Bear Bahoochie

I've moved!

2009-08-30T10:04:00.001-07:00

I've moved my blog to my own website - www.bearbahoochie.co.uk

Drop by and see me sometime!

Senior Section Camp Badge Part 2

2009-03-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

So my last suggestion didn't really say Girlguiding (neither did last years that I had nothing to do with but hey...).

So here are the other three options I've now given the group.

5 minute necklace

2009-03-02T05:14:00.000-08:00

I made this necklace as a kit to go out in the Lones newsletter. It was so fast to do I thought I'd share.

You'll need: adhesive transfer sheet, acrylic pendant, jump ring and cord.

Remove the protective plastic covers from the acrylic pendant.

Get the adhesive sheet (Herma Transfer Adhesive Sheet) and remove the backing paper. Press the pendant onto the glue dots.

Carefully re-lift the pendant – it is now evenly covered in glue dots (which are easily visible).

Position the pendant over the paper image you wish to use and press down evenly.

Carefully trim off excess paper (you might find using a craft knife makes this easier and neater).

Pierce a hole carefully through the paper inline with the one in the pendant.

Thread a jump ring through and close (you’ll need pliers for this bit).

Thread a cord through the jump ring and wear.

NB: To improve the life span of your pendant carefully apply clear nail varnish or PVA to the back of your picture.

Senior Section Badge

2009-02-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

I've been asked to design the cloth badge for SS09 (Scottish Senior Section Camp). This is what I have come up with so far (the actual badge will be about an inch by an inch and a half). None of the others on the committee have said yes to it but I really like it.
I also wondered about a fancy thistle design or something working in the Girlguiding Centenary colours since we'll just have launched it before event but the Highland Cow won me over.

Twilight Obsession

2009-02-11T01:21:00.001-08:00

More and more I am reading Teen books (mostly thanks to being a High School Librarian). The latest lot to take me was the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. So you can expect crafty goodness related to that coming soon - including t-shirts and a patchwork quilt (it's a Mystery Quilt project).

I've been reading on a bit of a Vampire theme recently including 'Sucks to be me: The all-true confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe)' by Kimberly Pauley (a nice twist on the Vampire story) and of course the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. I'm currently reading 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova which is a reworking of the classic Bram Stoker story.

Dumbledore has own Blog!

2009-02-11T01:14:00.000-08:00

It was been noticed that more and more Dumbledore was filing up my blog so we (Clair and I) have given him his very own so he can try and convert everyone to his way of thinking.
Catch the latest happenings of the King at Dumbledore's Adventures

Calvin inspired Snowmen Tree Decorations

2009-01-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

My Granddad was a big fan of the comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes' by Bill Watterson and the snowmen strips - where Calvin builds various snowmen - were always favourites (see above). Calvin remains part of our family festivities. Perhaps most memorably a number of years ago my sister and my Dad decorated the Christmas Cake with the snowmen bowling (the strip is one snowman usuing the others head a .

This year I made my Dad Calvin inspired snowmen decorations for the tree.

Bansky inspired rats

2008-12-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

Bit rat obsessed in my family just now. So I did a bit of stenciling for Christmas presents. These are just stencils made from the art work of Graffiti Artist Banksy.

Festive Farts

2008-12-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

It has been a running joke in the Whalley household over farts in jars (Clair was in on it too) so for Christmas it was decided that we should hand out festive farts. I created a fart in a jar (needlefelted with wire frame) and Clair wrote a poem:

Searching for the prefect gift for you

Some socks? A tie? They wouldn't do!

Looking in places both near and far

I finally found this fart in a jar

Be sure to keep the lid screwed on tight

Releasing that stench wouldn't be bright

Made from sauerkraut, baked beans and more

It'll knock you out - clean on the floor

It needs no water, food or care

Just that little glass jar of air.

It's only job to remind you of food

That once eaten - will make you quite rude.

As you can see they got a good reaction!

