I Purr-Furr to Craft

School Chairs.

2012-01-30T23:35:00.000-08:00

Back of hot pink chair headrest. This is black velvet vliesofix onto the the front of the back rest on the chair. This now ties in the black of the frame of the chair and it all makes sense. I took a picture at the last minute before the chairs got picked up today. I had approval of all the chairs which makes me so happy! I am looking forward to doing something else now, Looking forward to making quilting blocks for http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/why-are-we-sending-quilts.html

Bali Pops

2012-01-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

Linda's Quiltmania is having a giveaway, Bali Pops. Is this not the cutest thing? Would you like to enter for a chance to win this lot? then click on the picture to be transported there.

School Chairs.

2012-01-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

Rainbow chair. One chair left to finish.

School Chairs.

2012-01-28T02:43:00.000-08:00

This is the mushroom seat. White spots have been ironed on to the red fabric spots in 3 sizes. round windows made out of leather circles with a glass pane made out of a plastic drink bottle and fabric curtain underneath that. The fabric of the stem was white and I painted it using coffee. the plastic plants on the stem has been hot glued into place.
The Throne has had more jewels added to it and a pearl trim hot glued around the seat.
The hot pink chair has got added beading in 3 layers around the seat.

School Chairs.

2012-01-27T13:56:00.000-08:00

This is the seat and back rest for the Rainbow chair. I am just waiting for the final coat of white spray paint to dry before assembling it. All the chairs will be ready for the school by Monday morning.
Hot pink fairy chair. This is just waiting for the lovely long string of beads that Renee has found for me, These will be draped like the purple fairy chair.
Front.
The 2 Thrones. One adult and one child.
Art room chairs. The Art room has so much colour so I thought, keep it simple.

The backs are just black and white.

School Chairs.

2012-01-26T03:27:00.000-08:00

This is the back of the Child Throne. The school logo and crown have been painted on in gold paint.

School Chairs.

2012-01-26T02:37:00.000-08:00

This is the chair I bought on e-bay for $5.00. It is going to be the Adult Throne Chair for the school.
This is my revamp proposal. It has been polished in a darker furniture finish to look more like mahogany. Fabric is a deep red stretch crush velvet type fabric. The back is not as yet set in, (awaiting approval first). The hole in the centre of the chair I am thinking should either have a stone or jewel in it or a mirror.

Fabulous Fabric.

2012-01-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

Is this fabric just yummy! then click on the picture to be transported to where you can enter.

School Chairs.

2012-01-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

This is the base for the mushroom chair. The windows will be more 3d, they will have curtains and a clear plastic windows. The door will be more wood like paneling with a beaded handle and the flowers and branches will be fixed right onto the stem and only those that look like trees will be used. It will also have a lizard running up the stem and a lizard on the ground sewn to the side of the stem.
The seat part will be covered too.
This is the metal frame of the chair, All the parts except the webs on the back have yet to be attached but this gives you an idea of the working out.
This will give you an idea of how it will come together. there will also be grass all around the base which will be attached to the seat and so will be one piece.

School Chairs.

2012-01-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

This is the Boy Throne so far. I won this chair on ebay for $5. very cute I think. The things on the back are just paper template proposals, a crown and the school logo. They will be stenciled and painted in gold. The gold beading around the cushion edge also needs to be attached.
This is the hot pink chair, unadorned at the moment. I used a pure wool coat for this.

This is the back of the head rest. To make the best of the fabric it has a pocket for secret messages and notes.

School Stuff.

2012-01-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

The colour wheel cushions are almost finished, I just have to hand sew the openings closed.
Next project is the Mushroom Chair. This is a chair that has some history to the school.
I bought the very last piece of this red and off white fabric from Spotlight for the cap/seat as well as the last piece of the shiny sheer beige, and some left overs from the fireflies costume for the gills. I bought some off white corduroy fabric for the stem. Total spend so far for this chair is $6.00.
I will let you know what comes next in the next couple of days. I hope it works!
An interesting fact to me is that the school first came into being in 1962, the year I was born! I love that!

Resolved to Sew 2012

2012-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Resolved to Sew is having a massive giveaway, Click on the picture to find out more and be whisked there,
It made me think too about my resolve to do quilting blocks, the first step to quilting.

Cushions and Chairs.

2012-01-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

These cushions covered 3 years ago are being cut up and reusing the usable filling and adding new filling as needed, the new cushions are in progress.
The new cushions are in the colours of the colours wheel. plus white, black, grey and brown. The school provided the fabric and the old cushions for this project so all that this costs me is my time.
The purple chair was delivered to the school yesterday and was a success! So much so I got an order for 4 more Fantasy Chairs, one a fairy chair with deep pink colours, two kingly thrones, one child size and one man sized. The school has a new male prep teacher this year, Very exciting cos male teachers are hard to find for this level.
These are the chairs to be revamped and restyled. Two black chairs seats need redoing cos they are ripped They will still look like chairs cos they are not the fantasy ones. The other chairs are to be fantasy chairs. Apart from the middle one, that is to be a mushroom in red and white with critters in it (the chair has a story behind it and has been in storage for a while waiting to be transformed.) I think I can do better and hunt out nicer shaped chairs for the fantasy chairs. We will see!
I have so many things happening at the moment I am in heaven! (I must give thanks to my husband cos his patience is amazing, he takes this chaos in his stride.)
My nephews wife Jo wants a pink fairy chair too!

