My (Bon Voyage) Creative Space

I work away from home - A LOT. My beautiful family come and stay with me sometimes - which is pure joy for me whilst they are there.

With all of this trekking up and down highways going on I have seen all manner of travelling luggage.

I got to thinking about the small peoples travelling luggage. We are not 'fans' of branded stuff here at our place which, made getting some 'kids' type luggage really tricky.

So, off to the "Op-Shop' I went.

We found some suitable sized suitcases (big enough for a four day trip & easy enough to 'play with').

I then found my stash of bed spreads and got cutting...... and gluing.

I love these cases now and so do the kids.

They will often 'pack' them and go travelling around the house and garden until they arrive at their desired destination....

Whilst not resolving the 'Mummy working away from home issue', at least the kids now have some seriously funky travelling gear.

Head over to Kirsty's to see what everyone has to show and tell today.

Cheers.

Re-Fashioned Crocheted Cardigan

Like many of you, I really like having the 'time' to go 'Op -Shopping' (which actually means..'not having the kids with me so I can peruse my wee heart out, without fear of one of them - or me, having a meltdown in the shop).

I spied it from across the room and knew that I must buy it.

A bright purple Crocheted Cardigan!

I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with a massive bright purple crocheted cardigan.

It was woollen and heavy. Someone made this! Someone took the time, passion and energy to make it. Someone who liked the colour purple and flowery perfume.*

After seeing so many re-fashioning posts on many blogs and enquiring as to how this was done I had a vague understanding of the 'you just start cutting & don't be scared approach'.

I knew eventually I would do something to it but, for now I was lacking the 'creative vision' that was required. I felt that I should at least have a plan for this fabulous purple creation given the energy it took an unknown person to make it.

Whilst I may have been (at this point) lacking 'creative vision', I wasn't lacking a washing machine, several tennis balls and pairs of thongs.

So, the massive bright purple crocheted cardigan was felted - it required two 'sessions' to get it done and then when I cut off the arms I realised they needed their own special extra 'session' in the felting machine, as they started to unravel!

I am still working away from home several days a week, and this week I decided it was time to do something to this cardigan ..

The arm holes were too tight now for me to wear as a cardigan so I cut them off.

After the felting process it was too short now so I cut the arms along the length and attached them to the bottom of the cardigan. I like the 'choppy chunky' look of the reverse seam along the base.

The centre buttons came off in the washing machine so I didn't need to think about those.

It was clear this was going to be a vest and I wanted the centre closed.

I took the section at the back - the bit that attached at the sides and drew in the waist at the back (so sorry, I clearly am lacking the correct term for this bit). Anyway I sewed that down the front to join the two sections together.

I removed the pocket 'flaps' as I figured it was looking fairly 'bulky' by now and did't want to add to it.

The back of the cardi'/vest was still quite plain and it wasn't fitting snuggly around my mid bits.

I could hear the wise words of women who have inspired and encouraged me to try re-fashioning and so, with heart in mouth I 'just had a go'.

Here is the end result. I think I like it although, it is a little odd but aren't we all!

Today it is getting a public wearing. I shall keep note of the odd looks I receive.

I am venturing off to work again today for several days and I have been given homework to complete in the vain attempt to improve my relationship with the sewing machine and actually - eventually create something that I can wear.

I'm hoping for an 'A'!

* I am sorry, I forgot to take a pre-felting and pre arm removal photograph.

Cheers

My (small girl's) Creative Space

My beautiful small girl has been watching me create 'stuff' for her entire four years now.

In the lead up to her birthday she requested a "sewing box with cottons and needles for sewing and we can do sewing and you can show me".

So as the fourth birthday approached we went out and found the sewing box of her choosing.

I then filled it with some tapestry wool of varying colours, some plastic 'needles', safety scissors and sequins (apparently they are very much needed by 4 yo girls, I am still not sure why).

Upon the first request to do some sewing I asked the small girl to draw what ever she liked on to a piece of felt, she drew her family.

Small girl, Mummy, small boy, the Mr and the dog*

Threading the needle... This proved a wee bit tricky for little fingers so I 'helped'.

SO with the drawing or 'outline' on the felt I set about with great enthusiasm showing her how to 'sew'.

Poke the needle in, push it through and pull the wool through....anyway you get the idea.

I notice my child's eyes have glazed over, a vacant stare revealing her disinterest, her mind taking her away on some other not so boring kind of adventure.... until she spies the pot of sequins....Shiny, coloured, sparkly teasing alluring sequins.

It was at this time she proceeded to lick them and stick them on her face, arms and legs...

There is now a daily requst to do some 'sewing', which naturally, involves playing with sequins.

I am sure I know who will be completing the 'family picture' for the small girl's first sewing adventure.

