Butterfly Kisses - Digital Scrapbooking Kit

Morning all!

Wow! I started making these scrapkits all the way back in 2010, and a lot of them have just been sitting on my hard drive since, or been added too but never shared.

My girls, especially Miss M, loves digital scrapbooking, and is learning her way around Photoshop putting layouts together. A lot of the elements I make are for her. I figure, it's high time I share them!

This kit was originally released many years ago, however it only had 4 papers, and a handful of elements. It' had an update and Im pleased to say is ready for re-release! I'll have one each month for you to grab!

January's Free Digital Scrap Kit - Butterfly Kisses

Included in the kit:

8 papers

4 ribbons

2 frames

2 buttons

4 bows

4 tape

1 tag

1 paperclip

2 bulldog clips

4 embellishments 

Grab the Zip File Here!

DIY Christmas (or any other themed) notepads

Good morning lovelies!

Well, here we are towards the end of the month, and the first for the year Christmas themed post!

Christmas 2017 I made up 30 small sized stockings to take to the local community houses and organisations that work with Children. I didn't want to fill them with just junk and after a long hard think about it, I decided on stationary. Kids of all ages like to draw, colour and write, and it was the perfect idea for filling these stockings!

I wanted to include notebooks, but I realised quickly that these small stockings would need equally small notebooks. Larger ones were not an option, all items needed to be contained in the stocking itself, for ease of distribution by the organisations.

The solution is a simple one, but oh so pretty at the same time. Also, totally customisation! You could make these for all sorts of occasions, and even print out your own paper for them too if you like! They are also super cheap, which is important when your making bulk lots of things on a budget.

I picked up a stack of 10 pads in Shiploads for $2 The pads were all connected together and so I had to pull them apart before starting. I used my craft knife to make this job easier, and avoid ripping any of the paper.

You will need:
Paper pads, or make your own by cutting paper to the right size and stapling
Cardstock in your chosen print/colour/theme
A craft knife or something to score cardstock with
A ruler
A glue stick

1: Separate your notepads (or make them if doing your own) and measure how big they are in width and length.

2: Grab your cardstock, and mark the width you need on it. If you are using small pads and 12x12 cardstock you should get 3 rows. Add an inch to the measurement for length, so you have enough to fold over the edge of your pads, and mark that on the cardstock too. Cut out your pieces, you should have something like this, with the cardstock being an inch longer in size than the pad. The cardstock is the bottom piece. I ended up getting 6 covers from one 12x12 sheet of cardstock.

3: Lay the notepad on top of the cardstock and score the cardstock at the same height as the pad.

4: Add some glue to the top section of the cardstock, and fold it over the edge of the pad so it sticks to the back of it.

5: Press down firmly to make sure the cardstock is both stuck and in place and that's it, you are done!

These little notepads worked great for the stockings, but I can see oodles of potential here. They would make awesome personalised save the date or thanks for coming gifts, you could use photos in place of cardstock, or get super creative and decorate some plain cardstock to use for covers. 

Bella Booties

Good morning all!

Today's pattern release is for a sweet pair of booties, designed to fit a baby of 0-3 months. It's been a while since I've crocheted for full term newborn sizes, and it's something I'm very excited about doing this year.
These booties are super easy, super fast and... SUPER adorable! The cobble stitch adds a lovely texture, and the contrasting edging some real POP! These would make a fantastic baby shower gift!


Sized To Fit: 
0-3 Months

You Will Need:
3mm hook
4ply/light fingering weight yarn in both a main and a contrasting colour. I used cotton, but acrylic would work fine too.
2 small buttons


It's important not to crochet into the joining stitch on the sole, when working in rounds like this, it can look like a stitch, but it isn't.

1: Ch11, hdc into the 2nd ch from hook, hdc in the next 8 chains, 4dc in the last chain, working into the same chains, but on the opposite side of the stitches we just made, hdc in the next 9 chains, join to the first hdc

2: Ch3, 2dc in the same stitch, dc in the next 8 stitches, 2dc in each of the next 4 stitches, dc in the next 8 stitches, 2dc in the last stitch. Join to the first dc.