Fabric Strips.

2012-01-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

The woven mat was not working out for me, it has however gotten me thinking, I am now trying Tunisian crochet. It is all fun however even if it does not work!

Tales at Wayne Manor.

2012-01-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Tales at Wayne Manor is having a Thankful Giveaway, What a lovely thought! If you would like to give it a go then click on the picture to be taken there.

Isolette Covers.

2012-01-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

Today I have been taking it easy, preparing the fabrics to sew for the Isolette covers tomorrow. On the hats side of it I am making one a day.

Such a Sew and Sew

2012-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

Such a Sew and Sew is having a Birthday Giveaway. Get Whisked to her blog by clicking on the picture to find out more.

Samelia's Mum.

2012-01-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

How cool is this fabric? I love it! Would you like a chance to win? then head over there to Samelia's Mum blog by clicking on the picture to be transported there.

Rug-a-Long.

2012-01-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

Jodie Carleton of Ric-Rac is having a Rug-a-Long and I have come along to play. I think it is a great way to use up my stash. I am going to have bands of set colours and working in groups of 3 for each colourway. This is the first time I have done something like this and this is how I have started it. Curtain fabric stash left over from Halloween costume and school play. First I have picked out my 3 colours.
I have torn them into strips and have them ready to go in a box. I have used a shiny fabric, a tapestry fabric and a stretch velvet fabric. All the pieces are in manageable lengths and will be joined in like with like as I need too. There is no sewing involved just plaiting and weaving in the plait as I go.
This is how I am joining in each strip. First i make a slit in both the end and the start of each strip.
I them add the new strip by putting the slit end of the new strip through the slit end of the old strip.
Through the slit in the new strip I put the other end of the new strip through this and pull tight.
They are now joined.
As go around in a plait I am weaving the end nearest the mat through the outer edge of a plait made before. This eliminates the need for any sewing.
As you can see i have put the yellow in the printed layer of the plait already done.

Plait a few more and curving at you go attach to the layer already plaited as before. I will continue with these 3 colours then adding another 3 different colours then back to these 3 colours creating different bands.

Meggie and Mat.

2012-01-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

Meggie playing with the curling ribbon from her Christmas Present from my daughter. She loves it!
All the while she is trilling. I took many pictures of her playing with it and this is the least blurry of the group.
Meggie is sitting on the mat while I am sewing the black binding on it, Not easy!
The classroom door mat is finished.

Purple Fair Chair.

2012-01-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

I remembered to take a picture this time before it goes to it's new home in the school.

Tilli and Meg and school stuff.

2012-01-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

Tilli and Meg in the back garden stalking each other around the cat nip. (Tilli loves this plant).

Tilli after having rolled herself in the cat nip.

New Project for next week, These cushions for the floor were made 3 years ago, Time does go quick! This time they will all be different and will be the representing the colour wheel. plus one white, one grey and one brown.

These two chairs also covered here 3 years ago are having a make over. They will be plain black.

This is a small piece of carpet that will be the door mat for the classroom. I will be hand sewing this wide binding i have made out of black fabric. It will protect the carpet edges. I have made Loads of this binding to take with me to the classroom to edge the main carpet and it will make it last longer too.

Pink Chair.

2012-01-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

I took a walk up to our local Savers and came home with these, The start of the Pink Fairy Chairs, one for the school and one for my niece, a special request. I don't yet have the chairs but this is a good start.

Fairy Chair.

2012-01-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today I am working on the purple chair. The pink chair has already been snapped up and I forgot to take pictures, I won't be making the same mistake with this one though! The purple bead string came in a Christmas parcel from my daughter and I think it gives it that lacy glamorous bling that it was missing. The purple beads are one long string that is tied on in places with nylon carpet thread to give it controlled loops. I want it to be stable and still have movement. On the back of the chair is a 3 stand button necklace, It has been woven into the back.
The chair seat is wooden. I removed it and then covered it in purple plush.
Underside of chair. The plush bed cover fabric from Savers has an elastic rim casing that grips it on the bottom of the seat.
The top of the seat has now a cushioned dome, cute and soft.
The flowers and leaf shapes I have cut out and will sew around the edge of the seat. The flowers are made out of fleecy fabric that has iron on interfacing on the back to stabilize it. The first little purple flowers are going to be on the vine running all around the chair, the middle flower made up of 4 separate parts will be on the seat and have a button in the middle. The last one is a rose, the rose will have two leaves attached on each side of the flower. The leaves are made of two different green fabrics, One is a dark velvet and the other is a lighter green cotton. They will be on both the roses and the vine.

