Supersuit, for age 4 child

Yes, I admit it. I've done nothing for you. For months.

My recent obsessions have been painting (acrylics) and sewing (a supersuit).

My eldest needed a costume for his school play; he's a superhero toy in Santa's Workshop. I was struck by inspiration. I used one of his existing dress up suits as a template and made a number of alterations as I translated it into a new pattern.

It's an all in one romper style suit with a cape that velcros on at the shoulders. Here's a photo:

Isn't that fantastic?

The principal changes I made to the suit after examining the bought version; ok much nicer fabric for a start. Black and purple two way stretch jersey with purple sateen for the star background and the outer cape. Also lovely silver mirror lame (how do I add an acute to that e?) for shiny cuffs, cape and star.

Structurally I had to take an inch off at the shoulders, I added extra at the cuffs and ankles which I can turn down if he needs it after a growth spurt, I lowered the waist and added the pants section (the original was just leg and torso, no superpants).

SO there you have it! I have been busy!

  

Painting my latest obsession

Here is my latest little something. A painting in acrylic on a wee little canvas (I don't have time for anything big). It began as something rather cartoonish, and while it retains some of its cartoony valies (proportions are little exaggerated) it ended up looking a lot like me! Not surprising I suppose as the only reference I have for the shading is my own face. I used the slightly mirrored front of the oven instead of a real mirror as I found with the latter I got too bogged down in detail.

Underneath, at the right you see my second attempt (this is my third painting) which is much more cartoonish with huge weird eyes and very slapdash splodgey shadows. And on its left is my first painting, just pure cartoon strangeness. I enjoyed painting all three and am satisfied that I have improved with each one!

I don't mind even if they turn out completely potty, it's still hugely satisfying to get paint on canvas and I think all 3 are pretty great in their own way.

I'm not sure what to do with them, wether I should take them to the everyman gallery in Winchester and see if I can get some feedback or to give them to my family and friends for Christmas presents.

In the background you can see a heap of library books about sewing. I am researching an underlying obsession with sewing. The book about Fashion in the 40s is really a very good read.

A little hand made treasure

Made for me when I was very little. This satin cushion is filled with a handful of lavender and rosemary it smells great.

Baking again

It has been a couple of weeks since my last baking session. My steam technique might have destroyed the oven. Well I'm not allowed to fill our electric, fan assisted oven with steam any more (shame), but I can't live another day without wonderful home baked bread.

Here I have used a bit more liquid than usual in the kid. It's a sticker dough, which I hope will compensate for the lack of steam. This should also make a lovely light bread. I've dusted the silicon baking mounds with flour just in case the sticky dough proves too sticky.

Not much to report

Lately my focus has been on my sons. My eldest has started school and enjoyed his first half term holiday and my youngest is more mobile (and potentially hazardous to himself!) than ever before. So my hands have been very full.

I have completed a few little projects; a couple of aprons, one for me, one for Mum. Also a baby carrier, which turned out beautifully, but my baby is really too heavy for me to use it now! I've made 3 pairs of trousers for my little boy and have resolved never to buy them again, they are so easy to make. I'm keen now to make something for myself! But what it will be I have not yet decided. I am researching vintage sewing patterns and wondering if I can design something unique. Meanwhile I have painted a very small canvas with a rather goofy sort of a character for my brother's Christmas present. I might have to turn my attentions to painting for the time being, until some other creative urge seizes me!

I hope to publish some more tutorials soon. Meanwhile you can buy the Crocheted Cactus eBook here:
http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/crochet-cactus-project/17143581?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

Ricey bag of toys thing

I saw this done on someone's website, it was wonderful. You make a sealed bag full of rice (must be squishable) and include a number of small toys (anything like small dinosaurs, thimbles, marbles, dice...). Sew a perspex window into the front of the bag so that the contents can be examined.

Make sure you have a list of all the toys inside the bag so that your kids can be challenged to find them all, and perhaps include two or three mystery toys, not named on the list.

So now you can challenge your kids to find all the toys. Supposed to be good to keep kids busy on long journeys.

Robot Workshop, from cereal packet

I had a brainwave today after seeing a fantastic robots magnet set in a pricey toy shop. I decided to attempt the same, but on a much lower budget.

These were made very quickly, in quite a slap-dash style. Most of my craft projects, if they are to see completion have to be made quickly as the kids don't offer much hands-free time at the moment. I don't see this as a problem though. Sometimes if my crafts are made too well (by my standards!) it can be a bit discouraging for J who says he doesn't want to join in because he can't do it as well as I have. So here we have some wonderfully scruffy, slapdash robot pieces, which my little robotics engineer can mix and match at his leisure!