Valentines Box - day 306-307

playing around with some box templates and designs. I have a couple of boxes with egg shapes for my dragon eggs, and decided a heart one might be good.
I will need to take a photo of a made up box, but this has a closure at the top that resembles hearts too, or a flower...  depends on perspective reallly!!
It is a small box, just right for some small heart candies, or a new piece of jewellery?!

But for now, this is a free download. Print on card (A4) and cut on heavy lines. Fold on light lines and glue tabs at side. Tuck in bottom, then fold top together to close.
Click on picture for downloadable version

Book covers completed - Day 300-302

After the new designs earlier, I have managed to complete 3 orders for fab young lasses.
Some are fur and the others are a mix of other fabrics I had.
I forgot how long it takes to cut little pieces and sew them by hand when doing a few at once. But I am happy with them. I like the different expressions and the pattern has been slightly adapted with just a hint of extra give, so the books fit much better. These will be great for school!!
Only 2 weeks to go!!

Monster/alien paper doll - day 299

Busy time getting lost in Manga studio. Not sure where this idea came from, just popped in my head wanting escape!
This cute little alien has clothes still in the design process and should work like a normal paper doll.
Am in love with how cute she turned out. Originally was trying for a boy, but she pointed out to me she is in fact a girl, so pretty dresses and crowns are the order.

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!!

Craft list - Day 291

2012 - wow, time does fly!! 
Seems the last year went very fast. 
Partly due to a growing teen, keep wondering how the time flew by so fast that my little girl is now learning to drive!! 
Now is the time to think about the coming year, and I will start with some craft wishes.... 
*fairy house  
*Castle set   
*New crochet blanket  
*3d birds  
*larger paintings  
*digital photo manipulation  
*dino set  
*finally make the origami tarantula

Dressed fairy doll - Day 290

A clothed fairy! I think the purple felt was too stiff though, and it doesn’t fit right. It showed my arms weren't stuffed enough, I had to jimmy jam the arms into the sleeves, which is okay if I plan to permanently stitch her into her clothes, but not very useful if I want to change them!! back to the drawing board!!

Mini fairy Doll - Day 289

A new craft attempt! Dangerous I know!! 

A mini fairy doll, with changeable outfit and a fairy house?! 
This doll is about 4.5 inches tall. Im not sure if the hair is right, and I may just stitch the eyes as the beads arent quite right. 
This isnt mine, my doll pattern skills are limited! This is from Nuno Life.  
I had in my head to make a fairy, but was unsure how to put it together. So after a search, managed to find this. Definitely a great start, now to research other doll making tips/tricks.

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.

CHRISTMAS - Day 285

CHRISTMAS!!!! Enough said!!

Made a non-traditional, but super yummy cheesecake. I have a household that dislikes xmas fruit based desserts (except me!).
Forgot to take pics. Will come back and add if I find the recipe.

Messenger bag lights up! - day 284

This is why the front flap of the bag had a clear window. It is a light up panel that lights up to music and sound. I am SO happy with how this turned out!! Now I need to start planning for a pillow version!!

Messenger bag 3 - Complete - Day 283

Bag finished!! But the best is yet to come (requires batteries though!)

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.

Messenger bag 2 - zip - Day 281

ZIPPITY ZIP - Zips are tricky at the best of times. Especially since I have lost the zipper foot on my machine! 
I looked up different techniques on line to work out how to do this, and was happy to find it was a tab system like the clear window pocket. Moments like this I love the internet! 

Its just a matter of cutting a line down the middle, the triangle ends, iron under and stitch on zip. Did have to play with the pocket lining, but worked out I could slip the front panel under the zip, stitch round the zip, then stitch the top stitched when doing the edge stitch. Then I just stitched the sides.

messenger Bag 1 - Pocket - Day 280

A messenger bag is on the cards. 
Big achievement today… adding a clear window pocket to the front flap. 
Was exciting to see it finished as I was concerned with how it would turn out. 

I was very careful with the measurements and took the time to iron the fabric tabs under before stitching on the plastic. Tommorrow, a pocket with a zip.

Xmas Taco Seasoning - Day 279

Taco seasoning trials from the start of November led to mixed results. So after tests, comparing notes and more trialling, we have a recipe that works. And works wonderfully. 

It is a combination of the best bits of 2 recipes and seems to be the closest to the brought seasonings we used to like. I have pacaged these up for xmas presents, partly cause I made to much, but then because I thought it would be a good extra for some people.

TACO SEASONING

This is enough for a large jar of it. (or 3 small 210ml containers)

12 Tbl Chilli
10 Tbl Paprika
9 Tbl Cumin
5 Tbl Onion Powder
5 Tbl Garlic Powder
3 Tbl Oregano
1 tsp cayenne
3 Tbl black pepper
8 tsp salt (optional based on your views on salt)
4 Tbl cornstarch

Mix together very well  (at this point, singing "shake, shake shake...shake, shake, shake...shake your booty" works if it all fit in your jar. Otherwise mix in a bowl)

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!

Xmas Pressie two - Day 277

Another present in the making, so just some key shots of the process. I think I will need to practice my satin stitch, mine is a bit uneven. I am making a couple of these, so will hopefully get better.

I do give thanks to Urban threads though. Am starting to think I chose way to many sewing projects for this christmas!!

Full pics posted later.