3: Ch1, 2sc in the same stitch, 2sc in the next stitch, sc in the next 8 stitches, *2sc in the next stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat 3 more times, sc in the next 8 stitches, 2sc in each of the last 2 stitches. Join to the first sc. Sole complete. End off yarn.

Grab your stitch markers and mark off the 11th stitch on both sides (count from the the 1st stitch to the right of the join as the centre stitch, the top 2 markers in the photo below), this will leave you with 14 stitches in the toe section between markers. With the right side up and the toe pointing left, join your yarn to the stitch with the marker in it, back loop only.

4: This round will be completed in back loops only: ch1, sc in the same stitch, tr in the next stitch, *sc in the next stitch, tr in the next stitch*, repeat until you reach the next marker. -16sts

5: Ch1, turn, sc in the first 3 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next stitch, sc2tg, sc2tg, sc in the next stitch, sc2tg, sc in the last 3 stitches. -12sts

6: Ch1, turn, sc in the first stitch, tr in the next stitch, *sc in the next stitch, tr in the next stitch*, repeat across - 12sts

7: Ch1, turn, sc2tg 6 times - 6sts

8: Ch1, turn, sc2tg 3 times - 3sts. End off leaving a longish tail. Take the tail, and slip it back into the ch1 and pull tight to close.

Grab your stitch markers again and mark of the 6th stitch on each side (image above). This next round gets a little tricky because we WANT to crochet into the joining stitch/ending stitch from the last round of the bootie sole, so there are no gaps in the heel of the bootie.

9: With the toe of the bootie pointing right, attach the yarn in the same stitch with the marker closest to your body: ch1,  sc in the same stitch, tr in the next stitch, *sc in the next stitch, tr in the next stitch*, repeat twice, (sc, tr) into the joining stitch, *sc into the next stitch, tr into the next stitch*, repeat twice more to reach the next marker. -14sts

10: Ch1 turn, sc in the first stitch, sc2tg, sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc2tg, sc in the last stitch -10sts

11: Ch1, turn, sc in the same sticth, tr in the next, *sc in the next stitch, tr in the next stitch*, repeat across. -10sts. End off.

12: Left Bootie: ch17, sc into the 5th chain from hook, sc in each remaining chain, don't end, simply sc into the first stitch from round 11 and in each stitch across. do not end, continue as below:

Right Bootie: Join yarn to the first stitch from row 11, sc in each stitch across, ch17, sc in the 5th chain from hook and each chain across, when you get to the last chain, slst into the edge of the bootie and continue as below:

Finishing: sc down the side of the heel piece, slst in the 4 un-worked stitches on the sole, sc evenly across the edge of the toe opening (that was 12sc for me), slst in the 4 un-worked stitches on the sole, then sc evenly up the remaining heel edge. End off leaving a long tail. Use the tail to close the gap between the heel and the strap. Note, the right bootie won't have a gap.

Weave in all tails.

Take your contrasting yarn and join it to one of the bootie sides, on the sole, and slip stitch around the entire thing, strap included. Be sure not to pull too tight with your slip stitches, as it may distort the bootie. Weave in the tails.

Attach buttons and your done!!!

Bead Threading Busy Bag

Morning all!

Just a bit excited about today's post!

I've done a few Busy Bags in the past for other people and groups, but never really got around to playing with them more. Now Master J is a big 3 year old I'm finding these little bags of goodness to be really fantastic for entertaining him, while also being educational!

Right now we're all about colours, and so I thought I'd make some little colour related games for him.

This one has the added bonus of engaging their fine motor skills threading the beads too. We gave it a burl, and it got a toddler tick of approval!

