Softie in progress

This is "Miss Blue", whose under construction. She's destined to be part of the Toy Society christmas drop. She's my version of a woodland girl (although as I progress with her, she looks more like a baby!) Apologies for the terrible photo. My camera skills seem to be really lacking today and this is the best of a bad bunch.

Another Queen Anne crochet scarf

Just making another Queen Anne crochet scarf as a gift for my daughter's class teacher. This time I'm making it up in a acrylic/wool blend with a lurex thread. Hoping to have it finished by the weekend.

I've also been working on some softies as presents as well as starting on a soft toy for the Toy Society christmas drop.

Fairytale story book

Discovered a wonderful range of gorgeous children's fairytale story books at the local Salvation Army op shop. I was told that they came from an estate clearout. As I looked amongst the books, I felt sad thinking about how the owner had taken such good care of their books and now they were discarded. The books were in wonderful conditon and of course, they all came home with me. Amongst the many books was this gorgeous story book with really lovely illustrations that I just had to photograph and share.

Talented child crafter

Just thought that I'd share with you all, a gorgeous creation which Miss 12 years old (aka The Teenager) made yesterday afternoon. This child of mine has always been creatively minded and started crafting as soon as she could walk. She's very resourceful and works with salvaged and upcycled fabrics etc all the time.

What I love the most, is how 'innocent and naive' her craft work is. This one is truly ugly yet in a cute n cuddly way. I've noticed that a lot of plushies and softies made by adults (myself included) tend to have a more contrived look about them, almost as if they're trying too hard to get that combination right.

Next week she finishes school for the year and a quick look at her crafting "to do" list shows that she plans a lot more crafting goodness to come. Thanks for letting me share my 'proud mummy' moment.

Talented child crafter

Just thought that I'd share with you all, a gorgeous creation which Miss 12 years old (aka The Teenager) made yesterday afternoon. This child of mine has always been creatively minded and started crafting as soon as she could walk. She's very resourceful and works with salvaged and upcycled fabrics etc all the time.

What I love the most, is how 'innocent and naive' her craft work is. This one is truly ugly yet in a cute n cuddly way. I've noticed that a lot of plushies and softies made by adults (myself included) tend to have a more contrived look about them, almost as if they're trying too hard to get that combination right.

Next week she finishes school for the year and a quick look at her crafting "to do" list shows that she plans a lot more crafting goodness to come. Thanks for letting me share my 'proud mummy' moment.

Ribbons

Splashed out and bought a whole lot of ribbon from a new trademe seller. The ribbon is imported from Germany and will definitely add a touch of Euro to my softies. That's if I can bring myself to cut them when they arrive.

I can't seem to get inspired when it comes to bjd sewing. This week I've had zero inspiration and my 4 attempts to make bjd tops have been biffed in the bin. So I've decided to take a wee break from it for now and concentrate on making something fun instead. That's where the softies come in.

Christmas fruit cake

Thought I'd share my most favourite fruit cake recipe. It's an 'easy peasy' recipe that I make up at christmas time. It's fruity, not heavy or rich, keeps well and is perfect to make any time.

CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE

1 kg mixed dried fruit
2 cups liquid (I use orange juice) tea, coffee or any juice is ok
1 tsp mixed spice
2 cups self raising flour
pinch of salt
1 tsp each of vanilla, almond, rum, brandy essences

Soak fruit in the liquid overnight
Mix in the rest of the ingredients
Pour mixture into a large well greased & paper lined cake tin
Bake in oven for 170 degree celcius for around 1.5 - 1.75 hours (this time is approximate only so you'll need to check your cake with cake tester to make sure it's cooked right through!)

Cool on rack. Enjoy!

Tiny aprons

Saw this pattern in the latest Simplicity email re. holiday gift and decorating ideas and thought it might be worth making these for dolls. Popped into Spotlight earlier and it's not in the current book so I've had to resort to buying it on ebay.
I'm hoping that it will suit the 43cm bjd or even the fashion dolls. I might even enlarge it to fit Sooah and her pals.

Now I've got to get back to baking my christmas cakes. Talk to you soon.

Kiwi xmas swap ornaments done

At last my christmas swap ornaments are done. I started off with christmas tree shapes and after getting started on them, I ran out of inspiration. After several more false starts, I've finally achieved a pleasing result with my fabric ornaments. I've kept with the traditional red/white/green colours. Posting them early next week.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today in NZ it's the 26th November.

Today, I'm 44 years old.

Today, I plan to simply enjoy myself. Miss almost 2 and I are going to check out the craft books at Borders (I've got a 50% off coupon for another really great Softies book), buy myself some craft supplies (while trying not to blow the budget), have lunch at Rikka Newmarket (my favourite Japanese sushi restaurant) and then in the evening, go out to dinner with my husband and children (at Dennys) with a yummy chocolate mud birthday cake for dessert.

Flowers everywhere

Our flower garden is nearing full bloom with nearly all the rose bushes out in full flowers. The rose scent in the air is heavenly. Even the bouganvillea is making a show with her crimson red flowers. A neighbour was trimming his lavendar hedge on the weekend and the scent was divine as it wafted past our house on the early morning air. Nothing compares to nature's beauty!

