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...

I must be the last person in blogland...

...to have placed an order with Superbuzzy! After seeing Soozs' playmat & toybag tutorial, I fell in love with this farmyard fabric and could resist no longer. I would have caved sooner if I'd known you get sweets in with the parcel!

Can't wait to make an owl out of it, it'll be a barn owl!!

Fabric is something I don't buy in abundance, being a great believer in the 'use what you have' idea. So much so, that I am hoping to organise some sort of a fat quarter swap in the new year, please do let me know if you would be interested in taking part. I have quite a few Kaffe Fassett fabrics I would love to share that are just sat here in a basket.

Thank you to Chandra, Monda loves.., and Celeste, you have all signed up to 'pay it forward', I will be in touch after christmas for your addresses, (although, Chandra, you will need to email me as I have been unable to find a way of contacting you through your blogger profile). There is crafting going on, but nothing I can share just now unfortunately, but will do soon!.

And the winners are...

(image is a page from my sketch book)

Corry from Dutch Blue, Suzie Sews and Melly & Rosie, a huge thank you to everyone who commented, I now have lots of new and very interesting blogs to read. All is not lost if you didn't win, it will be my blogs first birthday in March next year, and there will be another giveaway then, plus...

PAY IT FORWARD

I have signed up to 'PIF' through I'm a Ginger Monkey.
The first three people to leave a comment on this post requesting to join, will receive a handmade gift, from me, at some point over the next 365 days, all I ask in return is that you make the same promise on your own blog.

Hope you've all had a good weekend...normal crafty service will be resuming next week!