I also made Bob a 'make your own fart in a jar'. I decorated a jar of sauerkraut with a label on the back that gave the steps:

1. Eat sauerkraut.

2. Place jar beside butt

3. Fart

4. Close lid swiftly!

Stenciled T-Shirts

2008-12-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

This year was the year of stenciled T-Shirts. I did a few including 'Where's Whalley?' for my sister-in-law.

The other two are from the internet. Classically Trained from Ministry of Pi and Monty Python Silly Walk from Cut Out + Keep.

Mmm... I will have a fishy in a little dishy...

2008-12-28T06:29:00.000-08:00

Over the last year it has become apparent that I love all things fishy. First things first I must choose from the menu what I fancy.

Do I want a fish supper?

Or a prawn sandwich?

What about a seal steak?

A starfish sundae?

Rat related Christmas ornaments

2008-12-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

I always add a Christmas decoration for the tree to Tom's stocking. This year I found these pre-made photo picture frames for the tree. No doubt you are expected to use them to display small and sappy children but I think Mortimer and Wheeler are much cuter! Plus you get two sides so that's two adorable pics of each rat in each decoration.

Present from D'Alby girls

2008-12-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

Loyal subjects,

As you know I expect tribute from all of my subjects and the D'Alby girls did not let me down.

My exciting present...

Getting help from loyal servants to open it... (sometimes you do need an opposable thumb)

Look at all my precious gold coins! Not to mention the handmade royal stocking they also provided. It really was fit for the King.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas too,

Your benevolent overlord,

Dumbledore

Christmas Morning

2008-12-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

Visions of Sugar Plums dance through my head...

When I awoke it was clear that Santa had been...
Though I was not the only one to get a visit from old St. Nick...
Santa knows me so well, he gave me this magnificent crown...
and a pile of gold coins...
Mohan got some crushed spiders and Mohinder some dried Buzzy Bees what more could we ask for?

Christmas Crafting

2008-12-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

The Christmas crafts will soon be revealed. It's been a busy few months but I finished the last Christmas crafts last night - so will have epic posting after then. In the meantime check out Mortimer and Wheeler's Christmas adventures on their blog!

Getting ready for Christmas

2008-12-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

According to Kermit the Frog one of the most pleasant of all activities is getting ready for Christmas. Dumble and the tigers certainly got in on the act. While Mohan and Mohinder decorated a little tree, Dumbledore made a gingerbread house.

It's the same gingerbread house kit the D'Alby's used.

Dumble felt that he'd missed out since we'd ran out of time when to to it with them so he insisted we buy one to bring north!

He let me, Magnus and Kathryn help but he insisted that I add that any dodgy bits were done by us. His bits all worked out wonderfully.

Visit to Santa

2008-12-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Loyal Subjects,

I went to visit the one and only Santa (he visited Stirling just so we could meet up). I took the D'Alby's with me (mostly for warmth it was freezing!). I asked for chocolate and World Domination. Lottie asked for a game but Lexie forgot what she wanted though she had mentioned chocolate coins previously so I told Santa to give her that (after all who wouldn't want that?).

Till next time,

Dumbledore

Royal Tour

2008-12-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

Are you sitting comfortably? The I'll begin...

You'll be delighted to hear the story of my latest royal tour around the Loch Lomond area. You can see the full story on Clair's blog. A loyal subject she has recored my adventures for prosperity. I had lots of fun with wonderful views, snow and tree decorating not to mention loyal subjects to carried and cared for my every whim.

Now where is my hot chocolate...

Birthday Fun

2008-12-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well I turned 21 again on the 9th. Dumbledore was their helping me along. Tom made a great Polar bear cake (I think it's the first time Tom's ever given me a birthday cake let alone baked one!). It was a recipe from the Christmas ASDA magazine. Clair was their to witness and has added a bit to her blog.

