Thursday 13 December 2018

December, the good, the bad and the good

The month of December is full of lists (for me anyway)
Lists of - gifts, christmas cards, extra household jobs, extra food shopping, the list of lists goes on and on.

So what did I do? yes, start some Christmas crafts!!


My Daughter joined in for some 'Air Dry Clay' fun.


But it did take a while to dry, which gave me time to look for more crafts . . . . .


So my clay made a little Christmas tree.


Next was a 'Cheap wool and tea light' craft.


I do like my woolly baubles hung on the kitchen door (and they don't scratch the door when it shuts)


Then finally (for this week) I pulled out the felt for some pretty fairy lights.


They look nice and cheery in our kitchen, no plug required and no holes in my wall.


My sons had some health issues over the last year and a half, which is all a bit overwhelming at times. So when lots of people where Christmas shopping we had another appointment at Alderhey Children's Hospital. The decorations where beautiful, they had a wonderful Christmas Choir and all the staff are helpful (always smiling and positive). But the biggest thing you realise is how very lucky we are. Some of the children listening to the singing are really poorly and lots more are too sick to leave the ward. You really do need to count your blessings.

On an altogether more positive note, we've had a birthday this week!!


'Do you like my hat? Mum made me wear it!'


Our little Penny was two this week. She's agreed to wear the bandana but wont be wearing the hat again!

Thursday 29 November 2018

Swanning about . . .

I had a rethink about creating a herd of elephants...... OK my family think ones enough!!

But I do think our house has room for a slim animal/bird. . . . . 


Well I just so happen to have some white fabric and a little bit of orange.
So the sketching begins, first I draw out the shape/pattern, then using my basic printer/scanner/copier, I increase the size of the pattern until I'm happy with the size. Then finally add a seam allowance.


On Saturday I put my semi finished swan to one side so I could visit the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show. I didn't buy much but I did get some super sparkly fabric.


What could I make with sparkly fabric? Well a crown for a swan, what else!!!


It was easy to cut but tricky to sew, especially difficult to attach to the swans head!! 


But she/hes all done now, what do you think?


I'm really happy with it but I do wonder what it would be like in crushed velvet . . . 


Whilst making a swan it did cross my mind that a swan and a flamingo are quite similar.
Ooh, if only I had some pink fabric

Saturday 17 November 2018

Whats bigger than a chicken and grey?

Following on from my last post, here's my little flock of chickens.
(If you're part of my family and I ask you what you'd like for Christmas, please think carefully. 
If you say 'ooh I'm not sure', don't be overly surprised if you get a chicken head!!)


I really loved making the Chickens but I fancied trying something bigger.
Having spent a few minutes on Pinterest (probably hours if I'm honest) I visited a 'new to me' fabric shop with an open mind. Often finding the right fabric for your project is half the battle.


So I came home with grey, thinking horse, unicorn, elephant, hippo, rhino.....


Normally I'd have a go with some calico fabric for my test run, but the grey fabric was a similar price to cheap calico or cotton.


I had to do lots of trimming, unpicking, re-cutting pattern pieces, more unpicking, etc


Then a quick measure of the back of her/his head for the back board.


I've got a lot faster at cutting the wood, I think its because its FREEZING in the garage!!


A quick tidy up before the stuffing begins.

I'll tell you now, I thought I loved a Chicken head but I'm now in love with my Elephant, isn't she lovely!!


I think she needs one of those little blanket/hat/whatever, on her head with the tassels, you know, what are they called?
 (or maybe she needs a friend . . . . .)

Monday 12 November 2018

Playing Chicken

Over the last week or so, the sewing machine has been switched off, but my mind has been focused on animal heads!!


After lots of sketching, lots of surfing the net (research) lots of rummaging in my fabric cupboard, I finally got around to cutting out and sewing.


Unfortunately, although I'd finished my chicken  I had no stuffing (not even sage and onion)


Then the debate - Do you need to iron your chicken before you stuff it?
And how do you iron a chicken?


So finally I have a chicken!


And I'll admit it, I've cut out three more......


Tuesday 23 October 2018

A friend for Dominic.

On Sunday I had a go at making a friend for Dominic


I was thinking Bunny
 (We do like Bunnies at our house, especially Margo and BB8)


I sketched out a pattern, cut out, tacked together, unpicked, trimmed, tacked together, unpicked . . . . and on and on.


Eventually reaching the 'Stuff it' stage. 


So here she is, currently un-named, but looking ever so pretty!


Then we visited the fabric shop to buy grey fabric for maybe another Bunny . . . 
Yes, we got pink instead (they had no grey the right shade)
So watch this space for a pink Bunny and maybe something else . . . 

Monday 22 October 2018

Half Term - Lowther Castle

Hallelujah its Half term!


The sun was shining this morning as we set off for 'A Grand Day Out'


What could be better than a dog walk around Lowther Castle.


The sun was sneaky, one minute it was glorious, then its gone and it was cold and wintry.


Last time we visited was back in 2015 during the summer holidays.


The 'indoor' garden had only just been planted.


What it looked like during the summer, I'm not sure, but it was beautiful today.


All the Autumn colours coming through.


Unfortunately this was just when the rain started.


It was a lovely visit. 


My children are still impressed by a play park, but today they where wowed by The Hidden Castle. (sadly no dogs allowed).
Take a look at some of the images on google, its well worth a visit with young children.


Friday 19 October 2018

Meet my new friend, Dominic the 2nd.

 This week I've finally decided its time to say goodbye to Dominic. 
I made him many years ago but he's had a bad year and he's lost his antlers!!


I fancied recreating Dominic in wood but feared it would be quite heavy and if it fell it could crush a child!!! (I come from a family that likes to 'over engineer')


So I turned to the large amount of fabric I have and a couple of hours on Pinterest.


Lots of sketching followed, with a bit of ironing, then lots of cutting out.


During the sewing was more trimming, lots of head scratching, ooh and I had to keep the family fed.


Late last night I made a sewing error and decided the day was finished and Friday would start with 'unpicking'.


Then stuff, stuff and more stuff(ing)


Two matching buttons, which should be easy but. . . . . . 


Finally we had eyes. (no more 'no eye deer' jokes)

The final sewing up required a piece of wood (for the enclosed back plate) and two small garden canes (to support the antlers).


So there you have it, Dominic the 2nd. I tried him in the hallway, but hes pretty big and I fear someone will knock him down.


So hes now in the front room / lounge.
I really love him.
Just think how great he will look over Christmas, I'll add a red nose and a bit of tinsel . . .
How many deer heads should your average house have? 
Because I really want to make some more . . . . .