To Dad with love - IPoD/Phone/anything the right size cover!

I had a mega make (well for me over the weekend), but no time to upload.  It's very dark before and after work, so I am sorry about the quality of the photos....I will try and get some during daytime at the weekend.

This pattern came free from a newspaper in the UK.

For one you need:
35mm/50mm wide bias binding
22cm square of cotton (patterned or plain)
22cm square of batting (padding stuff!)
22cm square of brushed cotton (for the inside)
Cord
A toggle
A sewing machine
Pins etc.

Steps:
1. Fold the square of cotton in half right sides together. Pin a 1cm seam down the open side and one end of the fabric, then machine sew.
2. Press the seams back and then iron a 2.5cm lip at the top. Turn the fabric the correct way around.
3. Iron a 2.5cm lip on either side of a 22cm length of bias binding, then iron it in half lengthways. Tack the binding, folded edge inwards to the top of the cotton, leaving 6mm above the top of the fabric (this is for the cord). The ends should line up with the sewn side.
4. Repeat step one with the batting and brushed cotton. These should be pinned together. Once you have ironed the lip, don't turn inside out. 
5. Put the inner section inside the cotton outside...it takes a bit of stuffing. the folded seam should be on the opposite sides.
6. Line up the edges and then tack through the bias binding to line up the insides.
7. Slip stitch the edges together going through the binding. Remove the tacking.
8. Thread the cord through the lip at the top: a safety pin can help. Attach the toggle.

I decorated mine with badges, but it could have anything on it. Imade a second one for my brother too.

I hope you like them!

R xx

Christmas Link Party No.4

Hi folks! 

I am pleased to host this week's link party and can't wait to see what you have been up to.  I HAVE made some stuff over the weekend, but work is piling up before the holidays and I haven't quite had the time to blog about it yet! Also, I have been making piles (just in case he is reading!) of stuff for the boyf' which I can't post because he checks in regularly (bless him,,,) Anyway...if you would like to link up all of your Christmas projects, including food and presents I would love to see them.

There are a couple of party rules:
1. No shop links please
2. Please visit some folks and show them some comment love
3. Link to my blog so people know where to admire your work.

4. If you want to follow me, so you can remember to come back again, it would make my day!

Check back later for my newest projects: IPOD carry cases, lavendar hearts and some dressed up Chutney jars. 

Merry Christmas  - R xx

My boyf's Christmas Stocking

It is a little bit girly...but I love it. I got the design from a book called: 'Christmas Crafting in No Time' by Clare Youngs.  I used a piece of robust felting sheet though as it needs to travel well.  I haven't done a full tutorial as there are already heaps out there.  Just sharing this time.  Your comments are very welcome.Message me if you want the ISBN of the book....

2.5 weeks until I fly...

R xxx

 

Christmas Crackers

I have finally managed to finish my Christmas Crackers. I finished all of the inside bits last week, but have been busy at work and therefore not crafting as much as I probably need to be to meet the deadline to be finished in 3 weeks!

Anyhow, I started to make the crackers using instructions from a book, but they didn't quite turn out as I wanted, so I decided to  tweak them a bit.

You need:
 - cracker snaps
 - 6 x 16cm x 28cm pieces of wrapping paper or thin wallpaper
 - 6 x cardboard tubes (I used toilet tubes) measuring 10cm
 - 2 x cardboard tubes measuring 6.5cm - these are used to shape the ends and then re-used.
 - double sided tape (6 x 27cm strips)
 - a piece of wool or string
 - a craft knife and scissors
 - ribbon or card-stock to decorate.
 - presents and jokes to put inside.

1. Put the 10cm tube in the centre and draw a small line at each end. Fold each end of the paper so there is a 5mm lip on the outside edge of it. ( I forgot to take a picture, but it's fairly logical!)

2. Make 5mm incisions along each folded edge of the cracker - this will help it fold in better later.

3. Put the paper face down and a strip of tape at one end. At the other place the centre piece of the cracker and the two end pieces, leaving a gap between the middle and the ends. 
4. Put the cracker snap and gifts inside the cracker.

5. Carefully roll the paper over the tubes and keep rolling until the double sided tape ends the roll.

6. Using the string, loop this around the part of the cracker with a space. Pull very gently to constrict the paper, making sure it is narrowed enough to stop the contents from falling out. Secure each end with ribbon. This bit can be fiddly and a bit frustrating!

7. Remove the two outer pieces of cardboard tubing.  Stick down each end of the cracker snap.

8. Decorate or personalise the crackers!

Ideas for inside the crackers: flower seeds, small pack of homemade meat rub, magnetic pegs, embroidered handkerchiefs, flavoured tea....whatever will make your guests smile.

I was a little bit glad to finish this project, mainly because I wasn't really in the mood to refine today...however I am glad they are finished. I just need to find a box to put them in so they don't get crushed travelling to Germany.  But as my boyf' said....they don't have crackers in Germany so it is highly unlikely his mum and dad will notice if they are a little bit bashed!

Another whole job finished - Hooray!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

R xxx

Christmas Link Party No.3

You can find Christmas Link Party No.3 - on the Christmas Link tab at the top of the page. I am archiving the old ones as they are messing with the lay-out of my blog. (Read: I am not good enough at html to work out how to stop it!)

Thanks for everyone who linked up!

Christmas Link Party No.2

Find this link up in my archive here:

Christmas Link Party.No.2

There are beautiful things to look at!

R xx

Pillow Progress - Personalising Christmas

I made these for my brother and his girlfriend who have just moved in together.  I followed the tutorial at CherryMenLove and was inspired by the typography amazingness going on at That's My Letter.  There were a lot of 'firsts' involved in the making of the pillows: my first time sewing independently on a machine, my first time with bondaweb and defintiely my first time designing something for someone else's taste.

Sorry there aren't pictures of the process, but I was concentrating!
1. I found a font on Microsoft Word I liked and made it an appropriate size. Having printed them off I used them as a template to cut out the same shape on bondaweb. I drew the outline of a camera and repeated the process.
2. I then ironed the shapes onto the red fabric, cut them out again and ironed them onto the centre of a square of fabric (for dimensions see the pillow tutorial). I then stiched around the shapes to secure. This was the longest part of the task.
3. I added embellisments in the forms of buttons, a felt flowers and ribbon to customise the pillows for my brother (a keen photographer) and his gorgeous girlfriend ( who likes a quirky/girly feel).
4. I then followed the cushion tutorial, making many mistakes along the way due to my illogical way of understanding instructions.  The tutorial is VERY clear. I have NO common sense.

 

As I was taking pictures, I remained amazed that I had managed to do it! I firmly believe, therefore, that anyone can...

So let me know if you do. And let me know what you think. 

R xxxx

P.S. Don't forget to check out my new Monday link up. All Christmas ideas, gifts, decoration, baking etc welcome.