About Me

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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 5 August 2015

WOYWW - busy book grand finale!

Morning all, and welcome to my What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday post!

The last week has involved much grumbling (and some swearing tut, tut) in pursuit of a finished busy book. The primary cause...bias binding. I decided it would give a professional finish to edge each busy book page with bias binding but soon discovered that my enthusiasm exceeded my skill! Undeterred I battled on and, after burning the midnight oil last night, I have finally finished my busy book project.

The busy book, entitled 'Ben's Jungle' is the star of the show on my workdesk this week...


I'm really pleased with how it has turned out. Each page will offer Ben something different to fiddle with and every one incorporates an activity which will grow with him too. Hopefully hours of fun will be had.


I couldn't leave the book anonymous so I stitched a little maker's mark on the back! The last innovation to be added to the book was a bookmark. We happened to notice that Ben was very interested in the ribbon bookmark on my Husband's A4 work diary so I thought it would be nice to incorporate one in Ben's busy book so he could be like Daddy.

A massive thanks goes to mum (a.k.a. Twiglet) for keeping Ben occupied while I've whirred away on the sewing machine, not to mention her technical advice!

Also on my workdesk this week is my ideas book with... yes you guessed it, my plans for the next busy book. Glutton for punishment perhaps!



I've collected together all my nautical bits and bobs and have found a cute little bear that my Aunty Annie (a.k.a. Wipso) made for me some years ago. The busy book will be called 'Bear at the Beach' (not to be confused with 'Bare at the Beach', a naturist's guide to the coast tehehe...) and will see the little bear doing lots of seaside activities. Watch this space!

On the subject of the seaside, I'm taking Ben to the Welsh coast today with my best friend so will stop by a few workdesks later on this evening. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy crafting x x x


17 comments:

  1. That is simply brilliant Max. I'm certain ben will have very many happy hours playing with his book. Please put your order in and Ben can have a little ted of his own....in a colour to suit :-)
    Hugs,
    Annie x

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  2. Well done you - a stunning first effort at a quiet book - we will have lots more fun with the next one too!! x

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  3. It's even more amazinger (that is a real word, btw! lol) in the flesh. I shall look forward to seeing the progess of Bear at the Beach. Though, I do think you should attempt Bare at the Beach for an adult audience. A pop up maybe ;-)
    Hope you have a good day at the seaside,
    Hugs, LLJ 14 xxx

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    1. Tehehe...a pop up or maybe a 'pin the tail on' feature!x

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  4. What a clever stitcher you are.Ben is going to have many happy hours with this treasure.
    Judy #7

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  5. Fabulous busy book, beautifully made. Enjoy your week cheers RobynO#22

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  6. Hi Tilly, rofl'd at 'enthusiasm exceeded skill'- if I had a pound for every time I've found myself in that place! But seriously, that is an awesome project you've completed, I can imagine a little smile & a warm glow every time you see Ben playing with it.Love your Makers Mark on the back- that will give him many smiles & warm glows too as he gets older. Looking forward to following Bear at the Beach now. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #4 xx

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  7. Congratulations on finishing Ben's Book. What a wonderful achievement. I'm sure your mum enjoyed keeping Ben occupied while you worked on your project. Bear by the seaside sounds a great idea. So we'll look forward to seeing some sandcastles and ice creams in the future. Have a lovely day out with Ben and your friend. My bestie & I used to do that when the children were young. Barb#20 xx

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  8. what a brilliant book lucky Ben :) look forward to seeing Bears adventure
    happy woyww
    Charlie :) #9
    or find me here https://craftroomdiary.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/woyww-august-5th-2015/

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  9. Just had to pop over to see the finished book after your mum mentioned it today. It's fabulous! Such a lot of work but it's paid off. Ben will get hours of enjoyment from it and the bookmark is gorgeous. Like you, I struggled with bias binding recently ... it will be a wee while before I make something that involves binding again :) Have a great week. Elizabeth x #37

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  10. Gorgeous book, so much work but lovely. Have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 19

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  11. You've done a fantastic job of it. It's going to give your little one many hours of fun.

    Fiona #33

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  12. That is so beautiful! Well done! I did giggle at your expression: 'enthusiasm exceeded skill'. I'l remember that one. I do that quite often actually. BTW, I hadn't twigged that you, Wipso and Twiglet are all related. Well,well.
    Apologies for the late comment. I've been so busy yesterday...
    A blog hug from me,
    Lisca#25

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  13. That book should be entered in a competition - it is absolutely wonderful. Made with so much love.
    Am eagerly awaiting the next instalment of your book making. What a lucky boy Ben is.
    Sending Hugs, Neet xx (sorry I am so late)

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  14. Gorgeous book, he's going to love it. Have a great week and happy crafty WOYWW,
    Angela x 24

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  15. Oh my goodness, this is an AWESOME book... and so special, made my mummy. I bet he will remember that years from now. When he's all grown up he will tell his friends/wife/kids "My mum sew a book for me!" Happy woyww and a warm hug (it's hot and humid in the Netherlands at the moment!) from Holland, Marit #36

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  16. Wow -- that is so great! Your son will love it -- what a fun Mom you are. Will watch with great interest as the bear's adventures begin, too. Happy WOYWW (a couple of days late) from Laura #48

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