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

Anzac Day - Remembering

Happy Easter

Graphic purchased from Trina Clark

Enjoy the holiday with family and friends, keep safe

Judy



Busy, Busy, Busy

Life is really busy at the moment - I am looking forward to have a few days rest and recreation over the Easter holidays.

I have listed some of my pre-loved craft books in store - many more will be added over the following days.
They are in excellent condition and are a great bargain.

These two are just $3.00 each + postage
Have a great day
Judy

Cute Jelly Tiles

These Jelly Tiles have just been added to my store - very cute

Just in time for Easter crafts

Always needed - very important part of my life

Coming to quickly

Love it

For my business

Enjoy

Judy

Update on Blog Changes

Well it is coming along slowly - update time:

1. I have moved my email signup to a little lower on the right hand side
2. You can unsubscribe at anytime - there is a link in the email you receive (thanks Chookyblue)
3. I have included a "Facebook Badge" on the right hand side also - once you click on this it will take you to my facebook page (fingers crossed)

Now to learn how to use "Facebook", I think I will have a lesson with my niece - she is always logged on, although it may not be how I would like to use it, he he

Thanks for your patience
Judy

Blogger Help - Facebook

I am trying to update by blog with the Facebook "like" button and I am having a little difficulty - so if my blog goes "haywire" in the next couple of days, it is just me trying out options.

I know I am OLD mature, however facebook and blogging changes are all very challenging.  If I just upload a post and a photo, that is OK - but when I want to make changes, hold onto your seat, anything can happen.

Judy

New Blog Feature - or at least to me .....

This week (after seeing it appearing on other blogs) I discovered that blogger has a new feature.
It allows you receive a email when I post anything new on my blog.

All you do, is enter your email address on the top right hand side section of my blog where is says "Follow By Email" - click in it, enter your email address and then click Submit.

Don't worry about how small the box looks in which you enter your email address, it works!

You will receive a email in your email account, just to verify your subscription.  This ensures that it is a valid email address.  Click on the verification link, and then you are ready to go. 

How easy is this? 

Reminder: will have to check how to unsubscribe and give instructions if you wish to cancel out at any time

Judy

New quilt patterns in store

I have just received the "newly released" Amy Bradley Designs Merry Christmas quilt pattern.  It is so bright and cheerful, and you will have time to get it made before Christmas.  This pattern can be purchased from my online store Cat 'n Cart Crafts - click on the link on the left hand side of my blog.

This Merry Christmas quilt pattern includes full size patterns, full size placement sheets, and instructions to make the 48 1/2" x 62 1/2" quilt. Additional instructions are included to make a 48 1/2" x 48 1/2" version of the Nutcracker and Penguin quilt. Great value for your money.

How cute are these?

Not much crafting happening here at the moment. I am working fulltime for 5 weeks, and also doing some painting in the house, so I am one tired person and feeling very uncreative.  Fingers crossed, by Easter everything will be back to normal, and I will have some creations to share with you.

I did make up some the of Easter Rabbits from my last post, but have not taken a photo to share with you (as yet).  They were quick and easy and look great, so thank you  Kim from Old Road Primitives

Judy

Easter Freebies

Over at the Old Road Primitives Blog Kim has two printable freebies for Easter ..
One to cover a small chocolate bar to look like a Easter rabbit

Click here to download

The other printable allows you to cover small wrapped sweets, for Easter giving.



Click here to download

Something different to pop in your Easter Basket this year?

Judy

Not missing - busy

I am not missing, just been busy with other things rather than craft (which I would prefer to be doing)
The house is being painted, therefore everything is Topsy Turvy.

Also getting organised to have a trade table at the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Quilt Exhibition.
To be held next weekend 5th & 6th March, at St Mary's Hall, Edon Street, Yoogali.

If you are in the area, come along, and check out the great display of patchwork, quilts and needlework.
All proceeds to Country Hope, so a great cause to support.  I will be taking a lot of my buttons to sell.

Judy

Santa Ornies

This was a quick and easy pattern - just a cone shape, paint the top to look like Santa's hat, add rusty bells.
Face was also very easy, bead eyes, blush and then glue on beard.  Love the finished result.

Notice all the different textures for the beards, this makes each one unique.

Judy