The leaf shapes ready to sew.

Pinned on for show of final placement.
The vine is made out of recycled electrical wire and green fabric tubing. The reason for this is that I do not want the vine to be tight against the chair but i do want to control where it lies.

This picture shows how I will attach the flowers to the vine. Each flower will have purple beaded centres.

I Won!

2012-01-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

I an a Winner! Lavender Quilts was having a Giveaway and I blogged about it and won!

Look at the wonderful goodies I have here, (I have eaten the chocolate and it was Delicious!) Thanks Kris, I am ecstatic!

Leona's Quilting Adventure.

2012-01-09T01:02:00.000-08:00

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a super giveaway, celebrating her 900th post. This and more is there to win, take a look on the blog by clicking on the picture to be transported there. Very cool stuff!

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop Blog.

2012-01-05T23:02:00.000-08:00

Is this not just the cutest quilt pattern? I love it! for a chance to win then click on the picture to be transported to Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop Blog and enter.

Marie Madeline Studio.

2012-01-05T22:48:00.000-08:00

Marie-Madeline Studio is having a giveaway, Would you like a chance to win some of this? then click on the picture to be transported there.

We Love Quilting!

2012-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

We Love Quilting! is having a January Giveaway. Would you like to have a chance to win this board game? Then click on the picture to be taken there and enter.

Cart Before the Horse

2012-01-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

Cart Before the Horse is having a New Year Giveaway and is giving away a hand-painted Alice dolly that can be a necklace or an ornament. If you would like to win then click on the picture to be transported there. While you are there, take a look around. A pair of seriously talented people and wonderful artistry there.

Charity Makes for 2012

2011-12-28T17:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of the chairs so far, work in progress. The green cord will be wrapped around the frame with leaves attached and the flowers are pinned on for effect. They will have a lot more detail different shapes and colours and will be buttoned on.
Charity makes so far. 3 and 4 ply baby premature hats in various sizes and an Isolette cover.
I have zip bags in hand and as soon as the items are finished they go into the bag ready to take to the hospital as soon as they are needed. I have another zip lock bag with the pattern and yarn with the next one in progress
This is my fabric haul for the Charity makes.
I had a $40 Spotlight voucher from my son and his girlfriend and I spent the lot on this fabulous haul, making the most of the sale at the moment. All the fabric I have bought as already reduced and the current sale of dress fabrics gave me another 30% off enabling me to get a larger amount of fabric for my money. I had simply the best time choosing. Thank you so much for my Christmas gift. This is kept in plastic with another bag around it until it is used and away from my cats.

Fairy Chairs.

2011-12-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

The Fairy chairs are now spray painted. This one will make the pink pop. It will have vine leaves twisting up the legs.
It looks quite bluey but is really purple.

Birthday Giveaway

2011-12-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

Lavender Quilts is having a Birthday Giveaway. Click on the picture to be transported there. Good Luck!

Prep Chairs

2011-12-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

I have been asked to make fantasy chairs for 2 pep classes. One in purple and one in pink.
This first chair will be sprayed purple and have a cover that encloses the round seat by undoing the screws and building a cushion around it. The toys will be hot glued and sewn to the frame as if they were playing. All of the components were bought from Savers. The chair was half price at $1.50 two packets of soft toys at $3 each, the cushion insert $1.50. the rest will be from my stash.

This is the pink chair in progress. The chair was free from a nature strip. I will be spray painting the chair green. From Savers came the cushion insert $1.50, the pink fluffy cover $1 and the buttons for the centre of the flowers $3. The flowers I made cardboard templates and drew them onto wool coats from my stash, they are going to be blanket stitched in place and will be on both sides of the chair back. I will be adding green leaves too.

The flowers I made cardboard templates and drew them onto wool coats from my stash, they are going to be blanket stitched in place and will be on both sides of the chair back. I will be adding green leaves too.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

Tilli in one of her favourite sleeping places.
Christmas gift for a very good friend.
This year i made using plush curtain fabric and buttons two birds and a tiny dragon for my friend. I bought this decorative bird cage that I know she will turn into a tea light candle holder, She is very crafty in the nicest possible way.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012.

Charity Makes for 2012

2011-12-17T13:50:00.000-08:00

Foe a couple of weeks I have been looking to find specific charities close to home that i can deliver the goods too. This one is the Special Care Nursery at Mercy Hospital in Heidelberg, a 60 bed care facility. They need Isolette covers Pattern available here http://featherweightclub.com.au/doc/Isolette_Cover_Sew_Pattern.pdf

They also need baby hats pattern specific this it here.
http://featherweightclub.com.au/doc/Premature_Baby_Hat_3_ply_Knit_Pattern.pdf

This is very special to me cos I was a premature baby nearly 50 years ago.
Anyone else making things for Charity that could give me some leads on where else to look in Melbourne, groups etc?

