Mini Dragons - Day 298

just found out that this year is Year of the dragon!
So I decided that my new eggs would be great as dragon eggs.

Book covers - Day 295-297

I had a request for new school book covers, and then went design crazy. I ended up with a number of ideas.
Using the great new digital art skills I'm learning, I have managed to put my designs together.
Now people ordering new covers have a wider choice.

Re-fillable egg - Day 292-294

Pattern crisis!
attempted 3 different types of patterns to try and get the fillable egg I wanted.
My first one had a small opening that would have been difficult for a small choc egg to get in let alone anything else!
My second one was a bigger horizontal opening, but then that sat funny (think Pacman)
 Third became a ball!
So finally, I have a succesful one!!

Fishing set - Day 287-288

Limited time and energy. Sketched out the ideas for a fish set, and then started to stitch the next day. I decided to use velcro instead of the traditional magnets, but so far have a pattern glitch. I thought the velcro would work on the felt, with a little help from the velcro eye. It does work a little bit, but takes a bit of effort to get the fish attached. requires a swish, linger and rub type movement to attach enough to lift the fish.
Swear words of your choosing can be added here!! Maybe the universes punishment for still being slightly craft crazy after xmas and not taking a break.

"Soft kitty" heat pack - Day 286

Another version of the keyboard rest/heat pack.
Big Bang Theory is awesome!!
This is a sleeping kitty with the Soft Kitty rhyme from Big Bang Theory stitched on it. This pattern has been adapted so it has a removeable rice pack inside. This means that it is washable.

Teen Sewing - Day 282

Was a craft guide today. Something nice about someone else making things! The result, a cute puppy for a younger sister. He has big eyes and a slightly stubby nose.

Frog finger puppet = day 278

An extra addition to the old McDonald set (maybe) 
Not sure if a frog fits on the farm?!

Also have pattern for an owl as an extra. 

Xmas present making frying my mind, so just quick posts the next couple of weeks I think!

Animal Finger Puppets - Day 274-275

Am a bad friend! I promised a finger puppet set for a friends birthday, and started it on day 197, but then, didn’t really touch it again. Other things came up. So the birthday present is now a christmas present!!

  
I now have a duck, chicken, pig, dog, cat, sheep and cow. I also have a design for a couple more animals, but maybe 7 is enough! They all fit fabulously down Old Mcdonalds trousers!! (Wheres your cat?  down my trousers!! hehe!) And its a bonus that he doubles as a hand puppet too.

Pressie 3 - Day 273

An extra present. I have been needing something extra to make for a 12 yr old girl. In the end, I have ended up with one of these to go along with school book covers.

The monster holds a school diary, but would fit standard notebooks as well. I made a couple of these as there is someone else who may get one. I had to change the pattern after the first. I forgot to add the width of the book to the overflap, so it didn't sit quite right. Am hoping it stretches?!

PUPPY HOUSE - Day 271-272

I had a complete artistic space out while sitting down and completing another bunny set. My brain just phased out and came up with this instead. It was like being possessed, as I couldn’t stop until it was done. 

The bunny set was delayed a day, but it was worth it. This is such a cute little set! I love it when I surprize myself! The bones come out of the dirt patch, there is a water bowl that can be placed anywhere, and a big dog (mum or dad) and a puppy. the set then closes into a house.

Kiwi Cover - Day 270

Part of a main present, here is the outside decoration. 

I had several different ideas, but this one seemed right on the day. Was originally going to add a map of NZ, but a bit tricky late at night when I just wanted them completed. I am so happy I get to wrap them now! HAve had to spend a chunk of time on Bunny Playsets that have been ordered for Christmas, and these obviously took priority.

NEW JOB - Day 261

JUMP FOR JOY!!



Just found out! I am now a Technology facilitator at a local Intermediate. I like how the word they used was 'facilitator' not teacher, it sounds better somehow. This is a big shift from normal primary teaching. This job entails working with and guiding the students to create their own designs/projects across the key technologies. So hard technology (woodwork), soft technology (eg sewing) and bio tech (eg food production). Lots of creativity in an "organized chaos" environment!! Perfect!!

So a celebration picture today!

Fishy Cross stitch - Day 258

Quick pattern I'm trying to get right for a certain pressie. 
So far this is the plan, now just need to plan colours.

Tiger sentinal - Day 250

This is part of days 248-249. I am still trying to get the feel of the wind and sky and haven't quite got it right. So I decided to try something new and have added a tiger.
Why a tiger? This is where a blurb about the significance and symbolism of the tiger on guard next to the girl in strong wind represents the  underlying message of protection, power and energy.........
but in reality, I just thought "oh, tiger, I like tigers".
Though on reflectional, this seems like they are Sentinals of some sort.

Tangram Set - Day 246

On the road too Christmas, present making begins. Decided to try a Tangram set in felt. 

  They are nice bright colours front and back. Its destined as an extra Christmas stocking gift. Just need too print and laminate the pattern cards. I will put them in a small drawstring bag as well.

Old McDonald set - Day 197

This hand puppet is part of a birthday present for a pre-school teacher, by her request. This is Old McDonald! 

He took a bit of thinking and design because I wanted a pocket to put the finger puppet animals in. Have managed to do this in the back, his shorts and shirt are a pocket. So, in a way, the answer to the question "where is your cow?" is... "Down my shorts!!" :) Have one cow made so far, now for the rest...

green dino - Day111

something different from felt... a small green dino.
He is half stuffed with beanbag pellets, so is cuddly.

quick frame - day 98

Another quick craft, a frame made out of origami with a small sketch (about 1inch square)

Made using the fortune teller pattern, but you just fold up the front squares (where thumbs go) to triangles and the back triangles act as a stand.

Lion head - day 77

I love my lion mold, but that doesnt always guarantee it will work!
awhile ago I made a set of lions heads with the mold dusted with pearlex powders and the colour worked well. this one didnt, but I understand why. I used klear kast (super clear, embedding quality) as I had it and had run out of the quick cream resin. The powders didnt stick to some of the resin this time round, and the nose also came out extra rough. (has always been a bit rough as the head shifted slightly when the silicone was setting and caused this slight quirk).

Animalia wordfind - Day 69

A wordfind of big long words related to Animalia.
Why?
Just in teacher mode and needed a creative thing I could then use in class (at least, an activity for the super stars or those who like a challenge in upper primary)

ANIMALIA WORDFIND