A bit of this and a bit of that...

It's been that sort of time where lots of little things have been done so I thought I'd gather them all up and put them all into one post.

Miss Bucket had lots of clothes that she had grown out of and when I was sorting them out for a 'bags for school' day I found some really lovely jumpers hidden in Miss Bucket's drawers. They were so nice I didn't want to give them away.

The picture doesn't do them justice, they are incredibly soft and look sparkly. I sat and had a thought about what I could make them into...wrist warmers,cushion covers - it's an ongoing project.

Bucket jnr was sent home during school for being sick (not really sick-sick, he had some sandwich stuck in his mouth) and we had a talk about what he'd like to do so he didn't get bored.  Crafts was the answer - with glitter - great (already visualising the mess). The thing is as I was talking to Bucket jnr about being careful with glitter I dropped about a teaspoon of the stuff all over the carpet and it goes a LONG way. It's not the kids I have to keep an eye on - it's me!

My neighbour was kind enough to look after Bucket jnr whilst I saw Miss Bucket at her class assembly and when I got back they'd decorated some spirals (one for the neighbour to take with her). We then made some angel cards that we stuck up in the kids rooms.

 We also had a power cut recently which lasted about an hour - I loved it.. All the neighbours rallied round, checking on each other and making sure that everyone had candles which was nice, you don't realise how dark it is without the street lamps. Brought back memories of power cuts when I was a lot younger, also made me glad that we chose a gas cooker.

I finally started on the snowmen. I know, I know, I was meant to do them ages ago but something always got in the way (thanks kids!) and I really have to concentrate when crocheting and count the stitches otherwise I completely forget what I'm doing and whereabouts I am in the pattern - my brain is a complete sieve.

I also sent for a pattern from Annaboo's House - it's an elf. I always keep meaning to get one of those 'elf on the shelf' but I either don't have the money available or I can't justify spending that amount of money on it. So this is better!!!

What else.....sorting stuff for the school bazaar (amazingly managed to get rid of some stuff but must make sure that it doesn't somehow get bought and brought back); watched some 'made for tv' Christmas films (absolutely love 'em); made cheap and easy meals to get us through this last week of the month (I love mince - sooooo versatile); wrapped up some Christmas presents early - WOW!! I'm usually panicking and swearing a lot on Christmas Eve, asking myself WHY did I not do this earlier; helping a friend Christmas shop; sorting out cars, cards and the like; watching a sweet nativity play...

Think that's about it but that should be enough for the moment. Sam xx

Crocodile plushie...

I have been around, honest. I've just been looking at other blogs, pinterest and trying to organise pockets of my cluttered house now that the kids have gone back to school (Bucket jnr started full time).

And after much nudging and hinting, I've finally gotten round to making the crocodile. If anyone wants to try doing a plush crocodile, to get some ideas I found it much easier to look up 'alligator'.

I did look at this site which gave me some ideas but in the end, with the rain pouring outside and armed with a pencil, rubber and a much needed cup of coffee, I freestyled a drawing of a crocodile.

 Then I changed the mouth.

 Cut out the material.

Might I just point out that this type of material is REALLY fluffy, especially when you cut it. The end bits all fluff off and get absolutely everywhere.

 My top used to be black,

 Nearly there.

 And, here it is...

 I didn't add on any eyes as I couldn't find any that I liked. Also, the little tag on the belly of the crocodile is to remind me where I sewed him up just in case he needs a bit of re-stuffing.

I have also recently made a bag and bought a cute jar/pot and I'll put some pictures on here soon but this crocodile has taken me all morning and I've done NO dishes; there is fluff EVERYWHERE and I also need to go shopping for some bits before the kids get out of school.

Definitely worth it though, to see the look on Bucket jnr's face when he comes home.

I'm just a bit worried what Miss Bucket is going to come up with to make for her next. Sam xx

Sewing some pouches..

I've finally gotten round to some sewing - HOORAY!!

 mess, mess everywhere

Bucket jnr has been staying for lunch at school and then next week he'll be there all day, so I've had a little extra time to do some other things.

I was looking at making myself a bag but thought I'd start small first and made these really cute pouches. I won't bore you with a tutorial as this wasn't my pattern and there are literally hundreds available to find on the internet. But in case anyone's interested, I followed Anna at Noodlehead's pattern which was easy enough even for me to follow.