Love our kids

Our local news has been filled with stories about Nia Glassie, a beautiful little girl who was physically abused by her stepfather & his brother and possibly others. She eventually died as a result of the serious injuries they'd inflicted on her. How terrible that this precious little person should endure such horrific treatment! The 2 men have stood trial for her murder and been found gulity.


A Child Cries

a child cries in the night
a tuneless song
each surge of sound
punctuated
by individual blow

she lies limp on the ground
cradling a bloody, pulpy face
eyes swelling shut

they kick her
one last time
laughing when she curls up hard

for a single moment
raging silence
then the tiny heart panics
to beat no more

Love our kids

Our local news has been filled with stories about Nia Glassie, a beautiful little girl who was physically abused by her stepfather & his brother and possibly others. She eventually died as a result of the serious injuries they'd inflicted on her. How terrible that this precious little person should endure such horrific treatment! The 2 men have stood trial for her murder and been found gulity.


A Child Cries

a child cries in the night
a tuneless song
each surge of sound
punctuated
by individual blow

she lies limp on the ground
cradling a bloody, pulpy face
eyes swelling shut

they kick her
one last time
laughing when she curls up hard

for a single moment
raging silence
then the tiny heart panics
to beat no more

Baby beanies

Just finished yet another 2 baby beanies for the South Auckland wool programme. Most of the wool I'm using is from my long neglected wool stash. Mr almost 10 year old thinks that these beanies have to be the 'coolest' beanies that I've knitted so far. He said that the changing colours make it look like army fatigues (even though the colours aren't quite right!)

Today I'm listening to...

it's a very warm and windy afternoon, a very cool song to work and dance to...
Nesian Mystik 101

My Felt store

I'm working on some softies and I'm really happy with the progress. They'll be for sale in my Felt store as well as in my Etsy shop.

I'll post a progress photo soon. At the moment I'm finishing up some bjd clothes to be put into the shop tomorrow.

Softies books

Came across these 2 books while shopping yesterday at Borders, Sylvia Park. I couldn't resist the gorgeous photos so I bought them as early birthday presents for myself. My birthday is actually next week. Last night, I read both books cover to cover and checked out the softies website
as well as reprodepot. The patterns and instructions are clear and appear very easy to follow. Great inspirational reading for the novice or experienced softies maker!

I'm listening to...

Liam Finn - Gather to the chapel

BJD boxers & more

My lastest bjd sewing efforts are boxers for the bjd boys. The boxers are made from my own pattern of 2 pattern pieces with no side seams. The details will be in the top stitching.

For the bjd girls, there's some very cute 2 piece lingerie sets in a fun lycra print. They could also double as swimwear too.

Hoping to get these finished to go into my etsy shop on the weekend.

Another baby beanie

Finished another knitted baby beanie for the wool programme last night. Most of my knitting is done after hours (when the children are asleep). I'm trying to complete as many beanies & booties as I can before the Wool Programme's Volunteer Knitters morning tea next week. The wool programme is part of the work of the South Auckland Health Foundation. They put together parcels of knitted/crochet clothing and blankets for new born babies whose families are struggling financially to provide the essentials.

My flickr album keeps track of my charity knitting/crochet efforts. At the moment, I don't have the paitence for knitting large projects so simple beanies & booties are ideal.

Crochet bag

Spent Saturday morning at the op shops searching for treasure. I came home with way too much loot especially retro tablecloths and this gorgeous crochet bag. I remember having one of these back in the 70s for carrying my bible and stuff to church. Love the imitation bamboo circular handles!

Thrift to fantasy

Started reading this beautiful book back in October and finally finished it last night. It wasn't till this morning that I realised that one of the vintage dolls pictured in the book was living in my sewing room. This topsy turvy doll with her friends, Golly & Ted, came to live with me last year when I bought a 1950s cane dolls pram.

It's lovely to think that someone lovingly made this doll years ago. I'm inspired to create my 2 daughters a handmade dolly each for Christmas.

Chocolate chip cookies

Here's our favourite family recipe for the yummiest chocolate chip cookies ever:

115g butter
1/2 cup sugar

Cream butter & sugar, then add
1 tablespoon Golden Syrup (or molasses)
1 tablespon milk
1 teaspon baking powder
1 1/2 cups flour
chocolate chips or buttons, or MMs etc (approx 1/2 cup)

Combine wet and dry ingredients and then make round balls of cookie dough and press down with a fork on to the baking tray. Makes 10-12 small biscuits or 8-9 large cookies.

Cook for 10-15 minutes at 180 degrees in a standard oven or 9-10 minutes at 160 degrees in a fan forced oven.

Enjoy!

Knitting needle holder

With some left over fabric from lining my craft bag, I made myself a knitting needle holder. Although I like to use the shorter length knitting needles that are about 25-30cm, I've left enough length for the holder to acommodate the longer needles, and there's also space for 4 crochet hooks. Getting the bias binding right was a bit of a challenge at 4am and the ribbon makes a nice touch. Very pleasing result!

