Daring deeds

 So I have finall made a start on my Quilt & Stitch show competition piece. Nervous would be a total understatement.

I have never made a quilt before. I mean I started stitching a few squares & strips of fabric together years ago but that's as far as it ever got. This!? This is the real deal.

I made a deal with my friend Dawn that we would both enter a quilt into the competition (Ithought it would motivate me) and I was quite surprised when she said sh was entering her dresden quilt she had just made..........Aaaaarrrrggghhh!!!!!!!!!!!

But a deals a deal and I never go back on a deal.

I have so far redrawn my plan 4 times, changing so many details, which fabrics I woul use......endless.

But as I said at the beginning I have started it, it's not much yet but I have 10 days to finish it....hhmmm make that 6 days ( I can't get any sewing done on granddaughter days. 

(OK I could but I prefer to give her my undivided attention)

So here is a peek at what I've done so far (photo not great)

I'm quite proud of the free-motion quilting in my sky, first time I've ever done it.

Well back to the grind.

Hugs & Happy thoughts

Buffy xx

Creative Free for All at Fab'n'Funky

Hello my lovely peeps,

So this week we have a really exciting challenge over at Fab'n'Funky challenges

CREATIVE FREE FOR ALL

But Add PINK

(we want to see your creativity set free, so you can make a card or crochet or knit or paint or sew or paper-piece. Absolutely any craft BUT make sure there is a good dollop of PINK!! 😁)

Lets take a better look at my little creations

Lets start with a clean and simple card.

It's just a plain white card with a PINK layer topped with a simple design of multiple butterfly stamps all in a PINK ink that matches the PINK layer. I deliberately left space on one side for a sentiment stamp. Here I've used happy birthday but on a design like this you could easily use "just for you", Thank you".....the list goes on.

(INGREDIENTS - plain white card blank, SU  Strawberry Slush Ink-pad and card-stock, Momentos Tuxedo black Ink-pad and plain white card-stock. TOOLS- Acrylic stamp blocks and Stamps from "For the love of stamps" range.

These 3 are my evening relaxation past-time, I happily sit crocheting whilst my husband plays on our PlayStation or we watch TV together. It's a nice simple pattern, I created the smaller ones as key-chains. (pattern can be found in tomorrows post). (INGREDIENTS - DMC Petra No.3 [54458 pale pink, 53803 fuschia, 5712 beige] and 2.5mm crochet hook and key-chain accessories)

 

We return to our Strawberry Slush card-stock for this little 3D card.  On a piece of 12x12 card-stock draw a line 5" from the bottom edge and cut along this line. Now on the 5" wide piece measure 2.5"  from long edge and draw a faint line (this is your centre fold-line) now measure 2.5" markers along the line you've just drawn, these will be the flaps of your faux-box. Once marked up cut down to the centre fold-line but no further than this. (the rest of the instructions can be found in tomorrows post)

Last but by no means least in the top left corner we have my Bedtime Story Buddy 

I designed this cuddly toy with a book pocket at the back to help encourage a love of book in very young children. No plastic eyes or nose so it's safe for children under 2, although I've put them up for  sale as 3+ (mainly to reduce the quantity of drooling 😂) I'm sorry but no instructions or tutorial for this one, I spent the best part of 3 months perfecting this pattern, I am on version 3 now and kind of happy with it, this Owl is not the only character in my Bedtime Buddy range but that is to follow.

If you would like one check out this link - ow.ly/mKh550AthYa

PLEASE - check out the wonderful inspiring design our lovely team at

 Fab'n'Funky Challenges 

have come up with and leave love x

Back tomorrow with the Ice-cream cone crochet pattern and the faux-box card instructions.

Hug & Happy Thoughts

Buffy xx

Anything But A Card

Hello Lovey peeps

We have an exciting challenge for you this week over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges. So put away your card-making gear and get ready to make.........

Anything But A Card

(yes we want to see your crafty creations just NO CARDS

you can sew, knit, crochet, clay, paper-mache.....so go wild)

I can honestly say I have been sewing my heart out over the last 6wks. But I haven't made anything for myself or family, so I decided to take a little time to make something special for someone special.

I whipped up this little top for my granddaughter

The adorable love-heart fabric I picked up whilst out on a girly day with my friend Dawn, I rediscovered it in my stash two days ago and instantly knew who I wanted to use it for.

We all know how messy little ones can be so I used the darker jade-coloured fabric for the upper section. But to add a little bit of gentleness to such a strong colour I picked out the peachy pink from the centre of the love-hearts to edge the armholes and bottom.

