Christmas presents so far

Now I have no idea how this actually happened, but I've been roped into making quite a few christmas presents for my neices and nephews which will be coming from Santa.
My list so far is:

3 tutus
2 crayon rolls
4 sock monkeys
2 fairy wands

aswell as everything I am meant to be making for presents from me! (I cant list it here incase the recipients see but theres alot sob sob)

So far all I've managed to make is 1 tutu and 1 crayon roll.

I went for the easy option of no sew tutus - this one is for a 3 year old - short and poofy rather than long and floaty

The side looks like its sticking out weirdly but I swear its not! Its just my bad camera skills!

I just did a quick google of no sew tutus - loads of tutorials come up so take your pick! They are so easy, quick and cheap to make (and will look quite large wrapped under the tree of course lol)

I've also made

Baby Knitting

Well I'm now 26 weeks pregnant with my first little boy and thought it was about time I crafted for him. I've made this blanket before for my neice and was really pleased with how it came out so I of course had to make it for myself!

Our camera is still out of action so once again, apologies for the awful photo! (also ignore the packet of Cadburys snow bites which snuck in the picture!) It just needs a run through the wash and a reshape and it will be finished! A bit more interesting than the pastel colours that all shops seem to insist on babies being covered in anyway.

Then I made this!

It looks neater in real life I swear! I just hope it fits because it is too cute not to use. If its too small it will just have to become a teddy bear's hat for the nursery.

Now onto the next thing...which should probably be christmas crafting, not long to go!

Felt christmas tree decorations

I finally got round to carrying on with some child friendly christmas tree decorations. I went for the easy route - felt! no fraying, easy to sew, simple

Knitted bag for OH's gran

On Monday, my darling Oh announced it was his Gran's birthday on Friday. Well we had of course not bought her a present, had no idea what we could nip out and get so I decided to knit her a bag! She is always admiring the one I made myself (here) , I had black wool in my stash so I made her this

Girls textured flower scarf - free pattern!

A few weeks ago my 6 year old neice mentioned to my sister that we never make anything for her, only the younger children - bring on the mega guilt from Aunty Mauv!! Well her birthday is coming up and after a failed attempt at making some mittens (ended up being the worlds longest, thinnest, pointiest mitten...) I decided to make a scarf instead. I just made it up as I went along, luckily I wrote it down so I can now share my first ever pattern with you!

Posting for motivation!

I have something embarrassing to admit. I bought a latch hook rug kit about 4 years ago intending it to be a gift for my nephew. Well he is now 5, in school and no longer wants a Winnie the Pooh rug in his room!

Cold wintery day - eugh

Well what has happened to the weather??? Its like the middle of winter already, cold, dark and raining, so definately a soup day!

Here are todays makes! Now I'm pretty rubbish at making bread so the rolls look a bit...odd, but they tasted gorgeous!

Sweet potato and lentil soup

Its nearly Christmas!!!

Ok I know I will scare most of you by saying that, but theres really not much longer to go, especially if you plan to craft quite a few presents like I do. This year my sister, her husband and their four children are coming to stay with me and my partner! YAYY!!!

Now this means there will have to be slight modifications to our usual decor... Most of our christmas tree baubles are very delicate glass - not child friendly and certainly not baby friendly (I'm planning for next year with a 10 month old baby of our own! argh scary thought!!)
I dont have any close up pictures of my beautiful baubles but here is a pic of our tree from last year...just pretend the half dead plant isnt there...

 Its a pretty rubbish fake tree (this year we're getting a real one! mmm I can smell it already!)

Completed knitting projects!

Well I finally got round to posting these! Both were for presents, one for my neice's first birthday and the other for my sisters birthday.

I'll start with the cardigan I made for my 1 year old neice. I fell in love with this pattern from naturalcanon.com . Once again a free pattern (you might have noticed a theme with my craft by now...its all free! ) and I had to make it.

I'm back!!

Well its been a while since I posted, I've completely neglected my poor blog and craft over the last few months but I promise I do have a good reason!
Sickness and tiredness destroyed my will to craft but I dont actually mind because

Ta da!! Its a baby!!

Currently 17 weeks pregnant so nearly half way, morning sickness (well all day sickness) still lingers on but its not every day anymore which is wonderful!

