Friday, December 28, 2012

made for you: felt story board

Made sometime ago, but here is our felt storyboard with characters from the gingerbread story,  printed, laminated and with a velcro sticky dot on the back that stick to the felt, but don't wreck it when pulled off.
 


 
the clouds, sun, tree foilage, moon and flowers are interchangable after using the press-snaps on both parts.



This project is one of those that you have packed away, and pull out on a day when things aren't happening right, and keeps little fingers occupied.
 
L.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

LMCG: new project

Since last holidays I was hoping to get together with the LMCG (little miss crochet group) for another session, but this term has just flown by and we are now headed to end of year school holidays, and I haven't had my get-together. But last weekend saw two of the LMCG members under our roof for a night, both with recently completed projects. Here and Here.
 

It was just before dinner time and I asked M if she took her crocheting along by any chance and what was she currently working on. Her response was that she took it along, 6 or so balls of yarn and her hooks, and no she hadn't started anything new. With my daughter at the same stage, I went straight to Lucy from Attic24, I know she has simple and VERY CLEAR instructions with loads of photos. Knowing the girls are keen to move on from the granny square, I headed for the Neat Ripple Pattern, which would teach them to crochet in a foundation chain, changing colours regularly, turning your work to work in rows and also increase (mountains) and decrease (valleys).


With a set of instructions printed for both of the girls, they made a start still before dinner reading the instructions and with counting chain, working out how long they wanted their project to be - we decided on a cushion cover - and that they had to work in multiples of 14 plus 3. Out came the calculator and they worked it out together. Working their foundation row they found tricky. I made them persevere trying to work out where to put their hook in the chain, aswell as trying to figure out the increase and decrease. They both got about a 1/3rd along the row, with many pull-outs before my softspot gave in and I finished the foundation row early Saturday morning for them, so they could practice the valleys and mountains on an established row.

 
Thats all they needed, and away they went. Yesterday when I spoke to M, she was up to her fifth colour change and cruising along, even taking it to school for during recess! Our muffet is onto her third colour change, but being home from school today and with thunder outside, she is curled on the couch, with busy fingers.
 
Hopefully there becomes a time in these school holidays where I can get the girls all back together for another fun evening.
 
 
L.

Friday, December 7, 2012

made for you: activity bag

A few years ago I made some 'activity bags for the three children, to take on road trips and holidays, filled with a few special items, new book and a drawing pad with crayons, or for the youngest one, it was baby toys. What they could fit in, was what they were allowed to take along. 
Made from fine cordouroy with a drawstring top, I cut up a loved t-shirt and added some colourful buttons for a herbie-loving son. I stitched with a straight stitch 0.5cm around herbie to allow the stretch fabric to roll. This still hangs happily in his room, ready for the next road trip. 




I have kept their drawing books. Nice to look back on and see what they drawed in the back of the car, how their scribbles turned into drawings and what kept them occupied early in the morning while they were still in their camp beds.

Now with the youngest one requiring one for this holiday season, I based it on the Hobo Sack tutorial via  Belle Cherie Handmade. With some girly cotton, its all set to be filled with treasures.


L.


Monday, December 3, 2012

made for you: cotton summer bag

A summer drawstring bag. 100% cotton.
 
 
  Perfect for a little lady. Just the right size to carry little important bits, slung across the body, so no falling off the shoulder.
 
L.