Wednesday 14 December 2011

Christmas crafting

Ok...this year I have a slight obsession with vintage style paper ornaments, especially the honeycombe ones, so take a look at the offerings below:
Turkey ornaments from Apartment Therapy

DIY Paper ornaments at Marthastewart.com
Reindeer decoration at Cath Kidson

I'm quite chuffed I found the DIY info on MarthaStewart.com, so may give that a try if I have a spare hour before the festivities start.

Here are some other beautiful DIY creations:
Book tree tutorial at Creativetrials
DIY Christmas Decorations from Kim Vallee

DIY decorations from CountryLiving.com

So get crafting, and enjoy!
x

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Hello again

Hi guys

Firstly I want to apologise for my lack of blogging for 4 months (thats awful), and secondly to tell you whats been happening.

Since moving into our new house rental in June, we have struggled to make it feel like home. We're not sure why, it just hasn't felt like us yet. We sterted on the dining area first and managed to make it slighty retro which I loved, and then that blank living room wall had us stumped! Our new sofas arrived in Septmeber which just made it more blah as they're the same biscuit colour as that blank wall. Although, the sofas are lovely and cosy and soft. Christmas has allowed us to inject some colour back in to the room with the tree and we now have an accent colour of burgundy with new curtains, throw and cushions. ......I think we might finally be getting there, although, still nothing on the wall.

We lost our beloved little cat Truffle in late September. One night she went out as usual and never came back. We called around all vets, posted fliers, asked around, but no info turned up. She was my little baby and I miss her so much, I still dream of her every night. She was so loving and full of life. We hope someone has taken her in and given her a good home. And we know that while she was with us, we gave her all the love and comfort a cat could want.

Truffle
A big reason I've been away from Pipinopolis is that in mid August I found I was pregnant. It came as a shock because, even though we had been trying, I had been in so much pain with my ovaries and having so many tests done that I felt something must be wrong. I went into A&E one evening with severe pain in sides again and from a urine sample, they then told me I was pregnant. It such a shock, and they were worried it might be eptopic, so we had to wait until I was 6 weeks along before they spotted a tiny little heartbeat on a scan.  I am now at 21 weeks. just gone halfway, and the baby is doing well. I am on medication for depression, so they are monitoring me and the baby to check that everything goes well. 

Morning sickness was awful! I could barely eat and felt so depressed. I didn't pick up any crafts for months, and have just started to look at them again. I closed Pipinopolis on Folksy as I just couldn't concentrate sewing. Migranes have also been a bad symptom and has kept me away from the PC a lot. But enough complaining, I'm feeling a lot better now and am back. So what has everyone else been up to?

Sunday 14 August 2011

Big Knit 2011

Ok, so I really wanted to take part in Innocent's Big Knit this year. For every hat knitted Innocent donates 25p to Age UK. The have the info here, and some knit patterns. I am a complete novice at knitting. my stitches are usually too tight, I drop some and gain some from some unknown stitch dimension and the thought of following a pattern scares me. So seeing the beginner pattern on the Innocent site, I tried.......and came out with this:



Embarrassing isn't it? I'd much prefer to crochet one, but couldn't find any info on their site regarding patterns, so I tried one out myself and came out with this...:


As you can see, I was more confident with the final hat, that I went ahead and added the bobble. I then thought it would help others if I wrote up the pattern for this, so here it is below. This is the first ever crochet pattern I've written up, so let me know if it doesn't flow or I've missed something out.

Crochet pattern for Innocent Big Knit 2011


You will need a 4mm hook and some dk wool (this is a great way to use up any leftovers)

Start using a magic adjustable ring
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the centre of the ring. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Sc 2 in each sc. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 1 - repeat around (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 2 - repeat around (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 3 - repeat around (30 sc)
Rnd 6, 7, 8: Sc in each sc. (30 sc)

Change wool colour here.

