Meet Doug

This is Doug.

Doug is a pug. He is very good.

This is Tricky.

Tricky is a pug. He is not very good.

When Doug goes to the beach, he does not help himself to someone's picnic! If Doug is invited to a friends house for tea, he does not take a dip in their pond.

Doug is allowed upstairs as he is very useful at holding the door open. Tricky is not allowed upstairs.

Doug is stuffed with fluffy stuff. Tricky would like to be stuffed. Mainly with anything he can eat! When Tricky grows up he wants to be fat.

Doug the Pug is lovely but he doesn't give very good kisses.

Spool doll tutorial

I've made up a basic kit for our sewing club to make in July. We are doing Christmas projects during the day, so I've adapted them into angels.

Contents of kit:
7 spools
1 large bead
5 small beads
Waxed thread/cord
Templates for the wings, hair and dress yoke.
Small piece of interfacing (for the yoke if using fabric).

You will also need:
Fabric to make the dress, yoke and wings.
Wool or embroidery thread for the hair.
Glue
Acrylic paint or permanent markers to add face.
Basic sewing kit.

This is how I put it together.

cut thread into 2 equal pieces. Fold each piece in half then adjust so it has approximately 2 inches longer at the top.

Thread on a small bead so it sits on the bottom loop of the cord.

Thread both ends through 2 spools.

Repeat for the other leg.

Thread all 4 cords through a spool.

Find the longer threads to create the arms.

Push the cord back on itself through the spool.

Repeat for the second arm.

Push all 4 cords through the small bead.

(This is the point where you would add the yoke).

Thread on the large bead.

Hobbycraft trolley.

Last time I visited Hobbycraft, their trolley was reduced to £25. I do own 2 of the Ikea ones and love them. I bought the Hobbycraft trolley as I thought it would be handy for storing my phds. (Projects half done)!!

Putting it together was really simple. The Ikea one was a little more tricky but still quite easy. The Ikea one is made from thicker metal and does feel a bit more sturdy. You can also attach the baskets at different levels where as the Hobbycraft one can only go together one way. The Ikea baskets are shaped where it attaches to the frame, the Hobbycraft one attaches to external holes so the baskets are flat on the sides.

The Hobbycraft trolley has locking wheels and both run smoothly when it is pushed around.

In my opinion, the Hobbycraft trolley is quite good value at £25 but I wouldn't want to pay more. The Ikea Raskog trolley is £50. I've had the Ikea trolley for about 6 years and it is still like it is brand new.

Ikea trolley with shaping around the poles where it attaches to the frame. The Hobbycraft trolley below has the poles on the outside of the baskets.

Able to attach the baskets higher or lower. (Mine are centred).

Hunkydory kit

I got to use one of my favourite Hunkydory kits when I made a card and sign for my mum. Obviously she is NOT 75. She also did not turn up in odd shoes when we were going out for a drink.

Mothering Sunday cards

I didn't have a stamp saying 'Mothering Sunday ' so I wrote it with an embossing ink pen and used some gold embossing powder. The cards were made from a Hunkydory card kit I got with a magazine.

Pug birthday

Today is the birthday of the most wonderful dog in the world. He might be a bit naughty but I love him.

Brooches on a sewing theme.

I've been a little subdued this past week as I've had a cyst removed from my back and it has left me with a hole 2cm deep. Each day I have to get it packed and dressed and it is quite painful which leaves me with little enthusiasm to craft for long periods. However, I have a few projects that I can pick up and do when the mood takes me. I finished these brooches using the sewing machine buttons I bought at the craft show in Exeter a few weeks ago.