Bunny puppets a la Purl Bee

I hopped on the bunny trail to make some bunny puppets that are oh so popular at Purl Bee


I started to make them for my students and Missy here asked if they were for her piano friends, so I have to add more.

And they are not getting the full treatment of whiskers and tails neither.

But they are fun to do and easy to take to the park or waiting at karate or piano lessons.


Thanks for looking,
Amanda

Betz's bunny and some gnomes

I couldn't resist making this quick sew bunny that Betz White has on her site
here

I used some fleece I had on hand. Easy sew up and well loved. Now I have to make a turquoise one for son.

And I made 2 more gnomes today. I love the hair on the red one. Just looped some thread and tied a knot in the middle before gluing to the head. These wooden doll shapes are a little tapered. I don't like the shape as well as the straight ones. I need to work on the pattern a little.

have a great weekend.
Amanda

more books

On the last day of our trip, we took a detour into a bookstore. I was looking for some great sewing magazines, but was disappointed on every place we went. So i went into the book section while DH took the kids into the kid section. And with a quick look between trips to the bathroom and "look mama, you have to see this", I found these 3 books.

When Dh gave me a copy of "Sew me, Love me" for christmas, I didn't think I was into softies. Boy was I wrong. I've made some from that book already with a few more I want to make.
When I saw this book, I had to have it. they are so cute and they look a little easier than the above book. Love the little one on the cover with string arms and legs.

Like this little one, so cute.

This book was on the sale rack. i've browsed through it a few times, but don't think there is anything in it for me.. but never say never.


Oh and this one....
We have a few stray gloves around, but I should go to the dollar store to stock up before they are all put away for the season. Heck, they probably are already.
And a peek at the projects inside.


There ya go,
more inspiration for my more than cluttered brain that has so many things it wants to do.
Oh and I was given a bag of sheep wool today and some carding brushes. Something else I'm excited to give a try. i know the kids enjoyed pulling the wool apart and picking out the grass/hay etc.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

we're back!!

we had a lovely time in sunny, windy, rainy Sarasota, Florida. We camped at the sailing squadron with many other tenters. So many, it was hard to walk between the tents without tripping over a line. but it was pleasant. It was nice. It was an adventure. especially the 26 hours to drive down and the 31 hours to drive back. but the kids were great. Really great.
I want to show you the new books I got, but MUST put some things away and do some laundry and chauffeur to piano lessons before I can have some pleasure.
So come back later tonight.

Amanda

sunburn

With sunburned lips, wind whipped hair, I went to Joann Fabrics for a spell by myself. Scored some fat quarters. I was so overwhelmed, I couldn't even get into all the sections of fabric. But I did get some wooded pegs for dolls and purse and fob attachments. all in all, happy with my haul.

hoping to make some gnomes before I get back.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

little gnomes

I made a quartet of bags for a 7 year old's bday. I forgot to take a picture of the beach treasure bag modeled after Amanda Blake Soule's.
Pictured here is the zippy wallet, wristlet (look them up in my side bar for more info on tutorials and where I got them from) and a new one for me... the little strawberry like pouch. it comes from Lia My bag was made 8x8, so it's rather small.

Now that I look back at the tutorial, I noticed I did the string differently. I like her way better. Next time. there will be a next time. These are so easy and fun to make.
Then I made a few gnomes to put in the pouch. They have been on my mind for some time. I just sat down and did it. Can't wait to try a few more of these also.



Thanks for looking,
Amanda

mending for the sun

Busy here digging out the summer clothes and packing for a little trip down south. Don't get to envious. We're driving. for 24 hours. straight! towing a boat. and then we're camping. But I know it will all be worth it. Sun, sand and fun family stuff. A little visit with some family and many reunions with friends. yep. the driving will be worth it. now just to convince the kids in the middle of their whining!
So, on to the sewing part....
I thought I was so frugal by buying Neve's swimsuit for this summer last summer when it was on sale. Well, we couldn't get the
loop over her head. tra-la-la.. (sorry, we're just finishing up 8 books of Capt. underpants) I had a do thingy for just such an occasion.... a little cut and sew. Fixed.


Remember on the last post when I said I spent 2 hours on a sundress that wasn't working? Well, the last 2 rows of shirring had some out at the seam after I serged it and everything. When I asked Neve to try it on today to see if it fit, I realized I could take out the last 2 rows and make it a skirt! Tra-la-la. fixed. Until i realized that the other 2 rows started to come undone also. Not quite so finished.

And last, this fishy towel has been in the drawer for a few years. It is too small for the beach now that the kids are older. But... It works well as a cover. Just cut a hole in the middle and sewed some binding tape on.

now missy moo doesn't have to complain about her towel falling off. Just love her messy hair. Wild woman.


i did finish my summer blouse from Weekend Sewing. After I cut the pattern out, I read up on the comments from others who made it. I took some of their suggestions, and am happy with it. Kinda. It's a little big on the back. poufy, if you will. I'll share that later. It is in the wash.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

next one is mine...

