Well, now I have tidied up my little office I have plenty to be able to do to keep me occupied.
I had a root around my belongings and rediscovered some little pendants I had bought a few months back.
These pendant charms actually came in a little bag of fertility. I bought it when I was becoming frustrated with not becoming pregnant. I was grasping on to straws and just wanted something to help me feel like I had a little more control over my body and to give me a little bit of hope.
So inside the bag was a little card saying:
"This little bag of fertility will help your body to kick start and grant the greatest wish to heal your aching heart. It's filled with what you need in life to help see you through and with some love, believe and hope a bundle of joy will come to you."
Each charm represented something in particular:
Fish = Fertile
Crescent moon = Female divine energy
Frog = Fertility
Infinity = Complete cycle
Rabbit = Birth
Cross = Life
Angel wings = Protection
There were also some gemstones:
Moonstone = Regulates fertility cycle
Rose quartz = Encourages fertility
Aventurine = Encourages pregnancy
Garnet = Aids fertility
Onyx = Promotes fertility
Tigers eye = Eases tension
I also came across a 'findings' kit to help you make jewellery as well as some craft wire.
I half wanted to mount all the 7 pendants on one necklace separated by little spacers. But then I realised the rings I had to put the pendants on the wire were too big or the spacers are too small... Either way, the was no securing the pendants in place.
This has gone back to the drawing board for now while I try and think of another way to do this. Failing that, I might just make a little necklace or bracelet for each pendant.
Another day, I decided that I would finally unearth my sewing machine and actually give it a try.
I have only owned it for around 3 years and carted it through a house move...
After reminding myself how to fill a bobbin, load and thread the machine I worked out what project I would have a go at.
Previously I had tried to get to grips with the machine but really struggled and so became frustrated.
Caz had suggested I try playing around with scraps of fabric to see what all the different stitch settings do and how it feels to sew and just get your eye in.
I gave that a go but because I wasn't really achieving an end result with something pretty to hold I think I gave up my attempts.
This time I thought I would just crack on and give it a go. I would try and make something for real.
A few months back we finally kitted out our walk in wardrobe and threw out our fabric (allegedly temporary) wardrobe. The fabric wardrobe must have been 10 years old. It definitely stood the test of time. It survived (just) 2 house moves.
When the wardrobe was dismantled (it practically came to bits without much persuasion) the wood was put to one side as kindling for the log burner and the fabric was saved just in case I had any call for it in the future.
Well, now was that moment to give it a go and a find a new purpose and new lease of life for the fabric.
I had been pondering about making some small, easy crafts to sell on the side. Potentially doing a bit of baking or sewing. If you have a bit of a called after talent (I'm not saying I do, but I'm giving it a go) where you can make things that other people struggle to do then perhaps you can sell these and make a bob or two.
So I thought what about trying to make a phone cover/pouch.
I cut off a chunk of the fabric and marked out the measurements for my phone.
I knew I wanted to be able to fold over the top and fasten it. So I worked out the dimensions, cut it out and put it in the sewing machine.
I literally had no idea what I was doing, but God loves a tryer.
It is great to do something that is so absorbing that you forget all your worries for a little while. The achievement from doing craft and knowing you were able to make something useful/pretty is really rewarding.
I knew I should hem all exposed edges to keep it from fraying apart and to make it look neater. After pinning the hem in place, I just went for it.
I had an idea you are meant to use the reverse stitch to secure everything in place... But this seemed to make messy corners.
After sewing the hems and then two of the sides together, I turned the whole thing inside out and finished off the hems.
For the fastening I sewed on a button, the first I have done in my memory.
There was no way I would be attempting a button hole. I know there is a setting on my machine for it, but that is for another day and a different project.
Remembering that you can handsew loops for buttons, I looked on youtube and saw a couple demonstrations. Unluckily, it turns out I had cut too short a length of thread; after doubling up the thread to make it strong enough I didn't have enough to go all around.
But for a first attempt, I was quite happy with the thread loop I had made.
Here is the final item! Not the neatest, but it improved even as I was going. The seams are quite straight and I know I can work on the thread loop in the future... But securing and finishing the ends I will have to practise a little more...
It has given me the confidence to give it a go with some nice fabric. Perhaps having a lining inside to contrast with the outer case and to give it a bit more detail. I'm not entirely sure how to go about that. Maybe I just need to give it a go!
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