My creative space . . . a Crafty Gift idea tutorial/Fun project

A chance remark from eldest son prompted me to make this last week, in a moment of madness :)  . . . 

. . . a Harris Tweed 'softie' games console controller, of course!  The boys gave me some guidance on where to put the  buttons - I had a hoot making it :) :)

To make one you will need:
Paper to make a pattern template
Fabric of your choice
Soft polyester stuffing (or your choice of stuffing material)
Felt to make the console buttons
Needle and thread

Here's how I did it:

(1) To make your own fabric controller just draw around your kids console controller, adding 1/4 inch seam allowance all around to make a paper pattern (you can see mine in the background).
(2) After cutting out 2 pieces, place  right sides of fabric together, sew along seam allowance all around leaving an opening for stuffing.  (You can hand-sew or machine-sew whichever is preferable)
(3) Turn right way out and stuff firmly (use a pencil or something similar to get into the corners) - ladder stitch *or over-stitch the opening closed.  (Credit it to www.sew-it-love-it.com for the stitch tutorial!)
(4) Have some fun adding the buttons (glue or stitch) - simple!

*  This stitch is my preferred way of closing any plush/soft toy, etc. - it gives  a nice neat finish.

I glued, then stitched mine . . . 'belt and  braces' :)

Make more than one and they can throw them at each other when their 'real' ones run out of batteries, hehe :)  Could make for a quick Christmas gift idea, or a fun crafty project with your child?  Feel free to use this crafty idea for your own  personal use ;-)

I'm back on the sock-knitting wagon this week, yeah, yeah - I know, I wasn't going to rush this pair!, but I am really enjoying making them . . .

Sorry for the dark pic - the colours are a little faded here but they're really pretty in 'real life'!  I can watch TV, chat, wonder around the house while knitting a sock now -  a very portable project :)

We're on half term long weekend which is nice before the Christmas madness begins- see you in a few days :)
More creative peeps over this way!
Alison xx

Playing with Colours . . .

Yesterday this lovely ball of yarn was waiting for me when I got home from work - it's sock-yarn inspired by the colours of Van Gogh's painting, Bedroom in Arles (you  can  see it on the yarn label) - I couldn't resist the concept of a pair of handknitted socks with such a fabulous colour palette from one of the great masters!

   No rush with this project though - I know exactly how long it takes to make a pair - a  VERY long time!!  (especially with size 2.5 mm needles - a bit ambitious I know!)

. . . on the tweedie front, I whipped up this mini patchwork cushion this week . . . 

Sometimes it's nice just to make something very simple - I think the beautiful tweeds speak for themselves, I just had to sew them together, no further embellishment required!  I do love the colours though :)  It's in the shop here.

I'm taking a relaxed approach to tweedie-business at the moment, popping items into my shop when I can, and trying to sneak a little personal crafting in too - my plans to make Christmas gifts is running a little late to say the least - perhaps I'll manage one or two yet :) 

How's your Christmas list going - faster than mine I bet!

Off to have a cuppa and a little peek at my new yarn - just looking . . . . honest, hehe!!!  I do like a little drool over my crafting supplies  from time to time :)  

I'll keep you posted on any new items I pop into the shop - I have a few more ideas for 'tweedie' creations to make (and some to finish - ooops!) :)

Have a lovely weekend :)

Alison  x

It's the little things . . .

I crocheted up a little pair of the mini Christmas socks from Le Monde de Sucrette's lovely website, at the weekend.  They're such fun to make - I had big plans to make a whole heap of them for Christmas but actually it feels quite  nice to have managed to make just two of them as decorations or whatever :)  (Teenage son is a little worried I'm turning into a 'granny-type' with my sock-making, hehe!)  I think I might have some fun customising them with a little bling bling!

(BTW don't look too closely at my crochet stripes - they're more than a little 'wonky'!!!)  I have no idea how to crochet stripes 'correctly' :)

Talking about socks, I was really delighted that the author of the book I used to make my stripey Noro  socks, Ann Budd (Getting Started Knitting Socks) put a comment on my project page on Ravelry.  I had noticed that she sometimes comments on people's creations of her sock patterns, and secretly hoped  she might spot mine, and hurray, she did! :)  I feel like a big kid LOL  - so chuffed :)  Sometimes these little things can really brighten up your day!  It's a little blustery and wet in the Hebrides today, hence the dark pic - ooops :)

Off to package up a tweedie order and various other  'tweedie' work today - enough weekend hilarity methinks!

