The Giving Bunny Project

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, but Mr P-L has been doing computery things and now I have finally been given some time on the computer! I was going share some more bunting loveliness that Pickle-Lily and I have been working on, but then yesterday we were out shopping and I picked up a copy of 'Made in Felt'


Please take me home

In it Pickle-Lily found an article about the Giving Bunny Project . It is all about making very cute little rabbits out of felt and then leaving them somewhere to be found! There is a google map showing where they have been found, and so of course we had a look! There seem to be very few in the UK, so yesterday afternoon P and I made our first two bunnies - Angelina and Arthur. (For some reason Blogger isn't letting me edit my pictures at the moment, so the layout is a little random!!). As you  can see there is also a cute little label to print off to put with your bunny, for when he is found. Arthur has been put in position, so we will wait to see what happens next! You could always join in! I'm going to share this on Handmade Monday in the hope of recruiting some more bunnies!


Angelina

 

Arthur

 

 

Doodle Bags

Doodle Bag

Introducing my latest creation - Doodle Bags! A bag you can colour in and

Doodle bag contents

inside a drawing pad, felt tip pens, a pencil, rubber, sharpener and ruler.

Designs do vary!

Spotty Box

Pass the spotty box around ...

As most of you know my 'day job' is a primary school teacher, and one of the 'tools of the job' is my spotty box. In fact, I am know as the spotty box teacher to most of the children I have taught. When I tried to work it out, the total number so far that is, that is a very large number!
To play 'spotty box', it is passed around a circle of sitting children, just like pass the parcel, the spotty box song is sung, and when you get the box it is your turn to open it and see what is inside. That can be anything - singing cards to choose a song for us to sing, a book, a letter, interesting objects, emotion cards - tell us when you feel happy, sad... or whatever has taken my imagination to inspire the children. It can go round again, or the mystery object inside can inspire the rest of the session.
So I thought I'd use my spotty box, hopefully, to inspire you.
Inside the spotty box this time, is ......


Who...will..get...it?

 half a metre of oil cloth
a triangle template
six metres of cotton tape

I used it to make outdoor bunting, and it took me less than an hour!


Draw out your triangles




Cut them out




Pin onto the tape at 5cm intervals

A few observations
Half a metre of oil cloth was the smallest amount I could buy, but it only took the equivalent of a fat quarter. I have some left to either make more or be creative with.
My triangle measured 16cm across the base and was 18cm tall.
Pin the tape to the printed side of the oil cloth, and sew with that side down. I meant to change my needle to a heavy duty one, but forgot, and my normal needle actually coped very well.
Lift the triangle gently up as you sew it, as it can 'stick' to your sewing machine.

Ta - dah!

Outside bunting

Perfect for the lovely weather we're having at the moment!
I'm planning to join in with Handmade Monday this week, why don't you join in too?

Bits and Pieces



Sunday's fair

This week is half term week and it has been busy with the trips to the dentist, doctor and shopping. Pickle-Lily attended three fairs at the week-end, the one on Saturday was very quiet and disappointing, Sunday was super (took four orders for my name plaques)  and Monday very windy. Monday was outside, in gazebos and we had to pack up at about 1.30 pm as we were in danger of taking off and going to Oz!
We still have a visit to the grandparents, a sleepover, the Big Gig for P-L and Mr P-L and son are doing a rugby referee course, to fit in before it's back to school on Monday!

This is one of my new dies  for the Big Shot, which I am having great fun with - a ric rac die! I love felt ric rac and have been buying it ready made up till now, but with this new toy I can make my own in any colour I want now!!

Bit catcher and pin cushion

This is my last bit to share with you - a bit big! I had seen these around and really wanted to make one of my own and now I have! It is so handy to put next to the sewing machine or where I am sitting working! A weighted pin cushion and an open bag to put bits in - genuis, if I say so my self!!

Today I held a cockroach

Or to be exact a hissing cockroach, and stroked a beautiful rainbow boa snake and a rat called Flash.

yes - it is real!

Today, as part of the day job I visited Bristol Zoo. We had a great time, despite the weather, hail, wind, rain and even a little bit of sun. We used to visit it lots, when Pickle-Lily and her brother were younger. But sadly big brother became too sophisticated for such places and I hadn't been for a few years.
I met lion cubs, my favourite the red panda was having his breakfast when we arrived - and lots of dinosaurs. They were a huge hit, especially the ones that squirted you with water!


cool!








 

The best part for me - I am just really proud that I held that cockroach!

And another new idea

This week I was asked to create a name plaque out of felt for a little girl. Specific colours were required - rose pink and purple. The creative juices started flowing, and this is my finished make.

personalised name plaque

Not a brilliant photo, but it has been very overcast here today, but hopefully you can get an idea. All the letters are hand stitched on, which took me a fair while.

blanket stitched letters

I'm so pleased with it that I think I may add these to my repertoire. So I'm now working on a boy's version with a glittery star as the motif. My only problem is (the eternal one ) how much do I charge?

work in progress

 I'm planning to join in with Handmade Monday this week, and catch up with everyone over the week. Why don't you join in too?

An apple for the teacher

Here in Somerset the sun has been shining for the past few days and it has already made me think about the summer holidays and end of term.

Hand knitted in cotton

So. I've redesigned my teacher gifts for this year, although the apple cosy has stayed the same, as it is still popular.

Apple keyrings

New notebook design

I'm really pleased with this design, and I hope these will go down well on my Folksy shop.