Krampus

2008-12-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite Christmas traditions (and it isn't even mine) is the Krampus. It's an Austrian thing and basically the night before good old Saint Nic comes calling to give the good kids presets the Krampus deals with the naughty kids. He beats them and takes them away in a sack. Anyway you can make a paper version (complete with naughty child) - created by Squealer Paper Toy (both that and the above image are from the Macula site). Absolute genius.

Christmouse - Nano

2008-12-01T08:20:00.000-08:00

Clair has ordered a Christmas tree decoration from me for each of her three kids for their first Christmas. For Lottie I made a reindeer wrapped in fairy lights, then Lexie got a polar bear with a bell collar.

This year Minnie got a mouse - Nano. Complete with candy cane and cozy scarf.

Love of all things sweet

2008-11-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

As many of you loyal subjects know I, King Dumbledore, have a sweet tooth - I got given it by the Tooth Fairy :)

Anyway I have been sampling a couple of exciting dishes recen

tly. One was at the Stenness Ice-Cream Parlour. I thought about the Stenness Monster but it is bigger than me and I had had breakfast already.

Then I also sampled some cake at the local Garden centre with Tom's help. I let him have a couple of crumbs as a thank you for his loyal service.

New Hat

2008-11-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Marjorie who knitted me a lovely and warm hat - so as the winter chill begins I will be the envy of all cold headed minions.

Dumble Gets Crafty

2008-11-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

The badge making phase included this gem Dumbledore wanted. It tell's everyone he's King Dumbledore. 'Course most of us could tell be the rather fetching pink crown he's wearing in the pic.

New slaves to do my bidding

2008-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Finally after months of trying to convince them the humans have finally got me rat slaves. These two little critters can do my bidding and fetch me food! There does seem to be a small problem right now where they eat the food rather than pass it on to their King but this will change soon enough!

Introducing Mortimer and Wheeler

2008-10-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to introduce you to Mortimer and Wheeler, our new rats. Mortimer is the grey and white while Wheeler is the brown and white.

Neither are too out going yet but both are getting braver as the week goes on.

They are named afterSir Mortimer Wheeler. A famous archaeologist from the 50's and 60's. He used to be on 'Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?' which got a panel of experts to work out what the chosen objects were. Wheeler used to go to the British Museum and see what had been borrowed from the collections to give himself an edge - genius!

Royal visit to the Dounby Show

2008-10-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another thrilling excerpt from my life. I know you inferior humans like to read about my glorious fun so you can give meaning to your otherwise drab existence so I will regal you with the tale of my royal visit to Dounby show.

Dounby is a town in Orkney and the show is an opportunity to meet all the players in the area and catch up on the latest gossip. As you’d expect I enjoyed conversations with many of my loyal animal subjects. I am sure that these sheep will remember this moment for the rest of their limited existence.The local dogs performed for my pleasure. There did not appear to be much plot to their show but they put their heart into it and enthusiastically led their humans around a obstacle course.Like all good local shows a large attraction was the rides. I too love a good tea cup ride and I also really enjoyed the swing ride. I had ordered a royal video of the event but my PR lackey feels that not everyone would appreciate me going round in circles for a minute. I would urge you to campaign for your right to see this momentous movie, I think it’s a shocking piece of censorship that I am not being allowed to share it with you and make your dull little lives a bit brighter.

Adieu,
King Dumbledore

Day of the Dead - Shrink Plastic Sugar Skulls

2008-10-03T10:14:00.001-07:00

I did this for my Senior Section girls as part of the activities for the Mexican festival of Day of the Dead.

1. Draw your skull on the rough side of Shrink plastic using pens. This keyring used a 1/4 A4 sheet (the earrings an 1/8th). Beware the colour get darker once it shrinks.

2. Once your happy trim the skull (doesn’t have to be exact 3mm or less edging is fine). Punch a hole in the top for the keyring to go once it’s shrunk.

