Baptism Bunny!

It's "Baptism Bunny"!  Sounds almost Superhero, doesn't it.  Like those new age catholics who try a bit too hard to make Church "cool".  But isn't she a peach!  I love that my little design took wings and inspired some more simple designs.  Simple because, like most crafters, I class myself still as a learner.  This is less to do with false modesty than an ongoing desire to learn, improve and create.  It really is the most addictive pleasure, being able to create without a book and a pattern!  Best of all is to become one of those teachers who share easy patterns to the learners out there.  So, I hope you enjoy these really easy little extras for your bunny. x

You will need:

-Any odds and ends of wool (acrylic is a good washable choice for baby drool)

White, yellow, red and black DK cotton for candle

-Size 2.5, 3.00 and 3.5 hook 

Instructions:

Shawl (almost a granny!)

1.       Ch 4 and SS.

2.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2tr in ring, ch 2,

3.       (3tr, ch 2) repeat until you have 4 sets as in a granny square.  SS to top of first chain.

4.       SS along to next ch space, ch 2, 2tr, ch 2, 3tr in same corner space.

5.       Ch 2, 3tr, ch 2, 3tr all the way around.

6.       SS to the top of the ch 3.

7.       Repeat row 6.

8.       SS to next chain space.  Repeat as above but with ch 1 between each set of trebles.

Candle- I used DK cotton for stiffness and a size 2.5 hook

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in sc ch- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, 2sc in each stitch- 12 stitches.

3.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you all the way around, ss into first stitch and ch 1.

4.       Sc in a spiral to desired length.

5.       SS, fasten off and stuff firmly.

6.       Make a separate circle to top the candle (step 1 and 2). 

7.       Fasten off leaving a long tail and stitch on.

Flame

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in second chain from hook- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you- 6 stitches.

3.       Continue up 2 rounds.

4.       Sc dec until final stitch, knot tail at the point of the flame and stitch on with black thread for wick.

Dress- Use a size 3 hook for this one

1.       Ch 23 and ss into a loop.

2.       Sc all the way around and join with a ss.

3.       Ch 1 and sc all the way around 3 more rows.

4.       (Sc inc, 11sc, sc inc) x2 and ss at the start- 25 stitches

5.       Ch 1, sc all around and ss.

6.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), Tr all around and ss into first stitch.

7.       (Ch 2, miss 1 stitch, sc in the next stitch) all around to make a scallop edge.

8.       SS into first ch 2 space.  Ch 3 and 2tr into first space.

9.       Ch 2 into next space, putting 3tr into each chain space.  SS final ch 2 into first stitch.

10.   Ch 1 and sc all around, ( just pop 1sc into each ch 2 space), and ss into first.

11.   Repeat sc all around.

12.   Ch 3 and tr all around. SS into first.

13.   Now for final scallop edge!  Ch3, miss a stich and sc into the next stitch all the way around.

14.   Straps- Press dress flat so that the increases sit at each side.  Attach wool for first strap, ch 1, 2sc across into top of bodice, turn, ch 1, 2sc across.  Repeat this to desired length (approx. 11 rows) and fasten off.  Repeat for second strap and whipstitch into place.

Tiny flower

1. Ch 4 and ss into ring.
2. 6sc around and ss into first stitch.
3. Ch 3 and ss into stitch.
4. Repeat step three all around and slip stich to the first.
5. Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching onto the dress.

Please have a go and keep an eye out for more Bunny Fun (I don't think I'm going to be able to stop!)

Santa' s Mince Pies.

This Christmas has been less crafty than I would like but I managed to get a few last minutes done and wrapped just before the big day!  I'm just so out of practice with my little blog that I forgot to take pictures of some of them.  There was a pretty little brooch from a free Mollie makes pattern for my niece, a collection of felt Fa La La decorations, fudge, biscuits and some great wrapping- never mind eh! I make it my New Years promise to be more Bloggy this year!
These tasty morsels stitched up a treat, I especially liked the cardboard base for weight and holding the shape.  These pies were happily received by my two baby nephews to add to their crochet lunch bags made earlier this year.

Back to work!

It's September and back to work!  It's been an exciting and hectic month as I am back to teaching my own class.  After a year of covering other teachers, running up and down corridors and teaching every year group, I am now settled in my own room with...my own cupboard (such a relief!). 

All my time at the moment is trying to keep up with the planning and marking whilst dealing with the hundreds of class set up details.  Seriously, every day is filled with stolen school minutes.  But no, I'm rebelling today with a sneaky breakfast cuppa and some catch up time.  I have a few posts to share with you which should fill up the gaps until I can pick up my crafty projects again.  I'm even going to squeeze in a couple at work!  I've recovered the window seat and WILL definitely do some granny square cushion covers.  Window painting next week though, I think...

Oh, almost forgot.  Here is the final piece of food for the final birthday lunch box.  "Tasty crochet"s best one I think- even Hubby loved it.  The card was a last minute quick fix for my friend's little girl.  I love how, when you have run out of card toppers, you can always find a crochet flower somewhere!  I think I need my sister's pink glue gun for these next time. x

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!

And then two came along at once....

