Blue alien in an orange spaceship

Last summer, I made a bunch of these little felties for wee friends.
One little boy has been patiently waiting for the spaceship to go with it. Last week, i got down to business and made one.

I left the opening at the top for the alien to get in. It has to be fairly wide to fit his head in.

Since I didn't have an alien to judge the size of spaceship, I had to make a new alien. Ol' bluey.

Now they will have to go in the mail. I forgot to bring the gift with me. Boo Hiss.


have a good one,
Amanda

some books

Some new books from the library for inspiration

I love this button calendar. that would take a bit of time and patience, but I can imagine some extra buttons with a bday cake on it or other holiday buttons.

I like the shape of this mobile. Worth a go for newborns.

This book has some fun things. But boy, would it take some time to make. All. Hand. Sewn.

I was trying to figure out how to cheat on some things, but nope, hand sewing would be better.



Yep, the library is great to check out some inspiration without committing to buying.
These days, I'm all about the quest for inspiration and a little short on actual doing. Maybe if I cleaned my room of the mountain of sweaters?
Ciao,
Amanda

cat puppet

Last fall, I made this

for a birthday present for a 1 year old. (Pattern from Betz White's Warm Fuzzies)
I've decided that it will be THE gift for 1 year olds. I seem to have a few of them in my life these days.
This one's for Caleb...A cool cat who started walking at 9 months! 9 Months! The third child. This little bitty thing, walking/teetering/falling/getting back up and going on again, 9 months. Too little to see if you weren't looking down! Bless his mama. My nerves would be shot! :}

Ahhh, look at that stitching and the fibres of the wool. Isn't it bea.u.ti.ful? It makes me feel calm. You too? Or am I just weird? ( please don't answer if you're one of my non-crafting friends who's eyes glaze over when asked about my new sewing machine! lol)

I made the tongue from 2 pieces of 100% wool felt. I sewed them together in a tongue shape, then cut it out from the rectangle.

He's a happenin' dude doncha think?


Next time, I'll show you the cool pink doggie from the same book.
Ciao,
Amanda

little felties

On this vacation, I only took my felt with me, thinking of making gnomes and some hair clips. While out shopping with my mom, (how nice was that!) I found the book "Felties" by Nelly Pailloux. I had taken this book from the library once, but wasn't in the frame of mind to make wee things. Well, when you only have felt and restless kids, you give them the book and promise to make whatever their heart desires from it.
My friend's son chose the green alien. I made a red one for his brother. You can see it in the final photo.

My son chose the Panda as his 1st request. there is a long list.

My daughter about fell out of the seat when she saw this mouse, so she had to have it.

And another little girl wanted a red lion with blue hair. I like her "thinking out of the box"

These were easy and fun to make. I'm sure I'll be making more to round out their collection. I put lavender in the mouse. It smells so great. I heard them all playing with their softie friends in some other realm, pandas in space and the lion coming to save them all. It was fun to listen to and they were all so proud. When I presented each finished piece to the owner (and they would wait close to me, watching their creation come to life) I would say the following:
"I have made this especially for you to your colours and animal choices. Will you love it? Will you be careful with it? Will you respect it? Will you think of me when you play with it? Will you cry when you lose it?" Of course, all the answers in a row were yes, then the last question always made them stop to think about it! It was funny.

If you get a chance to look at the book, it will make you smile!
Cheers,
Amanda

book purchase

Well howdy!
Welcome back after the big few days. I'm finally staying close to home and beginning to relax.
But not before dashing out to Chapters to buy a few books with well intended Christmas money!

Here's what I bought after sitting on the floor of the book store for about an hour...
Sewing for Children
by Emma Hardy
Great little projects for boys and girls with a varied menu from softies, books, bags, dressing up time and fashion fun. They show kids sewing the projects themselves, but I'm looking forward to playing with the patterns myself. There is a template section in the back. Some items are to size and some need to be enlarged. this used to bother me, but I know how to work the scanner and print the appropriate size now. whew/.

Another purchase I've been eyeing for some time now
Craft Hope
I'm going to sit with this one in a quiet place with some hot beverage. So much to see, read and blogs to look up. yep, a treasure to be had for sure.

And the last book
Weave
Why buy a weaving book? Well, I did buy a like thistable loom a few months ago from Craigslist. It was $25 and when I looked it up, it costs $250 today! Even though I don't intend to start this venture soon, I had to have it for when my mind is ready. And for only $25 i couldn't resist. The book is very thorough. just the language and terminology is astounding. I can see myself doing this, but not right now. When i am ready, I'll have it. And I can buy the threads from Gemini Fibers. hooray.

So there you have it. My craft book purchase for the end of this year. Oh, I also got this great cookbook
Michael Smith, Chef at home he's a chef in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I love his show and easy approach to cooking. A little easy on the eyes too. :}

Sorry for all the links instead of photos. I'm not into taking photos in the dark or bad lighting in my house. It could be a long winter.

Have a good one,
Amanda

it's a what????!!!!!

Remember this little fella from the More Softies book?

Well, here's my version.


I have to tell ya, it was kinda ify while I was making it. No one saw it as an elephant. The best one was my son who guessed a flamingo after i sewed the body together. It wasn't until the eyes that they got it.

But I don't care. It's going in my gift pile for some lucky kid who can love him as much as I do. lol


thanks for looking,
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

oh Mr. Fox, where have you been?

I've been working on this guy for a few days.

I know, he looks like a mouse! But he's a fox. I hope I don't give him some identity crisis. We'll just have to see what his new owner thinks he is and I'll go with that.
Is he a bad fox/mouse?


I got to use buttons with this one. Makes the eye thing a whole lot easier. The movable arms and monogramed heart. I wish I could have had him a little longer.


Here's a look at how long his legs are and how tiny he is....


Too big to sit in the plant.


Sorry for the flash photos. It's a dull day and he had to go to a birthday party.

Mr. Fox/mouse is from the book, "Sew me, Love me"

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

brave little lion

Remember this??


here's a work in progress...


He needs eyes.. I can't figure what to do with the eyes.... I don't want to use buttons as it's for a little boy. Maybe some felt circles with an X? just embroider some? have to play around a bit, but my mind is stuck.


It's also stuck on how to sew the arms on. I have to read the front of the book again (Sew Me, Love Me) and get a doll needle.


look at the little tail. I love the knot on top.

So there you have it.. a work in progress..
thanks for looking,
Amanda

Everywhere Tote

Here is the Everywhere tote found in Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross...

I love this tote, It is HUGE! I made one prior to this for myself as a gym bag. I put my sewing machine in it to take to the shop. There were no bits sticking out. HUGE I tell ya, HUGE!
I'm having a little trouble with the side bindings. I'm not sure I like the way they tell you. I tried it differently the 2nd time and think the 3rd adaptation will work for me. (I hope)

Here is the matching wristlet I got from Two Peas in a Pod Designs


Another great thing about this Weekend Sewing book... the patterns are in it!! You need to trace them on tissue paper, but they are there! Instant gratification. A lot easier than having to enlarge the pattern on a photocopier. I'm trying to make the guest slippers too, but put them aside for the moment.

Here's the pair...


I think I'll put the odd strip of fabric on the 4th panel instead of the middle in the wristlet. Too symmetrical for me.
Fabric is from Ikea. Sadly, they don't have it here anymore. Can't wait for a new batch to come out... soon I hope....

thanks for looking,
Amanda

sewing books

here is my great haul on sewing books I got for christmas....


Some sewing, felting and animals. Not bad eh? I must have been a good girlie. Thanks mom. Thanks DH.

Off to sew......