The most unusual thing about this is I used a pattern with making major adjustments....YES....No major adjustments!!!!.......Menopause I reckon......😂😂😂

Pop over tho see what other makes our wonderful design team have created.

I would also like to give a big shout out to the adorable little shop where I got this fabric "The Corner Patch" in Eccleshall. It is only a tiny shop but friendly and welcoming.

Back soon with more sharing
Hugs & Happy Thoughts
Buffy xx

From My Design Table - Leeks

Hello again,

Did you like the Story Owl?

So my next sneak peek was this

And the little clue I gave was it had something to do with my Miku mad daughter.
(Technically it originated in Bleach but we won't go into all that.....)

Starting to take shape, but in need of a couple of circular pieces.

Look Out!!

LEEKS

Yes I know, you're wondering if I have completely lost it?
Well actually that happened years ago 😂😂😂

Now Mawgan can Leek-spin to her hearts content.

Many more shares still to come...............Be back soon

Hugs & Happy thoughts
Buffy x

From My Design Table - Owl

Hello my lovely peeps,

For any of you who follow my Instagram you will have seen a few photos asking if you can guess what it is, did any of you guess.

It took me a while to work out all the dimensions for my little make (not that little), he had to be able to hold a variety of book sizes - but he also had to look like the animal in question.

My first sneak peek was an OWL - but more importantly a Story Owl. He will sit on your bed guarding your bedtime story book

I made him for my great-nephew and I included two books - ZOG and The Gruffalo - Yes the gruffalo, why didn't you know 😉

Sorry could not resist, I've read that book so many times.....

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas/Holiday. I will be back soon with another reveal.

Hugs & Happy thoughts
Buffy xx

Saving a friend in need

Well now, how many times have you accepted a job from someone you work with and then wonder what the heck you were thinking?

My lovely friend from work was asked if she could make a bathrobe out of Beer Mats. Yeah, beer mats! You know what's even worse than beer mats? A bag full of beer mats (40 of the blooming things) and only a few are the exact same size..........Yeah you heard me, beer mats are not a standard size...who knew!!

Yes, I agreed to help her create it, and why?
Because I'm slightly more insane than she is 😂

This is a small sample of all the mats. The 5 mats in the middle will make up the main back section.
As for the rest, I'm still deciding what should go where.

The chap who these belong to has been collecting them for years, and I am really trying to work out how to put it together whilst doing as little damage to them as possible.

Aaaw the joys of being nutty 😁

On the plus side my friend and I had a lovely morning chatting and creating together.

So as well as my daughters cosplay costume, I will be making a bathrobe.
But you will definitely get to see the robe before the tutu.

More sharing to follow shortly

Hugs & Happy Thoughts
Buffy xx

Cosplay can change

Hello again,
For those of you who have followed my blog for a while now you will know my youngest daughter is a fan of cosplay (costume role-play) and that I help create her costumes.
This year she had decided to go as Aloy from the game Horizon Zero Dawn

Then she saw the new outfit for Miku. Oh Boy!
On a positive note I have managed to find a detailed sketch of the outfit

On the downside we are talking about a low-backed ballerinas tutu.

I so need my head examining.

BUT I have now promised to make it so watch this space........

Sharing is Caring And a challenge

So I was look through my blog when I realised that one of the things I love to do isn't very well represented on here.

Sewing

I love to sew and yet I haven't shared this with all of you. So you may have noticed a new tab at the top of my page.

I'm going to try and be a bit braver and share my sewing triumphs and tragedies. If fact let's start with a minor mistake I made this morning.

This is my first attempt at creating a box bag, but I think I got my dimensions a little wrong. AND I forgot to put the handles on before I sewed the top to the bottom. But it isn't a complete disaster and that is the important thing.

I'm going to finish it off with a thermal liner and then work out how to attach the handles. It will make a good little lunch bag for work.

I think I will try to make another one, but this time I will double check all my measurements. Probably try to make one that will fit 2 small takeaway tubs. (I like to reuse them for leftover, save the planet one tub at a time).

I will be updating the Sewing tab on a regular basis from now on. 

In fact I will update all my tabs as and when I have new stuff to share.

But now let's talk card-making, so Colour Throwdown have a lovely colour challenge on that I thought I would enter.

I like these colours, their gentle and natural. I had a stamp set I hadn't used and figured this was the perfect opportunity to use it.

Please excuse the photo the flash wasn't working. This is "Scent with Love" stamp set from Hunkdory. I have used the beige colour on the wreath wood, with apple cider green leaves. I have put liquid crystal drops on the berries of the wreath

I have felt so much better since I have made more time for crafting hobbies again. Wish I could spend more time sewing, crocheting and card-making but hopefully one day soon.

