Jules - First attempts at crochet

I have always fancied having a go at learning to crochet so decided to get a hook and investigate YouTube. I found a clip on how to crochet a ball so used the pause button lots and went along with it, here are the results-

The yellowey one was my first attempt using 4 ply yarn as suggested but it seemed a bit open and you could see the stuffing through so I had another go with the bluey one and used double knitting. I was happier with the results as it seemed a little heavier as well so better for indoor throwing and catching with Charlie.

I then went on to find a pattern for a little bee which I really liked. I found I wasn't able to follow the pattern as I didn't understand all the abbreviations so kind of followed the pattern and kind of followed the way I did the ball. It actually looks like a bee so I guess that means that it was a success!

Jubilee Tea Party Challenge

Our first crafty challenge is fairly open. Create something for the 3rd June for Ness' Jubilee Tea Party. We can craft anything we like, a big or small project but it should have some sort of connection to the fact it is the Jubilee, maybe regal or red, white and blue? Don't post your projects on here, keep them secret and bring them along to the tea party! It will be exciting sharing our makes.

Jules - Geo-tiles

I managed to get some squares of plywood, about 5cm square with rounded corners and decided to play with them. I split them diagonally and coloured them using coloured pencils in red, green, blue and yellow to make tiles that could be used for a variety of ways. Initially I can see them being used to stack or make patterns with, maybe talking about the colours too. They can also be used for matching like dominoes. I only finished them last night so haven't had chance to let Charlie loose on them yet to see what he makes of them but thought I'd share them with you. I wasn't sure what to call them but have opted for Geo-tiles as they make nice geometric patterns from the triangles.

Jules - My little Superhero!

A couple of months ago Charlie spent a few days talking non-stop about Superheros. I told him I would make him a Superhero cape and dutifully went to the fabric shop and got fabric in to do just that. Here are some photos of the cape.

I used navy blue polycotton and cut a red star and sewed this on (using bondaweb). I chose a contrasting red, white and blue star fabric for the lining and a red and white ribbon for the tie. I used the star machine embroidery that is built into my machine to sew a row of little stars along the bottom. I was really pleased with the result and couldn't wait to show it to Charlie the next day.

When I showed it to him, in true fickle two year old style he was totally disinterested and refused to try it on!!! Anyway this week he saw a programme on CBeebies with someone wearing a cape and I asked if he wanted to wear his and he was keen to do so. I finally managed to see him in my creation. He really liked it and wore it to the child minders and was "Super Charlie" all day!

Claire - My Project Wish List

Sunday, 29 April 2012

Claire - My Project Wish List

I can hardly contain my excitement about our crafty ventures fellow yummy mums! I have struggled to just keep it to five as my Kirstie Allsopp Craft book from Ness has so many crafts I want to try but I realise I need to be slightly realistic in my endeavours.  I do after all want to finish them!  So here's my five most desired craft projects for now: 
1) Sewing: make a decorative stuffed heart with Bride and Groom's initials, as a gift for friends wedding in June. 2) Bake a Victoria Sponge for our Queen's Jubilee Street Party, 3) Knitted animals: A family of knitted pigs for Edith and Iris and a knitted horse for my friends little boy Fletch, 4) Knitted 'berry' hats for Edith and Iris, knitted using circular needles to be ready for the winter (i will be very pleased with myself if i manage to finish these before winter is over!) 5) More sewing: make a blanket and pillow for Edith's baby doll.  Hopefully i will then feel a little more confident to tackle making the kitchen cushions and curtains which i have bought the material for.  Can't wait to get cracking!

Vanessa - My Project Wish List

After much thought I've finally decided on my five projects for the year! 1) To make a peg bag. I'm tired of struggling to carry the pegs in one hand, washing in the other and dropping both over the floor as a result! 2) Bunting for Sophie and Ava's room. I haven't thought about pattern or colour yet but this will be my first project. 3) I'd really like to have a go at weaving willow with the aim to make a small useful object- which to be decided. 4) More sewing, I'd like to make a doorstop for my sister in law. Pattern and shape to be chosen by her. 5) After hearing of Claire's knitted animals I would like to make a knitted family of owls. Well owls at the moment as Sophie has a bit of an obsession with them... this might change. For a bonus aim, I'd like to make something crafty for my Jubilee Tea Party, will decide on what very soon. Here's to our crafty adventure.

Jules - My Project Wish List

1) Make a shirt for Charlie. I have made a start on this, I've cut out the fabric so hopefully this shouldn't take too long to do. 2) Knit a tank top for Charlie. Again, this is a project I already have on the go. I have almost knitted the back and then have the front and ribbing to go. 3) "Play" with some free machine embroidery. It is a while since I have done this and I would like to just have a bit of a play with some of the techniques that I haven't used for ages to remind myself of them so I can go on to use some in other sewing projects. 4) Make myself a skirt. I have some needle cord fabric that has been sitting in the bottom of a box waiting to be made into a skirt and it hasn't happened so I would like to get this done. Something smart I could use for work. 5) Bake some smiley face jammy dodgers! I had a go the other day and managed to get three that I was happy with, I need to experiment with the biscuit dough as it was too sticky so I obviously did something wrong. A bit of playing needed I think!