Finally...Finished Fleece Neckwarmers!

Hey everyone

Now that winter has arrived, if you have a piece of fleece and some wadding lying around I strongly recommend that you whip up a fleece neckwarmer for yourself. (Thanks Jules for being my model!)

I wanted something to keep cold draughts at bay, but I get irritated by the scratchiness of collars and the way that scarves dangle and get in the way and caught up in things - so here's my cheery, bright red solution.

My first prototype used quite thick wadding and although it kept me extremely cosy, I felt like Mrs Tishell in Doc Martin. Be warned.

If you can't be bothered to get out your sewing machine, I've listed a few on Folksy.

Happy crafting!
Nic x

Hello from Carrie

This is a bookmark and is like a caterpillar with a tail.  Any suggestions on how to make it better will be gratefully received.  I'm calling it a Looky Loo and it will sell for 50p.

Hope you like the sky blue.

Carrie

x

Ready for a new craft challenge?

So, hot on the heels of the last post, it's time to announce the next craft challenge and using the rather fabulous 'meow meow', the following theme and colours have been picked at random .......................

As always, feel free to also use black and/or white.

Happy crafting,
Jo
x

October's Craft Challenge

Hi everyone,

Nic surprised me with the most fab (and seriously inspired!) item for October's craft challenge - she made a brilliant spinning wheel to help pick all future projects, I've nicknamed it the 'meow meow' and here's a photo of me at the Bead Fair yesterday, looking a bit manic spinning the wheel!  I think you'll agree it's a great use of a lever arch file, yep really, that's what it used to be!

 

For my challenge, I knitted a blue mouse catnip toy and here's a photo of CharlieCat snoozing after a mad 15 mins of playing with it ..............

There are a couple more items to add from our lovely fellow crafters, so pop back and see what else arrives.

Jo

x

A Grand Day Out - Nottingham Bead Fair

Hi everyone,

Hope you've had a fun weekend! Jo and I negotiated some foggy motorway to spend the day at the Nottingham Bead Fair yesterday, and had a brilliant time catching up and being enchanted by every flavour of bling. It was bigger and better than last year's, with lots of stalls and free workshops in felted beads, crochet flowers, beaded snowflakes and dichroic fused glass. We loved the Wigjig earring and Celtic scroll workshop - I can't remember an hour that flew by faster, with some lovely friendly people. Wirework is definitely addictive (or as Kirsty would have it, the crack cocaine of the craft world). The place was packed initially but luckily the crowd thinned out by the end of the day so we got to take a photo and see everything on offer, including some breathtaking ideas for beaded Christmas decorations and gifts.

All in all a fabulous experience!

Have a good week,
Nic x

Felt Mouse Fever

Hey everyone! Hope the dark evenings aren't getting you down, I'm shifting into ubercraft mode and thought I would keep you posted on how I get on with my charity makes, hopefully it will inspire some of you to jump in and help your local shelter too :)

I've been trying to find a quick pattern for cat toys with NANNA animal rescue in mind - quick because a LOT of unwanted cats are cared for by these fine folk, so both quantity and quality are important. (You ever delivered a lovely treat to one pen and watch all the other residents' eyes follow you out? I do not wish to deliver crushing disappointment along with the bargain.) I need to make something fun, safe and large enough not to easily fall out of the pens as some toys will go through the bars. I came across a cute-looking candidate here which I really like the look of, so I'll be test driving felt mice this weekend as the images and instructions look very clear and appealing. I'll use thread instead of beads for eyes as I believe that if they are successful, they WILL be chewed off, I'll be adding jingle bells and catnip for added oohlala and I can't wait to deliver my little presents...I'll be there for hours...

Tell us if you do something along similar lines, we'd love to poach share your ideas ;)

Have a brilliant weekend!
Nic x

23 November - Update: Yup, oi bin makin' looooots of felt mioce, but they are without exception of the lumpy and deformed variety. I'm experimenting with stuffings and it's...interesting. I'll keep you posted...

Can You Guess What It Is Yet?

Here's a clue about what I'm making for October's challenge.

That's your lot! Heh heh!
Nic x

Evening All!

Hi everyone,
Hope you've enjoyed your Sunday, whatever you were up to. I went foraging for sloes, haws and rosehips with a friend I haven't seen for a few weeks - it was great to catch up as we filled a couple of bags with hedgerow goodies...and this morning a bumper crop of kale, leeks, and potatoes came in from the garden. No need for Mr Tesco today :)
On a crafty note, I'm dead chuffed that I've finished some purpley gift bracelets that I've been struggling with for some time. In the end, my first adventure with memory wire led to something I'm happy with. I'll definitely be using memory wire again, it's a lot of fun.

Have a great evening! Nic x

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend, the weather here in Derbyshire has turned very wet, but yesterday morning was lovely and so I thought I'd take a photo of my lovely boy Ben and the footpath where we regularly walk.  I wanted to try and capture the colour of the trees and hedges, to show the changing season, yep Autumn is definitely here.     

                                                            
Now the clocks have gone back, what did you do with the extra hour?  I was going to have a lie in, but one of my cats had other ideas and woke me up by tapping my face with his paw, well, he wanted his breakfast and doesn't know about the clocks changing - you know what they say "cats don't have owners, they have servants"!  I've just started a new knitting project for my friend Danielle who is due to have a baby, I'm knitting a little wrap cardi using an Erika Knight pattern and the yarn is from the Debbie Bliss ecobaby fairtrade collection, 100% cotton and perfect for new baby skin, I'm using cream and will add either a pink or blue organza ribbon once the baby has arrived.
                                                         
Also, thanks to Jules for creating this fab blog and I think I've finally decided on what I'm going to make for the current craft challenge, just need to make sure I have everything I need in my stash.  Can't wait to see what everyone else makes and we'll be posting photos of all the lovely creations after 20th November.  Happy crafting everyone,
Jo
x

October 2011 Project

This month's project finishes on Sunday 20th November 2011.

Our theme is:
Animals

And our colour is:
Blue-green

Additional colour:
Red-orange

Good luck, happy crafting and don't forget to send us a photo of your finished project! :)

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our new project blog!

Every month, The Tree House Project will issue a new craft challenge. 

Anyone is free to participate and submit photos of their work, and any craft may be used, for example papercrafting, ceramics, papier mache, jewellery, sewing, knitting/crochet, painting and drawing, embroidery, print making, metal working, weaving/looming, woodworking, calligraphy, stained glass, clay – even cupcakes! It’s a great opportunity to try something new, or pick up a hobby you haven’t indulged in for a while.

The aim of the project is to jump-start our creativity by using what we already have. There is a £2 “wiggle room” allowance – for cotton, glue, buttons, or anything else you might need to complete your project. Or maybe something repurposed from a charity shop that will be the foundation of your project.

You may keep, donate, give or sell your project when finished, and ideas may be freely shared and used by other participants – first and foremost, we’re here to learn from and inspire each other.

Each month Jo will select a theme and colour at random for the challenge and give the finish date.

Black and white are always allowed, and an additional optional colour will be included to complement/contrast the main colour, or in case you don’t have anything at all in the main colour in your existing stash – but remember that you may have paint, ink, pens or even food colouring that could alter your work, we really want people to join in without spending money. You might like to ask on Freecyle (or your local equivalent) for items, and sometimes shops have “Free” boxes on the pavement with unwanted items just waiting to be crafted into something spectacular. If your project is nature-based, dried leaves and flowers or twigs and seed heads might be used. Be imaginative!

If you have any questions or queries please feel free to email us. 

The current project and details are shown on the current project page and past projects are all on the past project page!