Inspirational Signs!

I like Inspirational quotes. They make me feel warm and fuzzy inside and this week when lil man was having one of his "I'm bored!!!!!" moments I decided to let him help me so some messy painting using my posh watercolours. Naturally it only kept him occupied for ten minutes till he declared that also boring.

I had an ulterior motive though, I'd seen some really cute inspirational posters on etsy and knew I could make my own. 

Basically we chucked some paint down on drawing paper. Waited what felt like ten years for them to dry. Then I perused pinterest searching for nice quotes which I wrote in pencil and tehn went over in either sharpie or fine liner. Depending on the font I'd used!  

Not all who wander are lost - J RR Tolkien 

This is one of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite books!

Enjoy Today

I think I need to remember to enjoy the little things in life more. I seem to spend a lot of time stressing and not much time relaxing. Especially when life is so good right now!

Shine like the Stars

This is so cheesy it makes me cringe a bit. Like in our GCSE leaving assembly where the head teacher was all like reach for the moon you just might land on a star? *cringes*

The best is yet to come

For a long time the future scared the bejeezus out of me but now I can't wait to see whats around the corner!

I can & I will

I had a lot of people give me side eye when I told them I was pregnant at 18. I mean "OMG your life is OVER! Do you need me to drive you....ya know to sort it out??" Yep I actually had someone offer to drive me for an abortion.... after I told them I was pregnant and showed them a scan picture. At the time I was fuming but now it makes me laugh because although my life took a different route it doesn't mean it was a bad one. In fact I like this road it pretty darn tidy and without popping out a kid at the ripe old age of 19 I would never have thought to start a blog or take up sewing again, or become addicted to all things crafty!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

P.S Please don't be too outraged my my friend suggesting I have an abortion when I told people I was pregnant I got of lot of obnoxious comments thrown in my direction! 

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It's like Christmas but more velvety

I recently came into possession of some velvet. A roll of velvet to be precise. Yes a roll like they have in fabric shops. It was given to me by one of my mums belly dance friends. All of whom are very lovely and always on the lookout for bits and pieces I might find useful. 

But what on earth can I do with it all? How will I store it? How will I know how much there is? 

My first instinct for storing it was to cut it into manageable lengths and fold it away, however my nanny who's visiting said this might cause the velvet to get gold lines and crease and ruin it. So instead I've tucked it behind the sofa with my projector screen. 

With regard to how much there is, I have no idea, I know how to work out the circumference of a circle but not of a spiral? I'm not sure they covered that in gcse maths. Or if they did I wasn't listening! Which means I'll have to play it fast and loose! I'll have to enjoy the velvet whilst I can and be satisfied that I've enjoyed myself when the end comes. Sort of like eating chocolate blindfolded.

But know what to make? How much velvet can one person cram into their wardrobe? Well if your me and love velvet! LOTS! 

So naturally I've started a velvet Pinterest board! Here's a few of my favourite things: 

Okay so it's ambitious, and I've got no idea how to work the whole buses thing. But I've wanted a velvet corset since my sister came home with one over ten years ago. (My sister possibly loves velvet more than me) I adored that corset, in fact it's just one in a long list of things I wanted to steal from my sisters wardrobe  over the years, now I'm not sure I could do something this complicated but I think the gbsb fashion with fabric pattern might serve as a good starting point for corset based projects. 

A velvet suit, mick jagger was my inspiration for this, however I think I might go for a straighter trouser rather than a flare. I used to love flares when I was about 9/10 in fact I had a pair of huge flares and I'm still not sure how I didn't fall over in them. So I think I've had my fill of flares, plus I think a straighter leg will stop it from looking outdated.

Ive looked into ways to alter the velvet so I don't get bored , I'm tempted to try bleaching (on a scrap first) and see if I can create a galaxy style dress, complete with little bead "stars" and I'm definitely going to try embossing, apparently you need something you can heat like a rubber stamp or a metal stamp. My only stamp is an owl so I've been on the lookout for interesting metal objects that might be usable, so far I'm found a potato masher......... 

I think this might be the project I start with. The clemence pattern from Tilly and the buttons looks like a good fit for this and I think it will be nice and snuggly for winter. 

Velvet minidress (minus sparkles) I'm pretty sure I wore a dress similar to this for the millennium, it was from Tammy girl , in fact all my "party clothes" were! I loved Tammy girl! I wonder if it's still going? Anyway the other reason I love it is because I'm pretty sure buffy the vampire slayer had a velvet minidress and she's been my idol for years! She's just so 90's ! Anyway I'm going to use the gbsb book 2's shift dress pattern. I just made a summer version so I know it fits and a more winter appropriate version would be cool. 