It's super easy to do too! I've included the file in this post for you to download for free, to make your own little bead threading boats! The file has the 6 coloured boats that Master J has been playing with, and an additional 9 boats with numbers on them (1-9), for older kids who are learning to count!

Supplies Needed:
Access to a printer
Laminate Machine
Pipe Cleaners
Scissors
Hole Punch
Pony Beads

Steps:

1: Print out the file, you can download the filer HERE

2: Cut out the boats.

3: Laminate the squares, and cut them out of the laminate.

4: Place a hole in the side with the hole punch.

5: Loop the pipe cleaner through the hole, then twist to join both sides together. These can be as long or short as you like.

6: Grab the beads and play!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little busy bag! Let me know how your kiddoes go with it!

Perry Preemie Cocoon

Good morning lovelies!

Wow is this month flying or what! Are you enjoying the new posting schedule? I know I am!
Today's post is a new crochet pattern for a tiny little cocoon to suit 18 weeks gestation. I really do like making these cocoons. Often babies this small simply cannot be dressed, and so having the option of a beautiful cocoon to wrap them in, is pretty important.

Today's cocoon is a simple one that won't take more than a few hours at most. I started with a 50g ball of yarn, and have 29g left, you you'll easily get 2 from one 50g ball.

Perry Cocoon

Sized To Fit:
18 Weeks Gestation

You Will Need:

2.5mm hook
4ply/Fingering Weight yarn
2 buttons
Sewing needle for attaching buttons.

1: Into a magic ring, dc 12 times, join to the first dc. -12 (Alternatively, ch3, 12dc into the first chain, join to the first dc)

2: ch3, 2dc in the same stitch, 2dc in each remaining stitch around, join to the first dc. -24

3: ch3, 2dc in the same stitch, dc in the next stitch. *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join to the first dc. -36

4: ch3, 2dc in the same stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around, join to the first dc. -48

5: ch3, skip the first 2 stitches, into the next stitch (2dc, ch1, 2dc), skip the next 2 stitches, dc into the next stitch, *skip the next 2 stitches, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next stitch, skip the next 2 stitches, dc into the next stitch*, repeat around, when you get to the end of the round, do not join. We'll work in rows from here on out.

6: ch3, turn, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, skip the next 2 dc's (part of the shell), bpdc around the next dc, *(2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, skip the next 2 dc's (part of the shell) bpdc around the next dc*, repeat around, dc into the top of the last dc (the ch3 from previous round)

7: ch3, turn, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, fpdc around the next bpdc, *(2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, fpdc around the next bpdc*, repeat around, dc into the top of the last dc (the ch3 from previous round)

8: ch3, turn, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, bpdc around the next fpdc, *(2dc, ch1, 2dc) into the next ch1 space, bpdc around the next fpdc*, repeat around, dc into the top of the last dc (the ch3 from previous round)

9-20: Repeat rows 7-8

21: When you finish row 20 do not end, instead, chain 2, then hdc evenly down the side of the opening to the bottom of the opening, then back up the other side. Do not end yet.
Sew buttons into place on the opposite side of the edge you finished row 21 on.

22: ch1, turn sc down the side, when you come to a spot opposite a button, chain (3-8, depending on the size of the button, and slst back into the same stitch the last sc was made in, Continue to sc until you've gone to the bottom of the opening and back up the next side.

Finished Measurements: 
18cm in length
12cm in width

Play Dough Mats - Gumball Machine

Good morning lovelies!

If there's one thing Master J loves to do more than any other messy activity, it's play dough! He loves to squash it, smash it, pull it, poke it, roll it and jab it! He will happily spend a good 30 minutes totally engrossed in a blob of play dough and a few cookie cutters.

I decided to extent his play with a little educational aspect to it. He might be a little too little yet for a lot of numbers, but it never hurts to start introducing them into his play.

The idea for the gumball machines actually came from Miss L, who helped me design them in Photoshop, and picked out the colours! She has some more ideas, and so do I, so you can expect to see some more throughout the year.