Although I did have a few niggly moments: the first pouch has a wonky zip, so sorted this out by using tailors chalk on the next one. Also thought the stitches needed to be smaller; the second one is a bit smaller in size as I got carried away trying to make all the edges the same size; the third one I forgot to undo the zip a little bit so had to pick some stitches and then once I'd sewn it up again I realised that I'd forgotten the little tag so more picking.  Remember that I changed the stitch size? Yep, took me ages to unpick even a little bit.

I really thought that by the fourth one I'd cracked it, I sewed it all up and admired it lovingly. It was only when I was ironing it neater that I realised I'd mixed up the tags for no.3 and no.4....aaaarrrggh. Also, the tags are slightly on the p**s lop-sided.

Nevermind, I still like them and I'm NOT unpicking them again.

The open one is for me, the car one for Bucket jnr and the pink doggy one for Miss Bucket. The other one can be a spare. I think I'll pick up some more zips and make a whole load as gifts for that upcoming season that shall not be named, maybe fill with nail varnish or little sweets or both.

My next project has already been decided by Bucket jnr. Can you guess by the fabric?

 

 It's a .......crocodile.

Or at least it will be when I figure out how to make it. I'd better sort it out soon as I'm getting hassled hourly for this.
Sam xx

Teacher's gift...

It's that time of year again and what is more appropriate than an apple for the teacher.

The pictures are of the same apple but just thought I'd show the different sides to it. You'll also notice, if you click on the link, that I didn't do the stalk but added a button on the top and bottom instead.

Many thanks to The Wool Food Mama for showing me how to make this time and time again.... Sam xx

Fog & Books...

What is going on with this weather???

Look at this, my garden is out there somewhere, on a clear day we have houses at the back of us but not today - it is almost a complete pea-souper.

Now yesterday was another matter altogether, it was the first time that I'd put the washing out this year - IT WAS GLORIOUS.

Although, I left it out a little too late so it got cold and felt damp again BUT that's not the point. It was actually sunny enough and felt warm enough for me to want to put my washing on the line.

Also it was World Book Day and I managed to pick up these goodies for the kids.

Yes I know that I've only got two children and you get two book vouchers - the Skulduggery Pleasant book was for me as I love the stories and I'm going through a teen-read at the moment. I can't recommend this series of books enough if your kids have grown up with Harry Potter, are now a bit older and want another supernatural (in an easy going way) series of stories.

Well anyway, back to World Book Day and it was another day at school where you are encouraged to dress your kids up. Now I generally love this, it's fun watching the kids dress up in their costumes but why do I always seem to leave it to the last minute. It's the same with Comic Relief Day (spots) and Red Nose Day (anything red). Oh well...

I got a great idea from Freya at Tutorial Adventures and made Bucket jnr a brilliant dinosaur costume that went with his book "That's not my dinosaur".

   Although, he was a bit put out when one of the other kids thought he looked like a chicken. I don't know, kids today.... if I saw a chicken that looked anything like that, I'd run a mile. Sam xx

Reindeer-itis...

I'm channelling my inner Rudolph today.... that is to say, I have a glowing red nose that keeps itching and running. I think it's going to be the only athletic thing about me today.

I've also been reading some of the lovely blog entries that I follow and feel that I really must get my crafty vibe on soon. My fingers are itching to make something, it's just time that's against me. I keep thinking that 'today is the day' and before I know it the day is over and getting ready for bed.

But I've decided that, for me, 2012 is the year of the Crochet.

I tried at the weekend to make a magic circle and let me tell you, it's NOT that easy. It's probably because I'm a bit out of practice with holding the wool so I'm going to practice a little bit first on my stitches so I get comfortable again then I'll give it another go.

I will be doing a little sewing today, Miss Bucket has shot up in height so I had to chase down some new school trousers. Usually the stock of girls uniforms is bigger than the boys but this time all I could find were loads and loads of boys trousers (she hates skirts). I did ask her if I could buy those instead (noone would notice) but got a big NO. So finally tracked some down on the M&S website which are lovely but a little bit too long, so I'm going to be hemming today.

So it's going to be a little tea and sewing today and except for the occasional HONK as I blow my nose, it should be fairly peaceful. Lovely.

Sam xx

Nearly there....

We are nearly healthy again - thank goodness! But I think I have succumbed to cabin fever. I quickly popped to the shops, well I said quickly......I was gone over an hour. Totally made the most of being kid free.