3. Place the skull in an electric oven (150ºC) on a flat baking tray, drawing side down and heat for 1-4 minutes until it goes flat. Allow to cool and add your keyring, earring or phone charm.

Natural Inspiration

2008-10-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

Ok so I’m a bit excited by my new camera and started to test the ‘flower’ setting. I have to say I’m rather pleased with the results. I loved the colours of these too, maybe I should think about doing something using this colour scheme. Then again maybe that would be another thing on my already stupidly long project idea list.

Craft Magazine - Kitty Badge

2008-09-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

So I finally tried making one of the Aranzi Aronzo cats that cover the Craft Magazine volume 3. Doesn't look as Japanese as it should - eyes are two close togther but it was fun to do and looks good on my coat!

Here's Pungey

2008-09-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

As mentioned before I have done a couple of crafty projects recently. I (and Clair) seem to have become obsessed with the humble sock. While she has gone for the socktopus I have placed my support behind the humble monster. Pungey (short for Pungent) is a happy monster who lives in our spare room. On the weekends he enjoys watching tv and discussing what programmes he last saw the various actors in and munching on oreos.

I go driving in my car…

2008-09-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

Well loyal subjects over the holidays I had the opportunity to try my paw at a range of driving opportunities. I can’t help but feel if I weren’t the wonderful and royal bear I was I might have considered a career as a JCB driver. You must admit I look very good at the wheel!

I also tried my paw at train driving though I found that there was a small issue of scale – having said that I was of course still very talented at it.

Finally a bit of fun I had heard that Quad biking this could be dangerous but I think you’ll agree I am completely in control of this rather shiny example. I even let Mohinder (one of my little tiger chums) try driving a 4x4.

Of course there are times when you just want to be driven and for those moments I have ~~slaves~~ servants to help me out and chocolate to nibble as I relax.

Until the next time,

Dumbledore sighted munching cake!

2008-09-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

Read all about it here

The only Palin I support is Michael!

2008-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Usually I am a politically neutral bear but it has come to my attention that a certain USA vice-presidential candidate (Sarah Palin) is against me and my noble ursus maritimus brothers. Apparently she feels we are not in any danger and doing just dandy.

Now I know for a fact that rising temperatures are affecting my ursine brethren. Not all of us can live in houses and eat chocolate all day, some have to live in much colder places and have to hunt for their own food (I know it’s sad but I can only try and lead by example).

I urge my ursine brethren to support Obama. Remember, a vote for Obama is a vote for Polar Bears.

Show your support by getting a bumper sticker from DoodleDandy

Old Advertising Signs

2008-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

While on the Mull Railway I came across a bunch of vintage advertising signs (not that hard to spot since they were all over the train station!). I think my favourite is the Black cat but there is something funny about Camp coffee.

Jingjing

2008-09-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

As promised my verison of Jingjing (as linked to ages ago). I felt that the middle bit of the legs was too short for the space and if I did it again I'd make this longer. As a result this meant that the holes in the foot bit were too big to they didn't slot together as easilt as they should have done. Otherwise it all worked well and was easy to follow despite the words being in Chinese. My only other thought is that mine was done using just plan paper and card would have made it a bit easier to get the shapes to hold their form.

"Heaven, I'm in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak..."

2008-09-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

…when we’re out together buying chocs to eat.

Underling I have discovered heaven and it’s name is ‘The Oban Chocolate Company’.

Handmade chocolates you can see being made. The first challenge
was to choose from the menu. Not a simple task – even choosing a hot chocolate was a challenge in the end I couldn’t decide so I got two.

The chocolate sampler was wonderful. They had ones with chilli so they had a hot after taste, banoffee truffles, honey and ginger white chocolates…

Though I can’t help but feel I might have had eyes bigger than my tummy…

Linlithgow Palace

2008-09-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

I ended up at Linlithgow Palace last Sunday and much to my delight the fountain has been restored and is up and running. Covered in carvings my favourites were the naked man saving the King and a rather freaked out looking lion.

