More elephant bunting

I posted recently on facebook that I was making elephant bunting for a friend, a different friend left me a comment asking if I had scraps then her little boy would love some elephant bunting for his elephant room.....This friend has always been so kind about my crafty exploits so I couldn't resist sending her a little treat, and whilst I had everything out I needed making an extra set of mini bunting really wasn't any trouble at all.

I sent this as a surprise so didn't want to ruin it by posting pictures last week and having to make up who it was for, blah blah blah....

well I now know it has arrived so can share this slightly different elephant bunting with you ....  so cute - this would look great in any nursery

Using up my stash - Vintage Teacup Candle Tutorial

The general consensus when I admitted my addiction to purchasing candles (which I don't then use) was to turn them into teacup candles for gifts. I found some great vintage teacups in a market a couple of weeks ago and then today I have finished the candles. Yay! I have Vintage Teacup Candles!

I read a few reviews and tutorials before I started and wanted to share what worked for me 

You will need

Teacups

Candle wicks

Candle wax - I melted down old candles

Tip - you may also want to purchase a cheap saucepan and wooden spoon - the cleaning afterwards isn't pleasant. I spent £1.75 on a pan and then recycled it with other metals at the dump

1. Prepare the Wax 

As I was using part used candles I cut them down into chunks before melting.

I've got quite a candle stash so selectively removed any dark sections of candles and then used a knife to shave these into sections. 

TIP - I found a smooth blade much easier to use than a serrated one

2. Prepare the Teacups

I purchased prewaxed wicks with sustainers so they stood in the teacups without needing sellotape across the top

3. Melting the Wax

This was the bit I was most nervous about. I read reviews of wax bursting into flames and that got me scared. The safest method seems to be melting wax in a small pan which is resting in a larger one filled with water

I used a really low heat - my hob has settings 1-9, I used setting 3

The water was just touching the bottom of the small pan and wasn't simmering or bubbling at all

The wax melted really quickly. Very soon I had liquid wax with lumps of wax icebergs gradually melting

TIP - you can add essential oils at this stage

4. Making your Candles

Once you have enough melted wax pour it into the teacups - a little first to secure the wick in place and then fill up to the required amount. 

 Leave to cool whilst you feel smug and enjoy a well earn cup of tea!

And here are the finished articles....aren't they adorable and what a perfect low cost Christmas / Birthday gift

I hope you found this tutorial useful - please let me know if you've made some Vintage Teacup candles

Bunting had it's outing

Do you remember a few weeks ago I mentioned making some bunting for my husband's work, but it didn't quite make it to it's planned outing?

Well it went out to the market this weekend

Looking good - quite pleased with this 

Stash-busting #declutterday

This week I turned my attention to my fabric stash for #declutterday. There are piles of fabric bought a long time ago with bygone projects in mind still loitering at the bottom of my fabric draw. It was time to sort it out. I'm pleased to report that I removed 7 large pieces of fabric from the draw and have now sold them on eBay. 

 Whilst I still like the designs I don't have a project in mind and as I haven't used them yet and I really going to?

Some of these were large pieces so I chopped a little bit off if there was a small pattern I could use in patchwork and sold the rest.

There's no harm in keeping a little bit is there?

Made a few pennies too

Although I'm going no where near quickly enough to make my target of £950 in the next 11 weeks! 

Oh dear! 

There just aren't enough hours in the day

My pockets might not be getting richer but at least my house is getting clearer! 

Elephant Bunting

Started using the stash of fabric I bought at the Knitting and Stitching Show this morning to make some bunting. It was always the plan to use some of the elephant fabric to make bunting. A very good friend of mine is nearing the end of her second pregnancy and is decorating the nursery brown and white, I asked if I could help in any way and suggested bunting. When I saw this adorable beige and white elephant fabric at the show it I knew this was perfect for the bunting. 

So here it is, elephant bunting for the nursery, hot off the sewing machine only minutes ago...

Right I'm off to the post office with this....

Knitting and Stitching Show - October 2013

Yesterday I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London. What a fabulous day.

As always with these shows, preparation is key. 

I booked in for 2 workshops - one on Shrink Plastic and another to make a make up bag

I'd made a list of what I wanted to buy 

had other project ideas in mind. 

I also went with a very good friend...crafting and a good chat...what could have been better. 

This was by far the biggest craft show I have ever been to, taking up 3 halls in Alexandra Palace. There was such a range of things to do and see.  Including an amazing yarnbombed taxi at the entrance!

One hall had a beautiful display of work from experienced and student artists

Whilst another had the opportunity to get involved in upcycling to make woven rugs and flower corsages

The third hall was by far the biggest and full of all types of knitting and stitching products, of course I didn't come home empty handed 

Campervan and Spotty Fabric

Cars Fabric

Elephant Fabric

Liberty Scraps Fabric

I also bought a fabulous quilt fabric which I will use the liberty fabric for...will share this soon

Looks like there will be a lot of stitching in my future!

Shrink Plastic Workshop

I've had a play with Shrink Plastic before, but always useful to learn from someone more experienced. I made these amazing buttons...so incredibly pleased with them and definitely learnt some new tips to help me make better items at home

Shrink Plastic Buttons

Sewing a Zip into a Makeup Bag Workshop

This was the workshop I was most excited about as I thought there was a dark art to inserting zips...turns out they are as easy as pie! 

Within an 1.5 hours I had made the outer bag with a zip inserted and box corners (also new to me!) then I slip stitched in the lining on the train heading home....great skills I will use again and again. 

From this....

...to this

Love it!

If you're crafty and can get to London would completely recommend the show, its on until Sunday so get there if you can.

I was sent the entry tickets to the show for free in exchange for writing a review, however, I paid for all travel, workshops and shopping myself. All words in this blogpost are my own. 

Knitting and Stitching Show tomorrow

I'm off to the Knitting and Stitching Show tomorrow. 

Excited

Me?

Oh, just a little

Shopping list written - check

Classes booked - check

Friday booked off work for some crafting time - check

Follow me on Instagram for photos of the show 

Birthday Party and Train Cake

This week I turned into a professional party organiser. My little boy was 3 today. 21 toddlers descended on a local soft play for an hour of craziness followed by some lunch.

I decided to make the birthday cake rather than buy, the bought ones always look so pristine but I have really fond memories of the cakes my Mum would make for my birthday parties and I wanted to continue the tradition. 

Quite chuffed (if you will excuse me for saying so) about how this turned out

A kinda cool train cake, and the little man loved it which is really all that matters

I used a train tin for the shape so will take no credit for that but I did the icing myself...after a quick lesson from my Mum I was off

The lucky little man got lots and lots of presents...think we will be spreading these out over the week, and this doesn't even include family gifts!

 

No crafting for me this week but certainly been busy, as I tuck myself up in bed super early tonight I will be dreaming of having a few minutes to craft in the coming week

mmmmm

Look what I got in the post....

I got a lovely email from Rico Designs following my attempt to complete their bird mosaic kit and finding that it didn't include the correct tiles. It was a lovely kit to complete but I was understandably left a little frustrated.

Well they offered to send me a replacement kit, and look what was in the parcel when it arrived

Not just a replacement for my beer bellied bird but also an extra bonus heart mosaic 

Really looking forward to completing these 

This week is all about the little man's 3rd birthday on Sunday. Train cake to make, party and after party to plan and execute, my mind has been else where for the last few days. Its going to be his first proper birthday party I'm so desperate for it to go well. More about that early next week....train cake pictures I promise

xx