CRAFT SCHMAFT

A little thank you gift for the gorgeous Jenson, one of Oscar’s little friends. I know, I know… I’ve been doing an awful lot of sock dogs lately. I much prefer them with buttons for eyes and noses but that’s no good for little ones.

No Tuesday Trio today I’m afraid. The truth is that I’m going back to work next week and I’ve been madly getting boring stuff done. I have no idea how I’m going to fit work into our lives and I’m sad that my time with Oscar is almost over, but all good things must come to an end. On the upside I did buy myself a new iphone as a going back to work treat - yes I’m a digital geek at heart - and a new dress and boots. I’m quite excited about getting back into the digi world after nine months but still, I’m going to miss my little man.

A very good friend of mine from uni days sent me the fantastic Monster-Munch website this week so I’m loving all things scary.

1. Monster-Munch Blog
   The delights of sock monster making.
2. Octopus Necklace
   There’s so much fantastic jewellery on Etsy, is this too scary to have around your neck?
3. Little Big Planet
   A new sock monster game coming out for playstation (via Monster-Munch). Apparently craft is the new cool.
   

It’s finished. Cradle sheets and sock dog for my nephew-to-be, Button who will be with us on Friday! Let’s hope button isn’t as cheeky as the dog who I found chewing up the sheets!

I haven’t been blogging because I’ve been madly sewing! My unborn nephew “button” is just days away and I’ve been madly finishing sheets and a sock toy for his cradle. It’s the same vintage cradle that my Bubba Waring slept in when he came home from the hospital. Made by my grandfather in the 1970s, button will be the 10th baby to sleep in it. I’m using Heather Graham’s Lightning bugs fabric which I’ve had in the stash for ages.

So that’s my excuse. Will post pics as soon as I’m done.

I’ve done quite a few of these little guys so I thought I’d share what I’ve figured out the hard way. Sock toys are really easy to make but here’s a few tips…

Good quality socks.
Like all sewing the material you start with makes a big difference to the end result. They don’t have to be expensive socks just look out for a pair with firm elasticity. This helps in avoiding a lumpy sock toy as it holds a good shape over the stuffing. If you’re not confident on the sewing a patterned sock hides a multitude of sins!

Keep your stitching tight
Leave a good 5mm seam and sew by hand using back stitch. Keep your stitches relatively close together for a smooth seam finish.

Stuff and Massage
Kinda sounds rude but you really want to get a good amount of stuffing in there. Make sure you push it right to the edges of the seams with your fingers. Once the stuffing is all in give your little toy a massage to help even out any lumps.

Hope this helps!

He is chic, he is french, he is a tad boum boum. He is Master Benjamin of Marseilles on the French Riviera. His pastimes include sailing and badminton and the occasional hit of golf. To be honest, he’s a little on the sensitive side of things. Just don’t call him Ben.

After a great ten days down in Woodend and Melbourne I’m back. It’s so nice to be back home. Now I did manage to squeeze a little crafting in while I was away, although getting hands on with the credit card was slightly higher on the priority list. I made these candles from a simple little kit I bought in woodend. This has to be the easiest craft in the world. It was ridiculous,  all I did was wave the beeswax sheets around in front of the log fire then roll them up around the wick. Does that even qualify as craft?

Anyway, I also got started on the knitting but that will be one of those pick it up occasionally crafts so I won’t show you yet. Oh and I have managed to complete another toy for the Around The World in 80 Toys project but more on that tomorrow.

I’m off visiting family and friends in Melbourne this week, back with craftiness next week.

There’s something quite magical about buttons. I recently spent hours sorting through my grandmothers old button jar and was amazed to find treasures still attached to scraps of fabric - Nan had cut them off Grandad’s old shirts and saved them just in case.

1. Vintage Glass Flower buttons on eBay…
   Oh how I want these!
2. Button Cards from Moon Mum on Etsy
   Quite the eye for colour and pattern.
3. Very cool button pendants from over at crafty pod
   What’s a stash for if you don’t use it?
   

It’s cold and rainy this week so while Oscar sleeps I’m oogling woolliness on the interweb…

1. Very cool crochet bag by Hello Craft Lovers
   Yummy retro flavour.
   
2. Extermiknit!
   A knitted Dalek. Genius!
3. Gorgeous Booties
   Beautifully made by Honeyflake and there’s even a free pattern.