Christmas Makes.

2011-12-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

These Pin Cushions are this weeks makes. They are for the teachers next week. Made from wool blanketing and Christmas ribbons and buttons.

Christmas Giveaway.

2011-12-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

From Millrose Quilts is this wonderful Giveaway Package. Would you like to win it? then give it a go and click on the picture to be magically whisked away to the blog. I think it is just delightful.

ACDA Christmas Party.

2011-12-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had out ACDA Christmas Party. Table Decorations.
Some of the Pincushions in the Pincushion Swap.
Doll of the Month winners and then one is chosen for Doll of the Year. The winner was the 3rd one.
Traveling Dolls. Each doll left their owners wearing just underwear. They have been to many people having items and clothing added and a journal of their travels added to a book along the way. They have been away for almost a year and they are finished and ready to go back to their owners today.
All the dolls were from the same pattern but the use of fabric changes the shape and size of each doll. This is what makes making dolls very exciting.

Every 2 months they had to be passed onto the next person on your list and a piece of clothing, some items and journal written in.
It was challenging, exciting and a lot of fun to do.
Every one who took part enjoyed it very much.
It has been a fun year and looking forward to some more adventures in next years activities.

Fairy Chairs.

2011-12-08T19:00:00.001-08:00

All the Christmas gifts have been for Show and tell in Spotlight, Christmas pins and pincushions gifts have been given out, and the packages (87) have been put under the K.Mart Wishing Tree.

Now I am getting my bits and pieces together for the next project for the new year. 2 fairy chairs for the prep classes. These 2 chairs i picked up from the nature strip and one will be purple and one will be pink.

School Work

2011-12-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is what i have been working on the last 2 days. (With Meggie helping!)

The grade has been busy working on a caricature of themselves and I have sewn them onto a blanket i bought from Savers and using stuff from my stash, buttons, braids ribbons and zips have them all framed. This is ready for the class of 2011 graduation and will be hanging in the Art Room.

Christmas and Cats

2011-12-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

These pin cushions are made of pure wool blanketing and felt shapes blanket stitched onto them. with Christmassy fabric strips. Pudding pins and Fat 3/4s for the lovely ladies at Spotlight and Savers this year, I have about 8 more to make. I will go and hand them to the staff and wish them a very Merry Christmas some time next week.
Tilli getting into the spirit of things, The cats Just LOVE paper.

Christmas Pins

2011-11-26T14:23:00.000-08:00

Every year I make Christmas Pins to give away to the lovely ladies at our Christmas Party and as a thank you to the staff of Spotlight and Savers for their great service and to show my appreciation. This year I have designed a Christmas Pudding Pin. I am planning on making 50.

1. I used a lid of a jam jar for the back and front of the pudding in brown felt. Cut out 2 pieces.

2. Draw the same shape out again and this time to make the top just make a way line and cut it off. You need 1 piece for the front in white felt. Blanket stitch this to one of the brown felt pieces.

3. This is a smaller cardboard disk that will be between the stuffing in the front and the felt back piece to make it flat on the back for the pin to be sewn on.

4. Holly leaves. Cut 2 on green felt. Stitch a line up the centre 3/4s of the way to give it dimension.

5. Stuffing for the front of the pudding to give it a pleasing shape.

6. 2 buttons for berries.

7. Place the back and the front of the pudding together sandwiching the stuffing and smaller cardboard disk in between and blanket stitch the pieces together all the way around using thread to match the felt used.

8. Pin the holly in place and sew them on at the same time as the berry buttons.

9. Lastly, sew the brooch pin to the back.

10. They would also make great gift tags or Christmas tree decorations. I hope this inspires you to make your own.

Christmas Party Table Decorations

2011-11-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

Almost finished the Table Top Decorations.I will be adding a few more baubles and some thin tinsel to the trees.

Christmas Party Table Decorations

2011-11-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

This lovely pack of 50 candy canes are just the right size for the table top tree decorations and the last finishing touch I needed.

Christmas Party Table Decorations

2011-11-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

Bead wire and button tree top decoration.
Double button baubles.
Soft sculpture polar fleece snowmen. Two to a tree. The tree is a limb of our Christmas tree and sewn onto the backs of the snowmen.
Snow men are sewn back to back.
I have made 6 of these groups of snowmen and tree table decoration sets. I have 6 Christmas wicker baskets that will have fruit in them, one will have apples, another pears, another oranges etc.

Yesterday

2011-11-21T13:44:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I made this simple felt and button bird ornament for a Christmas Tree Decoration Swap we are having at the Christmas Party next month at A.C.D.A.

Yesterday

2011-11-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is a pin cushion I made for our Christmas Party next month at A.C.D.A. The pattern i found whilst browsing on the internet for ideas when i saw this http://dollmakersjourney.com/kittykat.html and fell in love with it. I will have to make one for myself. It was a nice change from all the charity stuff I have been making lately. If you click on the picture it will take you to the pattern.