Play dough mats are a fantastic resource for kids. They encourage learning while having fun, and add extra play aspects to their activities. The mats are laminated too, so they can be re-used again and again! Right now, he just has fun putting play dough blobs onto the shadows in the gumball machines, and doesn't seem too concerned about the numbers. He is, after all, only just (as in last week!) 3. But eventually we'll swap them out for a set without the shadows. The set has numbers 1-5, we'll eventually add to 10, but 5 seemed like a good starting point for his age.

We're also going to use them for placing pompoms on with a pair of tweezers, to help with his motor skills!

You can download the set of 5 with shadows and without in PDF format at the bottom of this post.

Simply save, print, laminate and play!

Simple Barbie Gown

Hello lovelies!

Call me crazy, but I can't get enough of making Barbie clothes, even though my girls are now all officially high-schoolers and no longer play with them. Home made dolls clothes take me on a trip down memory lane. My nanna used to knit elaborate yarn and ribbon gowns for my Barbies, and I loved them so so much. There was just something special about the handmade clothes that I loved so much more than any store bought glam.

I hope your little one likes this gown, as much as I loved mine as a child. It's pretty straight forward, and fast to make. I'm hoping to do a few this year to pop away for Christmas gifts. Yes, Im starting THIS early!

You Will Need
2.5mm hook
4ply/fingering weight yarn
Small length of ribbon (or yarn) for a sash.
A small press stud or button for closing at the back

1: Ch28, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and each across. - 27

2-4: Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across - 27

5: Ch1, turn, sc in the fist 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 3 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the last 4 stitches - 23

6: Ch1, turn, sc in the first 5 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next stitch, sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the last 5 stitches - 19

7-9: Ch1, tun, sc in each stitch across - 19

10: Ch1, turn, 2sc in each stitch across, join to the first stitch, so we can start working in rounds -38

11: Ch1, sc in the first stitch, 2sc in the next stitch, join to the first sc. - 57

12: Ch1, 2dc in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, *(sc, 2dc) into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat around, join to the ch1. - 57

13: Ch3, (dc, sc) in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, *(2dc, sc) in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat around, join. - 57

Repeat rounds 12 and 13 for s long as you want the skirt part of the dress to be, for me this was 19 more rounds. You may want a longer or shorter skirt, so adjust as nessesary.

End off and weave in tails.

Attach press stud or button for back closure. Be sure to check for fit before sewing them in place.

Place the gown on the doll and position your ribbon in the spot you want it. Tack it into place so it doesn't move at the back of the dress, and tie a knot or bow in the front.

Enjoy!

Pinspiration - Wall Hanging From Yarn

Good morning all and welcome to yet another new theme for the blog, Pinspiration!

What on earth is Pinspiration? Well, according to Urban Dictionary it's "Using the website Pinterest to find inspiration"

Now, I know if you've landed here on a craft blog, you've probably at some point gotten some Pinspiration yourself! I spend a LOOOT of time browsing Pinterest, sometimes, I'm ashamed to say, for many many hours. I can't help myself!

Well, while browsing about the other day I spotted a bunch of lovely wall hangings made from yarn, and I thought, you know what, I bet I could do that too!

Mostly my Pinspiration for this came from a photo I saw on My Desired Home which linked back to another site, which appears to not exist anymore. So, if anyone happens to know of the original, let me know and I'll update this, because as always, credit where due <3

This isn't a tutorial as such, but at the end I'll list my supplies and let you know m process. Maybe you'd like to have some fun with yarn wall hangings too!

So I started looking through my stash, looking for some yarn to use. It's no surprise I was drawn to this amazing green, it is after all, my favourite colour! I knew I wanted to make something earthy, so I picked a handful of browns, greens and greys to pair with it, but I really wasn't sure which I'd use until I started playing with it.

I hung the branch from a chair before I started looping yarn, I figured it would be easier than trying to loop it all flat. Oh boy was I right!

