A Bear for my Sister-in-Law

Hi Folks! I've not been doing much as I've been laid low with a heavy cold but I've enjoyed looking at all your festive preparations. I'll finally be decorating our house this weekend too.

But first, I've been meaning to make a bear for my sister-in-law at Christmas for a few years now and I've finally done it. So here is ... Flynn!

He's approximately 8" from head to toe and made from mohair. As it's chilly out I knitted him a little sweater and made him some trousers and a wee scarf. Just need to nestle him into his gift box now but I thought I'd share him with you all first. Take care x

Needlefelted Bears

You may remember a couple of weeks ago I showed you a little needlefelted dog I made for my friend in the US. Well, she asked if I could make a teddy bear for the little boy's bedroom in her dollhouse. I was happy to oblige and made these two little cuties.....

In return I received loads and loads and loads of tiny punched flower shapes. I am addicted to making flowers just now and they are much appreciated!

Needlefelting Revisited...

A while back I decided to try my hand at needlefelting - and surprise, it was another craft I found I loved. I've made a few little things, like....

Hector

Hamish

and Penny

I feel the urge to get out my fleece and needles again. I have a 'Pet Swap' coming up in July so it's thinking cap on and let's see what we come up with x

The Little Treat

Here's what has been taking up my time over the past week...

..a little street scene in which to display my wee teddy. The shop is called 'The Little Treat' and while I initially thought about a sweet shop I have loads of cakes made at a polymer clay workshop that I might use instead. Here's how it came about..

First I stripped a picture frame, stained it and fixed a piece of foamboard into the centre. Next, more foamboard was cut for the back of the scene and to make the bay window for the shop. I already had a spare window so decided to use that but left it removable so I can arrange the window display. I wallpapered the inside of the shop and glued it all together.

I had wanted a textured finish to the walls so decided to try out a technique I once read about. In theory a thick layer of gesso is painted over the walls and allowed to dry. A brick colour is painted over the gesso and once dry you should be able to score lines in the gesso to simulate brick - it didn't work!!! So, as I want to make this on a budget of zilch, I used some left over brick paper. I didn't have a shop door in my stash so I turned to my trusted mountboard and made a door.

I decided to go with a mixture of landscaping so the paving slabs are squares of mountboard stippled with a textured paint, glued in place and then the remaining area was filled with gravel. I've recently been practising making plants so have added them to the scene too.

The shop window is a little empty at present so I'll be busy stocking it when I can. Hope you have enjoyed this little diversion 'cos it's back to business soon x

It's not on my list, but...

It's a great feeling getting all those little bits and pieces finished up and even starting again on The Laurels but I feel restless and, for my sanity, I need a little diversion - but it's just a little diversion, if that's any excuse! While clearing out some....junk, I think is the best word, I came across a box of old picture frames and it got me thinking that they would be ideal as the base for ... something! As they are just now they're hardly inspiring but I have a little bear by Josephine Parnell called Lollipop and it was always my intention to make a sweetie shop window for her to gaze into. Here's Lollipop...I love her to bits!


My mind is whirring with ideas so I'll be back soon with a progress report. Until then...

Tiny doll and teddy..

After another night spent stitching away here's my little doll, she's 3" tall. I'm quite pleased with how she turned out but in all honesty I don't think I would attempt another one - think I'll stick to miniature teddies instead. The teddy in the picture was the first one I attempted and she was so much easier than the doll!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!