Charity Makes for 2011

2011-11-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

This month for the next couple of weeks I will be adding the final touches to the gifts for the K Mart Wishing Tree this year. Adding buttons to Jackets, ribbons to bonnets and dressing a couple of dolls. The final total will be, 20 dolls with outfits, 15 rabbits, 8 bears, 4 knee blankets and 40 baby packs all consisting of a blanket, booties, bonnet or hat, cardi, mittens and a toy.

Charity Makes for 2011

2011-11-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Today I am back working on the dolls for the K Mart Wishing Tree. Making the clothes. They will have underwear, a nightdress, dress and jacket and shoes each. The lace trim I am using was given to me by a friend last month and for which I am very grateful. I have cut it down in the middle to make it the right size for the dolls. The dolls faces have been drawn on using Zig and gel pen and the white is gel pen. the cheeks have been given a light blush with Prismacolor Rouge pencil.

Charity Makes for 2011

2011-11-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Polar fleece looks grey in the pictures, but it it brown. All sewn and stuffed just need the stuffing to settle before i sew up the last of the openings. Then i will add the nose details. Anyone new to sewing could easily make this bear i highly recommend it. Go here for more details. Funky Friends Factory This bear is available for charity and non profit use only.
The instructions are step by step and lovely to follow. I have 9 more bears i want to make for my charity drive so i am back at the machine right now.

Christmas

2011-11-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Some more knitting to finish off, booties bonnets, hats and cardies. all in 4 ply yarn.
Last minute push for gifts for Christmas is now back on track. This owl has been requested buy a friend and i am now making some Honey bears using this brown plush fabric i bought from Savers yesterday.

Halloween

2011-10-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my two sons and myself in our Halloween costumes.
From left to right, Zombie Brain Surgeon, Steam Punk, and Sub Zero from Mortal Kombat.

Tapestry Bag

2011-10-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

I have been absent from my blog for a while, Busy working with my sons' Halloween project. He does not want step by step blogged about so this is another project I have been working on. Making a bag. This bag style is a take on the tapestry/Gladstone bag using available materials. This wine rack from Savers I have taken apart for the parts and will be the closure for the bag and the handles.
This is the parts of the assembled wine rack, scissors glue and leather to make the closure.
The leather has been glued to hold it all together on the corners and the centre of the moveable hinges are made so that it opens up flat one way only.
Materials used are curtains that my niece gave me when they redecorated. I will be making teddy bears with this fabric too. The wrong side of the fabric is used for the right sides of the bag, I just love the colourway. I have used the lining of the fabric for the lining of the bag.
The centre hinges.
A simple bag on the way to being made. All the sides are the same height and it is lined with a hard plastic bottom insert between the layers. It is just pinned at the moment.

It will have leather straps cut from the boots I bought from Savers for my Halloween costume, and I will make handles from the wine rack too.

Halloween

2011-10-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

I have decided on fabric covered buttons. Sleeves and collar are finished, working on the bag and gloves.

Halloween

2011-10-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

This was an impulse buy from Savers, I find it hard not to buy wool or go past the colour purple so I bought it. I do however have a use for it. I am going to make myself some fingerless/wrist warmers and a bag to go with my Halloween outfit. It tones perfectly with the ruffles on the coat.

Halloween

2011-10-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

Adding the sleeves and frills. The purple fabric is what i had been given to me from my daughter a couple of years ago. It is purple shimmery fabric that is crumpled and has embroidery throughout. Just the perfect amount for the sleeves and the neck frills. (My favourite colour is purple).

Spats have been made for the boots using this tutorial I found on the net. leather from a coat sleeve and the boots were from Savers. Click on the picture to be taken to the blog for the pattern and tutorial.

Halloween

2011-10-08T22:14:00.001-07:00

Steampunk goggles from things I had and glasses from Savers. To make these I used two stack able bead holders for the lens, wire framed glasses with the arms taken off and the lens removed, double sided tape, copper coloured paper, 2 black rubber washers, leather and accessories.
First I prepared the lenses. Fold the copper coloured paper the size of the double sided tape so that no raw edges of the paper are there. Wrap around the tape around the edge of the bead pot.

I then cut the arms off a pair of glasses I got from Savers. Screw the opts where the lenses were. I then wrapped the centre of the glasses with copper wire.

Lastly I added the details. Black rubber washers and to hold the leather strap i super glued copper handbag clasps. and then placed it onto the hat. The last step is to glue the strap into place and snip the ends the same size. Total cost. $1.50 for the glass frames. The rest is bits and pieces I had already.

Halloween

2011-10-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

I am working on the coat right now, It needs to be pressed and the sleeves and ruffles added. This is right sides out with slanted pockets. The umbrella is finished.
The inner front lining is a different colour because I did not have enough of the original fabric, I like it.

