Cheerful critters birthday

How cute are these "little critters"

They are so versatile with the little placards to be used for any occasion.

I used them for our great nieces birthday.

I also made her something to hang in her bedroom to store her hair slides,clips, headbands and bobbles in the square at the top which is a pocket.

Little Rag Doll.

No not the song what I've been making.

I have bought rag dolls for all of our great nieces 1st birthday and for friends children too.

Every time I bought one I thought I would like to have a go at making one, so this year with doing a bit of sewing I decided I would give it a go for Myla's 1st Birthday on 1st March

I searched Google images to find one I liked - there are some weird looking ones around! - and found one with a pattern that I could buy on line. I then received an e-mail with PDF file and could print it on A4 paper, ideal!

The site is http://www.raggydolls.com/

I chose to make 2 at the same time, because I thought if it turns out OK I won't want to give it away LOL. I had to buy some material on line and the patterned cotton from the stall in Stockton's indoor market.

I followed the pattern and started with the doll's body, as much as I was wanting to make the clothes first! I did enjoy making them and the hand sewing, particularly at 3am when I was trying to distract the pain of toothache!

The next step was the hair and face.

I certainly worked out a better way to measure, cut and stitch the wool on the second one. As the saying goes practise makes perfect!

The eyes are felt and try as I did I couldn't cut exactly the same shape so I used a letter "O" sizzix die - perfect! It was strange seeing the doll come to life with the eyes, mouth and nose in place - it's own little character. A little bit of pink chalk/blusher and highlight in the eye was the finishing touch.

Finished off with her dress, drawers, apron, bow for her hair and a flower & teddy.

Myla's is the one on the left and mine "Molly" the one on the right.

I ordered some labels and stitched one to her body.

I have been promised a photo of Myla with it, which I will share when I get it and I will do a scrapbook page about them too.

I have started another and have been asked by people if I can make them one - I haven't promised but will see what I can do!

What an Occasion......

...the title of the sewing class Natalie and I are starting tonight!

I used to go to a dressmaking class many years ago and made quite a few skirts & tops for myself, shorts, dungarees & little shirts for James and shorts for Martyn - but then papercrafting took over.

I have been doing bits of sewing over the last year and ever since the first Sewing bee started I have been wanting to make some clothes for myself but there has always been other things to do - until now!

Some-one shared the information about this 5 week course on Facebook and the time and length was ideal for me, so I decided to go for it, not that I've got a special occasion to go to to make something. To be honest I want to make some everyday/work things.

Unlike Natalie she is making a dress for a wedding.

I have bought material for a skirt and a dress and will decided tonight what to start with.

I had to share my lovely little Liberty pincushion mouse - a present from a friend from work. 

She recently went to London and wanted to go to Libertys. She saw this and bought it for me as she knew I was starting a sewing class - how kind and thoughtful was that!

It seems to nice to stick pins in it.

Let's hope we both manage to makes something we can wear - will keep you updated.

Sympathy cards

A friend I made at work many years ago sadly lost his fight against cancer last week.

I have great memories working in different offices and jobs, but particularly working together with the rest of the "Action Team" on a project in the community for 6 years.

These are 2 cards I made for his families.

I used 2 sets of stamps for this one Butterfly Basics & Bloom With Hope.

The one below uses Bloom With Hope and the script and splodges are from French Foliage

More painted petals with a Berry Basket gift

I have made a few of the same design card for some of the birthdays I have this month. 

Whilst I had the stamps and inks out I made a few at once, saving time whilst I had everything out. You can change the look by stamping in slightly different places or using a different message and matt it on a different colour card so they are still one offs!

This card is a little different than the previous one.

The basket was made using the Berry Basket die another favourite. I used the Irresistible Yours DSP again, which is a thicker card and great for boxes. 

I inked it with Blushing Bride and Rose Red to match the card. 

The signs and bread tag are made using From The Garden stamps and Handpicked framelits. A little bit of tissue in the basket helped to display the little gifts and keep them in place. My friend loved it and commented what a lovely way to give a gift!

This is the inside of the box - I decided to line it to make it a little stronger as there was a bit of weight to the gifts going in it.

I cut the basket as normal then cut another but cut off the sides and trimmed the bottom edges slightly and the square bottom. I inked the panels and stuck them to the inside before assembling the basket, making sure it folded up OK.

I use glue to stick the scallop edge to the sides but then like to use staples to help hold it but to add decoration on the outside. I cover the inside with the strips cut from the die.

Painted Petals

One of my favourite sets from the Spring/Summer catalogue is the Painted Petals stamps and matching Painted Blooms DSP. I think it's the colour scheme that attracts me.

It is a versatile set that can be used for lots of different occasions.

Here is the first card I made with it.

I used Blackberry Bliss, Rose Red, Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi ink and the matt is Blackberry Bliss. These are the colours suggested in the catalogue to match the papers, though I haven't used the papers on the card. So don't forget if you like a colour scheme in the catalogue check the fine print for the colours used!

It really doesn't matter how you stamp over the top of the images - I just stamped where I thought it needed something until I was happy with the result!

I used the Happy Birthday from Big Day from Sale-A-bration and filled inside the lines of Birthday with Crystal Effects as well as using it on some of the flowers, just to give a bit of depth and shine to a flat stamped card and it did make a big difference.

As you will know I like to stamp on the envelope and inside the card too.

This is the envelope front - I stamped on the flap too (see last photo)

The inside of the card

I also made a Fry Box which contained some champagne truffles.
I used some of the DSP t line the back of the box and for the banner on the front.

Baby goodies

A friend I have had for a long time became a "nana" a few weeks ago.

Her daughter Lauren gave birth to a beautiful little girl Rosie.

Lauren & James used to play together and we went to mother & toddler too - how time flies and now they're all grown up!

The card I made for "nana" Nicola & Mick.

I used the Irresistibly Yours DSP star pattern from Sale-a-Bration and inked it with Blushing Bride for the background.

The word BABY,rabbit and shoes are from Baby, We've Grown  I've stamped, coloured and cut out the rabbit and shoes. Banner punch used to make the bunting.

I made a little frame 6" x 6" for Rosie's bedroom.

I used the Irresistibly Yours spot DSP for the background. 

The animals are from Zoo babies, stamped coloured and cut out.

ROSIE are the framelit letters cut in white and inked.

I've made this design before but this time added a patterned paper as the base card was bigger. I love this little duck!