More flutterby's...

I asked my Facebook friends for suggestions on how to use yesterday's butterfly motifs and inspired by their answers, I dug into my workbox and came up with some improvements to the designs.

First thing was how to stiffen the body of the ones made from pearl cotton and also how to come up with a convincing antennae (is that what you call them on butterflies?).



So, out came the florist wire and the needle nose pliers.  With the addition of some seed beads I now had a beaded body, convincing antennae (still not sure that is right) and a stiffer body. 









Add a brooch back and you have a lovely embellishment for jeans, jacket or bag :)

The smaller butterfly made with four ply cotton are now lovely, little bag/phone charms with addition of a jump ring and chain with a lobster claw fastening.

Butterfly, flutterby

I have been experimenting with butterfly motifs. I want to decorate my next tea cosy with flowers and butterflies, so searched the Internet for butterfly patterns.

Then the experimenting begins to find the right yarn and hook size.  I tried a four ply cotton yarn first.  The butterfly came out a bit bigger than I wanted.

Anchor Pearl embroidery cotton was my next choice, in orange and brown and the result was lovely.

The third pattern makes a much smaller butterfly that was just right for what I want. 

 I also tried a half butterfly so it looks like it wings are folded.

Time for tea and cake...

I have made another tea cosy.  Themed tea cosies are becoming 'my thing'.  Today's theme is afternoon tea appropriately enough.

I decided to go with the body of the cosy in blue and white stripes like Cornish Ware crockery, which is a favourite of mine. 

The cupcakes were made in 4 ply yarn, a pale brown cake bottom with a freeform top to look like big fluffy icing, one in pink and one in lemon.  

Then I  sewed lots of little bugle beads on - to look like sprinkles!

The tea cups were made in pink and white and lemon and white.  I sewed the cups and cakes on to the cosy, pink cake, yellow cup and vice versa

Add a blue ring and embellish the top with a wreath of little pink flowers and it is done!

Baaa...

I recently received a gift of a lovely frilly scarf from my friend Bernie's mum.  In return, I have made her a tea cosy.  Bernie's family have a sheep farm in Ireland and the tea cosy design is based on the farm.

Made in a double thickness of DK yarn for extra warmth, the cosy is made with a sky blue top part and grass green bottom and features four little sheep! 


 




The top part is decorated with little shamrock leaves.

Perfect for keeping the pot warm while you have a 'wee half cup o' tea' :)  The tea cosy will soon be on it's way to Ireland.

Summer Hols...

Yay!  Started my 6 week summer break yesterday and have lots of projects planned.  I started today with a couple of baby sunhats.  A friend of mine has a small baby and was struggling to find a hat to fit, so I was inspired!  The results of a mornings work were two little sunhats, one in blue and white stripes for a little boy...

 

 

...and one in a variegated yearn with shades of white, lemon and green in a pretty shell pattern.

 

 

 



Baby Blue.

This week I completed a baby blanket as a commission for a friend.  She chose this lovely blanket made from a hexagon motif with a flower centre.  As the baby is a boy, we decided to make it in blue and cream yarn. 

 

 

The motif starts with a cream flower that is them built up into a hexagon shape with the blue yarn. 

 

 

 

The hexagons are joined into strip using a slip stitch seam and half hexagon on alternate strips to create a straight edge on the long side. Then the strips were joined to make the blanket and three rows of double crochet in alternating colours made up the border.

 

The finished blanket has a warm, thick feel and although it has a flower, it is still suitable for a boy.