Halloween

2011-10-06T17:42:00.001-07:00

Getting rid of the plastic look on the umbrella by covering the handle, the top of the umbrella and the umbrella tips with leather. The way i have done it is the same for all pieces. First make the end covering by cutting out a circle larger than the piece you want to cover. Make notches and cut them out to eliminate bulk. These tabs will then be glued onto the umbrella.
First glue the top on. then flue the tabs down.
Using your leather strip, wind and glue into place all the way around. Stretching the leather tight as you go.
When you reach the end, glue it into place.
I have covered the glue on the top end of the handle with a strip of thin leather just coiled around it gives a nice finish.

The same method has been used for the umbrella point.
Also repeat these steps for the umbrella arms. Before.
After.

Halloween

2011-09-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

Crochet on the umbrella his finished, pinned onto the frame and will be sewn on and a thin thread of glue will be run on the seams.
All the plastic has been cut off.
The skirt has the pleated bottom added. Just needs to be hemmed on the bottom.

Halloween

2011-09-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Crochet in progress.
Bustier in progress. It needs adjusting before I bone and line it. Upholstery swatch from Savers.
These beautiful books are from my sister in England. I am beside myself, All the lovely knitted goodness, Where to start first? Her husband is here for a quick visit to his Auntie who has just had her 99th Birthday.

Halloween

2011-09-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is the skirt so far. I need to add the pleated hem.
The pleats in construction. I have made a cardboard template for the pleats. This makes life much easier.
Cardboard pleats continued.
The hat is construction. The hat brim has been traced around and right sides together, sewn along the outer rim. The centre has been cut out and then turned right sides out. This will be clipped and glued to the inside of the main hat. The top circle of the hat has been drawn out and clipped ready to glue over the circle.
Everything has been glued into place and the hat is ready for decoration.

Halloween

2011-09-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

In a couple of weeks time i am going to a fancy dress Halloween Party. This is what i will be making. I will steampunk the outfit.

All the fabrics have been sourced from Savers, The skirt and jacket are going to be made out of this lovely curtain fabric, It is bronze/brown with a shot of green through it when the light is on it. The Jacket will be the self coloured striping and the bodice will be the multicoloured fabric. The brown leather jacket will be the hat, the leather on show will be the inside of it a lovely rich brown and will make accessories to match.
I will be making a top hat to go with it. This is stiff white cardboard.
How to make it. First measure your head with a strip of card, take it together to form a circle.
trace the circle onto card and cut out. This will be the top of the hat. Next with the same strip to make the shape for the head part it needs to be an oval but still have the same dimensions so place something inside the circle to change it's shape and trace around that. Do not cut it out yet, To need to add another oval inside that to cut notches for the tabs that will be inside the hat cylinder. Find the centre of this shape and you need to now add the widest circle for the brim. Cut out the inner oval and clip all the tabs and bend them up. Cut out the outer circle for the rim.
This is a cheap umbrella, I will be altering this too. The handle will be covered in leather and i will be crocheting a cover for it.
This book I also bought from Savers and i will be using it as my inspiration for the umbrella cover. I am really excited about this project, It has been a long time since i made something for myself.

Charity Makes for 2011

2011-09-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

This week i have been busy starting my charity stuff this week, These delightful dolls are from http://byhookbyhand.blogspot.com/2010/04/prairie-flowers-original-cloth-doll.html a free pattern that is utterly delightful. I have been given this lovely pink linen and I think it will be perfect for this. 14 dolls getting sewn and cut out ready to stuff. My plan is to have them in zip lock bags with 2 outfits each.
This is the knitting and crochet so far this week, All in 4 ply from the wool I was given last week. 2 blankets done, 2 sets of hats and booties and 1 jacket so far. Each bag will contain a baby set and a toy in each pack. It is good to get back into the groove.

ACDA Cloth Doll Club

2011-09-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

Today we had our monthly meeting of our cloth doll club today. People are so generous this is what i have received today for my charity works. 2 kilos of stuffing, fiberfill. I have not asked for it, but i am very grateful, it could not have come to me at a better time, I have literally run out using the stuff for the school.

All of this wonderful 4 ply baby yarn. I am grateful beyond words. This will keep me busy for months and months. All the lovely baby goods and toys that i can make.

What i have sewn since the School play is 20 Trauma dolls. I took them into club for stuffing and i only took 4 home to do. Great stuff. Thank you ladies for all of your help.

School Play Props and Things

2011-09-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday they had at the school a Cast and Crew party. It was just wonderful, All the kids were brilliant and they presented me with this lovely lot of gifts. A simply stunning glass and mirrored large candle holder and vanilla scented candle in a lovely hat box and a laminated certificate and some hand made cards. Overwhelming!
This very large poster double sided done by 1/2 K
I have it hanging on my Family Room wall and i simply love it. As soon as i can i will get it laminated. Thanks Kids! I Love it.
The candle lit. Simply Stunning!