And that's all my ideas for now! 

What would you make with a bolt of velvet? 

Much love

Frankie

Xxx

John Lennon

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination"

-

John Lennon

Original Artwork By Frankie Carson

I Can't Believe It!

My name is Frankie and I'm a stay at home mum,

 

But I do kind of like to think that there's something else that I 'do'. My name is Frankie and I knit adorable kitsch, kooky original and sickeningly sweet things and when I show people what I make the responses usually fall into one of three categories:

 

1. Oh it's adorable I want one! Please make me one!
2. Oh its lovely, hang on its how much!?
3. You don't sell those? Who buys them? Their awful! Surely they don't sell? 
4. The people who don't get it, but they respect it (Mr Knitwit falls quite solidly into this group)       

Now obviously response 1 is my favourite, usually I respond by blushing uncontrollably, to the point where I look like your nan after one to many sherry's at the family wedding.

 

Response 2 irks me a little. On the one hand, they like what I make, but on the other hand they don't think I'm worth the price. Which to be honest upsets me a little bit, if they don't think I'm worth the price, what about when I've given them as gifts? Are they worth less then as well? Well I've come to realise that these people are just ignorant of the amount of time and effort that goes into making something that's handmade. Sadly I don't knit like one of the shreddies Nannas, it does not take me an hour to whip up an owl, it takes a darn sight longer and that's on a good day. I sincerely hope that these people learn the joy of handing over something well made, original and handmade, or that at least their own family members don't spend hours knitting and sewing should the group 3's ever have a child of their own.

 

Now if group 2 irks me, group 3 sends me into a mild/less than mild rage! For starters please don't comment on my things like your some sort of fashionista and assume that everyone hates them and secondly pleas don't talk about them like that and especially in front of me, trust me I am under no delusions that what I make is everyone's cup of tea. But everything I make has a part of me in it. I give every make 100% and nothing leaves my house till I'm happy with it!

 

 

Which got me thinking (and yes that is burning you can smell) How many people are sat out there able to make things but suppressed by the group 3s of this world? How many Knitting Nanas and young people who can just 'use' a sewing machine people who draw and sketch but won't put themselves out there for fear of rejection?

 

A very wise teacher once told me, "you can call yourself an artist when you've sold your first painting"

 

Well World/internet/blog land/small group of people who return to my little space of the internet that's full of ramblings

 

My name is Frankie and I am an artist and crafter. I paint things and I sew and I knit the most sickeningly kitsch, sweet, adorable and darn right kooky things you can imagine! And they sell, sometimes they sell well, and sometimes I have lulls. But each of my customers is pleased and I always do my best so please don't rain on my parade!

 

And if you are a closet Knitter/sewer/painter BREAK FREE! Put yourself out there! As someone once said , "If you don't reach the moon you might just land on a star!"

 

In other news I made a scarf today (which I was going to blog about but this verbal stream came out instead!)

 

Much Love

 

And embrace your passions!

 

Frankie

 

xxx

 

 

Pretty In Pink

Its refashion time again! I was reading a lovely little blog called eat sleep breathe fashion which happens to be written by my lovely and talented cousin Miss Sadie K, and she was talking about the amount of co-ordinating trends this summer.

 

Photo Credit eat sleep breathe fashion

 This is a style I love! But I've always been terrified of looking like something out of an eighties movie. You know what I mean , flowered skirt, flowered skirt, big hair, bubble gum, Molly Ringwald. I digress.

 

But anyway I decided to have a quick look in my wardrobe to see if their was anything I could tweak.

And I found this.

 

 

I'm not sure when I brought this, or what drugs I had been given, but all I can say is, it makes me look about 6 months pregnant, apparently the puffy under the bust skirt is not my friend!

 

 

The dress was originally from miso, and although I love the fabric and the fully lined skirt, I was not loving how it looked on me. So I changed it up a little bit.

 

NOTE;  Please give yourself some time to prepare yourself for some VERY awkwardly posed pictures taken by momma Knitwit. (Who only just learnt how to use an SLR camera today) (and kept making me giggle)

 

 

 I basically cut the skirt away from the lining but left it attached to the top. Sewed some lace around all the over locked edges on the top, and turned the skirt piece into an actual skirt using elastic! Oh elastic that's very eighties isn't it!

