Still quietly cooking up a storm...

I have drifted off the blogging radar a bit,

however am still dying and selling felt.

If you have the need, please contact me or visit my etsy shop.

My Creative Space - A Confession

CONFESSION:
Hello, my name is Trudi and I am not a cat lover.
I don't hate them ... I just don't really care for them either.

Knowing this ... why then are cats in pursuit of me?

EVIDENCE:
1. The next door flat has a cat that sits at the flywire door 24/7 and leers at me.
2. A random stray often comes to my door moaning meowing.
3. And when I visit friends with cats they are all over me.

It is like cats know and they are trying to change my mind (or mess with my head).

And now they are invading my sewing life... a friend asked me to make a softie for her to give as a present to a cat loving child. Aahhhh!!!

So, I used the Softies book and made this little one.

I changed the eyes from the ones in the pattern.

Now this cat is one I think I can learn to love...

For more creative goodness grab a cuppa, put your feet up and head over to Kristy who is kicking back today.

Hoo, Hoo, Who?

Whose house will this little owl be visiting?

This is my pincushion for Kate's pincushion swap.

It has clearly just had a feed with the size of that belly!

And.. has those 'don't mess with me' eyeballing you eyes.

I hope the person I made it for likes it.

and the winner is....

Thanks to all who entered... I'm feeling generous so I have decided to give away 3 kits.

In keeping with the season I numbered 38 chocolate eggs and had my niece and nephew pick...

Miss clung to hers tightly
(I think she was afraid it was going to be snatched from her after the photo)

while Master opened his palm and worked the camera.

and Mum also got in on the act ...

Congratulations to ...

Kylie of Kylie's Crafts

Linda of 2 Pink Possum Lane

Tracey of thrift. nest. sew.

If you missed out but would still like a kit pop on over to my shop.

Autumn Colours ...

I have (finally!!!) listed some more felt colours in my shop.
They are beautiful earthy natural colours, great for upcoming autumn crafts...






Please contact me if you have any questions about sizes, prices or shipping.

My Creative Space - Bead People Tutorial

These bead people are quick to make, great for imaginative play and are a real hit.

Here's what to do to make your own....

YOU WILL NEED:
- 20mm bead
- 1 pipe cleaner
- Wool stuffing (small amount)
- Pure wool felt
- Embroidery cotton
- Glue
+ for Hat: small amount of wool and 3.5 crochet hook

WHAT TO DO:
1. Cut the pipe cleaner in half and thread one half through the bead and twist together at the base - try and have the two ends the same length.

2. Spread out the ends - these will be the arms.

3. Fold the other pipe cleaner half in two, place it around the neck and twist a couple of times to keep it in place.

4. Bend the arms and legs in until they are the 'right' length and twist in place.

5. Lay your person onto paper and roughly draw around the outside - this becomes your pattern.

6. Use your pattern to trace and cut two bodies from the wool felt.

7. Starting at the neck blanket stitch around the arms and legs stopping under the second arm.

8. Wrap a small amount of wool stuffing around the arms and legs covering the pipe cleaners. Make sure you wrap well on the pointy ends.

9. Slip the wrapped person into the felt suit and stitch up the remainder of the arm to the neck. If needed, do a small running stitch around the neck and tighten.

10. Glue on a little hat - I crocheted one (pattern below) but you could make one out of felt too.

LITTLE MINI HAT Crochet Pattern

(this is simple but is my first crochet pattern - please let me know if it doesn't make sense)

1. Ch 3
2. 11 dc in first chain
3. Join to make a circle
4. Ch 2
5. sc next row and join circle
6. Repeat 4 & 5
7. end off

That's it - make and enjoy. Oh, and if you do make any, I'd love to see them.

Also don't forget that I'm having a giveaway of a kit that has all the things you need to make your own.

To look at more creative spaces and places, visit Kristy who's getting creative wit

A giveaway from Me to Ewe!

I have been putting together some kits to make my bead people and because you guys have made me feel so welcome in blogland I want to give something to you...

The giveaway is a kit that includes all you need to make 2 bead people - beads, pipe cleaners, stuffing and of course some divine hand-dyed felt.

To win, all you need do is leave a comment by March 30th - when, inspired by this creative (and hilarious) use of bluetac, I will randomly pick a winner.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

My Creative Space - Crafting in a teepee

I reckon the American Indians were on to something living in teepees. I have just returned from an awesome weekend away spent sunning, crafting, wandering and best of all, dwelling in a teepee.

We woke to glorious lush, green bush...

... and a campfire cuppa.

And by night we toasted marshmallows (or set fire to marshmallows as was mostly the case!).

My gorgeous man was doing a strawbale workshop in Daylesford, so I tagged along. During the day while he was learning how to build our (hopefully) future house, I set up my creative space outdoors...

and sent random smoke signals to the neighbours.

I am feeling relaxed, inspired and looking forward to doing it again... until then I might have to make an indoors getaway like Cath! If you can get away for a night or two, it is absolutely worth it.

Head over to visit Kirsty to see more circles and creative spaces.

A New Home...

My gorgeous niece and nephew (I am not bias --- they really are!) got a lovely simple wooden doll house for Christmas. They had some hand-me-down plastic dolls which were OK for a time however, I'm told after receiving my little bead people the others went by the wayside.

I am so happy they have gone to such a loving home.

I think there should be more of these in the world so... I am planning a tutorial - watch this space.

Double, double toil and trouble...

Double, double toil and trouble,

Fire burn, and caldron bubble...

There was no scale of dragon or tooth of wolf ... or a caldron for that matter!

...however, lots is going on in my kitchen today!

No, it is not some crazy green soup!

I was dyeing some leafy green felt
and ... it came out really beautiful

Head over to see Kirsty for more creative spaces.

A sweet little face...

Here is a little treasure I have been working on!

She is a simple cuddly waldorf/steiner style doll
with a formed face and a cute button nose.
(and is for sale in my shop)

I am pretty new to doll making but am loving it!

WATCH THIS SPACE...