Play Performance.

2011-09-08T04:50:00.000-07:00

The picture does not do the flowers any justice, But the play was WONDERFUL! so worth the effort of all concerned. They presented me with these flowers on stage at the end, Simply wonderful, Thank you all, I know you are reading my blog! The kids were outstanding, the music, the dancing, the lines, Just Brilliant. Well Done Everyone.

Mini Purse

2011-09-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was thinking about Christmas. I wanted to make little gifts for the ladies at our Cloth Doll Club, ACDA. Change purses, For Christmas they are going to be made of Christmas colours but for this mini tutorial I just used what I had on hand. This technique can be used for whatever sized container you wish. Choose your container you are going to measure with. Add seam allowances. Make 2 circles out of cardboard for the base, make 2 circles out of fabric larger than the base size.
Cover the two circles with the fabric by running a gathering thread around each one. One will be on the outside of the bag and one on the inside.The fabric for the main purse pattern is both the outside and the lining. so you need it height size doubled. add a seam allowance, Sew up the seam allowance. This makes a tube.Turn the tube raw edges are meeting each other fabric wrong sides together this will be the bottom of the little bag.
Run a gathering thread through the raw edges and place one of the circles raw edges facing the raw edges of the gathered tube and lightly sew the two pieces together just to hold.
Turn it right sides through and it will look like this. Pin and sew the tube to the circle by hand using tiny stitches. Take out the pins and turn the bag the other way and add the second circle and pin just like this and sew all around again. This leaves your bag with no raw edges.
Add the casing which is 2 rows of stitches all around the tube near the top wide enough to add your chosen cord. On the outside fabric only, opposite sides to each other, snip a small slit between the casing stitches add your cord. You will need 2 lengths. Place one cord on a safety pin and run it right around. Tie it in a knot. Do the same thing on the other slit. You can now open and close the bag easily. Add little hard boiled lollies or other trinkets of your choice.

School Play.

2011-09-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the final rehearsal and finishing touch ups on costume and props. I was there back stage and could hear what was happening on stage and the kids were fantastic! They had the first performance last night, i hope it went well, I will be there tonight to watch it finally, all the weeks of preparation have been worth it. I hope i will be able to blog some pictures from the play.

Costuming.

2011-09-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

I have finished all the projects for the play and now i have new projects. My son's girlfriend is going to a costume party next weekend. My son has his outfit, he is going as Captain Jack Sparrow. His partner is going to go as Super Ted. She will have 2 tops.
Second top.
Fur hood with ears and mittens. I need to line the hood. and finish the cape.

School Play Props and Things

2011-09-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

I am playing with ideas at the moment. I need to tie in the human side with the rock side. This is a dark brown belt.

The same belt deconstructed.

School Play Props and Things

2011-09-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

Finishing touches are being done this afternoon. Adding some textures such as tufts of grass, and adding colour in the way of lizards on the lower edges of the skirt. Adding more of the felt rock shaped around the rest of the waist too.

Go Baby Giveaway.

2011-08-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Craizee Corners is having a Baby Go Giveaway. Want a chance to win one? then click on the picture to be transported there. Good luck!

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

Furry pants x3.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Do they look like dismembered insects? I hope so! They are part of the trolls outfit adornments. Not so disgusting when you realise they are just bits of a pine cone.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot, ears sewn on the hat.

Tilli and Meg

2011-08-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

Tilli.
Meggie. These cats are missing having my attention, But it won't be for much longer, the production is only just under 2 weeks away. I still have plenty to do, but it is very exciting.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-29T00:21:00.000-07:00

Fisherman's hat and cape. I used a plastic tablecloth from the $2 shop to make these.
23 sword holders are cut out ready to sew when i get the material to make the belts out of and one of the swords to measure the angle with.
Baby Bears bonnet.
Nargun continued. Back view.
Side view.
Front view. I need to add the details in that will give it dimension and a splash of colour.
Back of Parrot hat.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-26T02:07:00.000-07:00

The colours are not the true colours, the light in my house is not that good of an evening. I have been hand sewing all the felt shapes to this dress which i itself is a gathered material around the waist of a long sleeved top.It will have one long sleeve covered and the other sleeve will be taken off.
I have it in the sitting room on top of a cat play equipment cube on top of a bed side table.
The colour of the fabric is white, that just show how bad the colour is in lighting in the room.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

5 Rabbit ears sets finished.
3 Deer sets finished.
3 fox ears finished.

Tilli and Meg

2011-08-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

Tilli and Meggie. They LOVE brown paper. They love the way it ruffles and crinkles.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Billy Goat hat nearly finished.

