Birthday DS covers

It's birthday time in our family with a huge amount of special days coming up.  2 little girls in the family are finally getting their very own DS so I've whipped up a couple of DS cases in matching colours so that the two girls can have matching gifts- They've even got the the same game to play on, which is going to give them another chance for a natter on the phone I suppose... 

Why do we put our own age restrictions on things we are not too keen on?  After years of her asking and being answered with "not until you're 6", I swear she seemed to lose interest.  Until, that is, a couple of moonths ago when she calmly announced a list of things which she expected on this birthday.  It turrns out that the "Not until..." line had been used for a whole variety of wants that we tried to hold her off from and now she is waiting for the big pay out !

So, it's "Yes" to a DS (second hand)

"No" to Disneyland (until number 2 is bigger)

and "Maybe" for the ballet lessons (I didn't realise that there were waiting lists for these things?!)

Anyway, back to these cases.  This design is by my sister Jess.  Well, she doesn't class it as a design as it is so simple.  But simple is what we all want in a design, especially when it looks so good and does the job well. 

So, using single crochet, make a rectangle long enough to double over + flap allowance and slightly under the width allowing for the edging.  Single crochet all around whilst joining the edges cuts the job down by half and makes the cover look really seamless.  I did add a tiny front pocket for a single cased game for the busy girl on the move.  I toyed with the idea of adding a strap but as we have a car bag- and that's primarily where it will live- I left well enough alone. 

And now for a brief moan about velcro...Stick on velcro seemed like such a good idea.    Ok, the thread HATED the glue and ended up breaking and knotting causing many holes to my delicate pinkies.  I changed over to non-stick for ds case number 2 which was much easier but as I only had black velcro it doesn't look as nice.  I'm  sure they will love it anyway! 

Why is there never enough time?!

 I have finally fallen into the category of "Pulling out a favourite pattern" brigade.  Gone are the days when each patterns was new and devoured at great speed, now my time is filled with the ever increasing babies and the gifts that need to be made.  So, again, out come my "Tasty Crochet" book and another picnic pack is created.  Although, I must say that each time, the idea gets tweaked a little and improved. 

As I have two nephews approaching their first birthday I decided that a lunch box for them to tote around with their play lunch would be just the thing!  I loved the mental image of them squeezing the soft toys as babies and growing to play picnics and then using their little bags at playgroups (so grown up!)  Several adults did not seem to get the gift- My husband's side see my crafty gifts as a bit hmmmmm- but hey, it was made for a tot and I know tots LOVE play food!

 Don't you just love the lunch box? A fiver from matalan which was a bargain.  I made a sweet little napkin/ table cloth out of the gorgeous fabric from my recent swaps and it all wrapped up a treat.

And now for a thrifty tip....

In my attempts to Make do and mend I finally had a go at saving some of those beautiful candle holders that I could not bear to throw away.  The rational in keeping these was to clean them out and fill with new candles, sweets or treats and cellophane up with ribbons for a easy Christmas gift (I'm thinking of end of year Teacher gifts...) 

VERY important- Heating in the microwave is a BAD idea!  It seemed so practical but I forgot all about the metal wick holder which immediately started to spark and crackle.  Thankfully I was standing by and pulled them out before the thing exploded.

So, placed in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to loosen the edges and they popped out like removing a jelly from it's mould.  A bit of a wash in soapy water and don't they look lovely!