Needle Nanny

Now I must admit I had not heard about a Needle Nanny until I found a new blogging friend.  Cath from Bits 'n Bobs came for a visit, and when I returned the visit to her blog I found this My Needle Nanny.  Her Wedgwood look alike's were absolutely gorgeous.  Well I did not have anything like that, although I did have a packet of Victorian buttons in store which had a lovely cameo in it..

So off I went to make my own Needle Nanny - supplies needed:

• Buttons (or similar)
• Magnets
• Shank Remover
• Glue

Just cut the backs off the buttons using the shank remover

Place your magnets behind the buttons and check that you have the right side facing the button to ensure that your needle and pins will stick to it - just place a couple of needles on them to be sure before you glue on the magnet on

Glue your magnet on the back, using a strong glue

Allow to dry, and then turn your button over and admire your new Needle Nanny

Test to ensure that your needles stick to the magnetised button

Oh yeah, very cute

Now, I do not need more than one Needle Nanny, so I printed out some Vintage Labels designed by Cathe Holden from Just Something I Made and using double sided tape, stuck the Needle Nanny on these labels.  The ones below are made with the new plastic sewing machine buttons just added to my online store, which I thought was appropriate.

The little label I have put on the bottom, reads "Your needles and pins will never go astray, if you have your Needle Nanny handy".

All packed up in cellophane, ready for either gifting or sales

What do you think?  Are you going to make some Needle Nannies?  These would be a great gift for your sewing group members.

Now, what next on my list of things to try ....hmmmmm

Judy

NB:  If you purchase a packet of Nostalgic Treasures (or any other button pack) from my online store to make your Needle Nanny's I will include 6 little magnets  .. just put a comment on your order so I will know.

Magnetic Bookmarks

One of the many I blogs I follow is Sew Many Ways.  A couple of weeks ago they had a little tutorial on making magnetic bookmarks using scrap fabric.  This combined the two items that I am currently playing with in my craft making.  Bookmarks and Fabric.. is cannot get much better than that!

The tutorial used a magnetic business card, as I did not one of those available, I just used a old fridge magnet.  Find the centre and cut it into 2 even pieces.

Follow the instructions on Sew Many Ways Blog to complete your bookmarks.  Just ensure you have the magnets inserted the right way so that they attract each other

Folded over with the magnets attracting each other

Inserted into a book - you can shake the book and they will not fall out.  The magnet is not very strong, but certainly strong enough to stay in the book

Can you see it in the book below?

This is the fabulous book I am browsing through at the moment to get some Victorian ideas.  The graphics and information about the Victorian era is fascinating.

What you end up with, fabulous magnetic bookmarks that do not cost anything at all to make.

If I am missing in action for a little while, do not worry.  I have a number of boxes of products to upload to my online store.  Pricing, Photographing, Documenting, and then putting them all away.  The buttons are first on my list this weekend.

Have a good weekend

Judy

Easter Bunny Pops

These gorgeous bunny pops were finished just in time for Easter giving.

Based on instructions (with a little twigging) from The Mother Huddle these bunny pops were very easy to put together,  and they are super cute.  I had everything on hand, with the exception of the pops, but a quick trip to the supermarket, netted me a bag of Chupa Chups.  I imagine they are smaller than what is available in the States, but they worked out fine.  I used a small polystyrene ball for the head.  It was very easy to thread the stick of the lollipop through the polystyrene.  It also made it much easier to insert the pipe cleaner ears.

Googley eyes, different sized pom poms, and he is finished.  He even has a little tail on the back.

These little bunny pops are making there way to my nieces and nephews in Tumut, I also made up some kits for them to try and make their own.  Great for the school holidays.

All eight Chupa Chups completed ...

According to Wikipedia, A group of rabbits is known as a colony or a nest.  I think my "colony" is very cute

I hope you all enjoyed your Easter holiday with family and friends

Judy

Cutlery Holders

A family tradition of ours is to gather at my Mums house for Seafood lunch on Good Friday.  Even though her house is in upheaval as we wait to get repairs done after the recent flooding, she still wanted it to be held.  Most of the cupboards are empty, nearly all crockery and cutlery boxed away, so we decided on a "picnic" style luncheon.

I decided to make some cutlery holders using old Readers Digest book pages.

For strength and stability, I used six pages in total, 3 for each side.  I used scrap booking scissors to cut a decorative edge on the top, which was then folded down approx 1".  Front and back placed together and then sewn with a zigzag stitch down both sides and across the bottom.

I have placed a paper napkin and then the cutlery in each holder.  It looked a little bare, so for the Easter season, I placed a small chick sticker on the bottom corner.  Just enough!

Maybe next time, I may use coloured cotton?

