Fabric Flowers

In an effort to spruce up the house, and the fact that for the first time ever the children came in from play/school and didn't want to play with me at all, I decided to have a play at fabric flowers. So - I used this tute from Ruffles And Stuff, and also this tute from Lil Blue Boo. Not entirely satisfied with the results when I first saw them, but I actually like the combination of the styles, the juxtaposition of design and fabric

and I really like the way they look in the jars we painted a couple of weeks ago!

Boots like Buzz Lightyear!

Quick and Easy!

So, the chids asked me if I could make them boots like Buzz Lightyears. I was incredibly thankful that I had hoarded some silver foam from our local Scrap Store. So - I got a pair of their boots, cut a rectangle that was slightly longer than the circumference of the ankle part:

 Then cut a semi circle that covered from the ankle to the floor:

 Stitched the ankle tube inside out, then turned it, Stitched the semi-circles JUST on each edge so that the foot bit moves when they walk, and hey presto:

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Busy days, with just a touch of crochet

So, the children have been unwell variously, plus my 'day job' keeps getting in the way, so there has been a bit of a crafting drought here. That said, Iain and Isla had some fun with plasticine (little bit scared of mermaids breasts):

 I had some delicious Stylecraft yarn arrive:

And have started a crocheted circle cushion following a tute from Attic 24 - love Lucy's tutes. I am not a very accomplished crocheter, and her explanations are great! And finished Lucas' wrist warmers.

Plus we have had some sunshine (hurrah!!), and were able to feed the birds at the local park without freezing! (ok, so I didn't feed the birds - I am phobic, and flinched every moment whilst Iain and Isla did, she actually got a bit nipped by a seagull which was horrendous - for me!)

This weekend, the children have announced that they must be astronauts, so watch this space - oh and wish us luck?! ;-)

Making Mice using socks and milk cartons/bottles!

 Meet "Henry" Sock mouse!

Isla decided this morning that she hated a pair of socks, and it needed to be a mouse. No idea what caused this, or where it came from, but I am always up for a challenge. She also said that she wanted to draw it, help cut it out, and be the designer.

One of that hardest things crafting with a nearly four year old is patterns/stencils and so on. It looks like she should be able to do it, but actually its really fiddly - so as I was washing out a milk bottle/carton, it came to me that it would be great to use for durable, re usable templates. Here it is all cut up - these are the bits that went in the recycling bin:

 Then Isla drew a mousey sort-of shape, and I cut round it on paper - we decided we needed 2 pieces (1 piece reversed) for a body, then a bit to go underneath that was mostly straight, but curved front and back:

 Then I chopped up the offending socks, keeping the ribbed ankle for other projects, discarding the toes:

 Then I put the paper templates on the milk bottle, and cut round them. Small bluntish scissors worked ok, so my nearly four year old was able to do some of it :-) Then we laid the templates on the sock, and cut out the pieces.

 Then we chose a good tail. We had ribbon, yarn, string, and this cord, which was the winner!

 Then we cut some ear shapes out of the milk bottle, then cut round the bottle templates in felt.

 Then I assemble the pieces near my sewing machine. Turn both body pieces right sides together, the stitch along the top of the body. Then put the bottom piece on, so that the mouse is completely inside out, leaving a tail and stuffing hole at the back - but slightly to the side, as its easier to hand sew one seam than where the whole lot joins at the tail, plus sewing in the tail. If you are having trouble getting your machine to sew from the edge - its getting tangled and the feed dogs arent moving it forward, start slightly further in, then sew backwards to the end then forwards.

 This is what it looks like inside out (apologies for photo - Isla took it)

Apologies for lack of pics here - Isla got 'very' involved, and I'm new to tutes, and forgot *blush*

Turn right way round, and stuff through end hole. I used sheeps wool, but acrylic stuffing would work fine. Maybe add some beans to make it weighted if you fancy.

When stuffed as you would like it, poke the tail in the hole and sew the whole lot up, making sure you turn the edges under so they don't fray. At this point you may wonder what this blob thing is meant to be, and your little one helping may look a tad disappointed. Don't fret - it will all come together!

You get to do the fun bit - accessorise your mouse however you (or more likely your helper) decides. Isla chose the bits and pieces for hers and Lucas' mice. Sew on the felt ears, and if adding pom pom eyes like these - sew from one through the mouse to the other and back again - it helps line them up, and anchors them firmly. Also, rather than making knots to finish your seams, do what doll makers do - run the thread through the doll (or mouse) and then cut it - holds really firmly and you don't get ugly knots. For dolls you would probably need a big scary looking needle, but not so for these diddy mice.

Thus Henry and John were created by a 4 year old (and her Mum) using milk bottles and old (rejected) socks, based on a 4 year olds sketches, with Isla doing a huge amount of the work herself. Henry and John are now snuggled on their respective owners pillows for the night!

Henry!

John!

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Some examples of stuff I have made!

Apologies for hideous presentation - the 'click and drag' element of Blogger isnt really clicking with me, and is just being a bit of a drag (Boom Boom!). Seriously though - if anyone has any suggestions that dont involve me suddenly having an intimate working knowledge of HTML, I would love, love, love to hear them!