The best part about this kind of decor is you can totally customise it. Even if you used the same items and colour scheme of mine, it'd still come out different!

I had a lot of fun deciding where to place the splashes of colour. I ended up only using 3 additional colours of yarn. The thick chunky grey for an off set braid, a purple/green mixed yarn for some knotting and braiding and a variegated green which I just looped 1-2 strands at a time in between the solid green to break it up a little. Some of the solid green is also braided and knotted. It's completely random, and I didn't plan any of the knotting or braiding, it just happened as I went. I decided to go with a triangular edge, instead of straight across.

Once I was done with the yarn, I realised it needed something else to really make it POP so I went for a craft room rummage. Boy did I rummage! I ended up finding a jar of these little irregular shaped beads and thought they would work fantastic against the green.

The hardest part was trying to figure out how to attach them. My yarn was too thick to thread them on, and my needles had too large a eye to fit through the beads. Honestly, this perplexed me for much longer than it should have, and a few hours later after putting it aside for dinner, I had one of those AHA! moments. Sewing thread! I had a dark green in my stash already, so it was just a matter of adding the beads to the thread, and then looping the thread to the branch in a triangular shape, so it matched the bottom of the hanging.

Overall, the project didn't take more than a few days, from hunting for the right stick at the park, to adding the last bead. I think it came out fantastic too! Pretty sure I'll need to make some more of these for friends in the future!

Supplies List:
Yarn (a hank of solid green, and part balls of chunky grey, green variegated and a green/purple mix)
A Stick that's reasonably straight (I found mine at the local park)
Scissors
Beads
Sewing Thread
Thread/String/Yarn to hang your branch

Felt Board Shapes - Cars

Good morning lovelies!!

The first in "new segments" for the blog this year is Felt Board templates!

Oh boy, does Master J just LOOOOOVE his felt board. It's so old and ratty looking, but he doesn't care, he loves that thing! I think though, I have equal amounts of fun planning and making little felt shapes for him to play with, and I figure, you guys might like them too!

Felt boards are cheap as chips to pick up, or you can make your own by simply gluing some felt to a piece of sturdy cardboard, or even in a photo frame (with no glass of course) or you could forego the board all together and just lay down a large piece of felt to use as a base for the pieces to stick to.

For our first felt set for the year, I thought we'd start with one of Master J's favs. Cars! These are super simple to make. In fact, it takes longer waiting for the fabric paint to dry than it does actually making the set! These make fun quiet time play toys, are excellent story prompts and also make fantastic gifts!

Here's how!

You will need:
Access to a printer
Some felt in various colours
Scissors
Puff Paint or Fabric Paint (I used both, but mostly a puff paint from Kmart)
Glue (I used good ol' 450 craft glue)
A Marker
Popcorn. Because mamma needs a mid project snack!

Let's get started

1: Grab the PDF file and print it. You can find the file HERE



2: Cut out the templates from the paper you just printed

3: Lay the template on the felt and either cut around it, or trace around it and then cut the pieces out.

4: Glue! Grab your glue and start putting your pieces together. Doors and windows onto cars, add the wheels too. Glue signs onto sign posts as well.

Eat some popcorn while you wait for the glue to dry enough to hold everything in place when you move it.

5: Paint! Get your puff paint or fabric paint and add white lines to the road (or yellow), stripes on the traffic cones, STOP to the stop sign, and lights on the traffic lights. You could add more detail to the cars if you like, but by this stage I was over squeezing paint out of tiny bottles.


Wait for it all to dry overnight and TADAA! A new set of felt cars for your little one!

Rose Prem Gown

Good morning all and welcome to the first post for 2018, which also happens to be the first pattern for 2018 too!!

The break over the last month has been much welcome, but I have to say, also a little... boring! I barely even touched a crochet hook for over a month! So not like me at ALL!

But that's all good, because I'm refreshed, and raring to get on with this year!

