A Felted Fox

So things have been a little quiet around here...well, quiet on the creative front unfortunately.

But I'm not going to dwell on that...life is busy...

Today, though, I got to make - yay!
I really wanted to make a softie of some sort, and at first I thought 'monster' but I soon came to the decision to turn my fox screen print design into one instead.

And I'm so happy I did...

She's a mixture of felted wool, two different fluffy type fabrics and a chevron patterned cotton, and she measures about 33cm tall, so could also be used as a cushion-type accent.

It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, ignoring the housework and listening to 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack.
Must try and do it again sometime soon!

xxx

Mmmm...Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Just thought I'd share a recipe that my family love, either as a weekend breakfast/lunch or a dessert...

and it's not too naughty either...

Makes approximately 16 pancakes (around 12-15cm across)

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon bi-carb soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/3 cup caster sugar
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 apple, peeled and grated
25g butter, melted
Vanilla yoghurt
Blueberries

Method
1. Sift flour and bi-carb soda into a bowl. Stir in cinnamon and caster sugar. Make a well in centre.
2. Whisk buttermilk, vanilla and egg together in a jug.
3. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine.
4. Add apple and stir until just combined.
5. Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat and brush with butter.
6. Spoon mixture into pan, until preferable size. Cook until bubbles appear on surface, turn and cook for a further few minutes. Continue process until all mixture used up.
7. Top pancakes with yoghurt and blueberries and serve.

Original recipe from Taste.com.au (two edits - I used just cinnamon, instead of cinnamon sugar and I've found using any apple still tastes fine, which is why I didn't specify an apple type in the ingredients listing.)


Happy baking!
xx

A cushion or two

A few days off in a row = time to create - yay!

First project - new cushions for the couch..

(I recycle old men's shirts for the backs of my cushions - quick and has a professional looking button-up finish without all the work!)

I also thought it was finally time to put one of my screenprinted cushion designs onto my couch...

Now I'm happy with my cushions but it may be time for a new couch ;-)

xxx

Mixing it Up

Along with  my crochet projects, I have managed to play, just a little bit, with my screen printing designs.

I had this idea in my head for a few weeks, and I finally got to give it a shot, in real life..

Mixing up my superbot guy with a chevron print...

I must say, I'm pretty happy with the result and it's printed on a light blue linen, which is a nice change from white. I've got a couple to print off in aqua and silver too.
This one will be on it's way to the shop very soon!

Back tomorrow with ripple progress!
xx

Just keep rippling...

21 rows complete!
Into the third pattern repeat and loving the colours still.

And this cooler weather is definitely 'crochet encouraging', don't you think? ;-)

xxx

The Ripple Effect

I'm into week 2 of the 'ripple along' with Melissa, and things are progressing nicely...

I've got the hang of the pattern completely...
I'm happy with the colour selection...
And I'm managing to find some time, most days, to work on it...

So all is good here!
And I've been blog surfing some of the other lovely participants and seeing their progress - so inspiring!

Just to mention a couple...
Loving the colours that Anna has chosen,
Some beautiful crochet projects shared by Sonia,
and
Anissa is using black between each of her colours and it looks fab!

In other crafty news, I pulled out my screen and inks today and had a play. Will be back to share my latest creation soon.

xx

Rippling along..

It's been a good week in crochet.

My ripple blanket is 5 rows in, and I now feel confident in the pattern, and happy with the results.

Looking at my colour choices though, I felt something was missing - a colour that would make the blanket pop - so I've added one more in...

Chartreuse green! I was looking at apple green but loved the chartreuse mixed with the teals and blues.

I also think I've decided on my pattern, or order of colours/rows.

I'm going with :
4 rows - 1st colour
3 rows - 2nd colour
2 rows - 3rd colour
1 row - 4th colour
4 rows - 5th colour
3 rows - 1st colour
and so on...

What project have you got going on?
xxxx

Creative Space : Custom

It's really nice to get custom requests.
I was able to nearly knock three things off this week, from my orders list.

One was this tote bag...

All finished and delivered and one very happy customer - yay!

Another was this 'Red Riding Hood' design...just waiting on a final fabric selection for the back and then it will be complete!

What's been going on in your creative space this week? Linking up over here.

xxx

Ripple-Along - New Crochet Project

Ok, so I've uhmmed and aahed about joining in with this, but when it all comes down to it, I've wanted to make a ripple blanket for a long time, so this is just the thing I need to get me started.

Melissa, over at One Crafty Mumma, has started up a 'Ripple-along', and I think there are quite a few crafty ladies joining in.

And now I am one of them :-)

First thing : Colour choice...

Next up : Pattern...
I've decided I like the look of the chevron blanket over at 'The Royal Sisters' blog, so I've printed it off and have it all ready to go.

But there are lots of other options out there including Lucy's from Attic 24 and Pip's from Meet Me At Mikes.

So really, I'm all set now. I just have to start.
xxx

Tomorrow : Indie Market Place

This is where you'll find me (and my cushions and tees) and the beautiful art & card designs of Danielle from Curiouser on Sunday.

There's a promise of good coffee and even better stallholders - why not pop along and say 'hi'?

I might see you there ;-)
xxx

My Creative Space : Inspired to Crochet

It's coming to that time of year when it's just so nice to have some yarn to play with.

I'm working on one project at the moment, with another I'm starting very soon.

What am I working on at the moment, you ask? Boot cuffs!

They have a cute scalloped top edge (which is what you will see peeking out of the top of my knee high boots). I've just finished the first one, and will start the other one tonight.
I really want to make a charcoal grey pair, but maybe in a different style...hmm...not sure yet.

And as for inspiration, I am just in love with this magazine...

I picked up the second issue today (pictured above) and there are so many great projects in it, and I just love the photography and the styling....a great magazine! And it's a sister magazine to Mollie Makes, which is another favourite.

Do you have a favourite crafting magazine that you like to read?

Linking up with the lovely makers over at Creative Space.

xxx

Highs & Lows

Life has thrown me a terrific high and a most horrific low, all in the last 5 days.

The low : I lost my sweet cousin Brad on Friday. He was only 26.

The high : I got a new job, working 3 days a week for a private investigation firm, and I started on Monday.

Understandably, emotionally my head has had a lot to deal with, due to these vastly different events.
The best way I've found to cope, my way, is to keep busy....it seems to keep the tears at bay, as well as the stress. Strange, I know, but it works for me.

So I've been working, making, printing and working a bit more...

Do you have any specific coping mechanisms that work for you? Do you like some down time or like me, prefer to keep busy?

Oh, and I'll be back soon with our weekend's market details
xx

New Designs @ Curious Bazaar

Big news!

Curious Bazaar have launched an Etsy store, and my cushions & tote bags are available to buy now - yay! Exciting!

You can find these things...

plus more, over at the shop now.

More designs coming soon.....I'll give you a hint....superbot ;-)

xxx

Crafting Star Wars Style

With boys, it's always great to find crafty, quiet projects to do with them, that align with their interests.
It's no secret that in our house, sci-fi books and movies are almost part of our everyday.
So when a friend sent me a link to this craft book, I just had to have it..

And when I showed Jude - he just couldn't wait to get it open and pick out our first project to make.

And what was the one thing he just had to make as soon as possible?
The General Grievous finger puppet, of course!

 

Next project : The Washcloth Wampa (who is pretty cute) or the AT AT Herb Garden (I think our garden needs a little Star Wars touch ;-))

xxx