Monster blood tattoo
Have you read these yet? I highly recommend that you do! These are the best fantasy novels I've read for a long time (so what if they're written for children, LOL) I'm impatiently awaiting the release of book 3 now. Have a look here if you're interested.
A sneak peek
At what I've been working on for some Crafty Mamas competition prizes. Hopefully I'll finish by the weekend.
The kids have all been sick, the girls are on antibiotics for throat infections. Thankfully they're on the mend now, hopefully tonight I'll get some uninterrupted sleep, I'm pretty exhausted now!
DH is taking the boy to the snow tomorrow, his first time, very exciting. I'm looking forward to having some concentrated time with the girls. I'm going to try this carrot and banana cake recipe for them to take with them.
The kids have all been sick, the girls are on antibiotics for throat infections. Thankfully they're on the mend now, hopefully tonight I'll get some uninterrupted sleep, I'm pretty exhausted now!
DH is taking the boy to the snow tomorrow, his first time, very exciting. I'm looking forward to having some concentrated time with the girls. I'm going to try this carrot and banana cake recipe for them to take with them.
Stuff
Oops, just realised how long it is since my last post! I've been spending less time at the computer lately which I think is a good thing. I was just stuffing some dolls (4 on the go at the moment!) but got fed up with the poor light and sore back, so here I am.
I just came across the blog belonging to Little Jenny Wren, a fellow doll maker and lover, her little knitted dolls outfits are just beautiful. I must learn to knit one day!
While I'm here I will request prayers that are much needed for our politicians. Within the next couple of weeks a bill may be passed that will decriminalise abortion. The most shocking part of this bill, if it is voted in, is that it would allow abortions up to full term! Please pray for the politicians who support this bill - that they may have a change of heart and for the politicians who don't support it- that they stay strong in their convictions.
I just came across the blog belonging to Little Jenny Wren, a fellow doll maker and lover, her little knitted dolls outfits are just beautiful. I must learn to knit one day!
While I'm here I will request prayers that are much needed for our politicians. Within the next couple of weeks a bill may be passed that will decriminalise abortion. The most shocking part of this bill, if it is voted in, is that it would allow abortions up to full term! Please pray for the politicians who support this bill - that they may have a change of heart and for the politicians who don't support it- that they stay strong in their convictions.
Angel wallhanging
What a relief! This has been an ongoing project that is now thankfully finished, I just got lazy with it half way through. I didn't like trying to figure out all the measurements to fit the pieces either (maths is not my strongest point!) Anyway, its pretty and its going in the girl's room.
Doll for niece
I've been having a bit of a break from the computer to spend more time on other pursuits, dial up connection is so slow!!
Anyway, I've made a gift for one of my nieces confirmation on the weekend, yes its a doll!
Its very hard to photograph these brown skinned dolls but they look so lovely in reality.
I attended a Catholic homeschoolers parent support night lastnight which was very good. Its wonderful to be around people who share the same goals in life, and there were many ladies I had not met before. I will be trying to attend this meeting every month now.
Anyway, I've made a gift for one of my nieces confirmation on the weekend, yes its a doll!
Its very hard to photograph these brown skinned dolls but they look so lovely in reality.
I attended a Catholic homeschoolers parent support night lastnight which was very good. Its wonderful to be around people who share the same goals in life, and there were many ladies I had not met before. I will be trying to attend this meeting every month now.
Needle case tutorial
I can't believe I put off making this for so long, thinking it would be difficult. It was easy! So here it is for all of you......
You'll need:
Cotton fabric for cover measuring 12 x 6 inches. Also a piece of this fabric measuring 5.5 x 4.5 inches for the pocket
Contrasting fabric measuring 12 x 6 inches
Wadding measuring the same
Piece of felt or doctors flannel measuring 4 x 5 inches
Fold the two large pieces of fabric in half widthways and press, open out again.
Overlock (serge) all edges of the pocket piece. Fold all these edges in once and press them down. Pin the pocket to the right side of the contrast fabric (for the inside of the needle case) to the left of the middle fold ( see where I'm pointing). Pin the piece of felt to the right of the fold.
Pin the wadding piece to the wrong side of the cover fabric.
Sew around all sides, then sew 2 parallel lines down the middle, either side of the middle fold.
On the inside piece, sew 3 sides of the pocket, leaving the top open (it won't be a pocket if you sew it closed!) Then sew (I've used a machine blanket stitch) across the top of the felt.
Lay the cover piece on top of the interior piece with right sides facing. Sew around 3 sides, leaving one end open for turning. Snip off all the corners and turn right way out, poking out the corners (use a knitting needle if needed). Now, fold in the raw edges of the end and press. Topstitch around the outside of the case, stopping when you come to the middle rows of stitching, skip over these, then keep sewing around. Give the whole thing a good press and you're done!!