I have some pretty big blog changes coming this year. One of which is a more frequent posting schedule! That's right, I've committed to a schedule and will do my up most to stick to it!

So, what does 2018 bring blog wise? Lots! Preemie, newborn, blanket and toy patterns will feature this year as far as crochet goes! Not to forget the September Itty Bitty Giant Hat Drive again this year (want to make an early start? Knock yourself out!) I'll also be introducing some more craft posts and lots more sharing. Most of you know that I'm a crafty kinda gal. The kind that crafts till her fingers fall off, then glue guns those suckers back on and crafts some more! I want to share more of that with you all. So you can expect to see more digital scrap kits, some felt board templates, oodles of toddler/kid themed downloadable content and crafts and also Christmas and Halloween crafts... ALL. YEAR. LONG! Yes, I love decorating for both so much that I thought we'd get a jump start and begin this month.

So as you can see, biiiiiiiiiiiig changes! I'm also working on more pattern translations, international organisations to pair up with for the hat drive (if you own/run one, please email me!!), and to finally make the leap across to YouTube, which is something I've been working towards for so long now!

Hold on to your hats lovelies, 2018, I'm coming!

Rose Prem Gown

Sized To Fit:
36 Weeks Gestation

You Will Need:
4.5mm hook
DK/8ply/Light Worsted weight yarn in main and contrasting colours. You will need less than 25g of the contrasting colour.


1: Ch30, dc in the 3rd ch from hook, 2dc in the next ch, *dc in the next ch, 2dc in the next ch* Repeat across (42)

2: Ch2, turn, *dc in the first 2 stitches, 2dc in the next stitch* Repeat across (56)

3: Ch2, turn, *dc in the first 3 stitches, 2dc in the next stitch* Repeat across (70)

4: Ch2, turn, *dc in the first 4 stitches, 2dc in the next stitch* Repeat across (84)

5: Ch2, turn, dc in the first 11 stitches, skip the next 19 stitches, dc in the next 24 stitches, skip the next 19 stitches, dc in the last 11 stitches. (46) Armholes Made

6: Ch2, turn, hdc in each stitch across (46)

7: Ch1, turn, in the first stitch (slst, ch3, 2dc), shell made *skip 2 stitches, (slst, ch3, 2dc) in the next stitch*, repeat across, sc in the last stitch.

8. Ch1, turn, (slst, ch3, 2dc) in the first sc, *in the ch3 space of the next shell (slst, ch3, 2dc)*, repeat across, when you reach the last shell, sc in the ch3 space.

9-14: Repeat row 8.

Change to contrasting colour

15-16: Repeat row 8

Change to main colour

17: Repeat row 8

Change to contrasting Colour

18-19: Repeat row 8

Change to main colour

20: Repeat row 8

Do not end off main colour, ch2, then word hdc's evenly up the side to the neckline. End off.

Reattach yarn to the other corner, ch2, and hdc evenly up the remaining side to the neckline. (If you are adding buttons instead of tied, this is where you need to make some button holes. You can easily do this by chaining 2, and skipping a stitch in the place you wish for a button to be)

End off and weave in all tails.

To make ties for the back, attach yarn in the place you want the tie to be and chain 28. Repeat for all remaining ties. OR if using buttons, sew them into place.

Sleeves

1: Reattach main colour to the bottom of any armhole and ch2, hdc evenly around the armhole for 24 stitches, join to the first hdc.

2: Ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join to the first hdc. End off main colour.

3: Attach contrasting colour to any stitch on the arm hole with a slst, ch1, dc into the same stitch, *skip the next stitch, (slst, ch1, dc)* into the next stitch, repeat around, joining with a slst. End off and weave in all tails.

Repeat 1-3 for the second arm hole.

Attach any decorations you like, and you are done!

Finished Measurements, laid flat, with back ties tied.
Sleeve Edge: 10cm across opening
Chest: 16cm across
Neckline to Hem: 32cm
Sleeve edge to Sleeve edge: 21cm