Rnd 9,10,11: Sc in each sc, (30 sc) holding the wool more taut than before (this allows it to grip onto the bottle top)

Now finish off the end of the wool, and stitch in any stray strands. If you want to add a bobble you can follow a general pom pom tutorial like this one at thingstomake.com. I used a circle of card which was approximately 3cm diameter for the size of the bobble in the picture.

Stitch the bobble onto the top of the hat with the same colour wool and voila, one hat complete.

This pattern could be adjusted to fit dolls too, I think the one I made might actually fit my vintage Sindy!

Enjoy!
xx

Friday 12 August 2011

Something for the weekend?

If the weather with you is anything like it is here, it'll be too wet to do any of those summer outdoor activities. So feel free to take a look at these tutorials, links and ideas I've gathered together on Pinterest and give something new a try. There are plenty of things to make together with children too. It should keep someone busy at least :P.

Felt Dahlia Pin tutorial - www.notmartha.org

Enjoy

Monday 8 August 2011

Embellishing

I have just started this on one of my summer vests (mainly to cover a stain of tea I spilt on it)!! I really wanted to embellish something on one of my tops, so thought I'd give this a go as it's so easy. Although, if you're doing this with embroidery thread, put it through the wash first in a little cotton handkerchief. I used this source on how to wash embroidery threads.




This tutorial was found on Pinterest, so if you haven't been on there yet, check it out, it's a wealth of information and inspiration.

Sorry, just a quick one today.

xx

Thursday 4 August 2011

Meat and greet

Just finished another order for a customer:

Felt food - meat selection

Hope she likes it. It's the first time I've sewn any of these, but am so happy with them. The t-bone steak was straight forward enough, but I had to use picture references when designing the bacon rashers as the customer requested british style bacon. I never realised how everyone making felt bacon had been making the steaky kind until now, including myself. So glad I got to try them like this. The pork chop seemed simple in my head but I found I had to refer to pictures again when drawing out the shape, and placement for the bone.

I've also recieved an email from a very trendy London shop asking for a few of my things to see how they sell in store, so onto that project now...can't wait!

bye for now
x

Friday 22 July 2011

What kind of girl has her own tea set? A lucky girl

Yes, I have acquired a bone china tea set with pretty flowers on them! 6 cups and saucers, 6 plates, milk jug, sugar bowl and bread & butter platter. Found in my mum's shed and donated by my sister! And yes, I have already had a friend over for tea and used them!


In other news, our new place is taking shape, we have a dining table and chairs, sofas on order and I have spotted a fab retro sideboard in a charity store for just £40. I shall be buying it later (if its still there)........It was! And here it is in it's new home:

Yes, that is one of my girls sat on top, not an ornament.
There is a fab retro glass light shade I am enquiring about on Ebay too. I am trying to craft for the home but I seem to hit a brick wall with most things. I have made these fabric flowers:


 using this tutorial, and want to place them in an embroidery hoop, but when I try to embroider words, it just isn't working for me. I will keep at it though.

Apologies for the lack of blogging lately. I've been in and out of the doctor's surgery the past few weeks and sent for so many tests I feel like a pincushion. I've been having very bad ovarian pain. It made me feel really miserable, but I'm feeling a lot better lately and more positive for the outcome.

oh, oh, oh, another find at my mum's place was this...


A beautiful Kewpie doll from my younger years! Gotta love that cheeky face! Sorry Mum if I have nosed around too much!!

xx

Tuesday 28 June 2011

A quick mention of toast embroidery

My attention has just been drawn to Judith G. Klausner's work here. Look at her toast embroidery here.
Wow, wow, wow! How do you begin to even contemplate embroidering on toast? I am in awe of her work. 





Does anyone else feel in the mood for an extreme arty project?

