Just some of this years creations

 Butterfly canvas done together with Lucy for her bedroom wall

 

It's been a busy year with my two jobs but I always seem to manage to fit in some time along the way for sewing and craft projects.

The butterfly canvas above was made using paint chart samples from Bunnings, old sheet music and some old atlas paper.  I cut the shapes using a butterfly paper punch and stuck them on using a hot glue gun. If I am near a Bunnings store I always pop in to replenish my stash as they are so useful.  They are great for decorating this and I particularly love to make gift tags for Christmas with them.

 

Ipad bag made for my Mums new gadget

 

The ipad bag evolved with some great recycling of a denim dress.  I used the middle section of the dress incorporating the waistband and the buttons down the front and just added a pretty top with a floral green cotton.  The straps were easy as I used the tie belt that came with the dress.  

 Owl made for a friends daughter who simply loves owls to bits

 

Another of my owls, made with recycled denim for the body front, cute cottons for the front and wings, chenille for the back and felt for the eyes

Knitted slouch hat

 

I don't knit often, but was successful in making a slouch hat which I gave to my Mum (it suited her better than me)

 Winter pj's for the kids

Pj's are always a great quick thing to make, I usually buy the tops from target to go with them.  I have started adding large hems on the legs so I can let them down the following year and get at least two seasons from them. 

Cushion for my daughters little friend who adores horses

 

I enjoyed this little project for my daughters friends 8th birthday.  Made with recycled denim for the front and the love heart was done with left overs from Lucys pj's pants.  I quilted the love heart to add interest and hand embroidered her name with embroidery cotton. Another original handmade gift, gotta love it as it costs next to nothing and no one else has one.

Appliqued Towels for christmas for Allie, Liam, Aidan and Nicholas

 

The towels were christmas gifts for my niece and nephew and our neighbours two boys.  I was pretty happy with the result - the towels are really lush and quite large.  I bought the towels from Pillow Talk and used the cotton fabrics from my stash for the applique. 

 

A burlap, lace and pine cone wreath for our front door

 

And lastly here is my new christmas wreath, I used a foam ring that I had in my Christmas stash - probably purchased from a $2 store if I remember correctly.  I wrapped it with strips of hessian and hot glued the pine cones onto it.  I then simply wrapped some old vintage lace around the remainder of the ring and tied a lace ribbon on top to hang. 

 

 

So another year is almost over - only hours left in fact

 

Happy New Year to everyone out there in craft land!

 

See you next year

xox

From Pillow to Post

 

There is nothing like a hand made gift.  I don't often receive them but I do give them on a fairly regular basis.  My daughter Lucy had a little friend who was having a birthday -Talia - it was her 8th birthday and she is horse crazy.  I was horse crazy too at her age and eventually got my very own horse when I was 11.  

So - what to give her for her birthday.  Obviously something to do with horses would be good.  So  I figured a pillow for her bed made with horse fabric would be pretty good.  So here it is.  I quilted the love heart - I used denim for the front panel embellished with the loveheart and  then a mixture of denim, the horsey fleece and a vintage pink chenille for the back.  I also embroidered her name on the front and I think it turned out kind of sweet.   I would have loved it for my 8th birthday !

Ipad bag for my Mum

My Mum has ventured into the techno world for the very first time in her life.  On her recent holiday here she bought herself an Ipad.  Mum has never ever used a computer, so it was all a new language but she is picking it up and enjoying her new world.  Being able to contact friends at any time of the day was a huge attraction, and I have to say I love being able to flick her an email at any time with just the smallest thought that comes into my head.  Also sending her photos of the kids at the push of a button means she never needs to miss out (she lives in Victoria, we are in Queensland).   She needed a bag to carry her Ipad around with her on her travels.  This is where I come into it.  So I made her this tote bag made to measure from a recycled denim dress.  Complete with the waistband and buttons still intact - I love the finish.  The design came together very quickly, and I have to say I really do love it - wouldn't mind one myself, that would be IF I had an Ipad.  But I don't....

Recycled denim dress and gorgeous Japanese floral cotton

Made to measure to fit her new Ipad

She looks pretty happy about it !!

Recycled Denim

My nephews' christmas gift is done (pictured above)

It's the first of many handmade christmas gifts I need to achieve before December 25. He apparently wants a corner in his bedroom full of big pillows where he can just flop down and read (so his Mum tells me). So this is what I have come up with. A huge cushion - 80cm x 80cm - made from recycled denim jeans and skirts, and a bit of chenille and cotton fabrics thrown in to break it up a bit. I am pretty happy with the result - hope he is too !

close up of the fabrics

Some other ideas for designs using recycled denims

this one is made from waistbands

necklace using denim and lace So don't throw out those old jeans - recycle