Tuesday 25 October 2011

A wee tutorial etc, etc, etc !!!!!!!

Hi there, i can't tell you how great it feels to be here posting on my blog again after the week I've had. Last tuesday morning i received a letter from our nearest hospital telling me i was being called, after a six month wait, for an operation. It all happened soooo very fast, that afternoon i was admitted, next morning i had a hysterectomy & the rest of the week was one of drips, morphine, anti clotting injections & hospital food, YUM!!!!! (not)
Despite it all though i had a sweet week sharing a room with three elderly ladies, who made me laugh till it hurt, & pray til i smiled, i mean what a blessing in the middle of it all, God is good at all times & in every situation!!!

Before i went in last week i had prepared this wee tutorial as requested by a friend to post. Its for a tissue holder, now i know that lots of you know how to make these so this is for those who don't, or are learning to sew. Its quite simple...............


1. Cut out piece of your favorite prettiest fabric to measure 7.5 by 5.5 inches. Also cut two contrast pieces for trim 5.5 by 1.5 in, add to the mix a cute piece of lace or ric rac & we're off!!!!
2. Machine stitch the trim to each end of the main fabric. This is important the right side of the trim is to be facing the wrong side of the main fabric. Leave a quarter inch seam allowance. (i find the width of the presser foot a good guide)
3. Press the seam flat in one direction as above.


4. Fold the contrast trim back onto the right side of the fabric, turn in at the edge & press again, pin in place if you feel you need to. (Tip, always put pins in horizontally so that the machine needle can sew over them)
5. Stitch along the edge of the contrast & remove pins.
6. Pin on lace or ric rac & machine again.......almost there!!!!


7. Fold the fabric in half & snip a little piece top & bottom just to mark the center.
8. Wrong side facing out fold both edges in to the center, leave a tiny wee gap there & pin to hold in place.
9. Machine stitch top & bottom, again using the edge of the presser foot as a guide.


10. Turn the tissue holder right side out, pushing the corners out gently with a small scizzors.
11. Press again.............
12. Fill with tissues (obviously :D ) & VIOLA!!!!! one tissue holder

Really love these simple makes, they are so nice as gift extras, for the kids in school & are so quick to run up once you get the hang of them. Please let me know if the tutorial is ok & easy to understand, don't hesitate to let me know if any of it is not clear, its my first one & i hope maybe the first of many!!!!!

So thats my contribution for this week, i did bring my crochet with me to hospital, but just could not concentrate at all.........................needless to say i produced one square all week. Now however i'll be rolling them out as i'm under strict orders from all  "no work for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", so lots of sitting on my less ample bottom (after the hospital food) & hookin to my hearts content. Thats not fair the food was quite nice really, just didn't have an appetite.
I'll leave you with a few pics of my sweet acer tree which has a lot less leaves this week, still real pretty though!


Hope you have a lovely evening 
Lots of love Karen Xxxxx

20 comments:

  1. Hello Karen,
    My oh my, you have had a week with such a big operation. Wishing you a speedy recovery and feeling much better very soon. Those anesthetics certainly knock it out of you, so take all the time you need to recover.
    Your tutorial is lovely with very clear instructions. Thank you for sharing.
    Have a lovely day and I hope you have some energy for crochet. :)
    Sending love and big squishy hugs,
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Karen, glad you are over the op, it is quite an ordeal all the same, and you certainly would not have an appetite. Hope your recovery goes well. Great tutorial, love the colours. Big hugs, margie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Karen!
    Glad you are recuperating quickly from your operation!
    Enjoy your recovery time quilting, crocheting and napping with NO guilt :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Darling girl - what a huge week! I hope you're feeling ok and that you are managing to relax and stay still for a bit! I was scheduled to have the same op last Friday (how weird is that) but I chickened out and re-scheduled for February. It all seems so huge. Take care hon. Leah x

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad the surgery is behind you and I know what you mean those darn medicines fog your brain just enough to keep you form reading or handwork. Enjoy your order for no work oh, you lucky girl except for the recovery pain of course. Can't wait to see what you get done. btw...great tutorial. Patty

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad you're on the mend. I know it's hard to concentrate in hospital, and it's lovely to get home again. Great excuse for lots of rest and hooky!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Karen, thanks for the tutorial - another thing I'd love to find time to make!
    Hope you're soon feeling all better - but in the meantime, enjoy some happy browsing and hooking :)
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my goodness Karen...you really have had a whirlwind of a week but I am so glad it is all over for you...I can imagine how relieved you must feel....
    I love your tutorial...beautiful photographs...clear instructions and such pretty fabrics...perfect!
    Now you have to make sure you spoil yourself for a while....I'm sure all your lovely daughters will make sure you take it easy...
    Feet up with some lovely magazines and crafty books while served tea and cakes I say!
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh wow. how quickly life can change, wishing you a good recovery with plenty of crafty time. Wondered what had happened to you, I hope all is well with your body now.
    xx Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have had an ordeal, Karen, yet you are so brave and cheery. I hope you make a quick recovery from such a major operation, and that you make sure you enjoy lots of resting and treats...and some nice cosy crafting if you feel up to it. Your tutorial is beautifully explained and photographed. Take care and get well soon! Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just found you again - totally my fault. I had deleted your old blog from my google reader and had forgotten to add in your new blog. What a numpty!!

    Anyway, thanks for the tutorial - I can see a few of these being made by me soon. And I wish you a very speedy recovery from your operation. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  12. So happy to find another kindred spirit and a sister in Christ no less. I happened along just in time to learn of your recent surgery. I pray God's hand of healing will continue to rest on you now and as you adjust to all those hormonal changes in store.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gosh Karen I hope you are feeling ok and not in too much pain. Thankyou for the tutorial its lovely. Put your feet up and enjoy your crochet,best wishes for a speedy recovery.xxxlove julie.x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Karen.
    I wish we lived close enough, that I could bring a meal over for your family while you recover. Enjoy those moments of crochet and easy naps.
    I am praying for you.
    hugs. Trish

    ReplyDelete
  15. Melissa McDonald27 October 2011 at 18:53

    Glad you are back on the mend. Thanks for the tutorial, I made two of these this afternoon! I can see some teacher gifts in the making.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hope your doing well and enjoying your weekend. Thanks for the tissue holder tutorial! Take care xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Karen, I wish you a speedy and complete recovery from your recent op. Please rest and look after yourself.
    How kind of you to post a tutorial. I must have a try soon. As a beginner, I really appreciate tutorials for small items to try.
    Take lots and lots of care and rest.
    Love Mandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Karen, how is the recovery going? thinking of you. Big hugs, Margie.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So pretty! I do have a sewing machine but it rarely comes out. Maybe someday... Thanks you so much for the bloggy birthday wishes! It was so nice to hear from so many of you last week. Wishing you a happy weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Karen, I hope you're feeling a bit better now after your op - hopefully some crafting and crochet will be helping in the recovery! Take it easy and look after yourself over the next few weeks... your tutorial is great by the way, really easy to understand, and your step by step photos are great xxx

    ReplyDelete