Here is the finished outside which would look lovely with a ribbon tied in the middle. I don't have one handy, but if you do you may want to use it!
And here is the interior. Now you won't have to go searching and growling for your needles!
I hope you like this tutorial and find it easy, but if not, please let me know if changes would be beneficial. Thankyou!
You'll need:
Cotton fabric for cover measuring 12 x 6 inches. Also a piece of this fabric measuring 5.5 x 4.5 inches for the pocket
Contrasting fabric measuring 12 x 6 inches
Wadding measuring the same
Piece of felt or doctors flannel measuring 4 x 5 inches
Fold the two large pieces of fabric in half widthways and press, open out again.
Overlock (serge) all edges of the pocket piece. Fold all these edges in once and press them down. Pin the pocket to the right side of the contrast fabric (for the inside of the needle case) to the left of the middle fold ( see where I'm pointing). Pin the piece of felt to the right of the fold.
Pin the wadding piece to the wrong side of the cover fabric.
Sew around all sides, then sew 2 parallel lines down the middle, either side of the middle fold.
On the inside piece, sew 3 sides of the pocket, leaving the top open (it won't be a pocket if you sew it closed!) Then sew (I've used a machine blanket stitch) across the top of the felt.
Lay the cover piece on top of the interior piece with right sides facing. Sew around 3 sides, leaving one end open for turning. Snip off all the corners and turn right way out, poking out the corners (use a knitting needle if needed). Now, fold in the raw edges of the end and press. Topstitch around the outside of the case, stopping when you come to the middle rows of stitching, skip over these, then keep sewing around. Give the whole thing a good press and you're done!!
Here is the finished outside which would look lovely with a ribbon tied in the middle. I don't have one handy, but if you do you may want to use it!
And here is the interior. Now you won't have to go searching and growling for your needles!
I hope you like this tutorial and find it easy, but if not, please let me know if changes would be beneficial. Thankyou!
Craft and Quilt fair
I dragged my sister along on Saturday, I thought it would be busy, but wow! I'm not usually one for group situations so I didn't really enjoy being bustled around in a massive crowd. I did however, enjoy looking at the stalls and so many fabrics! I was very good and didn't buy much, I think I was a bit overwhelmed by choice and didn't want to get carried away. I loved the Katkins Designs stall and Karlene was lovely to deal with. Her dolls are inspirational and I finally got a turning tool which will enable me to make small dolls.
We had a real frost here this morning, I'll have to inspect the garden for damage. It was so cold my hands hurt drying off lastnight's metal cutlery from the drying rack. We're off to the doctor this morning for the dreaded immunisations, one of my least favourite tasks as a Mum.
We had a real frost here this morning, I'll have to inspect the garden for damage. It was so cold my hands hurt drying off lastnight's metal cutlery from the drying rack. We're off to the doctor this morning for the dreaded immunisations, one of my least favourite tasks as a Mum.
Baby/ child hat tutorial
My 12 month old loves to throw her hats out of the pram while I'm not looking, so I decided I'd better start making them instead of having to buy them! This is what I came up with using polar fleece, and its very quick and easy to make on the overlocker (serger).
Step 1
Cut out 2 of the top part of the hat (the top pieces). For my 12 month old the measurements are 8.5 inches across at the bottom and 6.5 inches from top to bottom, then draw in the curve in a nice round shape.
Also cut out a band that is 17 inches long and 9 inches wide.
You could adjust these measurements for an older child.
*IMPORTANT! Cut your pieces on the bias (diagnol) or your hat will have no stretch.
Step 2
Lay your rounded hat pieces on top of one another with the right sides facing and overlock the round part, leaving the straight part open. Turn it the right way out when done.
Step 3
Fold your band in half lengthways with right sides together and over lock the raw edges together (where the pins are in the picture) Then fold the band in half widthways so that the right side is facing out on both sides.
Step 4
Now tuck the band inside the round hat piece so that all the raw edges are aligned together and pin to hold. Overlock right around the edge ensuring all layers are sewn together (the overlocker makes an easy job of this).
When you untuck the band, your hat should look like this.
Now simply fold the band up to cover the overlocked part and you have a lovely new hat. Easy peasy!
Step 1
Cut out 2 of the top part of the hat (the top pieces). For my 12 month old the measurements are 8.5 inches across at the bottom and 6.5 inches from top to bottom, then draw in the curve in a nice round shape.
Also cut out a band that is 17 inches long and 9 inches wide.
You could adjust these measurements for an older child.
*IMPORTANT! Cut your pieces on the bias (diagnol) or your hat will have no stretch.
Step 2
Lay your rounded hat pieces on top of one another with the right sides facing and overlock the round part, leaving the straight part open. Turn it the right way out when done.