Anyway I'll be back to crafting from now on I promise. Have a few knitting projects I finished that I will post up this afternoon. I've also started my first ever quilt!

I'm starting to think of my christmas crafting and of course baby craft! Eeee so excited!

Owl Doorstop

Since moving into this house, we've realised that none of the floors are actually level. Considering it was built in 1771 thats not suprising really but the only problem we've found is the doors open on their own!

The first present for my christmas box!

Its June 1st tomorrow - NEARLY CHRISTMAS! Ok I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I thought it was about time I started my christmas presents!

This will be part of my youngest neices present (will be 16 months at christmas) Its a Russian doll if you couldnt tell - obviously adjusted the colours a bit to use my scraps up!

Its knit flat and is really quick to make, I might actually make the other two sizes of the pattern to make the full set. I just think its so cute! This is the pattern I used -  Ravelry download link so if you have some scraps that need using, give it a go!

25p Shawl

A few months ago my Gran sent me some wool she bought in a charity shop for 5p per ball! I didnt particularly like the wool so its just been stored, UNTIL NOW! Due to summer disappearing (in fact its more like winter,we've had to put the central heating on - in May!) I decided to make myself a shawl just to put over my shoulders while reading, knitting etc. As I'm not planning on wearing it outside the house then I dont really care what it looks like so the 5p wool was perfect!
I decided on the Textured shawl recipe I found on Ravelry -  clicky this is what I ended up with

Now its finished, I actually really like it! It was so quick to knit, I just picked it up in the evenings, doing a few rows at a time and it only took two weeks. If you were to knit it in one go it would take a few days max. Most importantly, it only cost 25p!! BARGAIN!! I will now be scouring charity shops for more woolly bargains!

Cheapo vase turned to vase of beauty!

I have decided my house is too empty. It just doesnt look cosy anymore, especially the bedroom. None of the furniture matches ..well everything matches apart from the built in wardrobes which are this horrendous pine (we're renting so we cant do anything about them I'm afraid) so I'm on a mission to make the bedroom feel a bit warmer and homely! I will at some point be getting new curtains, bedding and a rug but for now I'll focus on accesories!

Simple hairclips

I've recently decided, after years of tying it back everyday, I love my hair! (well the ghds help alot) and I've been on the lookout for some cute hairclips to prevent the whole hair stuck in lipgloss look (seriously, why does no-one else seem to get it? I step out the door and WOOSH hair stuck on my face)

Another knitted dress

Well I PROMISE I'm working on something new at the moment but for now I'll add this dress I made for my second youngest neice. Half knitted, half sewn its SO CUTE! I've asked for an action shot but my sister is not the quickest person in the world lol

I seem to only have a photo of the back! The front is the same but without the buttons anyway. It really is a rubbish photo (moving house ate up my camera fund so I'll have to live with this rubbishy one for a bit longer)
I'll harrass my sister until she takes a new photo lol

The pattern is here (the English translation is below the picture!) if you want to try. I will be making more at some point for my neices because they look so cute on! 



Knitting over the last few weeks

Well I'm in the new house! Boxes everywhere but once everythings sorted it should look great!
Thought I'd post up a few of the knitting projects I've done in my time away starting with my first project from the superstar kntting stitch and bitch book by Debbie Stoller

This one is for my youngest neice, made using some random wool stash! I know its eye bleedingly bright, but for around the house its fine! My sister seemed to like it anyway. I really enjoyed making this, I've never done colour work using slipstitch before and its really fun. Now I'm on the lookout for more patterns like this of course!

Where did the last month go??

Well here I am, a month later and I havent posted anything! ARGHHHH but fear not, I am moving house TOMORROW! So of course I will need to craft to make it feel homely! So give me a week or so to unpack and I will be back! I have a few knitting projects I'll post up next week so check back then!

The sun has got his hat on!

Well something very strange happened this weekend (well for Britain anyway) THE SUN CAME OUT! Its actually hot enough to sit in the garden without 5 layers of clothes on!
So I did what any self respecting, sun deprived British person does on these rare occasions...

BBQ!

Now in my excitement I obviously forgot to take any pictures of anything actually cooking but nevermind...