Happy Monday :)

Alison  x

Festive fun :)

I've been busy making Christmas puddings this week - but not the fruity kind!  A little idea in my head at the weekend came to fruition (pardon the pun, hehe!) on Monday and I came up with this Christmas pud decoration . . . 

My sock knitting project (now finished - yes, both of them!) - must have jogged some creative juices because I also decided to try out some 'tweedie' sock decorations . . .

. . . and then, I really thought it would be nice to have a set of three different decorations so I went completely traditional with the classic Christmas tree decoration - I tried to give it a nice rounded shape, I quite like how it turned out . . . 

Well, that's why I haven't been here for a little while - it's been a full-on week!  I don't do things by halves and generally in threes LOL!!!!  I had a lot of fun making these, as always it's quite intensive when you  are trying to make little batches of stock - there are five of each of the stockings in the shop, and five of each of the Christmas  trees.  

The Christmas Puds are on hold briefly while I add the brandy, hehe!  (actually I'm waiting for the tartan ribbon to arrive in the mail - hopefully today, pleeeeeease Mr Postie!)

Here are the sets of socks and trees, numbered  for your  convenience LOL . . . 

Five were as  many as I could  make at one time - I think that's enough in one go though!  The decorations are in the shop with the Puds marked 'coming soon' while I wait for Mr Postie with the ribbon delivery!

Must dash now - I have a lot of catching up to do after my fervent festive decoration making - the Christmas  Puds might be on hold today!

Bye for now :)

Alison x

P.S.  I came across a  lovely pattern at the weekend on Ravelry for little Christmas socks - too cute! - they're worth trying out if you are into crochet.  I made one with my left over Noro yarn, but I think I'll have another go as I didn't count the rows properly, ooops - it still looks quite cute though I think . . . 

They don't take anywhere as near as long as to knit an adult pair of socks - pheeeeew!  I read on someone's blog that handknitted socks can take up to 20 hours to make - that was about right in my case, I finished them in 10 days with probably an average of working two hours a day on them (some days I did none and at the weekends I did a lot!) but I was really proud of them when I was finished.  

I don't think I'll be making socks as Christmas pressies though, perhaps the mini-socks above will have to suffice!  I'll finish with a pic of my finished socks - should I frame them or wear them - I'm not sure which!!!!!

Must dash now - I have a lot of catching up to do after my fervent festive decoration making - the Christmas  Puds might be on hold today!

Bye for now :)

Alison x

I should really be doing something else, but . .

For the last few days, I've known there are a hundred and one other things I should really be doing, I've been completely immersed in this project . . . 

. . . Ta Dah!!!!  The first of my knitted Noro socks, completed yesterday morning - who  knew knitted socks could bring such joy LOL!  I'm now on the second sock (I quickly cast on in case I suffered from the dreaded 'SSS' - second sock syndrome, don't you know ;-)

Sock knitting must now be restricted to evenings, tea-breaks, lunch-time and any other time I can do it while no-one is noticing that 'I should really be doing something else . . . ) Sssshhh, don't tell, hehe :D

Must get back to 'tweedie' work as usual today - I 'lost' last week somehow - if anyone has found it, please send it to the usual address :) :)

Bye for now
Alison x

P.S.  Of course some socks for the rest of the family will  be on the cards, but I really thought I should test out the first pair for myself . . . well, just in case, you know :)

P.P.S.  Yes, that is an Aerobic Step underneath my work-desk - very handy for reaching obstacles on high shelves - invaluable, hehe!

my creative space . . . . twice :)

I took this pic twice by accident this morning (happy snapper!) - just noticed the subtle colour difference between the two shots . . .

. . . a passing cloud completely changes the depth of colour.  Loving these Autumnal hues :)

Not too much creativity this week - I made a pincushion with some of my woollie felt from the weekend - well, it's something, hehe :)

Somewhat sidetracked by the whole Hallowe'en thing this week - youngest wanting the perfect (for him!) costume - sheeeesh, we just threw on an old mask and some old clothes when I was a kid!

Must dash and catch up on some creativity today though!  More creative spaces here :)

Alison  x