Monday 8 December 2014

In search of a Cristmas spirit around Covent garden

Its December ...at this time of the year I love to walk around Covent garden and look at the festive decorations,
the Christmassy window displays are so lovely
Fortnum & Mason's window display is magical as usual , my very favorite ever

I love wondering around Covent garden , looking for inspiration



Oh my son would love this lego Reindears and the sleigh



lets have some mulled wine at the market


... done a bit of shopping


then it is time to go home
xxx


Tuesday 2 December 2014

red furry puppet

Custom made puppet - Red and fluffy Monster with caribbean dreadlocks and rasta hat


it took a bit of a time to make the dreadlocks ;)


with the hat that I have made in the beginning but the customer did not like it ...


and then the final version the Puppet with a proper Rasta hat

Take a look at my other custom made puppets http://www.puppetsinabag.co.uk/?custom-made-puppets,97

Sunday 30 November 2014

How to Dye Craft fur for my Monster puppet


How to Dye Craft fur

It appears that it is not an easy job to dye Long pile Craft Fur.


The fabric’s dyes don’t work properly as the craft fur actually is a Plastic fibre not a fabric
I needed faded olive green fur to make an old grumpy monster Puppet –Custom order and the suppliers of craft fur offer very limited
choice of colours especially of the Long pile fur.

So the only option was to customise somehow one of the existing green colours.
Firstly I started to experiment with bleach but even though I tried different kind of bleach (thick and thin) and different length of the treatment it did not work the bright green colour did not fade .


Then I continued to experiment with some multi-purpose spray paints but again was unsuccessful

In pure desperation as my customer had paid a deposit and the design was approved but I did not have material to work with (( ,I looked for other ideas and found a tutorial of how to dye a craft fur with acrylic paint.

I followed this tutorial and YES it worked
tested the colours on little pieces and the customer liked the colour No 2




I have bought good quality art acrylic paints as advised and some basic ones, but then the perfect tint was from the basic range and i worked with basic acrylic paint on the end


Then I have mixed the paint with water (improvised on the quantities of the water and the paint) I have used a blender (this was my contribution to the process )to get rid of the little lumps

Then applied the liquid to the fur with brush


I have Left the fur to dry as the idea is as the water evaporates ,it leaves the fabric dyed , well it took 4-5 days to dry most of the time outside and I took it in the night

Then I brushed the dyed fur until it returns it’s fluffy appearance,
this exercise took a bit of a time and finally I got it - the perfect material for my Old Grumpy Monster puppet


The fur lost some of its quality and looked a bit worn but actually I was happy with the result, as the character supposed to be an old and worn and grumpy and this material was just what I needed

there was a down point , the material kept the odour of the acrylic paint



My Old and Grumpy monster

www.puppetsinabag.co.uk

Saturday 29 November 2014

On the third Day of Christmas -3 French hens -ornament

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree



3 in 1 - these are my 3 French hens in 1 ornament

I am continuing my 12 days of Christmas chalange


For this ornament my colours are more christmassy


I love designing hens .
For this ornament I wander how to represent the 3 hens ,firstly planned to make 3 identical elements but then decided to go for 3 in 1



and they become 3 sleeping hens


Thursday 27 November 2014

On the second day of Christmas - 2 turtle doves ornamet

On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
2 Turtle Doves and ......


I realy enjoed making these little ornaments - two doves to continue with my " The 12 days of Christmas" Challenge


The felt is in pastel colours


Just a touch of colour was added at the blanket shitch


Some beads on the edge of the wings


To create an ornament inspired by these lines for the second day of Christmas was not very challenging ,probably i will be fine with the 3 hens as well but what about the higher numbers 4 calling birds and so ...

On the first day of Christmas - A Partridge in a Pear tree

The Twelve Days of Christmas ...
I like this Christmas Carol and I wanted to challenge myself to make 12 Felt ornaments inspired by this lovely song , and make a garland or something like bunting for the fireplace from the 12 little ornaments

The first one:


On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

I have selected pastel colours for this little ornament ,
in my fabric's drawer found this lovely cotton fabric with the pears that I kept for something special





Hope to make the second ornament soon ...

Saturday 15 November 2014

Free Sewing pattern - Christmas star topper

I would love to share the joy of making with you ... 

... and Felt is the perfect material  for Christmas decorations



How to make : Star –Christmas tree topper decoration – Scandinavian style ,with a little hanger on the top this little cute star can be lovely hanging ornament as well ,
this star pattern can be made into mobiles or other decor,get creative and select other colours i had used red and cream as I wanted to make Nordic /Scandinavian style ornament




Free Christmas Sewing pattern


Pictures and step-by step instructions

Christmas is the best time to get creative. Making our own Christmas ornaments makes the festive season even more special
Hand stitching and basic sewing skills are required


Allow approximately 1 hours to make it

Please note the ornament is not a toy, it is for decoration use only !!!!!!!!!!

What you need ...
White or Cream felt ( Felt Sheet –A4 -1mm thick)
Red felt ( Felt Sheet –A4 -1mm thick)
Black, felt
1 Felt ball in red
Toy stuffing
Thread: Cotton perle embroidery and machine tread
In RED ,White , Black
Optional :Decorative Felt Cord if you like to make it into hanging ornament
Fabric scissors
Needles
Tailors Chalk liner
Pins

Print out the templates for FREE from my Craftsy pattern shop :http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/home-decor/star-christmas-tree-topper-scandinavian/121027 it is a PDF file in full size no need of enlargement

And follow the instructions

Here are the stitches used for the project:
Blanket stitch
Running stitch
Back stitch

How to make Star size 12 cm (4.5) across :

1. Using the template, Cut out all of the shapes for the Star:

• 2 star shapes (1 in red and 1 in white)
• 1 half star shape in red
• 2 red circles for the cheeks
• 2 circles for eyes in black


2. Take the white star shape and attach the features

- Lay in place the cheeks and nose, then sew on
- Make the smile using running stitch

- Mark the places for eyes and using black thread embroider on the marks and add tiny eyelashes

3 Pin together the front white star shape , the red star shape and the half star
* optional if you like to make the star into hanging ornament insert a loop of felt cord on the top between th e two two shapes
4 Overstitch around using red threads and blanket stitch . Leave an opening for stuffing at one of the sides

5.   Fill the Star’s body lightly with toy stuffing and stitch the opening close

Your Scandinavian style Star topper of felt ornament is ready !!! Enjoy making with felt lots more sewing patterns are available for Instant download at my Craftsy pattern shop http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/home-decor/christmas-ornaments-santa-robin-penguin-/111692 and Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Puppetsinabag

Thank you and keep making :)))


and the hanging ornament option

Please have a look at my other patterns I can offer lots of lovely Christmas ideas , Fun Patterns for marionettes and puppets visit my website www.puppetsinabag.co.uk



Thank you