Rather busy...

2008-08-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Please don't take the lack of posting as a I have given up the crafty goodness - more that proper work has caught up with me and I am currently trying to help get a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition out, co-ordinate Duke of Edinburgh Award stuff for Girlguiding Scotland, finish my sock monster, get my Lones newsletter finished and do myreal 9-5 job!

Crafty night was cancelled this week but my version of Jingjing, a cat badge plus 'Pungy' the sock monster and some more Dumbldore adventures are all coming soon... ish :)

Can't wait for more Dumbledore adventures? He's been spotted lurking over at Clair's House

Olympic Crafty Idea

2008-08-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

While watching the Olympics (bit of an Archery Widow due to it) I decided to find a crafty option and I have! The mascots are available as paper models so since I'm a bear lover I went for the panda (Jingjing).

Not that mine turned out as good as this photo from the website. Oh and the instructions were in Chinese but they do have very good illustrations!

Royal Train Journey

2008-08-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Loyal Subjects,

I thought you'd like to witness your great King enjoying a exciting train ride on Mull. During my recent royal visit to the area I took a short trip on the Mull Railway on my way to visit Torosay Castle. Through this video you can pretend that you were with me, basking in my regal glory.

I hope you enjoyed that,

King Dumbledore

Classic Bears

2008-07-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today I ended up in Callander and nipped into the Hamilton Toy Collection. It is a weird and wonderful collection of toys from the Victorian era onwards with such classic characters as Rupert Bear, Action Man, Sindy, Barbie and Count Duckula all represented. They also have a whole load of bears. Inculding a few Schuco miniatures... There was also a very handsome Steiff called Gerhardt and a picture of him being loved by his original owner...

However my favourite Steiff creature was this Goldfish! There was no label on it but a bit searching has lead me to think it might be a Steiff Flossy Fish (No. 2300/22 from 1968 - 1978). It seems to have been made in a range of mohair colours over the time.

Now if only I can convince Tom this is the goldfish I need to have to celebrate our anniversary this year!

Finally a bear!

2008-07-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought I'd given up on the bears I make a real sweet heart! Olave is a bit of a cheat I did half of her before breaking my hand and then just finished her off this weekend.

Her badge and colours are that of the Senior Section - no not a bunch of OAPs but the name of the section of Girlguiding UK for 14 -26 year olds that I work with.

She's named after Olave Baden-Powell - the wife of Scouting founder Lord Baden-Powell and the original Chief Guide.

On a technical note I needlefelted her muzzle, used Ezy-Wax on her nose to make it shine and dyed the mohair with Kool-Aid.

Summer Bag

2008-07-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night crafting was just me this week so I decided to make myself a summer bag. I treated myself to Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo (ISBN: 978-1934287095) recently and I hadn't done anything out of it. So I decided last night was the night.

I went with the Gusseted Ecological Bag, I adapted it a bit so it is fully lined and has inside pockets - two on one side and four on the other. This means there are plenty of spaces to store my keys, etc. so I can hopefully find them quickly.

For the front I went for the Gecko in the bug pattern - it's supposed to be made into a wee bag itself but I just used it as applique.

Zoo Trip by Dumbledore (King) Part 2

2008-07-23T02:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome back loyal subjects!

After lunch we decided to walk on the wild side. By taking a look at some cats.

Now those of you who know me may know I live with a couple of tigers (one a tad bee obssessed and one who is a spider fan) neither are exactly towering.

It turns out that they are very little indeed compared to those who feast on bigger meat than insects!

I on the other hand am as tall as an 8 year old Chimp!

I then ~~hunted~~ spoke to some of my subjects.

The penguins looked tasty but I just couldn't get their wrappers off!

Alas it finally came to heading home.

However I had found a new subject to help me rule my Kingdom.

Bill Tong is a Red River Hog and is now the offical Royal Chocolate Finder. This high honour is because I am told that pigs are specialists at finding chocolate truffles.