For ease of access, all the new paper holders were placed in a pencil holder, which I tied with a Easter ribbon. 

I love how the ribbon picks up the colours in my garden in this photo.  A simple way to present your cutlery at a informal function.

Just another close-up photo

On another note, I have only just taken the plunge and converted to the new Blogger interface, so fingers crossed there will not be any mysterious changes to my blog.  It is very different in the back end, where I create these posts, but hopefully I will be able to sort my way through.

Tomorrow I am going into town to our Leeton SunRice Festival Parade.  I love parades.

Our Leeton SunRice Festival is held biennially at Easter in conjunction with the rice harvest and celebrates the importance of the rice industry to the Leeton community.

Have a great Easter with family and friends. 

Judy

Eye Pillows

The satin pillowcase and net curtain were recycled into refreshing, relaxing lavender eye pillows with a removable cover.

I used the rice bag instructions from Selina Quilts as the base for these eye pillows.

The inner bag (net curtain) was cut 4" x 16" and sewn into a bag.  The outer cover was cut 4.5" x 18".

The inner  bag was filled with a combination of lavender and buckwheat - ratio of 1 part lavender to 2 parts buckwheat.  I could not purchase any flax seed or linseed locally, so went with the buckwheat.

The net curtain allows the aroma to come through, but not the actual ingredients. The inner bag is then popped into the removable outer bag.  The first one, I used Selina's instructions and had the opening of the outer bag towards the top.

I then changed the opening to be more in the middle, this allowed the lavender bag to be inserted and removed more easily.

I folded one end in 5" and then folded the other end in 4", overlapping the 5" section slightly.  Pin and sew down the sides.  As simple as that!  There is not much difference, but is does make it easier.

Showing the back -

Now the front -

As these will be used on your eyes, I did not want to embellish the actual pillows, so I thought a little glamour could be in the packaging.

Using card stock, I made pillow boxes for the lavender eye pillows.  No real pattern used, just 8" in length, 4" wide and using a dessert bowl to create the ovals on the side to close the box. 

The lavender eye pillow slides easily into the box

Just push the ends in to close the box

Embellish as desired, with ribbons, lace, buttons etc

A pretty and practical gift using recycled materials.  Unfortunately I did not get started on the vintage doilies, as household chores (ironing, yuk) needed to be completed.

Until next time, happy crafting

Judy

Recycled purse

Are you a saver, collector or hoarder?  Because I dabble in all types of craft, I seem to "collect" a lot of different items.  I had a blue striped men's shirt - why I do not know, however it had a lot of fabric in it and I thought I could do something with it. 

I cut the cuffs off the shirt and used them to make a little purse ... just sew up the sides and use the buttons already on the cuffs for the closure. I used some Fray Stop on the cut edge.

I had seen this idea on the Internet a long time ago, and thought it was a great idea.

Two purses, with many uses.

Keep your earphones in them, clean and tidy

Keep your business card or drivers license in them

Use them as a coin purse

Many uses for when you do not want to take your wallet or handbag

I am thinking of other recycling gifts, this is what I am going to be working with next. 

 A satin pillowcase and a net curtain.  Any ideas?

Vintage doilies and napkins  - aren't they pretty?

Have a great weekend

Judy

Little Notepads

While I was cleaning my workspace yesterday, I was putting away bits of card stock that I had used for packaging the "No-Slip Bookmarks" and the "Magnetic Pegs". Into the box with the stationery bits and pieces they went, when I saw some little notepads.

Out came the bits of card stock (again), with the notepads, and look what was the result:

I cut the card stock to 2" wide and approx 3 1/2" in length, folded it in half and then sewed it to the top of the notepad. Trimmed off any excess on the sides.  Embellish with a little button, and now a much nicer looking notepad.  This would pop easily into a card for a small gift.

Now if I was going to destroy a sewing machine needle by sewing through paper, I should make it worthwhile!

Ten little notepads to add to my gift box.

Judy

Why Bother?

A couple of days ago, I posted an article about making some Magnetic Fridge Pegs. 

Today I was in a bargain shop and look what I found

Six very cute pegs (Made in China) for only $3.00 a pack.  They do not have the magnet on the back, but how easy would that be?

I must admit, that it took the fun out of my efforts.

Judy

Easter Gift Boxes

Using graphics from Sunflower Friends, I have made these little gift boxes.  Filled with mini Easter eggs.

The first featuring Vintage graphics, closed with ribbon, wool & bakers twine

The second set, are a more modern take on the Easter Bunny

These little boxes will be handed out to family and friends.  Cute substitute for Easter Eggs.  You could fill them with any type of sweet, if chocolate was not your choice.

I had planned to make some little Easter Bunnies, and fingers crossed I will get them made before Easter arrives.

Judy