Ballet

My daughter has recently enrolled in a ballet class.  This is a whole new world for me as I never did ballet as a child.  So I am now immersed in a world of leotards, tutus, ballet socks (really?) and ballet pumps!    I have been very fortunate in having some lovely friends who have helped me out donating things from their older children.

The hardest thing for us though is hair accessories!  It sounds daft, but Alice has very fine hair and absolutely nothing stays in it.  I’ve tried hairbands but they hurt her ears.  So I have knitted my first Alice band.  Very plain in baby dk yarn.

Plain knitted hairband

She doesn’t seem to mind this one and it doesn’t damage her hair.  I’ve even started on another one with a bow on.

My next task is to knit a little ballet cardigan.  I can feel a trip to the wool shop coming on!

Happy crafting
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Halloween Spookiness

BOO!!!!!!!

I’m not normally one for Halloween. Don’t get me wrong, I like a fun carved pumpkin and dressing up as a witch as much as anyone, but all this trick or treating seems to be taking over the Britishness of apple bobbing and a spooky Halloween party.

But I thought I’d have a go at some Halloween inspired cards, so I spent some time drawing some simple ghosts and pumpkins (not too spooky, more fun) and I’ve added them to a couple of cards.
Halloween Pumpkin Card

Halloween Ghost Card

I loved hunting out the googly eyes for these! They may only be small cards, but ideal for party invitations.

Do people send Halloween cards in the UK? I’m not so sure, but if you’re planning a party and would like a few invitations, drop me an e-mail and I can add my fun ghost or pumpkin to a set for you.

Happy Halloween!

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Christmas Crackers

Today I’ve been contemplating Christmas and sorting out exactly what I want to make and what I need to make it!

I spotted a lovely template in the latest issue of Creativity magazine for Christmas crackers.  But instead of making the traditional size cracker for the Christmas table, I thought I’d make smaller versions for decoration purposes.

I’ve made up a few and I’m happy with how they’ve turned out, so now I’m hunting through my card stash for some lovely Christmas designs.  I really like the simple shaker style at the moment using recycled kraft card and ties with bakers twine, so I think they might make an appearance on my tree this year!  But I thought they may also look nice on a table as place settings.

Mini Christmas Crackers

With careful template positioning I can make 4 from a sheet of A4 card, so I’m using some of my expensive Christmas card with foiling, embossed designs and of course a bit of glitter!

Do you like them?

Happy Christmas Crafting
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Back to school

Finally the first day of school has arrived.  It’s been a long seven weeks of summer holidays for us, between leaving nursery and starting reception.  Fun packed, sunny and some craft too, but we’re all ready for doing our own things again.

My daughter ran to school, very excited to see her new teachers and find out who would be in her class.  So with a cheery wave and a hug, she was off, and I was left to wander home contemplating how quiet it was!

So now I can get crafting again!  Once I have the housework out of the way, fed the cats and taken my Mum and Aunt out for lunch! I think the actual crafting will start tomorrow, but today I will have some time (I hope) to organise my thoughts, list my makes and priorities for the next few weeks, and generally get ready for Halloween and Christmas.

I’ve had a delivery this morning of some new papers from ‘Craftwork Cards’ and I love the vintage style designs.  I think they’ll be great to use with the poinsettia die I bought the other week.  I can’t wait to get all the papers and embellishments out again.

Tim-Holtz-Bigz-Tattered-Poinsettia-cut-at-home-635728-8807a

Happy crafting

x

Hebden Bridge – Birthday Inspiration

To celebrate my 21st birthday (again) I’ve been treated to a trip out to Hebden Bridge.  I can’t believe how sunny it is, amazing to be sat out in the square eating lunch and listening to the buskers.

Smiley Face

This place is just full of crafty inspiration.  I am spoilt for choice!  I have a little bit of Birthday money to spend, but what to choose I’m not sure.  I’ve found a craft stall on the market which has a few papercraft items, metallic button brads and large hand-covered buttons; then there’s a lovely little shop called Ribbon Circus which has a fabulous selection of buttons and yarn (I’m very tempted by the recycled cotton yarn in gorgeous muted colours).  Even the RSPCA shop and an antique shop have some craft supplies!  Keep an eye on the future posts to see what I actually bought!

Birthday Goodies

What has been even more fun than hunting round all the shops for supplies, has been the inspiration I’ve found all over the place.  I’ve been wanting to add knitted embellishments to cards for some time, but struggled to work out exactly what to make and how to attach them.  I’ve discovered how to make mini-knitting needles and will be adding some to cards in the future I’m sure.  In fact I could add them to some Christmas cards using some recycled cotton.

Hmmmmmmm, my creative juices are flowing, thank goodness I have my notebook to jot down the ideas.

Happy birthday crafting to me!! (and you)
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