 

 (I know I am rubbish at explaining what I do, it's basically, cut, swear, pray, sew, cheer)

 

 

 Here's the back, (still working on that focus with momma) it originally had straight straps but I decided to cross them because one had broken anyway!

 

 

Wack on a belt and heels and I'm good to go.

 

 

Here's just the top, and yes I do know it looks like a nightie untucked but if Madonna can rock it so can I! The shorts are also a refashion, they used to be my sisters jeans and were cut down the summer my mum decided my sister needed to get her legs out more.

 

 

And this is the skirt as a separate, paired with my very old Ethel Austin top. I actually think I like it best styled like this, but either way its definitely more wearable now it doesn't make me look like I'm expecting baby number two!

 

 

But what have this project taught me:

1. Current fashion trends, can be achieved at home , without the hefty price tag.
2. If I could crop my legs at the knee in real life I'd be much happier
3. My mother should not be let near technology
4. Don't bin anything
5. And as much as it pains me to admit it, I would not win Americas next top model with my dazzling modelling talents!.

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

Bad Day

Does anyone else have bad crafting days? The kind of days where you read the pattern wrong and drop stiches? Where your threads knotted and your sewing machine decided it's tension is all wrong?

 

I'm having one of those , I miscounted stitches on my knitting and ran out of fabric for a dress I was going to make, (I should have measured properly, apparently my winging it approach doesn't always work!)

 

So not much has been done to be honest, but I did manage to have a nice relaxing time doing some embroidery , although the day I'm having I'll probably spill an entire cup of tea over it just as I've finished (and yes I have done that before, 3 hours work down the drain!)

 

 

It's a bit different to what I usually do, but I'm loving it so far.

 

 

Standard embroidery procedure , Grandmothers embroidery hoop, various threads, needle, comfy chair and a brew . If this is what heavens like, take me out back and shoot me.

 

 

It definitely relaxed me after what was briskly turning into a day of failures mixed in with a large cup of self pity.

 

 

I used chain stitch on the centre of the flowers , it was the first posh embroidery stitch I ever learned and I remember my textiles teacher showing me very patiently how to do it, I was going to do French knots but they STILL elude me!

 

 

All I need to do is the branch and then I think I might be done aside from a few small extra stitches I might add.

 

Ever had a super sucky crafting day?

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

They Think Its All Over - It Will Be Soon

World Cup fever has reached the Knitwit household. And as much as I don't mind watching England play , it seems to be on all the time!

 

But yes I did stay up last night to watch the football, even if I did have to have a small nap at half time (well it was on very late) But I did notice something, usually I'm so distracted by the wacky hairstyles that I miss the rest of the ensemble but I did notice two things:

 

1. The Italian players t shirts were really very tight (no complaints here)

2. Quite a few of them were wearing mis-matched boots? I'm hoping it was intentional and not like forgetting your P.E kit and having to get something out of the lost property box!

 

 

Now either , he's not sure of his left and right and has a different colour on each foot to make it easier, or he's channelling his inner Helena Bonham Carter.

 

 

She got slated for wearing odd shoes but I personally think she looked fierce! I kind of hope it was a tribute to the lovely lady herself.

 

But it did get me thinking about their boots and about the first pair they would have ever worn, I'm guessing they might have been a similar style to these.

 

 

These are the smallest booties I've ever made! I'm not even sure what size they are , I'm guessing new-born but its so hard for me to believe that Little Knitwit was ever that dinky! I wonder if the professional footballers mummy's ever thought about the boots their babies would be putting on their feet later in life?

 

 

These were knitted yesterday during one of the many football matches that have been gracing my television. I used a lovely pale blue and made twist ties as the closure.

 

 

Ooooooh they are so cute and I'm starting to know the pattern by heart, so I think iI'll be whipping up a few more of these during the world cup.

 

But for those of you who aren't into football here are my world cup survival tips! (and yes Mr.Knitwit is very into his football, he hasn't missed a game yet)

 

1. Find something to do, I recommend knitting or hand embroidery. I like to spend as much time as possible with Mr.Knitwit in the evenings, so I need something to concentrate on other than the football.

2. Add to your stash , Most likely the other half will be concentrating so hard on telling the ref he's a moron, he realise you've brought another twenty balls of wool or a trolley load of fabric!

3. Get in the spirit! I'm using it as an opportunity to dress the house in some England flags, and dress all of us in matching kit (shameful, I know) Little Knitwit has the full kit, and I have the shirt which I'm styling in a very 50's manner.

4. Pour yourself a glass of vino and relax! Chances are this is the quietest the men/women/teenagers will be for a while, so run and bath and finish that book!

