The face behind it all...!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I cannot say those words without thinking of that old Abba song!

* and please note, new camera, present from 'im indoors, new camera is very good, it's my photography that's a bit dodgy!

Secrets revealed...

This is the cushion I made for my mum for christmas, it is her family flower garden. There are three hearts planted, which are her three children and nine flowers growing to represent all her grandchildren. I made the cover with an envelope back, I guessed it was wise to have it removable in case it ever needs washing!

And, this one was for my mother-in-law, a sewing cushion as a passion for making things is something we both share.

Just a quick hello to any new visitors from Sew Mama Sew, please come in, make yourselves at home, have a mince pie and some mulled wine!

Plus a big thank you to Beth for mentioning my owls.

Next project is Lucy's birthday on the 6th January and she wants me to make her something, not sure what yet, so watch this space...!

We're getting there...!

Another owl and cushion made, ready for christmas...

...another owl still waiting (patiently!) for her cushion...

...but look, some 'Moo' cards have arrived, and is that a 'Lucykate Crafts' label there on the side of that cushion?. I think someone may be making preparations for opening an Etsy shop in the new year!

For now though, we are getting there. Car play mat is finished, along with some other gifts which will have to remain secret until after christmas. The 'to do' list is still quite long of jobs that need doing round the house, not only do we have christmas eve tomorrow but it is also Mr Lucykate Crafts birthday. Lets hope this year, he can remember how old he is and not have to ring his mum to double check!

Pre christmas postman brought me some little parcels, I won my first giveaway, look at this little selection of goodies from Paper & String!


I just want to thank you all who visit and leave comments. I have had a really enjoyable first year of blogging, made some lovely friends, seen the most wonderful, inspiring work, and read lots that has made me both laugh and cry!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Another WIP...

A variation on the toy bag/play mat linked to here, and inspired by this, (scroll down and you'll spot it!) to create a felt road applique. Firstly, all laid out as a paper pattern.

Then pinned together in felt and fabric, next... the sewing!

This is intended for one of my nephews as his christmas present, along with some little cars, but it is proving very popular with Luke already. He keeps pointing at in on the floor of my sewing room and saying his favorite word, 'mine!'.




... and how lucky am I?

Suzie Sews won one of the owls in the giveaway and sent me this as a thank you!

It's so cute!






EDIT TO POST
Can I just mention something to all craft bloggers, do you back up your blog?. By backing up, I mean saving a copy of your posts and template on your hard drive. If you don't, I would suggest that you do, better to be safe than sorry.

Ellie

Ellie the mini elephant...,

was not easy to do.

This is actually version number three...,

may be a (little) while before I make any more!

Easy peasy elf hat!

I had to make Lucy an elf hat last night, she is an elf in the school christmas play and, only having a couple of days notice to come up with a costume, had to think of something quick. So, after a bit of pondering, I went up in the loft, rummaged around in the bags of old clothes and found a pair of Lucy's red cropped leggings from last summer. Here is what to do -

You will need, an old pair of childs leggings (I used cropped, if you have full length ones, you can just trim the length a little shorter if need be), a felt strip - about 3" (8cm) deep and enough to go all the way round their head, scissors, a pom pom, needle & cotton, embroidery thread, buttons are optional.

1. Turn the leggings inside out, and upside down, cut all the way round the inside leg seams.

2. Open out the legs flat, sew a long triangle shape with the waistband forming the bottom edge, and trim off the excess fabric

3. Turn the hat right side round and trim off any clothing labels.

4. Cut the felt to give a decorative zig-zag edge (I just did this by eye, no measuring) and attach to the bottom edge using running stitch in the embroidery thread (a contrasting colour works best). Before finishing off the running stitch, try the hat on for size, as you will need to loosen off the running stitch first to allow the hat to stretch a little.

5. Attach the pom pom to the point of the hat.

You could also add buttons for decoration and a bell instead of a pom pom, couldn't be easier!

If you make something from one of my tutorials please do join the Flickr group, Lucykate Crafts... pattern pieces, to show off your creations.

Making stuff...

When I left my design job last year, it was something I had thought about doing for a while, in the end, the decision was finalised due to the fact that we, as a family, relocated from the North West to the East Midlands. The plan was always to go freelance when our youngest started his five sessions at nursery, which isn't until september next year, but, as happens often, fate stepped in!. My husband spotted an advert earlier this year, which he forwarded on to me, I quickly got some stuff together and sent it off. The next day, a reply came, saying yes!.

So, here is the result, you may or may not have noticed the book link in my sidebar to,'Making Stuff for Kids'. I have done two projects that feature in this book, firstly a how to stitch counted cross stitch section, and secondly, a pattern and instructions for this rag doll.

I am really pleased with how it all looks in the book and also proud to see I'm in the company of some very illustrious other bloggers in there, Soozs, Heidi Kenny from My Paper Crane, and also Cupcakes for Clara to name but a few.

So, why not have a go and make your own doll, you too could make a little girl smile like this...