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Friday 19 December 2014

Waste not want not

I bought Mr J some lovely polar bear pjs recently, however upon trying them on they were a little long in the leg!  So I had to adjust them....as I chopped off a couple inches from the legs I HAD A MOMENT OF INSPIRATION!  Oh yes!




I used the off cut to bring new wintery/christmassy life to a dull, 'had it' hand towel!



I unpicked the hem to give myself a bit more fabric to play with and starched it open.

Here is a little pictorial step by step...



Ta-dah!  An old towel has a new lease of life...for a while longer!


That really is it from me today!  I'm off to watch Elf in peace before the little people need collecting from school.

Claire x


Pushing myself to make things that I haven't got a clue how to!

Hello again! Yes three mini posts in one day!  I'm a like a bus! 

Last week I set about making an owl doorstop for a friends daughter.  I googled and looked on pinterest for a relatively easy tutorial.  I couldn't find one that I liked so I set about making my own pattern.  

I'm sure that there is proper pattern paper you can buy, but I got out my trusty greaseproof baking paper and started sketching!  

The front, back, wings and feet were easy, it was the side panel that was the trickiest bit to do.  I wanted the sides to taper in to a point near the top where the ears are located.  

It took me a while to get my head around this bit....and because I had to REALLY CONCENTRATE (!!) I didn't take a single photo of ANY of the steps I took.  All I have is one pic of the finished product!


So here she is!  Pretty isn't she?


I made the wings separately and attached them with a button.  

I almost didn't want to give her to my friend as I was so bloomin pleased with myself!

Reluctantly I did.

I have also designed and made two adorable appliquéd faces!  

I started by cutting out the hairdo's, 



 Gave her some cheeks and bows to keep her hair tidy, 



I then sewed on her hair, 


bows and cheeks...


...and finally hand sewed her eyes and mouth.


I think they are sweet!  I have yet to actually make them into cushion covers... I will show you all the final products when I get around to it.  

I also have a design for a little boy too, but he is still in my head...not yet a reality!

Once again I do love it that you faithfully read my blog, thank you and I wish you all a wonderful Friday.

Kids break up from school today!!!!!!!!!! No more early morning alarms for me for a while...well until Christmas day!

Have a good one.

Claire x



A christmassy garland

Hello again my lovelies,

Do you remember earlier in the month I made a few 3 dimensional christmas trees using gold card and an old book?  No? Well you can have a peek here.  

Today I finally got around to putting them to good use.  


 Please excuse the washing drying in the background!  (Its gotta go somewhere!)




Sorry for the slightly blurry photos, I had to enhance the colour as it is so grey and dark here at the moment, it is difficult to get good shots!

I am pleased with the results.  

I hope you are all finding time to be crafty too!

Thank you so much for reading my ramblings and leaving lovely, encouraging comments too!

Claire x

Jazzing up my wreath

Hello all

Last week I got the decs out and my sad looking wreath.  



I popped into the garden and collected a few bits of foliage, and using the pinecones that I collected in autumn...I got to work! 



I completely winged it....just started sticking bits into the wreath, and hoped for the best.








it turned out ok....and is now hanging on my front door...all pieces still in tact!  

My hands resembled a sieve by the end of it....Holly is very prickily...who would have thought it?!

Thanks for popping by!

Claire x




Sunday 23 November 2014

Easy peasy 3D Christmas cards

Hello lovelies

It is so miserable outside today - pouring with rain, a bit chilly.... what to do?  Get making!



I was inspired to make some Christmas cards by a 'craft at home' article I saw in a supermarket magazine. Using gold card and paper from a very old and scribbled on encyclopaedia, cut out lots of symmetrical tree shapes, glue together and voila you have 3D trees.  I m planning on threading ribbon through them to make a garland.


I then developed the idea further and these were the results!



This time I cut out 3 tree shapes, to make a simpler version.  I am too impatient!  




I used lovely paper from Tiger.  Cheap and gorgeous!


I will add some text to the top of these, but my printer is out of action at the mo.... So I might stamp a message instead, I haven't decided yet. 



Any symmetrical shape will work....

They are very easy to make.  I made some envelopes to match!  



I just used whatever card and envelopes I could find around the home, so they are all a little mismatched but I don't mind that.

Hope you are all warm and dry and enjoying your Sunday too.


Claire x 


Tuesday 18 November 2014

Bloomin' tension

Hello all

I have been lusting over numerous photos on Instagram of wonderfully crocheted granny squares!  

I have wanted a granny square blanket for as long as I can remember.  They are so expensive to buy and the ones you find in charity shops are often made with the most hideous colours!  Hence, the donation?!


I thought I'd give it ago.....ummm!  Not as easy as it looks.  I found it so hard to get the tension right, my first couple were very loose and big.



The more I did, the tighter my stitches got, progress!

However, I soon realised that I would need a little more practice and thicker wool before I seriously tackled a blanket.  

I used a cotton yarn, I think, I bought it because I liked the colours!  I didn't really think about how easy or difficult it would be to work with!!

So, I decided to turn my multi sized granny squares into bunting!  Oh yes!  Surprising!



I didn't look up how to make the string bit, I just chained along until I felt it was long enough and then single crocheted along the chain, and sewed the squares to the chain at random intervals.  



I am dead chuffed with how it has turned out.  It is adorning my bed at the moment, but it may make its way to the fireplace in my bedroom once the flat packed furniture that is in front of it is made!!



Thats all for now folks, hope you are staying warm and dry and finding the time to be creative too.

Claire x

PS - Sorry for the dreary photos, but it is very dark and grey here today, and yesterday, and the day before that come to think of it.  I MISS THE SUMMER!

xx

Monday 10 November 2014

PoppySews Etsy shop is open! Eek!

Hello everyone!


I have taken the plunge! 


I am feeling a tad nervous about this.

I have opened a shop on Etsy.(Gulp!)

My shop name is PoppySews.  

(I have even mastered links - they aren't even difficult...what took me so long?!)

 Children's applique quilt in my shop.


Pop by and have a gander.


Four lovely christmas stockings that I blogged about a few weeks ago are also in the PoppySews shop.




5 items for sale...so far.  Lots more to put up.


Fingers crossed.


Claire x
Thank you for popping by. It is always lovely to hear your comments, they are read and cherished x
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