 

Much Love

 

And come on ENGLAND!

 

Frankie

 

XXX

Damm I'm Good

I'm getting pretty good at this blogger malarkey! We have some new features!

 

My beautiful Etsy Button - This is located at the side of the page and you can click here to see my Etsy page.

 

We have an "About Me" page! (At the top) - Where you can see a lovely picture of me and Little Knitwit playing farmer on a tractor!

 

We have a "Artwork Page" - So you can see some of the artwork I've done in the past! Which I know I never would have got round to blogging about.

 

We have a follow me on Pinterest Button at the side of the page! I usually follow back unless I don't get the notification!

 

And best of all you can now pin individual pictures to your Pinterest boards! I wont tell you how long that took me to figure this button out!

 

 

Exciting things are happening!

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

XXX

One Mans Trash

Yesterday was a lovely day, we had a visit from Mr Knitwits Nanny and Grandad! And they came bearing gifts!

As it turns out Nanny had been having a little bit of a clear out and was getting rid of some knitting stuff! YAY! And guess who was first in line? Lil ol ME!

There was some lovely chunky wool! (I've already turned the fluffy greyish beigee one into a cowl!)

 

 

And the big dark ball at the back is really stunning , you can't tell on the photo but it has a lot of jewel tones running through it!

 

 

And there was this beauty! I was so thrilled to be given this, it has instructions for everything, cabling, lace knitting, knitting in the round, and changing colour but to name a few!

 

But the best bit! It's absolutely full of patterns! Here are some personal favourites!

 

 

I think we might be seeing a new type of doorstop emerging!

 

 

A ladies evening dress! I'm assuming that you'd want to be pretty sure on your tension, needle size and the stretch of the wool for this bad boy! Unless of course your that sort of women! Ooft!

 

 

I actually think this is pretty adorable as far as children's knitwear goes, I think it could look quite sweet in a girly colour palette

 

 

I actually LOVE this! No hear me out, ignore the bunches, and the ice cream and the VERY pink trousers. Now picture it in a nice cream, or charcoal?  I think it could be quite nice for snuggling up in? what do you think?

 

In other news I finished another cowl yesterday, just need to stitch it together!

 

And if you have ever knitted your own evening dress PLEASE! let me know!

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx 

Formula 1

"Once something is a passion, the motivation is there"

-

Michael Schumacher

 

Artwork by Frankie Carson

 

 

We Are Gathered Here Today.....

It's Day 14 of Pinterest Fortnight! This is the end! It's the last day! And I cannot wait to relax and recover! I've found knitting needles in every room of the house and I have threads stuck to me constantly!

So the last day, now I have to say I was a bit stuck on this one. It needed to be grand and special! After all this is the Grand Finale! Which got me thinking to a Pinterest board that I haven't covered yet, yes its the secret wedding Pinterest board! Yes I have one, you have one! Everyone has one! You just have to admit it!

 

 

Now I am engaged so I feel I am perfectly justified in having a wedding Pinterest board, however I know that there is not one thing on that board that Mr Knitwit will like. At all. Not one darn thing! the problem is I'm a dreamer/hippie/punk/crafter/crazy and he's well not? He's very stable and sensible. Well they do say opposites attract!

 

For example I thought todays make inspired by my love of pinning weddings on Pinterest is adorable! He ummmm doesn't?

 

Without further ado here it is the Grand Finale!

 

 

I made a Bride and Groom owls! Yes I am that person and I had so much fun doing it! I took most of my inspiration from the eighties if I'm perfectly honest! ( gotta love the eighties weddings! all that lace!)

 

 

Mr Owl has his very own tux and top hat, as well as a knitted flower and a slightly worried expression, appropriate don't you think?

 

 

And of course his own little bow tie!

 

 

And well Mrs Owl? She has it all! Feathers, lace, tulle, a veil , beads!

 

 

No tacky wedding stone was left unturned!

 

 

And she has the wide eyed look of a women that doesn't realise how annoying living with men can be!!!!! Bless her! She'll learn!

 

Well I suppose that's the end? I've been trying to decide when to do this again and I'm thinking when I reach 1000 pins on my inspiration board. So I'll see you next week (oh I really hope its not reached 1000 by next week!)

 

Thank you everyone who's been reading and commenting , either on here or privately on Facebook. and for all the people who have retweeted me on twitter! I've had a blast!

 

Now what am I going to do with all this free time? I'm actually starting to feel naked without a needle of some sort in my hand! Eeeek!

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx