Mr Kipling treats

I have finally listed those Mr Kipling treats I mentioned ages ago! Take a look:

Mr Kipling Angel cake slices

Mr Kipling Lemon cake slices

They are available in the Folksy shop. I also plan to make the Bakewell slices soon. I love working with the Tulip fabric paint used for the icing, there is so much you can do with it. I had to insert batting for the slices to keep their shape, and they worked out really well I think. I plan to put together a Mr Kipling selection in my shop, possibly containing: Battenberg slices, cake slices, French Fancies and some Viennese Swirls.

I also added a doughnut selection to my Folksy shop, made just for play:

Doughnut selection

There is a chocolate with nuts, pink with sprinkles and white with chocolate. These are made entirely of felt with no beads, so they're safe for play. The pink one is very Simpson style!

I have also been sewing on the tiny side, trying to make a brooch...but as untidy as I am, I've misplaced the brooch backs! humph! The only thing to do now is to finally organise my things and I'm sure I'll find them somewhere.

x

Petit fours in my shop

I finally finished the petit fours from Ruko's design, only there are 3 instead! :)

Petit fours

They are for sale in my Folksy shop now. It was nice to make something small and delicate again, and I love using the braid trimmings. I think I might try a wedding cake next.

x

Petit Fours

This week I will mainly be sewing these:

They are designs from the book: Ruko's Original Sweets made of Felt. Very tiny and detailed, but very satisfying to make. I will list them in my Folksy shop when they're done. I really want the champagne truffle box too, but can I justify £10 for a box??!! hmmmm...maybe!

I am also currently working on PDF patterns for the shop, and I just need a day to myself where I can take pictures of different stages of the sewing process. Hopefully these will be available soon.

x

Pipinopolis is back!

I have finally reopened The world of Pipinopolis on Folksy. There are more items to come which I shall get listed asap, but here are some pictures of the sweet treats on offer:

Remember, if there's something in particular you're after, just get in touch and I'll have a go at making it. Here are some commissions I've made for past customers:

Thanks for reading!
x

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

Sardines

Here is the tin of felt food sardines I've been sewing:

I'm liking the actual sardines a lot, I might make some more for another project. I used the new photobox for the first time and really liked it, although some of the shots are appearing quite low quality in Folksy, I think I might have re sized them too small.

I've now listed the cheesecakes and Ice cream roll on my Folksy shop too, so feel free to check them out!

There are still some summer treats on their way and last night I started to sew my way through some more of Mr Kipling's exceedingly good items.

Stuff I forgot to show you all!!!

Ok, there have been some things I've made recently in secret, for presents etc, that I couldn't share on here at the time, but now I can. Here is the Mother's Day present I put together for my nephew to give his mother:

Its a pastry box of felt food treats! As you can see from the pic, I made it from a cupcake box with little modification. Inside were a felt custard slice (seen previously), a felt chocolate eclair and a felt cream horn:

Apologies for the bad pics! I have also been sewing an order for my Sis consisting of two felt cheesecakes, one strawberry and one kiwi:

And finally, I have made a custom order for some felt food fish products (salmon steak with lemon slice, fish fingers and king prawns):

Well, hope you've all had a wonderful Easter Sunday! Will blog again soon!

Summer food inspiration!

Hi all,

Hope you're enjoying the glorious weather we're having here in the UK. So, feeling inspired by the bounty of summer foods popping out so say hello, I thought I'd share some fab food themed products people have out there:

Left to right from the top:

Soapsicle - Watermelon, Boston Tea Party, Neapolitan or Orange Cream - AudreyEapothecary

Knitted food prepare your own burger - The Shabby Tiger

Fruit Tart 2 - Original Watercolor - Crayonmonster

4 Sprinkled Ice Cream Cones/Handmade Felt Embellishments - RainbowFelt

Giant jelly baby soap - BitsnBobs
Twister Lolly / Ice Cream Pendant - Stars & Scars
Handmade cross stitch pdf pattern - Thecupcakeclub
Felt Orange Watermelon and Strawberry Iced Sugar Cookies - ViviansKitchen
Sweet & Small Scoops - S Earrings - IceCream Collection- PetitPlat

I'm in love with all these items, well done everyone for creating such inspiring things!

Doughnut Pincushion Tutorial

Ok guys, here it is, my first tutorial. I'll probably ramble on too much or be a bit incoherent, but please let me know if you have any trouble following it. Print out the template from the link below on an A4 sheet. You'll have to click 'Download the Large size of this photo'     

Doughnut Template

Apologies for the crudeness of this image! never used my scanner before, lol!

1. Cut out the shapes on the template, also cutting out the inner circles. Use the doughnut shape to trace around on your doughnut coloured felt, do this for two doughnut shapes.

2. Thread your sewing needle and tie a large knot at the end so that it won't pass through the felt. Place one felt shape on top on the other so that they are aligned with each other and start sewing the centre circle together:

I use a blanket stitch on these but use whichever stitch you feel comfortable with. Don't make the stitches too large though, as you won't want the stuffing showing through the finished piece.

3. Continue all the way around the inner circle until both pieces are sewn together

 4. Now, using the same method of stitching, start sewing the outer circle together along the edge until you reach half way round. At this point, its good to start stuffing your doughnut with the toy filling:

The doughnut will start to take shape now

5. Continue sewing around the edge, stuffing as you go, until you have about an inch left to sew. Now you need to stuff it completely until you are happy with the shape:

6. Once happy with the stuffing and shape, continue to close up the doughnut and fasten off.

7. Now for the icing ans sprinkles. Using the second shape in the template, trace around once and cut on your icing coloured felt. Get your beads ready and thread your beading needle, tying a knot at the end.

8. Start sewing from the wrong side of your icing through to the front, where you will thread a bead onto the needle. Pass the needle back through the same place and back up where you want to place the next bead.

9. Continue this process until you have beads where you want them on the icing. You could space them further apart, or closer together depending on the style you want. Bugle beads also look great as sprinkles.

10. Place the finished icing over the finished doughnut and sew the inner circle of icing to the inner circle of the doughnut, using the same stitch as before (see pic below)

11. Continue around until the inner circle is sewn on completely and start sewing on the outer circle.

12. Continue around until the outer circle of icing is fully sewn onto the doughnut. Finish off the thread and voila!!! Your doughnut is complete!

Let me know how you get on with this also if I've missed something out or if whats here doesn't make sense. I'd love to see pics of your finished doughnuts too!

xx

Coming Soon.....

Free doughnut plushie pincushion tutorial hopefully will be up sometime over this weekend!!!

What you will need

1 square of brown or doughnut coloured felt (approx 9"x9")

1 square of icing coloured felt of your choice (approx 5"x5")

2mm seed beads or bugles of your choice (approx 10g)

2-3 good handfulls of toy stuffing

1 beading needle, 1 sewing needle

Cotton thread to match the colours of your felt (or you can use a contrasting colour)

Fabric pen or pencil

Scissors

Printer and 1 sheet of A4 paper to print out template

(not suitable for small children)

Can't wait!!!!!

xxx

Popular crafts and bakery delight

Ohh, a couple of days off work for me, lovely! Haven't had enough time to blog or list anything properly. I had my work pictured in the Easter issue of Popular Crafts magazine:

Its always nice to see my work printed or featured somewhere, it makes me all giggly and proud!

I have also been making more amigurumis which I'll blog about later, and have made an old bakey favourite, the custard slice. My sister has kept mentioning I should try this for some time now, so I though I'd give it a whirl between orders, here it is:

It was quite simple to do with straight lines, but took me a little while to get the custard part the right height. I haven't actually eaten one in years and Mr Catherine pointed out that there was too much custard in my first attempt, so this one was born!

I've had an order in for some fish and meat products I've not tried before, but am looking forward to sewing, so I'll put some pics up when they're all done. Must dash now and get some biccies sent out in the post, will be back wih another blog later hopefully! TTFN.

Finally, some pictures!

I finally got around to listing my amigurumi things on my Folksy shop this weekend. Take a look:

This is a trio of cupcakes! Look at their faces, they make me laugh! They're being sold individually.

This is my cupcake bear! I love these things, they're based on actual bear shaped cupcake treats available in japan, or so I believe (is this true? anyone got any pics?) If ever I get the chance to go to Japan, I think my heart would give out with pure joy!

This little cutie is Suzie, my first freestyle amigurumi! I love her so!

I actually did it! I sewed a beans on toast from felt! I was so excited making this and am really pleased with the way it turned out. I used an orange gel fabric paint to create the shine of the tomato sauce over the beans.

And finally, a new kind of item I will be selling in my shop, food badges! This is my toast badge, 'cos everybody likes a good slice of toast and a cuppa (well, nearly everyone). I will try a Battenberg one next.

So, thats my news done, what's everyone else been up to?

Interview and Feature

Oh exciting news! Last week I was asked to do an interview with Peach Nia for her blog A Lovely Little Deer (it's fab, check it out) with a feature of Pipinopolis and a giveaway, take a look at it here. I'm very proud and very grateful to Peach. The site has got some great artists featured on it, including two of my favourites Twinkie Chan and Beaky. Peach sampled my Felt Biscuit Set and there is a giveaway for a set of my French Fancies!

What else have I done? you might ask. Well, I have been going amigurumi mad as seen in my last post and have created a few cute little fellows which I must get around to listing this weekend. I am also going to create some more felt foods this week, some savouries I think, beans on toast is calling for me to sew it. Possibly some fish fingers and chips too!

For Lent, I am thinking of giving up buying more craft materials, and trying to use up what I have already, even though I always come across some mighty tempting suppliers' sites!

Snow and Sundries

We are finally due snow! The whole country has had it bar us in Swansea, typical!!! Its supposed to snow heavy tonight and tomorrow and I'm hoping for a snow day off work so I can get on with some personal projects now that all my orders are finished for Christmas. And talking of orders, here are some things I've just finished for my last one:

It's the first time I've made some of these items and I was pleasantly suprised by how they turned out, especially the corn on the cob which I'd been wanting to try for ages.

I've tried out making up my own treasury on Etsy I've included lots of felt foods that are so beautifully made. Take a look here.

I've also started on a cross stitch pattern, although I haven't cross stitched since I was 12, I'm enjoying it and love seeing the transformation from stitches into images. This Christmas (providing I dont get struck down with a virus again - its been 3 years running) I have asked my mum to show me how to crochet granny squares. I've never tried crochet before but love the results, and the retro look of a granny square throw on the back of the chair makes me feel all cosy and safe from the winter weather.

I will say Merry Christmas to everyone now as I don't know if I'll manage to blog again before the day, theres always so much to do, and I hope you all have a wonderful time!

xx

Post wedding normality

Well it's all done and dusted now. The order went out, the wedding happened (in a dase) and we went on honeymoon to Morocco. Everything was fab, and we didn't get to do half the things we planned on the day, but that was fine, we wern't really bothered when it came down to it. We didn't get time to play our last song so we had a dance to that on our last day of honeymoon in our room. Thant was lovely. Heres a wedding pic for now (not picked up official ones yet)

Back to crafting news. I am making xmas goodie bags for my cousin's two sons, so far we have pancakes, potato waffle, cheese, beans, and fried egg. I'm hoping to make out of it, a fried breakfast, sandwich, deserts and some other snacks! Looks good so far.

I've also made a sets of gingerbread men for my folksy shop and am just starting making xmas puddings and candy canes (the canes are tricky, not worked out how I'm making them yet). The cats are back at home with us, investigating everything made. We can't wait til xmas so we can all snuggle up together at home.

It's been ages!!!!!

ooooooooooohhhhhhhh Dear! I've neglected this blog for far too long!!!! Please accept my apologies. So, where have I been you might ask? (if you're still following). In May, I was sewing away in order to make more cash for the Wedding, and sold lots at another craft fayre. I celebrated my 28th birthday (with the flu) and many other birthdays in the family (we're mostly all in May). June flew. In July I was approached by Katie from Dust.co.uk and asked if I would sell some of my felt goodies wholesale to the boutique. Of course I jumped at the chance, and have sent over the first batch. I am however still sewing the full order, but will finish in a couple of days! This has kept me very busy. Will post a pic of the finished lot as soon as.

The Wedding is approaching fast, only 10 days to go!!! Time has flown. We've been making most of the deco for the wedding ourselves, so this has taken a lot of time. I made all the invites and RSVPs myself, the table deco, place settings, table layout, bonboneries and other surprises! My partner, Dan, has been putting together all the music (we have 14 hrs worth) and setting up all the lights speakers and other music related things I don't understand. He has also taken over dealing with the venue and catering as it was all stressing me out too easily!

I am just starting to get nervous about it all, mainly the organisation of the day itself, and having to look good. I usually dress like a scruff and no matter how hard I try, my appearance just never looks groomed. I'm having my hair styled by a professional (thank god) but am doing my make up myself (make up artists have made me look very orange). I'm going to the venue in the morning with a friend to set up, then after hair, am doing my, and my maid of honour's bouquets. Maybe I've taken too much on but I really want to put my heart and soul into this wedding.

That's enough wedding talk for now anyway, will post a pic afterwards for you to see. So I have made plans for afterward, when I have more time on my hands. I really want to do an exhibition of my felt work, a crazy event with all kinds of felt foods. I've giving myself an estimated time to get this done of next Christmas. I will then have to seek out a venue that will display it. Although a Christmas grotto of foods sounds like a fab exhibit. I am desperate to try out potato waffles, corn on the cob and crinkle fries. Also some basic stuff like sushi and fortune cookies. Maybe I'll look into kids food of the 80s?!! I would still love to do a classic jelly, but am still thinking out how to produce the pattern for that!

Anyway, I've rambled on for quite a bit now, so will leave it there and remember to post that pic of the order before its sent off!!!

Weddings and Tarts!

Oh my the wedding is snowballing! We now have a Pageboy, Usher, Flowergirl and Maid of Honour. Not much more cost but a lot more to organise. And even though we are just managing to cover the cost of the wedding, my car then decides to get to a point where it will not pass it's MOT. Can't really see the bank giving me an affordable loan at the mo, so I think we're going to have to try and share the one car. eeek. oh, I can also now fit into my wedding dress with room to spare! yey! so will need it taken in now!

Anyway onto yummy stuff, I have been making a few things over this easter weekend, such as a mini banana cake, a mini strawberry roll and biscuits. I also made this strawberry tart a couple of weeks ago, which is now in my Folksy Shop.

I bought that spotted tray for only £2.50 from Tesco, bargain! I picked up a beautiful yellow china teacup and saucer for £3.90 from a charity shop on the weekend too, will get it into as many photos as I can! I promise!

I'm booked in to do a craft show on the 8th May, at the Ostreme Centre in Mumbles again. Haven't done one since xmas and looking forward to it. Starts at 10am til 4pm if anyone is interested.

Oh one more thing, I sold some biscuits to the lovely Lucie of OddgirlCreates, who has mentioned them on her blog. Thanks Lucie!

Cheesecake and Ice cream

OK, sorry it's been a while since the last post! been busy at work staying all hours just to reach the target by the deadline. Now thats over for a few months, more to sew! I've knocked up these cute bitesized ice cream sandwiches and this raspberry cheesecake! I loved doing the sandwiches, especially the biscuits as they're sooooo cute!!!

I bought my mum a book on amigurumi for mother's day, so hope she starts on those as they look gorgeous and I need to learn to crochet. Theres a Stitch 'n' Bitch group in Swansea that meet every wednesday (just read today) may be worth a look!!!!

Sew Hip feature and New Cakes

I had my Doughnut pincushions featured in the latest issue (March) of Sew Hip magazine in the 'Things we love' section, have been meaning to take a picture of it, but will do it soon.



Otherwise I have been busy sewing tiny stitches making a selection of Japanese cakes following designs from Japanese felt cake designer - Ruko. I have finally managed to get them onto my folksy shop after numerous problems with out PC at home (give me a Mac anyday). I'm very proud of them!

Blog Feature and tea cakes!

My felt full english breakfast has been featured in someone elses blog today! Thanks Jenny! Check it out at Junky Chicken.

Also, I know I said I'd post loads more things last week but have been swamped with those hot cross buns and just plain old procastination! But heres a picture of those hot cross buns I was making for my sister, and a few extra for my Folksy shop!!