Step 3
Fold your band in half lengthways with right sides together and over lock the raw edges together (where the pins are in the picture) Then fold the band in half widthways so that the right side is facing out on both sides.
Step 4
Now tuck the band inside the round hat piece so that all the raw edges are aligned together and pin to hold. Overlock right around the edge ensuring all layers are sewn together (the overlocker makes an easy job of this).
When you untuck the band, your hat should look like this.
Now simply fold the band up to cover the overlocked part and you have a lovely new hat. Easy peasy!
Beautiful home and garden
I love looking at pictures from Jackie French's property,its just the sort of place I'd love to have one day.
I got a bit of sewing done today, worked on ds's top but didn't get to do the neckline (need ribbing). I also worked on an old UFO which is now nearly finished, its a wallhanging. Its very satisfying to finish something thats been lying around just because I lost my enthusiasm for it initially.
I'm sort of feeling in between with crafting at the moment, not really sure what I want to persue and just doing bits and pieces. I don't really feel like painting either. I guess I'll get my groove back. I'm sure going to the Craft and Quilt Fair on the weekend will leave me itching to get into it!
I got a bit of sewing done today, worked on ds's top but didn't get to do the neckline (need ribbing). I also worked on an old UFO which is now nearly finished, its a wallhanging. Its very satisfying to finish something thats been lying around just because I lost my enthusiasm for it initially.
I'm sort of feeling in between with crafting at the moment, not really sure what I want to persue and just doing bits and pieces. I don't really feel like painting either. I guess I'll get my groove back. I'm sure going to the Craft and Quilt Fair on the weekend will leave me itching to get into it!
Dd's doll
This doll was requested by my daughter (nearly 3) after she saw the one I made for my other daughter (1). She is the first of my dolls with an embroidered face. I'm fairly happy with how she turned out, and dd took her to bed so she must approve too.
Kid's cushion tutorial
This lovely bright cushion was my son's (8 years old) first sewing project recently. We had the idea of posting a tutorial for other kids who might want an easy project. Adult help and supervision is needed unless you are an experienced sewer. The cushion cover fits a cushion 37cmx 35cm.
You will need 2 contrasting fabrics of your choice.
Start by marking and cutting out 2 20 x 20 cm squares from one fabric. Then do the same from the contrasting fabric. This gives you 4 squares of the same size.
For the back of the cushion cut out 1 piece that is 54cm x 39cm.
Now you need to join 2 contrasting squares together. Lay them on top of each other with right sides together, pin along the edge and sew a straight seam. Do the same for the other 2 squares. Then iron the seams out flat. (Get help with the iron if you need it)
This is what 2 pieces joined together will look like with the seam in the middle ironed out flat.
Lay your joined squares on top of one another and pin together near the edge. Sew a straight seam to join them all up, then iron the whole thing and the seams out flat. This is the front of your cushion. It looks good if you sew a button in the middle. We covered our own button using a little button kit from Spotlight that is really easy to use.
Now you need to make up the back of your cushion. Using the back piece you've cut out, fold it in half widthways. Make hems along 2 sides of these pieces, these will overlap each other at the back of your cushion.
Lay the back pieces on top of your front piece with the right sides facing. Pin around all the edges. Stitch together with straight seams right around the edges of the square. Trim off the pointy corners.
Turn your cover the right way out, pushing out the corners so they are nice and pointy. Iron again if you like, then pop your cusion insert in.
Now you can admire your work and start planning your next project!
This is what the back should look like.
You will need 2 contrasting fabrics of your choice.
Start by marking and cutting out 2 20 x 20 cm squares from one fabric. Then do the same from the contrasting fabric. This gives you 4 squares of the same size.
For the back of the cushion cut out 1 piece that is 54cm x 39cm.
Now you need to join 2 contrasting squares together. Lay them on top of each other with right sides together, pin along the edge and sew a straight seam. Do the same for the other 2 squares. Then iron the seams out flat. (Get help with the iron if you need it)
This is what 2 pieces joined together will look like with the seam in the middle ironed out flat.
Lay your joined squares on top of one another and pin together near the edge. Sew a straight seam to join them all up, then iron the whole thing and the seams out flat. This is the front of your cushion. It looks good if you sew a button in the middle. We covered our own button using a little button kit from Spotlight that is really easy to use.
Now you need to make up the back of your cushion. Using the back piece you've cut out, fold it in half widthways. Make hems along 2 sides of these pieces, these will overlap each other at the back of your cushion.
Lay the back pieces on top of your front piece with the right sides facing. Pin around all the edges. Stitch together with straight seams right around the edges of the square. Trim off the pointy corners.
Turn your cover the right way out, pushing out the corners so they are nice and pointy. Iron again if you like, then pop your cusion insert in.
Now you can admire your work and start planning your next project!
This is what the back should look like.
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