Skunk ears in felt.
Skunk tail x3 in felt.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

From left to right, Fox tail x3, Otter tail x3, Deer tail x3 and Rabbit tail x6.
Working on Deer headbands. x3. The antlers are made of stuffed polar fleece.
Fox headbands just need the ears hot glued into place.
Pattern pieces for the Otter headband ears. Curtain fabric from England.
Completed Otter headbands.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Fox ears. white and brown fur fabric. I will be making 3 pairs of these to go onto headbands. Yesterday was drafting and cutting out fabric. Today i will be sewing them all together and putting them onto headbands.
The same thing for rabbit ears. These will have a channel in the sides for pipe cleaners so that they will stand upright.
Deer ears. 3 sets.
Deer tails. 3 sets. These will have a pin sewn in the back to attach to the costume.

Fox tails. 3 of these too. This will have a loop at the back for a belt to go through to be attached to the costume.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

20 sets of Billy goat headbands finished.
Now will be making Skunks, rabbits, otters, deers, foxes and squirrels headbands and tails. then i have owl wings, beaks and headbands and woodpecker wings, beaks and headbands. Luckily only 3 of each of these then back onto costumes.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-19T00:30:00.000-07:00

All the parts are sewn and stuffed and now ready to assemble.
I first will hot glue the fabric strips then add the ears and horns.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is Meggie, watching me sew.
These are going to be Parrot wings and the back of the hat. The felt is sewn on and the felt blocks will be cut into feather shapes later.
Wings.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

I have 23 sets of Billy Goat headbands. Half of the horns are made out of a skirt i bought from an opp shop in England a couple of years ago. The rest are made of felt, both will be a bone colour.
These are the ears. Also fabric i bought from England at the same time. Plush curtain fabric. The inner ear is light brown and the outer ear is dark brown also a plush fabric.
The colours are not as they are in real life, the lighting in doors is not that great today, the dark brown looks blue in this picture and the bone colour looks blue.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today i have been working on tails. The first one is the skunk tail pattern pieces.
First draft. Side view. The tail will be have a belt loop to be worn around the waist. The final tail will be black with a white gusset strip down the centre.
Back view.
This is the fox tail. It will be made in brown with a white tip.
These are ears for the squirrel and the same shape will be used for the skunk but those will have black outer and white inner.
Squirrel tail, this will be made out of brown polar fleece.
Back view.
Side view.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

I have just finished the Peter Pan shoes. I have decided to keep it simple. Just green felt and hot glued the bottoms to make them non slip.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend i have been trying to make spider webs. None were successful, this first one is made out of copper wire.
Aluminum wire.
Crochet and hot glue.
Copper and aluminum wire.

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is the prototype based on my own foot at the moment for Peter Pan shoes. I am waiting to borrow a pair of shoes to make his properly. The real pair will be made out of green outer and red inner with a red non slip sole and a red hand made feather which will tie it nicely to his hat.
Currently i am working on making a giant spider web in crochet.

Go Baby Giveaway.

2011-08-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Would you like to win this? then just click on the picture and follow the prompts. Good luck!

School Play Props and Things

2011-08-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

Captains hat front view. The hat is made out of doubled felt with the same trim i used on his cape. It will have a white feather added later. The red trim on the hat was two handles of a shopping bag and this will have elastic in it to make it fit the person wearing it.
Back view.
These are the wrist cuffs and the front shirt frill. I used the same curtain material as what i used for the Fireflies costumes. The wrist cuffs have elastic to enable them to be made to the right size for the child and the front shirt frill will have elastic to go around and under the neck collar and velcro to attach it to the shirt front.
The next project i will be doing is Peter Pans shoes. I will be drafting up a pattern for this using my own shoes and when i am happy with that i will wait for Peter Pans shoes and then re do them. I am still having fun with it.

School Play Props and Things

2011-07-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

Two different kinds of netting is used here, a plain for the back and a sparkly for the front.
There are 4 different sizes and all tagged and ready to sew. 25 in total.

School Play Props and Things

2011-07-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

Peter Pan hat. Made in green felt and doubled so that it is lined.
Finished hat. The feather will be added in later when the hat is on the child to get it in the correct position.
Corn tunic, one of 25 with a self coloured belt.
Pirate Captains hat in the making. I used some felt for drafting, and I used the measurements of a straw hat to do it. The final hat will be in doubled black felt with the gold trim to match the cape and it will have a large white feather in the hat. I am waiting on supplies for that.
Captains Tricorn hat in the making.
These are boot covers. The Captain will have gumboots and these go on the top edge and will be double sided taped on. Theywill have holes punched in the back and laces added. They will give the illusion of being turn back cuffs.

School Play Props and Things

2011-07-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

This is how i made the cape, except the collar circle is halved.

School Play Props and Things

2011-07-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

Buttons I bought from Savers today have been spray painted gold.
They will be attached to the tabs and will be purely decorative. The tabs will have velcro on the back and the corresponding pieces will be attached to the cape once it is on the person and positioned then glued into place.

School Play Props and Things

2011-07-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

Front of Captains Pirate Cape in Progress.
Back view. It is made out of red felt with gold braid. I will be spray painting some buttons and adding braid detail on the front to finish.