This Year’s Must-Have Tropical T Shirt Make-over
Yippee it’s summer!…….
Decoration
Reindeer Giftwrap.
I can’t believe it’s Christmas already. Where did this year go? I had such good posting intensions.
Still Remembering? Make A Poppy Pompom
Make A Remembrance Pompom Poppy
Halloween’s over, trick or treat’s done, costumes are back in the dressing up box and the shops are filling up with all things ‘Christmas’. Fireworks last weekend – great fun, and let’s not mention what’s going on over in the USA. SO MUCH happening at the moment.
Here in the UK, one-by one, people are beginning to wear a Poppy… on their lapel, bag, zip-pull… wherever. Remembrance day is here again, and have you noticed? Something interesting is happening. That old paper Poppy that you pick up from the nice chap at the tube station; whilst they’re perfect for some – for others they’re just not enough. They want something a little MORE – more fancy, more durable, more flamboyant, perhaps even bit glitzy. More….let’s just say… noticeable. And why not?
It’s no bad thing. We live in a materialistic world, and I can’t pretend that I’m pleased about that, but let’s face it, it looks like it’s not going to change any time soon. If there’a way of tapping into this to help raise money for the Poppy Appeal, I’m all for it. The kids are wearing them too, in one form or another. They’re bright, they shine – their mates have got ’em. Catch them young – educate them, whatever way we can.
There are some great brooches, wristbands, earrings bracelets, necklaces – for all ages over at the British Legion Shop. All good value. Check them out HERE
As well as this, people are making them, and selling them, or the patterns – to go towards the appeal. Knit, Crochet, Felt, Paper – there are so many great ones out there.
A couple of years ago I published THIS crochet pattern.
That year I made a big blousy one in DK wool yarn, and last year I made a much finer Poppy in cotton using the same pattern.
This year I fancied a bit of a change. I’m channelling my current obsession with pompoms. Yes – you can actually make a Pompom Poppy, and you don’t even need to be able to to knit, crochet, sew or fold in a straight line.
It’s a good way of using up those odd few balls of yarn lying around and a great project to do with the kids. HERE’s how you do it. You might not want to stop – this stuff is addictive.
With the addition of a felt leaf I think they look great – and very different.
If you are going to make your own, or if last years is so fabulous that you want to wear it again (don’t just chuck it away for the sake of it), please make sure you donate to the Poppy appeal. After all, that’s the whole point.
Wear those Poppies with pride, and don’t forget
Make Pompom Roses For Mothers Day
I’m not going to say anything about Mothers Day this year.
I think that Laura,
at the blog
does a far better job than I could.
Instead, i’m making Pompom Roses.
Want to have a go?
…..or perhaps just put your feet up.
Happy Mothers Day..
Fun With Pompoms.
I love pompoms.
Did I ever tell you how much I loved pompoms? No?
The great thing about pompoms is they couldn’t be more simple. You can make them easily. You don’t need to be able to knit, crochet, or even sew – just wind some yarn around a piece of specifically shaped plastic or card, tie and cut.
Craft for all.
There are various ways ways of making pompoms in all sizes (see below).
So I found myself with a pile of them. I’d had an afternoon of creative ‘holiday project’ fun with my daughter, and was wondering what to do with them.
They’re perfect for brightening up any space – particularly a little one’s bedroom.
Strung up and hung across the mantelpiece around the fire or against the wall? I’ve done that before and it’s a great simple effect. (Take care, if the child is very small that they are nicely out of reach.)
Then there was the new pair of curtains I’d recently made, I’d been wondering for a while if they just needed that something extra.
Yep, I think they did.
Such a cheap and easy way to inject some extra colour and texture. Pretty cool I reckon .
And if you’re like me and have a good few odd balls of yarn in your stash – it’s stash-busting heaven…. and pretty addictive.
I even made a Christmas garland with the extras. The colours were perfect.
Go on – make some pompoms – You’d be surprised at what you can do with them.
Stuff you can do with Pompoms
Make Your Own Christmas Candle Gifts.
Christmas is fast approaching ( I know! Where did that year go?) It’s the end of term and time for teachers to have a well-earned break. I can’t bear to get involved in all of that competitive gift-giving – it really does bring the worst out in some folks – but I do like to show our appreciation for all the extra time and work those hardworking teachers put in. No pressure here. Something small and handmade usually does the trick.
We’ve made cookies, we made soap… we like to keep it varied.
This year we decided on scented candles. Now who doesn’t love one of those? Especially when they’re made with natural essential oils
I’d never done it properly before, but I knew that I wanted to use soy wax. I’m told that soy candles are cleaner burning, longer lasting, biodegradable, and leave no nasty grey residue.
I found a great little tutorial here on Clare K Creations. Thanks for sharing this Clare.
At this time of year it just has to be those seasonal scents that instantly conjure up Christmas.
Soooo…. Out came the Sweet Orange, Bitter Orange, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Ginger and Clove essential oils.
Decorating it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.
Smells gorgeous
Christmas in a jar!
If you’re a little stumped for some last minute christmas pressies, have some old condiment jars lying around and can get hold of some soy wax pellets and essential oils, there’s still time – have a go! It’s not difficult, it’s inexpensive and if you like making stuff – great fun.
Merry Christmas.
Here Comes Christmas…… Fluoro Flakes
Did anyone just mention Christmas?….. Yes it’s nearly here….. and, believe it or not, I’m pretty organised this year, for a change…. At least i think I am.
Just one little thing though – my tree’s looking a bit bare… still. Every year i try to make new ornaments for it, but this year I’ve been too busy getting organised.
I needed to give it a quick boost.
Here’s what I came up with….
… a slightly different twist on the crochet snowflake that, let’s face it, is everywhere these days.
This one is has a more modern, slightly ‘Scandi meets Conran Shop” inspired twist and instead of traditional white is, yes, you guessed it…..fluoro.
It still has that handmade quality and sits nice and quirkily on a real tree but also works with something more contemporary.
Nice and simple, and those colours are fab. Crochets up in just two rounds. You can make a good few of them in one evening, easy peasy – and it’s still not too late. As a special Christmas treat I’ve included a free pattern.
HERE’s how to make them.
Happy decorating.