TGIFF - Donkeys for Mirabel

Hee haw the donkeys are done.  Meet Digby and Pinky (thanks Mr C for that really original name...)

That's a very quick pic I had to take before Kira (the beloved pup) ran off with them.  She certainly had a hungry look in her eyes when she spied these little critters!

For those wondering, Digby is made with Yellow Pez by American Jane for Moda and has a blue stripey underbelly.  Pinky is decked out in two fabrics from the Delighted by Riley Blake collection.

If you would like to whip-up your own little pet asses then check out this free pattern by Myra Masuda.  It's a goodie.

Now, I'm off to the post office to send these beauties to Pip for her Softies for Mirabel campaign.  You have just one more week to get your donations in so it's time to get a-sewing.  Read more here.

E.

Linking up to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday, being hosted this week by the lovely M-R at Quilt Matters.

TTT - Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

Hello and welcome!  If you are new to my little blog then please allow me to introduce myself while you make yourself comfortable.  My name is Erin and, today, I'm the proud hostest of Becca's inspirational Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop.

At this stage in my life I'm not lucky enough to have children of my own but I am blessed to be surrounded by lots of gorgeous kiddies, either through friends or work.  So... when given the opportunity to choose a topic for today's post I couldn't go past the idea of creating gifts for kids by kids.  Yep, I love any excuse to sit down and get my craft-on with a little friend.

Sooo... I have put together two extremely simple, easy-peasy tutorials for you.  These little gifts are perfect for classmates, friends, team mates, neighbours etc etc and, I have no doubt, will become firm favourites for you all.  I mean, they are cute and include treats so, really, how can you go wrong?!  ;)

First up are these incredibly delectable Candy Cane Reindeers.  I used to make these when I was younger and hang them on the tree; display them en masse in a vase; tuck them into the ribbon on presents - whatever!

CANDY CANE REINDEERS

For each reindeer, you will need:

          1 candy cane, standard size
          1 pipe cleaner / chenille tube, cut in half (approx. 6")
          2 small googly eyes
          1 small pompom
          Glue   

Simply, twist the pipe cleaner around the top of the candy cane, to secure, and then bend to create the antlers.  Glue on the eyes and nose and VIOLA - you're done!

Did I say "easy-peasy" or did I say "easy-peasy"?! 

Secondly are these card reindeers - with a yummy lollypop nose!  Admittedly, this one is not my own design but after seeing a teacher make them for her class last year I filed the idea away - and am happy to be able to share it with you now.

LOLLYPOP NOSE REINDEERS 

EDITED 1st December 2013 - 

This tutorial can now be found in a free downloadable form (with templates!!).  

Click here for more information. 

For each reindeer, you will need:

          1 lollypop
          1 piece of coloured card, A4 size
          Pencil
          Scissors
          Glue
          Glitter, felt pens, whatever supplies you need to decorate 


STEP 1 - Draw your reindeer shape

Fold the card in half.  Crease and open out.  Draw or trace your reindeer outline (yes, you may use mine), being sure to have it's chin finishing on the fold mark.  

Don't forget a little hole for the lollypop stick and a bigger hole for the nose.

Pencil is fine for this step, I've just outlined it in Sharpie to make it a little clearer for you.


STEP 2 - Cut out your reindeer shape

Re-fold the card along the crease and cut around your shape, through both bits of card.  As the lollypop needs a piece to sit on, don't cut all the way around the chin, instead leave a join.

Yes, it might be a tad safer if an adult did this step.


STEP 3 - Decorate

Time to let the kids (big or little) go crazy with the glitter and felt pens.  Let their own creativity shine.


STEP 4 - Finish & Gift

Insert the lollypop, fold closed and pop in a little glue dot to hold the card in place.  Give to your favourite mini mates.  Yay!


Well, there we are.  Two adorable, little, easy and cost-effective gifts for Christmas.  I hope you have lots of fun making these with the kiddies (or even by yourself!).  Don't forget to send me pics.  And... if you know of any more great tutorials for gifts for kids by kids then please leave me a link in the comments.  I'm always on the look-out for new ideas!  :)


I really hope you have enjoyed my little contribution to the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop.  I'm actually the 6th stop on this little tour, so if you've missed any of the lovely posts so far be sure to check them out soon.  You can find the whole line up below...
 

November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!)

November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor
November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches & MRL free pillow cover pattern

November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up
December 20 - YOU!  DIY Christmas Party Link Up

And, yes, you even have the chance to play along and win some fab prizes...

Prizes?  

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

Now, it's over to you...

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  

HERE ARE THE RULES! 

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?

WIP - Just Keep Swimming...

Unfortunately things are a bit shit around here at the moment.  Sorry if that sounds a tad dramatic but I can't even be bothered to be eloquent right now - so 'shit' it is.  Or 'crap'.  Or, hey, I'll even accept 'sucky'.  ;)


So... I've decided to follow Dory's advice and have been keeping moving by jumping around from project to project to project.

As quilting stresses me out and requires way too much thinking I've instead starting another quilt top.  I know, I know, it's pathetic but in my defence I need to make a few for some up-coming births so it won't go to waste or just languish (with all the others) for years on end.  I promise.  A-huh.

It's a very simple strip design, with various Kona greys, black and some bright orange squares thrown in randomly for a pop of colour.  It currently measures 65" long.  We shall see how wide she gets.  ;)

I have to admit, I'm loving the simplicity - and the lack of thought needed to get this made.  Perfect!  I may not be making it the most efficient way but I like that I can just cut and sew, cut and sew without thinking too far ahead.  It's totally working for me right now.

My next project has been all about FUN as tomorrow I am playing host to the lovely Becca's Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop.

Today I've had a ball mucking around with some card, glitter, glue etc etc and making a general mess.  To find out more, and join in the fun, be sure to pop back and check out my two (!!!) easy-peasy, kid-friendly tutorials.

Now, away from the sewing machine / crafty table, I've also been planning our wedding.

WHAAAAT?!  Well, honestly, we have been engaged since July but had no real plans for a ceremony, until about a week ago when I jumped in head-first and started making arrangements.  For, like, less than 6 months time.  I can be a little crazy and spontaneous like that.  Anyhoo... more on that another time.  I know, I'm such a tease.  ;)

Lastly, with Christmas around the corner, it's time to really start thinking about all the events and social occassions that surround the day.  After pinning these gorgeous brownies some time ago, I knew I wanted to take them to Christmas lunch... so figured I'd better have a trial run first.

Ta da!

Unfortunately they didn't turn out exactly as planned, with the icing a little runny and not bright white (how do they do that??!) but they still tasted pretty yummy.  I ended up sending them to Mr C's work so I wouldn't scoff them all myself (yep, I've been eating for Australia lately and am starting to get more wide than I am tall!).

It did make me laugh, though, how all these amazing ideas pop up on Pinterest and make us believe we can do the same - only to have not-so-fabulous results.  Come on, fess up, I know you've been there to!

Even so, I'm happy to report that my attempt wasn't nearly as bad as some of the spectacular misses in this post - 17 Pinterest Fails.  Trust me, if you need a good laugh then check out that link!  I'm still giggling over the family portrait.  :)

E.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced, hosted this week by Elizabeth of OPQuilt.