Thursday 23 June 2011

More amigurumis and a crochet frenzie

I can't help loving the amigurumis!! Here are some more finds off Folksy:

From top left to right


Loves a good yarn  - Amigurumi elephant toy
Twixt sea and pine  - Hand crochet beehive and bee amigurumi
Cute designs  - Amigurumi kawaii green bear
SophieCat  - Amigurumi Mario character
Cinnamon Street  - Harold the pear
Orange Blossom Felt  - Crochet amigurumi teacup pincushion
Claire Sibley  - Little Donkey amigurumi pattern
MiniDreamz  - Amigurumi kokeshi doll
Element Arts  - Cheeky cheese on toast amigurumi brooch

I have also completed another of my own:
This is Teddington Bear. He had a little mishap at the seaside!!! hahaha. He is now for sale at Pipinopolis at Folksy. I've started another straight away, I think this one will be a girl, I have some lovely scrap fabric for a dress! On the topic of crochet, I'm trying to cover my old Klobo sofa, which is getting grubby now, and am loving the idea of covering it with granny squares. So I have made a start on some using this tutorial at Crochet with Raymond. Have a look at Alice's other tutorials, she makes some lovely tea cosies! I am hoping I don't lose patience making these and actually finish it! The sofa will then go into my workroom as Mr thinks it'll be too girly for the living room!

Here are some other finds of granny square covered things:

Sarah London
Nature Nut Notes
Teacup Lane
 Ok, I'll leave my obsessions here for now! But, has anyone else got any crochet covered things they'd like to share? I'd love to see them.
x

Monday 20 June 2011

I like new things

Ok, maybe I'm a little slow in discovering new gadgets and the like online, but I get really excited when I do. I have just found Pinterest! It's a place where you can created all types of 'boards' adding images to them from the site. It's also easy to add any online image you find to the site. I've added a few pins of my own crafts but am enjoying looking at everyone else's.


http://lastejeymaneje.blogspot.com

Its a great source for inspiration and creating mood boards. Check out my Crafty Stuff board, so many cute items I want to own!!

I have posted out a few more orders today and have more in the pipeline, after that, maybe I can return to sewing my Mr Kipling collection. There are so many things I want to start, just never enough time.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Shop now open



A New Home OOAK Unique Handmade Owl birdhouse shaped Easel Card
 The world of Pipinopolis is open again for anyone fancying a snack!

In other news, we are finally moved into our new home. There are still boxes to unpack and clothes to sort, but we are very happy here. The cats seem to like the place too, especially the bigger garden, and they have both been exploring all the cool places to hang out.

The picture today is from Polly Purple Horse Crafts at Folksy. Beautifully handmade cards with sweet, pretty trimmings!

Thursday 2 June 2011

Shop closed for two weeks


I've closed both my Folksy and Etsy shops for a couple of weeks, whilst we're packing up at home and moving. I will still be around to answer any messages though, so feel free to get in touch. Truffle is loving the mayhem as she's getting to hide in all the boxes, a new box for every mood, and I am documenting her 'research' with my camera. I'm thinking of calling it 'Trufflelocks'. Jelly is hating the untidiness of everything, she is such a diva and likes everything in its rightful place. Just wait 'til we actually move them!! Oh dear! 

How cute is this pic too? It's a pincushion in a thrifted tea cup by Mck254 at Etsy, you can find it here. Be sure to check out her other items, she makes some amazing cloth dolls.

Ok, thats all for now, speak soon.

xxxxx

Sunday 29 May 2011

Origami wow!

Ok, I mentioned my sister-in-law and friend were making some cool origami crafts, well here they are:


Aren't they amazing? These are origami crane earrings. They're made from a tiny square of beautifully patterned tea paper and are finished off with beads and a tiny swarovski crystal. Here are some others:


The paper on the box lid is the same as that used to make the origami cranes. All proceeds are currently going to the Japan Tsunami Appeal.


And there is more, they are also making these wonderful origami kimono cards:



All proceeds from cards are also going to the Japan Tsunami Appeal. For more info contact: japanwales@gmail.com

I think I actually squealed with delight when I saw all these, they are beyond cute and the details of the papers are exquisite. The blue and orange earrings are now mine, I couldn't leave without them, and am so happy I got them, I can't stop looking at them! :) I suggested they open a shop on Etsy for them, which they hopefully will do. I will keep you up to date on any news on them.

x

Friday 27 May 2011

So Inspired

I am feeling so inspired today! I popped over to give my bro his birthday pressie last night and found my sister-in-law and her friend had made some amazing origami crafts!! (I promise to post about these over the weekend). She has given me some great ideas of making my own rubber stamps and about the possibilities out there. Maybe, if I ask really nicely, she will put a tutorial online to show you how to make your own stamps.