Hugs & Happy Thoughts

Buffy xx

Sewing Sneak Peek

So I have been working on a insulated lunch bag that will fit my lock-lid plastic box. Its almost finished but first I thought I would tease you all with a sneak peek and here they are

I'm sure you are wondering what I have used for insulating it and that is a very good question. The simple answer is Thermal foil.

Yes DIY insulation. It might seem a little crazy but it is perfect. It's flexible, lightweight and easy to cut.

Hopefully my next update will have a finished lunch-bag and a sneak peek at my new dress.

Hugs & Happy thoughts
Buffy xx

Donkey Logic

So I was browsing through some of my old posts when I came across one that I would like to re-share with you all, before I share my recent craziness.


Donkey Logic
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him.
They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well.
He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a steppingstone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up


 Please hold this donkey story in your heart for those bad days -

Now the crazy stuff :-p

I have been quite busy with my sewing machine recently.
My lovely friend Dawn had picked a beautiful dress and a couple of waistcoats from a Bridal shop. She had taken her dress home but was due to pick up the waistcoats at a later date. Unfortunately the shop had a fire.
So for some mental reason she asked me to make them for her. Well, I agreed to make them. I figure I am a slightly masochistic person, so the terror of making her the waistcoats was to much to resist.

And when they went to get their suits, they took the waistcoats with them

I was as pleased as them, when the waistcoats fitted so nicely.

I've never been confident about my own abilities but I have never let that stop me from trying. I guess that's my donkey logic.
To put the icing on the cake, I made myself a new dress too

If I'm feeling brave enough I shall get my hubby to take a pic of me wearing it. (no promises)

I will keep shaking it off and stepping up, I hope you will too
Back soon with more craziness
Hugs
Buffy xx

Mono Mayhem

Good evening
I am so tired right now it beyond belief. But a womans work is never done......
Especially when you have a very interesting 15yr old who's big on amine and dressing up.

Yes I did say a 15yr old who likes dressing up, you weren't imagining things. My youngest daughter's current costume of choice is to dress-up as Monokuma..........yeah if she hadn't show me an episode I'd be scratching my head too.

This charming little fellow is Monokuma, he's truly lovely..........isn't he?!?
He is in charge of a private school where students are expected to take-out their fellow students without being detected..............No I think it's weird too but hey ho, it's amine.

She presented me with a white and black vest top, the only demand was "Please get it the right way round, Pleeaassseee"
So from this:

To this:

Not my greatest costume triumph but thankfully my easiest.

I guess it's her prom dress next......

Did I mention she's doing her make-up to look like him too? Yeeeeaaaaaaah.......

Now all I need is some greek god to bath me and feed me grapes then masage my feet and tell me I'm a goddess..............

What....we all have to dream😇
Back soon
Hugs
Buffy xx

Science

Hello,
yes I know Science doesn't explain much so.........

Over at The Male Room this week we would like to see your science brain...

Just think back to school/college, what did you do, were you lucky enough to have a wacky out-of-this-world teacher who amazed & dazzled you? Well we want all you mad scienctist ideas.

I have made a fairly simple card.....(bloomin backing paper took me ages to create)

This handsome fellow is Professor Wiggingson you can find him here, he's from the wonderful people at Dr.Digi.
OMG.......I spend ages giggling to myself and desperately trying not to order more of their hilarious stamps.
I've added the backing paper to the DOWNLOAD tab at the top of the page. Just click on the image and save.
I also remembered to give my atoms a little pop....

I added a few crystals to the centres to give them that nice sparkle I believe all atoms have.
Please pop over and visit our lovely DT and leave them some positive vibes.

Talking of positive vibes, my 15 year old daughter was off to a Halloween party the other week and  left her costume plans to the very last minute. Did she just buy an off-the-shelf one....OH NO!!! She had to be a character from an anime (sort of). She wanted to be Giffany!!
So in a 2 hour rush-job I managed to whip up a skirt from scratch. When I say from scratch I literally mean all I had was 2metres of blue fabric and a prayer!!!
BUT.....

 I managed it. It's hard to see on the piccie but the front also has pleates. Only 2, but their there. It also has an elasticated waistband (I had some elastic in my sewing box...thank god)
The overall look....

 She was slightly frustrated that mummy's vast craft collection didn't have a Rainbow Ribbon for her hair.
So the positive vibe is....I'm Bloody Brilliant!!! ;-)
And I have a very grateful  daughter

Who better give me more notice next year!!!!!

Back soon with more amazing me...lol
Hugs
very knackered Buffy xx