Monday, February 20, 2012

Fun with Felt Projects

Over the past few weeks I have been having fun sewing up a new felt project. I've been making a 3D Noah's Ark and set of animals. The concept came to me a few months ago and has been floating around in my mind ever since. So far I have most of the felt animals sewn and have made a template Ark from cereal boxes. You can follow my progress on my Little Green Cottage blog.

I have enjoyed working with felt so much that I plan to create a few more designs this year. Even my youngest, Miss 12 has been getting in on the act. Her Grandmother gave her this book for her birthday which came in very handy for the school fete last year.


She picked out a few designs and we made them into brooches. The kids loved them as did some grown ups as well. I can highly recommend this book for some simple felt projects.Click on the link under the graphic if you would like some more information, the book is currently on sale for 53% less than normal price.

Here are some of our felt projects.



With felt projects on my mind I decided to do a little research to see what else was around. Here are some of my favourite finds.



I just love the little pig looking through the fence palings, wouldn't the kids love playing with this collection?
It's also on sale for 27% less then normal price.

I've also been inspired by some cute little needle felted animals that I have found on Pinterest. Just like the white cat on the front cover of this book, so amazingly real looking.



I have to admit that I found the needle felting a bit more difficult to master. My first attempt was a Santa doll and I remember my friends joking with me at the time. As my needle stabbed up and down creating the form, they were convinced that I had taken up voodoo, and Santa was my first victim!

Needless to say this image has stayed with me and I have not managed to create anything else. Perhaps this book is just what I need for a more successful second attempt.

Hope you have enjoyed looking at these felt projects and that you have been inspired to start playing with some felt as well. It's lots of fun!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Storage Tip for Quilting Fabrics


"Coordinate fabrics by designer, style, or manufacturer, then store the collections in baskets of different shapes and sizes. Baskets give you the flexibility you to keep various fabric bundles and shapes in one location. Label the baskets to take organization to the next level!" via tips.allpeoplequilt.com

This is a great little tip. As a quilting fabric collector I totally understand that having a system to store and organize your fabric is a must. I like my fabric stash to be both inspiring to look at and functional. I like to be able to put my hand on the exact piece of fabric I need quickly and easily.So when I opened my fabric cupboard this weekend and had fabric spilling out at my feet I knew a refold and clean out was in order.

To be honest I find touching, refolding and arranging my fabric bundles a pleasant thing to do. Mind you I would only admit this to a chosen few like yourself, who I am sure share this same fetish.


My fabric bundles are organized into colourways or styles. Because I design with a lot of applique I also have plastic tubs labelled by colours. Although after taking this photo I have decided that some prettier labels are definitely needed.



Reorganizing my quilting fabric stash gets me in the right frame of mind for a new project. Everything is in its place, well at least for a day anyway!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Three Little Embroidered Cottages


If you are passionate about hand embroidery, then you will love these three little cottages just released on the Stitching Cow website.

It is no secret that I love little cottages, especially those that have a sprawling flower garden around them. I am surrounded by cottages just like these three down here in Tasmania. So I did not have to look very far for inspiration. They each have a name:
Here is Hollyhock Cottage

Here is Foxglove Cottage

And here is Rose Cottage


Each cottage is made from fabric with appliqued windows and door, then weighted down before being filled with fibre fill. They are only about 4" in height. This makes them ideal to use for pin cushions, or sit them on a favourite window sill just to admire. The garden extends onto each side panel with a suggestion on the back as well.
Yes I did get a little carried away!

Pattern includes all three cottages and can be purchased as an e-pattern and downloaded to your computer today, or sent in the post as a paper pattern.

Click here for more information.

They are heaps of fun to make. Hope you like them.

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