Camping Madness!

My other half has always been a bit loopy when it comes to camping. So, for those early years of courtship, I had to endure many cold, damp dashes to the toilet block all whilst tripping over invisible guideropes. Don't get me wrong, Ienjoyed those strange trips. Only when camping can you take the entire morning to make an egg and bacon sarnie for breakfast and wash up at a chatty sink area. But the time has past and I happily sit in our tiny warm caravan and beam as the rain pelts down on those poor, mad tenters. My poor husband has been missing it though and is over the moon that our little girl is now happily camping out with him. 4 weekend out of the last 7 have seen my two intrepid explorers grabbing pilows and lanterns to go exploring- it won't be long before she is introduced to the fishing lakes! I have been left with the baby "sigh" and had time in the evenings (Yay!) to do some little crafty jobs. It's been a wonderful time indulging in guilty tv pleasures of X factor and Sci-fi films, late night espresso and having all my craft boxes spread around me in chaos! First on the list was a new school hat for Katie. I wanted a cushy, big, warm, blokey hat that would cover her ears and last a good long time. Well, it does the job ampley as it fits me pretty darn good too!

These two are more gifts. The corsage was for Mum's birthday. I used my leftover bootie wool and some tiny soft grey beads. I accidently stitched the leaves on too far out and, even though it looks beautiful, it ended up HUGE. I mean, my Mum's not tall and she may be in danger of getting lost behind it!

The little felt Humbug is cute idea from a book Mum leant me the other week. It's a very detailed book with wool explored in many intricate forms- not for me though. I liked the humbugs though as you stitch together two squares, going around 3 sides. You stuff the pocket and stitch the final sdie by pushing the corners together to stitch the line that runs across in the oposite direction (does this make sense?)

I'm now working on some more wraps for Christmas as my Step-Mother-in-Law has been admiring my one as well as my litle girl who's been asking for her own since last year. It mean that my birthday money this year was used on wool for other people. I know all crafters will understand this madness- bags of lovely wool! I also got some great craft books which I can't wait to try. So, as the Mad Campers are off again, I will get back to my fun!!

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.

Bibadee-bobadee-boo!

And now, the end is near...
These bibs have been the bane off my life! I now loath bias tape for the puckering and coming away from edges and general stop, rip seam and start over that these tiny things have needed for me to finish.
This picture shows the front and back of the second bib made for my other Sister-in-law as she is now over-due. The velcro on the neck isn't brilliant so I now need to learn how to button-hole I think.

The final bib (and I mean FINAL) I can't put up as it is for another important bundle. Thankfully, it is the best of the bunch. I avoided velcro and stitched on a lovely button and used embroidery thread for a loop on the other side- it should work well if the lady actually puts it on the little darling!

How to make an Ipod Bag

1. I have snatched a few minutes in between making lunches, nap-time and 100 other little jobs to type out this pattern. Let me know if you use it!
   (PS- sorry about neon colours as my daughter chose them!)
   
   Equipment
   Small ball of DK wool main colour
   Small ball of contrast colour
   2.50m/ 3mm hook (I stitch quite loose and need small hook)
   darning needle
   
   Abbreviations
   SC= single crochet
   Ch= chain
   
   
   
   Instructions


2. Ch 3.


3. SC in second ch and in next stitch, Ch 1.


4. SC in 2 stitches, Ch 1.


5. Repeat until narrow rectangle is the length of Ipod base.


6. Do extra SC in last stitch (as a corner), Don't turn.


7. SC around the edge, putting 2 SC in each corner.


8. SC in last corner, Don't join.


9. Now work in a spiral using SC (no 2SC in corners)


10. When bag is the desired height go to edge and continue around for approx 14 SC, Ch 1, turn and do 4 SC back.


11. Repeat Ch 1 and 4 SC along to build up the strap. Fasten off at desired length.


12. Join strap using whipstitch.


13. Join contrasting wool at bottom corner of the strap, Ch 1 and SC around the strap and bag.


14. Repeat at other corner.


15. Fasten off and weave in loose ends.


16. Now add your own embellishments!

Bad Blogger does catch-up.

I'm so sorry to be away so long but it's been crazy being back at work and dealing with two tear-aways! H is now cruising around the furniture and getting the bumps to prove it whilst K wants to be a rock star/ princess/ kung fu master and so on. I have been making lots of little, quick projects but haven't managed to post for ages. So here's a quick catch up for now.

I've been so engrossed in baby gift-making that I needed a break (especially as the bibs have been a nightmare- it's the bias tape around the neck that won't go). First was this little Ipod bag for my cool kid. Excuse the neon colours but she chose, not me! This is my second own design I will try to post pattern soon if anyone's interested but it really is just a spiral sleeve with a messenger-style strap to hold it close to the body.Next was my own lovely iphone cover! I LOVE this pattern. It's really quick and easy and so effective. After a recent trip to the seaside I found that sand had got into my case, scratching up the sides of my first nice gadget.

This pattern is from http://www.squidoo.com/shanasiphonecovers. I'm always buying lovely fabric to use ffor other people. Now I can use the left-overs for my own stash of funky phone cases.

Last for now are these two squares for the SIBOL challenges- I hope I get these posted in time...

Enjoy the holidays and I will get some more posts done sooooon!

Potty about Pots- The grand finale!

Oh yes! Oh yes! Oh yeeeeeeesssss!

I'm so excited because, after MONTHS of waiting, my pots are finished!

It's typical that they day I can pick them up is the day that I'm rushing around getting ready for a mini caravan break. But I managed to squeeze in an hour to rush down to Sidcup, pick up and rush back.

Now, they are a bit wobbly but they are mine and I am so proud. Finally Dad will get his (very late) birthday present with 3 weeks before his next birthday! Never mind, it's the thought that counts.

Who's a clever bunny,eh?!

Baby Box number 1

Baby Box number 1 is out! OK, it ended up in a gift bag because I couldn't find a nice box in Bexleyheath the other week. Although someone else had put together a basket of goodies using a cotton-lined wicker storage basket which looked great which I think I will do next time.

I'm really happy with what I made. I did add a lovely broach from Past Times for Mummy and a bought toy for the baby, just in case it was all a bit too crafty for the new Mummy. I whipped up a quick card using bits and bobs from my stash and found some cute pieces from a previous baby card which was a nice quick solution for a change! Well, that's one box down. Time to work on the next baby due in August I think...