Fund Raising for QoS: Quilting Stilettos

This make came about by complete accident but (I think!! ;) ) one of my better makes..... a fellow QQ was given an assortment of odds and sods from another quilting group that they were unable to do anything with - from that pile she passed around some of the items for us to try and produce something sellable for that group - I was given a box of beads.  On googling beads and quilting I stumbled across a quilting stiletto -

Christmas 2013 saw me make five for the QQ - and their joy on receiving made me think possibly I'd stumbled on the idea to use the donated beads....



Once again I have rummaged all the local charity shops for this make and have managed to build up a cracking selection of beads over the last year.   I am finding this the most economical way of buying beads - the best way is to ask at the counter for broken necklaces or bracelets - the charity shops are happy to sell you the pieces extra cheap as they cannot be sold on the counter - as they will be broken up anyway it's a win win situation.

So, a very relaxing morning spent playing - I do admit I do enjoy the playing - a collection was quickly forms - using a combination of the donated beads and my own collection from various sources....

With a little rearranging, on the very useful advice of the QQ, the gluing commenced.....

A selection for QoS and,of course, a selection for the Quilting group from which some of the beads originated....

Now, of course, these have a very limited market - quilters only!  I think (hopefully) they will go well at the quilting group in Birmingham - who have a quilting show every other year and raise funds for charity - I'm not sure how well they will sell at the community fairs to raise money for QoS  - however, with luck - they may well sell before they hit the fair - within the group itself!! I'll keep you posted!!

Fund Raising for QoS: Large Crochet Brooches and Gift Tags

Many of those who know me well, know that I love a good rummage in a charity shop..... I must admit I have been very lucky in some finds over the years - and if the item is £1 or less I don't really think too hard parting with my cash!

Wool has been hunted for on lots of occasions - as I've been producing blankets to give away.  Ages ago I picked up a bag of random odds of blue and green and a bag of pinks and red - knowing that for a pound I could use these to make a larger granny blanket for someone - most of this wool has already been made into granny squares.

Along with these odd bags, was a bag of pre made flowers of varying sizes, shapes and colours.... once again for £1 I knew I could make use of them, maybe not at that moment in time but certainly in the future...

And that time is now....

Small flowers - made into gift tags. Adding a colourful tag - (Pack of ten from the £1 shop) - and the odd button - a great use (I think) - hopefully others will agree!!

Ta Dah....

The larger flowers in the bag, I decided to make larger flower brooches - add a few buttons - a felt back and a brooch pin and there we have it.....

Ta Dah.....

Available this summer, at a community fair near you!!

Fund Raising for QoS: Small Crochet Brooches

So, when asked to make some things to sell on the QoS stall this summer, to help raise funds - what do you make....

Do you go big - make a quilt - which will of course bring in a large amount in one go - or do you go small in the hope that people are happy to part with a few quid here and there.

Knowing the fact that people love home made quilts - but are far from happy to pay the 'going rate' for home made and the time involved in making a large quilt I decided to go small.....

Crochet brooches.... small but perfectly formed....using the pattern from Attic 24....

Gather your components...

Stitch the flowers and leaves to the front felt....

Sew the brooch pin to the back felt, and then join the back to the front....

Ta Dah..... a bouquet before you know it!