My last post was about my first swap and yes, I wait and wait and then two came along at once! I happened across a swap and was actually in time to join in- what are the odds eh! This one came with a list of likes and dislikes to lead my gift choices. This got me stuck for a while as I wanted to stay away from the obvious as my swappee loves chocolate, fudge and lavender. I ended up just giving the gifts a bit of a twist and made...

1- Chocolate, pistachio and almond fudge (I hope it makes it there ok)
2-Lavender heart keyring- so she can keep lavender with her all day
3- Everlasting flowers- until the Spring brings out the bulbs!

The fudge was so easy and yummy- It's from Nigella's Express book and can be kept in the fridge but is best in the freezer where you can sneak chunks straight from the drawer and into your mouth. YUM
The flowers were made from floristry ribbon using the kit I purchased from the Glow event in Bluewater last month. I'm hoping to make up some more bunches for Mothers day.
The heart keyring was a wrench to give away as I absolutely loved it. I had so much fun using some of the embroidery skills I've picked up this year to make an old fashioned floral design. I made a mini bag and stuffed as much lavender as I could inside and blanket stitched beads around the edge.

I do hope you love it.

Thanks for organising this snipsnaphappy!

http://snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/

A pause before publishing this post.....My own parcel arrived on Monday!

I've only just started making things for me to keep as there is always a birthday or celebration to cater for so I LOVED getting these thoughtful gifts. Mine came from lily@makingitvintage and they are all corkers. The peg bag is swinging on the line- one of my many on my to do list- and my fabric, calender and paper will all be stashed for the right project. But my favourite and best are these fingerless gloves! I joined Slimmingworld last year and have managed to lose 4 stone which is wonderful but leaves me with very cold hands and feet! Who knew that those skinny girls with multiple vests and tops weren't being fashionable but were just really, really cold? So, yes, I love them! They go on in the morning so I have nice warm hands when it comes to changing my baby's nappy (don't worry, I take the gloves off for that) and they stay on for morning lessons until I am truly warmed up. I only got them 4 days ago and they are hardly off and the classes I teach think they are fab too. So a huge thank you Lily and I hope your own gift will be as much loved as mine x

Baby Box number 2 (and other cute stuff)

Another beautiful baby has joined our family and it's a boy!! I must admit that I thought it would be another little girl but that's ok- I'll forgive him as he is so sweet. I hope he likes his goodie bag. Now I can keep working on the last baby due for a while (I hope). I'm trying to save those items for another "don't look at this post" so my final pregnant lady can keep up with my other blog posts whilst still having some surprises in her bag...

These next projects are a catchup from a blog post that seems to have gone missing. It's this darn laptop! The keys have recently developed a glitch, missing every other letter. This makes blogging a real pain in the neck as I have to seriously correct and retype every word (typing each word slowly also does nothing for the flow.)

I've also had issues with my iphone and some of my photos are lost : (. My lovely lunch basket that I made during the summer holiday for a little girls birthday has gone. Such a shame as I was sooo impressed that I managed to whip it all up in a week. There was a yummy cooked breakfast with bacon, sausages, mushrooms eggs and toast, loads of fruit and veg, chicken drumstick, some cookies and cakes and even a cheeky red toadstool ( how very dare I!) Here are the pictures I've managed to find:

These all came from my "Tasty Crochet" book again. It's a great book and makes up some beautiful food with little effort. Great for last minute birthday presents and stocking up my daughters tea party set.

Am I stock-piling too much??

I've just looked back at my Blog to date and realised how much I have made since January! This is a GOOD thing except that I seem to be stock-piling. Under my bed is a growing number of boxes gradually being filled with gifts for the future- it's becoming an obsession.

You see, I'm going back to work in June and I know that time will be pretty much filled with everything else. So my boxes are my way of getting my crafty projects ready for when they are needed.

1- Christmas box

2- Birthday box

3- Baby box (there are 3 due in my extended family this year....sigh)

This was enough but now I'm adding a fourth! Katie's birthday in the Summer term always seems to sneak up on me. Frantic buying and baking always leave me flustered and, as Katie wants a few friends from school this time, I thought I would start making bits for pretty party bags. I know I will never have the time later in the year and I want these gifts to be unique, valued (and cheap- I plan to make the bags as well!)

So, number one for the bag is:

I like to stick to the "rule" of children's age= how many children to invite. So, there are six sweet cupcakes- Five for her guests and one for herself as she has been eying these up for a week now! I wonder which one she will pick?

This pattern is available on Ravelry free from Hannah Kaminsky

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quick-cupcake

Katie's Tea Party!

I had to stop myself making food for now as I was falling behind on my blogging and other jobs. Don't they look delicious?? Katie has been playing with these non-stop and even sleeps with them in a felt bag by her bed at night!

I had great fun making my little teabag and using the cookie pattern to make my own Jammy Dodger. Now, of course, I have a list as long as my arm of requests for particular favourites. Funnily enough, fruit doesn't get a mention.

So far, she would like...cupcakes, pancakes, ice-lollies, sweets, Oreos and sandwiches! I have promised to make new ones each week when possible.

PS- My favourite red apple wedge is not in the picture. It was in the bag when I brought it down for photo-time... I think someone may have smuggled it into school in her little pocket!