Crafty Excess!

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 diynamite.com. The original had fancier lettering but I decided not to risk it on my first outing.

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

Gingerbread Man Badge

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

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

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

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

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

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.