ballerina clothes peg

Howdy!
Here's is the latest in my design of clothes peg people. You can see the others here
I present... the ballerina(s)!

Here she is with her hair in a bun...

in her hot pink tulle tutu

Her criss cross in the back leotard..

And her pointe shoes.

They come in brown hair

or blonde

Maybe they'll get invited to a dance!


I hope those pirates are light on their feet and have good manners!

Cheers,
Amanda

Ogee ornament in many styles

Hello folks!
It's been a while. I've been in a little creative funk. Well, i've been trying some things, but not so successful yet. I think instead of a funk, it's a process of trying and experimenting. So, not much to show.
Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I made these ogee ornaments from felt and heat embossed overhead projector paper. (what's that called again?)

I first got the idea from Betz White a few years ago. Check out her post. It is a most excellent tutorial.

But it was before I delved into the world of good felt. Here's my original post here

This time, I also used Stampin' Up! stamps and heat embossed on the transparency. (there, I remembered). Here's the music one.

And here is the french script one.

I originally wanted to used eyelets to join them together, but I couldn't fit my crop-a-dile in the littlest spot, so I used brads instead.

I experimented with the stitching on the felt ones to make it decorative.

A few french knots. Love french knots.

These beads came from my uncle's stash. He used to make very ornate jester stockings for Christmas with silks and velvet and these beads on the tips. Gorgeous. I claimed the beads from his stash. Looking forward to using these up.

And here they are, swaying in the breeze.


thanks for looking!
Amanda

treasures at madrinha's

We got to visit Dh's godmother this weekend. There is always something to be learned, good food to be et, and hand crafted treasures to be looked at.
Here is a typical Portuguese style embroidered bag. it is just so bright, consistent and beautiful.

notice the inside of the heart? You achieve that effect by separating the threads in the weave of the linen and sewing them in this pattern. You don't cut any threads, as it would compromise the fabric. Instead, you pull them to create the holes. Incredible. I'm still in awe of it.

And here is a little hanging that was on the wall. I love the details from the direction of the threads to get the creases in the clothes to the french knots in the boy's top to add texture. I could look at this all day.

you can click on the pictures for a larger, somewhat blurrier view.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you've had enough Turkey! I had 2 lots and looking forward to my hot turkey sandwich with gravy and fries tonight!


Gobble, gobble,
Amanda

Teapot Bunting

This was whipped up for a little party decoration. It was a tea party, hence, the teapot.

I searched for a teapot on Google image and pasted it into InDesign. There may be other ways to enlarge it, but this was the easiest I could think of. Can't waste precious time trying to figure such things out when there is sewing to be done! The original teapot was more wide than tall, so I rotated it to be on the paper sideways and stretched it out. Just right for a triangle bunting.

Instead of cutting the triangles with my straight edged rotary cutter, I used a scalloped edge blade. Softens it up a bit.

The doilies came from Ikea. I knew I would find a use for them.


It was a warm, sunny day. 25 degrees Celsius. A gift really. It was enjoyed.

Cheers,
Amanda

He did it!

He did it! he did it! He got his 100 kilometer ribbon! He ran over 100K in the past month, just 4 days a week. he is so proud. I'm so proud. we are all so proud! But he's not willing to stop. There are 2 more running days and then he will be going to the area cross country meet. See, he got 15th place in the last area run..

there are only 7 kids from the school attending the next level. yep, so proud.
And check out his new hair!

I did finish up something yesterday. Just have to take pics. I've been cleaning my crap, I mean craft room. Long overdue. Maybe I'll be productive after it's done.
ciao,
Amanda

Hangin' or climbin'

Howdy all!
I've made nothing this week! Nothing. Well, I did make supper a few times this week, muffins, cookies, bread. So I guess I did make something, but there is not much left to show for it, but a bigger middle! :}
TO give you something to look at, I present Rafael, the tree climber.

Look in the middle of the tree. He's wearing blue.

Now look up. Waaaay up. Middle to the top....

Monkey to be sure.
He's not just a tree climber, he's a runner. They have Cross Country at school for a month. Every run around the block is a kilometer. Every kilometer, you get a stick. Every 10 sticks, you get a ribbon. Last year, his goal was 100. He made it to 60. We started late. This year, he was ready. We go 4 mornings a week. (I just started running 2-3 kilometers, 3 days a week with him or I should say, I run with Neve)
He runs an average of 4-5 per morning. Then there are 3 gym classes a week where he runs some more in the field. This boy has run over 10 K a day a few times in the last week. He is now at 75K and is so proud of his ribbons. He spent the evening lining up his ribbons from last year and the ribbons from this year on the floor. He only needs 25 more to get his 100! And there are 7 running days left! Plus, he is attending the area meet on Tuesday. I hope they count the 5 K for that! He will be over the moon to get his 100 ribbon. And I will too. He's worked so hard for it. Getting ready early in the morning to get there on time.
Bless him. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers,
Amanda

mittens mittens!

On Saturday, I kept sneaking to my very messy sewing room and happily made mittens. Yes, mittens. out of wool sweaters. On a most Awesome warm day of Autumn.

The pattern is from Warm Fuzzies from Betz White. I made a batch last year here I moved the thumb over a little towards the outside of the hand. It just sits a little better.

After a few scores of wool sweaters this summer, I just had to make something out of them.

I look forward to many more combinations of sweaters.

But not the cold days of winter!

Cheers,
Amanda

lego pouch

Happy Saturday! I just spent the morning, cleaning my kitchen/living room after hosting 4 extra sailors for the past week! let me say, it feels good to have a moment to do such.
Anyhow,
here's a quick pouch for a bday present. The kids like to take their lego mini figurines around with them. this way, they can hook it to their pants and off they go....

And in other good news....
I won the monthly blog giveaway at Soft Earth Art last month.

What a treasure to own something that was created lovingly by Marie. All of her work exudes magic.

And I just LOVE the acorns. Our acorns don't look like this.

That brings me to an idea or wish I've had for sometime now.... An acorn trade. Wouldn't it be cool to have some acorn tops from a different tree than grows in your neighbourhood? I've only found the one kind around here.
Anyhow, This wreath hangs inside where I can see it everyday. it makes me smile and warms my heart to think of it being created all the way from the other side of the world and traveling here.


Thanks Marie!

Amanda

wool felted acorns

When I put the acorn tops on the felted balls, it made me...
HAPPY!!!

And then to put them in tiny dishes...

HAPPIER!!!!

Does it make you happy!??!?!?!?!!


Have a good one.
Amanda

felt hairclips

Here's my latest style of hair clips
Felt flowers.

With different kinds of middles and stitching.

This one is my favorite!


Here are some of the clips I've done in the past..click here
Have a good one!
Amanda

Felted soap

I've been looking for a nice soap to make felted soap with. And at a reasonable price. I finally found some made of goat's milk and oatmeal. I love. it. i originally bought a bunch, tried one out and used them all up in the shower without felting them.

I found a supply again and set about to try it out.

After felting with brightly coloured wool and the dye coming out when used, I decided to go with the undyed grey wool and used a few accent colours.

To me, it looks so earthy.


To see my other ventures in wet felting soap go here

Have a good one,
Amanda