Head over to Kirsty's to see who else has some creative 'stuff' to show and tell.

Cheers.

* The dog (Graeme) is the six legged creature, second from the left.

By the way... the picture above is small girl "knitting"

Tea Set Luck

Quite a while ago now I stumbled across a great blog called Dragonfly Interiors I was lucky enough to find it on the day they were having a 'give away'.

'Uber' lucky as it turned out as, I won this oh so lovely tea set.

My daughter still thinks it it for her to 'play' with and can't quite understand why I say that "at this point it is mine to 'play' with".

Thanks again to both Karen and Patsy.

Head over to Karen's blog or web site to see the great items that she imports from both Vietnam and Thailand.

Items such as these and many many more.

With Karen's dragonfly obsession in mind I made her this.....

And Patsy will get this.....

and I clearly need a new 'chuck it in the bag handy camera as this wee one no longer will focus!

Have a great day.

Cheers.

*** Apologies for earlier posting without checking to see if it had all 'worked'...

My Creative Space - Formula Tin Toy

Gift giving always makes me feel good.

I feel even better when I have made the gift and I feel especially really good when I have made from re-cycled stuff.

For my Son's first Christmas I made him a toy.

I had noticed that he was getting to that "posting" stage of development e.g. putting things into holes, slots, DVD/CD players that don't naturally go there...

Christmas was fast approaching and still I had made nothing for him.

With the 'postings' in mind and bread in the video player, an idea found me.

I got a formula tin from my friend.

I got the older Sister to do some painting.

Inked and stamped their feet on to the dried painting.

Put a protective clear plastic self adhesive coating onto the painting and attached it to the tin.

I cut a circular hole in the lid.

Purchased a bag of wooden dolly pegs

And finally I advised the Mr that it would be a more meaningful gift for our Son if we were to both (be up late at night as the children slept dreaming of all things Christmas) be painting the pegs.

My Son has just had his second birthday, he still loves this toy as does our daughter. It gave him loads of pleasure picking up the dolls, turning them right way up and then dropping them into the hole...Magically disappearing! Picking them up, turning them right way up(an interesting little trait of his that things must be 'right way up') and putting them into the hole.... and repeat..

The look on his face was/is priceless.

Developmentally, this toy will help build hand-eye co-ordination, fine motor skills, reasoning and more.

But basically it is fun, easy, and kids love it.

Hop on over to kootoyoo and see who else has some creative stuff to show n' tell.

Cheers.

A Family

Recently I read a post that asked the question "what makes a family". I posted my response in the appropriate section and merrily went on my blog hopping way.

That question and the thoughts that come with it began rattling about my head again recently as I was asked to make 'a family' of dolls for a friend.

I replied to my friend "I'd love to but, what does 'a family' mean to you? "

My friends response was beautiful and inclusive of all but, she said, "I can't fit everyone in the dolls house so could you just make a Dad, a Mum, a boy and a girl and a dog please".

So I did.

To keep this great dialogue going.....What does ' a family mean to you'?

Messenger Bag-MADE!

Back in July I stumbled upon some links to bag patterns thanks to Sandra.

I loved the idea of making a bag from scratch and then came the flood of thoughts of "oohh I could make all sorts of bags for the family and friends for Christmas, birthdays etc" and off I went on my imaginary bag making creative explosion.

The minor snag being that I hadn't quite made friends with the machine yet - in fact I still don't know if we are friends, but 'it' didn't sew my finger this time so I think we are making progress.

Armed with the tutorial/bag pattern of my choice 'the basic messenger bag', I went hunting for fabric.

It is my preference (where possible) to use stuff that has already had some type of a life, so I went to my local 'op-shop' and found some old upholstery fabric.

Whilst I was there I also bought 20 pre-used zips for $1.00! I am not sure why (since I don't know how to put them in), I just thought I could use them at some point in my creative future.

This is where my bag making adventure came to a halt - I got a bit scared by the whole 'following a pattern' (of sorts) idea, and the technicality of machine sewing - given that I am most comfortable with a needle in hand (for felting or hand sewing).

As always, I was encouraged by the 'sew-wise' Nikki to just 'have a go'.

So I did.

I measured, cut, interfaced (that was a whole language learning curve in itself).

Then I embellished.

This is what can happen when you sit cross legged with you embroidery on your knees as you sew!

Whilst the fabric seemed thick and strong enough I worried about the general shape of the bag once it was loaded up with the secret business of woman.

Upon discussing this issue with Nikki-sew-wise - I was sent a link for a bag base tutorial using template plastic.

For this I am very grateful to both Nikki's.

So here it is my very first bag.

As I was so pleased with my attempts so far I thought I push it a bit further...I added on a zip!

Ta Da!

I am ridiculously proud of it - and grateful the machine didn't bite me again!.

Cheers.