Until next time,

King Dumbledore.

Zoo Trip! by Dumbledore (King) Part 1

2008-07-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings Loyal Subjects,

I thought I would share some of my royal adventures with you (so you can feel close to my greatness).

Last week I went on a royal visit to Edinburgh Zoo with some of my subjects (opposite).

Apparently it was one of the smaller subjects birthday so as a special reward for surviving a year I let her carry me.

There were of course many animals for me to talk to and it was intersting to catch up on gossip and of course for them to have the honour of meeting me.

The Honey Badger was filling me in on good places to find honeycomb covered in chcocolate.

The trip was very educational apparently these camels do not carry fat in their humps but rather babies.

Not all of my subjects seemed keen to chat. This Koala seemed much more intersted in sleeping than meeting his King. However, even he felt the aura of greatness I project and woke up to say hello.

For lunch my subjects provided me with a range of chocolate choices. Including the zoo themed Animal biscuits I love so much. Nothing like munching on monkeys to set you up for the afternoon!

Then we looked at the map and decided which of the animals I'd like ~~eat~~ meet.

Pacman Coasters

2008-07-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a Etsy item from Lost Mitten to make my own version of her Pacman Coasters. I borrowed heavily from her design but I made my own verison of Mrs Pacman and I changed the eyes on a couple of the ghosts. I used Hama beads (and the generic Tesco equivalents for the orange one) and an iron. I must be one of the few adults my age who didn't used these much as a kid so it was a bit of a first. It was bit like doing cross stitch - the trick was to do the outline and then fill in the colour. Still took me most of an evening but it was totally worth it since my coffee table is so much improved.

ÄLGDRONK

2008-07-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

When I went to Stockholm a few years ago I went into a great shop called KALIKÅ it had loads of cool kids toys including Älgdronks. Now the made up versions were a bit outside my budget but they also did kits and instructions so I got myself a pattern and kit for Älgdronk.

As far as I can figure the name is just that of a moose (Älg) stuck onto the shops version of a gonk (dronk doesn't see to have an English equivalent).

Anyway despite parting with cash for this gem I never quite got round to sewing it but last weekend Tom had headed off to other pastures for the weekend so I pulled it out and went to work.

The poor thing does seem a little down at having been ignored for so long!

Camera Bag

2008-07-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

I got a new camera - it's rather dull and black so I decided that to make it more exciting I'd make a camera case.

It was just a simple rectangle 14cm by 26cm folded into three (or as required by the camera).

I used two layers of fabric and a bit of wadding as padding (cotton front facing each other, then the wadding on the bottom), with a quarter inch seam allowance.

Then a simple slip stitch up either sides to about a third of the way up.

I added a wee loop of ribbon (as I sewed up the gap created from turning it the right way round) and a button to keep it closed.

I even put in a pocket so I can carry a spare memory card/ battery/ credit card etc. Then I went a bit mad and quilted the top round the island and the cap in the map.

Best of all I got to use my pirate fabirc and the dubloons!

Fabric plans

2008-07-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

So having gone through my fabric stash I am planning some projects. I bought this buddle of fat quarters to go with fabric I had for a few specific projects.One of my plans is to make a quilt with jars and bookshelves I was inspired by a quilt design I found online by One Day Quilt Frenzy which combined books and jars!

I reckon the wood effect fabric will make good shelves and the mottled fabric good book covers, plus the dubloons will make a good jar. I already have some other prints that will make intersting jar contents and some genius spider web fabric to add in a few corners!

Dr. Who Cookies

2008-07-17T01:03:00.000-07:00

I love cookie cutters (not that I bake that often) but I couldn't resist this Dalek cookie kit from Greens. They were really easy to make and tasted pretty good too!