Cafetiere cosy

Recently me and my partner have been making coffee every Saturday morning and sitting by the table to drink it. A very nice routine, even if I do say so myself, however the cafetiere was looking a bit boring. Then I remembered one I'd seen in one of my beloved Tilda books, Sew Pretty Homestyle and this was born!

Lack of craft!

Well my aim is to update this blog at least twice a week, but last week I didnt post anything! Life got in the way of crafting, I hate it when that happens. I'm working on something now, which will hopefully be up later this evening!

Of course, its not just life, its this monster keeping me awake at night! (Please ignore the chair, its my project for when the weather gets a bit nicer!)

Finally finished the desk

Last year my sister kindly gave me this desk she didnt want anymore

Its a lovely desk, but really didnt match anything else in my house. It sat in my spare room for months until I found the perfect paint reduced to £3 per tin! BARGAIN!!!
So we sanded, and painted, and painted again (one coat?? sure...the paint lied to us lol) and we ended up with this

I love it. At the moment its still in our spare room. When we eventually find a new house (seriously, where have all the nice rental houses gone??) I'm hoping I'll find a home for it thats more visible.

Granny square crazy!

If you have read the rest of my blog, you may remember the foot stool I made and recovered

Now I do like it, but I dont know, it seemed a bit boring for me! So one weekend and my Sex and the City boxset later

I made this! It will eventually match the granny square throw I'm making (which I'm hoping to finish by the end of the week) and it cheers me up everytime I walk in the living room now its so bright, doesnt match anything else in the room, but thats fine. I'm not one to match everything. My sofa is blue, I have a multicoloured rug and a brown and pink stripe rug in here, green vase, a gravy boat my cat drinks out of (dont ask)...the list goes on!

Tent like top to summery skirt

Ok, so this was such an easy recon I'm quite embarrased to post it! Last summer I found this top in the sale for £5.

Scrap problem..

Well it has come to my attention that I have a slight problem..with scraps! I just cant throw them away! As I was sorting out (one of) my craft cupboards I found this

All scraps, various sizes, material etc etc, I just cant think what to use them for! So I've set myself a challenge -  I WILL make at least one project a week with my scraps! I just have to think of some ideas now...

What am I knitting now??

I feel like I'm neglecting my first crafting love, knitting. I usually have a knitting project on the go but recently I've turned to other crafts. Well this weekend I picked up my knitting needles and started to make myself a new black cardigan! I've never made myself an item of clothing before, plenty of baby clothes, scarves, bags etc etc but nothing for me!

Birthday Cheescake!

It has taken 7 years of us being together, but my Fiancee finally made me a birthday cake! Its a baked chocolate cheesecake and is (well was...) absolutely gorgeous. Of course this means I have blown my diet completely but nevermind, back to the rice cakes tomorrow..sigh

I built a foot stool!!!

Picture the scene, me and my fiancee sitting on our sofa, his feet..ON THE COFFEE TABLE!! Well it drives me mad anyway, not only the fact that they are on there, but also that he pulls the coffee table so close to the sofa I can't move! Well not anymore!

Woolly Earrings!

In my quest for a decluttered house I found these plain black hoop earrings which have seen better days. Now I'm guessing I must have bought these quite a few years ago when I was going through my 'goth' phase but these really are not my style anymore, so I turn them into... THESE!

Much better! I just wrapped wool around the earrings dabbing a bit of glue on every so often to make sure the wool didnt slip and added a bead! You have probably noticed the little bit of black at the top I left unwrapped, this was because the wool was really tickling my ear!  That is the back of the earring so when its on, you cant see it!

Shopping!!

Well for my birthday this year, my gorgeous Fiancee took me on a trip to Hobbycraft, gave me a basket and said buy whatever you want. For years I have been admiring the lovely sewing boxes they have there (I was using a massive plain white Johnsons baby box to keep my sewing supplies together, does the job but its really ugly!) Sooo along with loads of wool, knitting needles, new pins and little bits like that, I chose this beauty!

Rolled flower cushion cover

I know these fabric flowers have been done to death on blogs before, but I have never made one before! So I gathered my scraps (in this case an old skirt and a sheet) and set about making myself a new cushion cover. I really like it and by some coincidence (or I like to pretend it was planned) the colours match my living room curtains perfectly! I wish I had an amazing vintage chair to show this off but all I have is my sofa, until I find a bargain chair to recover that is!

