Basket Case

I was told making rope baskets was easy - and it was!

This washing line rope was only a couple of pound. I chose green thread so the basket would link to the decor in either the kitchen or living room. I zigzagged a fold then starting steadily round and round.

Once I had enough for my base i started to lean the basket in towards the machine to build up the sides.

I needed to go over some areas where my stitches slipped and where my bobbin ran out - but i think this adds to the texture of the bowl.

Overall I'm really pleased - the rope was 15m long so I think I need several bits and join them together to make larger bowls.

Sophie really likes it too!

DIY Kristoff Costume

“So he's a bit of a fixer upper, but this we're certain of; you can fix this fixer upper up with a little bit of love!”

―The Trolls to Anna about Kristoff

So what do you wear to a Frozen fancy dress party when you're a boy? Hans is the baddie, Olaf is not for big boys, the reindeer is not an option (for many reasons), so that just leaves the obvious - Kristoff!

 The costume was simple enough - a tunic with a sash. Even better - all the materials cost about £10!

I started by buying a pair of men's XXL jogging bottoms (from Primark for £5) and faux fur and ribbon from our local fabric shop. I folded one of Finn's tops in half length ways then drew round it - omitting the arms. I then extended the line another 20 cm slopping outwards. I made a simple sleeve pattern and a collar piece.

 

Using the jogger's leg seam, I placed the body pattern piece on the fold. The front and back were the same I just added a 'V' shape to the front. I sewed together the shoulder seams, then added the sleeves before sewing up the sides and sleeve lengths. Then I added the collar section (I needed to re-draw my pattern piece to make it fit properly), all seams were overlocked to neaten.

Next I added the ribbon. I first sewed the purple thinner ribbon onto the red. I started with the shoulders, tucking the raw edge under. Next I added the section around the collar and neck. 

Along the bottom I drew and trimmed the curved cut away section. I cut strips of faux fur approximately 8 cm wide, folded them in half and sewed these to the bottom edge, sleeve edges and neckline.

Finally I made a sash by folding a length of red fabric and adding ribbon. Worn with grey skinny jeans and a long sleeve top - I think it's turned out pretty good.

Burns Night Dress

Our family routes have Scottish connections and our family name allows us to wear a number of tartans and so with a piece of this lovely red tartan I started to plan what to make. I've been trying to choose an Oliver + S pattern for ages but finally settled on their Playtime Dress.

The wool is a little scratchy but with in this cold weather a long sleeve top and leggings are perfect underneath. Sophie loves twirling like a 'princess'.

I made covered buttons so not to distract form the bold pattern.

Paint Experiments

What to do with the kids on a cold winter Sunday? Luckily this wonderful Tinkerlab book had some great suggestions which lead to a morning of paint experiments!

 

We settled on some painting experiments. After a little preparation we were ready.

 First we looked at different ways to make paintings. We started off with an old milk bottle with some holes in the lid, hung from a stick with string. After getting the consistency of the paint right with a little extra water we had it dripping and splatting in great patterns.

Next Sophie and Finn experimented with toy cars, loo rolls, string, balls, and other toys.

Our next experiment was monoprinting. Finn and Sophie had a baking tray each which we coated with paint before using cotton buds to draw our pictures and patterns.

We soon worked out that a thinner layer of paint was better and using our big brushes to spread it evenly worked best.

Great fun and we may even frame a couple!

New Baby Bunting

A surprise commission was a welcome distraction to beat those January blues. I decided to use some lovely blue and red floral fabrics for the double sided bunting. The red felt letters and red binding were the perfect pop of colour.

 All wrapped up in pretty paper and red velvet ribbon.

Oompa Lumpa Dungarees

Sophie does seem to be getting more than her fair share of projects lately. But when my brother was throwing out some old and jeans I knew I could squeeze a pair of dungarees out of them!

 

Using a tired and tested pattern I've made these with some colourful cheesecloth type fabric as the liner. She does look at little like an Oompa Lumpa but at 2 its look she can carry off!

Super Sophie

The kids are finally at that stage of enjoying dressing up - thank goodness as I love making them costumes!

Super Sophie is the latest...

As you can see a superhero is difficult to photograph - too busy saving the planet!