They proved to be a lot easier to exterminate than the originals :)

Badge madness

2008-07-06T06:01:00.001-07:00

I went to the School Library Association conference the other weekend. During the session on school tranisitions the speaker suggested that the librarian could wear different badges during the year. This would mean the kids would remember you and think the library was fun.

Now i have no idea if this will impress the youth of today (though a few of my new sixth years did say they liked my 'Einstein is relatively good' badge) but the school has a badge maker I could borrow and I had crafty inspiration.

So Wednesday night was badge making with a librarian theme! Now I am rubbish at thinking what slogans to use so I hit cafepress and looked for librarian themed badges. My favourites include 'Question Authority, Ask a Librarian' and 'I read dead people'.

I also did a Dr.Who badge - partly since David Tennant is a local boy but mostly because Dr. Who has twice featured a library and the Doctor clearly feels they are important!

Now all I have to do is wait and see if my first year are impressed!

"The fat just walks away"

2008-07-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

Clair and me both made Adipose (for the post about where we got the pattern click here). I already mentioned this in my crafty madenss post but here are both together for the first time - mine is on the left. Neither quiet looks like the original but both were made with love! Possibly they were generated from bones, blood and tissue rather than fat :)

Clair's rather cleverly actually weighs a pound!

Secret Patchwork Project

2008-07-05T12:44:00.001-07:00

For the past few months (lets say somewhere in the region of 9 months) Clair and I have been doing a patchwork quilt for our mate's new baby. So the child is now six months old but the quilt is done! Made with love (if not competence).

We started with this great red fabric covered with loads of brightly coloured animals and somewhere along the way that fabric ended up as the back! So to bring it to the front we cut out five love hearts with an animal pair in each. I can neither confirm or deny that these love hearts cover up a couple of errors.

Crafty Excess!

2008-06-27T14:09:00.001-07:00

Having had limited crafty opportunities for the past bit I went mental this week and did three different projects!

The first was the Adipose I talked about wanting to make ages ago! I haven't done much embroidery so getting the eyes and mouth even proved one of the hardest bits. I think my top tip for doing one is firm stuffing which makes it look more rounded.

Next came the cushions! Gran gave me old pillows ages ago and I got some fab yellow fur in Orkney last trip up so I made myself some muppet-esque cushions for my couch.

Finally came Tom's t-shirts. I got a couple of cheap t-shirts since this stencilling was another crafty first for the week. I used ColorBox's Crafter's stamping ink pads (I got it to print fabric for bears but have yet to use for that). I just used as if they were stamps and followed the instructions on how to get them to set.

I transferred the stencil patterns onto the outside of old photocopy paper packets. It's the poor man's version of freezer paper, the inside bit can be ironed onto the fabric just the same as freezer paper (though some of the cheaper ones don't work). I ironed on my photocopy paper stencil, placing some between the two layers of t-shirt so the ink wouldn't bleed onto the back, and stencilled away.

The FSM Pirate Fish was based on a simple google search but having looked again for the link I came across this handy stencil version on The Program Witch Pages. For the second t-shirt I used the 'classically trained' stencil created by diynam ite.com. The original had fancier lettering but I decided not to risk it on my first outing.

Also on diynam ite.com there is a great Mary Poppins Stencil which I may have to try for my own t-shirt another day!

Gingerbread Man Badge

2008-06-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

I saw gingerbread men missing limbs in various forms including as softies (in Linda Kopp's book Plush-o-rama) and cookie cutters so I was inspired to make a badge version.

This little guy is only 6 1/2 cm long. I made it last trip up to Orkney and also got my sisters-in-law making their own versions (one with a missing arm the other with a missing bit of head).

It's simple to make so I thought I would share my original pattern (complete with instructions) in case anyone feels their clothing lacks partially eaten food. Click here to download the pdf.

One Handed Creativity

2008-05-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ever since I broke my hand I have felt that in the cast thing they made me wear there was puppet potential (though my Dad helpfully suggests with my arm up I look like one of those Chinese lucky cats you get).