Unflattering black top to gorgeous Cardi!

I bought this top about two years ago because I like the sleeves (yes I know, a bad reason to buy a top!) but I really dont suit round neck tops and it made me look about 20 pounds heavier than I actually am. (Sorry about the rubbish photos in this post, my camera has officially died!)
So a bit of cutting and sewing and this is what I ended up with!

This is a close up of the pockets which you cant see in the rubbish photo above! The buttons are covered in the same fabric as the pockets

I'm really pleased with it, (I swear its alot nicer than the photos show! I'll add more when I sort the camera out)

Scraps blanket

In my quest for a decluttered house, I discovered that for some reason, I have ended up with a load of pink, purple and green wool scraps. So not wanting to waste them, I am making myself a granny square crochet blanket! I have wanted one for years but never got round to making one. It will take me months to finish but I'll post it here to keep myself motivated..and now I've posted it, I have to finish it lol

Six squares done so far! (I know theres only four here but I couldnt fit the other two in the picture) I have no idea how big it will end up so it will either be a throw for the sofa or the bed!

Vintage suitcase photo storage

Just a quick post today! I found this vintage suitcase in my sister's attic which was dying to be revamped

I wish there was smell-a-vision on blogs because this thing was seriously whiffy. First thing to do was hammer it back into shape so it would shut properly..which would have been easy if I had been able to find the hammer, so I ended up using a shoe! Then I set about stripping all the previous lining out and this was the best I could do. I dont know how the previous person (probably my gran) stuck it in but it would not budge!

Alot of cleaning, mod podge and a roll of ikea wrapping paper later and this is my finished suitcase!

Its not shiny in real life, the flash reflected quite badly, but overall I'm really pleased with it! I havent done anything to the outside apart from clean it (and there was alot of dirt on there, my hands were black when I finished!) but I like the worn look. Now my photos have a nice new home, much better than a battered old cardboard box and alot more compact aswell! More decluttering done!

Mauv

My Cat

I was just working on a new post, uploaded some new pictures and found this on the camera, I don't even remember taking this!
So I'd like to introduce my cat Hugo. He will inevitably pop up from time to time, usually lying on whatever I'm trying to do (his favourite place is on fabric I'm about to cut)

See how impressed he is with my shoes! Lol

New Shoes!!

Ok so technically they're not new shoes but I love them anyway! I've been trying to declutter and while sorting my wardrobe, I found these two pairs of 'emergency' shoes (bought when I was wearing heels in work and my feet were about to fall off!) that I never wear anymore. Of course I had to modify them slightly because I hate plain shoes!

So this is what I started with:

One pair boring plain shoes (£4 in Primark)

1 Strip Material 6.75 inch x 2 inch

1 Strip Material 5.25 inch x 1 inch

Small scrap material (not pictured)

The material I used for the bow was actually part of an old handbag (yes my decluttering is going well!) Because they are shoes, you really want something thats quite sturdy and weather proof and also wont fray! Mine was some kind of fake leather.

1. Starting with the smaller strip of material sew edges together to make a cuff (sew right sides together so it will lay flat on the shoe) Turn it the right way round with the seam in the middle. Repeat for the larger strip

2. Take the smaller cuff and with the seam facing down, pinch the middle together to make a rough bow shape. Put a few stitches through to hold it in place, its easier if you wrap the thread around the middle just to keep it tight.

3. Place the larger cuff seam down on your work surface and position the smaller bow on top in the centre

4. You might need a pair of pliers on the next section just to get the needle through. Pinch the larger cuff together as you did for the first bow, holding the smaller bow in place as you do. Its hard to describe, this picture probably shows it better. Sew through the middle quite a few times, pulling it quite tight.
5. Well I completely forgot to take a picture of the next step but its pretty self explanatory. Cut a thin stip of material and sew it right around the middle of your bow, just to hide the stitches. Attach to your shoe and you're done!

The black flower shoes used the same material as the bows and I followed this tutorial for the flowers, attaching some fake pearls from a broken necklace I had laying around!