This year, like other years, we'll be going to the in-laws for Christmas dinner. When I first got married I wanted to cook Christmas dinner, so we had turkey on Christmas day which my mother-in-law cooked and then I cooked another turkey for our little group on Boxing day. It was a bit tiring.

Source: Google Images

I gave up a couple of years ago and now just cook a big meal on New Years day. This year it's beef.

But as I was going round a well known supermarket (no advertising here, hehehe) I caught a glimpse of some turkeys and thought 'they've quite a good family size - not too big or small'. Then I happened to notice the price, around £25, and I looked at how many people the turkeys were meant to feed - about 11 people.

WHAT????!!!!

I'm not kidding, these turkeys weren't overly big - they were about normal size. So either they are shrinking or we eat way too much. Now I like turkey (and we do have good appetites) but I could not justify the price this time.

So definitely NO turkey for us this year. Nevermind, I'm sure we'll still be well fed.

Onto another topic (or the same one if you've been reading this blog), I've finally finished the teachers gifts. YAY!!!! Mexican Wave. I've just got to wrap them up ready for the school parties tomorrow.

One thing down, a few more to go. Sam xx

And a little sewing

Finally decided to get myself over my sewing hump and I started with some Christmas bunting to go across my fireplace. Nothing too fancy but hopefully this will get me sewing again, making the time to make things.

Thoroughly enjoyed putting this together and an hour passed really quickly whilst hunched over the sewing machine.

I'd forgotten how much I love to make things and even though the N wasn't quite as perfect as I would have liked, I LOVE IT!

I've also been making some Christmas teacher gifts.

Snowflake a bit wonky - oh well, might keep that one

I like the teachers at my kids schools but whatever happened to one teacher per class? Or am I having a 'not like that in my day' moment????  Sam x

Slow day

Today I've got a migraine coming, it's not fully arrived yet but I know it's coming. So I've my cup of sweet tea at the ready, craft magazines set up close by and I'm going to take it a little easy.

Nevermind, it will give me a chance to figure out what I'm going to sew next. I've been itching to sew something - it's almost like I have a little sewing fairy sitting on my shoulder, tapping non-stop, saying "sew, sew, sew".

I like to sew toys for the kids - they are a really appreciative audience. I've found a couple of good etsy shops that have some great toy patterns.

I've also seen a sew-along with Andrea at The Train To Crazy on her 7th November post and the messenger bag looks really sweet so I'm considering that.

Anna at Noodlehead is doing a really lovely skirt tutorial. She's only on day 2 so I wouldn't have missed much.

And, I hate to say it, Christmas is nearly here so I've been thinking about making some Christmas decorations. Maybe a nice bunting of some kind.....

So much to think about with a sore head, oh well. Sam x

Things I've made - money cuff

I like sewing; I like reading blogs with sewing tutorials in them; I like to bake...... but I can't make things up from scratch. So I'm sorry but there will be NO TUTORIALS on here.

What I will be doing is making things, using other peoples recipes and tutorials and seeing how they turn out.

I'm not the best at sewing or baking or making things but I'll give it my best and even if it turns out really bad or weird (yes I mean you Christmas Bird) I'll still show you. Because I know that I'm probably not the only person who makes mistakes with projects.

What I have learned through all the blogs I've read is that, with crafts (any crafts), you have to let go that feeling of having it perfect - CRAFTS ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT - it is the mistakes/changes that make it unique for you. So if you're a control freak, this could be kinda hard - you have been warned!!!

One of my favourite tutorials is from Christie at a Lemon Squeezy Home  - A Money Cuff

I've made a couple of these for Miss Bucket so that she doesn't lose her money on school trips or drop her purse at the disco and they have proved brilliant. All you do is wrap it around the wrist and secure it using the velcro.

This is the second cuff I've made for her.  She wasn't around to measure it so it was a bit wide and a bit long but I doubled the velcro closure and she loves it just the same. You can see the double cross stitching to the right of the picture below.

The only change I really made to the cuff was to sew a purse section as we found the small change would roll around into the corners and she would still have to search for it.

These cuffs do not take very long to make and if you are handy with zips there is another design that you can do but I recommend trying the velcro one first. I would agree with Christie that you really need to make sure all fabric pieces are the same size; I found, for me, that this is easiest right at the start - when you have cut your pieces put them all together and check, check and check again.

Thank you Christie for a brilliant tutorial.