Anyway Clair was throwing a 4th birthday party with a pirate theme so me and Tom decorated the old arm to look like a parrot (sort of).

I give you Rover. Made from card, tissue paper, scissors, glue and a sharpie. It took 3 hours but given we only had 3 hands between us and Tom had no idea what I was trying to make (I explained but he doesn't have great visualisation) I'd argue that was pretty quick.

The cast came off on Wednesday so I am doing my physio so I can sew again soon.

Badges from kiddie doodles

2008-05-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Two of my nephews (P1 and 2) were drawing pictures with me during my last Orkney trip. So I got them to draw a picture of an animal/ monster.

We scanned this into the computer and I resized this to the size I wanted the badge to be.

I then traced the various bits of each creature onto to baking parchment (i.e I traced around the whole dog outline, then the eyes, muzzle and ear since I wanted these to all be different sections).

Transferred these sections onto the colours of felted I wanted to use (making sure they were all going to face the same way) and cut them out.

I cut a reversed version of the whole outline to use as the back.

I then blanket stitched on the bits in the right place and added any stitch detail to the faces . (I super glued the monsters dots!)

I then blanket stitched the two outline bits together (right sides out) leaving a small space for stuffing. Stuffed them lightly and sewed up the gap.

I then added a badge to the back.

Both boys were really impressed with their badges and were wearing them proudly during the visit. The oldre now wants a foot stool made of one of his drawings!

Dr.Who Painting

2008-05-12T06:28:00.000-07:00

Way back in February my mates Lynne and Lucy sent me a painting by James Hance called 'Blink'. It's of one of the stone angels from the scary Dr.Who episode of the same name. For our safety we have hung it facing a mirror!

They have also given us a first anniversary pair of paintings by him of an AT-AT being followed by little ducklings which have pride of place in the living room.

Fat Busting Solution

2008-05-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my broken hand I'm gaining weight (and I am not exactly slim to start with) so as soon as my hand is working I need to shift some fat. What better way than a Dr.Who approved diet method! I'll just make my very own Adipose (as seen in the episode "Partners in Crime").

Ok so maybe not actually helping weight loss but thanks to the genius that is My Imaginary Boyfriend's Erika Kern (who's done an amazing tutorial complete with butt and tooth details) at least I can keep one as a sort of pet.

Millie is an International Star

2008-05-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

My long haired miniature dachshund, Millie, is featured in the miniature bear article in the June edition of the American magazine Teddy Bear & Friends.

This particular 4" needle felted pooch was a commission from my mate (Clair) of a real live dachshund called Millie. It was given to the original Millie's owner as a work leaving present.

June Teddy Bear Club International

2008-05-04T03:18:00.000-07:00

Very exciting news. June's edition of Teddy Bear Club International will feature an article on me. It's been in the pipeline for about a year now but now it's actually going to happen. Since this was the magazine that first inspired me it's really exciting to think I'm going to feature in it along with those bear artists I admire so much. Just have to hope the bears do themselves proud.

Of course all the bears in the magazine are past examples and with the broken hand it is highly unlikely I will manage to get anything new sewn before the publication. Never mind eh? I only mange a handful a year as it is and don't know what I would do if demand sky rocketed.

Maybe I will offer inspiration to someone else and they will make their first bear!

Creative inspiration halted

2008-04-24T02:17:00.000-07:00

Well I was all inspired with ideas but after a car accident has left my left hand broken my crafting is somewhat limited. Luckily I have managed a few fun things recently so once I get pics I can post them to get this started properly.

Murder Mystery

2008-04-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

My life seems to be full of murder mystery just now. I have a murder mystery for lessons and one the kids designed for our crime display so I decided to make one for my bears. The question is can you solve the murder?

It is a two page document so you can print it double sided and fold it like a book. Download it here

If you want to have your own murder mystery party then Hershey's have a free one on their Halloween site complete with 2 styles, alternative endings and invitations.