up for blog posts the night before and so I can just get straight on shooting in the morning of the weekend.  Its about getting all the equipment out and making sure camera battery is charged and tripod and notebook are by my side.  Sometimes I find it easier to write a step by step first with a shot list and other times its just for writing notes or ideas down while I go.  Just before I got started with this little lot it was a chance to have my favourite weekend breakfast of poached eggs on crumpets and a big old brew to keep me going.

Sammy - My desk at the moment is my sewing desk, I have been sewing up a storm on my little Janome. The black and white fabric is a dress for myself that I have had cut out for ages and have finally got around to finishing off this last weekend.  It is a jersey fabric from our friend Maude and the pattern is the Colette Myrtle. I am so happy with how it turned out, it is my new favourite dress! As well as goodies for myself, I have been sewing up samples for Sew Crafty and some tutorials for  later this month. 

What's been on your desk this month, any new ideas and fun projects?  Let us know in the comments, as we all like to be a bit nosey!

H,xxx

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Make it: Easy Camera Strap Cover

We are easing into the New Year with an easy DIY today, one that will significantly improve the inside of your camera bag. I find the rubberised backing on most camera straps really catch on my neck and if I am out and about it can be a real pain. About a year ago I made a strap cover, now I can't live without one! I have since made lots for family, friends and anyone who has admired mine. They make a great gift and trust me, you will wonder how you lived without one for so long. 

You will need: Fabric for the outside (cotton or polycotton work well) and something slightly heavier for the inside (I used corduroy, but felt or fleece would also be a good choice) Your camera strap, an air erasable pen or chalk, scissors and a sewing machine (optional).

Start by placing your two fabrics one on top of another wrong sides together. Then take your camera strap and place it down on top, use your pen or chalk to draw around the strap, then flip it over and draw around it again. Don't forget to mark where the leather end piece comes as it will make the cover fit better if you make it to cover those slightly. Cut around the edge of your markings leaving a rough 1.5cm around the edge for a seam allowance.

On the short ends fold the two fabrics up and stitch it up with two rows of top stitching. Then fold the cover in half length ways and pin it along the seam allowance.

Stitch along the long length of the cover and trim away any excess from the edge. Turn the cover inside out and slip it over your camera strap.

There you have it a pretty, comfy strap cover which will look lovely on your camera and if you're anything like me, stop your hair getting caught in it when you are trying to get the perfect shot!

So easy right? A fun little project to try this weekend, the perfect thing to ease yourself into your new sewing machine or a good chance to fire up your machine after the new year.

As usual we would love to see if you do have a go at this or any of our projects, send us a photo on Facebook, twitter or tag us on Instagram. Just use the #livelovemake

Have a great weekend
Sammy xxx


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Love it: Wilko's New Homewares

 1.Storage boxes  /  2.Mercury Vase  /  3.Lamp Shade  /  4.Chevron Bedding  /   5.WoodenAmpersand  /   6.Table Lamp  /  7.Lace Bowl  /  8.Faceted Vase  /  9.Camera Print

Spring is well on it's way and spring means one thing, Spring cleaning and with spring cleaning comes a yearning to buy new goodies to place around my newly sparkling home. As I was wondering around Wilkinson's the other day buying some storage boxes for the shop I spotted the new batch of home-wears and found my self grabbing a basket (oops!) Here are my pick of their surprisingly stylish accessories.

So will I see you in Wilkinson's this weekend?

Have a good one 

Sammy xxx

Make it: Felt Camera Case

This year I was trying to make quite a few presents in an effort to be more crafty!

So I thought I would tell you how I made this camera case, I know its a bit late for Christmas but it would make a great gift any time of the year.  It is just like the ones I have seen in the shops this year, so that if anyone you know is a camera buff, you can make one too!  If you do, we would love to see them, so please send us a picture and we can get it up on the blog!

So, to start with, I blanket stitched two strips of felt together (around A4 in length) to make the main part of the case.  I then fabric glued a different colour strip of felt onto the back to make it stiffer, so that it protects the camera.  I cut out the circle and rectangle shapes and chose some buttons and then got to work on sewing around the circles and then stitching the button through to make the lens and stitching around the rectangle to make the window.  Then to sew on the buttons for the top button and flash button.  Nearly there!!

I cut out two strips of the spotty felt, around the length of the camera and cut one end into a curve, so that when I sewed the edges - with the blanket stitch again - I had a curve to follow.  This then leaves a little of the felt to make into a flap to keep everything in the case, so I stitched a piece of velcro onto the flap and it was done!

It looks as good as the shop bought ones and slightly more bespoke due to the colours used that my friend would like. I got a message on Christmas Day that she loved it and it was better than the ones in the shop!  I think its a job well done.

dont forget to let us know if you make one too!

Make it
Heather