New Year new Project -Dear Jane Part 1

A long long time ago I discovered an amazing quilt created in 1863 by Jane Stickle. It inspired other quilt designers, specialists and lovers and one of these decided to re-create the blocks and replicate the whole thing. She wrote up these blocks and her journey and then created a computer programme to help others to re-create their own 'baby janes'.

I have always wanted to learn to quilt for as long as I can remember. I have also always done evening classes in some kind of art form however, since moving to Paris, for various reasons I've concentrated on dance, then I had a baby and started bebe bunting so have never found the time or courses. Dear Jane has changed all that and I'm starting my own Baby Jane. Bear in mind I have very very little quilt making experience, however what I now know after spending 3 years as a housewife and mum, is that I need to learn and to be achieving all the time. So, I'm using this process to learn how to quilt. I can't think of a better way to master the art of quilting. I'm starting with the lessons from the computer programme (cos I like doing things proper like!!).

Here is my first block - A6 - Uncle Homer!

Liberty Angel

This will be the last word on liberty (for a few days anyway).

I had an idea to make a series of angels with some of the gorgeous liberty fabrics I recently purchased from washed and worn. The design I had all figured out from this book

My only problem was I couldn't decide on a face and hair. I was and am still really struggling. I wanted to create a 'face' which reflected the beauty of the fabric, its origins and style. I really struggled. I went back and did lots of research on the period when Liberty was first set-up the syles in its hey dey etc etc and couldn't come up with the perfect face but I'll keep trying and hopefully between now and net christamas inspiration will strike. In the meantime heres where I'm at with the face and hair (delicious velevet ribbon). This little lady went off to Manchester for a little Miss V's christmas. I hear she arrived safely I hope she is keeping well in blighty!!

More Liberty Love

A belated Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

I promised myself I'd be a better blogger this year. I always have posts whirling around in my head and pics to go with these whirrings but I never seem to manage to get them into a post!!

You know how I said I love liberty..... weeeeell, Gallery Laffayette one of the major stores here in Paris has beautiful windows every year, and we take Little Miss P there every year. Sometimes shes scared of the 'tableaux' other times she loves them and we have to drag her kicking and screaming. Last year she did a poo right in front of them (oh yes crouching and grunting but fortunately into a nappy!!). This year liberty fabric was used as a springboard for some amazing and unique designs. If you're a fan of liberty and happen to be in Paris go check out the liberty fest!

I love liberty me!

I love, love Liberty fabric. So much so that I look at it, I stroke it and I dream about making things with it. My hands shake when I cut into it for fear that I make a mistake and a precious few cms go to waste.


I buy it mostly here is Paris its extortionately priced but if I'm missing England I pop over to the shop, gaze longingly at it, get a few strokes in (if a shop assistant isn't jealously guarding it) and pick up and put down (a lot of times), eventually willing myself out of the shop before I buy the lot.

Yesterday I was there and a couple were buying yards and yards of it. I nearly fainted in disbelief and was transfixed by the patterns they had picked. I wanted, oh how i wanted to go up to them and ask them what they planned to do with it, why buy so much, how do they fund their 'habit'.

Then dark thoughts entered my head. Can you be prosecuted for mugging someone of their liberty fabrics...... I think I need to get out more?

A good friend recently comissioned a present for a friend and this is what I came up with. I used a pattern but wasn't happy with buttons so came up with ties instead of ribbons. I added a bag and label with the baby's name and voila a new product was born for my shop (for when I knuckle down and fill it with goodies!).

I love liberty me!!

Is the credit crunch inspiration for creativity?

The credit crunch is hitting everyone, especially those of us who are reliant on the finacial services industry to feed us. Whilst its scarey, I can't help thinking there are many benefits for the environment as we aim to waste less, buy less and whats most exciting for me, make do and mend more! I'm buying less fabric, I'm more motivated to try and sell my work rather than giving it away and today I just worked through a whole pile of mending which I found very theraputic.

I do get a sense of satisfaction from saving money but the crudit crunch is also inspiring me to realise ideas I've had whirling around in my head for a while. Take this scarf I made for my daughter this wkend. She loves scarves but loses them regularly! I'm really into anything 70s and folksy at the moment and I loved making it.

So, yes, credit crunch has definitely inspired me, now.... how easy would it be to whip up a newwinter coat????

Heres a couple of close ups before I stiched them up properly! I was obsessed with having it ready for her to wear at her first bonfire night but I didn't have time to finish it completely!

Displacement activity

I should be filling my shop with stuff and yet I just can't seem to get off my backside and get on with it. Its doing my head in! All I keep thinking about is other projects!

Here's a little something I just finished!

and this little angel lady who is a christmas work in progress

I just couldn't get her face to work so I stuffed her to try and inspire me.....

how to make bunting tutorial

I need to get my finger out and make my little business (or should I say hobby) work so that I can buy even more fabric and make even more things. I actually love the process of getting an idea, designing it, working out how to make it. By the time I've got an 'end product' I've often moved on to the next project.

Recently I worked with a friend, Emilie to create a 'how to make bunting tutorial'. We had a great evening making bunting and drinking wine and it inspired me to get started on my shop so hopefully I'll have it full of goodies soon. In the meantime check out the tutorial she wrote on her blog http://babyccinoblog.com/

bebebunting is 2!!

I can't believe bebebunting has been around for 2 whole years! It all began when I was looking for a special banner to celebrate my daughter's first birthday. I couldn't find anything that wasn't plastic or linked to cartoon characters. I wanted something different, something that could be dragged out every birthday and which would hold memories of birthdays past.

I was also looking for a wooden name plate for Poppy's bedroom door and struggling to find one where I didn't have the same 3 letters!!

I created a happy birthday banner and added my daughters name. A good friend, Nicki saw them, asked me to make one for her daughter and persuaded me to start making them to sell. She came up with the name and really made me believe that others would buy my handiwork!

Now I'm just about to launch an etsy shop. Everything seems to take longer these days but I'm hoping its worth the wait!

New look bebebunting

Hurray!! We are live and kicking!

After 6 wks of computer and internet problems we are finally rocking and rolling! Today is my birthday and to celebrate I'm launching the 'new look' bebebunting brand here and in the shop, followed by an upgrading of the website in the next couple of weeks!

Over the next couple of days I'll be telling you about how it all began, where its going (I hope) and I'll be littering the place with creations from my crafting and sewing. I'm new to blogging myself but an old hand at reading others' (mostly lurking) so 'here we go, here we go, here we go'!!!!

Welcome!!!!

bebebunting has arrived in blogland!! Here's a pic of the inspiration that started this journey!!