Welcome


Hello, my name is Dionne and I have been crafting for a very long time. As a very young child my mother tried to teach me to knit, it was a disaster. However, it must have sparked an interest in making things and, partly to prove that I was not totally useless and partly because I really wanted to make things, I taught myself to crochet. Over the years I have developed a love of cross stitch and all types of paper craft ..... I eventually even taught myself to knit.


I am married to a very understanding man, thank goodness, because I spend all my time either crafting, thinking about crafting or talking about crafting. I am hopeless at housework and dinner is often late!


Thank you for visiting my blog.


Dionne

Monday 16 November 2020

Is it a Bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a Flying Giraffe!

Do you ever have days when you just cannot think of a good way to start a post?  Well that has been me this week, I keep looking at these photographs and thinking, I need to write something to go with these pics, but I keep deleting what I have written and end up thinking,  I'll come back to it later!

I feel this post should be witty, but I cannot find the right words.  After all, how often to do you see a flying giraffe?  Come to that, how often do you see a giraffe dressed as Superman ..... a socially distanced Superman - ? ? should that be Supergiraffe ? ?

This rather dashing chap is another 'teddy' from the Knitables Collection.  You have already met my Cat and my Hippopotamus from this collection, there are another 21 and more patterns seem to be arriving weekly at the moment - I cannot keep up with them.


One of the great things about these patterns is the seemingly endless range of new yarns they introduce me to.  For instance, the giraffe's mane and tail are made from something called eye lash yarn.  I found it a little tricky to knit with but what a great effect, it really does look like short 'hair', and it is soooo very soft!


I just love his bottle brush tail.  Mind you, I am not sure that this close-up photo actually helps?


I think it is time to have a closer look at his outfit ......


First up we have his jumper and cape.  The fabulous red cape is actually attached to the jumper at the shoulders.  You can add any initial to the shield, I chose G for Giraffe.


I suppose that technically these are his tights, but, as you can see, they are actually trousers with a brown belt around his waist.


Next we have the all important super hero pants which have to worn over the trousers - of course.


He has matching red boots.


And, very important in the current climate, he has his face mask - just in case he needs to pop into the shops on his way home.  


(I took the mask from the doctors outfit pattern and you will be seeing a lot more of these masks).


A quick look at the back of his ensemble - I think he looks a bit like 'The King' in this pose - although I am not at all sure why?


The are slots in the back of the trousers and the underpants to accommodate his tail.


Finally, I little sneaky peek at a coming attraction (as they use to say at the cinema).  Our Super Hero has a companion in the guise of Super Girl - or Super Giraffe Girl - whatever!



Wednesday 11 November 2020

Poppy Mask

I thought that today would be an appropriate time to share with you some face masks I made using a poppy design fabric


I made one for each of the ladies in my family and a few very close friends.


I should like to share two minutes silence with you now.  Least we forget!


Dionne


Friday 6 November 2020

The Dancing Hippopotamus

Get set for the weekend.

Well, we are back into lockdown again. Last time this happened I found that the best way to get through it was to get out my craft stuff. I fully intend to do the same this time around but I also thought I would take some time to share with you some of my projects from the previous lockdown.

Today is the turn of this adorable ballerina hippopotamus, isn't she cute?


I gave you a sneaky peek of the gorgeous hippopotamus and her elephant friend when I introduced you to the Knitable range earlier in the year.



Knitables 'teddies' are unisex, it is only how your dress them that determines their sex.  However, one look at this sweet face and I instantly knew that she is a girl.  The ballerina costume seemed such an obvious choice.


The patterns are very detailed and fun to make, just look at the back of this outfit - there is even a slot for her tail and just look at those sweet slippers.


I know how much you like to see the 'teddies' without their clothes.  However, if you have a nervous disposition, look away now.


The pink patches on her face are her nostrils. Did you know that hippo's can close their nostrils when submerges to keep the water out?


My hippo has a short tail and slightly bandy legs.  The legs were not intended but they do give her the impression of a retirĂ© ballet pose - win, win!


The costume is made in three shades of pink.  The tutu is attached to the leotard and there is a wrap-a-round cardigan, as well as the ballet slippers.  The outfit is topped off with a flower on a headband.





She really is too cute!


I hope you enjoyed getting to know my hippopotamus a little bit better.


Dionne



Monday 2 November 2020

Easy Hair Slides

I recently made a new discovery - printed fabric sheets for hair slide bows, it is a plastic backed canvass with a design printed on the other side.  I am sure everyone else knows all about this fabric but I only discovered by mistake when I ordered some intending to make face masks from it.  You can also get sheets of chunky glitter.


To make hair slides you also need undecorated French Barrette hair clips and some glue.  Most people also buy a bow template but, as this was just an experiment, I used a Marianne Creatables bow die which I already had.


Once I had cut the bow shapes with scissors, I used my glue gun to put the bows together and attach them to the slides.


The finished slides were much more robust than I was expecting and very bling!


If you have been trying to work out what is printed on the canvass; it's ballet shoes and bows!

Stay safe.


Dionne