Coffee Cozy

I used my new coffee cozy for my early morning take-away coffee from McDonald's this morning, and the lovely girl serving me asked where she could get one ...yes I would make her one!

Then when I arrived at work, I got another request from a workmate, she had not seen anything like it before.

These are very simple to make, and there are many free templates on the web - I am not sure where I got my pattern from, as it was a few years ago - if you recognise it as your pattern, please let me know so that I can give you the credit .. 

Judy

Sewing Book Find

I found this delightful sewing book at the second hand shop on Friday - it was published in 1969 by The Singer Company.

I love the introduction - "Did you know that surveys show boys are impressed by girls who can sew?"

I doubt if that is still true today .. but I am sure it would have been a helpful tip to get girls sewing!

It is full of basic tips, like :

Pressing

How to thread a needle

How to tie a knot

Sewing on buttons

How to sit at a sewing machine ...

Lovely little book - a great find

Judy

Playing with Owls

I love all the little owls that have been popping up on the web the last few months, so I thought I would see if I could make some.

I only wanted something that could be popped on a shelf or in a bowl - unobtrusive, however needed to be cute.

This is what turned out, the first two were a little short, so I added another 1" to the pattern (?) / scrap paper and made another two - yes I am happy.

Quick, easy - filled with bear pellets, so they can be flopped anywhere - mostly all glue gun used in this project ... and scrap fabric used also

FUN

Judy

Cat Pin Cushion

One of my favourite blogs is "The Olde Country Cupboard" Sandy is a remarkable talented lady and her daughter is following in her footsteps.  I purchased Samantha's new Cat Pin Cushion pattern yesterday and could not wait to make it!

It was one of the quickest and easiest patterns I have made in a long time - so easy I made two .... if you like cats or have a friend that likes cats this would be an ideal gift ...

The first one, I made with sawdust in the pin cushion ...

The second I just used toy filling in the base - it turned out much plumper, and I put a lovely big ric rac tie around his neck

I cannot decide which one I like the best, it was so much fun, and they have such character.

I also purchased Sandy's New Ernie Elf pattern, which I hope to be able to start this weekend, fingers crossed.

Oh it feels so good to have time to craft again

Have a good weekend
Judy

Calendar Recycle

You may not know it (my family does) but I am a "hoarder"!  I cannot bear to throw things away, I always think there must be another way to use items once they no longer serve their initial use.

I have been having a cleanup while the painters have been in and found this really cute 1998 calendar that I had put to one side ... well, I started thinking .... how can I use these pages.

The light bulb went off - Gift Bags

The first was made using a simple pocket style which could be used to hold a CD, DVD,a Gift card, Lotto tickets or even Money

Pick the focal point of the picture and fold the sides into the back - join by using double-sided tape, fold up the bottom and again use your double-sided tape to secure.  You could also use decorative scissors across the top edge.

The second style was a little more difficult, however with a few trial runs I was able to produce a little gift bag with a boxed bottom.  These would be lovely filled with chocolates or a small gift.  I would not recommend putting anything heavy in these bags.

NB: The size of the gift bag will depend on the size of your calendar page 

I will make another one taking step-by-step photos, so that you can see how they are made ..lovely gift bags that do not cost anything, you have to like that?

Judy



Exercise and Me

Graphic purchased from Sunflower Friends

No words are needed, he he

Judy

Little Wooden Signs

I finished off these little wooden signs today, I had already cut them from a length of timber - easy

Stage 1 - Cut length of timber into 4 inch pieces, and small holes drilled - no photo (sorry)
Stage 2 - Stain timber - I used DecoArt Walnut Gel Stain just paint it roughly on, and then use a cloth to rub it into the timber, just a little bit is needed to give wood grain effect

Stage 3 - Attached your printed paper signs using ModPodge  - I just print my favourite sayings onto brown Kraft paper using a variety of fonts.  ModPodge is used as a paste to attach the sign, making sure you smooth the paper sign so that you do not have any bubbles, then put another coat of ModPodge on top of the printed sign.  Once dry, give the top another coat - this acts as a varnish and protects the sign.

Stage 4 - Finish off by threading Rusty Wire through the holes at the top and curling the ends.

  

I will use these to decorate my handmade Santas, Elves etc and I think they will also look great on the Christmas Tree or as Gift Tags ... many uses and super easy and cheap to make.

Judy

Amy Bradley Cot Quilt

My sister Ann purchased the Amy Bradley Funny Babies Cot quilt pattern at Easter time from my online store, and today has sent me photos of the finished results.  It is gorgeous.  What do you reckon?

I love seeing what creations my customers (and family) make with items purchased in store, it gives me a real buzz ..

Today is a cold and windy day in the Riverina, so I hope to get up to the craft studio this afternoon to make something/anything! It has been so long since I have been able to just sit and craft, I miss it!

Have a great weekend

Judy

BaZooples 3D Childrens Buttons

New range of buttons added to the online store, this is what has been keeping me from my craft studio!
Three boxes of buttons to price and upload ... 1/2 way there.

I have fallen in love with these BUTTONS GALORE-BaZooples Buttons. Created by popular designer Vicki Schreiner; BaZooples are a loveable assortment of hand-dyed 3D zoo animals buttons that have their own personalities. Imagine them on your children's clothes?  They would also look great on your scrapbooking cards ... I will have to get my sister to make a sample card, hint!

Enjoy
Judy