Week 17 of Craft project a week: The Big Red Barn

Last year I made a farm story bag for my friend's little boy's first birthday.  With another first birthday coming up, I decided to give it a go again.  I made a smaller bag this time which I think worked quite well.  I love how quick (well, kind of!) and easy this set is to sew.  This time I teamed the set up with a different book 'The Barnyard Dance'.  I'm thinking of making other sets like this with different themes but am a bit stuck for ideas (suggestions appreciated!)

Week 16 of Craft project a week: An apron for the kids

Jacob had a birthday party to go to this week so I wanted to make something special for his little friend.  I picked up some kids' cooking utensils from the shop so decided to make a little apron to go with it.  I've made kids' aprons before so this was nothing new, although I had to work out a new pattern as the old one was long since lost.  It seems to fit alright though (as demonstrated by Jacob ;))  

Week 15 of Craft project a week: Little girl's patchwork skirt and top

I absolutely love this little girl's patchwork skirt and matching top that I've made this week. It did cause me a little of heartache making it though. In fact, if I hadn't been making it for my friend's daughter for her birthday party the following day I think I would've given up on it completely. The top was relatively easy to make but the skirt required lots of gathering (something that is not my strong point at all!) Luckily, my ever wonderful husband came to the rescue and pinned the gathered tiers together for me.

The completed top.

It's amazing how a little bit of rick rack, ribbon, buttons and material put together can look so good. Apart from the flowers which are circles of material gathered together, it's all pretty basic stitching.

A close up of the top

I'm so glad I perserved with the skirt though. Now that I have sewn one I feel a lot more confident sewing another one for Esme. I'm off to make her the top now actually...

Week 14 of Craft project a week: Easter themed top

I'm very excited by what I've made this week. I've been experimenting with different fabric and patterns. This top for Esme is based on another dress I've made for her in the past. The bird applique is based on a design that my SIL did on a toy she made for Gideon. I'm really loving the bright colours - they just seem to work so well together. It really only took a night to sew this as well (and I'm all for quick, easy sewing projects!)

The dress, by itself

A close up of the bird applique - a little bit of machine stiching and a little bit of hand sewing :)

Esme was so excited about this dress too. It makes me feel great when the kids get so excited about the things I make for them!

Week 13 of Craft project a week: Tea for two

Cupcakes with sprinkles - yum!

We've all been sick with the lurgy for the past week or so and I haven't had the energy to craft this week. So I thought I would share a project that I made as Christmas presents for the little girls in the family last year. I got inspiration for these from a couple of different sites but the patterns and the designs are all my own - it took a bit of fiddling to get them right! So here they are...little cupcakes and some herbal tea bags!

Herbal tea bags - mint, chamomile, orange and lemon!