Living in Guernsey

When we decided to move to Guernsey we had only visited once before for an overnight stay to meet my husband's new bosses and view a few houses, so we really didn't know what to expect. Nearly two years on one thing is certain, we love this little island dearly for so many reasons. If you Google Guernsey, you will stumble across an abundance of beautiful photographs showing off the unique flavour of our island. From the rolling green fields and dramatic cliffs to the bustling harbour in St Peter Port and the ever changing bays of the coastline, Guernsey is simply stunning.

But what I have come to love above all else are the people of Guernsey. Local islanders are warm and welcoming and more than happy to share their history, their recipes and their hospitality. I have learnt so much about island life from the locals I have met and the affection they hold for their island is very endearing. Although we have our own local radio station, Island FM, I find I am listening more and more to BBC Guernsey during the day. It is almost impossible not to feel as if you are listening in on a conversation between friends as callers and guests discuss topics related to island life. I happen to dislike the mess and hassle involved in baking or cooking in general; but today I was totally absorbed listening to the segment on making a Christmas pudding from a WW1 recipe and finding out the reasons behind adding a carrot into the mix from the grand daughter of the woman who originally created the recipe.

And as for the outsiders like me who have made Guernsey their home, what has impressed on me is how they have adopted the attitude of 'When in Rome do as the Romans do' and have embraced island life and all its little quirks. While I may not be from here, I feel more at home here and more part of a community than I have ever done.

Indeed, the community spirit is what makes living in Guernsey special. Its as if there is an unspoken agreement that we are all in this together, lets make the most of everything and do what we can to make it better for everyone. Whether that means supporting the many local events, making the most of the Tennerfest or simply stopping a familiar face for a chat when you pass on the street; Guernsey is truly a remarkable place to live.

Patiently waiting but planning ahead

For Christmas I got a new sewing machine, the Janome QXL605. Three days later it exploded. Ok, there was no smoke or fire, but the insides jammed and bent beyond repair, the foot was broken, the turning wheel stuck and it snapped three new needles. Thankfully, Sewing World were very helpful and arranged to send me a replacement machine. Except that there have been a few delays and I am still waiting for delivery.

I have been so frustrated especially as I am halfway through two projects- a handbag for myself and chairbags for the kitchen. (What is a chairbag? Well, it's a bag that fits on the back of a chair and is used to store things. In my case, its the trio's blankies, pencil bag and colouring book, a toy or two and probably some other random things they have hidden away).

I've kept myself busy by unpacking and admiring my fabric stash, trying out different colour combinations and then lovingly packing them away again. But the need to create became unbearable today. Sitting on the floor with my piles of fabric around me I decided that although I couldn't sew anything, I could get my future projects prepared so that I am ready to go when my machine arrives. With a great deal of excitement, I cut out the pieces for two bags and a few purses. Just the act of cutting the fabric was therapeutic.

Often I look at my fabric stash and am inspired and full of ideas. But then I wonder if that piece of fabric would look better on another project instead and I end up saving the fabric 'just in case'. Today I was brave, decisive and committed to following through on my initial inspiration.

I cant wait to get started and to see the finished product. In the meantime, I'd love to hear whether you have any pieces of fabric that you are reluctant to use or keep saving for another day?


       

A little Liberty

I've never been one for book reviews, but on this occasion I am going to make an exception. I spotted The Liberty Book of Home Sewing in my local library this week and I just had to get it. Put together by the people who make Liberty fabrics and published by Quadrille Publishing Ltd, it is filled with an interesting choice of projects.

All the projects are very simple to make although the instructions are not exactly laid our for someone completely new to sewing. 

What I like about this book is that the simple way the patterns are shown opened my eyes to how easy it would be to create my own patterns and inspired me to use the ideas given in my own way.

The round poof cushion looks complicated but really couldn't be simpler. The panels are all rectangular and are gathered in the middle giving a gorgeously gathered appearance to the cushion. 

Other projects include a gadget case, keepsake board, roman blind, simple curtains and eco shopper, an ottoman beanbag, book covers, lampshade, rose throw and two quilts.

One of the projects I can't wait to try is the rose cushion using an adaptation of ribbon rose making on a larger scale. It looks beautiful and this simple method can be used in so many ways from decorating the collars or hems of a coat to edging a quilt or making a statement piece of art to hang on the wall.

Another favourite of mine is the peacock pin cushion with it's beautiful feathers standing proudly. I think this would make a fantastic door stop and look equally fabulous on my dressing table wearing a few of my necklaces.

Of all the pieces however, the rose corsage is probably the most versatile and creative of the projects. So simple to make and yet so effective. It would look great on a headband, embellishing a bag or as a pin on a coat lapel. 

If you made up a bunch of these roses in complementary colours, they would look amazing displayed in a vase as an eternal bouquet and would make a wonderful gift for Valentines day.

                  

At the back of the book, there is a section showing the history of each of the fabrics showcased in this book, when they were originally released and how they have evolved over time. There is even a how-to section about the basics of sewing hems, edges, seams etc.

                             

There is so much to love about this book. Whether you are looking for something to make, enjoy finding out more about fabric or just want to find some inspiration, this book is worth taking a look at.

What have you come across lately that would be worth sharing with us? I'd love to hear about them.

M

     

                                              

Inspiration is everywhere

                                        

My garden seems to think its spring time. There are daisies all over the lawn, the corner tree has red blossoms on and the big tree in our neighbor's garden has buds all over it. I've spotted the Daffodils poking their heads out of the ground and the blackbirds families are waging a war over who gets ownership of the prime patch of grass under the trampoline. But it's still dark too much of the time and its not warm enough to wear flipflops yet. 

Inspiration can be hard to find when the wind or rain tempts you to stay indoors and hide under the duvet. But while snuggling in a nice warm bed, watching the wind gusting around outside and daydreaming about nothing in particular, the pattern on my duvet cover caught my eye. So I grabbed my phone and using one of the photo apps I took a few 'polaroid' pictures of the lines intersecting on my rumpled bedding.

When I look at these pictures I get a real warm feeling of comfort, security, peace and contentment. I love them so much I think I may get them printed out in a large collage and hang them above my bed.

Where do you find inspiration in your day to day life? What do you find beautiful enough to make you pause and take notice? What little thing touches your heart?


Please do leave comments and share your inspiration with me. M

  

Away with the Fairies...

All my life I have loved making things... My earliest memory of crafting is a little pink sewing machine for children that I had when I was about five years old. I remember it had a foot pedal, but I preferred using the hand crank and watched mesmerised as the needle went in and out of the material. Since then my love affair with all things creative has evolved as I added sewing, knitting, needlework, embroidery, beading, wire jewellery, writing poetry and photography to my list of passions.

One from the Fairy Book

In the summer I bought a book/ kit called 'Fairies- Petal people you make yourself' by Rachel Haab from www.klutz.com and had a great deal of fun making fairies with my daughter.

Bride version 1

Except it didn't stop there. I started using wire and beads from my jewellery making stock and designing more grown up versions of the fairies. And before I knew it, I had modified the basic design a few times and was putting my fairies in mobiles and hoops and giving them away as gifts.

Bride version 2 

 I've decided that 2012 is going to be the year that I challenge myself to find new ways to express my creativity, to find inspiration in new places and to start believing in my own abilities. I hope you will take up the challenge too and be encouraged too try something new, who knows where it will lead you...