What I am going to make in 2013

So another year draws to a close - I have finished my Christmas craft (photos after Christmas) and while I haven't made as much as last year, I am still happy.

I have started thinking about next year and projects I have had rattling round in my mind.  I thought I would document here so I HAVE to finish them!

So, here's the list of what I want to make next year...

• Slouch crochet hat
• Crochet infinity scarf/cowl
• Kingsize quilt (using 5" charm packs)
• Cushions for our lounge (different shapes/sizes plus using some scraps & quilting)
• Crochet granny square blanket
• Miz Mozelle dress
• Washi dress
• Knitted legwarmers for Thea's ballet class
• Make a project from each of my craft books
• A Christmas setting ie bunting, utensil stockings, table cloth etc
• New stockings for the kids

Whew!

That's quite a list - better get started :)

Till next time, Melissa

A Pinterest planned birthday party

A few months ago Thea started getting into ballet big time- so for her fourth birthday party I planned a ballet theme.  This is where Pinterest is just great - as I found ideas, I 'pinned' them and could refer to them at any time as the planning went along.  Here's some pics and the original source that I pinned.

As one of the take away gifts, each child got a chocolate  - the girls got ballerinas

Then for the boys moustaches - the molds, chocolate and lollipop sticks from cake stuff

I saw this neat idea for bagging up the other gifts (beaded bracelets with ballet charms for the girls and some water balloons/bouncy balls for the boys)  on this site

Here's the chocolate all bagged up

Glass bottles are really big right now, I got the bottles from my friends business and the doillies and pink/white string from Pop Roc Parties

I also added pink/white straws into the bottles, also from Pop Roc Parties

I saw these tulle flowers on this site:   - I wasn't that happy with them though, quite hard to make!

I saw a gorgeous ballet cake as my inspiration

I used all glass serving ware - clear or pink.  I also invested in a glass drink dispenser which was just perfect also from pop roc parties.  The food as much as possible followed a pink/white theme.  Pink/white marshmelllows, milk bottles and milk shake lollies, heart biscuits iced some white, some pink, fairy bread, watermelon/grape/strawberry kebabs, mini cheese muffins, coconut ice and chippies in paper cones.  

I used my mum's old tutus as the decoration - they were lovely and a great talking point with guests

There were lots of ideas I wanted to do but either a massive fail (these crowns were a disaster) and I really loved these ballerina cake pops but they were too hard for me.

Funny how months of planning is over in a few short hours!

Now, what will we do for her fifth birthday...

'Till next time

Melissa

Found on Pinterest

If you are a crafter then it's pretty likely that you have found Pinterest...I don't know how I managed before! Actually yes I do - I was forever emailing links of cool things to myself, or printing out endless pages of patterns or tutorials only to lose them again at home.

I use it for lots of things but mostly cool craft things that catch my eye - like these homemade pattern weights.

I 'pinned' them awhile ago and decided to give it a go for Amber's birthday.

I used a variegated embroidery thread to make them a bit more interesting.  

It's a nice idea to make a wee pouch to put them in too.

These are an easy and great gift for a crafty person I think - now I need to make some for me!

Til next time, Melissa

Easy crochet doll blanket

1Amber did a 'learn to crochet' class a few weeks ago and made a doll's blanket for her daughter.  Of course my daughter wanted one too!

I used an easy granny squares pattern I found on the internet, and basically just kept doing rounds until I felt it was the right size.  To finish, I did one round of single crochet to give it a nice edge.



In some ways I prefer crochet over knitting - it's more portable and easy to do with the kids around,  I also find it 'flows' better for me and can be quicker!

The worst part?  Weaving in the ends, especially when changing colours so much.

This wee blanket would make a great present for a little girl who's into dolls...of course now my son is demanding one too!

Just a wee something

Not long ago a friend of mine came across crochet garlands. Such a sweet way of using up some scraps of pretty coloured wool. I found a pattern on etsy and also used one of my crochet books to give me some other inspiration.

This is what I came up with..excuse Miss Mollie in the pics - she was quite taken with it. Terrible photos too but you get the idea.

This wee one is for a special 11 year old we know. Such fun to make.. might have to do a few more!
Happy creating everyone! A x

Re-Shaping to fit

On the weekend the kiddies and I took Grandma and Grandad out for lunch in Carterton. While we were eating I spotted a Vintage thrift store called Fuzzy that I hadn't seen before so popped in for a wee looksee. Amongst other things that shall remain a secret (!) I found this cute wee apron for Macie.

It was too big for her so I had a wee think about how to make it fit better without having to undo it as its reversible.

I recall several years ago an apron that Rachie made for Cullen. I had an elastic neck band so ensure a snug fit but easy to slip over heads. So I unpicked the neck band of this apron, and added elastic. After trying it on her before sewing the end back in, it was perfect! The front of the apron now sits right under her chinny chin chin so there is much less risk of paint/glue/glitter getting on her tops.
Here is Macie 'trying it out' doing her art.

 

 

 

Macie likes the strawberry pocket and she pops her little scissors in there while she is busy being arty.

 

I had two other little re-shaping projects to do while she was busy this morning... I am very very lucky to have such generous friends with girls older than Macie. One such special person has given me oodles and oodles of clothes to put away til Macie is older. Macie loves receiving these clothes and immediately wants to wear them. Two of her favourite items are t shirts and she has taken to wearing them over tights like tunic dresses. It works really well.

 

Recently I bought her this cute wee t from farmers - its a tunic too and nicely fitted.

 

This gave me an idea... I could reshape the t shirts to be more fitted for the summer months.

 

 

By turning the bigger t inside out and folding it in half lengthwise and doing the same with the one that fits now, I was able to see the shaping easily. I cut about an inch wider than the pink one following the line of the shaping. Then I used a 1/4" seam allowance to re-sew the side seam. The t shirts are made from knit fabric so won't fray meaning I didn't even need my overlocker. (Remember to use a ball point needle though).

These two tshirts were originally size 10. Now they would be about a size 5-6. Still slightly bigger than Macie's current size so she can still get a couple of years wear out of them - plus she is super happy she can continue to wear them now. Happy sewing everyone A xx

 



 

Baby quilts and Baby Bags!



A couple of months ago our wee sewing group did a quilt course (you can see Melissa's stunning creation here). I had some gorgeous charm packs from Bonnie and Camille. Miss Macie has a very beautiful butterfly quilt made by her Grandma so these delicious fabrics were waiting to be made into a baby girl cot quilt. Another member of the group with superb taste had also bought some Bonnie and Camille charm packs. Same colours, different range. We did a trade two for two. So now I had twice the fabrics. I have picked out my favourite pieces with a large floral print and left them as 4 1/2 inch blocks on their own. All the rest were cut into strips and sewn back together randomly. This wee quilt it just big enough to cover the little button in a cot.

All I need now is a baby girl to gift it too.

 

My cousin is expecting any day. Her Mum, my darling Auntie asked me to make a baby bag like the one I had made for my sister last year. Thankfully I have managed to finish it before the little babe is here. It is going by special delivery (my husband) to the expectant Grandma tomorrow. Here is a sneak peak:

I found the Riley Blake fabric on Esty and have totally fallen in love with chevron. The pattern is the Amy Butler Everything Bag from her book Little Stitches for Little Ones. I have added a shoulder strap to the original bag. And a strap to secure the special items inside.

The bag has four elasticated pockets on the inside and two at each end on the exterior. There is plenty of room to carry all but the kitchen sink.

Next project is a birthday pressent for a sweet wee 3 year old to be. Oh and planning the next quilt.......shhhh don't tell my Mum. Happy sewing everyone A x