Kiwi christmas ornaments swap

I'm currently working on my handmade christmas ornaments for the first ever kiwi craft bloggers swap. I've decided to go with traditional christmas trees and add a modern twist. All the trees have been cut out and now I'm working on embellishing them. Got to have them finished and posted by 12 December.

Just noticed this morning that our little Fijian hibiscus bush is in flower.

BJD wigs for Limhwa Mano (Adam)

In this morning's post was the grab bag of size 9-10 fur wigs that I bought last week on ebay from beachgirlnikita. I had absolutely no idea what colour the wigs I'd bought were and so I was pleasantly surprised when the bag was opened. The wigs are very well made plus they look and fit just great. Yes I am able to make the wigs myself but having done the maths, it works out very expensive to buy the faux fur I like just to make a single wig. I'm all for supporting the creative talent of others.

Retro poodles and Maori Dolls

I've been on the lookout for a poodle family and vintage Maori dolls for a while and when these came up on Trademe, how could I resist? they're simply gorgeous! They'll look great in the china cabinet, which if I'm honest, is getting very full. I'm also on the lookout for Pacific Island dolls.

Haven't had any sewing time for the last day or so, as I've been very busy with Miss almost 2, whose still not feeling her very best yet. (Although I have been able to do some of my charity knitting during her many naps.) So we're off to the doctor today!

Etsy store now open

Yesterday afternoon while Miss almost 2 was sleeping, I managed to take the rest of the photos for the bjd items going into my etsy shop. My least favourite thing is having to dress and undress dolls for their photo shoot. My teenage daughter usually does it (she has the most amazing slender fingers!) but she's flat out studying for school exams at the moment so the poor bjds had to put up with me instead.

Anyway, after much procrastination (I joined etsy way back in July 2008) the etsy shop is at last open. I'm planning to list new items each weekend. I used to have an ebay store a while back before my youngest was born in February 2007. Decided to close it down when the ebay fees increased. Now off I go to do some shameless self promotion!

Aprons

Having seen these 2 apron patterns by Simplicity, I ordered them straight away and then came home and searched through the stash for my fabric choices. Both patterns were instant reminders of outfits that my mother made me as a child.

2950 reminds me of a similar smock that I wore to keep my clothes clean. I've chosen the cerise pink/orange tropical flowers combo. This smock styled apron is definitely going to be 'inspirational' in getting my creativity flowing as well as generally brightening up my day.

2932 again takes me back to when I wore a wrap around dress that wrapped in the back rather than the front. So the orange/black/white combo will be ideal as my 'motivational' apron. I just love the retro feel of this fabric.

I hope to start on these tonight after the children are in bed. During the day, my two older children are at school, while Miss almost 2 is at home. She's teething at the moment, so she's not her usual sunny self.

More knitting for charity

I've also been knitting baby beanies for the HIV Aids babies in Africa. Here's the pattern for a basic beanie:

Materials Needed
8 ply wool
4mm Needles

Cast on 64 stitches and work 14 rows in rib (K1, P1)
Work 24 rows in stocking stitch or until work measures 11 cm from cast on edge.
Shape crown as follows:
Row 1: *K6, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 56 Stitches
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: *K5, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 48 Stitches
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: *K4, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 40 Stitches
Row 6: Knit
Continue decreasing in this manner until (K1, K2 tog) has been completed and 16 stitches remain.
Knit 1 row
Break yarn and thread through remaining 16 stitches, pull up tightly and fasten off. Sew up seam.

Bright coloured stripes look good and use up small amounts of wool.

Finished beanies & jumpers can be sent to: Wool N' Things, Onekawa Shopping Centre, Maadi Road, Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

Upcycled craft bag

At last, I've made myself a craft bag to hold all my knitting and crochet projects. Up till now I've just used a plastic bag which does it's job (although I have to keep replacing it as the needles put holes in it and that isn't very inspiring!)

I used a vintage linen cushion cover and fabric remnant which I found at the local op shop. It's now a fully lined drawstring bag with inside pockets for my tape measure, needle guage etc and with mitred corners at the base. There's plenty of space for my notebook, several balls of wool (I usually have 2-3 projects on the go at any one time)and patterns plus room to spare.

BJD undies

I've still been able to fit in my BJD sewing. Last night I made up a pair of 'boy leg' undies to fit the 60cm BJDs from a self drafted pattern. (modelled here by Elfdoll Lydia's body) The pattern can be easily altered to be a lower line bikini and still covering the joints. They're snug so they won't look like Granny's bloomers. I'll be sewing up a few of these undies for sale and then moving on to work on some fitted & shaped bras for the 60cm BJDs as well. Yes these undies are in the same fabric as the stockings that I posted about last weekend.

Handmade gifts

Stayed up last night to crochet a Queen Anne scarf as a gift for my daughter's student teacher, Ms Joseph, whose leaving on Friday. I made it up in a denim coloured double knit with a 3.5 hook. Altogether it has 100 motifs (50 doubles). It looks about the right length for a scarf.

Then I made a fabric flower brooch using a tutorial by blairpeter. I used some of my fabric sample swatches in teal and pink tones. Very pleased with the result and so easy to make. I'll certainly be making more.

PS: Ms Joseph loves her scarf!