I have also been browsing a little online, catching up on craft sites etc, and came across this pic on Craftzine:


Theres so much to love about this image. The clean whiteness of it all, the huge chunky knitting needles and yarn, and also the fact that I envy her big, clean working space. You could carpet a whole room with that knit!

Also, I saw these patterns on Craftzine too:

Crochet flower coasters

Crochet spring bunny

Valentine teddy amigurumi

How to: Simple skirts

Mainly crochet catching my eye today, such cute amigurumis and pretty, pretty coasters. And as for these skirts, well they are so simple to make! And yes, they can be made in grown up sizes too!!! Hooray..Can't wait to get my machine set up for this one!

Friday 20 May 2011

I love jelly

I have a jelly treasury on Etsy! When I think of jelly it always takes me to an image of 1950s kitchens, with those fantastic food illustrations of the time. There are some of these style illustrations in the jelly treasury. I don't seem to acknowledge how much I actually like jelly, the perfect shapes and colours of it, but one of my cats is named Jelly, so that must be a bit of a giveaway! lol! And she is perfect and beautifully coloured too!


Check out some of these retro food illustrations:








Ok, I added that last one just for kicks...looks like she'd kill for that jam on bread! (Mum: Note to self, hide that butter knife!)

Beautiful, beautiful illustrations!

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Blog, Boxing and Birthdays

Hello again

As you can see, I've changed my blog template again. I really like it, but then my mood/style changes so often, it might well change again. Do you like it?

The Mr and I (and cats) are moving again! We will be relocating ourselves to another area of Swansea (2 streets away from where I was living before) to a house with more room! I will actually have a room for my crafts, bliss! So now if the rest of the house looks untidy, I won't be able to blame it on the lack of space to work in, and my laziness will be out there for all to see.

So ready for the move, I am having a clear out of old clothes, and craft supplies. I already have a box full of card making supplies going to a paper crafter and a stash of scrap fabrics going to a sewing friend of my sister's I recently met. There are a lot more things to sort out and pack away, but its turning out some surprising finds of things I forgot I had, like these really retro doll faces I bought and some cool Japanese stickers and accessories.


It will be my birthday tomorrow, the last of my 20s!! :( But I am actually looking forward to my 30s), so I will try to enjoy it to the full. A day of coffee, Hitchcock films, shopping and dinner are on the cards! :) Plus I found my cake in the fridge this morning, hahaha, it was trying to hide behind a small jar or teryaki sauce...lol, cakes can't hide from me for long!

Oh, one more thing! I signed up to a craft swap, my very first, at Artichoke designs, I've just given over my details and answered some questions on my likes and dislikes, any allergies etc. I liked that I could give information like this. So I will hopefully get matched with someone soon! I can't wait to get started on some goodies!

I will report back on my birthday findings!!!

Cheerio!

Monday 16 May 2011

Bye Bye Suzie

I've sold Suzie - the cutest amigurumi I've ever made - in my Folksy shop! I'm so glad she is going to a good home, in Portugal! But I can't help but miss her blushed little face!!! I will have to make some more like her, a group of friends perhaps. So, bye bye Suzie, you will soon have a new home and a new best friend!


x

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Giant Snacks!

Check out the Monster Munchies post at the blog Fluffy Ghosts!


Yum,  that would take some sewing!!!

Check out the Pimp that Snack Gallery

Saturday 7 May 2011

Craft books!

Look at these cool books....
From top, left to right
World of geekcraft by Susan Beal
Indie Craft - Jo Waterhouse
Blogging for bliss - Tara Frey
Another cool item I found!


Poppy's play house sets at the Dot Com Gift Shop (Loving the 50s retro feel to this)
There are different scenes avaliable, all so quirky.