Sorry all works in progress. All the plans to replenish my zippy wallet stash (amazing how fast you can give things away). The desire to finish the sundress for my daughter that took me 2 hours so far and should only take 1 hour. (dang machines that give you trouble) and the fabric house. OH THE FABRIC HOUSE! Will it ever get finished?
But I have to make this. it is calling my name. I have to make it before I can do anything else. It is living in my brain. It has to get out. Anyone else experience this with projects? you just HAVE to do it before you can start on anything else?


I hope it goes well. i have some other lovely white fabric to make it as an easter top.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

Pom Pom skirts with flowers

I'm still working on the house, so I only have the photos of my pom pom skirts to show you. The photos are not what I was hoping to get, but here you go...
Here are all the little maids in a row. i wish I could have kept the smiling faces on instead of blurring them. They were so eager to put the skirts on and walked down the hall holding hands. So cute. I'm hoping to make some of these for the dramatic play area in our parenting centre.

After making a few, I decided to change it up a bit and add other things.
The pink one is a love theme with felt hearts and mini ribbon rose buds inside. And the heart ribbons... so matchy and lovey.
The purple one has flower petals and leaves inside. I just used some fabric flowers I had from years ago and folded them with a stitch to hold the petals down.


I also added extra ribbons and a way to adjust the waistband compared to this great tutorial on oh so happy together
Here's a glimpse of the ribbon at the back

I sewed the elastic to the end of the ribbon so you can stretch it out...

And tie it up to the correct fit for the wee one. I'd rather have it too loose on the top with the option of tightening it, than to have to abandon the skirt because it is too tight in the future.


Thanks for looking,
Amanda

WIP and more wallets

I've been seeing WIp in posts lately. it took me a while to figure it out. And it still catches me off guard sometimes. lol
WIP means work in Progress. and I like the idea of showing them, because I have lots of them.

This fabric house is for a birthday girl who had her birthday last month! I wanted to make something special. It took me ages to decide on this. And then there were a few errors that I fixed and then the "fear" of moving to a next step. So, there are many stops and starts.


Since this photo, I've sewed the sides that need sewing and have 3 of 5 buttons covered. Then I need to put the doors and windows on with felt and finish the felted person to go with the felted stones and oh, some crochet flowers. Yep, a work in progress alright.
The house tutorial can be found here and also in the One Yard Wonder book. The tutorial on the web is a little more elaborate in some areas. but the book has a better way of how to cut the side panels out. Wish i had read both. It would have covered my mistakes. Now I know. And you know, I always look forward to making something the 2nd time to iron out mistakes.

So here is something I whipped up for an adult birthday today.

I actually cut it out around 3 am this morning! I fell asleep with the kids again. By 1:30, I was awake! I cut everything out and tried to sew a line, but it was too noisy in a quiet, still house. So I did it this afternoon. I replenished my zipper supply, so bring it on!


have a great weekend,
Amanda

Zippy Winners!

Well, that was kind of anti-climatic. LOL I was excited about finding out where my readers were from, as I noticed there are some new ones, but ya didn't comment! did I scare ya away?
Anyho, My daughter picked out 2 names (proudly and wanted to pick more until she got her own). So the winners are:

Thanks to those who commented and thanks to all my readers. Without you, this would just be a big cyber memory book!

On with today's show....
Zippy Wallets from Anna at
Noodlehead She has an awesome tutorial. And I solved my mystery problem with the zippers on another of her tutorials. Now I feel confident with zippered pouches.


These are so addictive, you'll make more than one. Get your stash of zippers and snaps ready. I need more zippers already.

And a flash of the inside

Look at the size of them. too cute. Big enough for your gym card, a few coins and some keys. I cut and prepared little side tabs to put key rings on them for each one. But I forgot to sew it in, every. single. time! Neve already claimed the music one, so I'll have to replenish.


i took some pics of my other pom pom skirts, but am not overly happy with them. I'll try and take a few more. And I'm working on another project I hope to show you soon.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

felted nest and eggs

I've seen a few eggs being felted on blogs, so we had another wet felting day.

The nest was also wet felted and laid on top of stemless wineglass to get the shape. When it dried, it still wasn't what I was looking for, so I needle felted it around a styrofoam ball to get a bigger curve.




I also felted a few more rocks while the things were out. I'll show that once I finish my needle felted mini doll. I should call her something in reference to the Olympics, as I was making it while watching the closing ceremonies.

Don't forget to enter my 500th post giveaway int he post below!

Thanks for looking,
Amanda