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I am a lifelong fabric artist who loves bringing a home to life with quirky, unique and sumptuous pieces of textile art. I learnt my craft from sharing many a happy hour sewing with my talented mother. I particularly like collage, free-machining, needle-felting and creating home furnishings using a combination of machine and hand sewing. I love incorporating vintage and reclaimed fabrics, buttons, beads, jewellery and other items in my work to give them a second chance at being beautiful.

Wednesday 26 August 2015

WOYWW - Birthday preparations

So we're back from our week away in Cornwall and my mind is now firmly fixed on the little man's first birthday,  looming large in just four weeks time. Before the big day however there are more first birthdays among his little friends so I've been busy making birthday presents for them too.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Perranporth, but as there wasn't time to get up to any stitchery, I've enjoyed getting on with some sewing projects on my return.

So here's my workdesk. . .


Currently in progress on my workdesk is the birthday collage I have made for him. I have used the collage for the invitations to his birthday tea party and I'm pleased enough with the finished product to mount it up for Ben's bedroom wall. I thought it would make a nice annual tradition to produce a collage for him.

Here's how I used the collage to print pictures for the invitations we have sent to Ben's twelve little friends...


Also on my workdesk is another couple of treasure hunt toys I am making as birthday gifts. Ben seems to enjoy shaking his and looking at the different charms. He is already able to recognise and point to a number of the charms so it must have some developmental value!


I've raided mum's stash of beads, buttons and card toppers and I'm now running low on charms to put in the toys. If you have any suggestions of very cheap sources of 3D shapes (animals etc) about 1-2cm / half an inch, please share them. The pound shops of Shrewsbury have so far proven fruitless!

My final workdesk feature is a handful of needle-felting backgrounds ready to work on. I found them as I was clearing some space in my sewing cupboard for all my busy book materials and thought it's high time I got my head round some needle-felting again.

I'll round off with a collage from my little man's first holiday...

Thanks for stopping by. If you've landed here by happy accident and are wondering what WOYWW (what's on your workdesk Wednesday) is all about, drop by Julia's Stamping Ground to meet a fab gang of crafters from across the globe.

Have a lovely week, happy crafting x


14 comments:

  1. I LOVE that birthday collage! And what a fab idea to use it on the invitations, it looks brilliant. I can't believe he's nearly one, I remember Twiglet getting so excited around this time last year!
    Your holiday pics were lovely, it took me back to when our two were little. The pic of Ben and the seal is just gorgeous! Happy days :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 11 xxx

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  2. Hi Tilly, what an amazing collage, and so fab to have used it for his invitations. Awesome holiday pics. Looks like you got good weather.
    Re- the charms, have you tried an E-Bay search, maybe 'novelty buttons'?Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #5 xxx

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  3. First holiday...so special! Looks like you caught some great weather too, lovely. Love the collage and the idea of doing one each year...and my word, as an onlooker, its gone really fast! I do like how you have stuff lined up and waiting...kinda like you intend to make time. This is a good thing!

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  4. Love the birthday collage Max and it certainly looks like you had a lovely holiday....lots of happy memories made.
    Hugs,
    Annie x

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  5. Great to hear your holiday was such fun. My Hubby used to go to Perrenporth every Summer 50 years ago & a couple of years back we went there on a nostalgic visit ! Collage is great ! Ali #10

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  6. Hi Tilly, I loved looking at your holiday photos. It looks as if you all had fun. Ben's birthday collage is lovely and what a lovely idea to use it for the invitations.. I hope you manage to source the little characters to make those lovely toys. You come up with some super ideas. Enjoy Ben's party and have a lovely week. Barb#27

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  7. Love that birthday collage.
    Judy #12

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  8. He is adorable. What a great collage and love how you used it to make the invitation. April #47

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  9. Ahhh we'll done Tilly clever use of the collage on the invitations, and looks like you really did have a wonderful time in Corwall, survived the seagulls :D
    Happy first birthday Benjamin... And happy WOYWW
    Shaz in Oz.x34

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  10. Oh such gorgeous pics of that little man - I love him to bits. Oh and Ben is cute too - lol x x x

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  11. What a wonderful collage, and great idea to use it on the invitations too. He's a little cutie, and it looks like you had some nice weather too, how unusual! I love the needle felting - I really like the little touches of red, are they poppies? Just beautiful! Thanks so much for stopping by earlier, I hope you have a great week,
    Diana #23

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  12. The birthday invitation is beautiful.... what a wonderful family treasure you will have at the end. have lovely week.
    sandra de @39

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  13. Ooo you are so clever! That collage is so sweet. And the invitations you have made.
    Thanks for sharing some holiday pics. I love the one with the seal.
    I'm a bit late in commenting, but I like taking my time and reading people's blog and sometimes older posts too.
    Have a great week,
    Lisca#29

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  14. I am late to the party this week, great to hear that you have had a fabulous holiday. You could use puzzle pieces from a puzzle that has lost one and is no longer usable... Shop in the party section of stores as they have shaped confetti for the tables and would be great in your gifts.

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